inspiration icon- OH.WOW: lessons from steve...

we all know steve jobs was a creative genius. he has changed and impacted our world so profoundly and his legacy will no doubt live on, but it was this article, printed in yesterday's NYTimes, that gave a more personal glimpse into the building blocks of his inspiring spirit. 

the article has kept me thinking...about life, about personal virtue, about the universe.  he was a zen buddhist that prided himself on following his intuition and experiential learning... his wisdom definitely shines through.

below are a few life lessons that i'll keep with me...

*** “Fashion is what seems beautiful now but looks ugly later; art can be ugly at first but it becomes beautiful later.”

Steve always aspired to make beautiful later.

***  Love was his supreme virtue, his god of gods.

***  He believed that love happened all the time, everywhere.

***  Steve was humble.

***  Steve cultivated whimsy.

***  He treasured happiness.

***  He tried. He always, always tried, and always with love at the core of that effort.

uniform possibility...

ah rory beca.... you have a simple casual sexiness to you.

your entire collection is perfect for dressing up, yet casual for everyday. 

when i first caught a glimpse of your dory tunic in a shop window i knew i had to have it... but once i tried it on, i knew i had to have it in every color. i ended up purchasing the crush color, but just might have to go back for fig.

the sales girls and i had a long chat about you and they let me in on a little secret... that you're planning a whole rainbow of colors in your tops for spring.

i did not need to know this... because i could very easily fall in love with seven colors and have a beautiful, bright uniform for each day.

a perfect pouch...

i was recently with one of my dearest friends, when i zoned in and locked eyes with her spectacularly beautiful, over-sized satchel...


i had, and still have, a big time case of purse envy, but did catch a glimpse at the little monogrammed tab on the zipper so i could see who made it!


...the lovely folks over at clare vivier are to blame for my newest "want".




hurry up over sized foldover clutch...get yourself over to my house, i've got goods-galore to fill you up with!!

they're baaaccccccckkkkkkkkkkk...

dear mtv.


thank you. thank you. thank you. for bringing beavis & butthead back. i know this will be a "new" introduction of these fella's to your current viewing audience, since most of them were babies back then... but for an o.g. like me, this is like re-discovering a lost treasure.


i remember being a junior in high school, watching tv in my bedroom, and just laughing out loud to the quick-witted banter of these two lovable idiots.


i love you, beavis... can't wait to see you thursday.


eh.huh.huh.huh.eh.huh.huh

made to order...

whether it be a new baby, a sick friend, or just someone in need of a little t.l.c, bringing dinner into a friend's home is a way to show your love and support while providing a little home-cooked goodness for their soul.


a friend and i recently did this for our friends who had just brought their new baby home... we made baked ziti and filled a bag with salad makings, dessert, and some wine for the new parents to share.  


the gift allowed them to have a date night in without the stress of trying to cook and change diapers/breast feed/or calm a crying lil' babe.


we made a little card for the baking instructions, but this simple touch of decorating an aluminum lid is pretty much genius and will be my go-to way of bringing dinner from now on.  


- decorate lid with a sharpie... be sure to include baking instructions and any other tips and/or additions that would compliment the meal.
- serve & deliver in recyclable aluminum baking pans that eliminate the need to return a friend's cookware!


**photo inspiration from enormous champion

rifle radness...

sweet little anna bond... 
and her husband/business partner nathan.


they had a vision.
they trusted their guts.
and they leapt.


i first stumbled upon her whimsy hand painted creations on a wedding blog three or four years back... and since then, have watched rifle paper co. fully flourish.  her artwork is unmistakable and knowing that each piece is created by her sitting at a table with her paint set just makes you appreciate her devotion to her craft... it's true love.


anyways, this holiday season... she's offering custom made holiday cards!!! how sweet is that?


i'd love to have these made for our family holiday greeting, but told myself i MUST wait until i have long locks again otherwise our family portrait might be easily mistaken for three boys... or the three wise men! ha!


you should definitely order now...the holidays will be here before you know it!

son of a...

etsy never ceases to amaze me. 


i could spend hours upon hours pouring thru the storefronts and continually be amazed by the talent, time, love, energy and just do it attitude that this community of artists exudes.  


newest obsession is son of a sailor... and at these prices, it's almost too easy not to just get swept to sea!

s'more of that...

S'MORES... when was the last time you had one?

mine was last night... and every time i eat one, i always find myself wondering why the heck i don't eat them more often.

the rich milky-ness of the chocolate... the ooooey-goooey, and on my s'more, charred sugar goodness of the marshmallow squished between two crisp, crunchy graham crackers....mmmm mmmm.

and... i'm convinced that s'mores bring people together...

everyone's got their ideal way to make, assemble, and eat a s'more... so before you know it, people are sharing their s'mores knowledge, collaborating, and stuffing themselves full of jet-puffed awesomeness.

heck, last night, we even came up with a million dollar invention that may just take the world by s'torm!

they also hold a pretty special place in mine & keith's heart... it started with the xmas of the s'more maker... then made an appearance during our wedding weekend... and now, serve as the perfect way to spend an evening under the stars, with great friends

plaid pleaser...

dear sam. 
the majority of us ladies are big, big fans of yours. we wait each season's collection with baited breathe and breathe several oooh's and awwww's at your never disappointing array of footwear.  fall is wonderful and i'm smitten by alvin, but have just one teensy-weensy request.


...can you pretty, pretty please make a holiday edition in tartan plaid? 


my feetsies would be so excited.


thank you.

entertain-tip #9... setting it up

one of the best things about a great dinner party is the long, lingering, "don't-want-this-night-to-end" feeling that engulfs a table and makes you feel like you're the luckiest person on the planet.

it's something about the coming together of a mix of people, the varying topics of conversation that flow, the smiles, the laughter... all enhanced by a delicious meal prepared with love, and wine that flows more and more as the night passes by. it encapsulates the essence of togetherness and provides a fullness of the heart that i truly cherish.

and it's these feelings that make me love preparing a table. setting the stage where the magic will later unfold. whether you take an elaborate or simple approach, a well thought out table looks beautiful and sets the tone for your evening.

and because we can all probably use a little refresher:

-  forks go on the left (smallest on the outside working up to biggest closest to the plate)

-  knife lives to the right of the plate

-  spoon sits to the right of the knife

-  bread plate goes in the upper left corner

-  wine & water glasses in the upper right 

now, dim the lights & don't for get the candles... or the flowers. or any other little tchotchkes that will spark conversation & help set the mood.

we'll be over soon. can't wait to see you.