New Year, New Blog Design..

Happy New Year (well, Happy 8th day of the New Year)! It's been waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too long but in an effort to be more consistent and execute more ideas and plans that have been put off for far too long, a new blog design is in order!

I've contacted an amazing graphic designer, Merely Marie Blog Designs to help give Penelope Toop {Darling}, a small but much needed facelift. I can't wait to start re-blogging again. I started out with such a zest and zeal for it and overtime my time spent went from daily to weekly to monthly. Oh for shame!

Life does have a way of getting hectic or your time being consumed with other things. BUT if you truly love something and want it to grow, be successful etc. you have to put the time into it and learn how to incorporate/balance it with your life. Something as simple as this train of thought can sometimes get so complicated but the reality is that its necessary, we need to prioritize and learn how to successfully balance.

So here's to a New Year and a New Beginning (cliché I know, but it's true). May we set out to accomplish all that we've aspired to, commit to things that need our attention, flush out ideas and move to make them happen, be determined and undeterred, and live life to fulfill your desires.

Oh Happy Day Paris!

Though I haven't blogged since the top of the year with hopes of "sprucing up the place" and adding more exciting content, this little beaut of a giveaway lit the fire under my fannie.

Jordan Ferney of one of the most delightful (and one of my all time favorite blogs),Oh Happy Day is sponsoring a wonderful and unbelievably magnificent giveaway...A TRIP TO PARIS! Like can I fall out or burst into happy confetti quicker than NOW! Those near and dear to me KNOW my incessant love for Paris, the language, the culture and the beauty that lies therein. This would be so wonderfully amazing if I won and got to take my favorite gal pal (Mom) with me!

Her rules/ways to enter are here! I'm just so excited that in celebration of her 5th year blogging, she's decided to "gift" her readers with this amazing opportunity. One of my positive affirmations is, "positive thoughts bring forth positive outcomes"! I'm filling my brain with wonderful thoughts of going to a Parisian flea market, seeing great landmarks and hidden treasurers and crossing this off of my list of things to do/places to go! I'm soooo excited!

It also helps that I just saw Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris and read Daring Chloe where the characters took a trip to Paris. I mean I'm ready to go, really I am!

{photo via Oh Happy Day}

Healthy Hair, I'll Take It..

In an effort to improve in a number of areas in my life this year (you know the normals: finances (savings, spending, investing etc.), self improvement, upstarting my business, health (body,mind, spirit and even hair, yep hair) and any other goals that pop in my mind), my friend and I decided to participate in one of my favorite bloggers Moptop Maven's, 2011 Hair Challenge!! (and the crowd goes wild). As a natural gal, its both liberating yet challenging to maintain healthy hair practices but with anything that you do in life, you have to be consistent and motivated to improve.

The challenge isn't just about achieving long hair, but tailoring your goal(s) to suit your need(s). Length retention isn't really my top priority (but I welcome it, ha ha) but rather just having healthy strong hair. I believe that I'm on the right track but I'm just challenging myself to see what I can do better to obtain greater results. And boy OH boy are there multiple regimens out there in hair land. I'm leaning towards incorporating the Ayurvedic regimen into my challenge (I've tried one item thus far like using the Vatika Oil, I like it but not so much the smell but it gives your hair an incredible sheen)!

My friend and I are so excited and we're committed to the MTM Hair Challenge!!!

I'l keep you posted on how things go!!

{photo via hi-imcurrentlyobsessed}

Desk Inspiration...

I've been inspired to purchase a new desk and gussy it up a bit! This is the desk that I've been eyeing for while and I think that I should finally go ahead take the plunge and get it!

Thanks Cupcakes and Cashmere!

Oooooh Cake Prints...

I'm thinking that it would only be right if I purchased one of these prints (don't worry they are tons more) courtesy of Jordan & Paul! They are such a fantastic duo (painting by Paul and art direction by Jordan)!

You can see/purchase prints here!

{photo courtesy of Oh Happy Day}

Great Friday Finds...

I would love to describe myself like Mrs. Lilian any day! I love that it rhymes (ha ha)

Looking for another great blog to add to your daily reading? Try reading The Mop Top Maven!

