These ain't your mama's culottes....

Mara Hoffman Beaded Shorts

ROMWE Scalloped Shorts with Belt

Alice+Olivia Sunflower Print

H&M Floral Print Short

Jennifer Lopez for Kohls Pleated Crinkle Short

My new obsession this summer are flow-y shorts in various and assorted prints and colors. They give the comfort of short with the dressy aspect of a skirt. I just purchased the Jennifer Lopez crinkle shorts this past weekend in the Strawberry Pink color....luvs!!!!!

Sweet and Sour

Though it may not seem like it, I try to stay away from talking about WVU sports as much as possible, because I begrudgingly admit that not all of you are fans of the blue and gold. Why you're not, I don't know, but you're not.


Anyway, last week I shared pictures from the WVU Coaches Caravan dinner that I attended. Partly because it was a really sah-weet event, but mostly because it presented a golden opportunity for a blog post that wouldn't take up too much of my time. And since I had an 8:30 am call for Pirates of Penzance on Friday, I was all about the easy street.


I was determined to find another topic for today's Friday Fun post. But, as it so happened, a lot of WVU-related newsworthy items occurred this past week. Ergo, you're just going to have to bear with me. Mmmkay?

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It was announced Monday that Pat Beilein, former WVU basketball player and son of Michigan Head Coach (and former WVU head coach) John Beilein, will be returning to the state as the new head men's basketball coach for West Virginia Wesleyan.

This is exciting for all sorts of reasons. 1) Pat was a freshman the year I was a senior in college. We didn't realize it then, but that freshman class, which consisted of Joe Herber, JD Collins, Kevin Pittsnogle, and Mike Gansey, would take the team to an elite eight showing just two years later in the NCAA tournament. 2) That same class were seniors the year I returned to WVU for my Masters in Sport Management. 3) My friends and I would often run into either Pat or his brother at Sheetz after a late night out. To this day, we have a running joke about seeing a "Beilein" at Sheetz, regardless of what state we're in. And 4) Pat Beilein is hot.

For those of you who don't know, Shepherd University, for whom I work, plays in the WVIAC...the same conference as WV Wesleyan. Pat becomes the third former WVU player to join the coaching ranks in the WVIAC, as Rob Summers and Joe Mazzulla are both assistant coaches at Glenville State.

Needless to say, when basketball season rolls around next year, I'll probably be sweet talking Shepherd Head Coach Justin Namolik and Assistant Coach Casey Weitzel for some introductions.

Some pics from the 2006 Sweet Sixteen team

Unfortunately, this announcement was overshadowed Monday by another, more tragic one: former Head Football Coach Bill Stewart collapsed on the golf course of an apparent heart attack and died. Stewart, who was replaced last season by head-coach-in-waiting Dana Holgorsen, had "resigned" his post amid allegations of backstabbing and other nefarious actions.

Regardless, Stewart will probably most be remembered as the guy who loved his state, who loved his players, and who loved life. Perhaps his greatest legacy is the leading of WVU to the 2008 Fiesta Bowl title over Oklahoma when then- Head Coach Rich Rodriguez abandoned ship for the "greener" pastures of Michigan.

Since Monday, much has been written in the press about Stewart as a person, and yes...as perhaps a not-so-apt choice to replace Rodriguez. One of my favorite stories was forwarded to me yesterday by my friend Leah, who thought I might be interested in reading some of the Dominion Post articles. The following was included in this gem of written by Drew Rubenstein:

The husband 
Lee Good had never shared what Stewart did on Feb. 1, 2009, until Monday evening. Stewart made him promise to keep it a secret.

According to Good, Stewart and his wife, Karen, rarely spent her birthday together because it fell just before National Signing Day, which is always the first Wednesday in February. But in 2009, Stewart decided to treat his wife to a night out in Pittsburgh with friends. The Stewarts and two other couples made dinner reservations and bought tickets to attend “Jersey Boys” at the Benedum Theater. The plans were finalized — and then the Pittsburgh Steelers advanced to Super Bowl XLIII.

About a week-and-a-half before the game, Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin called Stewart and said, “Stew, I’ve got you a pass and a coach’s shirt. You’re going to run out on the field with us and be on the sideline with us for the Super Bowl.”

Stewart gave Tomlin his first coaching job, hiring him as an assistant at the Virginia Military Institute. Stewart took great pride in watching Tomlin guide Pittsburgh to a 27-23 Super Bowl victory. But he didn’t learn the game’s outcome on the gridiron. He learned of it after leaving the musical in Pittsburgh. 
“We were sitting in the first three rows in the balcony,” Good said. “We had the best seats in the house. He couldn’t stiff his wife for the chance of a lifetime,” Good said. “He just couldn’t tell Karen, ‘We have to put it off so I can go to the Super Bowl.’ There’s no way he could have done that. That’s how dedicated he was to his family.” 
Good, who had Stewart serve as his best man in his wedding to former WVU gymnastics coach Linda Burdette-Good, said he was devastated by the news of Stewart’s death. "He was unique and he was sincere. He was loyal and a man’s man,” Good said. “Some made fun of him because he didn’t have that New York pizzazz, so to speak. He was country. That’s who he was. There was no facade there. He was just the best.” 

