hello lovely inc.

sarah richardson {a london home}

2013-05-23T14:54:00.000-05:00

Bonjour, peeps.
Hope this post finds you happy
and healthy.
I slept brilliantly last night and feel fierce.

Even though it's a busy time with graduation
and houseguests and various stressors,
we're feeling blessed and very peaceful.

Not unlike the results of this project by
Sarah Richardson.

houseandhome

I love this woman, and call me whack on crack,
but I believe it's a magic wand she wields
in the image above.

* * *

If there is anyone left in the blogosphere feelin pity for me
about the genetic cancer stuff and hearing Angelina Jolie's
story, SNAP OUT OF IT.
I'm so ready to move past this chapter.
I may be missing from blogland for a bit.

My grandma would have said of me today:
MA-SHAY-UHL IS FEELIN HER OATS.

The rare diagnosis, God's goodness, the journey,
and the discoveries have prospered and strengthened me.

Fully recovered from the first surgeries, I'm set
for the bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction which
begins June 13...I'm not crazy about the 'previvor'
label you may have heard floating around town.
Too confusing. A little gimmicky and soft for me.

Mine's a gentle soul, but I'm tough.
Am I a warrior?
Hmmmmm. Yes. With the upperhand in a battle.
Just an ordinary intellectual girl willing to
walk through some fire
to prevent cancers which have tortured
and proven deadly to my family.
AND I'M A SMILING WARRIOR
armed with hope and cute earrings,
which has got to just scare
the friggin devil out of cancer.

muted lovely {i gigi}

2013-05-19T22:07:00.004-05:00

Tonight I am eveningdreaming

a little bit

about owning a shop.

What would we sell?

How would it be staged?

Zoe Ellison and Alex Legendre

of i gigi General Store in the UK

are responsible for igniting this

dreaming of mine.

The designers' motto:

WE LIVE OUR LIVES BY THIS.

Take a gander at i gigi.

*spoken in my very best Cuba Gooding Jr.*

Ya know? Ya know?

Ahhhhhh, the muted quietness of it all.

The soothing, natural good vibe.

located in East Sussex

Any of these serene images make you giddy?

Cuz when I saw this vessel, my reaction was

ohlordjesusthere'safarrrrrr!!!!!

If the Sweet Brown reference

puzzles, I am concerned,

and you must indulge me here.

Shells and white and rustic elegance!

I didn't grab no shoes or nuthin, Jesus!

Oh dear, i gigi goods and walls...

you do set my heart ablaze.

Aint nobody got time for dat!

The shopowners have written a promising new book.

Can't wait to get my paws on a copy and share

more tranquil soul candy with you.

Everybody loves a shop that serves cake.

Wanna go?

images: i gigi

BRCA stuff

2013-05-15T17:49:00.000-05:00

Do the words spiritual and journey

make you wanna throw things?

You're safe.

I just wrote a long poignant

stream of consciousness thing about mine

then blew it up.

It's too important to get it right,

plus I'm in the throes.

Here's a peek though:

my journey involves BRCA2,

physical challenges,

and feeling spiritually opened.

What has arrived with genetic test results

and surgeries is also an opportunity

to surrender.

So I am.

I'm still trying to be a light for my mom.

Honestly though I think I am failing

my BRCA2+ sister

who is blogging about her journey.

She's very brave. She wants all the info.

I keep hearing myself ask her

some version of 'will we ever discuss

anything other than 3-D nipple tattoos?'

I'm not sensitive or compassionate enough.

I'm too busy broadcasting my own needs and

hotflashing and seeking distractions.

I want to do better, and already I can tell

He's burning all kinds of unGodly crap

out of me.

Dude.

Is that what a hotflash is?

It is a humbling journey.

Even for

a girl occasionally clever

with 'silver linings within the suffering' schtick.

For a mama with her head in the clouds, painting

dreamy abstracts stoned high on buttercream.

For a Real Housewife of True Dork City,

who just angrily called her shih tzu a weenie

(#menopause).

For an ungraceful

lover of words who can't

pirouette for shizzle.

For a Sunbeam for Jesus with

doctorates in blogology and self-deprecation.

It's helpful to write this schtuff down

because it leads to discovery and leaves

me only a tad nervous that at this

juncture you are looking for a blunt

object to hurl at the screen

because it sounds an awful lot like

a spiritual journey post.

Just before my mom's surgery.

