Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts

Catch-Ups & Pupperonis

There's been more photography in my life lately than there has been time - or want, to be honest - for design and home decor. That's neither good nor bad, but just kind of where my priorities are right now I suppose.

I've hired a designer to start helping me with a photography website and once that's done I'll have to decide how and if I transition to the blog to full-time photography or if I keep this personal one and have one for the pictures. Decisions, decisions!

Right now, a little bit of what I've been doing with a camera in a few posts!

See these little lovelies? They are Napoleon & Josephine (har har har, and yes, Napoleon is the shorter one), and are some of the cutest puppers around - just take a look and see for yourself!

And Next: Burlington, VT

The last day of the trip to Vermont was spent in Burlington, putzing around to shops, cafes, and design stores.

Burlington is a wonderful little place, and in about 6 hours a lot happened in my mind and in my heart. Maybe more on the heart stuff later, but for now, just take a look at the town. It is so colorful, so bright, so... (bare with me) free. Everyone is different yet blends in. It kind of has the same vibe of downtown Seattle.

While having brunch in a little cafe I browsed the Design Sponge city guide for Burlington and it was a wonderful start. As you can see there are some commercial stores but then many locally-owned entrepreneurs as well.

More Than Maple Syrup

After the elections in November (yes - that's how far behind I am in blog world!), a trip to Vermont sounded like the perfect medicine for election-cycle brain to attempt to disconnect, settle back in to real life, real people, and to remember the priorities I always SAY are the most important. Sometimes just saying those things don't matter enough - living them out is much more important.

So with two full weeks off work (which, I must say, is something I absolutely will try to do again because my mentor-man was right: you need a week to unwind, and then a week to full detach and enjoy your time off) there was much to do... in the way of FUN!

In Vermont there was art, okay lots of art, picture taking, dog-carting (yeah, a heatwave in Vermont in November - good timing), horseback riding, fly-fishing... the real deal. It was incredibly hard to leave.

A few pictures from the trip!

Stowe Mountain Lodge:

Some scenes from Stowe:

Then there was the dogsledding - an experience I'd wish for everyone, for anyone that sees God in nature and animals, who loves fresh crisp winter air. The silence out there, in the very north of Vermont almost at the Canadian border completely away from civilization was amazing.

More on more germane topics coming soon:). The trip ended with a day in Burlington which has MUCHO design and clothing shops, excellent art, and a wonderful spirit to it. More soon!

This & That

It's been quite a week. And quite a few months.

Good things have happened the last 8+ weeks with a few crazy moments, not a whole lot of sleep, a lot of stress... but also a lot of fun.

I'll be taking a much needed breather in a few weeks, FOR a few weeks. Fantastico. So many things are ahead in the next two months that make this my favorite time of year: Thanksgiving, cold weather, Christmas, Christmas cards, the whole shebang.

Today is the day for Christmas cards so I'll be putting that order in this afternoon, oh the decisions! It's down to three different versions so I'll share the outcome and the final contenders after the choice has been made. Then on to the writing and the sending!

Other than that the decor updates for the house are few. A Home Goods has gone in up the street from me and it is a big one. Danger, danger! So there have been a few new towels and such but nothing outstanding. I did, however, purchase a rug for my room which is slowly coming to the end of being complete decorating wise. I'll post some pictures after I get it out and make sure it works.

My hopes for an excellent last month or so for you. Can't wait to get in to the season now that my times has freed up some, and catching up on all your blogs & my magazines!

Monday Night Musings

I learn so many little tidbits from reading other people's blogs all the time. I learn about new sites, new color combinations, new layouts and design "rules" to break. Really, it's quite a world out there of people that really - REALLY - know what they're doing.

I'm not one of them. So I'll take every opportunity to learn from them!

There isn't always enough to build an entire post, so maybe I'll just leave you with a few little nuggets from the weekend.

First, this magazine, Lonny Magazine. Not sure how I am so completely and totally out of the loop on this one, but I am!

Second, I saw a quote this weekend that read, "I think of you in colors that don't exist." I don't know, a little "art geek" as where I saw it described it, but it struck me. Maybe it's not an obvious person in your life - or more likely what others would think would be your obvious answer - but is there anyone in your life that is so full, and so complicated, yet wonderful, that you do in fact think of them in colors that don't exist?

This is one of my most favorite shots I've taken - and I thought of it immediately.

The Best Laid Plans...

It's true, the blog hasn't been updated in a bit - which was mentioned to me today. True. Fact. All the way.

I suppose life keeps getting in the way, which is so strange since I really do enjoy writing here and sharing my decorating finds and the like. A few weekends ago I took a quick trip back to Aldie, VA to visit Bella Villa - one of my most favorite vintage shops in the area. I picked up a few gifts, some antique wrapping paper (which I, of course, gifted since I only use my one signature wrapping paper!), and some other cute little finds.

