The Land of the White Rabbit

The next morning I got up early to get ready for my flight and any festivities that could possibly come my way once landing. Just before leaving for the airport I said goodbye to a great friend and thanked him for the time spent. as I look back now I learned a lot about by myself over those last couple of days,  I then proceeded to pick up my luggage and head to my next destination. The infamous Land of the White Rabbit, for the Playboy Golf Finals- "where girls who aren't so nice appear to be nice, and where men are just looking for a good time at any price."
 When I arrived at LAX I picked up my luggage and headed down to limo lane. While standing there, a girl bumped into me and asked if I was part of Playboy Golf and if she was in the right spot for the shuttle and before I could get out an answer the limo rolled up with Rachel in it. I was so ecstatic to see her, we loaded up the car and rolled into the Hills. One of the first things we did after checking in was head straight to the mall. It was as if a tradition in our eyes, I'm not even sure why we packed so many things to wear because we always ended up buying new stuff out there. After shopping we headed down to the ballroom for our annual "rules and regulations" meeting, even sitting in the meeting we already new we were leaving after and heading to dinner with the Elite of Playboy Golf, it was almost as if it was a joke to sit there and listen to "rules" which were apparently to your discretion.
 Not sure where we were headed for dinner, Rachel and I joined everyone outside the hotel lobby and climbed in the limo. Shortly we were dropped off on a side street "Canon" just around the corner from Rodeo drive. Where we were then lead to a small private elevator that took us to the top room of the building.
When the doors opened, I didn't know what to expect, but what I found were men in nice suits lounging & enjoying some of the finest cigars in town. Walking through the restaurant I felt like I was walking back through time as if I stepped into a popular speakeasy, where the men were amazed to see the beauty of woman in their secret spot, and when they looked at you, you could feel the flirtatious glance as they released the smoke from their lips in a smooth cloud with a slight grin in your direction so effortlessly. The Grand Havanna Room a private members cigar bar was where we spent the remainder of our evening, in the heart of Beverly Hills, with a beautiful rooftop setting, sipping champagne and telling stories over exquisite Italian food. Carelessly into the night we dined, enjoyed everyone's company and developed new friendships.
 It was a night that I will never forget. Once back to our hotel, Rachel and I headed back to our room. We were so high on life, so happy to be next to each other sharing these experiences. There was no one I would rather have had that night spent with than her. When we walked in our room we noticed that where we once were sharing a room with a stranger we somehow managed to be back to our dynamic duo. The night had ended perfectly, we toasted our last glass of champagne for the evening to "US" and then shut our eyes for good nights sleep.

The next morning was St. Patty's day and what better way to spend this national party holiday then at the Playboy Mansion.
 I went down to the lobby to get us some breakfast, something a little healthy and a nice patio setting until I felt like primping myself for the days extravaganza.  As I sat there enjoying my breakfast and the view from our balcony, I collected my thoughts of what the day may lead to.
This was my calm before the storm. I then started getting ready and we made our way down to the lobby to head over to the Tee Party.
While Rachel did her photo shoot I mingled with friends throughout the grounds of the mansion and enjoyed the beautiful spring day in the Hills. The flowers  were blossoming and people were in their festive green attire, which I chose not to wear. Everyone was in the best spirits and enjoying themselves.

 After her shoot we met back up and she had met a friend. She was one who we thought at the time was nice, but like I mentioned before people aren't what they seem here. Those details to come.
We all hung out and formed our own little Brunette Mafia as we frolicked through the festivities, laughed, caught up with friends from the previous year we were slowly approaching the days end. We loaded up on the buses and headed back to the hotel.
It was at this point where we thought we had gained a new friend. We headed to the room the get ready to go out that night and made the epic fail decision to go with her to her house so that she could stay with us. Little did we know how far we had to drive, and what we were getting ourselves into. That night we ended up awkwardly walking into one of the rookies for the Lakers apartment.
 It was the most uncomfortable feeling to be there. As we sat at the kitchen bar we were offered a drink, I was not impressed by any means at the situation we were in and drinking just didn't seem like the smart thing to do not to mention there weren't any options that looked appealing. I took my drink as a courtesy, but chose to sit sober and observe my surroundings, as awkward as they were.  We didn't stay very long. Since it was already so late and we had to be up early for the golf course the next morning,

 we decided to leave. Which in my opinion was the best decision we had made all night. There are somethings you just have to learn the hard way, and trusting someone in LA is one of them. We made it safely to back to our hotel and vowed to never make that mistake again! I was so happy to find my bed and to fall asleep, after the crazy expedition we took across LA that night it was something of a comfort and familiarity that I most deeply didn't take for granted.