Honestly, if you're remembered as great man, but a mediocre head football coach, you've got nothing of which to be ashamed. And when it comes to remembering Bill Stewart, being a great man was something he  will have left little doubt of in the minds of those who knew or knew of him.

Heavy is the Head that Wears the Crown...

The Triple Crown in Horse Racing.

Probably one of sports' most illustrious and most unobtainable honors. To earn such a title requires the winning of the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont Stakes. Last time that happened? When Affirmed took the crown in 1978....almost 40 years ago.

Side note: Of the 11 Triple Crown winners in history, Affirmed can be linked to three of them: 1937 winner War Admiral, 1935 winner Omaha, and 1930 winner Gallant Fox. 


Because of the different race lengths, it has become nearly impossible to achieve the title in recent times. Thoroughbreds are often geared toward becoming speed horses or closers. Consequently, a horse suited to winning the Kentucky Derby (1 1/4 miles) or the Preakness (1 3/16 miles) is not usually conditioned for the longer, more grueling Belmont (1 1/2 miles).

In fact, the last three Triple Crown series have seen 9 different winners. Not since 2008 has there been a chance for a title winner, when Big Brown took both the Derby and the Preakness before finishing 9th in the Belmont amid controversy.

Until now.

After once again surpassing Derby runner-up Bodemeister at the wire in last Saturday's Preakness, I'll Have Another is primed to achieve what very few have. And let's be real, few of us saw it coming.

Sure, the colt, owned by J. Paul Reddam and trained by Doug O'Neill, was picked by some racing pundits as the horse to watch coming into the Derby, but I'll Have Another was simply not the media darling like Bodemeister, Gemologist, or Union Rags were.

But perhaps, that's what makes him so exciting. To top it off, newcomer jockey Mario Gutierrez has stolen the hearts of anyone who follows racing. The humble 25 year old from Mexico has led his mount to two incredible victories.

In two weeks time, I'll Have Another will be looking for one more win. If he succeeds, he'll become just the 12th horse in history to take the Triple Crown.  And, given his closing speed, that feat is very possible.

So....no pressure or anything.



Image provided by bleacherreport.

Coaches Caravan

The WVU Coaches Caravan came to the Clarion Hotel in Shepherdstown, WV on May 17th. The big theme of the evening was revealing WVU as the newest member of the Big XII conference. On hand to give their expert opinions (or humorous anecdotes) were Head Men's Basketball Coach Bob Huggins and AD (and former NFL star) Oliver Luck. The best part? Listening to Huggs explain his most favorite moment in college basketball for about twenty minutes.

I'll give you a hint: The punchline ended with "I wasn't sure if Kenyon (Martin) had touched the ball or not".

And for those of you who may not care about WVU athletics, here's two more sports-related pics from my recent past:

Pittsburgh Panther and Dallas Cowboy star Tony Dorsett

Doug Flutie, legendary QB

Both Tony Dorsett (whose daughter was Queen) and Doug Flutie (Sports Marshal) were on hand at this year's Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester, VA. It just makes me giddy to have such great opportunities to see legends in their sports up close and personal!



Images provided by The Sports-o-Nista.

Under My Umbrella (ella..ella...ella)

I was not fully prepared for the rain this day, because if I had been I totally would be rocking my yellow Morton Salt girl rainboots. I was super excited to show off my new striped knit skirt from Target, though. Paired with a print top and blazer, it makes for a comfortable and attractive work option.

Boyfriend Blazer- BCBG {similar} ~ striped skirt- Target {similar} ~ print shell top- Forever 21 ~ cap toe ballet flats- Old Navy {similar} ~ clutch- TJ Maxx {similar} ~ fuschia and gold bracelet- Sky's the Limit {found here} ~ various bangles- Forever21 ~ watch- Nine West 

Images provided by Charming and Quaint Events.

To Make a Long Story Short....

Guys, I'm tired. Like in a "if I could pull a blanket over my head and sleep for two days straight, I totally would" kind of tired.

But, I can't do that. Plus, I promised I'd return to the blogosphere this week. And I must, MUST, keep my promises.


Well, except when I don't feel like it. But this isn't one of those times.

Anyhoo, I'm easing back into the program with some bits and pieces from around the sporting world. That way, none of us are too overwhelmed.

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Dale Hunter, we hardly knew ye

Six short months after he was successfully wooed by GM George McPhee, Washington Capitals head coach Dale Hunter has officially left the building. The former Caps star, who owns a junior hockey club in Canada and a 2000 acre farm, quit yesterday...just two days after the Caps were eliminated from the playoffs. No word yet on who McPhee is looking to as a replacement. I wonder if Bruce Boudreau is available.....

Kentucky Derby runner-up Bodemeister will run this coming Saturday in the Preakness, the second leg of horse racing's Triple Crown. At first it was unsure if Bob Baffert's colt would again challenge winner I'll Have Another, but owner Ahmed Zayat was satisfied with the horse's condition coming out of the Derby. Given his near-miss at the wire, this sportsonista predicts a blanket of black-eyed susans might be in Bodemeister's future....

