A Walk in the Park

Up bright and early, dressed, and ready to spend the day in the city I was born and raised in.  Living the quiet, serene, laid back life on the shore has it's advantages....but for this city girl it makes me miss the excitement, the hustle and bustle of the city rather quickly.

Time to recharge my batteries in the Big Apple.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

I Should Be Sleeping....

Source

First day I can sleep in late and actually catch up on my beauty sleep without being startled awake by the persistent buzzing of the alarm clock...and I  wake up of my own accord at 6:45am.  I guess I have to give it a few days to reprogram my body to go into "Lazy days of Summer" mode.

Isn't the above photo stunning?  Every year, Disney selects about a dozen celebrities and have them pose as Disney characters.  The above Sleeping Beauty masterpiece was photographed by the legendary Annie Leibovitz for the 2009 collection.  If you haven't guessed who the stars are... that is Vanessa Hudgens as Princess Aurora and Zac Efron as Prince Phillip.  This one has to be one of my all time favorites.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

There Is No Such Thing As.... IMPOSSIBLE

photo: weheartit

Impossibilities are merely things which we have not yet learned.  - Charles W. Chestnutt

Four years ago, my MIL gave me a gift for Christmas which I have been wanting to get myself, yet never worked the nerve to buy it.  I have to admit, the reason I didn't purchase it for myself was simple. I was intimidated by it.   How could I even stand a chance against a piece of machinery that can put forth such beauty when I have never even taken a class on using it?  I opted out of that class during high school in order to take cooking for my home economics elective.  I would sit and watch my MIL handle this machine with such ease, that one day I wistfully said with a sigh "I'd love to learn how to create beautiful things like you."

The present I opened that Christmas morning?  A Singer sewing machine.

I was in awe at first.  That emotion was quickly replaced by sheer terror.  I told my MIL, I don't think I would ever be able to use this gift.  Her response?  "You will never know unless you try."  This coming from a woman who is known to be pessimistic. I couldn't help but wonder.... can I truly learn how to make beautiful things to wear with this myself?

I played with remnants and made itty bitty blankets for Lil Miss' dolls at first. Then I made pillow cases.  Two years ago I ventured into making brocade stuffed pumpkins to decorate a mantel shelf I have in my living room.  This year I have decided, enough is enough.  I am done with baby steps. I have decided I will walk confidently into my local fabric store on Monday and purchase a simple pattern, some fabrics, and matching threads and make what I always wanted to create with it.  

This summer I choose to challenge myself.  I will learn to do something I have always wanted to master.  There is nothing more rewarding than facing your fears and overcoming them.

The Starfish Story

photo: weheartit

The Starfish Story
Original Story by: Loren Eisley

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed
a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. 

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. 
The surf is up and the tide is going out.  If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? 
You can’t make a difference!”

        After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish,
      and threw it back into the surf.  Then, smiling at the man, he said…
             "I made a difference for that one.”

 I just had to share this story.

This story was dedicated to the principal of the school Lil'Man & Lil Miss attend.  We have been fortunate to have this incredibly remarkable, intelligent, compassionate woman at the helm of our school for a little over 6 years.  In that time she has implemented countless educational experiences that have been the envy of other schools in the area.  Come September, she will be moving on to another school in the district where she will work her magic and win the hearts of those parents.  I wish her the very best of luck.  She has made a difference in not just one, but many little starfishes....and their parents.

Wednesday Words of Wisdom

 

Fall in Love or Fall in Hate.

Get Inspired or Be Depressed.

Ace a Test or Flunk a Class.

Make Babies or Make Art.

Speak the Truth or Lie and Cheat.

Dance on Tables or Sit in the Corner.

Life is Divine Chaos. Embrace It.

Forgive Yourself. Breathe.

And Enjoy the Ride....

-Solbeam

photo: Weheartit

Deal of the Day

I have been on the lookout for a pair of dark washed denim skinny jeans for some time.  I have a few t-shirts that I have taken out of the closet and said "Wow, these would go great with a dark pair of skinny jeans."   Unfortunately, I didn't own a pair so the shirt would go right back in the closet.

Until now....

After lunch my friend and I went to a premium outlet mall nearby.  I found the pair pictured above at Charlotte Russe. I grabbed a pair in my size and decided to try them on.  They fit like a glove.  Plus, they were incredibly comfy too.  I looked at the price tag and was equally delighted. 

Price for my sweet score?  $6.99

P.S. I later discovered they were marked incorrect.  But since the pair I wanted were marked at that price, that is the price I paid for it.

Summer Solstice

First Day of Summer.....

The longest day of the year.  After today, the day's begin to get shorter again.

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.The day was sensationally hot and the sun was shining all day long. A perfect summer day.  I usually am not particularly fond of the heat, but when it doesn't include humidity, I'll take it.  We took in a movie (Karate Kid - very good) and went to a premium outlet mall.  What better way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon than shopping?  Helped The Man find a pair of brown shoes at Johnston & Murphy, and was rewarded with a few new tees from J Crew & Kenneth Cole.

