You Are My Valentine

I was once a bird with a broken wing!

Then you came,

With love and care you warmth me,

Till I could fly again,

I remember those days as clear as day,

When God sent me 'an angel with no wings' (I called you),

.......YOU!

Today,

With the strong wing you once cared for,

I want nothing but to be good to you,

You have given me so much that I could ask for,

You let me be what I wanted to be,

You let me fly to a place where I wanted to go,

A place where I can be me!

Here with you,

I Thank you!

 

I have nothing to give to you,

But my love and make you happy,

You and I,

Together,

Laugh, love, cherish our moments each and every day,

I love you!

(I dedicated this post especially to my husband 'Steven'. 

At first I created the collage/journal pages. I knew I wanted these pages for this special occasion; a valentine! I painted the background and wrote randomly 'i love you, je t'aime' words by scraping the wet paint with the other tip of my paint brush.  I used a technique called 'transfer image' to transfer the images on the background. I tore the images from magazine pages to create the I love you and the heart shapes.  I enjoyed playing around with color, words, composition, to create a whimsical art. I did plan about putting the letters ' I love you' in my head at the very beginning. But I did not plan about what to do next. It came naturally as I painted the background.)

(After I finished painting the collage; I need to style the collage to be photographed. What could be a better idea than to style it with the spray  roses. After all this is for a valentine wishes. When I got home; I looked at the flowers then I just played around with the beautiful tiny colorful roses and took a lot  of pictures of them. Those images  are the result of arranging and re-arranging the tiny spray roses.)

(A night before when we (Steven and I) sat down watching television; I randomly took a magazine pages and tore the pages into a small little hearts by hand. I knew I wanted  these torn paper hearts to be a part of the project  as well.)

Thank you so much for stopping by!

 MONDAY

Pursuit of Functional Home by Judy
Twelve O Eight {Inspiration Monday} by Tanya
Lines Across {Monday Funday} by Rachel
Sumo's Sweet Stuff by Sumo
It's So Very Cheri {It's Party Time}
Creative Mondays by Claire
The Dedicated House {Make It Pretty Monday} by Kathryn
Home Coming {The DIY'ers}

TUESDAY
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia by Kristin
The Blackberry Vine {Tuesday To Do Party)
Lady Bug Blessings {Handmade Tuesday} by Kristen
Not Just A Housewife {Show Me What Ya Got} by Stacy
Cup Cakes And Crinoline {Project Inspired} by Mary Beth 
A stroll Thru Life {Inspire Me Tuesday} by Marty

WEDNESDAY
The Blissful Bee {Work It Wednesday} by Amy
Savvy Southern Style {Wow Us Wednesday} by Kim


The Trendy Tree House {Create and Share} by Tara
Clean And Scentsible {Inspiration Exchange} by Jenn
Green Willow Pond {What We Accomplished Wednesday} by Deborah

The 36th Avenue {The 36th Party} by Desiree
The Diary of a Real Housewife {The Blogger's Diagest} by Jennie

The Pleated Poppy {What I Wore Wednesday} by Lindsey 

THURSDAY
52 Mantels {Thursday Are Your Days} by Emily
The Charm of Home {Home Sweet Home} by Shery
The Grant Life {The Life of the Party} by Kelley
Saving 4 Six (Welcome To Think Tank Thursday) by Carrie Made to be a Momma {Homemade by You} by Katie 
The Shabby Creek Cottage {Transformation Thursday} by Gina
A Glimpse Inside by Allison

Perfectly Coutured {Three-fer Thursday} by Bethany

FRIDAY 
 Dear Creatives {Inspiration Spotlight} by Theresa
Chic on a Shoe String Decorating {Flaunt it Friday} by Kate
My romantic Home {Show and Tell Friday} by Cindy  
The Dedicated House {Anything Blue Friday} by Kathryn 
A night Owl {Create and Inspire} by Kimberly
Craftberry Bush  {The Inspiration Gallery} by Lucy
Happy Hour Project {Happy Hour Friday} by Adrienne
Diana Rambles {Pin Me Linky Party} by Diana
Truly Lovely {Fancy This Friday} by Kassy and Kayli
504 Main {Tickled Pink} by Holly 
A Stylish Interior (Stylish Friday Finds} by Karen 
Little Inspiration {Create & Inspire} by Kimberly and Angie

The Mrs and The Momma {The Best of Friday} by Kristen

SATURDAY

Suburbs Mama {Suburbs Mama Sunday} by Rita
Nifty Thrifty Things {Nifty Thrifty Sunday} by Vanessa
Flamingo Toes {Think Pink Sunday} by Bev
Pink When {DIY Sunday Showcase} by Jennifer
Twigg Studios  {Sunday Show Off} by Aimee
Crafts A la Mode 

Journal/Collage February 2014

Hello,

With this February collage I wanted to send my love and peace to you all.

