Monday, December 24, 2012

Warm Christmas Wishes


Wishing all of my beautiful readers a very Merry Christmas! I am filled with much love and peace this holiday season. A lot has changed for me in these last few months, and I thank all of you for your love and support. YOU are the best gift I could ask for!

Thursday, December 6, 2012

It's Tradition

Good Morning Friends. December has truly just begun, but the holiday spirit is in full swing for this girl. I always have so many "to-do's" on my list, and I never seem to get around to doing all of them, no matter how good my intentions are.

Don't you have certain holiday events and traditions that you look forward to each year that no matter how many times you do them they instantly bring memories flooding back?

Here are a few of the top MUST DO's for me this year!
{Visiting the Henry Plant museum for the Victorian Christmas Stroll. Beneath towering silver minarets, an extravagantly adorned former Tampa Bay Hotel captures the spirit of the season – Victorian style.  There are 14 exhibit rooms; each dazzling with trimmed trees uniquely designed in 19th century themes and antique holiday accessories.  While strolling down the Grand Hallway, your spirits will soar as you become immersed in carolers singing, Charles Dickens, much loved toys and wrapped gifts, Christmas stockings and Old Saint Nick.}

{Symphony in Lights is a holiday light display at a local outdoor mall. The Shops at Wiregrass is trimmed top to bottom with over 250,000 lights, 47 miles of wire, 2,000 watts of sound, and 10 tons of holiday dècor all dancing in concert to the music of the Trans Siberian Orchestra. Center Court transforms into a Winter Wonderland of snow flurries as crowds are mesmerized by this incredible display of light, sound and snow.}

{I wonder which one of Santa's reindeer this is? Wild Wonderland lights up Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo with seasonal cheer and more than a million twinkling lights. Meet Santa, his reindeer and their feathered friends – the penguin colony.}

{Looking at Christmas lights, even on a palm tree instead of a pine tree just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.}

What is on your holiday "to-do" list this year?




Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Pucker Up!

Unless you're bi-coastal, a perpetual spray-tanner, or just happen to have hit the good-genes jackpot, chances are, in the winter, you're paler than usual. Instead of trying to fight nature, it is best to embrace your look with a strong makeup statement. The answer? Just the right lipstick.

So, I've narrowed down my top hues of the season to four go-to color categories that anyone can pull off. From warm-'n'-toasty neutrals to gothically purple tones, these trends let you pump up the glam and update your cold-weather look without breaking the bank. The best part about showing your lips some fun, colorful love is that it'll even make your all-black puffer coat look chic…well, maybe.

{Above, from left: YSL Gloss Pur in #6 Pure Plum, $23, available at Yves Saint Laurent; Lipstick Queen Chinatown Pencil in Mystery, $20, available at Lipstick Queen; Givenchy Gloss Interdit Ultra-Shiny Color Plumping Effect in Velvet Purple, $26.50, available at Sephora.}
I've been seeing this deep purple color popping up in the office and all over town, and when done right, it can be a total makeup home run. Don't shy away from the dramatic look — it just might be the "new you."

{Above, from left: Vincent Longo Baby Balm With SPF 12 in Positano, $23, available at Beauty Bar; By TerryRouge Terrybly Age Defense Lipstick in Terrybly Nude, $48, available at Beauty Bar; Dr. Hauschka Skin Care Lip Liner in Romantica Soft 3, $19.99, available at Beauty Bar.}
It might feel counter intuitive to go neutral during the winter, but this clean look is really editorial and was favored by tons of designers this past runway season. Plus, it's super easy to pull off!
{Above, from left: Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense in #36, $19, available at Sephora; Chanel Rouge Allure in Kensington, $32.50, available at Chanel; Hourglass Femme Rouge Velvet Creme Lipstick in Fever, $30, available at Sephora.}
If you're wearing a neutral or monochromatic outfit, a hot pink lip gives your look some seriously chic oomph in like... 10 seconds flat. Apply in the a.m. and wear all day, or add it on just before running out of the office, and you're set for the night.

{Above, from left: Iris Apfel for MAC Lipstick in Scarlet Ibis, $14, available at MAC; Sisley Paris Hydrating Long Lasting Lipstick in Golden Copper, $55, available at Beauty Bar; Illamasqua Lipstick Flare, $22, available at Sephora.}
When the weather's got you feeling a little bleh, smearing on a bright red lip can pull you right out of the doldrums. And, with an orange undertone, the shade's given an updated, seasonal perspective that everyone can get into.

