WOW - its time

Can you believe that I am 27??? This is just crazy. I have the perfect way to celebrate though, at the pool, with my friends and a little sunshine! Tomorrow I am sure I will go back to my old self, but today is MY day!!! Anyway, I am keeping this short and sweet because I don't want to waste the morning. I am so thankful to be alive and happy and blessed that Elizabeth was here last night to dance with me at Park Bench! I would have been totally lost without her! AND of course we had late night pizza from "Lacy's Kitchen." Thats right, homemade wheat pizza crust, fresh mozzarella, basil, sliced tomato and basil pesto. Bellissima!

I love everyone who humors me in reading this, xoxo.

Sunday Funday!!!

Good morning all! I have had SUCH a wonderful weekend! It started with a fun dinner Thursday night with Elizabeth and Phyllis. It was so great to get to see them on there way through town! Then, on Friday Amanda's flight was cancelled which put a damper on the day. But, I ended up going to Verde with Laurie, Jill and Elizabeth on a "mommies night out" and was their chaperone. Haha. We had tacos and Margarita and lots of laughs. It was so wonderful to get them all to myself and we stayed up talking all night like we used to at the Clovehouse! Of course, it is funny how the conversations have changed since college. Now it is about breast pumping, diaper genies and puking. In college anything that had to do with breasts or puking usually went hand in hand with a wild night out. Funny how things change, I do believe for the better.

Then an early flight and a car ride brought Amanda into Atlanta and it was perfect timing for brunch at Flying Biscuit. You really have to time it right because if you get there after 10am, you have to wait for hours for a table. But those grits and biscuits are the key to a successful Saturday morning. We then discovered a new route that I would like to start running around Buckhead. It took us about an hour to walk it, so it would be a great route for a run! After that, we decided a little day drinking was in order, so we went to Front Page News in Little Five and enjoyed the afternoon.

Unfortunately for Amanda, I had to work for a few hours to help with some centerpieces and place cards - but the pay off was well worth it - Dinner at Floataway Cafe. I cannot say enough about how much I like this place. It has wonderful wines, delicious oysters, beautiful salads and tasty entrees. I had the farro dish which I brought half of it home to enjoy tonight! I then headed over to Summerfest on Irby in front of 5 Paces. 17th Floor played and we danced our little butts off! Such a good time.

So this morning we had a nice lazy morning and laid out by the pool to get a little color. We are going to Einstein's for lunch over on Juniper. I have heard great things and will let you know how it is!!!

Oh yeah and I almost adopted a dog names Luke. Seriously folks he was the most wonderful dog I have ever seen. I am seriously considering becoming a foster parent since I LOVE dogs. Friends of Animals is the direction I am thinking of going in, I really like there organization. I will keep you updated on my madness. Maybe that is just the sort of companion I need!

Success is Mine!

Well, tonight begins the birthday festivities and I am proud to say that I still made it to the gym! I am down 6 pounds and I have to keep it going. Tomorrow is going to be my day off, so I had to stay committed today. But the first of my wonderful friends comes into town tonight.

My sweet Elizabeth gets in at nine from DC and we are going for a late dinner, preferably somewhere fabulous! I think I will dress up and wear heels, it always has a way of making you feel sexy and considering I am in such a sassy mood today I think that is just what I need. It could have to do with the fact that I had a video interview this morning and NAILED it, or that my companies new website is AMAZING, or that I am listening to Italian Cafe music or even because Sex in the City 2 comes out in a week! I can't pinpoint the source of happiness, but I am going with it!

Gosh, I feel so blessed around this time of year. Like I mentioned before, it is a gathering of people that mean so much to me, and I must mean a lot to them as well because they travel from a lot of different places to see me. Well, sometimes it is just a coincidence that they are in town, maybe for a wedding or pre-planned trip - but it still makes me feel so special and wonderful inside. You know sometimes I can get ahead of myself. Anyway, I am going to enjoy the evening with Elizabeth and her mom and live in the moment.

I would like to leave you with a quote that spoke to me today, and made me laugh for the first time at my love of fairy tales.

