Life's Little Inspirations

I know, I know, it’s been a ridiculous amount of time since I’ve written. And I know when I started this blog, that I said I would write every time I was ‘inspired’. Hear me out -  I’m not saying that I haven’t been ‘inspired’ in the past month and 27 days, not saying that at all, it’s just that I’ve had trouble translating these inspirations effectively in writing.

But writing has always been my truest form of expression. I’ve always said my mind best in written form. So after weeks of internal debate, an in an attempt to not be too self-serving, here it is, what’s been keeping me inspired…

Recent inspirations have come in so many beautiful forms – it has come through the witnessing of strength and faith from my best friend and her family during the most difficult of times, it has revealed itself in the level of intensity that my favorite Brit goes about his work - always with his naughty british sense of humor; it has come through the determination of my brother and sister-in-law finding their daughters the perfect place to call home; I caught a glimpse of it when my parents told me they were planting a garden and when our pastor preached his heart out about Abraham. It has come through the meticulous eye of a friend who knows what she wants and refuses to settle; it’s revealed itself in yoga class and at a painting party. I saw it in my neighbor when she talked about her love for her patients; and in my best friend’s husband when he talked so sweetly about his wife. I was inspired last night when reading a book on Jackie O, and when the people from iTunes support actually got back to me. I got really inspired at an antique store one too many times in 1 month and 27 days (but nothing that got too out of hand…but I did get a fabulously inspiring vintage Bally bag and wallet for $30 and two gorgeous vintage lamps for an undisclosed price J ). I continue to be inspired by a dear friends dream of getting pregnant, and by my other dear friends fierce sense of style. I was inspired by a friends photography, and by her willingness to encourage others to be photographers too. I was reminded just yesterday of how inspiring a call from a cousin at just the right moment was for me. And I am inspired by my grandma’s tech-savy voicemails. I am annoyed inspired by my puppy’s sense of determination when it comes to eating every page of a coffee table book. And by the amount of patience that my older dog has acquired since bringing home said puppy.

So many days, so many inspirations.

I hope you witnessed/read/heard about/listened to/experienced/tried/ate/smelled/touched something inspiring today.

Would love to hear what’s been inspiring you.

Loads of love and kisses to all,

SBW

Update on Devil Lizard

My nice friend Gregario over at Terminex was scheduled for his quarterly visit today -- and when he walked in the door I asked in my nicest tone if he would be so kind as to remove the super lizard from my closet before he went into our attic to check for mice/rats. Amazingly, the man who has a job at a company that specializes in removing rodents and other things that run fast with nasty long tails was panic stricken when I asked him to remove the lizard. I thought this would be a walk in the park. After convincing him that he was the right man for the job, he sulked, went into my closet and decided the best tactic would be to carry my running jacket outside and leave it on a chair. So the running outfit is still outside but so is the lizard, so I am a happy.

Stephanie 1; Lizard 0.

Good day to all!
xxx

Honey-do's

Hey guys,

So if you are a reader of this blog, then you're up to speed with my obsession with the Tudor's, my lack of knowledge when it comes to plumbing and you know that I get a natural high from antique shopping. Today's the day that I really invite you into my world and discuss a certain fear of mine. **Lizards.** Yes, that's right, I said lizards.

Background story: When I was about 8 years old I had a dream that I was being attacked by a bunch of frogs. For some reason this funny little mind of mine has allowed that frog dream to transcend over to all reptiles, which naturally gives me a really embarrassing fear of lizards.

Well, had you been at our house the day before we left for London, you might have been hanging out with me in our closet with a glass of wine while I packed, unpacked and repacked for our 12 day trip. You might also have been in said closet when I reached up to grab my adorable purple clutch and began screaming my head off. Hint, I was NOT screaming because I was annoyed with packing, I was screaming because I was suddenly starring face to face with my nemesis - a chameleon. A very large chameleon at that. I very kindly asked my loving husband to remove the reptile from the handbag section of our closet before we left for our vacation for fear of immaculate conception. The last thing I need is a bunch of chameleon offspring rummaging around in my closet when I'm out.

