Color of the Week!

This week I'm introducing something new, the Color of the Week segment! Starting today, every week I will showcase different and fun novelties that I have come across all from the same color palette! This week I found some really fun things to share with you guys, check it out!

1) Style Watch! These adorable scalloped shorts from Jcrew are an absolutely perfect addition to your soon to be spring wardrobe. With the high wasted style and the delicate scalloped design along the hem of the pant, pair these shorts with practically any top and you've got a go to spring look. 

2) Shoes! Sperry Top-Sider boat shoes are a classic and timeless item to have in your collection. These Pink Searsucker Original 2-Eyed Boat Shoe have just the right amount of subtle pink accenting in addition to the detailed light leather tassel which makes these pair stand out just enough to make a statement but don't have too much of a loud and crazy design that you can't wear them with everything. 

3) Yum! This delicious recipe from Cupcakes Take the Cake, one of my favorite baking blogs, will make the most delicious chocolate cupcake you could ever dream of. I adapted this recipe, exchanging the chocolate buttercream, for the Wilton vanilla buttercream frosting recipe, and to achieve the pink color- just add red food coloring until you have achieved the shade of pink you desire!

4) Jewels! This Baublebox Bib Necklace from Kate Spade is quite a loud piece, but paired with the right top- it's beautiful pink shade accented by the 12-karat gold hardware makes this the perfect accessory. 

5) Sweet Drinks! This delicious Pink Lemonade recipe outlines directions to achieve the perfect balance of sour and sweet with this refreshing drink. 

6) Home Decor! A creative and resourceful use for your cookie sheets! With three easy steps you can create your own personal magnet board to add a colorful touch to any wall in your home. First take a cookie sheet, or two and coat with paint primer. Second pick your shade of paint, obviously here pink was the desired color, apply coats as you deem necessary. Third, it's a good idea to spray with a clear coat of sealant to make sure paint job lasts!

7) A Steal! Right now this adorable Pink Tulip Dress is on sale for only $17.99 (asos) With the one shoulder design and the tulip skirt this dress is perfect for a casual spring party or could be dressed up with a few accessories and a great pair of heals to take it to the formal level! 

Essie Springs Into New Colors!

Spring time is almost here, but Essie Nail Polish beat it to the punch with their new spring color collection! From left to right, starting with the top row we have; 

 orange, it's obvious! {a bright orange}

a crewed interest {a luminous peach shade}

navigate her {a light, bright green}

to buy or not to buy {a lavender with shimmer}

tour de finance {a fuchsia with shimmer}

olé caliente {a red-orange, with pink undertone}


The color trend of spring 2012 is in, couldn't be more excited! Such bright and fun colors really make your nails pop and stand out acting just like a perfectly placed accessory!

How Many "Great's" Can You Count?

My mom and her Dad, my Papa.

My extended family on both my mom's side and my dad's side are very different, but very much the same. On one hand, my mom is one of six, she has two sisters both older than her and three brothers, only one is younger than her. They are all 100% Irish and grew up right here in Massachusetts. My fathers side of the family however is a little different, he is the only child of my grandfather, the born and raised Californian who never left the West Coast, and my grandmother who was born and raised in upstate NY around the Hudson River area, but spent most of her adult life in California. So while my mom grew up with 5 other siblings, and my dad grew up with none, they both have an extremely comprehensive extended family, which always makes for an interesting time.

 I spent this past weekend in upstate New York in a small town called Germantown, not 10 minutes from Hudson. I have an enormous amount of family in the Hudson area. My dad being an only child grew up spending the summers on the east coast in upstate NY with his cousins. Over the years the relationship he built with his cousins was more like they were his siblings, and years and years later, by the time my brother and I came along, his cousins were considered to be my "aunts and uncles" and their children were my "cousins."

Little Grandma and I

The New York family was like my dad's immediate family, and NY was home to all of my grandmothers extended family. Her mother, my great great grandmother I called 'little grandma', was one of 9 siblings-3 of whom are still alive today. My great great Aunt Julie, great great Aunt Mary, and my great great Uncle Gabe. I have very fond memories of my little grandma, although she passed away when I was about 6 years old- I have distinct memories of her and I think of her often- especially when I am visiting in NY.

This trip we made a special visit to my great great Uncle Gabe's home. My great great Aunt Mary who now resides in FL was up visiting my great great Aunt Julie for a bit and we all got together. As I sat there, in a circle with my dad, my grandmother, and my great great aunts and uncle- I quickly realized how rare of a moment it was. In that very circle that we were sitting, there were 4 generations of my family. I don't think it is often that someone can say they have spent actual, quality time with their great great aunts or uncles, or grandparents even- and I would consider myself lucky to say that I have.

