I RESOLVE TO:

                                                         
Sometimes I feel silly for making yearly resolutions. Mostly b/c I hardly ever follow through with them. In 2011, I shall strive to change that!. Here's to a great new year of possibilties! :)

01. Build up savings
02. Do hair & make up daily
03. Dress up more (girly)
04. makeover apartment 
05. Exercise 4 times a week
06. Experiment in the kitchen
07. Take a financial class
08. Work on more sewing projects
09. Car, train, boat, plane (Trip)
10. Do something spontaneous
11. Have more fun! 
12. Find new stress outlet

Wishing everyone a bright and prosperous New Year!! xoxo

(Photo Source: weheartit.com)  

Linus Get's It.

The reason for the season ... Jesus Christ was born!!

Wishing everyone an extra special Christmas. xoxo

Hello You...Beautiful Things:

Beautiful Fire Pit - Postcard Inn St. Pete

Darling vintage movie poster from one (of my many) Disney films.

Shakespeare themed journals = Love!

This print from Etsy.

It's the most wonderful time of the year (*sings)

Something Old...

A Penny For Your Thoughts...

"Some of the best lessons are learned from past mistakes.

The error of the past is the wisdom of the future."

 ~ Dale Turner ~

In light of today and every day passed so far this year. This quote seems rather fitting. It is both a hopeful realization and a somber reminder of missteps and mishaps...What a year this has been and what many lessons I've learned.

Hello You...Beautiful Things:

Pretty Photography -  Angela Kholer

Doesn't Alison Sudol (A Fine Frenzy) model this head band perfectly?

A beautiful snowy lane  - (Photo Source: We Heart It)

This Kurt Halsey Print (and all the rest)

 

This cute dress I chose to wear for the holidays!

Love love love! the colors on this wise bird pillow

There are so many beautiful things to see and find...I could do a post like this everyday. But I won't for your sake, once a week is enough. Enjoy! 

The Christmas Music May Now Commence.

"Hello You, Beautiful Things..."

This first, of many, "Hello You..." posts features some pretty cool (and by that I mean pretty and cool) things that caught my eye this week.

Above from:  FRED FLARE

 1. Betty's Wide Side Dress

 2. Tiger Lily Tea Pot

 3. Russian Doll Measuring Cups.

Above for: Anthropolgie

1. Arabis Bedding

2. Silken Petals Necklace

3. Tall Order Giraffe

4. Estelle Elephant

5. Kebaya Mugs

Oh Yummy Deliciousness!

It's the time of year again... the red Starbucks cups are back! Anyone who knows me knows how much I Love coffee and mint.Anything mint chocolate for that matter.  You bet I jumped at the first chance I got to drive over to my local starcracks (my term for it) to get my tall, hot peppermint mocha. So addicting, so yummy. I kinda want one right now...  *Sigh*

(Photot Source) Starbucks Peppermint Mocha

With A Thankful Heart:

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.

Father in Heaven we thank Thee.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

With Thanksgiving a little over a week away I thought it fitting (however cliche' it may seem) to reflect on the people and things in my life that I am truly grateful for.

1. I'm thankful to have a loving Father in Heaven, who loves me dispite of all the wrong I do. Who loved me enough to die for me and give me a life of purpose in Him. For changing my life and the lives of those around me. For the constant lessons and reminders.

2. I'm thankful for my wonderful parents, who've worked hard all their lives and raised 5 kids in the best way they know how. For their love, encouragement, their words of wisdom and guidence.

3. I'm so thankful for my 4 crazy, fun siblings. For the company & comfort they've offered over the years , the advice they shared & for the entertainment they provide on a daily basis.

4. I'm thankful for Steven, for the different perspective he has on almost everything, for being a handyman. For loving me just the way I am even if I do drive him crazy.  

5.I'm Thankful for Stevens family, for giving me a 2nd family to love and enjoy time with.  Makes the thought of my family being far away more bearable.

6. I'm thankful for my church, for the children I get to teach on Sundays, for the lessons and concepts that click in my head and change my life. For all the lives that are changed there.

7. I'm thankful for my friends. for everything they are, for making life fun, interesting and easier to deal with. For their great/quirky/fun/artsy/crazy qualities. For their helping hands and listening ears.

8. I'm thankful for music, yes music. For it's abillity to move me, to sadden me, to excite me, to calm me and to inspire me.  For giving me a rhythm and beat to dance to. For allowing me to sing.

9.  I'm thankful for my health, for the time I've been given and for the time I have left, however long God gives me on this earth.

10. I'm thankful for America, for the freedoms and opprotunity it still offers. It may not be a perfect place and there may be  issues and shortcomings, but for being able to live in a country, where I can serve God w/o conflict and build a life,  home and career that's not mandated. For Soldiers who fight vailiantly to defend this land, my freedoms and theirs...For them and for America I will continue to be thankful for.

