Bow Tied

Maybe it is the ultimate girly girl in me, but I love tops and accessories with bows. Oddly enough my obsession with this fashion trend happened much later in life. I realize bows are considered the ultimate girly accessory, correlated mainly for toddlers and in the pigtails of cheerleaders, but they are just as intriguing to this girl as well.

Below are some pieces worthy of my wish list.



{Embellished Bow Top - $58}



{Old School Ruffled Collar Bow Blouse - $77}



{Antonio Melani Baylee Tie-Detail Blouse - $119}

{Valentino Couture Bow Platform Pump - $745}

{Marc by Marc Jacobs Bow Earrings - $60}

{Lulu Guinness Striped Small Bow Annabelle Bag - $213}

Get Motivated!

Henry Ford once said:

"Any person who uses his skill and imagination to see how much he can do, rather than how little, is bound to succeed."

One might conclude, then, that if all of us are capable of doing more, then success is surely within our grasp!

There’s no doubt that the pace of change in our daily world is unprecedented and keeping us all busy and challenged! But no matter how hard we are presently working, there is always a tremendous amount of unused capacity in each of us. The potential is there.

So the real question becomes: How do we motivate ourselves to put forth our best effort all the time?

For example, a clerk who sets a goal of processing 35 invoices per hour instead of 30 boosts her productivity by over fifteen percent! Not out of the question, is it?

When asked about his genius, Thomas Edison replied:

"I never did anything worthwhile in life, nor did any of my inventions come by accident. They came from setting goals and then working hard to achieve them."

If Edison, with all his genius, had to work hard to achieve his goals, how can the rest of us get ahead by doing anything less? Keep up the good work you’re doing. Don't give up when you hit a road block that makes your day a little challenging. And for the love of love, BELIEVE in yourself and what your capable of. You might just be surprised on how far you will go.

Feelin' Quirky

Have you ever stopped to think of some of the things that truly make you. . .you? A friend and I were talking recently about those little quirks that are distinctly our own and make us who we are (No matter how weird they might be.). I thought it might be fun to share a few of mine with you:

I can't stand using my brush if there is hair stuck in it from when I used it last. I have to pull the hair out first.
I often times will eat cereal separately (a glass of milk with dry cereal) because I don't like soggy cereal.
I break out into random song.
I still sleep with a cute stuffed animal until hubby comes to bed.
Whenever I see a dog taking a walk, I always say, "Lookit him! Isn't he cute" whether it is a boy or girl.

What are some of your quirks?

Bathing Beauty

Good Morning Gorgeous!

After a long day of work or simply when I want to pamper myself, there is nothing better than soaking in a warm bubble bath. To me there is nothing more relaxing than putting on some soft music, lighting a few of my favorite scented candles and enjoying some quiet time.

I've tried a number of bath salts, bath bombs, bubble baths . . . basically any and all bath products I can get my hands on. A girl can never pamper herself enough as far as I'm concerned!

Below are a few of my favorite all natural spa products from Lush.

{Butterball. This vanilla scented bath bomb makes you feel like you are laying back into a cozy white blanket of creamy buttery froth. This little fizzer is the ultimate in comfort with chunks of creamy cocoa butter; it’s fantastic for rehydrating dry skin.}

{The Comforter. This massive slice of vibrant fruitiness gives you the feeling of being enveloped in a warm hug and gently consoled by the friendly fruity aroma of a blackcurrant candy. It was created to bring a real sense of comfort to people, just like a real comforter would. Snuggle in, and stay undercover until you’re ready to face the world once again. Even better, each bar creates two baths of fruity comfort.}

{Floating Island. Escape to your own fragrant island and float away to the scent of vanilla, sandalwood and lemon foam to calm a weary mind and restless body. Now, technically, islands don’t melt, but you’ll be absolutely floating after submerging yourself in the tub with our luxurious, slow-melting, fizzy bath melt. Helen combined creamy cocoa butter with our signature Bath Bomb mixture to create a fizzing bath melt that would melt very slowly in the water, allowing you to lie back and really enjoy the beauty of the experience. Slip away to an island of luxury.}

{Canadian Maple Soap. All sorts of things come to mind when you think of Canada, but maple syrup tops the list. Made with real maple syrup and topped with sugar, it's gentle and soothing and leaves your skin soft and smelling sweet. In fact, it smells so delicious you may be tempted to top your pancakes with it, but I'd recommend it for the bath and shower instead!}

No More Peach's and Cream

Summer is almost here and the trend in makeup - sexy, sizzling and dramatic! No more peach's and cream...

