Birthday Season... That's a Wrap!!!

When we last left off I was excusing myself in preparation of our daughter Brittany's birthday!!!Well let me commiserate with you a moment, I must confess that 19 is indeed a difficult year to plan a birthday party for. Brittany had decided that she did not want a large elaborate friend bash but rather a lovely quaint family party. Sounds easy enough, right?... Well now about a theme and decorations? After many days, weeks, etc. LOL!! of discussing several options Miss Brittany deemed appropriate. Our lovey settled on ... Alice in Wonderland MadHatter Tea Party!!! But no run of the mill mass produced paper party supplies would suffice for our princess ;-) soooo... with that we set about locating vintage china, linens, tea services, even a vintage Disney cookbook was used as decoration!

Hand made banners and special dining requests per the birthday girl came together with all of her fav people to complete a truly magical birthday party fit for Wonderland!!!!

 

After making all of her wishes, blowing out the candles on her coconut birthday cake (specially decorated by Aunt Kristy, Connor, & Nana), & opening all of her beautiful gifts, it was time for a fireworks extravaganza!!! Which was followed by a helicopter flyover!! After celebrating for hours with all of her favorite people including her "Bestie" Diamond Lewis ( the only friend who made the invite list!lol!!)  It was indeed time to retire.... Birthday complete?!?? Not yet, we were then off to a lovely weekend to Universal Studios!! We stayed at Lowes Portofino Bay Hotel ( magnifico!!)

 

lunched at Moe's in the new Simpsons Area, dined at Bubba Gump's (think Forrest Gump), then caught a late night showing of the Conjuring!!! (Very scary!!!!)

after a Moscato nightcap and a rickshaw ride back to our Villa we were indeed off to (a much needed) dreamland!! TTYL ❤

Birthday season continues!

Hi all! Wow, we sure have been busy bees around here! Is it just me or does this summer seem to be flying right by?!?

 

We left for vacation after Connors bday and enjoyed two weeks of fun, fun, fun!! We road tripped to Pittsburgh Pa. where we settled in for a few days to take in the fab area. First we went to Idlewild Park -an awesome amusement park with such unique vintage classics as the Rolo Coaster and Mr. Rogers neighborhood trolley ride!!! Sooooo... Cool!!

 

Next stop Conneaut lake park to ride the very vintage Blue Streak,

 

after that experience we ventured to The Melting Pot for an incredible dinner!!! Trust me you have to try the s'mores fondue for dessert ... OMG!!! Heavenly❤

 

As a finishing touch to a perfect day we ventured to the Incline, beautiful breathtaking views of a fab city!!

 

No stop in Pittsburgh is complete for us without a jaunt to the National Aviary to visit a few of our feathered friends

 

then off to visit our hometown in beautiful Northeast Pa. where we visited with Chris's bestfriend of 40 years over scrumptious wings, of course we stopped at my sisters to vist Bro-in-law Len, Sis Kim, our nephew little Len, & we missed our niece Tiffany as she is a busy teenager out for a sleepover with friends❤ After catching up & shooting off fireworks ( we "rocked it hard",as our adorb nephew phrased it!!! Lol!!) we grabbed my fav pizza in the world and headed to Philly. Last year we took in Independence hall & the Liberty Bell so we decided to surprise Connor with a visit to Battleship New Jersey this year... He flipped!!!! Brittany,Daddy,& I dutifully kept pace behind a very excited nine year old who "had to" investigate every inch of the ship!

 

We jumped back in the car and headed to the Jersey Shore, our fav summer spot!! Lunch at the Wharf on the water,

 

stop at Acme for yummys, head to our fav home away from home,settle in, then beach, pool, cookout, repeat!!!!

