Mirror, Mirror on the Wall...

I love a freshly coiffed 'do! Newly blonded, newly blown dry, brushed to a sleekness...yep, does it for me every time! (Then I had Tash humor me by snapping a few pics...)

Here Comes the Bride...

I distinctly remember as an 8-year-old girl (in 1981), waking up in the middle of the night (3 a.m. to be exact) to watch the royal wedding of Lady Diana Spencer to HRH Prince Charles in St. Paul's Cathedral in London. Mom had long been a fan of Diana's and we loved to ooh and aah over her fashions and life depicted in all the magazines. Mom even tried to have her hair cut just like the stylish Princess!

When that young Diana emerged from the royal carriage bedecked in a puffy-sleeved, bow adorned, billowing skirt gown with THAT train that seemed to go on forever, I knew I was witnessing a true princess! I couldn't quite understand why she would marry that rather not good-looking Charles who never seemed to smile much, but, hey...it must have been a fairy-tale come true...

Fast forward sixteen years later (August, 1997), and I vividly remember a hot, summer day in Baltimore, MD, when I listened to the radio news that Princess Diana (following a ground-breaking divorce from Prince Charles) had died in an automobile accident in Paris being pursued by the paparazzi. I truly felt saddened at her passing compacted during the viewing of her funeral where Elton John sang tribute to her life and her two young sons marched slowly behind her casket. She was a world icon forever loved for her sweet personality, keen fashion sense and charitable work.

For several years, I followed the growth of her sons, William and Harry, and soon noticed reports of William dating a beautiful brunette, Catherine "Kate" Middleton. For years, their romance was on and off, as well as their pictures in the news. And, finally, the day came when they announced their engagement as she modeled his late mother's sapphire engagement ring. I thought she was even more lovely than Diana and would make a fabulous future Royal.

So, on April 29, 2011, Catherine Elizabeth Middleton became Duchess of Cambridge as she married Prince William Arthur Philip Louis Mountbatten-Windsor, the new Duke of Cambridge. For weeks, the press speculated over THE wedding dress to top all wedding dresses. As she emerged from the car with her father, I was covered in chills! She looked radiant and her dress was simple yet elegant, reminiscent of the equally gorgeous Princess Grace (Kelly) of Monaco's gown. It was designed by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen and I loved it! Kate wore a tiara borrowed from Queen Elizabeth (one she had been given on her 16th birthday) and a simple veil (which I actually thought needed to be more substantial) flowed down from it.
This time around, I had recorded the wedding ceremony, and my own little princess, Fynnley, and I watched it together in our pajamas! It was an event not to be missed and I would have loved to be one of those people lining the streets of London (a city I adore) to witness it. It was an event I won't soon forget! These are some of the highlights for me remembering that day:
* As the wedding began, Fynn asked: "When are their babies gonna come out?"
* As they walked down the LONG aisle of Westminster Abbey together, Fynn pointed each of them out ("That's the Princess, That's the Prince!")
* Media calculated that 1/3 of the planet was viewing the wedding!
* Wedding preparers had vacuumed the cobblestones of Westminster Abby and brought in live trees to decorate that would then be replanted in honor of the Duke and Duchess.
* The fascinator and hats of the guests were something to behold! (I need one of those!)
* As the wedding progressed, media measured 10,000 Tweets/minute being done.
* Fynn asked: "What is she the queen of? Is it on earth?"
* As Kate stepped out of the car and began the long walk, she looked like it was taking every effort to remain calm and deliberate (and I think, a bit emotional). Who wouldn't be freaking out at a moment when a zillion people are watching you?!
* Fynnley was SILENT and completely mesmerized during the processional
* I couldn't help but think as the cameras showed Charles and Camilla (his second wife), what it would have been like if Diana had still been alive...
* When William removed his hat, he had a line around his head...maybe that hat needed some adjusting! But I loved the choice of red uniform he was wearing.
* While watching re-runs of the wedding coverage, Fynn exclaimed: "Kate Middleton! I love her !"
And so do I...

The TV coverage

Where Is The Path To Wonderland?

Driving down the road one day, Fynn spotted a sign advertising a community theater children's production of Alice in Wonderland. She starting exclaiming that she really, really, really wanted to see it! Turns out, I knew Jessica was taking Portia because our friend, Tara Callaway, had a couple of her daughters in the play. So, one Friday night, Jessica, Portia, Fynnley and I all attended this adorable musical. I had my doubts that Fynn would last through the entire show, but she loved it! Dare I hope she'll be in her own musical production someday?! I'm banking on it!

You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile!

Fynn was ECSTATIC for her first dentist appointment! She had been to the office several times with her siblings and was always so sad not to get to participate (thanks to Mommy never scheduling her an official appointment). So, when I announced to her she finally got to go to her very own appointment, she was beyond giddy and talked about it for days!
She was a model patient--held very still for her xrays, picked out her favorite watermelon flavored flouride, opened her mouth nice and wide for the dentist to count her teeth and picked out a fabulous prize and new toothbrush. When asked what she thought of her first trip, she replied with a big smile: "I LOVE the dentist!!"

Always a poser

Connor reading the dental -themed Mercer Mayer book (her favorite author!)

Fynn was dying to take a photo of these (sort of creepy) dental stuffed animals

A thousand-watt smile!



Good Morning, Merry Sunshine! How Are You This Morning?

Fynn caught in her morning routine--but I must admit, it's a strange way to watch TV!

She...

I always feel good about myself all gussied up on a Sunday! We went to Mom and Dad's for dinner and Megan Heaps (John's ex-girlfriend, but still friend to our family, lol!) has been living temporarily with them. She is a fellow photographer and agreed to take a few pics of me. This one was my fave...

Oh, I Love Trash! Anything Dirty or Dingy or Dusty...

Shortly after we moved into this house, I began hating the carpeting.  Apparently, the previous owners had already replaced it three times. You'd think the third time was the charm, right? Well, it is for me--the charm that made me want to get rid of it! It has worn pretty poorly over the last five years and is now matted and gray with several peaks throughout many of our rooms. As equally as I love our tile and cherry wood flooring, I detest the carpet and determined to finally rip it out in the family room. The "before" photo doesn't do the dirt justice. And the "after" photo doesn't do the beautiful darker color and plushness justice either! But, boy-oh-boy, am I a happy chic after getting new fibers to sink my toes into...

Before

After

Close Your Eyes And I'll Kiss You, Tomorrow I'll Miss You...

One of my just-testing-this-lens sessions...she's such a sweetie.

All She Wants To Do Is Dance...

We always enjoy going to St. George to watch Natasha compete with her dance teams. This year, she performed with her Company and Pro teams. They did a great job and I was so proud of her, as always! She is really growing and becoming such a great little dancer!

"Remain the Same"--Robyn Warner, choreographer

Tash has a very flexible back, her coach told us!

We loved this ending pose!

Atta girls!

Our flying fairy!

Wish I could put my leg that close to my head!

Tash has always had such gorgeous arms when she dances!