Friday, May 17, 2013
Friday, May 10, 2013
Special guest: Catherine Giove of Jerseylicious!
I have had the extreme pleasure of getting to know a no nonsense Mom who is as fierce a Mom as I am when it comes to our kids. I just love her to pieces, and am thrilled to call her friend!! So lets take a minute to get to know the REAL "Mrs. G"!...Catherine Giove of the hot reality show..."Jerseylicious"!
Tif: Ok girl...I'm gonna dive right into the question of the year! You are an amazing Mom! You will fight to the end for your children, like another Mom I know (eh hem...me). Now when Filly got the offer to pose in Playgirl how did you feel about it as his Mom? I know the hurt you must have felt when backs were turned on him. How did you handle that?
Cathy: My initial reaction when Filly told me he wanted to pose in PlayGirl was: OMG, the whole world is going to see my son nude!!! To say the least, I wasn't too happy..when he posed for UnderGear with his butt exposed, being his mother, I wanted to throw a bathrobe on him but I had to understand when you are posing for an underwear line there are soo many types of underwear & it was his job to pose in them..as long as he was comfortable, which I might add, he definitley was, I supported him. His decision to pose semi-nude in PlayGirl made me very proud. He showed NO FRONTAL NUDITY & the picures were very tastefully done. He did a 15 page spread, cover & centerfold. I can honestly say I am the PROUD mother of a PlayGirl centerfold model. Being a mother gives me the right to alwaysss defend my children, no matter how old they are. When Filly was told posing for PlayGirl would jeopardize his job at the salon, I took offense. I'm not ashamed of my son, he is not a criminal, modeling is a job! To judge someone unfairly struck a nerve. I own a very successful pizzeria for 36 years & my husband is a very successful businessman, & he saw no problem whatsoever in Filly doing PlayGirl so why should anyone else. I knew right then & there it was the beginning of the end. No one has the right to ever cast judgement on others, what may be good for you, isn't good for someone else. My family needs no ones approval, however I will be damned if I ever let any one look down on my children. I will fight for them till the end. I stand by my decision 110% & to tell you the truth, I am very happy it ended. Friends come & go but family is forever!<3
Tif: How old were you when you met your husband? Did you know he was the one right away? How long were you together before you got married?
Cathy: I met my husband when I was 19 years old:) We have been together for 34 years & we are married for 32 years. From the moment I met him, he was the perfect gentlemen & after all these years, like a fine wine he only gets better. I thank God every day for him, the life that we have made , the love we share & most of all, for the beautiful children we created together.
Tif: You are a serious "Fashionista" and have wonderful style! What is your go-to staple in your closet?
Cathy: I love clothes, handbags, shoes & most of all sun-glassses. I never walk out of my door without my "shades" on!! They are my trademark:) I shop at boutiques, department stores & even on-line. My favorite color is black, be it a dress, top, pants whatever because I feel wearing black you can accessorize with any color to dress it up. I love jumpsuits, not only are they comfortable but they can be worn casual or dressy. I'm also a lover of anything animal-print. Cheetah is my favorite. I usually dress age-appropriate but when I'm on vacation I like to be a bit daring. Louis Vuitton is my favorite designer for handbags..you will always catch me rocking my Louie:)
Tif: Were you prepared as a young girl to become an "Italian" wife? If so...how?
Cathy: I am 1/2 Napolitan & 1/2 Sicilian. My grandparents were born in Italy. My parents were born in Brooklyn, NY but growing up, Italian was spoken in our home. I am fluent in Italian & also Spanish. I was born to be an Italian-wife. Italian is in my blood. My mother was the typical Italian mother where family always came 1st. She died when I was only 11 years old from breast cancer. I was devastated. She was my hero, a self-less woman who put her family before anything or anyone. She taught me love, respect, & moral values & what the true meaning of family is. These values I try & instill to my children.
Tif: We have seen a glimpse of your family on Jerseylicious...but tell me...what is your favorite thing to do with your family?
Cathy: Quality time with my family means everything to me. I love just sitting around the table with my husband & my children & talking about everything & even nothing. Dinner time is where we really get to spend the most time together. Being that we all have busy schedules, that time together means the most. I am very thankful that my 3 children are very close. They really loveeeeach other & would do anything for one another. I love the bond they share. It warms my heart. When my children were younger, we used to vacation together. Those memories are priceless.