Thanks for all the hand holding.

I honor you for reading.

sarah richardson {farmhouse chic}

2013-05-13T12:39:00.000-05:00

What a great Mother's Day it was!
The tradition here is my three men work
tirelessly on the yard and landscaping
all day according to my instructions.
I know. Freakin fabulous.
* * *
It has been two years since I blogged
about the multitudinous reasons I'm a huge fan of
Sarah Richardson's farmhouse.

For the pleasure of discerning
farmhouse chic
connoisseurs everywhere,
here's a reprise of the lovely:

This time 'round I am including seldom
seen shots for extra perspective via
Fieldstone Windows,
the supplier of windows
for this home.

Isn't this spot majorly heart-stirring?

in process

Why we're diggin the place?

Vintage Corbels.

create balance with modern enhancements

in a farmhouse kitchen.

Shades of Grey.

They're cool.

They work magic with stainless ensembles.

Comfy Barstools.

Here they are upholstered in oilcloth.

You know you and guests will spend tons of time

here so why not just say no to good looking but

uncomfortable tuffets?

Give Me Liberty.

For me, farmhouse architecture means

we don't have to take ourselves too seriously.

*Rosy doors and hardware are pure yum.

More farmhouse chicness here.

Stairway Runners.

Is there realllllly anything else to say?

Paisley.

Heavenly dots, a herringbone-y quilt, and

a rooster on a clock...farmhouse mixes

up the chic.

Unexpected Unpainted Wood.

Yes, everyone and their great-grandma is

chalk painting a kitchen table, but

still no legislation prohibiting

us from stepping away from the paint.

(A white painted 4-poster maybe

would have been expected here.)

Punch.

Neutrals get busy with

burnt orange, apricot, and garnet

without overwhelming contrasts.

(Am I still the only one who sees Jesus

in the woodgrain of the clock?)

Unicorns.

A crown, a crest...

the piece deserves to have a home

designed around it.

Romance.

Farmhouse chic can be feminine

as Sarah proves.

Innovative Customization.

Since the bones of this farmhouse were

worth honoring, they preserved the

window in the design with this

custom counter/cabinet.

Oodles and oodles of beautiful showing-its-age

Maple Hardwood.

Restful.

This farmhouse feels clean,

not cold,

nostalgic, yet modern.

How bout you, farmchix and citychix...

got a soft spot for farmhouse chic?

* * *

*More babbling bout Sarah Richardson's work here (cottage), here, and here.

linking with these lovely parties

uncommon lovely {kate lewis}

2013-05-08T05:10:00.000-05:00

Psyched about this juicy
lovely art print titled

BIG ORANGE CHAIR

by Kate Lewis
found at Uncommon Goods.

Aren't the colors delish?

It's the kind of inspiration that makes
you wanna design a whole space around it.

*kate's adorable family via

in progress!

Familiar with Uncommon Goods?

They're an online shop of creatively designed,

unique, high-quality items including

wall art.

I discovered new-to-me artists within

the Uncommon Goods Artist Gallery here

and have a serious crush

on this Maira Kalman poster

and a few others in the Wall Art section here.

Kate Lewis lives with her family
in an 1894 Chicago farmhouse,

where she paints boldly energetic,

happy pieces inspired by interiors,

fashion mags, and the art she loves.

Her engaging blog is right here.

at work in her studio

Baby on board...congrats, Kate!

Her palette

Kate's much re-blogged painted stairs

green poppy love chair

It would appear Kate loves chairs,

and this one has whimsy written

all over it.

Kate's whimsical home

twinkle twinkle

Feelin the colorful happy chic vibe?

Uncommon Goods Artist Gallery here

Uncommon Goods Wall Art here

popelini & ENCHANTED giveaway

2013-05-05T20:31:00.001-05:00

It's been a few moons since I've pushed
the pastry porn envelope, soooooo
BAHDA BING BAHDA BOO!!!!

i t ' s P o p e l i n i
t i m e.

via

Popelini?
Oui oui.
A patisserie in Paris.
A sensual mix of empty wasteful
calories with creamy oozie goodness inside.
They're choux a la creme.
They're cream puffs.
(and they have gluten
so they'll zap
me puffy
in more
ways
than
one).

via

I mean!
Look at beret icedlovely tops!

via

Move over, unrefined empty wasteful jelly donut.
Step off, messy not-terribly-tidy-to eat cupcake.