Since this is my last week of "freedom" before my summer days are filled with a Hurricane & a Diva, I decided to take a last childless walk through a couple of my favorite stores.  During a walk around one store, I found these.  A perfect addition to my collection.  They will be paired with a pair of capris and a cool top this weekend and worn to a christening.

Happy Monday everyone!

Happy Father's Day

"Becoming a father is easy enough, but being one can be very tough."   - Wilhelm Busch

Made with Love

I am the kind of girl who enjoys making handmade gift items for my loved ones. To me, taking the time to personally make something specifically with that person in mind is heartwarming.  With Father's Day a couple of days away, I knew I wanted to make something for the Man that he can display in his work office.

After giving it much thought, I went to my local craft store and bought an unfinished wooden 5x7 clipboard, Cosmo Cricket paper, package of jeweled epoxy stickers, 3-D Dad decorated chipboard set and a brown ink pad.  I returned home and busied myself making the above item.  A distressed Dad photo frame which will include a pic of Lil Miss & Lil Man for him to settle onto a desk or cabinet at work.  A little reminder of the darlings he works to provide for everyday.

Have a great weekend!

Wednesday Words of Wisdom

Living in the moment means letting go of the past and not waiting for the future. It means living your life consciously, aware that each moment you breathe is a gift. 

-- Oprah Winfrey

A Note to Lil Miss

As I sit here, 36 hours after your 7th dance recital performance, I can't help but be in awe of you.  You've come a long way from the overwhelmingly shy little Kewpie girl that entered dance class grasping my finger and asking me "come in with me".  I should have known from the moment you went up on that stage for the very first time and you transformed from shy and quiet to confident and exuberant that there was a special kind of magic in you.  When you perform it's like another person entirely is revealed.

As the quote above your bed reads "Shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you will land among the stars".

'tis a Lovely Day....

When you come home with make-up goodies.

M.A.C. Creamsheen Lipstick from their Summer collection in "Funbathing"
M.A.C. Mineralize Eyeshadow Duo in Play on Plums
L'oreal Paris Color Truth cream Eyeliner in Black
L'oreal Paris Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base.

All ready for summer!

For the Love of Cupcakes

Everyone that knows me personally, know that I adore baking.  Particularly, cupcakes. I love getting pretty foils or liners, then taking out my cake decorator and pipping on yummy, rich, buttercream frosting. And if the mood arises, I dip them in sprinkles.  Having one at the end of the day always brings a smile to my face.

A couple of years ago, Mr. Man called me and practically gushed about this cupcake he just ate. "There are no words for it, you have to try it" he said.  So he brought home a little bag from Crumbs Bake Shop with the delicious treat.

One thing you should know....when we typically think of the size of a cupcake, we picture a delectable morsel you can consume in 3 bites, tops. This is not true when it comes to Crumbs cupcakes.  Their cupcakes are enormous!

After dinner that evening, I poured myself a tall glass of milk and sat down with my red velvet cupcake to watch a television show.  I can't even tell you what I was watching, because once I took one bite out of my treat, I was in a sweets euphoria. The cake was so moist and the cream cheese frosting was to die for.

Ever since then, I have been addicted to their creamy goodness. 

If you are ever in NYC (or CA) and see a Crumbs Bake Shop, run, don't walk, inside for a little taste of cupcake heaven!

Source

Stunning

Jessica Alba....stunningly beautiful.  I have to agree with Fashion Foie Gras...this has to be Ms. Alba's best photo shoot to date.

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

Walking on the Sunshine

I am most definitely one of those individuals who craves....better yet, absolutely needs sunshine.  They say soaking up the rays provides your body with Vitamin D and assist in releasing your happy endorphins.  Of course, I tell this to skeptics and they think I am nuts!  But I truly believe it is accurate,  I am at my happiest when the sun is shining.

And the past few days, I have had just that.  An abundance of clear blue skies and rays of sunshine.

Hope everyone is enjoying the start of summer!

Guilty Pleasure- Magazines

Clearly this isn't only a guilty pleasure....but an obsession....

Yes, these are all subscriptions.  I know, you would probably guess that my postman hates me.  I assure you, he gets a really nice card around the holidays. 

I love magazines.  I remember the very first time I purchased one.  It was a magazine called YM (Young Miss).  I was 13 years old.  I bought it from a corner newsstand located right under the No. 4 train station across the street from the Armory at the Kingsbridge Avenue stop.  It was the first time my mother was allowing me to take the train by myself to go visit my dad.  Having been born and raised in NYC, I had taken the subway many times before and knew which stops I had to change trains.  Seeing that we have to be street smart when growing up in NYC, my mom told us "Don't stare at people....and always take something you can busy yourself with like a book or a magazine so that you don't inadvertently stare at someone while lost in your own thoughts".  In all the excitement to take the subway by myself, I left the book I had preselected to read to occupy my time during my first "all by myself" train ride.  Not wanting return home and having $10 in my pocket, I stopped and bought my magazine. 

Hence, my unhealthy obsession with magazines was born.  I subscribe to all of my favorites because....really, it's the most cost effective.  $3.99-$4.99 an issue versus a mere $1 each with a subscription....I would be foolish to purchase one at the bookstore every month.

What are your favorite, must have magazines?