Inspiration Station

For me, I'm inspired by things I see in new magazines and catalogues, whether it comes to new ideas for my bedroom, or new updates for my style. But I have to say, there is something to be said about tumblrs. They're just piles of different types of inspiration all into one. I've told you all before about my talented sister Ellen. She recently started a tumblr called Sun is Free and personally I just love seeing all these images melded into one spot! If you're an Anglophile, sweet addict, lover of the Midwest, want a few laughs and are mildly obsessed with the Royals, stop over and check it out!

Here's a preview!

all images found on Sun is Free. All original sources are sourced there.

Happy Mother's Day!

There is no other woman out there who knows me better than my mother. She's always been there for me, through it all and I could not be more grateful to have her in my life. She has raised me to be the woman I am today and has worked so hard to give me and my siblings the best life we could ever ask for.

My beautiful Mom and her mother

Mom, thanks for always being there at everything, cooking delicious food, entertaining our friends, crying with us when things are difficult, celebrating our good work and always being here every day being the best mom there is. I love you!

Happy Mother's Day to my Mom, Grandma, aunts and all the rest of the Mom's I know! You guys are amazing!

The years go by

Today is my parents' anniversary. I think I can speak for my whole family when I say how blessed we all are to have both of them in our lives. Together they make my life, just...well better. They have made our house a home, given us delicious food, provided me with everything I have needed, given me the three best friends I could have asked for, shown us the importance of faith and prayer, and truly have been the example how important love and communication are in a relationship. All things that only a working, loving unit can achieve, and they have done it,  on top of all the advice, and laughs, and memories they have helped us make together.

I love you, Mom and Dad! Happy Anniversary! I thank God every night that he picked you both to be together and share your lives forever. (and celebrating this is another excuse for something sweet right? Right!)

Off we Go

So today's the day that we've been waiting for, about all summer. Every year we always take some sort of family trip, usually for a week or so. Because everyone has gotten so busy we haven't been able to fit in a trip with all 6 of us, which is really sad, because those are some of my best memories.

But this week we're fitting in all we can, a two day trip up to our favorite spot in Wisconsin. I can't wait to get in some much needed time together, eat some s'mores, and soak in some good Wisconsin rays!

See you Friday!

~Susan

50 and Fabulous

One of the most beautiful women I know, my lovely mother Sally, turns 50 today!

50! She's a gorgeous 50, let me tell you, inside and out!

my grandpa thinks she's pretty great

My mom has always gone above and beyond for my dad, my siblings and me. She has always provided everything we have needed and more. She's a phenomenal cook, has the softest, sweetest heart, and is so extremely creative and fashionable. I swear, without her, I would be a big style faux paw! She also has such a cute Pinterest page and has always regretted that she hasn't started a blog. She'd inspire, let me tell you!

my dad is partial to her as well!

My mom has had some amazing years behind her, but as always, the best is yet to come. I don't know what I would do without that smiling face in the morning, always has a fresh pot of coffee ready, gives the best advice and makes me laugh every day. I'm so blessed that she has had so many happy, healthy years.

To the next 50! Happy Birthday Mom! We all love you so much!

 ~Susan

Sweet Sixteen on the 17th

Happy Birthday to my hilarious other half, my littlest sister Mary. It's her SWEET SIXTEEN!

That's her, the big smile in the middle. And isn't she just the biggest fashionista? She has me beat just about every single day of the week. She spent her day actually over the weekend with her two best friends pictured above watching a marathon of Downton Abbey. Classiest 16 year old ever.

I'm so blessed to have had Mar for sixteen years of my life. She has filled our family with so many laughs, smiles and have I mentioned laughs? I'm so proud of everything she is; gorgeous, compassionate, hysterical, unbelievably smart, (a little too)witty, my running partner in crime and she deserves nothing but the best for the next 16. I love you Mary! Happy Birthday!

and just for laughs I'll show you how she adds to our family dynamic...

*keeps smiling while the rest of us are in shambles...
(also I want my CO tan back. That was marvelous!)

