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and the quote...

"Take responsibility for the energy you bring into this space."

Give me a fabulous idea!

I'm officially a Mrs.

It's been so long!  Not sure if anyone is even out there anymore.  Just in case, I had to share.....

Tig & I got married!

Yup, we got hitched.

It took 10 years and two kids, but we finally did it.

It was really one of the happiest days of my life.

We married in the most beautiful little church.
  

With some of our favorite people.

I carried a bouquet of my favorite flower. 

And,

We shared cupcakes

and kisses!!

So now that the title is official, I guess I can go ahead and change what I wrote here about throwing in the title.

I still like to play pretend.

If I were really a SUPERwoman....

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my super ability would be to run on NO SLEEP.

Yup, I said it, NO SLEEP! Don't get me wrong, there is almost nothing I love more than slipping into my warm, comfy made bed after a long, eventful day. Better yet, afternoon naps. I used to love me a nap, back when I was still able to take them. You know, those stolen moments after a bath when you're still wrapped in a damp towel; throw in a warm summer day, an open window, and a cool breeze...ahhhh, bliss (loved those kinds of naps. ok, maybe not so much being wrapped in a damp towel, but I'm sure you get my drift.) Back to my case in point, there is just not enough time in the day for me to get everything I need to get done accomplished. Can you imagine how much one person could accomplish in a day if they could run on no sleep?! I get excited just thinking about it!

Then, up until a few days ago my desire for a NO SLEEP super ability got swapped out for the ability to zap my son into utter silence and complete stillness with the shot of a stare. This being the direct result of a fifteen-hour car drive with two kids under the age of 7; broken up into two days of course.

And yet again, the super zap strength of a stare super ability was replaced. After watching Oprah's last show ever (teardrop, I know). My super ability morphed into an ability strong enough to sense and identify the type of energy people poses when in my presence, either in direct relation to the energy I am generating, or simply toward me. I am curious, more often than not, not so much what people think of me but instead, what they feel when they are around me. I would love to know what they feel when they read about something I’ve done, hear something I say, read something I write, blog, tweet, etc. Does the energy I encompass make others feel happy, at peace, and motivated or annoyed, indifferent, or envious. Hhmmm, I’m left to wonder.

Quote I heard on O,

"Be responsible for the energy you are bringing into my space."

Love it so much, it's getting printed, framed, and placed somewhere in my home. You can keep your bad energy at the door, right next to your shoes {wink, wink.}

On a side note, I'm so happy to back! I've missed you my little blog. And, isn't this ABC Superheroes Art Print adorable and perfectly in theme with this post?!

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Perfect enough to hang in a growing superhero's room.

xo,

LIFE

via

We create mental lists and add to them daily. The things we’d change about our lives if we could, though there are so many things in this LIFE to be grateful for. We are surrounded by beauty. People and things perfectly placed around us to make us smile, if we only allow them the opportunity. I WISH I could sew a quilt. I’d make it out of warm moments, interesting people, special places and all things beautiful. I’d go on to weave in dreams, intricately stitching in the details of each. And when I’m done, I’ll wrap myself in it. Create a fortress like the ones we all made as kids, using two chairs and a blanket and hide away beneath it. LIFE. I wish I could eat and savor each bite of it. I wish I could drink it and feel it run through me. LIFE is a gift! So, this weekend go out and enjoy it! Taste it. Savor each moment, then go home and wrap yourself in it. Be bright. Be beautiful. Laugh hard and often.

Update - The In Betweens

I don't carry my camera around half of as much as I'd like. It's just one more thing for me to forget remember. This has posed as quite a problem, considering I set out to document my attempts in curing this malady of the in-betweens! Believe me when I tell you, that I have indeed, been partaking in activities that are definitely helping to ease away these blues.

Here is my best attempt of recording my progress {via my camera phone}:

Last week was just beautiful! Chicago was flaunting Spring in our faces with a sunny sky, warm temps and soft breeze, than being the rude witch she is, she hit us with cooler temps, rain and even snow later on in the week. YES, snow! So much for it being the first week of Spring. So, as we attempted to enjoy the fine days thrown our way, we spent one of them with a trip to the park and then moseyed on over for lunch at a local hipster joint to enjoy us a delish meal.

The Peach and her best bud, Maximus the Brave.

They are absolute darlings, always so well behaved {don't we wish!}.

And,

us mommas, we each had a beer. We are allowed, aren't we ?!

Spring It On

because I'm beyond ready for you!

You've been such a tease, taunting me with sunny whispers and bits of your fresh breeze. I only hope now, that you'll linger. You are just what I need to help me shake what's left of winter.

I look forward to bright and beautiful palettes. Rich color and bold patterns. Red hue nails and pink-stained cheeks. Up-do's and open-toe shoes!




images via

A Night Out on the Town

via

Considering yesterday's post, you can imagine how happy I am to be spending a night out on the town with some of my best friends. I'll be sporting a fresh manicure, a flirty skirt, and a hot new pair of heels. It's not too often I get to see them so I'm going to make certain to fill the night with lots of laughter, great food, maybe a little dancing, and a many glasses of wine.

