Friday, December 2, 2011

Winter Must Have!

My #1 Winter Must Have 
is:

~ over the knee leather boots ~ 


I just bought a pair and wish I could wear them every day!
Sleek, Sexy & oh so Stylish

pair them with jeans, leggings, a mini skirt, 
or shorts with tights
they all work!



Monday, November 28, 2011

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Question of the day...



What is more important to you?

Having a life where you have a lot of money and you have a lot of stress / health issues... 

OR

A simple life that is stress free and enough money to afford you nice things.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Holding myself more accountable...




I am in the process of holding myself more accountable in life...

Certain things need working on, so I have started the process by utilizing 
modern technology to help me keep on track.

I have discovered a few IPhone applications that are making quite a difference in my life
and that are helping me reach my goals more efficiently.

****

First, one I want to tell you about is Nike+.

This app is a great running partner.  
It not only tracks your distance, time and speed but, it also has many great 
additional features that can keep you on track while make working out FUN!

Before each run, I log on and let it track my progress at getting in shape.

I love to hear the cheers that people are sending from facebook while I run 
and also the narrator letting me know I have almost reached my goals!

****

The second app that I think is absolutely GREAT 
is 
MyFitnessPal!

I love to eat! 
&
I love to wind down at the end of the day with a glass of wine (or 2).

Because I do, I seem to have gained 20lbs in the last year.
UGH!

Although I am working out, I have not been watching my diet.
Therefore, I have been getting little results.

A while back my running partner told me about this app.
I thought, eh, I know what I am eating and it's okay...
BUT, what I learned from this app is that IT ISN'T OK!

By logging in my daily food consumption and workouts
I have been able to realize that I am eating completely wrong to 
get the results I am looking for.

With this all I have to do is scan the UPC barcode on the 
food I eat and then watch as the 
calories add up. 

This triggers me to work out more and also be more 
conscious of what foods I am 
choosing to eat.

This app is great for holding yourself accountable and helping 
you see what it takes to reach your weight loss goals.

****

The third app that I live by is I CHING.

I used to love reading my daily horoscope 
but, since I have put this app on my IPhone,
I find myself looking for my daily "motivation" here.

There is something to be said about having positive thoughts.
With this app I find that each day 
I read my daily divination
& from there is seems to  
guide me through my day.

All you have to do is touch the coins!









Friday, November 11, 2011

Fast Favorites!

I am all about a good manicure and pedicure!

For years I have done the french manny/peddy 
or the black polish manny/peddy 
never veering from the same old same old
to try something new...  

I have never been one for all the crazy, 
jazzy colors or designs... 
(although they look great)

But, recently
I have been finding myself 
wanting to try something new.

These are my new favorite styles...


What do you think???















Tuesday, November 1, 2011

I was a Busy Bee this weekend!

Hey everyone!

I have been busy at honing my jewelry making craft this weekend!

I went to my first official beading class @ Bead Bar in College Park, Orlando.




I bought a Groupon months ago for the beginner beading and stringing class & finally used it!

Although I already knew the basics it was really nice to go in and see how I could do everything better. 
The ladies in class were real nice and the instructor was super helpful!
I am really excited to report that I learned a few new steps that have come in handy already!

This weekend I spent a lot of time making some great pieces!
I can't wait to wear them! 

Take a look!


The first is a stone piece.  
I purchased the stones at my first bead show a month back...
They are bulky ~ Just what I like!
It is an amazing piece (the picture does it no justice!)


The second is a chain technique that I have been wanting to try.  
I made it of silver glass beads that I had laying around and it came out quite nice!  
I even made matching earrings.



The third is another color of the stone beads that I made the above necklace with.  
At the bead show I could not walk away from them!  
They were too stunning!
I made matching earrings too!


