An Addendum to The Post in Which I Might Lose All My Followers

I wanted to address Thursday's post because I am still getting hateful comments and emails, which led me to believe that I didn't make my point clear.

My point was not that I hate these blogs, am jealous of these bloggers or to say that these bloggers don't work hard for what they have or have mountains of credit card debt.

I think exactly the opposite of all these statements.

I was not singling out any certain blog, nor do I hate any bloggers.

Period.

I also want to make it clear that it is not only people who have nice things that work hard. I was told several times that these people who have these nice things have worked hard to get them - and I agree.

But I work extremely hard as well. And I know a lot of people who are struggling just to get by with their monthly bills work hard. I know a lot of these bloggers who agreed with what I said and who understood where I was coming from work hard.

Growing up, my dad worked 3 and 4 jobs at a time to provide for our family. There were times I remember when we only had one car and my dad walked to work so my mom could have it to take me to school. I am well acquainted with working hard. I've grown up working for everything I have. If I wanted something, then I worked and got it.

I guess I should come on here and talk about my 2004 Saturn Vue that I work hard to pay $329/month for. Or I should scan a copy of my Sallie Mae bill so you can see what I spend my money on. It is not only people who are wealthy that work hard.

I also want to let you know that I know where these people are coming from. When I was in retail, I made good money. I bought basically whatever I wanted. I worked 90+ hours a week so I could have these things. And I walked away. I made the choice to walk away. Because to me, it wasn't worth it not to see my friends and family. It wasn't worth it not to enjoy anything or have any free time. So, I've made the choice to make what I make and do what I do and I'm fine with that.

I was also directed by a fellow blogger to a tweet that referenced that the people who

"have a job" have these nice things. I don't even know why I'm responding to that, because it makes my stomach reel that someone would think that if you don't have nice things you don't have a job but it's so not true. So not true.

I expected some backlash from this post, but never to the gravity of which I've been getting. I think it's funny that these people who are calling me hateful and whatnot are doing the exact same thing towards me in the form of comments and emails.

I am truly sorry if I offended anyone as that was never my intention. I honestly was just posting what was on my mind and heart - that I was finding it difficult to relate to some of these bloggers when I wish I could. Because I like connecting with other bloggers. As I previously stated, that's what it's about to me.

Frandom

1. Thank you for your comments on yesterday's post. That is all about that. Except for anonymous - you can please feel free to CLICK OFF at any time. And never come back.

2. I think these dogs are the cutest on the planet. And they just happen to be mine. Well, the brown one - that would be Sophie, is my mom's dog. But she might as well be mine!

3. I know I owe some of you thank you notes and I promise, they are coming! I'm feeling so irresponsible right now that I've been slacking on them!

4. I think I might vomit if I hear one more thing about Twilight. I don't understand the fascination with mythical, fictional characters. I just don't get it and I'll just go on the record here as saying I don't think Robert Pattinson is that good looking. Certainly nothing to send 154265626 Facebook flairs about that's for sure.

5. I'm dying to see this movie. I'm just a little peeved that the premier wasn't in Memphis. I mean - hello - it's centered in Memphis!!!

6. Evan's basketball season kicks off tonight with an invitational tournament. He has 1 game tonight and 3 tomorrow. I'm so freaking excited. I think basketball is my favorite sport that he plays!

7. Have ya'll been reading Mrs. Potts' guest bloggers this week while she's been on vaca? They have all been super great. I'm up tomorrow, I just hope I can follow in their footsteps! Ha!

8. I woke up at 8:00 this morning. I'm supposed to leave at 8:00. Let's just say that I'm really observing casual Friday today! Ha!

9. Yesterday, I read about a Gap discount code on Fantabulously Frugal. You can take an additional 25% off sale items! Yay! I got 5 shirts for $30 - this includes shipping. So excited.

10. Yesterday there was a robbery at gunpoint precisely 1.5 seconds from my work. I don't work in the best part of town, and really stuff like this happens more often than I'd like, but it never gets less unnerving for me.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

The Post Where I Might Lose All My Followers

ETA: Again I want to reiterate that this is not about jealousy. Additionally, I want to make it clear that I do not live on a poverish level. I seriously got an email asking if I was on government assistance. I live in a nice house, drive a fairly nice car and can occasionally splurge on a nice piece of clothing or jewelry. I just can't do it every single day, and that's what I was talking about. I would also like to agree with every single on of you who said that shopping at places like Target and TJ Maxx is fashionable. I think of myself as a fashionable person - and probably way more creative than some people who just drop $650 on a shirt - because I have to work to put together my fashion. And it's fun!

I want to let you know that publishing this post was a debate for me. I ultimately made the decision to do it because this blog is about what I think and feel and not just what is politically correct or nice. I'm not trying to alienate anyone or bash anyone by posting this, nor am I mad or upset about anything. I simply wanted to post what was on my heart.

