New York, New York.

So maybe it was almost 2 months ago, but it was one of the best weekends EVER! My beautiful, fabulous friend Allison got married to Mr. Florczak. They win the award for "most romantic" wedding of the 'wedding season' (to be blogged about later). It was a weekend of best girlfriends, husbands along for the ride, celebrating Allison, and taking in the city!

When in NY wear your best "mary kate olsen" - its a city that appreciates it!

Husband in NY enjoying closeness on the subway.

Scrap attack in NY, with Jan as our trusty stand in :)

Bachelorette night for Ally!

Museum visit.



Lovers.



All dressed up for our girl (and her boy).



Besties since 11. love them.



I call her my old hollywood bride. Stunning.

Good Reads.....

Whoa, March 4th was my last post - oopsies. Well even though I have not been blogging, I have been enjoying some great blogs lately. 3 of which I find inspiring, sometimes humorous, and written by 3 very different, but very brave women. Do share you say? of course!

Cortney and I about to run the wounded warrior 5k. Along with many other Ranger family members.....

The first is a blog I found from a fellow Ranger Wife, Cortney . Katie, is anoother Ranger wife friend of Cortney's, whom I have never met (confused? friend of a friend!). Her and her husband were in a tragic car accident that put her in the hospital for a short period, and her husband is still on the journey back to recovery. Click HERE to read more about Katie- and her beyond brave story- she blogs true emotions, scripture, and great pics of her and her husband. She is in my thoughts often.

Gillettes and Holts unite. June 28, 2008

My next blog is technically not a blog, but a caringbridge website. This is a great outlet for people that are experiencing hospital stays, or sickness, to share their story and their progress with friends and family. Meet LAURA - I met Laura when she was dating Alex's friend Matt in college. Matt is our favorite red head of all time, he was one of our groomsmen, and we were at Matt and Laura's wedding exactly 7 days after we wed! They are forever friends.....Laura and I have gone through army deployments, army moves, army wifeness together! Her and Matt have never been stationed with us, but we lived it together :) Currently Laura is undergoing tests to get her closer to a bone marrow transplant she needs to combat a rare blood disease she has. She is AMAZING.

Carey and I being the best maids ever......

My third fearless female is my friend Carey. She just started blogging, and it is a great read! Carey is a fabulous italian mama of 2 that I met years ago through my wonderful sister in laws. Carey and I have been bridesmaids buddies many times, and once years ago I used her as a target at water polo practice... (sorry about that, we have come a long way). Her story I'm sure is one that a lot of young mommy's can relate to - I love the way she talks about her babes, and her lover, and she even incorporates some great jams in her entries.

Happy reading!

ART

When I taught elementary school art, we would learn about a new artist every month. I found it very important that kids grow up knowing about famous artists and famous pieces of work- and more importantly to be inspired by all the above. In the end, I learned a good deal as well- and was always entertained by what those little minds would come up with. Current inspiration: Gustav Klimt's Tree of Life.

WoOf WeDnEsDaY

I'm happy to see my last post, was also a WoOf WeDnEsDaY- because sweet Murphy has been adopted! Not by myself, but I hope she is now in a happy, loving home, that will snuggle her as much as I would have!! My next featured pup that caught my eye this week is Homer:

My name is Homer and I am a young male pointer mix. I am between 8 months and one year old. I am the perfect size dog at 47lbs. I have a beautiful short coat and a big brown patch over one half of my head. I am very active and my favorite thing to do is chase lizards in the yard. I am crate trained and I love to cuddle. I need a home that will play with me and take me for long walks and to the dog park. I love to hunt and to run. I don't jump up on humans even though I am so young and I am completely housebroken. As long as i have bones and toys, I won't chew on your human belongings. Can I come out and play with you? Homer is new to rescue and fostered in Orlando. For more information please contact Melissa at

407-421-2940 or cpsailaway@aol.com You can also check Homer out at a great rescue website Big Dog Ranch .

I think Spencer was channeling Homer earlier this week, when mysteriously she appeared in the kitchen like this...

