". . .Brown Paper Packages Tied Up With Strings. . ."

Well, it's Friday. You know what that means!!! A few (more) of my favorite things. . . For your viewing pleasure:

If The Shoe Fits

As you can tell from the title of my blog, I'm a little infatuated with high heels. They are sexy, sleek, and sophisticated, everything I aspire to be. Plus, who doesn't look better with a few added inches? As a result, I spend many a night searching for that perfect pair of heels that will make me feel just a little more special.

I know that I'm not alone. Here are a few of my favorite quotes regarding shoes:

Taken from "In Her Shoes". . .

Maggie Feller: Shoes like these should not be locked in a closet! They should be living a life of scandal, and pasion and getting screwed in an alleyway by a billionaire while his frigid wife waits in the limo thinking that he just went back into the bar to get his cellphone. These are cute too. Rose Feller: Please tell me you just made that up.
Maggie Feller: Look, if you're not going to wear them... don't buy them! Leave them for someone who's going to get something out of them.
Rose Feller: I get something out of them! When I feel bad I like to treat myself. Clothes never look any good... food just makes me fatter... shoes always fit.

Taken from "Sex and the City". . .

“It's really hard to walk in a single woman's shoes -- that's why you sometimes need really special shoes!”

. . ."Bright Copper Kettles and Warm Woolen Mittens"

Following up to a previous post ("Raindrops on Roses. . ."), I've decided to dedicate every Friday to finding (and sharing) photographs that inspire me or bring a smile to my face. What a way to start the weekend on an upbeat note! Enjoy!

Belly Up to the Bar. . .Preggatinis for the Mommy-to-be

With the holidays quickly approaching, I find myself embracing my favorite seasonal slogan. . . eat, drink, and be merry. Seeing as though I recently received the news that I was "with child", I have definitely conquered the eating portion. With regard to drinking, however, the options available on my beverage menu have definitely become limited.

Fortunately for me, I was introduced to a fantastic book out by Natalie Bovis-Nelsen called Preggatinis which includes recipes for dozens of tantalizing, virgin (pun intended) libations designed especially for moms-to-be.

Cheers!

1. Sparkling Citrus

Stirrings Tangerini Rimmer

2 oz fresh squeezed pink grapefruit juice

1 oz tangerine juice

2 oz blood orange soda

dash grapefruit bitters (optional)

Rim a champagne flute with rimming sugar. Pour in juices and dash of bitters, then top with blood orange soda.
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2. Pomegranate Cooler

5-7 fresh or frozen blueberries

2 oz pomegranate juice

2 oz white grape juice

3 oz sparkling pomegranate soda

1 lemon slice

Muddle the blueberries in the bottom of a tall glass. Then add ice and pour in the juices. Fill the glass to the top with sparkling pomegranate soda, and place a lemon slice on top of the drink. Sip through a colorful straw.

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3. Ginger Bellini Punch (Preggatinis, pg. 110)
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4. Minty Mango Cooler

2 cups white grape juice

3 cups mango nectar

1 bottle bitter lemon soda

3 trays mango-mint ice cubes*

2 bunches fresh mint

Pour white grape juice, mango nectar, and bitter lemon soda into a large pitchr or punch bowl. Add 1 tray of mango-mint ice cubes. To serve, place 2-3 fresh mango-mint ice cubes into a tall glass. Fill the glass with punch. Garnish each glass with a sprig of mint.

*Mango Mint Ice Cubes:1-1/2 cups mango juice1/4 cup water1/4 cup simple syrupjuice from 1 lime1 bunch mint leaves

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5. Sweet-N-Sassy (Preggatinis, pg. 80)
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6. Miami Mommy Mojito (Preggatinis, pg. 94)
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A Big "Thank Hue" to Giella Cosmetics

Why is it that whenever I find a lipgloss or nail polish color that I can't live without, they seem to be discontinued? It has me seeing red. If you're anything like me, you may have searched til you were blue in the face. Search no further.

I was introduced to a company in NY (Giella Cosmetics) who claims that they are able to match any discontinued blend of lipstick/lipgloss/nail enamel. Send them the original tube or bottle and for a nominal fee, they'll replicate your irreplaceable beauty basics. Check it out here.

"Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens . . . "

“It Takes a Person Who is Wide Awake to Make His Dreams Come True”

Since being laid off from my job in early July, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on my life, where I’ve been, and the direction I want to head. I’ve come to the conclusion that I’ve wasted too much precious time living in a self-induced inspirational coma, where each day began and ended in the same mundane manner. Life was boring and repetitive. I was living for the weekends, where I could drown my sorrows, and wishing away many potentially spectacular moments. More so, I was green with envy at those individuals who had taken control of their lives and embraced opportunities which I considered to only be distant dreams.

I came to realize that life is what you make of it. If you spend each day wishing away moments or yearning for experiences that others have made their reality, you’re not LIVING life. There is so much hidden beauty and potential in my life that I have yet to recognize.

With blinders off, I’m excited to embark on new adventures with a renewed sense of strength. I will make myself vulnerable and take each day as it comes. Today is only the beginning.
From this realization, I’ve decided to start recording my spiritual journey.

In this blog, I want to share pictures, experiences, anecdotes, recipes . . . anything and everything that stimulates and inspires me. I hope to share my humor, passion and honesty.

Friends

Have you ever felt like it was too much work to be someone's friend? I am finally figuring out that a friend shouldn't be so high maintenance. With her, it seems like the drama never ends and I'm tired of coming to her rescue. I have always lived under the understanding that a friend is someone who can see your flaws yet continue to love you unconditionally. However, how many lies can one person tell. . .how many times can they hurt you and you continue to come back for more. I have been told that I am a compassionate and understanding person but this is getting ridiculous. The girl (who called herself my best friend) actually ignored me for two months before I moved to SC. She was too busy with her new boyfriend. However, as soon as he left her high and dry, she decided to reinstate our friendship. In addition, she left my wedding early so that she could go out with her other friends. She was the "maid of honor" (which by the way, she decided for herself). Grrrr. I want to cut off all ties with her but I know that I am the only friend that she has. I feel bad leaving her alone to sulk in her own self-pity. Any ideas?