I know I have not posted anything as often like in the past, but I am thinking about  you and it got very busy here with our selling the house and moving, renovating our new home. I am thrilled about it but you know moving takes a lot of work and especially the renovation that is going on right now.

I just wanted you to know that I care a lot about my blog and my followers so please stay with me! I will try to post more exciting stuff as often as I can.

Thank you so much my blogging Friends!

Thank you so much for reading!

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

Home Decor Inspiration Boards

It had been almost 5 months we were waiting for the closing of the house that Steven and I  were trying to buy.  And finally it is now ours. We have not moved in yet because we are going to do some renovation in the house. Good thing is we are still living in our current home. I can't tell you how excited Steven and I to finally own the key to the house. I am sure to you know exactly how it feels when we finally closed the deal and it is officially ours; after such a long time (sigh!).

It is 3 exits to the East from our current home in Long Island, New York in the town called Roslyn. It is a town house, but it has a real  house feel to it. And it is 3 times larger than our current home.

Although it will be fun, I think the most  difficult part is to decorate all the rooms in the house. I know for some people, decorating is the women's job and the husband just sit back and relax.  But  I have to be fair with Steven since the last 2 houses we own; I was the one who did the decorating. This time I knew I must come up with a visualize boards for Steven. A general idea about how each room should feel and look like.  So far Steven loves them. So at least we are in the same page on the decorating part.

I searched high and low on my Pinterest boards for the inspirations and ideas on how to decorate all the rooms and kitchen. This time I wanted to be in the middle in between feminine and masculine as far as colors and style of furniture.  So I picked a neutral color as the main color; white or cream! Then I am thinking to add a key pieces like a rustic dining table, an eat in rustic dining kitchen table and a rustic console table for the entry way. The rest I can use our old furniture or buy a new one if need be.

