Hello Monday, Hello Gratitude

I love Mondays

and

 the  feeling of a fresh start of a new week! 

I especially love starting my Monday's with 

A Gratitude List.

I think so much of the quality of our life

is about where we put our attention.

I want to tuck all of the good into my heart

so I can always have it.

 I intentionally practice 

Gratitude 

every day.

Some days I'm better at it than others

so making a post about

Gratitude

really helps solidify the emotion.

It's reflecting and acknowledging the 

beautiful moments in life!

I am so very grateful every time I have the opportunity 

to spend time with my grand children.

The deep, deep

 down in my heart 

Gratitude

at even being on the planet at the same time they are.

I never thought  I would feel this deeply about 

grand children.

I had heard the talk

always believing I would never feel so taken away with them.

Boy was I wrong.

It feels like pure magic.

It is bearing witness to all that is good and pure in life.

It's the unfolding of little miracles every day.

Being able to spend time with your own children 

and

their children

is just so Amazing.

I hope I never take a moment for granted.

On a work note

I am grateful to have styled a backdrop for some 

new Wear posts

as I try to move into videos.

Wish me luck!

I am doing this in one of my closet rooms

where I also do my yoga.

I am grateful that my studio continues to improve.

I have been working on some more form and function

in my space.

I designed a new cabinet to keep my orders all beautifully organized!

Jeff took my idea and made it a reality!

A teamwork process we have been doing for ages

and 

one that I am so thankful for always!

I am very grateful for gorgeous orders that continue to go out

including one currently on the way to the UK!

I am very Grateful for our 

Family Thanksgiving this year.

I am pulling together some of my favorite 

Thanksgiving Styling 

ideas I've used over the years

for a post this week.

I should have it up by Wednesday

so pop back by if you're looking for new ideas!

Until then here are a couple more of my personal favorirtes

that I've done!

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life

Hello Monday ... Hello Gratitude

 I am such a big believer in

Gratitude

Over the years it has helped transform 

my outlook on life.

I practice gratitude daily.

I write my goals for the day

and 

then make my 

Gratitude list.

Some days I can feel the Gratitude deeply

some days it feels a little further removed.

But on those days when it feels like it's escaping my heart

I still write my list because 

the practice of

Intentional Gratitude

works best with consistency.

The more effort I put into finding the magic in my life

the more magic there is in my life.

At night when I have trouble sleeping

I go through my day

and 

make note of all of the magical moments

and 

what I did well that day.

Trust me

it's a much better way to prepare for sleep than entertaining 

every fear and worry.

For me sometimes it feels like such   a mentally vulnerable state

laying in bed waiting for sleep

I have learned to train my focus on 

Gratitude

and

 Prayer.

This past week has been filled with much 

gratitude.

From huge gratitudes

for my son and his family selling their Texas house

to move back locally.

Talk about answered prayers.

I am exceedingly grateful 

Jeff and I got to see our grandchildren

while they were out here visiting SoCal this week.

I am also grateful Jeff and I got to go down to San Diego 

to help our darling daughter set up for a popup at 

You and Your's

Working on projects with her and her husband always fills my heart so full!

I got to meet up with a sweet Instagram follower

who was visiting in San Diego from Philadelphia 

That always warms my heart!

Instagram is such a wonderful community!

Jeff an I were in the area of one of my Mother's favorite restaurants

the Bali Hai on Shelter Island.

Since it was her birthday

we decided to stop for a tribute cocktail.

I can't believe it's been 5 years since she died.

We had a beautiful young waitress

who my heart was telling me needed some encouragement.

I sometimes get those intuitive feelings.

It often is a whole back and forth in my own head

to try to resist saying anything

especially because she was the kind of beautiful

that you wouldn't think needed reminding.

But if I feel it strongly my heart overrides my head.

When she came back to bring us the check

I told her I hope she knows how truly beautiful she is.

She took the compliment with a look of surprise and then 

some happiness crossed her face

and

 a glow from within seemed to rise up.

I thought it was a lovely moment and was happy that I had given

 her a kind and loving compliment.

We were preparing to leave

when she came back to say 

how much she  appreciated the compliment

and 

had really needed to hear that today

and 

then she began to cry.

I hugged the beautiful young waitress

telling her sometimes life can be hard on us all

but to always remember her own beauty and worth which brought

even harder tears.

I gave her a harder hug.

I will never no why this beautiful young women 

needed that encouragement

or 

why my heart was so touched to make sure she heard it

but that my friends

is a moment that touched My Heart.

We just never know what people are going through.

Or how the words of a stranger can be impactful.

But trust me they really can.

I've been on both sides of that scenario

And kind words really do matter.

I remember in I was in high school when it happened to me for the first time.

It was a simple hello form someone I admired (a lot)

It was just a kind and respectful hello  

during a time I  felt neither of about  myself.

The simple hello felt like a bolt of lightening of hope

I knew then and there

someday I wanted to be able  make people feel the same.

To reflect back others own goodness and light.

Isn't it ironic how our lives can be influenced by  such small moments

that are etched in our soul forever.

I bet Bo will never know how a simple hello could have such a profound and lasting impression.

So I leave you with this message.

If you have the opportunity to even smile and say hello. to a stranger

Do it!

You really don't know who really needs the boost of simple kindness.

But I do know we all do at one time or another.

So I for one will always 

go out of my way to be kind.

Because I have really needed it so many times in my own life.

