{.:.CMAmazing.:.}

Good Afternoon, Friends!

Whether you like country music or not, I'm sure that you've heard that the CMA Awards were in Nashville last night. DGC and I had the opportunity to go this year, and I must say that it was one of the best shows ever!

I'll be the first to admit that I haven't always enjoyed country music...but these days my iPod is filled with Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney and Lady A! Maybe it's living in Nashville or maybe I just enjoy songs that I can sing and dance along to in my car when no one is watching...but I am now proud to say that I am a bona fide, card carrying member of the Country Music Association. (Admit it. You like it too. Just a little?)

We learned that we would be going to the Awards Show at the very last minute, so DGC and I had a very..ahem...intense shopping trip on Tuesday evening.

Because I like to pretend that I'm a celebrity and you care what we wore, I'll give you the run down:

DGC is wearing a basic black suit by Hugo Boss. His shirt is also Hugo Boss, and his tie is the only skinny solid black tie that we could find at Nordstrom on Tuesday night so I have no idea what brand it is.

{I think he cleans up pretty nice, don't you?!}

I wore this dress by BCBG* And these shoes (in black) by Stuart Weitzman.

*On a side note, I did a little..ahem...work to the dress. You see, when I bought it, it had a nude slip dress sewn into it.

While I liked the lace overlay and the contrast, I didn't like the way it gave off the appearance of horizontal stripes across my midsection. No need to call attention to that region, folks! So I cut the nude slip dress out and replaced it with a black one. I think it changed the entire look of the dress! And more importantly - who knew I could sew?! Seriously. And -gasp!- it was kind of...fun. {I fully blame this new found craftiness and domestication on you, Pinterest.}

So anyway. That's what we wore. Because, you know, I know you guys were all wondering and stuff. (Or not.)

Moving right along...

If you're into these types of things then I'm sure you've been reading lots and lots of commentary on fashion, performances, etc. So I'll spare you. However, I have to point out three things -

(1) The aerialists (who knew that's what they were called, by the way? I certainly did not. I had to google...) who performed while Sara Evans sang A Little Bit Stronger were amazing. I'm not sure if they showed them on TV or not, but believe me when I tell you that it was almost unbelievable - that's how awesome it was. Mad props to the girl who isn't afraid to literally hang from the ceiling of the Bridgestone Arena with no safety net and the likes of Taylor Swift and Reese Witherspoon below you. I mean, let's be honest here. I couldn't tell you what Sara wore or if she was off key because I was fixated on the show that was going on overhead.

(2) Natasha Beddingfield's dress was even worse in person than it was on TV. If you can believe that. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, it may be worth your while to do a quick google image search.)

(3) Lionel Richie killed it. Seriously. Love me some Lionel. (Except I kind of think that he should've stopped after the duet with Darius Rucker. The bit with Rascal Flatts was a bit odd. Or maybe that was just me.) And Kenny Loggins was pretty freaking awesome too.

After the Awards, we headed over to the Country Music Hall of Fame for the after party hosted by the Country Music Association. It was so great to meet up with some of my old CMA friends that I haven't seen in ages!

It really was a fun night, and if you ever get the opportunity to go to any event hosted by CMA, I highly suggest you do it. I can honestly say that it is a great organization that is run by some of the most genuine and most impressive people I have ever had the opportunity of knowing. I was really fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with them a few years ago and I am now fortunate to call them my friends.

So there we have it, friends. I'd call the 45th Annual CMA Awards a success. (However, today's productivity level on less than four hours of sleep?!....notsomuch.)

How about you guys?
Did you watch the show?
Anything you'd like to discuss?

Happy Thursday!