Kathleen Ellis

10 Easy Ways to Add Romance to Your Life Today.....

2012-01-09T10:22:00.000-05:00

Creating a life of beauty, elegance and Romance is easy and anyone can do it!
You will find your life takes on a more peaceful, gentle note as you infuse these 3 elements into your everyday lifestyle.

Valentine's Day serves as a perfect reminder to infuse Romance into our everyday lives. But don't wait for or limit this to just one day or month in the year! Being a romantic at heart, I truly believe that Romance should be a part of your everyday life!

Adding a few elements here and there can create a

Lifestyle of Romance

that will make your world feel a little bit softer and brighter.

These are some of the elements I have added to my life to create that feeling of romance everyday....

1. Fresh Flowers ~ I prefer a bunch of pretty pink roses from the grocery store, but even a single stem of your favorite bloom will do the trick

2. Candlelight ~ candles just naturally evoke a sense of romance, and while your at it, replace some of your bulbs with soft pink bulbs, they cast a soft rosy glow at night

3. Scents ~ subtle is key here, you don't want to be overwhelmed by a fragrance-just a hint

4. Music ~ keep some of your favorite upbeat love songs ready to listen to at a moments notice, I find classical music very romantic and play it frequently during the day

5. Fabrics ~ use soft, sensuous fabrics on your bed, pleasant to touch, pretty to look at

6. Photos ~ cluster groups of photos of the two of you around the house, especially in the bedroom

7. Clear ~ the clutter, it's hard to look past a lot of clutter while trying to create the feeling of romance

8. Loungewear ~ invest in a few outfits to change into after a long day that make you feel like a "Pretty Woman"

9. Dressing Room ~ create a special spot to get ready each morning and night, even if it's just a corner, having your own "special spot" feels romantic

10. Bubble Bath ~ ALWAYS have some favorite bubble bath supplies ready for a moments notice, be sure to include scented bubble bath and body moisturizers, candles, extra soft oversized towels, favorite music, and anything else that makes you feel especially pampered

There are so many more elements that can be incorporated to create a Lifestyle of Romance....make a list of those things that would make you feel like you're Living a Life of Romance and then begin to implement them into your everyday life!

Don't limit romance to Valentine's Day!

Decorating the Christmas Trees.....

2011-12-03T09:44:00.000-05:00

I just LOVE this time of year! Having a decorator's heart and eye I especially love the fact that everywhere I go I see "decorations"! From plain and fancy to rustic and traditional to "over the top"

...there's a feast for my eyes! I really love to decorate my own home.

My philosophy is to decorate "seasonally" rather than for specific holidays so I get to enjoy my "Christmas" or what I call my "winter" decorations well into February!

That's right!..February!

My decorations don't come down until after Valentine's day! Laugh...go ahead...most of my friends did many years ago... and now many of them do the same thing! After explaining to them how leaving my beautiful decorations up through the dreary winter months lifts my spirits and makes my home feel warm and cozy...not to mention festive! and the extra lights on the trees and mantel (and other strategic areas) make the fact that it is dark outside at 5:00 seem not so bad...some of them gave it a try, and you know what?...they liked it!

Not only that...after taking all that time to decorate I get to enjoy it for months rather than weeks! An added bonus is that I can entertain AFTER the holidays when the "mad rush" is over and my home still looks magical and festive!

January and February are a great time to entertain...everyone's schedules are much more open and people are looking for something to do while experiencing that "post holiday let down" feeling.

I really enjoy doing a special Valentine event...but more about that later....

Trimming a tree is so much fun for me....it takes me a long time....but I enjoy the process....I love that you can do something different every year. That doesn't mean you have to go out and buy new decorations every year but it does mean you can be creative with what you already have and maybe add a few new additions here and there. I look for items all year that I may be able to use for my "winter" decorating.

This tree has a mixture of ornaments I've had for close to 20 years along with newer found ornaments. The "fillers" I used are white irridescent (silk) poinsettias...they fill in some of the dark places and reflect the lights. It is crowned with white feathers and pink and green sparkly things. My winter decorations including my trees are decorated in colors that compliment my year round decor which means they add an extra dimension to what is already there and they flow right into the spaces.

What are some of your favorite ways to decorate for the winter?

Holiday Beauty for the Bedroom.....

2011-11-29T05:59:00.019-05:00

These vignettes are some my dear friend, Sherry, created for her bedroom...yes, please remember to embellish your bedroom for the holiday/winter season! Her bedroom is so tranquil...soft aqua and cocoa, cream and silver...just lovely!

Notice how she showcased some of her favorite teacups...in her bedroom, on her dresser...teacups don't need to stay in the dining room!

Here she embellished items she uses year round with seasonal elements...you don't have to go out and buy "Christmas" and replace everything you use now. When you decorate with items you love it is easy to add fresh embellishments according to the season...not to mention affordable!

I love how she place these vignettes in front of mirrors to "double the beauty". Notice how she uses candles and shiny, reflective finishes to add festive sparkle.

Look how elegant this table topper from Walmart looks! With frames from discount stores, a tassel and a few jewels...Easy & Elegant!

Imagine seeing these beautiful vignettes first thing every morning and last thing every night...talk about "sweet dreams"!

Happy Thanksgiving.....

2011-11-23T06:27:00.000-05:00

Wishing you a most Blessed & Beautiful Thanksgiving!

Pink Saturday Blessings

2011-11-18T15:00:00.001-05:00

Wishing you a beautiful & blessed Pink Saturday!

Join the fun by visiting Beverly at How Sweet the Sound

My blessings are overflowing....and I am truly THANKFUL!

To name just a few.......

My handsome charming Prince, my beautiful children and their spouses, a new grandson about to arrive....and my God who loves me more than I can possibly fathom!

From my family to yours....wishes for a Beautiful & Blessed Thanksgiving!

For the Holidays....Forgiveness

2011-11-17T09:31:00.000-05:00

One way to decrease the stress of the holiday season is to FORGIVE anyone who you feel has hurt you.

When we forgive others, we free ourselves from the bitterness, pain and negativity that comes from harboring un-forgiveness. This holiday season, why not CHOOSE to forgive those who have hurt you and free yourself to enjoy your holiday season!

I pray this article I wrote will help you with that process!

F acets of G raciousness~Forgiveness

In January I began a series on The Facets of Graciousness, which are (having or showing) kindness, courtesy, charm, compassion, forgiveness, love, charity, politeness, goodwill, mercy and tenderness. We have covered Courtesy, Compassion and Kindness, today I’d like to share about Forgiveness.

Forgive: to give up resentment against or the desire to punish; to pardon an offense or the offender; to cancel a debt

Forgiveness. Is that a word that puts a lump in your throat and a knot in your stomach? I must confess…there was a time in my life when it did that to me and honestly, sometimes it still does! It’s a horrible feeling…the feeling that someone has hurt you or deceived you or let you down in some way…and now you are supposed to forgive them?! Forgiveness is not something I ever felt like doing but at some point in my life, many years ago, I realized that the only person suffering from my unforgiveness was me! I also realized a few other things about forgiveness that I want to share with you in the hope that it will help you to choose to forgive and move on and to help you avoid the horrible side effects of UN-forgiveness!

Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling or an emotion. Forgiving someone is something we do on purpose, it is a conscious choice we make. When we forgive someone for something they have said or done, we must do so without expecting that hurt or wrong to be corrected or even apologized for.

Forgiveness is an extension of mercy (a disposition to forgive or be kind; the power to forgive) and an act of grace. Forgiveness is not necessarily forgetting-but it is choosing to not replay the offense over and over again. It is choosing to not bring the offense up or to use it against someone. Forgiveness is choosing to not talk about the offense to others or to allow the offense to hinder a relationship.

When we forgive others (and ourselves) we release the hold of

bitterness, anger and resentment on our own life…on our own heart. Bitterness, anger and resentment bring with them their own set of miseries including sickness and disease.

When we struggle with forgiveness it is not a matter of our ability to forgive, but rather a matter of our willingness to forgive. Being willing to forgive means we are choosing to not be imprisoned by our negative emotions or the hurtful words and actions of others. We are freeing ourselves!

When we choose to forgive, we must give up our thoughts of justice, revenge and vengeance. We don’t always forgive someone because they deserve it, we forgive because it’s the right thing to do. I forgive because God’s word tells me that if I am not willing to forgive then I cannot be forgiven. (Mark 11:25, Matthew 6:14-16)

When it comes right down to it…we should forgive others because we ourselves need to be forgiven! I don’t know about you, but I know I have said and done many things in my lifetime both intentional and unintentional, that have required forgiveness from both the person(s) I offended and from my Heavenly Father. There are many times that I know I did not deserve forgiveness and yet it was mercifully extended to me anyway and I am extremely grateful for that.

