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Boots McBlog bio picture

bonjour, y'all!

I'm a dash of Jackie O.  A pinch of Elly May.  A splash of Quelques Fleurs.  A jigger of pickle juice. My friends call me Boots. My name is JoBeth.  I'm just a southern girl who adores a great tune, a delicious meal, beautiful flowers, a frilly dress, and the perfect shoe.   I'm a wife, a registered dietitian, a junior league member, a daydreamer, an avid i-pod shuffler and a novice photographer. I love to laugh.  I'm often silly with a heapin' helpin' of sappy. I'm blessed beyond measure and amazed by God's grace. 

Like all true southerners, I come from a long line of storytellers. My favorite stories paint pictures.  And great pictures tell stories. ( I hope to accomplish both)   So grab yourself a glass of sweet tea, kick off your Manolo's and sit a spell. Flair and folly awaits.  

Do tell!




belle vie artistry: kate + kyle

Tuesday, March 9, 2010 Posted in belle vie artistry, photography

“laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live”

If those who laugh together – stay together,  these two will definitely live happily ever after.   Meet Kate & Kyle.    From the first email we received from the pair, Heather and I knew we were in for a side splitting time.    Kyle has a endearing sense of humor perfectly paired with Kate’s infectious laugh.   They met when Kyle spilled a beer on Kate.    (They actually sweetly argue as to who really spilled the beer… my money is on Kyle)    H & I  thought a pub would make a perfect setting for their shoot.    Although they call Arkansas home, they are forging a new life together in the big city of St. Louis which inspired the metropolitan scene.  As fate would have it,   this parking deck served as Kate’s bicycle path as a child.   She would ride from the top of the deck to the bottom floor,  put the bike on the elevator and start again at the top.   How cool is that?!      Thank you Kate and Kyle for making it such an amazingly fun afternoon!  

my fave of the day

While I was capturing these fun times,  Heather was working her magic.  See her gorgeous images from this session

www.heatherowensphotography.com/blog

www.bellevieartistry.com

by boots

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~ blackberry winter ~

Tuesday, March 9, 2010 Posted in musicality, tuesday's child

I heard this song for the first time today.  It is so hauntingly beautiful.  Her voice.  Those lyrics.  A piano.    Simply stunning.

by boots

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kerri

Tuesday, March 9, 2010 Posted in photography

” I love people who make me laugh.  I honestly think it’s the thing I like most, to laugh.  It cures a multitudes of ills.

It’s probably the most important thing in a person.”  ~ Audrey Hepburn

About a year ago, I was co-hosting a fundraiser for the Arkansas Symphony when I was stopped by a table of fellow Junior League members to chat.  All of a sudden this sassy lil lady says to me, ” You know,  I had no idea that you were so normal.  That sounds terrible,  but I mean,  you’re actually kinda cool”   It completely took me off guard and I laughed uncontrollably at her candor.  And that is one of the first memories I have of Kerri. We’ve become fast friends ever since.

She is brilliantly witty – which I adore.   She is a talented writer and blogger. She is an aspiring party planner/ events coordinator.  She is politically savvy.  However, we don’t ever talk politics – there are more important things to discuss like…SHOES!    We used to have a standing date “Thursdays at Three”  when we would catch up over cocktails – Me with a bellini-tini and her with her Maker’s Mark.   Numerous pranks were planned.  Work hours got in the way of some of their executions.  Those were good times.

Her blog is undergoing a makeover and she asked me to take a few fun shots to reflect her classic style and vivacious spirit.  Sure enough, laughs and silliness ensued.  It was good for my soul.

However, I am afraid the Lonoke Library will never be the same.

by boots

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favorite things friday: perfect white shirt

Friday, March 5, 2010 Posted in favorite things friday, flair

Next to the little black dress (LBD), nothing is more classic and timeless than the PWS -  perfect white shirt.   A crisp, fresh white shirt with the collar “popped” and strands of pearls paired with a pencil skirt, trousers, or jeans  is easy elegance at it’s best.   Throw a bright cashmere cardigan over your shoulders and it’s the ideal transition piece for this time of year.    White shirts  are versatile.  They not only go from season to season but day to night.  Remember when Sharon Stone wore her husband’s white shirt with a lavender Vera Wang Skirt to the Oscars.  It was stunning.

1998 Oscars -this remains timeless 12 years later.

Classic, streamlined, ruffled, puffy sleeved, french cuffed, pintucked, tuxedo or a men’s business shirt: the Perfect White Shirt can take on any style or shape, and it is available in a  variety of price points making it an easy impulse pick up at the mall to a well planned splurge at Anne Fontaine – the holy grail of the PWS.     I adore a perfect white shirt.  So much so, there are a few boutiques in town that call  and tempt me when the PWS arrives each season.   They know me well.

Here are some of my favorites for Spring…

This one from the gap would be great with my cowboy boots, jeans, and chunky turquoise jewelry.

www.gap.com - white western $54

for more frilly days…

Lauren by Ralph Lauren at www.dillards.com $79.50

the pleated ruffles on this is oh-so-fun and flirty.

"Vanessa" by Antonio Melani www.dillards.com $99

This ruffled tuxedo shirt  paired with multi strand baubles takes plain khakis from bleak to chic.

Frances Ruffled Tuxedo www.jcrew.com $89.50

While we are talking Tuxedo Shirts – need a statement piece for that “dressy casual” event you have on your dance card?

ruffle front by Red Valentino www.netaporter.com $395

This may be my favorite look.  The tailored, french cuff shirt and a pencil skirt.  Traditional.  Classic.  And Let’s face it,  the deep V makes it  – down right sexy.

Donna Karen  www.neimanmarcus.com $695

Saving the best for last…. The peak of chic are these dreamy images of gorgeous white shirts from Anne Fontaine’s Portfolio.

What more can I say?

White Shirts + Gorgeous Photography =  Perfection

Have a wonderful weekend, Y’all.

PS -

a few tunes by classic crooners to match your classic look in your perfect white shirt.

by boots

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tuesday’s child: life in her choos

Tuesday, March 2, 2010 Posted in do tell, tuesday's child

At the height of my crazy dance card last year, a younger woman  stopped me to comment on my social calendar, my job, my dress, my shoes… and said someday she wanted to be just like… me.  me?!   Wow!   At first I felt…OLD!    Realizing what she really meant,  I was humbled and then I wanted to run away with my arms flailing and  screaming  – “No, you don’t!”   Instead,  I remembered my home training, straightened my spine, lifted my chin and graciously said,   “thank you”    Later with a heavy heart, I came home and wrote this poem.

Lately, many of the women I admire  have been talking about  slowing down, clearing the plate,  letting go, and saying “no”.  It made me think of these words again and I thought I’d share them with you, my sweet friends.   Whether you’re wearing tennis shoes or the latest 4 inch pointy toe wonders, I pray you find the time you desire to rest, regroup, refocus, and just be.

There was a young woman who lived in her Choos

Her calendar was full of things she must do

There were people to see and deadlines to meet,

Luncheons to lunch and speeches to speak

Busyness was often considered her “zone”

She kept up with it all on her trusty iPhone

Emails, texts, and phone calls to make

Thank you notes, letters, and hands she must shake

From outside appearances it seemed like such FUN,

But all she wanted was a quiet place in the sun -

To kick off her heels, go barefoot and dream

To hold afternoon meetings with birds and sunbeams

To stop and smell roses, and laugh without care

To sing silly songs and let down her hair

To capture the beauty in all that she sees

And forget who it is,”they” think she should be

Just a content, simple life is what she would choose

So that’s what’s its like to be in her shoes.

by boots

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