There's also been a trip to Las Vegas in the mix. Yes, really. No, never again. It's not like it's bad or anything, but I think I didn't really get a real flavor of what the city was like because I was at a conference and then entertaining clients all day/evening - so getting out wasn't really an option, and even if it was, it was between 111 and 115 degrees the days I was there, so.... yeah, I would have melted.

Then there is today. Do you ever have what you think is the perfect plan for the day, thinking everything will work out like its scheduled and supposed to, and then it just doesn't? I guess for a variety of reasons, but it just seems like everything you try doesn't work - and you have no choice but to think that it's for a reason, and it wasn't supposed to work out. Disappointment, or whatever the feeling may be, that there's this overriding notion that what your plans were were not the best for you - or anyone - and that's why they didn't work out.

The life of a former and recovering control freak is not always an easy path. And despite the jokes and laughs, it really is former, and recovering. People in my current day-to-day life don't know how much effort I put into not making the assumption that little I could know the plans that have been set for me - be it meeting times, or life plans. It's not easy - and I fail miserably all the time - but I know the plan before me is Good, and despite my failings and misgivings, and total lack in judgement at times (like today), that these are the reasons I need a Savior.

I suppose some days I am more thankful for that than others!

More Bugs

A little glimpse of my little Bug?

I made an emergency trip out to see her (and her mom, of course!) a few weeks ago. Well, not emergency, but unplanned, yes. I had been thinking about a lot of things lately, and had to make a few decisions on some career and other life-related items, and felt like I really needed some time outside the Beltway, away from all the people and things I needed to make decisions about!

I heard someone say once that the best friend and advisor in your life should be someone that loves you and cares about your life and what happens to you, but loves God more and cares more about what God wants for your life than they care about you. So she's one of those people for me.

Anyway, made my decisions, am hoping to make a few changes, and in the meantime I got some SERIOUS Bug time!

I know - she is just irresistible!

Round on the Sides & HI in the Middle...

If you've been reading very long you know there are a few places I just can't get enough of - and they aren't your normal to-die-for destinations usually.

That's okay with me though. Less tourists and tourist-y! Lately I've been pining for some Ohio, remembering the great time I had last fall over a long weekend. I go to the Cleveland area almost every fall - and this last October's trip was just as beautiful.

So I went to high school outside Cleveland and might have a special affinity for it... but it's also quite adorable!

Check out some of our fun during that perfect October weekend... sigh, I can almost smell the countryside now!

(First a funny one - a friend sitting with Kate.)

Leavin' On a Jet Plane

I'm off to see a little bit of this:

And some of this:

And maybe a little bit of that:

Oh, and get some slobbery presents from:

Can't wait. Be back next week friends!

Make My Day

No, really, please – make my day.

Just like the man on the corner waiting with me for the crosswalk just made my day. Originally on the other side of the crowd on the corner (you know, downtown, lunchtime) was this man who walked over to my side of the corner while everyone started to cross and said, “I really like your shoes.”

BAM! POW! ZAP!

He made my day. And no, not because the subject of his compliment was my shoes!

He made my day because it was random, it was sincere, and it was for no reason at all – he just decided to say something nice. He could have said it about anything, it was just nice and not because he needed anything because he said it and went on walking.

Lesson of the day? Never underestimate what saying one little - sincere - nice thing can do for someone who needs a pick-me-up – whether or not you know they need one!

(And for no reason whatsoever, here's a little shot that makes me happy, so I hope it makes you happy too!)

Welcome...

When the Saints Go Marching In

“…I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God!” Rev. 19:1

A good friends’ dad died tonight.

He had been in hospice for some time, suffering from liver disease.

I didn’t know Mr. P well, only a little bit over the last 10 years, so my sense of loss is really only for Amy and her family.

What an honor it was to know him even the little bit I did, though. He was…

**A good father, to three daughters, one with special needs.
**A hero, a veteran, and a POW in Vietnam for a significant amount of time.
**A man who once scoffed at the Cross, and then believing only in his “need to do right,” and who then became an evangelist, leader, and a living testimony to God’s grace.

He is home. I can only begin to imagine the welcome home party the angels are throwing for him tonight.

Another Day, Another Injury

September.

This is appproximately how far behind I am in blog world. Yes, I've been writing since then, but I guess it's just about a three to four month gap at this point - at least for items that aren't time consuming!

Since I've documented some of my awesome self-injuries on the site, thought I'd update the most recent of the stories - from September.

This one involves a spider, an SUV, a good friend, and maybe a faulty spider-get-away plan. And a broken joint. I'll leave it to the imagination what actually happened, but did want to document the ever-evolving world of my hand injuries.

