Style, Elegance, Grace and Smart too!

I've seen this picture of Audrey Hepburn a MILLION times. It's from Breakfast at Tiffany's which I watched for the first time last year. Totally different from what I thought it was about. I had a preconceived notion in my head based on various pictures.

It turns out Miss Hepburn was not only beautiful, elegant and graceful, but smart & confident too. She loved to read and I have found many quotes that I think are brilliant and important for women and girls. She believed you could be strong, smart and independent and yet embrace your femininity. I usually don't like to hear movie star's personal opinions about things, I most often disagree and then I can't stand to watch them and don't want to support their efforts (extreme?), but Miss Hepburn? One in a million.

She was positive and was proud of being a woman and all that comes with it.

She had great insight into life and the hardships that are part of it.

Beautiful woman, inside and out.

Actress, philanthropist. Born on May 4, 1929, in Brussels, Belgium. A talented performer, Audrey Hepburn was known for her beauty, elegance, and grace. Often imitated, she remains one of Hollywood's greatest style icons. A native of Brussels, Hepburn spent part of her youth in England at a boarding school there. During much of World War II, she studied at the Arnhem Conservatory in The Netherlands. After the Nazis invaded the country, Hepburn and her mother struggled to survive. She reportedly helped the resistance movement by delivering messages, according to an article inThe New York Times.

Sweet Peas

I'm going to plant sweet pea seeds this weekend. It's been so warm, that I think they will be blooming by May! They are so fragrant, pretty and easy to grow.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Here is a picture of my Handsome Husband 28 years ago when he caught my eye. I went over to my friends house after work and he happened to be renting a room at the same house. We chatted and I left and he didn't get my number. Of course, not one to give up, I went back to my friends house a week later. He was there. We chatted, hung out and he asked me for my number and out on a date for the next evening. We saw each other everyday. Two weeks later he asked me to marry him. One year later, we married. He's been my Valentine everyday for 28 years. The love of my life.

These are recent pictures of us, the last couple of years. I'm surprised at how bad the pictures are that we took in the 80's. They are totally losing their color, so I didn't share them, but we've had so many wonderful adventures and a marriage filled with true love.

Happy Valentine's Day Handsome Husband, I love you!

Who is Taylor Swift's stylist?

So last night was the Grammy's and I have to admit I didn't watch, but this morning I saw all the stars in their gowns. And there was Taylor Swift. She looks amazing every time I see her on the red carpet. Who is this girl's stylist? Is she her own stylist? I couldn't find the answer on the internet. Whether her hair is curly, straight or in an updo, whether her dress is long or short, whether she is rockin' a neutral make-up or red lips, she ALWAYS looks glamorous, classy, elegant, and yes, sexy. She doesn't have to have a dress with cut outs showing too much skin, or a plunging neckline or a skirt that is too tight and short to give that certain sexy look. More stars need to take a page from her book.

Wow! This was just a small portion of the beautiful pictures.

A modern day Audrey Hepburn.

Sleepy girls

I was cleaning out the closet and I came across this picture. Alyssa fast asleep on Delaney's lap with Delaney passed out over her. My heart melted. There's nothing like looking at your children when they are asleep. They could have been terrors when awake, but the moment they close their eyes, they were little angels. I then remembered this picture:

After a long day touring Pompeii, Delaney couldn't stay awake on the bus ride back to the ship, and that made me think of this picture:

Katie passed out after a long day in Yellowstone National Park. I guess it doesn't matter how old they are, they still melt your heart when they are sleeping.

She's crafty too...

My girls are proud Americans, they love their country, so it was no surprise that the theme for Katie's birthday with her friends this year was "America". Everyone was asked to wear some form of red, white and blue. A little light bulb went off in Delaney's head and she remembered a tutorial she saw and gathered the supplies needed to fancy up some shorts to wear to the party. They turned out fabulous, sisters requesting pairs for themselves to be worn on 4th of July!

Delaney's version. So cute, I love the addition of the eyelet around the bottom. Did it all herself. Proud mom!

Birthday Tablescape

Katie likes the romantic country look, so I shopped my house and pulled together a table based on the flowers.

An old piece of burlap for a table runner, napkin rings and to fancy up the vase. I took a button that was bought so long ago and never used to decorate the burlap and raffia on the vase.

The Birthday Girl's place setting.

The rest of the table.

Mason jars for drinking glasses.

Friends and family gathered.

The Birthday Girl getting ready to blow out the candles.

Great day!

Happy Birthday, Katie!

Today is our middle girl's birthday. We love her so much. She lives her life with laughter and enthusiasm.

Tonight the theme for her birthday party is America. Everyone is wearing Red, White and Blue. Not much has changed since she was little...

Happy Birthday, Katie!

L.O.V.E.

I've been feeling in the crafty mood since before Christmas so when I was at Roger's Gardens and saw some LOVE letters like the ones above I new I could make them. They were a whopping $62.00 for the four letters. I made them for $10. Each paper mache letter (found at Joann's) was $1.99 on sale from $2.99. I already had paper and all the little goodies I added to them. They were super easy to make and took me about an hour and a half from start to finish.

I also found a cute Martha Stewart Pom Pom Garland at Joann's which was 40% off. Quick and easy to assemble (you get two 6 foot garlands, each garland has 6 pom poms). I took some left over burlap and folded over the ribbon of the garland. I then glued some hearts I made from cardboard (cereal box), glue and glitter. Easy Peasy.

I'm not sure how much extra stuff I want to gather together to put with the letters or if I just want to let them stand alone.

I'm loving the letters. The ones at Roger's Gardens are done in deep reds, they were incredible, but these are more my style!