My grandmother's families' bar.

My great great Uncle Gabe, is an incredible craftsman, he and my dad toured me around his beautiful home which to my surprise was quite unique. He pointed out hinges on doors, and glass covered steel framed tables, horse shoe fabricated candlesticks- we walked from room to room as he described the materials which he recycle into beautiful works of art that were made extraordinarily useful in his home. Things from decades and decades back, that no one would have ever thought to use in such ways- but he managed to find a way to craft something beautiful out of it. The man has had a very interesting lifestyle, a formerly shrewd business man, he is a self made millionaire- but you would never know it based off of the way he utilizes what most of our society would call "scraps" or "trash." It's a mindset so rarely occurring now. Today he said is is "criminal to throw away and waste useful material." After walking through is house, and seeing the beauty he has created- it would be hard for anyone to argue with him.

As we were driving home from the weekend in upstate, I couldn't stop thinking about the visit, and how surreal it was to me after the fact- to think about 4 generations sitting in one room having a completely enjoyable afternoon. The stories my great great aunts and uncles would tell- seemed so much more than just stories from their past. Normally most extended family members with a title past just one great, is somewhat of a rarity for a person to have had the ability to enjoy a relationship with- take my mom for example who was the second youngest out of 6 siblings and never got to even meet her immediate grandparents. In my case it's different.

It got me thinking about how often we find ourselves taking for granted those moments at Christmas when our grandparents are repeating stories we've heard 7000 times before, or the jokes that never cease to show up at family gatherings- the little intricacies of the elder members of our family that become something we almost expect. What we sometimes fail to remember, is that having the expectation at all is something to cherish.

Springtime Favorites- Time for Clutches and Totes!

1) Bedford Road Leighton

2) Grove Court Maise

3) Hopper House Little Shyla

4) Essex Scout

5) Gold Coast Meadow

6) New Bond Street Florence

"note to self" a short exposé

I stumbled upon this image on one of my all-time favorite blogs; note to self. As the author herself Sarah D. Tolzman describes it, her blog is "a simple blog dedicated to that which we loved at first sight," beyond the shadow of a doubt. I check her blog at least once a day, and I am always inspired and left in a graciously pleasant mood. Tolzman's blog definitely caters to the interests of a more female based readership, but nonetheless her work is phenomenal and eye catching. 

The clean lines and pristine design of her blog is awe inspiring and truly a work of art.

Her main areas of content include a section called, hers/mine in which Tolzman demonstrates two aspects of one look- her images include on one side, the clothing items and the way in which they are intricately put together- and on the opposing panel, the somewhat DIY version of that very same look. An example of this is seen to the left. The name of every trendsetter pictured, can be found in the caption.

Another area of content that Tolzman includes in her blog is the quotations section. Much like the image pictured above, she combines striking graphics and or photographs with powerful quotations, each day is a new quote.

The round-ups segment of this blog is dedicated to new and fun/interesting things Tolzman selected to display for the week. These posts often look a little something like this image to the right captured directly from her site...

Lastly Tolzman includes a sip/snack section where you guessed it, she acknowledges different mixed drinks, and small bites that correspond accordingly in flavor to one another. The sip/snack post for today can be seen to the left; pictured are a Cardamom Rose Cocktail with a Rose Water Almond Cookie.


Note to Self is an intricately designed, bright and interesting blog that I visit it daily. You can always count on Tolzman to either inspire you, cause you to stop and think, feel an overwhelming urge to shop (ha ha!) or just plain give you a few new ideas to try.

I would absolutely recommend stopping by her blog, and I can almost guarantee if you do- it won't be the last time!

Got Inspiration?

Have you ever experienced something so powerful that just thinking about it sends chills down your spine and goose bumps all over your body? One of those absolutely exhilarating, incomparable, profound moments that forever stand out in your mind from anything.

THIS was that moment for me. 

One of the biggest passions in my life is the sport of competitive rowing. I started my rowing career in November of 2008, in the cold, cold, snow filled, iced waters, northeastern winter that Massachusetts almost always experiences. For 4 1/2 months I didn't step into a boat, I learned the basics on the ergometer, known to most "gym-goers" as the rowing machine. To any rower though, this indoor training is grueling, incredibly exhausting, mentally challenging, and especially tedious- but above all else the winter months of indoor training are WELL worth the reward. I spent my last two years in high school competitively rowing with Essex Rowing Club based out of Methuen, MA. The team changed my life, I met some of my best friends, the love of my life, and I learned so much about myself and what I was capable of. The most two most important lessons that I learned from my time at Essex Rowing were;

a) there is no such thing as limits, you can always push and surpass every expectation you set 

b) you can always improve, always. 