Cathy: When I first got married, I was lucky if I knew how to boil water!! Since my mother died when I was only 11, there was no one to teach me. Luckily my mother in-law taught me everything I know & then some. Being born in Italy, her passion in life was cooking. I learned from the best & I can proudly say I can cook!!!! I love to cook for my family & let me tell you, they LOVEEE to eat:)
Tif: What is your ultimate dream for your children?
Cathy: My wish for my children is health & happiness. I want them to follow their dreams & be the best at whatever they pursue I want them to know I am here to applaud them support them catch them when they fall. I have taught my children to be leaders not followers I would rather them be the minority than the majority than ever compromise their values or beliefs.
Tif: A woman after my own heart...you have furbabies and a featherbaby! Tell us about your furry/feathery additions to your family?
Cathy: I love my fur/feather babies whole- heartedly. Animals love so unconditionally, I truly believe they can teach some humans a thing or two about love. The members of the Giove household are Angel (Pomeranian ) Primo (boxer ) Molly aka "the Diva " (moloccan cockatoo) & Sergio (Catalina macaw) they have the greatest personalities, they are so loving & they brighten my day. Each one is unique in his/ her way & they all own a piece of my heart.. We are all animal lovers in my home.. To me a house is not a home unless you share it with fur-babies:) 6 years ago my fur baby Lola passed away. Her death shattered my heart. Till today I will always miss "my little sweetheart" I am truly blessed to have these precious babies part of my family.
Tif: What is YOUR favorite thing to do?
Cathy: My favorite thing to do is pamper myself. Being always on a hectic schedule , I need days to unwind & relax. Going to the spa is the perfect way to de-stress myself & relax. Be it a facial, massage ,body wrap ,pedicure just to name a few, this is my time to block out the world & justtt relax. I try to get to the spa at least once a week. Self maintenance is very important to always be on top of your game.
Tif: Where is the best vacation destination you've ever been?
Cathy: My favorite playground/vacation hands down is the Atlantis at paradise island Bahamas!! It is the Giove families home away from home. I can't tell you how many times we have been there. The resort is amazing from the beautiful rooms to the fabulous restaurants, the magnificent spa , the beautiful crystal blue ocean the pink sandy beach, it's a vacationers paradise!!!! The nightlife never ends.. The casino is fabulous the bars & clubs are amazing!!!!! My family & I have made the best memories here that we will treasure forever. As I'm writing this, I'm thinking it's time to book my next trip:)
Isn't she wonderful!?! And today we bring you a little bit of luxury...you can win a 1oz. bottle of Viva La Juicy!
Personal Note: Cathy...I love your fire, your passion and your zest for life! Thank you for being a part of my little piece of the web! XOXO's!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Love and Kisses!
Thursday, May 9, 2013
In a funk...a weight funk....
Lose weight...feel good...gain weight...feel like a slug...but when I went into the hospital...my weight BALLOONED up to almost what I weighed when I had my son. Needless to say...it's been hard for me to have anything good to talk about here. Weight gain + ill fitting clothes = ugh....utter defeat.
Is there a silver lining? Well...yes, there is. I've lost this weight over and over again...unfortunately I did it in very unhealthy ways. This time I am totally unmotivated...why? Because I know how much I weigh and how hard it's going to be to get off...but I KNOW I can do it!
I'm just going to put it out there...no secrets...no hiding...no sugar coating it...here it goes...my weight as of today is 173 pounds. From the time these photos all over my blog were taken, I have gained almost 20 pounds. My goal weight is 135 and I would like to reach that goal by September.
No more excuses...no more hiding...it's time! Are you on a weight loss roller coaster? Wanna share your story with us? Leave a link in the comments to your own weight loss journey.
GOOD NEWS!
Tomorrow on the blog...I am so excited to have...GOTCHA...thought I was gonna tell you huh?! You will have to come back tomorrow to see who it is! She's a family woman, Italian and has been on a reality TV show. But more than that...deeper than that...I love her to pieces because she is a Momma after my own heart. Beyond the TV drama...she is a real woman, living a real life.
Come back and SEE!
Also...I will be having a GIVEAWAY with her visit! So...tell your friends, tell your friends to tell their friends...lol! Have a great one y'all!
