create the life you love

XO

My dear friend Diane sent me this gorgeous Tiffany necklace for my birthday.

So, so sweet of her. Love it!

xo

Deck the Halls

I have finally finished with the decorating of my home. 

Took me almost 3 weeks - only because I would start one thing and never finish.

That little business of mine has kept be very busy this holiday seasoned, thus the slow process with decorating.

Pictures to follow soon!

 

My childhood santa cup that I broke last year and patched together. It survived so many years and many moves, etc. only for me to break it!

 

A beautiful orchid sent to me by my sweet friend, Diane.

This was a 'pay it forward' gift, and she actually sent me two of these!

Such a kindhearted, caring, and thoughtful gift.

Many, many thanks Diane!

 

Top Preppy Blog!

I was honored to receive a 'top preppy blog' from The online Cosmetology School Blog.

Lots of other wonderful, preppy blogs featured.

Thank you!!

Simply Pink

My sweet friend Diane sent me this book ... just because!

She happened to see it in a store and thought of me (being all about PINK)!

Books and Pink just happen to be two of my favorite things

How sweet is she?!!

Thank you, Diane ... you know I LOVE it!

 

xo

 

 

Me & Murph

 

 

I was so surprised and pleased to see this fabulous painting on face book. 

fifi flowers is the artist and she used my profile picture to create this painting - love it!

 

60 Miles for the Cure!

 

So ... I did it. Signed up for the Susan B. Komen 3-Day for the Cure Walk. I will be joining both my niece and sister on this amazing journey.

I honestly am not too worried about the walk (20 miles each day), but the camping out for 2 nights is another story! ;) A am not a camper (!!) and can not even remember a time that I slept in a sleeping bag and tent. Most likely when I was a little girl in my back yard, probably didn't like it much way back then either. I am going to buck it up though for the cure!

I also am a bit overwhelmed with the amount I must raise in order to participate - a minimum of $2,300. I have lots of work ahead of me!

Thank you to those of you who were so kind to donate to my niece (prior to my signing up), Ginny, Sherry, Maggie, Katie ... much appreciated.

Like myself, most likely there is someone in your own family or a close friend who has died, currently fighting or is a survivor of breast cancer. Donate on behalf of that family member or friend who has never stopped fighting for the cure.

Donate to Fight for the Cure!

 

Inspiration ...

Give God your best by Rick Warren

Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Ephesians 5:17 (NLT) God shaped you for a purpose and he expects you to make the most of what you've been given. He doesn't want you to worry about or covet abilities that you don't have. Instead he wants you to focus on talents he has given you to use. When you attempt to serve God in ways that you're not shaped to serve, it feels like forcing a square peg into a round hole. It's frustrating and produces limited results. It also wastes your time, talent, and energy. The best use of your life is to serve God out of your shape. To do this you must discover your shape, learn to accept and enjoy it, and then develop it to its fullest potential. The Bible says, "Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do." (Ephesians 5:17 NLT) Don't let another day go by. Start finding out and clarifying what God intends for you to be and do. Begin by assessing your gifts and abilities. Take a long, honest look at what you are good at and what you're not good at. Paul advised, "Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves ...." (Romans 12:3b NLT) Make a list. Ask other people for their candid opinion. Tell them you're searching for the truth, not fishing for a compliment. Spiritual gifts and natural abilities are always confirmed by others. If you think you are gifted to be a teacher or a singer and no else agrees, guess what? If you want to know if you have the gift of leadership, just look over your shoulder! If no one is following you, you're not a leader. Ask questions like these: Where have I seen fruit in my life that other people confirmed? Where have I already been successful?

cute ... shoes!

Isn't this handmade card just darling?! From my blogging/scrapbooking friend Christina, who is sooo very talented.

I wish I had a 'real' pair of shoes like these!

Elise Update

 

She's Walking!

