Yours Truly

When the ladies of Yours Truly contacted me about doing a product review, I was honored and excited.  I had been browsing the dresses of YT since the beginning of football season.  They contacted Jana and I through our football blog, The Belles of Saturday.  They sent each of us a dress of our choosing to review.

YT is a completely family (mother-daughter) run business with the help of family friends.  They specialize in simple yet stylish gameday dresses.  By simple, I mean they feature no frill dresses that are made special through accessorizing.  Making your dress "Yours Truly."  Their dresses are versatile and wearable from September to November. 

I chose the Lindsay Dress in garnet.  I was unsure on the size (I have to try everything on), and expressed this concern to Katie.  Her response - I will just send you two sizes and you can see which fits better.  Talk about customer service!  You don't get that kind of service from big retailers.

My package from YT complete with garnet and black ribbon.

The attention to detail in the packaging shows the love and passion YT has for their company.  I also received a braided 3 Cords handband.  The proceeds from a purchase of a 3 Cord handband goes to employee women in Haiti.

I wore my dress to the South Carolina-Florida game two weeks ago.  I had shared with a few of my friends that I had been given a dress to review, and they were equally excited to see it.  The day was gorgeous, but there was slight chill in the air.  I paired my garnet dress with black tights and cowboy boots.  The dress had three-quarter sleeves, so I only needed by jacket in the morning and late afternoon. The dress is so comfortable and easy to move around in.  The material is the perfect weight that I would definitely wear it early or late in the season.  I received many compliments on the dress.

My friends and I hosted a tailgate shower for a sorority sister of mine that is getting married in January.  We each brought a tailgate dish and the recipe as our "gift."  Since the game was a noon kickoff, we had a variety of food - breakfast, lunch, and desserts.  And, lots of mimosa!

Spurrier wine and our Owl

We were a lively group despite the 12:00 kickoff.

Groom and Bride to be

Bride and I 

Let me explain the blue and orange button I was wearing.  Georgia was playing Auburn that day, and Carolina needed Auburn to beat Georgia to make it back to Atlanta for the SEC Championship game.  Carolina went undefeated in the SEC Eastern division, but unfortunately, we will not be making it back to Atlanta.  Doesn't make sense, does it?

Getting ready for 2001!

Boo, Gators! They wear jorts.

Though Auburn was not victorious that day, Carolina came away with the W over Florida.  And, that makes for a happy girl any day!

K. Bushby and I - Sophomore roommates

It was Carolina's Homecoming, so I got to catch up with many college friends and sorority sisters.  All in all, it was a wonderful weekend complete with a great gameday dress.

I hope you check out Yours Truly.  Their product is awesome and the customer service is even better.  There are still a few games left to be played and let's not forget about the best season of all - bowl season!  If YT was not awesome already, they are sponsoring a giveaway on The Belles of Saturday!  Head over and check it out.

Soulfully,

Ashton

Semper Fi

Happy Birthday Marines!

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Today marks the 236th birthday of the United States Marine Corps.  Most of you know I grew up right outside of Beaufort, SC.  Beaufort is home to two Marine Corps bases, Parris Island and USMC Air Station Beaufort.  I honor and respect all of our service men and women, but the Marines hold a special place in my heart.  Many of my friends are from Marine families and several of them have gone into service themselves.

On the eve of Veteran's Day, I say thank you to all of our veterans for their service and sacrifices to keep our country free.  I say thank you to those currently serving in our armed forces for their continued sacrifices for our freedom.

Land of the Free, Home of the Brave

Soulfully,

Ashton

Rocky Top

This past weekend has been circled on my calendar since since this time last year.  And, the reason was not Halloween.  It was for the annual Halloween weekend match-up between South Carolina-Tennessee.  About half of my friends in Charleston have ties to East Tennessee.  They either went to the University of Tennessee or hail from Knoxville, Kingsport, or Chattanooga.

In combination with the game, three of my friends that we going to be in Knoxville were celebrating their birthdays.  Additionally, Homemade Wine had their hometown release party for their new CD.  My excitement level the week of the trip was uncontainable.

Elizabeth, Nate, Luke, and I loaded up in my car on Thursday to make the six hour drive from Charleston to Knoxville.  Nate grew up in Knoxville, and Luke attended UT.

