Fashion in Franklin

Friday night we were invited as VIP guests to attend the 14th Annual Eloise Fashion Show. What a treat! We've been for the past couple of years, but this was the first year Eloise was held locally at The Factory. Fitting, since Eloise showcases student collections from Franklin's O'More College of Design.

I can't say for sure what makes this event so exciting...the runway? the talent and creativity? the surprise element as each piece is revealed? free hors d'oeuvres and wine? mingling with Franklin's finest townies? I reckon it's all of the above. We absolutely LOVE this show and look forward to it each and every year.

We looked on with excitement as the models made their way down the runway. I pretended that Sean was America's favorite fashion consultant Tim Gunn and I was the gorgeous Heidi Klum, and we critiqued the pieces like we were judges on Project Runway. Our front row seats gave us excellent views into the detail, construction and quality of each piece (along with several ass cheeks). So impressive! While most of the collections didn't suit my personal taste, I still appreciated the aesthetics.

(photos borrowed from Beladonis Fashion)

These first 2 pictures are from a collection called "Mrs. Robinson." I feel terrible that I don't have the name of the designer because she was our favorite.

This collection was also very well made and unique. Applause to the furry jacket in the background!

And this piece I loved because of the asymmetrical cut and the metal mesh collar. Very medieval chic.

 

Franklin's Main Street Festival 2012

According to moi - an expert in all things fantastic - this year's Main Street Festival was the biggest and best yet. An estimated 150,000 people come out to browse the arts & crafts and sample the street food (more on the food later, 'cause you know that's what  we're all about!)
Just to give you an idea of the volume...Overnight, the town more than DOUBLES in size. Instead of the population being spread across its 30 sq miles, everyone congregates on Main Street which is about 300 yards at best. It's shoulder to shoulder crafty chaos for 2 days.

Franklin's preservation society, The Heritage Foundation, has done an amazing job of promoting our city over the past 30 years. People from far and wide travel to get a taste of our little Main Street. It truly is the place to see and be seen.

Um, hello Hollywood! Ryan and Juliann blend in with the crowd while they do some shopping. (photo courtesy of Sean's friend W. Dunavant.) Apparently Eli Manning and fam were also in attendance, but no one cared enough to take his picture.

I think Sean summed it up perfectly when he said, "I wish Main Street smelled like kettle corn all the time." And why shouldn't it? There's your next project, Heritage Foundation! Sadly, we didn't eat any kettle corn this year. I'd like to blame Puckett's DEEP FRIED OREOS. Wow, what an experience. I didn't realize the heat from the fry oil would melt the cookie into a soft, brownie-like dark chocolate center.

JJ's food truck was by far the best street food of the weekend. Listen, I love oysters, and I've been dreaming about these oysters on a stick since we left the festival. JJ took 3 giant oysters, put them on a stick, wrapped them in BACON, then battered and deep fried the suckers. The oysters were served with a fresh and spicy cocktail sauce and topped with chopped scallions. And you guessed it - I don't have any pictures because my hands were busy shoveling fried food into my face.

Real Simple Meatloaf

Nothing says "meatloaf" like Mama's homemade...except for maybe THIS. I stumbled across this recipe a few years back, and it's one of my favorites - Real Simple's Turkey and Roasted Red Pepper Meatloaf.

Before you go all "Ewww, Turkey Meatloaf!" on me, hear me out: More than breadcrumbs, one of the main fillers in this loaf is parmesan cheese. I heart cheese, and I'm also a big fan of roasted red peppers.


When our friends Chris and Kassia moved into their new home, I really wanted to bring them a dinner (because moving SUCKS and it messes up your schedule.) This was the first recipe that came to mind. It's comfort food with a twist, and it also freezes really well. I made a loaf for the new home owners, and doubled the batch so I could freeze a loaf for Sean and me. Score! You should totally give it a try.