Cheers all!

"The In-Betweens" {Part II}

The Balancing Act.

via

It's a daily struggle, balancing the duties of being a wife, a momma, and a professional. I feel like I'm constantly being pulled in a million different directions. Something or someone always needs tending to. I'm still trying to figure out how I can take care of everyone and everything while pursuing and tending to my own desires. I try and keep to a tight schedule during the week, sometimes steering off course to take the lovie out on a playdate or to do a little shopping but come three o'clock when my little guy gets home, we get serious, real serious. You see, when he gets home from school, there is a snack to be prepared, homework to be completed, dinner to be made, baths to be given, stories to be read and songs to be sung. Tig, almost always makes it home in time for dinner but the nights he doesn’t, {I hate how much he works} I’m left to complete all these tasks on my own. This can prove not so nice when you throw a couple of tired, whiny, and uncooperative little participants into the mix. Case in point, I’m left with little time for myself. Finding “me time” always proves the hardest considering everyone else's needs seem to exceed those of my own. How the heck do women with larger families do it? Better yet, why?! {I'm kidding, kind of.} Now, throw in work, the {slow} start-up of a business, daily workouts, time to get pretty, a reading list, and a blog. Ummm, why didn’t god construct me like an octopus?!? Life could be so much easier.

I have a bad case of "The In-Betweens" {Part I}

I have a serious case of the in-betweens, and thanks to Kathysue of Good Life Design, I can now put a name to this malady.

Many nights, I turn to some of my favorite blogs to unwind after a long and hectic day. On this particular evening, I accidentally, but thankfully, came across this post. Having come across Kathysue's assessment for what she named the in-betweens, could not have come at a better time.

Her description of these symptoms are as follows:

Feeling tired.
No ambition to do anything.
Lack of excitement or enthusiasm.
The need to stay home and cuddle up with a blanket.
When looking around one’s home, nothing looks right.
Feeling the need for a whole transformation of one’s home.
Nothing seems to inspire you.
Avoid looking in the mirror.

Um, I read these and answered yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes! Get my drift?! To my dismay, I am not the only woman suffering from this. Naturally, I left a comment and she so graciously responded {love this. comments seem to sometimes get lost in blogland. don't love this.}

Kathysue's recommendations for easing these blues:

Enjoy cuddling under the blanket by adding a cup of your favorite hot beverage and a good design book or magazine.
When grocery shopping buy a bouquet of flowers and a couple of new house plants to brighten up your space.
Place pretty fruit in a bowl on your counter.
Remove a few accessories from cluttered areas to open up the space
Start making a list of projects starting with the small ones
Go to an antique show or a garden show to get inspiration.
Take a walk and enjoy the beauty around you.
Look in the mirror and spruce up a little. Blush and lipstick go a long way in helping us look a little perkier.
Make a lunch date with a good friend and talk about how you feel.

So, in my attempt to rid myself of this malady, I am taking her up on her recommendations and I'll share them here. I feel doing so will hold me accountable, and I can use all the help I can get. This is a little embarrassing, but what the heck...

I started with a home facial. Yes, I didn't completely apply the mask on my forehead. I never do, and to be honest, I really don't know why. I did though, apply it on my neck. I think I've mentioned that I'm nearing the big 30 so I'm trying to preserve the elasticity in my neck for as long as I possibly can. I figure it can't hurt.

And, as far as the, "Look in the mirror and spruce up a little. Blush and lipstick go a long way in helping us look a little perkier," I already do this, so much so, that Tig threatens to throw out every mirror we own, ha. I'm thinking in place of this I'll aim switch out my yoga pants for some skinny jeans. Ya, we'll see about this one.

Day 3 of 7 days, 7 ways to say I love you.

A room full of balloons.

***

because if you haven't noticed already, I love balloons!

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I love their nostalgia. They always take me to a happy place.

Day 2 of 7 days, 7 ways of saying I love you.

Saying i love you is done best with words of love, wisdom, and compassion.

Love Poems From God

Daniel Ladinsky

from the preface:
"I hope a few of these poems will reach in deep enough to cure what separates us from each other, and from the beautiful. I hope you fall into this wine barrel (this book) and crawl out legally drunk, and get arrested for doing something that makes God proud of you, like being too happy."

The Essential Neruda Selected Poems

Pablo Neruda

in the intro:
"On our earth, before writing was ever invented, before the printing press was invented, poetry flourished. That is why we know poetry is like bread; it should be shared by all, by scholars and by peasants, by all our vast, incredible, extraordinary family of humanity."

And, even sometimes with words of passion and erotica...

E.E. Cummings

This is one of my favorites {not found in this book}:
"here is the deepest secret nobody knows (here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide) and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart. i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart.)"

but can probably be found here.