One thing that helps me to put it all in perspective is The Golden Rule, “Treat others the way you want to be treated.” It is a good rule to live by and when I do it reduces the amount of times I need to be forgiven and it helps me to make the choice to forgive. Is there someone you need to choose to forgive today? Are you willing to forgive? I encourage you to set yourself free today by forgiving anyone who has hurt you or wronged you.

You will be amazed at the weight that will be lifted off of you!

Wishing you Blessings & Beauty~

Surrounding Beauty: Easy & Elegant Fall Updates for Your Rooms

2011-08-17T20:00:00.001-04:00

As the days get shorter and cooler we tend to want to “cozy up” our rooms so they “feel” warmer to us. The “light and breezy” style we enjoyed for the warm summer months served its purpose and now it’s time to transition to a “warm and cozy” style for fall and winter.

Seasonal changes need not be complicated or costly! There are a few tricks that will create that warm and cozy feeling in no time without breaking the bank. The main thing to remember is to look for elements that suit your style tastes and budget and then put a little thought and effort into transforming a few key areas.

You want to always begin with what I call the “first impression” spots, the outside entry and the inside entryway.

Then move on to create a few “warm fuzzy focal points”. Pick 3 to 5 highly visible places in your home where you can create little Fall vignettes. Areas to consider for “warm fuzzy focal points”: dining room table, side table, fireplace mantel, coffee table, stairway or landing, kitchen island, the top of cabinets or armoires, or a bathroom vanity. These areas can be quickly and easily updated with each season assuring that your home always feels fresh, warm and welcoming for you and your guests.

I believe that your home should be put together in such a way that it makes you smile, feels like a big warm hug and is a true reflection of your unique sense of style. Keep those thoughts in mind as you go about “feathering your nest” and you will always feel at home in your home.

13 Ideas for an Easy & Elegant Seasonal Update

Outside:

 Place seasonal flowers in urns or pots along your walkway or in a cluster to the side of the door

 Spray paint branches metallic bronze & gold and anchor in an urn with sand and/or stones covered with leaves

 Place an oversized decorative wreath or swag on, above or beside your front door

Inside:

 Fill a few bowls, baskets or, one of my favorites, vintage silver trays with seasonal elements such as pinecones, nuts, cinnamon sticks, silk leaves, fall ornaments, gourds, mini pumpkins or seasonal fruits and place them on an entryway table, a bathroom vanity or a coffee table

 Add a few extra lamps around your home to fill your home with light as the daylight gets shorter

 Up the wattage: put higher wattage bulbs in several of your lamps for a brighter glow during this chilly season

 Toss a cozy throw on your sofa or chair to snuggle up in on those frosty evenings or early mornings

 Add a few accessories in deeper shades of the colors you already use in your décor

 In the bedroom, dress your bed in heavier, richer colored bedding and flannel sheets

 Change out some of your pillows with richer fabrics such as chenille, wool, corduroy and tapestry

 Pop an animal print pillow or two onto a sofa or chair

 Warm metallics can really add a cozy and elegant touch to a room…look for bronze and gold accessories such as candlesticks

 Remember to add a few seasonally scented candles and bowls of potpourri around to further enhance the senses

Remember to enjoy the process of creating a warm and welcoming home….your home is after all, your haven, a place to renew, refresh and rejuvenate….a safe place that nurtures and nourishes you and your family.

xoxo~

A Beautiful Holiday & A Beautiful Life.....

2011-07-27T19:44:00.001-04:00

Recently I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Sandy Fowler for her Heart Filled Holidays radio program.

Sandy and I "met" on Facebook and found we are kindred spirits.

We had a wonderful time sharing thoughts about the Beauty of the Holiday Season and Living a Life of Beauty everyday.

We both believe that making small efforts each day to make life a more beautiful experience is well worth the investment and the rewards are many!

I thought I would be sharing the link for the broadcast today but that isn't available yet...however, the link for the itunes podcast is available...

itunes podcast of A Beautiful Holiday & A Beautiful Life

and...

this is the link for the recording which will be up in a few days.....

toginet radio A Beautiful Holiday & A Beautiful Life

Listen in and let me know your thoughts....I trust it will inspire you to begin planning your own Beautiful Holidays & Beautiful Life!

You're worth the investment, you know!

xoxo

Christmas in July! 3 Tips for Stress-Less Holidays

2011-07-26T09:12:00.000-04:00

Christmas in July.....

I know...it's 90 some degrees outside and I'm thinking....CHRISTMAS?!

Yes!

Now is the time to begin planning and preparing for

Stress-Less holidays!

I'm excited to introduce you to a new friend of mine,

Sandy Fowler of Heart Filled Holidays

I've asked Sandy to share her thougths on how she plans for Stress-Less holidays....and she graciously agreed....here are her Words of Wisdom...

Reducing Stress and Having Fun with Christmas in July, by Sandy Fowler

When you hear the words ‘Christmas in July’, what do you think of? Maybe you think of a summer Christmas party; perhaps you think of great sales at your favorite store. Both of those can be fun, but have you ever considered the idea that Christmas in July can mean a happier, easier Christmas in December?

Celebrating, playing and planning now can all ease the stress in December, and July is the perfect time to do that! Here are three simple strategies to use in July that will ease the stress and increase the joy in December.

1. Host a Christmas in July party. Traveling and visiting everyone on your list during the Christmas season can be hectic and long distance travel can be almost impossible. So instead, bring everyone together for a fun filled time in the summer sun. You can make this as simple or as intricate as you’d like. Do anything from a pot luck dinner at a park to hosting a full-on Christmas dinner, or anything in between.

2. We all love to play during the summer. It’s a great time to browse local shops, take vacations and catch up on our favorite crafts. That also makes it a prime time to start our Christmas shopping. If you’re working on crafts or other hobbies that lend themselves to making gifts then start making some Christmas presents. If you’re on vacation or perusing interesting shops be on the lookout for unique and interesting Christmas presents. And, whatever you’re doing, take lots of pictures. There are hundreds of ways you can turn a simple photograph into a personalized gift.

3. Plan it! July means we are more than half way to Christmas and it’s the perfect time to check in with your holiday plans. See if you’re saving enough money. Talk to friends and relatives about commitments and expectations. Think about what you really want your holiday to look like, and if your current plans are likely to get you there. Taking a quick peek at your plans now means that if you are off track you have plenty of time to get things on the right track. And if you have to talk to others about changing plans, they’ll be more open to the conversation when they’re more relaxed and Christmas isn’t right around the corner.

July is your month of opportunity, your chance to set the stage for a fabulous Christmas in December. So grab it, enjoy it, and create a Heart Filled Holiday.

Sandy has lots of fun and useful tips for every holiday...

I know you'll enjoy getting to know her at

http://www.heartfilledholidays.com/

Tomorrow I'll be sharing the radio interview I did with Sandy when she asked me to share my thoughts on BEAUTY!

Wishing you a most BEAUTIFUL day!

Independence, Freedom, Liberty.....

2011-07-02T11:10:00.000-04:00

Wishing you all a most beautiful & blessed Independence Day weekend!

Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed - else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die. ~Dwight D. Eisenhower

It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you. ~Author unknown, sometimes attributed to M. Grundler

Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all!
By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall.
~John Dickinson

My God! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy! ~Thomas Jefferson

And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
~Lee Greenwood

Freedom is never free. ~Author Unknown

xoxo~

Here Comes the Bride...All Dressed in....Pink! (and a $100 giveaway for brides to be)

2011-06-10T17:26:00.000-04:00

June is called the "Month of BRIDES"...Weddings and Bridal Showers, too!

You all know I love PINK! and you all know I love BEAUTIFUL things.....what could be more beautiful than a PINK bridal gown? If I were to ever renew my vows with my Prince...PINK would be the color of my dress!

Maybe this one.....full of ruffles....

...or one of these....embellished with sweet roses....

...maybe this one.....a la Greek Goddess.....

...or this one....only if I could have the wall, too....

....or....maybe one of these pretties......

It would be a dilemma for me...how about for you? Do you have a favorite?

(all pics from google images)

$100 giveaway drawing....

Here's some exciting news for anyone who is going to be a bride or knows someone who is...pass it on....

Ann's Bridal Bargains....a lovely online site that offers a selection of wedding invitations, napkins, albums, ceremony & reception accessories...has generously offered to give one of my blog friends $100 worth of merchandise from their site (shipping not included)!!!

So.......in order to be entered into the drawing you will need to leave a comment telling me which bridal gown you like the best & your wedding date...and a way for me to contact you if you don't have a link back to your blog.

Spread the word to your "bride to be" friends....this is a budget friendly site with great reviews!

I'm linking to Beverly's Pink Saturday fun today and Stephanie's Wedding Party....be sure to go visit and join in the FUN!

