Love Stash

When Courtney posted about Stash Couture and their amazing bags--I immediately signed up on their "call me when you launch" list--and am so glad I did!

These cool, hip, artistic bags are one-of-a-kind and hand crafted with the utmost care, highest quality and respect --you'll have to read more from their website--fabulous.

I'm definitely a classic sort of girl- love the jeans, love the white shirts so I'm always looking for great jewelry, shoes, and accessories for the "wow, where did you get that?" factor. Stash Couture=one word=wow.

Summer Jeans

This is my go-to look this summer. The Boyfriend/Vintage Slim jeans by J.Crew--I usually don't roll though--I do the oversized cuff and wear these with flats, heels...love them.

Lazy Sunday

I felt a little like this sweet girl today when my husband and I took a canoe on Lynx Lake (yes, Arizona does have bodies of water here and there). I forgot my camera but it was a day just like this with bright blue skies and calm waters. Such a relaxing and fun way to spend a Sunday.

In light of this week...

Go for it. Do it. All or nothing baby. Have a great weekend!

Sad Day...but what if?

Such a sad and shocking day for everyone who loved his music and for Michael Jackson's family. But for a moment...for a second...what if this were the biggest publicity stunt pulled off ever in the history of the media? I know...there's too many obstacles, too many people involved...but it would be wonderful.
*After writing that I just self diagnosed myself in the the first stage of grief: denial. I also think Elvis is living in some Holiday Inn somewhere.

Girl Crush

This is what I remember about growing up. That hair. Those teeth. I wanted to be Farrah along with millions of other teenage girls. I wanted to answer the phone with "hello Charlie". Such a sweet, sad day and filled with so many memories.

A Day in the Life of A Cupcake

This is a new image for a tshirt we will be creating for The Cupcakes Club. We LOVE her...so cute with her little heels on her bike. Hope to have the t-shirts in the next few weeks-we'll let you know!

You keep getting older, but I don't

It's always interesting to see former students or classmates of my own children enter into their next phase of life. It could be high school, college years, marriage or parenthood but it always throws me for a loop when they come up to me in "real life" to say "hello".

Wait a minute. Wasn't it just last week that this child was playing in the schoolyard or sharing an adventure with me from their summer vacation? They can't be getting married...they're only 10 years old. I always say to them, "you keep getting older but I don't!" It's crazy-scary how much kids change in a span of ten years.

I remember hearing about a college commencement speech that Hillary Clinton gave and she told the graduating class to "remember this day, this moment. Because for the rest of your life you will always feel like you are this twenty one year old person."

Seeing my friends from college last week let me relive that sentiment. We are as young as we feel and we should be joyful, silly and enjoy carefree thoughts along with embracing the wisdom and patience we have gained with each passing birthday. How old do you feel? For now, I'm 21 and holding...

Weekend Must Do

OMG. Run..do not walk to your nearest upscale grocery store to get Talenti gelato or sorbetto. Made with the finest ingredients to create an indulgence so creamy and flavorful you just might think you're on a quick trip to Italy. We love the container as well...the lid screws on!

Cupcakes A-Go-Go

Cupcakes A-Go-Go Giveaway from Cupcakes Club on Vimeo.

We recently added "CTV" as a new page on The Cupcakes Club just to shake things up. To be honest, we've been humming the first few bars of "I want my MTV..." from back in the day and hoping others will too. We're planning on having contests, girls that inspire us, and advice for the tween crowd...it should be fun!

When I was in Chicago this past weekend I had a good friend's daughter, Kelly, spotlight the giveaway we're doing this week.

Dry Heat?

We're in Arizona...deserts, dry, and 100+ degree temps in the summer. Today= 60 degrees and rain. We're all kind of scratching our heads and enjoying the rain but now would be a good time to visit when things are still a little cooler.

Weekend plans?

Looking for something to do this weekend? Go see "UP" at the movies. I laughed. I cried. I loved it.

simple joy

Have you ever downloaded some new tunes on the iPod and started your workout and soon hear the first few notes of a song you don't recognize... but after you realize what the song is it makes you happy? I love the simple joy of such a silly thing.

Wasn't that yesterday?

My Sharona, Me, Diana Maria Fernandez, "5 more minutes"Marni

As part of my month long birthday celebration I am traveling to Chicago to partay with my college sorority sisters, roommates, and lifelong friends. Geez, I look at this picture and think that it was taken yesterday...and it's been over 30 years. I also look at what were my tiny hips and think of how I still grumbled about the size of them...geesh...when will we ever learn to appreciate the moment? But, that's another blog post --and right now, the message is to enjoy each year- happy birthday!

