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Thursday, March 31, 2011

the power of words.

My ideas & experiences are the coffee beans. My writing is the brew process. My final post is my Monday morning cup of coffee. It starts my morning. It starts my week, in a way that a cup of my fave java would do.Let it allow you to sum up what your morning cup would be filled with as well.

Morning Cup of........

Positive Energy

I was introduced to this really great article from the Huffington Post yesterday and it completely created the most positive energy inside me. Along with my morning cup of coffee, I began to read just what I needed to hear to start my day.


To sum this article up, the author went to see a life coach because she wanted the positive energy and "glow" that she had seen in a friend. After the first session she was told to write down 2 affirmations 10 times, morning and night. The change was noticeable. She began to believe in what she was writing down and what was once holding her back from achieving the greatness out of life.


One thing that really caught me in this article, was the statement ".....that the average person's thoughts are 80% negative"! 80%??!That's crazy! Not this little positive powerhouse!


I wrote down my 2 positive affirmations. Each on it's own, lined post-it. I then began to write them over and over in my task-notebook. Today, I did the same.


(Just read the article...It's a must!)


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/erin-henry/affirmations-power_b_840364.html


Aj

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Past vs. Future

To the friends around me that are struggling

with some past issues that are holding them back from what the future holds.

Now is the time to look ahead.

The past can be an anchor.


Aj


allowing vulnerability.

As I sit at my desk surrounded by some of my favorite (book) covers, my "Inspire" playlist blasting, a pile of magazines, a framed photo of a shoot I styled, an urn of pens, and a journal I have turned into a release of ideas and notes, I think

"What do I do, to make my dreams a reality?".


Wearing sweats and a boyfriend sweater, no makeup, an over-the-top vintage-inspired cocktail ring and a head band with the largest faux flower you've ever seen on top (the items that are often too much for this little town, so I toss them on while I'm cleaning house or working from home, it feels so much more glamorous!),

makes me think.... I need to stop playing dress up with my life and actually PLAY life.


I jealously admire creative people that start at "Concept" and continue on to "Execution", and then to "Completion". I have found that there is some grey area that I like to call "the pothole" between concept and completion. Maybe I see this "pothole" when I am reaching it after concept and I panic? I try to miss it, but something guides me straight to it.

Is it a person's voice?

Is it my OWN voice?

Is it a past experience that is haunting me?

Could it be an unfamiliar feeling that I do not want to surrender to?

Is it failure?

Is it success?

Is it possibly doing something that I get praised for, and not being comfortable rising above what I am use to?

Did I just list questions/answers that guides me to this pothole?

{eyes glossed}

I released this troubling situation to an inspiring-wise friend earlier today, and had to share her words

(mainly for a reminder to myself).

"There needs to be something that you produce that feeds your confidence to a place that can not be removed. There has to be something that pushes you to the point of pride, unrelinquished. The thing is, you are so very talented honest,......."

"No one sees your bitty faults. No one knows that it didn't totally go the way you wanted it to. What they do see is what you seem to see in everyone else; That you are respected in your industry, your idea's and plans are awesome,...."


Do you ever trouble the idea of figuring out just what keeps you from doing what you want to do?

Aj

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Meat my lifestyle.

I have now been a vegetarian for 18 years. (Wow, I haven't really thought about how long it really has been). I made the life-changing decision when I was just 10 years old. I know, my poor parents..... but it wasn't that bad for them (at least I don't think). I always remember my mom having 3 pots on the stove when making spaghetti.... noodles, sauce, sauce sans-meat. Easy. I was a veg before it became a health fad and WAY before "Meatless Mondays" were incorporated into households. I didn't starve.


I didn't ever get sick from lack of protein (actually, I rarely even got sick!).


I did not preach or push my lifestyle on anyone.


It changed my life completely!


(did I mention I was 10?)


It has never been a burden on ME, nor have I made it a burden on other people (again, at least I don't think). When I was younger there were not nearly as many substitutes as there are now for the non-meat eaters. I pretty much had GardenBurger as an option. Going to McDonalds with friends and their parents was always so uncomfortable for me. I would order a burger with "everything on it, except the meat". Then that would be the entire conversation for the whole meal. Just until recently, that still seemed to be the topic when I would eat with new people.