I'm not a wealthy person.

I'm not even remotely wealthy.

I buy most of my clothes at places like Target, Old Navy, Macy's, Gap and I've even been known to buy a piece or two at WalMart. Please, hold your gasps until the end of the post.

I can shop the clearance racks like nobody's business. Because I have to.

Now, I'm not trying to imply that I live out of a cardboard box and eat government cheese - because I'm far from that.

But I can't just go out and buy Tory Burch, Loeffler Randal and Nanette Lepor.

I can't even shop JCrew a lot of the time.

And trust me, I want to like you wouldn't believe.

But I am starting to notice something - so many blogs that I read, can. They can just up and drop $700 on a pair of boots or $1200 on a coat. And I'm finding it difficult to identify with their blogs anymore because $700 to me is my car note, insurance and student loans.

Now, trust me this isn't jealousy talking. I know I'm where I am and I make what I make for a reason, but it just seems like there is an increasing amount of blogs that are so focused on showcasing how much money they spend or what label is inside their dress and I've found that I quit reading them because it would just be the same song, second verse day after day after day. And because I have no idea how to respond to a post about buying a $3,000 handbag. No clue at all.

And what's sad is that some of these blogs shun the ones like mine because it doesn't fit into the mold of what theirs is. Trust me, I've had email about this.

It's like when I was in 6th grade. I transferred to a certain school here in Memphis because I wanted to be on their pep team and you had to attend the school for a year before you could tryout. What I didn't realize at the time was that this was one of the most affluent public schools in Memphis and my family was anything but. The entire year was a nightmare because I didn't have the clothes all the other girls did and I didn't have 3 story houses with pools and housekeepers. In short - I didn't fit in.

I know there has been some drama in the blogosphere as of late about some blogs being pretentious and what have you, and I think that's all true but not deserving of the bashing that some of those bloggers received.

I don't know if anyone else feels this way, or even if anyone else has noticed the same thing as me. I want to reiterate that this post is not born of jealousy or hatred. My philosophy is to each his own.

But to me, blogging is about connecting with so many different people and learning about worlds that are different than yours. It's about bringing people together that ordinarily wouldn't have ever crossed paths. Not creating online cliques and clubs of which only certain people can feel a part.

One Line Wonders

ETA: The drama line is from "My Humps" by Fergie, not "Glamorous". I probably blocked this information out of my head because I detest the humps song down to my very core. Thanks Anonymous for setting me straight!

Has it ever happened to you that you get just one part of a song stuck in your head?

I don't know if this happens to you, but it happens to me all.the.time.

Like for example, "this is bad, real bad Michael Jackson."

I don't even know the name of that song, but every time I hear it I'm saying that line for hours on end.

I realized the other day that this happens to me a lot.

So, I compiled a list.

Just for you.

Thank me later.

1. "Should I give up, or should I just keep chasing pavements..." This is, of course, from "Chasing Pavements" by Adele. I love that song, and I swear I know more of the words but for some reason my head just gets stuck on that line and I'll sing it over and over. Like yesterday I was getting ready to leave and I didn't realize how much I was singing that one line until my sister yelled at me, "You know there's actually more to the song!"

2. "No no drama. No no no no drama drama..." This is from "Glamorous" by Fergie. I generally hate that song, but I love that part.

3. "I think you need some counseling." This is from the Eminem song "Stan" and when it came out my best friend and I were obsessed with the song. I don't remember exactly why and I can't remember that much else about the song, but for some reason we would look at each other and repeat this line over and over when we were in high school.

4. "Now she's my Miss America now can I be her soldier please..." This is from the song "Down" by Jay Sean.

5. "The Britney song was on, and the Britney song was on, and the Britney song was ON...." From "Party in the USA" by Miley Cyrus.

6. "Baad, baad, baad, baad..." from "Good Girls Go Bad" by Cobra Starship. You know the part where it's all electronic? Yeah, I'm that annoying person who will repeat that word over and over.

7. "Woah oh oh oh oh oh oh....woah oh oh oh oh oh" This is from the beginning of the Billy Joel song "Uptown Girl." That part gets stuck in my head every time I hear it even though I love the song and know every single word I always seem to repeat the intro over and over.

8. "I just haven't met you yet..." From the newest Michael Buble my future husband song.

There are many more, but I'll stop at 8 so as not to bore you any further or lost followers like I did yesterday. Because apparently my falling and having a breakdown in the middle of the Target parking lot makes people mad.

So, does this happen to anyone else?

Question of the Day

Say - hypothetically of course - that you were walking through a Target parking lot on the way to your car after spending way too much money on stuff you don't need being completely responsible and just getting the groceries you needed, when suddenly you are on the ground and your cart is still moving rapidly toward a brand new Lexus SUV.