 

Lips are berry stained or sheer glossy orange. Foundation is slightly more matte, saving the cheek area for a bit rosy hues. Eyes are where the drama sets in; yes the trend of the heavier lined eye is sticking around for summer. The shadows that are on trend for this summer are hot, and from sensuous teal to golden metallic, and creamy neutral shades, and smoky grays... all the attention is on the eyes this summer. The cheeks are being played up big time, oh yes blush is so back in a very big way! Choosing a blush should be determined by your skin tone. For the warm toned girls like myself, stick to blushes and bronzers that have a peach tone or light brown tones in them. The secret to using blush is blend, blend and blend again.

What are makeup trend are you most looking forward to for summer?

Friday Flashback

{The gorgeous rose my sweet hubby surprised me with.}

This past week was full of little surprises. My hubby kept telling me we had "errands" to run on Sunday and I had to go with him. He even picked out what I needed to wear for these "errands". Turns out there were no errands at all, but tickets to a Tampa Bay Rays game. Then later in the week I came home from a long day to find a gorgeous pink rose waiting for me. To round off everything, I was asked to be a "celebrity judge" of this year's Project Style fashion challenge in November! I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Wishing all you moms out there a very Happy Mother's Day!


{Hubby surprised me with tickets to a Tampa Bay Rays game. We had SOOOO much fun . . .even though we lost. This is a rare moment that you will EVER see me in a hat. I swear the joke is that I have a mis-shaped head since hats never fit me, but this one did quite nicely.}

{A sweet treat with chocolate fountain goodness to celebrate National Hospital Week.}



{Laughing HYSTERICALLY at the season finale of New Girl. Oh how I wish Jess and Nick would get together already!}



You Can ALWAYS Turn Around

So it's a little after 10pm and I just got off the phone with a dear friend of mine. Without going in to details, she is just at the end of her rope - feeling like at every turn there is another challenge, another obstacle and more chaos that is holding her back and she needs to overcome.

As much as we all might like to at some point in our life of another, nobody can go back and start a new beginning (There is no reset button on life), but anyone can start today and make a new ending.

I'm one of those friends that wants to help fix things. I want to be there for those that I love; to give strength and encouragement - to let whoever it is know that they are not alone in their struggles. But at the end of the day, it is not up to me to take the reigns of someone else's life.

Every person has four endowments - self awareness, conscience, independent will and creative imagination. These give us the ultimate human freedom...the power to choose, to respond, to change.

How many times have you heard, or heck maybe even said,

"I just don't know what to do."

"I can't do this anymore."

"I give up."

You know what, we have ALL been there - and that is OK. The key is to be able to pick up the pieces and move forward. I'm not saying it will happen in the blink of an eye or overnight or will be easy, but eventually in the process you will find your own strength. Through the careful hand-holding of your own spirit, through recognizing, honoring and expressing your feelings, by nurturing your body as the vessel that holds your spirit in the web of life, you will discover that you have, without your consciously knowing it, developed the inner sturdiness from which you can find fulfillment again.

Trust me, I KNOW, it is not easy to live life sometimes and face the world with a smile when you're crying inside. It takes a lot of courage to reach down inside yourself. HOLD ON to that strength that's still there and KNOW that tomorrow is a new day with new possibilities. If you can just hold on long enough to see this through, you'll come out a new person - stronger, with more understanding and with a new pride in yourself from knowing you made it.

Remember, there is no happiness in getting, but only in giving. Reach out. Share. Smile. Hug. Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself.

What I'm Wearing Wednesday

{Button down top from Target, pants from Lerner, earrings gifted, Espirit shoes, Fossil watch}
  

To say that life has been a bit chaotic here would be an understatement. So much of my time seems to be spent in doors in front of the computer, in meetings, on conference calls, etc; when all I really want to do is be outside to enjoy the incredibly beautiful weather we are having.