Would you try any of these shades? What is your favorite winter lipstick trend for 2012?

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

The Best Gift is YOU

Hello Gorgeous.

Can you believe it is that time of year again? The malls and stores are bustling with shoppers who are desperately searching for the perfect gifts for their loved ones. . .spending hundreds, if not thousands of dollars to only be faced with a mountain of bills come the new year.

This year when I stop to think about my own holiday wish list I was left stumped. . .empty of a material desires. Of course having something to unwrap Christmas morning is any girl's wish (Especially when it has a little sparkle!). However, things are different this year. . .

Remember when you were a little kid, the dark corners of your room seemed really scary? Those spots under your bed, that shadow the door leaves on your floor, that little nook in the wall near your closet – they all seem like great places for monsters and bogey men to hide.

After a lot of sleepless nights, your mom and dad probably caved in and got you a tiny little night light. Now, most night lights are pretty darned small and the light they generate is not really overwhelmingly life-altering, but somehow, it’s enough. We feel like our concerns have been addressed, we feel like someone cares, and hey, that little night light does lighten up those super dark spots a little bit. At least it gets easier to tell that there aren’t monsters hiding in your room, right?

When a person is going through a really hard time, their every day existence can seem like that dark room from your childhood. Every corner seems to have another new obstacle to face. Every shadow seems to be an omen of more bad things ahead. Efforts may be made to open the blinds to let any light in, but the moon isn’t out and it’s pitch black everywhere. It seems for this person like there is no way things can get any lighter, and the people who keep reminding them that morning is just around the corner just don’t seem to "get it."

When you see a friend or a loved one going through times like these, there is one little thing you can do that can be more powerful than any physical gift.

You can give them that night light otherwise known as hope.

Hope is kind of an overused word and it sounds a lot more glamorous, perhaps, than it really is sometimes. Just like night lights, sometimes hope can be delivered in the tiniest of packages, and you may not think it’s enough to make any kind of difference. But there is the actual hope you are giving someone and then there is the fact that you stopped to help. That makes the light shine brighter.

Do you know how one small, "How are you today" text or email can make a person feel like someone, ANYONE, cares? Believe me, to have someone reach out to ask how I AM without the reverse happening first. . .it means everything because it shows I am being thought of and that I matter to someone else.

Hope can come in all kinds of forms. For children who are living on the streets who may not have hope for a better future, hope can be a new home, help with school, and a good breakfast. For a person being bullied all of the time, hope can arrive in the form of a kind and caring word. For a person with economic problems or health problems, new solutions, or even the possibility of new solutions, can be how hope shows itself.

Hope may not be enough to solve a person’s problems. It might not even be enough to make them feel better for very long. But hope has a way, just like a night light, of evening out those extra dark spots so you don’t have to spend energy worrying about those lurking monsters. Offering a person a little light when they are surrounded by the deepest darkest night can be a little reminder that people are out there pulling for them.

Have you gone out of your way to offer someone who seemed to be without hope a little boost? Have you spent some time thinking about ways a person could attack his or her problems? Have you considered one small thing we could do to help someone feel a little lighter and a little more loved? It’s free, and in fact it’s priceless. But oh the value your time and energy will carry for that person grasping in the dark and cowering from monsters.

It’s worth a shot, isn’t it?

Monday, December 3, 2012

Cold Comfort

For the past week I have been fighting an uphill battle against a nasty case of the sniffles! I don't know about you, but I am THE BIGGEST BABY when it comes to getting sick.

My family and friends make fun of me whenever I come down with something. Now don't be too hard on them - I would make fun of me too! I can go through major surgery and keep the biggest smile on my face and never complain. I get a sore throat or the sniffles and I swear I can't handle it.

While there may still be no cure for the not-so-common-cold, what are the things you do to help those you love and yourself feel better? Here are a few things that have helped me through the past couple of days.

My cold fighting tips:
  • Drink lots of fluids. Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water are all good choices. They help replace fluids. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can cause dehydration.
  • Grandma was right. Generations of parents have ladled chicken soup into their sick children’s mouths. Now scientists have put chicken soup to the test, discovering that it does seem to help relieve cold and flu. I actually made my grandma's recipe for homemade chicken soup for the first time this weekend. It was delicious! I don't know if it was truly the chicken soup or my thoughts of her that made me feel almost instantly better. What do you think? Look yummy?
     
