Hey Dude Ranch and Baby (Tee) Makes Three

Skirt: So, Kohl's

Bag: Dolls Kill

Shirt: So, Kohl's

Belt: Izod; Pink bangle: Target; Ring: Gifted; Barrettes: Dolls Kill; Green bangle: B Fabulous

Boots: Penny Loves Kenny, Amazon

Orange bangle: B Fabulous; Yellow and pink bangles: Silver Linings, Ocean City; Striped bangle: ZAD, Zulily; Bag: Apt. 9, Kohl's; Ring: Mixit, JCPenney

Skirt: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Belt: Sheplers

Blouse: Marshalls

Skirt: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Bangles: B Fabulous; Ring: Delia's; Bag: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's; Headband: A Self Portrait, Etsy

To anyone who read this title and thought, Hey, is she . . . ?, no, I'm not pregnant.  Except for maybe with emotion -- for this post!  And also for cheesesteaks (don't judge; I have one on the way 😃).

So, today we've got one baby tee and three outfits.  Maybe the tee isn't an entirely faithful rendering of the classic shrunken, lettuce-edged wardrobe staple that launched a thousand Nirvana covers in the '90s.  But it's close enough to make me nostalgic.  And don a flannel, which, ironically, I never wore then and swore I'd never wear ever.  What's next, a skull-print jumpsuit!? 

Tee: So, Kohl's

Authentic-looking or not, this baby tee is quite the chameleon.  Its basic black and cream floral print make it easy to style for a '90s-inspired outfit as well as ensembles that are more western (I heart big belt buckles!) and Lolita (polka dots and ruffles and balloons, oh my!).  It's also fab on its own, or over or under a blouse.  Okay, enough.  I feel like a commercial!

Still, it's outfit number one that has captured my heart (even if, of the trio, it includes the least amount of arterial-themed adornments).  Its '90s candy grunge vibe makes me want to stream Hey Dude and suck down a Fruit Roll-Up.

And then, of course, hit Claire's for scrunchies.

May Flower Power

Fabulous Felt Tulips Barrette

Top: Marshalls
Skirt: Amazon
Shoes: Penny Loves Kenny, DSW
Bag: Bisou Bisou, J. C. Penney's
Belt: Belt is Cool, Amazon

Groovy Girl Charm Bracelet

Top: One Clothing, Marshalls

Skirt: Celebrity Pink, Marshalls

Boots: 2 Lips Too, DSW

Bag: Arizona Jeans, J. C. Penney's

Belt: Sheplers

You know what they say about April showers -- they bring May flowers.  And May flowers remind me of the Mayflower, which isn't nearly as whimsical, unless you're into big belt buckles -- or butts -- and diphtheria.  None of which, luckily, were at the Borgata, where I snapped these gorgeous glass flowers.  Scratch that.  I probably did see some big butts there, buffets -- and their groupies -- being in abundance at any casino.  But you can trust me about the diphtheria. 

Anyhoo, I've always loved casinos.  Not for the gambling or even the grub, but for the so-bad-it's-good decor.  Not like in the movie Casino, mind you, or any other such drab, shoot 'em up narrative.  More like in Vegas Vacation, with cartoonish lights and head-to-toe rhinestones and everyone driving home in a new car.  And the aforesaid bold blooms are bursting with that aesthetic.  Far more exotic than anything that ever grew on Plymouth Rock, they whisper of far-flung escapes and enchanting encounters.  Which is maybe, now that I think of it, why they're in the Borgata lobby in the first place.  They're supposed to say, hey, fresh-off-the-bus-sequin-track-suit lady.  Give us your grocery money and never ride the Greyhound next to Gassy Gert again!  Hit the jackpot and jet to Aruba!  Beat blackjack and book Bora Bora!  And if by some slim chance you don't sashay away with a bucket of tokens?  No worries.  A tropical getaway is still within your reach -- in the form of comped coconut shrimp.  Which will come in mighty handy now that you've gambled away your groceries.

So . . . maybe forget the glass garden.  And hang with the tulips and daisies.  'Cause Grandma would want it that way.

Unless, of course, she's pawning her pearls and making a beeline for the baccarat table.

