HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

As another year has come and on it's way out, what a better time to reflect upon all the great things we have in our lives.  I know many of us have had loses in the last year, those family or friends that we will never forget and will forever be in our hearts.  I lost my brother, only 49 years old.  There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about him, and wonder, if there was something I could have done more for him in his life.  I have prayed so much for God to give me the answer, and of course, the answer is no.  We all have our own lives to live, but they are so much sweeter when we have people in them that we love, so when they do leave this earth, a little piece of us is missing.  It takes time to regain our normal lives, but we not only do it for ourselves, but for them.  God has blessed me more than I could ever have imagined.  I have a healthy beautiful, precious, loving daughter, and a wonderful husband of almost 35 years.  I have a very large family here in Florida and spread around the country.  Thanks to my wonderful Grandparents, who taught us what family is all about.  Family to me, is the greatest gift anyone would have, no matter their size.

So, as this year comes to an end...I just want to wish everyone the most wonderful, happy, healthy, and blessed New Year.  May all your dreams and hopes come true, may your worries be gone, your laughter, loud, and love for life grow.  With each new day, I hope you have an experience, you may not have experienced yet.  Remember, we are in control of our destiny...with God by our side.

Happy New Year!!!!!

Favorite Gift....

Well....I was ahead of the game this year for Christmas...then I got hit with the flu...since we as a family, open gifts and have our traditional Mexican dinner, tamales, etc. on Christmas Eve, I was able to enjoy all that.  Then Christmas morning, my daughter and I were both not feeling well.  My wonderful husband took over, prepared the prime-rib and made all the wonderful side dishes.  Though I wasn't feeling that well, I was able to enjoy a beautiful Christmas with my family.  Today, I am finally back to my normal self.....don't know what normal is though!!!  I have been a cleaning machine, though with two of us not feeling well, there wasn't much to mess up, and my husband kept on top of everything.  Planning our New Years Eve...thinking about going shopping, if you can believe that...one would think I was shopped out, but NO, not me!  My daughter's birthday is in March, so I have to begin now!  It just feels so good to feel good again!!  The picture above is one of my favorite gifts this year and it was from my husband.  For many years now, I have collected Waterford Crystal, this is now my favorite piece.  It is much larger in person, probably about 12" tall, it's just the angle for which I was standing when I took the picture. 

I hope everyone had a wonderful loving CHRISTmas....

A Special Prayer for My Western Neighbors...

I just wanted to write a small post today about my neighbors on the west coast, the desert southwest and the mountain west who are going through such a rough time right now with all the rain and snow.   Those who have to leave their homes during this holiday season, or their homes are being damaged with all the mudslides and rain.  The holidays can be stressful for some people and I never could imagine what these families are going through.  So, I would like to take a moment and just pray that this terrible weather stops and everyone can continue with their holiday plans and stay safe.  May God Bless each and every one of them being effected. 

Merry CHRISTmas!!!



Shopping Day....

Today is our big Christmas Shopping Day, just for me and my daughter.  We are heading out for the whole day and will not stop until we are done!!!  All the presents for those out-of-state are sent, and now it's time just to enjoy the day.  Though it is suppose to be 70 degrees today, it has been raining all morning and will continue throughout the day, and in no way will it reach 70 today.  But, since we don't get the snow, I guess this makes for a nice comfy day.  Last evening I purchased all my chocolate, cake mixes, lollipop sticks, wrap and ribbon, so if, just by chance, we get home early we will begin to make our "cake pops", if not....tomorrow.  Well...we're off, wish me luck....

Honeysuckle....Pantone's Color of 2011

Pantone's 2011 color of the year...."In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits.  Honeysuckle is a captivating. stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going, perfect to ward off the blues".