"The modern fairy tale ending is the reverse of the traditional one: A woman does not wait for Prince Charming to bring her happiness; she lives happily ever after only by refusing to wait for him -- or by actually rejecting him. It is those who persist in hoping for a Prince Charming who are setting themselves up for disillusionment and unhappiness." - Susan Faludi

Good advice is an elevator ride away...

Tonight I had the chance to catch up with some dear friends of mine who live on the floor above me, Marjan and Navid. They are a graceful and wise couple with two kids and two successful careers to be proud of. They have become my most reliable sounding board over the past few months and have listened to me question everything from my weight to my religion. I couldn't imagine not having them in my life to listen, to understand and to advise me in my next steps in life.

So the topics tonight were speed dating and life, obviously. I know, it sounds crazy, but Navid is convinced that I would have great success finding a companion in this manner. I, of course am skeptical, but he had such valid points that I am now googling the next available seat. The one thing that sold me was you are all there for the same reason, to meet a companion. Duh, Lacy. When you are out of college and in an industry dominated mainly by women and fabulous queens, a single man is hard to find. I have always been viewed as the stereotypical party girl, but at 27, its time to grow up and act like the adult I am and meeting guys in bars is no longer acceptable for me. Also, my success rate isn't very good either in that department, so time to move on. So as a woman who has a successful career, a wonderful home and a truly charmed life, I am ready for people that I have known for years to say goodbye to party girl Lacy and meet the real thing.

Navid went on to quote Lucille Ball and gave me the best advice I could have heard tonight - "Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world." Wow, what a revelation from a woman who was revered for her humor and not her wisdom. I had never thought of it until tonight, but maybe I am loving myself in the wrong way OR maybe I am loving the wrong Lacy, just like I have accused everyone else of doing. I am scared of showing people the real me because maybe I am scared they won't like her. What a shame.

So another thing on my personal "to do" list is to get out there and love me. And anyone else who wants to join in, be my guest. I am pretty cuddly.

Thanks Marjan and Navid for taking the time to help me find myself. You have taught me that no problem is too big or small that you can't solve it over a few cups of Persian tea.

Countdown begins - T Minus 1 Week!!!

I just got off work - we are doing inventory and cataloging images of our equipment. SO fascinating, or not to people who have a life! Haha. Anyway, I just made a quick trip to the gym and here I am to begin documenting the countdown!

Sooo now it is time for me to start getting excited about birthday month since my actual birthday is ONE week away!!! I am so excited, not for the presents or cards, but for the gathering of my favorite people in one place!

To kick off the fun, one of my best friends comes into town on Friday for the weekend from DC. We are going to have such a blast. The best thing about friends coming into town is that you get to go out and do fun things that you don't typically do. In my case, I never have anyone to do them with, and I would be mortified if someone said, "hey, what is that crazy girl doing all alone on a tandem bike? That makes NO sense, I mean what is the fun of a tandem bike unless you have someone to share it with." Don't worry Amanda, I am not going to force you to ride a bike with me, but on Friday I have made reservations for Floataway Cafe. I have never been, but have heard amazing things about the atmosphere and food. Also, it is in the Highlands, so there will be a lot of nightlife for us to experience. Yippie!

Saturday, I have an event at our facility, but I am just going to swing by and make sure everyone is set, show Amanda my office and then we are going to Two Urban Licks and hopefully will have some takers to join us! I also really want to take her to The Porter, a really cool beer house in Little Five Points. We will see where the night takes us!

More fun birthday details to come!

C'est la vie, Gossip Girl!

I have a public obsession as many of my friends do with the show Gossip Girl. It is somewhat of a cult classic about the lives of Upper East Siders or as Gossip Girl refers to them, "Manhattan's Elite." I have been a fan from the beginning not only because teen rituals and rights of passage are my guilty pleasures, but because it is from the creators of an old favorite of mine, The OC. Tonight is the season finale and I just can't wait!!! My friends and I all have our favorite characters, but I feel like my heart is attached to the relationship between Blair Waldorf and Chuck Bass, which tonight will either rekindle or crash and burn in a dramatic encounter at the top of the Empire State Building. How fantastic and yes, unrealistic.

