Royal Status

" Sometimes you just have to let your SPARKLE out."- Geraldine

I was lucky enough to have my best buddy attend my Birthday party this past weekend and she might have given me one of my favorites gifts! Have you read it...

Its Julie Andrew's Children's book with a red-headed heroine named Geraldine who lives each day as if she is a fairy princess. I just can't wait to share this gem with my new found friends at school.

Sometimes we all feel like we have royal status, right?

(My Buddy and Me)

Gonna Party Like its MY Birthday

Thats right...today I am a year older...26 years!

I had a wonderful weekend filled with great family, friends, fellowship and the best SUGAR cupcake!

(not to mention the festive decor and to top it off a birthday tiara)

Thanks to my family for spoiling me!

Celebrate Good Times!

The fam and I are off for the weekend to do some big time celebrating. In my family birthdays don't just come and go on one day, luckily they last a week!

Cheers to my 26th being a great year!

Special Giveaway

Head on over to The Company She Keeps for a special giveaway from Sissy's Paintings! She is a dear dear friend who probably is more excited about my little endeavor than I am! She has style oozing out and writes the best blog out there!
Thanks again sweet BLC for all of your friendship and support!

A "Field Guide to a Charmed Life"

I am swooning over this fabulous new online mag...Matchbook Magazine!
Head on over to check out their very first edition just out!

A word from Lola...

What could be worse on this rainy Tuesday than Mommy giving me a bath...woof...trying to get warm...woof woof...

Thought for the Day

image courtesy of Table Tonic

Paintings by Sissy

Check out what I do in my spare time...

It started out as just something I gave my family as gifts (being that I am a poor graduate student)...but it comes that other people besides my family ,who have no choice but to compliment me, think that they are actually good! So I am starting to commission my paintings...I guess I have a new little business entitled "Sissy".
(A little background behind the name...well my baby cousin who is now not a baby and is 16 has always called me Sissy because she is an only child and we might as well be sisters because I love her like a sister. One thing led to another and eventually the name stuck and my real sister, Elizabeth, calls me Sissy too. I guess its a nickname between the girls in my family.)
You too can have your very own Sissy painting! Just shoot me an email at janemarie304@gmail.com and we can get a color scheme together for you!

Also Love it and Like it on Facebook by Clicking the Like Button to the Left.

DIY Valentine's Centerpiece

Just call me Martha...if you are like me, you LOVE Valentine's Day not because of all the mushy gushy hoopla but because everything is PINK! Whether having a romantic dinner for you and that special someone or even better with a group of good friends, nothing beats fresh tulips and festive conversation hearts!

Contentment

con-tent-ment:

1. the state of being contented; satisfaction; ease of mind

2. something that contents

Another more realistic definition of contentment states:

"Something no one will really ever truly achieve. No matter how much they hold it in their palms it will eventually slip through the cracks at the slightest feeling of uncertainty. While partial contentment can be sustained for a brief time frame, it is not an enduring sentiment."

As I sat in bible study this morning, I realized wow...will I ever be content?

Is anything ever good enough?

Will I ever be satisfied, content, just plain happy with life?

Rick Warren says that contentment means my happiness is not dependent upon circumstances. Most people get caught in "when" thinking- "when I get such and such, then I'll be happy." "When I get this skinny...When I meet the right man...When I have this many clothes...When I have this type of car...then I'll be happy."

God says...."No, once you get there, you'll always want something else. You'll always want more."

So how do we learn to be content? The million dollar answer is to STOP COMPARING. God says it's stupid to compare yourself to others. We're constantly comparing and comparing causes DISCONTENTMENT. And because of discontent God says, "You can't handle what I want to give you because you're putting too much priority on things in your life. He wants us to come to Him and ask when we have a need and learn to be content, that our happiness isn't dependent on how much or how little we've got. If you don't learn contentment, you'll never be happy.

You'll always want more...

"All excess is rooted in emptiness. The world's claim of happiness is betrayed by an ever-increasing lust for more. Nothing ever suffices. Nothing ever will.

Christ alone satisfies the ailing human soul."- Beth Moore

Barbie Girl

Yes that's right, I am not ashamed to admit I am in fact a Barbie girl. From the vintage striped one-piece to the hot pink dream house, I have been obsessed with all things Barbie since I was a little girl. My closet didn't hold clothes as a child, but chests full of all of my barbie accessories and paraphernalia. Hours were spent picking the right outfit for Barbie and her friends Midge and Skipper.
Santa was oh so clever when he picked up this gem for me this year...

I also can't be but just a little in awe of Jonathan Adler's Barbie Malibu Dream House. I know I know...its a bit over the top, but come on who doesn't silver leather poufs?

So tell me whats your favorite childhood obsession...

Hitting the Books

Excuse my tardiness the next few days as I prepare for my Praxis II (test all teachers have to take before becoming certified) exam on Saturday morning...I feel a bit like this at the moment...

One Meaningful Moment

"Today is unique! It has never occurred before, and it will never be repeated. At midnight it will end, quietly, suddenly, totally. Forever. But the hours between now and then are opportunities with eternal possibilities." -Charles R. Windoll

God has reserved momentous victories and great rewards for us. But we will never make it to our milestones if we can't make it through our moments.

Baby Newman

This Christmas our family received the best present ever...my sister and brother-in-law are having a baby! I am beyond estatic to become an Aunt and can't wait to spoil the lil bambino (Baby Newman's nickname) rotten! Baby Newman is already 2 1/2 inches long!

Lonnymag

Hurry hurry hurry...on over to view the January/February issue of Lonny Magazine!!!!

Let me just tell you there is a big surprise in store for you once you flip through the pages...hint hint...she lives a colorful life! Enjoy!

Snow Day!

Where's my ball???!!!!

Have fun in the snow today!

Definition of a Mimi

mimi (n., adj.): unconditional love, quirky nature, devout Christian, delectable homemade biscuits, a true southern lady, gracious in all aspects, puts betty crocker to shame, beautiful, unstoppable faith, and love for her family.

Happy 85th Birthday Mimi!

Beat those Winter Blues

Pack your bags and lets take a trip...

Its about this time each year when I want to go deep into my closet and pull out a colorful shift, big floppy hat, and a my flip flops and head to the beach with a good summer read. Unfortunately...winter has just begun. I wanted to highlight this beach house that my sister designed this past fall in St. Kitts (because I am such a slacker blogger...better late than never!) It screams "Escape to me"! Its comfy while being modern and chic all at the same time. Oh how talented my sissy is.... Enjoy!

The Hidden Face on the Cup

If you are like me when you leave the Starbuck's counter, you are too focused on the deliciousness inside of the cup to notice what is on the outside. Apparently there is true meaning in that logo and she has a name...The Siren.

So who is "The Siren....Let’s go all the way back to 1971, to when Starbucks was first coming to be. In a search for a way to capture the seafaring history of coffee and Seattle’s strong seaport roots, there was a lot of poring over old marine books going on. Suddenly, there she was: a 16th century Norse woodcut of a twin-tailed mermaid, or Siren. There was something about her – a seductive mystery mixed with a nautical theme that was exactly what the founders were looking for. A logo was designed around her, and our long relationship with the Siren began."
-Steven M., senior writer
So what do you think of the new logo for your cup that gets the day started?!?!