Peonies...and Ants and Spiders...Oh My!

2011-05-24T11:56:00.000-04:00

My peonies are spectacular this year! They must adore this gloomy rainy weather!

Most years I do not cut my peonies to bring inside....I like to see them blooming outside. This morning however, I let my Prince talk me into clipping some and filling a vase for us to enjoy inside.

I absolutely love peonies, they are such a romantic flower!

I wish they bloomed all summer long!

Within seconds of bringing my beautiul bouquet into the house......I remembered the other reason why I don't cut them and bring them inside.....BUGS!!!

I hate BUGS!!!

Sure enough...ants came crawling out...then spiders and then some other unidentified crawly things...microscopic crawly things!

Eeeeeeww!

I was able to kill all but one huge big black ant who made a beeline to the bread box...I now have a rogue ant somewhere in my kitchen...I'll be looking for him all day!

I also have a very itchy scalp...that's what happens to me when I see bugs! LOL!

I am sooo not an outdoorsy girl!

But I am enjoying the beautiful aroma and sight of my gorgeous pink and white peonies!

Wishing you a Terrific Tuesday!

The Geranium & Petunia Project.....

2011-05-10T17:12:00.001-04:00

"Give me odorous at sunrise a garden of beautiful flowers where I can walk undisturbed". ~Walt Whitman

After checking out all the options for geraniums this past weekend...and in the process finding myself a new white Christmas tree for 75% off...WoooHoooo!.....we went back to the nursery that had the most vibrant colors.

I love to plant BRIGHT pink geraniums in my deck planters, which I can see from the kitchen window as I do the dishes or from the patio doors as I sit and enjoy my breakfast or do some writing.

I had sooo much fun picking out 36 geranium plants!!!

We had an unexpected surprise when the cashier asked my handsome (distinguished) Prince if he was "over 55"...because on Tuesdays there is a "senior citizens" discount...LOL! Well...yes....he answered....I'm 57...he just blurted it right out......I NEVER blurt out my age....and NO....I am NOT a senior citizen...not yet....so, she also informed us that every Tuesday I can get the senior citizen discount...as long as I bring "HIM" with me! LOL! It was quite a nice discount...my Prince was thrilled!

Now these wave petunias we've had for a few weeks....waiting to see if the squirrels attempted to devour them (like they did last year) before we put them in the window boxes...so far, so good....so maybe it's safe to plant them...we'll find out real soon!

Soooo...anybody wanna get their hands dirty?

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-08T01:00:00.004-04:00

Wishing all of my beautiful friends the happiest Mother's Day of all!

I've just recently discovered yet another BEAUTIFUL blog.....

Andrea....at Everyday Beauty.....she has a most beautiful blog....(this photo is from her blog...a gift from her hubby!)please stop by and say hello!

Happy Mother's Day!

Good...Better....Best!

2011-05-06T13:26:00.000-04:00

I love to create little vignettes around my home...I call them
"warm fuzzy focal points".
Whether it's decorating your home, putting together and outfit or setting a beautiful table....layers and details are what make the difference between "Good, Better and Best".

Here's what I'm talking about....

This is a beautiful lamp...one of my favorites, so I thought I'd use it to brighten up a corner on my counter....it looked GOOD.....but something was missing.....

Okay....this is BETTER...but...something is still missing.....

Aaaaahhhhh....could this be IT?!!

Why...YES! I believe this is IT!

......BEST!

Pink-ness!

2011-04-15T05:00:00.001-04:00

A few weeks ago as my Prince and I were on our way to our favorite bakery to get one of my most favorite treats...they make the best eclairs around....we passed by a little 2nd hand shop that looked interesting.

On our way back we popped in to explore and look what I found!

I was smitten as soon as I spotted it!

I could hardly wait to see what I had to set upon it's pretty little "head"!

I think this multi color friendship ball is a perfect fit, don't you?

The bunnies are so happy they can't stop dancing!

I'd like to introduce you to a lovely blog I visited recently, Remember to Wish, it is beautifully inspiring and Vanessa has selected beautiful music that makes you want to spend hours browsing! Stop by and tell her I sent you over to see her!
I'm linking up with Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday!
Happy Weekend Friends!

Roses...or Diamonds?

2011-04-14T14:56:00.001-04:00

I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck. ~Emma Goldman

Making a Big Deal about the Little Things...

2011-04-03T06:00:00.001-04:00

Make a Big Deal About the “Little Things”

Making a big deal about the “little things” can make your life richer and more fulfilling. We’ve all heard the phrase

“Don’t sweat the small stuff” and I wholeheartedly agree. We must not let life’s little daily annoyances and irritations cause us to “lose our cool” or bring us to a place of tension and stress.

On the flip-side, it is easy to overlook the right “little things” or “small stuff” unless we intentionally decide to

Make a Big Deal About It!

Making a big deal about the right “little things” will help to alleviate tension and stress and will bring us to a place of peace and gratitude.

Some of the “little things” we can make a big deal about everyday are….the sunrise, the sunset, the smell of fresh laundry, the giggle of your little ones, a loving glance from your sweetie, the smell of his cologne, the hot water for your shower, the softness of your favorite sweater, the taste of your tea (or coffee), the fact that you got out of bed today, that you can hear, see, smell, taste, laugh, cry.

You can make a big deal about just about anything…anything positive that is!

Make a BIG DEAL and Be Thankful!

5 Ways You Can Make a Big Deal About the “Little Things” in Your Life

1) Sunrise Celebration - Find the spot in your home where you can see the sunrise. The night before set the “table” in that spot for breakfast, be sure to include candles, pretty napkins, flowers and stemmed glasses for juice. You may want to prepare your breakfast the night before and just heat it up or keep it simple with peanut butter and jelly on toast and juice.

As the sun rises…Make a Big Deal About It!

**you can do the same for the sunset, serving cheese & crackers and sparkling water

2) Love Notes - Let your children and spouse know they are a Big Deal by leaving little uplifting love notes around for them. Some great places to “hide” them…under their pillows, bathroom mirror, underwear drawer, shirt or pants pocket, in a lunch bag, inside a book they’re reading, in the cereal box….let your imagination take over!

3) Soothing Scents - Keep an assortment of scented soaps on hand and place them at each sink. Make a Big Deal about the beauty of that scent and your sense of smell each time you wash your hands.

4) Fresh Flowers - Place a container of fresh flowers…or even a single stem…at your kitchen sink. Make a Big Deal about the beauty and detail of those flowers and your ability to see them each time you clean up the dishes.

5) Big Deal Day - Select one day a week to make a Big Deal about a family member. Put each person’s name in a basket and draw a name each week so each member will experience their own “Big Deal Day”. Have other family members write down 3 things they appreciate about that person and read them during dinner (their favorite meal, of course). Be sure to call attention to the special gifts and talents of that person.

Use your imagination to create more ways you can

Make a Big Deal About the “Little Things”

and Be Thankful!

Surrounding Beauty: Easy & Elegant Spring Mantel....

2011-04-01T07:00:00.002-04:00

I have a "Seasonal DecoratingPhilosophy"....I don't decorate so much for particular holidays as I do for each season. Decorating seasonally allows me to "freshen up" 3 or 4 times a year without being dictated to by the "expiration dates" that come from decorating for each holiday.

So...although I have many bunnies out right now...they aren't necessarily "Easter Bunnies"...they are spring/summer bunnies. They can stay around all summer long if I feel so inclined...or, if I feel the need to "freshen up" sooner, I can...but I don't need to be concerned about putting them all away as soon as Easter is over!
(I call this Easy Elegance)

Another philosophy I have is...."Decorate in Layers"....do one layer...live with it a few hours or days, then add another, live with it and if you're so inclined add another layer or two! Layers add interest and how many layers you do is a personal thing...what feels right to me may not feel right to you. Do what looks good to your eye but keep the options open, experiment and allow yourself the freedom to "tweak" along the way!

I've done just that with my mantel this spring.

Layer one....

Layer two....

Layer three.....

Details.....

Now if I just had a piece of pretty white lace to drape on there.......

What are you using to embellish your home for SPRING?

Linking to "All Things Inspired" at All Things Heart & Home...Be Inspired!

What Would You Do...Your Thoughts....

2011-03-31T14:57:00.000-04:00

A few days ago I shared a post What Would You Do? with a scenario and asked for your input...I also posed this same scenario & questions in my March newsletter and asked for responses to be emailed to me to share here. It seems this scenario has touched a nerve! Many of you responded that you have been in this exact situation...as the "new" woman.

I, too, have been the "new" woman numerous times...beginning way back in elementary school! We moved a lot when I was growing up and every few years I was the "new" kid. Not once do I recall being warmly welcomed or accepted...perhaps that is why I take particular interest in the "new" woman at any event or social situation.

