Thursday, January 27, 2011

It's Black Tie Season in Palm Beach

The most famous time of the year is upon me.  That season would be, Black Tie Season.  Every year I pull out my calendar and sort through all the invitations that send me to one of the most fabulous hotels in the Country, The Breakers Hotel. 

I must tell you that to pull up, valet, descend and breathe in the most luxurious of spaces is a treat!  I don't take it for granted, I admire it and wish everyone could see it.  I wanted to create this post today so I could describe for you the joy of attending an event at the Breakers.

The first thing you notice are the interiors, they are exquisite.  Everything is grand, bold and cheerful.  The ladies behind the desk all wear a new for 2011 "tiffany blue" suits.  I won't bore you with all the details of the interiors but I will tell you that their floral bouquets adorning the hallways are as big as my downstairs half bathroom.  I love fresh cut flowers and you will always see many flowers at the Breakers.  If you want to sit down and rest before going into your event ballroom, you can sit anywhere, they don't care.  But when you sit down, it's like sinking into a huge piece of furniture.  Nothing is of "residential" scale, this is "hotel" scale.  I wonder if I will ever design a hotel?  Moving on, when you go to your ballroom, it is a long walk.  When you finally get there, there is a receiving room, or a "drinks" room.  You don't really go into the ballroom until the servers are ready setting everything up.  When you do go in, WOW, it's magnificent.  The table setting is perfect.  Everyone is hugging and kissing and photographing.  It's amazing to see how beautiful table arrangements are.  This year all the tables were done eclectic.  Each table either had tall clear glass cala lillies inside w/floater candles.  Another table had a huge clear vase with a lamp shade and dripping crystals off of it.  It would be shameful if I didn't tell you about the music.  It was a one piece band, singing all Andre Bocelli's songs!  I have to tell you I really enjoyed it.

Before we knew it, they gave out all their awards (no Rick was not a recipient this year), amazed us with "Power Speeches" and we cheered, clapped and ate.  I almost forgot, the food is outrageous.  The chefs are from all over the world and can I tell you "world-class" baby!  We feasted this night on shrimp, filet mignon, and about 50 desserts.  I really needed a girdle after this event.  It was then time to go home, this Cinderella needs her rest.  Before our exit we popped our head out the door to view the "Ocean".  It was raging as usual and their was a full moon.  It was absoultely breath taking!

When we were leaving, the Conceirge took our photo, I was so impressed.  We proceeded to valet, and typical Breakers style, they had the gas heaters outside going. (these are about 8' tall and very powerful) Wouldn't want any precious Palm Beach or European guests getting cold in the South Florida weather, now would we?!  Our Volvo pulled around and everyone said goodbye, that is the ladies huddled under the heater.   Gotta love Palm Beach, gotta celebrate life every day.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Stock Photo Download from PixMac

I liked this photo, it's from a stock photo company that has unique images/photos for download for subscription or by the piece.  This unique tree was in their "Free" section.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.  Leave me a comment if you like this. 
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<P>stock images #54168373

Monday, January 10, 2011

Greatful Day 10 - Forgiveness

Last year I had the opportunity to explore forgiveness in my life.  I did not realize at the time, but I was really struggling with this one.  It was big, huge, ruining my days.  I decided I had to start with myself.  I had to forgive myself for not being "perfect".  Then I remembered hearing in church all the time, about how we are not made perfect.  We are born with stains on our soul, and the sacrament of Baptism washes that away.  The Lord forgives us of natural sin, and Jesus died for us!  Why can't I forgive myself?  Because I am subborn.  I had become ambivilent to change.  I love change.  I feel it is necessary like honey to a bee.  Why was I so ambivilent?  I must be angry; I must be unhappy.  How could this be?  It was starring me in the face! I was ashamed of this, humbled and desirous of forgiveness.

Being that it was Christmas, a time of birth, renewal and rejoicing.  I chose to unlock a part of my heart and see myself as a person needing to forgive myself and push through the pain, sorrow whatever it was that was holding me back before.  Having received a prompting from my daughter, I took action, and reunited with my friend.  We talked for a long time and realized we were both hurt, but somehow we wouldn't do that to each other anymore.  We were going to forgive!  From that moment on,  I knew I was on the right road. 

I am greatful for the struggles that happen in my life.  I really don't want them, but when I analyze it and reflect, I realize they were there to make me grow.  <3

Saturday, January 8, 2011

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Calendar Wallpaper Giveaway!

I have to tell you that I am so happy to see 2010 gone, I rang in 2011 with friends and haven't looked back yet!  Don't have a lot of resolutions, just one:  Be greatful for everything I get this year.  You know it takes so little to say "Thank You", I made a dozen cards that said just that for a lady, and realized I needed to make some for myself.  So, who will you thank this year?  Are you ready; do you have your cards?  Remember, my Etsy shop and my fellow Etsians are here to helpppp you!  :) 

Today you are getting the first look at my digital dreams, a calendar with some of my favorite people.  So here's the {scoop} deal, I am giving this template away.  Since I am new to the digital world, and want to give away my first creation, I will insert two photos of your choice and give you this wallpaper page for FREE!

Here is all you need to do.  1) Post a comment here, 2) heart something from my Etsy shop, don't worry I'll know, even if you want to keep it private; and 3) visit my Creative Memories site and "contact me" from that site by sending me your information.  On Friday, January 14th I will post the winner.  Good luck.
Credits:  StoryBook Creator by Creative Memories software, stripe paper and embellishments, MallyMac&Me, Boho Chic paper, Etsy Digital Artist.  Pickleberrypop, starter pack {excellent freebie} "Andres" letters.  "Fresh" freebie download by Kuoha Designs, Ink flower embellishment (also free starter pack available).  If you want the links to anything, they are here, on my blog, scroll down on the right!