Change Post from The Simply Luxurious Life

I am so lucky to have Shannon from The Simply Luxurious Life guest post again. I've always had to remind myself that change is a blessing and this post is a wonderful example in pictures of how I'm feeling. We're driving a U-haul from San Francisco to Los Angeles today send positives thoughts...will post soon.

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The Charm of Change

Life, our lives, are not stagnant. We are perpetually moving forward, although if we are absentmindedly sitting behind the wheel, we may not be going in a direction that is the best course for the lives of our dreams. The reality and the blessing is that change happens and it is a good thing, but it has to do with how we approach it.

Immediately I know some of you may be shaking your head, but look at it this way, as much as we want to convince ourselves that we are in control of our lives, we really only have control over our actions and reactions. The reality is that we create our reality based on what we believe, what we have experienced and how we think.

Images: (1) teenangel (2) Martha (3) We Heart It

If nothing else, the realization that change will happen should be a reminder to us every day to soak up the goodness, be appreciative, live in the moment, not hold back and live as though tomorrow we will not have the same opportunity. Use the knowledge of change occurring on a regular basis to propel you to achieve your dreams, your goals, your deep-down-desires today – don’t put it off any longer. Allow this acceptance of change to be your great motivator. If not now, when?

Lastly, I would like to extend a tip of the hat to Laura for inviting me to contribute to her blog while she herself is undergoing a bit of an exciting change. Thank you again Laura, it is a true pleasure to be here.

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Thank you sweetie for this lovely post! So tell me would you consider yourself someone that is good with change?

Guest post The Simply Luxurious Life

Hi lovelies. Today I am sitting in my San Francisco apartment which is covered in boxes getting ready for our upcoming move to L.A. My blogging friend Shannon from The Simply Luxurious Life offered to entertain us with her lovely thoughts and pictures with this guest post while I'm working away. Thank you so much Shannon. I can't wait to read more...

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An Ideal Weekend

Although the weekend is not quite here, it is always something to dream about, wish to come quicker or plan as we daydream about at our desks at work or in the car on the drive home or the subway/train ride commute. Last year in Vogue Italia Gisele Bundchen demonstrates the many ways a leisurely ideal weekend could be enjoyed. Have a look . . .

. . . reading . . .

. . . cooking & eating . . .

. . . daydreaming . . .

. . . (I’ll let you use your imagination) . . .

. . . spending time with loyal companions . . .

Images courtesy of Elle Italia source

. . . and ending the day in luxury.

What would your ideal weekend look like?

Retro picnic foodie dreams

Fancy, schmancy with retro picnic dreams is always the way to go. Can you feel the smile stretch onto your face lovelies? Being able to stop during the summer, get family and friends together to eat finger foods in the park makes me look forward to vacation. So come along with me on our blog retro picnic dreams day and don't forget to bring the music...

We start off with changing our picnic to a pale yellow, I mean who said that we always had to have red checkered cloths in the park?

Can you help me tie this adorable retro apron from Boojiboo on Etsy? Even the name Boojiboo is so much fun to say!

The next decision is one of the most important to make...who to invite and lay around on the picnic blanket with? And what if I need help fanning my hair out like this? Who to ask...hmmm who to ask?

In my fantasy picnic invite one of course would go to the incredible Audrey Hepburn. I mean look she's already all ready dressed for our fashion picnic.

Please bring some S'mores and the blog One Lovely Day has this simple Sweets I Heart:S'mores recipe.

For a more vintage look maybe I can make a quick costume change into this vintage apron. To add some color I can add some red flats or turquoise necklace.

Oh our retro picnic was so much fun today. Did I forget to mention that all picnic men will need to wear a non-baseball hat? A girl can dream can't she? So I'm off to find all things pale yellow, grab some aprons, a picnic basket, picture of Audrey Hepburn and make pitcher of lemonade. What can you bring sweetie?

Santa baby, hurry down the chimney tonight..

Wishing you and your family a very happy holidays. No matter how you you celebrate, I hope you enjoy the fire, snuggle close, eat some great food. Try to take a moment to tell someone you love them, all while singing my favorite song, "Santa baby, hurry down the chimney tonight..."

Have you been naughty or nice this year? A little of both...good to hear and me too! I wouldn't have it any other way.

When you wake up Christmas morning to see what Santa left you, I wish you cheer and smiles...

I'll leave this drink under the tree if Santa is watching his weight. He's not, then I'm off to make the most divine oatmeal cookie recipe ever.

