Welcome to Willoughby's Blog Style Cocktail Party. I hope you will find some new blogs to follow and expand your circle of blog friends. I know you're all anxious to mingle, so I'll get right to it.
I'd like to introduce Holly from 504 Main. I know you'll enjoy her blog as much as I do.
About Me
Mochas, makeup and "I love you Mama" get me through the day. I don't sleep enough (hence the mochas..nonfat of course!), but somehow I manage to be mom to Joe and Jules by day and a wedding planner, designer, and writer by night. I adore books, books and more books, fabric, paperie, cowboy boots (although I don't own a pair - note to self, "do something about that!"), and my "vintage" fringed-to-perfection DKNY wrap skirt.
Professional speaking...I graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, and worked as a fashion designer before becoming a wedding planner. My work has been featured in local and national media, including Lifetime Television’s “The I Do Diaries: My Best Friend’s Wedding.”
Hi there! I'm Holly - mother, wife, wedding planner, author, designer, crafter, cook-in-training, baker, knitter, artist, gardener, etc. Yes, I try it all, and some times it works out. Cocktail Hour is my favorite time of day...although I am usually having a nonfat mocha (maybe I should add some Peppermint Schnapps...it tastes like Xmas! by the way)! I am so happy to be sharing this cocktail hour with Willoughby and all of you...thanks for having me! I am a relatively new blogger and am thrilled beyond my wildest expectations with this whole experience. I have read some of the most entertaining, inspirational and down right funny things EVER! I was told to start a blog to support my wedding etiquette book that is coming out in December, and I did...but then I got sucked into the blogging vortex and couldn't stop with one...I had to have 2! I am really not surprised, I sort of have that obsessive-addictive personality (don't worry I am not a stalker...maybe on blogs, but not in person!) Everyone is asking...so this as as good of a time as any to explain my name...I named my blog 504 Main because I felt the name could embody all the varied aspects of my life...it could be a home, a swanky hotel (that is for the wedding planning part--get your minds out of the gutter!, a hot new restaurant, a fabulous craft store, a chic designer boutique, my kids school, or a coffee house (more mocha please!). It is a destination that encompasses every aspect of life from drinks with the girls to bake sales at school. It represents my life - a life filled with twists and turns and laughter and sometime tears. It is about the good and bad of trying to entertain, be a mom and a wife, and a hip gal. Recently my parents brought up a tub or five of toys and my kids were thrilled...this inspired me to write a post called Toy Story. Some of you may have read it, but I felt like it was worth sharing again...it evoked such emotion and positive happy thoughts. I hope you enjoy it and would love to hear your toy story.
I am always preaching to my kids to take care of their toys...because when I was a child, I of course, took the utmost care of mine. In fact they are in pristine condition (or so I thought). I, of course, ultimately hope this is teaching them something about responsibility and respect. I have been very anxious to share my childhood toys with my children. Every time my Mom says "Dad is going into the top of the garage (or the attic)," I ask if he could look for one of my treasures. Well, my parents are all for this - they are cleaning house - time for my brother and I to store our own stuff. So, now, every time they come to visit I can expect at least one new find to come with them. And I am so excited about it! Just giddy, in fact!
As I go on-and-on about Richard Scary's Puzzle Town, Joe looks at me like I am crazy (maybe he knows something the rest of the world can only assume?...hmmm...). He is dumbfounded when I tell him that I used to have to use my imagination with Legos and when I suggest he can mix pieces from different boxes, he just about passes out (he likes order) - he cannot even fathom it. Yes, there were houses, police stations, fire stations, etc., but nothing like the $150 sets they sell now (seriously, I am so tired of paying $5 in shipping for a teeny-tiny 45 cent piece, which is necessary to finish building the battleship). Over the last couple of years, Puzzle Town, Legos, Barbies, Nerf Ping Pong, and an assortment of dolls have found a new home at my "big-girl" house. Most of them have remained boxed in a closet or garage, but recently we have started pulling them out to play with. Boy was I in for a shocker! These toys that I thought I had left in perfect condition look a little tattered and bruised...all because they were loved of course!
We have unearthed my Barbies - most of who have had a haircut and some even without heads, a purple Barbie Corvette, a Mrs. Beasley with "false" eyelashes - most likely drawn on with a marker, a stained but oh-so lovable Raggedy Ann, a beat-up musical bunny, two Cabbage Patch dolls - one of which is a boy named Carol Lennie that at the time, I insisted could be just be a tomboy...he/she was part of the first run of Cabbage Patch dolls and my mom (try as she might) could not get a girl doll. I now can see he was clearly a boy.
I love these toys and love watching my kids play with them. I am wondering what toy brings back wonderful memories for you? Or what toy have you passed on to your children?
Thank you Holly for being a guest on my blog.
The cocktail party will continue on Sunday with a new guest blogger. It's not too late to RSVP if you haven't already. You can send your submission to me at thisstopwilloughby@yahoo.com. (If you're not already a follower, you must become one to be a guest blogger at the cocktail party.) I would appreciate it if you could send me your post in html format. If you are submitting a new post, create it on Blogger as you would any post. Save, but don't publish it. From there you can click "edit html" and copy and paste your blog into the body of an email. If you are submitting a previously published post, go into "edit" and follow the same instructions. This makes it much easier for me to display your blog post the way you have written it and saves me a lot of editing. If you have any questions, feel free to email me.
I'd like to introduce Holly from 504 Main. I know you'll enjoy her blog as much as I do.
About Me
Professional speaking...I graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, and worked as a fashion designer before becoming a wedding planner. My work has been featured in local and national media, including Lifetime Television’s “The I Do Diaries: My Best Friend’s Wedding.”
