Everyone is a Belle this time!!!

Sex and The City 2 premieres this Thursday, May 27th! It is true I am a HUGE fan of the show and the first movie so I am of course VERY excited about the second movie coming out! I can't wait to go see the movie and celebrate the girls! While the movie is already being reviewed as wonderful I have to honestly say that it is only part of the reason I can not wait for the release. The other reason is that we have created a Belle event centered around it!!!

Now you may wonder why??? Why would a travel group decide to celebrate a movie release? Are we all HUGE fans? Not at all! Do we all secretly identify with Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha, or Miranda? Probably but we wouldn't necessarily admit to it ;) Are we all dying to wear a fabulous pair of stilettos? I for one am not!!! Then what is the draw?

SATC2 is about celebrating women and their relationships with each other...and this movie centers around an amazing girl trip!!! Do you see the picture? It is the Belle motto after all -- great women, great times and a great trip!!! When we had our last outing I was going on and on about the movie ( did I mention I am a fan:) and as always with the Belles as fabulous idea occurred! LET'S THROW A PARTY!!!! We have been wanting to do a one day Belle trip lately after all!!!

So the idea was born and the planning began! As with any other Belle trip Shannon took to the fb page and put the idea and word out (even before all Belles were on board -- ha,ha )! Although this isn't an away trip the planning has been the same ... details go to Leslie .... style goes to Lise .... reservations go to Elyse (we are pulling her kicking a screaming this time but as always she is a good sport) ... and celebrity coverage to Angela of course! We started talking to friends and a major event that will revival the official New York premiere is underway!

Eight sponsors later we have an amazing location, gifts for the guests that would thrill any celeb and will definitely pamper our gals, a fabulous themed buffet of appetizers and a drink list that will leave everyone talking ;), and a look that will have us feeling like we were on the movie set!!! Remember -- the champagne taste of the Belles!!! We have pulled of an amazing feat and can't wait for our friends to join us!

So, this Friday, May 28th at 7pm join us at HighWire Lounge on Clayton St. in Athens. The backroom is the VIP lounge and THE PLACE TO BE!!! Come dressed as Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, Miranda, Big, Aidan or just YOU!!! Come party with the Belles and enjoy what we enjoy -- time to celebrate who we are, why we are worth it, and what wonderful friends we have that love us no matter what! Everyone is a Belle this time and we can't wait to see you!

FRIENDS

What a whirlwind few months. I am making time to blog and grateful to the rest of the belles who have continued to keep the blog running. We have bought a house and are selling our house (no bites yet) all the while still homeschooling, training, working, getting kids to all kinds of practices, keeping the house clean, making dinner,keeping my husband happy and MOVING! Just another day.....I have to remind myself how blessed I am in love,home, family and friends. I had a conversation with my sister the other day ( she and her family are finally moving back home after being gone for over 1o years!) about having the belles as friends. My sister was venting about a supposed friend who talks about her behind her back. She had gone on a weekend girl trip and said they had a blast! Now that they are home the snide remarks come out. At first I was thinking that I really don't have one true friend, and then I stopped and said "I have the Belles". I am now 37 and know that even though the belles don't see each other every day or even talk every day, the friendship and commitment we have formed is strong. We are 5 strong, beautiful women who have realized the importance of women friends. Who else is there that understands how much we do with kids, homes, and families? Other women. So I am publicly saying thank you to my Belles for loving me and caring about me while I have been swamped with everyday life. I want women everywhere to have the same. It takes time and commitment but aren't all good things worth it?

What to "carry-on" when you can only bring a "carry-on"!!

