Happy New Year!

Seriously. In a moment of complete thoughtlessness I tore open the Toblerone bar that just days before I attempted to hide in a basket on top of the fridge. Unfortunately I was the only one who knew its whereabouts, so I declared Tis the Season and broke off one, two, three, four pieces of chocolate and swore to never, ever do it again when back to the post-holiday real world. I thought gym time and road running would reverse any immediate effects, only to discover as I dressed for NYE that instead, it all went straight to my hips [and everywhere else] three days later. Heh.

As we greet the New Year with giddiness and anticipation, let's not forget to live lovely everyday. Spend a moment to reflect and plan and dream and create your blue prints to lead you into and out of 2013. Plus, His plans are always the best!

Happy New Year, lovelies! 

xo

The Golden

9.30.2012

A sweet date to celebrate a 30th. The Golden Birthday. It has officially arrived. Ahem.

Last week, over plates of sticky buns and duck egg rolls, Sarah gave me a card scribbled with these words from Jack London, as we celebrated my coming-of-age on a rainy evening at our counter spot at Bones.

I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stilled by day rift. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in significant glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time. 

She is such a beautiful friend.

xo

The View

My view facing West from this red Adirondack, with Steamboat Springs in the near distance, is lovely. I could wrap myself in this blanket and mug of hot coffee every morning. This is bliss. And a sweet ending to the month arrives on the very last day as I say hello to my 30th year. Oye. For the past year I've not been age 29, but age almost 30. Unless, of course, someone else takes a guess and then I'm age 24. [Still deciding if that's a compliment? :] And "why aren't you married yet?" is typically the second half of the conversation. Ahem.

My mother celebrated her 30th with the birth of her fourth child. In college I was certain my 30th would see me married with two littles and a very attractive mate a few years older than I. As we know, Plan B is how it happens in real life; Plan A is simply fantasyland. 

And, of course, we all agree age is just a number. But 30? It's 30. And there is a slight twinge of disappointment when nearly daily it's another engagement or baby update or wedding or happy couple posing in front of the sunset, and I'm the owner of a Cooper I call Pippa and a cat named Cash, who is on permanent vacation with his Nana. Cat ownership? Epic fail. My most lovely friend, Sarah, told me last week over Mimosas that Fall is merely the beginning of the year, when the leaves change and the air is still and dark nail polish, tall boots and lazy football Sundays are in high demand. And the excitement for a Fall romance to linger. Couple that with entering a new decade and I am quite certain she is correct and I have a heckuvalot to be thankful for and look forward to and I should be giddy with anticipation after all. 

So I had to share it with her, via a Facebook post, of course! This girl is lovely.

And giddy, perhaps for this stunning watch

and pair of booties to make any girl swoon. 

Appropriate for the Golden Birthday.

And this look to give a go. 

My new business and Blog and goals I will actually set to accomplish [like live with intention, for one] and relish in the unknown and what's just around the corner that only He knows about for certain and be thankful I am just where I am.

Thirty? It's so on.

xo

The Touch

This gem from The Sartorialist says


"it’s not just about fashion but about style, attitude, and character."


And I think, with the right attitude, you can rock anything. 

Tis 2x12!

Happy 2012, lovelies!

A short list of the new year, thus far...

NYE dinner at Riffs Urban Fare.  I would return for the menu, service, and decent price points.  The mismatched and slightly tacky interior, however, won't get my rave review.

And a minor crush on the hipster owner of my new favorite, Cafe|Bar.  A minimal chic interior {5 stars} under the cool light fixtures and high ceilings: steel gray walls, the {buzzing} open kitchen, and a community table with polished wood benches for 12.  A date night must with your hipster, or snag 11 of your besties and from your perch watch as Chef adds his finishing touch to your sausage skillet.

And how often on January 2nd can a girl run through the park wearing a tank top{and get a glimpse of the port-o-potty being emptied}?  Rarely, I'm sure.  Today, I did...

Instead of that laundry list of those {dreaded!} New Year's Resolutions, try this instead: My One Word. I chose intention.  Previous years' picks: growth and live.  Choose a word and the rest will follow.  Fail proof, I think!

The 2012 list of banned words include: man cave, amazing, and thank you in advance.  Of course.

I want to turn 30 here!

Fashion inspiration.  Or maybe to discover that trench coat from Old Navy is quite cute after all when worn with bright colors and splashy heels..

Glam loo!  Black will always be the new black.

Here's to another year, brimming with great beginnings, exciting adventures, and lotsa fine red wine. {And aren't we way too young to exist in 2012?!}

xo!

Kitten Smitten

Cat. Mama.  Oh, boy!  Today I brought home the newest addition to Apartment No. 34, Cash, a darling Tuxedo feline.  At just 4 weeks old he was rescued from the motor of a car where he was found wrapped in a blanket and taken to Maxfund No-Kill Animal Shelter.  Now Cash{they called him Motor at the shelter} is exploring his new home; purring on my lap, chasing his toys across the wood floor, and snacking on gluten-free treats. He seems to be adjusting to his new life quite well.  And I absolutely adore the black markings on the back of his long white hind legs.  I think I'm smitten with this kitten! 

Visit the Maxfund Shelter today and let a cat or dog live happily ever after.

Meet me at Le Muse

My sister recently asked where to Le Muse had run off.  Tonight it was Yogurtland for an impromptu dish of fro-yo.  Rarely do the dog days of summer elicit such a craving and even then it's a modest serving of fat-free plain under a mound of blackberries.  But this wintery evening that craving could only be satisfied with a messy ponytail, 2-mile drive, and $3 serving of plain tart topped with mochi, peanut butter cups, and a small pump of chocolate syrup. Self-control.  Now I'll turn my attention to those carrot sticks.

And I hope you agree.  This 3 month shutdown of Le Muse has been entirely too long.  Call it writer's block. Inspiration gone astray.  Maybe I'm over-thinking it.  And of course, I don't want to write the wrong thing.  Short or sweet, a collection of photographs, musings, pretty things from the www that make my heart melt, poignant articles, quotations, words, or love notes.  I know one thing's for certain: I just need to write. 

I'm giddy with excitement.

So until we meet again, this:

The alternative to plain leggings. And highly appropriate for sporting events, casual Saturdays, or late night dinner dates.

Do you keep that XL bottle of mouthwash too?  Problem solved!

Watercolor for your iPhone.

xo, lovelies!