And lastly in honor of how much I love dogs, and to be the crazy dog lady- I found a great BLOG off my Sissy's page-

This girl is AWESOME! Not only is she a total golden retriever lover, but shes the definition of a natural beauty- you might

just recognize her :)

WoOf WeDnEsDaY

I think everyone that knows me knows I adore my dog Spencer! She came into our lives 2 1/2 years ago and I don't know how I would have made it through life as an army wife without her! So, naturally I am drawn to golden retrievers, and especially now sweet girl dogs with boy names!

Introducing MURPHY!

For more information on this little precious click here.

Happy Belated

I'm not as you would say a 'domestic goddess' , I often realize my husband is much better at all the qualities that make someone a domestic goddess. But I thought on the day of love (Valentines Day) I would use one of my mother in law's recipes, which happens to be Alex's favorite- and bake him up a batch of love cookies. It is an easy recipe, and these cookies are just TOO GOOD!

Ingredients: 3 cups flour - 1 tsp baking powder - 1 cup butter - 1/2 tsp salt - 3/4 cup sugar - 1 egg - 2 tbsp milk - 2 tsp vanilla. (cream butter add sugar, stir in eggs, milk, vanilla, add dry ingredients, mix well.

Spencer and I thought neon icing would take our love cookies to the next level....

After mixing ingredients, roll batter (about 1/4 " thick) between 2 pieces of wax paper (sprinkle a little bit of flower so they dont stick) and chill in fridge for about 10 minutes.

After cutting into desired shapes (hearts of course!) Bake for 8 minutes or until golden around edges on 400 degrees.

I would like to blame the sloppy icing job on Spencer, but it was my fault. Mix 1 bag confectioners sugar with one tbsp of milk (the more milk the thinner the icing and unfortunately the more sloppy the cookie!)

My flowers from my sweet Valentine :)

New Leaf.

A few months ago my friend Jen asked me to create a piece of art for her newest baby boy, Hank. I think sometimes my 'pallet' reflects more the pallet of a child- so creating art for kids is always a lot of fun for me! Jen sent me a few images she liked, a pic of his bedding, and one rule "must say HANK!". I loved all her ideas, colors, and 'rule'- so the painting was as much fun for me- as I hope it will be for Hank and the Daniels family.

Love.

I love PS22 Chorus and find myself watching video after video of them on YouTube. This is my current favorite.

WoOf WeDnEsDaY

CUTE, CUTE, CUTE AND TOO CUTE!! Yes, I am!. I am 10 weeks old....Mom's a Golden...Dad????? But I can tell you I am a Golden in every way. I am sweet and smart. I am still a little shy. I kind of like to hide. Yes, that is me buried under the pillows. I already know that I adore Kids. And my foster Mom wants you to know (I have only been there one night.) That I slept all night in my crate and did all my "business" outside. I am really a very special little girl. Please call Lisa to meet me. 561 776-0857

"Come Together"

I have a new painting for a friend to daydream about- a "psychedelic, trippy, musically natured, guitar painting" per request. I'm going to be referencing this last one I did that was inspired by the Beatles LOVE show.

Dad and his girls....

For those of you who have been such prayer warriors, sources of encouragement, and the best friends we could ask for - my Dad was home in time for the holidays- and I think all Daniels will agree- it was the BEST CHRISTMAS EVER.

Art for Friends

I have been 'commissioned' for a few paintings for friends. Though 'commissioned' sounds awfully rigid for how wonderful and fun my friends are. This piece was completed for the Stutzmans, they are great friends from FSU, who recently had a baby and bought a house! Another wonderful friend helped with the design of their place, and I was very honored to add a little Heather Holt art to their living room!

WoOf WeDnEsDaY

Helloooooo Echo.



This cutie is up for adoption in Palm Beach County. He is a Manchester Terrier Mix, and will weigh as an adult as much as 60 lbs. He enjoys long walks, chewy toys, being loved on by his owner, and cuddling! He has a quiet disposition, and enjoys children and other doggies. Learn more about Echo here.

WoOf WeDnEsDaY

Meet Camilia. Is this not the most beautiful baby girl you have ever seen!?!? and the name, is just fabulous! The website doesn't have much information, but she is available at the Cocker Rescue of Fort Lauderdale. I have always adored Cocker Spaniels, and I hope Camilia finds a sweet home.

