Quote Boat - Be You

One BIG Happy

... One Month until One Year.

Happy Birthday, Amy!

Wishing a fabulous birthday to one of the best sister-in-loves in town! Amy - I hope your day is filled with lots of cheese dip, margaritas, presents & love. You're amazing. I love you so!

Bumble Beentley

This little bee decided to accessorize with pollen for his first spring.

Home Happenings

This past weekend I decided to relocate our spirit tree from sitting atop this table below.

In its place, I added a charming (and also spirited) painting along with a mason jar of dogwood blossoms. I'm most happy with how sweet this looks - a lovely little tablescape.

Caprese Bites

Caprese Bites are a favorite party appetizer of mine. They're easy to put together, generally healthy (especially compared with most apps), and most of all, they are delicious.

I purchased most of my ingredients for this from Trader Joe's i.e. one package of grape tomatoes, fresh basil and mozzarella. I didn't know which mozzarella to pick but a kind lady recommended the mozzarella marinated in olive oil and nicely seasoned. Looking back, I wouldn't have it any other way. I sliced the mozzarella balls into thirds then placed one grape tomato, part of a basil leaf and the mozzarella on each toothpick. This yields many! Right before serving, I drizzled the army of Caprese Bites with a nice balsamic vinaigrette.

Note my new serving pieces that I am head over heels in love with - Thanks, Mom!

Playtime!

A little on court action with Hank and Bentley.

Date Night

The season for outdoor dining has commenced.

Go Heels!

Speaking of wine...

Hank brought me a glass of wine to enjoy while getting ready last Friday night.

I love that this is the glass he chose. Ah-mazing! Thank goodness for my Carolina guy.

Wine & Design - Take Four

It's obvious I love, love, love, LOVE this place and concept. I've enjoyed:

1. Date Night

2. College Night

3. Pet Night

4. Raleigh Skyline

This most recent time, Whimsical Raleigh Skyline, was a blast. We had a group of 14, and we were outside overlooking our subject, the Raleigh Skyline. It was a beautiful evening.

Since this was a special & fun occasion, I pulled a treat yourself, and I splurged on an Edible Arrangement to share. Now, the vase was Carolina blue & white, and I've also been in search of a spirited pen holder. So, all stars aligned and this lovely fruit bouquet was meant to be.

Here we are smocked up, prepped and ready to begin our masterpieces.

Just painting away... Putting the sky in skyline!

These were the goals for our end results:

I love spending time with these amazing ladies.

Here we all are (minus two) finished and happy after a most fun night. Take five!?

Straw Valley Surprise

I happened upon the neatest place last week, Straw Valley Cafe & Wine Bar. It's located in the midst of big box stores making it quite the unexpected. I was awestruck when I first walked through - I felt as though I stepped into another world. The amazingness just kept going from courtyard to corridor. It's a place to attend an event, meet, relax and enjoy.

Each nook and turn is decorated just so, and there is free Wi-Fi throughout.

The zen garden was quite relaxing on a cool day with bamboo & seating all around.

I loved the layout, water feature and well manicured areas. This property use to house two sculptors many years ago. It was farmland. Now this quaint spot is a slice of heaven, and history revitalized, in the midst of the hustle and bustle. It's a true breath of fresh air.

Not only is the outside fantastic, but the inside is just as unique.

I love the red hallway above and the art throughout, shown below.

You can truly set up camp, anywhere, and bask in this creative environment.

The photograph of the tree below reminds me of the treehouse lookout they are adding!

The cafe serves bites and delights such as wine and popsicles. This is attached to a very nice home consignment shop. And plans next door? A hotel with a rooftop pool & bar.

Spring has Sprung

Frozen yogurt has already been enjoyed, on multiple occasions:

Oreo with (room temperature smooshed) Reese's is my favorite.

Spring tablescape is set:

First outdoor evening event is happening this week:

I love this sweet time, and the outfits that go along with it!

Make it your best!

Hank and I had the best time at a beer pairing dinner awhile back. I remember how much fun we had together, but I also remember a little nugget I learned that I've taken with me.

I love meeting people who've discovered, and who are doing, exactly what they are meant to in life. They are just loving it! This was one of the brew masters at this dinner. He was so passionate about life, and what he did - it radiated anytime he spoke or answered a question. Hank asked him what his favorite beer was... Of course this brew master replied, "Now that's a hard question," but then he said, "Honestly, it was actually a beer I had right down the street." This was a surprising answer because this brew master has tried hundreds of some of the rarest beers in the world. He went on to say, "Maybe it wasn't the best beer that I've had, because I've had some really awesome beers, but it was the best beer because of the experience I drank it in." Wow! He associates an otherwise ordinary to someone else beer as the best beer, because he drank it in such an exciting moment, right after he got engaged! This really opened my eyes... Something isn't the best simply because it's the best. There are so many factors that draw into it: How you're feeling at the moment, where in the world you are, who you're with, etc. We are in charge of making otherwise ordinary moments, things and beers, the best to us! We call the shots on our own happiness. It takes one person to love it, believe in it and let it radiate from person to person. This is life - Make it your best!

Life Mentality

Always remember to have il gusto di vivere... The flavor and enjoyment of life.

Go Heels!

Bentley is rocking his Carolina swag today:

I love this little Tar Heel so much!

Spotted!

I mentioned back in October that I saw myself on a race website... I was so excited!

I opened an email blast sent out today, and here I am again! Is this some kind of sign?

The other day I went to enter a Facebook competition and boom! That's me!

Then my sister-in-love called to let me know she saw me in a magazine:

... And on a bulletin board:

I think this is definitely a sign! I need to get to training, so I smile just as much this year.

One BIG Happy

Here's Hank looking fresh on the slopes in Vail! Beautiful!!

Bentley Lately

Bentley had his first day of Doggie Daycare yesterday!

I found his evaluation comments to be quite precious:

Bentley was introduced to Cotton first and was then placed in a group according to age, size, activity level and personality. Today we observed Bentley's behavior as playful and energetic. Your pup had a blast playing with Duke, Genesis, Bella, Aloe and Cotton. Bentley was a very good dog. He played very well with everyone. (You go, Bentley!)

Shelf Shop: Vases & An Elephant

A lovely set of three Jonathan Adler "Happy Home" Stripes Vases. The height of these are as follows: 8", 7" and 5 1/2 ". Adler's been making groovy pottery since 1993, $35.

I'm certain an elephant plant stand is my favorite home accessory. I have one, and his name is Tobin - Love him! Eloise (below) is gloss white, ceramic & beautiful at 22" x 17", $35.

I've only listed the above two items here. If interested, email me at mrsloveslife@gmail.com.

Booked!

Hank and I are jet-setting to paradise this spring:

I'm so ready to enjoy my idea of the perfect day... Sleep in a bit, eat delicious snacks while sunning away on the beach. Take an afternoon sail out to dive for an hour and then head back with a drink in hand and merengue music as the beat. Put on a cute dress, shop for a bit, enjoy cocktails then dinner outdoors under the stars. End the night dancing it away!

Quote Boat - Learn

"Learn from every single being, experience and moment. What joy it is to search for lessons and goodness and enthusiasm in others." - Eve Carson