Maybe someday...

I'm crushing on this Louis Vuitton "Le Radieux" bag right now. It is very beautiful in cream, but cream is so impractical. Red is good. Black or red, I'll take either. It's so me...Structured, buckles, and tassels. I've been looking for a new purse for about 6 months now. I made the fatal mistake of finding this one first and now, no other can live up to it. As long as I'm dreaming, I would like to buy it at the Paris store on the Champs D'Elysee. Now that would be a souvenir!

Thanksgiving Table

Please join our Hostess, Susan, at Between Naps on the Porch, for other beautiful tablescapes.
This is actually my second Thanksgiving table. I had a beautiful orange fairy tale pumpkin in the center which began to rot. For about 4 days we could smell something. We weren't sure what it was. I checked the whole house, looking at my dogs and asking them what they did that I hadn't found yet! I couldn't figure it out and the smell was getting stronger. Delaney came in from school and she announced that our house smelled like feet! We checked everywhere, under the tables, in corners, under the couches. It was driving us crazy. Then I decided to set the table for Thanksgiving and the smell was really strong where I was standing. Once again, I looked down. Then as I was moving the centerpiece, it crumbled before my eyes. The runner was soaked with pumpkin juice. I had to throw away two strands of acorn garland and my precious leaves that Alyssa made in second grade. They were soaked in pumpkin uck and smelled so bad. I tried to wash them and air them out, but couldn't save them. So, long story short, I had to regroup.
Just about everything you see here is from HomeGoods except silverware and glassware.
My wonderful friend, Annette, picked these pilgrims up for me from TJ Maxx a couple of years ago. I use them every year.
One of my white pumpkins from Roger's Gardens. Thank you for stopping by and have a blessed Thanksgiving with those you love!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Let's talk shoes!

Any of you ladies out there ever heard of Christian Louboutin? My oldest daughter is obsessed with this designer. She loves shoes and these are some pretty snazzy ones. They start at $695.00 per pair. The pair above is $2800.

She currently has a pair on her wish list. Can you guess which ones? Could it be these sparkling rainbow dazzlers?

What about this red hot number?

How about these black beauties?

Could it be this pair of delicious wine babies?

How about this pair of eye candy?

Well, she would only ever really get to have one pair, if she really splurged and threw caution to the wind! The pair of choice is the no nonsense, goes with everything, black beauties. The key sentence here is: GOES WITH EVERYTHING!!!

Dance Season- Oh! The Dresses!

I definitely think Delaney could pull this off!

So dance season is upon us. Winter Formal, Prom, Fireman's Ball, Christmas parties, you name it, its here! The search for the perfect dress is time consuming, but oh so satisfying when it is found. I find that my taste has become more flashy when I consider dresses for my girls, always plain for myself. I'm loving all these dresses.

This one is Katie for sure.

I could see any one of the three in this.

Every year Delaney wants a blue dress and seems to end up with pink. Maybe this blue one will do.

Do you think one of the girls will choose one of the dresses I picked? If I pick enough of them, eventually they'll like one. Usually like me, more plain with a little bling than outrageous and out there.

Brush with Greatness

My Handsome Husband had the opportunity to meet Condoleeza Rice last week at a big charity luncheon in Long Beach. In the picture, they had just finished shaking hands and the photographer missed it...Awkward. HH hates this picture but loves the moment. HH rubbed shoulders with the mayor, some senators and local big shots! He asked Ms. Rice a question on the open mike. One of five that she took. HH is a Political Science major and is passionate about his country. Recently he drove to LA to take part in the 9 12 protest. There were thousands of people there and no media coverage whatsoever. But that is another story.

Condoleeza Rice is an AMAZING woman. Smart, talented, and has made history. She was U.S. Secretary of State from 2005 until 2009 under President George W. Bush, after serving four years as National Security Advisor (2001-05). As a child, Rice was a gifted student and a prodigy on the piano, and she entered college at the age of 15 with the intention of becoming a concert pianist. Along the way she was influenced by political scientist Josef Korbel, the father of former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Rice changed her plans and studied international politics, and by the early 1980s she was teaching at Stanford University and becoming a prominent public voice on international affairs. She also worked with the Pentagon and with the administration of George Bush the elder as an expert on foreign affairs. She returned to Stanford during the Bill Clinton administration before being tapped as NSA by the younger President Bush. In January of 2005, after Bush was elected to a second term, Rice replaced Colin Powell as Secretary of State and served until the end of Bush's term. (this paragraph taken from answers.com)

I'm taking a little trip...

My tickets have been bought and the hotel booked. I'm going to ride in a cable car...
I'm going to tour the city on the hop on, hop off bus. This is my favorite way to get an overview of the city. I do this in every city that I visit if they offer it.

Boutique hotels are my favorite and I'm booked into this one. Listed as one of the most Romantic hotels and recommended by my friend Marlene.

The Christmas decorations are up and I will be shopping here for christmas.

My husband LOVES Indian food and I've made reservations here at one of the most romantic restaurants...

in the Fantasy Room.

New Moon Tablescape

Please join Susan, over at Between Naps on the Porch, for more fabulous tablescapes.
My friend, Marlene, is having a New Moon luncheon. She and her girlfriends are going to see the movie at 10am on Friday and then Marlene is hosting an Italian, New Moon lunch. Between the two of us, we put together a table we thought fit the romance of the books.

She bought the beautiful mercurized vase at HomeGoods, it has a tint of red to it. We filled the vase with red roses. A ribbon runs through the centerpiece tying in the Twilight book.

A view from above. The cupcakes are red velvet with vampire bite marks.

Crystals are scattered throughout the table. Because Edward "sparkles".

Marlene put different quotes from the book on each plate.

The candelabras and goblets are from Marlene's mother-in-law, Linda. They are so beautiful. I think this would also make a beautiful Valentine's Table.

Placemats, Tablecloth and center vase: HomeGoods

Chargers: Horchow

Black Plates: Target

Thanking our Veterans

I would like to take a moment to Thank all the Veterans who have and are serving our country, risking their lives so we can live ours.

Delaney's Homecoming

Delaney went to the Homecoming Dance on Saturday night with her friend Zack. I love the above picture. She was in a good mood and hamming it up.
This is Zack. They've been friends since elementary school. Couldn't be bothered to tuck in his shirt, super laid back surfer dude!
This was the whole crowd. Lots of pretty dresses and shoes! Everyone looked fabulous.

These girls are Delaney's best friends: Macy, Allye, Jay and Jenna.

Being silly

She had a good time dancing the night away.

Alyssa's got a new look!

And its a good one! So cute. She darkened her hair and cut it like Victoria Beckham.

Homecoming Festivities

My friend Annette's daughter, Natalie was crowned Homecoming Queen last Friday night! Natalie is a very sweet, hardworking, kind and loving girl. So excited she won. This is a picture of Tom, Natalie and Annette.

Luckily, David was able to be home for the special event!

Queen and King of Calvary High School 2009.

My friend Marie's daughter, Christina, was crowned Queen at El Toro High School two weeks ago. Christina is in ASB, has a full ride scholarship to Sacred Heart for volleyball and is passionate about life.

Here is my friend Marie, Christina and Bob.

Christina on her throne!

My niece Jessica went to her Homecoming at Villa Park high school a couple of weeks ago too. She went with her friends and had a great time.

Delaney is going to Homecoming this Friday so I'll more to share next week.