So much more I could list. For everything I have and for everyone I know. I am thankful for it all on this thanksgiving day and everyday.

What are some things you can be thankful for this thanksgiving holiday?

(Source: Google Image Search)

My Grown Up Christmas List:

It's been years since i've made a wish list of any kind, but i've come across so many lovely things lately. I just couldn't resist making my own grown up christmas list. It's okay if I don't get everything or anything I "want" because yes,  these are exactly that. Things I "Want" and do not necessarily "Need". Although, the concert tickets would TOTALLY make my year. :)



(Click on links below for picture source/item info.)



IPod Shuffle - In Marvelous Green

 

This Set - Antique Style Mirrors

 

 

These Bone Colored Flats

   



Tickets to see this man perform

 

This Pretty Clock





This Lovely Sweater From Anthropologie

 

P.S. Feeling kind of greedy after putting this post together, I think my next post will be about people/things I am thankful for <3

Music List: November 2010

We came As Skeptics & Left As Fans...

My sister & I had a blast at The Script concert, Friday night,  at House of Blues. We did the whole "pass the line" ordeal, which i'd totally recommend. We ate dinner, got in line and got a spot really close to the front of the stage.  There were a few snafu's like dealing with rude ppl and my sister accidentally deleting all the pics and videos from my camera half way thru the concert, but other then that we throughly enjoyed ourselves. I got to see my musical crush perform lol Josh Radin and fell in love with a new band and their music.

They were awesome performers, VERY involved with the crowd. The lead singer even jumped , more than once, into the crowd. The brave soul. A sea of girls pushed, shoved and screamed at the chance to touch him (My sister squeezed his bicep?) I thought he and I, in the torrent, were going to die. All survived the night thank goodness.

It's a thing with the bassist to take a pic of the crowds during the shows and post them on their twitter page...Lucky for us, we're in the shot!! Err well my sister is, but you can see part of face, the other part is behind some ladies hand (Just my luck) Proof, regardless, that we were there. Above is the picture he took of the concert. (Hint: we're in the bottom left.)

P.S. Learned that night Josh Radin's coming back February 7th, to do a concert in Orlando...Hint, hint for anyone who knows me...My Birthday's on the 8th. ;)

Music List: Concert Edition!

Tomorrow can't come soon enough!! My sister won tickets to see The Script and guess who she's taking??? That's right, moi! I couldn't be more excited! I have to admit, we are more excited about the special guest, the amazingly talented Josh Radin, than the main artist...is that wrong? Anywho, in preparation for the amazing concert.  Here is a special music list of songs by both artists. :)    

How Sweet He Is...

My wonderful boyfriend Steven listens so well (too well sometimes) After months and months of wishing and kinda looking for something to put in my patio, my wish came true.  Steven came across this table with 2 chairs  at a garage sale and snagged it for me. What a perfect fit for my little patio! I wish I would have thought to take a picture of the table beforehand. It was definitely in need of some TLC. Steven got right to work sanding, priming and repainting the table and chairs. Here are a few pics:



The glass top was worn and a little foggy so he painted the glass using chalk board paint. Now it's ready for me to keep score on for the many card games we enjoy...golf & coffee anyone? (hehe) I couldn't be happier with the way everything turned out. I love my new little table. Now, if it would just get cold outside again...

For The Love of Music & Dance

Donald O'Connor & Vera Ellen - "Call Me Madam" (1953)

I was so excited to come across this video on youtube.
The music, the scenery lol, the dancing and of course the oh so talented Donald O'Connor and Vera Ellen.
I adore everything about this piece. And isn't Vera's dress a beauty?? I think I'll have to add this film to my musical dvd collection. LOVE IT!

Midnight Rendezvous:

Your only necessities: you, your music, a car and the road. No need for a road map, for there is no real destination. Time does not exist, therefore a watch is useless. There are no limitations. It is uncertain exactly what you will get out of this and no telling where you will end up. Just know, tonight , the road is yours. You own the very gravel you travel on. It is the golden path to the unexpected, and only one thing is for certain... discovery lies in the horizon.

The music is the mood setter for this little rendezvous. You roll the windows down letting the moons light faintly illuminate the car. The wind blows thru your hair and in your face. You let your hand venture out and feel the wind beat briskly against it. You take a deep breath, taking in the moment, easing the restless mind and removing the mental clutter and worry of the days past. Tonight is about renewal.

The stars continue their game of hide n' seek into the wee hours, while the "cheshire cat" moon shines down, revealing the clouds that have decended to the earth..a misty fog. There is such a sense of freedom on such night drives; an invigorating, almost overwhelmingly free feeling...like you are flying...