Being a vegetarian has really transformed the way I choose to eat. Of course, I have my fall backs, but I regularly choose good, wholesome, food without discretion. I think about what I have ate during the day and become aware of what I am lacking. I feel more in tact with my inner body than I think most people do. I pay attention to what is needed and know when I am missing a key element to my intake of protein, iron, Omega-3's, etc.... Knowing the decision I made at such a young age, gives me confidence that I can make any change if my heart is in it.

(Sugar.... You are going down!)


Here are a couple of books I have enjoyed, and that have inspired me to take Veg to a whole other level.


{On the "To Read" List} "The Veganist" by Kathy Freston.


http://www.kathyfreston.com/ I watched her on Oprah, but read an amazing and inspiring article in this months issue of Town & Country http://www.townandcountrymag.com/


Aj





Thursday, March 24, 2011

what keeps me up at night.

If this list doesn't simply explain what

{ I think about, as I lay in bed at night }

with my eyes staring up at the ceiling

as my fiance' is sound asleep snoring in my ear.....

I don't know what would.

I can't believe how perfect this is;

my thoughts summed up as a

pretty little list.


Aj

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

{all things glamorous}

In memory of Ms. Elizabeth Taylor.

Glamorous. Iconic. Beautiful. Humanitarian.
All things I adore and admire about a successful woman.
On a side note, how beautiful is this photo? It's no secret I am in love with a coral lip. But this dress! Um, can we say my wedding attire in Palm Springs or beach side?? YES, please! Maybe Grandma's clip on earrings? LOVE.

This woman was {all things glamorous}
I am inspired today to add a little "Elizabeth" to my look today.

Aj

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

good day gloating.

I couldn't get home fast enough to write this post.

  • It started with some coffee & W magazine (how can that not inspire someone?)

  • Then a drive into the sunshine to pick up my best.

  • An intermission taken by a phone call of someone who inspires, supports, and encourages my spirituality.

  • A brisk walk (occasional increments of running...and I mean OCCASIONAL) :) with my best alongside nothing but trees and water, good laughs and chats.

  • Conversation and inspiration from a dear friend and supporter along the docks of Lake Union.

  • Motivation, encouragement and strength to do what I love and love what I do.
  • Goals of unlimited possibilities
  • Satisfying my hunt for an item needed for my career goals.
  • Phoning a friend who often feels like I do, and gives advice to me....as she is giving advice to herself at the same time.

  • Feeling as if we all have our lulls, but determining if that lull is going to get the best of us.
  • Good music to soak in as the sunshine fills my home office.

Now lets end this day with running full force to some creative goodness!

Aj

Monday, March 21, 2011

Morning cup of....

My ideas & experiences are the coffee beans. My writing is the brew process. My final post is my Monday morning cup of coffee.
It starts my morning. It starts my week, in a way that a cup of my fave java would do.Let it allow you to sum up what your morning cup would be filled with as well.
Morning Cup of...................

Self Love
This weekend I worked a couple of Spring Trend Shows for Laura Mercier as one of the makeup artists. Let me paint this picture for you: woman after woman arrives without makeup to experience the greatness of Laura's products and techniques. Women take away a natural-polished look with a pop of spring to replicate in their homes. We set them up with the amazing products that work best for their skin and their daily prep-routine. Sounds so fun, right?
It IS so fun, but I have realized that being a woman, we have so much pressure to be "youthful", "perfect", "lifted", "face of a magazine", and "flawless". It began to really wear on me when each client that would sit in my chair (sans makeup) and would push up and pull on their face. They would look in the mirror and tell me all the things that they would like to change about their natural structure. It really made me sad.... (and scared to death to get old)! They made it sound so miserable.

What was really amazing to me, was that I don't think they were looking through the mirror I gave them. They were looking through their eyes. Does that make sense? What I saw, and what they saw were not always as terrifying as they made it sound. I saw beauty in each one of them, and did all that I could to express that, and play that up as I went from brush-to product-to face.

It amazes me how we can be our biggest bully, our worst critic.

I know this is nothing new. It just made me really sad to witness so many women in one day who despised the way they look
al naturale'.

So, my morning cup is full of self love.

I am challenging myself to appreciate my look. As I do my makeup this morning, I plan to keep it minimal (however, I love the art of doing my makeup in the morning). I will love the light freckles I have scattered throughout my face. I will love my small eyes. I will love my unshaped-unwaxed eyebrows. ( HA!) I will LOVE my large forehead that I have always despised since I was teased in 5th grade about.

