Wherever you're going, I'm going your way

I've been thinking about Sex and the City a lot lately. I wonder how many people who call themselves fans have considered the true beauty of the show beyond the Dior dresses, Fendi baguettes, and, of course, sex: the writing.

My whole life, I've been drawn to things because of how they are written. I can look past a story I'm not crazy about if it's crafted well. "Rabbit, Run" is a perfect example of this. Hands down, one of my favorite books, but not because of what it's about but rather because how it's written. Updike is undoubtedly one of my literary heroes, but that doesn't mean that I always agree with his content.

Sex and the City defined a generation - mine. And not just because we are searching for the two L's (which in all honesty, is dead on), but because of its preciseness and its need to come full circle.

I watched one of my favorite episodes last night. I Heart NY. You know the one. When Carrie finds out that Mr. Big is leaving New York and they dance to Moon River (and yes, I cried). It seemed even more appropriate because I had dinner with my "Mr. Big" just hours before. It got me thinking about my life and how much I've changed. Sometimes the greatest love affairs are the ones that end. And maybe that's alright.

I used to think that if I wasn't married by the 23, the age my mother was married, that something would be wrong. My parents' marriage is the one thing in my life that I've always been sure of, and it only made sense that I followed exactly in their footsteps. It almost worked. My parents met under a tree during undergrad; I met someone at my Southern university. They were engaged shortly after graduating; I tried on rings at Tiffany during my senior year. And then, on a cloudy day in November, it all unraveled rapidly before my very eyes. It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion. You have the time to yell out, "STOP!" but it doesn't make a difference. It's inevitable.

One of the true significances of Sex and the City is that they're all, until well into the series, single. And in their thirties. And don't need to be defined by marriage. And it wasn't until very recently that I really began to appreciate that.

I used to believe that I was put on this earth to be a carbon copy of my father, to emulate his goodness and to be the kind of person that he is, full of life and kindness and lightheartedness. I still believe that, but for the first time I see it in a new light. My parents are everything to me, and I'm so much like them, but I'm different. I have things that I need to do before committing my life to someone else. I need to write. I need to be published. I need to dance in the rain while waiting for the sunshine. And that's just fine. It will all happen.

I'm comforted by the knowledge that I'm always ready to fall in love. I stand armed. With my heart.

And I'll have you know that I listened to Moon River while typing this and didn't shed a single tear. Looks like someone's growing up.

Boys will be boys will be boys

And yet, I'm still crazy about them.

Always have been, always will be. You have to admit that no matter how infuriating the male species is, they're also wildly intriguing. It's a web that I can't help getting tangled up in. I've never been one of those girls who hung a "Boys are stupid, throw rocks at them" poster in my room. I don't think they're stupid; I think they're different. And I like them. I love them. Can't get enough of them.

I love the way they can make you cry just as easily as they can make you laugh. I love the way they surprise you. I love the way I hold my breath when my text message alert sounds, hoping it's 'him', whomever 'him' may be.

I love how they're so easy and yet so complicated. I love their camaraderie. I love the way they all dance together haphazardly in a circle, not caring who is watching. I love that girls cannot do this because we're too busy adoring them.

I love that they are absolutely clueless to the amount of power they hold over us, yet completely aware of the power we hold over them.

I love that they wear the Gucci loafers that their mother both chose and bought for them.

I'm not asking for Mr. Right. I'm not even asking for Mr. Right Now. I just want to hold my breath every now and again. Is that so much to ask?

And the winner is...

PREPPY SUE!

Please email me at jgiwc.tag@gmail.com to claim your prize!

A sincere thank you to everyone who entered. This was lots of fun and I look forward to hosting many more giveaways in the future!

Have a wonderful weekend, readers!

The Preppy Picks - The Paper Caper!

In honor of my giveaway. And because this is what I live for.

First and foremost, I would be remiss if I didn't mention Boatman Geller's clever new note tote, Carrie and Tuck.


I plan on treating myself to one of these very soon! You can find all colors, refill packs, and the rest of the BG collection at www.boatmangeller.com.


Kate Spade and I have more in common than our sorority membership. Among other things, we share a love of fine stationary.


My mom gave me this set and I simply adore it. Five of the cards have a devil graphic embossed on the envelope flap and the notecards are embossed with, "How the devil are you?". The other five cards have an alligator embossed on the envelope flap and the notecards are embossed with, "See you later, alligator". Kate's paper products make excellent gifts (I gave AEG the planner for her birthday last year and gave my mom several of the books a few years ago). Bottom line? Klass act. Make someone's day at www.katespade.com.


