Beachside Pizza Making Party

Taking a page out of my idea of

Crowning Ourselves

I through myself a family

Beachside Pizza Making Party

Ellis gave Jeff and I

 a portable pizza oven

 for Christmas

so I thought a little family beachside party would be a fun way to use it!

Conceptualizing parties is always a favorite of mine!

So picking a red and white color scheme

with a vintage flair  for 

a  beachside pizza party

 was my jumping  off point

As far as parties go

bringing everything beachside from home

for a set up

required quite a bit of planning and list making.

I really reveled in the challenge.

I was very 

intentional about enjoying the party planning process and 

the  set up.

We got to the beach 3 hours early

to secure a good spot

and

to be able to set up without any time pressure.

I was so happy I chose to 

wear a set up outfit

and then

changed into my 

Party Outfit.

I did a

 trial run party set up

 the day before at home

so I could know for sure how many folding tables, textiles, florals ect. 

I would actually need for the party spread.

I had individual

 boards for pizza making

I ordered

 parchment papers

 pizza trays

s and 

rolling pins 

as well.

We had all of the toppings pre prepared as well.

Jeff of course was in charm of the 

pizza  oven cooking

We had a vintage cart that works perfectly for the pizza oven set up

which includes a propane tank

that sit on the bottom shelf.

After the set up I changed into my

 tulle skirt and off the shoulder gingham top

but the wind gave a chill in the air

so I was happy I brought my denim shirt.

I was so happy with how the set up came together!

all the pre prep really payed off!

I happily wore my red rain boots to my party

because I hate the feeling of dry sand 

they worked so well for me!

I set up a child sized coloring station

filled with crayons and a roll of craft paper.

I always love to have a little creative play 

worked into my parties

especially when my sweet grandchildren are involved.

Ellis made a

 beautiful Italian snack board.

My friend Rachel brought

 a tasty salad!

Rachel and I met almost 30 years ago

when our children attended a Waldorf playgroup!

Needless to say our kids are all grown up by now

which gives us plenty of time to ocean kayak!

This canopy is from Business and Pleasure

I set it up in case the grand kids wanted a cozy play area.

I've made the fabric pennant banners over the years.

I love how they so easily add a pop of fun and whimsy to any party!

I couldn't be happier how my multi generational party turned out!

My heart is so full of love\for everyone who came out for our

Beachside Pizza Making Party!

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy as you 

style your life

Finding Calm In The Chaos

 

It's been some crazy weeks here in Southern California.

with wildfires  ravaging parts of Los Angeles.

The  Santa Ana winds exploding the fires and everything in their  paths.

We were never in danger form the LA fires

but we do live in an area that has fires breaking out often.

Our backyard view right now  has the burn scars from fires we had in September.

The Santa Ana winds we had for over a week were a constant  mental reminder

what could happen here also.

We've lived out here 30 years

and

 it hasn't been until this January

that I could ever see us having the possibility of real problems.

But I'm sure most of us in Southern California

are seeing possibilities differently these days.

I  have never experienced winds like January 7th.

In our neighborhood huge pine trees were snapped in half.

Our house not only shook from the winds

but even our massive bed on the second floor was moved.

The Santa Ana winds sounded like an ongoing explosion 

when they came in this time.

Usually here the winds sound like an incoming train

that you can here seconds before even any leaves start to move.

I woke up wondering was it a plane too low overhead

but the noise didn't seem to move away.

in a few seconds

I realized it was crazy winds.

It was a few hours later

when I had the  local news on

 they began  covering a small brush fire

in the hills of LA.

No one had any idea how bad things would get for LA.

And the winds kept howling  outside for us.

Winds so viscous they made it hard to sleep that night.

I finally fell asleep at midnight

by then much of Malibu was burning.

Their  winds were blowing over 85 miles per hour.

We just live 75 miles south of Malibu.

I figured I should try to get sleep if I could

because who knew what we might have to deal with  next day.

The next day the images  of LA neighborhoods were unbelievable.

But the winds were lessening

and 

more help was being sent to LA.

the worst  of the fires themselves seemed to be over.

But here in Orange County

the Santa Ana winds continued to burst crazy gusts

for the next few days.

A continual reminder what actually 

'could happen'

It was the odd limbo

where my heart broke foe others in LA

while I still had an unease about our own area.

I felt like I had to stay home

to keep an eye on things.

I obviously had to think of what I would take if I ever had to leave.

Talk about a quick way to check what is really important in life.

I made my lists

that now hang on my studio blackboard.

It contains a combination of 

the necessary and the  sentimental.

Making my own list broke my heart even more

for so many in LA who lost everything.

I even started to feel guilty of how I still had everything.

I soon pushed that out to my mind

realizing each day is a gift

and

 adding to ripples of anxiety 

serves no one.

Instead I felt an overwhelming need to get my house

actually, oddly

closets and bedroom in order.

Having absolutely no control on wildfires

other than being as prepared as possible

I decides to find calm in making my spaces as orderly 

and beautiful

as possible.

Taking the time to  truly appreciating what I did have

while I actually had it.

Our downstairs more public spaces are always in perfect order.

But I must admit there were  many, many days 

my bed wasn't made

and

 clothes covered my floor

not because I was ever lazy

but rather 

I always felt I had too much to do

and 

my time was better spent elsewhere.

But the winds and the fires had me so rattled

with feeling of no control and worry

I actually slowed down.

It's a funny thing how thinking through 

the possibility of loosing everything

makes you reconsider even  your time usage.

It actually reminded me just how much 

I love my home.

I love my spaces

and 

I love my closets of my beloved clothes.

It reminded me I don't need to rush 

to accomplish more

to get more.

What I really needed to do 

was actually 

slow down.

~

Do less and appreciate more.

