Labor Day Weekend Bash

TGIF Jewels,

We made it through the week with a three-day weekend ahead of us, in my case it does not really matter since I don’t have a 9-5 anymore. My husband and I like to stay in Labor Day weekend to avoid crowds, and traffic, and if we were a little more settled in I would plan a little gathering and invite my family, and closest friends. I am all about quality time so the smaller the crowd the better and this is the setting I would love to incorporate into the small gathering.

That’s right comfortable with an outdoor movie to enjoy the rest of the summer.

Whatever your plans this Labor Day weekend I hope they are safe and enjoyable, and for the rest of the world who isn’t celebrating Labor Day weekend, I hope you all have an enjoyable weekend too.

Photo courtesy of: POTTERYBARN

With love,
Monica

Five Sleep Time Essentials

Happy Thursday Lovelies,

I happen to take the comfort of my sleep very serious. I tend to have trouble sleeping so I try to make my experience as soothing as possible.

I love sleeping in a white 100% cotton night-gown, and the more I wash it the softer it becomes, plus it makes me feel extremely feminine.

Chamomile herbal tea, the aroma and taste instantly puts me into sleep mode, it is literally essential that I have some before bed and I look forward to it every night.

Something to read that does not require too much thinking and that I enjoy. My husband makes fun of me because he keeps telling me that I need to keep up with technology and get a kindle or whatever else is out there. I can’t see how something that requires technology would put me to sleep. Plus I love books, I love the scent, the hard cover, the way they look next to my bed, etc.

Flowers, the scent of flowers for some reason helps me become sleepy, especially lavender which is my favorite. I know these aren’t lavender, but I love waking up to flowers in general.

White bedding made of 1000 thread count Egyptian cotton. I wash all our bedding once a week and bleach it once a month. There is nothing more heavenly then sleeping in clean white bedding.

I hope your sleeping essentials are pleasantly heavenly as well, there is nothing better than a good night sleep.

With love,
Monica

An Escape

 

This weekend I went to visit my family, talk about a bitter-sweet situation.  Bitter because I’m leaving my little Kobe with my parents for 3 weeks!!! Sweet because… wait, wait, wait for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My honey’s taking me to ITALY for our anniversary!!  This entire time I thought we were going to Hawaii or Bora Bora.  And if you’ve been following me you know I definitely need a little vacation. My little Sophie will be staying with my honey’s parents, if you haven’t met them, you can meet them here.

What I’m looking forward to.

Florence

Almafi Coast

Capri

Rome

The local ingredients.

Tuscany.

I’ll be leaving today and I’ll be back 9/14. If you have any suggestions please share them. Thank you!

As always, Carolina xoxo

 

A Fairy Tale Come True

Hello Jewels,

As mentioned in yesterday’s post that I would be posting some pictures of the wedding I just attended.

From the minute the groom and bride walk in the music becomes extremely intense. The musicians chant away singing in their native language, including me who never has the slightest idea of what they are saying, but I do know this, part of the chanting includes her name, how can you not feel like a queen the day of your wedding.

One of the traditions is to dance around the cake.

And it all begins we all dance around the bride and groom while the musicians continue to chant the bride’s name along with a chorus in their native language. I literally never sit down, I woke up with blisters on my feet the next day. My husband seems to think I am more Lebanese then he is.

The Queen of the night getting ready to sit in her throne before dinner while everyone continues to dance around her and chant.

Rumor has it that she spent $20,000.00 on her dress.

The traditional dabke dance.

And the dancing around the couple continues.

I have to be frank, this is not the wedding that I preferred when given the choice by my husband. Our wedding was a very traditional American wedding, with hints of Mexican and Lebanese traditions, however I do enjoy attending these celebrations. I always enjoy myself, and the food is always out of the ordinary.

Thank you for stopping by,
Monica

Black and Gold

Happy Monday Gorgeous Gems,

As mentioned in Friday’s post that I had a wedding to attend to yesterday, and for the event I decided to wear this little number.

My husband is Lebanese and Michigan has one of the largest Lebanese/Arab if not the largest communities in the country. Their community is very united which means we attend a wedding at least once or a couple of times a year and would you believe that I was somewhat under-dressed! Yes, the LBD will not cut it at these events. Women wear gowns, and have their hair and make-up done, it’s like prom all over again. Only I won’t bring myself to buy a $600.00 gown that I will only wear once because a lot of time you see the same people, and there is no way you can be caught in the same dress at another wedding.

I know I will be wearing this little number come the holidays.

Sunglasses: Tory Burch similar here, dress Adam Lippes (Clients of this designer Oprah Winfrey, Kelly Ripa) stilettos Micheal Kors, clutch La Regale.

