Holiday Reflections

A year filled with all that the Holiday season should have..or should I say, what I have always most wanted.
1. Our Family, and the first Christmas with our beautiful daughters and a house filled with Kids and laughter
2. Great memories; watching both Mr. J and Miss S recite poems so beautifully and confidently in their school concert; the cousins holding and totally connecting with their youngest and newest family members; the grandparents faces and joy as they watched the girls enjoy Christmas dinner from the high chairs that they fixed up just for the occasion, laughing with friends in the days and weeks as we connected, shared, and helped each other, experiencing all that the season brings.
3. Dear Friends; and a coming together through joy and pain. Connecting in the most wonderful way with long lost friends from days gone by...
4. Giving; A morning with friends helping those in need during a time of year when so much is about giving of the material kind..
An outing with the Mr and Girls to deliver to moms to be gifts and necessities to make the coming months a bit easier ( and I hope what will be the first of many days of giving and service )
5. Treasuring; Watching the kids as they opened their gifts and helped their new sisters discover their toys ( and the joy of eating wrapping paper ) Noticing, that they were appreciative of the few special things they got, and less focused on the quantity of gifts, holiday music, the roaring fire, funny movies at night...
A treasured and coveted gift from the Mr and a few other romantic treats...
The unexpected gift from a new group of important people in my life..who took the time to seek out something that was so special and generous that a few weeks later I am still glowing.


As I look back, and as we spend time as a family during the week between the holidays, I keep reflecting on all that we have, and all that we have become in this last year. For so many reasons, I feel more complete, more peaceful, and incredibly grateful for all that we have in our lives. Oddly enough, cleaning out the garage ( still a bit more to complete in the next few days )
I was stuck by how much I have acquired and accumulated over the years. As I must have been finally ready to let much of it go, packing up bags for charities, books for the library and gifts it occurred to me that I spent so much time thinking about what I might want and should get.
For some reason, it never filled the space I was looking to fill. The space, I realize finally is filled. With the family, the true friends and the person I most want to be, and am yet to become. I am, I realize desirous of spending my time doing, learning, failing, exploring. And while yes, I shall always appreciate beautiful things, I need not own them all.

So looking forward to another amazing year, and to all that it brings...

Kid Made Modern-A Great Gift

I was reading the latest issue of LMNOP this morning, and was thrilled to come across this new book from Todd Oldham..
Kid Made Modern is part design book and part activity book with a stylish view into the modern art world AND is filled with great projects for kids..with holiday vacations right around the corner, and winter weekends upon us, love having some great new activities that everyone can do together..

Check it out here.

I'm Back and thank you..

There has been so much going on over the last few months, I don't even know where to begin. Unlike other times in my life when changes were happening ( or needed to happen ) I was totally committed to being present, and to allow myself to completely experience and feel everything as it came up. Without needing to go into too much detail, I woke up this morning, and knew in more ways then one, that I was back. That staying present and strong, and most importantly true to myself and my most important relationships ( with my husband and children ) allowed me to give voice to and act on what matters to me.

I have learned over and over that the most important thing in the world is the love of family, being honest and kind, and pushing yourself to do your personal best. While I have done those things in my personal life these last years, it was not necessarily true of my life at work, which was for me the first time ever that this was the case. It felt good these last months to stay the course, speak from the heart and connect with what was missing for me.

So many exciting things ahead, and a future of professional work, projects and partnerships that I could not be more excited about. A life that is full and complete, and a family and friends that I feel honored and lucky to have.

As I get ready to return to this blog, and develop other creative projects, a huge thank you to the friends here that I have made along the way. The support, kindness and the constant inspiration has been a gift. I thank you.

Someone had given me this card years ago, the well known quote was always an inspiration and well said reminder of what is important.

Image from quotable cards

A perfectly timed quote

Authenticity-Ariat

So yes, I am on a budget, and yes, after a year of wearing my husbands clothes, the same outfit repeatedly and full enjoying all of the foods that I desired a little bit of a wardrobe update is in order. The funny thing is, I also think of myself a bit differently and the desire is to have a bit of uniform with fewer pieces and things that I love. I think back at some of the splurges I have made and realize it is those lovely few pieces, mixed with my Levi's and J Crew knit tops that have become the base of this look. Ironically as well-trying things I would never have tried before..Hmmm more on that later.

Given the economic enviornment, pretty easy to do all of this on a tight budget.
In any event, as I thought about the slim jeans I wanted to wear ( and the fantastic Citizens Avedon Jeans I was gifted from a dear old friend ) I knew that the splurge of the season would be some great black boots. Alas, perfection. Landed on an authentic dress riding boot from Ariat. Can't wait for these to arrive. Why find some "version" that has been redone when you can have the real deal?

Check them out here..

Shabby Chic Couture

Life has a funny way of happening, and when one is true to one self, seriously the right path unfolds.
Was so disappointed when I had heard that Shabby Chic was closing, so many reasons, and most of all a sign of the economic times in more ways then we could know. At the heart of it all, a really talented woman, who knows what she loves and worked for years to bring it to life.
Was thrilled when I started to hear rumblings, and then got the email that the LA store was opening and NYC would soon follow. Happy for her and to see what treasures were in store for me as well! I also missed the energy and people that would often visit our store ( we are neighbors on Montana Ave in Santa Monica ) before or after a visit to Shabby Chic.

Happened to be in LA last week, and had the chance to stop by. It is the perfect shop..true to Shabby Chic yet updated in the perfect way, love the raw wood pieces, as always the upholstered finds and the scale and freshness of it all. This book is sure to be added to my library, and I can't wait to go to one of her book signings.

Most of all, I salute Rachel as she built and rebuilt her dream.
Check out her blog here..she shares the journey...

Calypso

So, we have a wedding to go to this weekend, and as usual wondered what to wear. Was in LA for the day and ran into a friend who has fantastic taste. I had stopped for a moment to get a bite to eat, and the next thing you know, was standing in Calyspo, staring at this stunning dress. With her encouragement, and I admit a very reasonable price tag hanging in front of me, I slipped into the fitting room and tried it on. Perfection. The photo does not do it justice. Trust me, on the beach with flats, or all dressed up a piece of heaven for a mere $225.00

Meanwhile Calypso is so nicely updated these days, I am crazy for this sweater also.