Happy New Years Eve!

Christmas gift...the spurs I wanted!

Jeans: Earl
Shirt: Vintage
Earrings: Forever21
Sunglasses: Forever21
Boots: Nicona

Happy New Years Eve. I had a wonderful day roping and laughing. We ventured up to the reservation again for a muley roping(cattle with no horns). Let's just say it got pretty western! It was more of a community Indian roping...but super fun. Tomorrow is the jackpot so I plan on spending the first day of 2012 with some money in my pocket!
Hope everyone has a very safe and happy new year!

XOXO
Love ya

"Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me."
Seymour Miller & Jill Jackson

Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

Who said bullriders can't read?! This was one of Derek's gift and he has become a book worm.

Sweater: Vintage
Jeans: True Religion
Denim Shirt: Levi
Moccasins: Minnetonka
Sunglasses: RayBans

We went to our weekly Indian Reservation trips...haven't been in a while...to buck some bulls.
These were new bulls bought last night so of course the boys could hardly stand not breaking em in today.
Sadly, it was so dry...by this time our country should be green green...California needs rain desperately it is kind of scary....maybe I should do a rain dance...or play one on the guitar ;)
I've got two chords down which is turning into a song!
The bulls were outrageously mean especially the red bull. Kind of intense when he pulled up the panels twice and tried to escape...this is a typical day for me. I wish I got better pics of my outfit...
Anyways...New Years tomorrow and no plans :(  Was going to start New Years off at a roping but it's just not going to work out. But its okay...we'll post something fun tomorrow. Pictures taken by me :)

XOXO

Love ya


"Courage is being scared to death - and saddling up anyway."
John Wayne

Column 7 - A Sugar Plum for the New Year

A Sugar Plum for the New Year
By Amy Witt

New Years party dresses? Check! Sequins and glitter? Check! Sky high heels? Check! All the accessories you could want? Check.

Fashion model cut-outs decorating the boutique, the aroma of incense, fun loud music, shoes galore, and all the clothing to rock the streets as your runway, Sugar Plums is the hottest boutique for the hottest outfits for New Years.

Window displays that mesmerize you to want more how can you resist? Stacey Swiney, a very prosperous, fabulous, respected business owner, and someone I admire is the heart and soul that keeps Sugar Plums kickin’. Having been in business for 19 years in Porterville, and 6 years in Visalia, Sugar Plums is a very respectable and popular spot for the hippest clothing around. A family and friend operated business her sons manage the Visalia store.

As I walked in, I was greeted by Toby Rosa, a passionate store manager, who has been with Sugar Plums for 7 years. Toby is a key member of Sugar Plums assisting Stacey with her inventory, purchasing, and promoting Sugar Plums as the glamorous boutique it is. He also informed me that new inventory is displayed every Wednesday in Porterville and every Thursday in Visalia, while they also carry men’s clothing in the Visalia store.

Shopping around I smiled, the boutique is beautiful and inspiring in itself. Faux fur, cheetah, bling iphone cases, beautiful statement jewelry, leather, reds and golds….there are so many perfect options for rockin’ outfits. Sugar Plums knows fashion.

I found the perfect off-the shoulder black glittery top to pair with black skinnies. Silver sequin heels and a faux fur scarf are great statement pieces for the New Year.  I will definitely be back today to snag those items before they are sold.

If you would like to be the best dressed, make a statement, or start the year off fabulous please run down to Sugar Plums at 15 W. Mill in Porterville, near the Post Office or 218 W. Main Street in Visalia.

Have a very happy and safe New Year! As for me, I am so beyond ready to grab 2012 by the horns. New Year, new start!  

XOXOX
Love ya!