I WILL LOVE ME, AND EVERYTHING THAT I WAS BLESSED TO BE BORN WITH.

What will you be falling in love with about yourself?




Sunday, March 20, 2011

happy spring. {literally..happy spring!}


Spring has garnished our lives with a beautiful sunny day here in Washington. YEAH!

I love a season change! It can be such a positive change for someone who easily gets in a funk on every grey-dreary day. Not often, but I think we all can get sucked in.


Do it for yourself, do it for your health, do it for your well-being..... heck just do it for the people around you!!! (No one wants Negative Nancy around.... she's contagious!)
I came across a great study done in 2009 from the Mayo Clinic, that discovered benefits in the result of positive thinking. Just FYI..... I can't even remember the last time I had a cold.
(That's me telling you with my nose stuck up in the air.)

Here are some of the benefits of ignoring the negativity, and embracing optimism!
■Increased life span ("Yes, please!")

■Lower rates of depression ("Save your pennies at the Doc's office")
■Lower levels of distress ("Poor me....doesn't cut it people! We all have our issues.")
■Greater resistance to the common cold ("More time to enjoy the finer things in life!")

■Better psychological and physical well-being ("You're more likely to stay fit and have good energy")

■Reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease ("Cardiovascular disease??!! NO, thanks!")

■Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress ("Negative Nancys out there... I despise you!") :)

I know; if you have been the same way for ...well, you're whole life, it can be tough to make a certain changes. I am experiences a few changes that I would like to work on as well. So, all I can say is.... LETS DO THIS, what are we waiting for?!

TO see the full study click here:
Aj

Thursday, March 17, 2011

video fave

I was assigned to watch this video in a class I took in college a couple of years ago. I often find myself going back to it for inspiration to keep going.

What an inspiring story. What are your thoughts?

Steve Jobs: How to live before you die Video on TED.com
Aj

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

sweet dreams tonight

Words to end this dreary, pre-spring day.
Sweet {uninterupted} Dreams to you.....
AJ

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

perfect match.

As crazy as life can get, and how much time we don't have.... I have always held deep in my heart.... to volunteer. I was going to school, working 2 jobs, and helping out wherever I could with events, and maintaining a relationship when I signed up to volunteer as a "Big Sister" with Big Brother Big Sister. I was called "crazy", and a lot of times I thought I was as well. But wow, was it worth it!
I met the most amazing little girl to have as a "Little Sister". We have been matched for over 2 years now, and to see the way she has evolved into a young little lady has amazed me. It was a perfect match. When we met, she was 7. She was sassy and clearly needed someone to really listen to her.

I'll never forget when we met she looked at me and said
"you have really pretty teeth.... I love you".
I like to know that I have had a great influence on her, but I think she has had a greater influence on me. She has taught me to experience life at every chance. Dance to every song. Say how you feel.... (of course I have taught HER.... you can't say EVERYTHING!). Most of all, this girl has taught me to be a good friend and to listen.

The Big Brother Big Sister program is an amazing volunteer opportunity. I love it so much that I have pursued others to join and even helped coordinate the auction fundraisers. The time needed is not much. In the first year they ask to meet with your "little" 2-4 times a month. After the year is up they re-eval and ask for you to continue if interested. Money is not an issue. They don't ask for a dime. Anything you do with your "little" is covered by the parent, and you cover your own costs for the activity.

My "little" and I have moved on from being just a match (like most do), and now are considered friends in our eyes. We are total girls and get easily distracted by glitter, pink, and cute boys. :) We enjoy crafts and coloring together. We love Applebees for the mini desserts, Trophy cupcakes, and teenybop music. We love to go ice skating, shop, and singing in the car. I call her "diva".

Now, off to plan our next activity. Trying to think of something fun we have never done together. Maybe once the weather gets nicer, we'll hit a bike trail like we've been talking about!



If YOU are interested in volunteering with this great program click here http://www.bbbs.org/site/c.9iILI3NGKhK6F/b.5962335/k.BE16/Home.htm

and find the organization near you!

My ideas & experiences are the coffee beans. My writing is the brew process. My final post is my Tuesday morning cup of coffee.
It starts my morning. It starts my week, in a way that a cup of my fave java would do. Let it allow you to sum up what your morning cup would be filled with as well.
Morning Cup of...................