Popelini is named for the Italian
pastry chef who came up with
the recipe for choux in 1540
at the court of Catherine de Medicis...
this queen who knew her way around the kitchen.

Know who else knows her way around the kitchen?

Shopowner and blogstar
Tina of The Enchanted Home!
She is giving away the simple seascape
above by yours truly in an
amazingly generous
giveaway
on her blog right now.
Win it, friends!

Here are a few more pieces in
my shop right now.
They are painted in quiet tranquil
colors with acrylics, latex,
and secrets.

find them here

Back to choux.

via

via

Bummed I didn't sample
this sin while in Paris.
They belong on the menu for the perfect
tenderlovely breakfast rave party for the mouth,
ne fait pas ils?

Ever bitten into one?

timeless interiors {kathryn ireland}

2013-05-04T12:01:00.001-05:00

With all this down time, it has been my privilege

to feast on some very lovely new-to-me

titles like Kathryn M. Ireland's

Timeless Interiors

(Gibbs-Smith, 2012).

Ever enjoy Kathryn's wit and talent on Bravo's

Million Dollar Decorator?

Let's feast and dish a little about how she

manages to design playful spaces in

New York, Malibu, the English

countryside, and Southwest France.

Her rooms are consistently inviting

and livable.

They're traditional but also fresh.

In her latest book
Timeless Interiors,
Kathryn works it
in a film director's screening room,

a playwright's home, a formal estate in Brentwood,

and a Spanish Colonial Revival in Palos Verdes.

If you've got an appetite for European traditional style

and Cali informality, bet you'll eat this right up.

aimless olive & update

2013-05-01T23:10:00.000-05:00

How are you, blogland peeps?

So sorry I cannot read all your lovely

posts as I used to, but I tire easily now.

Writing my own posts is as effortless as ever, but

visiting and commenting requires energy

and time of which I'm short.

Ilse Jacobsen boots - find them at Splendid Avenue

It has been a month since my first surgery

in conjunction with the BRCA2 stuff

(my sis had hers a week ago and is doing well),

and the instant m.pause creates quite a lot

of unwelcome and unsavory symptoms.

read: insomnia, mood swings, severe hotflashes, bitchiness

However, this journey is rich with lessons

in suffering, healing, and transformation.

I'm a mess but a warrior.

I'm muddling through but a champion.

I'm vulnerable, open, and thirsty yet full.

I'm finding out what I'm made of.

These photos were shot recently at Lake Michigan

by the talented Melissa of Aimless Olive.

She has a magical way of putting one at ease

and is such an amazing stylist and director.

Capturing the contemplative season I find myself in,

there's maybe a loneliness conveyed that is only a sliver of the story.

Truly I am blessed with many friends and family who do everything in their

power to cheer and join me, always pointing me toward hope.

druzy necklace by Jen Cornell Studio

How can I not be gazing skyward with gratitude!?!

Don't ever be afraid to hope, friends!

british lovely {carey mulligan}

2013-04-29T19:11:00.000-05:00

For those eagerly awaiting
The Great Gatsby,
English actress Carey Mulligan

morphs into character

for May's Vogue, and this
image at top had me at
rose petaly-flapper-with-tassel.

Gimme those shoes in a 5.5, Vogue!

photography - Mario Testino

In other non-Gatsby news:

Merci beaucoup to the tres jolie
shop in Cali A Beautiful Mess
for the German grainsack I scored in
a giveaway the very same week
goodies were won from:

The Enchanted Home!

Spoiled rotten she is!
Thank you so much for the lovely loot,
Kymberley and Tina!

By now you know the no-fail formula
to win a blog giveaway, don't you?
Enter every cotton pickin one, and I
assure you, within a year or five?
WINNING.
* * *
The movie opens May 10th.

white and lovely {my guest room}

2013-04-25T20:07:00.005-05:00

It hasn't been a stellar day.

I look awful and have a canker sore.

I feel like a pathetic loser.
Everything I wrote was mediocre.

I burned a whole batch of G-free chocolate chip cookies, then

proceeded eventually to eat them all.

Just as I suspected:
menopause IS terribly glamorous.

Thank you, Cher.

At least my rooms have their act together.
As promised, a peek at a guest room spruced up via:

*Painting walls and trim my favorite color: WHITE

(Benjamin Moore White Dove).