.:XOXO:. TMARIE

New Year * New Life

Where do I begin? that was just the thing...I woke up to a new day, a new beginning, a new opportunity for a new life. But the first thing to do was get some breakfast and get my car from the night before. LOL...The month of January seemed to fly by so fast. I spent my first weekend of the year in LA visiting friends. I went to see Julie (Trae's brother's girlfriend). I stayed with her while I was out there. It was quite the girls weekend.

We played around Sunset Blvd and Hollywood most of the first day. I got to meet Jennifer in LA while she was in town looking at new places to live and for her interview. That evening we picked up London and chilled at home, because I was so tired from traveling. The next day we took London to dance class and I got to see her practice, she was so cute. Afterwards we went out to Manhattan beach for Lunch and I visited with friends that evening before my early flight the next morning. It was a short little trip but I was glad to get away.

I met some great people that month. I was getting to know Todd a little better, because he was in town most of the month while 3DoorsDown finished up their new album that was going to be released in April. My "tripod" was always out and about, we were going to Pred's games every week, hitting the local bars, checking out new artists. It was definitely a busy month for me. One of the first Pred's game of the month we all went out afterwards; Andrew took me to Broadway Brewhouse for my first bushwhacker. These were absolutely delicious! If wasn't like 30 degrees outside I would've had more than one. I like to call them adult frosties.



Click his name for inquiries



I also attended one of my first Alan Scott trunk shows that month. It was in Franklin at Battle Ground Brewery. I wasn't quite sure what to expect. But the girls and I met Andrew and Paige there. I knew that this designer created leather goods for celebrities, but I didn't know if I was going to like it and I most definitely did.  I bought a cuff- made with 12-gage shotgun shells and I was in love with the first clutch he designed for his assistant. The skull was made from stingray leather. She sold this to me that night because I was so infatuated with it.

The following week, I went out with my sister to dinner and met up with Andrew later. He introduced to Chris Nathan. We went to see his show at 12&Porter. I loved his music, it was awesome. Something I hadn't heard around Nashville yet. Andrew and I invited J and Chris out the next night to a private place we had been steadily attending on Saturday nights now. Chris ended up not going because it wasn't his thing. So J, Brit, Andrew, Brandon, and I all went for a chill night of drinks. The place was a little slow that night, but I remember having a good time anyways. I remember sitting there looking at the people along the bar and someone striking my interest. I told Andrew what I was thinking because he knew who he was, to let it be known to him I was interested but, unavailable at the moment. It was pretty funny the reaction that I saw. So I said "Hello..Im sure I will be seeing you around soon" and went on my way. We left to go to Rebar for some bushwhackers and the chill night turned into of course a long night once again.

The taco truck was conveniently parked outside the bar, just waiting for us to walk up and order ridiculous amounts of unhealthy food.... but that good when your drunk kinda food, you know the kind you regret the next morning. I believe that same week I met a dear friend to me Amy, through Andrew. She was the sweetest person. I remember her just being so kind and gentle to feelings. Little did I know how our friendship would blossom from that night out. The 2nd to last weekend was approaching. I knew I would be out on the town both Friday and Saturday night for Heather's birthday. That Friday was spent as the usual, dinner at Urban Flats, drinks at Whiskey, drinks at Citizen, then on to midtown for Rebar late night action with Brit, Andrew, Troy and Brandon. This was beginning to become quite the regular. The next morning after crashing out at Werthan because once again we couldn't drive home. We grabbed breakfast at this pancake place close to home called The Pfunky Griddle. It was so cute and I heard so much about it. It was so cool, how you made your own food on the grill at the table. So Troy, Brit and I checked it out. And it was pretty delish! I def recommend it.