SUCCESS

I received my business cards in the mail today! The first ones ordered for my goals to become a stellar photo stylist! I am pretty excited, and proud that I sort-of made my first step to get out there.

I was talking with my fiance' the other day about success and came to a really great advancement in my success dreams. I was telling him that I have received a ton of congratulatory praises about becoming successful and powerful. What an honor to have these kind words showered upon me. The thing is, (I told him), is that I am not making loads of money. I am surviving, but not at all bringing in the income that I would love to have to live the lifestyle that I dream of.


So I ask "Why do people think I am successful?".

He said "maybe it's about the way you present yourself and the life you live now".



I always feel that if you tell yourself you are a certain way, and live your life a certain way, you become it. So, maybe that's what is happening. AND I LOVE IT! I am creating my dream, to become a reality.

What are your thoughts about success?
Are you living a successful life?

AJ


Sunday, March 13, 2011

Garnished arm candy

Is it just me, or was it SO confusing when you woke up on this {daylight savings} morning?

{OK, now time to garnish this blog with some gold. Literally!}

I'm not one to brag (and think it's a bad character trait), but lucky for me..... I have a pretty fabulous new watch to check the hour all day long (and yes, I AM bragging) during this confusing time adjustment!

I have been ob-sessed with masculine watches on women. There are some AWW-mazing watches for women right now too! OMGeeee!Is this not the cutest spring accessory right now?

L.O.V.E.

Enjoy your EYE... Oops, ARM-candy!

AJ

Saturday, March 12, 2011

thank you card, addressed to you.

Growing up, my mom always made us write "Thank You" cards. My sister and I always put it off and did not think it was a big deal. As adults, we appreciate the art of a "Thank You" card. Though I am not very prompt on this "art", I do get it done eventually.

Any hand written card in the mail is sparse these days, but when you are so appreciative of what you have received, its the least you can do.

Since the world of tech has not evolved to handwritten emails quite yet (I may be on to something...) I would like to virtually post my "Thank You" card to you. It goes like this.....


(Front cover of card)
Much Appreciated.

(Open and find....)

I would just like to express my gratitude towards you and your kind words of support. I jumped into the blog world with you as an inspiration. The results have been so uplifting. It feels so good to have you express your gratitude towards what I write. However, I write selfishly, but feel-generously. I am blessed to be able to share these little tidbits that I think of everyday, without being judged. I feel so nerdy sometimes with how my Pisces-of-a-mind thinks.... so
thank you for taking it, & not leaving it.
Thank you for embracing it.
Thank you for sharing it with your friends.
I look forward to our blog-post vs. reader relationship's future.



Kindest regards,
Adrian

Friday, March 11, 2011

no words.

No words can express the sorrow felt.

Count your blessings.
AJ

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Beautiful People

I did not have to search far,
for the beautiful things around me today.
I just listened to myself as I drove off to work.

Here are the thoughts that I embraced my day with.

I have been so blessed by the people that have entered my life in the last couple of years. Of course I am blessed with the ones that have been in my life for years now, but it seems that the ones that I have let into my world this last year have all had their purpose for my goals and passions in life. I did not plan, nor search for these people in order to succeed my dreams. Somehow, in someway, I was gifted the presence of these influential people. It's amazing what unfolds entirely when you set your heart to living a life you thought, you could only dream of.

Awww......

As I write this and see your faces and hear your voices, and discretely fight back the tears of compassion that you have encouraged me to embrace, I would just like to say,

"Thank you, for being you, and allowing me to be me".


I was never mislead from the love, by all of my parents growing up. I was always told "I love you" after every day, every phone call, and every parting. So with that said.... to the people that have entered my life and supported me in every circumstance ....

"I LOVE YOU!".

AJ

stop & look

I'm off to work, and giving myself a challenge for the day:
Finding new things that are fabulously amazing.





AJ





Tuesday, March 8, 2011

I've been Booked.

I have mentioned before the book "Take Time for Your Life" by Cheryl Richardson. I often go back to this book when I am trying to put things in perspective and need some guidance. When I first listened to this on Audio, I was hooked! I could not wait to make the 50 minute drive to class each day, just so I could have my "drive-by therapy session". LOVE!

Here are some subjects that the book covers to create a life tailored to YOU.

{Put yourself at the top of the list}
It makes sense, this would be the first category.... but can very much be the hardest skill to perfect. She explains "extreme self care" and how to obtain it in everything you do. Building the one relationship that is most important, the one with yourself is "extreme self care". It's finding your inner wisdom and exploring what make YOU thrive in life.