*Adding more function, and

*Allowing myself to get girly.

We bought the cottagey bed (by Lexington)
about 20 years ago.

This spot is a sweet place to write...the room's

southern exposure draws me in.

dresser by Lexington, sailboat created by Michelle of Emerald Cove

Sis just returned from Paris with macarons in this bag for me!

My collection of books by Rachel Ashwell

is always near at hand.

The room was formerly our elder son's room,

and its best feature is a dressing area which

he did not want fitted with closet organizing

schtuff...he actually had his bed in here (cozy!).

I commissioned my husband to build

industrial rolling garment racks

with wood and pipes from Home Depot.

I swear it took him like 10 minutes cuz he's awesome like that.

Some pretty clothing and a growing collection

of used pointe shoes as I don't think one can ever

have enough 'dead' satin slippers lying around.

Taking my sweet time as far as wallcovering or art

for the back wall which could be spectacular.

I may just collage it with inspirational images.

my treasured handmade French boho bag, Byloom & Hyde

This is a humble cupboard for storing vintage jewelry,

magazines, and assorted girly styling props.

On top is an antique window frame with screening stapled to it

to display jewelry.

Also on top are Sonny Angels

(saw them in Paris) and...

a small fabulous painting of me by Malik.

looking back into the bedroom

The small stained glass window is an antique

and draws natural light from this space into

an adjacent bathroom...the glass is textured,

keeping the bath and dressing room private.

Artwork by Emma Cassi purchased in Paris,

a vintage rosary, handmade bracelet from

a vide grenier, and gorgeous photography

from Loretta Lux round out the vignette.

Keeping my eyes open for a pale pink throw for
the end of the bed but pleased with my progress.

GREAT BIG HUGS
from a teeny tiny lover of white rooms
and anything chocolate.

linking with these lovely blogs.

soft pink and white

2013-04-22T19:19:00.002-05:00

Smitten with this joyful lovely

room for beautiful sisters

found on this

gorgeous blog.

The space is featured in May's

Bolig Pluss magazine.

stylist: Anna Truelsen

photography: Catrina Olander

Loving the femininity and youthfulness

which has crept into my own home...

Wanna see more of my guest room/workspace
after gallons of white paint?

Stay tuned, kittycats!

Peace to you.

linking with MMS

transparency

2013-04-17T15:58:00.000-05:00

A peek at our new coffee table and etagere.

A snapshot of my favorite stuff to wear

(denim and white tees).

A spin in the egg chair.

A glimpse of my brand of feminine sass.

A reminder that even when life gets messy...

we can rise.

Sending love and inspiring vibes to you

right where you are.

linking with MMS.

bella's cottage {breaking dawn 2}

2013-04-16T16:15:00.002-05:00

My favorite part of the last Twilight film?
BELLA AND EDWARD'S
HONEYMOON COTTAGE.
Did you like it?
Don't you dare judge me
for spending $5 to see it
with my sis and cry
during the credits
because it
may be
some time
before
Rob Pattinson's
Edward
captures
my
imagination
again.

This is the newlyweds' daughter Esme's room.

Oh the closet!

Just so charming.

It was difficult to find still shots of this
charming Hollywood set, but finally
I found a video of a clip from
the movie!

Click it and see why I'm
crushin on this
fairytale lovely.

You don't have to be a Twihard to appreciate
the cozylovely of this lil' starter home.
Wouldn't it be a great future
grandma's house
for moi?

linking with MMS

low key lovely {amanda peet}

2013-04-13T21:44:00.000-05:00

Hello, blogland.
Hello, lovers of:
creativity,
laughter,
and style.
Hello, lovely.
Hello...you.

danish chairs and kermit make me tingle.

Man-a-live, you bretheren have been checking up on me,
worried and schtuff...but I am good. Still weird, but good.
I tire easily at the moment but cannot complain one bit!

Oh, honeychild, please do not force mama to transform
the blog's agenda (essentially creativity, laughter, and style)
on accounta some new rotten freaky gene knowledge.
Cuz we gots ta be freeeeeeee and random, up in heee-ahh *insert AMEN!*
Gots ta have unpredictable whimsy and irreverence *YES, LORD!*
Cannot nooooo wayyy be achangin into a mean ol' crybabyin'
blog-opera *PREACH, HO, PREACH!*

* * *
Let's remove our choir robes,
ditch the deep south, and discuss
Amanda Peet's pad now, shall we?

