Becolorful

My Favorites or The Shameless BeColorful Flaunt Fest

Motivated Monday 

I've been thinking about putting together a portfolio of my work.

Not only would it serve as an inspiration when I hit a creative wall,

but it would also serve as a jumping off point to share with clients that want me to do commission work.

Luckily, though, most of them give me free reign other than color.

So, this evening I started going through some of the photos on my computer.

Early on I just painted for myself.

It was cheaper than buying new furniture.

You might notice that the piece above is unfinished on the right side.

I took this picture months ago.

It is still unfinished. :)

Then almost four years ago I started painting pieces for The Traveling Door.

The Traveling Door is a group of women artisans that I work with. We get together once a week. Sometimes we paint or create, sometimes we meet over lunch and occasionally we just get together to vent and drink.

 I am still painting for The Traveling Door but I have also been doing more commission work.

My style isn't for everybody but it is such a thrill to work with people that share my BeColorful love for bold color and pattern.

Enough said.

These are some of my favorites and I thought you might enjoy seeing my trip down BeColorful memory lane.

Nothing is safe from me. I will paint and embellish bottles, letter trays or clocks.

Especially clocks.

 

I have painted mirrors, wastebaskets, lampshades, trunks, jewelry boxes, recipe boxes.

You name it, I have probably painted one.

I used to do more trompe l'oeil. I would like to revisit this again.

 

Quotes and words are usually part of my work too.

My style as you can see is all over the place.

Usually I just let the piece take me wherever.

I like the clean lines of harlequin.

Flowers are also a common theme in my work

 

along with black and white

 

and animal prints.

 

Which is why I probably think of this next piece as one of my favorites because it incorporates all of my go to elements-

Color, florals, animal print, black and white ....

and of course words.

Thanks for putting up with the Pam Show. :)

And just so you don't think it's all about me and that I'm convinced that I'm a pretty big deal, just check out this amazing work of art from Decorative Paintbrush.

I can only aspire to that.

xoxo,

P

I will be linking this post up here:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pillow of the Week # 39 Spring Green Love

Two weeks ago I did a blog post on the BeColorful color of the week and the color that week was Spring Green. 

I wish I had seen this pillow then.

Sometimes life is like that.

You can't find things when you are looking for them.

Like when you want to show someone something in a magazine and can't find it but you KNOW it is there.

Don't you hate that?

Anyway. Loved the polka dots on this Spring Green (they call it Jade) Pillow of the Week.

It is the Gigi pillow from Company C and measures 22 inches square.

The Gigi comes in a variety of colors and you can purchase it HERE.

Have a great weekend and I hope you can check back tomorrow night and link up to Motivated Monday party here at BeColorful.

Thank You to An Eye For Detail and a Sidebar Commentary on The Real Housewives

Thank you Libby at An Eye for Detail for this Stylin' Stamp of Approval.

Last week she gave me the Stylish Blogger Award.

I am totally flattered because Libby is a  big time decorista.

Not only should you stop by and check out her blog but read her bio.

She is a fascinating woman.

This award, like others that I have seen out here amongst bloggers, asks that I reveal seven things about myself.

Do you know it is kind of hard to come up with seven things about myself that at are all interesting?

Maybe I will go the self-deprecation route. 

1. It is 12:26 and I am still wearing the clothes I wore yesterday.

 I slept in them

and no I am not hung over.

It's not that I slept in late either.

I was up by 8.

Okay 8:30.

Whatever.

In my defense Mr. Rosie had to go to bed early. I didn't.

Because he was already sleeping I opted to not make any more commotion than necessary and so I slept in my clothes.

Truth be told, I sleep in my clothes a lot. I am not the pulled together person you think I am.

I will never measure up to my mom.

2. I Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, New York and occasionally New Jersey are my mindless guilty pleasure.

I can't be bothered with Atlanta.

No, too many IQ challenged skanks that just make Atlanta look bad.

Really? This is Atlanta's Elite?

 

Check out the ego on this one. She arrives at the She by Sheree fashion show in a freaking Cinderella carriage!

RIDICULOUS.

Trash with cash. I can't be bothered.