  • Go to your room! If possible, stay home from work (I did) if you have a fever or a bad cough, or are drowsy after the medications. This will give you a chance to rest as well as reduce the chances that you’ll infect others. This is definitely a time when sharing is not appreciated!
  • Adjust temperature & humidity. Keep your room warmer, but not overheated. If the air is dry, a cool-mist humidifier or vaporizer can moisten the air and help ease congestion and coughing.
  • Vitamin C. The jury is still out, but it appears taking vitamin C at the onset of a cold may shorten the duration of symptoms. As with all of these tips, check with your doctor.
  • Apply VapoRub. This is my secret go-to treatment when all else fails. Did your mom use it on you, too? It brings back memories of her TLC… and really helps improve my breathing when I'm stuffy.
Now that I have kicked my cold, I am hopeful that I will be good for the rest of the winter (Fingers crossed!) What are some of your cold fighting tips (I need to bulk up my arsenal!)?

Thursday, November 29, 2012

White Trash Candy


I don’t know why this recipe is called “White Trash”.  Maybe it’s because it’s made with white chocolate?  Maybe for some other reason? I have no idea. What I do know is that when I tasted this   salty-sweet treat when I was a child visiting my favorite aunt, I couldn’t pull myself away from the bowl! I know I’m kinda putting the cart before the proverbial horse here by giving you the outcome before the recipe, but this is just THAT good!

So, without further adieu, here it is…

2 cups Chex cereal
2 cups Cheerios toasted oat cereal
2 cups peanuts
2 cups salted pretzel sticks, broken into pieces
2 cups M&M’s
3 (16 ounce) bags white chocolate chips

Mix all of the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Melt the white chocolate chips in the microwave and then pour into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Lay the mixture flat on cookie sheets and refrigerate until hardened. Remove from refrigerator and break the mixture apart.

Is It a Keeper?
Yes!  Si!   Ja!  Tak!  Da!  That would be “YES!” in 5 languages.  Because I thought one language just wasn’t enough.

This trash is addictive! It’s salty. It’s sweet. It’s crunchy. It’s chocolatie. It’s like jacked up Chex Mix…covered in chocolate. It should come with a warning — CAUTION: It is nearly impossible to walk away from this candy. Proceed only if you you possess very strong will power.

What’s your favorite snack mix recipe?

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Boot Camp

Hello Beautiful. With the winter season upon us I am all too excited to break out my boots. Although for this FL girl it might not be cold enough for full length boots just yet; I am loving these options for stylish ankle boots! Whether you want a chic take on a hiking boot, something flat that is a bit edgy, something to show off your girly side or a sexy peep toe, these are all amazing options that are far from your basic black boot.


Jennifer Lopez Platform Ankle Boots - $54.99 






 
Mudd Ankle Boots - $44.97


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Chloé - Studded python ankle boots - $1,750
 
Marc Jacobs - Leather ankle boots - $537




 

 

 

 

 
















Charlotte Olympia - Minerva lace and satin ankle boots - $1,160













Naya Fennel Perforated Leather Ankle Boots - $114.95





Monday, November 26, 2012

Suddenly I See


Hello Gorgeous.

Last week I alluded to the fact that I had to take time away. Time to refresh and focus on me. With each passing day things become clearer and clearer to me.

The things that are important to me.

The things that were harmful or unhealthy in my life.

The people that matter the most and are there for me no matter what.

The truth of the matter is also that some harsh realities were also unveiled. Those people I thought would always would be there, were not. The activities I thought were important, were not. The possessions I thought were important, were not. . .and so on and so forth.

With each new day and new discovery of who I truly am, suddenly I see. Suddenly I see that the most important thing in this life. . .is living it.

I have always been a worrier. I worry what people think of me. I worry what the consiquences of my actions will be. My mind is in constant overdrive.

Now, I'm not saying I am now simply throwing caution to the wind and letting the cards fall as they may. What I'm saying is, I am making a concious effort to LIVE. To take each new day as a chance to grow within myself. To try something I was afraid to try. To not only tell those I care about how much I love them, but to really show them. To stop putting things off until tomorrow when I can make a difference TODAY.

