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The clothing choices, the hair, the bribes ...

MARCO CALDERON PHOTOGRAPHY

OVERDUE

On a recent Photo Friday, I posted a photo of my kids being photographed.  We were long overdue.  I think the last time we used a professional Kate was like 2 years old.  Part of the reason I waited so long is because it is alot of work ... the clothing choices, the hair, the bribes.  And I was searching for a new photograher.  Someone fresh.

I stumbled upon an amazing up and coming photographer who hails from Mexico.  He was taking headshots for a work related group and I fell in love with his business card.  That's all it takes.

We got together on a very cold day over Thansgiving weekend.  My vision for the photoshoot came from Taylor Swift's Begin Again video shot in Paris.  The city background was very grey and white and Taylor's clothing was colorful and she popped.  

I promise a full line-up of pictures later tonight (when I am at home) but for now here is a teaser.

Tracy

Book Review

When choosing a book to read, I am never the light, fun, funny type. Dark and tragic seem to be my style most of the time. Maybe it was the snap of cold weather, but I wanted something light, fun, and funny. The ladies at The Town Bookstore are always at the ready with a perfect recommendation - this time it was What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty.

The story takes place in Sydney, Australia, but it could happen in any suburb, anywhere. Alice Love loses her memory - ten years to be exact - forgetting her three children, SUV, manicured house, and oh yes, the horrible divorce she is going through with her husband. Alice thinks she is a newlywed, pregnant with her first child. She can't fathom why she is a super-skinny mom, constantly working out, drinking coffee, and dating the school principal. 

Through Alice's point of view, there is much humor and heart to be had upon examining what her life has become. I still have some reading to do, but it appears even a mess of a life can be salvaged through the unexpected blessing of a memory loss. (I can"t wait to finish it!)

If anyone out there wants to borrow What Alice Forgot, you know where to find this t.

tricia 

THON

Over the weekend of February 15th, Penn State University students will hold the annual Penn State Dance Marathon.  Better known as THON.  A 46 hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon.  Are you sitting down ... this is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world!  GO PENN STATE!

For alittle bit more inforamtion, here is an exerpt from the THON website:

The mission of the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon is to

conquer pediatric cancer by providing outstanding emotional and financial

support to the children, families, researchers, and staff of the

Four Diamonds Fund. 

FTK!

Since 1977, THON has raised more than $89 million for the

Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital.

THON is less than a month away.  I encourage to you to support this great cause.  You can donate here:

Donate to THON

Tracy

thin is in??

Thin is in?? No ~ not pant/skirt/jean size silly. I am talking about glassware. Yep..those trusty glasses you grab and use hundreds of times a day, thousands of times a week. Filling with milk, water, juice and, sometimes, wine. ;)

We got our set of glasses as newlyweds many moons ago.  A beehive pattern from Crate & Barrel in three sizes. Four kids later, many glasses became casualties of a busy family. The set became one of odds and ends. The remaining glasses were nicked and scratched. It was time for a change.

Thin glasses were on my radar..paper thin, fragile and simple. After searching a bit, I came across the winner -- > CB2's "Marta" barware. I ordered a set including all three sizes. Each glass costs between $1.50 - $2.50 making any breakage less painful. Best, the glasses are also perfect for wine which eliminates having so many styles and types of glasses around.

Change is often good, even for something as mundane as glassware. Go ahead - give it  a try - start with two. I suspect you will like them as much as I do.

tricia

a peek in my cupboard

(thin glasses stack too!)

Photo Friday 94

Jenna On My Coffee Table in New Jersey

(Creativity at Work by Heather Clawson)

Self Portrait in Pennsylvania

I Spy

As I peeled the blue, plastic bag off of the Sunday NYT in my driveway, imagine the joy when I spied Jenna Lyons on the front page of the Styles section. Sigh. As the JCrew brand has rocketed to super stardom, so has she. For a woman who spent half of her life working at JCrew (twenty two years to be exact), it is interesting how she has become a celebrity in her own right.

I appreciate how Jenna Lyons wears JCrew, of course, but doesn't drown in it from head-to-toe. I think she wisely mixes it with other brands (lots of Celine lately) and, best of all, makes it her own. Her subconscious message seems to say that a girl can squeeze JCrew into any outfit. (I know I do!) What I am not clear about is whether the style of JCrew and Jenna are one in the same or mere reflections.