I can't wait for RHNY to start though and did you see the Beverly Hills Reunion last night?

I know she and Kelsey Grammer deserve each other but at times I feel a bit of pity for Camille... until I remember she is getting like a gazillion million in the divorce settlement.

Too bad she is vowing not to come back next season.

Even if she does misuse the words pernicious and Machiavellian.

She is so much more interesting in her kiss- other- women's- husbands -on -the- mouth and I have four nannies for my two children kind of way than this sniveling igmotard.

Moving on. This is supposed to be about me. :)

3.  I am 5' 10" 

I won't tell you what I weigh though. Actually I don't even know because I haven't been on a scale in years. I turn my back when I have to get on the scale at the doctor's office and I forbid them to say the number out loud.

 

image from Foto Search

 

I usually like being that tall but sometimes I do feel like a bit of an amazon around my petite friends.

Or if I am around really short guys with a Napoleon complex. You know the type. They tell me THEY are five foot nine and they come to my shoulder.

So I lie too and tell them I'm 6 foot four. Gee-sch.

 

4. A lot of people ask me what color my bedroom is........

I hate to admit this but it is beige and I love it.

I know. Really? But it is the one place where I am happy to be devoid of color.

I like a calm uncluttered zen look in that space.

Why haven't I done a post on that room? Because it is in dire need of an update.

The problem is I have more pressing spaces calling to me in this big old money pit we call home.

 

5. My best post was the one I wrote after my dad died in October of "08. Sometimes, when I really need it to happen, the right words just seem to come to me. I believe God had something to do with that one.

6. I have never cooked a turkey.

I never intend to.

Our Thanksgiving dinners always come in a box and fully cooked.

7. Another true confession: I have faux flowers in my house.

I know.

Horrors, right?

I can hear your shrieks and wails from here.

They aren't THAT bad.

They aren't the cheesy plastic kind that screamed fake from across the room, but never-the-less, I have them.

I do promise to not buy any more.

I hope Libby doesn't want her award back.

The second part of receiving this award is passing it on to ten other bloggers.

How do I decide?

Everyone I follow is worthy of this.

Some of them I have given an award to before so in an effort to share the love I have chosen these not yet BeColorful picked sites for their content, humor, writing and/or photography.

I hope you can find the time this cold January weekend to give them a look see because they are all worth it.

In no particular order:

1. Room Remix

2.  Strictly Simple Style

3.  1 Funky Woman

4.i heart 

5. Better After.

6.Wacky Whimsy

7.  kfd designs

8. A Wannabe Mermaid

9.  Can't Stop Making Things

10. The Creative Paintbrush - just because she's last don't overlook this one. Her most recent post blew my socks off.

Happy reading and thank you again.

XOXO,

P 

 

 

BeColorful Color of the Week - Brilliant Navy

Let me begin by saying that I have never really been a blue person.

It isn't that I don't like blue,

 but it isn't a "go to" color for me.

This past week,though, I was at Target and I was amazed at how much navy I saw

and I LIKED it.

I was especially drawn to a navy glass table lamp.

You know one of those pick your lamp and pick your shade numbers.

There was an entire collection of prints, vases, and pillows in what has become for me a suddenly intriguing shade.

 

I decided right then that this livelier more brilliant navy would be the beColorful color of the week.

So how do you feel about navy walls?

Better Homes and Gardens

House Beautiful

 

Habitually Chic

 

It seems to work when they are paired with enough white

and I do like the classic look and the drama that these two colors create.

Is it me, or is this a color that has been kind of neglected lately?

Regardless, it is exciting to see it reemerge or maybe be a bit more in the forefront. 

There are a myriad of ways to bring this shade into your home.

I thought this rug from American Home Rug Company was especially fresh and chic.

 

I found this lamp at Crate and Barrel-

another major retailer giving the nod to a brilliant navy.

This next thing, though was a new one for me.

I never thought about putting vinyl decals on the toity but really? Why not?

I like that unexpected element in a room.

This one is from Heckfire and is available on Etsy.

 

These navy cabinets and cupboards are rather novel and compelling.