And they said it couldn't be done!! Well guess what??? I, the Queen of Packing WAY too much did it!! Did what you might ask?? I achieved something that I literally have stressed about for 8 months! I packed for 4 days in nothing but a carry-on suitcase.
That's right...you heard correctly...EVERYTHING!! Toiletries, travel rollers for my massive hair, shoes and outfits...and let us not forget the ever important ACCESSORIES!!! I even packed the cute red hat I purchased in Park City, Utah at Mary Janes. Might I say it looked pretty fab the morning I wore it to meet Lady Liberty!
Last week I traveled to the big city...NEW YORK CITY...with my son's 8th grade gifted class. About 45 of us went...including students, two teachers and moms and dads as chaperones. This trip had been in the works since these kiddos were 7th graders and we have been planning and paying for it all year long. Finally the week arrived for our big journey. We flew out of Atlanta last Tuesday morning at nine. Nothing like going through security with a bunch of teenagers...but it all went off without a single problem.
In the planning process, we were told that to avoid extra charges as well as the headache of checking in baggage, that we could only bring a carry on. NO checked baggage. Well, as my Belles know, this chick has a little bit of a problem when it comes to the packing department. I never quite know how I will FEEL on a certain day so I like to pack options in the outfits department. Thus lies the stressful issue at hand for me...how to pack, what to pack and knowing that whatever I pack its a one a day choice...no options!!
Since I knew we would be doing lots of walking, shoes for the first time in my LIFE, were not a deal breaker. I wore sneakers the entire time...shameless plug here...Reebok Easytones ROCK! Seriously, if you are wanting an athletic shoe that works your legs AND looks good these are an awesome choice! I LOVE THEM!! I brought one other pair to wear...fashionable grey ones for one other option...and that is it! You heard it folks...two pairs of shoes! I won't even go into detail how hard it was for me to not wear heels in the city of fashion. I mean WWCT??? What would Carrie think?? (I am sure you know who I am talking about here and can I say EVERYWHERE around NYC there are billboards, sides of buses and signs promoting the new movie. One of my most favorite shows ever and I cannot wait until the movie comes out!)
Now onto the clothes...I knew it would be on the chilly side so I wore layers. Those yummy wraps that you see in all the stores are absolutely perfect for such a thing. I adore Ann Taylor Loft and I found some cute things there for the trip. Everything was lightweight, didn't wrinkle and easy to pack. Add some cute jewelry and even with the sneakers, the outfits looked cute if I do say so myself.
When it came to the toiletries I went with the bare minimum. And since you all know how I love my aerosal hairspray, I was able to pack a 2 ounce can and it worked just fine. Plus one of those days I wore a hat...no spray needed! I even was able to pack my make-up and I refuse to not go without that!!
Before my trip I did go to TJ Maxx...I LOVE that store...and bought a really cute and chic leopard print carry-on suitcase that met airplane regulations. It was perfect and as soon as everyone saw it they all had to say they totally knew who that suitcase belonged to! Hmmmm...I wonder why???
I am really proud of myself for being able to get it all in a carry-on. I know that this is so easy for so many of my friends out there, but it is a big deal to me. Added bonus...being able to get off the plane and just go! No need to wait around at baggage claim and I loved not having to spend a dime to take my stuff on my trip!
One last thought, New York City was amazing! I so loved experiencing it with my oldest child. This was his last big middle school moment before heading to highschool in the fall (sniff, sniff!). We created so many wonderful memories, our days were crammed full from sun-up to late at night and we saw and did EVERYTHING! Even got to see "The Lion King" on Broadway which was spectacular!! I will have to post another blog just to talk about all the fabulous things we did and saw. Just remember, if this Belle can pack it all in one bag, so can you! It can be done and just think about the money you will save not checking in your luggage. More money for you to shop and have fun!!

What's A Belle to Do?

I have to admit that I LOVE hanging out with the belles! That has to be obvious right? Anyway, since we are five different women with five different lives it takes a LOT of work to get us together. That usually means that we can't do a "belle" event on the whim. So what do you do when something great is going on and you want to attend and the belles aren't all available? You grab a friend and go!

The purpose of us deciding to be a travel group was to encourage each other to try new things, take on challenges, and develop strong friendships that will stand the test of time. As a belle we never want to discourage each other because we can't all get together and share the adventure. We also realize that while we are GREAT friends we aren't our ONLY friends!

This past weekend the chance to see Lady Antebellum and Tim McGraw in concert was too tempting! I grabbed a four pack of tickets from Ticketmaster and called a "girls night out!" Shannon was the belle available and I talked my sister and her friend Sara into joining us! We had a blast! Who can resist a girls night out that starts at noon???

Shannon and I headed up to Atlanta and hit one of my favorite spots: Vintage Village on Scenic Highway in Snellville. Love to rummage through little haunts that haven't figured that they could raise the prices about 3x's and they still would be offering bargains! I did mention I was with Shannon right? So, next stop of course -- TJMaxx! New shoes, new dress and a surprise for Angela all in about 30 minutes! On to my sis' to pick up the rest of the group and off to see the show!

We arrived in time to tailgate -- girl style of course. We dined on edamame salad, sushi, western salsa, hummus and london broil. We each enjoyed our favorite beverage of choice and enjoyed the scenery.

The concert was amazing! Lady Antebellum hold a special place in the heart of any Augusta girl like me. Tim McGraw was AWESOME as usual! Did I mention that he provides eye candy for no extra charge?

As great as everything was I realized that the experience of sharing time with friends and family was what I loved most! The belles have inspired me! Before becoming a belle I would have only thought about taking the day for myself. I have become empowered to celebrate the things I love. I have become challenged to make time for myself and my friends so that my relationships of all kinds remain solid. Finally, I have become aware that I am important and worth the expense (big or in this case little) and that I am worth it!

Lise recently did a girls weekend to Savannah with some of her friends and I realized that she too came back a different person. Angela just returned from New York with her son -- a dream come true! The belles may not be together all the time but we work hard at living vicariously through each other and encouraging each other to GO FOR IT!!!

Thanks girls!!! (oh, don't forget -- Next weekend Belle trip ;)