INSPIRATION - Mother Teresa

I recently started reading a biography about Mother Teresa, and with Easter coming up on Sunday, I thought we could all learn something from this compassionate, selfless, and wise woman. 

I have always deeply respected people who find the greatness and value in the small things over the ‘big’ things. The allure of the ‘big’ things – success, money, business, fame, power, self –frequently overshadows the ‘small’ things. We lose sense of what is true and what is right, prioritizing ourselves and forgetting to appreciate the miracles that come with simplicity. With her loving focus on the downtrodden, the forgotten, the children, Mother Teresa reminds us to be the best women we can be, even if our efforts seem ‘small’ to the rest of the world.

ENTERTAINMENT - The Help

Check out the new trailer for the upcoming movie, The Help, based on Kathryn Stockett’s New York Times bestselling book of the same title!

Earlier this week, DreamWorks released the trailer for their upcoming film, The Help. While I’m still undecided yet optimistic about all of the casting choices, I am very excited to watch this story come to life on the big screen. Movie night with the girls, anyone? Grab your book club or best group of girlfriends and make it a date night!

Starring Emma Stone, Viola Davis, and Bryce Dallas Howard, the movie follows, “Eugenia ‘Skeeter’ Phelan (Stone), an aspiring writer, who returns home to Jackson, Mississippi in 1962 after finishing college. Unexpected friendships with African-American maids, Aibeleen Clark (Davis) and Minny Jackson (Spencer) result in a book that gives a previously unheard voice to a community’s suffering” (IMDB).

Emma Stone was recently featured on The Hollywood Reporter’s list of Hollywood’s New Leading Ladies, and Viola Davis has garnered attention for her impressive acting chops in such films as Doubt. We will have to wait until August 12^th for the movie to premier, but I wanted to make sure everyone had plenty of time to read the book before watching the film. After all, the book is always better…or at least in most cases.

I read the book back when it first came out, and I was instantly drawn into Stockett’s keen weaving of a powerful and deep story, brimming with nuanced characters and filled with laugh-out-loud humor despite its stirring and serious content. The Help instantly won over flocks of book clubs and beach readers, but please don’t presume that the book is simplistic or overly saccharine just because it appeals to the masses. With most things in life, your unfounded assumptions would cause you to miss out on something truly great.

If you haven’t already read The Help, purchase your copy today.

WEDDINGS - Inspiration From My Sister's Wedding

Get some amazing ideas from my sister’s dazzling, blue wedding celebration! More photos to come later; I only have a couple snapshots at this time.

Last Saturday was truly a joyous occasion as my older sister, Lindsey, married her best friend and love, Christian Parker. There were so many stunning and meaningful details that came together to form an unforgettable celebration. Some of my favorite ideas from Lindsey’s big day can help you plan your own wedding.

Ceremony: Marriage Wisdom
My sister and her groom each asked a dearly respected family friend to give a brief talk on marriage advice during the ceremony. They each chose mentors who had watched them grow up since childhood and who had been married for over thirty years. The speakers' wisdom was extremely insightful, reminding Lindsey and Christian to build their marriage on a solid foundation. And of course, these talks added a more personalized, meaningful touch to the wedding ceremony.

Ceremony Program (SEE ABOVE FOR PHOTO)
With their gorgeous, shimmering blue exteriors and lovely white, monogrammed ribbons, the ceremony programs were stylish and customized. They maintained the overall look of the wedding, but they also stood out with their chic display of color.

Cake (SEE ABOVE FOR PHOTO)
Besides my beautiful sister and the overall atmosphere of the venue, the most breathtaking wedding detail was the bride’s cake. The cake was adorned with ornate, edible flower petals cascading from layer to layer, forming an exquisite flower that appeared to float on top of the cake. And because my sister originally wanted a blue cake, the florists surrounded it with lovely blue flowers. Many bakers can create beautiful cakes that taste like paste, but Leslie Rabenaldt from Midland, TX, specializes in delicious. Her first priority is the taste, and the beautiful design comes along with the scrumptiousness.  

Blue Cotton Candy Favors (SEE ABOVE FOR PHOTO)
My sister LOVES cotton candy, and when Christian first started pursuing her in Dallas, he would sweetly bring along blue cotton candy as her surprise gift. He had her at cotton candy! So, what could be a better favor than the same sweet and sticky treat that won my sister’s heart! My mother added personalized stickers and ribbons to complete the look. She also displayed the favors in these elegant silver bowls, pulling from her own collection and borrowing from her closest friends.

Slumber Party, the night before
While my mother and her friends thought we were crazy, Lindsey decided to host a casual slumber party with her bridesmaids the night before the wedding. My sisters and I have a tradition of holding our own little slumber parties before big holidays and occasions, so it was a special way to commemorate our childhood while celebrating the future. If your bridesmaids are likely to turn the sleepover into your second bachelorette party, then skip on the slumber party or move it to an earlier date. We all respected our need for sleep and just enjoyed a few nice hours of girl talk before heading to bed. 