Here in the Big Apple, we have many fine purveyors of paper at which to browse, including but not limited to Kate's Paperie and Papyrus. But what I really wish we had is Paper Source.


I stumbled into this store last weekend in Northpark Center. This gem has TAG written all over it. The perfect mix of cards wallpaper the walls. Visit www.papersource.com for an endless selection of goods.


I'm also a big fan of Preppy Cards. Check their Where to Buy section for a location near you.


I will have to have several more Paper Caper installations. I simply cannot fit all of my paper love into one post.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway before 12:01 AM tomorrow! A winner will be drawn (out of a Lilly hat) before noon.

214 vs. 212

I could wax poetic about Dallas for days on end. It's a wonderful city and I feel blessed to have lived there. There will always be a little Texas-shaped hole in my heart. Here is a re-cap of our weekend through photographs.


Before seeing "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" at the new Studio Movie Grill.


Our brownie sundae at SMG.


Our old house.


In the lobby of the Westin Galleria.


The Melting Pot.


Fondue.


Fon-don't.

Once again, my flight out of Dallas was cancelled and we were stuck in Dallas an extra night. I revisited my good friend, the Hyatt Regency DFW.

My Neiman Marcus card got a good workout.

I got back to NYC just in time to celebrate AEG's first real night as a New Yorker. We celebrated by attending a big launch party at the Empire Hotel.


Amazing cosmo.


Amazing view. (This photo doesn't do it justice!)


Amazing night!

Last night, we had a little preppy blogger party at, where else... the preppy mecca of bars, Dorrian's!


Jewish Girl in Wasp's Clothing, Adventures in Argyle, and The Preppy Vegan

I sure do miss the South - the food, the hospitality, the tradition and the charm. But after the last few nights, I must say...

It's good to be home.

GIVEAWAY! (All dressed in Madras, of course!)

I've paired up with my favorite paper company, Boatman Geller, to do a giveaway for JGIWC readers!



The giveaway includes a notepad in an acrylic holder, set of 2 luggage tags, and 10 gift tags, all in Pink Madras.

To enter, please leave a comment on this entry by 12:01 AM (EST) on Friday, August 15. I will draw the winner on Friday morning. Comment can be what you love about BG, the gift set, or of course... the blog. :)

Happy entering!

The Preppy Picks - Some like it Southern!

In honor of my weekend trip to the big D. Yee-haw!

I think we can all agree on Preppy having two mascots: the alligator and the whale. In my mind, the whale is representative of Northeast Preps and the Alligator is fitting for all of us sweet tea sipping G.R.I.T.S. below the Mason Dixon line. Imagine my excitement when I came home to this package yesterday evening:



The wonderful Julie over at Boatman Geller sent me this fabulous notepad. I LIVE for BG paper products, and I had JUST ran out of this same exact notepad. Luckily, I also have the Madras Patch Blue so I was never without a preppy pad to jot down my thoughts. I wouldn't want you all to worry. This and much, much more at www.boatmangeller.com.

And speaking of sweat tea sipping G.R.I.T.S.



How much do all of my Southern Girls love the G.R.I.T.S. books? If I weren't so committed to the Torah, G.R.I.T.S. Guide to Life would just about be my bible.

I own this t-shirt and love it. Deborah Ford is one of my favorite authors. Sure, her series may not be thrown into the literary canon anytime soon, but the piece of the South that she's managed to capture is priceless in my eyes. Visit www.gritsgifts.com to see the full collection.

Speaking of Southern t-shirts...



Oh, how I need this to add to my collection! It says, "Celebrate the South... Y'all Spoken Here!". If you would like to order one of these darlings, please email barefootbird@gmail.com.

I have never before included men's apparel in TPP, but after yesterday's response, I'm discovering that I do have male readers. I think it's about time!



Few things in life get me going like a boy in a bowtie. I love this "Boots and Shoes" one from Southern Proper.

Alright, Y'ALL. It's yet another 4-day week in the JGIWC world. I'm off to Dallas, Texas tomorrow with the Baby Fashionista. As many of you know, we lived there for five years and miss it dearly. I'm looking forward to celebrating our Southern heritage for a few days.





Have a wonderful weekend, readers!