Well, not long after recuperating that day it was that time again to get dressed to go out only this time it was for the Epic birthday celebration for Heather. The events started with 20 people at dinner at Goten<--- NEVER EAT HERE!! the worst service ever! It wasn't long until our belly's were full that we were headed to the Honky Tonks on Broadway. We started out at Tootsies, and come to find out my parents and family were out partying themselves next door. So they came with us for part of the night.

The night was full of joy, excitement, alcohol, and of course laughs, whether it was about people watching in the bar or just laughing at the though of us singing at the top of our lungs "dixieland delight," but it was so much fun! This was the first night my parents were introduced to Andrew. They knew we had been going out a lot together lately but it wasn't anything along the lines of dating, although that night him and I were reading into the fact that they secretly wished it was LOL.

That night I had on my right hand a ring that resembled an engagement ring. So being typical Andrew and I.....we decided to play a joke on my parents. In the middle of the upstairs bar at Tootsies, he got down on one knee and proposed. LMAO it was the funniest thing to see my Mom jump up with confusion and excitement all at once. Not to mention the whole Bar giving Andrew high-fives. So we played it off for a little bit for free drinks, but my Mom quickly came to the realization that it was just a joke. LOL. When we left Tootsies my parents parted ways, and we headed to Element a brief club that was open on 2nd, for a little dance action. The night was almost over but not for my tripod+Brit.

We headed to Carl's for my late night/ early morning "Tiffany's" breakfast. I put my intoxicated skills to work. LOL. We ended up with sausage, eggs, pancakes, and a box of Cheezits to snack on. I must say everyone was quite pleased and approved! It was definitely a night to remember.

The last weekend of January was spent at the usual places...i.e. Citizen, Mai etc...I took a new friend out with me that night her name was Joey. while we were out I remember I ran into the guy that captured my attention from across the bar the last time I was there. He questioned me as to why I wouldn't give him my number, I simply said "I'm not looking to date anyone" he responded "well maybe you will think differently after letting me take you to dinner." So I agreed, and gave it to him. We went to dinner at the Acorn a few nights later. I was kinda nervous, but he was so sweet. He opened the doors for me, helped with my coat...etc..it was so gentlemen like and I was thoroughly impressed. Conversation was delightful and respectable. I definitely knew I wanted to see him again. So with Super Bowl Sunday coming up "the Dr." and I made plans to get together with friends. The month of January was a month to remember, but my year was only getting started, and I had 11 more months to go.
.:XOXO TMARIE:.

"Birdies. Eagles. Bunnies"

LA LA LAND - Oh where do I begin??? Well it all started a few months back...I worked my first Playboy Golf event. Little did I know that I was going to be accepted to attend the Finals tournament in LA this March. It was an honor to know that I was able to go...only issue was hmmmmm, who would I be going with?? I juggled around girls and finally got in contact with one from my past event and we ended up being roommates.

Once landing in LA Trae's family picked me up for lunch in Hollywood. It had been little over a year since my first time to Cali...I was so excited and ready for the next 4 adventurous days. When I arrived at the Century Plaza Hyatt and entered the lobby, it was every man's dream come true....LOTS of hotttt, beautiful women running around in bikinis, short shorts, sundresses....you name, you got it....

So I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about my roommate for the weekend...but when Ms. Rachel Bogle arrived within the first 5 mins we were soul mates "twinkies to be exact" !! We didn't have to share a room with other girls, it was just her and I. Time for bonding and did we ever!! So on the first night after we checked in and got our wristbands for the weekend to all the parties we attended our meeting then had dinner on Sunset Blvd. at this great Italian restaurant. Once back at the hotel we mingled at XBar for the welcoming party...and on the same brain wave, we managed to stay in tune with each other, and knew that the night was complete for us....beauty rest was most definitely needed!!

Thursday morning came quite early....we had a mini shopping spree that morning before we headed to the tea party at the Mansion that afternoon...and all I can say is we shopped pretty good in one hour!! OUR MOTTO "just throw it in the bag"....and that's exactly what we did!

We arrived "virgins" to the gates of the adult play land the oooohhs, the ahhhhs, and the giggles were among us...it was GO time! We walked the red carpet for pictures with the playmates as we entered a world unknown. We spent the afternoon frolicking the grounds of the infamous Playboy Mansion <---- YES we were there & YES there were naked girls swimming in the pool TOTALLY Classic Playboy style. The (game house) is a separate building from the fountain in front of the main entrance, there are two sidewalks, running past a wishing-well. The sidewalk on the right leads to the famous game house and runs past a Hollywood Star of Hefner.

