Land of the lakes

I just had a lovely short trip to Minnesota. I never knew how pretty it is, how cute the houses are and how beautiful the hydrangeas grow.

  

It so green, cool and crisp.

These were right outside my hotel I could not have been more in love when I came out to catch my ride in the morning.

All of their plants are on steroids 

My sweet coworkers took me down for dinner by the lake because they new how much I love water and it was such a cool summer night.

I snapped a view pictures

Then we headed to find some cocktails and settle in for dinner.

Turns out it was ladies night so we had the ladies cocktail on special, Cosmo of course ;) 

They are known for their walleye fish that I have never had so naturally I had to try it.

Served with a huge side of garlic mashed taters yumm! There were a few too many bones for my liking but I would give it a try again for sure.

I decided to walk my food off a little and snap a few more pics as the sun went down.

What a lovely place to have in your back yard. These are the same lakes that you ice fish on ...I will probably not visit during that time of year since I get cold in 80 degree weather. It was a great night with a dazzling sunset.

I headed back to the table just in time to see this madness...

We talked and talked and truly enjoyed each others company late into the evening. I am thankful for coworkers that are so fun. Then they drove me around to see the little downtown and it all got blurry as I headed off to bed.

Color Me Happy Nails

So I pretty much stopped wearing fake nails about 4 and a half years ago. I love manicured nails in fact I am almost obsessed. I don't feel complete with out my toes and nails done. I get a manicure and pedicure every two weeks. But my manicure is more like a polish change because I prefer to push my cuticles back as opposed to cutting them...I do love the arm massage though I mean who doesn't?? In between visits I paint them myself. Here are some colors I am loving right now (I have to search out colors because I am almost always at a loss and don't like anything when I go to the salon)

This is "Son of a Peach" the perfect neon pastel (is that an oxymoron?) peach!

This is Essie Fifth Avenue a perfect bright summer red like a good old 50's red.

Also one of my favorite summer neutrals is Essie Marshmellow 

Sorry I don't have a shot of it on my nails but its a good white not too stark bright white but soft and vibrant. Classy and fresh and goes with everything!

So here is my summer trio. What are the summer colors you are loving?

Have a great Monday!

Floral Friday

Happy Friday!! I am traveling today but I took these before I left they are some of my favorite Tyler roses around my house. They were going strong so hopefully they are still there when I get home.

By my kitchen sink

In the living room

On the entry way table

In my bath room...the color is so vibrant!

And last but not least on the dinning table. 

And here is one from where I am staying...I almost passed out!

Happy weekend! I have my annual girls weekend starting today so looking forward to some Mexican food and pool time...adios.

Above the Clouds

I fly a lot for my job and there are a million things about flying that can get you down in the dumps. There is a lot of hurry up and wait. People are usually grouchy, flights get delayed, you walk a lot so your feet hurt, bags are heavy so your shoulders hurt. The plane stinks, the seats are small I could go on forever. But one thing about flying that I will never tire of is the view ...

I think about the care bears every time :) and how much I would love to be able to float on those clouds with out a care in the world. It reminds me that I am so insignificant and so are my problems...the world is huge and there is so much more out there than my tiny world.

It makes me feel small and humbles me. I see just a glimpse of what heaven may be like and I know that He is God and if I just open my eyes to his word and beauty he will surround me with it. 

Baubles I Adore

I have liked jewelry as long as I can remember and I always was most interested in what my mom and grandma had. I love all kinds of jewelry but I gravitate toward old items or at least pieces that look old. So here is a random post about a few pieces I love and why.

Huge statement pearl and cameo necklace. I have always loved cameos and I got this one on a trip to Canton (giant flea market in Texas) I love it because it was so unusual and because it reminds me of that day I spent with my mom. 

Another cameo and this is probably one of the most special pieces I own. That cameo was given to my mom by my dad.  He picked it up in the original cameo factory while he was stationed in Europe in the navy. The diamonds in it are from my grandmothers wedding ring. It so amazing and special my mom had it made and gave it to me for my 30th birthday.

This is the simply adorable bracelet Super Man bought me at a vintage shop in paris for our 5th wedding anniversary. It is so unique and feminine and perfectly Parisian. I could not love it more.

My wedding earrings also a gift from my mother. They are delicate and I love how the aquamarine dangles in between the pave diamonds!

I collect broaches and this is one that was my grandmothers I remember how she used to wear it on her suede blazers.

A costume cocktail ring that I can't even remember where I got it but it always fancies up an outfit and I get compliments on it every time. 

My grandmothers slide bracelet, my grandmother left a gold bracelet mostly gold bangles to all the grand daughters and she left me this one. I was mesmerized by it as a kid and I still am. I think my favorite is the rose bud slide on the end.

Then of course there is my wedding ring my most favorite piece in the whole world. I love that he picked it out all on his own and I stare at it every single day...sorry for the bad picture. It's radiant cut with pave diamonds all over (they are my favorite). I remember how excited I was when I got it and how his face looked when he gave it to me.

I love how when people pass on or leave your life you have these things to remember them and feel connected.

Jewelry is so special and sentimental to me. I love costume jewelry too but it's the pieces that have a story that are my favorite. Do you have pieces that mean a lot to you?

Happy hump day!!