April in Paris

I know April is almost over but I just had take note that finally Spring has sprung! I live for the sun and days spent enjoying family time outside. The smell of a freshly cut lawn, bright bouquets of daffodils, tulips, birds happily soaring, the Prosseco popping.....lovely.

When I think of spring, I also think Paris. A beautiful season to be in one of the most beautiful cities. I recently heard that the famous Hotel Ritz Paris is undergoing a two year renovation and a bit of a face lift. The prestigious & palatial hotel was founded in 1898 by Cesar Ritz and was reportedly the first hotel in Europe to have a bathroom en suite, a telephone & electricity for each room. Many famous guests have been linked to hotel such as Coco Chanel and Ernest Hemingway.

As the jet set holds it's breath in hopes that not too much is changed, I found these amazing photos recently taken of Kate Moss in this most elegant of hotels. May the Ritz live long and stay true.

What is your favorite place to visit in Spring?

Have fun in the Sun!

Fedora Me Not

Well, I have to say honestly, I'm not a hat kinda girl. Off the top of my head, no pun intended, there are 3 fashion things I don't do: baseball hats, fanny packs and the color brown. Why? Who knows, though the fanny pack one seems a no-brainer.

The other day I was at Target, or as my kids call it, the local Disneyland, and I randomly saw and fell in love with this simple, beachy, fedora hat. A hat! I know! I had images of myself frolicking on the beach with my family wearing this adorable accessory. I was creating outfits in my head. Craziness. It actually looked ok on me too, giving me the thought that just maybe I can get away with this. Hmmmm.

After my easy-peasy $12 purchase I felt like I started seeing fedoras everywhere, online, pinterest, magazines, shops. This just might be my favorite piece this summer...if I actually wear it. A hat.....

Here are some of the images I fell in love with....

What is Inspiration?

Inspiration. The great spark from out of the blue. We all have moments when we hear a song, listen to someone talk, watch a program or even as simple as take a quiet walk and whoosh! In comes that inspiring idea! I love those moments, often crave for them. Lately I notice that as a busy mom with so many responsibilities and details to manage everyday, I often wish I had more time to experiment with my art, be more crafty, and write down all those darn inspiring ideas that came and went! I used to paint more. I love it. It's such a relaxing, zen thing for me and if I can make one person, if only my own kids, to smile from my chaos on canvas well, then I'm inspired again!

Here is a painting of mine that came to me as I got inspired from looking at Van Gogh's beautiful brush strokes. I believe that beauty is often in the simple things and that's what I like to stick to in my attempt at art; yes, simplicity please- as the kids run crazy and smother my life with their sweet and sticky kisses :)

Quatrefoil

An old treasure rediscovered:)

I came across this stain glass piece of a peacock I made way, way back in the day. I actually love it (something we cant say about all handmade adventures) and well, it's that beautiful blue again! Trying to find the perfect place to display it now. Have you ever made something that you are proud of?

Beauty in Blue

It seems like deep inside I'm always on a quest to find beautiful treasures bathed in the color blue. All blues are eye catching to me but in particular I love cobalt, sky, navy, periwinkle and turquoise. Currently I'm on a search for a few great vases or either oriental or Italian ceramic for a mantle. Here is some blue-eye'd candy:)

A Balanced Breakfast

Ok, had to share this great piece of nutritional information from blogger Joy the Baker. I love this great recipe for oatmeal and the smoothie with Amazing Grass sounds to die for! I am a huge Amazing Grass fan, gives me energy and fills my tummy up! Everything green is just soooo good for you.! New Year, New heathy ways!

A Balanced Breakfast

This Bavarian beauty brings sweet memories...

A new year always reminds me of one of the most memorable New Years Eve's I've had. It was perfect and stunning in every way. It was 2002 and the first one my Dutch husband and I shared as a newly married couple. We were living abroad in Holland, living it up and well, we were kid-free. We decided to drive to Heidelberg first to see some of my Dad's family and then on to beautiful Bavaria to visit friends who have a very charming Inn with amazing views of the Neuschwanstenstein Castle. It was a New Years Eve day of beautiful walks, cozy meals, crisp air, a tour of the castle and later that night there was a party at a local Italian restaurant that was nothing short of fabulous. We were with people I never met before yet I felt completely at home and laughed along with all the different languages that surrounded us.  The evening ended with us outside toasting with champagne to just about everything and watching some crazy-pretty fireworks. (To be honest everytime I think of that night I can always hear Robbie Williams in the background singing, "I just wanna feel real love..." which seemed to playing A LOT in the background). 

Neuschwanstenstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany

Anyways, it was a beautiful, romantic New Years Eve with my amazing husband. What keeps this magical area of Germany so close to my heart is all tied in with my very first memories as a child. When I was 3 1/2 my parents took me to Germany to see where my Dad came from and it was while visiting here, looking up at this castle that a lasting impression was held in my mind and heart. Now that my Dad has passed it means even more. New Years Eve 2002 he had been gone a year. I felt him smiling on me that day, I felt the rush of memories past and memories new. Now I will create memories for the future with our kids as we plan our own trip to go back and share it together as a family in 2012. Of course,  I'm guessing we'll introduce the castle as, "look...here is the ORIGINAL Disneyland castle!" 

Happy 2012!

A Newbie!

Happy 2012! What a great way to start the year, by starting a blog! Why not? I know there are millions of bloggers out there but it has always seemed fun to me and so here I am...a true newbie. Bare with me as I learn the basics to get started and enjoy it as I take off! Cheers!