If I can get a hold of these bags, then I wouldn't mind pulling them out EVERYWHERE!

I can actually picture myself dreaming about any of these handbags every night until I get one.

Now wouldn't this be a nice vacation spot! When time permits, I'm so there..hopefully

The Parsley Thief is one of my favorite food blogs to peruse

A book that needs to be in my possession pronto, and quicker than soon

{photo via We Heart It}

Have a Lovely Weekend...

Hello all,

it has been way too long since I've posted last. Things have been extremely hectic (I know excuses excuses but it's true). But I'm back now and hopefully we won't have to be apart this long ever again!

This seems to be one of the last weekends of the summer and perhaps the last before all of the kiddies are off to school, the traffic jams begin with a vengeance, and the weather puts on it Fall gear. The summer has def. been wonderful and I'm looking for an even promising and delightful Fall season, plus I really can't wait until caramel apples happily trudge and/or roll their way back into my house and tummy.

To cap off one of the remaining summer weekends, I would love to find a little flea market and see what my eyes can find and what would seemingly have a good place in my home and perhaps try to create a small summer fare menu which has to include getting another sweet mouth/taste bud happy watermelon from Target (who knew).

Whatever it is that you decide to get into this weekend, make sure that you enjoy yourself, have fun, eat well and look forward to another day!

{photo via We Heart It}

Something that needs to be a First Thought...

Persimmon and Pink just puts things plain and simple. There is nothing that we face that can't be covered and or combated with prayer!

{photo via 6th Street Design School}

Slush Lush...

I think that if I lived in NYC, I would so be looking out for this guy and his truck! Kelvin makes "grown up" slushies and the flavors sound so refreshing and delectable!

Here's the process you go through once you reach the truck:
Step 1 – The Slush
Choose your slush flavor from Kelvin’s unique creations, including Spicy Ginger, Tangy Citrus or Green & Black Tea.

Step 2 – The Mix-In
Choose your real fruit purée mix-in. We rotate the fruit we offer, so there is always something new and fresh to try.

Step 3 – The Float (Optional)
Kick back to childhood and make your Kelvin a Float by adding a scoop of ice cream.

Designing your custom Kelvin Slush is that easy. With your input, we’ll serve up amazing flavor combinations which are all natural, always refreshing and always super cold.

Some of our favorite Kelvin Slush combos are:
Blood Orange + Ginger
Blueberry + Tea
Açaí + Ginger
White Peach + Tea
Mango + Citrus

This is just simply wonderful and makes me want to high tail it back to NYC pronto and FIND THIS TRUCK!

{photo courtesy of Kelvin Slush via Restaurant Girl}

Eat..Pray..Love..Smell

I'm a huge fan of lovely smell goods so I'm eager to get my little hands on one of the fragrances by Fresh. It's an ode to the book (now turned movie), aptly named Eat Love Pray by Elizabeth Gilbert. It's looking like Eat or Love may be my favorites!

{photo courtesy of Fresh}

Happy Birthday Kennedy...

Just wanted to say Happy Birthday to my beautiful cousin Kennedy who graced the world with her presence on this very day! I hope it was filled with butterflies, sunshine, rainbows, laughter and of course cupcakes. Love you oodles!!! Celebrate good times come on!

{photo via We Heart It}

Drop a Love Bomb...

"Love Bomb is a project of It Starts With Us that drops love in the form of blogs on those who are in need of it." This is such a wonderful project that spreads one of the greatest gifts that we can give and/or receive..LOVE. I found out about it via Lauren Nicole Love (her name is befitting and her blog is wonderful, she literally oozes love). If spreading love to those who need it as well as those who need encouragement those we know and even perfect strangers, then this is a perfect starter.

This is simply wonderful! As the song goes,

What the world needs now
Is love, sweet love
It's the only thing
That there's just too little of

What the world needs now
Is love, sweet love
No not just for some
But for everyone

{photo by Jenni Penni}

Emerson Made...Well...

These beautiful clutch bags by Emerson Made are just simply darling. Whats even better is that she's going to be debuting her clothing line in late summer/early fall. Is there really anything that she can't do? She's def. one of my inspirations to do wholeheartedly what you desire to do and to have fun at it!

