somewhere in the suburbs

In the middle of May I got an email from Lynne titled, "lily of the valley", email just said "want some?", my answer was YES!!!!
Had not been to her yard since one of her fabulous wisteria is blooming parties, a few years back.
 Lynne is a free spirit with one of the best and most positive out looks in life I've ever experienced, her husband a meticulous architect and together they created a glorious retreat of a yard.
Every corner filled with flora delight. Layers upon layers of goodness at every turn, this is the kinda place that transports you out of a busy day into a peaceful place. I'm so jealous, take a look!

escape from condotraz

I've been trusting my little pup more and more these days, walks without a leash, hanging out in front of the shop taking in the sun, you know...summer fun !
 She's been doing really good as long as no chipmunks are around, sticks to my side and comes back when I call her. That is until last Tuesday morning.
We came out early in the morning to go to work, I usually let her smell around and investigate for a bit and do her morning dooties while I load up my car; purse, bag with crap that does not fit in my purse, lunch, files and breakfast protein shake, the usual. All done and I called out her name and nothing! I started walking towards her favorite spot and she was nowhere to be found, my heart sank as I piked up the pace screaming  LOUISE!!!! and nothing...I wanted to die.
 Looked everywhere, in the woods behind the house, the sides of the building and in the storm drain wholes. It was so quite  out, just a hand full of birds chirping and all I could think about was the giant hawk we saw the day before perched low on our tree. Still calling her name, now sobbing, hoping to hear the jingle of her tags. Twenty minutes later (which by the way felt like a month) she comes running out of the woods with the most exciting and gratifying face I've seen on my weinerbeagle EVER!!!
I wanted to kill her, but instead I loved her. I asked her all day Tuesday what she did in those twenty minutes and she just wagged her tail...

pride and passion tuesday/ Esther's Place

We set out on our adventure on a brilliant  Sunday afternoon, Nick, Nat, (my sister's kids) Louise and yours truly. Our mission to learn something new from the sweet ladies at Esther's Place.

 Nick and I used to have dates all the time when he was a little bean, but now that I lead the glamorous life of a small business owner, time is at a premium and poor little Nat has been suffering the consequences of my busy schedule. 

So this summer I decided to try to change that a bit and what a great place this was to start our adventures!

Esther's Place began with a small flock of sheep and a wheel and has since grown into a fiber arts studio and rereat center . Named after one of their first sheep,  Esther's Place was founded by Natasha Lehrer at the age of nineteen. With assistance from her parents and others, she wrote grants, learned everything she could about different fiber arts, helped furnish Esther's Place restored 19th century Victorian building, and began this vibrant community resource in the sweet rural town of Big Rock, Illinois. 

Twice a year Esther's Place holds an open house weekend, where you can come explore the possibilities 

and have a meet and greet with the flock and yes Esther was there too!

We explored the studio, enjoyed a felting class and sampled delicious baked goods and refreshments the ladies made. It was delish!

Then Natasha escorted us to the pastures to meet Esther and her friends. Natasha was delightful, passion poured out of her with every explanation and with the animals. She loves what she does and we got to reap the rewards. The kids loved it! Nat said she wants  to be a farmer when she grows up :)

We got to feed the flock and pet the baby lambs, they were sooooooooo sweet.

It was a great day all around, we learned how to felt and about the life of a sheep farmer, left with lots of great goods for future projects, delicious homemade breads and we made fun memories we will share for a lifetime. I will be taking a class there this fall and would love it if you would come along with me and support this heartFELT small business with large passion !

for the love of flowers

Flowers! Oh how I love flowers! Question is... do I love them more than I love myself???
The wedding industry has become so glamorized and at times I feel a bit detached from all of that, like somehow I don't fit in.
I love the brainstorming, planning, the excitement of it all; ripping the boxes open and putting together what we've been planning for a while, making  reality a vision is basically like crack for me. Yes!!! I have an addiction, so much so that I forget what I even look like the day of the wedding. Normally hair back, still a bit of dirt under my finger nails and no make~up.
Always hiding from the guests hoping to catch a glimpse of couples reaction to the room. Wedding planners walking around in pretty little Anthropologie dresses, photographers in cool urban outfits with kick ass gear hanging from their necks, like the most amazing pieces of jewelery I've ever seen and here I am a hot mess. What in the world?!
 The thing is, I feel bad for about an hour and then on the way back to the shop all I can think about is getting some more crack and a nap... anyone else feel this way?

over the moon

I'm so excited! My cousin Lucy is coming to visit! We grew up five doors from each other and now we are continents apart. Shes a bit older then me, still never to cool to hang out with her younger cousin.  She took me to my first concert and bought me my first bottle of perfume, it smelled like honeysuckle :)  I looked up to her then and look up to her now. Love her so.

