By Invitation Only.....Springs rebirth

Hi there! So happy to be here for our monthly "By Invitation only" post where a very special group of bloggers get together to present our  interpretation on a mutually agreed upon theme for a particular month. This month its all about spring, a new season, new beginnings and a  reawakening.  What does spring mean to us? Well to me, its a time of rebirth, a time of renewal, a time to open the windows both literally and figuratively. The warm air is knocking on our door, the blooms are bursting and everything feels new again..........
When I think of spring my mind branches off in so many directions, I think of new beginnings, a beautiful season brimming with hope, bright skies, flowers in bloom everywhere you look, watching winters bare limbs come to life with lush green leaves, new life taking shape. Spring is such a beautiful season....it is impossible to contain it to just a few ways. So to try to capture my thoughts I decided to do an "ABC's" on what spring is to me, without further adieu here we go.....

                                      A is for  April showers

 B is for Bunnies, especially cute ones that fit into darling little tea cups for two!

              C is for cool,crisp flawless skies

D is for daffodils...gotta love their vivid yellow colors and perky blooms, they are like the poster child of spring!

E is for Easter eggs, what is spring without them!

                    F is for forsythia and their explosive     color             

G is for gardening because if you ever want to feel like a green thumb, this is the time!

H is for hydrangea, another one of my most favorite flowers, of all time....love love love them for their heavenly blooms as much as I do for their staying power

I is for investing in a few wonderful new pieces of springs finery in bright fun colors!

J is for Jasmine whose intoxciating scent reeks of spring!

K is for knowing when to take a break just because you deserve it!

L is for lillies, one of springs many beautiful flowers

M is for misty mornings, I cherish my morning walks with Teddy, my faithful walking companion and there is nothing as beautiful as a misty morning in the spring

N is for the nests resting in the trees ready to bring new life in a new season

O is for orchids because lets face it they are spectacular during any season!

P is for Parties....spring is a perfect time to throw a party. Even a small get together for friends or family

.

Q is for quiet, I love the quiet and  peace that spring brings, when things stand still a little longer

R is for rabbits....it is their season afterall!

S is for sunshine, does it shine any brighter than during spring?

T is for  Tulips....gotta love them and I do in all their many colors!

U is for Umbrellas because we all know rain and spring go together like singing in the rain and Gene Kelly!

V is for Vases....something I have plenty of on hand during the spring to take full advantage of all of natures bounty ready to be displayed!

W is for Wisteria, yet another gift from nature that is just jaw dropping gorgeous!

X is for Xpresso al fresco  (come on just let me spell it this way)

Y is for Yellow...a color I think of as springs poster color it is happy, uplifting and oh so cheery!

Z is for  Zoo, because seriously what better season to visit one than when everything is in bloom and the animals eagerly await a visit?

So that wraps up just some of what I love about spring. I am sure I could easily go on and on, its such a glorious and majestic season. One that inspires us to fling open the windows, let the rush of fresh air fill us with renewed vigor and hope, clean our homes and fill them with the scent of freshly cut flowers, and mark the new season as time to start anew. I know for me its a time to reflect on what I am grateful for, what I hope to achieve and what I hope to be. Cheers to a magnificent spring to each and every one of you!

Want to see more....here are more links to the others in this wonderful group of talented bloggers!

Enjoy!

