The fashion show was so funny… the first time I came out onto the runway, I didn’t know where the girls were sitting but I could definitely hear them! I knew it was them. I wanted to laugh but couldn’t (which is hard for me to do… to stifle a laugh or a giggle) The whole place was loud with the crowd and the music, but I could definitely tell that there was an area somewhere that was a couple notches louder and knew that had to be coming from the girls…which was great. I was having a great time doing the show and I was glad they were having a really good time. Read more…

As you can gather from my previous blogs, or if you’ve met me, you know… I don’t compare my life to other peoples’. My life is just that… it’s mine and it’s unique. The same goes for all of us. Don’t ever gauge your success or happiness based on what your life is compared to someone else’s because you’d be doing yourself a great disservice. Figure out and then seek out what’s right for you…what works for you and makes you happy.

I cannot truthfully say that I worry constantly, 24/7 about marriage and the future as I’m portrayed to do. I’m not a desperate woman and I don’t have trouble getting a date. Like so many other single women…I just know what I want and I don’t need to have “filler guys” to date in between those that I really feel strongly about. Sure, I think about marriage, kids and the future and of course I wonder “When?”…. again, just like many other women do, but not in some panicked, obsessed kind of way. I think a big reason I don’t panic is because I have faith that there’s a reason that I didn’t even think much about it until I was at least 31. There are a lot of things that I’ve done, and have been doing that I may not have been able to had I been married with kids. Apparently there is someone perfect for me that I haven’t met yet and so I’m glad that I didn’t go ahead and make that leap before the “one” was put in front of me. It’s a big world out there, I can’t just expect that he should have shown up when I was 22. Read more…

I have a really great relationship with both of my parents.  My dad and I are so much alike in so many ways, and then very different in others.  We have many of the same personality traits, but we were raised in very different times and very different environments.  I definitely think that creates different ways of thinking about some things…nothing wrong with that though.  To an extent, people are a product of their environment. Dad and I have our moments where we disagree on things.  This usually turns into an evening-long debate — seriously, like the debate team in high school. It winds up being kind of fun for both of us, kind of like sport.  It’s what we do.

He’ll always say ”but that’s okay… you’re just like me, you’re not going to give in, that’s why we butt heads on this.”  Overall, though, our relationship is that traditional father/daughter relationship —  he gives me advice, tries to keep me from making mistakes, helps me “do stuff” and always looks out for me.  We spent a lot of time together in 2006 when I bought a condo and I wanted nearly everything redone on the inside.  Dad did it all himself.  I was impressed!  But then he gets mad when he comes to town to visit and I’ve changed something.  He’s like “Are you kidding? I spent all that time on this.”  and I say, “Well, a girls gotta change the colors on the wall every once in awhile…”

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I’ve never been a big believer in astrology.  It’s fun to read about but I’ve never put any faith in it or made any decisions based on it. Hmm… ghosts and the supernatural. To be honest, the subject…the words themselves make me a little squeamish because I’m a little bit of a chicken. You know — like, I’m one of those that can’t watch scary movies.  Seriously…I get scared.

But “ghost” or “supernatural” doesn’t have to mean anything negative or scary either. I do believe in them because I believe in God and Heaven and that when we die, it’s the physical body that doesn’t live on but the spirit does. I tend to think of them as spirits rather than ghosts.. but I really don’t know if they’re actually all around us? Or are they just watching over us from afar. I like to think that my grandparents are either with me or watching…and I hope they’re proud. Read more…

In this episode, there’s Kellie with her botox.  I think plastic surgery is a great option for people to address or change things that maybe they don’t like, or that make them feel uncomfortable or self conscious.  Like so many other great things though, there IS, without a doubt, such a thing as too much.  We’ve all seen the results of someone who doesn’t know when to say when.  It’s just not good and usually causes the opposite effect of what they were going for to begin with.
 
I have to say that when we were at the spa, I was thankful and found it rather amusing that I was the oldest one there, had just had a birthday party where most of the girls had less than friendly comments/questions about my turning 35, yet I was the only one didn’t want, or feel the need or even considered getting Botox – whether that night or some other point.  Again, NOTHING at all wrong with it if someone wants it…  I just thought that was kind of ironic.
 

One of my very good friends, Erica, is an aesthetician at a spa here in town, called Imaage .  She says that people want to look their best.. put their best “face” forward so to speak.  Some have their own home made remedies, some opt for plasic surgery but for those who want to stay looking their best without any needles or knives .. that there are so many great options like chemical peels and microdermabrasion.  

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When Kellie came out at the slumber party with that pile of crazy clothes – I was looking for something that I could try to actually bring back to life and make it look good, and not so much like it came from a freshly excavated pile of 80’s clothes. The animal print top I “made” was actually a scarf. I grabbed it because I knew I could “create” with it. The leather pants were just such a funny cliche that I couldn’t pass them up. They definitely were not very flattering on me. Ha!