{Get your priorities straight}
Oh, do I struggle with this!? Setting priorities that are important to you, and not what life is throwing at you. Keep focused and do not let people, things, and events distract you. She has great questionnaires to answer in the book that really makes you think and appreciate the knowledge that can be found.

{What’s draining you}
What isn't? :) It's that pile of clothes that you need to bring to the Goodwill, it's that phone call you need to return, it's that person that complains about their relationship but doesn't do anything about it, or that person that gives you negative energy all the time. Figure out what and who makes your muscles tighten up and frustrates you. Sometimes you just need to call it how it is, and make a change.

{Invest in your financial health}
I love this one! I'll never forget when I was super strapped on money and I was so angry of the way that I had been spending. I told myself that I will change. I need to change. I put my iPod on shuffle and this exact chapter of this book came on. SLAP! The goal in this chapter is to build a respectful relationship with your money. If you respect it, it respects you. I began to tighten the strings on where my money was going. I was not heading to get a coffee every morning; I would keep only a little amount in my checking account to restrain myself.

So one late night, I went to pump gas at a station and my respect paid off. Literally! I looked down and saw some cash on the ground. I went to bring it in to the cashier (who looked like he would probably not return it to the rightful owner), and I turned around and sat in my car with the doors locked. (I was in a super shady area!) I sat there for about 15 minutes waiting to see if someone was looking around for "something", and I planned to return it.
Nothing.
Then, my "Wise Self", thought "this is my reward for earning respect with my finances". I truly felt it was a blessing. I did not first think "Yes, I hit the jackpot!". I first was concerned about who lost this money. So, the $200 went to the bill on top of my list.

{What’s fueling you}
Where are your natural adrenaline rushes coming from? Exercise? Friends? Sports? Art? A hobby? Volunteering? Embrace those and skip the caffeine and alternative adrenaline sources.

{Build a ‘‘soulful’’ community}
What people do you have in your life that support your choices in life? Who encourages you and helps YOU become a better YOU? Keep these people, and let go of the ones that do not support you. Remember the more negative you let go, allows more positive to fill that space.

{Honor your spiritual well-being}
Nurture yourself. Treat yourself in all that you are doing to live life to it's fullest. Practice your self care and honor that in the way you need to keep going.


I highly suggest checking out this book. I do not do it any justice, but I ABSOLUTELY ADORE IT! This book was actually the motivation I needed to volunteer my time as a "Big Sister" at Big Brother Big Sister.


Happy Reading!


http://www.cherylrichardson.com/


AJ



Monday, March 7, 2011

morning cup of.....

My ideas & experiences are the coffee beans. My writing is the brew process. My final post is my Monday morning cup of coffee.
It starts my morning. It starts my week, in a way that a cup of my fave java would do.
Let it allow you to sum up what your morning cup would be filled with as well.
Morning Cup of...................
Gratitude

After a wonderful birthday weekend of good friends, good food, laughs, shopping, great drinks, music, dancing, and a new car from my fiance'.....
My morning cup is filled with Gratitude.


I am so grateful for what I have been blessed with and how I have created my life to unfold. I am blessed to have people that support my decisions and the way I choose to live. Each person in my circle of friends, all have their special qualities that I appreciate and each have their own form of kindness towards me.
The lifestyle that my fiance' and I have been able to create is such a blessing. We both enjoy a good meal, a good drink, and nice things. Call it materialism, but we appreciate these things as a couple.
What is in your cup this Monday morning?
AJ

Sunday, March 6, 2011

{real life}

Real Life.

Up's. Downs. Good. Bad. Love. Hate.

I am always so grateful for what is thrown my way in life. If it's a negative, I do everything I can to find the positive in the situation. Not everyone does this, and it's not always easy to do of course either. But I hope this chapter in my blog inspires you to see that everything really does happen for a reason.

I find some very amazing and inspiring people in my life on a regular basis. It is amazing what unfolds when you really start to ask the Q's.
That is what Real Life unveils.


Meet Crystal. Shes a mom of 3, married, and has always put others in front of herself (like most moms and wives). Her story inspires me. I think it touches me mostly, because I have seen her through the changes she has made, and it pushes me to fight even harder in my own personal battles

Here is Crystal's weight loss story.