XOXO!
Monday, April 29, 2013
When should your babies fly from the nest?
A topic I am very passionate about. So...when should they? While raising our son, we listened to parents from all over saying things like "Only a few more years, and we're free!" or "Come 18...you're outa here!" and many many more. It horrified my husband and I to hear these parents telling their children that.
Can you imagine being 15, 16 and wondering what is going to happen to you when you turn 18...like being kicked out? Now I KNOW there are some families this works for, but it always baffled us. When did our society start thinking like this? Was there an earthquake in time that just threw everyone for a loop? I don't know if it was the fact that we had our son so young and were terrified or if we just have "old school parenting minds", but we never said that or anything like that to our son. That is a lot of pressure to put on a kid.
Our son had a friend that I used to take home from ROTC, he forever talked about "When I turn 18 I gotta move out"! That used to just freak me out for him! There was another friend of our son...who woke up one day (when he was 16) and his parents had LITERALLY moved out of their apartment. He was forced to live there alone, worked at a coffee house and pay the bills PLUS go to school. It broke my heart...and I could never wrap my brain around WHY someone would do that.
Bottom line...this is our home. OUR home. Not just my husband & mine's home...it's our son's home, and we have always told him that he is welcome here for as long as need be. We DO however have rules...be respectful, no drugs and no stealing from us...which are silly rules in our home, because he doesn't have any of that in him.
Family is the most important thing you can have in this world. It is a gift! And let me tell you from experience...stop wishing your children's life away, like "I can't wait until they can talk, walk, feed themselves, goes to school, etc" because...before you know it...you blink and they are grown! Enjoy your children, make sure they know they are loved and that they have a forever home, where you are. They may not stay long...but at least they will remember the home they grew up in as HOME.
Have a great one y'all!
XOXO!
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Introducing Patricia from "The DIY Frenchie"
Good morning y'all! Today I'm thrilled to present my blog of the month! Patricia from The DIY Frenchie is here with us! I asked her some questions, to get to know her better! Her blog is adorable; as is she!
Tif: What is your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?
Patricia: I don't watch a lot of TV in general, but on rainy days I love to catch up my favorite series. Glee anyone?
Tif: Do you have a hobby?
Patricia: I love painting my nails! Since coming to France I've also learned to love baking. People here are like "Wow! You know how to make real chocolate chip cookies?" I feel like a super chef every time I make Rice Krispies for a group of friends. They like my American "pastries" so much, I just don't have the heart to tell them how easy they really are to make.
Tif: What is your favorite thing to blog about?
Patricia: I like blog posts that create conversation. If I'm interested in a subject I love knowing what my readers think about it as well.
Tif: If you could go anywhere in the world...where would you go?
Patricia: My husband was born in New Caledonia. It's this beautiful French Island in the South Pacific (just look on Google images). I would love to spend a month there, good food, my toes in the sand, and not a care in the world. :)
Tif: What is one thing that most people don't know about you?
Patricia: Despite living in France, I've never had a glass of wine, in my entire life.
Tif: What goals do you have for your blog?
Patricia: My blog is still relatively new and little, so right now I'm working on improving the quality of posts and having more content. Having more readers and making more friends would be wonderful, but I know I need to work for it first.
Tif: Do you have any pets?
Patricia: Not yet. But husband's trying to convince me that we need a little French Bulldog.
Tif: Do you have a favorite place to go where you live?
Patricia: I love climbing up to the Bastille. It's a fifteenth century fortress that over looks the city. It's also where we held our wedding reception. :)
Tif: Who inspires you?
Patricia: As for real life, I'm really inspired by the new friends I've met through blogging. They're such fantastic writers and most of them have great goals. Also, my mother-in-law. She's one of the strongest women I know. In Hollywood I really look up to Jennifer Lawrence. She's smart and doesn't accept roles that are degrading to women. She's also not trying to be stick thin.
Tif: What exciting thing has happened to you recently?
Patricia: I've actually been very blessed this last year and have had a lot of great things happen to me. I graduated from the University of Utah, moved to France, started a new job, and got married to the love of my life. I'm actually looking forward to things calming down over the next year so that I have a bit of time to adapt to all these new changes!