Thank you for your responses!

As promised, I am sharing a summary of your responses along with my own thoughts. It is my firm belief that many times this scenario plays out because 1) we just don't pay attention and 2) we feel insecure or inadequate in these situations, and so not knowing what to do, we do nothing.

I believe that most women want to do the "right" thing and when they are taught the skills to handle certain scenarios they then have the confidence to reach out and do just that!

What You Would Do......

If you were the lady at the registration table to make every guest feel welcome & valued:

*Greet everyone with a big, warm smile and ASK questions such as "Have you visited with us before?"

*Have a sign up sheet ahead of time where people can make note of the fact that they are attending for the 1st time

*Give a genereal overview of the schedule and where certain things can be found, such as the ladies room, the entry to the event, etc.

*Have a group of (trained)hostesses ready to help people meet, mix & mingle

If you were the woman attending this event for the 1st time:

*Let people know right up front that you are new

*Look for someone else who appears to be there alone & introduce yourself

*Wear a big welcoming smile

*Initiate conversation with others who appear friendly

If you were one of the women who sat down next to the new woman (obviously there by herself) to make her feel welcome, comfortable & part of the group:

*Introduce yourself

*Ask her questions about herself

*Introduce her to others

My thoughts....

I agree with all of the above, you all had great suggestions...and while these responses seem like basic common sense, based on your experiences...and mine...apparently there is a missing link somehwere!

I would add that whenever you have the opportunity to be a part of the organizing committee (or if you know someone on the organizing committee) for an event that you make a point of "training" those who will be greeting and/or registering guests and that there would always be "trained" hostesses at the registration table and, if it is an event where ladies will be seated at tables, there should be "trained" table hostesses.

Graciousness is taught and then caught...in order for it to be caught it must first be taught!

If those of us who have been taught the Art of Graciousness aren't teaching it, living it, modeling it, to our daughters, our sisters, our friends & our peers...well then, how can we expect it to be caught by others?

When we live out, in practical ways, kindness & courtesy, and we look for opportunities to gently teach the same, we will raise the level of awareness and arm women with the confidence & skills they need to live a Life of Graciousness themselves.

Are you with me?

Surrounding Beauty: Decorating with Bunnies

2011-03-25T16:58:00.001-04:00

Bunnies, Bunnies everywhere!

Bunnies have multiplied and invaded my home! Well...maybe not invaded...I did welcome them in! I even told them where they could sit...or dance!

The Ballerina Bunnies have center stage on the side table...don't they just make you smile?!

The Topiary Bunny sits on the hearth reminding me that soon there will be pretty PINK blooms in my garden!

Two more Topiary Bunnies sit on the mantel...keeping a close eye on those chubby little birds!

On the coffee table Pretty Petal Bunny has come to pretty up the room!

Frou Frou Bunny has found her way into...the powder room!

The Fitz & Floyd Mama Bunny next to the sink makes me smile everytime I do my dishes!

Another Pretty Petal Bunny has made her home on the breakfast table....and the two little bunny cups keep her company from time to time when the Two Little Princesses visit!

A Pink Vintage Bunny planter is sitting pretty on the shelf under the breakfast table!

Beautiful Bonnie Bunny loves to sun herself by the patio door!

In the dining room two Renaissance Bunnies keep an eye on the silver!

These two little Cutie Pie Bunnies cheerfully greet all who enter!

Mr. Handsome Bunny is also one of the cheerful greeters in the foyer!

Little Shy Bunny may giggle if you trip on the stairs!

Believe it or not...there are actually more bunnies waiting to come and join their friends....where oh where shall I put them?!

Have you brought any bunnies into your home for spring?

Happy Super(calafragilistic) Saturday!

I'm linking to Beverly's Pink Saturday &

Cindy's Show & Tell Friday

celebrations today...hop on over and check them out!

What Would You Do?

2011-03-24T11:36:00.000-04:00

Last week, in my newsletter, Total Beauty Living, I presented a scenario and posed the question

"What Would YOU Do?"

I'm sharing that here because I want to hear what you have to say about this all too common real life scenario that I am certain many of you have encountered!

My passion for re-establishing Gracious Living includes YOU! Together we can make a profound difference...in our own lives and the lives of those who fall in our circle of influence!

Please share your thoughts on

"What YOU Would Do"

When we are armed with awareness and Gracious Solutions we can truly change the quality of our day to day lives and we can teach others to do the same!

Please share!

Inner Beauty ~Facets of Graciousness

~ Kindness~ the first facet of graciousness

~Courtesy~ the second facet of graciousness

We’ve been talking about Facets of Graciousness and how to incorporate them into our daily lives in order to make this world a more beautiful and civilized place to live.

In the spirit of a popular new show, “What Would You Do?”, I’d like to present a scenario to you and ask you, “What would you do?”to demonstrate Kindness and another Facet of Graciousness….Courtesy.

Scene: (based on real situations that have been experienced by myself and several women I know) A women’s luncheon hosted by a networking group you’ve recently joined or perhaps by the women’s group at a church you’ve just begun attending.

You arrive alone, not knowing anyone but you are excited about the opportunity to meet some new people. You put on your friendliest face and biggest smile.

You receive a cool greeting at the registration table with no instructions as to where you are to be seated. You wander in to the large room all set up for lunch and take a seat at one of the round tables, noticing there are no placecards indicating assigned seating. A woman sits down on either side of you and you smile, say hello and introduce yourself. These two women then carry on a conversation with each other about people & situations you have no knowledge of, talking around you and pretty much ignoring you.

What would you do…if you were the woman attending this event for the first time?

What would you do…if you were the woman at the registration table, to make every guest feel welcome and valued?

What would you do…if you were one of the women who sat down next to the new woman (obviously there by herself) to make her feel welcome, comfortable and part of the group?

Please share: I would love for you to share your thoughts on how you would act with Graciousness, Kindness & Courtesy in this situation.

I've Renamed the Days of the Week!

2011-03-21T11:47:00.001-04:00

I've been thinking.....

(this is where my Prince would say, "Uh, Oh!")....

I hear so many negative words associated with some of the days of the week...."Dreadful Monday", "Hump Day" (Wednesday), then there are those who get depressed Sunday night because Monday morning is just a few hours away and those who declare "Thank God it's Friday!" like they could hardly bear to get to that day.

So....I thought maybe if the days of the week were renamed it would cause us to stop and think of each day in a more positive light! I am a firm believer that what we think & say we begin to believe and bring about!

Want to try this with me? There's nothing to lose! and everything to gain!

From now on I will be referring to the days of the week as follows.......

Soul-full Sunday

Magnificent Monday

Terrific Tuesday

Wonderful Wednesday

Thrilling Thursday

Fabulous Friday

Super(califragilisticexpialidocious) Saturday

Come on...give it a try...let me know what happens!

Wishing you a most BEAUTIFUL and UPLIFTING week!
I've been invited to link up to
All Things Heart & Home-Be Inspired
Please stop by and visit Robin's beautiful blog...and Be Inspired by her friends posts for the Be Inspired
Meme!
Thank you Robin!

Inner Beauty Workings ~ Facets of Graciousness...part two....

2011-02-28T12:45:00.000-05:00

~ Kindness~ the first facet of graciousness

“Kind words are the music of the world. They have a power which seems to be beyond natural causes, as though they were some angel’s song which had lost its way and come to earth.” ~Frederick William Faber

Words are very powerful! Proverbs tells us that “life and death are in the power of our words”! WOW! That’s pretty powerful!

It took me a long time to realize how powerful my words are, for positive or negative, and I’m still working on them! I’m sure you can remember words that were spoken to you, perhaps years ago, perhaps yesterday, that were powerful….either in a positive or negative way. Unfortunately, we tend to remember the negative, harsh words far more vividly than the positive words spoken with kindness and love. There is a lesson in that for us all…..remember how it feels to receive words of harsh negativity, how devastating and hurtful that can be and then remember how it feels to receive positive words spoken with kindness, how loved and appreciated they make you feel. I’m sure you, like me, much prefer the latter!
How much then do our loved ones, our neighbors, our friends, our coworkers and even the stranger on the street desire to have us speak positive words with kindness and love into their lives?

Speaking positive words with kindness and love is not a difficult thing to do. I believe it requires a conscious effort to do so, an awareness and intention to speak kindly to all. I believe that many times we are simply not aware of the words we are speaking and the tone in which we are speaking them.
By paying attention to what we are sending out into the lives of those around us, through our words, we can significantly alter the mood and tone of the situations we find ourselves in and change the outcome of many.
The kind words you speak to others today may be the only kind words they hear all day…maybe even all week!

Today I will speak beautiful kind words...how about you?

My Weekend with Two Little Princesses.....

