AW SHUCKS, COUNTRY DONE COME TO TOWN!

My signature tag line when I go on holiday in the city. (Bringing holiday back in place of vacay, it's so very festive, don't you think). Well, country has come to town for good as the hubs and I make the permanent trek to Chi Town.

Now, I am not implying we are somehow akin to the Beverly Hillbillies. I mean all of our junk is in a covered wagon, Penske truck, whatever. May as well be a spaceship because I feel like I am moving to the moon.

Life in the city is fascinating, but I never expected to live it. I am a small town girl at heart, Smalltownista that is. But what is life if not overflowing with the unexpected and I am excited to embark on an adventurous journey. Excited indeed!

Future posts are sure to keep you abreast of all the beauty and distress to accompany this transition.


A big toodles to you and to life as I knew it.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

YOU GO CAMPING???

That's right and I love it. Now, I have to say there was a time in my life when my sentiment was not so and I quote, "oh, I do not do camping." However, after my time living in Flagstaff, AZ my mind was changed and my attitude was shifted. Of course, the combination of high elevation and low temps equals no snakes and hardly any bugs aside from the occassional delirious fly. Arkansas, on the other hand, offers plently of both which is why I was never too keen on the idea while growing up. The very few camping and floating trips I attended as a child were miserable at best.

Cut to my short list of camping trips as an adult and I have come to realize that camping is not necessarily 'roughing it' if you are with friends who know what they are doing. Let's see, my non roughing it adventures have included car camping in Durango, CO, tent camping in Canyon De Chelly, AZ, neither car nor tent camping (yep, just a sleeping bag and a beach) in Rocky Point, Mexico, car camping on Lake Ouachita , AR, and finally my latest fete, Island camping on Lake Ouachita. The latter being my favorite so far.

WHAT I'M LOVING RIGHT NOW

What I'm Loving Right Now is TranquiliT's All in One Wrap Dress in Noir (check back next week, I may be loving it in Tangerine). Simple, Classic, Versatile, and not only is it eco-friendly (made from organic cotton, bamboo, and soy) it is also uber budget friendly. Budget friendly? Yes, and here's why, it's a piece that can be twisted and tied to crank out at least ten different styles. In simple math terms $110 / 10 outfits = $11 per outfit, that is a steal. It's versatility also makes it my must have perfect travel piece. I can sport it as a skirt during the day and as a dress for dinner, brilliant.

You may or may not be aware that I absolutely adore Yogaprenuer, Kimberly Wilson. Her book
, her blog , her clothing line , her Yoga Studios , and mostly just her overall persona. She seems to exude the hip and tranquil life she so eloquently writes about.

While I have yet to reach my ultimate goal of traveling to D.C. with Momma Jane to experience one of her three Tranquil Space Yoga Studios, I am content to live vicariously through all of her lovely websites.

OVERCOMING GYMOPHOBIA

Aside from the occasional strenuous Yoga Session, I have not worked out a day in my adult life. I attribute my lack of physical fitness to what I have dubbed gymophobia. Whether it's being in the throws of a quarter life crisis or a high school reunion looming, I can't say, but at the ripe age of late twenties it is time to face my fear of gyms. In order to get over my fear of 'working out' in general, I took a deep breath and jumping in, all the way in.

Two weeks ago I signed up for Boot Camp, that's right, not just paid for a gym membership (that I would never use), but Boot Camp. And I must say, so far I am totally digging it and look forward to my 3 nights a week class and have yet to skip out on one yet. YAY!!!

SMALLTOWNISTA BEGINS

I recently stumbled upon a book circa early 00's about life in the city. While the author offered up some valuable advice, she sprinkled it with tidbits of small town stereotypes. Ideas that all small towners wear overalls, drive pickup trucks, and have little to no ambition makes my blood boil. I do not claim to be familier with small towns everywhere, but from my humble experiences, I can honestly say those sweeping claims are simply NOT TRUE.

Okay, small town style may not be HIGH fashion, but it is not all overalls all the time. There is a simple approach to style in small towns, which I happen to appreciate. Pickup Trucks, really? Need I say more. And yes, we may not all be clawing our way up a fortune 500 company ladder, but chances are we own or work for a family owned business, are stay at home moms with a creative biz on the side, teachers, lawyers, occupational therapists, artists, and that is just to name a few occupations within my small circle. Assuming that small town dwellers have little to no ambition in life, is like assuming city dwellers have no connection to family. It's ridiculous.

Hence, the inspiration for Smalltownista: Small Town Girls Have Style Too. May smalltownistas everywhere band together to share tips, tricks, inspiration and to show the world that style can be found anywhere, even in a small town.