This loveliness is brought to you
by Vogue.

I could spend time here.

Isn't her place comfortingly humble,
personal, and lowkeylovely?

me like.

If you are an experienced blacksmith and can
make us a stair railing like this to replace
our orangeycountryblah one, get in touch.

If you are not a blacksmith,
thank you for reading.
Thank you for smiling
with me if you are smiling.
Thank you for scrolling
quickly through the text
and just absorbing the
visuals cuz you have
no time to read
the nonsensical,
pre-toxicated,
blabbering
(and by blabbering
i do mea the poetic
language of angels...)
of
a self-deprecating
blogchick
with
real
guts
and
real
p
r
o
b
l
e
m
s.

linking with MMS

paris daydreamavoo rendezvous {roseline granet}

2013-04-10T14:28:00.002-05:00

Today, with a moment to daydream about
French lovely actually experienced
(daydream + dejavu + woozy),
I invite you to join me on a
daydreamavoo rendezvous
to Paris.
*
A few months ago, my
senses were overcome with
all things Paris lovely
including
ART, art, ART
EVERYWHERE.

(My favorites breathe outside of the Louvre btw.)

this photo via

The bronze sculptures inside and out
of the Park Hyatt Paris Vendome,
for example, wooed me and
play a starring role
in this daydreamavoo of ours.

They were magnificently created
by this talented French visual artist:

still at work!

Roseline Granet.
Born in 1936,
she studied design and painting
in New York in 1954
and then sculpture in Paris.

With sculptor Jacques Delahaye,
she founded the Clementi foundry
in Meudon, near Auguste Rodin's studio.
Shall we daydream about the yummy foundry another day?
Cool.

Isn't this dream-a-woozy peek
at the
fresh infancy of one of her
sculpted beauties both
inspiring and enchanting?

Examples of Granet's human figures in movement.

This shot was taken in my half
of the Park Hyatt's dreamworthy
spacious bathroom (lit with the
most amazing natural light).
Functional art!

I loved sharing space with Granet's
mesmerizing forms who are
floating, stretching, and soaring
throughout this palace hotel.

For more pics of our suite, visit my post here.

a fabulous wine, oui. more bout that later.

In this shot alone, you may spy
FOUR lovely, weightless works.

Again with the woozy artful hardware!
Care for a peek outside?

Ahhhhhhhh.
Sans screens.
Sans noise.
An inner sanctum of Paris lovely.

My husband's half of the bathroom. Notice the door's lever to the WC.

I cannot wait to return to this amazing hotel,
and the first thing I will do is deeply inhale
their signature scent by Blaise Mautin.

Should you have the chance to see,
smell, snooze, spa, or sip at the
Park Hyatt Paris Vendome,
you will not be disappointed.

my photo - inside le spa

This is the part of the rendezvous when we
slip into a lush terry robe and drift downstairs
to the hotel's spa for sauna, steam, and quiet.
I have a sneaky suspicion another
daydreamavoo rendezvous awaits us...oui?

linking with MMS

fannings, olsens, and us

2013-04-08T22:28:00.002-05:00

Lest you begin to imagine as you peruse
this post that I am in any way
on a quest to glamorize,
sensationalize,
or humorize my
current hobby
(doctor appointments and surgeries
with my sis as BRCA2+ patients),
let me indeed set you straight.

I have no idea what my quest is.
I'm innocent.
I'm guilty.
I'm torn.
I'm just trying to friggin get through it
with Jesus, love, and some laughter.

What a sublimely divine gift to
muddle through the unknown with
a best friend who is my little sister
and lookalike.

Everywhere we roam, people
(even naturally shy people)
MUST KNOW:
are you twins?

Sometimes we lie.
Whyyyyyy?
Because the reaction is predictably
the same if we don't:
DISTRESSING DISAPPOINTMENT.
Fallen faces.
Suicide attempts.
And further questioning
about age difference, etc.

Can you even imagine how often
we have been asked in recent weeks as
we have accompanied each other
to doctor appointments?

Can you imagine how many times in the past
I have been handed my sister's drycleaning
or squeezed from behind by someone
I don't recognize?
Can you fathom each of us has 2 sons only and about the same ages?

My sis and I love the fashion ballsy-ness,

silly sisterhood, and quirkylovelybond

of the Olsen twins.

