xvi candles

Here is my "big boy", he will be xvi today.  JP, you have always made us laugh and amazed us with your eyes.

You would build towers with the kapla blocks and lego cities.   You had a hard time pronouncing your brother's name - so you just called him "Jo Jo." 

I am still wiping spills and loving you more each day.

"Daddy" and I have enjoyed watching you grow and are thankful for each year as your parents.  We feel so grateful to have had twins.   Hard to imagine that 

the years have flown by so quickly.

Hey, "Jo Jo" - over here, it's me, wishing you a wonderful year ahead.  I know you cannot wait to drive.  You have always shown your independence, cruising about with curiosity.  It has been a joy to see you develop into the person you are.  Your dry wit, and strong hug make my day.

I know how appreciative you are after enduring a rough bout last fall.  The strength and courage you displayed served you well, on your road to a total recovery.    

May you both enjoy this day, full of thanks for all the ones who love you, your grandparents, family and friends.  I would like to thank "Ernie" for being there when they were infants and for showing me the obvious.   Life is not so hard when you have angels around you to carry you. Give thanks, and celebrate all the love and welcome xvi. 

black and white photos taken by a family friend, at their loft in New York City.  

happy to be blue

Happy to be blue, how happy these would be on a table filled with fresh flowers. Depression Glass, a tinted glassware was produced in the 1920's to the 40's and often was used in giveaways to persuade customers to purchase other items.

I have some cobalt blue champagne glasses that I love to use.

These lovelies, can be found here.
Bluebellbazaar on etsy.
What color glass makes you happy?

have a ball

Ball - 20 x 20 photograph - "mind games"
Artistic Photographer - Julie Blackmon

Hope each of you are having a ball buster of a long weekend full of fun and games and taking time to honor your inner child.

The above photo is from the work of Julie Blackmon.
I found her here.
Take a look at her amazing photos which are a keen observation of domestic life and the chaos
which often ensues. The color photos are for sale.

My posts will be light this week as my own children are on winter break causing chaos, and we are in hopes to have a ball with one another.

see red

See red.

Share love.

Play hearts.

Be well read.

Wear a little red.

See red.

Happy Valentine's day.

eat dessert first

Meet Lecia and her lovely boys, husband Alexi, and boys Abbot and Cal.  If Lecia were here, I would take her to our local bakery with the motto, "Life is uncertain, eat dessert first"- because I think she lives 

each day as if it were a day that is dessert.  

Her days are spent creating and exploring her surroundings with her family which she shares with us on her blog, that she began in June 2008.  

Daily musings and lovely photographs, be it a stack of freshly folded laundry or an empty heart shaped bowl, these images remind one to seek happiness and contentment in the simple joys of life.  

This is a quick glimpse, an illustration that I drew for Lecia and her family

as they live a simply colorful life each day.

Here is the black and white line drawing for you to print out and color in.  (Click on image and print out) My hope is that Lecia and her sons (color) & continue to inspire us through their adventures as they savor the tiny moments, one bite at a time.  Thanks for making my day simply sweeter.  Lecia reminds me that even on the toughest days to look for joy.  Now that is what I call living a day that is dessert a well deserved day.  What makes your day sweeter?

side door

This sweet side door is waiting patiently for a family who relocated internationally but will be coming back.  My client was ever so patient with me, the "finicky" artist who finally, alas, has completed this one.  I think rather than a going away gift, it will make a lovely home coming gift.

Question, who uses the front door, really?  I think it would make perfect sense to design a house with a faux front door.  A clever sign stating that you are in the kitchen or the garden with an arrow to the side door would be witty and fun, right!

So, do you have a side door or a back door that you use as your entrance?

Coming home sideways sounds good to me.

personal concierge

In an effort to streamline and organize, I reached out to my divine concierge for some professional help.  In a matter of hours, the piles of paper were edited and filed away in designated spots.   Items that were no longer needed were carted away to find a home and not a landfill.  My divine concierge is all about working with a "green" attitude.  File folders for filing, and a sweet file for sweet savings all at my fingertips.