Again, I would want a lot of white and abundant light to keep this from looking dark and somber.

House Beautiful 

Actually, after looking at it a bit, I think I would like it better if the top cupboards were white.

A navy tufted headboard from Retrolux could be pretty saucy.

It's just so very Mad Men.

Instead of the navy walls and light furniture maybe consider doing the reverse.

I love this sofa against the white walls and taupe and white window treatments.

The glass top coffee table also lightens the look.

Lauren kreps

When I saw this nautical looking bedding a while ago on Bedding Envy I thought it was  fabulous and so classically inspired.

Again, I like the navy combined with neutrals here.

Then there is this navy and white zebra rug  from Jonathan Adler that is just  so damn swoon worthy.

Seriously fun.

I like how he paired the  bright navy with wasabi green.

Then again, I've always been a fan of navy and yellow.

Especially if that yellow is a vibrant stripe.

Navy and pink is a bit less common but what a galvanized look it makes in this nursery by Design Dazzle.

Love it.

The pictures look a bit black here but trust me, it's navy. :)

A more modern twist on navy and red is the navy and orange combo.

Kind of fun.

Definitely energetic.

Caitlin Wilson

Navy and gray is also an option, but not for me.

It may be pretty but for a color evangelist like myself, no, this look won't be showing up at  Linden House.

I would prefer the more lively mix of navy and a rich coral,

Country Living

I  covet that rug.

Do you currently have navy in your home?

Send in your pictures.

I love seeing other people's homes.

Maybe next week's Motivated Monday should be all about color.

Thoughts?

XOXO,

P

Sharing my post here:

beColorful Jewelry Box and Motivated Monday

When will I learn?

I forgot to take a before picture ...

again.

Sugar.

Well, I can tell you it was very simply a sweet but also rather ordinary cherry stained, three drawer jewelry box that I found at TJ Maxx.

I knew it had some beColorful potential so I brought it home.

I tucked it away to paint up for a future Traveling Door sale and forgot about it until a previous client called and asked me if I could create a jewelry box similar to one that she had bought from me months earlier.

This one would be for a gift and all she asked is that I paint it up similar to hers in a black and white color scheme.

Well that would be easy enough, considering that is one of my favorite color combos.

So I painted the entire piece with a black gloss spray paint and then added the details in a gloss white craft paint.

I love adding quotes to my pieces and thought the Coco Chanel quote was quite appropriate for a jewelry box. 

I printed the quote out on the computer and added some scrap paper embellishments on the edges.

I also added some beColorfulisms to the back of the piece with a white paint pen and then sent it on its merry way.

 

Thanks S. It was a pleasure to work with you on this.

 

 

 

I was away from my computer last night and tried composing on my iPad.

Hmmmm. Typepad needs to come up with an app for that.

Needless to say, it didn't work.

So today's post and Motivated Monday are a wee bit late.

Sorry.

There were some really really great submissions last week.

Thanks to all of you for your inspiration.

These are just a few that I thought were especially unusual or noteworthy.

I am absolutely in love with these Assembled Boxes from Can't Stop Making Things.

She shares a great tutorial so be sure and check her out here.

 

 

You should also see this paint chip art from Life Crafts and Whatever.

I love her oversized take on this look.

 

For the decorator in all of us I loved these two posts.

The first is Kirsten's chalkboard wall. I am really trying to figure out where to do this in our home. I'm thinking I will have to settle for a chalkboard door but I do love what she has done and how uber fab it looks against that red.

I also liked how she put her calendar right on the painted wall.

Then I was full of admiration and awe when it came to the great shopping scores along with Judy's eye for all the small details when it came to her Guest Room Makeover at DIY by Design.

 

I

 

I have seen it before, but I am glad she reminded me of that great design trick of putting mirrors behind the bedside tables and lamps. Genius.

My mind is swimming with all of your ideas but I am like Lindsay Lohan at a party, I can't seem to get enough. :)

So keep those ideas flowing peeps.

Love you.

XOXO,

P

Sharing my post here.

 

 

BeColorful Color of the Week: Spring Green

Welcome to BeColorful's latest feature: Color of the Week.