As my high school years came to an end, I went through the recruitment process and commit to row for the Division 1 University of Alabama Women's Varsity Rowing team. My collegiate experience, like most high level athletes, has had both its ups and downs. For every year that I have spent in college I have been injured and had surgery, missing out on one season every time. Luckily rowing is a year round sport, so with every injury, also came a spring season of complete success. This picture above is one of my proudest moments out of my rowing career thus far. 

This image is from 2011 when my team traveled from Alabama all the way to the west coast to compete in the highly regarded San Diego Crew Classic. We were a strong team, with a lot of depth- and my boat, the first eight (which is comprised of the 8 fastest rowers) was extraordinarly tenacious and we put our hearts into every single stroke. In rowing, when you compete against other teams there are no scenarios when one team is publicly considered to be 'favored to win.' The same terminology that can be applied to most ball sports- does not apply to rowing. But to say that Alabama was expected to do well, even place in this race was a long shot at best. We made it through our qualifier placing second, and prepared for the championship final knowing we had an incredibly tough fight ahead of us. 

We were seeded in lane 6, which historically for this course was the slowest lane, and in past years on the very same course teams racing in lane 6 were hard pressed to finish in a medalling position, let alone win. That day, we did. 

We pushed past our limits, we never stopped to say that it was impossible. We knew what was ahead of us, made the decision as a boat that we wanted it more, and that no matter what our bow ball was going to cross the finish line first. A spring race is 2000 meters long, and until 1000 meters we were behind, trailing all boats. Something in us kicked into gear at that 1000 meter mark, all 9 of us dug in and went for it with all we had, and it paid off. 

That moment for me, crossing the finish line ahead of the 5 other boats we were racing, feeling like you gave every single part of you to the race and knowing that you did it, nothing beats that. 

It's now February 2012. For reasons outside of my team- because I truly love them more than I could ever explain- my time at Alabama was short lived as I transferred to Boston College after my sophomore year and now row for the Boston College Division 1 Varsity Women's Rowing team. I have found myself yet again injured, and recovering from surgery which has taken me out of the game for winter training. 

It's never easy being held back from participating in something you are so deeply passionate about, but remembering moments like that one, snaps me back to reality. It's tough, and I would give anything to be back training with my girls right now- but what inspires me is the knowledge that I have gained from my experience.  Starting at Essex and continuing on as my career progressed- first, you really and truly can always push past limitations; and secondly no matter what, there is always something about yourself that you can improve upon.

Find your inspiration, think back to the moment in your life that gives you goose bumps and inspires you like nothing else could- and file it away in a special place, because it will always provide you with the inspiration and the motivation to get through anything. 

The Pinterest Revolution

The bulltin board of the 21st century. 

"Pinning," a newly coined term, has taken over the lives of women....and men (although that might come as a surprise to you) anywhere from 17-50 years of age across the US.

Pinterest was first launched in 2010 as an invitation site only, soon after the invitation process evolved to accessibility through the submission of your personal email address. 

The Pinterest website allows for it's members to organize and create different theme-based photographic collections. The first page you see when you login to the website are the most recently 'pinned' photographs. The categories of images are broad- as pictured to the right- you can see the drop down menu for the websites' mass organization of the collection of photographs from all users. 

The main idea behind Pinterest is that it provides the opportunity to socially share photos of personal interest on a virtual pin-board. 

A pin is the actual image uploaded to Pinterest, it can be an image that you uploaded from your computer, or an image you linked from another website, and with every pin users have the ability to add their own caption. The wonderful thing about Pinterest, that has so many people starry-eyed over this phenomena, is that you can take inspiration from other users' pins by repinning. 

The act of repinning happens when you come across a photo already shared on a pinterest board by someone else. If it's a photo that you draw a connection to, something you want to remember, or something that inspires you- repinning the photo to one of your own pinboards is a way to ensure that you'll be able to find the photo again if you wish to do so.

When I sign in to my Pinterest account, the picture to the left is the first thing that I see. One of the aspects about Pinterest that I enjoy most, is that its service mirrors the personalization you find with Pandora, the streaming music player.

On pinterest, when you repin an image that is of pinterest to you- another offered feature is the ability to follow certain users' pins. Meaning that when you log into your own pinterest account, the scrolling images that will be at the forefront of your screen, are those that have been previously pinned by people you decidedly follow. Much like pandora, which customizes your listening experience based off of the musicians or genres you input as being something your interested in, Pinterest customizes your viewing experience, and thus begins the hours on end of pinning your day away!