File Folders suddenly became host to a clear list of categories.  From piles to files all in a matter of minutes.  Do you need a personal concierge to come to your home or your office and give you that gentle push to organize an area, clean out a closet to free up space?  The act of letting go in order to gain space or freedom from clutter is an incredibly positive experience which I highly recommend. How would you benefit from having your very own personal concierge?  

I hope I leave you inspired.

jump rope for heart

Sophia Western - 1800 - jumping rope in a loose frock, worn at a time when hoop skirts were the fashion~

Jumping rope is a great way to stay in shape as well as making one feel young at heart.

Last week at my daughter's elementary, they had the annual "Jump Rope for Heart" event. All the grades are assigned a time slot of one hour to jump.  Prior to this special event, they work to raise awareness of supporting the American Heart Association and call upon friends and family to contribute a worthy cause. 

Music is pumping and the kids are jumping!

T-shirts are decorated by the children which creates excitement to prepare for this day full of heart.

Girls and boys get in the swing of it.

Some watch, while others jump.  Jumping and pumping for a good cause full of heart.

Will you be supporting a heart-worthy cause this week for Valentine's day?

Support The American Heart Association, or donate blood for someone you love.

born to thrill

my youngest client "Harrison" bound and born to thrill

There is nothing more thrilling than that of having a baby.  I remember when I moved to New York and was deeply ensconced in the career path and had what I call my baby blinders on. My father-in-law would peruse the situation, and request that his stature be elevated to that of Grandfather, and soon.  For the longest time I know it was a love-hate relationship as I would walk right by babies to avoid the issue and then stalk aisles of upscale nurseries on Madison Avenue.   Then I began to be showered with baby shower invites.

pve design artwork for the baby shower, (for Harrison)

There was something about the games, and all the tiny trappings that would fill a New York City apartment to the rafters that scared me as well as thrilled me.  The stroller tucked in the foyer, the moses basket next to the bed, the smell of baby powder and those tiny little toes to adorn with wee little socks and "onesies" that swiftly rocked me in to deciding that a baby was bound to be a "born to thrill."  

A pram for the ride of life, first wheels for a blissful ride

(Original pve design artwork, micron pen, before color wash)

It seems like yesterday when I was showered with gifts galore for not one but "two" as I was doubly blessed with twins. 

(pve design artwork, a pram for baby to come home to)

Bringing home my babies was a thrill, the sleepless nights, the eternal drivel, the mounds of laundry and the fact that I adored the little man who delivered the fresh stack of cloth diapers and transported the soiled ones far away.  Yes, I was convinced that cloth diapers would be the best for my little bottoms of my heart and that only disposable diapers would be reserved for outings.  I think I was ahead of my time on being "green."

"Babymother" of Harrison, proudly standing in front of original pve design artwork

I just love the white frames, don't you?

Now those same little boys that were born to thrill, shall soon be giving me a new kind of thrill which is driving as this month they celebrate their 16th birthday.  When I asked if they wanted a party, they said, "C'mon Mom, you know, we are "thrill seekers"-what we want, are our own wheels.   This Mom thinks that remote control cars will be just the sort of ride to thrill me up.

Note-  Thanks to Emily for graciously allowing me to share the above art and photos of babymother Bonnie and baby Harrison.

makeup artistry

"Feel Great" signed  by Bobbi Brown to me!

Bobbi Brown and Patricia van Essche

signing her book, "Makeup Manual"

Makeup artistry has intrigued me ever since I was old enough or allowed to wear any.  One of my most favorite makeup artists is renowned Bobbi Brown, founder of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. She is the author of four bestselling books on beauty and her products are sold worldwide.

The invite arrived and I jumped at the opportunity to meet Bobbi and have her "autograph" my book.  The event took place at Lord & Taylor and it was quite an excited group of attendees all waiting to have their book signed or for a makeup consultation with one of her talented artists.

Bobbi sure knows how to put her best face forward to inspire others to do so with the help of her easy steps to looking and feeling good.