After arriving in Knoxville a little after 7:00, Nate briefly showed Elizabeth and I around campus and downtown Knoxville. {Luke had dinner plans with his girlfriend}  As soon as I spotted the Mast General Store on Gay Street, I had to go in and get some candy.  I have a great picture of the massive candy aisle but for some reason it would not upload. Fail.  Following my brief return to being a kid in a candy store, we continued down Gay Street and had dinner at Downtown Grill and Brewery.  The brewery was an ideal place for dinner.  They had $2 speciality drafts and the food was delicious.  The atmosphere was fun and lively for a Thursday night.

Gay Street {take with iPhone}

Friday was Nate's birthday and one of his close friend from home birthday.  We had hoped to explore Knoxville some more but mother nature had different plans.  It literally rained all day; therefore, we lounged around and prepared ourselves for the rest of the weekend.

That night, Homemade Wine had a CD release party at Irish Times.  Their newest CD, Barstools, Broken Hearts, and Songs from the Road, will be available on iTunes shortly.  This party was for the hometown crew.  The band headed down to Key West for the big party the next day.

Most of the group
We were pretty much divided evenly between Carolina and Tennessee

Carolina ladies - Christie, Elizabeth, and I 

The boys in the band.

The birthday boys leading a hand for Darlin'.

On Saturday, the weather was unbelievably perfect.  I am talking sixty degrees and a little breeze.  We started the day at Jesse's tailgate just off the Strip {Cumberland Street}.  

L-R - Lauren, Jake, Jesse, Luke, Nate, Elizabeth, Me, Christie, Connolly, and Chris

ladies

fellas

After a little beer pong and partaking in other libations of the clear kind, we headed across campus to the stadium and lot G10.  This lot is really a parking garage attached to the stadium.  Our friends that live in Knoxville have a spot on the top deck.  For those of you not familiar with Tennessee's stadium, it is located on the banks of the Tennessee River.  Therefore, we had a picturesque backdrop for our tailgate. Rolling hills, riverside view, and a mix of garnet/black and orange/white makes for a beautiful scene.  

Jake, Elizabeth, and I

I was even fortunate enough to bump into some of my sorority sisters that were in town for the game.  I was hoping to catch up with them, but I was not sure how easy it was going to be since I was with a big group.

Kristie, Emily, Sarah, and I

Nate - our gracious host - and I 

Beat Tennessee!

Happy Birthday Nate & Blake

Chris and I - Chris's birthday was on Thursday

The game lacked much excitement.  Carolina continued our winning ugly way win anyway season and moved to 7-1.  Two games stand between us and returning to Atlanta as the SEC East Champions.

Someone take me back to Tennessee!  We had a wonderful weekend and came back with lots of memories and laughs.  I will admit - Knoxville is gorgeous, and if Carolina had not been playing, I would have sung Rocky Top every time I heard the song {which was around 85}.

Soulfully,

Ashton

Radio Silence.

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Radio silence is what all of you lovely readers have been getting for the past month basically since I started this daunting last year of law school.  I am alive and well, but I am busier than ever with school and various commitments.  When I do have "free time," usually the last thing I want to do is sit with down with my computer and type some more.  I hope to get back to more regular posting.

Now, what exactly have I been up to the past month or so.  October was jam packed with activities and wonderful memories made.  Here is my month in pictures....

I attended my high school's Homecoming.

Ainsley, Will, and I

I, finally, got to Columbia for a game.  I went to the Carolina-Auburn.  Sadly, I did not return to Charleston with a "W."

The view from the condo at Carolina Walk. 

Kitty, Cayce, Elizabeth, Cory, and I 

Elizabeth and I

The Rebels {my high school} improved to 7-0 in Charleston.  They ended the regular season 9-1 and have the first playoff game on Friday.

Daniel, Ainsley, and I
Daniel is our cousin/big brother and an assistant coach.

I got a new "nephew."  My cousin, Crystal {Daniel's sister}, had her second boy.  We are very close with this side of the family.  Crystal and Daniel are more like my older siblings than cousins.

Bryan Lee 

Brothers Meet

Kaley celebrated her bachelorette weekend on IOP.

I enjoyed wonderful food and even better music at the Southern Ground Music and Food Festival.

This past weekend, I took an old fashion college roadtrip to Knoxville for the Carolina-Tennessee game. It was such an epic weekend that it deserves its own post.  Lastly, I have to give a congratulatory shout-out to one of my friends from home.  Mark Anderson was awarded his PGA Tour card this past weekend following the Nationwide Tour Championship.  Look out for him on the tour next year.

Soulfully,

Ashton