Thin Mint

One of my favorite cookies is the beloved Girl Scout Thin Mint. The only problem is that these chocolate delights are only available once a year and I hate to admit it, but I can go through a full box of these babies without blinking.

Recently I found a recipe online to make your own thin mint cookies - I could barely contain my excitement!

The best part? It is SUPER easy and the outcome is fabulous!!!


You only need to have two things: Ritz Crackers and a pack of Andes Creme De Menthe Baking Chips.

Directions:

1. Melt the entire bag of Andes mints in a double boiler or shallow saucepan on low heat, stirring continuously. Do not fill pan too high with water. You do not want the water to touch the bottom of the other pan.

2. One (or a few) at a time, dip the crackers into the melted chocolate, using tongs flip them over so all sides are covered.

3. Remove and place on a baking rack. Allow cookies to cool for 30 minutes or until hard.

4. Transfer to a baking sheet or pretty plate and store in the fridge.
So pour yourself a glass of milk, dip and ENJOY!

The Lucky One

Happy Monday Beautiful. I hope you had a fabulous weekend!

I recently went to see the movie The Lucky One. Ever since I saw the previews for it in theaters months ago I knew this was a movie for me (Can't help it, I'm a hopeless romantic!)

Destiny is something you sometimes have to experience to believe… or that is what U.S. Marine Sergeant Logan Thibault (Efron) discovers. From the previews you know that Logan finds a well-loved photograph on the battlefield with the words “keep safe” on the back and a blonde-haired woman by a lighthouse. Seconds later, the place he had just been blows to smithereens and he is knocked unconscious. Told that he was lucky to still be alive, Logan desperately tries to find the owner of the photo but no one knows whose it is or lays claim to it. Instead of leaving it behind, Logan carries it with him through the rest of his tour, even as his friend claims it to be Logan’s lucky charm – the only thing still keeping him alive.

The Lucky One doesn’t pretend to be anything other than a by-the-book romantic movie, which I was completely in the mood for. Logan is everyman rolled into one. In addition to his mesmerizing blue eyes and buffed up body, he is a Marine, a handy man, loves long walks, dogs, can fix almost anything, good with kids, plays the piano, plays chess and loves reading philosophy. . .yes completely swoon-worthy!

For those of you who haven't seen this movie yet, I won't spoil it for you with any more details. I will tell you though, that it has quickly risen to one of my favorites in the romantic movie genre.

Friday Flashback

{A whimsical quote over a bedroom closet.}

Good Morning Gorgeous! How was your week? I just have to say how lucky I am. I have the most amazing hubby and friends in the world who took me out celebrate one last time for my birthday in Orlando. I had the chance to spend some much needed mother/daughter time with my mom on Wednesday evening (I swear my mother is the most incredible woman I have ever known!). This weekend I'm looking forward to having a movie and dinner date with hubby. Wherever you are I hope you had  fabulous week. Enjoy your weekend!




{A relaxing boat ride to dinner at Margaritaville.}



{Enjoying a tropical drink.}



{The beautiful nightscape in Orlando.}



I'm Guilty

Hello Lovely! You know me and my love of perfumes - a girl can NEVER have too many if you ask me.

Quite easily the sexiest fragrance I own and what I think is my signature fragrance - Gucci Guilty.

The bottle itself is substantial and eye-catching with its over sized unmistakable interlocking “G”s creating a window into the fragrance inside.

I love the combination of shimmering mandarin and pink pepper at the top - it’s a very subtle way to foreshadow what else is in store as you reach the middle and bottom notes of this sultry juice. 

This fragrance rounds out very nicely with lilac, geranium, and peach meeting in the middle; then it warms up in a blanket of transparent patchouli and amber that’s more sweet than earthy.  The dry-down results in a fierce sensuality that’s appropriate to indulge in anytime, anywhere.

Guilty is like my alter-ego; Hot Wheels- she’s totally capable of living a dangerously sexy lifestyle but I swear you’d never know it (Shh! Don’t tell!).

Magic Mickey Dust

We've all heard the saying, "Out of the mouth of babes." Those wonderfully, idealistic notions that the world we live in has endless possibilities and anything can be fixed with a little magic.