Patricia...it's been wonderful seeing you on my sidebar! You all have to check out her BLOG! She is adorable and so is her blog! LOTS of neat DIY's there! Tell her the Rambling Belle sent you! You can also find her here:
Twitter page: https://twitter.com/TheDIYFrenchie
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheDIYFrenchie
Pinterest Page: http://pinterest.com/thediyfrenchie/
Instagram Page: http://instagram.com/thediyfrenchie
Friday, April 26, 2013
Fashionista Friday 4/26/2013
I can't believe Summer is almost upon us! It was just Christmas! Anywhoo...I am loving the colors, the styling and fashion of the Spring/Summer 2013 Designer Collections!
Source: http://pinterest.com/sightforlife/shade-shack/ via Pinterest
Source: http://pinterest.com/diggyandtati/my-style/ via Pinterest
Source: http://pinterest.com/bibabella/5-1-shows-n-y-ss-2013/ via Pinterest
Source: http://www.thefancy.com/things/122730323627743721/Michael-Kors via Pinterest
Source: http://blog.americanamanhasset.com/post/31471999503 via Pinterest
Source: http://blog.americanamanhasset.com/post/31471999503 via Pinterest
Source: http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/4c/aa/d5/4caad5a74de9d3dca1775c11ce6f73f4.jpg via Pinterest
Source: http://media-cache-is0.pinimg.com/736x/b8/7d/25/b87d2528ee62bdb150bafc563b52825b.jpg via Pinterest
Source: http://soullovelyfashion.tumblr.com/post/39742582521 via Pinterest
Source: http://www.vogue.it/en/shows/show/collections-fall-winter-2012-13/versace/4 via Pinterest
Source: http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/736x/c5/f0/21/c5f0219578bcd5dcde69a83aac352855.jpg via Pinterest
This week I'm starting something NEW! I'm going to post a "Recycled Fashion"! Here is my pick of the week:
This dress was made out of 6800....
PILL VIALS!
Source for both photos: http://www.recyclart.org/2011/04/royal-dress-pill-vials/
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Financial Planning. Have you planned?
I am excited to bring to you today a very different kind of sponsor. Paul from the Broughton Investment Group, is right here in my home town. Thinking to the future...have you planned ahead? Time flies so fast, before you know it...your kids are grown, and you are looking through the window to your new future. How do you want to live it? Financial planning could really help you out.
Paul: The BIG, Inc. (The Broughton Investment Group) is a Christian based investment advisory firm that truly puts the clients’ best interest above all others as their advocate and Fiduciary. We have fluid communication lines with the client, while educating them on the various types of investments, risk factors, geopolitical and macroeconomic tendencies that help shape the overall allocation. Furthermore, since we are a Fee-Only firm, we have no conflict of interest, do not sell the client anything, but act as their guide as the firm puts together a comprehensive financial plan. This plan, once completed, is implanted through various financial professionals such a CPA’s, Board Certified Attorneys, Life & Health Insurance agents, personal bankers, credit counselors, and mortgage brokers.
Tif: Why is financial planning so important?
Paul: Every aspect of a person’s life is impacted greatly by financial decisions. Having a “game plan” in place, updating and modifying the financial plan first illuminates the goals and concerns of the client, while quantifying the amounts necessary to achieve said goals. This is imperative that every person, regardless of net worth or cash flow seek the guidance of a professional registered financial planner.
Tif: When is it too late for good financial planning...or is there a "late"?
Paul: You are never “too late” to the game, but the sooner a person starts with a financial plan, the better. The effects of compounding rates of return, the ebb and flow of the markets, the ever changing landscape of the political atmosphere is all the more reason to start now!
Tif: Isn't there a lot of risk in investing your money?
Paul: Risk is everywhere in life. Buying a car. Buying a home and so forth. Moreover, the word RISK is a relative term. One person’s “risky” investment might be just right for another’s. To overly simplify this illustration, I often ask my clients, “What rate of return are you willing to gain with the possibility of losing over 40% in a given month?” The higher expectation of return, the higher the “risk.” Moreover, risk comes in many forms: Interest rate risk, taxing risk, inflation risk, market risk, liquidity risk, and so on. Having a truly independent financial planner who can properly and clearly explain the various risks and rewards, will always subdue some fear.