It isn't always easy friends. I look in the mirror sometimes and saying, "I Look Good Today", which used to come so easily, isn't always so anymore. . .but it is getting easier again.

Just remember. We are all going through our own "stuff". We can have the most well put together exterior that you have ever seen, and hiding the greatest hurt one can carry on the inside. I just hope that like me, suddenly you will see all you were meant to be!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

She's My Cherry Pie

Good Morning Gorgeous! Thanksgiving is tomorrow. A day full of family, friends and more food than one person should consume in a day - are you as excited as I am? I recently found this adorably delicious nail art idea that is sure to be the perfect diversion for when your grandmother starts asking if there are any special men in your life.

 

This drool-worthy design is just as scrumptious as its namesake, but without all the calories. You'll need a rich red shade for the "filling," a warm beige for the "crust," and a thin brush for the design work.


Begin by painting your whole nail with your red filling color, then wait for it to dry. Starting in the center, use a thin brush dipped in the beige polish to paint three diagonal lines across your nail. 


Now take your brush and create three more diagonal lines going in the opposite direction. This will create the lattice crust effect.

Careful! These delicious looking digits might have you going back to the dessert table for second (or third!) helpings. 

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Top 5 Practical Autumn Outfits For Stay At Home Moms

When you are a stay at home mom, it can be hard to pay attention to how you look. Crying babies and never ending piles of laundry can get in the way of fashion, and you may realize halfway through the day that you have not looked in a mirror yet or that there are food stains on your clothing.
Luckily, there are a few outfits that are perfect for stay at home moms. The following five fashion ideas blend comfort and practicality with just a little bit of style. If you add a small flash of beauty to your outfit every day, you will look better and feel better, and sometimes taking care of yourself is the best way to be a better mom.

1. Perhaps the most popular outfit for a stay at home mom is a simple pair of jeans, a tee-shirt, and a hooded sweatshirt. This layered look is perfect for the fall months when you may have to face changing temperatures. The tee-shirt is a great tool for highlighting your individuality while the jeans are just right for the dirty tasks that a stay at home mom is likely to face.

2. Another great look for stay at home moms is a skirt over a pair of leggings. With leggings, you can extend the life of your favorite summer skirt. While your skirt is making you feel feminine and beautiful, your leggings will ensure that you are warm, comfortable, and able to move around easily. If you like, you can pair this outfit with a fun apron. An apron is a great way to protect your skirt, and it will give you a fun June Cleaver feeling as you sweep around your home and kitchen.

3. Stay at home moms can easily integrate workout wear into their daily outfits. For instance, they can wear a pair of yoga pants with a cute tee-shirt. Workout clothes can make you feel sporty and powerful, but they are also super comfortable. If you are worried about feeling sloppy, you pair them with something extra stylish like a fun headband or a bit of jewelry. If you are lucky, you may even be inspired to fit in an afternoon workout. 

4. While at home, you may spend most of your time in your socks or slippers, but when it is time to leave the house, you should have a few good pairs of shoes. You do not need to spend a lot of money to have shoes that look fabulous. In fact, most stay at home moms can get by with just two pairs of shoes. Ideally, you should have a pair of sneakers. These are essential for late afternoon hikes with your pre-teens or early morning jogs with your babies. For occasions where you do not need to be sporty, you should have a pair of leather dress boots. Boots are the perfect solution when you need to dress up a pair of jeans, and they look great with your favorite skirt as well.

5. Nursing mothers can wear any of the outfits described above, but they should try to pair everything with a nursing tank top. Nursing tank tops can be bought at most big box stores or maternity shops. These tank tops have a flap at the top that allows the mother to nurse her baby discreetly, and because the mother does not have to lift her shirt up from the bottom, it means that her postpartum roll of baby fat is hidden under the shirt.
About the Guest Author
Agnes Jimenez is a professional blogger and writer. She writes for many online establishments and supports those ones that offer alternative fashion lifestyles to consumers.  She is currently busy guest blogging for McArthurJewelers.com, an online jewelry store that offers authentic jewelry and accessories for hardworking moms.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Finding YOU Again


Hello Lovely. It has been a while and I have missed you so! I know that it must seem like your daily dose of I Look Good Today just disappeared without warning, never to be heard from again. These last few months have been challenging for me, and unfortunately, I had to step away and focus on ME for a bit. I hope now that I'm back, you will check in each day, leaving your amazing comments as we jump back in to all things I Look Good Today.

