The Sassy Steel Magnolia
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  • June2nd

    It’s officially Summer time. While many may be gearing up for vacations, out of school, or just happy the sun is out longer, life just seems sweeter in the Summer.

    You know, Summer used to be a time when classes were over, you could stay up late, run around the neighborhood or stay out late with the girls and nothing else mattered.  Now it’s a time where you continue to get up when the alarm goes off and you head on into work just as you do during Winter and Fall. The daily grind really is a grind sometimes.

    But tonight – why don’t you take a few minutes tonight, sit back and relax on your porch with a glass of white wine, sweet tea or lemon water and enjoy one of these hot Summer nights…with sweet sweet memories of Summers passed.

    Nick GilderHot Child in the City

    (if you have trouble viewing this video, please click here)

    -•-

    : Happy Wednesday :

  • March5th

    Last Sunday my good friend and I spent the afternoon aimlessly wondering around one of my favorite places in the Lowcountry – Sullivan’s Island. Here are just a few of the pictures I took on my iPhone.

    a Sullys kind of afternoon

    Sullivan’s Island is truly one of my all time favorite places to be, not just in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, but of anywhere I’ve ever been. What’s one of your favorite places to go? Somewhere you find yourself being completely content and happy just walking around for hours, even if you’ve been there a million and one times before. Why not go visit one of your places this weekend? If you do, make sure you come back and tell us about it. Maybe your spot could be next on the exploring list..

  • January13th

    Sit back, relax, imagine yourself sitting on the sand watching the waves break at the shore line and smile..because it is a wonderful world..and life, life is good..and not just somewhere over the rainbow.

    Somewhere Over The Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo Ole’

    (if you have trouble viewing this video, please click here)

    Hopefully this week’s posts helped kick your Cold Weather Blues to the curb for a bit. Keep an eye out next week — I’m doing something rather un-precedented for myself. I’m celebrating & I’m celebrating the whole week. Grab those Drink Umbrellas, Jennie B.’s having a ‘Birthday Week’ and you’re all invited.

  • January11th

    I’m friggin freezing. I don’t fare well in colder weather. (And by cold I mean anything below 65.) I could not even begin to imagine living in New England or the Mid-West, where some of our readers live. My hats off to you ladies, talk about Phenomenal SSMs! But seriously – the past week has been quite the chilly one here in this City by the Sea.  And to be honest I didn’t even go to class in college when it was too cold out, so now how much do you really think I want to get up and go to my day job?? Exactly. I need my own personal Cold Snap — something to snap me OUT of the cold.

    Solution? Who ever invented drink umbrellas should receive a medal.

    Think about it. What is one sure sign that triggers thoughts of sandy beachs, relaxing sounds, sun, bikinis, good times and fun loves?

    The Drink Umbrella

    The Drink Umbrellas

    I just went and picked up a bag that I fully intend on putting in any drink I choose at any time I feel necessary. If not only to make me smile, but to also remind me of the fact that soon warmer weather will be back in my life. Oh sure, some people may stop and ask what on Earth is going on, and they may roll their eyes at how ridiculous they think I am — but I can guarantee I’ll be thinking much warmer thoughts than they are. And right now, that is all that matters to me.

    Not sure if you want to brave the cold to go pick up a pack of umbrellas for yourself? Order some online here or to learn how to make them yourself here. Why not even throw a little drink umbrella party for you and your friends? Spice up that happy hour or coffee talk just a bit. Hear someone complaining about how cold it is outside? Pass them an umbrella or two & share the love.  Let’s start an Umbrella Revolution ;)

  • December21st

    Whether it’s finding the right last minute gift, getting the sugar cookies to come out perfect with out burning the snicker-doodles, assigning room arraignments for visiting family members, keeping the little ones (including pets) OUT of the Christmas tree and away from the “secret closet”, figuring out exactly what you said to your boss at the end of the office Holiday party, or getting ready to hit the airports and travel to a completely different climate hoping that your luggage is under 70 lbs and you can get it all to fit in one so they don’t charge you and extra fee for a second bag and … yea. It all adds up. STRESS. We know this, you know this. SO why not be prepared with a little back up plan in your corner?

    Well, Take a deep breath! doesn’t always do the trick. What do you do then?

    Try our Sassy Starter Holiday Stress Reliever:

    Go to the nearest store, buy a box of those shiny, pretty, colored ball ornaments (you can usually get a good many of them for just $5.00), go back home, tell friends, family, kids, guests that you need a few minutes to finish something up, go pick out a spot with hard floors – concrete – or even a trash can, open the box, pick one up, and THROW. Throw it down as hard as you can. Then repeat the last few steps a few times. Now remember, don’t put all your eggs in one basket, save a few ornaments for next time (just in case). Of course you’ll have to clean up the mess, but you’ll have that smile back on your face! ;)

    Not that we encourage violence or anything like that, but sometimes you just need to physically get something out to feel that sense of relief. If you think about it – it’s just the same as punching a pillow or going outside to scream. If you want, you can name each ornament with a certain thing that’s adding to your stress. Black sharpies work wonders on those things.

    Sassy Starter Holiday Stress Reliever

    Please remember to take proper precautions before exercising this stress reliever. We don’t want you to miss your target and accidentally hit someone. That would completely defeat the purpose.

    For more sensible tips on how to work the Holiday Season, check out Angie Mizzell’s How to Reclaim Your Holiday Spirit. Her list helps get rid of the Scrooge that may sink in during this time. (and if those don’t help, well – there’s always the ornaments)

    Keep an eye out for the mistletoe & try to stay warm, cozy and sane this week.