Giving Thanks

An attitude of gratitude can change your mindset. Well, so they say. To that end, we started keeping a gratitude journal earlier this year. I have to admit we don't write it in everyday but try to as much as we can.  Of course, the most important entry was Todd's in September :)

But I can't let this important holiday go by without giving thanks.  So here goes:

• Todd and I are getting married! We honor our love everyday.
• Stella is playing like a puppy again! We know there is no cure but everyday she is here is a gift.
• Todd and I hosted a blended Thanksgiving for our families. You hear nightmares from people about moms meeting but this meet-up went great!
• I have jobs I love that allow me to work with driven and supportive people - at LeadingAge and Keaton Row. Everyday I get to follow my passion!
• My friends are amazing people who lift one another up and support through the good and the bad.  Oh, and they are the most fun!
• My brother and family bring the crazy train to our house from time to time. It's awesome to have this house filled to the roof with family!
• My parents are appreciative and supportive and we get to see them all the time.
• Todd's kids and I are continuing to develop relationships with one another.
• My Goddaughters still want to hang out with me as they grow older - may it last through the teenage years!
• Sophie is still our hoggie.
• We have safety and security.

Everyday isn't easy and we have our struggles just like everyone else but we have each other.  And I am thankful for that!

The Chicken or the Egg

It is hard to remember if I became passionate before they became popular or vice versa. What's the they you ask?  Shoes, wine, French Bulldogs and pigs (in no particular order). As I Christmas shop I have seen:

• wine glasses with inscriptions about shoes - "Shoes speak louder than words." "Shoe love is true love." (Both very true statements.)
• French bulldog cashmere sweaters, totes, statues, notebooks, pajamas, sweatshirts, shoes, ornaments - the list goes on and on. (All good things.)
• signs for the home with slogans about wine and shoes, pictures of shoes and wine, high-heel shaped wine bottle holders and wine bottle stoppers, etc. (Again, all good things.)
• pig statues and ornaments and stuffed animals and... the piece de resistance...

Christmas Hoggie.  Just what every home needs.  Well, this one anyway. (What would Sophie do if she saw this?  Stella wouldn't even notice but Sophie may attack!)

So chicken or the egg?  Trend or passion - which came first? I tend to believe I am a trendsetter and so retailers have just finally caught up.  

What are you passionate about?  (Besides family, friends, work, faith, etc. These passions are extras! And I refuse to call them obsessions despite what others around me say.)

The Luckiest Girl in the World

I knew it was coming. Eventually. Todd just kept saying "trust me". And I do. As a matter of fact, I hated being "that girl". You know the one who drinks too much wine and says "don't you want to marry me?" (Yep, that happened.)

So when he said he had made a reservation I was a tiny bit suspicious.  I'm the reservation maker in this relationship.  The day we were to go to dinner I tried to back out because we hadn't had a good night sleep the night before (now I know why he hadn't), but he responded "We're going." And then he came downstairs somewhat dressed up. (Todd says he was just wearing a button down and pants but the next night we went to a birthday dinner for friends at a restaurant and he wore a Harley shirt and jeans. I'm just sayin'.)

So as I put on a dress, did my makeup and grabbed my incredible Giuseppe Zanotti slingback birthday stilettos (yes, this was the first wear even though my birthday was in December. #weneedtogetoutmore), I thought, could this be the night?  Then I quickly brushed that thought away because who pops the question on a random Friday night?

Once downstairs, I sat on the bench of our morning room table fiddling with my shoe.  Todd asked what I had written in our gratitude journal that day. (We started keeping one a few months ago - yep, we are that couple.) He then walked over and gave me the journal, "You should see what I wrote today."

Will you marry me? Please?

He was squatting down in front of me with an open ring box (can't kneel - bad knees) and I started shaking and crying and hugging and said yes.  Of course I said yes.  Then I looked at the ring and it is the most beautiful piece of jewelry I've ever seen.

Suddenly and since I've felt different. I already feel married in my heart but somehow being engaged shifted something inside me.  I don't know how to describe it. I just feel wonderful and special and loved beyond measure. And I get to make sure Todd feels that way everyday for the rest of our lives.

Who is the luckiest girl in the world?

Where Have I Been?

I have been wanting to blog again for a while.  But, alas, my creative juices have been redirected to my personal styling business.

I miss writing, though.  I think I'm pretty good at it.  At the very least, it is fun and helps me with the ever so necessary self reflection part of life. This has been a year of firsts, of ups and downs, of heartache and happiness.  Some of it I can share but some of it I can't.

So today I commit to start anew. I won't post everyday because that just isn't realistic. But I will be more present - on my blog and in my life. Isn't that what we are all aiming to do?

