Special moments...

I can't believe my favorite holidays have already come and gone…too quickly.  I would be happy enjoying December for months; just time to simply enjoy each festive moment and snuggle up on the couch watching some of our favorite winter flicks on chilly nights.

One of my favorite memories of this holiday season is when, the Sunday before Christmas, we headed down for our first time to Hollywood Riviera (in Redondo Beach) where the beautiful and quaint little neighborhood comes together to spread holiday cheer for those near and far.  It's truly magical.  I can't believe we had never gone before…it is the holidays at its very best.  Houses strung full of lights, decorations galore (anywhere else they could possibly be considered tacky but somehow it totally works in the Riviera!).  I loved everything…every snowman, every Santa, every tree that was lit up and down the lovely streets…so special.  

We bought hot cocoa from young teenagers who were fundraising, happy as can be (Matt also got a Krispy Cream donut and Cup-o-Noodles!), and we spent hours walking up and down each festive street with home-owners out on their porches, spreading cheer…it was perfection.  A night I will always look back on and smile :)  And I'm pretty sure Ellie loved it as much as Mommy did.

Ellie wanted a closer look!

This little mouse called me her "best friend" last night.  My heart melted.  

Such a wonderful and special Halloween weekend...

Happy Birthday to my sweet baby girl...

My sweet girl is 2 today…going on 13…full of thoughts, opinions, ideas and imagination.  Yesterday, we spent a lovely afternoon baking our special zucchini muffins for today (her favorite).  Elle was such a wonderful helper…she's watched me make them so many times, she jumped right in and put the ingredients together with just a little help from mama.  She was soooo excited about her birthday, we woke up extra early today and started off with a Taylor Swift/Meghan Trainor dance party, followed by opening gifts, enjoying her special birthday muffins and then off on a trip to the local pumpkin patch.  The beginning of a wonderful birthday weekend celebration…

I'm so proud of my little baker!!!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!  

Thank you for choosing me to be your "mammia!"

I love you endlessly.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

DANCE PARTY!!!

Daily practice...

For 21 days, I participated in an online guided meditation with Deepak Chopra, and it was such a wonderful, centering way to start each day.  In effort to remember some of what I've learned, I thought I'd share here…perhaps you, too, will find some of these mantras helpful if you choose to use them.

Deepak says that contentment is the source of true happiness.  He shared that life requires no struggle, fear or resistance; you only need to be.  And to become enlightened, you stop running all the time and you begin to walk…and once you're walking you slow down and stop.  Once you stop, you see who you really are.  

The journey of meditation is a process of relaxing and letting go (and, for most, it takes a lot of practice, but it is well worth the time).  Below are several Sanskrit Mantras that may help take you there.  Choose one, get comfy (sitting on the floor, your couch, upright in your bed), turn on relaxing music if you'd like, close your eyes, breathe slowly and deeply…and silently repeat the mantra, over and over to yourself and let your mind take you away…even as little as 5 minutes a day can provide significant life-changing benefits.  And remember - it's ok if your mind wanders (it will…), but when you realize it, just bring yourself back to your breath and the mantra.  Be patient with yourself.  I usually have to do this almost a dozen times through my 20-min meditations!

Sanskrit Mantra (in bold):
Rabhasa Hum - I am pure delight (my happiness shines everywhere)
Ravaye Hum - I am the light of radiance (my happiness energizes and inspires me)
Karuna Hum - I am compassion (I radiate sympathy and acceptance)
Seva Hum - I am service (my soul expands when I help others)
Prasada Hum - I am devine grace
Shanti Vira - I radiate devine blessings (I am a calming presence)
Purnamindam - I feel fulfilled (I walk in the light of my fulfillment)

In addition, I've also included (below) two 30 minute guided meditations that I have found very helpful during the last few months, as I've continued to explore the power that it has to help heal us, and open us… (thank you Aunt Mary!)

Asking for Nothing and Receiving Everything

Heal Thyself

I hope you enjoy...
xoxo

Happiness is good friends, long beach days, naked sandy babies and casual pizza parties… perfect summer day.

…and more...

I found these pics on my iPad, from a few years ago…apparently my style hasn't evolved much since…but I love that, to me, these interiors are still fresh and not dated…could be in today's design mags, if I didn't know better :)

Cozy kitchen & banquette

Old & new again...

the perfect bathroom.  done.

white. dark.  chandelier.  beautiful.

beautiful blue door!!!!

love this even though it's not necessarily what i would do in my house...eclectic & interesting yet simple

love everything…inspiration for home office

           

More inspiration...

Sweet & happy kitchen - old meets new

Is this for real?!  Amazing laundry room...

Laundry and storage