Cake Platters.

There is this really great company Rosanna, that carries cute and fun dinnerware. I can't stop thinking about these cake plates. I'm loving the small one on top for a cupcake or two...

Decision Making 08

I am a registered Democrat, so in this state, I am able to vote in the primaries. J. is registerd independent, which doesn't get a primary vote, so mine had to count for both of us. I opted to vote early via mail, and received my ballot at the beginning of January, with no clue who I would mark down as my vote. I officially made my decision and mailed out my ballot today...I am very pleased and excited for a change in 2008.

{I wanted to go to downtown to hear him speak today, but was glad I didn't when I heard there were 13,000 people there...I hate crowds.}

Trouble.

Last night, J. and I started to discuss budget, expenditures, etc... all that boring stuff. One of the topics that arose was the cost of having children...J. said that he wants to make sure I don't go crazy buying stuff when they come along. I assured him that I would be fine and respectful of our finances when that time came.

Then this came across my email today from j.crew, and I knew my ship was sunk...

Being Grateful...

I think it is so critical to acknowledge the things we are grateful for in this life, no matter how big or small. Thinking of 5 things to be grateful for a day helps remind us how good we have it. Upon reflection the things I am grateful for today are...

1. Having clean sheets on my bed.


2. Getting an unexpected call from my dear friend, Marissa, in France.


3. My health. {This is always more evident after you've been sick}


4. A husband who really, really loves me, has a pure heart and eats whatever I make for dinner.


5. Basic human rights. In Pakistan, women were just recently given the right to drive a car alone and book a hotel room by themselves. We are so lucky to belong to Western Civilization.

What are you grateful for today? I'd love to hear....

The Postman Always Rings Twice.

Every time we get packages that won't fit in our mailbox, the mailman brings them to the door, and I always know it's him because he rings the bell twice. It used to annoy me, then I realized it's a great way to identify who it is before I even get to the door. Today when the bell rang (twice) I expected our usual mailman, but it was someone filling in for the day, and he rang twice too. Which made me think, "Is this in their postman handbook?". Then I realized I've heard this phrase before, and apparently there is a book and two movies with this title. Does your postman always ring twice? Now, I'm wary of any that don't...

By the way, here are some fun things the nice man brought to my door today:

Adorable card from Tricia & Steve announcing their recent move,

A biographical memoir of pictures by Jackie Kennedy Onassis' sister Lee Radziwell,

and a book on John and Caroline Kennedy. I am Jackie obsessed and love to know how she raised her children to be so lovely...

A New Place to Play...

My dear friend Tricia tipped me off on this adorable website India Rose. They are a company out of San Francisco that make many products for Anthropologie, Pottery Barn, PB Teen Crate and Barrell & The Land of Nod. Their story and products are so much fun...I love things that are different. The company is named after the couple's first daughter, India Rose, which I think is precious.

I am so bummed these napkins are out of stock (boo) because I would've already purchased them...

And if I didn't have so many aprons (with no track record of regularly cooking) I'd absolutely get this...

This is the most adorable bathmat I've ever seen in my whole life...

Sometimes It's Hard to Leave...

...the house when this is what I see peaking around the corner, as I put my shoes on. I really, really like having him around.

Boden.

Boden is this great company out of England that has the cutest stuff. Here are the things I am ogling over...

And this literally looks like they took it out of my closet...except I don't have those cute yellow shoes and belt {boo}.

And look at these adorable little clothes. My babies will definitely be wearing these...

Dream Chairs...

If I had an insane amount of money laying around for dining chairs, these would be the first purchase I would make. They are Shabby Chic by Rachel Ashwell and they are soooo divine, I can hardly stand it! I don't think my husband could handle the stock market situation this week, and spending $350 per chair for our kitchen....ouch.

Being Sick...

{Cig Harvey photo}

I truly believe that our bodies send us signals when we have not taken care of ourselves. At first, it's a sniffle, then it's a mild headache, extreme exhaustion and then {boom} bronchitis. The last time I was sick with bronchitis, I was living in New York (alone) just out of college, and in a wild, insane, exciting, roller coaster ride of a totally unhealthy relationship. I was stressed, anxious and totally freaked out 90% of the time. My body and soul were completely depleted, and the result was a 2 week run with bronchitis. And even as I recuperated, I waited by the phone for him to call me from his trip to Aruba....he never did. I ache thinking of what I put myself through.

This time around, I've had a lot of time to think while I lay in bed and watch endless re-runs of Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond and Frasier....about what I ignored to get myself here again. Too often, I am putting others needs/wants before mine. In the months of November & December we had 4 different sets of house guests....the final group just leaving last Monday. Is it a coincidence that I came down with this Tuesday night? I have a hard time asking for help, therefore I continue to try and make everyone else happy...while I am secretly suffering. I've realized that I have to make changes in this new year to ensure my own health and happiness.

I will take care of myself first and get to everyone else after I've been nurtured...I want my children to see this example for their own lives. I will ask for help...and graciously accept it. I will quiet my mind everyday to ask myself "what makes me happy" and live it...