 Been planning her visit for a couple of months now, I rented a place smack in the middle of everything and can wait to show her this beautiful city of ours!

We have two days of frolic in the city! any thoughts or ideas? Think of us while you're enjoying the weekend and let me know! Can't wait ;)

if you could be a flower, what flower would you be?

                                                                       Photo via Liz Ham

Leave a comment , explaining why that flower, for a chance at winning a bouquet =) winner will be chosen
by using this!

pride and passion A LA CRATE

Recently I had the pleasure of spending an inspiring afternoon with Sarah.
Sarah and her husband Jeff are the proud parents of A LA CRATE VINTAGE,  a lovely and well thought out event vintage rental shop.
I heard of their lovely shop when we participated in the Inspired Creations Contest in this year's Indie Wed bridal show.
My bride Laura, her mother Evelyn, Louise and I set out on a two hour road trip to Madison WI to check it out Sarah's collection of vintage bird cages and we were elated to have done so.
 Not only did we receive the warmest of welcomes, but were also thrilled to find a plethora of inspiration.
The space was packed with charm in every nook and cranny. We found endless possibilities of repurposed  items to incorporate into Laura's wedding.

Sarah was so enthusiastic, creative and full of great ideas. I can't wait to show you our collaborative efforts! But you'll have to wait until Laura's special day July 27th; till then I'll leave you with some delicious images, take a look!

mossy green

I live a stones throw from the Morton Arboretum, I go there often to set up weddings or on my day off, for a short walk and a big plop under a tree to draw.
A few weeks back on a rainy Monday I got the pleasure of seeing it for the first time through my friend's eyes. I think they have a section there named after her, she visits so often. We took the back paths and got to see areas I've never seen before and people hard at work in the green houses. It was warm and a bit misty and everything was extra green and shiny, such a lovely place. I also got to see the library for the first time! It's just lovely, I wish they would rent it out for events, soooo intimate and smart!

am moving to cali

 Well maybe not right now, but it is in my future, Sonoma calls my name , the rolling hills sing my songs. One day I will hang my shears, pack my stuff and live out my California adventure. Till then I grow lemons as a reminder of what is to come...a retirement in a land that is bountiful with flora, fauna and it will bare the fruits of my labor in many ways!

passion tuesday, not a business but a man

Today a little something different, we been celebrating a business every Tuesday, but today we celebrate a man!

Remember our annual facebook single ladies Valentine's contest? Well, this year's winner was the beautiful and oh so talented cake maker Betsy, this was her winning post.

"The life of a single woman…. My life as a single woman…. I would have never thought as a little girl, that at 32 years old, this sentence would apply to me, but it still does. And, while there are moments of loneliness and what if’s I wouldn’t change a thing. I am a powerful, independent, intelligent, kind and generous woman who has worked for everything I have. I have been in love. I have lost love. I have hated myself in the past (sadly, what woman hasn’t), but have grown to truly embrace who I am and all that I have to offer. So, now I date. I date short guys and tall guys, big guys and small guys, funny guys and shy guys, guys who forget they are married, guys who forget they have children, guys who forget they are unemployed, and guys who would never even think to open a car door or buy me flowers. But, one day I know after kissing all those frogs that my Prince Charming will come. It will be the right time, the right man, the right love and my heart will be full. And, I can’t wait…. Cause he will have flowers!" 

Little did she know that shortly there after, on a flight to Miami, she would meet the man of her dreams!

A rare breed... A man who knew what he wanted and didn't  hesitate to go after it.

Not wanting to waste anytime, after a few months of dating, he flew her out to meet his family and this passed weekend he sealed the deal with this gorgeous ring!

     We couldn't be happier for you Betsy! We are all so excited to see your bright and beautiful future unfold! This whirlwind romance has us jumping for joy! and wondering if we should fly into Miami more...

pride and passion tuesday; a gem of an idea

Meet Reenie Rose!

Always connected to the art world, whether it be coloring in a book, starting her own art fair, or successfully managing an art gallery, Loreen Rose found a unique niche while staying true to her first love, art.

Her gorgeous oil renderings of bridal bouquets are the perfect memento of your special day. 

Her attention to detail and ability to capture nature at its best, is like no other.

Compartmentalized strokes of color form a picture like quality to each piece.

I'm over the moon about this idea! Freeze drying your bouquet, so you can slowly watch it disintegrate through the years is hardly the memory I like of my wedding day.

Loreen will work together with your florist,  photographing your bouquet the day before your wedding, meets with you to decide on your preferred shot and then works meticulously to create your one of a kind heirloom.

