Adore....

Adore is an Australian home and lifestyle magazine available exclusively online....and I do simply adore the design and inspiration created by designer Loni Parker.  The new February/March issue has just launched and I'm loving all of the eye candy and I'm sure you will too...

I have a fascination with hints of hot pink - maybe because it's Pantone's color of the year?  I'm hoping to add some punches of hot pink to my aqua office in the very near future.

And, what more can I say...black and white graphic typography!  More love!

You're even able to purchase and download past issues....well worth it!  Enjoy the yumminess and have a fabulous weekend!

Dreaming of Stripes...

Everywhere I turn I seem to be drawn to shades of blue and stripes.  Stripes and shades of navy show up each year at this same time as designer's launch their Resort lines, but for some reason this year is different than others for me.  I can't get enough - pair them with a pencil skirt or dark denim and you have a timeless, classic look.

So while I'm dreaming of stripes, and quite frankly maybe it is my longing for warmer weather, I hope you all have a lovely weekend.  I'm off to Dallas for our Stella & Dot Director's Conference where they are calling for snow on Sunday....doesn't look like my longing for warmer weather will happen, but I'll be sure to be sporting a navy stripe here and there!

1.  J.Crew
2.  Ann Taylor Loft
3.  Kate Spade
4.  Tory Burch

New Year, New You

It's a New Year... New You! What are your goals, aspirations, or resolutions as we begin this new year?

For so many of us this is the time of year that we're able to reflect on the past and make our plans for how we're going to balance it all better in the future. For myself I have a renewed energy and excitement for the year to come.

My goals in no particular order for this year are...

to post here on a regular basis while also connecting with so many of you fellow fabulous bloggers - you all inspire me!

Stella & Dot Spring Sneak Peek + ModCloth dress

to empower other women to style their own life as they launch or manage their career as a Stella & Dot Stylist. Stella & Dot has provided me the opportunity to work at home full time, contribute to the family income, and the flexibility to be there for my family. I have high hopes and goals for the year to come and will be working hard with our team to help them meet their dreams as well!

2010 photography

to drastically expand my manual mode skills in photography...aperature, ISO, shutter speed, and so on! I desperately want to feel confident with my skills by the end of 2011!

family + friends

to build and nurture my relationships with God, my family, and dear friends.

Here's to an amazing & fabulous 2011!

I disappeared...

and I'm trying to figure out how to transition back into the blogging world.

October was busy enjoying our amazingly warm weather, the start of our busy Stella & Dot season, Halloween fun, and the beginning of November was here before I could believe it.

On the morning of Friday, November 5th I was sleeping in late when I heard the doorbell ring. I was home alone (an absolute rare occurrence) and my mind instantly began to try and figure out who might be at the door at 9:00 a.m. - UPS, FedEx, Wyatt's neighborhood friends? No, too early. Joe had taken the day off from work, but actually had to head into work to get a couple of things finished up. The kids had the day off from school, but had spent the night at my in-laws because Joe and I had been out late the night before at The Zac Brown Band concert.

The doorbell rang a second time with a bit more determination and by then I was looking out the windows upstairs to see if there was a car - and then I heard the doorknob turning and footsteps in the entryway. My heart was racing and I started to head back to my bedroom to go grab the phone...

My mom was on the landing of the stairs and my heart was relieved at first, but then immediately I knew something was wrong. I headed down the stairs with the help of my mom because my legs weren't working so well and my mind started racing again. Was it Joe? Did he get in an accident on his way home from picking up the kids after work? Was it Dad? Then I saw my Dad at the bottom of the stairs waiting for me. Once I was on solid ground my parents told me the news I had worried I might hear some day.....

My little brother, Jon, had passed away. He lost his battle with addiction - a battle he fought for almost 1/2 of his life.


We spent the day together as a family on my couch with blankets, boxes of tissues, and plenty of chocolate. Joe took care of us all so well - making us soup and grilled cheese and any other food he could prepare as a comfort. We had some visitors - my dear girlfriends whose hearts broke for us and who I will forever be grateful for showing up at my front door and praying with us and our beloved "Aunt Sherry" who came immediately the minute she heard the news.


Five days later my mom shared our loss on her blog and we were so amazed by the outpouring of prayers, support, and comfort from friends, family, fellow bloggers, fellow addicts, and many others.

We celebrated Jon's life on November 20th with a Memorial Service. We celebrated his artistic talents, his sweet soul, his loving heart, and his deep desire to be free from his addiction. The words from the song Amazing Grace by Chris Tomlin couldn't be more true...His chains are gone and he's been set free.


As we begin a new year I'm still dealing with what we lost last year, but I'm so thankful for our family and friends that have supported us and continue to do so through prayer and love. I praise God for His promise (Romans 8:35-39) and am hopeful for the future.

So I'm officially transitioning back into the blogging world and look forward to sharing "our storey" with you in 2011. Happy New Year....