She's got Style!

Ashley tagged me for this fun little questionnaire. It's all about Style Dahhhling. Are you a stylish girl? I used to associate being stylish with being trendy. Some people are so good at staying with the cutting edge. I am not one of them. Never have been. I've always said I was born a few decades too late. I enjoy a clean, crisp classic style. Simple yet elegant. But, I think if your sense of fashion expresses your personality and how you carry yourself or present yourself, then you have a certain sense of style. I feel very drawn to the classic designs of Chanel and Valentino.

Who is your style icon?
Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis

She was so graceful and elegant. But, not in a flashy glamorous kind of way. There was nothing about her that said sex. And I love that. Yet, she had impeccable taste. It wasn't just about her fashion sense. She was cultured and refined. She was intelligent and confident and that came across in the way she carried herself. And yet there is also a sense of mystery about her. She was intensely private about her family life, and extremely guarded and protective when it came to her children.

I've read so much about her, and I just feel a kinship with her. We both had budding careers that we set aside in order to embrace family life. She was very supportive of her husband professionally, as am I. She used her knowledge of history, culture, and art to bring a little beauty to the world around her. I love the renovations and new life she brought into the White House for the short time it was their home. Here are some of my favorite quotes by her.

- I always wanted to be some kind of writer or newspaper reporter. But after college... I did other things.
- If you bungle raising your children, I don't think whatever else you do matters very much.
-There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all.
-I want to live my life, not record it.

What is your favorite party theme?
This is a hard one, but, anyone who knows me, knows I love to plan a good party. I started young. I used to love making party invitations on my dad's computer to invite my girlfriends over for slumber parties. And I was the first in my small town to rent our local scout hut and hire a D.J. for my birthday. I attending public school at that time and I invited people from both the public and private school to come, which was a first. Some were friends and some were friends of friends, but, it all worked out really nice. Later the dances and parties got bigger and I would get a band to come and play. (side note: They were always non-alcoholic, chaperoned events.)

Where were we, oh yeah themes...hmmm...I love planning and putting together the perfect birthday party for my children. But, I am also looking forward to hosting formal dinner parties in our new home. Not all the time mind you. I think the Lord has other plans in mind for us. I want us to be good stewards with what He entrusts with us financially. I have a friend, whom is a chef in Memphis. I used to be apart of the wait staff at his restaurant, as well as, for outside catered events. We catered the dinner for King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain when they came for the Majesty of Spain exhibit in Jackson. I think it was around that time that fine dinning and entertaining really became a passion of mine. I enjoyed not just learning about the food itself, but, the beauty of the presentation, how to pair food with other food and wine, and the formality of the settings and service. It makes a meal an event.

What is your favorite socialite literature series or book?
I have not read much in this area. I guess I would have to say Poor Little Rich Girl: The Life and Legend of Barbara Hutton. It was very surreal and quite sad. She lived a very lavish and decadent life, but, she never found happiness. Another example of how all the money and fame in the world can't buy you happiness.

What is one extravagance you can not live with out?
Art. Visual and performing arts. And I've found that this is a luxury you can afford on a very limited budget. Whenever we move to a new city, I search out what the area has to offer in the way of the arts. I love to visit free art museums, in and outdoor concerts, and gardens. I also love to visit the cultural art fairs in our area, such as the Greek, Italian and Irish festivals we have here.

A living person you admire most.
I most admire people who are unashamed and very open about their love for the Lord. People who are genuine and kind, and have a contagious joyfulness about them. -That is what I strive to be like. To be able to draw people into who He is and how wonderful it is to be in His presence and know Him deeply.

What is your greatest fear? Feeling helpless and out of control. Being over whelmed by my emotions and grief and not having or knowing a healthy way to express it. Every time I am faced with this I pray that the Lord will help to heal my heart and give me a portion of His peace that will help me to face it and move forward. I pray that the Lord will not so much give me understanding into why this has all happened, as much as, He will reveal to me what He is trying to teach me through it. How is He trying to grow me? Trusting in His sovereignty and the fact that He has the whole picture and knows what is best for us is comforting to me.

Which talent would you most like to have? I really just wish that I had the diligence and discipline to fully develop the God given talents I already have. I want to use what God has given me to bring Him honor and glory. I want Him to be able to use me in order that I am a blessing to Him and a blessing to others. For example, I've been singing for years. My parents always encouraged it and tried to help me develop my talent in that area. My dad, bless his heart, always said he wanted me to be a teacher or a country singer. Well, a country singer I am not. I'm not very good with main stream. I'm a classical singer. That's where I found my niche when I was a performance major in college. But, when both of my parents died I sang at their funerals and then I stopped singing. I tried a few times but, I just couldn't do it. I had lost my joy in it for a while, and I needed a little time to heal. I just recently started back singing and I've lost so much. Like anything else, if you don't use it you will lose it. Not completely, but, it would take me nine months to a year of hard work everyday to get me back to where I was. And that makes me kind of sad. But, it's just the cold hard truth of it. And practicing an hour a day everyday seems so out of reach at this point in my life with two little ones. But, at least I found my joy again. And that is a start.

What is your greatest achievement? My husband and children are my greatest blessings in life. And as for achievements, well, the Lord has placed many opportunities in my path along the way that I am grateful for. I enjoyed working and have fond memories and goals I'm proud to have achieved at each job I've held. And I think one of the things I'm most proud of was receiving the Donna Jones Moritsugu Award given to me by the American Osteopathic Foundation and Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. It was a total surprise and it made me feel so much apart of this journey through medical school that Hugh and I have been on. I received it at the awards banquet when we went down for Hugh's graduation from medical school, which also just happened to be on the night of our fifth wedding anniversary. So, that made it even more special. The award is given to a non student for their support of their family, the college and the osteopathic profession. I had the wonderful opportunity to serve as the president of the S.A.A. chapter on campus while we were in Kansas City, which is the auxiliary made up of family members , mostly wives of the medical students. The auxiliary was much more than a social club or sorority. We helped the students with projects such as Score One For Health, where the second year medical students went to several public elementary schools in the area to provide free health screenings. We also held a dinner every month for families with children in the NICU at a local hospital. We provided a home cooked meal, and a speaker, a former parent whom had had a child there and could give advice and lend support. Sometimes they even brought their children so the parents could see how well their children had progressed. It provided a lot of hope and reassurance. These are just some of the examples of our involvement within the school and community. And I was proud to be apart of it and serve as their president.

I would like to tag Demetria, since she is the most stylish lady I know. And also Heidi, Jenny and Ashley I. If anyone else would like to play along let me know. I'd love to read yours as well. ~Blessings!