larajanepark

Passion

2012-01-26T21:19:00.000-08:00

Overboard

2012-01-25T23:09:00.000-08:00

I ran across this gorgeous bag and it got me thinking....

Wouldn't this be the perfect vessel for a pair of cruise tickets?
Will need a Sunshine departure...

What else shall I bring?
How about this for dinner with the Captain...

Sundress for brunch...

Sightseeing...

Rowboat-If I need one...I hope it's cute like this

...with oars please. And a cute rowing uniform...

or outfit...

If I ever get a boat, I'm going to name her the "TRUE LOVE". And my, she'll be yar.

It can start with anything, like a Kate Spade Steamliner clutch, but it always seems to end with me swimming in the ocean on a tropical island...91 days.
Love, me

Tuesday Obsession- Tufted (velvet, preferably) chairs

2012-01-24T23:18:00.000-08:00

I have no real idea why, (isn't that what obsessions are all about?) but tufted chairs are calling me this week...

mustard...

pink...

pink and a one year old cutie...

blue...

Ikat...

a not quite finished one...

tufted chaise....

green velvet x 2...

sienna...

plum...

canvas...

red...

the pink one that started it all....

rosy davenport....

I guess that's a little bit of an obsession. For a girl that doesn't actually own a tufted chair. Or a cozy chair of any kind.

But once upon a time, I had a beautiful old ratty tufted chair that I kind of fell in love with, that I still miss. This is it:

It was tufted, but rather worn and loved. Guess it inspired me. It was someone's gram's tufted chair. I rescued it for a short time and we loved it. Bet Bessie was smiling about that :)

Tuesday Obsession-Balustrades

2012-01-17T22:36:00.000-08:00

I have a serious obsession with Balustrades, thanks to my other obsession-Pinterest.
So we'll now have "Tuesday Obsession" every week. Don't miss it, I'm never going to run out of obsessions. As I am, a total dreamer...

BALUSTRADE
bal·us·trade noun \ˈba-lə-ˌstrād\

Definition of BALUSTRADE

1. a row of balusters topped by a rail
2. a low parapet or barrier

Balustrade at Versailles:

Clearly beautiful balustrade:

Palais Garnier, Paris, France

If you find more balustrades for my collection while perusing Pinterest (or anywhere on the web) post on Pinterest with @Lara Snydal Mijatovich.

Thanks. Tuesday Obsession is going to be fun. Can't wait until next week xoxoxox
Love, me.

Loved Forever

2012-01-15T23:10:00.000-08:00

Some things, I have simply loved for as long as I can remember....
Houndstooth Coats

Marilyn Monroe:

France and all things French:

Robert Redford:

NY 2012 Update

2012-01-05T20:51:00.000-08:00

New Year 2012 Update

1. Did not drink champagne OR dance on the table. It's on the list still. I have the champagne. I have the table. I just have to get it all together when I'm not driving and picking up the teenage girls...

2. Working on the washer and dryer. Believe me, it's on the top of the list. 43 and never had a washer or dryer. That pretty much sucks.

3. More than one room? May not happen soon, but told the girls the other night: "You know. Someday we will remember these times. All 3 of us. Together in one room. Like a college dorm. And we will remember it fondly. And we will miss what we have now." I know that to be the God's honest truth.

4. Road trip with my girls. Plan is being worked out. Santa Clara, Utah. Feb 2012. Pear's 18th bday.

5. Yoga. Still thinking about it. Will need an extra room for this. Or subscription to YogaWorks. asap.

6. Books: Finishing my friend Emily Pearson's book called "Dancing With Crazy". Her life. What a gal. So glad she survived it. Love it. Love her.

7. Beach: Trip planned. Mama in cahoots with me. Girls excited to be with gram for 12 days. Birthday present to my hardworking self. The usual place. Counting down the days....

8. Garden: Having trouble eating enough vegetables, let alone growing them....

9. Pear to Paris: Passport (check), plane ticket (check), she is studying "Parisian Chic; A Style Guide" by Ines de la Fressange. (a Christmas present from her dear Maman) So obviously, she will be ready in time...

10. Grammy Camp. Check. Had to first lure Gram back from HI, but have been successful. Scar will go to Grammy Camp. Whew. Thanks to my buying a ticket to Hawaii :) xoxox

11. Ran. Two days during lunch. Then was awfully hungry at dinnertime!

La Fogata with the girls, thanks to HM, xoxox HM.
(HM also always has great parking Karma xoxox)

WILL UPDATE AGAIN SOON. THX FOR PUTTING UP WITH ME. xoxoxox LASM

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012!

2011-12-31T11:13:00.000-08:00

Everybody has some plans. Here are some of mine....

