Tropical Style to Brighten a Cold Winters Day...

OK...winter has set in and the holidays are over with, so maybe some warm thoughts of the tropics about now could be a good thing.  The pictures included in this post are from a variety of sources, one being an artist/designer by the name of Kaypee Soh, located in Honolulu, Hawaii, who has a beautiful collection of Hawaiian inspired prints, pillows, etc., "he brings his genius for color, pattern and texture to life with his gorgeous collection of Hawaiian pillows".  He blends bold patterns and colors for an organic look.  "His colors are soothing blues and neutrals which are inspired from the ocean and beaches, to deep hues of greens and rusts inspired by tropical jungles".  His work just evokes the Hawaiian Island feel.  Other picutres all of a Pacific influence, beautiful colores, accent pieces, paint colors...take me away!!!!

Pillow designs by Kaypee Sho

Hibiscus Pillow by Kaypee Sho

Aloha Pillow by Kaypee Sho

Kaypee Sho's North Shore and Starfish Pillows



Hibiscus Painting by Kaypee Sho




Beautiful Tropical Colors with Neutrals Perfect Combo

 

Plumeria painting by Kaypee Sho - my favorite



Tropcial Accent Rug, perfect for a Lanai



Beautiful Teal colors for the Lanai or Covered Pool Area



Beautiful Pacific Inspired Lanai




Sea Glass Hues, Glass Tile For the Perfect Tropical Themed Area




A Tropical Bedroom with a View of the Pacific Ocean



Gorgeous Painting of Diamond Head



John Uyehara's Natural Edge Koa Bowl




Modern Pacific Porcelain Stool



Deep Ocean, by Benjamin Moore



Spacious, unclutterd Pacific Inspired Greatroom



Lark Green From Sherwin Williams

New Home Decor Ideas for 2011...

Most of us by now have probably put away all our Christmas decorations, and cleaned our homes from top to bottom...nothing like starting the new year off fresh.  All our resolutions tucked neatly in our minds, which we are going to stick to this year - right???  Well, what a better way to start the year off with a few new home pieces.  Even one or two pieces can bring a new feeling into your home.  I've posted a few new items from Z Gallerie. http://www.zgallerie.com/   I just fell in love with them, they are beautiful, clean, reasonably priced and can help brighten up any cold winters day.  I know a few of these are on my "to buy" list...and soon!!!  One of my New Years Resolutions are to repaint our great-room, kitchen and dinning room for starters, so I think that is a good time for a few new pieces...that's what I keep telling my husband anyway!!!

Marilyn Mirrored Frame

Crumple Bowl

Blanco Ottoman

Brittany Pillow in Chrome

Chaise - I'm in love!

Copper Mirrored Coasters

Cuddler Chair in Grey

Empire Mirror

Erto Chandelier

Hologram Bedding in Charcoal - Gorgeous!!

Hudson Floor Lamp



Lazo Throw in Peacock



Linear Dinning Buffet - Fabulous!!!

Mirage Tray Rectangle

Tuxedo Chandelier



Zebra Pillar Candles






Vintage Airplane Picture





Veneto Suitcases in White

Erto Chandelier

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!!!