Last week I started this feature with the 2011 Pantone Color of the Year - Honeysuckle.

This week I am exploring what I call Spring Green.

I found this paint chip from Olympic paints.

They call it Elf Shoe.

I like my name better.

So for the sake of this post I'll refer to it as Spring Green.

It isn't a Kelly Green or Apple Green. This green is a mid - range green with a touch of blue added in.

Combined with a lot of white I think this shade would be fresh, a bit unexpected, and would definitely feed my insatiable appetite for color.

I could see it paired with blues, either aquas, skipper blues or cobalt.

 

 

 

 

It could be great combined with a coral red

 

 

 or a version of the Pantone Honeysuckle.

 

 

Spring Green and a buttery yellow would have a great modern feel.

 

...and just look how it sparkles against black and white.

 

If not a whole room then perhaps a splash of spring green in an Eames chair from Herman Miller

or a green sofa. 

 

I've always been partial to this green tennis ball bedding by Izod.

Bring Spring Green into your life with these sassy green note cards from Personalization.

Angelina, so great to see you in a color for a change.

If it is just a hint of this color you are looking for you could pull it in with a stellar table lamp

 

or bring it to your table top with these to die for dishes from Kate Spade.

Even greet guests with a Spring Green humorous door mat.

 

 

 

I am seriously considering painting the walls in a third floor bathroom this color.

More on that tomorrow.

In the meantime, thumbs up? Thumbs down? 

Either way, I'd love to hear what you think

XOXO,

P

 

P.S. The color swatchs in today's post came from Color Buzz - a great site that I just discovered this afternoon. They have oodles of pictures for paint color inspiration. I heart it already.  Be sure and check them out when you get the chance.

 

Linking up my thoughts here:

Pillow of the Week # 38 Black and White

 

I love black and white and I love stripes. 

You put the two together and I lose all will power.

It just speaks to me.

I think I have been looking for this pillow my whole life but now that I found it I don't know where to use it first.

I could see it in our green family room or in either of the bedrooms with the black and white bedding, or maybe in my office.

I think this black and white awning stripe could go almost anywhere.

Look how amazing it looks with my blog banner. :0

It is available from Pottery Barn.

I think I need two.

xoxo,

P

PS. You still have time to link up to this week's Motivated Monday here at BeColorful.

I'd love for you to inspire me.

 

BeColorful Wall Cubby

Earlier last month I received this piece from a client.

She thought it would make a great wall cubby in a bathroom for towels or she could see it being used as a magazine rack.

Good plan.

She asked for me to do something whimsical but not too funky and requested that I paint it in neutral colors.

The problem for me was all of those holes.

Should I ignore them or embrace them?

Actually, some of them will be covered with iron pieces like this one.

 

She didn't want me to paint them so she only sent one with the piece, just so I could see what they looked like.

So even though I can't show the total concept to  you, you can imagine the final look with these embellishments included.

Ultimately, those holes will look something like this.

I I had planned to feature this piece in yesterday's post but thought that it was getting too dark for a good shot.

As it turns out, I think this post is jinxed because  today I discovered that I have left my camera in Galena and had to resort to using my phone for these images.

My iphone takes pretty good pictures but there isn't much consistency in the color from on image to the next.

Weird.

Anyway,I started by painting the entire piece a cream color and then added the khaki/gold diamond pattern and outlined it in bronze and black.

I added the ambiguous words for interest,

created the stripes across the bottom

 

and the swirls and curls on the sides for variety,

 

Then popped the edges with black and creme and put a subtle glaze over everything.

I can see it with white, black, chocolate brown or even charcoal colored towels in it.

It's time to call Ms. Wood and tell her her wall cubby is ready and thank her for the opportunity to give this well worn piece a bit of beColorful love.

I hope it is what she was envisioning.

Hmmmm. Now that I look at it again I'm wondering if I should put some swirls ( like I did on the sides) within the khaki diamonds?

Too much? What do you think?

There is also still time to link up to the Motivated Monday linky party in yesterday's post. I'd love to see what is keeping you busy these days.

