2012!

Pretty Stuff

So pretty, what a great way to spend New Years Eve! I am so having a dinner party next New Year's Eve.

Rifle Paper Co.

I am so excited about the New Year. There is just something so refreshing and hopeful about the New Year. 2011 was so much better for me then 2008, 2009 and 2010. Since the middle of 2008 I have felt like I am on cruise control just trying to survive. However, now I am ready to do more. I feel like this is my year to thrive not just survive. I want to become that person I see myself being. I want to worry less about money and focus more on my health and my relationships.

So this is my year, 2012, plus I love even numbers!

Feeling Christmas-y!

Perfection

Florence and the Machine - Shake It Out (Acoustic) from Pick Up The Headphones on Vimeo.

via Tomboy Style

Gratitude

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity... It turns problems into gifs, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow." - Melodie Beattie.

Gorgeous Food Blog 2

Roost, this blog also has beautiful pictures, but the food ideas are so unique. There are food gift ideas, entertaining ideas and healthy recipes. Everything is about this blog is just done so well.

So Grateful for All the Gorgeous Food Blogs

Spoon Fork Bacon, besides the incredible pictures, the recipes are very clever and look delicious.

My Sister

What can I say, she has been my rock for the past few years and without her, the kids and I probably would not function.

I am forever grateful for you Marianne.

My Parents

They hold my children.

They are willing to play pretty much anything with my children.

I am so grateful for my parents, I could never express how much they mean to me. I had a wonderful childhood filled with a lot of love and a lot of laughs. No matter what heartbreak came along we never forgot as a family how lucky we are to have each and to never take ourselves too seriously.

My Mother is a very intelligent woman with an incredible strength about her.

My Father is extremely smart too, but he is also one of the most generous and kind people I know.

Art

I can't stop looking at this picture by Sandy Skoglund, "Revenge of the Gold Fish". Isn't that what art is supposed to do , make you linger?

via Kirtsy

Ryan

My Ryan, my youngest by 10 minutes, is 10 years old also. Ryan is this child who not only challenges me the most but he also surprises me the most. He is very artistic and creative. He can dance, sing, write and make incredibly elaborate Lego creations. Ryan has this very unique personality and he not afraid to be himself, which I admire.

Ethan

Ethan, technically my second born but only by 10 minutes, is 10. I am so incredibly grateful for Ethan, besides being very smart, he is a charmer. He is extremely good looking and athletic (only a mother's modest opinion). He will be the one I will have to protect from all girls. People are naturally attracted to Ethan because he is quiet and sensitive and good. He just has this innate kindness about him.

Clayton

I am so grateful for my son Clayton, my oldest, 13, yikes. He is so intelligent. It's like he this old, wise soul who really just seems to have the ability to understand people and complex situations. Plus he loves to cook with me!

Gratitude

It's November which to me means time to remember to be thankful for all the blessings in my life.

I am going to try to post a picture everyday of all the wonderful blessings in my life.

I Heart This Kitchen

contemporary kitchen design by san francisco architect Ken Linsteadt Architects

This kitchen is so light and airy. I would love to entertain and cook with my boys in this space.

contemporary kitchen design by san francisco architect Ken Linsteadt Architects

contemporary kitchen design by san francisco architect Ken Linsteadt Architects

contemporary kitchen design by san francisco architect Ken Linsteadt Architects

Flight of the Frenchies

I saw this over at Black Eiffel and I could stop watching it even though I am deathly afraid of heights and was getting a bit queasy. I can't wait to watch the whole film. These guys are amazing.

I Believe I can Fly ( flight of the frenchies). Trailer from sebastien montaz-rosset on Vimeo.

Love

Lately, I have been getting lost in this blog, Tomboy Style. I've always loved the preppy tomboy look, probably because I was a tomboy. All of these lovely photos remind me of growing up in the late 80's it must have been the tomboy era. I grew up in West Palm Beach, sort of across the tracks from Palm Beach, and I would drive around Palm Beach admiring the beautiful homes and the beautiful people. I would browse the stores on Worth Avenue trying to look like I belonged there. This picture captures the essence of the perfect Palm Beach Polo scene, the boots, the Lacoste shirt, the Mercedes, the Louis Vuitton bag, so perfectly preppy.

Who didn't have Doc Martin's in the late eighties? I think I still have mine but I definitely need a new pair.

photos via Tomboy Style

It'a All About Halloween At My Parent's House

My Mother is a hard act to follow.  She has really mastered the holiday decorating and entertaining.  She has this ability to take the easiest, simple dinner and make it special.  She spoils my children and I and I will forever be grateful for all she has taught me.

Halloween All Around Roger's House