More than ever,

we feel blessed

to be bonded

from blonde manes

the mutant genes

of our

DNA.

It's hard for some folks to grasp
sisters who aren't rivals; who
can call each other 'tramp'
and still enjoy
each other's company
as much as we do.

But believe it.
We go together like
Dakota and Elle.
Mary Kate and Ashley.
Like peanut butter and chocolate.

And now we are supporting each other
on a surprising BRCA2journey to fight the
cancer which has killed too many
of our family members...
by beating it to the punch.

Together.

remember us misbehaving at the Elysian?

With courage.

jo and me. photo by Aimless Olive

With faith in our bosoms.

sexy swede style {ulrika lundgren}

2013-04-04T21:21:00.000-05:00

Swedish born and Netherlands-based
fashion designer Ulrika Lundgren
styled this petite guesthouse
in Amsterdam called Maison Rika.

Even though her signature palette is
black and white, her art choices
and injections of texture
keep the look from feeling
cold or too edgy.

How chic is all the geometry
happenin here?

Hello lovelydelicate railings.

How fun is that eye??????

photography by Kasia Gatkowska and Marijke Arden, via

Thanks for all the encouraging emails...you
uplift me in such lovely ways, and I
am feeling empowered and ready
to face the challenges ahead.

I feel tired as I recover from surgery and
grateful that I have no pain and such loving
support from my family.
Thanks too for keeping my mom and sis
in your thoughts...we're a team of strong ladies!

linking with MMS

belgian sofas & update

2013-04-01T13:04:00.001-05:00

my sofa

This is our living room sofa.

I love the Belgian style
and linen slipcover.
At 8 feet long,
it's easy to get
comfy even with
multiple loungers
lounging.

We upgraded the coffee table
(a DIY temp)
so I'll share pics later.

lefevre interiors

A couple more examples of handsome
Belgian sofas that sizzle my bacon.

giannetti home

Do we love Brooke's woolly pup retiring
and that sea fan in a bottle?
As they say in Belgium,
YESSIR WE DO!

Finished painting 2.5 rooms and millwork!! Saved $1,700!

BRCA2 update:
My first step toward fighting
breast and ovarian cancer
begins tomorrow with
hysterectomy and oophorectomy.

To learn more about the diagnosis,
see my sister's blog here.

Hoping no cancer will be detected
in my labs and MRI so I'm able
to soon have the prophylactic
mastectomy and reconstruction
I require...
I know, I know, a jagged notsolittle pill,
but it must be swallowed.

Though there will be
discomfort,
there is also
light and triumph
over cancer
ahead.

Squint hard. Can you see it?

linking with MMS

p.s.
My mom (stage 3 breast cancer)
is in a lot of pain
and has unspeakable
side effects from
her chemo
but she
battles on!
Her suffering has led
to events preventing
her daughters from
a similar fate.

hometown hero {julia buckingham edelmann}

2013-03-28T21:08:00.001-05:00

Just returned home from the
Windy City on one balmylovely day
of doctor appointments and pizza.

via

It's a city with a lotta heart.
Duhhhhhbearssss.
Chicago boasts some of the best beef sandwiches,
deep dish (I am ALWAYS hungry for it, peeps),
and designers such as this dynamo:

Julia Buckingham Edelmann
of
Buckingham Interior Design.

Edelman has a showroom and design firm
where she mixes styles and eras,
showcasing antiques as unique
pieces of modern art.

These images from her portfolio
capture a bit of that timeless
exuberance I so admire.

I previously waxed on about
BID glory right here.

Bonus!
Just learned via Facebook you may
sign up for a tour with Ms. ChicagoFabulous
at this year's High Point Market if you
are fortunate enough to attend.
Visit here to learn more and to read
Julia's stylish blog, Material Girls.

I'm big time crushin on the art in these
rooms designed by her;
anything
callin your name?

p.s.
Please deluge the inbox of my favorite pizza joint
Lou Malnati's
with messages
that this waif
is insatiable and
WILL BLOG FOR PIZZA PIE.

Latisse Lovely {hello, spa-grade beauty!}

2013-03-27T12:59:00.002-05:00

My mom cracked me up on the phone

the other night (that scary day

she was barely alive,

couldn't have chemo,

and needed a blood

transfusion).

With Gracie, the day before her surgery.

I asked if she had any of her

eyelashes left since I knew she

was dreading this side-effect.

