Easter Tea Party Camouflage

This was my outfit for Easter Sunday with my family last weekend. I first saw the dress in Forever 21 and I squealed a little when I saw it paired with a black studded pyramid belt. I own this exact belt from another dress (2 actually!) but I'm a sucker for dainty floral dresses with edgy twists like the belt. Love! The gal at the register said it was a very "Rocker Girly Girl" and it would fit me perfectly. (I honestly think people expect me to be much "harder" than I really am... I mean, I know I have tattoos and piercings, but I'm really rather reserved and just... not "hard" in any way. I'm not complaining though!)

I've been sickly the past couple of days and yesterday it was really rough. We woke up really early to leave by 8am to drive to Lawrenceburg to attend Mike's sister, Laine's CNA pinning and then we stayed all day so Mike could photograph his bonus-mom's employees (for their new website which I'll be whipping up!). I felt like a party pooper most of the day as I just started feeling so sickly, but it was a good time and then I had to go work. Womp womp womp. Work was slammed and while it was good money, it was a strange night. I was exhausted, and there were so many situations I wasn't happy with. (For one: A pregnant lady was drinking whiskey and cokes at rapid speed. Keep in mind this is not one glass of wine at like 8 months... this is 5 whiskey and cokes in 1.5 hours and she's 6-7 months pregnant. It's illegal to refuse her alcoholic service in Tennessee, but I stated my stance a long time ago and I refuse to serve anyone who is pregnant and wants to drink. There's a gal who comes in who drinks Shirley Temples and I'll gladly fill her order every time, but I have certain morals that make that part of my job very hard. I can't say to her "I won't serve you because you're pregnant" because that's discrimination, and it's her body so it's her choice... but I can say "I won't serve you simply because I don't want to." That's totally legal. Weird, right? It breaks my heart because we all know whiskey and babies don't mix. But there are so many women out there who simply cannot have their own children and well, you know where I'm going with this. I just won't stand for it. I think the other bartender got a little irritated at me because the girl came to order 4 drinks from me and I just walked off. I just cannot do it.) Then another situation transpired and I'm just glad I got out of there and went home to sleep.

Today Mike and I are going to spend the day together since he has the day off. It's already almost 3pm and I have to leave for work at 8 but a few hours will be nice.

There are still some sponsorship spots open and I'm keeping them open in case anyone else wants to partake in the Red Cross drive (as seen here). So far we've raised $100! It's still open for one more week so don't worry, you've got time! 

Forever 21 dress

Target cardigan

Target tights

Blowfish shoes

Kaelah Bee Handmade headband

Forever 21 purse

PS; I'm thinking about putting all of my variations of these headbands on my Etsy just to offset the insane financial costs of Georgia and Pipkin's surgeries coming up. I have a ridiculous amount of them made for a craft fair I was going to apply to but right now I think the focus should be on paying for their surgeries instead. Let me know if you think you'd be interested, and I'll try to get those up ASAP!

PPS; You can get 15% off your Blowfish Shoes order by using the code BFKAELAH15! Wahoo!

Two Mysteries: Houdini Squirrel and Every Word

Mystery 1:
Today was car-tire(s)-buying day. Yuck. So, as I'm talking on the phone with the guy at the tire store, I opened the kitchen door that leads to the screened in porch. A gray blur ran by. Ummm, not good.

I walked gingerly out onto the porch and I saw it. And, it saw me. A squirrel. Mr. Squirrel began frantically running around my porch, scaling the screens and in general, FREAKING OUT! I slammed the door, told the tire guy I'd have to call him back and hung up. It was a squirrel emergency!

I opened the screened door to the deck under the pergola while Mr. Crazy Squirrel frantically tried to exit the other screened door that was still latched. I went back into the house, went around to the family room and came out that door. I tossed a votive candle in Mr. Squirrel's general direction (only thing handy at the moment) and he didn't budge from his resting spot on the top of the swing. I slowly started walking toward him...and it worked. He ran to the other side of the porch and out the open door.

This is what he had been doing on the porch.



Every night after the Cardinals finish their late evening visits, I bring in the bird feeders to keep the raccoons from cleaning them out overnight. I always set them over in the corner near the kitchen door, far, far away from the screens. Apparently, wily squirrel was too impatient this morning to wait for me to put them back out, so he just decided to come onto the porch and help himself.

So, here's the mystery: How in the world did Houdini Squirrel get in??? Both doors were latched. I've done a thorough inspection of every single screen and there are zero holes. I thought for sure he had chewed his way in through a screen but, nope. Not a single hole anywhere. And the screened doors latch really snugly. I pushed on them to check and they barely move at all. Weird, huh?