In August of 2011, Time Magazine published Pinterest in its "50 Best Websites of 2011" column. According to Hitwise Data, in December of 2011 Pinterest made it to number 5 on the the Top 10 Social Networking Websites charts. Managed by Cold Brew Labs, a small team in Palo Alto, CA- Pinterest has quickly become one of the most trafficked social networking website in existence today.

The Pinterest Mission Statement-which is made available on their website- reads, 

"Our goal is to connect everyone in the world through the 'things' they find interesting. We think that a favorite book, toy, or recipe can reveal a common link between two people. With millions of new pins added every week, Pinterest is connecting people all over the world based on shared tastes and interests."

As an avid user of Pinterest myself, repinning images daily from friends of mine all over the country- I can confidentially say Pinterest has truly succeeded in their mission of connecting people through photographs.

Simple and Chic Makeup Look in Under 10 Minutes!

Everyone's morning routines are different, some jump out of bed early, others have the luxury of sleeping in! I wish! My day to day morning routine begins most every morning at 6am on the water for rowing practice. Coming back to my room after working out- and spending a lot of time on my makeup is out of the question when I have a class to get to and a full day to prepare for! So if your short for time in the am, heres my typical makeup look that lasts all day- and is simple enough to accomplish in under 10 minutes!

First things first, it's good to invest in a hypoallergenic makeup removal towelette. Everyone has different levels of sensitivity in their skin, so it's very important to test out different ones before you dive right into sweeping the makeup off your eyes, and then end up starting your day with your eyes swollen to the size of grapefruits, trust me as I speak from personal experience! I really like the Neutrogena Makeup Removing Cleansing Towelettes.

To start, I use the Laura Mercier Moisturizing Foundation (11), for all over coverage- some mornings you might wake up and your skin could hate you and be blotchy, or you could be suffering from a lagging cold and you've got the tired and sleep deprived look going on, for those mornings this product is especially vital! Finding the tone for you is best done in a makeup store, you can use the sample products to test out skin tone matching on the top of your hand! I like to use a little lighter tone of foundation, specifically for under your eyes so that a) the natural sparkle in your eye pops, and b) you look more bright and alert- and awake!

Once I have my base foundation applied, I use the NARS Highlighting/Bronzing Blush Duo (10). With the highlighting and bronzing blush pallete, I make sure to evenly cover my face with the bronzer using the Bare Escentuals Full Flawless Face Brush (7). Making sure to tap away any excess pressed powder before bringing the brush to my skin- and being somewhat delicate in application so as to avoid any unevenness in color application. After I am satisfied with this, I take the Bare Escentuals Flawless Radiance Brush (1) and apply the blush color to the high points of my cheek bones, applying a lighter amount towards my temples, and very lightly on my nose. Special note! Smiling while applying the blush to your cheek bones can help you find just the right placement!

So by now, about 2 minutes have gone by and my face makeup is complete. The eye makeup is the most time consuming part of the completed look, but even at that this simple and chic look will not take you longer than 10 minutes tops!

First things first, and something that most women tend to forget, your eyelids are just like your face, and the skin requires a good base coverage to ensure that the makeup will last through your day. My absolute, hands down, swear by it, favorite product is the Too Face First Base (13). This product provides extremely light coverage on your eyelids, and is very sensitive to the skin. The best quality of this product is that your eye makeup will last the whole day. 

Following the first base, I use the Sephora Collection Pro Natural All Over Shadow Brush #12 (2) to apply a lighter color, neutral eye shadow from the Too Faced Natural Eye Neutral Eye Shadow (12) palette to the under brow area. A great thing about this palette is that it include three cards, demonstrating the DIY instructions with inclusion of image explanation to achieve different types of looks with just the use of this palette!

I like to use the palette for the entire look on occasion, mostly when I have more time to blend and apply layers of color- but for this quick morning look, I turn next to the bareMinerals Eyecolor (15) color name "Queen Phyllis," using the  Sephora Collection Pro Natural Small Eyeshadow Brush #15 (3) brush this color, which is lighter and has a bit of a glimmer to it, over your eyelid, making sure to blend lightly where this shade, meets the neutral shade you applied to your brow bone. 

Next up, I take the Sephora Collection Pro Natural Dome Smudge Brush #13 (5) and with the  bareMinerals Eyecolor (14) color name "Queen Tiffany," which is a few shades darker than the eyelid glimmer you just applied. Swirl the tip of the smudge brush to collect the color from the lid of the bareMinerals eye shadow container, tap the brush to eliminate any loose product, and then apply the color with the smudge brush to the area of your eye lid right above your eye lashes, making sure not to come close to the crease with this color. The effect of the darker shade is only to add a little bit of a dimension to the color on your eye. 

