Coldplay is Hot

Have I mentioned lately how much I love Coldplay? A few weeks ago I saw them in concert here in Charlotte and it was one of my all time favorite concerts. It was a wonderful show spent with wonderful friends. Towards the end of the performance this is the sight we experienced...

Millions of tiny paper butterflies! Beautiful.

Fascinated

I have had my eye on some fascinators for a while now. I love them, especially this one. It is gorgeous. Found on giantdwarf.

Back to School

Today was the day! The oldest lil' darlin started her second grade year and I still can not believe it. When kids come into your life, it seems to fly by at warp speed. It feels just like yesterday I was in second grade in Mrs. Bullock's class. Hopefully this will be another great school year and maybe, just maybe it won't go by so fast.

Glamourous

Have you seen the latest issue of Glamour magazine? Apparently this photo has garnered tons of positive attention from readers who identify with a model that isn't stick thin. Not only that, but the portrayal of a woman who is comfortable in her own skin, curves and all. My generation, my mom's generation and definitely my daughter's generation is deeply impacted by body image. Some want to look younger, some thinner, and the youth seem to dress far beyond their years. Because the majority of women are so misrepresented by Hollywood and print ads, etc., we are conditioned to think that "they" are the norm. But I think most of us know that the model in this photo is more on target than a size 0 supermodel. Beauty is individual and we are all so different. Thanks Glamour magazine for reminding us.

Counting Down

The ever-so-dreaded end of summer is quickly approaching and around here we are setting our sights on the new school year. The lil' darlins are excited..I am just dreading the awful morning routine that typically includes me repeating myself a zillion times: have you brushed your teeth, put on your shoes, etc. There are times when I finally get them all in the car that my blood pressure is probably teetering at dangerous levels. Oh, the joy!

Yesterday I printed out some fun cards from here. I took a little trip to IKEA and 99 cents later I have a cute little bathroom decoration that hopefully will guide the lil' darlins in their morning routine. It worked with the oldest one this morning, so let's hope it continues. What about you, do you have any helpful hints to make the mornings run a little smoother?

Love it..

I found this girl's blog a while back...I adore her fashion sense and her mom is just as amazing. I swoon over beautiful clothes and especially people that wear them so well.

Daughter: here
Mother: here

My Daddy

I was cooking dinner tonight and simultaneously thinking of a million other things (like most moms do), when all of these thoughts about my dad rushed into my mind. I had already noted on my "To Do" list for the week to brainstorm about blog posts, so it just made sense for me to focus a few of them on my dad. Not to be depressing, but perhaps the stories weighing on my heart are just trying to make their way out. Sometimes, I feel blogging can't be regarded as writing for entertainment, but simple writing for the soul.

Since most of you that read my blog know me, you also know that my father passed away in 2005. I am an only child. He was my main man for the majority of my life. And the same goes for him, I think as soon as I was born, no other girl compared to me. At least, that's how he made me feel. I am reminded everyday how important a father's love is because I have three wonderful girls that are blessed with a fabulous father. It is such a beautiful thing to witness. So, when I see how blessed they are I can't help but think of my own dad and the time we had together. Precious, precious times.

I do not know if it feels the same for everyone, but I still feel that my dad's death is not real. It just seems like he is on a long vacation where he can't accept phone calls and will be returning anyday. He still figures prominently in my everyday thoughts, his physical presence is just lacking. And I miss that; what a void it is. You see, for the last few years of his life, he lived most of the time with us. At times it was hard, but now I see what God had planned and it all makes sense. In the time that he had left, he did not want to be anywhere but with us and for that I am eternally grateful.

Happy Friday!

I discovered Nina Simone when I was a teenager and have loved her ever since. Her voice is so raw and real, it's pure magic. Although she lived most of her life in France, she was born right here in North Carolina. One of the beauties of technology, especially youtube, is that we can experience her performance still today. So, here is one of the lil' darlins favorites, and I hope you have a very happy Friday!

BTW

While I'm sounding off about the "old-fashioned" me, I should go ahead and put this out there as well. Today, I was looking through some e-cards (which is highly ironic for reasons you will understand in a shake). One of the e-cards read:

"I'm hoping for a Facebook application that helps me relearn conversation skills". (found here)

Let me take you back a bit- when I was a kid I spent a lot of time at my grandparents homes. I used to get so excited when a visitor stopped in (unannounced) to, dare I say, "visit". The adults would sit around with a glass of iced tea and simply catch up.

These days, that is almost a foreign concept. If my doorbell rings to an unannounced visitor, they are definitely welcome, but it still feels kind of strange. Only because it hardly ever happens. Cell phone calls, texting, e-mail: they all make surprise visits a rarity.

So, I do worry that future generations will start lacking in one-on-one conversation skills, spelling skills (everything is abbreviated. LOL), math skills (they have a calculator in their pocket), handwriting skills (do some people write anymore). Technology has changed the game.

But, I sit here and write this on my blog due to technology. So, I am not saying it is a bad thing. I love it and its many conveniences. I just don't ever want convenience to take the place of what's real- looking into a friend or family members' eyes and simply talking!

Books, Glorious Books

I have never been the type that easily parts with my books. In fact, I have always wanted a huge library room of books with one of those rolling ladders. I believe it goes beyond the fact that I love to read, but essentially, I love everything about a book. The art on the cover, the feel of turning the page, the smell of a new book, or even the smell of a really old book. I have always found solace in surrounding myself with books, whether it be at home, the library or a good bookstore. Therefore, I haven't embraced the technology of the Kindle or ebooks. Part of me thinks it is really amazing, but a bigger part of me is firmly rooted in the beauty of a good ole' book. I like the fact that someone can visit my house and gain a bit of insight into who I am by looking at my bookshelf. I like to think I'm fairly progressive in a lot of ways, but when it comes to books, I'm as old-fashioned as they come, which is fine by me.

Diggin' It

I am loving this Feist concert poster, found here. Don't you love the colors?