It does make me wonder how these teen characters have evolved since I was in high school. I remember the shows My So Called Life, Popular and Dawson’s Creek. They were all about teen angst, personal acceptance and the relationships between girls and boys (mostly G rated stuff.) I mean, who can forget Claire Danes confusion of being in love with a sexy and brooding Jared Leto. H.O.T.

Anyway, I don’t know if the “in crowd” in the late 1990’s could imagine having a wardrobe of designer clothes and a personal driver at their beck and call, let alone drinking martinis in swanky bars at 17. Of course it is disturbing to me that a show about teenagers is a show that appeals to my generation but thankfully, we know better and view as entertainment, not reality. I mean, I can’t help but love the storylines which consist of blackmail, manipulation, greed, sex, deception and even politics (Thank you Trip Archibald.)

However, it really offers no “real life lessons” such as consequences for your actions, quality of friendships and respect for others. I fear when young teenagers watch the show it can take on a literal meaning for them. I guess I wonder if teenagers are allowed to watch (which I know they are) and if they truly believe they have to buy their friends, wear ridiculously expensive clothes and manipulate their boyfriends to have a lasting relationship. I feel so lucky that all Joey was worried about was falling off the ladder and breaking a limb on the way into Dawson's room. Geeze, so innocent.

I hope teenagers have the sense to find the truth in all of this and I feel for the parents who are trying to navigate this new world of teen drama. Good luck and please, leave cliff notes for all future parents out there, I know its only going to get harder.

In the words of my favorite gossip, "you know you love me, xoxo."

Stepping Out

I am finally re-joining the land of the living from my crazy night out last night (that ended at 11:00pm.) I had a work event that started at One Midtown Kitchen and ended at the stunning new Buckhead Theater. Also, I made the decision to drink with dinner last night, and drink I did. The food was AMAZING and we had four courses with wine pairings. My favorites were the oysters, pea soup and ricotta wrapped in burrata. It was just lovely and it was for a good cause benefiting the March of Dimes. I also got the chance to spend some quality time with my coworkers, which was wonderful. It is always nice to get to know people outside of the constraints of the workplace. At the Buckhead Theater we did the desserts and coffee station. There were wickedly delicious candied apples, ice cream cone cupcakes and blackberry and cheesecake gelato. Everything looked great! I would also like to say, for the record, do not have an alcohol detox for 11 days and then think you still have the same tolerance as before. Boy, did I learn that last night.

So to start off my Saturday morning, I woke up with a MASSIVE headache and immediately headed to the kitchen for a large water and advil. On the way, I tripped over shoes, my upside down purse and my dress. This just reiterated the advice that I didn't take from my mother last night, to "be a lady." But you can't look back, you must look forward. So my new rule of NOT drinking excessively has been put into effect and I prayed that I hadn't made a fool of myself. Then I went onto facebook and saw a picture that a friend took of me last night. YIKES. And yes, I am leaving out the most horrifying details, I know my mother is picking her chin up off the floor right now. Sorry mom. Anyway, I am definitely going to pace myself in the future and watch my consumption. It is just SO unattractive to be drunk. Period.

So back to the event, it was a great success and everyone really enjoyed it. The band, Abbey Road Live was awesome too! I also got the chance to reconnect with an old friend from college, so that was super fun! I am so excited about the opening of Buckhead Theater, it is going to be so great to see bands there, and I am so lucky that I live just about a block from it!

I am SO glad that the rain held out today, and I hope that everyone is enjoying this beautiful Saturday! I am puppy sitting, so I am about to get out and go for a walk to the park!

Exhausted, party of one?

Today has been a long one. For some reason my mind has been racing all day. I feel like there are not enough minutes in the day. I have been anxious, jumpy and a little neurotic. I just spent an hour and a half at the gym to try calm myself down and of course I am now falling asleep at my computer as I type. I know everyone has days like today. Where you feel like even though you managed to not hit snooze and made it to work with no traffic, you are hours behind!