The entrance opens to a game room with a pool table in the center and vintage arcade games, pinball machines, player piano, jukebox, television, stereo, and couch. The game house has two wings. Left is a room with a soft cushioned floor, mirrors all around and yes all the way around. The right wing of the game house has an entrance to a bedroom the "red" room which is connected to another bedroom the "blue" room, which has an exit to the rear backyard of the game house these 2 rooms were only equipped with beds and a phone and lots of mirrors....The legend is if you pick up the phone and hit the red button it would ring the mansion butler. So did we test the urban myth?? Well YES we did! And did anyone answer?? YES THEY DID!!!

Moving right along following the sidewalks to where ever they may lead us... we made our way to the front lawn where they always set up the slip and slides, the peacocks were roaming as freely as the spirits of the people around them. As we continued our adventure....we found the world-famous GROTTO....which was full of people, and almost made it hard to get back there. It was a wonderfully splendid afternoon at the adult play land of the world....we then headed back to the hotel to relax before the evening festivities.....

Atlanta to LA

ALL MY DREAMS SO CLOSE IN SIGHT!
So this was it. I opened my eyes to a new year, a new life, new opportunities. I was filled with excitement. In just 2 days I was going to Atlanta to interview for an internship at Americasmart. It was a goal I had set for myself when I started the fashion program at MTSU. I was a bit nervous but I knew I could land it. The interview went amazingly well. All my dreams were so close in sight! I had told them that I was leaving town for a vacation on the 7th and she said that I should hear something either way by then. All that was left was the waiting game. So Jan 7th rolled around, I was so stoked. Trae was taking me to California, this was the first time that I had been anywhere out west! Even with all the excitement about going to LA, I still wondered about the results of my interview the previous week. As we checked things off our list preparing to leave for the airport my phone rings! It was Americasmart calling to tell me that I got the internship and I would be starting in July! I couldn't believe it! It was the best day ever! A wonderful way to start my first trip to the west coast! And we were off nonstop flight Nashville to CALIFORNIA! It was the longest flight I had been on but Southwest was the best! We landed that evening and as I stepped foot on to the soil of California I could feel the possibilities and dreams run through my veins...was I really here!! It was so surreal! After we got settled in, it was time to start to meet the fam..first on the list was his twin! Whom I specifically remember saying "Wait! How long have you known my brother? and he already brought you out to LA! He must really like you! Which I was very flattered! So we kicked it for awhile until Trae was ready to go back, because unlike myself he had to work the next day. I got up the next morning to start my adventure across the new city I was in. Trae went to work and I drove to Corona to meet one of my friends I went to college with. Her mom owned a boutique there. I had my first experience with IN-n-OUT burger which omgeeeee is amazing by the way! It was a successful day and I made it around town without getting lost! That night we went to dinner with his mom, younger brother and sister (who are twins also) <--YES they are! Dinner was delish and the family was great! But we were exhausted, and I had more plans on my agenda to go explore the next day with my Aunt. I got up and drove Trae to work and made my way to the city...I can't even describe the way I felt seeing the "city of angels" for the first time before my eyes, it was an unforgettable sunny day, the weather was perfect, and the city just shined before me! As I made my way to the Santa Monica Pier where I was scheduled to meet my Aunt, I could start to smell the ocean and then there it was! We had a lovely lunch at this great little sushi restaurant down by the pier, and then she drove me up PCH through Malibu.(Pacific Coast Highway) We stopped and went shopping at the cute little boutiques in Malibu and then the day was gone. It was time to head back to Chino Hills. Little did I know it would be 2 1/2 hours before I would make back due to traffic! LOL yes I knew about this but I totally forgot about it! But it was OK because Trae had to work late that day...when I got back to the hotel he was there waiting for me. That night we drove to downtown LA and Hollywood so I could see the city...and it was just as fascinating to me as it was on TV. That night when we got back, thinking about everything I had experienced in those 4 days, I couldn't help but feel a little bit of jealousy that he got to grow up there...It was simply an amazing unforgettable experience that marked me for life! He was the one that would forever hold that spot in my heart, soul, and mind.

.:XOXO TMarie:.