Auld Lang Syne

Holy moly... I did not intend for so many days to go by without posting. I also didn't intend for 2015 to go by so quickly.
2015 was without a doubt, THE.BEST.YEAR.OF.MY.LIFE. 2016 has a very tough act to follow!

Here are a few of my favorite highlights from this year.

Myself with the best bridesmaids/ friends a girl could ever dream of at my surprise bridal shower. March 8, 2015.

The same fantastic group of girls the night before the wedding. They took me out on the town to a 5 Star dinner in this super stretch limo. Then we went to the Michael Jackson Cirque du Soleil. AMAZING.

Literally minutes before we left the hotel room to go to the ceremony. You can probably see my heart beating out of my chest here!

JUST MARRIED! Walking into the church and seeing him there at the alter...the look on his face is something I will NEVER forget. I tried so hard not to cry. However, as soon as I saw his eyes fill up, I was a goner.

Here we are with our whole crew. We are SO blessed to have these folks!

Waking up the next morning and seeing this on his hand. My heart was literally bursting with love and bliss. Anyone who's been married knows what I mean. Your wedding day goes by SO FAST. Its all a blur. You are going 100 miles a minute and going in 100 different directions.

However waking up and seeing this affirmed to me,this really is real.

Going into Gordon Ramsey's for our first married dinner (aside from our reception).

If you are EVER in a city where he has a restaurant , GO. Yes, its expensive as all heck. Its SO WORTH IT. Everything is amazing. The food, the ambiance, the service, the wine list. I can't say enough. Plus, if you are the type that is into celebrities , you are pretty much guaranteed to see one or two of them in there.

 

Our just completly remodeled kitchen!!

Prior to this, our kitchen was one heck of a 1970's hot mess. Linoleum and formica everywhere (yuck!!) Now, its custom cabinets and granite all around baby!

Meeting Mike Tyson....okay, this was far more a highlight for Chad then it was for me.

It was so funny though, Iron Mike was tickled by Chad's Boston accent. He kept saying "Say Boston! Say Boston! Again!! Te he he!!"

Our first married Christmas! What's better than that!?

Last but not least, Christmas eve at our house. Our house was filled with people who truly make our lives better and happier. I don't know who said this, but its so true.. "Its not what is under you tree that matters, its who is around it."

Christmas eve is my second favorite day of the year ( After the 4th of July). It has always had a magical feel to it. Growing up, we would always go to my aunt & uncle's house.  Chad and I have picked up the torch now. I tell you though, I have tough foot steps to follow in. My aunt Gini, legit puts Martha Stewart to shame.

Well, That was my 2015 review. I'll be ringing in 2016 at home. I have to miss our dear friend's Dan & Cassandra's party tonight.

All week I've been laid up in bed, sick as a dog. I don't dare risk spreading this to ANYONE.

I hope everyone out there has a safe and happy New Year!

Keep on shimmering lovelies!

XOXO

SheShe

Another weekend (and Monday) is in the books!

Hi there!
What a fun weekend this was.

A few months back, my hubby and I did a full remodel of our kitchen. We went from something very 1970's to something I love (I'll do an entire post to this very soon.)

Anyhow, my friend Kristin was dying to come cook in our new kitchen.
We decided to spend Saturday Christmas cookie baking.
She came over, we went to Stop & Shop together then got to work. We baked for 6 straight hours!
We might have had a glass of wine to two towards the end.

(Please pardon the fact that I cannot remove the stickers from my wine glasses...)

When we were finished, we each had over 10 dozen cookies apiece! (the folks at our Christmas Eve party are going to make out like bandits!)

Sunday, was just as much fun. We live in New England, home of the world Champion New England Patriots. 

My husband has been a season ticket holder for over 10 years now.

This week was an away game. Chad and I were joined by some of our best friends watching the game at our "neighborhood haunt" AKA "The Waterfront Bar and Grill".

Good friends , yummy food , a none to shabby wine list and the Patriots for the win!

Oh what a night!!!!

Ciao until tomorrow, and never lose your shimmer!

XOXO

The gift of true friendship.

Last night I had the pleasure of going out for a nice dinner and a few glasses of wine with one of the best people I know, Lisa.
Lisa and I first met and became friends years ago. We clicked instantly. Two peas in a pod, always on the same page etc.
We'd never had a "falling out" to speak of. However, at one point we had let a very insecure guy come between us. It wasn't her fault, it wasn't mine. It was mostly a matter of us both being young and dumb.
However, fate has a way of bringing those that are meant to be together.  A few years ago when Chad and I bought our house it happened to be right around the corner from Lisa.
I used to see her going running past my house on a daily basis. I missed her, I wanted to say something. Would I be rebuffed? Had too much time past?
Finally, I just shot her an email asking if she wanted to come over for wine. She wrote right back that "YES!! She'd LOVE to!".
Well, that was that. We picked right up where we left off. We were both older and wiser. We both knew now that when a friendship like this happens to you, its a blessing and to never take it for granted.

Lisa has been there for me through thick and thin. 7 months ago, she was the most beautiful maid of honor that you have ever set eyes on.
The night before my wedding, I just couldn't not sleep. She stayed up with me talking until 3:00 am. Its one of the most cherished memories that I have.
All I can say to everyone, is when you have a true friend like this do not ever take them for granted.
It seems nowadays we all encounter so many folks who are just in it for themselves . When someone like Lisa comes into your life, cherish them.

PS: Tomorrow is going to be a marathon Christmas cookie baking day. If I'm not here, that's why!

Us last night at East Bay Grill.

Lisa and me the night before my wedding.

Lisa standing at my side on my wedding day.


XOXO

A blog born on this day

12/10/2015




   Hi All!
Guess who has decided you join you all in blogging? ME!!!
I figured there are just so many of of us out there that enjoy talking about the same lifestyle things.
As of now, I don't anticipate giving this blog a specific theme...ie "Cooking" or "Fashion". I think I will keep this all encompassing. A little of this, a little of that...and see where it goes from there.
I know it probably seems crazy starting a blog right now in the thick of the holiday season! Why not though? Its Christmas time. I love Christmas, its a season of pure joy!
So, to start things off..here are a couple of pictures of me enjoying the season! The fist was picking out our first married Christmas tree with my hubby and the second is my dear friend Katie's daughter Arianna and I at our town's tree lighting this past weekend!

Till tomorrow!

XOXO