~

To intentionally appreciate

and 

care for what I do have.

~

Slowing down 

intentionally caring and appreciating

my spaces and belongings

has brought me a calm

I haven't felt in a while.

Life is fleeting

and 

another day is never promised.

I think the chaos of the fires and all of the other implications

of the last week here in the US

has made me turn inward

in an attempt to find 

calm and peace

inside

where it doesn't exist outside for me right now.

Now more than ever it is time for me to do

Gratitude lists and Glimmers.

To be intentional where I put 

my time

my love 

and 

my intentions.

~

To create beauty 

and 

meaningful work.

~

To find

Calm in the Chaos

so my life can have 

a ripple effect of love and joy.

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life

Crown Yourself This New Year

I will be taking the time to

Crown Myself 

this New Year.

I have stopped playing in the murky waters

of New Year's Resolutions years ago.

Instead

I am going to make

 beautiful rituals of

taking the time to 

Crown Myself

~ Reflect on all of the things I've done well this past year (and in life)

~ Savor again all of the magic moments that made my heart soar.

~ Make a list of my favorite Glimmers

~Reflect on where  and when I stood tall when I wanted to crumble

I choose to make

Crowning Myself

a beautiful ritual

 because at this age I know

~ I am responsible for my own happiness

~ No one is coming to save me

~ True personal validation is always an inside job

~We can only pour from a full cup

Crowning Yourself 

really can happen in so many ways

both literally  (everyone stands a little taller with a Crown)

and 

figuratively.

This New Year I have planned and taken time to sit quietly in a beautiful space

to reflect.

I will have a candles and flowers  to remind myself

that my relationship with myself

is of utmost importance.

After my scene is set

I will put on one of my Crowns

and

 sit quietly as I 

make notes of all the  good that comes up.

I will write those happy thoughts in my journal

or

better yet as a  beautiful love letter to myself.

I will open up my photos for the year

as helpful reminders of the splendid moments I experienced.

I will review my gratitude journal for the year

to be reminded of the small things

that were actually the big things in my heart.

I will review my business calendar to remember

what I have accomplished this year.

I will write down my favorite moments

taking the time to 

Savor and Enjoy

them all once again.

It is only then

after I bask in all the good and beauty and love

 I accomplished and experienced this last year

I will gently

and

 with much love and compassion

ask myself

~ Where would I like to grow.

~ What  behaviors would I like to change

so that I can experience life at a higher energy level.

~ Where does the majority of my joy come from?

~ What can I do to have a better relationship with myself?

~ What boundaries do I need to give myself to maximize my self love?

~ What can I do to support my own goals? 

~ What soothing rituals can I put into my daily life

to help me stay focused on my goals?

I have been looking for ways to do better

be more 

be successful

manage my emotions

since high school

as a way to manage my ongoing depression and anxiety.

I have lived in the self help sections of book stores

always on the quest to discover some nirvana where I feel

I've got it all figured out  and in place.

I know after all these years there is really no place to arrive

where everything stays in place

because life itself is continual motion.

But I do know for a fact we are better people 

when we can take the time to 

love and respect our own selves.

How much conflict with others is really our own internal conflict projected.

That is exactly why I am a firm believer in taking the time to

Crown Ourselves.

If you've been reading my blog for the lsat decade

you have read about it here before.

As much as I believe in 

Crowning Ourselves

even I have lost my way with it along my recent life journey.

That being said

I am so much happier

have so much more to give others

when I can remember

to love myself

take care of myself

make myself a priority

and 

live in a manner that I respect myself.

That is what

Crowning Myself 

truly means to me.

May we all remember to take the time

To Crown Ourselves

this New Year

As a visual reminder 

I will be adding  some sweet new

Crown Yourself Bracelets

to my shop!

Made out of my favorite Howlite gemstone beads

which is believed by many to 

to have calming and stress relieving properties

glass pearls

and a removable silver Crown Charm!

I am so excited about remembering to 

Crown Ourselves

I will be introducing these bracelet at

$95 

instead of the regular $125.

As always each piece comes beautifully gift wrapped 

with a complimentary hand made pearl charm.

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

As you Style Your Life

Holiday Gift Wrap Ideas

I thought I would share some of my favorite

Gift Wrapping Ideas

Right now I am loving and using the 

gorgeous inside and out

lidded boxes

Target's  Sugar Paper HERE

I simply wrapped the box up with 

felt cut into ribbons

which is another of my favorite wrapping tips!

I add a tag and slip in some greenery!

Wrapping with

 brown kraft paper

is a perfect way to 

show off some 

vintage cotton ribbon.

I added more

 greenery

plus some vintage mistletoe.

I did one of my favorite wrappings last year.

For Christmas Jeff and I gave

roundtrip airline tickets and hotel stays 

to each of the kids and their spouses

so that the whole family could attend a family wedding in Austin.

So to package the 'unwrappable' gifts

we printed off all of the tickets, printed up info on the wonderful hotel

and

 presented the gifts in

 leather portfolios 

from Anthropologie.

I tied it up with

 vintage string 

and 

added 2  travel cocktail kits

a charm

patches

and 

finished with 

greenery.

For

 gift cards

 I like to put them with 

a small gift to open

to make the presentation more fun.

For a wedding I bought sweet salt and pepper shakers

then put the gift card in as well.

Ornaments

 always make for fun package garnish

especially  when added to greenery from the garden.

I always coordinate my wrapping with 

my holiday decor.

so everything coordinates under the tree.

This was from a year I decorated with silver, greys and pinecones.

Here's another example of finishing off a gift with

an ornament.

I love to finish off  so many of my presents

with a little charm as well!

I hope these

Holiday Gift Wrap Ideas

spark some fun creativity of your own!

Wishing you and yours

a wonderful holiday season!

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life