PINCH ME

I HAVE BEEN IN THE CLOUDS SINCE 2:00PM, FEBRUARY 27

That was the HOUR I found out that my nomination of Melanie Turner had been chosen as one of Traditional Home's 10 NEW TRAD DESIGNERS 2012!!! This year the editor of Traditional Home wanted the Designers to be nominated by Bloggers!!!!

Melanie and I worked together in preparing her entry back in January. She sent me photos of the work she wished to be included, along with her Bio. My part was to write why I thought she was a New Trad Designer..... THAT WAS EASY....SHE IS NEW TRAD!!!! and my Bio.....That was HARD! We made sure the rules were followed... perfectly!!!!

Jump to this past Monday....... the winners were announced and WE WERE AMONG THEM!! I am so happy that Melanie is in this ELITE GROUP!!!! AND, I am so honored to be among the nine other bloggers in the Country !!!!!

I found out that a photographer would take pictures of me for the formal announcement in the May issue of Tradition Home, and also for the entire feature, with all of Melanie's work, in the Spring Issue of New Trad Digital issue.

Melanie invited me to her home this morning for the picture taking!!!! That was the ICING ON THE CAKE!!!

After the initial "shock" ........all the important questions rushed in.....
WHAT DO I WEAR.....WHAT ABOUT MY "HAIR"!!!!!!

My treasured hairdresser, Shanda Littlejohn of Star Salon in Griffin, was fabulous. She quickly moved her schedule around and fit me in yesterday afternoon. What a relief!!!!

I then tried on three different outfits, had MC take my picture in them and sent them on to my trusted judges, Patti and Erica. The decision was made.
White suit with soft blue cowl neck blouse!!! Hands down!

I didn't sleep last night!!!!!!

Early this morning, MC and I drove up to Buckhead. We gave ourselves plenty of time for traffic, leaving at 8:00 am to be there at 10:00 am!!!! It's less than a 45 mile trip!!!!!

It is impossible for me to find the words to describe my morning!!!! We pulled into her wonderful driveway, drove up a winding, long hill, parked, walked up to the door, rang the bell........and the WONDERFUL DAY BEGAN!

Melanie..... what can I say...... She is absolutely GORGEOUS.... and .....one of the warmest, sweetest persons, I have ever met!!!

When we entered, we were greeted by Daisy May and Jesse, two of her three adorable dogs. She called us to join her upstairs where she was in the middle of setting up bedrooms, that the photographer was planning to shot. She was dressed in sweats, AND...she looked..... Fabulous!!!!!! She was on the floor tugging two rugs into different positions under a bed!!!! Of course, we then shared our furniture moving tips and discovered we used some of the same techniques......Oh I love this girl!!!!

While we waited for the photographer to arrive, Melanie invited us to see her home....... OH IT'S GORGEOUS !!!!! It has all of Melanie's gracious ingredients, AND at the same time, welcoming and inviting...

MC WAS ESPECIALLY FASCINATED WITH HER TABLE CENTERPIECE!!!!

The photographer, Emily Followill, arrived, and the real fun began!!! We decided to take my picture by a sofa in the seating area of the living space. Emily was so much fun to talk with and made me feel completely at ease!! She took many shots while MC took pictures of the entire event!!!!

ALL MY POSES!!!
LOVE THE BLUE OTTOMAN!

CHECKING OUT THE BACKGROUND FOR COLOR

LOOKING AT THE DIFFERENT SHOTS

MELANIE IN BLACK SWEATS!!!

Then Melanie came downstairs and asked what Emily thought she should wear for her shot. They decided on a long flowing blue gown. In FIVE minutes, Melanie was transformed into pure GLAMOUR!!!! What would take most women hours of prep time took Melanie a flip of her hair and a dab of lipstick!!!!!!

MELANIE AND ME......LITERALLY LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES AFTER THE SHOT WITH HER IN THE BLACK SWEATS!!
NOTE THE BRACELETS.....AWESOME...

YOU KNOW, I HAD A WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL DAY.....

THANK YOU SO, SO MUCH MELANIE......

I CAN NOT CLOSE WITHOUT SAYING.....MELANIE HAS THE MOST FANTASTIC CHANDELIERS........

NOW THE WAIT FOR THE MAY ISSUE OF TRADITIONAL HOME TO BE ON THE NEWS STANDS!!!!! AND THEN THE DIGITAL ISSUE NEW TRADS 2012 LATER THIS SPRING!