My favorite kind of gift exchange is where each person brings a gift that is practical or meaningful - it can be something you love (your favorite thing - a book, a candle) , a GIFT IT FORWARD gift - something you own (that you love) that you want to pass on (not a white elephant gift), or you can make something. Anything practical or meaningful.
Parties
02/17/2012
02/04/2012
Affirmations
When I love everything around me, I am constantly inspired.
When I have money in the bank, I am more able to think, feel, and live life.
When I invite people into my home, I am more connected and loving in the world.
When I am taking care of myself and eating right and exercizing, I have more to give.
Creating jobs and making money connects me to my community and my purpose.
Appreciate your life, find meaning in everything you do.
Eliminate what does not support your true self.
Love your life, work hard, play hard, be AWAKE.
painting by Adele Sypesteyn
12/30/2011
07/08/2011
my summer "to do" list
go to the beach. go to trapeze school. read books. have a girls weekend with my friends who I grew up with. drink some adult beverages. get back to the gym. get back to pilates. spend time with friends. teach jack to ride his bike. have an intown retreat with my working mom friends. circle. take photos. go to london.
06/23/2011
my great grandmothers glasses
I have the amazing glasses that belonged to my great grandmother. She only brought them out for special occasions (see the Christmas tree in the background) - but I use them every day. They are beautiful, meaningful, practical, and I feel connected to my past every day.
05/15/2011
investing in the event
We were throwing a party at the art studio in the midst of a VERY busy week and I needed to feel connected to the event. It was something I was very excited about, but really did not have time to be present for. But I needed to be.
So instead of ordering the food, I took the time to make it. This made all the difference.
By choosing to cook, i invested myself in the party and I had a wonderful time. Next time you are feeling uninspired or too busy, dig in deeper and do something that invests yourself into the event.
04/22/2011
how do I know maya brenner?
My good friend Maya Brenner is incredible. I met her thru my friend Marika -many years ago when we all went to the korean spa together.
I have been her personal photographer of sorts for years and also her friend. I have had the honor of photographing her wedding ,her pregnancies, her first born, her family portraits - as well as catering parties for her. She is one of my favorite people in the world - and she has taught me so much.
She helps me see beyond my own ways to work smarter, be more current, and have fun. She is a girls girl who is beautiful, brave, and so much fun to know.
She is the reason, I started to hire more people to help me with my catering jobs - which led to growing my company. She came to my house one day and I was prepping for a party - where I was doing everything myself. She helped me see outside of the day to day and look at the bigger picture.
She is the reason, I finally took a digital photo. I was dedicated to film photography and unwilling to go digital, until she needed a portrait for her book that she wrote and they needed the photo in London in one day. So I rented a camera and the we shot, downloaded, and emailed the photo with ease. I have never looked back.
This is one of my favorite photos from her wedding.
She is a jewelry designer whose work is amazing. This past year was a really great month for her business - after being featured on the today show, she received over 20 thousand orders.
She is one of my favorite people and I could not be happier for her success!
me and maya in Mexico this week!