For the past few nights right about this time I start to just deflate. Maybe it is my body adjusting to the herbal supplements that I am taking along with my meals. It is a diet detox that I started on Monday. Aside from the roller coaster from anxiety to my current state of exhaustion, it really has helped me stay focused I think and I haven't had as many random cravings. I mean, I am the girl who takes two pieces of candy when everyone else only takes one. The girl who can shovel pizza into her mouth late night after a huge meal out. Not something I am SUPER proud of, but hey I just have to say I am rarely alone when I do this - I will not name names. However, I am very happy to be so busy that I am not thinking so much about food too. I have incorporated breakfast into the mix and added a few little snacks. Perfecto!

It really is amazing how much my routine has changed in just ten days. I just hope that I can keep it up even after B-Day! I know ten days seems like chump change, but I have learned it is the small victories that win the war!

Ok, this little warrior is off to bed! Sleep tight, I know I will!

Sixth-Grade Gaga-Bieber Hybrid

Sixth-Grade Gaga-Bieber Hybrid Wows on YouTube

This clip is amazing! I just came across it, and I was speechless. Enjoy!

A little give, A little go

I was at the ISES event at Ventanas tonight and was talking to a friend about astrological signs. I am not well versed in the world of astrology, but it is so facinating to me. Apparently there are two sides to your sign - one that you see and one that others see. No, this is not just because I am a Gemini and think Gemini’s are fabulous, it’s true for all signs. So it also got me thinking about what we give and take, what we sacrifice and obtain. What you dream of doing and what you actually do, where you are professionally and where you want to be, the relationship you have settled on versus the relationship that you long to have.

There is so much give and take in life depending on circumstances and choices we make. How do we know when we are giving too much and not taking our share?? When do we begin to sacrifice ourselves in order to please others? How do we even recognize it when we are doing it? I feel like I have always been someone who is a giver; I give my time, my money, my ideas, my opinions and my heart to all of those people around me. And I also know on the flip side I have been at times a lousy friend, a slacker at work and a dramatic companion. How do we find that middle ground?

Well, here is my attempt at the truth: All we can do is try. There it is, plain and simple. There are no light bulbs, no trumpets sounding, and no fireworks. Life isn't easy and we should have never expected that it would be. We make choices and live with them, good or bad.

In my life I try to be an available and helpful friend, a loyal employee, and a loving companion. I want all of these things and if I get spread thin or if I am underappreciated in the process, it’s OK. This is something I have to begin telling myself otherwise I will go crazy! My point here is that I am thinking about it. I am making a conscience effort to recognize and accept the choices I make, and I hope you will too. Being perceptive to me is like being graceful. It is your intuition and something you were born with. So get out there and use it.

Monday Blues

What an icky day in Atlanta. I can't believe how chilly it is on May 10th! It is universally known that when the sky is blue, you usually are as well. It could be that it's Monday, that you were sad to see the weekend go, that it's raining or any old excuse to be lazy and curl up to watch a good movie. What can we do to shake these feelings? I usually treat myself to an unhealthy dinner, sweets or glass of wine, but tonight I am choosing to stay on track with my non-alcoholic beverages and healthy eating. Also, I am looking forward to my favorite show Gossip Girl which comes on the CW at 9:00pm and I will watch on the elliptical machine in the gym.

For the healthy dinner, I am cooking something tonight that my sister taught me how to make. I really like tofu, but have never been able to cook it properly. Truth be told, my kitchen usually looks like that of an 18 year old Frat boy's kitchen - stocked with alcohol and leftovers. Not appropriate for someone who has been out of college since 2005! Anyway, Kate told me to get the extra firm tofu and sprinkle it with nutritional yeast while you saute it to make it crunchy and to get it to taste somewhat fried. Then you can put it over brown rice, lettuce, or mix it up in stir fry! I am having it with brown rice tonight. Yum! Certainly beats leftovers and a hangover!

I have to charge my batteries tonight because I have a FULL week ahead. Events, events and more events! Also, for all of you who are wondering, I still haven't had a cocktail (8 days and counting.) I can't believe I am still sane and it is only going to get harder when I brave the event industry scene this week. Wish me luck, and I will fill you in on all the detox details!!