XOXO,

P

 

Linking up with these fun people and their blogs:

 

Power of Paint at Domestically Speaking

 

 

 

Motivated Monday and Another Project Completed

Motivated Monday Highlights:

Thank you to everyone that linked up to last week's Motivated Monday here at BeColorful.

I love love love reading what you have been up to and studying the pictures you post of your projects.

I was especially intrigued by this computer generated wall art by Can't Stop Making Things.

This is just the middle step. The final look is in color and would make such a great addition to a child's room or once you get it mastered, a perfect personal and affordable gift. Stop by her blog and check out the tutorial.

Then I was so smitten with this little cuddle bug in her darling hat, scarf and mittens.  I love that pink and brown combo. I have never learned to knit but this look makes me wish I knew how.

To see more of this look be sure and stop by Easy Peasy Grandma.

Then there was this all new to me idea of faux stain glass using paint and glue.

Amazing. You can find the tutorial at Suzy's Artsy Craftsy Sitcom.

 

There were decorating posts, too, to motivate me like this one from House to Your Home

 

 

I do a number of painted furniture pieces every year and this stripe technique has been on my to do list but now seeing how gorgeous this one is has this project bumped up a lot closer to the top of my list.

Then there were these sweater mittens from Gone North. Seriously. She sold oodles of them. Like over $2000 worth of mittens and some of the stories behind the sweaters are really interesting. I am so impressed by her success.

I probably won't be making these myself, but ordering them from her.

 

As for me, I finally finished up another project.

A client gave me a wall cubby that she thought would be fun in a bathroom to hold towels or magazines. 

It was a bit forlorn looking when it first arrived here at BeColorful and I had to let it just set for about a week or so before I started to feel a design for it.

The client wanted something a little but not too funky and in neutral colors.

Hmmmmm.

Yes, this one took some thought.

It is a bit too late today to get a decent "after" picture but I hope you will stop back tomorrow to see the words, diamonds, and stripes look that this piece ended up with.

Until then, have a great week and link up whatever you are working on, reading, cooking, painting, or remodeling.

Please be kind and add the BeColorful Motivated Monday button in your post or sidebar and comment on at least one other post that is submitted here.

XOXO,

P

Color of the Week: Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle. 

It is the 2011 Pantone color of the year.

How do you feel about it?

It is undeniably a feminine hue.

In fashion, it will be an easy sell but for decorating it definitely isn't for the faint of heart.

Obviously, though, a woman who names her blog BeColorful is going to love something like this.

In fact, last winter I wrote about painting my dining room this color.

I know.

It's bold.

I like audacious and different.

The fact is, though,

I have been unduly influenced this past year by all the blog reading I have done.

I started to think that I needed to blend in instead of stand out.

I wondered if my love of color was juvenile and simplistic.

I was doubting myself.

I love those glamorous stately all white rooms.

I really do.

I just don't want to live with them.

It isn't who I am.

After being bombarded with all of those neutral images and feeling the urge to conform,

I painted my hallways a safe and tasteful cream.

I even painted my living room that color and I do like it a lot.

I would actually do it again.

The eye needs a place to rest and those neutral spaces help a colorful house to flow without looking like Pee Wee's Playhouse.

Rest assured, though, I will be giving this room the BeColorful touch when I add the artwork and accent pieces because...

ultimately, it is color that makes me happy.

That said,I am returning to my roots this year and going all out color.

I think it would be fun to feature a color of the week here at BeColorful.

What do you think?

We'll see what kind of a reaction I get to this post.

 Honeysuckle seemed like the natural jumping off point and honeysuckle it is.

I realize that walls of this color can be scary.

 

A room like this could easily take on the feeling of being in a Barbie house or a Pepto- bismol bottle.

A lot of white and an equally vibrant accent color, though, can make this look work.

 

If a whole room of this honeysuckle is too big of a commitment, then maybe you would be more comfortable with a piece of furniture or a rug in this color.

 

Something unusual and unexpected is, I think, always a fun and welcome addition to a room.

 

 

 

What a unique way to combine traditional and modern.

 

Maybe you love this color but would be happier with just a nod to it here and there.