INTERIOR DECORATING/HOME - Home Office

After taking a look at these gorgeous home offices, I hope you will find the inspiration to improve your own workspace and reach your highest potential. 

 

You deserve a home office that motivates, energizes, and organizes – not a place that adds to your clutter or provokes your mounting stress. The design of your work surroundings can lead towards your success or bring about your failure, so these decorating choices carry a little more weight than picking the color of your bathmats or the shape of your bedside lamp. Don’t feel overwhelmed.

A successful and stylish home office can easily become a reality by following a few simple steps:

1. Before making any design choices, think about what functions you need the space to fulfill. Concentrate on those personalized needs rather than trying to match some cookie-cutter idea of what an office should look like.

2. Surround yourself with colors, objects, art, photographs, etc. that inspire you and boost your energy.

3. Invest in ample organizational/storage products (or make your own if you’re into DIY). It doesn’t matter if you use bins, files, baskets, or bookshelves, but you MUST keep organized and use a system that you will actually stick with.

4. Create a message hub/bulletin board/calendar center. You need to designate a section of your office as your communications/scheduling area. If this step seems like too much effort, start simple. Write your phone messages and to-do’s on a chalkboard and buy a large desk calendar; just do something!

5. Create vision boards, collages, 5-year plans, or task lists to map out your professional and personal goals. Post these items up on your bulletin board or frame them on your desk to keep yourself motivated and on target.

6. Prioritize comfort & coziness when choosing desk chairs, desks, and other essential items. Do NOT buy that fabulous-looking, modern chair if it hurts your back.

7. Lighting is key. If your lighting is too harsh or too soft, then you will find yourself tense or drowsy. Make sure that your office lighting puts you at your optimal work level and does not strain your eyes.

8. Have fun! Work can quickly become monotonous and strenuous, so make sure that your home office is anything but bland. Above all else, your workspace should be an expression and celebration of what you love. 

FASHION - Boat Shoes

Traditional, metallic, bright, or nautically striped, there is a boat shoe for everyone! The metallics have been my personal favorite this season, but go with whatever style works best for you.

From Left to Right: Anthropologie, Hunter, Tory Burch
 JCREW, Cole Haan, Juicy Couture
 Sperry Topsider, Steve Madden, Sperry Topsider
 Sperry Topsider, Payless, Sperry Topsider

My friends know that I am not a sneakers or tennis shoes girl by any stretch of the imagination. Despite some of the cute styles and colors, I absolutely never wear them for casual occasions and only rarely pull them out for my ‘workouts’. My last pair of athletic shoes embarrassed my husband so badly with their outdated and shabby exteriors that I finally asked my mom for a pair of her stylish Nike hand-me-downs. I just can't make myself spend money on sneakers. Crazy? I know. Most of my friends are super-athletes, and they think I’m insane.

When I’m searching for the perfect shoe to complete an ultra-casual look, I opt for boat shoes, also known as deck shoes and topsiders. Preppy, sporty, and classic, boat shoes are a great casual shoe for everyone, from the die-hard athletic shoe devotees, who want to change things up here and there, to the high-heel lovers like me who need to tone things down every once in awhile. While my obsession for all things nautical certainly plays into my affinity for boat shoes, everyone can appreciate their comfortable fit and effortless yet polished look. Plus, there are some great, inexpensive options from bargain stores like Target and Payless. Ships Ahoy!

WEEKEND OUTING

No matter where you live, you can find a place to enjoy the gorgeous flowers of spring. 

Spring has arrived! What could be a better way to celebrate than admiring the breathtaking blooms in your community? Whether your city or town has a botanical garden, wildflower center, or just some pretty flowers at the park, this is the time to stop and smell the roses, literally. It may sound kind of dull or old-fashioned, but I assure you that taking a break from your hectic week to admire natural beauty can be the refreshing escape you need. And, as you probably already know, April is Earth month, so get out there and enjoy everything that creation has to offer. If nothing else, it could be a great time to reflect on what you can do to make this world a more beautiful place.

Here are a few great options:

Los Angeles/Pasadena, California– The Huntington Botanical Gardens
My husband and I have been dying to visit The Huntington Botanical Gardens in Pasadena. As lame as that might sound, these are no ordinary gardens. The reviews are glowing, and nearly every guide says that it’s can’t miss. Furthermore, the gardens are attached to the acclaimed Huntington Library and Art Collections, so the beauty intake is endless. To celebrate spring, we’re headed there ASAP.

Austin, Texas – The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Check out the gorgeous wildflowers and native plants of Texas at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.  You don’t want to miss out on seeing all of this natural beauty.

Texas Wildflower Road Trip
If you live anywhere in Texas, there is no better time to take a road trip than the present. Check out Southern Living’s ideas on the perfect spring drive.