2011-02-24T13:11:00.000-05:00

A few weekends ago, my Prince & I had the pleasure of being "grandparents" for the weekend! There are three very special girls who have entered our lives recently....one of them is my son's beautiful girlfriend, the other two are her beautiful little girls!

Our "Fancy Nancy" dress up game!

We offered to keep them for the weekend and what fun we had!

They were excellent cupcake tasters!

....and decorators!

We played dress up, made cupcakes, colored, measured, did sticker books, watched princess movies, made a princess house, had bubblebaths, played hide and seek, did puzzles, read a few stories....and giggled!

I know you "official grandmas" can feel my delight!

Princess Bedelia

Princess Pink

We are blessed to have these three very special girls in our lives! Next week, I get to have lunch with them!

Inner Beauty Workings~ Facets of Graciousness part one....

2011-02-24T12:07:00.000-05:00

I wrote the following article for my January newsletter. I am sharing it here as well because, based on the feedback I’ve received, it is a topic of great interest. My intention is to select a

"Facet of Graciousness"

each month and share it with you along with some practical ways you can implement that facet into your everyday life and inspire those in your sphere of influence to do the same. As women we have a most unique position of influence and authority that we must not underestimate and which we can use to make our world a more beautiful place to live in.

In the last few months I have heard some sad stories of examples of a lack of graciousness being practiced in everyday situations. I’m quite certain that this isn’t intentional but that it is instead due to a lack of awareness on our part and a distraction with the busyness of our day to day activities. After much contemplation I have decided to devote time this year to delve into the topic of graciousness and determine easy and practical ways we can put graciousness into practice in our day to day lives. Each month I will share a facet of graciousness along with ways to implement graciousness as a way of life. I believe as we choose to live graciously each day we will discover a new facet of beauty that will complement our Totally Beautiful Lives.

Let’s begin with the definition of Graciousness.....having or showing kindness, courtesy, charm, compassion, forgiveness, love, charity, politeness, goodwill, mercy and tenderness.

Wow! That sure gives us a lot to work with, doesn’t it?!

Please join me in developing a lifestyle of Graciousness.

My Flexible Romantic Valentine Adventure......

2011-02-16T15:41:00.000-05:00

My Prince and I are quite spontaneous when it comes to "down time". We very rarely plan a vacation or time away months in advance. The fact that we each run our own businesses and have that "adventurous entrepreneurial" mindset might have something to do with that!

Now, I wasn't always this way....my Prince, yes, me...not so much. As a matter of fact I used to get quite perturbed at his spontaneous, "come what may" mindset during our early years together and quite honestly, it upset me on more than one occassion!

Through the years we have balanced each other out a bit....he has learned that there are certain times when planning ahead and adhering to a schedule are a must....and I have learned to "loosen up" a lot!

Which brings me to our

"Unexpected Flexible Romantic Valentine Adventure"

this past weekend. I hope you enjoy this little tale of love, fun and flexibility. I hope it will encourage you to "loosen up" a bit, too, and look for love, fun, flexibility, romance and adventure in your day to day life!

I must first tell you that this is not the way we set out to spend Valentine's weekend at the beginning of the week.....and, several years ago, this is the type of situation that would have made me very upset and unpleasant to live with, especially on Valentines Day...which is one of my favorite celebrations of the year!

Fortunately, during our 36 years together we have learned to "go with the flow", "remain flexible", "enjoy every day", "savor the moments" and "cherish the time" we have together. I believe these mindsets are essential for a successful marriage....or, for that matter, any other kind of relationship.

So.....the Tuesday before Valentines Day my Prince informs me that he really needs to take a truck load of work up to his dad (who lives 7 hours away)...and, that he would really like to do it "this weekend" (Valentines weekend). OK......hmmmm, I'm thinking to myself....it's Valentines weekend.....this is not good! I don't want to spend it by myself ! Nor do I want him to do a marathon run up there and back in one day causing him to be exhausted and irritable by the time he gets back. Hmmmm....what to do?

There was obviously only one solution.....go with him....how romantic is that? A 7 hour drive in a big van filled with junk!

Well....life is what you make it, right?! So we decided to make "it" (this not so romantic set up for the weekend) a fun, flexible, romantic Valentine weekend. And so we did!

Valentines Day is a day to show your love to the ones you love, right? So....we decided to make the most of this short little adventure.....

It is important to remember that we began this adventure with no preconceived ideas of a "perfect getaway weekend"...which is probably why we had so much FUN!

Here's the short version.......

Beginning on Saturday @ 8:30am and ending Monday @ 8:30pm....

7 hour road trip to New England in a big noisy 15 passenger van filled with "junk".....a delicious lunch of Country French salad, Shrimp Scampi & Kahlua cheesecake @ The Cheesecake Factory...conversation & kisses....Starbucks & cookies...laughter & kisses.....unloading "junk" @ father in laws...shoveling snow off the roof....arrival @ Romantic Inn in snowy setting...."dinner" of appetizers, salad and dessert in lounge of Romantic Inn.....conversation & kisses....dreamy nights sleep in beautiful room....leisurely morning in magnificent European marble bath with soaking tub.....amazing breakfast of Eggs Benedict & Brioche French toast w/warm banana compote......giggles & kisses....lunch with brother & niece @ Japanese Steakhouse.....more Starbucks & cookies....giggles & kisses.....visit with parents & sister.....tea & homemade scones....goodbyes......2 more hours in big noisy van....conversation....a light dinner @ hotel in CT....laughter & kisses......early to bed....sleeping in.....more kisses & giggles.....on the road again.....lunch at Nordstrom's Cafe......conversation.....a little shopping.....more hours in the big noisy van....Starbucks & cookies....giggles & kisses.....conversation......more hours of travel.....dinner @ Macaroni Grille.....Lobster Ravioli & Caesar Salad...conversation, laughter & kisses...home sweet home....there's no place like home!

For those who are interested...the long version.....

I booked a night at a beautiful Romantic Inn in snowy MA ( I had just been telling my Prince how much I missed the snow and how I would love to go away somewhere where there was a few feet of snow)

.....it dawned on me on Friday afternoon that we might need reservations for dinner at this little Inn....so I called.....hmmmm, the earliest reservations were for 9pm! No thank you! We decided we would eat in our room or venture out somewhere else. (flexible)

On Friday I got everything packed and ready so we could leave early Saturday morning (8:30)....we drove (with a few pitstops along the way) to NJ, arriving just in time to enjoy lunch at one of our favorite places, The Cheesecake Factory....we shared a Country French salad, Shrimp Scampi and Kahlua cheesecake (romantic).

Back on the road again...after a few hours we hunted down a Starbucks and enjoyed a hot cup of tea and a few cookies (fun).

We finally arrived at my father in law's, he is 85 and spry as a spring chicken! My Prince unloaded all the "junk" (work) for his dad, who was in heaven because he loves to stay busy. Dad does some work for my Prince regularly and he loves it...it gives him something to do at his own pace in his own space! (love)

We expected to be there about an hour and then head to our "Romantic Getaway" but.....we then discovered that there was a leak in the ceiling at my FIL's house....so my Prince got up on the roof and shoveled loads of snow off the roof before we left, 2 hours later. (love)

We arrived at the "Romantic Inn" and it sure was snowy! It was a beautiful setting, good thing I knew that from the pictures because by this time it was dark out! We checked in and went to our room.....we were pleasantly surprised!

The room was beautiful...very large, but the bathroom was magnificent! All marble, with a huge soaking tub, fluffy white robes, lots of fluffy towels....magnificent!

We freshend up a bit (a must after 9 hours in a "truck")...and decided to go to the lounge to eat rather than eat in our room (remember, they were so booked for dinner we couldn't get reservations before 9pm so we didn't make any).

We found that all we could order were appetizers and desserts.....(flexible) so we did! The appetizers were amazing! I had a shrimp appetizer served on a bed of risotto...it was delicious! My Prince had Calamari, which he said was amazing...I took his word for it! We were still hungry after the apps but not really hungry enough for a big meal (this is what happens after being in a "truck" for 9 hours)...so, we each ordered another appetizer, this time a crabcake served on chickpeas w/herbs....delicious! We also shared a salad that was fabulous! We ordered dessert...a very different rendition of creme brulee, they called it Creme Brulee Napoleon....it was quite good.

While we were enjoying our little feast we discovered, by listening to the many guests waiting to be seated for dinner, that most of them were waiting anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes past their reservation time to be seated....boy were we glad we hadn't made reservations and instead decided to remain flexible!

We enjoyed a good night's sleep, slept in and then made full use of the beautiful European bath ....it felt quite luxurious! On top of that we had one of the most delicious breakfasts ever....my Prince had Eggs Benedict and I had Brioche Frenchtoast with warm banana compote...mmmmm! (romantic)

Now, remember, Valentine's Day is for showing your love to your loved ones...so, we met my brother and niece for lunch (this is my brother who was in the accident 18 months ago)
at a Japanese steakhouse...more delicious food...and then went on to visit with my parents and sister in NH. (love)

We set out on the road around 6pm....dark again!

