NEW YEAR: "NO MAN IS A FAILURE WHO HAS FRIENDS"

A New Year.  Many use this as a time to set new goals and expectations. I often find myself in an endless cycle.   Sometimes my resolution is a success.   However, I often loose momentum and I am forced to attempt again the following year.   

This year, I decided to disregard my traditional approach, and instead reflect on 2013. As I recently discovered, things don't always go as planned or expected.  I learned, that as upsetting as these experiences are, there is a positive side to everything. Through it all, friends and family, from near and far have supported me.  Our lives are often so busy that we neglect to stop, and think about the important things.  Sometimes, a life changing event is necessary for us to appreciate all that we have.  So in the New Year fashion, I am here devising my resolution.  After a busy year filled with many ups and a few unfortunate downs, I have never been more grateful for my friends and family.  As Clarence shared with George Bailey, in "It's A Wonderful Life": "Dear George, remember no man is a failure who has friends."

So as the clock tolls twelve and bottles of champagne are popped, remember the good things in your life and the many wonderful things to come.  

Cheers to your New Year! 




Image via Tumblr

GLITTERY, GLITZY, GLAM....AND BUBBLY!

Tis the season for all things glittery, glitzy, glam....and of course, bubbly!  Here is some inspiration for your final days of 2013. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Images via Pinterest and Tumblr 

WHITE CHRISTMAS

I rise from my cozy spindle bed.  The house is asleep, with my brothers and parents still in their beds.  Downstairs the Christmas tree stands tall, with its glistening white lights and colorful ornaments.  Below the tree are beautiful packages, in bright patterned wrappings, topped with  crisp bows. The stockings are hung from the night before, and now bursting with candies and small gifts.   

Outside, all is still.  A fresh coat of crisp sparkling white snow softly blankets our yard.  The snow is perfect and untouched.  The morning sun shines through  our pine trees, as flakes of  sparkling snow fall from rustled branches.  There is something very special about a White Christmas. 
Merry Christmas to all! 

Images via Tumblr 

BEACON HILL: WREATH INSPIRATION

As a resident of Boston, one of my favorite things to do is walk up and down the streets of Beacon Hill.  Not only is this a workout, it's a fabulous place to look for inspiration!  Here I find great paint color, design, and drawing inspiration.  I enjoy spending an afternoon on the hill during all times of the year, but there is nothing quite like the holidays.  During a recent walk, I discovered great wreath inspiration.

And I fell in LOVE on Acorn Street. 

Images by AGA 

BEACON HILL: IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

Beacon Hill is one of the most charming and visited neighborhoods in Boston.  Streets are filled with beautiful old doorways, cobblestone drives, gas lamps, and crooked old trees.  In addition to it's charm, the community is known for it's festive traditions.  One of these traditions is the decoration of the 1,100 gas lamps that line the steeply pitched streets.  On Saturday, I decided to help my neighboring friends with this annual decoration. The tradition of decorating the gas lamps dates back to 1995, and it is carried out exactly the same way every year. 

Members gathered early in the morning, at the Harrison Gray Otis House.   Laurels and bows were wired and ladders were borrowed from the Charles Street Hardware Store.  I joined around midday with my longtime friend and resident of Beacon Hill.  The process began with a tasty burrito donated by Anna's Taqueria and a quick briefing on how to wrap a lamp post.  After, the garlands were moved into a truck for delivery on the street.  My group was assigned the left side of Joy Street.  Beginning at the bottom of the hill, our group quickly picked up a rhythm, and we were wrapping trees at lightening speed.  Garlands were placed at the base of each gas lamp, then a ladder was brought over. A member of the group went up the ladder, as others held it in place.  The garland was handed to the person above, and the wrapping process began.  With the laurel leaves facing up, the garland was wrapped in a counter clockwise manner.  Bows were then attached, facing up and down the street.  Then it was on to the next gas lamp. 

Images by AGA