{Please listen to my new favorite song by Yael Naim down below, called New Soul. It's the 2nd from the bottom...I love it soooo much.}

Juno is Big...

I am so excited....Juno was nominated for Best Actress (Ellen Page) and Best Director (Jason Reitman...who is only 30!), Best Original Screenplay (Diablo Cody...first screenplay she has ever written. She used to be a stripper in Minnesota) & Best Motion Picture of the Year.

There is some sanity in Hollywood...

China Love.

I love china...especially vintage, antique, beautiful china. I have been collecting various pieces for a few years, and as you can see above, have a pretty decent collection built up. I love teacups, gravy boats, platters and cream and sugar sets. I also adore mixing old and new, patterns and types of china in a setting.

For our wedding, I registered for this adorable Kate Spade china in "June Lane" named after Kate's mom. It's great because it mixes well with the vintage china and I love the dragonfly motif. One of the best surprises is that under the teacup, on the saucer, is a little ladybug...I get happy every time I see it.

Lately, I've been perusing Martha Stewarts new line of china and sort of wish I could register again for this amazing pattern...it looks old and French. I think integrating a place setting of this china would be a perfect addition to my vintage collection.

Now, every time I am in an antique shop or estate sale, and I see a plate that is undeniably beautiful but lonely, I scoop it up and bring it home to my collection. Then if one breaks, it's no big deal...I'll find another somewhere else. That way, I never feel like I have to save my china for special occasions. It's such a wonderful keepsake and something that can be passed down to generations to come.

Flowers from the Garden.

I love this photo of various flowers in vintage tea tins. If I ever have a garden party, I am going to use this idea to decorate.

Getting Organized.

While still recuperating, I'm catching up on some taped Oprah and Martha shows. One item I saw on last weeks Oprah was this ingenious door organizer. You hang it on the door from which you leave the house, and it contains all the items you need for that day. I am always forgetting something and having to go back in the house, or worse, make a u-turn at the round about and head back home. I bought it in the black and now I can have all my lists, outgoing mail, phone and keys in one place, so I won't forget anything. I am determined to be organized in 2008!

Bronchitis and Brooks.

I went to the doctor yesterday and was told I have bronchitis and am 'highly contagious'. Brooks is the only one who will cuddle and kiss me, let alone get near me. Dogs really are a person's best friend...

Pick Me Up...

To try and pick myself up from my aforementioned January melancholy, I went to the new neighborhood nail salon, Sundrops, and it was divine! There are chandeliers, pictures of Audrey, and peonies everywhere...while Sabrina plays on the big flat screen TV. There is an adorable little retail area in front, and the seating for pedicures is so much better than those weird chairs that I never know how to work. You pay a little more for the services, but it is so worth it because they pride themselves on being clean, clean, clean. They also do parties at night, where you can rent it out and bring friends, food, music and movies that you want to watch while getting your nails done. We are soooo doing that someday!

Manicure stations...

Pedicure stations...

Retail area....

Melancholy.

I think I've officially come down with the January blahs...so here are some things that are making me feel happy....

Dreaming of summer at the beach in a cottage...reading my favorite book.

Peonies in glass jars.

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Watching French children play with push boats in the gardens. They use a stick and just push it from one side of the water to the other...so simple and beautiful to watch.

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Julianne Moore.

They say you always want what you can't have, and her stark differences to mine always make me green with envy....I would love to be able to wear that shade of red lipstick.

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French Chateaus.

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Knowing that Sprinkles Cupcakes is coming to my neighborhood soon...they are to die for!

French Bulldog puppies and protective mothers. I would have a house full if my husband let me.

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Knowing that Valentines Day is less than one month away...

Now please excuse me while I go back to nursing my most recent cold & cough with hot tea and Martha Stewart.

Happy Birthday Mom.

My mom is one of the greatest people I've ever known. She has overcome so much in her life, and has come out as a happy and healthy individual. She is an extremely valuable and important person in my life, and has greatly contributed to molding me into who I am today. Here are some of her endearing qualities...

• She is always happy and gets excited about the smallest things.



• She has a loud voice, but doesn't realize it, so I am constantly trying to get her to lower her volume in public.



• She is a true blue human being....she always does the right thing. She got her first traffic ticket about 6 months ago (minor fender bender), and still claims the cop was wrong for giving it to her.



• We are as different as night and day, but she has always, always, always loved me unconditionally for just who I really am.



• She has the most beautiful teeth I've ever seen, and I always wanted her nose.



• She moves very fast, therefore tends to break things, spill things, etc....it's become a funny joke in our family.



• She is always proud of me....I never had to try to be something else to make her happy.



• She makes every birthday feel as special as your First.

Happy Birthday to my wonderful Mom ...you have blessed me with having you in my life.

Something to Look Forward to in 2008.

The Sex and the City movie trailer is now available for viewing! I am so excited for the 2 hours I'll spend in May, eating my Junior Mints, and watching the amazing eye candy that this film is sure to bring...

More Dog Mania.

Today on Martha, she made rhinestone collars for her two french bulldogs, Francesca and Sharky. I Love them...unfortunately Brooks is too attached to his Bella Bean Couture collars to switch.