Hi there! I'm Holly - mother, wife, wedding planner, author, designer, crafter, cook-in-training, baker, knitter, artist, gardener, etc. Yes, I try it all, and some times it works out. Cocktail Hour is my favorite time of day...although I am usually having a nonfat mocha (maybe I should add some Peppermint Schnapps...it tastes like Xmas! by the way)! I am so happy to be sharing this cocktail hour with Willoughby and all of you...thanks for having me! I am a relatively new blogger and am thrilled beyond my wildest expectations with this whole experience. I have read some of the most entertaining, inspirational and down right funny things EVER! I was told to start a blog to support my wedding etiquette book that is coming out in December, and I did...but then I got sucked into the blogging vortex and couldn't stop with one...I had to have 2! I am really not surprised, I sort of have that obsessive-addictive personality (don't worry I am not a stalker...maybe on blogs, but not in person!) Everyone is asking...so this as as good of a time as any to explain my name...I named my blog 504 Main because I felt the name could embody all the varied aspects of my life...it could be a home, a swanky hotel (that is for the wedding planning part--get your minds out of the gutter!, a hot new restaurant, a fabulous craft store, a chic designer boutique, my kids school, or a coffee house (more mocha please!). It is a destination that encompasses every aspect of life from drinks with the girls to bake sales at school. It represents my life - a life filled with twists and turns and laughter and sometime tears. It is about the good and bad of trying to entertain, be a mom and a wife, and a hip gal. Recently my parents brought up a tub or five of toys and my kids were thrilled...this inspired me to write a post called Toy Story. Some of you may have read it, but I felt like it was worth sharing again...it evoked such emotion and positive happy thoughts. I hope you enjoy it and would love to hear your toy story.
TOY STORY
We have unearthed my Barbies - most of who have had a haircut and some even without heads, a purple Barbie Corvette, a Mrs. Beasley with "false" eyelashes - most likely drawn on with a marker, a stained but oh-so lovable Raggedy Ann, a beat-up musical bunny, two Cabbage Patch dolls - one of which is a boy named Carol Lennie that at the time, I insisted could be just be a tomboy...he/she was part of the first run of Cabbage Patch dolls and my mom (try as she might) could not get a girl doll. I now can see he was clearly a boy.
I love these toys and love watching my kids play with them. I am wondering what toy brings back wonderful memories for you? Or what toy have you passed on to your children?
Thank you Holly for being a guest on my blog.
The cocktail party will continue on Sunday with a new guest blogger. It's not too late to RSVP if you haven't already. You can send your submission to me at thisstopwilloughby@yahoo.com. (If you're not already a follower, you must become one to be a guest blogger at the cocktail party.) I would appreciate it if you could send me your post in html format. If you are submitting a new post, create it on Blogger as you would any post. Save, but don't publish it. From there you can click "edit html" and copy and paste your blog into the body of an email. If you are submitting a previously published post, go into "edit" and follow the same instructions. This makes it much easier for me to display your blog post the way you have written it and saves me a lot of editing. If you have any questions, feel free to email me.
Willoughby
12 comments:
I believe Holly's Toy Story post was the one in which I happened in upon when I discovered her. A great find and a great guest! Good show!
Great post :) Holly, I am enjoying your blog immensely :)
I was able to give my girls my breyer horses which they love :)
Holly, it is so nice to meet you! Love your blog name, I think it's great!
Willoughby, thank you for introducing us to Holly!
I don't wonder that you don't sleep, Holly since you have so much going on and 2 children as well!
Project Runway is being filmed out of the Fashion Institue in LA and is on TV now. Do you watch it? You must have some interesting stories with the careers you had and now have!
Cabbage Patch Dolls bring back such memories for me. I was in the hospital and my adorable grandmother went from store to store trying to get me a Cabbage Patch. At one store the clerk went in back and brough her out one that was being saved because he was touched by her story. It was a baldie cabbage patch and I loved it! I remember Tinker Toys & Lincoln Logs and all kinds of Richard Scary books and items!
Great memories!
Thanks Willoughby. You picked another good one.
I've been a follower of Holly for a while now. She's an excellent writer and I always look forward to her posts. I hope that anyone who is reading about her for the first time checks out her blog and follows. They won't be disappointed.
Just FANTASTIC; this charming lady has got two marvellous blogs which i read with enormeous pleasure!
It'so lovely to welcome her on your Cocktailparty, Willoughby!
Thank you
elvira
I've recently found Holly's blog and am loving it, too! I had a CPK who must have been Carol's twin brother. His name was Jesse Headley. I don't know how they come up with those. Unfortunately for Jesse, my sister's oldest is only 9 yrs. younger than me and got to him before my girls could. He went on to CPK heaven (RIP). However, they got Candace Lorraine and Angela Maureen. They also got a Snoopy book that clearly states (in my brother's NOT so clear hand) that it was a gift from him to me in 1983...which would have made me 4 and him 10. My oldest LOVES it!
Holly, what a great post! I'm so glad to have met you through your blog.
Hey Holly! You picked a great post to showcase!
Love her...and you for hosting this party. Great fun. Thanks for coming by today. Have a great weekend. Holly at lifelaughlatte.blogspot.com
That's one of my favorite of Holly's posts ~ makes me so sentimental for childhood. Speaking of cocktail parties, I'm hoping to sit down and share a cocktail with the very same Holly of 504 Main this evening. She mentioned something about Blueberry Mojitos!
Jenn @ rookno17.blogspot.com
I've become a follower of Holly's blog and am enjoying quite a bit. Thanks for the cocktail party!
I gave all my stuffed animals and extensive collection of dolls to my niece. She's the only girl in the family so she now has dolls from 4 generations and from around the world. I was pretty rough on my barbies -- all their hair was cut - but kept their cars and accessories and furniture together and in good shape and I am glad to pass them along......
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