 

I just received my monthly update on Elise, the little girl I sponsor at the New Day Foster Home in Beijing, China. I am sooo very happy to hear that she is doing so well and has been moved downstairs with the healthier children.

From her nanny:

"Elise has moved from upstairs (where the children are more isolated for health reasons) to the downstairs floor in the foster home. She has a good appetite, and can eat some solid food. Noodles, soup and bread are her favorites. She likes playing on the sofa and going down the slide in the play room. When she first moved downstairs, she was a little afraid of walking.  She would just stand there observing all the activity and smiling without moving. Such a big change from where she resided upstairs!  Like the other children who move from upstairs, it takes awhile to feel comfortable with the transition. Now, she walks about bravely and freely.  She enjoys her new environment now and plays well with the others."

Meet 'Melissa'

My sweet friend, Tonia's daughter, Anna purchased a new 'preppy' pink & green mermaid while on their beach vacation and she named her 'Melissa', after me! How sweet is that!

 "Because she's pink and green and Melissa likes pink and green." 

Thank you, Anna - both you and mermaid 'Melissa' are too cute!!

Thank you Miss Janice!

The lovely Miss Janice featured me on her blog as her 'Lilly photo of the week'. Such an honor! Thank you so much, Janice for the beautiful post and sweet words about me ... my pets, my stationery and my Lilly :). Be sure to visit her blog, Etiquette with Miss Janice ... it is full of preppy-ness, pink and southern charm!!

 

And ... thank you all for the nice comments about my hair! Seems that the consensus -both in real life and blog land - is it is a 'winner' and that I look younger, which it is all about! ;) Next on my 'list' is taking care of my smile lines (nasolabial folds). Since I have lost weight they are really bad :(. Once I get the braces off and have the lines taken care of I can smile big! SO much work and maintenance in growing old!

Lilly Fashion Show

I attended a lovely luncheon today to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis foundation. A wonderful afternoon spent with girlfriends for a wonderful cause ... and a Lilly Pulitzer fashion show too!

I wore my new jubilee dress and took a few photos so you could see my hair and why I am in need of some change!! It is pulled back and although I do love wearing it back, I do so much too often. As you can see - it looks like I barely have any hair! I do love the dress though :)

 

 

A few of my cute girl friends at the luncheon (little pocket camera = bad photo)...

 

Ginny (my orchid friend, who creates my beautiful arrangements) with the Lilly jeep. Gin has actually been to Lilly's home in Palm Beach for dinner!! Can NOT believe she did not invite me ;) ...

 

 

 

 

Lovely Lavender

GOH SIOK HIAN From Malaysia 

 

 

While I have always loved the fragrant smell of lavender, lately I have found some wonderful products for my home that I have become 'addicted' to ...

The following from Method - I have found a few of these at Whole Foods and others at Target

 

 

Just can't get enough of this spray

 

 

 

 

These two products from Aura Cacia are available at Whole Foods. I use the drops on my sheets and linens and the mist on everything, including myself!

 

 

Inspriation ...

May 3, 2009 Love Is a Habit by Rick Warren In our Devotionals series, Pastor Rick Warren discusses the Bible passages that inspire him the most. Today's Devotional is based on this passage: "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them" (Luke 6:32 NIV).
If you only love on and off like a light switch, you do not love others like God wants you to love. Jesus said, "If you only love those who love you, what credit is that to you?" (Luke 6:32 NIV). His point is this: anybody can love those who love them in return. Becoming a master lover means you learn to love the unlovable. It's when you love people who don't love you, when you love people who irritate you, when you love people who stab you in the back or gossip about you. This may seem like an impossible task and it is. That's why we need God's love in us, so we can then love others: "We know and rely on the love God has for us" (1 John 4:16 NIV). When you realize how much God loves you—with an extravagant, irresistible, unconditional love—then his love will change your entire focus on life. If we don't receive God's love for us, we'll have a hard time loving other people. I'm talking about loving the unlovely, loving the difficult, loving the irritable, loving people who are different or demanding. You can't do that until you have God's love coming through you. You need to know God's love so it can overflow out of your life into others. Love must become your lifestyle, the habit of your life. But it starts with a decision. Are you ready? Your life is worth far more than you think, and by learning to love others with the love God gives you, you will have an influence far greater than you could ever imagine. If you will commit to this, you will experience love as God means it to be, filled with hope, energy, and joy. My prayer for you is "that your love will grow more and more; that you will have knowledge and understanding with your love..." (Philippians 1:9 NCV).

