Much need Sabbatical

Fashionistas......I am taking a Mental Health Break from my life.  Serious!  For the first time in all my life I am going to allow myself ten nights and eleven days of absolute selfishness and no stress. 

Since the passing of my beloved Father I have realized that I have carried a tremendous amount of stress on my shoulders for many years.  Starting at the young age of 21 I became a mother.  The stress has compounded into many layers due to various contributing factors.  Life in general brings on stress.  Hectic careers, busy schedules, raising children and sometimes it takes a tragic event in your life to realize you must be true to your authentic self.

My happiness is very important.  Without my happiness and inner peace I can not be the best wife, mother, daughter, friend, colleague or person.  For the next ten nights and eleven days I have decided to do exactly what I want to do. 

This evening I am in Little Rock my hometown.  The first thing I did was have dinner with my cousins and after dinner I enjoyed a slice of chocolate triple decadent pie.  This pie was very dense but yet smooth at the same time.  Thick and rich.  Layered with whipped topping.  I enjoyed every bite too. 

After dinner I went to Books A Million looking for a great new style book.  Nothing jumped out at me. So I left empty handed. Then I headed over to the local Mall, Park Plaza.  I hit the jackpot at Dillard's in their shoe salon. 


The shoe fairy was on my shoulder and I scored three pairs of new pretties.  Two are animals and one is a fabulous black suede pump.  Tomorrow I will take pictures and post them on Shop Your Closet. 

While in Little Rock I have plans to meet up with several friends for lunch, dinner, coffee and drinks.  Depending on the mood of each day will determine exactly where and what I do.  Little Rock offers a few of my favorite dining establishments and I  plan to visit each one while in town.

Trios at Pavilion in the Park on Cantrell.  I love Trios for lunch.  Their spinach dip and pita chips are incredible.   http://www.triosrestaurant.com/about_us 

Next on my dining agenda will be Dizzy's Gypsy Bistro located in the heart of downtown Little Rock next to the historic River Market District and the Presidential Clinton Museum.  Dizzy's is a caravan of wickedly good food and guilty pleasures.  http://dizzysgypsybistro.net/

Another hot spot in Little Rock is Loca Luna which is one of Arkansas' most celebrated restaurants.  No home visit shall pass without my hearts content with a night at Loca Luna.  http://www.localuna.com/

Finally I plan on dining at Ya Ya's Euro Bistro and walking around the Chenal Promenade one afternoon.  http://www.yayasar.com/dinner_menu.php 

These are just a few of the best dining establishments in my hometown.  The list for great meals are endless.  If you are ever in my neck of the woods give me a ring a ding ding and I will give you recommendations based on your culinary palette.

There are so many things I plan on doing this week.  Lots of R & R, good food, shopping, visiting with friends, a day at Oaklawn for Horse Racing, going to see the movie the "Vow"....oh, and did I say shopping?

Oaklawn Racing in Hot Springs, Arkansas since 1904

Speaking of shopping I have already made out like a bandit.  Not only did I score three pairs of shoes I purchased a beautiful necklace and bracelet from Banana Republic.

These two pieces will be great accessories to use as building blocks for a Color Block ensemble.  Yes, this week one Southern GAW (Grown Arse Woman) is taking a much needed sabbatical. 

Awwwwww.....tomorrow I get to sleep in late.  Speaking of sleep, Momma just came to bed and said "It's time for us to go night night."  I am a 43 year old woman sleeping aside her Momma in a king size bed.  Stay tuned for more of my ten nights and eleven days of rolling around in the Rock, Little Rock!