"Not wanting to be in family photos, not playing with my kids, always being tired, and not ever wanting to do anything was not enough (to make me try to lose the weight). It was finally when... I was saddened by my son coming home from school saying:



'Mommy, kids are making fun of me for having a FAT MOM'.


My son cant help how I look, only I can!"

Crystal had low self esteem during this point already, but after hearing that, she knew what she needed to do. She reached out to people who she felt that would give positive reinforcement. She needed to hear that she could do it from someone besides herself-her only support system. The people she reached out to gave her things to read, books to listen to, and the courage to keep going even if she "had a bad day and went right for the bad food in the middle of the night". These people became her 'comfort food'.

Her realization of what had been happening all this time, came after examining herself during her transition to a healthier lifestyle.


"... I cant believe how much of my life I have wasted, the people that I've pushed away, the memories I have not made with my kids."


Now, she feels happiness from the new people in her life, the memories she is making with her children, and the new person she is becoming.

Crystal has created a lifestyle that works for her, with inspiration from the books she has read. The book,"Skinny Bitch" a New York best-seller(http://www.skinnybitch.net/) , is what Crystal kicked off her weight loss with. She took bits and pieces from the author's words, and adapted those into her daily life. Creating a menu of items that she enjoyed has helped her maintain a healthy diet.


"A normal day of food is... a banana, 1cup cinnamon burst cheerios with 1/4 cup coconut milk, 100% whole wheat bagel thin with 2oz of protein, 1/2 to 1 cup of mixed fruit (blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, grapes, orange or banana) 16 reduced fat wheat thins, carrots, peas, asparagus, parsnips, red potatoes, 2oz of protein, spinach with mushrooms and tomato, oil and vinegar, and lots of water."


Working out at least 5 times a week at the gym and busting a move to Zumba (an amazing & fun work out in itself), keeps her on the uphill climb to her weight loss goal of losing 108 lbs. I know that it has taken a bit to find what works for her, but I have no doubt that she will keep fighting this battle.

After my interview with Crystal, I concluded something out of her answers that I found very inspiring.

Sometimes people just need you to listen. They want to tell you what their emotions are, they want to hear themselves say words that sound so crazy in their own mind just for a form of release, they want to know and feel that someone cares about them in a way that requires nothing physical or demanding. Sometimes no words, can be stronger than just any words. That seems to be when I learn the most, when I hear myself talk (or type, like this blog has done for me).

Its hard going through the world as it is, but to feel like you are going alone without anyone asking where you are going and how you will be getting there....., can be damaging.

AJ

Friday, March 4, 2011

perfectly imperfect.

As positive as I usually am, I tend to be pretty negative when it comes to how I am with certain things in my life. You know, those things where you find yourself saying
"If I could only just put my credit card in the same place?",
or
"Why can't I just say thank you, when someone says something nice to me?".
Ugh. I have a whole list of them! I know flaws are what makes us human; they make us perfectly imperfect.

Just a few of MY perfect imperfections are....

{Cleaning up after myself right away}
This usually occurs because I am in a hurry and don't have time to organize the mess I just made. (Maybe time management too?)


{Spending money on tons of cheap things, rather than just investing in a few good quality things} Quantity beats quality for me. I'm too indecisive and change my mind the next month anyways.


{Putting what I want to do, before what I need to do}
THIS needs to change. PRONTO!


What are some of your perfect imperfections? Help me out here, so I don't continue to be so hard on myself.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Garnishing my birthday with......

Unlike most women in their late 20's, (and anything above that) often dread their birthdays. Not this birthday girl! Maybe it has to do with the fact that an entire day, nah, week & weekend is dedicated to ME (ok, in my little world it does). Or maybe it’s just because it’s the one day that I can eat a cupcake or slice (ok, who am I kidding?) slices of cake and not feel nauseated with guilt. OR, it may have something to do with the way my mother and grandmother look as they mature and I can’t help but to think of how I will look the next year ;) (if that has any say in how I will look....I am going to love birthdays forever!). Either way, this girl will celebrate life more than ever, on each birthday I AM BLESSED WITH.

Here is what I will be garnishing MY day and weekend with.


Loads of costume jewelry

Dinner with good friends

Playing DRESS up

Heavenly voices and instruments

Treating myself (pedis with the girls!)

No, really TREATING myself


Now let the celebration begin!

Oh, wait.... that's for Sunday.

Cheers to another fab year of making wishes come true.