Tif: Isn't financial planning just for people who are retiring?
Paul: NO! Never. As I mentioned earlier, the sooner a person starts, the better off they are. Time is a huge advantage for a person starting their financial planning journey. Often, I give lectures to college bound children on many important financial subjects. Credit cards? IRA’s? 401 K’s? Etc.
Tif: What is the difference between a stock broker and a financial planner?
Paul: Simple. A Stock Broker is an ORDER TAKER. He/she will get a commission on the stock they sell you. However, typical stock brokers cannot legally dispense advice, but merely take the order from the client to buy or sell a certain security. A financial planner (registered investment adviser through the SEC) is a fee-only—fee-based planner who acts as a Fiduciary, dispenses advice, and does not collect any commissions from the purchase or sell of anything.
Tif: Do "Safe Investments" exist?
Paul: Safety and the word SAFE are relative. As I explained earlier in the interview, risk is relative. Well, safety is, too. The old mantra that BONDS are safe is rubbish. Bonds have associated risk as well as their counterparts, stocks. Some people might think cash is safe, right? Let me ask you – what are you currently receiving from your local bank on your checking and savings accounts? At best, you are given a minimal interest rate of .50%. If inflation is currently running at 2.5%, then sitting in the “safety” of cash means you are losing 2.0% a year to inflation. That isn’t safe!
Tif: It is a really scary thing to trust someone with your life savings. What guarantees are there?
Paul: Death and taxes are the only two true guarantees in life! Trusting someone (a financial planner) with your life savings, all your valuable personal information is a daunting one for sure. I don’t blame you. I am human as the next person, and my trust levels re not as high as they once were with identity theft, online scams and the like. However, fee only financial planners that are registered with the SEC and state securities boards are held to the highest level of scrutiny. The financial planner must give full disclosure to the client, which includes their business methodology, education and business background dating back more than 10 years, any criminal and civil actions taken against them, privacy statements and procedures, and the like. Again, there are no guarantees in life but the aforementioned, death and taxes, (and Christ), but if you build a relationship with your financial planner, then you can learn to trust.
Tif: Do you have to invest a huge amount of money?
Paul: NEVER! Size doesn’t matter, but to many financial planners, hey will walk past a person with less than $ 500,000 in net worth. At The BIG, Inc. we handle smaller accounts because we truly believe that every single person not only deserves financial planning in their lives, but should be afforded as such.
For all of my readers, Paul has made a generous offer to all who are interested! When you contact him, just tell him you read about it on The Ramblings of a Southern Belle!
Special Offer:
The Broughton Investment Group (The BIG, Inc.) is offering a $ 1,500 comprehensive financial plan for $ 400. This comprehensive plan includes but is not limited to, current cash flow strategies, risk management planning, investment, educational funding, tax and estate planning. This specific investment plan will include recommendations that you can implement on your own or with the assistance from a registered investment adviser on a fee only basis, which eliminates any conflict of interest.
How to contact BIG:
Paul Broughton
1707 W Sam Houston Parkway S - Houston, Texas 77042
Office Tel (832) 581-7781 - Office Fax (866) 281-6307
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this Blog (The Ramblings of a Southern Belle) is intended solely to provide general guidance on matters of interest for the personal use of the reader, who accepts full responsibility for its use. The application and impact of laws can vary widely based on the specific facts involved. Given the changing nature of laws, rules and regulations, and the inherent hazards of electronic communication, there may be delays, omissions or inaccuracies in information contained in this Blog. Accordingly, the information on this Blog is provided with the understanding that the authors and publishers are not herein engaged in rendering legal, accounting, tax, or other professional advice or services. As such, it should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional accounting, tax, legal or other competent advisers.
Before making any decision or taking any action, you should consult a professional adviser. While we have made every attempt to ensure that the information contained in this Blog has been obtained from reliable sources, Neither Tiffany Kennedy nor The Ramblings of a Southern Belle is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. All information in this Blog is provided "as is", with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results obtained from the use of this information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including, but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Nothing herein shall to any extent substitute for the independent investigations and the sound technical and business judgment of the reader. In no event will Tiffany Kennedy, The Ramblings of a Southern Belle, or its partners, employees, agents or family will be liable to you or anyone else for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information in this Blog or for any consequential, special or similar damages, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.
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