Sale Away...

'Tis the season for savings and sales galore.  If you have any income left to spend after the Holiday madness, then consider picking up a few basics for next year (those never go out of style), or snag a few pieces that will work well with upcoming trends (ie. "snake skin" heels that will fit into a safari-inspired ensemble).  Fabulous bargains abound, so it was hard for me to narrow my selections down to a reasonably sized post.
...so, here's what I'd like to see in my closet:

-Pretty Birds Earrings (gold) - was $115.00 NOW: $80.50

-Encrusted Bib Necklace - was $52.00 NOW: $44.99, Roxanna Top - was $32.50 NOW: $14.99, Cloudy Grey Favorite-fit Stretch Vintage 5-pocket Bootcut Cords - was 79.50 NOW: $49.99, 'Bella' Peep-toe Platform Pumps in red - was $138.00 NOW: $79.99

-Escape Necklace - was $25.oo NOW: $12.50, Iwona Ludyga - Heart Key Pendant - NOW: $48.00, Sophie Peacoat Sweater - was $148.00 NOW: $ 99.99, AK Anne Klein Esteria Pumps - was $89.00 NOW: $65.99, Carla Sweater - was $98.00 NOW: $59.90

Currently...

Loving all things French-inspired!

Hyacinth Necklace by Beth Lauren, Licorice Delight Cake at MarthaStewart.com, La Boîte "Bouledogue" de Truffes Ladurée from Ladurée, Blackboard Oilcloth at Bell'occhio (how amazing is this!!!  Check out the rest of their site as well for a myriad of lovely French-inspired treasures... faux bois boxes, delicious chocolates, and more!)

What Matters Most...

Last night my daughter and youngest sister were having a blast sliding on stockinged feet down the wooden-floored hallways at  my parents house.  The pizza had just come out of the oven (which was perfect because we were all famished) it look as though we were going to have a lovely relaxed New Years Eve celebration.  But then...

Suddenly  from around the corner there came a blood-curdling scream.  I raced over to find my daughter on the ground screaming and clutching her head.   It appeared that she had hit it on the corner of the telephone console, so when I moved her hand and found blood pouring out of her ear my heart stopped.  I was certain that she had hit her head so hard that the trauma of it had caused bleeding to come from her skull and out her ear.  Fortunately, upon closer inspection we discovered that it was actually a laceration inside her ear, (which is a huge relief when you compare it to head trauma) but because it wouldn't stop bleeding we had to take her to the emergency room (everything else was closed because of the holiday). 

What my little girl went through was just heartbreaking.  She is such a little trooper and endured receiving 3 stitches to the interior of her ear... a place (which were were only told after the fact) that is extremely difficult to numb.  She felt every single stab and poke of the needle, but didn't scream even once, even though it was clear that she was experiencing extreme pain.   I'm certain that I, in the same position, would have been wailing.

Of course I couldn't stop telling her how brave she was, and how proud of her I am... and as we were leaving she looked at me and said, "I tried my hardest not to scream Mom, because I didn't want to scare any of the little kids."  Awww... it brings tears to my eyes to think of her being so selfless even as she was experiencing the worst pain of her life.   It's moments like this that help me to see even more than ever, that amongst it all: the ups and downs... the highs and lows... she is what matters most to me.  I am so lucky!  And I am so grateful that she is going to be okay!!!

Thanks for listening to me today.  I hope your New Years Eve celebrations were eventful in all the right ways!  I promise to have a lovely post for you all tomorrow!  xo Ez