MARSHA HARRIS http://www.splenderosa.blogspot.com/ 

TISH JETT an American in France http://afemmeduncertainage.blogspot.com/ 

YVONNE PRATT USAhttp://stonegable.blogspot.com/ 

CHARLOTTA WARD in Sweden http://spaceforinspiration.blogspot.com/ 

GREET LEFEVRE in Belgium http://belgianpearls.blogspot.com/ 

CATHERINE ROBINSON in London http://www.catherinerobinsoncashmere.com/ 

ANNIE BOUTERSE USA http://plumsiena.blogspot.com/

COTY FARQUHAR in Australia http://cotyfarquhar.blogspot.com/

FIFI FLOWERS artist with Parisian flair  http://fififlowers.com 

DEBORAH PETERSON between Houston & Scotland http://www.dumbwittellher.com/

DUSTJACKET ATTIC, Debra in Australia http://dustjacketattic.blogspot.com/

SHARI MILLER USA http://www.littlebluedeer.com/

TINA USA theenchantedhome@gmail.com http://theenchantedhome.blogspot.com/

MONA THOMPSON USA http://providenceltddesign.com/

JACQUELINE MUMFORD England http://home-biba.blogspot.com/

KARIN JANSKY France http://lapouyette-unddiedingedeslebens.blogspot.com

VICKI ARCHER an Australian in France http://frenchessence.blogspot.com/

CECILIA GONZALEZ Spain http://desdemventana.blogspot.com/

RENEE GRANIER & ANGELA FOSTER USA http://underspanishmoss.com/

LISA USA not participating this month http://amidprivilege.com

FRANCINE GARDNER a woman of the world in NYC http://interieurs.com blog

CHRISTINA FLUEGGE USA http://greigedesign.blogspot.com/

STACEY BEWKES USA http://quintessence.com

LEANN BROWN USAhttp://linenandlavender.blogspot.com/

LENE Norway http://theessenceofthegoodlife.blogspot.com/

SANDE CHASE Canada www.agiftwrappedlife.com

SHARON SANTONI France http://myfrenchcountryhome.blogspot.com/

KAREN MALAN UK Pas Grand-Chose Blog http://athousandmiles-k.blogspot

DEJA PSEU USA unefemme.net.

ISA CHANDLER http://isaslittleworld.blogspot.com/

VERONICA tasselsandtwigs.blogspot.com/

By Invitation only......what do I want to do, reality or fantasy?

Hi there, its our monthly By Invitation only post and this one is a good one. BIO is a group of bloggers who get together and post about an agreed upon theme for that month. Its great fun to see each others interpretations.   

 The idea this month is to talk about something(s) we want to do reality or fantasy, something on our personal "bucket list". I have had so many, some have fallen off the bandwagon like make the cover of Seventeen magazine of course sporting bright blue eyeshadow(back when I was a teenager) to wanting to marry David Bowie (still love his music but Iman I am going to let you keep him) to wanting to adopt a chimpanzee instead of having kids (I will take my three boys over) "Charlie", yes I had already named him to going to medical school (too grueling and I still get faint at the sight of blood....a definite no no in the world of medicine)  But there's a whole list of a "grown up" variety that I have now and with luck at least some of these will happen! SO ready to see what they are? Lets go, and in no particular order they are.......(you know theres no way there is just one)!   1. Visit Nepal/The Himalayas. Now 10 yeas ago I would have said to make it base camp 2 on an Everest expedition. Anyone who knows me well knows I had an absolute obsession with all things Everest. Think I had read every book.seen every movie on the subject. Even called a few expedition companies to find out just how it all goes down (you prepare for such a quest about  year in advance in case you are wondering) But in the end between my claustrophobia, fear of heights, absolute inability to give up cheese, fresh pasta and cappuccino, innate desire for luxury and warmth and hating bad hair days..this is not to happen in this lifetime. However my fascination with the region, its people and culture continues and I would love to visit this beautiful sacred land........and watch the expeditioners from afar (from the comfort of my hotel room...hehe)

  2. Attend midnight mass at The Vatican on Christmas eve. This has been on my mind for a while now, hubby are you listening? I have it all planned out, we are there for the Christmas holidays sleep in late that day so we will be bright eyed to make midnight mass that night. We, along with thousands of fellow Romans head out for a wonderful late Italian feast/dinner then proceed to walk to the church. As we are on our way.....it starts snowing, a beautiful light magical snowfall. The song Ava Maria can be heard faintly in the distance(this part is key to my dream)........ahhhhh, can you visualize?

   3. To write a screenplay, again anyone who knows me well knows this about me. I have had several ideas for a great screenplay that would translate well to the Broadway stage. One play in particular that I am not letting go of and go back to every now and then....you heard it here first:) What a thrill it would be for someone to read it, love it and get excited about it and then want to produce it. It would be satisfying to at least finish it.....Can you imagine!!