We decided to stop about 2 hours into our trip in CT....we had a light meal and got to bed early. We slept in again before we ordered breakfast and got on the road.

Now it's Valentines Day....and we had already had quite an adventure....but it wasn't over yet!

We stopped in NJ again for lunch, this time we opted for Nordstom's Cafe...more delicious food...a shared salad and French Dip sandwich topped off with a piece of carrot cake and we were all set to get "on the road again"!

We ended our "Flexible Romantic Valentine Adventure" at Macaroni Grille....I ordered my favorite dish...Lobster Ravioli with a Caesar side salad...the restaurant was extremely busy but we knew that going in....we had no preconceived ideas of an intimate dinner with extra attentive servers...good thing, too! In spite of that, we enjoyed our last moments of our "Flexible Romantic Valentine Adventure".

The moral to this story is.....make the most of every moment every day.....it's our choice whether we go through life making the best or the worst of the situation at hand. I can tell you from experience that making the best of each situation is much more fun and much less stressful than making the worst of each situation. It is just as easy to choose joy and laughter as it is to choose sorrow and misery. It's up to us!

While this weekend certainly wasn't what most people would classify as a perfect romantic getaway....we chose to make it a fun, flexible, romantic adventure....and it was all of that!
I hope your Valentine's Day was as beautiful as mine was....you deserve it!

Romantic Valentine Dinner by the Fire.......

2011-02-09T21:45:00.001-05:00

In my dream home there are MANY fireplaces....in the kitchen, the dining room, the family room, the living room and in the master bedroom...maybe even in all the bedrooms....in my dream home!

In my real home there is one fireplace....in the great room....which we use a lot! That is where I have set my Romantic Valentine Dinner by the Fire Tablescape....
at the coffee table!

The fire is crackling on this chilly evening....the candles are flickering....the champagne is bubbling and my Prince is by my side.....does it get any better than this?

Be sure to pop over to Between Naps on the Porch for a nice array of Romantic Tabescapes!
I have a Romantic Valentine Breakfast for you here !

Happy Valentine's Day!

My Most Romantic Valentine Gift.......

2011-02-09T11:10:00.000-05:00

I have to admit....when you marry your Prince Charming it is a challenge to single out one

"Most Romantic Valentine" gift!

The fact that I've been married to my Prince Charming for almost 36 years makes that an even greater challenge....that's a LOT of Valentine's gifts!

There is, however, one very memorable

"Most RomanticValentine" gift

that I will never forget and is the first to come to mind each

Valentine's Day......

Eight Roses........

These are the eight very special roses I received many years ago from my Prince!

While I don't remember the year...I do remember the experience as though it were yesterday! (you know the kind I mean)

Eight days before Valentine's Day a single red rose was delivered to me from a local florist, on the card was the letter "I".....hmmmm, I thought, this is strange! I thought at first it was a mistake of some kind but when my Prince got home he admitted to sending the rose to me because he loves me. No other explanation. (just a little grin)

The next day I received another single red rose, delivered to my door, on the card was the letter "L"....nothing else!

The next day yet another single red rose, delivered to my door, on the card was the letter "O"....nothing else!

The next day another single red rose, this time on the card was the letter "V"........the next day a single red rose was delivered, on the card the letter "E".....on each of the next 3 days I continued to receive a single red rose delivered to my door, each card with one letter, "Y", then "O", then "U".

When the cards were all collected they spelled out

"I LOVE YOU".

Isn't that so romantic? I couldn't bear to throw them away when they wilted, so I let them dry up and I found this pretty little bowl to put them in.....they've been on display somewhere in my home ever since!

WHAT is the most memorable ,

"Most Romantic Valentine" gift

you have ever received....the one you'll never forget and can remember like it was yesterday?

Please share!

Winner!!!

2011-02-04T09:17:00.000-05:00

Let me first say...that in my eyes, ladies....you are all WINNERS!!!

You are a fabulous group of creative, talented, caring women and I feel blessed to be a part of your life and to have you as part of mine!

Now for the drawing...we all know there can only be one winner for that.......and the WINNER of the

January Totally Beautiful Lifestyle drawing is........

Dear Jane at Blondie's Journal !!!!

Congratulations, Jane...I hope this puts a bright spot in your day...especially with all that winter weather you've been having!

Email me (keedesign@aol.com) your address so I can get your pretty package in the mail to you!

Have a most beautiful weekend, my friends!

I am scooting off to get ready for two little guests I'll be hosting for the weekend!

We are going to make Valentines and some other goodies...I'll share more about our visit and my adorable little visitors next week along with some Valentine ideas!

Greatest Discovery.....

2011-01-31T20:21:00.000-05:00

"The greatest discovery of my lifetime was that a person can change the circumstances of his life by changing his thoughts and his attitudes."

~William James

Banquet of Life....

2011-01-31T20:06:00.000-05:00

YOU are standing on the threshold of the banquet of life.....

...and a place has been set for YOU!

Stop and Smell the Roses.....Balance

2011-01-31T19:17:00.000-05:00

Balance....that is one of my Four Words to inspire me this year....(you can read about all Four Words here).

For me, part of living a BALANCED life is making sure that I take time every day to "Stop & Smell the Roses"....not necessarily literally but figuratively. It means taking time every day, throughout the day, to appreciate the beauty of moments.
Beautiful moments are sprinkled into every day...moments like watching the birds flutter to and fro gathering the seed we've sprinkled out for them, or stopping to admire the beauty of the sun shining through the crystals on a chandelier creating little rainbows of color all over the room, or breathing in the scent of the peppermint hand soap in my powder room as I wash my hands, savoring the aroma of a cup of coconut cream tea as I sit to gather my thoughts for the next project on my list, taking a few moments to play with my sweet kitty, June Bug....the list goes on and on!
The secret is....deciding to be aware and intentionally taking the time to "Stop & Smell the Roses"! It is one of my secrets to Living a Life of Total Beauty!

Last day to enter Giveaway!

2011-01-31T18:49:00.000-05:00

Today is the last day to enter the January Totally Beautiful Lifestyle drawing.....

here's what to do.....Totally Beautiful Lifestyle Giveaway

Last Minute Lucy and the Editorial Calendar.....

2011-01-31T18:16:00.000-05:00

Today is the last day of the Ultimate 31 Day Blog Challenge that I chose to participate in this month to get myself back into the habit of blogging more frequently. Not only has this challenge helped me to blog more frequently, it has forced me to do something that has been on my "list" for a long time...create an "Editorial Calendar".

What is an Editorial Calendar, you ask?! It is a calendar that magazine editors create to plot out the content for the coming years issues. For someone like me who owns a business, sends a newsletter out, blogs and will be creating more videos, an Editorial Calendar helps me to plan out, several months ahead, the topics I want to share with you.

In my case it has helped me to coordinate each of these avenues so that the topics covered in each during a particular month will coordinate and complement each other. For instance, January's primary topics were Inspiration, Organization and Creating Beauty. February's topics will primarily be related to Creating Romance Everyday, Healthy Living and I'll be starting the Facets of Graciousness series.

So....although I still have 5 blog posts to do today in order to keep my committment to the 31 Day Challenge, I feel really good about the fact that I have indeed kept the committment and in the process created my Editorial Calendar along with a few other essential items that were on my list! I just may impose this challenge on myself again in a month or so!

Thank you for reading along and sharing your thoughts!

Are you Irreplaceable?

2011-01-28T20:14:00.000-05:00

"In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different!"

~Coco Chanel

Beauty.....

2011-01-28T13:07:00.000-05:00

"BEAUTY......

has "presence" to it, an ability to command notice either subtly or quietly."

~Thomas Kinkade

Linking to Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound....have a most BEAUTIFUL day!

The Journey....

2011-01-27T20:00:00.001-05:00

"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step."

Lao-Tsu

My Escape....to Paris!

2011-01-27T17:08:00.000-05:00

Are you feeling a touch of cabin fever? I imagine between the snow, the rain and the winter temps you are ready for a little ESCAPE, right!

I know I could use a little change of scenery myself!

Why not create your own little fantasy ESCAPE? It's a quick, easy...and inexpensive way to put a little fun into what can be a very long, cold, dark month!

I've decided to ESCAPE to PARIS!

Where would you like to ESCAPE to?

It's really easy to create a little ESCAPE for yourself and your family....

*decide "where" you'd like to escape to

*gather a few elements you have around that can create that feeling...think outside the box, you'll be surprised at what you can pull off!

*remember to include the senses through...food, music/movies, books, candles, etc.

