Thursday, November 29, 2012

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

christmas dreams...

we have already enjoyed two christmas tree lightings and it's not even december yet.   the candles  are in the windows and i have dreams of sugar plums dancing in my head. i feel like i am ahead of the game this year.   this past weekend we watched santa arrive via coast guard boat and sat in a small cafe, ate crusty bread with amazing cheese and sorpresa.  so simple,  yet so incredibly awesome.  a moment i won't soon forget.   a moment that brings me back in time and reminds me where it all began.



i know this will be a memorable christmas season.  lots of plans already in place,  and... so many plans already coming together for 2013....



love sent, xo

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

holidays...

i have kicked into holiday mode.  last night i had to run to walmart to grab some laundry detergent and some fireplace logs.  on my way through the store i passed an end cap of christmas blankets.  i love, love to decorate.  i am always changing things around depending on the season.  it's just what i love to do.  i am not really a walmart kind of girl.  BUT i am always open to creativity.   i had seen a seasonal  pottery barn bed in the catalog that looked awesome for the holidays. probably not what i would spend $500 on  just for the month of december.  this summer at out favorite B&B we purchased the most amazing sheets i have ever slept on.  seriously,  the softest most comfortable sheets i have ever felt.  so..  i would not give them up. not. ever. but,  i looked past the blankets and saw some sweet plaid flannel sheets that looked similar to the pottery barn bed in the catalog.  i thought for about 10 seconds and decided to give it a shot.  for cheap, cheap i could have a fun christmas bedroom and not give up the most comfortable sheets ever, just layer it up. 

 i love it.




so for about $40 i got to have a christmas bedroom.  and seriously,  how could you pass up a $12.96 blanket.  i mean,  it's disposable.  


and it's not as perfect as pottery barn.... but... totally close.




love sent, xo

Sunday, November 25, 2012

dear universe,

thank you for the wonderful life reminders of what matters most.


“Our lives are a series of defining moments, strung together by passing time. Surrender fully to this moment, because it is not the moment itself that defines us, but how we choose to live in it.”
                                     -Jill Pendley


love sent, xo

perfectly, imperfect.

thanksgiving seems so long ago.  i really enjoyed the week off.  it was filled with love and family fun.
as i sat at the table on thanksgiving, i glanced around thinking of years past.  through the years there has always been a variety of folks at dinner.  various aunts, uncles and cousins have made their appearances.  significant others and spouses have made their entrances and exits.  college roommates have joined,  dear loved ones have passed  and new babies have been born.  one thing that has always been constant is the love our family shares.  along the way all of us make our own traditions.  who brings the appetizers,  who makes sweet potato pie, whether we really need lasagna with the turkey,  and  now, brae's famous turkey cookies we can no longer live without.   a few short days of togetherness, a few moments to take stock of all that is good.   i took a good long look around the table and reminded myself life can turn on a dime. but for now,  i  don't want to contemplate the future just enjoy this time we have.





love sent, xo

Saturday, November 24, 2012

happy happy birthday...

wishing you a wonderful year ahead.  you are the best.  we love you to the moon and back..

 
 
love sent, xo

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

thankful heart.

there will be lots of prep work going on here today.  i love thanksgiving week. a time to eat, drink and celebrate family and friendships.  last night was a reunion i am glad i didn't miss.  special people i don't see often enough.  we closed the place so i know everyone had a good time.  other events last night that reminded me once again how connected the universe is. 
tonight there will be another annual event to toast and share in another year of memories.  i am so grateful for my extended family and friends.  so grateful for all the love.

happy happy thanksgiving everyone.



i am blessed to have my compassionate family who are always there for each other. always.
for my warm home and my comfortable bed.  for piles of laundry delivered with big hugs.
for starbucks lattes and pumpkin bread. for new babies and long phone calls. for the internet and my good gel pens.  for my favorite restaurants and beautiful flowers.  for the power of loving someone and letting it change you. for understanding and humor. for fleece jackets and cozy socks. for fire places and long rides.  for a listening ear and shopping with friends.  for late night reading and my favorite songs.  for a brave little girl that spins circles around the rest of us.  for a touch that makes me know it will be alright.  for the kindness of strangers.  for my mom's never ending love.
for heartbreak and forgiveness.  for memories and futures. for sharing my life with someone who
brings me coffee and loves me when i am hard to love and shares in all my passions and never,
ever, complains. 

i am thankful. so very thankful.


love sent, xo

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

enjoying november...

for the hectic days ahead.  some feel good clothes to make you feel comfortable and sexy and  put you in the holiday mood.


                       comfortable attire to travel wherever in. 
                  and the happy hour effect to keep you upbeat.


