Goodbye, Jade

We had to say goodbye to Jade on Wednesday. I'm sure most of you have been in this position of saying goodbye to your pet(s). Jade had a kidney condition, a heart murmur, and age was not on her side. Last week, she got an abscessed tooth. But at 16 years old and with those other ailments against her, her percentage of survival was very slim.

We had a few more days to enjoy her company after the initial vet visit and just gave her a lot of attention and love. I broke down quite often while petting her and seeing her, because her health declined so rapidly and I knew goodbye was near. I'm torn on which was more touching and heartbreaking at the same time- watching my husband with her (she was his baby!) or watching my dog Indy look after her. Indy and Jade tolerated each other but have never been that close since I adopted him last summer.

In the last week, she started sleeping on a rug by his upstairs bed and sitting on the couch near him and he sat there beside her in each case. Normally, he would give her a lot of space. It was incredible to watch how he sensed something was not right and looked after her. Animals never cease to amaze me, honestly! Even two days later, he is still going to her litter box and looking in it to see if she is there. I wish I could explain it all to him.

It's been a long week and we still are sad over our loss, but we know it was the best thing we could have done for Jade. I just thought I would share a few pictures from Tuesday and Wednesday. It's emotionally draining to write this post and look at these pictures, but incredibly healing at the same time. I want to thank everyone who left us comments and support on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. Reading them all made us feel such love and uplifted our spirits during this sad time!

To quote what I said in my Facebook post:

To the cat that was often our alarm clock, loved lasagna, enjoyed sitting anywhere she wasn't supposed to, and gave us years of love and entertainment.

Honoring Oscar de la Renta

Easily one of my most loved designers. When I think back to awards seasons, his creations were often among some of my favorites. I thought I would share a few of my favorite dresses in this post and I admit that it was hard to narrow it down to just these five. The world lost a lot of class and certainly a man who understands women (at least, close to it!).

 Amy Adams at 2009 Golden Globes and Michelle Dockery at the 2014 Golden Globes

Cameron Diaz at 2010 Oscars

Taylor Swift at 2012 Ripple of Hope Gala

Amal Alamuddin Clooney in her wedding gown with Oscar

And if you don't believe he still had it, just look at his Spring 2015 Ready to Wear looks. Each one is absolutely breathtaking.

RIP, Rue!

One of my absolute favorite shows is The Golden Girls. I've probably watched every episode a hundred times over and laugh just as hard as I did the first time I watched them. I could sit here and watch it all day! For me, the show has stood the test of time. I also feel like it paved the way for Sex & the City to exist. Rue's Blanche certainly had some hilarious storylines! Thanks for all of the laughs, Rue. You were fantastic! Rest in peace. ♥

This is one of my favorite Blanche scenes!

Small Haul

I got this stuff at the same time as the MAC items last week! I'll share my haul from Buffalo and Niagara Falls, NY this week sometime. :)



What's with the Cattitude? and Ogre-the-Top Blue from the OPI Shrek Forever After Collection. I guess I have a thing with blue polishes lately. These were too pretty to pass up! The other colors from the collection are okay, but these really stood out for me. I picked them up at my local Trade Secret.

Had to catch up on my Glee CDs! I'm not ready for the first season to be ending!

Laura Mercier velour puff and the Korres Lip Saver Roll from Sephora. I really recommend picking up the lip roll, because it really is a great deal.

Really excited to try it! The puff is extremely soft and thick.

Korres lip butters! These are becoming my newest addiction. I honestly cannot put them down. I carry one in my purse. I have one beside me at the laptop. And I keep one in my bathroom. I will be doing a review on these with swatches.

P.S.- My family on my stepfather's side has lost a wonderful woman. One that always had a smile on her face and love in her heart. I wish I could have seen Aunt Betty more in the past few years and formed more memories with her. I'd love it if you could muster up the most positive vibes you can and think of my stepdad and our family, if only for a moment of your time. Thank you! Rest in peace, Betty. ♥

Remembering McQueen

Lee McQueen died today at age 40. Gone far too soon, and the fashion world will miss him tremendously! If you don't know, Lee McQueen was the designer and founder of the Alexander McQueen line.

I absolutely love that he was capable of creating both glamorous and outlandish pieces at the same time. I can see why he was a favorite of Sarah Jessica Parker and Lady Gaga. Many people know him for his infamous skull scarf that has been worn by many celebrities and trendsetters in recent years. He often went for the shock factor and completely succeeded.

I thought I would share two of my favorite elegant pieces followed by two of my favorite costume pieces. Either way, McQueen was fabulous and I will miss his flair.







Ok, maybe these are not a favorite but they sure are fierce. Seeing Gaga do a runway walk in shoes like these during her Bad Romance video is embedded in my mind.

Extended Hiatus

As in my last post, you all know that Nan was suffering from pneumonia. She's no longer suffering as she passed away on Friday night. It is hitting me really hard as I grew really close to her the minute I met her. She gripped my heart instantly and never let go.