I hope you get a chance to read the article. I hope you get shopping..40% off final sale at JCrew.

tricia   

WELCOME

Welcome old man winter.  

Today the temperature hovered at 15 degrees all day long.  

There is nothing like some good, cold, fresh air.

"While I relish our warm months, winter forms our character and brings out our best." Tom Allen

                                       

Life is a Highway

It is time for us to get a new vehicle..and with six of us, plus a dog, the choices are limited. Our minivan  or "people mover" has served us well, especially with the built-in DVD system. A godsend for lengthy car trips. Imagine the shock and surprise of five family members when we realized the new vehicle wouldn't have a DVD player.

Well, this t had a few ideas up her sleeve to fill in the gap ~ imagine audio books, auto Bingo, music and I Spy. We could learn another language together as we cruise along. (we own a set for Portuguese) I picture our faces gazing out the windows, enjoying the scenery of unknown towns en route to vacation destinations. My hopes are high for traveling the way the t's did when we were young.

The reality is this --> the kids will plug into their electronic devices and pop headphones on before we pull out of the driveway. And if things get dicey, Grandma tells me the portable DVD players are inexpensive - get one for everyone! (I think Henry may have put one on his birthday list already)

Auto Bingo anyone?

tricia

the trusty van helping with

our Christmas tree

Photo Friday 93

Hostess Gift in New Jersey

(thanks Jeannine!)

November Photo Shoot in Pennsylvania

WHITE

Planning for a vacation is quite a lot of work. I give credit to people who do it and do it well.  And people who have a knack to seek out a good deal.  A coworker of mine visited Iceland last year.  Crazy.  He and his wife went in the winter because it was a cheap destination.  They loved it.

While I'm not in that planning mode right now, I am planning my first house project of 2013.  A bedroom renovation.  More specifically the boys room (they share a bedroom somewhat to their dismay). 

My plan is relatively simple and it will be a DIY project.  Yikes.  A built-in closet system, a desk for homework (possibly a two person workstation), paint and decorating.  Easy, right.  I'm thinking about doing two different wall colors.  A darker grey on the far wall with windows and matching paint on the near wall where the desk will be located.  The side walls will be white (imagine that).  So I am searching for the perfect white paint.  I've yet to find it.  I'm looking for a white with grey undertones.  A white that gives a vintage, I've been here for awhile tone.

Does anyone have the perfect white paint color they would be willing to share?

Tracy

Some Design Inspiration from Houzz

love the heavy wood shelves and 

red filing drawers 

drawn to a fun modern space, the great light 

fixture and wall mural

Oh the Places We'll Go

Why does the gray winter nudge me along in planning the blue summer? And by blue, I conjure up blue skies, blue water, a blue bikini and our ancient, blue beach umbrella. Even with fun-filled memories on the horizon, the whole planning part seems like an enormous project, which it truly is.

With few precious weeks of summer vacation, four kids, two adults and a dog, the plan needs to be precise in order to squeeze it all in. After filling in our calendar with swim team commitments, summer birthdays, the July 4th BBQ and some camping for kids, there are spaces left for an adventure or two.

This summer, Maine is on my radar. It has been for awhile. With such a large coastline, it is hard to pinpoint an exact town. My project continues. And, our family always pays a visit to Avalon, NJ. We have been summering there forever it seems. A beach town we know like the backs of our hands. Especially after Super Storm Sandy, it is important to support the Jersey shore communities. Now to fit it in somewhere..

Wish me luck. And, no, I didn't forget sneaking down to LBI to spend some time with you sister ~ save me a chair next to you at the infamous beach camp.

tricia

My Ocean Loving Kids..

AWARDS

Did you watch the Golden Globe Awards last night?  I should've sent out a reminder last week.  It is awards season.  I am still a TV junkie and would love to sneak out to a movie more than once a year.  Red Box, Netflix and On Demand will have to do for now.  Although we just discovered we have free HBO.  What!