The last is a necklace I have been working on for a while.  
While I was out one Saturday with my sister checking out a new bead shop, 
I found the large turquoise piece.  
It is a stunning dark blue turquoise with an amazingly rare marble effect.
The matching pieces & clasp I found at the bead show.
This is by far my favorite!
Of course, I had to make matching earrings...



The large turquoise bead is stunning (I can't seem to take a picture to show its detail).
The smaller beads have a sterling sliver casing around them which reminds me of ivory pieces.


I had a great weekend doing something I love!

What are your hobbies???


Friday, October 28, 2011

Tiny Houses?!?


Recently, I saw the production of tiny houses on the 
reality show "Design Star" on HGTV.  

As I do my daily reading and search for interesting things to 
talk about in my blog, 
I bumped into this site...


They are the premier tiny house company!
They build 3 different styles:
Box Bungalows
Houses to Go 
&
Cottages
&
They range from 99 sq ft to 885 sq ft.


It has become quite a trend for people with little interest to live in 
a large home, with a large mortgage,
to buy these custom made itty bitty homes.

The luxury about them are they are trendy, small enough to have 
built to your specifications and can you own them for a fraction of the cost of a real home!!!

With the last three to four years of the real estate collapse it seems a lot of people are 
starting to realize and live by the less is more attitude!

What do you think?  

Could you be happy with this little house as your home???

******

These are a few of my favorite Box Bungalos:




These are the Houses to Go:



 & these are the Cottages:



It really is amazing how they can build them to fit your needs &
they seem to be pretty spacious inside to boot!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011



How Beautiful is it 
that we as humans have free will 
to create ourselves 
into what and who we want to be. 

The fact 
that we get many chances in life
&
 always have the ability to change something 
if we do not LOVE it 
is astounding!

Make your perfect life your reality today!

The only thing holding you back is you...

Love who you are.
 Be who you want.
&
Live your dreams.




Tuesday, October 25, 2011

BOO! Great Halloween party food/drinks!

Yes, it is that time of the year again... 

The summer weather has been winding down into a nice subtle coolness that reminds us that it is time to start preparing for the coming holidays.  
I love that they all start off with Halloween... 
the fun but scary holiday in which we all can be kids again and dress up to our hearts content.

The question on my mind....
What will I be this year???

I always love throwing a party.  
I threw a party 3 Halloweens ago...  
Dressed up the house, made some good eats/spirits and had a bunch of friends over!  
It was a great night!

(here are some of the gang)


In my search for the perfect costume today,
I found some great 
food/drink ideas to share.
If you are having a Halloween bash you may want to add a few to your menu.

******

Let's start with the kids parties...

I loved these mummy juice boxes!
Soooo easy and soooo cute!
Choose your drink box and all you need from there is google eyes and some white tape.


This is a great easy way to make a 
simple but spooky sandwich the for kids... 
(it can be as easy as peanut butter and jelly)


Skeleton cupcake!
All you need is vanilla cupcakes, some pretzels 
*dip them yourself or buy them pre-made.
a marshmallow, lollypop stick and some chocolate icing to draw the details.


If you like to get artsy/crafty this one is really nice.
You can stick them around the house in the cobweb netting 
or you can set them all up on a table 
making it look like attack of the spiders!
All you need is blow pops, google eyes and pipe cleaners in black.


GHOST POOP!
Enough said! Kids will LOVE this one!
(so easy to make your own to look like you bought it)
You will need small marshmallows, clear party bags and 
a handy computer graphic that you can print out and staple on!



****** 

Now, for the adults... 

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this Frankenstein display!
He can be made from any cream cheese style dip you want.
Add veggies for his ears & nose & around the base for dipping. 
His eyes are potato slices with a black olive slice in the middle.
His hair is chopped up black olives and skin is avocado.
For his arms add 2 pretzel rods with black olives for hands.
&
Black frosting for the mouth and eyebrow details.

He is going to be the party favorite!


This is another easy but effective spooky party food!
A shrimp ring with cocktail sauce is all it takes... 
Don't forget the spooky dead finger!