Singing in the Rain

I love golashes.  They are sunshine on a rainy day.  And yet, when it pours, I don't see a lot of women over the age of 10 wearing them.  Why is that?  They come in all patterns and colors.  They are perfect over leggings or skinny jeans.  I have 2 pairs in my closet and get big smiles wherever I wear them.  And of course, there is still a pair on my bucket list.  Which reminds me, now that I have a guy who will kiss me in golashes, perhaps these will be under this year's Christmas tree...

Still on my bucket list, Santa, but I think I'd rather have Black or Gunmetal. Hunter makes THE rain boots of all rain boots.

Every time I wear them I get compliments.  Don't you want compliments too?

See the mud from our rainy dog walks?

Are you among the many who don't have golashes or the few that do?  Post a reply and let me know your thoughts!

Bucket List Boots

As you may or may not recall, I love red cowboy boots. And I am lucky enough to have a guy in my life that wants to make all my bucket list shoes a reality. But for some reason I was still shocked Christmas morning when I unwrapped a box and saw something I didn't even know existed - red Harley Davidson cowboy boots!!! I can wear them on a bike, on a horse or (as you can see here) to go with my Bestie on our annual trip to see the one and only Tim McGraw.  What better place to break them in than tailgating and dancing to Tim? Except maybe to a Broadway version of Footloose if that was to ever happen... "My Daddy hates these boots."

Get Styled... by ME!

As you know, I love fashion. I also love shopping for myself and for others. I have spent many an afternoon out with a girlfriend helping her revamp her look.  I get such a thrill when someone steps out of their comfort zone, tries something on they don't normally try, look great in it and take it home!  Fashion is all about taking risks and trying new things. And when you look good, you feel good.

And now I get to take my love for fashion and shopping to a whole new level with Keaton Row. I was referred to Keaton Row last year while working with another on-line personal styling site.  First, I was a customer.  And then I thought, hey, why can't I be a stylist?  I nervously went to the site and filled out my profile and 48 hours found out I was in.  And I love it!  There is no charge to the client for my services and I get to do what many people don't like - pare down all the options to find what is perfect for you.  And with free shipping both ways, you can order stuff, try it on in the comfort of your own home, and only keep what you love.  Easy peasy!

So whether you love to shop or not, why not fill out a style profile so I can send you some customized looks?  I promise it is painless and takes no time at all.  Then just sit back and dream about how incredible you will look in the fabulous outfits I choose for you. What could be better?

Frenchie Footwear

As you know, I am French Bulldog obsessed.  My friends sometimes refer to me as the crazy dog lady, but I think that is unfair since it takes more than 2 dogs to be deemed crazy, doesn't it? Yes, I volunteer for the French Bulldog Rescue Network. But we should all give back.Yes, my house is covered with bulldog paraphernalia (statues, lamps, frames, photos, etc.) and pig paraphernalia because they make the same snorty sounds.Yes, I post more videos and photos of Stella and Sophie than I do myself and Todd, but who can resist their antics? And yes, when there is a fundraiser for a Frenchie that involves buying merchandise, I buy it (actually wearing a Frenchie sweatshirt and my mother is sporting her Frenchie nightgown as I type). But does that truly make me crazy? Or just inspired?

So imagine my delight when I discovered 2 of my favorite things in one!  Frenchie Toms. Talk about inspired! It is as if they were custom made for me! So when you see me wearing them, will you deem me crazy too?

Catholic School Flashback

Last Day of School, June 1983 (4th Grade)

Between grade school, high school and college, I went through 16 years of Catholic School.  And 12 of those were in a uniform. I honestly didn't mind wearing a uniform because I didn't have to ever worry about what to wear.  The days when you could wear what you wanted?  Holy stress!

As I sat in church today, I was reminded of those days while the young uniformed girls went up to receive their ashes.  Green plaid skirt, white collared shirt, nondescript footwear.  Ah, the memories.

Looking back, I must attribute some of my love of fashion to those days. After wearing what I was told for so long, of course I developed the desire to be original, to have a style all my own, to help others develop their own style.  And to get as far away from sensible rubber soled shoes as possible!

Going Steady

I love Todd.  Took me a long time to find him but I did and everyday I thank God for him.  He's simply the greatest man I've ever known and is amazing to me, my family and friends, and not to mention Stella and Sophie.  And now we are going to live together under the same roof without a satellite location!!! I am so excited as all I've ever wanted was for him and all his stuff to be here.  I love him so much I keep making room in our closet for his clothes.  Yep, even moved half my shoes to another closet.  Now that's saying something!

So when he got down on one knee and popped the question, I had to say yes!

Todd: Sweetheart, would you go steady with me?  (holds his high school ring out)

Me: Yes!

The only decision to make now is do I put it on a chain, wrap it in yarn or find some wax to make it fit.  It may be high school to you but it is true love to us!