Acquire my own washer and dryer:

Move to a house with more than one room:

Take a road trip with my girls:

Do more yoga:

Read more books:

Spend a week at the beach:

Grow vegetables in a garden of my creation:

Send my daughter Paris to her city all by myself:

Send my daughter Scarlett to Grammy Camp this summer:

Run:

What's on your list???
Whatever it is, I wish you peace and health and happiness so you can achieve your goals. Happy New Year to you all.

Merry Christmas 2011!!

2011-12-26T22:03:00.000-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2011!

Our pretty tree (his name is Phillip)...

Christmas bookshelf...

Our Santa arrives....

Me and HWP on Christmas Eve....

Scarlett and Paris just getting started...

Scarlett in her pretty new clothes...

The girls and I got lovely treasures...

Then the girls went to their Dad's and we celebrated again at HM's big house...
He bought Christmas Peonies for me because they are my favorite flowers...

He and the kids decorated an enormous tree!

We have oyster stew on Christmas mornings...

The boys watched funny videos that were completely inappropriate!

We were so busy eating all day long that I didn't take too many pictures, but here are a few fun ones...
Not your average bottle of wine. Just about 3 gallons of one of my favorites!!!

Crab for Christmas dinner was my choice...

And the puppy was very spoiled too!

And mama got beautiful sapphire and diamond earrings....

I hope everyone had a beautiful Christmas with friends and loved ones. Family is best. The ones we make, and the ones we share. xoxox

2011-12-17T22:24:00.000-08:00

I told a friend of mine today, "We're stringing popcorn and cranberries on the front porch". He said, "Really? No, really!? I didn't think people did that anymore these days!!" Well, we do. Every year. xoxox Here's my Paris, she helped....

Aurifil is my candy.

2011-12-12T19:53:00.001-08:00

Aurifil collage, originally uploaded by larajanepark.

Alex Veronelli makes the loveliest thread EVER. In Italy. It's all I ever quilt with. Just thought I'd let you know that. Larajanepark loves Aurifil and American Jane loves Aurifil. That's my commercial for the night. xoxox

Dream with HM

2011-12-11T17:00:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday Scarlett Darling!

2011-12-10T12:38:00.000-08:00

My littlest chick turned 14 yesterday! She looked so beautiful and grown up for the school dance. I think she was thrilled that the stars aligned so the dance fell on her birthday. Her friends spoiled her and treated her like a princess and then she came home to party with us! Paris cut her date night short, we decorated the table, had a luscious chocolate cake with chocolate mousse inside and 9 candles (mom forgot to buy more, but hey, it was Dec 9th so that's something!) She got loads of new clothes, jewelry, hair products, a new book and TAROT cards. I love Tarot cards. I can't wait until she has memorized everything so she can read my cards.... A grand time was had by all.
Thanks for being born Scarlett Darling. I love you to the moon. You are such a blessing to us all. xoxoxoxox love mama.

Champagne, Christmas Parties, Glamour

2011-12-05T19:57:00.000-08:00

I really want to post about the glamorous time I had Saturday night at the Company Christmas Party. It was at the Pacific Union Club on Nob Hill in San Francisco. But I'm still swooning at the memory of it all, so I'll just post a picture of how it made me feel...

Source: alifeofbeautyandgrace.tumblr.com via Lara Snydal on Pinterest

Tis the Season

2011-12-01T09:30:00.000-08:00

Tonight is the 10th Annual Bishop Ranch Tree Lighting Event! There will be food and vendors, photographers, sleigh rides, SANTA and REAL SNOW!!! I can't wait until tonight- it will be so fun...puts me in the mood for Christmas.

Source: alifeofbeautyandgrace.tumblr.com via Lara Snydal on Pinterest

Source: store.kaufmann-mercantile.com via Lara Snydal on Pinterest

Source: alifeofbeautyandgrace.tumblr.com via Lara Snydal on Pinterest

Source: modcloth.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Green Dress of Unquestionable Beauty

2011-11-29T10:51:00.000-08:00

In a Bind Gown | Rent The Runway

Source: cdn.renttherunway.com via Lara Snydal on Pinterest

2011-11-28T22:10:00.000-08:00

Source: thejealouscurator.com via Rowena on Pinterest

These images are part of a show called Threads of Feeling that just ended in March, at The Foundling Museum in London. Here’s the story: During the late 18th century women who, for whatever reason, couldn’t care for their babies could bring them to The London Foundling Hospital. The idea was that the hospital would care for the babies until the mothers were ready to come back and get their children – sadly, many of them never did. However, in hopes that these women would be able to return one day, they put a system in place. No names were recorded, instead each mother left a piece of fabric that was unique in some way. Part of the fabric was left in the baby’s file, and the other piece was taken by the mother. This would prove which baby was hers when, and if, she returned. Over 16,000 children were left there between 1741 and 1760

Mothers, Daughters & Imagination posts...