- on Nan's 90th birthday in 2008

I loved everything about her. I loved coming over to help her and watch after her. I loved listening to her stories that she would tell even when she had already told me the same story five times before. I loved talking to her about our common interests. I loved our inside jokes. I LOVE HER.


- Nan on her 91st birthday last November! She was so funny especially when she would pose for the camera!

I suppose I can't really say that at 91 years old that she was exactly taken too soon. She lived a long life! Not many people even reach that age. It just feels that way to me, because I only came to know this fantastic woman in 2004 when I moved here to be with my husband. I'm completely selfish in saying that I wish it had been a longer time frame. I enjoyed every single second.

Her visitation is Wednesday and her funeral is Thursday. With that said, I feel that I must take this week off from blogging. I just do not feel in the mood to be posting at this time when my heart, emotions, and thoughts are elsewhere. I will be back next week with my reviews, swatches, etc. etc. Hoping you all understand! I'd also like to thank all of you that offered prayers, wishes, and positive thoughts for Nan (and for me and my family, as well). They do not go unappreciated. It means a great deal! Love to you all.

RIP, Kandys.

"What do you say in a moment like this when you can't find the words to tell it like it is? Just close your eyes and let your heart lead the way."
- Reba McEntire, What Do You Say lyrics

Today's scheduled blog will be postponed. It will have to wait until tomorrow. I found out about the death of a dear friend last night and I find myself out of sorts.

My friend Kandys was fabulous. She never failed to make me laugh. I'll never forget when she pulled a tampon out in the middle of our science class thinking it was a Twix candy bar! That gave her the nickname "Twixie" for the rest of our senior year! We had great years traveling and performing in the marching band together. I had spent the last three years or so trying to reconnect with her without any luck except for mutual friends.

To share with you the type of person she was, I found an old journal that she had given me for Christmas during our senior year in high school. She wrote me a letter inside the first page and I'd like to share it:

"Wendy,
I have enjoyed being in your company. Mr. Meade's class has been the best and band also. Guess what? I LOVE YOU! And I always will! Never forget that. Hope you have fun and great luck in your future. Follow your dreams and most of all your heart. You are special and you can do anything your heart desires. Don't let anyone say otherwise! I ♥ U! Bye bye! Don't miss me too much! Don't forget me!

Love ya always,
Kandys"

Those words will always stick with me. I'll never forget the laughs and good times. Thank you for everything, Kandys. You will be missed! I'll love you forever!

RIP to these legends!

Currently watching: SYTYCD
Currently drinking: water
Currently feeling: sad

Ed McMahon died yesterday at age 86 after being ill for sometime. He will be remembered in my heart as being the sidekick to Johnny Carson where I feel he often took the spotlight!

Farrah Fawcett died this morning at age 62 after her long battle with cancer. Earth has definitely lost an angel.

Michael Jackson died today at age 50 due to cardiac arrest. It's sad to think that this was going to be his comeback year with the tour that he was getting ready for. He was such a talented person. It really hurts that so many people are being insensitive about his death. Yes, he had some strange moments...but there is no need to bring up negative things now. Let's remember him for his talent!

XOXO ♥

Bea Arthur

This is a special Saturday post to pay tribute the wonderfully funny and brilliant actress named Bea Arthur. Bea died this morning at the age of 86. She played my favorite Golden Girl, Dorothy. This is an extremely sad day for me. :(

XOXO ♥

Here we go again...

Currently watching: America's Got Talent
Currently drinking: water
Currently feeling: extremely sad

And also, I hate to do it...but I have to go on yet another hiatus. My uncle Don just passed away and I just need time to mourn. (Did I not just go through this? I'm emotionally exhausted.) Am I going home? Not sure yet. It's hard being so far away. It's even harder when we just don't have the money for a last-minute trip. :( It's just hard and I will leave it at that. I'll be back sometime next week or so. Sorry!

RIP, Nick.

I'm going on hiatus until probably sometime next week. I lost a dear friend of mine this past Monday. I'd known him since 6th grade and was in band with him. When you spend so many hours with someone during practice, games, band trips, etc., you really become family! After high school, he went on to the Marines and went to Iraq for three tours. He was hit while on his motorcycle by a SUV. He lived for a week on life support with a cracked skull and swollen brain. His family was then told that he was brain dead.

His visitation is tomorrow and the funeral is Friday. I, unfortunately, cannot afford to fly down. Nor do I have enough time for the drive down. So here I am... I'm sad as I know most of our fellow band members will be there and I'm not really getting a chance to say goodbye. I hate living so far away. Because Nick was a huge adventurer, we're taking off this weekend to Niagara Falls or somewhere. I'm going to have a big "hoorah" in his honor.

I really hate this. I hate not being there. I want to just be able to blink and be there. It's tearing me up inside. I miss you, Nick. I miss you terribly.

1984-2008