With the Bobbi Brown Eye Liner Brush (4) you can apply a pressed powder eye shadow as a soft eyeliner on either the top or bottom lid. For the daily look, I prefer to apply the eye liner to my upper lid. Run the tip of the liner brush through the Sephora Collection Colorful Mono Eyeshadow (16) of a dark, if not black, almost black color- and carefully apply a thin line as close to your eyelashes on your upper lid as possible. Using the eye liner brush with the pressed eye shadow, the effect of the eye liner will have a very soft, natural look. Also, using the Sephora Pro Natural Crease Brush #10 (6) you can use the bareMinerals color "Queen Phyllis" to add some light to the inner corner of your eyes. Just a small bit of this glimmer can really brighten the whole look.

To finish the eye makeup all we have left is the eye lashes! For my every day look, mascara is always a must, but not everyone enjoys the way mascara feels on your lashes- and some just don't have the patience to apply it. With the help of the Shiseido Eyelash Curler (8) , your eye lashes will curl up, and away from your eyes- making it a lot simpler to apply the Diorshow Dior Mascara (9). One coat of this mascara is just enough for a simple daytime look! It's texture is very smooth, and the shape of the bristles of the application brush make for an easy time applying the mascara. 

Lastly, once my face and eye makeup is complete, before I head out the door I apply a v e r y small amount of Stila Lip & Cheek Stain (17) in the color raspberry crush, and sweep the smooth Nivea Hydrating Lip Care (18) chapstick over the top. The nivea product enhances the Stila lip stain, and gives your lips a little bit of sheen!

Everyone's coloration is very different, I have an olive skin complexion with brown eyes and brown hair with natural auburn undertones. Most make up artists suggest that you find your personal color palette using either your eye color or hair color. This slideshow by MarieClaire gives a good generalization about what certain hues and shades enhance the look of specific color tones. 

& The MLB Knuckleballers are down to 2

After an incredible 19 seasons in the majors, 17 of those spent wearing a Boston Red Sox jersey, 45 year old Tim Wakefield announced his retirement today in a press conference held around 5pm ET. A phenomenal run, Wakefield finished his career with 200 wins, 186 of those wins for the Red Sox. Third all-time on the Red Sox wins list just 6 wins behind Roger Clemens and Cy Young who are tied for first. Wakefield helped the Boston Red Sox to win two world series in both 2004 and 2007. One of the only two knuckleballers still active in the MLB, Wakefield finished his career with an overall 4.41 ERA and 2,156 strikeouts.  


Wakefield is the longest tenured member of the sox, representing Boston sports pride since 1995. Recognized for his work both on and off the field, in 2010 Wakefield won the Roberto Clemente Award which is given annually to the MLB player who "best exemplifies the game of, baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual's contribution to his team." In regards to Wakefields tremendous charity efforts- it is important to mention his uninterrupted involvement with his partnership to the Franciscan Hospital for Children in Boston, brining patients to Fenway Park to share time with him on and off the field since 1998. 


Since Tim Wakefield first stepped onto Yawkey Way, and took to the mound wearing the Boston jersey at Fenway Park he has completely become a part of the infamous Red Sox tradition. Fenway Park won't be the same without him, and he will be greatly missed by his team. Jon Lester, starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox was quoted today saying, "I don't think anybody could see him in any other uniform. I think that's why it kind of came down to this. He didn't want to pitch for any other team. I'm just glad that he did it the way he wanted to, and that's all that you can really ask for. It's kind of one of those bittersweet things and sad to see him go, but I'm glad he did it the way he wanted to." 


I couldn't have said it better myself, no Bostonian could ever imagine Wakefield in any other uniform- It's a sad reality that his career has come to its finality, but at least he's retiring a Red Sox. Like anything else Red Sox related though, Wakefield will remain a tradition for years and years to come as part of the Boston sports pride that surges through the city. 

Just Three Peas in a Pod

November 26, 2008, over 4 years ago- I was introduced to two people who would soon after become two of the greatest friends I had. Little did I know the journey our friendship would take and the difficulties we would be faced with.

The friendship we shared was unique, and unlike anything else I had experienced up until that point. Almost immediately after we met were we entirely inseparable. Just as these two girls, who happened to be sisters, were swept up into my family as if they were my own sisters- was I swept into their family as well. Each of our parents served a very important part in each others' lives- and the relationships we formed with each others families were just as valuable as the friendships we shared with one another, as best friends.

