A Little Birthday Affirmation

"When you're always trying to conform to the norm, you lose your uniqueness, which can be the foundation for your greatness" ~ anon

Here I sit pondering where the hell the year went.  I know we all say, the years go so fast, but literally, this year went by at record speed.  Last year, being a monumental birthday, has left me philosophical and nostalgic.  I'll be honest with you, I'm a little afraid of aging, but there's nothing to do but look to those who have gone before with style and grace.  My new favorite blog is Advanced Style.  These ladies make aging elegant.  When my joints are less forgiving, my back bent over with signs of old age, and my hands crippled from arthritis ~ I'm still gonna dress like a million bucks and put on some lipstick!  (Was that too grim?)

I'm still going to view things with child-like wonder and be attracted to shiny things

I will continue to take risks and seek out adventure.

What I will NOT do is embrace my frizzy hair

See color in the black and white

Continue to LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH with friends and family.
Finding a sense of humor in things is my key to coping with "life's difficulties"

I struggle to be able to see things with a glass-half-full attitude, but everything is a work in progress, as I still am, as my creative mind is, as my (hopefully long) life will continue to be.

I am going to look to Iris Apfel as my new role model.  The woman at 90 is a muse and a cover girl.  She knows how to roll with style, grace and an "I don't give a damn" attitude.  Happy Birthday to me!

What’s your advice to getting older gracefully?
Iris Apfel: Well just be yourself. I think Chanel said, “Nothing makes a woman look old than a woman trying to look young.” Dress appropriately, and do your makeup appropriately, and be yourself, and you can look very chic. You can look beautiful at any age.

"SURROUND YOURSELF ONLY WITH PEOPLE WHO LIFT YOU HIGHER!" ~ Oprah

Black and white photos:Pinterest

A Bloggers Tale OR The Fate of La Rhonda

"You must look back to look forward "

Wrapping up the Tale of La Rhonda makes perfect sense on my 1 year blogging anniversary.  My blog came out of a newsletter I had been writing for a year prior.  In an effort to gain a wider audience and network with kindred spirits, I shuttered the newsletter and began the blog.

My first story (in the newsletter) was the possible destruction of the magnificent Spanish Colonial Revival home by noted architect Addison Mizner in Bryn Mawr, PA.  It was a huge story in the Philly area that became national news.  It became a symbol for the importance of the preservation of history and historic places.

I'll spare you the gory details here but The Hysterical Preservationist posted a great summary of the sad demise of this historic gem by Mizner, the only home he designed north of the Mason Dixon line.

Everything beautiful was stripped away and carted off as interested parties fought over salvage rights. Greed seemed to be the only motivating factor.  The cries of the people fell on deaf ears.

We watched with a heavy heart as the hand painted picky cypress ceiling was dismantled, the stained glass windows removed, bath fixtures torn out of the wall ~ then, the wreaking ball did it's dirty work.

And more than a year later, the pain of the loss of La Rhonda is still being felt.  Today, there stands a more than 10,000 sq. ft. generic Mcmansion with its indoor skating rink, pool, basketball court, theatre, etc., etc.  An opportunity to preserve a local treasure was lost.  Hopefully a lesson was learned (but I doubt it)

Blogging is a process.  Like building a home or raising a child, it takes patience, nurturing, the ability to listen to others.  Learn from mistakes made and take a few risks along the way.  I've learned I love to tell stories and I try to do it in an authentic way.  I have enjoyed the challenges and benefits that have come my way.  I have tried to evaluate constructive criticism and accept compliments graciously.  That's how we grow.  I look forward to another year of unexpected surprises.  I am glad you are on this journey with me.  Thank you!  Oh, and I love and appreciate comments.



ph: Palm Beach Daily, Clem/Murry,Carla J. Zambelli, Paul Austin Orleman, CLI

The Big One!

It's hard to believe another year has passed; as have all the previous, moving faster and faster.  As I reach this milestone, I am reflective, grateful, less confrontational, more confident and tolerant; a constant work in progress.  Surer of who I am and where I want to go ~ 

To Paris

Where, like Marie Antoinette, I will eat cake

and oodles of macaroons

and shop with abandon

tour glorious Chateaus

and sip sumptuous champagne

If any of you are wondering what to get me, here's a hint ~

Joyeux anniversaire à moi