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Feminine, Sparkly Accessories For Fall
While summer is not quite over yet, fall merchandise is upon us. The stores are switching from summer sale items to cashmere. It’s time to think about adding some accessories to your wardrobe–and I’m feeling a little sparkly today. It’s Friday…time to shine. I’ve always loved clothes and fashion. Part of me never stopped playing dress up. I think it’s fun to shop for and coordinate outfits—and I look forward to waking up each morning and figuring out what I will wear. I’ve been revamping my wardrobe lately—particularly adding color (trying to stay away from black a little) and attempting to dress a little more classically as I’m growing older.…
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Back To School Sunday
Back To School Sunday: A Poem Summer vacation — gone, gone, gone — Preparing lectures — long, long, long; Making lunches every day — No more splashing in the Bay; Back to rigor and the grind — Starbucks coffee not far behind; Late night grading, losing sleep — Watching my kids grow: weep, weep, weep. So long flip-flops, hello heels — No more winging weekday meals; No more swimming at the pool — Time for schedules, time for school. Summer days grow shorter for fall — Baseball playoffs and football; Homecoming, Halloween, Haunted trails — Time moves quickly, not like a snail; Before you know it, holidays are here —…
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Kissing My 40s Goodbye
All day you’ve been thinking about this blog post and what you will write. It’s your birthday, and it’s tradition that you write something snarky about aging. Some people will tell you they love growing older–maturing, growing up, watching their kids grow, maybe even becoming grandparents. It’s a lovely thought—growing old(er) naturally—as if we actually have a say in holding on to youth and beating Father Time. We don’t. Aging is not fun. So your birthday looms. It’s the big 5-0. You think about it for weeks. It practically consumes you. You notice every grey hair, ever extra mile you have to walk to shed .001 pounds, and each line…
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Sentimental Teacups: My Bridal Shower was Paradise in a Teacup
The reason you become sentimental about certain gifts is because the gifts were given to you by people you love. Okay, wait. Rewind. First we have to go back in time. I’m writing this post today because I just displayed some sentimental treasures that were given to me 18 years ago when my husband and I married. My friends hosted a bridal shower—a high tea—at a cute little place called Paradise in a Teacup. What was so special about that afternoon was that each friend, cousin, and mom and mom-in-law-to-be gave me a teacup as a remembrance of the day. Today, I unboxed them, dusted them off, washed them, and…
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Happy #WorldElephantDay + Some Gift Ideas for Elephant Lovers
I noticed today is #WorldElephantDay, and that means lots of folks are celebrating this amazing animal. If you are a lover of elephants, did you know some of these amazing facts? Elephants are the largest land animal in the world. They can live to be 70 years old. When we say you must have “thick skin” to plow through something, it doesn’t even compare to that of an elephant’s skin; elephants have skin over one inch thick! They have very bad eyesight, but an amazingly keen sense of smell. And, they are the only mammal that can’t jump! If you’re obsessed with elephants like some people I know (ah em,…
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Rain, Rain—Go Away; Perhaps I’ll Buy a Trench Today
The iconic trench coat. Do you have one in your closet? Has it been dusted off? Is it still fashionable? The rise of the trench coat’s popularity came after World War I, when it was developed as a lighter option to the heavier coats worn by British and French soldiers. Both Burberry and Aquascutum have claimed to have invented the overcoat frock, dating back to as early as the 1850s. However, it was Thomas Burberry who invented gabardine, and he was credited with creating a design for an Army officer’s raincoat back in 1901. Women turned to wearing trench coats when iconic figures such as Kate Moss, Goldie Hawn, Jacqueline…
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Mimosa Sunday
Who doesn’t love Sunday brunch? Besides the delectable French toast, Ricotta pancakes, and fresh fruit, the best part about having brunch with friends and family is that it’s Mimosa Sunday—time for a little champagne and orange juice. It’s believed that Mimosas have been around since 1925 when it was first served at the Hotel Ritz Paris by Frank Meier. Besides being very easy to make, Mimosas are colorful and add life to your table. Additionally, they can be garnished with fruits or herbs to dress them up. You can serve them in any style glass you would like, and that choice may depend upon the table setting itself. Probably what…
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How To Chalk Paint Your Furniture and Not Be Afraid
I’ve never been afraid to paint things, and I rather enjoy it. I’m not sure if it’s because I work my butt off during the school year and take time to write, but the mood that comes from painting is similar to that of sitting around relaxing. I find it to be a total stress reliever, and as a bonus, you get a great product at the end of it. I’ve been wanting to chalk paint my dining room table since we moved into the house. This house has a lot of character and charm, and I didn’t like the way the dining room was feeling. Recently, we added a…
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Decorating with Books | Part Two
I read books. I write books. I decorate with books. (They say good design comes in threes!) What is it about a well-decorated room filled with books? What is it about the written word displayed on shelves? Beautifully displayed books want to be admired and read. Beautifully displayed books harken you to peek inside and see what you can uncover. You know that feeling…that feeling of getting lost in a book, sinking your teeth into the characters and the plot, and longing for the novel to continue because you are enjoying it so much. Our house has books in it. Books on fashion, baseball, business, travel, food, and communication. There…
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Tiffany’s: Nothing Very Bad Can Happen To You There
* * * Tiffany’s: the world’s most glamorous jewelry store, thanks in part to Audrey Hepburn’s role as Holly in Truman Capote’s film Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Holly: You know those days when you get the mean reds? Paul: The mean reds, you mean like the blues? Holly: No. The blues are because you’re getting fat and maybe it’s been raining too long, you’re just sad that’s all. The mean reds are horrible. Suddenly you’re afraid and you don’t know what you’re afraid of. Do you ever get that feeling? Paul: Sure. Holly: Well, when I get it the only thing that does any good is to jump in a cab…