Like most families, each of ours had their own intricacies. My two friends were from a family who had the unfortunate experience of dealing with a difficult divorce, but out of that divorce came great happiness and joy with a new addition to their family. To clarify I had not met my best friends until after this new addition to their family had long been established.

His name, was Andy- and he was an absolutely, hands down incredible person. Andy was the second husband of my best friends' mother. She was an extraordinarily strong, independant woman, with deep convictions. She was fiercely loyal to those she cared about and above all else, she had an amazing heart. She had met and married Andy quite some time later in life. Andy, he was something else- he had this way of talking to you that could make anyone feel calm, and safe. He was mild mannered, but had a wonderful sense of humor, and just like my best friends' mother, he had a enormous heart. Andy would do anything, for anyone at absolutely anytime. He put others before himself 100% of the time, and positively enjoyed every minute of it.

The sad truth of this story is that the entire time I knew Andy, he was battling with a vicious disease- cardiomyopathy. At this site you can read more about cardiomyopathy and even donate to support families affected by the disease. Andy's personal blog, can be found at this archived site Andrew Bourland, here you can read the posts through his journey prior to his disease taking hold of him, the details of his disease, and the ways he dealt with it once it had fully evolved. Lastly here is the blog of Cate, one of my best friends- here you can read a short memoir she has so beautifully written in Andy's honor.

Today February 16th, 2012 marks the 4th anniversary of Andy's passing. My connection to Andy, and his family was nothing short of incredible. My two best friends, their mother and sister, and Andy of course, were like a second family to me. The journey that we experienced together in those two years, as Andy's disease quickly took hold of him in a way that nothing could reverse, I learned an incredible amount about myself, and about the immense importance of the relationships in my life. 


On February 16th of every year since my senior year in high school, I think about the events that strung from the end of December when Andy was moved into hospice care until today, when 3 years ago Andy passed away. Each year I think about the ways in which Andy, both in life and in death had a positive affect on me as a person, and each year I am thankful for the short period of time that I knew him. 


I cherish the relationships I have with every fiber of my being, and I am constantly reminded of how important it is to love, and as Andy often alluded, to just let life happen.

You are remembered Andy, everyday for the incredible person you were and for the remarkable impact you had on so many peoples' lives.

With Love,
  Jenn

Happy Valentines Day!

It's no secret that I have a definite adoration for this holiday <3 I love every single thing about it, every last corny hallmark card line and every single bouquet of red roses. Something about celebrating those who you love, and of course the infinite amounts of red white and pink just makes me smile from ear to ear. 

I remember one day, not too long ago my mom and I were going through a few things at my Mimi and Papa's house, and I came across a few different books which at first glance looked like big photo albums. To my surprise, when I opened one of them I found page after page of cards. Birthday cards, christmas cards, valentines cards you name it, and it was in there. My Mimi and I had a lot in common, things that I realized more as I grew up, but this collecting of cards was a quirk that I never realized we shared, until that very afternoon. I love the sentiments in cards, not just the ones that come printed on the inside, but the ones that come from the heart, hand written by whoever is giving it. 

As I sat on the floor in what used to be my Mom's bedroom a long time ago, reading card after card of my Mimi's lifetime, I stumbled upon more than one Valentines Card. Old fashioned cards, that definitely dated back a few decades- and inside were absolutely the sweetest sentiments from my Papa to my Mimi. I asked if I could save one particular card, to put with my other keepsakes that remind me of her, and my Papa together- and my Mom said yes. It probably came as no surprise to my Mom that day when I fell so deeply in love with this collection of cards. They told a story, in reading each of the sentiments written back and forth to each other through these cards (that went back many years) you could feel how strongly they loved each other. I could practically hear my Papa saying the words that were written on the page. Every now and then I pull that card out of it's memory box and re-read what is written, and without fail every time at least one tear falls down my cheek as I am yet again blown away by the power in the sentiments. 

Sometimes, all it takes is a few words spoken right from the heart :)

Have a Happy Valentines Day everyone!

To my very special valentine on this Valentines Day

I love you with all my heart Sean and I always will

People Make Choices, Choices Make People

Someone who was a part of my life a long time ago used to say this;

"people make choices, and choices make people..."

Whether they were talking about their life, or my life- but mostly just in general it was a way of rationalizing things. Not necessarily rationalizing by its typical definition; to attempt to explain or justify with logical, plausible reasons- but more so this idea of understanding that with every choice you make, good or bad- you have an affect not only on your life, but the lives of others. This person whole heartedly put all of their trust into this idea when faced with any type of decision to make- the second you begin to ponder the different roads you could follow, you've already altered your future. I think that they're right.