I can report the pinky is working great, and living up to everything it was meant to be.

I'll end with this thought. Much like when I stabbed my own thumb and have to have surgery on it, and was in a cast for a few weeks (yes, really, friends) - you don't really know how much you need the pinky until you can't use it!

My Alone Day

This is what I'm doing today. I am SO excited - I've been thinking about it for days!

Last year I scored my coffee table there, and met the vendor who I've since gotten more pieces from. I also have to say that I have been very excited about today being a "The Girl Day." You know how sometimes you just need a day to yourself? An alone day?

I needed one of those. I've had painters in my house this week, and just felt like I needed a little alone time before a very busy week ahead! So, my super-awesome plans are:

Luckett's Spring Market
Leesburg Outlet (a stop by only... I swear... no more clothes!)
Super Target (every time I'm in Leesburg I go to the Super Target - I love it!)
Costco
Get my bangs cut on the way back
Home Goods
Drop off stuff at Salvation Army

I'm sure there will be a Starbucks stop in there too somewhere. I was recently telling a friend how much I love doing errands - she did not believe me! But I do! So I am looking forward to my day of errands, all by my self, and maybe picking up something cute to decorate my newly painted (and almost finished!) bedroom and guest room.

I'll post my finds!

Little Miracles

Please give Ms. Elise a welcome! S – who has been preparing with her new home – gave birth to her this morning around 3 a.m.

I was just with her this week before Elise’s big entrance, and having been around and looking at and feeling her belly, and now seeing this amazing little life, only one thing comes to mind:

Psalm 139:13 -- For you created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb.

Preview: Work Gone Fun Weekends

As my little Santa Barbara friend that I visited this last weekend would say… Get excited.

There are some ah-maze-ing and colorful pics coming not only from my trip last week to Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, but also from Florida the week before.

And no, not because I’m good at taking pictures… because everything is so darn colorful there! A quick preview? Okay, sure.

First, a few days of work at Herita.ge Res.ource Ban.k where I took a client for the conference. It was a great conference and I got to see a bunch of people I only see a few times a year, so I always look forward to catching up. One more a few of us ventured in to Santa Monica and ate breakfast at Shutters, a most wonderful location for breakfast. And, by the way, they might have the best coffee I’ve ever had. Bold statement, I know.

But when LB picked me up, the fun really started! A great – and very unusual! – dinner at AOC in LA, and then back to the hotel for a good night of sleep. In the morning, with a brief interlude of a very stupid movie, we packed up and drove off to Santa Barbara, stopping for bagels and coffee, and maybe possibly an occasional impromptu photo shoot.

Later in the day we ventured to a few wineries (above), drove through the mountains. The day ended with a quick trip to the beach, a look/stalk of LB’s new house, and dinner and a movie.

More to come, pictures and all. And if you are wondering how much I had to psych myself up to actually post a blackberry-quality photo on my blog… yes, a lot. Don’t judge!

Sigh, Vacation

This is where I am right now...

After being here for the last four days, I am realizing how badly I needed a vacation. Some not-so-great things went down in my work life int he last week. They don't involved me, but still make me a wee sad (and worried).

After calming down from all of that the first and second day I was here, I relaxing and hanging out with the fam.

Mom's 54th birthday was on Friday, and Dad and I conspired to get her a yellow (her favorite color!) iPod Nano, and sure enough she was surprised AND liked it! We weren't sure if she would say she didn't think she would use it, blahbitty blah blah. You know how the old folks are sometimes.

Last night we ate at a Japanese restaurant with my brother, his wife, and my parents. And it's a few more trips to the beach for me before leaving Tuesday, a trip or two to the best costume/fashion jewelry store ever, a daily indulgence of an afternoon nap, and freedom to wear every print top I own.

Out Of The Way, VA

I had a great and mostly relaxing weekend. I was able to check quite a few items off the ever-growing/monstrous/out-of-control “To Do” list that I keep, which is the only reason the weekend was “mostly” relaxing.

One of my favorite weekend activities was a trip to Middleburg, VA. If you read me and L, you will find this post wildly boring. Hers is, of course, more fun than mine. She is a much more seasoned blogger, as you well know!

Our first stop was at a little antique shop that a little old white painted buffet was living at until… I came along and adopted it! More on this one later. It’s so cute it deserves its own post!

Next, a quick stroll while I was still light out in downtown Middleburg. It is so nice to visit little out of the way towns with someone else that sees the lovliness in little rusty fences, hole-in-the-wall bars, and the smell of new spring air.

It was a great afternoon, and hopefully you enjoy some of these pictures! Sometimes something as simple as fresh almost-spring-air and new colorful little blooms can help you remember one very important truth that I often forget… He makes all things new!

*****

GIRLS LIKE CARS TOO