My New Life

I stumbled across this fantastic woman's blog recently http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/
and I was just in complete awe...
She has 4 beautiful children and I just recently read that she would love another! (me too!) 
A little bit ago, her and her husband, "Mr. Neilson" as she calls him, were in a near fatal plane crash, which left her with burns on over 80% of her body...
her story, love of her family and her strong belief in God
just inspire me...

I wish her all the best and congratulate her on her amazing strength...

Take a look... 

Wedding...redo...

Friday night...drinking wine with my hubby...

which prompts me to try on my wedding dress from 7 years ago...

which turns into a photo shoot...(with our really bad camera and my unwashed hair)...

which turns into SOOO much fun...

a lot of laughs...lame pictures...& {well, a couple decent ones}...!

I never let anyone look at my original wedding pics (except my nearest and dearest)...

mainly because our photographer really really SUCKED...bad poses...bad places to pose by...

coupled with her really bad attitude... = really bad pictures...

So, I decided that these (along with a few others) will become my new wedding pictures!

So...

Congratulations to Craig and Tara on their wedding...;)

dorks...

but, happy, in love, dorks! 

Ideas...

So...I actually found this "hamper" last year while shopping with one of my girlfriends...

& while Pottery Barn has it listed for almost $100...I got mine for about $20!

Currently, I have my son's large blocks in them upstairs in the playroom

(ya, I know...kind of a waste)...

but, I can't seem to find another use for it. 

Pottery Barn uses it as a hamper, but believe me, I can't imagine using this for a hamper...

it collapses...and it's wire!

Now...if I had one of those really beautiful laundry rooms...

you know, the bright, airy ones on the first floor...with TONS of windows...and it's always sunny...

the one that has the fabulous new washer and dryer...

& stacks of gorgeous baskets and bins filled with organic products...!

then...I would use it!

 

But, I still think although really cool and vintage looking...not at all practical for laundry.

I keep randomly bringing it downstairs and throwing things in it...

My records...magazines...blankets (I don't have enough pretty ones or this might work)

Any ideas........???????????????

Loving my...

Lip Butter

It's THE BEST!
Perfect color...it's this beautiful shade of red...but with the slightest hint of a pinky/mauve
It's sheer...and light...and moisturizing...and stays on EXTREMELY well without caking AT ALL!
LOVE IT! 

What it is:

A buttery balm that melts onto the lips and cheeks for a pretty touch of color.

What it is formulated to do:

Korres Lip Butter gives lips a lovely, shiny finish and offers a natural flush when applied to the apples of the cheeks. Its shea-butter infusion conditions and heals lips and provides a softening touch to the skin.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:

- Parabens (all)

- Sulfates (all)

- Synthetic Fragrances (Guava, Wild Rose, Quince, Pomegranate)

- Synthetic Dyes (Wild Rose, Quince, Pomegranate)

- Petro-Chemicals (all)

- GMO (all)

Wild Rose

(Sheer Deep Red)

Description taken from:  http://www.sephora.com

In love...maybe?

HOLY MOLY!!!!

I am in LOVE with this idea for an inexpensive, but extremely impressive fix for my hardwood floors!

GENIUS!

I am soooooooooooo going to do this in my dining room!

In case you don't know...might have forgotten...or even just plain don't really care...

I am redoing (desperately trying to focus on one room) my dining room...

Currently, there is light hardwood in there and the rug I have I really don't like...

way to flowery...

I wanted something simple, but with impact!

& it has to be cheap... (my husband wants to shoot me as it stands now...)

I believe I have found my fix!!!! 

Or...

am I completely crazy that I want to paint my hardwood???????????

I suppose that even if we did sell our home, we are (as of today) only going to get about $100,000 LESS for our house...so who cares, right!

I should just use this one for a "try it out and see how I like it home" 

huh?

anyone...anyone ;) 

Do any of you have ideas for cheap, but stunningly beautiful change in floors...?

Thoughts?...

A little reminder...

Children Learn What They Live

If a child lives with criticism,

He learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility,

He learns to fight.

If a child lives with ridicule,

He learns to be shy.

If a child lives with shame,

He learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with tolerance,

He learns to be patient.

If a child lives with encouragement,

He learns confidence.

If a child lives with praise,

He learns to appreciate.

If a child lives with fairness,

He learns justice.

If a child lives with security,

He learns to have faith.

If a child lives with approval,

He learns to like himself.

If a child lives with acceptance and friendship,

He learns to find love in the world.

1972. Dorothy Law Nolte

One of my very favorite poems...moves me every time.

   

I need reminders sometimes...

I clean my house, watch TV, surf the net, make food, and talk on the phone...
sometimes I do these things and forget that I brought this beautiful child into the world and I am the person responsible for showing him what life is all about...

I want him to explore nature...to see the beauty in little things...to shut off the TV...to play more games...
to have a huge imagination...that it is a good thing to not always get his way...to have responsibility...to show kindness to others...to laugh more...to be good...

& believe me...he is a good little boy...kind, generous, loving, smart, empathetic, & a great listener

I think we are doing a pretty good job...:)
It's kind of amazing how much they teach you too...he is sooo smart...& so good.
He teaches me everyday...
I am a blessed woman.

But, I need to remember to slow down...to make more time...for just him...
because in an instant. time will pass me by. 

 

Reservation for two please...

Toasted Oak

Grill & Market

"With an imaginative menu created by Michigan native, Chef Steven Grostick, Toasted Oak Grill & Market serves delicious American brasserie cuisine with an emphasis on all things local. Featuring a fresh market and wine shop that spills into an inviting and cozy dining room, Toasted Oak Grill & Market is a celebration of Michigan food & wine!"

"Toasted Oak Grill features a regional menu with a focus on fresh & original ingredients. Dishes embrace the flavors of the countryside with daily fish & meat specials, earthy ingredients, delicious appetizers & salads. Lunch & Dinner selections include sandwiches, grilled pizzas, salads & more."

 

  I cannot WAIT to try this place out!
My husband and I had reservations for our anniversary...
but sadly, my sister in laws son got sick, so no dinner for us. 
But, we WILL make it there!!!

If you are in Michigan friends...& love to try out new places...this is the place!

I have heard sooo many great things about it and they menu looks absolutely TO DIE FOR!!!

Market Cheese Board :: chef’s selection, seasonal compotes, crackers, baguette

Market Charcuterie Plate :: chef’s selection, pickled vegetables, mustard, baguette toast

Mussels Catalogne :: spicy tomato, bacon, maytag blue, piment d’esplette

Steak Frites :: grilled creekstone farms bistro tender, shallot butter, red wine sauce, frites

don't know about you, but this is making my mouth water!
& how about the fact that there is a market & wine shop right inside the restaurant?! 
Find a dish or a wine that you loved...
it's right there!

mmmmm....a little slice of heaven is what this place reminds me of!

What about the rest of you?
What are your favorite restaurants to visit?
Do you have a favorite dish?

I am ALWAYS a sucker for a fresh cheese, meat, & baguette platter...
my absolute FAV!!

Paired with a great glass of red wine...
perfect!

Toasted Oak 27790 Novi Road Novi, Michigan 248.277.6000
http://www.toastedoak.com/