 

We spent time shopping in Cape May, riding the rides on the Boardwalk, fireworks on the beach for the fourth,seeing WWE Smackdown live at the Convention Center, lounging in our private cabana at the water park on the pier, many rounds of minigolf, delicious dinners out including but not limited to (lol!!) The Bayview & Groff's, Ice cream at Seashells, simply put...enjoying all the Jersey Shore has to offer & relishing time spent on our family traditions. My bday was up next which we celebrated with a fab steak dinner outing & an awesome Lilly Pulitzer haul❤❤❤ Upon returning home Brittany & I were invited to a super fun Baby Shower for Brit's adorb friends Anna & Richard to help celebrate the approaching arrival of their Daughter Anastasia❤

Anna's mom put on the shower and it was fabulous!! So many cute games, delicious foods, great people, and beautiful gifts for baby❤❤❤ Next up is Brittany's bday so I'll have to excuse myself in order to prepare!! TTYL❤

Birthday Season Begins!!

We have many celebrations during the summer months, my sister Kim had her birthday June 19 in Pa. & my Mother, sister,our other sister  & I got to celebrate with her this year!! We have not all been together in Pa. in 10+ years!! Next on the birthday trail was Connors!!! He turned 9 (where do the years go???) on June 22, we celebrated at Fun Depot with a dozen of his closest "dudes" 

After pizza and birthday cake the dudes couldn't wait to attack the laser tag, go carts, bowling, & of course video games!!!

5 hours later!! We finally got all of the happy (sweaty!) dudes to decide that no one could continue on without collapsing!! Lol!! Next on the birthday trail is Independence Day (Americas "birth" of independence) which we will be celebrating on summer vacation!!!!! Woot woot can't wait!!!!!

Here's wishing everyone a truly FAB Fourth of July!!!! TTYL <3

Viva la France!!!!

First let me apologize for playing hooky on my post last week! I wish I had some fantastic explanation as to why the post wasn't written... But.... The truth of the matter is I was just plain busy thrifting and antiquing!!!

Sometimes you just need some me time :0) So without further adieu lets get onto France!

This week Connor is attending Boy Scout  camp with his buds!! Especially Raj & Christopher (his BFF!)

So it has been a perfect week for Brit & I to attempt some of our fav French delicacies!!! Brit is on summer hiatus from University & Connor is in summer camp so time has presented itself for us to tackle French Macarons!!!! These delish little pieces of heaven proved to be as fun to make as they are to eat!!! ( or maybe I just enjoyed baking with my princess!!) 

We couldn't find almond flour so we made our own in the food processor.

Next we sifted our almond flour and confectioners sugar together.

Then it was time for whisking egg whites in our trusty mixer.

We decided on pink for our first batch natch ;-)

And with that... Voila!!

Our very first Macarons were born!!!

As you can see we chose chocolate ganache as our first filling (these are Connors personal fav!) several colorful batches later we had a rainbow of little lovelies!

They aren't difficult per se as much as time consuming and very delicate, if you are not careful cracks can happen but never fear, even the ones that don't look the prettiest still taste AMAZING!!

I have also decided that what I need most with my Macarons is French pressed coffee! So you guessed it... I conquered this yummyness next!!!

It is easy!!! And yet tastes so fancy!!

Our tour of french cuisine continues!! Tonight for dinner Brittany conquered Julia Childs Bouef Bourguignon!!! So our home smells divine & we can't wait for dinner. 

Tomorrow I'm off to lunch with a dear friend, Anitha, at Christopher's Kitchen in Palm Beach Gardens 

And when I get home from my lunch outing, Brittany and I will attempt Ratatouille!! We are having family movie night and you guessed it... Disneys Ratatouille is our movie of choice. I'll keep you posted as to how our next French recipe turns out, wish me luck!!! TTYL <3

Memorial Day Weekend

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of our Military & their selfless families for whom without their service & sacrifices we would not lead the lives we do in the most wonderful country on this Earth. 

To celebrate this wonderful holiday weekend we jaunted to The Peabody Orlando, it was fantabulous!!!!! 

Connor & Daddy hit the wonderful water area where they splashed and slid the day away, while Brittany and I spa'd the day away!!! It felt wonderful to indulge and pamper ourselves!! The spa robes here are indeed our favs!!