Only better with Age

Happy Birthday to my Grandpa, Phil, who turns 85 today!

Wow, 85, I've finally discovered today that that's a big number.

My grandpa is so incredibly special to me. He always gives me the best advice. He taught me how to play tennis, how to take a spelling test, map our way around our first trip to Marshal Field's, find the perfect milkshake, have too much fun, spend lots of time outside, be a little reserved, appreciate different genres of classical music, watch sports all day long on TV, and to use correct grammar. He's always been my motivator, one of my biggest fans. He has faith in me when I don't have faith in myself. I love him so much and I wish that he has another great year and gains strength back to be able to move around better.

He's had 85 incredible years and I know that he's bound to have some great years ahead too!

Isn't it funny sometimes how you never think of someone as that old and then it just hits you! Have you ever experienced that? I do think though that, in ways, he's gotten better with age (actually I believe several family members of mine have!). He's wiser, hilarious, humble, and so incredibly sweet!  Although the past year has been a difficult one, I know that he can push hard to make this next one even better!

Though I can't be there to celebrate with him, I wish him the best year yet!

Happy Tuesday everyone!

 ~Susan

Thursday Thoughts: a birthday wish

Happy 21st birthday to my best friend, my sister Ellen!

I always love celebrating Ellen's birthday. She always wants a big cake that usually ends up looking like this:

Source: nancycreative.com via Denise on Pinterest

Happy Birthday to my style icon, my laughter machine, my best listener, the one who always tells me to be a bit more impulsive, the girl who never gives up, the girl who will watch the Holiday with me for the 31st time..

I wish I could be there to celebrate your 21st with you Bella! We'll have to take a trip to Howl at the Moon on me! I'm so blessed, thankful and elated to have yet another wonderful year with my best friend. You're the best sister a girl could ask for! I love you!

Happy Thursday friends!

~Susan

Life Goal: Half Marathon!

Ever since I started running 8 years ago (and I am not a very fast one by any means, but I can hold my own and go for awhile!) I have wanted to run a half marathon. I have thought about it and thought about it. I feel I'm in the best shape I've been in in years and my mind is ready to tackle the challenge as well.

But there's a catch. I'm not registering for any half marathons.

I know, all the motivation for actually completing one comes with the fact that it's a big "race" and that lots of people are there and there's a real course.

My little sister Mary and I have decided we are just going to go for a "13.1 mile run" which I have gracefully deemed our half marathon. Neither of us want to, at this point in our running careers, register for an actual half, so we're creating our own course with which we are comfortable with. Ellen's boyfriend Cody has also decided to run with us, so it's going to be a good run!

We set a date and are going to stick to it: June 23rd! I'm very excited!

Has anyone ever gone on a "13.1 mile run?" Have you ever lots motivation to complete it? What has kept you motivated?

Just because it's not a "real" race, we still have a date and are motivated for the challenge. She's in track right now, so she's going to be really ready. I'm going to be looking up training tips online and have been sticking to my regular workout routine.

Of course, I wouldn't be able to do this by myself, I'm glad I have Mary and Cody for support. It's going to be a lot of fun training and working hard together for this!

I know a lot of you have run them before and your stories are so inspiring! What has kept you through it? Was it worth it?

Time goes by so quickly, and there will be a day where I will not be able to run. I am so excited to embrace this and keep working as hard, even if I'm not the fastest, I do have endurance!

I'll keep you guys updated from time to time on my progress. This has always been something on my bucket list and I'm so excited that I'm going to be able to check it off in just a few short months!

Have wonderful Tuesdays!

~Susan

Weekend Highlight: such a deal!

Hello everyone! I hope you all had very restful and enjoyable weekends. I can definitely say that I did, for the first time probably since the holidays. As my search for work continues, I had a few meetings (they went really well, I thought!) and was able to catch up on my sleep! Hooray! I felt so well rested. In addition to playing lots of Uno with Ellen, Mary and Cody, and ate lots of delicious food (YUM, YUM and YUM!) I did a little shopping!

