You're walking! Do you need help?

This morning I took my car in to be worked on, something about a "rack and pinion" - OY! The garage is only 1/2 mile from my office and I had on my running shoes since I had just left the gym, perfect time to walk. I was carrying a bag and a smoothie so it was clearly evident I wasn't out exercising. But I did think it odd that I received calls and texts asking me if I was ok and did I need a ride?

I'm very thankful friends were so concerned, but isn't it odd that walking a short distance could cause so much concern? Somehow this makes me think about if you park at the far end of the parking lot at the grocery, people are sure you must really like your car. I do love the fitness buffs who come to the gym to work out, yet they try to get the parking space closest to the door. Anyway, if I were in NYC no one would think me weird. But, in Nashville in the middle of Green Hills I'm weird and it was so much easier to walk, rather than to fight the traffic in my car. And I didn't need to search for a parking space to get that cup of coffee!

Enjoy your day, think good thoughts and enjoy that next cup of Joe. S

Breakfast for Bunnies

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, even for our little wild animals. All the huge beautiful hosta lillies in my garden are now nubs sticking out of the earth. With temps over 100 degrees I guess the bunnies found water in the stems and leaves of my plants - now there is a pond within 2' of the last hosta to be chopped down... I did leave a shallow pan of water but that wasn't as much fun. And forget the ground red pepper, I think it only added extra flavor to each meal. The Forth is over, I over ate a bit, but the bunnies are really fat!
Enjoy that first cup of coffee, maybe iced coffee today!

Audrey was thinking right!

This week I'm closing on this home that is 113 years old. My Sellers are about to begin a new & fantastic phase of their lives. It's so obvious to me that they loved this old home during the two years they lived here. I suspect the new owners will also love this home as they raise babies and fill this old house with new sounds and many "firsts"!
All this makes me think about what these old walls have seen and heard in 113 years. Memories of joy and sadness quietly remain from Turn of the Century excitement, to the War to End All Wars, to where we are now. Families once gathered listening to the radio for world and national news. Music and literature have evolved from Gershwin & Hemingway to American Idol & J. K. Rowling.
Books were read, dances danced, meals prepared and holidays celebrated. Babies were born, loved ones passed away. Jobs lost, jobs gained, jobs lost, jobs gained!
But the best part of this aging old home are the dreams once set in motion. Those dreams still continue in different forms, influenced by hope and love, only the Dreamer changes. Each Dreamer moves on to the next dream.
May all your homes be filled with laughter and a bright future for another 113 years.
Homes, where dreams are built and hearts remain.
Amanda and Evan, go in peace and may all your dreams come true.
S

Happy Moments

Breakfast at Stephanie's

Happy moments can be missed. It's so fun when the moment is captured in photo and delight comes in the sharing. The magic is not that our hair looks  great or we look skinny, but the magic is the moment of fun, love, delight or some other sweet emotion.  

My daughter Erin takes care of Lilly and this is her puppy Oliver in his sweet ride! Lilly had to run inside for a second but Oliver wasn't going to give up the best seat.

Capture a sweet moment today and share it here and on Facebook.

Enjoy that first cup of coffee today and think good thoughts. 

For the dark mornings going to the gym!

I asked my sweet friend, Fitness Expert Nikki, for some breakfast ideas, as it is the most important meal of the day!  She replied,
"I know you asked for something on breakfast, but I can't find any inspiration to write about that subject other than. . . well. . . just eat breakfast. So here's something that came a little more organically for me. . . shopping : )".
                     Love her, enjoy that first cup of coffee! Stephanie

Visit Nikki at:  Nikki Mack's Fitness Factory  http://www.getmacked.com/
nikki@getmacked.com
Who: Nikki Mack, competitive NPC Figure athlete, owner Nikki Mack's Fitness Factory, and mom

What: Fashionably Fit- Tranisitioning from the gym to the street.

Why: Building a great fitness wardrobe begins with a good foundation of pieces specifically for the gym. The next layer is pieces that will have you looking smart once you walk out the gym doors.
Whether you're off to the grocery store or brunch with the gals, here are a few items to spruce up your gym look.

1. A great pair of Ballet Flats

These are a pair of DKNY Beverly flats from last season. I own a pair very similar to these and absolutely love them. They feel so great; just like a sneaker and fit easily into a gym bag. Slip them on after a hard workout and add miles of style.

For the most complimentary shape, look for something similar to the pair pictured. The cut and build should feel like a flat sneaker and stick with a neutral hue. Extra points for a hint of metallic!
Avoid goofy looking mesh fabrics with cross straps or ankle straps.
2. Seasonal Scarf


A bright gauzy scarf like this one pictured looks great popped over a workout tank in the spring and summer. Just make sure it's seasonally appropriate. Avoid wool or heavy fabrics during these months.
Try something a little heavier and in a solid hue for the fall or winter. You'll not only look on trend, but stay extra cozy.

3. A Jean Jacket

Especially in the cooler months of Fall and Spring a jean jacket provides a little extra warmth with a classic "cool" look. Just picture your metallic flats, a great scarf, and a denim jacket. Even with workout pants you can't go wrong!
Denim jackets are everywhere in all price points. Just make sure you find one that is slightly fitted and a solid wash. Avoid a boxy or shrunken cut.

4. A Polo Style Dress

These are great to throw in your gym bag and use in the event that you have to do an entire post-workout wardrobe change.
Pick one in a neutral color. Gray, black, navy, and the like will get you through most any month in the year. . . especially when paired with the elements I've listed above.
Also make sure that you pick one with a nice fit; should pull in slightly at the waist. Avoid pockets and make sure there's a nice "hand" to the fabric. It should wear well and wash well.

5. A Great Gym Bag
In my opinion, this is the piece that you should invest the most time into finding. It's the on piece of your workout wardrobe that has to work the hardest; should be sturdy and big enough to function while giving you the most flash of personality and style.
Whether your budget is high or low, here are a few more worth looking into.

Old Navy

Kate Spade

Dolce Gabbana

Stella McCartney for Adidas

Gap

I hope you will share this blog with friends. Be well, be happy and enjoy that first cup of coffee. Stephanie



"Breakfast At Tiffany's" turns 50!

 

"Breakfast At Tiffany's" turns 50!

It really was the Givenchy Little Black Dress that stood the test of time.

(CBS News) One of Hollywood's most beloved films, "Breakfast at Tiffany's," is about to celebrate its 50th anniversary.


Loosely-based on the Truman Capote novella, "Breakfast At Tiffany's" is looked at by many as having had a huge impact on movies, fashion and society at large.

On "The Early Show on Saturday Morning," New York Times Chief Film critic A.O. Scott and More magazine film critic Alison Bailes discussed that impact and how it changed the way we look at women on the big screen.

Directed by the late Blake Edwards, the classic centers on New York party girl Holly Golightly, played by Audrey Hepburn, as she embarks on a wild, comedic adventure to find love in the big city.