Though I am still totally in the Christmas spirit and beginning the baking and shopping, and it's hard to deviate from that...I just have to post Pantone's new color of the year for 2011.  Love it!  The ideas that come to mind with Honeysuckle are going wild in my mind.  So, being in this serious holiday mood, what better time to incorporate this color, but for a New Years Eve Party.  My colors this year were going to be just black and silver - with sparkle of course.  Now, I am on a mission to find this beautiful honeysuckle color to incorporate into the black and silver theme.  Though I do not go overboard for New Years Eve, just a few decorations, along with unique cocktails, and fun snacks, because we normally, as a family, go out for a nice late dinner and home for the rest of the evening and just enjoy being together, I still want it to be festive and fun.  Attached are some fun ideas of what we may see this year in honeysuckle...not only is it a beautiful color of pink, but when I see it, I think of "tropical"...and we know that tropical colors always make the majority of people in a good mood...rather it be dreaming of a once taken vacation or of one you may be taking in the near future.  It will be interesting as the year goes on, just how often we see this color from the award shows to home decor.

 

"Spring 2011 - An Exotic Journey"



Gorgeous Chandelier and Tranquil Dressing Room/Closet


 

Love the Turquoise and Honeysuckle Together and a Blooming Honeysuckle Flower



Alexis Bittar Havisham Cuff and Christian Louboutin Heels ( in love)

Essie Nail Polish and Christian Dior Lip Color

Champagne Cocktail and Hor d'oeuvres and Delicious Macaroons

Adorable Table Settings For Any Type of Party, and a cute Studded Clutch



*Cotton Candy Cosmo and Honeysuckle and Mango Pillow

*Recipe for the Cotton Candy Cosmo

 Pink Cotton Candy
 1 1/2 oz SKYY Vodka
1/2 oz XR Fusion Liqueur (which is a premium French Vodka with rich blood orange, mango &  passion fruit)
1 oz Cranberry Juice

Fluff cotton candy in martini glass...mix cocktail ingredients in stainless steel shaker, well
Pour cocktail over the cotton candy and after the candy dissolves....enjoy!!

You can use make any Cotton Candy Cocktail you like...I've had it with a Blue Hawaiian and it was wonderful.  It's also fun for the children....mix their favorite fruit juices and let them pour over the cotton candy...believe it or not, it isn't that sweet...but so yummy!!!

Natural Christmas Ornament...

These adorable floral Christmas ornaments were found in this months issue of  Sunset Magazine.  Suggested as a gift idea, which in my opinion is perfect for those who love the outdoors and nature.  Living where I do, I would hang them from some of my tropicals that have the up lighting on them, and that would add sparkle to them in the evening.  You could either make them yourself for the glass balls can be found at any craft store, and you can chose the tiny air plants, moss and other plants from your local florist.  If you live here in Florida, or any warmer climate all these items can easily be found at any park, or even beach area. No matter where you live, there are such natural resources everywhere to make them to your own specifications.  If you love the beach, as many of us do, this would be a time to add some beautiful shells to the plants and tiny twigs and moss.  Something so simple can be so beautiful at the same time.

If you would rather purchase them they are from Flora Grubb Gardens.  http://floragrubb.com/idx/index.php

Our Christmas Decorations...

Finally finished all my Christmas decorating over the past weekend.  Don't have any idea why it always takes me almost two weeks to finish...my family laughs at me each year.  They can't understand why I just don't put everything up and let it go, but no, not me, always changing things until I get it just the way I want it, then I change it again...but I'm done (I think).  Here are just a few areas of my home.  I've started some of the shopping but our annual trip to Orlando is coming up, and I try to save most of it for there...getting very excited!!!  The weather has been so cold here that I am totally in the holiday spirit.   Time for the baking to begin this weekend.  I look forward to that so much each year with my daughter, she is always coming up with new recipes.  Though we bake cookies and other desserts, one of our favorite are homemade mini cupcakes...so yummy!  What a wonderful time of year, ready to make new memories!

Holiday Party Vignettes...

