Thursday, December 23, 2010

A O-Kay







This post is for Kay. She embodies Altered Couture, and when I need something from her, she is always there, ready to contribute. She's a true visionary. Visit her site: www.kaylimdesign.com to learn more, gift, browse, and support.
So I got to thinking, how lucky and blessed am I? 2010 has been bountiful, beautiful, and I witnessed the unexpected. How great is it when acquaintances forgot resurface and reignite? When friendships extend beyond the realm of memory? When what's meant to be, just falls into place? I think 2010 has been remarkable, and I was reminded that I know remarkable people. Thanks to everyone who offered up an ear, offered up support, and paid a visit here.
You know, I thought recently about quitting my blog. I was finding myself so fulfilled in so many other ways ... but then I thought of the regret, of how I'd miss writing, miss sharing, of how I'd miss a potential opportunity to write something that might mean something to someone. And thats what it's all about. For now Im thinking I'm meant to stick with this, to keep going, to keep typing, to keep sharing into 2011.
I'm going on a vacation that I desperately need. I'll post when I return. Merry Christmas and I'll see you in 2011! Enjoy : )

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Brown Paper Packages





This time of year everyone is familiar with packages tied with strings. And while we all know what our favorite things are, it's nearly impossible for everyone to discern what those things may be.
Case in point: coworkers. You can work with people every day, but you may not have the opportunity to get to know them and their interests outisde of work. That's why I'm especially delighted when I get gifts from my colleagues at Christmas. Amber Demien wrapped up this stationery from Sabrina Ward Harrison (www.sabrinawardharrison.com) and gifted it to each member of the editorial staff. I love how the brown paper wrapping is really a Trader Joe's bag. Tres green. And these pink bobby pins were handmade and given to me by the Editor in Chief herself (www.thedeliberatelife.typepad.com).
It just so happens I love stationery (e-mail does not compare). I love ink on paper, even when it smears a little. And I love bobby pins. I love that I can throw my hair up or down with a simple fastening of a pin. And of course they're pink, my favorite color. Im not sure if either of my colleagues knew that these gifts would be ideal for me, and that's not the point; they both took the time to gift me with something to call my own. And in a sense they rekindled those memories of favorite things, of the happiness found in little things. How many times in the coming year will I scramble to jot a note, to fix my hair? Many, Im sure. And without realizing it, these associates of mine have given me everything I needed. That's the beauty of giving.


Thursday, December 16, 2010

A Chanel Kind of Christmas






So excited to see my friend Susan yesterday (http://www.siciliangypsy.com/). I posted about her, her mom, and their bags not too long ago. While working on putting together a feature for some of our magazines, she gifted me with this bag, which I had admired in their studio. It's called Chanel's Apartment. The fabric is red with settees and chairs fit for Coco patterned throughout. The "No. 5" written on the fabric further conjures up images of Chanel bottles. I cant thank Susan and Maria enough for the bag. It's so dear to my heart.
But there was a catch of course, I had to finish the bag. It was up to me to pick the perfect detail to top it all off. I have quite the brooch and button collection, but when I racked my mind I couldnt think of anything. I went home and went through my jewelry. Wouldnt you know, on Friday my good friend Gigi (www.stuckonheads.blogspot.com) had given me this large brooch she inherited from her husband's family. Guess it was meant to be.
Speaking of Chanel, the Christmas tree above is in Susan's home. Her daughter, Chanel, recently celebrated her 16th birthday. For the festivities Susan broke out all the Chanel bags she had collected and decorated the tree. A Chanel Kind of Christmas indeed.

A Breath of Fresh Air






Wow! So I took an unexpected break from blogging. So unlike me. A lot has been going on, but mostly, work has eaten me alive. For a long time I have been perfectly fine with living and breathing my work, but it wasn't until recently that I realized just how all-consuming it has been. It's nice to to get back to those things that aren't work related. I started this blog because of work, and now I've found that it's more versatile than that. So Im sorry I took a break, but ultimately it has done me some good, it has given me perspective.
I have been so busy running around that I completely forgot to stand in line on Nov. 20 for the debut of Lanvin's collection for H&M. Luckily for me, Alber Elbaz made these really cool sketches, posted pics online, and then auctioned them off with proceeds going to UNICEF. I love the bubbly lines of these clothes, they are so happy, and I love that these works of art were able to benefit others. Visit http://www.lanvinforhm.com/ to see more. I thought this posting would be a nice breath of fresh air - for all of us.