Would you:

(a) Start screaming at the top of your lungs for the cart to stop?

(b) Scramble to your feet only to fall down again before you're even halfway off the ground?

(c) Pause momentarily and wonder how this (on the ground with a broken heel, bruised knees and speaking pointedly to an object that cannot hear you) became your life?

Well, if you're me, you invent a letter (d) for all of the above.

Yes, this actually happened.

Congratulations to me.

What Are You Even Doing Here?

If you haven't learned the drill yet, then let me tell you!

I'm here today and every Monday!

Do you follow Goodwill Grace yet? Because if not, you're missing out!

Also, Goodwill Grace Twitters!

See you back here tomorrow!

Saturday Survey

I've seen this floating around the blogosphere for the past couple of days and thought I would take part in a little Saturday survey.

1.What is your current obsession ?
Couponing. I'm not even lying y'all. I want to be like the woman I saw on GMA who spent literally $.01 on like $200 worth of groceries.

2. What are you wearing today?
Brown yoga pants, tan Uggs, purple tank, denim jacket and a scarf. It's Saturday, ok?

3. What’s for dinner?
Sushi. It's sushi Saturday.

4. What’s the last thing you bought?
Frosting to make my co-workers birthday cupcakes.


5. What are you listening to right now?
"Smile" by Uncle Kracker.

6. What do you think about the person who tagged you?
Well, Happy Dash is just so sweet and I love her blog and Brittany from Living in the Moment is one of my new favorite finds; she is an amazing writer!

7. If you could have a house, totally paid for, fully furnished, anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be?
A penthouse apartment in Manhattan.

8. What are your must-have pieces for summer?
Flip flops, maxi dresses and bronzer.

9. If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?
NYC.

10. Which language do you want to learn?
French. I took it for 3 years in high school and I can only remember the most random words.

Also, I would like to learn Spanish so when I get mad I can start spouting off in a different language. I've always wanted to be able to do that.

11. What’s your favorite quote?
"Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere."

-Albert Einstein

12. Who do you want to meet right now?
Dick Van Dyke.

Love him.

13. What is your favorite colour?
Purple.

14. What is your favorite piece of clothing in your own closet?
There are so many. Probably any of my scarves because they can make outfits look so different.

15. What is your dream job?
A stay at home mom and boutique owner.

16. What’s your favorite magazine?
Well, it's not a secret that I have a small magazine addiction. I love InStyle, All You, Harper's Bazaar, Architectural Design, Traditional Home, Elle, Elle Decor, Lucky, Glamour.....the list goes on and on.

Oh, and I miss Domino terribly.

17. If you had $100 now, what would you spend it on?
A bill or Christmas presents.

18. What do you consider a fashion faux pas?
Well, personally I hate almost anything tie-dye. Also, bra straps of any kind showing - unless it's a sports bra at the gym.

19. Who according to you is the most over-rated style icon?
Heidi Klum. There are so many times she just looks a hot mess and the press will be raving.

20. What kind of haircut do you prefer?
Well, right now I'm loving an inverted bob with side swept bangs.

21. What are you going to do after this?
I don't know. What are you going to do after this?

22. What are your favorite movies?
Anne of Green Gables

Legally Blonde

Love Actually

Remember the Titans

Beauty and the Beast

A Few Good Men

23. What are three cosmetic/makeup/perfume products that you can't live without?
Clinique Color Surge Super Shimmer in Daybreak

Vaseline

BeautiControl Hydrating Mist

24. What inspires you ?
Everything.

25. Give us three styling tips that always work for you?
Always have a "go to" dress that can work for work, fun and funerals.

Smile.

And, I'm going with THD here - scarves. They're so versatile.

26. What do you do when you “have nothing to wear” (even though your closet’s packed)?
Shop my closet. Pretend that I'm at the store and start pulling stuff out and putting it together in completely new ways.

27. Coffee or tea?
Neither.


28. What do you do when you are feeling low or terribly depressed?
Shop.

29. What is the meaning of your name?
"One from the white-haired mans island."

I wish I was lying about that, but I'm not.

30. Which other blogs do you love visiting?
Yeah, like you're going to get me to answer that. I love all of the ones I follow!

31. Favorite Dessert/Sweet?
Chocolate cake.


32. Favorite Season?
Winter.


33. If I come to your house now, what would you cook for me?
Well, whatever you wanted!

34. What is the right way to avoid people who purposefully hurt you?
Remove yourself from the situation. Stop all interaction.


35. How do you calm yourself down when you are agitated or angry?
Work out, shop, talk to my momma or eat.


36.Who is the modern ideal girl: The one who knows how to shop, dress and enjoy, or the one who is simple but manages the house, kids and herself well?
The one who can do all of the above and maintain her sanity!