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy 

as you style your life

January Recap ... A Gratitude Post

 

These days seem to speed by so fast.

So this month I decided to take the time 

to reflect on all of the good in my month.

Intentional Gratitude

has been on the top of my list this year.

This  month begins my third year of making

Gratitude Lists

I can't tell you how 

Life Changing

my lists have been to me.

As much as I love my lists

they have felt like  a bit task

Something on my list to do

because I have been doing them so long.

So I  know I need  to go deeper

and 

really feel my 

Gratitude.

To truly take the time

 to fill up my heart

with Gratitude.

In  a sort of meditative way.

Focusing on

the joy and beauty in my days.

Pressing into my heart

even all of the micro moments of wonder and joy.

Holding it there long enough to make it a memory.

I know at this time in my life

I am closer to the exit

then the entrance of life.

I have spent so much of my life

distracted by  the business 

of to do lists

in my attempt

to prove worthiness to myself 

that sometimes 

I fear I may have missed so much magic along the way.

So now I am on the look out for all of the magic in life!

The big moments and the small!

I am not saying 

that by any means do I not have goals and aspirations 

I absolutely do.

But I want to find the balance 

of doing

and 

just being.

Being truly present in the good  moments

whatever they are.

Taking the time to

Savor and enjoy.

No more living in the 

someday

everything will be in its  place.

No longer trying to prove my worth to myself

through what I accomplish.

Instead making the decision

to see myself with loving eyes

and 

knowing the safety and relief

that comes with that simple

mindset change.

Which gives me so much more opportunity

to love on others!

Speaking of others

our grandson turned one this month!

And his sweet, creative and talented momma

did the cutest party 

to celebrate!

Talk about adorable life moments!!

I am forever grateful to live where we do.

We have so many opportunities

to get out in nature everyday!

Whether hiking trails, walking cute towns

or 

kayaking in the ocean

getting out in nature always 

renews my soul!

I have always worked out

but now at approaching 64 in a couple of months

( I only mention the number

because I am trying to get used to it! )

it is So Much more important!

Movement seems to be one of the keys

to longevity and happiness

in this phase of life

so I am all in

when it come to actively pursuing 

physical fitness and good nutrition!

One of my favorite days is January

is always celebrating

 my darling daughter Ellis's Birthday!

This year we got to go shopping and lunch

just the two of us!

I definitely savored every moment!

We had lunch at the stunning

Javier's in La Jolla

Afterwards the four of us 

had dinner at a new spot in La Jolla!

Marisi

a charming Italian restaurant

in a historic building with a beautiful patio

for the most lovely alfresco dining!

I couldn't be prouder of 

the wonderful young woman she has become.

The gratitude and love I have for my girl

is beyond measure!

These two fill my heart to be sure.

It's such a wonderful feeling 

as a parent 

to see your children

truly thrive all on their own!

Life Moments that I cherish every single day!

Speaking of life moments

Jeff and I had the honor of attending

the wedding of one of my dear friend's daughter!

We stayed the night in the new

Inn at the Mission 

in San Juan Capistrano

and

I was so impressed with our stay!

The occasion was a perfect opportunity

to dress up

(which you know I love)

I wore my 

beautiful Monique Le Huillier lace dress

with my fabulous new coat

which was an amazing vintage find last month

at the mazing 

Current Affair 

vintage show in Los Angeles.

Their next show is May 13th and 14th

and

it's definitely in my calendar to attend!

It really is a collection fo the best of the best

when it comes to fabulous vintage!

The Inn at the Mission

which is part of Marriott's

Autograph Collection

really speaks to the Spanish history of the area

as well as 

maximizing the Southern California weather opportunities!

I finished my outfit with my 

Pearl Headband designs.

I love how the pearls play so nicely 

with the French black lace and coat textures!

The wedding was so beautiful!

I was moved to tears during the entire procession in!

To see families come together

all the generations

and

the uniting to two people in love

and 

the promises of a new life together 

had me crying more than I could have ever  expected!

Thank goodness my wonderful husband had 

a silk pocket square that he shared with true chivalry!

The privilege to celebrate

Life Moments

with friends

you've literally been together since our kids were in kindergarten

filled my heart to the brim with

Gratitude!

So much of my month

has been about  slowing down daily

to really assimilate 

all the good in my life.

From the simple morning rituals of

Coffee and my Gratitude lists

To the privilege and opportunity to

Celebrate Life Moments

with 

family and friends ...

To getting out each day in nature making

  Self Care

in the form of 

physical activity and heathy nutrition

a priority.

I truly 

believe the quickest way 

to improve our life

is to 

Be Grateful 

for everything we have

right now

and that

We get more of what we think of most.

Trust me 

I have spent so much time on the other side.

The practice of

Intentional Gratitude

can definitely be 

life changing!

What are you grateful for this month? 

I'd love to hear!

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life

Spring/Summer Reflections ... What I Wore

As we transition to fall here in Southern California

I thought I would pull my favorite looks from 

 Spring/Summer.

I always appreciate taking the time 

to reflect on

my favorite outfits and moments

and

tuck them into my heart 

to remind my self 

on the days I need it most

That I have 

a Beautiful Life.

Because it's too easy to get lost life's  

day to day trials and tribulations.

The older I get

the more I realize

the importance of 

Gratitude

and 

focusing on all. the beauty 

there is to be found in a day.

Both great and small.

We all need to compile 

our own forms of highlight reels

to remind us

that life can be 

Grand!

 

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life