About a month ago, I had a very special lunch with one of my favorite patients. She is a sweet six-yr-old that has boundless energy, a vivid imagination and pristine innocence. During our time together I told her I had something special for her. Something that she had to be very careful with and always hold close to her heart.

With wide-eyed anticipation and wonder, she held on to my every word. I told her that I had been given magic fairy dust. That any time she was going through a hard time, or was scared, she just needed to hang on to this magic fairy dust and it would help her through.

What you have to understand is that this little girl is where I once was and I see so much of myself in her. She uses a wheelchair to get through life. Unlike me, with the help of braces and a walker she can walk, but she is going to face challenges in her life that are so different from her peers.

Her mom told me recently about a "dance" that her kindergarten class had. She wanted to dance like her classmates and although she could get out of her chair and participate, it wasn't "easy" for her. There was concern if she could even do it. Her mom watched with baited breath as her little girl swayed awkwardly to the music as her partner helped keep her steady on her feet. . .her little girl smiling from ear to ear. She had tackled that challenge and won!

Getting back to the fairy dust. . .as I placed this fairy dust (Mickey Mouse shaped confetti) into her tiny hand, she wrapped her little fingers around it, closing her hand up tight and shut her eyes.

"I'm making a wish."

Now I remember being a child - you NEVER tell your wishes because they won't come true. I waited a few seconds until she opened her eyes. She looked at me with a huge smile on her face and then placed the fairy dust in her bag for safe keeping.

Now fast forward to yesterday. This little sweetie comes in to my office to visit me with her mom between doctor's appointments. She is insistent that her mom leave us alone (We need "our time" together after all.). Once her mom is gone she frantically asked me. . .

"Jamie, do you have any more of that magic mickey dust? I've lost mine and can't find it."

I only had that little bit that I gave her a month ago (I had been given a handful of it the last time my hubby and I went to Disney World and honestly I was trying to get it out of my wallet.) and feared it was all gone. I promised I would check for her. As I looked through my wallet, she says to me. . .

"Even if you only have one."

At that moment, I found just ONE "magic mickey dust" for her. As I pulled it out and handed it to her, the look on her face was of pure innocence - of complete faith and belief that this little piece of "magic" could do everything that I said it could do and she was filled with excitement and hope.

With everything that we face in our day to day lives - the challenges and triumphs, the ups and the downs - wouldn't it be nice to have a little magic mickey dust of our own that could help us through?

It's the Small Things

We live in a world where it is so simple to get caught up in the glitz and glamour of "bigger is better." Of judging our success, our happiness, our very well being on our material possessions, our social status and how much money is in our bank account.

What people need to realize is that life is short. We get one chance to embrace true happiness in our life, to be a source of happiness in someone elses, and none of those things are going to fulfill you in a way that will sustain you.

I'm not saying that I am not guilty of wanting more; of continually striving to have a better life, but it is SO IMPORTANT to me to enjoy the little things in life that make the journey so special because THAT my friends is what will get you through the stressful days. THAT is what helps you through obstacles you will face. And THAT is what you will remember years down the line. Those small things that made a difference to you and those things that you did that made a difference to someone else.

If we just take the time to notice and acknowledge small gifts of beauty and acts of kindness that come from a place that the superficial has yet to find, can you just imagine, even for a second, how fulfilling that can be in your life? Taking even just ten seconds to really appreciate the people and things that come into your life on a regular basis can go a long way towards making you a happier person.

Do you know what I find happiness in each and every day?

Talking with friends and family, even if it is a quick text to say hello. But it is the simple fact that we are thinking of each other in our busy day.

A kiss from my hubby and hearing him say I love you.

Enjoying a drink with friends and chatting for hours about. . .nothing.

A beautiful sunset and the calm as the sun dips below the horizon.

Putting a smile on someones face, whether I know them or not. . .maybe I did something that will make their day brighter.

The mindset that something great and wonderful has to happen before we can be happy is a myth. If you believe that winning a prize or buying yourself that great item that you've been wanting so long is going to make you happy, you're absolutely right. It will make you happy...for about two hours. Then you'll be looking for something else to bring on that sort of joy.

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were actually the big things.