I really don't shop that often (I tend to shop at the times you're "not" supposed to) but I'm learning how to become a better shopper. If you haven't been in awhile, I would say now's the time because the deals are unbelievable!! Seriously, they are unreal. All of the beautiful spring colors are coming in and they are everywhere! As much as I would like to grab it all right now, it's a bit out of my price range. Luckily, I caught some deals for some pieces that I know I will have for awhile.

I snagged these gorgeous loafers from Banana Republic. I don't usually like to brag about deals, but I got these for...wait for it...$13! I know! I was shocked as well. These are an item I was seriously going to splurge on, but thankfully I didn't have to. They're such a classic color and style and I am so excited that I have them in my wardrobe!

I also got little black pants from Zara for $15! They're going to be perfect for work, play, all that good stuff.

Though I'm not always the best sale shopper, I'm learning when the deals are, so go and find yourself one if you need a little pick me up! Have you gotten anything fabulous for less than $20 lately?  What was it? Or even if it was more than $20, what deals have you smiling right now?

Hope everyone's weekends were relaxing!

~Susan

Thursday Thoughts...and someone special

image via pinterest

I don't know about you, but I don't know how many times I've heard the phrase "good things come to those who wait." I've heard it constantly since I was a kid, but I don't think I've really understood how important that is until now.

 Really, waiting is good and all. In fact, I encourage waiting sometimes. If we act too fast on our decisions we make, they may not turn out so well in the end for us.

 I really think though that it is the doers that feel the best about themselves, their choices, and their relationships. Waiting doesn't always cut it. Doing is always best.

 It often takes a little bit of boldness and a little bit of risk, which I think are perfectly normal. We all need to take a little leap of faith in order to accomplish that! I think that doing always wins the day.

 So take initiative!! It's scary (as I have been realizing) but so worth it. Go out of your comfort zone and take those risks. They'll probably be worth it in the end.

Sorry to have to thought days in a row! But I've needed thoughts this week, and I think it's important to reflect. But on to other business:

It's my dad's birthday today! Happy Birthday Dad!

You're another year older and another year wiser (well you've always been wise to me, but another year wiser none the less). I cannot wait to celebrate with you and eat lots of cake, and since it's your birthday we'll listen to whatever Mozart who like, at whatever volume you like! I love you so much and cannot wait to share yet another year with you. 

My dad has recently started reading the blog, so I thought I'd show him some love here! 

Hope you all have wonderful Thursdays as well! Get excited for tomorrow's Friday's Fancies, it's going to be a treat!

~Susan

24 thankful things...

Thanksgiving is tomorrow on the 24th, so here are 24 things I'm thankful for this year (little things included), since we all need to reflect on them!

1. The support of my family, friends, teachers and colleagues. I'd be nowhere without their support. 
2. Long phone chats with Mom and Dad
3. Coming home again
4. Long runs and having the ability to run (despite my pace)
5. Such a wonderful class to have and learn from. 
6. Pianos at my disposal and lessons I love so much. 
7. Late night chick flicks with my friends, mom and sisters
8. Delicious food to eat
9. A roof over my head even in my small hole in the wall. 
10. Comfy, cozy sweaters with lots of coffee and hot chocolate
11. My faith, my church and the support of everyone there. 
12. Articles my grandpa sends me in the mail
13. Blogging and the support of bloggers all over the country. It's so much fun to communicate with you all!
14. Trips with my family. This year we headed to Colorado!
15. Homemade goodies
16. Warm blankets. 
17. Nights alone to relax. 
18. Nights out with friends that I'll never forget
19. Knitting and taking time for me. 
20. Milkshake nights with Ellen, Cody, and Mary. 
21. Classical music nights with Dad. Someday we will see Michael Tilson Thomas actually conduct for real!
22. Advice from friends I am so blessed to have. Honestly, I don't deserve all the people in my life that make me, me. I love all the laughs, advice, fun nights and phone calls. So so good. 
23. An education and the ability to want to learn more. 
24. Long days spent with the people that I love most. I cannot wait for this Thanksgiving. So that made me think of something like this:

Source: sunnydaystarrynight.blogspot.com via Susan on Pinterest

Source: daniellescraziness.blogspot.com via Susan on Pinterest

I'm so thankful for everything I'm given. I'm so blessed to have what I have and I try to take advantage of all the little things that mean so much to me. What are little things you're thankful for? I'm headed home tomorrow and we're cooking for 16 of us, which is big for our family. Did I mention that our main refrigerator broke? Yes, not fun. I can't wait to start cooking! Seriously.can't.wait.