Obviously, I won't be leaving the feeders on the screened-in porch anymore. Have you ever had anything like that happen? Bizarre!


Mystery #2:

Recently, I treated myself to a Kindle . I'll never, ever quit buying "real" books because I adore them. I love holding them while I read, I love turning the pages, I love seeing them on book shelves, tables...you get the picture. I love books. But I've been wanting a Kindle for travel and times when I'm stuck in waiting rooms...buying tires. Yuck.

Do you have a Kindle? Here's how it looked when it arrived. I went with a white one but they also have it in a new graphite color, too.




When you turn it on, it goes through various little screens while it syncs itself to your Amazon account. Once it's charged, it will last about a month with normal use before it has to be charged again. Cool.



I immediately loaded some of the classics onto it because I love those and they are that magic word: Free! Yay, for free. I also loaded a free game called Every Word...more on that in a sec.



Nancy Drew Mystery Stories:
My favorite books from age 8 to age 11 were Nancy Drew Mystery Stories. Every two weeks I took the $2 allowance I earned for keeping the house clean, and walked a few blocks to Joyland Toy Store with my best friend. We would agonize and agonize over all the mysterious and intriguing titles, finally choosing different books so we could swap to read each others when we finished our own.

Back then, a brand new Nancy Drew book was $1.50, exactly one and half week's allowance...not too bad. It's one of the happiest memories from my childhood. Did you get an allowance? What was your favorite thing to buy? Were you a big Nancy Drew fan, too?

Now, if you get a new toy, you just gotta have something to keep it safe and scratch-free in, right? An idea popped into my head, and I googled. Sure enough, someone had created a Nancy Drew case for Kindle. I couldn't resist. :)



I knew this one would be a little too big since mine is a Kindle 3G. But since it snaps, I was pretty sure it would work fine as a carrying case. Besides, it was just too cute to pass up.



Here's where I need your help. I've started playing the game Every Word. There are 10 levels and I've made it all the way to level 8. Now, I'm stuck. I'm pretty sure I'm allowed a to "phone blog a friend" for assistance. ;)

So, here's the deal. You're supposed to unscramble the letters you see along the top to create words. As long as you get the longest word (which uses all 7 letters) you can proceed to the next level. I've normally been able to find the longest word right off the bat...even before finding the much easier shorter words. But not this time. Actually, the rules say that you don't even have to find any of the shorter words, the game will let you proceed to the next level as long as you find the longest word. I always try to find as many words as I can, though, because it increases your score and it's fun figuring them out.

But now I'm really stuck. I just can't seem to create a seven letter word with the letters you see across the top: A M T C S A R. (By the way, the word can't be a name or proper noun.)



Any ideas? I'm sure someone is going to immediately see it...but it's totally alluding me. UPDATE: Ashleigh figured it out, as did Lori! Man, I should have asked you guys sooner! On to level 9! :)

Do you have a Kindle? Have you played this game? What's the "funniest" game you've put on your Kindle? Do you just use your Kindle for reading books?

The game, Code Word is a lot of fun too. You can yell at thank me later when you find yourself spending hours deciphering code words. Think of it as exercise for your brain. :)

Giveaway Reminder:
If you haven't yet entered the wonderful giveaway for gorgeous jewelry from Styling by Coty Farquhar, click HERE to enter.

Growing Up in the Tornadic South

Growing up in the south, tornado sirens are a way of life. I can remember playing four-square on the playground of my grammar school while the practice tornado sirens went off each week on the same day at the same time. In a way it was reassuring, a sign that a warning would sound if danger was stampeding its way toward your home. Thankfully, they still do the same thing in the county where I live now.

Living in the south, you tend to get a bit complacent. I've been through so many tornado watches, warnings and actual tornadoes, I've gotten used to the fact that every spring is going to be a wild ride. You don't like it, but there's absolutely nothing you can do about it.

Talk to anyone who has grown up in a southern state and they will have a number of harrowing tornado stories to share. All this is to say, I'm used to tornado warnings and tornado sirens, but what I'm not really used to is hearing and seeing our local TV weathermen so wound up days preceding bad weather. I knew "something evil this way comes" because all week our local weathermen had been almost frantic in their constant warnings on the evening news. A friend e-mailed Wednesday to say, "Glen Burns says he isn't kidding." Glen Burns is one of the most respected weathermen on the Atlanta news. If Glen Burns wasn't kidding, I knew we were in for major trouble.