While weekending at The Peabody Orlando, Connor was afforded the opportunity to be the "Honorary Duck Master" along side Donald one of only two "Official Duck Masters" in the entire world!!

 

The Duck March tradition began in Memphis, Tennessee in 1933 at the original Peabody Hotel and has continued every day since. If you have never taken the opportunity to visit a Peabody Hotel and visit with the Ducks take my word for it you will LOVE it!! We can't wait to go back and visit!! Our Memorial Day Weekend was simply "Ducky" hope yours was fab too!! TTYL <3

Fab Little Outing

It really felt great to be flitting out and about after the recent hospital stay.

What a beautiful day!! We hopped in the car heading to Delray Beach for a little lunching on Atlantic Blvd. Our first stop was HiWay "Burger Joint" soooo fun and always yummy!! 

Next up, we ventured to Le Macaron!!! I SWOON!!! You've got to give this place a whirl if you find yourself in Delray... It's heavenly!!

After deciding on a box of various delectables we were once again happily on our merry way, this time to Boca Raton's Daggerwing Nature Center. 

While we were there we were treated to a private baby alligator feeding!!!! Connor LOVED it!!!! And it goes without saying.... GO GATORS!!!! Lol!!!! Sorry I had to!

After visiting with all of Connors fav animals we decided it was tea time!!! So we headed home for an impromptu tea!

My mother,grandmother,godmother,etc. have always taught that one should always be prepared to host a tea!! :0)

 

All that was left to do was to enjoy a fab little tea with my fav people! Hope all your days are fab little days!! TTYL <3

Mothers Day Confessions

First of all I hope all you Mothers had a wonderful day! Whether Mother by birth, adoption,foster,step,Mother figure, Mother to heaven babies, mother to be, mother in law, etc. You are all Mothers and are loved and cherished ❤

With it being Mothers Day weekend I was sure that my weekend was going to be wonderful!! And it was, but life has a way of having a mind of its own soooo... Nothing went as planned. My fab hubby and incredible kiddos had Sat. planned to shop for my "pressies" while I Spa Day awayed!!! 

Asthma had quite another idea! 

Plan B!! No salon for an asthmatic in an attack so spa at home it was!! Now don't tell me you don't know what an asthmatic spa is?!? First of all it's a eucalyptus jet bath (open those sinuses relax those muscles) next is eucalyptus aromatherapy (think vicks vaporizer, but aromatherapy sounds "spa-ish" Being in desperate need for my mani-pedi, and in no way up to nail spa fumes, this was to take some planning. After quick research I decided to rely on a professional nail maven... Sally Hansen to the assist!!

These are fabulous so quick and easy!!! Very professional looking. And, the pattern that my Brittany(it certainly helps to have a lovely daughter with impeccable taste!) choose for me is indeed Lilly Pulitzer like IMHO.

Two pulmonary treatments & several herbal teas later I settled on LMN's "Smothers Day Weekend" specials to finish my "Asthma Spa Day".

Meanwhile my loveys were very busy out for lunch

After lunching the shopping began!! They hit C.Orrico (one of my fav Lilly haunts!!)

Next was Brookstone after they decided Mommy was in need of a new back massager to help with the lungs❤

After that stop cards and balloons were in order

Yes the biggest balloon was indeed decided upon lol!!!

After being spoiled by my love bugs with Lilly jewelry, bags, and clothing. Brookstone massage wrap,& balloons/ cards ( asthma= no flowers!) In my cozy bed with help from a couple of my fur babies❤

Now it was indeed time for Mothers Day Dinner!!

BoneFish Mac's.... Yummy!!

First time out of the house in four days!!!!

Tip: request the glider tables they rock.... Sorry had too!!! LOL!!

It would be nice if the story ended here,after fab surf and turf, but here comes the confession... This was my pit stop on route to Palms West Hospital

And this is where I remain and write to you today. So many get wells, prayers, and positive thoughts sent from all you wonderful friends... I can feel them working and know I'll be back to my regular escapades in no time!! Thank you all from the bottom of my heart ❤ TTYL