Complete Poems

E.E. Cummings

Sometimes, I just have to walk away from all social media. I get so overwhelmed with the blog, and the facebook, and the twitter, and the linked-in, and the e-mails that I need to break away from it all. So, I did just that. I walked away from my laptop for an entire week. To be honest, I am a little reluctant to return just yet, but what the hell....it's the month of LOVE, isn't it?! I'd love to spend the next 7 days sharing 7 ways of saying I love you.

With that, I give you...

Day 1 of 7 days, 7 ways of saying I love you.

Jess LC's Franklin small I Love You braille necklace.

How sweet is this piece?! Pretty sweet, don't you think?!

I recommend you checkout the other goodies designed by Chicago resident, Jess Constable. She is also author of Makeunder My Life, a blog set out to inspire on how to best live a life with intention. I'm sure you'll find something that resonates with you.

a little pick-me-up.

I don't know about you, but I'm about ready to say good-bye winter, hello spring. I've had it with this crappy weather and can use a little pick-me-up to ease these winter blues. A little shoe candy to feed my sole addiction seems to always do the trick!!

Oh how I'm longing for sunshine, flowers, and open-toed shoes!

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{these are my fav.}
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black label.

Chiffon, satin, tulle, feathers, and vintage floral make-up much of ban.do's delicately handcrafted head-pieces. Their couture collection, not only beautiful but fun, and their whimsy....just kill me.

Glam-Mom personified

Domesticated life never looked so glamorous.

Images via Olivia Graham

"I don't understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little - if only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that's the day she has a date with destiny. And it's best to be as pretty as possible for destiny.”

-Coco Chanel

I don't know about you, but if destiny is waiting for me right around the corner, I want to be sure I'm looking pretty damn good!

Yes, I believe in destiny. I became a firm believer of the cliché, "Everything happens for a reason," after the birth of my son. My life took some exciting turns after I became a momma. Some of which were unexpected, while others were ones I was brave enough to take on, on my own. All in all, they have lead me to where I am now, and do you know what? I am exactly where I am supposed to be at this time in my life.

I have this horrible tendency of over-analyzing EVERYTHING and have found comfort in the cliché numerous amounts of times. I am enthusiastic for all that lies ahead. So, "destiny I'm waiting,” as fiercely and patiently as can be.

Image: ***

Cheers to New Regimens!

One of my goal's for 2011, is to read at least 6 books. I know six doesn't seem like many, and I wish I could proudly gloat that I read at least a book a month, but in all reality, I barely have time to read a page a night. I LOVE curling up in bed, my feet jammed nestled, warmly in-between Tig's, enjoying a great read. Unfortunately, this is not the case at all. Most nights, by the time my head hits my pillow, I'm already well into my first dream. This is all going to change. I am all about new regimens this year. Scheduling an earlier bedtime not only means time to read before bed, but also getting an earlier start to my day and squeezing in a good morning workout before everyone else gets up. Cheers to that, wouldn't you say?!

So, I have a few books on the list, but I'm taking suggestions. So please, please....share!

Happy HUMP Day!

Image: via Vogue.com’s Lauren Santo Domingo

Every now and then I become obsessed with a color scheme and find the need to incorporate it somewhere in my life. My current obsession may come as no surprise, and can be easily traced back to yesterday's post.
Current obsession reveled...

Fuchsia and Yellow.
Honeysuckle and Beeswax.

Elle Decor

Pops of color combined with a neutral palette, equals just the right dose of happiness. Don't you think?

Elle Decor

Clean and classic with a touch of whimsy. Sophisticated yet fun!

Living Etc.

I have an idea as to where and how I'd like to incorporate this color scheme. The problem with such an obsession, what will I do when an new one arises and this one whithers away?

Spring 2011

Back in September, as I swooned over the designs of some of my favorite designers, I couldn't help but drool over the mix of warm & cool tones being used for Spring 2011. I filed away some of my favorites. It seemed rather silly to share these when the leaves were just starting to turn color, but now, with Spring on the horizon, what better time to share the colors I am most eager to strut this Spring...

Honeysuckle

Currently, this bright, almost reddish hue is gracing design blogs everywhere, and understandably so, it's a fabulous color and was voted color of the year by Pantone.

Michael Kors

Silver Peony

Monique Lhuillier

Blue Curacao

Badgley Mischka

Beeswax

Michael Kors

And then, there is Scarlet Red. If you ask me, it happens to resemble Pantone's Fall 2008 Aurora Red. A color that was not included in Pantone's Spring 2011 Fashion Report, but as far as fashion goes it kept reappearing on runways everywhere. It also happens to be one of my faves! Monique Lhuillier's line showcased this color quite a bit {I LOVE her 2011 Spring Collection!}

Badgley Mischka

Carolina Herrera

DKNY

BCBG MAXAZRIA

Which colors from this year's Spring Collections are you favorites?