Girly Girl

I tend to drift between girly girl and bohemian, with a little splash of (as my brother in law says) "grandma". Well the perfect store for accessories and gifts is Henri Bendel, now if only I had the budget for it! This store just makes you feel special! I first came across this store in the book Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella.


Love the striped packaging!


One of these little cuties ended up under my christmas tree! Thanks mama!


AMAZING candles. Peony and Tuberose are my faves.


Bangles = Current obsession.


The perfect example of grandma chic.

WoOf ThUrSdAy?

I really need to get it together. But in tribute to my woof wednesday women- I wanted to post a little something. Even Forever21 is feeling the love for adopting pups!!!



Be prepared to fall in love with Dorothy and Lily. They are inseparable sister Weimaraners up for adoption in west palm beach at a very cool place, Big Dog Ranch.

" Acquiring a dog may be the only opportunity a human ever has to choose a relative" (Mordecal Siegal)

WoOf FrIdAy????

Huge apologies to my Woof Wednesday Women. THey are all so disciplined in posting! I'm back to help the pups! I ask my husband on a daily basis for a 'friend for spencer' aka another dog for heather to cuddle with, baby talk to, and photograph. I want a medium sized fluff ball so i can carry it around- Alex on the other hand wants another perfect golden that he can name Tebow. What can I say, opposites attract. We have though agreed that we love Rhodesian Ridgebacks, I havn't done a lot of research on their disposition, but I adore their cuteness! Here is a sweet love named Sugar Pie- she is a new mommy, and though I'm not sure where her puppies have gone to- She is just gorgeous, and seems to be a gentle, nervous girl like my sweet spence. Everyone needs some sugar, right AJ?

been a while.....

Well I have basically fallen off the blogging map for quite some time. Unfortunately my dad has been sick for about 12 weeks, and recently diagnosed with Wegeners Disease. Though this disease has been quite traumatic, we are so thrilled for a diagnosis- at last! He has been in the hospital for 2 weeks now, and we are seeing tiny bits of improvement daily. We are PRAYING, WISHING, HOPING he can be home by Thanksgiving. We have been blessed with an many many prayers, emails, phone calls, and a few special visitors. Thank you to everyone that has reached out to my dad and my family in the past few weeks. Today, a designer that works with my Dad sent these flowers after hearing he was sick. I thought they were so beautiful, such a kind gesture from someone who barely knows my sweet Dad....he always has had quite the effect on people :)

Tweet.

So just about everyone I know 'owns a baby'....I don't mean own, I mean lovingly brought precious bundles of joy into this world. But for me, I own a dog, and it will stay that way for quite a while. Though I must say, my young mommy friends (sister in laws especially) are some of the best mommy's ever! For me though, I tend to day dream about 'rooms of the future', and I recently have come across some very sweet things for a nursery.... This bedding is the 'brooke' from Pottery Barn- just love those cute birds and trees!




And with my 'bird bedding' I will have beautiful grey walls- and the TREES! the TREES! I would sleep in here if I could! This is the stunning nursery of Tiffani Amber Thiessen's daughter, Harper- so maybe I'm bias, Kelly Kapowski was my hero for a good 10 years, I was possibly a member of her fan club.....



Clearly I'm a big fan of grey lately..... (ignore the clutter) this is our new living room, in the works! The paint is Stormy Monday by Benjamin Moore. My fabulous boss' at 24e. had their living room painted in this and it was 'to die!!'

Project: DOOR

I have just recently started working for LILA PHOTO in Palm Beach. It is a fabulous photography company, and I am really enjoying my work there. One of my 'side projects' was to help my boss design her new office- so first off, paint colors, carpet samples, and our fancy new door frame! She is a big fan of the Eau Spa at the Ritz Carlton, Palm Beach. They have these custom door frames, that are somewhat comparable to Alice in Wonderland. So I got some HUGE paper, pencils, erasers, and went for it- turned out pretty great! We traced our paper model onto plywood, and then had the contractor cut out the design with a simple jig saw. I love our final product, and I can't wait to do this in my own home one day!

Eau Spa


Step 1:


Final Product:


The door frame is approximately an inch thick, and the light plays off the white paint beautifully! More photos to come....