Category Archives: Family

Family Weekend

Posted on June 18, 2012 | 1 comment

This was one of the most special weekends I have had in a very long time. This weekend we went home for Father’s Day and for one of my poppy’s (grandpa’s) 90th birthday.

On Friday we had dinner with my dad’s parents, on Saturday we had a full theme party – more pictures to come later in the week! – and on Sunday we had father’s day lunch with my mom’s parents.

During lunch my nanny told me that everyday she goes on her iPad and comes to this blog.  It just about made my day.

I am so lucky that my supportive friends and family (and even some strangers) come to this small corner of the Internet everyday, but I feel extra special (and loved) that Nanny comes too.  If that isn’t a reason to post more often, I don’t know what is.

Thank you all for visiting – it means more to me than you’ll ever know.

1 Comment

Posted in Family, Her Inspiration

Tagged , , , ,

Happy Mother’s Day

Posted on May 11, 2012 | Leave a comment

A mother is the most famous person in kid’s life and always worthy of some celebrity treatment.  This weekend (like always) is a good time to tell your mom, aunt, grandma, special person in your life, why their support helped shape who you are today.

Call your mother, will ya?

Victoria and Harper Beckham

Beyonce and Blue Ivy Carter

Jacqueline and Caroline Kennedy

 

Leave a comment

Posted in Family, Her Inspiration, Mom, Personal

Tagged , , , ,

The Art of Marriage

Posted on April 26, 2012 | 2 comments

Normally I post on the style of a wedding, but there is something to be said for spending some time thinking about the style of a marriage.

A few months ago I stumbled across an article about the 50 year marriage between Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward.  They got married in a simple ceremony in Las Vegas in 1958 and we’re married until Newman died in 2008.

Wedding Day in 1958

Wedding lore suggests that at the Newman and Woodward wedding the “Art of Marriage” by Wilferd Arlan Peterson was recited.

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.
A good marriage must be created.
In the art of marriage the little things are the big things…
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say “I love you” at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is at no time taking the other for granted;
the courtship should not end with the honeymoon,
it should continue through all the years.
It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
It is standing together facing the world.
It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.
It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude
of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.
It is speaking words of appreciation
and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is not looking for perfection in each other.
It is cultivating flexibility, patience,
understanding and a sense of humour.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.
It is finding room for the things of the spirit.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal,
dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal.
It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner.
It is discovering what marriage can be, at its best.
 

Fifty Years, via Snippet and Ink

Are there married or forever-together couples whose style you admire?  Maybe you’re team Tom+Rita, Michelle+Barack, or maybe you have grandparents who have been married forever you inspire you.  Either way, I think it is important to be inspired by those that get it right.

2 Comments

Posted in Advice, Her Inspiration, Her Weddings + Events, Marriage, Personal, Wedding Inspiration

Tagged , , , ,

Just Like You, But Totally Different

Posted on April 16, 2012 | Leave a comment

To have a sister is to have someone who is just like you, but totally different.

She can call you up and call you out, and either way it is done with love.

She knows your secrets and the funny things your parents do.  You share inside jokes that are older than the concept of “inside jokes” are to you.  She knows you before a degree, before a resume, before you knew how to put on makeup.

You’ll share clothes, a bathroom, and maybe even your house.

She could recognize your walk.  You can recognize her brow.

You’ll look up to her, and she’ll look up to you and you’ll always look out for each other.

When the time is right, she’ll cheer for you, cry for you, fight for you and always celebrate you.

Today I celebrate my little sister on her 24th birthday.  Happy birthday, Jules!

Leave a comment

Posted in Family, Her Inspiration, Personal

Tagged , , ,

A Berry Good Weekend

Posted on March 9, 2012 | Leave a comment

Last weekend I went on an impromptu trip to Florida to see my parents.  We cooked, hung out, and relaxed.  It was wonderful.

One of the perks of the weekend was enjoying true spring weather and seeing the sun – we haven’t had a ton of sun in DC this winter.  Another plus was being able to gorge on fresh Florida spring fruits like strawberries and blueberries.  Not flavorless like they are here, and not super tart they were perfectly sweet.

And so, my berry snacks have inspired me for this weekend.