Sometimes the hardest decisions we come across in our lives, to others may seem like the most simplest of choices, but in reality everything that we do, is something that we have consciously made the decision to do. This old friend of mine was very black and white in their way of thinking, and more often then not it would drive me crazy whenever this quote was mentioned. Thinking back though, they were right. It wasn't ever about the specific situation, or the exact decision either of us were making. It was just the reality that we make choices on a minute to minute basis, and to think that there is a right choice in every scenario, is unrealistic at best.

I have definitely found more often than not, this silly quote which I often shook my head at, or got annoyed at the mention of, runs through my head all the time. I guess it ended up being one of those things that really did just stick with me. This person, was always the utmost of nonchalant. In dropping this line about choices it was always with this 'shrug it off' tonality. I think thats something that is important to remember.

Obviously with every decision comes a consequence- some more serious than others, but often times the minute to minute decisions, those are the ones we can easily find ourselves over analyzing. Making a choice takes a split second, and we're faced with them all the time, sometimes I think it's important to remember to just make the choice because not doing anything is going to affect you just as much.

Ordinary Items, Extraordinary Uses!

Resourceful, and organized- two words that quite possibly should always be paired together in the same sentence. Above, as you can see there are five different pictures, of very normal everyday objects found at home- used in very unorthodox ways. Sometimes, all it takes is a little bit of creativity to find the perfect way to accomplish any organizational challenge your faced with. 

1. Yep, you guessed it- the first image pictured is your everyday, average american straw. Typically found popped in your glass at a restaurant- here we see this straw accompanied by a necklace. I would hardly think to use a straw as a way to store my necklace during travel, but consequently this little number does the trick. Generally when I travel, aside from my never fail ability to overpack, my biggest dilemma comes to the question "What jewelry should I bring?" For two reasons, the first being the concern of lost luggage on an airline, and the second being the condition of my precious gems once I arrive at my destination. For those of us out there who have traveled with necklaces or bracelets ever, you know how the simplest movement can cause a knot. With this technique of using the straw, by feeding one end of your necklace through the straw, and attaching the clasp at the other end of the straw, it become impossible for the piece of jewelry to  tangle and form knots in travel. A special note, when traveling with bracelets the technique still works, just cut down the straw!
2. The center image focuses less on organization, and more on resourcefulness- picture you see what seems to be a very typical egg slicer, however in place of an egg, there is a strawberry! Not only is this a brilliant way to repurpose a culinary tool found in practically every kitchen, but its a simple and quick way to dice up strawberries without the hassle of using a pearing knife. Be sure to wash your strawberries before dicing, I would recommend removing the leaves from the berry before sending it through the slicer. Whether you want to garnish a plate, add a pop of color to a salad, or just plain snack on something sweet- this method will surely do the trick!
3. Next up, a common but not necessarily imperative household item- the flat iron. Generally only thought of as a tool for your hair, this little heating machine is the perfect solution for crinkled fabric ribbons. With birthday celebrations around every corner, and a new holiday every other month- we find ourselves wrapping gifts more than anticipated! I have always found that using fabric ribbon is not only a more green choice, but more cost effective considering your supplies last longer when your able to reuse them! With this handy trick of using a flat iron to smooth the wrinkles and bends out of your ribbon, transforming it back into the crisp and clean cut shape it originally started out as- one ribbon can go a long way! 
4. This next tip is not only resourceful, but aesthetically pleasing home decor!  String a few lines of butcher string across any wall, clip on some clothes pins, carefully select your favorite photos and voila! No picture frames necessary, no need to get out the level and make sure everything is straight- with this simple, and resourceful method you can add a bit of decor to any room in your home. I like this tip because it's also useful when your not quite sure how you want to decorate, for example maybe you just bought new furniture and aren't quite sure how the layout of the room will work best- instead of withholding from hanging all your more permanent wall decor, this allows for decoration without the permanence. Be creative with your photo choices and most of all have fun!
5. Lastly, and probably one of my favorites is a new use for your paper towel holder! Now we've already talked about how to make sure your ribbons stay good as new, but how do we store them? With any spool of ribbon there are always free roaming ends with no where to stay put, most often all jumbled in a drawer somewhere becoming intertwined and tangled with all of the other different colors and sizes in your collection. The use of a paper towel holder to store your ribbon not only organizes the different colors making it easy to use any particular one, at any time- but it keeps the clutter out of your drawers! 

All of these ideas I have seen in numerous places, be it in friends homes, magazines or online- but I wanted to mention one really great resource, that goes far beyond organizational creativity. Real Simple  a monthly magazine featuring articles revolving around anything from food and recipes, home and organization, to beauty and fashion or work and life. The motto of this publication reads, "Life Made Easier, Every Day." The magazine is offered to subscribers in print or digital format, but if your not interested in subscribing- the website is a wonderful way to enjoy this publications interesting and useful finds. 