Bunny doesn't grow on trees

Today in honor of Mother's Day, I would like to dedicate this post to my mother, June. Well, Bunny. Anticipating the arrival of her first grandchild, mom confessed that she had always wanted to be called "Grandmother." Both my sister and I had our own opinions of the name and thought she was SO much more than "Grandmother." So, June set out on the search for acceptable names for herself and settled on two: Bunny or Hottie. Now, if you know my mother, which most of you do, this was no surprise. Kate and I immediately knew which we would choose and Bunny was born.

In the past few years, since I started college really, I have had the opportunity to really get to know my mother. We have not always has such a wonderful relationship, most mother and daughter duos can relate, but we have learned to compromise, listen and praise each other when needed. Of course there is the occasional aggravation and discontent, but in the end her experience prevails 95% of the time. (Sorry mom, I can't give you 100% on that one.) I have been blessed with so many influential and inspiring people in my life, but the fact is I would know none of them without my mother. She is full of life, strong in her faith and the picture of selflessness, joy and love.

It is so hard as a teenager to admit when your mom is right, but I have become so much more aware of how lucky I was to have a mother who was brave enough to give her children tough love. But tonight as I sit in reflection of all the things I have learned from her, one of my favorite memories of her comes to mind.

I had just gone through the worst break up in December of 2007, ten days before Christmas. I was in love, but broken hearted, confused and searching for myself. I was looking forward to coming home to Georgia and spending the holiday at Lake Burton. It would be our entire immediate family, but now I would now be the seventh wheel. I have always been a huge fan of Christmas but for the first time in forever, I wasn’t that merry. Geeze, I wonder why.

I came home after 23 straight days of work in DC (it was busy season and the Christmas parties never ceased) and spend the first night with friends in Atlanta wallowing in self-pity and Pinot Grigio. Classy. Then went home to my mother, who was beaming with Christmas cheer and wearing her sassy Santa sweater. It actually is the cutest thing I have ever seen. We talked, I of course cried and we packed the last little bit of packages and food to head to the Lake.

On the ride up, mom squealed and said, "Lacy, I have the perfect song for you. It always makes me feel better and makes me feel like I can take on the world and just do anything." I gave her my mom look and kept staring at the road. All of a sudden Gloria Gainer was belting out "I Will Survive" on the radio and mom didn't miss a note, I couldn't stop laughing. We listened to it at least three times on the ride up and I was finally smiling again.

That is my mother. Someone who knows exactly what you need even when you are lost, broken and exhausted. I love you Bunny, I wouldn’t be where I am today without your guidance and love. And yes, I will survive, just like you taught me.

Over the Taupe

There are so many wonderful rituals that we women have in our lives. Things we do to bond, to gossip, to beautify and to relax. All of us deserve to be pampered in whatever way satisfies us the most. My vice - nail polish. Everyone knows my obsession with painting my nails. It calms my nerves, trains my hands to be steady and gives me instant gratification of a job well done. I do it at least twice a week. However, it is always a special treat for me to go to the nail salon.

My favorite part of the experience is perusing the OPI polishes on the wall...You're a Pisa Work, I am Fondue of You, Here Today, Aragon Tomorrow. I mean how does someone get the job to come up with these names?? I have strongly considered a career change, but lack the connections. Ring Ring, Yellow? I am Pinking of You? Yeah, a feeble attempt.

Anyway, the kicker is that it really is never about the color for me, it is always my mood. What am I feeling today? Playful - Strawberry Margarita, Mysterious - Lincoln Park After Dark, Hungry - Mrs. O'Leary's BBQ. Seriously, it’s a color. Bravo OPI, thank you for keeping it interesting and fun!

I am a connoisseur of nail salons. Here is my list of my favorites in various cities I have visited or lived:

Charlotte, North Carolina: Polished is the best salon offering wine, a true nail bar with Sex in the City episodes and the best spa chairs in the city. I actually threw a party at the South Boulevard location and we even signed the wall before leaving!

Washington, DC: I love Vicky's Nails in Georgetown. It is upstairs in a quaint little spot on Wisconsin and the women immediately lift your mood when you walk in! They use hot stones to relax your feet during the pedicures and massage your shoulders while you dry. It is a great place to go while waiting on a table at Café Bonaparte or to relax before a long day of running errands on M Street.

