PICTURE SHOW: WINE TASTING IN NAPA VALLEY, FRIEND'S BIRTHDAY AND LIFE LATELY

Happy Friday, Blogland!
In trying to be more active on my blog again, and so, I'm here with some pictures from the past week or two.  I'm most looking forward to seeing my younger sister, brother-in-law and adorable, big, blue eyed nephew, whom you'll see in the last picture, out in New Mexico next week!
Other pictures include my time last week in Northern California enjoying San Francisco  Sausalito and Napa Valley doing a little wine tasting at Rutherford Hill, where we also enjoyed a lunch and chilled Chardonnay at a table overlooking the gorgeous vineyards on a perfect day!  
As well as my best friend Lena's birthday, a Sweet 16+ prom style celebration, at Dylan's Candy Bar in NYC.  Along with plays and dinners in the city, time with my other childhood best friend, Jen, of 28 years and counting, and her children.  Moments that is nearest and dearest to my heart these days, as well as a little Throwback Thursday to my acting days on NBC's "American Dreams."
I am still trying to figure out where the next chapter of my life is going to take me, but trying to enjoy the moments and each opportunity as they happen.
I hope you are all enjoy the start to spring, and I'll be back tomorrow with some Saturday Sayings to offer a little inspiration to myself, and hopefully, you as well! :)

(images via my Instagram)

LIFE: "WHY ARE YOU SO WEIRD?" AND REMAINING TRUE TO YOURSELF

Happy Tuesday, Everyone!

Life has really taken me on a number of unexpected turns in the past year, and it continues into this year. All part of the adventure I suppose, and I continue to stay as hopeful as possible.  

I have been so fortunate to have quality time with two of my closest friends from childhood, now that we are all back in the same area again, and that, along with family time, has been the highlight in my life.

It is always so hard for me to put into words, but they are such positive, hopeful, upbeat, perky, smilie, supportive and wonderful people and friends to be around on a daily basis.  They truly make this world a better place, and have been doing so since they entered my life in elementary school.  

They are inspiration to me, and most likely why I feel the most myself with them.  They understand me, relate to me and live in a bit of the sunshine and rainbow world that I try my best to live in, too.  It just feels right to me.  Also why I think I relate so well to children and always have.

We are always trying to see the best in others, give everyone a chance, offer a helping hand at every turn and believe that people make mistakes, but can also change, which is why believing in others is so important.  All despite the struggles and difficult times we have faced.  

I suppose, we don't allow those lows to stop us.  However, it is important to know that it doesn't mean we don't have bad days or tough times.  We simply chose to move forward while staying positive and hopeful through it, and not bring others down along the way.

With age, I've found our outlook to be so different from many, which often causes others to think we are silly, weird or just plain odd.  That is okay with us, but it is sad to me that such happiness and desire to help others and spread sunshine is so uncommon, when for me it is natural.  It is not doing so that feels uncomfortable and, honestly, wrong to me.

As Shakespeare so notably said, "To thine own self be true."  Something I try to remember daily, no matter how different I may be from those around me. In doing so it is important to always listen to your gut as well.  Something I've ignored in the past and try so hard not to do in the present.

Today, the below quote happened to cross my path, perhaps for a reason.  

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In fact, I really needed to see it, and it expresses things in my mind so perfectly.  This is how I feel, and how my childhood friends feel about life.  We see things brightly, in rainbow colors, and will continue to stay young at heart with that childhood innocence that I feel many sadly lose with age. 

Ultimately, if living in a happy world filled with cupcakes, lollipops, rainbows, sunshine and smiles, in order to simply spread cheer and make someone's life or day a little brighter and easier for yourself is strange, well then, I suppose we just don't view things the same way, and that is okay.  

Living this way doesn't mean we are blind or naive to the reality of the world, we just chose to stay optimistic, upbeat, positive and happy despite it all.  I guess I don't understand why that is so wrong.

That said, I don't think it makes one way right and one way wrong.  For me, seeing the world filled with fewer colors is strange, but if it works for someone else, that needs to be respected and accepted.  Just as I hope my way of seeing the world and people will be respected one day, too.  