*then use your imagination!

Have fun!

Pink Snow!!!

2011-01-27T13:08:00.003-05:00

Y'all know how I just LOVE PINK!

Well...the most amazing thing happened last night!!!

When I looked out on my deck....much to my surprise and delight....GUESS what I found?!!!

PINK SNOW!!!!

so much better than YELLOW snow, don't 'cha think?!

What color is your snow?

Linking to Beverly's Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound...check it out!
Happy Pink Saturday!

This is the last wekend to be entered into the January Totally Beautiful Lifestyle drawing....all you have to do is leave a comment on this and/or any January post!

What is Possible? Anything is Possible!

2011-01-26T18:49:00.000-05:00

Consult not your fears but your hopes and dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential.

Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what is still possible for you to do.

~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

Keeping It All Together.....Maintaining Beauty & Order

2011-01-25T15:39:00.000-05:00

Okay, so you've made the decision to bring beauty & order to your life through organizing each area,

and you've begun the process...remember, "Inch by inch, it's a cinch; yard by yard, it's hard!"

You've even made some progress...WooHoo for you!

NOW...you want to go to the next level and maintain the Beauty & Order you've established....because it feels sooo good, right?

Kind of like a sunny, breezy day......a breath of fresh air......aaaaahhhhhh!

(HGTV Dream Home)

I have found that I need a little help along the way...you know, with ideas, inspiration, motivation and resources....it just makes it a bit easier for me! I'm guessing you feel the same way, too!

So...I've compiled a list of some of my favorite resources for you. I really want you to enjoy the peace and pleasure that come from creating and maintaining Beauty & Order in your space, your life and your mind!

What's Your Organizing Personality Month by Month Plan

Simplify Your Life w/Marica Ramsland

More Hours in My Day

Organizing From the Inside Out w/Julie Morgenstern

Erica the Spacialist

Inspired Home Office

Simplify 101

Harold Taylor Time Organization

Each of these sites has some useful articles and resources as well as newsletters that you can use to

KEEP that Beauty & Order

within reach!

One of the best ways to KEEP it all together is by establishing habits, routines and systems that work for YOU....so use these resources as guides and then personalize the information so it works for you and your family!

I'd love to hear about where and how you have created Beauty & Order in your space...please share so I can celebrate your success!

Here's to our Beautiful Spaces!

Neat...or Messy? Which are you?

2011-01-22T21:43:00.000-05:00

Banana bread....don't you love it?!

It is one of my favorites! The thing about banana bread is...you gotta BAKE it before you can eat it! Now...those who know me know that baking and cooking are not my most favorite things to do....it's the eating I love! ....between baking and cooking...baking would be my less favorite of the two! Fortunately for me, my Prince loves to bake...and cook!

HOWEVER......every now and then....I do actually BAKE! This morning was one of those (rare) times....while I let my Prince sleep in (he's had a looooong week) I decided to make my favorite banana bread recipe (click here for recipe) so we could enjoy it with a cup of tea when he got up.

While I was baking I had to giggle several times as I thought about how differently my Prince of 37 years and I approach the baking/cooking process.

Let me explain.....I bet you'll see some similarities between you and someone else in your life!

My Prince begins by getting everything out ahead of time-while I get each item out as I come to it in the recipe. He also reads the recipe through ahead of time-while I kind of scan it to see what I need to set the oven at.

My Prince follows the recipe to the letter-while I follow it rather closely but make adjustments along the way (less sugar, more cinnamon, etc)

My Prince leaves every messy gooey utensil, bowl, measuring cup/spoon, spill and ingredient out all over the place...and doesn't worry about spilling sugar and flour on the counter or the floor-while I rinse every utensil, etc., etc. as I use it, am careful to not spill the sugar or the flour on either the floor or the counter, and if I do spill I wipe it up as I go. When I'm done with a particular utensil it goes into the sink with soapy hot water.

When my Prince puts the item in the oven he then has a big mess to clean up (which I usually help with)-when I put the item into the oven I have a few things that have been soaking in the sink to rinse and a quick swipe on the counter to make.

My Prince usually has part of whatever he's made in one or more places on his clothing (he really should wear an apron!)-while I rarely do (I never wear an apron!).

I giggled as I clearly saw our contrasts....knowing there isn't a right and a wrong...we're just wired differently...which is a good thing! I don't try to change how he bakes and he doesn't try to change how I bake...(he probably figures it's not worth the effort since it happens so infrequently)! LOL! We do however tease each other in fun and laugh at how differently we approach the same task!

Any of this sound familiar to you?!

NOW...let me ask you....are you a MESSY baker? or a NEAT baker? PLEASE let me know in your comment!

Remember...when you lave a comment you'll be entered into the January drawing, too!

Have a beautiful day!

My favorite banana bread recipe....

2011-01-22T21:40:00.000-05:00

Banana Bread

(from my cousin Wendy's kitchen)

1 stick butter, room temp.

1 c. sugar (I use 2/3 c. as I don't like it as sweet as many)

2 lg. eggs

1 1/2 c. unbleached flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 c. mashed, very ripe bananas (about 3 of them)

1/2 c. sour cream

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 c. chopped walnuts or pecans

1) Preheat oven to 350. Grease 9x5x3 loaf pan OR 4 mini loaf pans, set aside

2) With electric mixer cream butter & sugar til light & fluffy. Add eggs & beat to incorporate.

3) In medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda & salt. Add to the butter mixture & mix together til just combined. Add bananas, sour cream & vanilla; mix to combine. Stir in nuts & pour into prepared pan(s).

4) Bake til a cake tester inserted in center of bread comes out clean; for large loaf pan approx. 1 hour and 10 mins. For mini loaf pans about 35-40 mins.

Let rest in pan 10 mins., then turn out onto rack to cool.

5) ENJOY this moist delicious bread!

Pink Closet Organization.....and a special savings offer!

2011-01-21T18:08:00.000-05:00

Surrounding Beauty.......

(Christina Aguilera)

Hmmmm...I'd love to have a closet this size! Check it out...the pink shoe organizer wall, the leopard rug, the red crystal chandelier, silk draperies, PINK tufted ottoman.......Aaaaaamazing!
Now back to reality...

One thing that really helps me with the monumental organization tasks ahead of me is the fact that there are so many pretty PINK organizational supplies!

I've shared my PINK office organization finds with you in
Surrounding Beauty: In the Office

Today I'm sharing a few inspirational pics I found .... featuring some pretty PINK organization for your closets!

You can always PAINT your closets PINK!

Talk about pretty & practical.....and PINK....

Wouldn't you love to have a craft/wrapping closet like this?! I sure would!

Finally....

It's never too early to train them to organize....real pretty like!

For more Pretty & PINK inspirations stop by and say hello to Beverly at How Sweet the Sound and check out the PINK posts!

I'd like to introduce you to a lovely blog I've visited for the first time....Paulette has a beautiful blog. She makes beautiful porcelain pieces that will make you smile!

Paulette at Summerland Cottage Studio

Here is an exciting opportunity to help you get your wardrobe and your closet in shape!

My friend Lee over at Charleston Style Concierge is presenting a webinar

Same Clothes, Same Closet: New Wardrobe

next Tuesday evening January 25th at 8pm

You can save $5 when you register by typing in the coupon code: kathleen

Lee is a style consultant who believes anyone can look great with simple, effortless style! When you visit her site you can sign up for a FREE style guide, too!

Here are some of her tips for organizing your closet & wardrobe...Ready, Set, Organize

and some additional tips from BHG...

Closet Makeover Tips

Happy Organizing!

10,000 Ways......

2011-01-20T10:30:00.001-05:00

I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.

Thomas Edison

Surrounding Beauty How to enjoy doing the dishes...

2011-01-20T07:38:00.000-05:00

Do you enjoy doing the dishes?

Do you smile while doing the dishes?

I do, I swear!

My philosophy is that one should create beauty in the places where one must perform mundane tasks. This elevates the task to a more pleasant experience, therefore making it much less mundane and displeasing.

I know, I know...you're thinking I'm crazy...that couldn't possibly make a difference...but I'm telling you...it DOES! Try it, and see for yourself...make it a habit for at least 30 days...then see how you feel about it!

By creating beauty right at the sink area where I do my dishes, I look forward to enjoying the scene that I've set...right now it's pretty roses in a vintage silver pitcher...and yes, I have purple dish soap, that is scented and it is in a pretty painted bottle. I've even found purple sponges (purple is my favorite color, followed closely by pink). Soft green hand soap in a pretty container...I noticed I should have refilled it before the pictures and not after..is also pleasantly scented!

In the next scene you'll notice a beautiful topiary of permanent pink roses (in a soft green container) and a window...through which I can see our beautiful and now green backyard and all the pretty pink flowers we've just put out on our deck.

