I was doing some uber late Christmas shopping the other day - when I came across the coolest thing.  I saw them out of the corner of my eye, as I was in line, preparing to check out.  Like most shiny and funky accessories, I immediately took an interest, and disregarded the fact that I was suppose to be paying for the purse I had in my hand.  Lacey, the super cute, stylish (and patient) cashier explained what exactly the new object of my affection was.  "Isn't is precious," she says "it's a ring, with a locket."  She goes on to explain that this ring, in all it's precious-ness, was in fact, her creation.  And it was birthed simply from the notion that she'd never seen a locket on a ring before, so she thought... why not?  And, what's more - is that if you are one of those people who have neither the interest in, or the patience, to cut up a picture so that it fits perfectly in the space provided - most of them come with cool images already in them.  Lacey calls her jewelry-making business, Majestic.

As far as I know - they are only being sold at the store in which Lacey works (and my little secret indulgence), Sole.

Photos Courtesy of - www.nordstrom.com

For whatever reason, I spent most of 2009 soaking wet.  That is, when it rained, I was equipped with nothing but a an angry face and a fast stride.  I own about 4 umbrellas, but they were never really where I needed them to be, when I needed them. I always wore a jacket - but never one that prevented me from getting wet.  One time over the summer, I was in so much angst about the weather conditions (and so unprepared), and so focussed on maintaining my hair and super cute ensemble - that I neglected to hold on to the rail, while walking down the stairs outside of my building.  You can imagine what the next 10 seconds were like (no need to relive such an embarassing moment).

At any rate, I finally realized - when developing my list for Santa this past Christmas - that I needed a raincoat.  Not just a coat that is water resistant... but a water resistant, all-weather, year round type of topper that won't resemble a muu-muu or a trash bag.  My mother took a stab at it over Christmas, but it wasn't exactly what I had in mind - so my search begins for the perfect rain-coat.

I have stalked the Zappos of the world, and taken a look online at some of our favorite department stores, Bloomies, Macy's and Nordstrom.  So far, Nordstrom has the best selection - and they are having a pretty decent sale.  Designer labels like Michael Kors, Calvin Klein and Betsey Johnson are bragging a price tag less than $100.  I'm not quite settled on which to tell Santa to bring (belated or not)... but I'm leaning toward these:

• The North Face 'Stella - Grace' Jacket
• Ellen Tracy Hooded Trench
• Mycra Pac Designer Wear Reversible Scrunch Neck Travel Coat
• London Fog All Weather Raincoat
• Gallery Satin Twill All Weather Trench Coat
• Merrell Ava

Whatever the case - I'm determined to be dry this year, and more importantly, not fall 5 stairs on my ass in the middle of a busy parking lot - because I'm trying to save my 'do' in the rain.

Photo courtesy of - www.southernplate.com

I watched my mother cook black-eyed peas growing up, every new year's.  The rest of my family never particularly cared to indulge in her new years cuisine.  While I can't speak to my sister or father's rationale as to why they were un-enthused - mine was because they smelled funny, looked funny, and seemed like the most unappetizing bean that mother nature (or whomever) could have created.  I just didn't get the appeal.

Fast forward to present.

My boyfriend also has the tradition of cooking black-eyed peas - and urged me to help him make them this year.  Anxious about the opportunity to cook something new, but nervous about what it was we were cooking - I took up the challenge (stating a caveat every 15 minutes that I don't even know what these things are suppose to taste like).

I found a recipe online that I thought would add the zest they needed to be quasi appetizing to my high-maintenance pallette.  The recipe I found, used, and enjoyed was the following:

Ingredients

• 2 cups dried black-eyed peas, rinsed, and soaked
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 6 slices bacon, 1-inch dice (I subsituted a turkey neck in place of the bacon)
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup preserved ginger, chopped
• 3/4 cup honey

Preparation

Drain and rinse the beans; cover with fresh water and bring to a boil over high heat. Add in the onion, mustard, and ginger. Reduce heat and simmer for about 45 minutes, or until tender. Add water to keep them from drying out, if necessary.  Once the peas are to your consistency satisfaction, add in the honey and stir one last time.

This same recipe goes on to instruct the black-eyed pea enthusiast to bake the peas for another 75 minutes, but I had nor the time or patience for all of that... so I stopped at the honey, and in the words of the Mister... they were 'phenomenal.'

Photo courtesy of - commons.wikimedia.org

I am a recent convert to the game of football.  Two football seasons, at least 652 questions, and even one pick-up game of touch football later... I can honestly say I enjoy the sport.  It began as a means of survival.  That is - if I wanted to so much as exist to my mister during football season, I needed to know what the hell was going down on that pretty green turf. 

At any rate, today marked the last game of Florida State's 2009 season... and the last game of their coach's, Bobby Bowden, career.  An FSU fan by default, (that's where the mister attended school and played), I found myself overly intrigued and emotionally attached to the emotional spirit the filled the field.  Coach Bowden was stepping down from his coaching postion after 34 years of coaching.  34.  Most of those years he spent at FSU, and of 34 seasons... 33 of them ended with a winning record. From what I understand, he is respected by everyone who knows him. 

It was important for me to acknowledge this man of whom I knew nothing of two years ago, because I admire his feat.  The man is stepping down at 80 years old (though not because of his age, but because of politics), with accolades that most coaches will never come close to.  He's coached players that have gone on to bigger and better things, like Deion Sanders and Warrick Dunn.  Kinda cool I thought.  One worth acknowledging....

Whatever the case - the word on the street is that it was time for Bobby to go... and all of this change is for the better.  That's what 'they' say right... change is good?