Well played, Tory.

I am about to go where very few have gone before...Tory Burch just doesn't do it for me.

Let's review all the reasons why I should be brandishing just about everything from TB.

Cute prints: check.
Flattering cuts: check
Darling accessories: check
Generally overpriced unless scored on Outnet, Gilt or the like: check

So - why don't I lurrrv her like (seemingly) everyone else?

Maybe it's because I feel like she raided my grandmother's closet, took copious notes breezing through cocktail party photos from the early '70's, stuck a gold insignia on it and then convinced Oprah she was better than Spanx.

And I'm envious that I didn't beat her to it.

Then I spied these:

Tory Burch "Reva" Suede Python Print Ballet Flat

A sucker for the color, the python print leather/suede combined with the comfort of a flat - I'm considering being that girl and pre-ordering for fear come Fall they will be a retail memory.

Well played, TB. But, consider this a "wanna grab a drink" text from a potential suitor - definitely not a weekend escape to the Seychelles with your sugar daddy. I mean...we just met and hardly know each other.

I'm not that kind of consumer.

Stay tuned. More at 11.

Paging Joy: Your Party Waits in Arrivals

Lately I've had the pleasure (or displeasure) of spending time in airports. Fun destinations aside - airports are usually miserable places.

From the "easy" kiosk check-in which seems to take more time than the good old-fashioned human check-in process to the endless security lines, where measures that have been in place for eight years still take people by surprise - it all is just exasperating.

Note to the lady in Chicago that balked at having her massive aerosol can of hairspray and industrial size bottle of Jean Naté bath splash taken away...they did you a favor. Say thank you and head to the nearest Sephora to regroup.

And let me not fail to mention the oversold, delayed flight scenario that is more the standard than the exception. All in all - flying commercial couldn't be any less pleasant.

Which is probably why most travelers are, generally speaking, grumpy. Reeaaallyyy grumpy. I counted myself as one of those grumpy travelers until I read this piece from Chris Jones for Esquire.

Shared with me by a dear friend, who is a veteran traveler of the skies, it brought tears to my eyes and reminded me that happiness exists just beyond the confines of baggage claim.

I thought it was very share worthy...


Stay tuned. More at 11.

It's not an Emmy. But, we'll take it.

Acknowledgement for a job well done in Mr. News Readin's real newsroom is tough to come by.

Yes - we joke that he merely touches up the bronzer, straightens the tie, clears his throat a few times and reads the teleprompter to the masses. In actuality, he does quite a bit of work and a whole lot of schlepping around to gain interviews and sound bites for our viewing pleasure.

July is sweeps. This means all of a sudden you are watching in-depth reports on bus driver drug use and the dangers of pools in the backyards of foreclosed homes. The good stuff...

The NRH sweeps story covered the transport of coal fly ash from a spill area not far from here to a very poor county in Alabama. And we're not talking about one train car of this stuff. More like 1.1 billion gallons that will take an entire year to remove.

For this fine moment of reporting he was awarded - drum roll, please...
the Reporter of the Week!

Here is a snippet from his News Director's email, which he forwarded me (big mistake):

For the first time in a while I can officially call the Reporter of the Week a “landslide winner. “
Mr. News Readin is this week’s winner for his “Ash to Alabama” stories.

First I’d like to give Mr. NR credit for coming up with this idea as his one sweeps suggestion for July.
(Our guy thought it was that solid he only submitted one! My! The confidence...)

His co-workers wrote:

“Anyone who watched it won’t forget the line “smells like money.”
“Any journalist who can get a politician to sniff fly-ash on tape is pretty good.”
“He asked the right questions, made excellent points in his stand-ups."

Others receiving votes this week:
Jill for her second massage parlor bust story and her substitute teacher lawsuit story.
Whitney -- for her follow-up on the local church that burned down.

(I left that last part in because for some reason it made me laugh...)

We are so proud...Of course there was a celebratory dinner last night - consisting of beer and cheeseburgers by special request of the honoree.

If they made bumper stickers that said, "I'm the proud wife of a Reporter of the Week" - it would already be on the back of the Tahoe.

Stay tuned. More at 11.

A Tisket, A Tasket

Who doesn't love a picnic? Well, me.

Love the idea of a picnic. Everything perfectly fits in adorable containers and off you go for a meal in the grass. It's the aftermath that makes picnicking - notsomuch.

If it weren't so irresponsible - I probably would prescribe to the Betty Draper guide to picnicking and leave everything behind. (Reference Mad Men Season 2 Episode 7 - brilliant.)

If you have hung out around here long enough, you already know the Breaking News Team is more about the gear than the actual activity.

To picnic - I probably just need the perfect basket. Right?

Voilà! How about a little red basket? Courtesy of Blyton and available at Dean & DeLuca.*

*Barefoot Contessa not included for preparations of perfect picnic fare. Damn.



Stay tuned. More at 11.

Being awkward has its rewards.

In the deep recesses of the attic, in a box of old family pictures - it lays there waiting for its moment to shine.

Maybe you were wearing your red Snoopy glasses and had just gotten your braces tightened...wait that was me.

Maybe your creepy Uncle Ned was lurking in the background...no, wait - that's my bestie Hilary.

Regardless, we all have these photos tucked away hoping that they never see the light of day or make their way into the wrong hands for a rehearsal dinner photo montage.

Now you have bigger things to worry about. Those embarrassing "Why the hell was I wearing a selection from Bill Cosby's sweater collection with stirrup pants and hi-top Reeboks?!" pictures have a purpose.

A website devoted to others laughing at your awkward moments: AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com.

Be prepared to spend about 20-30 minutes cruising through other's photographic misfortune - and secretly hoping you don't stumble upon your own.


We now return to your regularly scheduled program.

Let Freedom Ring...or Liberty...or Independence

Happy Fourth of July!

The Breaking News Team is basking in the warm glow of the sunny, south Georgia coast.
Life can be so tough sometimes.

We are working on this story for you: Fourth of July served up Sea Island style. (Think starred and spangled to the hilt...) Stay tuned for a full report.

In the meantime...stumbled across these fun facts that you may or may may not find interesting.

Fourth of July (Inspired) Fun Facts


* Thirty places nationwide have "liberty" in their name.
* The most populous one is Liberty, Missouri (26,232).
* Iowa has more of these places than any other state:
four (Libertyville, New Liberty, North Liberty and West Liberty).
* Eleven places have "independence" in their name.
* The most populous of these is Independence, Missouri, with 113,288 residents.
* Five places adopted the name "freedom."
* Freedom, California, with 6,000 residents, has the largest population among these.
* There is one place named "patriot" — Patriot, Indiana, with a population of 202.

And as we celebrate of our nation's independence with friends and family, let us remember all those who have served and are serving to protect our freedom, our rights and safeguard this great country. A BIG thank you to those men and women!

Enjoy a safe holiday and we'll be back with a full report!

Mrs. News Readin'