I can daydream while doing the dishes, taking in the beautiful scenes I've created, and before I know it...the dishes are done! and...I've had a lovely time experiencing beauty!

TRY IT...won't you? If you have already created scenes of beauty in places where you must perform mundane tasks...please share...we all need some inspiration and I love to hear your ideas!

HAPPY THURSDAY!

Where will you create beauty today?

What are You Sending?

2011-01-19T11:00:00.000-05:00


(southern living)

Whatever you send into the lives of others will come back into your own!

Road to Success.....

2011-01-19T09:15:00.001-05:00

The road to SUCCESS is dotted with many tempting parking spots!

When are you tempted to park for awhile?

Reward yourself for staying on course instead!

Success

2011-01-19T07:00:00.001-05:00

artwork by Violet at Create Beauty

Success comes in "cans"

Failure comes in "can'ts"

You CAN!

You CAN!
What is it that you want to say you CAN do?!
Go ahead...say it!
I know you CAN!

Vision + Focus + Organization + Reward = Freedom!

2011-01-18T19:01:00.000-05:00

When doing things like organizing...I need HELP! I wish I could just have someone come and do it all for me but....that just isn't possible for me! It isn't just the cost, or the uneasy feeling of having someone else go through all my "stuff", but the fact that I feel the need to decide for myself where items will go...what will be kept and what won't. Sometimes I am

very good at that process...other times...not so much!

A few things that help me stay focused and on track are.....

(some of these are extensions of yesterday's article)

1) Finding inspiration pictures...like the home office from yesterday's post and the ones I have posted here today...a girl can dream, right?!

But even more important is creating a vision in my mind of what my actual space will look like when it is finished. How it will feel and how I will feel about it!

Taking a little time to imagine that and get it firmly planted in my mind is a huge help to me.

You've gotta have a vision!

2) Breaking down the BIG job into smaller more manageable tasks...tasks that can be done in 20, 30 and 60 minute time frames.

You can eat an elephant one bite at a time!

3) Prioritize the list of individual tasks....I like to pick a couple tasks that will make the biggest impact on the space and do those first. Then I list out the rest in order of either importance to me or the importance of functionality to the space.

These last two steps help me to stay focused!

4) I set a timer for the amount of time I have or that the task I'm doing requires. This helps me feel like there is an end in sight and it also helps me not to get sidetracked on other things.

Before I know it, I have organized two or three areas.

Work expands to fit the time allowed!

5) I then reward myself with something. Sometimes it is a cup of tea and a few minutes of quiet enjoying a favorite magazine, or reading the next few chapters of my book, or watching Perry Mason or Murder, She Wrote....it varies according to the day and amount of time I have. The point is, I know that there is a reward for doing a task that is not on my Top 10 Favorite Things To Do list!

Who doesn't feel more motivated when they know there is a reward waiting for them?!

6) Enjoy the freedom! When your spaces are organized and you know where everything is, there is no clutter to trip you up and your space looks aesthetically pleasing....there is a freedom in the mind and spirit that is hard to describe....but it is most definitely there!

You will feel great in that space, you will be more productive and happier in that space....yet even more rewards to look forward to!

Does this help you to envision yourself organizing those spaces you've been dreading? I hope so!

Here are a couple of links for you to check out for some great ideas...

31 Easy Organization Ideas....do one a day!

Fun Organizational Storage Ideas

Please continue to share your top organization tips in the comments....let's learn from each other!

If you have a project you've completed I'd love to share it here....just let me know in the comment section!

New Year, New Spaces…..9 Easy Steps to Pretty and Practical Organization

2011-01-17T18:02:00.001-05:00

Surrounding Beauty...

(this is an inspiration picture I use for my office...from Country Living...doesn't it just make you smile?!)

This week I am going to share some tips and resources for Pretty & Practical Organization. Please note...I am as much the student here as the teacher! I used to be quite well organized...then through a series of life events my organization has given way to....well, let's just say....much less organization than I prefer to live with!

January always feels like a fresh start in this area to me...and to many of my friends...do you feel that way, too? I feel like if I can get a good start on getting things back in order then I can continue that process throughout the rest of the year!

Here is an article I wrote for you....these are really basic steps but very effective in getting your spaces shaped up!

January is the month of "new" ..... new goals, new dreams, new ideas, new spaces...yes, spaces! I'm not talking about moving....I'm talking about organizing and in the process, recreating your spaces.

Research has shown that clutter and unorganized living spaces cause us to be stressed and distracted...hindering our ability to think clearly and move forward...so it makes perfect sense that in the month of "new"...we must first deal with the old.....the clutter, the mess, the piles...you know what I'm talking about!

Organizing our spaces doesn't have to be overwhelming or boring...if we follow a few easy steps it can be accomplished in short bits of time and give us a great sense of accomplishment and that wonderful feeling of "new"!

If you follow these few simple tips and consistently spend 10 to 20 minutes a day on your organizing goals, in no time at all you'll have created many "new spaces" in your space!

1) K.I.S.S. ......keep it simple sweetie! Don't make it more complicated than it is! Stay focused!

2) Decide how you want a space to function and what is necessary to be in the space for that purpose. Get rid of any clutter not related to the function(s) of the space.

3) Sort and purge.... give away, throw away, put away. Don’t keep items you don’t use, are easily retrieved electronically or don’t serve their purpose any longer.

4) Create a place for everything (and then put things in their places). Store items where they are used.

5) Store like items together whenever possible.

6) Attack problem areas first.... what bugs you the most? What will give you the greatest sense of accomplishment?

7) Think outside the box when looking for containers to store your items. Practical can be pretty, look for containers that compliment your décor and can effectively be used for storage. Decorative boxes, artsy file folders, pretty glasses or mugs can all be used to organize many items in your office.

8) Don't purchase containers until you've done all of the above.

9) Once you have gotten things in order, incorporate little routines to keep it that way. Like many things in life an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure!

Making little changes in our habits and routines to keep things in order will give us clarity of mind and more time to do the things we really enjoy.

I'd love to hear your solutions to organizing your spaces...please share in the comments...and you'll be entered for the January giveaway, too!

Tomorrow....more tips and some resources for Pretty & Practical Organization!

See you then~

Lovely Layers....Brrrr......

2011-01-14T10:04:00.000-05:00

On chilly days like we've had lately, I just love to layer on pieces for comfort and warmth. I tend to wear 3 to 4 layers in the winter as I find this is the best way to be comfortable in most every place I venture to.

Whether it's my own home, which I keep comfortable for me, the home of a friend, who may keep it a bit cooler than I do, or a store that may be a bit warmer than I'd like, the fact that I can peel off a layer or put one back on keeps me quite comfortable, cozy and warm!

Now is the perfect time to find beautiful layers on sale....you can pick up tees and tanks for a song....and cashmere and wool sweaters are significantly reduced....here are a few ideas to get you going from a couple of my favorite places to shop...

Ann Taylor Sale

Talbots Sale

You can find pieces to layer in both casual and dressy styles....look around for inspiration, try some things on and step outside your comfort zone by selecting a few pieces that are a little different from your usual choices.

Maybe a brighter color or a different shade than you would normally wear. Maybe a sweater with ruffles or sparkly buttons...just a little something special and different from the norm! Take a stylish friend with you to help you stretch a bit! One or two new pieces can really stretch your wardrobe, give you a lift and at this time of year save you lots of $$$!

Remember...accessories can be layered, too...just don't go overboard!

I'd love for you to share your favorite places to find cozy lovely layers in the comment section.

Stay warm!

I Can, I Will, I Must!

2011-01-13T12:39:00.001-05:00

Throw out the words, "If I can", "I hope", "Maybe", and replace them with....

I CAN!

I WILL!

I MUST!

This one action will change your life!

Remember to leave a comment to be entered into the January TOTALLY BEAUTIFUL drawing!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow....

2011-01-12T07:46:00.000-05:00

I have been waiting since Thanksgiving for SNOW!

The weather forecast teased us with SNOW for Christmas....but the storm went right around us.

I had hoped to see LOTS of SNOW last week while in New England, but there was only an inch or two.

I am beginning to think that I need to move SOUTH in order to enjoy some SNOW!

But for now...I will enjoy the few inches we received here in Central PA overnight! I will however, continue wishing for LOTS more SNOW before the month is over!

Whatever your weather today....

Expect GREAT things and GREAT things will happen!

You are a Diamond!

2011-01-11T13:50:00.000-05:00

"Obstacles either polish us up or wear us down. Remember, a diamond was once just a hunk of coal!"

(another Mary Kay-ism)

We all face challenges...external circumstances and internal mindsets and habits....what we choose to do about them determines whether we become a sparkling diamond or remain an ordinary hunk of coal!

I believe you are destined to become a sparkling diamond!