                                                         
black leggings  -  jcrew
leopard flats  -  banana republic
white tie shirt - loft
  army jacket - eddie bauer
travel bag -  jcrew
 happy hour effect - amazon
 
 
 
for the casual family dinner.  hope there will be sweet conversations, thankful hearts and left overs.
 
 
 
skinny jeans - levis
lace tank - madewell
booties - madewell
sparkle sweater - loft
clutch -  jcrew
sequin tank - loft
 
 bring on the christmas parties and all the fun you know you will have.
 
 
 
 holiday dress- nordstrom
 leopard heels - jcrew
 nars shade =warm brandy - sephora
 butter london nail polish  -  amazon
 sexy bra - victoria's secret
 leopard clutch - jcrew
 
 
 jump into holiday mode.  it. is. here.
 
 
love sent, xo
 
 
 
 
 
 

Saturday, November 17, 2012

did i mention....

how much i love this girl and that i found this by accident.


m, you always show me that in a world of a thousand languages there is space for everyone to tell their story. i love you, xo

Friday, November 16, 2012

thoughts...

i won't name names but recently someone asked me how do you "know"
when you meet the "one".
how are you sure?
my answer was,
"you will just - "know".


i truly believe, only once or maybe twice in your life, you will find someone who can completely turn your world around. you tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. you share hopes for the future, share dreams that may never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. when something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. they are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. there is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. you can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. the things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. colors seem brighter and more brilliant. laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent. a text or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face and makes your heart skip a beat. in their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. you think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. simple things bring them to mind like a bright blue sky, a gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. you open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. you find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true passion that’s so real it scares you. you will find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. you will feel secure in knowing they will always be part of your life.
love sent, xo

Thursday, November 15, 2012

how did it all end so fast...

happy thursday. love sent, xo

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

last night i couldn' t sleep...

i thought about how often we do something for the last time without ever knowing it.  last night my phone vibrated.  i looked over -  it was from christine.  i always answer christine's texts. she is my dearest friend. my bravest friend.   she said   "did you see the news"?  -   the terrible story about the car that went off lawrence road into the concord river"?   yes, yes i did see it, how horrible.  "that was my neighbor, she replied",  you know her, it's colleen".    we had been at christine's house together for parties and fun times.  i had held her grandchild and laughed with her in the summer sun.  my heart collapsed. the heaviness in my chest felt like lead, tears filled my eyes. how could this have happened?  the unavoidable truth of loss hangs around every moment of life.  we went over the circumstances, how could this have happened at 6:00 am on a perfect fall day on your way to work?
what went wrong?  the answers may never be known. i couldn't stop thinking about her all day, her family,  her last moments.  it is simply too painful for me look this moment in the eye.  doing so requires me to accept the loss inherent in every minute of life.
as we ride up the ferris wheel of life we are reminded we are not in control,  this serves as a powerful reminder to appreciate today.  pay attention to the planet we live in. a call to remind us tomorrow is not promised to anyone.  my heart goes out to richard and colleen's family.     

in these moments when i realize how short my days are, the challenge is to open my eyes to the radiance of all that is coming even as i mourn what is lost.  today, as we look forward to finding  spring again i will try to be as aware of welcoming the beginning as i am of grieving the end.


love sent, xo

the power of perspective...

