Repurposed

Last weekend someone left a well loved console table on the curb in my neighborhood hoping that someone like me would come along, recognize its potential and take it home to breath new life into it.  I had just the use for this fabulous piece of furniture (a backyard BBQ prep table!) so my super sister stood guard while I fetched my car.  After some careful maneuvering, we managed to fit it into the trunk with only millimeters to spare.  I think I've found some inspiration - the bright color of this bistro set from Flora Grubb looks really lovely against the soft deep green of the princess flower in the background.  What would you think of a pink BBQ prep table?  

A Summer of Weddings

Looking forward to celebrating with friends on their special day this summer and what better excuse to indulge in a beautiful new dress.  Loving this dress from Anthropologie!  I'm looking for the perfect shoes to go with it.  Any suggestions?

Maxi Dresses!

I did a little shopping this weekend. We have a big backyard birthday bash to attend this weekend and I wanted to find something fun to wear without breaking the bank. It was a bit difficult because, let's face it, the shopping opportunities in town are pretty dismal and I missed out on my San Francisco trip with Ava being under-the-weather-and-all. So now I need your help because I had to solo this shopping trip! I will try a little sunless tanner which may help dress number 1 pop a bit...


Dress #1
This one came from Forever 21 I don't think it does the colors justice, very bright pink and black against the white





Dress #2
From Target, the necklace is F21, shows up better on this dress



Dress #2 with coverlet(?). From F21
Do you like this with the dress?

 I have a really cool bracelet too, that you can't see in these pictures, it's a stack of thin gold bangles that are attached so they don't jangle. Very fun! Hopefully it will be warm by next weekend, but if not, I could wear a jean jacket with #1, I think.
Please excuse the poor quality photos, I can't figure out how to make our new camera work with our old computers, grrrr.... But you get the idea, right?
So...give me your vote, don't be shy!

Alice Lane Giveaway!

Alice Lane is giving away some beauties! I want them all, don't you? Click here to enter!

In My Life

Last night the whole family joined for a dinner to celebrate the high school and 8th grade graduations of 2 nieces and one niece's birthday. It was a delicious meal and while Bella didn't eat much, she did run around with her usual energy, entertaining everyone.

Suddenly, as it usually does, stomach flu hit her on the ride home.

Have I mentioned that this one has an especially strong spirit that continues to inspire, surprise and challenge me? She pushes me to my limits and I am constantly reminded I still have much to learn if I'm to channel this spirit into something that serves her throughout her life. I'm not giving up!

Last night, though, made me think we might be going in the right direction. She gracefully, almost nonchalantly, breezed through constant 30 minute intervals of visiting the toilet, changing pjs and/or sheets and washing up errant vomitus. Then, as the sun was rising and soon after her last episode, she looked at me and said, "Mom, it's not time to sleep anymore!" My body surely protested but I looked at the clock and she was right, it was 6 a.m., the time she wakes up every morning. Her internal clock wakes her as regularly as Old Faithful erupts! I tried to convince her go back to sleep but she wanted to "have breakfast and do a little craft!" I love that! No little stomach flu is going to bring her down! I luckily convinced her to relax and watch "Sesame Street" and "Dinosaur Train" instead.
Hours later, after countless Saltines had been consumed and discarded, she was still awake! I finally told her it was time to sleep and heal to which she replied,
"O.K. Mom, but I need you to rub my back and sing me a little song please!"

She requested the song I always sing to her at bedtime and, surprise!, Success!!

It's a song I love and I hope she will hear it throughout her life and think of happy times.
Do you have a song like that?

Here are the lyrics to ours:

My Life    
 by The Beatles

There are places I remember
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain

All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends
I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I've loved them all

But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new

Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more

Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more
In my life I love you more

Feeling a bit sleepy myself...