"Welllllll....yes, I do." she informed.

In fact, to prepare for chemo

earlier, she had made a stellar

effort with eyelash curler,

eyeliner, and mascara to make

sparse shrimpy stubs appear

as fierce as possible.

That is my mom.

These things scare the bajeezus outta me.

Without oxygen in her blood

and barely breathing, she took

the time to make her remaining lashes

look as lovely as possible

though they are barely

hanging on.

I kinda get it.

I always took my eyelashes for granted

until a few years ago when they began
to thin and then disappear (hello, hormones).

via

Recently, I began to grieve the lashes
not because I think I should look like I'm 30, but because
with no lashes, it can look unnatural and otherwordly.
Sue me, I like a natural look.

I consulted aesthetician Deanna Stellato.

She recommends Latisse from her

fountain of medical and spa-grade
beauty in Chicago called

Deanna's Beauty Bag.

After two months of using Latisse

(brushing on a drop

of the liquid before bed),
~~I look foxy as Brooke Shields!~~

I HAVE LASHES I CAN SEE.

What!?!
Thank you, Latisse!

It's very exciting, kittycats.

To be perfectly honest,

I was truly hoping Latisse

wouldn't be worth the fuss

because I had no

intention of adding

the monthly expense.

Around a hundred bucks a bottle

(Deanna runs specials all the time).

However, I am still using my first bottle

after two months so the value is there.

Bonus Beauty from DBB to Share Because I Adore You:

Deanna's Beauty Bag offers other highend

effective skincare lovelies of which I am a fan

since with age, the needs of my skin

have evolved.

Here's what I use

(and no surprise, most of

my preferences are made in Paris):

GM Collin Bota-Peptide Eye Contour

After trying a ton of eye creams,

this lovely one delivers for me.

Also made by GM Collin,

H-50 Therapy Cream

feels like a soothing dream

for my normal-to-dry-and-sensitive

skin...yo, the 50 means it is suitable for

skin that is a half-century ~~old~~ young.

Many of you have probably tried

retinol based products, but they

are new for me...the one I use

available from DBB is

SkinCeuticals Retinol.

It's powerful collagen building voodoo,

and if your skin is sensitive,

make sure to go easy

and get smart advice

from a professional

like Deanna.

After a memorable facial here, the esthetician

smoothed my barely there lips with

GM Collin Lip Plumping Complex Gloss Rose,

and I have been sweet on it ever since.

You can even email Deanna for concerns or
advice about medical and spa-grade products
to set you up for success.

GOT LASHES?

p.s.
Leslie's blog is another one of my go-to
sources for professional beauty tips!

cozylovely {tents and The Holiday}

2013-03-24T23:34:00.000-05:00

Thanks so much for the kindness
and encouragement about my diagnosis.
Each day I have recovered more
and more gratitude, which is so
essential for well-being and
optimal healing.

Know what else may be essential to my well being?

Yep.
A fancy, femme-lovely, fufu tent like
the beloved one in The Holiday.

images via hooked on houses

Maybe it's because it has been a snowy
spring day here, and I'm still all snug
in my Swedish duvet slippers that
annoy everyone in my house...
but cozying down inside a dreamy
fort, staring up at the stars in
dreamy wonder
sounds enchanting.

Other possibilities:

via

via Shabby Chic Girls

Oh twinkly white lights, how I love thee!

via

Tents are a sweet escape from stress, ya?
The perfect spot to read
and share secrets.
*
Tents are shelter for the soul even.
*
And they do make an ideal
nest in which to daydream
with
Jude Law.
*
Were you a tentmaking kinda kid?

pink slippers & peace

2013-03-20T15:43:00.000-05:00

If this is your first visit to the blog,
oh mama, maybe scroll right by this.
The archives have lots of fluff...

Cuz it's a contemplative season for me.
I grow quiet when times get tough
and the light dims.
And it has.

It's difficult not to withdraw.

These images were shot by sister Jody

who has a little photography project brewing

called The Ocean Studio (I'll share the link

when she's ready to go public).

Yes, indeed life is keeping me on my toes.

My mom (stage III breast cancer)
had a major setback yesterday and is
having a blood transfusion as I type.

Also, we recently learned that
she is positive for the BRCA2
gene mutation (confers 87% with

developing breast/ovarian cancer)
so my sisters and I were tested.

So far, two of us have tested positive.
My sister Jody began blogging about the journey here.