  4. Visit Fiji, I have always visualized that this is as close to heaven as you can get. I mean look at that water, look at that remote tiny island.  I can so easily visualize hanging on a hammock all day, tropical drink on hand, plenty of reading material with not a care in the world. I think this might be the ultimate place to go and just "veg out" and leave the world (and worries) behind. Anyone I know who has been says its really as beautiful as it is in the pictures......just wish it wasn't so darn far!!

  5.To rent a house in Tuscany or Provence for a month during the summer, this is something I know I will do, I am determined. Better yet, maybe two weeks in Provence then 2 in Tuscany...that way I can come back here to my blog and tell you about both places! I would love to rent a lovely villa for an extended period of time, have a bicycle at my disposal, ideally said house would come with a garden (a healthy thriving fruit and vege bearing garden) where I could pick fruits and veges on a daily basis and plan our meals around the days pickings. I see myself pedaling into town, saying buongiorno or bon jour to the local townspeople, grabbing bread from the local bakery, visiting local wineries and educating myself about wine....all in the name of "blog research" of course:) Afternoons will be spent in my hammock reading the 30 books I have had on my reading list for the last year!

  6. To own my own farm. I have spoken of this often. I really would love to buy a farm one day before I am too old to really enjoy it, restore the farmhouse, have a small vineyard, a massive garden, let my husband fulfill his inner cowboy and ride and lasso to his hearts content while I garden, blog of course, and eventually open up my own little restaurant right on the farms property.This would be the perfect time to put the finishing touches on my screenplay too!  Visitors from near and far are welcome! To be continued........

  

 7. Spend a month driving across country. I have been to a lot of places. But there are still so many I want to visit and revisit. This particular trip would send me all directions. South I would want to visit some of the great southern cities, places like Charleston, Savannah, horse country in VA, Nashville, Atlanta, New Orleans, Austin, Dallas and Houston.....then I really want to drive and experience the great vast lands of Montana, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming..I want to feel like I am in The Horse Whisperer and if you want to throw in a horse whisperer like Robert Redford, I won't complain!! I want to explore the rugged coast of Seattle and head to wine country in California and drive the entire Pacific Coast Highway.....want to head to the windy city of Chicago and eat deep dish pizza and see if it's really "all that"  and end things with a bang in the northeast, visiting Nantucket, Martha s Vineyard, exploring Maine and New Hampshire and  ending this month long trip with a giant lobster dinner in a quaint Maine coastal town!! I have been to a lot of these places but my husband hasn't really gotten to visit the south and only a few places on the west coast...so think this is a trip we have to make happen. And some trips you cannot fully enjoy unless you drive them. 

 8. Open up a darling chic super cool cafe/bookstore/coffeehouse/shop. Yes it would be a lot of things to a lot of people. This is a place where cool sophisticated people in the know want to come, whether to have a light lunch or  a casual dinner with a  friend, pick up their morning coffee and a French or Italian newspaper (yes I will carry them in all languages), browse the books or select a beautiful item for their home or as a gift. It can all be done under one charming roof! I would have authors come in for readings and signings, local jazz bands come on jazz nights to perform, baronistas join us to give talks on coffees around the world and oenophiles would do sold out wine workshops. Sound like fun? I think so! In terms of look......Think the bakery from Its Complicated mixed in with a little of the Meg Ryans's books store in When Harry met Sally with a smidgeon of the great shop in Somethings gotta give (was the former Barefoot Contessa shop owned by our friend "Ina"). I would have black and white marble floors (honed and old looking) neat lighting, lots of antique mirrors, french music playing.....Get the picture? A lot of work....yes. Super cool to own it......even a bigger yes!