Ft. Collins, Colorado: She She Lounge is a win win! This is my sister’s favorite place in her hometown. For Christmas 2 years ago she treated my mom and I to mani/pedi’s and we had the most fun. They have recliners and two big screens that they will play your choice of chick flicks and girlie shows! They have other great spa treatments and an adorable candy bar so you can take a treat for later.

I am on the hunt for my favorite place in Atlanta, so if anyone would like to join me for pampering and pretty nails be my guest!

Today I am going for a mani/pedi with my mother in honor of Mother's Day and I think I will go with Hot & Spicy from the new Hong Kong line. My mom loves Kennebunk-Port Red, but maybe she will branch out today! Who knew the best accessory could be something you were born with?

The Road and The Relationship

This morning I was thinking about my friendships and relationships that I have developed throughout the past decade. I have met all of my friends at many different points in my life, but high or low, the girls have seen me through it all. It seems like at every turn there is one of them in the passengers seat, watching the road or taking the wheel in support of my decisions and life choices. Regardless of where our lives take us, they are only a phone call or a plane ride away. They are mothers, wives, grandmothers, professional women, dreamers, teachers and lovers. There passion for what they believe in is infectious and I wouldn't have made it this far without them.

Relationships are the cornerstones to life. They are completely necessary for development as a child, for acceptance as a teen and for a life of bliss as an adult. I can hear my mother laughing now. But why do we feel like relationships with men in particular should define us? Ever since I had my first "boyfriend" at 13 or 14 it has always been about the guy - correction, boy. I think if as a teenager I had just figured out what music I liked, the places I liked to eat and the movie I wanted to see, I may have found out that I was better off with the girls.

Before your jaw hits the ground- yes, I am the same girl who fights for love, who gets up, dusts of and hops back on. The girl who searches desperately for the connection with my mate and who will move mountains and sometimes miles to show the person I love that I care and that I am the one. Why haven't I stopped to ask is he the one? What a cruel injustice I have done to myself. We all go through different types of relationships, the first love, the good on paper guy, the jock, the nice guy, but where is THE guy?

I have come to a harsh realization recently that stopped me cold. Over the years there have been strong contenders, but none of them really got me. The relationships were based on the fictional woman that I hand-crafted, manicured and dressed up with a blinding smile. I am pretty convincing when on a mission so in truth it really wasn't their fault. It was my fault and a guy will never be THE guy if it's not really me he is getting. Talk about creating potholes in your road to happiness.

I have to start being an honest participant in the communication process with those I allow into my life and learn how to be choosy when picking my next mate. My opinions and interests matter, and I need to find the courage to stand my ground when something is worth fighting for. THE guy and I will be able to live in bliss eventually, I just have some roadwork to do.

Lulu Lemonade!

Hotlanta…you aren’t kidding. Today was a long, hot preview of the summer ahead. But thanks to a trip to Lululemon Athletica yesterday afternoon, I was able to take today’s lemons and make lemonade! It is so nice when you begin a new workout schedule to have the perfect apparel to motivate and inspire your body to move. I found the PERFECT workout pants (Astro Crop) and tank (Cool Racerback) that is ultra long so there is no excuses to ! It is very hard for me to channel my last bit of energy for the day into a workout, but success is mine!

So whether you are a runner, a yogi, cyclist or walker get out this afternoon or evening and busta move!

However, if you are reading this and scowling at your computer screen saying, “Lacy you are full of it” and are in need of more of a wallet workout, check out Perry&Bleeker it is my good friends sister’s new jewelry line. I am headed to a trunk show right now and hopefully will come away with some goodies!!! And yes, I will be having a sparkling water, maybe with a splash of lemon.

Whatever turns your lemons to lemonade today, embrace it!

Cinco De Oh-no

So it is the 5^th day of my infamous birthday month, which also coincides with Cinco de Mayo. This has never posed a problem in the past, however this year as my personal crisis continues with turning 27 (I never said I wasn’t dramatic) I have decided to abstain from drinking until May 25^th, my actual birthday. I have decided this for a number of reasons – money, job performance, physical health and of course to torture myself slowly through the remaining episodes of Dancing with the Stars. They always seem to dance better through beer goggles, just sayin.