Your mind begins to wander. A vast array of thoughts flood in. Thoughts of life, love, loneliness, togetherness, the past, the present and the unknown future. These thoughts whether happy or sad are the motivational tools for your life... No matter the problems, the stresses and worries to be had and overcome, they have no affect on you at this moment. For in these moments that pass, all things seem right and well. And as you drive off into the fading night...a new day is just beginning.

*Originally written March 2008

Photo Source - http://www.bddphotography.com/BDD_Photography/Home.html

"Memories Fill The Empty Spaces"

 

Sitting curled up on the couch, Her Daniel Steele novel tossed carelessly aside. She sits, deep in thought. The emptiness of the room soon envelopes her; causing her thoughts to stray back to just a few hours earlier. When the room was filled with laughter & lively conversation, with the sighs, sounds of kisses & passionate play.

Scanning the empty room; eyeing the remnants of moments. Wine glasses sitting half empty on the coffee table next to an empty bottle of Pinot Grigio. Half eaten Chinese take out left out on the kitchen counter & the movie menu for An Affair To Remember, forgotten, & playing repeatedly in the background. The sad melody, only half drowned out by the pitter patter of the rain beating against the windows.

Chills run down her spine, she gathers her sweater around her for warmth & stares longingly out across the room. His warmth has left her, the quick, rhythmic beating of her heart has since subsided. She closes her eyes, breathes deeply & for a split second she can smell him. But, he's been gone awhile now, only memories of the time remain & the faint scent of his cologne that lingers still.

They STILL DO....

Today,  my wonderful parents are celebrating their 26th wedding anniversary. I'm so blessed to say that in spite of the obstacles they've faced in this life, they've still managed to grasp and hold on to what I believe, for them, will be a forever love. To be truly in it together for the long haul, for better or for worse, the good times and the bad times. thru thick and thin, in sickness and in health. 26 years together and still going strong. Still head over heels. I can only hope I'm as lucky....

My parents have been through a lot together and through it all, their affections and respect have only grown over the years. It hasn't always been easy, there have been times, i'm sure,  when they felt like throwing in the towel. But they didn't. That being said, they could not have gone the distance they have alone. I don't think there's any  reason other then by the grace of God that my parents have had a succsessful marriage thus far. There's this triangle diagram (below) a simple concept I learned in church, a concept my mom's repeated to me on many occasions: In a marriage: If you both, as individuals, move toward God, as your relationship with Him matures and becomes more intimate. You will find that you will also have a closer, more intimate relationship with your spouse. b/c you have a common goal. God. I seen this first hand in the lives of my parents.

It's a true statement when one says that marriage takes work and a truer statement when one says a marriage takes...God.

*Wishing my parents a happy, blessed anniversary and many more! 

(Sources)
Marriage Triangle - Google Image Search

Love Is Comic - http://www.gocomics.com/loveis

Music List: October 2010

Weekend Recap:

**ART UNDER THE STARS**

I think this weekend was one of the best weekends I've had all year. The weather was glorious. I got to do a bunch of stuff in the company of some pretty amazing friends. There was food, flea market rummaging, shopping, frozen yogurt, and the highlight an art festival!! I have to say, I'm absolutlely loving where I live. Down the road, a little ways from where I live, is the quaint, little Lake Lily. Every year it hosts "Art Under the Stars" a 3 day arts festival, one of  few that offer night time viewing hours. The lake walk was full of beautiful, interesting things and the live jazz band was a plus. Only downer, is that I forgot to bring along my camera so I was reduced to a few cell phone shots (I guess there's always next year)  

Here are a few paintings from Rob Kaz, one of the artists featured in the festival.

To view more paintings: www.robkazart.com

(Source:) Lake Lily festival Photo - Google Image Finder

Autumn is Here!



Autumn in the City - Claude Marshall


Happy first day of Autumn everyone!! Yea, yea, I know we don't really acknowledge seasons here in sunny, hot/humid, Florida. But I love this time of year.  Especially here. Sure it may still be 90 degrees in October, but alas, there's a breeze (Finally!) and the skies are clearer, the clouds are whiter and puffier, the days and evenings are perfect for being outside. I'm looking forward to pumpkin spice lattes, longer walks and wearing light sweaters and best of all getting a break from the humidity. Oh! happy day!

Song of the Day:

Though I'm bummed the Killers are no more, I have to admit the new album by Brandon Flowers is pretty rad. If you like the song/video above and  have a chance to check out the new album, check out a few other great songs "Only the Young" and "Jacksonville"  My ears are VERY happy right now. :)

MUSIC LIST: SEPTEMBER 2010

Summer Trip: New York

Finally got around to posting some of my fave photos from my trip to New York back in June. Got to see my family, meet some of the boys family and explore the city with some of the coolest people I know. Okay, I know it's WAY passed June. But, better late than never right?

   

*Sigh ... need to plan another trip up there VERY soon.