With Valentines Day Right Around the Corner...

 Do you remember when Valentines Day revolved around a trip to the store with Mom to pick out the valentines you would 'deliver' to your classmates in elementary school at the long awaited "Valentines Day Class Party?" All the time spent at the kitchen table writing, To: Blank From: Blank, sometimes even a sweet note to go with the seasonal sentiments? Or was it the week before valentines day when your daily schedule included an arts and crafts time to design the perfectly decorated 'valentine mailbox?' There was always something when we were younger to get excited about; all the red white and pink, the sweet heart conversational candies, the sweets you may or may not have received from your classmates depending on the type of valentines they handed out, there was always something around February 14th to be enamored by.

 Starting from a very young age, to some extent, we all experience and are influenced by the sweet and dazzling aspects of this Hallmark created holiday, but what is it about getting older that causes for some to develop a serious disdain for this heart filled holiday? Is it the preconceived notion of feeling as though the occasion is saved for those in relationships, or only to be celebrated by those with a significant other? Of course the conventional theme of Valentines Day revolves around love and relationships, the childhood idea of having a crush on someone, but thats not all it has to be. 

During years spent at South Elementary School, in the days surrounding Valentines Day, teachers read children's books like Biscuit's Valentines Day to their classes. Helping to spread the Valentines spirit, and teach their students about what Valentines day celebrates, right down to the handing out of "secret" valentines. I have to admit, I am quite a fan of this hallmark Holiday, but when I was growing up it wasn't always just about the secret crush, or the boy in your class you liked and gave a special valentine to. My most vivid memories of Valentines Day include running to the mailbox with my brother to collect the Valentines Day cards my Auntie Eileen would send us, or waiting for my Dad to come home with a beautiful bouquet of flowers for my mom and watching as her face lit up, and every now and then a small bouquet for me. Valentines Day to me, was never just about my crush at the time, it was more about celebrating- in a somewhat silly and fun way the people in my life who I cared about. 

Sweet and silly, non serious sentiments to makes someone smile, to me thats all Valentines Day really needs to be about. Your best friend, cousin, sister or brother, mom or dad, grandparents- anyone can be your Valentine, your not restricted to just a romantic significant other. So for all of you out there who are somewhat jaded when it comes to the topic of this lovey dovey holiday, make this year different. Indulge in some sweet chocolate covered strawberries or a fun night out with friends- after all Valentines Day is what you make of it!

That One Musical Note that Strikes a Chord

Today's top 10 hits on iTunes, an egregiously meticulous calculation of the most purchased, most listened to, most liked songs available to the everyday iTunes consumer. Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) by Kelly Clarkson, holding its own for over a week now at number 1 on the iTunes top singles chart, ringing in as the top selling digital song with 225,000 copies purchased, also rocketed to number 2 on this weeks Billboard Hot 100. A close second to Adele, sitting comfortable in the No.1 for her hit single, Set Fire to the Rain. For its 18th week in a row Adeles' album "21" leads the Billboard 200 album chart, but Clarkson is quick to pace her. 

What is it about the work of these two female musicians that hits home with such a vast majority of the musical audience of our nation? Clarkson and Adele, separated in age by a short 6 years, have swiftly stole the lime light of the music entertainment business. Their impeccable vocal gifts paired with talented producers, these two have run away with the show but what is it about the content of these two songs which have so profoundly grasped our attention?

When it comes to music, often times we think 'to each his own.' With genres ranging from alternative to blues, classical to dance, hip hop/rap to jazz, R&B/Soul to reggae, country to rock, its a musical world of diversity as much in pertinence to the artists as the listeners themselves. So what is it? Adele and Clarkson, according to iTunes are both categorized under the "Pop" Genre, buts its not the genre itself that causes these two songs to so drastically stand apart from the rest. 

At the end of the day, music is relatable; to your mood, your experiences, your thought processes and inspirations. Whether it be the beat of a song, the eloquence of lyrics, or the particular timing of when the notes hit your ears, as a culture so driven by branding and advertisements we are drawn to the concepts and ideas that connect on an emotional level to our own lives. Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) is a song of empowerment and is considered to be an anthem for "recovery" after the finality of a negative relationship, and Set Fire to the Rain delves into the contradictory aspects of relationships, and the impossibility of letting go. These two songs are grounded in the details of relationships, and relationships on any level, are relatable to everyone, which is why I can't say I'm surprised that these two works have soared to the top and managed to stay there.