being famous is so hard.

So...I'm kinda famous. It's not a big deal, really. Things like this just happen to me on a regular basis. I'm featured in blogs, etc. Life for Jordan is very difficult. [I'm joking.] However, my two best friends, Katie Horrell and Lauren Houk, and I are featured on The Thread about how to win tickets to Lucky Shops. Only a year ago today, we were there [sigh]. NEATO.

santa hates me.

i wish i could dry-erase sketch like this.

I am so full of anticipation my head could explode. I hate using the word anticipation because it's, well, corny. The drama that comes from the word anticipation reminds me of really bad sports writing or something. Either way [for lack of a better word] the anticipation is eating me alive!

I have seven boys from the U.K. invading my home Thursday - Monday! On top of that...I'm throwing the largest Halloween party in human history and I have a LOT to do in the mean time. While not trying to sound like a big ''whine-r''...my deadline for my article is...Tuesday. Therefore, I'm really trying to complete that before the guys arrive in town Thursday so I don't even have to worry about it.

In sad and depressing news...the last flea market at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds was this past weekend. Apparently they've sold the fairgrounds and the speedway to make...condos? TYPICAL. I met my mother up on the grounds for one last perusal of the booths. We stopped at her quilt lady and she made one final purchase. I was on a search for the perfect vintage dartboard...but found none. I did, however, meet Santa. Thats right, you know the big jolly guy with the beard and the toys? He apparently owns a booth at the flea market on the off-season. Dialogue as follows...

JR: Do you have any vintage dartboards

Santa: I did yesterday...I waited in the rain all day for you to come buy them.

JR: So you don't have them anymore?

Santa: No I sold them to another guy because you didn't show up. Get here early next time.

JR: There is no next time...[holding. back. sobs.] SEE YA SANTA.

Needless to say...I'm not a huge fan of Santa these days. BRING ON THE COALS. At another booth, I found a large gold telescope that looked like something a pirate would have used long ago and said, "LAND HO!" I had to have it. it was in perfect working condition and still easily smushed up into a compact shape if necessary. Upon inquiring about the price...I found out it was $750 and from the Civil War. Oh...neat.

crazy eyes

For Halloween this year, I decided to be scary. I chose to be one of the possessed people from TrueBlood, the HBO series. When they become possessed...their eyes become blacked out, therefore I needed contacts. They just came in the mail and I chose to display this freakiness with one eye blacked-out and one eye regular. Pretty creeeepy...I love it.

silly fathers and their secret love of krystal

Today was a to-do list sort of day. I have three of them - with three consecutive due-dates. On each list...I have things that must be accomplished [or I will be fed to crocodiles]. Some tasks bear more significance than others...thus the three separate lists. I was hoping to tackle, at least, one list on this lovely fall day, however, my father happens to be falling apart at the seams. He broke his leg back in June and still hobbles around from the injury [I complain because I'm whine-y].

Today, instead of jumping on the task-completion wagon, I drove my disgruntled father to the Baptist medical center for outpatient surgery on his ankle. Apparently, it's not healing properly so they wanted to get back in their and see what the trouble is all about. They removed a screw and worked a bit on his cartilage. Afterwards...a stream of hilarious ramblings came from a hopped-up version of my father on percoset(sp?). I just, luckily, captured it on video.

***A side note: Because of my father's heart/diet...he hasn't/will not be having Krystal. ever. Also...I know I cackle like a witch. I know that. And...it's obnoxious. I know that, also.

meteor showers and hot diggity dogs

Last night a few of us decided to head up to the farm (Droptine Farm) to view the Orionid Meteor shower that occurred last night. The sky out there is beautiful with or without a meteor shower...so the enhanced shooting stars combined with a bonfire and great friends made way for a great evening.

My friend Andrew, a closet dork, allowed me to borrow his Sky Scout to locate Jupiter and other constellations/planets. It was a perfect night for such a contraption because, away from the city lights, you can see everything. Jupiter was in view - so cool. While I continue to miss New York with all my heart and soul...I don't know how I lived so far away from the country for so long.

My favorite thing to do up at the farm during the evening, besides sitting around the bonfire with friends is to drive the four wheeler out into the woods and turn all the lights off. It makes you feel like you're the only person in the entire world. How often do people get to feel that feeling?