In a lamp

 

or storage cubes.

 

 

This look definitely works.

I wouldn't have thought of this but it really is a stunner with this gray, black and white palate.

It gives an otherwise run of the mill space a much needed shot in the arm.

Still not convinced?

Perhaps you would prefer to introduce it more subtly in a pattern like in this bedding from India Rose.

 

or in a floral rug  that has that vintage vibe,

or a wallpaper with a more modern twist.

 

I am anxious to give this color a whirl.

You can bet I will be incorporating it into my painted furniture and functional art.

I am still leaning toward taking my dining room from the more traditional red that I still love to an amped up and a bit lighter bold pink.

I wonder if I will tire of it quickly?

But if my fickle, color- loving heart decides to move on it would be a relatively easy change out.

As you can see I am definitely not afraid of this color since my office also rents space from this side of the color wheel.

Subdued or dramatic, there is no way to escape the fact that honeysuckle is definitely a pink and I believe people have a visceral reaction when it comes to pink. 

There isn't much middle ground here.

You either love it or hate it.

Embrace it 

or throw up the stops without missing a beat.

Either way, I'd love to hear what you think.

Have a fun filled weekend.

XOXO,

P

 

Linking up my colorful self:

 

 

 

 

Inspired by Oscar

Usually when you come to Be Colorful you will read about home decor,  painted furniture or remodeling an old home.

Occasionally I will write about shopping finds, music or organization ideas.

Like me, my blog has trouble staying focused on any single thing.

Today is no exception.

 Among my many interests is a fascination with beautiful clothes.

LOVE them.

When I saw these I knew I had to share them.

I 

Notice she is wearing gloves. 

Swoon.

So I was intrigued when earlier this week one of my friends was gushing about and eager to show me the video  of Oscar de La Renta's  spring fashion show.

She was right, this collection is awe -inspiringly beautiful.

 I was mesmerized by the totally feminine "Mad Men" feel to these clothes and

for a color evangelist like myself, the colorful fashions in this collection absolutely thrilled me.

 

For the fans of the black and white combo, and I am one of them, there is plenty of that look to love too.

Be still my clothes - whore heart.

This collection is just so PRETTY and feminine and not at all like the  fad heavy, haughty and perhaps bordering on the absurd styles that you often see in these types of shows.

I was craxy for almost every single piece and also loved that the hemlines here are about a foot and a half below the hoo-ha.

Because, really, although everyone in Hollywood seems to be wearing it, 

I just can't get on board with this look.

Eva, sweetie, that would make a gorgeous blouse but really? You look like you should be serving cocktails at the Wynn.

Then there is Whitney.

Ms. Port. Whatever are you wearing?

Your earrings are longer than your dress.

Honey, we've talked about this.

Not only is that hippie inspired rag tag fugly,

but really,

i's hard to take you seriously when you leave the house with your booty all hangin' out.

It makes me a bit nervous just looking at you. 

How comfortable can this be?

I know.

I am such a midwesterner.

Right?

IBut hey, it's cold here. 

Like Cake said, " I love a short skirt and a Lon n n n g g g jacket" as much as anybody but I guess I prefer something a bit less brow raising.

A timeless look with that edge of saucy glamour instead of skank.

 

 I'd say this still easy- on- the -eyes  debonair designer hit it on on levels this spring.

 

 

 
These looks are not about fads.

They are "major" but classic.

Now if they could only be a bit more affordable and look as good on someone like me as they do on those models.

Maybe I will just watch this video daily to keep me pointed towards and focused on a more ambitious weight loss goal. :)

Yes, inspiration comes from everywhere.

Today it is from Oscar de La Renta.

Take a few minutes, kick back and enjoy the show.

 

XOXO,

P

 

 

 

Pillow of the Week # 37 and Another Motivated Monday

I've been remiss.

I've missed maybe a month's worth of Pillow of the Week posts.

I guess that happens in December and over the holidays.

Now, though, the decorations have been boxed, tucked, and crammed away and our suitcases unpacked. I'm caught up on laundry and I am ready to get back to some real routine.

