happy valentine's day!

of course i'm writing about valentine's day - how could i not... it's feels serendipity that i post on Wednesdays.

these are the flowers by which all others are judged. i laugh - but it's true. i received these while pregnant with Liam. we always have fresh flowers in the chalet, (3 arrangements currently) but this simple bouquet of hydrangeas and pink roses will always be the most beautiful my husband has given me.

to be fair all flowers from Steven are lovely and welcome...but we - all of us - romanticize things in our minds eye. so yes, these from 2011 are my favorite. 

my dad Jim was terrific about February 14th. he always made a big deal out of it. he had chocolates not only for Mom, but for my sister and i too! 

i remember how exciting it was to get my very own pink heart box with chocolates embossed on it from my debonair father.

i've always had heart shaped objects - boxes, picture frames, jewelry. this little metal tin is from childhood.

i have a smattering of decorations- around the chalet.

the coat closet has a willow wreath with little berry details.

its a welcome touch - that goes seamlessly with the chalet vibe.

i have another willow wreath in the upstairs hall window tied simply with a natural jute ribbon.  the wreath is from Michaels.

i don't know who loves this adorable felt banner from Target more Liam or myself!

my sweet boy made these. Liam certainly knows his momma! making me a bookmark!

my current view.

i loved googling and reading the history of Valentine's Day. i particularly enjoyed the piece on the History Channel. click through to read for yourself.

i snagged this image from a friend @terra_naut   hahaha!

i want to share the cutest tutorial for making Pipe Cleaner Heart Garland from my friend Valerie of Smile Mercantile.

i hope your Valentine's Day is filled with yummy and pretty and love! xoxo

til next time.

how's it hanging 2018?!?

i was thinking about this weeks post - thinking about what i wanted to say. sometimes the storyboards i've mapped out - don't get used the week i think they will. sometimes i'm not in the right mindset for a subject; either by my own doing or others. sometimes i write a piece and hold it.

this process - this place - this thing chaletmomma is about inspiration... it's my work.. it's my passion - i won't push it, rush it or half-ass it. so when the calendar changed last week i started thinking -

38 days in - how's it hanging 2018?!?

February came and it was no big deal. although for many of you out there - you were quite happy to say good riddance to January. i read much - on how January was dragging for many of you. for me the 31 days were delightful. maybe it's me now - in this season of my life? but i'm thankful to say i haven't been struggling with 2018. i haven't been struggling to manage the new date or the new tasks or the new leaf i have turned over... but, i feel it's important to pause and take stock - a mental check-in is vital.

let's review the goals.

• using my calendar everyday. yes, I've been doing it! yay!!!

• map out chaletmomma brand production: daily, weekly and monthly. working on it! i have been studying, meeting and making connections.

• to plan meals and make less trips to the market. a resounding yes!!!

• to use my crockpot more. yes! I've been using it allot!

• to read more books. while i haven't been reading - i've listened to books through Hoopla. yay! listening allows multitasking. clean the house. work on a puzzle. sort through bits in the basement. sit at hockey practice. i'm loving Hoopla so much - even while the stack of books in the basket under my desk continues to grows.

as i said i haven't exactly been reading - the copy of A Royal Duty is still unfinished, but i listened to Mrs. Queen Takes The Train and Secrets of a Charmed Life. Both wonderful and i would recommend. i've already started another book on Hoopla from Susan Meissner Stars Over Sunset Boulevard and it's really good.!

• take items to the consignment shops regularly. I have been to the consignment shop twice! and only bought 2 things... i think that's a win! right? hahaha! look at my charming Tiffany box - the pattern, the color and i do have a thing for boxes...

• iron clothing weekly. yes!

• travel. we've been skiing!

• play more games. yes!!! my son just received a new game this week Despicable Me Labyrinth board game.

• to go on more adventures with my boys. yes!

• to always have cheese, humus and yummy crackers in the chalet and ready for friends - anytime they can pop over! yes yes yes!