Now, I would like to give a run down of the past 36 hours because it seems as if as soon as you vow to change something in your life, everyone around you finds a way to unintentionally make it as difficult as possible to succeed.

Day 1

I am at the St. Regis for a book release party. I arrive promptly at 5:45pm and have a few texts from friends inviting me to meet them at the bar for a drink. I avoid the situation, but then find myself in the front row for the 6:00pm Sabering. This is a tradition where someone takes a saber and slices off the cork of the champagne bottle. Much more gracefully done than say the Cameron Diaz version in What Happens in Vegas. But the point is, its complementary champagne. One eye roll and a sigh later I am headed in the opposite direction empty handed. Test one – Pass.

So I enter the event, ducking the waiters passing a heavenly blue concoction in a martini glass and more champagne, and make a b line to the bar and order a club soda with lime praying that no one will tell the difference. A friend rolls her eyes, but I am not affected. I am a woman on a mission. The party was beautiful but bland, and I am pretty sure that is because I wasn’t over served.

Day 2

I am meeting with a client for lunch to talk about a fantastic fundraising event we are helping with in the fall and some of our party is running late. Well, my client does sales at the restaurant so she asks, “Would you like a glass of wine while you wait?” Of COURSE, my eyes say, but I force my head back and forth. Free drinks, again? This is just cruel and unnecessary punishment for someone who always socializes with a cocktail. To continue the defense of my response I follow up with a story about my thick Southern accent that sneaks out depending on the amount of libations I consume. There is nothing graceful about a Georgia Peach that slurs her words at 2:00pm in the afternoon on an Tuesday.

The list just keeps going…but I will not bore you with the details, because I feel like you get my drift and maybe you have abandoned reading because you are fixing yourself a cocktail. Please, just don’t offer me one.

So back to today, Cinco de Oh-no. Productivity is my drink of choice. I have gone to the gym, fixed dinner and now have placed myself in front of this computer for distraction. Day 3 is almost gone and I am feeling great!

Hope you are enjoying the beautiful weather, the Mexican food and delicious Margaritas or Corona Lights. I will join you next year!

st. regis atlanta paces 88 champagne sabre

Tick-Tock Tuesday

Today is the first day of the rest of my life. As I sit in my beautifully decorated condo, on the 18^th floor with a breathtaking view of Buckhead, listening to the latest inspirational and uplifting song in my life “Ingrid Michelson, Keep Breathing” it could be my mood, the new beginning of the month or the fact that I am turning 27 in 21 days that has me feeling nostalgic and a little anxious.

My mind wonders back to the year 1999 and I feel as if my life has skipped to today, leaving my head spinning and my heart heavy. Could it be that I have been through ten years of my life not realizing the life I was living?? The friends, the food, the experiences, the travel, and the ups and downs – these memories do not feel like my own. It also brings me back to the image in my mind as a young, naïve seventeen year old, a caged bird dying to feel the air beneath her wings and the taste of the seed in the neighbor’s feeder. I feel like I am a walking contradiction fusing happy and sad, sane and crazy, self confident and shy, but most of all independent and lonely.

How, you may ask could this be, but in truth it is a gift (I choose to call it that) I was given as I swam in the calming waters of my youth in the backyard of the first and only home I have ever known. Truly believing I was living the best life a child could have while my parents went through a divorce. That is when I also discovered the overwhelming comfort level I had with men and women three times my age. I could mix a cocktail by age seven (well I might add,) sing and dance to “Pencil thin Mustache” and “Satisfaction” and beat all the men at Gin or Pool, whichever was the game of the night. I learned how to divide my time between listening and being the entertainment. I realized I could be anything to everyone, an adaptable chameleon who just wanted to fit in and belong.

Today is the day all of the looking back stops and my eyes are fixed on the road ahead. I am sure I will revisit the good, bad and the ugly from time to time, but I am done wasting time, wasting breath and money on being someone else’s version of myself. Today I choose me. Lacy. The twenty six year old that is looking for completely consuming love and the beauty in each day of this life I have been given.