In elementary school, I distinctly remember having a teacher who had a large, colorful sign in her classroom that read, "Have a Rainbow Day!" She spread those words, her motto, to the class and those students passing by in the hallway daily.  Those words always spoke to me, and are something I try, and will always try, to have in my life and spread to those around me, seen as weird or not.

I'll end today's post with a quote from one of my all time favorite poets, Ralph Waldo Emerson. Something I first shared with someone back in 2006, he knows who he is if he is reading this.  I fully believed it then, and still believe it today.  

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Always embrace who you are, and as long as you continue to learn, grown and be the best version of yourself that you can be, while not intentionally hurting others, then, you are on the right track. 

I'll be back soon with a pictures show, but definitely in time for Saturday Sayings.  Side note, I am planning on being more active on my blog soon...tnank you to everyone for your patience! :)

SATURDAY SAYINGS: LIFE, HOPE, TAKING CHANCES AND KINDNESS

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PICTURE SHOW: INSIDERS EVENT, NYC, HEARTS DAY, WEE ONES, LIFE AND MORE

Happy Thursday, Everyone!

Trying my best to stop in from time to time on my blog as I begin to enter the next chapter of my life.

Today, I'm off to shop for a formal, fancy dress for an upcoming event, and I can't wait!  Here's to hoping I find something fun and colorful!  Yay!

Speaking of dresses...

I just purchased my bridesmaid dress from an upcoming wedding overlooking Manhattan that I'm in...it is going to be a true fashion event to celebrate the wedding of a dear friend of mine.  I am so happy for them both, and touched she wanted me standing up there beside her! :)

Hearts Day was extra special this year, and even included a little surprise that filled my heart with smiles and hope.  Plus, I successfully handed out homemade Valentine's, cookies and hot chocolate to some of the homeless in NYC, and that was one of two highlights that day for me! ❤

I think the past month has begun to help me see more clearly why certain things happen in your life, good and bad, but even more so the bad.  They redirect you and point you in the direction that might just lead you just where you need to be with each step allowing the right people to enter your life, even if you might not realize it at first.

Anywho, I hope you all are well and having a lovely week so far.  I'll be back this weekend with Saturday Sayings, and hopefully, a quote or two will offer a little inspiration for you.

(Images via my Instagram.)

LIFE: HAPPY HEARTS DAY FROM ME TO YOU ❤

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Happy Hearts Day, Everyone! ❤  
I know I have been on a bit of a break, but I wanted to stop in and let all of you know how much I have appreciated your support e-mails and sweet comments left here, on my Instagram, Facebook and beyond...you all brighten my life more than you know, and for that I want to say, Thank You! :)
Today, is Hearts Day, as I refer to it, and although so many dislike this day, I have, for some reason or another, always enjoyed it for the opportunity to wear a little red or pink, sport a heart accessory and simply spread a little extra love and joy to those around me.  
Valentine's Day doesn't need to be about being with someone special, in a romantic way, though it is lovely if you are, it is about letting those in your life know how special they are to you.  
For me, getting homemade Valentine's Day cards from my nephews, surprise flowers from my best friend, thoughtful cards from my sisters, little heart paper wrapped goodies and chocolates or cookies from my incredible mom and dad always makes me feel loved no matter what or where I am.
Many of you know that cards mean more to me than anything.  I would take a card made for me or picked out just for me with the time taken to write something special inside over a gift with a money value attached any day.  They have always been my favorite part of any holiday and always will be.  
So, going to my little mailbox in the city and seeing it filled with so many pink and red envelopes from friends and family has simply warmed my heart...and that for me, is what today is all about.
From me to you, I truly hope each of you has a very Happy Hearts Day and feels loved, in even the simplest and smallest of ways, from someone with whom you care about in your life.  I'm sending hugs and smiles to each of you with true appreciation attached!
I'm off to grab a bunch of hot chocolates, add hearts to the cups and deliver them to some of the homeless in NYC, whom I pass daily.  They always smile back at me and are so kind, never asking me for a thing, and I hope this warms their heart and soul just a little bit...they deserve love today, too. ❤ 

SIDE NOTE: If you get a change, hop on over to Google's Homepage today, they have the cutest little Valentine's Day animation and audible love stories...made my girlie heart tear up a bit! :)