A fantastic and unique wedding shower gift (she can create a registry for your  bridal shower) , or how about a secret one year anniversary gift from the groom! 

Pride, passion, creativity and so much love into every piece; we are in love with Reenie Rose!

Take a look at Loreen at work on this lovely video below. You can also meet her this Thursday the 26th of April, HERE!

pried, passion and dignity tuesday

Recently my doctor informed me that it is now time for annual mammograms. It caught me of guard and it frightened me a bit.
Although I get annual check ups and breast examinations with my physician, I have to admit I'm not that good at routine self examinations, will definitely  work on that this year.
Dr Feldman gave me a list of her preferred imaging places and I went on my way.
I finally made an appointment, I choose Dupage Imaging in Hinsdale.
They were very nice and personable on the phone and explained in detail what my appointment would be like.


The day of my appointment, I got there fifteen minutes earlier (2:30) as they had requested, beautiful fresh flowers on the counter :) happy smilie faces greeted me and checked me in swiftly; I was escorted to a waiting room/ relaxing room and told my tech would come and get me. Almost immediately  Gigi walked in and showed me to a small room with a variety of gowns  and said I should lock the door,  she would come and get me from door on other side of the room after I changed. She nocked and asked if I was ready, I fluffed my hair and went out. Gigi was very soft spoken and kind, asked me to sit down, told me she was aware that I had asked for a thyroid guard (read more about that here) and showed it to me, explained how it would go around my neck and then proceeded to explain in detail what she would be doing and how they would handle the results.
We proceeded with mammogram and it was really painless, not even uncomfortable, I guess I have my bigger boobs to thank for that :)
I left imaging center at 3:05 delighted at the treatment, swiftness and most of all at their kindness and with my dignity intact!
I'm happy to say I received a clean bill of health letter yesterday :) This only took thirty minutes out of my year, hardly an inconvenience. I will be much better at self examination and hope you will join me too and when you are ready for your first mammogram please consider Dupage Imaging it was a great experience. Their kindness is why I choose them for this weeks pride and passion.
I placed a pink badge on the left of your screen with a link to the  Susan G Komen site, lots of great information there. Please share my experience and get checked.

my box of mothball

While reading a colleague's blog post about insomnia, I got to thinking how lucky I am not to ever have suffered from this; am like a man, I hit the pillow and am out.
I think this is thanks to my grandma Anna, not because I inherited her genes, but because I inherited her linens.
My dad is the youngest in a family of five children, four boys and one girl, my aunt Maria, who they all adore and treasure. My grandfather Gaspar, was born in Corleone  Sicily in year 1900, taught himself how to read and write in hiding, under ground during world war I , he was too young and my great~ grandmother was afraid the army would take him.
When he was in his mid twenties he took a ship ride to Buenos Aires, Argentina, in search of a better future. He got a job with the railroad and after two years,when he was established, he went back home to marry his beloved, my grandma Anna.
Grandma was also born in Corleone in 1909, grew up in an olive plantation over looking the sea.
 At fifteen she started working on her dowry. All beautifully hand stitched and embroidered, pieces of artwork really. Today they are mine, the most valuable thing I own. They have been around 88 years, and they are in perfect shape, they are made of the thickest linen I've ever seen or felt. Sleeping on them everyday, I think of her when I say my prayers ,  when I close my eyes at night, I can almost smell her linen closet, a combination of lavender and mothballs. It comforts me.
 You see, she was the loveliest person I've ever known.
 I often wonder, how my life would have turned out if I never left Argentina, and spent more time with her. I remember my last visit with her, when I was 23,  crying at her front stoop and she held my face with her hands and said, "you are always here with me". I looked at every little crease on her face and her beautiful snow white hair, I was so upset, I had no words. She held me tight and I walked away. I think of her everyday and wish I had said more, she passed away the following year.
Her laughter contagious, her heart as big as the sea, and open, wide open, to anyone. She loved with so much tenderness and joy. No one has ever seen her mad or speak a word of negativity,  always ready for an encouraging word.
She was the best cook,  loved to tell childhood stories and be with family.
In the late 50's my grandparents started a church in their home, soon raised enough funds to buy a properly and build.
 My grandfather pastored this church for almost  60 years, he also started two churches in Italy and founded a total of three churches in Buenos Aires ,  my grandmother was his beloved and faithful follower. Immigrants who taught them selves to read and write more then one language, went on to live out their dreams. 
Grandma past away first at 86 and grandpa lived to be 9 days short of 101. I miss them.
 I know this is strange but I love the smell of mothballs. I have an air tight box of lavender with one mothball in a drawer and when I have a though day I open the box and instantly feel better... and miss them.