When decorating your home for the holidays, it's always nice to have a special area designated as what I call "little vignettes" for your party guests.  It can be over the top, or just something simple and intimate.  I found a few pictures from different websites of some vignettes that aren't just for cocktails but ones of special candies, desserts, and unique edible treats for those special family and friends.  The ice sculpture is bit extravagant, but it gives an idea of something you can create in your own home maybe in a cute design like a Christmas tree or just a smaller version of a fountain.  I just think the sparkle from the ice, adds such a beautiful effect to any holiday party, especially in warmer climates, since we don't get snow.  Something I try to do is prior to Christmas, set up a very simple but special vignette for my family to have hot cocoa, spiced hot tropical teas or cider, unusual goodies, like homemade Churros, and even a huge plate of nachos, fresh fruit and dip, or anything that probably won't be served for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.  We will sit around listening to Christmas music and wrap presents or if the weather permits, have it set up in the Lanai.  Our backyard is 80% saltillo tile, an in the ground spa, surrounded by palms and other tropicals, so we will turn the on spa light, start the fire pit or the Chiminea, sit and look at the stars and just enjoy the quiet after a busy day or week.  I love those special moments with my family, and whatever I can do to for them to make it even more memorable, makes me the happiest.

Here are a few very adorable items I found at Pottery Barn that would add to a nice cocktail party vignette...I just love the faux fur stole and the snowman cocktail shaker...oh who am I fooling, I love them all!!!

This is just too adorable, reminds me of a "Old Hollywood" fur stole

These crystal and white light strands would add such drama to any cozy vignette area

The wine stoppers are so perfect for the holidays

Who wouldn't love a nice holiday cocktail made with this...he is adorable

Santa outfit and a cozy scarf and hat for wine bottle, too cute

Fireplace Mantel...

 

A week ago, I was a head of the game...most of my decorations were completely up and ready to bring on the holidays.  I am a huge list maker, and I stick to them so, I had my list(s) all ready, recipes ready, table settings ready to be put on the island...  I felt so happy!  Well, as of today...my tree is up, but no lights or decorations yet.  Here I am in the greatest of holiday moods, and I just can't find time to decorate the tree.  I even planted dozens of poinsettias throughout the yard.   I have to take one of the fur-babies to the vet tonight for her check-up, but as soon as I get home...the tree will be decorated!!!  I am determined.  One of the first things I decorated this year was our fireplace mantel.  I just love the metallic copper, gold and mirrored look...and the best part is, this evening is suppose to be really cold, so we can enjoy a nice cozy fire and sip on some hot Mexican chocolate as I finish the tree...(hopefully)

 

Vintage 1950's Christmas...look how far we've come...

Christmas...what does this one beautiful word me to you?  For me, the first word that comes to mind is "love".  The love of what the holiday is truly all about, first and foremost.  Along with that comes the love of being with family and friends.  Why do most of us spend hours upon hours to decorate our homes for just a short few weeks?  The reason I spend so much time decorating, preparing the perfect menus, making my home warm and inviting for all who come to visit is knowing deep in my mind, that each moment I spend making things special will be a legacy, for  my daughter, that she will carry on for the day she has her own family.  But, most of all it's to make my family have beautiful, warm  and happy memories of each and every Christmas we have together, and what a wonderful celebration it really is.  I read many blogs and during this time of the year it is so wonderful to see how everyone decorates their own special way, each so beautiful and unique just to them.  It is no secret to anyone who knows me, I love anything mid-century modern and Hollywood Regency, I think I've mentioned it more than once!  Though my home is in Florida, the builder was from Southern California so it's not your typical Florida home, but no matter how much I love those mid-century desert modern homes, it's not that either...nor is my decor, maybe someday, but there is still that obsession I have for them.  My Christmas decorations are very contemporary but with some traditional mixed in.  As I was looking through some decorating ideas this season...I came across some really sweet vintage (1950's) Christmas decorations, party ideas, and gifts.  Now, I was just a little baby during the end of the 50's, but I remember my wonderful Grandparents home and how beautifully it was decorated and those  "silver trees" and the color wheel for them.  I think these pictures will take those of you back that was born in the 50's and 60's...hope you enjoy going down memory lane....