Next, I loved this spooky martini!
All you need is:
A dirty Martini mix (Skinny Girl) with hard boiled eggs dyed 
with red blood streaks 
& green olive slices.
(use larger margarita glasses or only put one egg eyeball in each glass.
Also, be sure to make the eyeballs stick out above the liquid for full effect)


Finger foods... Literally!
This one is a little more detailed to make but the effect is 
totally there!
You have to buy a mold for this one which you can get at any craft store.
You will need: white chocolate, almonds and chocolate.
(make sure to get a paint brush to brush the chocolate over the detail that the mold creates)


Bloody Cosmo!
Yum!
All you need is to fill rubber gloves with water and freeze 
them to make the ice hand 
(when you take it out of the freezer just peel off the glove)
& Cosmopolitan Drink mix!



Popcorn hand... nice touch to a simple treat!
You will need:
popcorn, candy corn, ribbon & kitchen gloves.


And.... 
Last but not Least!

SPOOKY CIDER!
This can be for the adults (or) for the kids...
The best part are the apples with carved faces!
Have fun with it!




I hope you try them out.

Have a safe and fun Halloween Everyone!


Silhouette Portraits



I have been following artist Karl Johnson for quite some time...
I thought today I would share.

He has been featured in Instyle, O &
Martha Stewart Weddings magazines.

His is considered to be one of the best artists
of Silhouette Portraiture.

I have always wanted to have a
silhouette portrait done of myself.

I am not completely sure why but, I have been drawn to these
haunting black silhouettes my whole life.

It may be because of my french background...

Or, that they portray romanticism.

I just know, that I consider it to be one of the
most amazing things to watch.
The artist creates them with tiny scissors.

Take a look:



some of my favorites of his are:












Saturday, September 24, 2011

Saturday Sinfuls


3 Things I love this Saturday!

Jergens - Natural Glow Body Lotion


The sinful way of tanning without the bad rays of the sun!
Not only are you doing your body good with keeping it hydrated but also you 
can keep a sun kissed glow all year long.

**********

Sex and The City dvd box set



Love, Love, Love Carrie Bradshaw!  
This box set is a sinful way to spend your Saturday lounging around.

**********

Time with my cat - GUS!


He has been under the weather lately so time spent with him is more precious than ever.
We like to snuggle-boo on the couch and watch 
Sex and The City.





Friday, September 16, 2011

back to the basics...


I have a million books!
(Well, not really a million but, close ;)

Since I was was a little girl, I have always dreamt of having 
a library like the one pictured below.
Filled to the brim with each genre.

I found this picture and sat 
staring at the intricate detail of each book on the shelves.
The color, size and height of each making it's mark.

The more I looked,
the more I realized this picture reminds me
 of my love for books & reading.


I used to have time to sit and read...
I have piles of books on my night stand, 
in the bathroom in a basket and 
almost on every surface in my house 
waiting for me to pick them up.

I have been trying to go back to the basics 
by taking a little time out of each day to spend reading.

The sinful feeling of holding an actual book in hand 
flipping page by page until the story unfolds.
There is nothing like it in my opinion!

If you are like me, love to read & 
don't have a lot of time to devote, 
take some time today to pick up a book that
you have been neglecting...

Read a few pages and put the book somewhere where 
you can take a few minutes each day 
to devote to getting back to the basics.





Friday, September 9, 2011

I used to be a slave to Vintage finds...
I had my favorite thrift shops, estate sales and antique rows 
that I would frequent to snap up my next favorite find.

One of my loves: 

~ Vintage Suitcases ~


I have a slew of different shapes, sizes and colors 
packed away in my attic.
dusty & abandoned


Lately, I have been seeing a lot of different ways in which
people are bringing them back into style.  
And, honestly, I can't wait to dig mine out 
& give them a new life!

Take a look:










They are like pieces of Art!