Shop: Dress, Flats, Fruit, Denim, Lip, Smoothie

There is something so lovely about the freshness of a new season and the first crop of sweet fruit.  I hope you have a beautiful weekend with lots of sweetness and joy.

Leave a comment

Posted in Family, Fashion Inspiration, healthy, Her Closet, Her Inspiration, Her Kitchen, Spring

Tagged , , , ,

New Chapters

Posted on February 2, 2012 | Leave a comment

Yesterday was Mark’s birthday.  We’ve been celebrating for nearly a week and have a few more celebrations yet.

But this was a bigger birthday and as we often do, we talked quite a bit about the meaningfulness of birthdays, milestones and markers in our life.

We were talking about chapters and how sometimes you don’t realize that one chapter is ending and another one is beginning, and sometimes you’re acutely aware of it.

Mark thinks he is on the precipice of the next great chapter in his life – which is a really exciting concept to think about.

And, of course sometimes the chapters surprise you.  One such experience we laughed about is that when you’re graduating from college you think that the graduation moment is the real “chapter change.”  But, really its a few months after college, when you’re figuring out what’s next, more independent, perhaps with a job that you realize the significance and gravity of the “chapter change.”

Do you think that milestones can change the chapters in your life?

Leave a comment

Posted in Life Lessons, Personal

Tagged , , , ,

Happy Anniversary to Us

Posted on January 23, 2012 | 4 comments

Two years ago today Mark and I were joined by our families and friends as we exchanged vows and became husband and wife. On that day we joined two families, we toasted each other and the people we love, we danced, we sang, we kissed.

And I got to marry my best friend.  Happy Anniversary, Mark.  I love you.

 

4 Comments

Posted in Her Inspiration, Marriage, Personal

Tagged ,

26 Ways to do Better in 2012

Posted on January 3, 2012 | 1 comment

It can be tricky to set a resolution for the New Year… here are some ideas to get you started.  26 Ways to do Better in 2012.

I’ll let you know how I do…  Which of these, if any, speak loudest to you?

1 Comment

Posted in Her Inspiration, Life Lessons

Tagged , , , ,

365 Days in 2011

Posted on December 29, 2011 | Leave a comment

Please watch, then we’ll discuss.

The other day I saw this video, a time lapsed complete day in California.  At first, while I watched it, I chuckled to myself at the fast motion, and the funny resemblance to the claymation videos of my elementary school days.

And then, it dawned on me…  This very quick and busy day in California is just one of someone’s 365 days.  A year seems to go by very quickly, and even faster as we get older, and our time feels more precious.

I know I haven’t used all of my 365 days in 2011 to their fullest, but luckily, I get to start anew at the stroke of midnight with a kiss from my love and look forward to 366 chances to do better.

Yes, it’s a LEAP Year!  What are you most looking forward to in 2012?

Leave a comment

Posted in Her Inspiration, Life Lessons, Personal

Tagged , , , , ,

2011 Gift Guide: Kids Edition

Posted on November 29, 2011 | Leave a comment

The people that are most excited about holiday presents are obviously the kids.  If you have ever spent a Christmas morning with someone who is looking for the tag marked with their name and a “love, Santa” then you already know this.

I know a lot of pretty cool kids, but our niece and nephews were definitely the inspiration for today’s gift guide.  On the cool-meter they are a 10, and they know it.  They have been working on their wish lists for a little while now, and it is so interesting to see what they ask for and admire; generally it is a mix of clothes, toys and things don’t actually exist.

Shop: Gummy Bears, Finger Paints, Tee, Spin Art, Yumbrella, Baking Set, Bike, Army Men, Chewbaca, Tights

For this inspiration board I thought of some of the things our niece and nephews really like – bikes, Star Wars, baking, crafts and went old school.  Some of these toys were my favorite as a kid, especially the spin art and the baking set.  Other items just made me laugh and smile – how funny is the Chewbaca hat and how fun is the color it yourself “Yumbrella”?

What I liked most of all about these gifts is that they require lots of creativity and imagination and very few batteries – they are already much better than I am at video games!

What is your favorite gift to give to kids – or maybe your favorite gift you received as a kid?  Tell me in the comments!

Leave a comment

Posted in Family, gifts, Her Home, Holidays

Tagged , , , , , ,