For the past two years I've watched the Nutcracker performed by the San Francisco Ballet. It always warms my heart and helps me appreciate the beauty of the holidays. This year, I promise to keep the holiday spirit feeling if you do? Happy Holidays to you! Now hurry down the chimney tonight...

Hot fashion for the cold weather

So this West Coast girl is currently on the East Coast visiting Boston and New Hampshire. Can you help me find hot fashion for the cold weather? Who goes for a couple of days away during snow storms and negative temperatures...this girl! I know I grew up in Toronto, but I swear my blood has changed. How many layers can a girl wear and still look fashionable?

Let me start by wearing this amazing pale blue coat (in my dreams) with the creative sleeves and out of control collar. There is something about this woman that makes me want to ask her, "Where are you going? Who are you looking at? Are you as cold as I am right now?"

Coffee mug Gifts

No matter how cold it is outside, I can imagine myself warming up by this fire. Maybe I'll just lie down on the comfy chair and throw a blanket over me. Can I borrow one of your books?








This incredible shot is of Pier 40 in San Francisco. I just love the lights of the city and the skyline. This picture makes me think of home and smile.

I just love dressing like a snow bunny. Don't you?





I think these fuzzy boots are the perfect hot fashion accessory for the cold weather. How fab is this woman on the subway? If you're out there please email me and tell me where you got these boots. Was it in New York or Boston? I promise to go out and shop right now! What advice would you give this West Coast gal for staying warm...I just love to travel. For more fun, check out this travel around the world post.

Bad sleeping habits

I hope you enjoyed this dream/sleep week on Under the Sheets~shhh. I enjoyed revisiting sleepovers and bedtime stories. A couple of weeks ago, I read a wonderful post on Lillies and Grapes blog. Enjoyed it so much that I tweeted about her post. It made me stop and think about my own bad sleep habits.

Foetus
Those who curl up in the foetus position are described as tough on the outside but sensitive at heart. They may be shy when they first meet somebody, but soon relax. This is the most common sleeping position, adopted by 41% of the 1,000 people who took part in the survey. More than twice as many women as men tend to adopt this position.

As far back as I can remember I've curled myself up into a little ball to fall asleep. My sleep position needs to be just right. Who do I think I am, Goldilocks? When I was recovering from major knee surgery, I had to sleep on my back and I never seemed to rest peacefully. Honestly, I've never been described as tough on the outside, but sensitive at heart. However, I have been told that I'm too nice.

So here is my top ten bad sleeping habits. (Click here to catch up with some other top ten posts).

10) I still enjoy a warm glass of milk to lull me to sleep. How old am I?
9) Our bedroom is a cave, blackout curtains and all.
8) I have been known to wear ear plugs. They fall out in the middle of the night, never to be seen again!
7) I sleep in pajama outfits. Seriously…
6) It takes me forever to find a comfortable position on my pillow.
5) At the end of the day I get in bed and I let out an “Ahhhh!”
4) I need about 7 hours of sleep. (I know this will go out the window as soon as I have kids.)
3) Be aware that I cuddle. If you don’t like it then get out of the way.
2) Some of my dreams are so vivid that I find myself running in bed.
And my number one worst sleeping habit is:
1) I’ve been known to talk in my sleep. My father used to say, “I would make a horrible spy!”

Thanx lovelies I feel so much better for analyzing my own sleep habits. Tonight I'm going to rebel and maybe not use ear plugs. Wow, watch out world. Let me know which sleep number made you groan out loud?

Wishful Wednesday: Bedtime stories

On this Wishful Wednesday, I wish when you go to sleep tonight that you remember to read a bedtime story. Or get someone to read one to you. Then add a glass of warm milk, some Polka dot fuzzy pajamas and sink into a happy dream land.

I love this dream state picture and its a great image to remember while trying to fall asleep.

Doesn't she look like she could be in a glamour Alice in Wonderland with the bright colors?


I use to find ladybugs in the tall grass. Now I sometimes see them in my dreams...

Please come over later and help me move my bed into this peaceful sling. Ahhhhh...

Goodnight Moon was one of my favorite bedtime stories. I used to love being read to. When I work with children, I continue this tradition by reading it to them.

Happy Wishful Wednesday everyone! As I'm a light sleeper, tonight I wish to fall soundly asleep. I promise to write down my dreams if you do. Did you used to enjoy a bedtime story? Don't you wish we still did?