  There!! If I can even do half of these things I will be a happy girl. Nothing that is so extreme that its out of the question, right? Anything on my list something you too want to do? So lets see if all goes according to plan....... Nepal, Rome, Fiji, Provence and Tuscany will all be stamped on my passport while I will return home to my farmhouse to  put the finishing touches on my screenplay and get ready to open up my cafe/shop. Sounds like a good plan to me!  Your turn...whats on your list either reality or fantasy to do in your lifetime? As always, many many thanks for stopping to say hello and see what's happening over here....wishing you a wonderful day! Want to see more bloggers posts on this subject and their interpretations? Click here to visit Marsha the brainchild of BIO....and there will be a link to all the others at the bottom of her wonderful post!  

By Invitation only.....join us in Paris!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Wow its 2012, well being a lover of even numbers, I am confident this is going to be one great year! I am happy to open the door to a new year, full of new possibilities, new connections and opportunities.....bring it on!

I just realized late last night, today is MY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY FOR BLOGGING!! I can't believe it!! I didnt' have enough time to prepare a full celebratory post but will talk more about it tomorrow and announce a few giveaways to celebrate!! This is some milestone, and I am over the moon that I made it this far!! And I owe it all to my fellow bloggers and readers, so THANK YOU!!

As part of the fun group, "By Invitation only" that I am lucky to be a part of, we decided to, after the success of the Christmas party, all meet up in Paris for a "New Years lunch" to usher in the new year and celebrate the gift of friendship. This was a lot of fun, and when dreaming why not dream big......so we are heading over to the fabulous and famous Parisian restaurant, Pre Catalan for a fabulous "last all afternoon" Champagne luncheon!  It is here where we will spend hours and hours talking, chatting, gossiping, reveling over our holiday highlights and of course talking about what lies ahead in the new year and going forward.

When I think of going forward, I think of ways I can become a better person, a more giving person who gives to the best of my ability. Someone who will be the mother, wife and friend that  I can be proud to be. I truly believe no matter your age, you are always evolving and if you open your mind and heart to constantly learning and improving then you are destined to continue to become a better, stronger, kinder, more intelligent and wiser woman! So in going forward I focus on positive changes, and being conscious of ways to constantly improve myself! And not just talking about them but putting them into action! Cheers girls!

In addition to having lots to talk about, It was decided that we would feature what we are going to wear to this chic soiree and as I am grateful to have these women as my friends, I also am bringing a small gift as a token of our friendship to each one, a celebration of a new year. So below is what I plan on wearing..I wanted it to feel chic, elegant, timeless and above all else very classic!

So here is the setting of this fabulous get together, the beautiful and sophisticated Pre Catalan..

Think this will pass muster? Yes!

Beautiful and elegant dining room, hope they are giving us a big corner table.....there will be lots of laughter and it could get loud and boisterous!

Certainly whets my appetite!

And then  what I plan on wearing....wanted it to be sophisticated, comfortable, elegant and classic......

This chic little mink stroller will be perfect to brave the cold Parisian streets

A close up of my pretty feminine ivory silk blouse by Dolce and Gabanna

And these classic wool Ralph Lauren slacks  in winter white

A classic pair of snakeskin shoes by Jimmy Choo

Here was my basic inspiration....love this classic look, works in any country!

Gotta have my chic super buttery brown driving gloves

And of course have to sport this classic French timepiece, the Cartier roadster watch!

This stunner of a necklace courtesy of Chanel

These pretty little sparklers!

Of course have to have some Hermes here....so why not go all the way! A gorgeous birkin and a fabulous enameled cuff.....

Might as well throw in this chic little beret... I will channel my inner Catherine Deneuve!

And a little keepsake for my special friends to commemorate our special day together.....hummm, wonder what it could be! No peeking!

And a little something for my special group of friends!! 2012 only comes along once after all! You know it has to be from Frances best!

To commemorate my 1 year anniversary,I am going to be offering you readers a few fun giveaways. I am going to announce them in tomorrows post, so please stay tuned! Thank you for joining us in the one and only Paris.....what a delightful afternoon! 

I hope you got a chance to see my "Reflections on 2011" post yesterday. It really speaks to my whole Going forward as much as it does what I have learned this past year. Click here to visit! 

Wishing everyone a truly stupendous 2012! Au Revoir!