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July9th

Mah-velous Magnolia • It’s Jenn Day!

Posted in: Mah-velous Magnolia, charisma, home & family, madam house

Jenn{ifer} Gray that is.

I’ve been flooded with memories of great times these past few days as my dear, sweet, once-time college roommate Jenn celebrated her 5 year wedding anniversary to her doting husband, JP (who was also my once-time college neighbor). It’s crazy that 5 years have flown by as it really does seem just like yesterday I was packing up my Green Explorer and heading to Dallas to celebrate the big day.

The Mah-velous Magnolia badge is dedicated to my doll, Jennifer Leigh Gray, for all of the wonderful memories we have together and all the love and support she continues to send my way each and every day. The six months Jenn lived in Oxford with me in that house on Taylor Meadows, in the summer & fall semester of 2004 were by far some of the most memorable, life altering months ever.

Beach chairs for living room furniture, Out Back Jack on the tele, Franzia nights spent out on the back porch, the feelings chart posted on the refrigerator, always getting a little Sneaky at the Tiki – ahhhh – so many great snapshots in time, I couldn’t even begin to tell you all of them!

I’ve met some truly phenomenal people in my time and Jenn is high up there on the list. Although I hardly get to see her, JP and lil Jackson, I know I can always turn to her no matter what the situation. Her incredibly caring heart combined with a strong passion for life, love, travel and photography, {all wrapped up with a sassy and always classy bow} allow her to really live the life of a Mah-velous Magnolia and I’m so thankful each and every day to call her my friend.

Congratulations one more time to Jenn & JP for 5 years of marriage – may you have many many more to follow!

And thank you, Jenn, for always seeing the better Jenn that lies inside. ;)

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The Mah-velous Magnolia badge will be awarded each Friday to a selected lady {or a few..or fellas..we’ll see!} who has had an impact on my week. Who knows — maybe you’ll be up next!
July7th

music snack : straight no chaser

Posted in: Music Snack, home & family

This week I called on my Sista Sista to provide a little Musical Snack inspiration for you all. I’m rather exhausted and my mind is near mush-like status. I knew she wouldn’t let me {or you} down, so without further ado – I give you:

Straight No Chaser – You’re My Best Friend

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

It’s been quite the week for Ms. Jennie B and this song is just what I needed to hear to help me get through my first day back in Charleston { and back at the office!}. I’ll catch you kids up in tomorrow’s post — and of course announce the charmed & dangerous give away winner!

Happy Wednesday, lovies! Hope you all had a wonderful Holiday Weekend!•besos•
June30th

Music Snack : six pack summer

Posted in: Glory Days, Music Snack, home & family

My 3rd favorite holiday is just around the corner (trumped only by Thanksgiving and Easter) — and the 4th of July wouldn’t be the 4th of July without sweet memories of spending summer days at Beech Lake, the BBQ cook off they used to have every year which ended with the fireworks off the barge, and radios sending out country music as loud as they could possibly go.

I do love my small town raisin’ and occasional livin’ and wouldn’t change it for the world. I could go for a good dose of front porch sittin’ and have a little six pack summer fun right about now.

Phil Vassar – Six Pack Summer

(If you have trouble viewing this video, listen to the song here.)

Happy Wednesday lovies,

Jennie B

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*And don’t forget to enter the charmed & dangerous give away! I’d hate for you to miss the celebration.
June14th

sassy starter : the big purge

Posted in: Sassy Starter, freedom., home & family

Does this ever happen?

You may be suffering from TMSS – Too Much Stuff Syndrome.

But don’t worry, there’s a cure! At least I found mine this past weekend when I went on The Big Purge. What started as The Big Clean turned into 4 humongous trash bags full of papers, no purpose things and unnecessary clutter that somehow I’ve managed to accumulate over the past year. I didn’t do half as well as I had hoped, partially because I got tired and decided not to over do it for my first big clutter purging of the season, but vowed to return to my mission again soon.

Do yourself a favor this week and set aside some time to de-clutter one room, one closet, one inbox in your email even…….just get rid of the junk! Are you really going to need that paper you wrote for English 305? Do you really need to still have that shirt that you wore the night you ran into so and so and this and that happened which in hind sight didn’t turn out all that great but you’ll always remember when you look at the shirt? How many hair products and back up products does one girl really need? Are you honestly going to go back to that “5% OFF SALE” email to check out the deals?

More often than not…that’s a negative, Ghost Rider.

Catch my drift? Besides..how can you make room for anything new if you’re still stuck in old clutter?

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photo credit: top, bottom
May18th

With My Big Check

Posted in: Random, home & family, numero UNO

I’d buy a new dress.

(After I payed off a few bills, of course.) But the first thing I’d go out and buy for myself as a I gift would simply be… a new dress.

The question was posed to me last night by my Sista Sista who out of the blue asked: If I had a big bonus check, or I won a piece of the lottery, got my book deal signed, anything that sent a large sum of money my way……what would be the first thing I would buy for myself?

Some would go for a certain piece of jewelry (i.e. Jess bought herself a fabulous Tiffany’s ring with her first big bonus), others a work of art or a fantastic pair of Manolos, but first thing that comes to my mind anytime I have loose change is to go buy a new dress. A new dress has always seemed to be my personal reward, no matter what the circumstances. Finals over? Head to the square to see Theresa and find a new dress. Somehow managed to cross everything off my to-do list or square away that huge property package? I hit Tanger Outlets on my lunch break. So to me it only makes sense to stick to my rewards system and go from there.

So how about you, what would be the first realistic thing you would purchase if a lump sum, a Big Check, happened to make it your way?

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Honestly, if my Big Check were big enough, I might break down and spoil myself with an Hermes Birkin.

*but only if it matched my new dress, of course.

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{photo credit: dress 1, dress 2, dress 3, Hermes Birkin Bag}