{photos courtesy of Emerson Made}

Peek-a-Boo Back...

The other night, I went went a few of my gal pals to see the musical production of Dreamgirls (wonderful production and Jimmie was my FAVORITE), and one of my friends sported the cutest little backless dress! It was colorful and full of character, I think that I may have to add one or two to my summer wardrobe). Aren't these dresses by Frances May just darling? Simply darling!

{photos courtesy of Frances May via Alyson of Unruly Things for A Cup of Jo}

Have a Lovely Weekend...

Tonight my plans are to hang out with a few friends and enjoy some good 'ol music. Other than that I believe that it's going to be a leisurely weekend where I can tinker with my new shiny laptop and play with the dog.

Today was such a beautiful day in so many ways and hopefully that spills into my weekend.

Whatever your plans are for the weekend, enjoy them thoroughly!

Have a Lovely Weekend!

{Photo courtesy of Natsko Seki found via Oh Joy!}

Chris August...

I've heard this song on the radio a few times and i always try to catch who the artist is and unfortunately I kept missing it. So, I wrote down the words and did a little Google search and voila, Chris August popped up. The song entitled Starry Night is just completely amazing to me. He's a talented musician/writer and I pray him much success with his music and that it continues to touch the lives of many!!

I'm giving my life to the only one who makes the Moon reflect the sun.
Every Starry Night, that was His design.
I'm giving my life to the only son, who was and is and yet to come
Let the praises ring, 'cause he is everything.

{video via Youtube}

An Ode to an Apple (Macbook)...

Oh Apple dear Apple,

how I've pined for you way too long. How I wish that I could tickle your keys and create splendid things on you! You've been improved with new bells and whistles that long to be tinkered with. How pretty you would look in a new home (mine) and you can meet the other electronics that have been quite content to stay with me. Our possibilities are endless, the creating, the designing, the travels and the good times that I foresee already. We must be together! Won't you come to me...please with various laptop covers on top?!

Week in Review...

Oh my goodness, let me just say that my past few days have been wonderful!

Last Saturday, I had my WONDERFUL and AMAZING letterpress class (I'll share photos soon) given by Suann of Simplesong. I mean the class was MORE than I expected and Suann is a gem. If she offers classes in the future (which she will), HURRY and sign up for one, you'' be so happy that you did! I was!

On Saturday, I also go a chance to hang out with a few of my friends and we "found" (courtesy of my friend's sister)
Buzz Bakery! OMG I can't describe to you my elation when I walked into this place. It's amazing! Not only is it colorful, delectable and just absolutely amazing, their staff is by far some of the nicest people I've met on the planet! I had their coconut cream pie and and and, oh wait I think I just drifted off in coconut cream pie land, it was hands down one of the best desserts ever! Not only is this place equipped with a little computer station, couches for lounging around while munching on great food, they also have music nights on Monday's and they stay open til MIDNIGHT. What more could I ask for. I def. will be visiting them again very soon!

Fast forward to this Wednesday, I headed up to New York with my mother and best friend for my BIRTHDAY. We hopped a bus and did New York in a New York minute (well not really it was longer than a minute but get the point, ha ha). I had such a wonderful day, I really really did! One of the highlights was a special surprise that my mother had planned for me and let's just say that I visited Tiffany & Co. and walked out a very happy gal. In order to make my birthday memorable, my mom wanted me to have something that helped remind me my milestone birthday, something that would remind me of her and something that I can treasure for the rest of my life. It was a very sentimental moment and such a wonderful gesture on behalf of my mother. Many times we take life for granted and/or the people in it and I'm just so happy that I was able to see another year and most of all celebrate it with the one who loves me most, my mom. So after, our mother/daughter moment, we painted the city of New York red until rain washed it out, ha ha We left New York with Magnolia Bakery cupcakes, a few goodies, soggy clothes and wonderful memories!

{photo courtesy of We Heart It via Tumblr}

The Countdown Continues...

7 glorious days remaining!

Let your peepers enjoy this wonderful folly!

The Countdown Begins...

8 more glorious days remaining!!!
Enjoy this little video for Kindle via I Love Muffins! Isn't it oh so darling!?