Tex Marks the Spot: Hot, Hot, Hot on the Heels of Nashville

Betty Blue Strawberry Necklace

Dress: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Boots: 2 Lips Too, DSW

Bag: Marshalls

Heart belt: Sheplers

Blue belt: Mixit, JCPenney

Sunglasses: JCPenney

Olivia Orange Strawberry Necklace 

Top: Delia's

Skirt: Olsenboye, JCPenney

Shoes: Forever Link, Zulily

Bag: Arizona Jeans, JCPenney

Heart belt: Sheplers

Silver belt: Boscov's

Sunglasses: Relic, Kohl's

Pammy Pink Strawberry Necklace

Top: Monteau, Marshalls

Skirt: Mossimo, Target

Boots: 2 Lips Too, DSW

Bag: Marshalls

Heart belt: Sheplers

Blue belt: Mixit, JCPenney

Sunglasses: JCPenney

Texas is nowhere near Nashville, and neither come close to New Jersey.  But all three seemed to meet in Atlantic City at the Borgata two Sunday nights ago because the cast of "Nashville" was there in concert.  Charles Esten (Deacon), Jonathan Jackson (Avery), and Chris Carmack (Will) belted out series favorites and then some, the most notable of the latter being the ensemble's rendition of David Bowie's "Heroes" (during which Carmack busted out a saxophone!) and Jackson's stirring "Unchained Melody," which he dedicated to his wife.  Sadly, Clare Bowen (Scarlett) bowed out because she was under the weather, and Sam Palladio (Gunnar) was never on the bill in the first place because he makes appearances only in his native UK.  This was a bummer, as these two are my favorites.  Still, it was an incredible show.

Now, some of you may be thinking, that's all and well and good, Tote Trove Lady, but you don't seem like a country music fan.  (Then again, maybe you're thinking, get over yourself, you're clearly a fan, you talk about this show all the time!).  And to that I say -- you're right.  You're much more likely to find me at a Weezer concert than a Brad Paisley performance.  But I love good music of all kinds. (Who doesn't?  That is, other than Barry Manilow groupies.)  And I'm a huge fan of "Nashville."  Or maybe I should say I'm a Nashee, which is, according to Esten, the official term for show followers.  (Guess I'm not that different from a Fanilow after all.)  That having been said, back in season 4, even Avery confessed that his roots were in alt rock, as he tried to tame the lion that was bad boy rocker Markus Keen.  What I'm trying to say is, we're all a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll.  Just like there's a South in South Jersey and more than a few Jerseys in Tennessee and Texas.  Even if they are bovines.

But back to the music.  Esten, Jackson, and Carmack brought as much energy and enthusiasm as they do during any episode set.  What's more, it happened to be the last night of the tour, adding an extra element of excitement and emotion.  Carmack shared that his grandfather and parents were born in Atlantic City and that he had family in the audience.  And Esten, or Chip, as he's familiarly known, well, he just didn't want the party to end.  He thanked everyone in connection with the tour and TV show and, after an Everly Brothers duet with Jackson, embraced him like a brother, saying he'd miss singing with him every night.  The trio ended with "A Life That's Good," the same tender folk song that Deacon and the girls sang at Rayna's deathbed, which is a song that's come to embody all that "Nashville" stands for.

It was a magical time, a memorable night, and more than enough to tide me over until season 6 starts in January.

Until next time, boots and saddles.           

A Star is Mourned: Rayna's Reign Rains Down on Nashville

 Wild West Wynonna Necklace

Top: Bongo, Sears

Skirt (a dress!): Kohl's

Boots: 2 Lips Too, DSW

Bag: Arizona Jeans, JCPenney

Belt: Sheplers

Sunglasses: Relic, Kohl's

Fabulous Felt Cowgirl Cutie Necklace

Top (another dress!): Bisou Bisou, JCPenney

Skirt: ROSS Dress for Less

Boots: Charles Albert, Alloy

Bag: Nine West, ROSS Dress for Less

Belt: Gifted

Sunglasses: Relic, Kohl's

"Give boredom the boot with this Fabulous Felt Cowgirl Cutie Necklace and her sassy sidekick, Wild West Wynonna . . ." is what I'd say if I were listing these necklaces on Etsy instead of keeping them for myself.  But these days I want to hold on to every little bit of country I can.  I'm referring, of course, to the recent bombshell dropped on beloved TV drama "Nashville."  