Last year Miami Heat's Chris Bosh was a popular subject for twitter, facebook, and other social media outlets, whether people were talking about his play or his unusual looks. Now, the Heat
will have to do indefinitely without Bosh at the starting center position, after his MRI on Monday showed the Miami player has suffered an abdominal strain. Abdominal strains? Definitely not Like a Bosh.....

It's May, and the Baltimore Orioles are still leading the AL East. With a half a game lead over division rivals Tampa Bay Rays, the Birds have seemed to find some sort of (semi) consistent formula for winning. Part of that formula has been solid pitching efforts from starters Jason Hammel and Wei-Yin Chen. Let's just hope the O's don't have to play the Rangers too often this season: the recent series against Texas yielded losses of 14-3, 10-3, and 7-3 (with a lone 6-5 win thrown in).

And finally....
With the Summer Olympics looming on the horizon, the surprise event to watch might just be...archery. Thanks to Hollywood blockbuster characters like Katniss in The Hunger Games and Hawkeye from The Avengers, archery has suddenly become the cool thing to do. And Olympian hopefuls aren't immune to the phenomenon. Though he laments that perhaps archers in the movies aren't necessarily practicing good technique, gold-medal hopeful Brady Elison admits that archery shops across the country are selling out of equipment and turning people away. Who knew bows and arrows could be so sexy?

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Make sure to check out my awesome rainy day photo shoot tomorrow with Jacqueline from Charming and Quaint Events. See ya on the flip side!
Images provided by espn, moviecultists, and coventrytelegraph.

Spring Break

Hey guys! I've been super busy hectic these last few weeks working on another endeavor that is not sports related in any way, shape or form.

This endeavor is me coming out of musical theater retirement to do Pirates of Penzance, which is a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta. Growing up, I was in LOVE with the 1983 movie starring Kevin Kline, Angela Lansbury, Rex Smith, and Linda Ronstadt. I think I'm the reason our beta player wore out. Yes, I did type beta player.

Anyway, we're right in the middle of tech week leading up to opening night this Friday, so needless to say I've not had much time for sports viewing.

Although, rest assured, I've been diligently checking hockey scores between scenes.


What this long diatribe about musicals you probably don't care about boils down to is this: I'm taking this week off, but upon survival of opening weekend, I hope to be back in full force next week.

Until then.....

Run for the Roses

In keeping with the Kentucky Derby theme this week, here are a list of my five MUST haves for a fabulous Derby outfit. 

Run for the Roses by sportsonista featuring a yves saint laurent lipstick

Oasis floral print dress, $90
Rupert Sanderson nude heels, $725
SERPUI MARIE clutch handbag, $195
Alexon pink hat, £150
Yves saint laurent lipstick, $32

Call to the Post

Well, folks...it's that time of year again.

Kentucky Derby week.

If you've been with me for a while, you probably recall how much I ADORE the Kentucky Derby. The beauty of Churchill Downs, the grace of the horses, the indecipherable jockey accents, and of course, the fashion. And by fashion, I mean hats. Mmmmm....hats.....

Err, sorry, got a little sidetracked there.

Anyway, for the past couple of weeks I've been following the qualifying races, trying to pick out the contenders from the pretenders. Even at this point in the game, six days before the race, it's almost impossible to give an accurate analysis. Inevitably, there will be scratches, changes, and mix-ups in the full field of 20 come this Saturday.

But, as things stand now, here are my three picks to watch out for:

GEMOLOGIST

The Todd Pletcher-trained comes in with a perfect 5 for 5 record, including a wire victory at the Wood Memorial over Alpha, another Derby contender. If bettors are going by record, and if records guaranteed wins, then this horse would be top dog. However, the past couple of Derbies haven't favored those that brought in the most successful record.

BODEMEISTER

When you think about horse racing, Bob Baffert's image probably isn't too far from your mind. And this year, his colt Bodemeister could potentially come away with the blanket of roses. Named after Baffert's son Bode (who is, concidentally, named after family friend and Olympic skier Bode Miller), the bay has been perfect in his starts as a three year old. However, horses who didn't race in their two-year old season tend to disappoint in the Derby, and Bodemeister fits into this category.

HANSEN

Just to look at him, you can tell the big gray (almost white) roan is something special. Hansen, trained by Michael Maker, edged out a field of Kentucky Derby contenders just six months ago in the Breeders Cup Juvenile. Unfortunately for the horse, his owner Kendall Hansen has a tendency to steal the spotlight, as he did when he announced he would dye the colt's tail and mane for race days.

Incidentally, after doing so for the Bluegrass Stakes, track officials pulled the plug on Hansen's  "colorful" transformation. 

With a field that may just be the most balanced (or perhaps, the most inconsistent), the 138th Kentucky Derby should at the very least be entertaining. So break out your bottle of Kentucky Bourbon, practice singing "My Old Kentucky Home", and don your big hats, because the greatest 2 minutes in sports is almost upon us.


Images provided by bleacherreport, bloodhorse, and drf.