Although I miss New York...I reeeally miss the hotdogs. I miss hotdogs like it's my job. Papaya Dog? Um...hello. Cheapest dinner in NYC...ever. Needless to say...I was happy to venture to Hot Diggity Dogs downtown after returning from the farm. It was ridiculously good. I had a classic chili cheese dog but my friend, Reagan, ordered "The Nashvillian" which had cole slaw on it...delicious. I would say..."great weekend" but the weekend hasn't even arrived!! Life is good.

www.edityourcloset.com

I recently completed a closet that took me from 10 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. It was amazing. A plethora of shoes, clothing, etc. We cleared it out and now there is room to walk. I completely forgot to take before and after pictures, but I did have a friend come visit me by the window while working (photo below). I was told to keep the names confidential to protect the innocent - and I'm sticking to it. It was a large job.

People have asked me how much I'm charging... My rate is $30 an hour. It typically takes me 2-3 hours and in some cases 9, but I'm willing to negotiate if you're in a bit of a pickle (financially) a.k.a....college. I've almost got my website up and going so be sure to check it out soon! www.edityourcloset.com And tell your friends, moms, aunts, grannies, etc.

my life + patsy cline

fanny bostrom

Crazy. Crazy for feeling so lonely.

Im crazy. Crazy for feeling so blue.

I knew. You'd love me as long as you wanted.

And then someday. You'd leave me for somebody new.

Worry. Why do I let myself worry?

Wondrin. What in the world did I do?

Crazy. For thinking that my love could hold you.

Im crazy for tryin. Crazy for cryin. And Im crazy... For lovin you.

my first closet :)

before

So I styled my first closet Wednesday night. My dear friend, Katie Horrell, had me over for a Wednesday night of pizza, wine, and organizing. It is important to figure out the best way to approach my future clients' spaces so having this trial session with Katie was extremely helpful.

All in all...I think it went quite well. In about three hours...we switched her spring/summer wardrobe with her fall/winter frocks and got rid of all unworn/unsightly garments. Although the pictures seem similar (it was hard to capture the difference on camera), I was proud of the results.

We purged 5 bags full of clothing that she hardly wore and [besides her recent remorseful texts claiming she miiiight have gotten rid of too much] that made room for more hanging space, etc. Contact me if you're interested! Rutledge23@gmail.com

AFTER

FIVE WHOLE BAGS OF CLOTHING TO SELL!

edit your closet

So I've started a tiny business of my own...and I think I'll be quite good at it. It's a combination of my organizational skills with my history in fashion writing. Basically, I clean out and organize women's closets and tell them where they can sell their clothes back for consignment and what to pair with what.

The name is called Edit Your Closet (I bought the URL edityourcloset.com last night and I'm having business cards printed!). I chose the name because I'm also a writer (edit/editors/etc). If you or someone you know is in need of a closet revamp...I'm your girl! I'm starting off with Katie Horrell's closet on Wednesday night. Who's next? Spread the news :)

weekly marzipan

Since I'm on deadline today with NASHVILLE LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE (Katie Horrell gets a google alert everytime someone writes about the magazine online...therefore I'm going to do it a LOT to annoy her) and since I just ranted your faces off about insignificant things like slutty Halloween costumes and terrible television, I thought I'd balance you out by mentioning all the wonderful things that are happening in my life (central park carriages and marzipan, if you will).

Last night, I went to the Boxwood Bistro (katie's mom's restaurant) for a Wine tasting with a few friends. It was fun to guess which wine was which and eat all the amazing food. I was fed birthday cake and katie also gave me my birthday present: a watercolor butterfly. She painted it herself (purple and green). I've been asking for one for a while. I love it very very much.

The volleyball court is almost completed. All we have to do is finish spreading a minor mound of sand and install the posts/net. Once that's done, I'll have to figure out the lighting situation and we'll be ready to spike it. Should be a great time.

Lots of musical wonderfulness has happened recently. The new Avett Brothers album is amazing. I just had an interview published in NL this month, grab it on newstands. Jay Z, Phoenix, and Atlas Sound are also up there on my list as of lately. I'm excited about Mat Kearney, Citizen Cope, Kings of Leon, and Jay-Z this fall, in Nashville. AND...carlye bought me tickets to see Dane Cook this month...cannot wait to laugh. alot.