Thank You All ... And Happy May Day!

 

{ backyard gardenias }

 

I plan on replying to each of your emails as soon as I have some free time, but I wanted to quickly thank you sweet blogging friends for you support and kind words. I hesitated about posting the nasty comment, but like many of you commented, I think this gal needs prayers. She may be going through some tough times and I pray God gives her strength, guidance and peace.

On a lighter note, believe me, you all would not want me posting about some of my trials and tribulations! Being the mom of boys (2 who have passed from teenagers onto young adults), I have certainly had my share! ;).

I personally try to distance myself from the 'whoa is me', whether in real life or blog reading. Being positive and upbeat is much healthier and fun ... especially in times like these. We all have or ups and downs, some more than others, but one thing I know for certain is that I am blessed beyond measure, take nothing for granted, and I thank God daily for all He has bestowed on me. Just being a mother is the biggest blessing ever!

And ... you, my blog friends are true blessings to me. Thank you all for your kindness.

 

{ gardenias on my bedside table }

 

Oh, and I just have to add this. A month or so ago I received another 'not-so-nice' comment. This gal told me she was sick of all my 'preppyness' and enough already with my monograms! LOL.

 

~ Happy May Day ~

 

 

 

 

Fragrance

The beauty of fragrance is that it speaks to your heart…and hopefully someone else’s. ―Elizabeth Taylor

         

Philosophy's Amazing Grace

My very favorite fragrance, I have used it for years

 

Be Sure To Watch ...

I am off tomorrow morning with a girlfriend for a little trip to Chicago ...

and to the Oprah Live Show on Friday!

  

*I'll be in the audience, not on stage - thank goodness*

J Crew Lovin'

My sweet girl friend gave me this gorgeous pearl bracelet for my birthday. It has been in my cart for a while now, waiting for it to go on sale. I absolutely love it!

Beautiful Things to Share

Just a few things I have come across recently in my catalogs that I love ... including many birds & nests ;)

 

{ tracey porter }

 

 

{ tracey porter }

 

 

{ kate's paperie }

 

 

{ kate's paperie }

 

 

{ williams sonoma }

 

 

 

 

{ room service home }

green mosaic

green mosaic, originally uploaded by DIY Sara.

One of my flickr photos - the green 'bridget' gift, was used in this mosaic created by DIY Sara. Love all the green photos - pretty mosaic!

Thanks Tonia

 

My sweet blogging friend.Tonia sent me these wonderful gifts. Such a nice surprise awaiting me on my return from New York. Darling pink patent leather Vera Bradley key chain coin purse, photo album, and hand made card. I love patent leather anything and the photo album is perfect since I am not the scrapbooker I once was (not even close). Thank you Tonia, so very kind of you, my friend!

We are off to our 'free' dinner at the country club, all 3 of us (dcal,griff & me) since we all have March birthdays :)

Thank You Jacki!

 

One of my sweet blog readers, Jacki was so kind to think of me. I mentioned that I could not find these take along packets anymore in the stores here. She happened to find some for me at Target and sent them to me. Such a nice surprise - thank you Jacki, much appreciated!

*****************

I also wanted to thank you all for the kind words concerning my big baby, husband ;).  Men can be such babies though, can't they? All went well today and he survived, as did I!We stopped for lunch on the way home, he did some business on the phone here at home and then hit the golf course.