Turquoise and Texas - Turquoise Thursday

Turquoise and Texas, they just seem to go together. 

Last weekend I was in Texas for a trade show, and I had to sit across from the Reads Jewelers booth. We are talking some of the most gorgeous turquoise, diamond, braided rings, silversmith jewelry I have seen. I just kept on saying budget, budget, budget over and over again. 

However, Ronda May who works for Reads was nice enough to let me take some photos. But, before I get to those I just want to make one more comment. 

What is in the the water in Texas? I mean I saw some of the most gorgeous women, with an incredible sense of style at this cattlemen's trade show. And I'm not talking big blingy fashion, huge crosses, etc. I am talking classy ladies, with the perfect pair of cowboy boots, the right about of jewelry and really wonderful clothing to tie it all together. Needless to say I drank as much water as possible while I was down there. 

Back to the jewelry:

Isn't it just beautiful. All of these turquoise pieces are in 24 karat gold. You won't find them on their website because they are all handmade, but you can call Reads Jewelers and they will hook you up. 

I realize the my camera skills are a little lacking here, the second earring is out of focus. However, that may help you from seeing that these earrings are $1,399. 

The cross section. 

Be sure to check out the Reads Jewelers facebook page for more beautiful pieces. 

A little K-State for Christmas

Love my Wildcats

When I moved across the border from Canada to the U.S. there were like ways that I was still able to keep my identity. I had Alberta license plates, an Alberta drivers license, maybe stretched out my "O's" a little more than others but they slowly were stripped from me.

I grew really found of Kansas, and even call Manhattan my American home. However, the job took me across the border again, this time to Missouri. The Kansas State Alumni Association has these really cook K-State licensee plates. I figure they would go perfect with all the other K-State paraphernalia on my car. One problem you can't get Kansas State University plates in Missouri. Sigh.

However, I am now challenging you Missouri and ever other state where a K-Stater resides because look at what Texas has done!

That's right real Texas license plates that have our trusty powercat on them. And a portion of the sales of these license plates goes towards Texas high school students attending K-State. Way cool. How about something like this for Christmas...

Missouri it is bad enough that you are making be have a front license plate so I can no longer adorn my car with my Kansas State Eat Beef licenses plate, so as a compromise please change a law or something and get plates like these. Thanks. 

Wide Open Spaces - Texas Long Weekend Part 1

Driving, driving, driving.

Last weekend I got to head south with the boy to a friends wedding. Now first let me explain we call these holiday weekends, long weekends in Canada. No one seemed to have a clue what I was talking about when I kept on referring to the Labor Day weekend as the long weekend.

Back to the topic. We fly into Fort Worth on Thursday and stayed with the boy's sister and her fiance. The next day they treated us to a quick tour of the Superior Livestock Auction building where the fiance works, and then some amazing BBQ at Coopers, all down in the Stockyards. The Brisket and the blackberry cobbler were amazing, and trust me Texans know how to do both of these the best.

Then it was off to San Angelo, just a mere four hour drive south. ugh. However prime opportunity for me to take pictures, and maybe complain a little that we couldn't stop at every western decor home store we saw. Texas I will return.

We did drive through Dublin, home of Dr. Pepper. I always get excited about tourist things like this. This is what it looks like on the drive by.

And although, we we greeted by a beautiful sunset as we entered San Angelo. It was time to wear some engergy off.

And so as is tradition, if you are going to sing karaoke, you better sing Sweet Caroline.

The boy's sister and I were very excited to be on stage.

Also, a note to those that like to sing karaoke. It helps if you turn the microphone on. We didn't realize it was off until half way through the song. Which, actually may have been a good thing.

Stay tuned. Part II to be reveled later in the week. And there may or may not be more karaoke and a picture of the boy.

The Boys of Fall

Gives you chills

It is finally here. Football season. I haven't always been crazy about football. Back home in Canada there weren't Friday night football games. However, that all changed once I got to college. I remember my first college football game was with my friend Emilie. We played OSU, had the day off of judging and did we ever have fun.

I learned the K-State fight song, the Pledge of Alligence and my hate for KU at football games, and now ever fall I wait in anticipation for the games to start again.

This weekend is our first football game, and I am missing it. I am headed to Texas with the boy for a wedding. The scarfices we make. I shouldn't give him too hard of a time, I am making him miss the Iowa vs. Iowa State game. Which I have been told is close to some sort of religious event in Iowa.

So as a I am watching the score updates on my blackberry this week, take a look at this video. It gives me goosebumps and reminds what the fall is all about.

Getting closer to cowboy boot Heaven

Just look, please no touching. 

I love cowboy boots. The funny thing is I actually don't own that many pairs. But one day when Dave Rasmey and I get my bank accounts all straightened out my closet will be full. So in the meantime Rachel Williams taunts me with her ability to get to visit all the best boot places.

Last weekend I was in Fort Worth for the Texas and Southwest Cattle Raisers Convention. I always love getting to talk to and meet new people at events like this. People can all be apart of one industry and live in the same country but have such different insights and opinions.

Of course while in Fort Worth we got to head down to the Stockyards one night. For a little two stepping, socializing and texas country music. But, I am getting away from the point of this post.

On Saturday, as I headed to the airport, a big neon sign caught my eye. Could it be? Yes, it was - Leddy's Ranch. Home of these famous boots. Unfortunately, I wasn't going to have time to make to their flagship store in the Stockyards, so this was going to have to satisfy my cravings.

And what beautiful things I did find. At this point I was really tempted to buy myself an early birthday present, but I resisted. (Dave says, get that emergency fund of three to six months worth of expenses in order!) So the boots said behind. But don't worry Fort Worth, I will be back, and next time the Stockyards and I will have a shopping date.