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So this was it — the big “blind date” episode! To be honest, the blind date that I agreed to go on didn’t change my opinion of them in general.

Now keep in mind, I’m defining a blind date as one in which you truly have never ever seen the person, spoken to them, or know anything at all about them. A blind date isn’t a big deal (what’s the worst that could happen?) but I just am not into it. I’d rather do the choosing myself. No one knows me and what I’m attracted to as well as me, right? I mean, I might trust my very close friends who I know have a really good grasp on what I go for and have been around to witness that first hand — but a dating service? Nah…not for me. I was glad that (Aaron?) was very nice and really funny. We both enjoyed the conversation (I think), we found out we had common acquaintances, but as I’ve said many times…sometimes it’s there and sometimes it’s just not. You can’t even always put your finger on it to say why or why not. With those unpredictable odds, I feel like I want to at least know that we’re starting off with a mutual attraction. You can’t do that when you haven’t met until “Go-time.” Read more…

Julie's got it going on.

I love the outdoors. I’m not a hunter or fisherwoman or anything like that but I just love being outside and appreciating nature. Especially, of course, in the warmer months because we do definitely get 4 distinct seasons in this area (whereas in some places, it feels as if there are only a couple.) I love the sounds and smells of the outdoors. I love crickets chirping on summer nights, the sound of lawnmowers on Saturday afternoons and the smell of the fresh cut grass. That’s why I love being at any of Louisville’s many beautiful parks. You’ve got all these things, plus the opportunity to get in some exercise and people watch. The only thing that I don’t LOVE about the outdoors is bugs…and worms (as evidenced in this episode). I know you may see me flippin’ out a bit whenever there’s something flying around my head or crawling too close but look… A lot of people say “It’s just a bug, it won’t hurt you, what’s the big deal?” Here’s the thing: everyone doesn’t love everything. Everyone has something they don’t care for. Mine is bugs. No big deal. They CAN too hurt you by the way, depending on what it is. One sting at the age of 7 was enough for me to run anytime something comes flying at me! Emily kept dangling that exaggeratedly fat, nasty worm in my ear…. and of course I didn’t want to play with it (although I dug them up all the time as a kid.) The worm wasn’t as big a deal as it probably comes off on the show. I was kind of playing along since Emily seemed to be getting such a big kick out of messing with me with it. It’s kind of like when you’re playing with a little kid and you act scared when they say “boo”.

By the way I’m guessing that I looked like crrraaaap during this entire scene/trip. I was so exhausted from work and driving out to the lake house… eh, no matter. The lake is not the time or place for glam. It’s time for baseball caps. Read more…

Julie celebrates her 35th

Not much to report in the week since the show premiered because I’ve been ASLEEP! Still trying to catch up from the whirlwind in NY [see pics!] It will be fun to watch this week’s episode with friends back at home.

I have, however, been “spotted” in Louisville since last Thursday — it was the classic “I was grocery shopping, lookin’ a hot mess after working out when someone recognizes me” story. That definitely happened… and I totally predicted it. Oh well! I’ve also gotten great feedback that Louisvillians are very happy with the way that the city was filmed and presented in episode one. I thought it looked great as well. It really is a charming city. Read more…

Being on TV is very different from modeling and seeing yourself in an advertisement, on the packaging for some product, or in video from a fashion show. When you’re modeling, you’re anonymous and it’s about the clothes or product. You are selling the product. “Southern Belles” brings “Julie” to the forefront. It’s no longer anonymous, it IS about me in this case (aahhck!) and I AM the product. I’m selling myself, my personality which is kind of cool, kind of strange, but I like that people are getting to know me. I hope they can relate to me, are entertained by me, etc. It’s also very hard not to be your own worst critic and scrutinize every little thing (eg. “WHY did I wear THAT?” or “Don’t ever make that face again.. it’s goofy.” Haha.)

When it comes to my friends and family, though, there’s no hesitation: they’re silly excited. It’s quite funny actually, to see and hear them all wound up. It makes me happy though because although you already know they love you, something like this gives them reason to tell you again how much they do and that they’re so proud. Lot’s of warm fuzzy emails, texts and phone calls lately.

Louisville has been very supportive as well, especially gearing up for the big premier. There is now a Southern Belles Louisville fan page on Facebook! It’s nice. Something that I experienced for a little while after doing “The Bachelor” and that I look forward to again while “Belles” airs is the strangers that approach you to say “We’re very proud to have you representing us and shedding a positive light and image on our city.” THAT feels really good and I hope that I do Louisville proud again this time around.

Julie at the charity event.

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