I'm not ready to fully divulge what has gone on in my absence, but I have learned that sometimes the brightest moments come after the darkest nights. I’ve found time can heal most anything, and you just might find who you’re supposed to be in the process.

Figuring out that I belong in the skin I’m in is better than Christmas morning. Better than buying a new dress and that Gucci purse you've been eyeing in the same day! But it’s sort of scary too. Every time I stretch or take a deep breath I’m afraid a piece of me is going to fall off like something bursting out of a shell. So what? If it falls off then it didn’t belong there anyway, right? It was something I tried to patch on to my psyche, thinking that it belonged there.

What is so important to remember when you face life's challenges is that you need to get to a place where you are free. Free to explore and find, I hope, who you are years after your journey began. Time to pause and reflect and regroup and restore your power. Dive deep into yourself and leave behind what no longer serves your soul. You will be free, but not until you know; not until you find YOU again.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Autumn Hues

Good Morning Lovely. My favorite season has always been autumn. The crispness in the air, the changing of the leaves (Oh how I miss that from living up north - the palm trees in FL don't seem to cooperate!), the festive treats like hot apple cider and the FASHION with its warmer colors and cozy appeal just make my heart swoon.

With autumn truly right around the corner I can't help but get caught up in searching for my fashion and accessory wish list items! These amazing pieces below are from one of my favorite online stores, Ruche.

Are you just as excited as I am for autumn? What are you most looking forward to in the coming season?


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Girl Crush: Anne Hathaway


Women are commonly considered the most attractive when pretty, soft and have a sweet disposition. But there are some women whose sex appeal gets turned up when they take a walk on the dark side and  know how to kick a few asses.

Anne Hathaway’s performance as Catwoman was much better than I had originally expected. She is sultry, mischievous and . . .very flexible. Her creative uses for her metal high heels (Which I'd love a pair of!!!) is enough to get anyone’s blood boiling. I don’t know too many people who wouldn’t like their wrist being held to the wall by her tight-leather covered leg. There is nothing more impressive than seeing Hathaway in a maid’s costume sneak out of Bruce Wayne’s house by back-flipping out of the window. Not only is the audience attracted to the slender feline-looking Hathaway, they envy her. Who wouldn’t want to be able to slide in and out of rich homes stealing a few jewels and disappear into the night? Well, not me, I don't want to steal anything, but you get my point.

She is not just something sexy to look at. When confronted by a gang of rival criminals she is able to fight them off. She tricks her enemies and policemen alike with both physical aggression and mind tricks. Her duplicity was a nice surprise as I had trouble seeing the quirky Mia Thermopolis as the bodysuit-toting criminal. But Hathaway pulled it off remarkably making Catwoman intriguing, sexy and worthy of my girl crushes list!!!



Monday, August 13, 2012

Jamaica Me Crazy


Have you ever went shopping and found yourself scanning the same pieces of merchandise that you have seen time and time again, only to take a second glance and notice something new?

That was the case when I stumbled upon Essie’s “Jamaica Me Crazy” nail polish. I am a sucker for purple hues, and this lovely bottle of polish is jammed packed with purple/magenta goodness.

What I love about “Jamaica Me Crazy” is that it also features shimmering glitter accents and is rich & true to color.

“Jamaica Me Crazy” is my new go-to summer color. What colors have you been sporting on your nails this season?

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

What Suits You?

With the weather nice and steamy this summer, we are all dreaming about those happy days when we can stay off work and spend a few hours lying on the beach or by the pool and thinking about nothing. But before that happens we should think about what to fill our wardrobes with to make the vacation season totally unforgettable. Here are some of my favorite swimwear trends everyone is sticking to this summer:

Swimwear Trend #1: Prints
All kinds of prints will look amazing on swimsuits. But florals, wild and tribal prints as well as geometrical ones are hotter than ever. Python, leopard, stripes, zigzags and kaleidoscopic prints can be great options.




Swimwear Trend #2: Sequins
If you love sparkling clothes you might as much get attracted to shining swimwear pieces which are a hit on the beach this season. Sequins is everywhere, in all colors, complemented with beading, crystals and embroidery.