Stay tuned for pictures of the event.

Until next time,
Monica

Outdoor Fun

Happy Friday Lovelies,

I hope you all had a productive week. I have been trying to find someone who can revamp our blog, any suggestions? I also finished reading a book which always makes me feel somewhat accomplished, and I have been preparing for an upcoming boating festival in which I will be setting up a booth to sell our jewelry and our weekend is completely booked. We are meeting a friend for dinner tonight, then heading over to a concert to see the Gipsy Kings, and going to a party after. Tomorrow is no different another concert: TobyMac, (Christian Artist) and a wedding on Sunday which will be an all day event. If I didn’t have all these plans I would enjoy the rest of what is left of this beautiful summer somewhere outdoors.

Sometimes our lives get too busy and we forget to enjoy the simple things in life. I wouldn’t mind enjoying this weekend somewhere peaceful in the middle of nowhere just to get-away.

Hope you have a beautiful weekend Jewels,
Monica

Eclectic Attic

Hello there Precious Pearls,

Most of us shop at them, you know the places where we find our little hidden jewels, “consignment stores.” My favorite is “Eclectic Attic in Plymouth Michigan.”

As soon as I walk in my heart begins to pump faster because I have no idea what I will leave with. I don’t feel like this about many places.

They carry the essentials; contemporary pieces, as well as one of kind vintage couture which is where I stop first.

One of the many vintage dresses I have purchased, and another one here for about $30.00.

And of course they carry accessories, i.e., genuine designer sunglasses, genuine watches, genuine hand bags, etc., I didn’t purchase these glasses there, but they carry the real deal.

But one of the reasons why this is my favorite consignment store is because they also carry antique furniture, and paintings. This place very much lives up to its name. The owner is extremely helpful, personable, and looks as if she would work for Vogue, with her defined features, red lipstick, and shiny black bob. She very much tempts me into cutting my hair into a bob again.

I have rarely left without a purchase.

Jewels, where do you shop for those hidden jewels? We would love to know so that if we ever make it to your neck of the woods we know where to shop?

Until next time,
Monica

Back to School

Hello there Jewels,

It has been a while since I had to go back to school shopping and it was always a special occasion for us growing up. Our father had an annual meeting Labor Day weekend usually in the Northern part of California, or Nevada in Las Vegas, or Reno which is when we did most of our school shopping. My sister and I always made the best of it, and other times not so much.

Sister, if you were reading this you know what I am talking about “does the Sheraton Parking Lot in Concord California ring a bell?” If you are all wondering what it was, we were caught smoking by our mother who saw us from her hotel window and of course me being the older sister was blamed for it all. Omg, how embarrassing that was, we don’t smoke now, but you know how it is when you are growing up, you do it because you think it’s cool. Back to the school shopping, part of why I like going to school was dressing up every morning which is one of the reasons why I couldn’t have attended a private school because of the uniforms. However if I did I would hope it would include the Burberry plaids and Louise Vuitton.

My blouse actually has subtle polka-dots, I would have to have several print feminine blouses to mix with the plaids, it would be nice if they were the Burberry plaids, and of course my book bag would be by Louise Vuitton.

Sunnies: Tori Burch, polka-Dotted blouse: Forever 21 (old), belt J.Crew, skirt Burberry, flats Banana Republic, Bag Wilshire Monogram Louise Vuitton.

Until next time,
Monica

Caprese bites

Hi friends!

You already know how I feel about bite size treats and if you’ve been following us you know I’m the biggest fan of traditional Caprese salads but I decided to put a little twist in them. I’m always up for twisting the tradition and besides there can never be enough Caprese salads in my day. What do you think friends?

My very own home grown basil from my garden. And guess what!! My honey just bought a fig and a asian pear tree!! I can’t wait to share the goodies I’ll be making.

I can never have enough of this.

As always, Carolina xoxo

Tea Party

This past weekend was my friend’s tea party themed  Bridal shower that I’ve been planing for some time, thankfully it went smooth with the help of her wonderful family. Everyone looked exquisite, the ambiance was on point, the games were a hit, and of course we indulged in too much pastries, after-all it was high tea.  My friend was so excited she kept saying how beautiful the venue was and how happy she was. What a hit! Take a peek.

The Bride-to-be walking up the stairs to her tea party theme at The Andersen’s in Santa Barbara California.

The Beautiful Bride-to-be

The best crab sandwiches!

socializing

The Bride-to-be with her family.

The Maid of Honor and the Bride-to-be.

As always, Carolina xoxo