If you're a Facebook fan of BNOTP, you may remember a comment I left on the BNOTP wall the evening evil was making its way to the south. The more I listened to the news on Wednesday, the more nervous I became. After a while I turned the sound off and just watched the red blobs moving across the weather maps, paying close attention to where they were going and how far they were from the Atlanta area. Almost all our weather comes from the west, by way of Alabama. Alabama is our crystal ball; whatever they get, we usually get the same.

Having lived through so many spring tornado seasons, I know when it's time to grab Max and head for the basement. Every tornado I've ever been through has always been immediately preceded by hail. If tornado warnings are out and you hear hail, forget the TV and the sirens; it's time to grab the family, the cell phone and the flashlight and get to your safe place, which in my case is the basement. And if it sounds like they have just relocated train tracks to your back yard and the train is coming down the tracks, you've waited too long. When a tornado is knocking on your door, it really does sound like a freight train. It is deafening and a terrifying experience.

I got very lucky Wednesday. See that skinny line I drew on the map below? Follow it to the blank white spot in the midst of all the red dots. That's where I live. Luck, just pure luck.



If you'd like to help those who weren't so lucky, you can donate to the Red Cross ONLINE or just text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. It's my understanding it will appear on your next phone bill.

I'm saying lots of prayers for all the families who bore the brunt of our recent storms. May God bless them and their families as they struggle to turn their world back right side up.

Mother Nature's Fury

Sunday will mark the one year anniversary of when Mike and I (& Georgia) lost our home and almost all of our belongings. (This is how it looked two days later.) Nashville still hasn't fully recovered and I can remember it like it was only yesterday. Scrambling to find out where to go, what to do, and somewhere to seek refuge. Watching our house flood with water up to my shoulders and our very special possessions float right out of our backyard which had become the Harpeth River. It's hard to think back on all of that, even still. To have our whole life ripped away from us in a matter of hours. And then I think of all of those who are suffering from the deadly tornadoes which blew through most of the South in the past two days... they didn't have an hour or two. They didn't have any warning. Instead, Mother Nature took her fury out on thousands of people. With a death toll of over 265, it really feels like it hits close to home.

I know many of you were readers around this time last year. You offered your condolences, sweet letters and care packages, and you were there for us. I cannot even being to express enough gratitude to all of you who were there for us in our time of need. Friends, family and strangers alike, I've never in my life felt such an outpour of love and support. Now it's our turn to help our Sisters to the South with their recovery. I know several of my readers were affected by this disaster, and even if not directly, their friends and family were. With many friends in the Birmingham area, my heart breaks at the coverage on the news.

Sometimes it's hard to fathom just how something like this can happen. Even with living in Tennessee, tornado devestation just seems like something you see on the Weather Channel. Like it doesn't actually happen. Much less to you or someone you know. But that is exactly how I felt about floods.. and then I experienced one for myself. My life has been changed dramatically by that event, and I'll forever remember it. Even a year later, I honestly feel as though it was some sort of twisted blessing in disguise because it brought into my life so many wonderful people. Our entire community pulled together to support one another when the catastrophe failed to make national news. We fended for ourselves, but that doesn't mean they should have to.

With that being said, I wanted to touch base on a few ways that you can help! You can text 90999 from your cellphone to donate $10 to the Red Cross (it will show up on your next statement) or you can donate directly at RedCross.org. If you are located in the Southeast and would like to volunteer your time, you can look for opportunities to help with cleanup. 

From now until May 7th, I will donate 100% of the proceeds to the Red Cross from anyone who wants to sponsor Little Chief Honeybee.

It's so easy for us to just look at the news and feel numb when we see things like this. The media has definitely left us a little less responsive to catastrophic events such as what just happened. So many people were there for us when we needed it, and it really truly meant so much. Now it's our turn to give back. If you've been on the fence about sponsoring before, think of it as a wonderful way to help those in need. People have been stripped of their homes, material possessions, and even family members. All of the proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross here in Nashville (down the street from our house) on Monday, May 9th. Please email me at kaelahbee@gmail.com if you'd like to partake.

Jenny + Lee's book

This was one our all-time favourite weddings.  Jenny and Lee were wed at the Argonaut Rowing Club on the lake.  Thought that we'd share a few bits of their album.  

P.S. How adorable were their centrepieces?

Things I Love Thursday

I woke up feeling rather sickly this morning so I think a lovely list of magical things is just the medicine I need! Happy Thursday, honeybees!

