Happy Birthday Girlie!

So I actually have to blog twice today because it is my Best Friend's Birthday-Girlie!  Girlie and I have known each other since the age of four and grew up across the street from each other in Greensboro, N.C.  We have literally been through every phase of our lives together and the adventures would take an entire book to recount!  We got the nickname "The Girlie Twins" at the sailing camp that we attended every summer because of our long blonde hair, blue eyes and similar personalities!  Everyone just assumed we were twins!  The name Girlie has stuck and we continue to refer to one another as GIRLIE!  Our friendship is as unique as the way we talk.  I totally wish I had a scanner right now to show some old school pictures!

Here we are in Kiawah last Christmas!  Our families spent the holidays together in S.C. and there is nothing better than being with your family and Best Friends during the holidays.

I am soooooo excited to visit Houston next weekend not only to celebrate Girlie's Birthday, but also Mini Girlie (Lily) she will be one!

The Three Girlies grabbing lunch at Neimans in Houston

 I am blessed to also be Mini Girlie's God Girlie!

I can't wait to see both my Girlie's next weekend and celebrate 2 very special Birthday's!

Perfect Blazer for Spring

People who know me well know that I am chronically cold!  I have the hardest time staying warm so I'm constantly drinking hot water (yes it's a bazaar habit that I have, but it works) and looking for cute jackets that can also act as my outfit because I know I won't be taking them off!  A few different companies seem to have this style blazer out for spring, but the Boden Jersey Blazer in Navy Breton Stripe is my favorite.  It looks like Boston Proper and J. Crew also have a similar style out.  I love anything  nautical looking and Navy and White is one of my favorite combos.  In fact I have three dresses in my first line that have Navy and White as a color option.  I totally need to branch out I know, but it's just soooo classic.

Anyways this blazer would be perfect for spring or summer nights in new England-too bad I don't live there anymore!  Hopefully this item will be in my closet one day!  Navy and White Stripe anything never goes out of style!

 

Rekindling an Old Flame

So while I didn't get a chance to lounge on a hammock in Costa Rica last weekend I did rekindle my flame with an old love!  Every Christmas growing up my family took a ski trip either out west or to Europe-my parents lived in Germany before my birth and enjoyed going back to visit old friends, not to mention there is also incredible skiing in the Alps.  I have to admit the last time I hit the slopes was on our last family ski vacation to Aspen in December of 1997.  Needless to say 13 years had passed and I was a little wary about this adventure.  So when a group of friends headed to the Homestead last weekend I was unsure how things were going to go on the slopes!  Fortunately Hot Springs, Virginia is a great place to get your sea legs back on!

Can we please talk about how amazing these old school ski clothes are! Particularly the overall bibs!

Mac had only skiied a few times before so I was thinking this was a good place for him to start.

I literally did not even have a ski jacket so thank goodness some friends came prepared and I could borrow a jacket, scarf, and proper pants!  This would have been a great time to have some of Apres by CKB fabulous Ski gear!

Everyone told me that it would be like riding a bike and would come back as soon as I I hit the slopes.  While I can't claim that statement to be true I can say each run I felt more and more comfortable!

Cocktails by the fire  is always a must after a day of skiing, although we did have a few sips of bourbon on the ski lift up-it was a long ride to the top!

For dinner we went to Sam Sneads and had some comfort food!  

Thanks to the W. clan for a great weekend!  I'm so glad we went and I had to a chance to get back out there!  I'm thinking the slopes will see a lot more of me now!

Very Me

Lilly

So I really can't afford to go spring shopping this year because every extra dime I have is going towards making my samples in hopes of having a trunk show one day :) BUT....... This dress is sooooooo ME!  In fact if I had to choose a Lilly dress throughout the years that described my personality this would be the one!  Lilly has come up with some precious frocks over the years, but I'm thinking this my fav of all times!  Maybe a valentine's gift?????

Hopefully the picture will show up this time :)

           

My Latest Favorite

I absolutely LOVE China and am currently coveting the Herend Golden Edge Dinner Plates with my initials on them in gold.  I think they would accent my Chinese Multi plates beautifully so I tend to pop into Taylor Hogan and Hampton House way more than I should just to peruse and dream.  When I came across this piece at Taylor Hogan I knew I HAD to have it! 

What a perfect piece to add to my blue and white collection! Apparently they have over 200 breeds to choose from so eventually I will get a beagle plate in honor of Leonard, but for now the Bouvier will suffice.  Not to mention it's soooo hard to find anything with a bouvier on it so I knew I couldn't let this gem get away! I've found the perfect location for it in our breakfast nook hanging right above where Lucille eats!

After a long stressful week with little sleep, I am dreaming of being back here lounging on this hammock in Costa Rica with a good book and a mojito.

Lily's First Birthday-A Lilly Party for Lily

So I was thrilled to get an invite to my god daughter's first birthday!  Houston here I come!  These are the cutest little invites I have ever seen and how did Lily know that Pink Elephants are our family's favorite decor (My grandfather owed a bar called the pink Elephant in Cleveland Ohio).

The coordinating pinks elephants made me smile! Now it's time to search for the perfect gift for a very special young lady!  I just love traditions and my Christmas tradition is to buy Lily a Lilly ornament every year.  A Lilly Tree for Lily-I just love this idea!  I'm thinking I will stick with the Herend theme for birthday traditions since that what I bought her for her christening.  Any thoughts? Time to start searching for the perfect gift!