"I like my money right where I can see it - hanging in my closet."
  ~From the television show Sex and the City

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life

Button-up: Thrifted
Jeans: Old Navy
Wedges: Bamboo
Squash Blossom: Unknown Indian Tribe(Derek got for me in TX)
Longer Turquoise Necklace: Silpada

Gosh my hair is a mess...I kinda went free spirit today...
I guess that sums up my whole personality...free spirit!
So, today is day 1 1/2 for learning how to play the guitar. I have been wanting to foooreeevver but have continued to put it off...like I do alot of things. Music makes me wake up everyday...the guitar fascinates me...I want to play like Jack Johnson someday...
not wanting to be famous or make a career but just to be that good!
My inspirations for my guitar learning: Jack Johnson, Mimi Gilbert, Miranda Lambert, and Derek.
I've strummed a lot in these almost 2 days my finger tips hurt I know they will be bleeding soon.
Also, that's Minnie in the pic...she adopted me at the old house.
Now, Derek adopted her...they are perfect for each other.
I love the pic I snapped of Derek...it's hard to actually get pics of him because he's never serious...which I am envious of. Sometimes I tend to be a bit too serious. It is never a dull moment with him.
He will be leaving for a while beginning of January to work on a movie so we are trying to spend much time together as possible...it's not always peaches and cream but I guess that's just the way we are.
He is a great photographer even though I get mad at him alot when taking pics. He is a wonderful artist, musician, stuntman, bullrider, and person all around. He is soo talented it's sick! Love him very much!
We are trying to figure our New Years plans out...hopefully snowboarding in Tahoe with some good friends!

Have a beautiful rest of day!
Off to chop fire wood : /

XOXO
Love ya all!

“Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul.”
-Unknown

Merry Christmas!

Sweater: Vintage
Leggings: Target
Shoes: Avon
Rosary: Vintage-Fool's Gold Antique
Belt: Forever21

Grandma received one of my shirts for Christmas.
How cute is she?! Love her.

Wyatt received a custom Fender Electric Guitar...MADE IN USA!! Thank God!




My family gave me too much!
I received jewelry, jewelry box, Forever21 Gift card, True Religion and Seven Jeans, Heels, other misc.,
and the new iphone 4. The only thing I wanted was to be with them and Derek.
Prime Rib dinner and more gift exchanging will conclude the day.
I will post my Christmas/New Years card tomorrow.


HOPE EVERYONE HAS A VERRYYY MERRYYY CHRISTMAS!
XOXOXO

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree:  the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. "
~Burton Hillis

Column #6 Books, Books, Books Galore!

Books, books, books galore!

By Amy Witt

            I love to read. I love books. They are scattered all over my house; either decorative, books on fashion, art, music, rodeo, Cowboys and Indians, or just books I love.  I love the library. I love the smell of books. I love flipping the pages. I love seeing the progress I’ve made. I love buying book marks. I love buying books and of course…judging the book by it’s cover.
Kindles are soo over-rated…I refuse to own one.

With Christmas just around the corner, I found myself in the book store, Books off Main. I was saddened… “Why haven’t I ever been here before?”

 A very lovely woman, book lover, and co-owner, Kathleen Kauffroath and her dog, Izzie, greeted me with a smile. Retiree’s Kathleen and her dear friend Walda Warren decided that their love for books needed some more adventure. In September of 2009, the women established Books Off Main as co-owners. Sadly, Walda passed away recently a few weeks ago.

As, I skipped around the store I noticed there were hundreds of books! With an inventory of 100,000 used books. In every genre why must we go anywhere else or use Amazon when we have it right here in our community?! A website, an eBay store, and shipping world wide,
Books off Main has all the services we need.

Something I dearly admired was a lone book shelf displaying all new books by local authors. (A dream of mine: write a book!) History, autobiographies, spiritual, and mystery are just a few examples of our local authors’ decadent work. Even cooler, book signings for these authors are also held at Books off Main.

The art and music book shelf, I was drawn to. I didn’t want to leave! The Art of Bev Doolittle and The Art of the Golden West mesmerized me. This bookstore is perfect and the prices are out of this world.  Buying Shakespeare and two quote books, I left so delighted and excited to have this store in Porterville.

Santa should be informed about this store. With only 3 days left for Christmas, books are perfect stocking stuffers and make even better gifts. To satisfy your book lover heart, go visit Kathleen and Izzie at Books Off Main at 27 E. Oak Ave, next to Subway.

Merry Christmas! I hope everyone has a very
Merry and safe Christmas filled with family and lots of love!

XOXO

Off to see some family in Aromas for Christmas be back Christmas eevvvee!!

"Always read something that will make you look good if
you die in the middle of it."
~P.J. O'Rourke