♥ this no-nonsense job posting ♥

♥ this dress ♥

♥ this hovercat ♥

♥ this will ferrel parody twitter ♥

♥ this adorable kiddo ♥

♥ these apple sandwiches ♥

♥ this artistic kitty ♥

♥ this show will never not be funny ♥

♥ this magical experience ♥

♥ this gorgeous makeup ♥

♥ this awesome breakfast club infographic ♥

What are you loving this week?

Styling by Coty Farquhar: Welcome to the 140th Tablescape Thursday!

Hi Everyone!
Happy Tablescape Thursday! I have a wonderful Giveaway this week for Tablescape Thursday. This giveaway will have 6 winners so lots of opportunities to win!

I'm so excited to share the gorgeous and breathtaking designs of Coty Farquhar. Are you familiar with her blog, Styling by Coty Farquhar? If not, you are in for a wonderful experience!



Coty lives in one of the most beautiful places you can imagine, the Southern Highlands of New South Wales in Australia. Her lovely studio is in the town Moss Vale. Even the name of the town sounds magical, doesn't it?!




Coty designs, styles, produces and photographs all her own amazing work. I am so excited to announce she is currently working on a book! I can't wait to get my hands on her book! If it is one/tenth as gorgeous as the work I've seen on her blog, it will be amazing.

Whether you are planning a wedding, anniversary, party or a special event, Coty can make it into a dream occasion with her talent for exquisite styling and presentation.



Her beautiful blog is overflowing with inspiration and ideas.



While I was drooling over her stunning photography earlier this week, I was so inspired I came up with an idea for a future tablescape I can create underneath my pergola. It's impossible to visit Styling with Coty Farquhar and not come away with at least a dozen new ideas for your home or an upcoming event.




Tablescape Thursday:

For this Tablescape Thursday, I'm sharing one of my very favorite tablescapes from Coty's blog. Coty had a rare day off from her design work a while back. While home, she glanced out to her back property and notice an apple tree covered with the last blossoms of the season. She was inspired to catch this fleeting moment before all the blossoms were gone for the year. These photos convey so beautifully how Coty can transport you to another place with her eye for design and gorgeous imagery.















Giveaway for Tablescape Thursday:

Coty is sponsoring a generous giveaway today for the readers of BNOTP. In her Studio in Moss Vale, she carries beautiful furniture, paintings, prints, collectibles and gorgeous jewelry. Coty wanted to do something special for BNOTP readers so she is giving away a pair of earrings to six very lucky winners!

Coty sent over these beautiful images of the earrings; even her giveaway images are gorgeous! How I wish I lived in Moss Vale so I could visit the studio in person!



Beautiful!



I have to confess, I'm in love with those darling pearl earrings!






How To Enter This Giveaway:

To enter this giveaway, become a follower of Coty's gorgeous blog, Styling by Coty Farquahr. Don't forget to leave a comment on THIS post letting me know you are following so you'll be entered in the giveaway.

For a Second Entry: Like on Facebook
For a Second Opportunity to win, "Like" Coty Farquhar on Facebook HERE. Please leave Coty a comment on Facebook letting her know you are participating in the Giveaway here at BNOTP. Don't forget to leave a second comment on THIS post so you'll double your chances of winning.

For a Third and Fourth Entry:
If you like, you can also enter a Third and Fourth time by Tweeting about this giveaway or by posting about it on your blog or sidebar. Just don't forget to leave a comment for each entry letting me know you Tweeted or Blogged about the Giveaway so your name will be entered a 3rd and 4th time. Giveaway ends at midnight on Tuesday, May 3rd.

Remember, there will be 6 winners so lots of chances to win in this fun giveaway!

Looking forward to viewing your beautiful tablescapes!


Please Read:
If you are participating in Tablescape Thursday, please be sure to add your permalink below, and not your general blog address. To get your permalink, click on your post name. Then just copy and paste the address that shows up in the address bar at the top, into the "url" box for the picture linky. You'll also need to put your e-mail address in, but don't worry, it will not be visible to anyone.

If you'd like to use the Tablescape Thursday logo button in your post, just copy and paste it to your computer and upload it to your post as you would any photo. Or, just grab the html code you'll find under the "Join a Party" heading at the top of this blog.

Please, link back to the host blog, Between Naps on the Porch. This is important because it helps those who are visiting your blog, find the other wonderful tablescapes posted for this Tablescape Thursday, thus increasing visits for all participants.

Please, don't add your post name/blog name in ALL CAPS...it tends to create big spaces between the rows of links. Thanks!

Let's try something fun today! Please visit the person who linked before you and after you...that way everyone will get some visits. Hope you'll visit more, of course. :-)


Welcome! Thanks for coming to the party!