Pretties...

I love Etsy.
So much that I could spend hours and hours in the shops,
wishing for everything I see.
It has to be the most inspiring place ever for people who love to create.
So with Valentine's Day just a few weeks away,
I thought this would be a perfect time to show you some pretty things I am loving right now, courtesy of the talented sellers on etsy.
Who knows, maybe you'll see a little something for the sweethearts in your life...
or for you!

~~How sweet is this hat from Lilyknitting. It's shown on a doll but if I remember correctly she has them for real live baby dolls:-)

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I've always loved these scrabble tile pendants. Tried making them once and realized I should leave this to the experts, like Spoiled Royal Girls. I want one of these...with a pic of my puppies. Bet you thought I would say my girls, huh???:-) I want one of them, too!

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~~Then there is this pretty necklace. Seriously, I could be happy having all of my jewelry from talented people like Art of Silver. This one is engraved with the words "Always my Mommy, Now my friend". Sniff, Sniff...very sweet!

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Okay, there is very little I love better than pretty chenille fabric...especially when it is made into a pretty chenille bear. Stop by Mamas Zoo and see for yourself.

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Are you ready for some very cool, rustic, shabby looking jewelry?
I.Love.These.Cuffs!!!!!
Oh my gosh...Can you see this with a white shirt and a pair of your favorite worn in jeans?
The Brown Eyed Fox really knows what I like:-)

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Alrighty then, are you ready for the cutest labels and recipe cards EVER????
Little Beane Boutique also has adorable note cards, invitations and address labels)

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I know from personal experience how awesome these pom poms are because my girls have them hanging in their room. They come in every gorgeous color you can imagine, courtesy of
Orange Kisses shop.

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Now for the sweetest, prettiest thing I have seen in a long time...and the hat is precious too:-)
This is a knitted Kiss Elf Hat, from Good Golly, Miss Molly.
Miss Molly, I just want to know where you find a baby that cute!!!:-)

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And last but not least, look at this precious tutu.
Oh my gosh, it is as sweet as a box of candy hearts.
Oooh...this is embarrassing.
I just realized it is in MY etsy store. hahaha...shameless, I know!
Hey...at least I didn't link to it:-)

Hope I sweetened up your day with some pretty little things from etsy.
XOXOXOXOXO

"Mom, What is She Wearing?"

This is what my 12 year old daughter asked me last night while we were at a restaurant for dinner.
I looked at the woman she was referring to.
She was wearing a loose sleeveless shift style dress in shades of purple
with black pantyhose and black pumps.
While I think she could have done better, I didn't see anything totally "weird"
...but my daughter did.
She then asked what was with the black tights "or whatever they are" on her legs.
What???
I said they were black pantyhose...not exactly the right shade in my opinion...
but who asked:-)
She said..."Mom, they look ridiculous.
They don't match her white arms and they just look so fake."


Hmmm...clearly this is a Florida native through and through
and clearly her mom does not wake up and dress for the office every morning.
She's right...I do not wear them.
If I have a dress on it is with tan legs (thanks to a daily bronzer or very sheer nude pantyhose, which I admit is extremely rare, like not even once/year.)
So then I started wondering if women really do still wear these.
I read that our First lady does not wear pantyhose.


I agree that they might be more professional in some settings.
But this girl of mine, who is very bright and fairly up on fashion for her age, was completely freaked out by this look.
Her thinking was that if your arms show, they should match your leg.
If you are wearing a business suit or long sleeves and want black pantyhose,
that might be okay. "But not in Florida":-)

So there you have it...
a blog post on pantyhose.
Do you wear them?
Are they "in" where you live?
Would you wear them with the little black dress?
Do tell...

(I think I prefer this look.)

And lastly, I am so sorry for being an absent blogger.
A little problem with my eye...which made looking at a bright computer screen difficult,
and my identity...which has been so much fun sorting out,
and a general lack of inspiration.
So happy I finally got inspired...by black pantyhose. hahaha

Feeling Romantic...

Oooooh...got your attention there, didn't I???

But first I have to thank all of my pink friends for stopping by on Saturday. I'm looking forward to visiting each and every one of your blogs and getting to know you if we haven't "met" already! I'm so happy you liked the tutu and wish I could send each of you one...but as you know, I can't exactly do that.
What I can do is send Courtney a tutu for her litle girl since she won the giveaway.
Yay...Yippee!!!!!!!!
Please stop by and visit Courtney at her blog, Women Living Well......you will truly be inspired and blessed.