The last time I blogged about "Nashville," ABC had cancelled it, and the last episode featured everyone living happily ever after except for Juliette (Hayden Panettiere), who may or may not have been killed in a plane crash.  Although I was sad to see the series, which was one of my favorites, go, I was comforted that no more havoc could be wreaked on the lives and loves of Music City's brightest.  Then, in a plot twist that no one (okay, everyone) saw coming, "Nashville" got picked up by CMT.  Naturally, I was elated, scrambling to see if my cable plan included Country Music Television.  It didn't, and one argument with the Comcast lady later, I was happily signed up for Hulu, where I could watch my old pals plus plenty of new ones for a mere $7.99 a month.  Come January, I eagerly tuned in to Season 5.  And discovered that, land sakes, Juliette was alive!  Paralyzed from the waist down and touched by an angel and all of that jazz (or maybe I should say bluegrass), but back to driving everyone crazy.  As for the rest of the show, it seemed folksier and lighter than before, with an unmistakably fresh, down-home feel.

Or so I thought.  Before long it reverted to its red alert, hot mess roots, with Scarlett (Clare Bowen) forsaking Gunnar (Sam Palladio) to hop into bed with her edgy but verbally abusive new music video director, the aptly named Damien, and Rayna (Connie Britton) being held at knifepoint by a stalker only to (MAJOR SPOILER ALERTS FROM HERE ON OUT) fall victim to yet another major car accident.  One second she's on the phone with Deacon (Charles Esten), then smash! -- the next, something plows into her.  It was so abrupt, so jarring, I jumped.

Rayna spends the next episode in the hospital.  At first, recovery seems in the cards.  Deacon asks her what she wants, and she glibly says, "A cheeseburger."  Ever the knight in shining armor, Deacon obliges, soon returning with the tasty treat.  But Rayna's fate is sealed when her dead mother appears in her hospital room and gently tells her to stop struggling with her new song because "maybe the song is finished."  Deacon is visibly shaken, pulling Rayna's doc aside to ask if it's normal for her to be seeing visions.  "Perfectly," she assures him, "it's just a side effect of the medication."  But Deacon knows different, and, it seems, so does Rayna.

For the rest of the hour, Rayna focuses on imparting wisdom to her nearest and dearest and saying goodbye, not only to them, but to us.  Rayna is the soul of "Nashville," and her life has touched the life of every other character, as evidenced by her full hospital room.  All too soon it's just Deacon, Maddie (Lennon Stella), and Daphne (Maisy Stella), singing the sweetly heartbreaking "A Life That's Good."  Rayna flutters her eyes . . . then closes them forever.

As character deaths go, this one was as sad as any country song worth its margarita.  A Google search confirmed the rumors that Connie Britton wanted to leave "Nashville," and that Rayna dying was the only way to make that happen and do Rayna justice.  Although it's perhaps unfair to attribute symbolism to a character's death when you know that said death was motivated by the actress's plans to leave the show, I couldn't help but think that Rayna James and Juliette Barnes traded places.  As in, Rayna's life was sacrificed so that Juliette's life could be saved.  And that Juliette, with all her Phoenix-rising-from-the-ashes insights, would one day flower into a full-fledged (albeit snarkier) Rayna.  

After all, the show must go on, even without its leading lady.  As showrunner Marshall Herskovitz pointed out in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, "Nashville" is, at its core, an ensemble story:

". . . the show of Nashville is a world, it's not about one person.  As great as Connie is and Rayna was, it was never just one person.  What people will find as they process their feelings -- and maybe fans will be angry at us or at her for this happening -- but they'll find the fabric of the show more than holds.  It's still this vibrant passionate creative world of people who live their lives in a way that has a fire beneath it."

Well put.  Nevertheless, "Nashville" won't be the same without Rayna's unique brand of guts, class, and grace.  

I'm just glad she got that cheeseburger.