• drink more Prosecco! oh yes, my friends!

i'm feeling so good about the new year and i so very much hope this finds you in a happy place too!

if you need/want a push - start small with only the most important things. maybe you feel rushed in the morning - set your alarm 10 mins. earlier, set out clothing the night before. maybe your car is messy - take a bag to your car weekly and collect everything and get it out of there. maybe you want to cook more - start out with doing it once a week.

small steps will lead to big changes.

notice i did not say can lead to - i said will - life is about decisions. make a decision and stick to it. don't cheat on yourself or on this one life you have.

i wrote a note and stuck in on the inside of the medicine cabinet. i like to stick notes there. a gentle reminder for myself. this follower prays and hopes, but i've always visualized things - if i could see it in my minds eye than i knew it could be.  golly i'm feeling philosophical today.

VISUALIZE THE JOY YOU WANT.

KNOW WHAT YOU WANT.

ALL THINGS ON GODS TIMETABLE.

til next time.

personal flair

i was looking at this photograph and thinking how wonderfully dressed my grandmother Mary was. even after 48 years i remember her silk shift at Pop's 75th birthday party in May 1970; and how she didn't mind when i wanted to be in the photo. she was wonderful with her red hair, pack of Marlboros and dirty martini's.

it started me looking through photo albums and thinking about how someone wears a garment and has their own personal flair.

the biggest influence in my life regarding fashion is my Mother Rita. she was always turned out and wore the right outfit for the right occasion.

everytime i don a pin or throw a pashmina around my neck it's because of her influence.

i thought i'd share images; not only of Rita but, my Dad Jim - he was a suit and tie man and my Mom's sister Marion who was always up-to-date sporting the latest fashion trends.

here's another image from the party. Rita in green looking stylish. Marion in her mod brown and black striped dress - so of the moment. i love the gloves.

here's Mary in that same dress with it's matching jacket at my cousin's wedding December 1970.

a close up of Rita - that beaded dress! Marion was the mother of the bride.

some older images.

Rita and Marion 1940's. sweet sisters.

Puerto Rica 1954 this cinnamon pink cotton dress is timeless.

Rita was a fashion model 1954.

my parents leaving for their honeymoon 1955.

i have this 1955 image framed - it sits in a cubby on my rolltop desk - i adore the styling of this blouse.

Marion and Rita 1960  both look stunning. those colors!

Thanksgiving 1962. My gorgeous Mother!

i found this from spring 1967. i wish it was a full shot of her silk and linen brown dress. the beading was killer!

 this blue dress from summer of 1966 - wow!

my grandmother Lillian had similar bags to this Enid Collins handbag. some of hers had straw floral embroidery. 

here are my Dad's parents Lillian and Joe on a pit-stop at the Jersey shore August 1965. something about this generation they were always fully dressed - even at the beach.

my sister and Rita Easter 1968. stylin' and profilin' next to Jim's convertible.

Marion looks amazing in her colorful coat. circa 1973.

April 1974 Marion, Rita with their sister-in-law Gladys. That jacket, those sunglasses!

I love how groovy Jim is with his white belt, bolo tie and white dinner jacket on our 1979 trip to Phoenix to visit my snowbird grandparents Lillian and Joe.

when i worked for the Gap Rita and i had matching wool trousers - none of her friends were shopping there but, she loved the young fun fashion. i remember a great denim blouse she had - i wish i had now - it'd be back in style since it was over 20 years ago and i'm her size now... ha!

on our 1985 trip to Ireland she was right on point in her cute Esprit outfit!

inside sometimes i wish we could return to a bit more of the formality of yesteryear but, fashion and life are different now. casual Fridays. working from home. active wear and yoga pants are now integral parts of our everyday wardrobes but, as my husband Steven likes to say: "there is nothing wrong with being the most overdressed person in the room."

i hope you celebrate your personal flair everyday! 

til next time.