i recently came across a blog that discussed the five most beautiful things project.  it is technically a
little tiny way to become an active beauty seeker.  seeking beauty in the smallest moments.  bringing your
awareness to the forefront every chance you get.  take a moment to list the five most beautiful things that
are right  in front of you this moment.  seeking beauty is an essential human need.  try intentionally
looking for beauty instead of things to be stressed out about.  pay attention and you will be amazed at what
is right in front of you.  the five most beautiful things for me in this given moment are:

1.  the sound of the rain on my window.
2.  the pictures of my children on the shelf above my desk.
3.  my heart beating.
4.  the human spirit's capacity for healing.
5.  my new favorite song.

it may take practice to deliberately look at the world this way.  but the rewards will be significant. 
the simple art of noticing can be life altering.

love sent, xo

Monday, November 12, 2012

delicious weekend...

the weekend was gorgeous.  the sky was saturated autumn blue and the days were warm.  i try to make the most of my weekends.  sometimes we are extra lucky and a weekend  includes some very  special people. sometimes they happen to show up at exactly the right moment.  we enjoyed a special dinner filled with family and friends and shared funny stories of days gone by.  on sunday we clinked mimosas in a toast at brunch and celebrated just being together.   i am intensely grateful to have such a sturdy, fabulous friend to walk this path with.  someone i can share the contents of my heart with, all the joys and disappointments in life.  never judging, truly an amazing being.
 


 








our time is always to short.  every time we are together - which is never enough,  i come away happier.  you bring so much joy to my life.  you are so thoughtful and generous.  every facet of your life amazes me.  i don't know how you do it... 

my eyes are always filled with tears when we have to say goodbye...   xo



love sent,



 

Friday, November 9, 2012

brand new day.

“if we can stay awake
when our lives are changing,
secrets will be revealed to us
—secrets about ourselves,
about the nature of life,
and about the eternal source
of happiness and peace
that is always available,
always renewable,
already within us.”

                                                        ~ELIZABETH LESSER

Thursday, November 8, 2012

inhale.

today had a funny feeling to it.  sort of unsettled and askew.  i'm just not sure how i feel about
some of the events today.  i do know that it left a big heavy feeling throughout my whole being.
i know one thing about myself i am really not good at managing the in between times.  the uncertain circumstances make me very uneasy.  i am actually better at handling loss and hardship  than the not knowing piece.  i know there are no blue prints for the journey and things are always changing.  i
constantly remind myself i love a balance to life,  sometimes a dash of spice is nice, and sometimes you have to swallow sour grapes.
when the daylight was over i headed home.  my emotions were cloudy for sure.  sometimes you relive things over and over and still know nothing.  it's like looking at the stars and trying to figure out the distance between them.  when i feel like this i try to flip through my mental rolodex of perfect moments to bring me back to the brighter side of life, the side  that helps me walk between the raindrops.   when i got home the firelight flickered across the mantle and a whole sense of  peace came over me.  it reminded me to look for the glitter even in the dark.

love sent, xo

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

food love...

despite being mid week it still feels like the weekend.  i am still  in weekend mode. i am in  slow motion. we have moved into day light savings time = it's dark soo early.  i plan to make this fall/ winter filled with my favorite restaurants, cozy pubs etc.   there is nothing better than enjoying early evenings, fireplaces, soups and lots of blankets.  this past weekend revolved around food -  oh what a surprise?   and guess what?   i have ZERO qualms about that.  i love nothing better than passing hor d'oeuvres over long dinners , good wine, and laughing a lot.  always linger in the moment as long as possible. 


and if you get the chance visit hugos in portland maine.   amazing.  

love sent, xo

salted chocolate caramel tarts


seriously good.  find the recipe ..    here

i cooked my crust a little too long so check them before 12 minutes.







love sent, xo

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

west elm market

what i am loving...

 i visited the west elm store on sunday and found so many things.
 i am putting these on my wish list.

1. cozy blankets to wrap yourself up in. so comfy and soft. so many beautiful colors.
2. a cool bag to use for a number of things. 
3. awesome lighting.  swoon.
4. shower curtain  -   i bought this in gray and can't wait to hang it.
5. fantastic paper table runner.  love it.  perfect for a casual dinner.
6. cool ball jar martini shaker.  great gift idea for the right person.





love all of it.