Well, guess who somehow didn't get around to removing the lizard? I'm not one to name names, but as a hint, I've been calling him husband now for the last 6 months. OF COURSE, the demon lizard never once made an appearance last week when my loving husband was in town, but YESTERDAY, when the dollface was away on business, he totally reared his ugly head on the sleeve of my new Ali Ro parka. Of course I screamed.

I even went so far as to stage an encounter with my dogs and the devil lizard, but they were absolutely worthless. Winston tried to lick him. Traitor.

Well, before hopping into bed, I learned that not only had this reptile been on my gorgeous parka, but he has since walked his way over half my closet and is now making himself perfectly at home in my Adidas running outfit. For proof see below pic. Yes, that's his rat-like tail hanging out of my cute workout clothes! You would be terrified too.

All this to say, "Tom, please come home, I have a few honey-do's on my list I need you to take care of."

On a lighter note, so I don't have nightmares of frogs and lizards all night, I got to spend the weekend with two of my favorite people, my nieces Anna and Princess Ausley. We had a whale of a time. We painted our fingernails, we dressed in Aunt Steph's jewels, and we learned EVERY work to Taylor Swifts, "You Belong To Me" when we listened to it in the car on repeat for 8 hours. A few pics to document the fun...

Winston hearts Ausley and her Gorg necklace.

Such a cute picture until you look at Tom's awkward pose. We'll work on that.

Winston has gone from loving Ausley to being obsessed with her. Which I'm obsessed with.

I hope your closets are lizard free tonight and every night thereafter for that matter. If you're not afraid of lizards and you want to come get mine out of my closet before Tommy gets home, I  welcome you with open arms.

Sweet dreams to all, 

xxx

A British Krimbo!

As we approach the tail end of what has been a superb Christmas abroad, I thought I would take a moment to recount the last 11 days with family and friends for anyone willing to read about it. 

The trip began as a double score for the newlywed Bowen Wrights. Arrived at the airport 3 hours early for fear of massive queues - apparently we had grown used to traveling out of New York -- so were pleasantly surprised when we were 1 of about 23 people in the entire DFW airport. Result. 

Next off to our departure gate where we kindly offered up our two cattle class tickets in exchange for a later flight consisting of 2 First Class Seats, and $1600 worth of American Airlines travel vouchers -- Double Result. Not bad, BW's. Not bad.

With the trip off to a kicking good start, we laid back (apparently you can do that in First Class), toasted the trip with a nice glass of bubbly, had a five course meal, then put on the complimentary noise canceling headphones and drifted off to sleep. 

Good Morning, London!

So as some might know, I have an odd  fascination with the Tudor era. ***I truly believe I would have fit in quite nicely in that era - AND made it through with my head completely intact.*** Well anyway, because my loving husband knows of said fascination, he took me to Hampton Court Palace -- favorite home of Henry VIII (my FAV Tudor). We learned about the food, the kitchens, the plumbing, the heating, everything. It was all very Royal. And I ROYALLY loved it. Lit-ra-ly. Dad and John, you would have loved it too -- apparently the King was quite the Sportsman...

We then spent a lovely evening with Uncle Dick and Aunt Torie in the English countryside of Hampshire at their beautiful new home. As noted in earlier post, in Texas we wear feather headdresses/turkey hats around the dinner table, but in England, we wear Crowns! How ROYAL of us! Not quite the same as living amongst the Tudors, but pretty darn close!

  

Our next adventure took us to see Tom's favorite Futball (not Football) team, Arsenal play at the new and impressive Emirates Stadium. Needless to say, Arsenal beat Chelsea 3-1. For the sake of the rest of our trip, this was a VERY good thing. The next picture captures Tom's excitement better than any words I could muster together. Wha-Hay! 

Then we got this nice little update from Aunt Shayna and Uncle Matt who are graciously watching our little rugrats while we are away. ***White House: Lots of free diners, wine, cookies, and elaborate gifts await you  upon our return***

I like to think that the panicked look on Winston's face is all in my head *** being a mother who's away from her child for the first time***  Or maybe he just likes to be REALLY aware of his surroundings? But I've got a two day countdown going till I get to smother the little men to absolute pieces. And I have never looked forward to anything more!

I hope that everyone out there had a wonderful, memorable and happy Christmas and here's to a glorious 2011 to you and yours!!

With loads of love and hugs,
xxx-
steph BW