Happy Thanksgiving Eve all!

~Susan

Completing my List

So today was my first day of school with my new kiddos!! I met a few of them last night, but they all officially came today and I'm beyond excited for the year. The kids are so sweet and I hope they have as much fun as I know I will. So, with that being said, summer is officially over for me (and I'm talking the summer life, not the temperatures. Those are still here, thank goodness!). So, let's recap my summer. No, I'm not going to talk about every stinking detail. But I did make a bucket list. Did I complete it all? Let's Check:

Become a better cook: I've done lots of cooking over the summer, from really easy and flavorful bruschetta to working on grilling to trying multiple recipes of chocolate chip cookies. I've still got to work on chopping (I'm awful at it!) among other things, but I'm excited to keep doing it and having fun with it.

Get back into playing tennis (and maybe this year I can finally perfect my serve): I didn't get to this! Ahh it makes me so mad! I guess I'm going to blame the fact that I didn't have anybody to play with. Even though I could've mustered up one of my siblings. Oh well, I'm not done with this yet! I really do want to get back into this.

(Somewhat) redecorate and reorganize my room: Well I didn't redecorate (yet) but I did partially reorganize and donate a lot of my old clothes (yes even some of those clothes that my sister alluded to in this post) to the donation box at my church. It was nice to make some more room in my closet, and also just keep the clothes in my wardrobe that I really love. I can't wait to reorganize and redecorate NEXT summer. I know that that will be my time to really get things done. 

Explore the wonders of Colorado and hike in the beautiful mountains: I've said a lot about my trip. It truly was beautiful and fantastic and the hiking was unlike anything I'd ever done before. It tested every bone in my body, but it was so much fun and so worth it. I loved heading out west and I'd love to go back again someday. 

Do more DIY projects (sew another dress, start the afghan I've been dying to try, make more jewelry):  I did accomplish quite a lot! My mom and I made several clutches over the past few months, which I'm loving! And I gave a few away for my friends to try and use. I wonder if they like them! I also started my blanket. So I'm excited to be semi-crafty!

Practice the piano...goal: recital!: I could've practiced more, but I'm excited to really get back into my music now. It is something that I truly find joy in and now that I'll have more space and (try) to find more time, I know that I'll be focused and ready with my goal in mind.

Ravinia concerts with my Dad: We got to go twice this year and both times were fantastic! My dad and I share a great love for classical music, and to go together with my sisters is such a treat We got to see both Emmanuel Ax and Yo-Yo Ma and I loved every moment of both. If you live in the Chicago area and you haven't been to the Ravinia Festival before, you should definitely go! It's great entertainment for a really great price. You can even bring a full picnic dinner for an evening with friends or your sweetheart. The lawn is great. I hope to go more next year.
FINALLY develop pictures that have been sitting in my computer for (sadly) years...:Yes, I finally got some more pictures!! Ahh it's perfection! I'm so glad I finally developed them and put them in an album so that I'll have the hard copies for years to come. 
Spend more quality time with the people I love most:This is probably the thing I did most on my list, and boy am I glad that I was given this chance. We had such a great summer, with good and bad times, but it was still a fantastic few months and I'm so glad we got this time to spend with each other.

This is what my town will look like in a few short weeks!
I love Indian Summer

Well there you have it! I completed most of my list. It was a ton of fun, and I think making lists like this really gives you a core of what you want to do and sticking to it.  Now it's onto fall we go! I like fall, although summer is still my favorite season. Tomorrow get ready for some awesome Friday's Fancies: Back to School Cool! I can't wait!

~Susan