Okay...now on to the romantic part.
No, not what you're thinking...hee,hee
THIS is what I'm talking about...
Romantic Country Magazine



Oh my gosh...have you ever seen this magazine?
Every single issue is more beautiful than the one before.
This, combined with the amazing shabby/romantic shops I discovered this weekend
have convinced me I have to get my house to this place, as much as possible.
My husband may resist a bit here and there
but when I remind him how much time is spent in our home...
we not only live here but my children learn here...
I think he'll be okay.
Maybe.
Hopefully.
Anyway, he has a business trip coming up.
He almost expects to smell paint when he walks in the door so...
I can't disappoint him, right?
When I tell him that we are being green and giving "new life" to old furniture...he will be unimpressed.
(No...I'm not going to paint my bedroom furniture...yet.)
But when I tell him we are saving money in other ways...BINGO!!!
Here are a few pictures that have me in a "romantic...decorating that is...mood:-)
Hope you all have a beautiful day!





Okay...so this next one is more beachy/shabby...with a touch of romantic...and totally irresistible:-)

Think Pink...

What's the big deal with PINK?
Pink is a combination of red and white. The shade of pink is determined by how much red is present. Shades of deep pink, such as magenta, are effective in neutralizing disorder and violence. Some prisons use limited deep pink tones to diffuse aggressive behaviour. Pink is the color of universal love. Pink is a quiet color. Lovers of beauty favor pink. A pink carnation means "I will never forget you".

Hmmm...lovers of beauty...I like that!

Speaking of beauty, I have a little giveaway for you today...
A sweet little Pink Tutu from The Shabby Tiara.


You do not have to follow, subscribe, blog about it, FB it, tweet it or any of that stuff.
All you have to do is leave a comment today and let me know if you have a little girl in your life who might love a tutu...that's it!
Even if you're not in the market for a tutu, please let me know you stopped by.
On Sunday, I'll select a number by random generator.
Remember...Valentine's Day is coming up:-)

Thank you to Beverly from How Sweet The Sound for hosting Pink Saturday!

Comfy & Cozy...

I did not want to get out of bed today.
Not because of the weather...
it's actually a beautiful, sunny morning.
Just because I was so comfy and cozy.
So I started looking for some pretty, shabby beds...
and this is what I found.
Have a comfy and cozy weekend...
and pop in tomorrow for pink saturday.
XOXO
(click on a pic to get a close-up)

Brrrr...from ICY Florida

How lame...writing about the weather.
I mean, short of a hurricane, why bother?
I know the rest of the country thinks we are cold weather wimps.
It doesn't take much to freeze us.
31 degrees with a windchill in the 20's does the trick!

I am well aware that the unrelenting hot and humid
months are right around the corner so I will not complain.
I grew up in Michigan. I know cold weather.
We just don't have the right clothes.
Flip flops do not work in 30 degree weather.

Oh my gosh...
I forgot how great a warm shower is on a cold morning...
and feeling like you are shaving off goose bumps!!!
And sleeping in layers under a down comforter...
complete with socks and gloves.

The good news...
lots of comfort food.
Beef stew, chili, hot chicken sandwiches w/ mashed potatoes & gravy...
I know...what's the big deal???
See for yourself...

I bet it took all of the "snow" in the yard to make one snowball...


or this mini snowman.
But we don't miss the chance to try!



Yes...this is a palm tree...with snow!



These photos do not bode well for prices of strawberries and O.J this year...




Possibly the best gift we got this Christmas:-)


No...It is NOT flip-flop weather!


If you're lucky enough to have a bit of ice on your windshield in Florida,
you just HAVE to write in it and take a picture!!!:-)


Okay people, it's 20 degrees in Jacksonvile...DO NOT GO TO THE BEACH!
hahaha


Even my boys have to stay warm.
Maui loves wearing his Florida sweatshirt
(for Jordie) and his Bama sweatshirt (for Taylor)




and Freddy...he stays cuddled up in a blanket with his toys.

Well, I'm off for a walk with the boys
around the neighborhood in my 31 degree weather.
But it is sunny...
and I hear it might get to 76 later this week.
Don't hate me!!!:-)

Dreamy Pink...

Just a few things I love for Pink Saturday...

Starting with the Pink Cloud Motel...Sweet "pink" dreams!



What a dreamy vanity...



How about this kitchen...The pink is so subtle...a kitchen anyone would love. So dreamy...



This sofa is a dream...


And pink cotton candy...the stuff dreams are made of!