On my radar is Amanda Seyfried.  She is an actress who hails from Allentown, Pennsylvania (which is next door to me).  Amanda stars as Cosette in the movie Les Miserables.  Les Mis won best movie last night.  Here's a story ... I have a neighbor whose daughter is a recent Penn State grad and living in Manhattan. Hannah was home during Hurricane Sandy because the city was without power (we had spotty power).  She was at the mall and claims she saw Amanda Seyfried and her dog Finn.  Makes sense --- Amanda lives in the city as well and probably didn't have power either.  Hannah was going to say hi to Amanda but was gracious and allowed her privacy.  A star sighting here in the Lehigh Valley! I wonder if it was really her.  One more note ... this was on a Tuesday.  You and I were at the same mall two days later sister.  For the same reason ... hurricane shopping and eating.  We should have had our star radar on.  Love it!!!!  

Tracy

P.S.  I feel like I have so many questions to answer for you sister ... I think I am a shy extrovert (is there such a thing?) and indeed I have a wall of art.  My plan is to make it grow.  But my wall will resemble swiss cheese from rearranging so much. Need to find a way to cover all the holes.

Strike a Pose!

Art Project

Art can be found practically everywhere. My favorite spots for finding art include flea markets, etsy, quaint shops on vacation, and inside my children's backpacks. Of course, my personal photographs are always in the mix somehow. 

Recently, I started a wall of art in Grace's room hung in a "salon style" around her bed. It is a work in progress, but I love how each piece reflects things that mean something to Grace. There is an owl, a horse, an ocean, a baby photo, a big girl photo, and a few pieces of her own artwork.

Do you have a wall of art in your home sister? I suspect you do too. ;)

Tricia

Photo Friday 92

Nature Projects in New Jersey

Skiing in Pennsylvania

YUM

Sister,

Please share your buffalo chicken on lettuce with blue cheese on top recipe!  Is cooking and trying new recipes on my short list for the new year?  Perhaps not. But it would be nice.

Tracy

Nothing to do with cooking.  But the caption is simple.

~ Happiness ~

Quiet?

I just finished Quiet by Susan Cain..I couldn't put it down and I can't stop talking about it. This book eloquently illustrates the power of being quiet, introverted and even solitary. It explores the many contributions introverts have made to our society. It shows the strength of listening and being thoughtful.

Here are a few of the questions offered by the author to determine if you are an introvert:

* I prefer one-to-one conversations to group activities
* I often prefer to express myself in writing
* I like to celebrate birthdays on a small scale, with only one or two close friends or family members
* I dislike conflict
* People tell me I'm a good listener
* I dislike small talk, but I enjoy talking in depth about topics that matter to me

Did you answer "yes" to each question like I did? I never thought of myself as an introvert, but I am. Give it a read and then we can talk about it together!

Tricia

Introvert or Extrovert???

GREETINGS

Wow --- a me&t vacation (of sorts).  Once in awhile a break is needed on all fronts.  But it is good to be back.  I've given some thought to the year ahead. I like the thought of "mini" goals for 2013.  Anything in small doses is achievable, right? 

1. Lose 10 pounds

2. Read more 

3. Start and finish some house projects 

4. Only buy items needed, not wanted

5. Become more "green" 

6. Find time to just be

7. Be a planner

8. Act on great ideas 

Did you ever hear the saying "Good is the Enemy of Great".  Someone recently said to me, what's wrong with good. Perhaps trying to have everything great is too much.  Maybe being good is good enough and allows for calm that is much needed.  Something I will ponder in the new year.

Tracy

me&t is back!

Yes, the holidays were fun and festive..we took a vacation from me&t, but we are back. Sorry we were gone for so long. We missed me&t and hope you did too.

Where to start? Well, without it being a cliche and redundant, the beginning of a new year, is a fresh start. Instead of working on areas to improve (there are many ;) -- I am going to list some mini goals to keep in mind for 2013.

* be a more thoughtful, careful writer for me&t
* write each and every day
* finish projects around the house
(I have a big, empty space in my bedroom that collects piles and bags for Goodwill - no joke!)
* get my "run" back on
* learn how to meditate ~ I always wanted to give it a try :)
* explore new places..heard the soul grows

What does your list look like sister? Do you have any mini goals for the new year?

Tricia

Christmas Memory in New York City