More Les Indiennes on Ebay

If you've been craving some Les Indiennes for summer check my ebay auctions here.

husband and wife crush

I've been recently stalking..er...following the cute couple Naomi and Josh aka taza & husband via their blog rockstar diaries. They are in their twenties, deeply madly in love, and her posts and pics make you smile. I'm happy that The Cupcakes Club is a sponsor on such a sweet, honest, and uplifting site.

BFF's =Gwyneth and me

I'm amazed at how much I look like Gwyneth Paltrow these days. It's truly remarkable, especially since I'm a little older and we're not related. Oh yeah, and I'm not blonde, or skinny or any of that. Otherwise, though, I'm the spittin' image. It's because of the cupping. Oh c'mon, you remember a few years ago when she was spotted in a backless gown with something that looked like crop circles all over her back. Well, that's me. I have crop circles, too. Me and Gwyneth.
We cup. We're cuppers. A cupping we will come. Enough.

An ancient Chinese practice, traditional cupping uses fire to heat and create suction in the cups- although my massage therapist uses rubber cups and can adjust the pressure- for fire insurance reasons (and to be honest-that would have totally freaked me out).

When applied to the body, the skin gets sucked into the cup. (I was going to post a pic of that--but it's not pretty- and I'm so glad I can't see my back when my therapist does it- ewww.)
A fresh blood supply rushes up and improves circulation to the area. It's used for breaking up fluid and phlegm stagnation in the lungs--like coughs, bronchitis and pneumonia--as well as for soft tissue congestion, such as with low-back, neck and shoulder pain. That's me!
Cupping therapy has been further developed as a means to open the "meridians" of the body--the conduits through which energy flows through every organ, tissue and body part. There are five meridians on the back that, when opened, allow invigorating energy to travel the whole length of the body (sounds good...and I feel good..so I guess that's good).
How does it feel? It's not painful or unpleasant--but it feels like a deep tissue massage with suction. I freaked out more when I went home and saw the circles--wondering how long they would last and what did I get myself into now?! By the way- Thursday was the massage and by Sunday night- they are almost all gone- thank goodness...
Gwyneth and I are going to go swimming tomorrow and I would have been a bit embarrassed about showing off my back...but she would have loved it.

We are so excited!!

Project Runway is on the TV schedule!! Season 6 premieres Aug. 20 on Lifetime television. Along with “Runway” there will be a new spin-off — “Models of the Runway,” which focuses on the glamazons who flaunt the designers' creations each week.
Although the basic layout/idea of the show is the same (if it ain't broke, sweetheart...) there ARE new sponsors:
1) TRESemme out, Garnier in!
2)Also gone is the Bluefly.com Accessories Wall; contestants will use an array of goods from Macy's.
3) Finally, judge Nina Garcia's new employer, Marie Claire, takes over for Elle as the featured mag.
Prizes? Did someone say prizes? Isn't it reward enough just to be on the show??!! Guess not--
THE PRIZE: PARIS! This season's winner gets $100,000, a fashion spread in Marie Claire, and an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Paris. Sorry, no more free Saturn Astras for the top designer — but who wouldn't prefer a stroll around the City of Light?

This was Trophy Cupcakes in Seattle--really good cupcakes and so fun that they offered little trinkets and vintage treasures to put on your decorated cakes along with books, toys, and fun (click the pics to get a close-up view).

Seattle Road Trip from benson on Vimeo.

Sorry for all the flippin--my camera took a nose dive on this trip so I was left to punt. BUT- my birthday will bring me a fancy,schmancy camera that I can curse at and learn all about to bring fabu pics to all. I just need to decide what I'm getting and pull the trigger to welcome a new member to my electronic family.

Bainbridge Island from benson on Vimeo.

We took this while on Bainbridge Island in Washington--we couldn't believe the plants, the trees, and the wonderful gardens everywhere!

Where have you been?

saint cupcake from Cupcakes Club on Vimeo.

We have just returned from our Northwest/West road trip--and am so happy not to live out of a suitcase anymore! Lots of fun visits and thought I would share a little of Saint Cupcake in Portland, Oregon. They were kind enough to do a giveaway on The Cupcakes Club (my tweens to teens delicious website) while I was gone--and it's just the cutest shop! Check out those tables and umbrellas!