Swimwear Trend #3: Monotone
Monotone bikinis will always be among favorites with women. During the Summer 2012 season pastel tones, orange and white hues are dominating. Look for pieces with interesting details to avoid looking boring on the beach.


Swimwear Trend #4: Retro
Retro is again in fashion (WHICH I LOVE!!!). While men don’t really find high-wasted bottoms and full-coverage tops very appealing you can wear a retro-inspired bikini or a one-piece suit and feel comfortable in any situation.


Swimwear Trend #5: Ruffles
Ruffles have been everywhere on the runway which explains why there are so many of them in swimsuit fashion. They aren’t bad and look sweet. But stay away from them if you want to look slimmer, especially in the hip area.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

The Best Things in Life . . .Aren't Things

In a world where people seem to think the more things, the more stuff, the more money they possess; the more likely it will be that they will find happiness and contentment - I'm here to say, those people need to WAKE UP and realize what is most important in this life.

I'm not going to sit here and lie to you, my sweet readers, and say that those things don't bring me joy; I love going shopping and filling my wardrobe with wonderfully fashionable new items or my house with beautiful new accents. HOWEVER, I do make a conscious effort to not put so much focus on the material things in my life, and rather set my attention on the many blessings that fill my world each and every day.

I mentioned yesterday that I recently went to Pennsylvania to celebrate my grandmother's 90th birthday. . . NINETIETH! When I stop to think about all my grandmother has lived through, experienced and seen - the first traffic signals, the Great Depression, World War II, FDR's fireside chats, the Civil Rights movement, the advent of television, the first man on the moon, Elvis, The Beatles, the Kennedy assassination, the microwave, mobile phones, the Internet - she would be the first to tell you that the most important things in life, were in fact not THINGS, but rather, family, friends and the experiences she lived through.

Do you ever stop to think of what makes certain events in your life special? OK fine, you got a new car for your 16th birthday. Yes, I'll agree that is pretty memorable. But aside from that, isn't it safe to say that what makes moments in your life so unforgettable are the PEOPLE you share them with?

We sadly live in a world that is consumed with the ME, MYSELF and I mentality. What is going to benefit ME? What is going to land ME a better job? What is going to help ME live in the house I want or drive the car I so desire? 

Don't misunderstand my sentiments. Yes, you go out and GET YOURS! Be the best YOU that you can be! BUT, while you are working on attaining your goals and dreams, don't forget to make it a point to help those around you. Lend a listening ear to a friend. Volunteer your time to help a stranger in need. Give one more hug to your loved ones and never miss the opportunity to tell them how much you love them!





Monday, August 6, 2012

Where Have I Been?

Good Morning Gorgeous. It is so good to see you again!!! I bet you have wondered where I have been this last week and a half? I promise I was not abandoning you.

My grandmother turned 90 last week and of course I was not going to miss partaking in this celebration for anything in the world. So in my absence you would have found me been back in my hometown of Ellwood City, PA.

It was a wonderful trip! I hadn't been home for three years and I'll tell you, it really did my heart some good to be around my family, to visit old haunts that hold special meaning and memories for me and to simply decompress from everyday life.

I hope you are all doing well, enjoying your summer and will share with me what you have been doing while I've been away.

Until tomorrow, here is a little picture preview of some of the highlights of my trip for you :)

{We decided to take the train to PA instead of flying. . .I've never been on a train before. We did it up right and had our own first class sleeper car.}
{On the way from FL to PA we had an 8hr layover in DC where we had the opportunity to visit with my cousin. Hubby and I were excited to see some of the historic sights of the city . . .the Washington Monument.}
{The Capitol in the distance.}
{Dorothy's ruby slippers from the Wizard of Oz in the Smithsonian.}
{My amazing cousin and I in front of the White House. . .sunglasses were mistakenly left at home, so not the best picture of me as I squint to keep my eyes open for the picture.}

{Closer view of the White House.}

{Hubby on the steps of the First Division Memorial.}

{Here is what the top of it looks like.}



 
{My beautiful grandmother and I before leaving for her big 90th bday party. I hope I look as good as she does at 90!}
{Gram with her grandchildren and great grandchildren at her party.}
{Love spending time with my favorite aunt. Later in the week she and I had a fabulous girls lunch just the two of  us.}
{Spending time at Moraine State Park. I may live in the city, but I am still a country girl at heart! It was so peaceful looking at such beautiful scenery!}