Pink Flowers from the Nutcracker...That is my Waltz of the Flowers soloist in the center.
Following a dream...



Last but not least...we are all dreaming of warmer days.


Thank you to Beverly at How Sweet The Sound for hosting once again!

A Handbook for 2010...Great Advice!

Oh my gosh, my sister just sent me this email and
I loved it so much that I tossed out the post I was in the middle of writing
to pass it on to you. (Now if she had a blog like I have told her she should,
she could post this herself.:-)
Hope you like it too!
XOXOX
Suzanne

~HANDBOOK 2010~

~Health:~
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6.Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2009 .
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

~Personality:~
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

~Society:~
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything..
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

~Life:~
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come..
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Birthday Traditions...

Birthdays are big at our house.
If you don't want anyone fussing over your big day,
you probably want to avoid us.

Ever since my girls were little, we've had some traditions that we do every year.
I remember thinking they wouldn't last but they did...and I love it!
My girls know that as they get older,
we will still celebrate this way.
They might come home from college
and have a spongebob theme party...who knows?
Who cares?
It's a birthday...once a year and all that.

Most of these are silly little things
but put them all together
and they equal one big special memory.
This is not to say you have to do these things, just thought I'd pass on a few things that make birthdays special at our house.

Our Traditions:

~Decorate! Pick a theme too, even for the family party.
It makes decorating so much easier and it also makes for a fun day. We usually do this after they go to bed so they wake up to their birthday decorations.


Someday I'm going to do a post on all of the birthday party themes we have done so I'll save you this time but trust me, pick a theme.
It could be as simple as a color but it just makes it all come together.
And the Birthday Cake blow-up always comes out:-)


~Decorate some more...in their bedroom. Every night after they fall asleep, the Birthday Fairy sneaks in their room, leaving balloons all over the floor and ribbons or crepe paper strung around. This fairy then writes on the bedroom or closet mirror a birthday message
...in lipstick:-)

~Breakfast in bed. Always. I know, with school that's tough
but it starts the day off great! On the tray, include a few tiny gifts.

This year Taylor got a magazine, gum and mints. Sometimes it might be nail polish, a silly straw...any little thing.


~Bring out some special things about that person.
We always scatter photos of the birthday girl around the house
as part of the decorations and if you notice
in the photo of the presents, there is a container that says "Baby".
Taylor received flowers in that when she was born.
(Note to Trudy...save a few things like that:-)


~Birthday messages... If you read my blog you know I love chalkboards.
There is always a birthday message written on it.
When my girls were younger and walked to school,
the chalkboard would be out on our big front porch to
welcome them home.


~The Birthday girl (or boy) chooses their favorite foods for their meals.
Yep...it might mean pink pancakes or pink mashed potatoes but go for it!
This goes for the cake, too...it's theirs so if they want
a purple cake with green or pink frosting, that's what they get.
We never worried if anyone else would
want it although...Helloooo...it's cake...close your eyes and eat it it already:-)
(And yes, ours were almost always pink
unless we bought a Barbie cake and oh yeah
...those were pink too:-)


~Serve their meals on cute birthday plates and we always include birthday hats.
My girls got a special frou-frou hat when they were born
that they still have, although I don't always make them wear it these days.
We also have a red "You are special plate" that they eat on for special occasions,
like their birthday or a good report card...
Even my husband gets the special plate...but only if he behaves!


~It's their day.
Make it special.
That means no errands or other boring things that take up our time
and that most kids hate doing anyway.
Some days we did a bunch of fun little activities and other birthdays,
we stayed in jammies and watched their favorite shows all day:-)
Have my girls ever skipped school on their birthday???
Ummm...yes.
But they are good students and didn't miss a lot.
Hey...many adults take the day off work on their birthday so...
Anyway, they usually wanted to go and celebrate with their friends.
But if they're home and their idea of a fabulous birthday is playing Barbies...
Go for it!


~Special restaurants. We had a restaurant that gave you a
pie in your face on your birthday.
Somehow, even though you knew it was coming,
you let your guard down while eating and it always came when you least
expected it.
Kids love this so even if you hate the food...go for it:-)



~Yes, of course the dog gets a birthday.
What did you think...I could leave my boys out????

Obviously, we will do anything for some birthday cake!!! hahaha

Well, I've probably bored you enough so I'll stop there.
Let me know if you have any special traditions.
I would love to pass them on to my readers.
Have a great day and stay warm!!!!!!!
Suzanne