2011-11-25T15:45:00.000-08:00

Once my daughter wrote such a cute post (actually they BOTH always write darling posts), but Scarlett was trying to write one post a day and it was late at night one night and I was fussing at her to go to bed and she didn't have time to upload a picture so she wrote a very creative post about imagination I loved it so much. My Mom loved it too. So much that she actually painted a picture of Scarlett's "imagination" post.

Source: 2.bp.blogspot.com via Lara Snydal on Pinterest

Post for Papa- grandfather- Col. Harry T. Sharkey, jr.

2011-11-23T10:33:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures of pictures my kids sent me after their summer at Grammy Camp this year. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I am thankful for my family. Especially my Grandparents who worked so hard to become such amazing people, they passed their work ethic down to us. My mother is one of their 4 daughters. From those daughters came 15 grandchildren and I think we’re up to 31 great grandchildren. My grandmother is still alive. She's going to be 90 in March!

Dear Santa, part II

2011-11-21T22:01:00.000-08:00

No intro necessary, unless you have no clue.... CHANEL, THAT I HAVE COVETED SINCE I WAS 11...

Source: graphics8.nytimes.com via Lara Snydal on Pinterest

The rouge Garance Hermes....HERMES BEFORE DIAMONDS (unless diamonds come first)...

Source: lh4.googleusercontent.com via Lara Snydal on Pinterest

Takayama Longboard

Source: img.surfride.com via Lara Snydal on Pinterest

a William's Antiks leather French Club Chair from the 20's or 30's...

Source: greenhousedesignstudio.com via Lara Snydal on Pinterest

a house of my own, must have a swing...

Source: nestegg.typepad.com via Lara Snydal on Pinterest

a bathtub. please, God. A bathtub...

Source: gypsypurplehome.tumblr.com via Lara Snydal on Pinterest

some fashionable, Earth friendly transportation. For FUN!

Source: Uploaded by user via Kristen on Pinterest

Dear Santa,

2011-11-16T23:05:00.000-08:00

Golden Dress- Must have....

Source: theglitterguide.tumblr.com via Meggie on Pinterest

a trip to France.........

Source: une-deuxsenses.blogspot.com via Lara Snydal on Pinterest

Boots....

Source: allensboots.com via Lara Snydal on Pinterest

Sweet Love...

Source: alifeofbeautyandgrace.tumblr.com via Lara Snydal on Pinterest

Diamonds...

Source: antiquesandthearts.com via Megan on Pinterest

Love, me xoxox PS. You can have the remote <3

Off on a green tangent....

2011-11-12T08:31:00.000-08:00

Source: google.com via Lara Snydal on Pinterest

Source: moredesignplease.com via Lara Snydal on Pinterest

Source: makingmagique.com via Lara Snydal on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Christy on Pinterest

Source: fashionistatalk.com via Georgiana on Pinterest

Source: sidewalkready.com via Kara on Pinterest

mommy needs a green dress

Goodnight Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are.

2011-11-09T10:52:00.000-08:00

“‎I like living. I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow, but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing. — AGATHA CHRISTIE

Well, ain't that the truth! That's another one for Bartlett's. Actually I just found it on my favorite Quote of the Day website. I am crazy for a good quote.
Last night I was tickled to death to be serenaded by the founder of our company. I had to google "Mrs. Calabash", but I'll never forget it now! Below is what I put on my facebook status afterwards.

"My 91 year old boss left the office just now singing this song...and he said to me, 'Good night Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are.'" I swear it was the sweetest thing and left me an extremely happy girl for the rest of the night. I didn't even want to go to bed on time, I wanted to savor the happiness that moment gave me.

I hope you enjoy it too-

"I was about half in love with her by the time we sat down."

2011-10-31T21:51:00.000-07:00

"I was about half in love with her by the time we sat down. That's the funny thing about girls. Every time they do something pretty...you fall half in love with them, and then you never know where the hell you are." Nick Fortythree Jak 9/16/2011 One of my most favorite books is Bartlett's Familiar Quotations. If I were in charge of Bartlett's, I'd put Nick's quote in it. I have it filed in a folder named "very Poetic 2011". That's all. PS I'm listening to George Strait's "Write this down" and right after it on itunes comes Jim Croce's "Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown" and then "All I Can Do is Write About It" by Lynyrd Skynyrd. There's a night-night playlist for ya. Happy Halloween from the mama who spent her first Halloween in 19 years NOT taking her kids trick-or-treating. And all I can remember is fussing about how I was always the only one who had to take them trick-or treating every year. Thanks to their Dad, that was a blessing. I miss the people I love the most. Except for Scar and Pear- I've got them, babe.

hawaii mama

2011-10-30T15:48:00.000-07:00

The favorite most favorite two photos of my whole trip were taken with my little Nokia flip phone at Bellows AFB beach the day after I got there.... I got a lot of great pictures. It's hard not to in such a beautiful place.

2011-10-07T22:47:00.000-07:00

Source: melodyross.typepad.com via Marta on Pinterest