I didn't have to look far for this week's pillow. 

It actually showed up in my inbox.

This golden head-turner is  available as a give away from Rene over at Cottage and Vine. Be sure and register for an opportunity to win this little lovely and spruce up your January Blah space.

As for me, here's to getting back on task and working toward a more frequent blogging schedule.

I can't believe it is already Sunday night again and time for another Motivated Monday.

I was bowled over by a number of last weeks posts but I thought these two were especially noteworthy.

Check out this chalkboard dining table at Paisley Passions. This is a project I'd like to try.

Then for the ultimate weight loss inspiration be sure and visit Donene and see her amazing results at Easypeasy Grandma.

I can't wait to read more to see how she did this.  She looks amazing! If she is a grandma she must have had her babies at age twelve!

So here we go again.

Motivated Monday. Show me what you're up to.

You know the drill.

Please be kind and put the Becolorful button in your post or sidebar and look around and comment on at least one other post.

This seems to be a really small party. 

The upside of that is your posts really stand out.

I'd love it, though, if you would spread the word so more people can see your amazing and motivating posts of achievements, projects, goals, and more.

Have a great week.

xoxo,

P

 

 

Favorite Memories of 2010

 The Year in Review and Motivated Monday #14

I'm such a blogging slack but I have a good excuse.

Since it was such an unusual Christmas for us we decided to take unconventional to the limit and head for Vegas!

We were actually here for Christmas day but left on the 27th for the gliz, glam and shopping that is Sin City.

The holidays in Vegas? 

Spectacular!

It really was a terrific way to top off another fun filled year.

2010 was a full one and I had a tough time editing but here are a few of the highlights from my BeColorful filled year.

The year started for us at the GMAC Bowl and meeting Sir Charles.

 

Then in February we learned that the casinos really do mean it when they say, "No minors".  We had gone for the crab legs but Mike and Adam stopped by the slots.

 

We were quickly ushered out and told we were banned for two years.

Seriously.

I know, bad parenting, but hey we always have the most interesting stories to tell at parties.   :D

 

On Easter I spent a very memorable afternoon with my mom. The flowers at the garden show were stunning and made for some great pictures.

 

In May Elizabeth and I hosted a bridal shower for her BFF. So fun.

Then in June we watched her walk down the aisle.

This past summer was the second anniversary since the floods.

I took some pictures for a post on our flood recovery. It was one of those days that the kindness of strangers brought me to tears and will be a memory that will never fade.

My high school reunion was in July. 

I didn't even think I would go. 

You can read about my anxiety here.

So glad I went, though, and I would advise all of you to do the same.

Some things really do get better as we get older.

The morning after? Well that might have been a low point. :D

Thanks for that honey. At least I have make up on..... because I never bothered to wash it off.

This was also the year I had to learn how to make peace with hot flashes.

Gotta love a friend that gives you a flower fan for your birthday. 

There were fun memories of times with friends,

new ventures,

great trips,

 

 

great shows,

 

 

great shopping,

and some amazing holiday moments.

 

Sadly, this son left Christmas morning for Tokyo.

I am reluctantly acknowledging that I am not the center of his life anymore and, if I'm honest, really? what a fabulous adventure.

Can't wait to hear all about it and see more of his pictures.

 

The family was dropping like flies because the very next day this son left to go skiing.

 

and dog sledding in Colorado.

Talk about adventure! I would really like to try that too.

So we figured we would have to make our own fun and  we headed to Vegas with our girl child and her hubs.

The Bellagio is always glamorous but it was spectacularlly decked out for the holidays.

These life size polar bears are covered in carnations. This guy was getting a bit of a touch up.

It truly is eye candy over load in Vegas.

 it It was a very good and colorful year.

Here's to an even better 2011 and yes, somebody needs a few more blue cheese stuffed olives in that martini. :)

Happiest of New Years.

XOXO,

P

A new year requires fresh inspiration. I hope you will share yours here on BeColorful's Motivated Monday.

Look at what Gail made at Can't Stop Making Things shared last week - a New Year's Wreath. How timely!

 

What inspires you? What are you working on? We would all love to see it.