Emma Cassi bracelet.

We are grateful our mother

was willing to have this expensive

test to help us make informed

decisions about preventive measures.

The first step for me is a
complete hysterectomy in two weeks...
do you now understand how it was necessary to pair this text with

pleasant photos which suggest NOTHING of mutants, amputation

of lady parts, or instant men.o.pause?

Part of my interior painting frenzy
is due to the fact that
my mind is in Crazytown.
And my nightmares?
In my sons' words:
scary as balls (exceptionally scary).

But today I am experiencing a strong sense of peace
with the cancer/lady surgeries/statistics.

Leaning on everlasting arms helps.
Clinging to a handsome lover helps.
Caring dedicated doctors help.
And quite frankly, a little Xanax

and the Psalms * butter my biscuit.

*SweetLord, I want a heart like David's.

So many moments where
this mind is a tempestuous sea,
this body is numb, and this soul
aches too tender for its own good.
We've all been there, right?
* * *
The peace feels nice.
I will continue to post in the weeks ahead,
and should I seem a little quiet in comments,
you'll understand there is healing happenin
up in here, and that takes time.

Thank you for reading
with such tenderness,
and if you have boobs,
do have a mammogram
if you're due.

malmo lovely

2013-03-18T22:09:00.000-05:00

I am a busy bee painting two guest bedrooms
this week, and shhhhhhh! I have definitely
gone soft...I used to be able to do this
stuff in my sleep, and NOWWWWW
all these involuntary moans and wheezing
escape, and painting takes twice the time!
#iblamehormones #chickbelazynow #vicodin

Anyway, this flavor of Swedish lovely has
inspired the direction I'm going.

Let's have a taste, shall we?

images

HALLA, freakin UNDERBAR...yes?

(And by direction I simply meant I am
painting the walls and trim white. NOT
masterfully embellishing ceilings...ha!)

One of the rooms to be painted.

Send all your extra reserves of strength
this way, please...there is a ton of evil trim
for this wimpy ballerina wannabe to address.

Peace.

Join our lovely tribe!
subscribe and follow

*parties i'm linking to*

blog beautiful {cupcakes and cashmere}

2013-03-16T21:04:00.002-05:00

One thing I have learned in blogland is

to always keep an eye open for

beautiful new to you blogs

(even if they have been thriving

for years like this one, and

somehow your paths just

never crossed!).

Cupcakes and Cashmere is a site

I discovered as a result of

first finding blogger

Emily Schuman's

charming book!
(Abrams, 2012)

Find it at Amazon

Wardrobe building, DIYs, recipes, beauty,

and party-planning ideas are inside this

gem, and as a bonus, it is organized

according to season.

At the moment, I am fixated upon p. 137 in the winter

section which reminds us how gratifying handmade

cardmaking truly is...and I am beyond teased

by her gorgeous monogram wax seal.

Emily is young, gorgeous, creative, and successful.

In addition to guest blogging for Estee Lauder,

she designed a fabulous bag for Coach (pale pink!).

Apartment Therapy

How cute are they?

Recipes in the book and the
Cupcakes and Cashmere site

are approachable and sweet

like these mini donuts.

Visit this yummy luxe corner of

the blogosphere if you haven't

already, and give Emily's book a

go if chic-ing up your seasons

sizzles your bacon.

Btw.

Which do you prefer?

Cupcakes?

Or cashmere?

images via
cupcakes and cashmere
apartmenttherapy
theeverygirl

20 inspired years {kate spade}

2013-03-15T19:37:00.002-05:00

20 years of her preppy polished style?

Is it possible?

Kate Spade NY Things We Love

Yep. Here's proof:

Kate Spade New York: Things We Love

(Abrams, 2013)

is a huge party of eyecandy

for your coffeetable,

celebrating all sorts

of lovely which

inspires the brand.

Quirky?

Oh yes!

Terri Dress

Fun and wearable?

Uh-huh.

My favorites are #5 (A Sense of Humor)

and #17 (Handwritten Notes), and I bet

you will find inspiration on every single page.

Colorfully intriguing?

Of course!

Carmine Street Coin Purse

In addition to the color red,

you will discover all sorts of

curious on glossy pages of

brilliant photography.

Illaria

It goes without saying that should

you love New York, you are

bound to love this luxe

volume of lovely.

Find your Kate Spade

fix at the blog right here.