The images of the inspiration boards below are just a visual examples of how our home should feel like over all. I am not trying to copy the exact furniture like the one on those boards. 


~~~oo00oo~~~

FOYER/ENTRY WAY

1. A simple and clever idea on how to style a beautiful rustic console table  with a row of low maintenance of tall plants on a clear vases.

2. This elegance console drawer tells a story decorated with an urns and other vignette.  The circular golden frame mirror became a dramatic focal point to the whole set.

3. To hang rows of pictures is the simple and easy way to style an entry way. Here the rows of picture on the left and right side flank the golden frame mirror and as focal point. Favorite objects of different texture and height add a sense of balance to the whole entry way.

4. The blue rustic console drawer is the focal point of this entry way. A bright color is what this entry way need to create a beautiful and a welcoming feel when enter the home.

5. Mirror on the top of the table is the easiest way to create a beautiful well balanced  foyer. The baskets on the floor makes staying organized more pleasurable.

LIVING ROOM

 The key is in monochromatic, varying materials and textures keeps things interesting.

1. The dramatic pattern of damask rug tie everything together in this calm elegant living room

2. This image room has similar shape of our new living room where the fire place is in the middle of sets of doors. There is not a lot of color in this room but it's feels warm when decorated with object of interests.

3. I have been loving for the marriage of neutral color, rustic wood and gold long before we got our new home. And I have been collecting a large gold picture frames since a long time a go. This room has those elements.  The beautiful antique  golden frame mirror on top the mantel is the focal point in this room.

4. Again a perfect example of mixing, neutral, middle tone wood frame of chairs, white upholstered chair and gold. A timeless elegance, grace and simplicity.

5. Another example of mixing the neutral and the classic antique gold pieces to create a simple elegance living room. A chandelier read and feel glamorous to the living room.

LIVING ROOM WITH A SPLASH OF COLOR

A neutral color living room can be pretty and chic without being too feminine by adding a touch of color added to them.  

Early on I visualized of having a neutral color sofa and other elements in the living room with a bright color of  teal or blue on the Louis XV chairs that need some work and are sitting in the garage right now. Like image no. 1.

Many accents colors can be added to the living room set  by adding a color throw pillows (2., 3. & 5.) But I think I love no. 4. As mentioned earlier I love the mix of neutral color and gold. The soft blue on this image just beautiful. I am not sure about it just yet and this is something I will decide later on.

MASTER BEDROOM

For the master bedroom I am looking for a neutral foundation pieces that will stand the test of time. I want to start it out with the neutral color wall, bed linens and carpet then go from there.

1. Neutral color tufted head board instantly create elegance and glamour to the bed room.

2. & 4. Layering bedding with similar colors and texture creates drama and as focal point.

3.  White linens and white night stands read as peaceful,  serene and clean looking  bedroom.

5. Layering with soft hues add a chic and sweet touch and feel calm as well.

KITCHEN

The intention is to continue to create the neutral color into the kitchen.

White cabinetry, silver stainless steel appliances, dark counter top, brown hard wood floor and rustic eat in dining table will create the look I am going for; elegance, simple and friendly.

1. By choosing a rustic dining table in the informal dining area near the kitchen instantly create a welcome feeling.

2. Adding various neutral color of light, medium and dark tone color subway tile all across the kitchen wall all the way to the ceiling is visually enlarged the size of the kitchen while adding depth and elegance.

3. The contrast of white tile wall, white cabinetry against  the rustic table set creates a sweet, friendly and welcome environment to this kitchen.

4. & 6.  How beautiful is this kitchen with the contrast of dark & silver color stove, dark frame window, dark and white counter top, dark color hard wood floor against white cabinetry. The playful of contrast creates a warm, classic and contemporary showplace.

5. The rustic hard wood floor in this kitchen is a perfect combination of creating a simple elegance modern kitchen with a character that is warm and inviting.

DINING ROOM

Mix eras, styles and textures of furniture to keep a look fresh. 

1. A  white upholstered dining chairs paired with rustic table can look formal as a whole set.

While paired the rustic table with white wooden or plastic chairs read as playful and chic  (2. & 4.)

3. & 5. Cream colored  tufted and nail head trim chairs paired with rustic table read as  elegant and comfort.

So these are the general ideas of how I want all the rooms and kitchen to look like.  I know it will take some time to do it, but I am hoping to do it right this time since we are planning to live here for a long time.

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Making New Friends Through Photography {Part 2}

I must admit that I always have fun taking picture of Gracie. Our relationship has gone to another level where after the shooting we talked about our lives, husbands, hobbies, new ventures, art and planning for our spouse to meet over dinner.  And because of her, my photography knowledge has improved since I took her picture for the first time months a go. Although she is much younger than me; I can see that Gracie is very mature and very easy to talk to. Her beauty is apparent by her pose and smile in front of the camera and how my lens captured  her sensuality.  I am honored to get to know Gracie and can share her beauty with you all.

For this shoot, I want to include a bit of color on Gracie. So I put the flower crown that I made (here) and the colorful tasle bracelets that I also created on her. I am trying to create a bohemian look on Gracie and I am very happy with all the pictures I took.

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Making New Friends Through Photography {Part 1}

It was such a joy photographing this family.  From the first time we met until the end of the session we seem to connect naturally even though we met for the first time at the set. As a photographer, I love seeing the smile of my subjects during the photo  session but nothing like seeing the photo itself.  Look at their smile on these pictures; so beautiful! How I wish I could shoot this family again during spring or summer where the sun is shining brightly.

So far, I really love being a photographer.  Already I made  friends with some of the new people I met through photography.  The benefit of being a photographer is endless. To name a few;  I can be outdoor with nature, I met new people and be friends with them, I am able to style my subject if need be which I love doing very much, I am creating one of a kind art,  I love photo editing, I love using natural light and see how it did to my pictures. And many more.

Thank you so much for stopping by!

January Collage/Journal and Poems

In the past and a long time a go when I was about 16 years old I started to write diary for the first time. As a teenager I remember I love recording my day to day life as a teenager. I wrote about
school, friends and puppy love. I had this boy that I had a crush on but he did not seem to notice my feelings although we dated a few times like going out to see a movie or having an ice cream together at an ice cream parlor. He came to my house visiting me but not more than that. From writing a diary it developed into writing a poem.I love writing poem. To me, it is a scrambling words that does not make sense but when you choose the words carefully and intelligently, and arrange the sentences in such a way, it can be a beautiful writing that turned to a poem. 

These poems copied from a book I bought a long time a go when I was struggling with relationships in Manhattan, New York. It is called 'Poems Between Women.' Edited by Emma Donoghue.
I hope you enjoy these beautiful poem.

Decade

When you came, you were like red wine and honey,

And the taste of you burnt my mouth with its sweetness.

Now you are like morning bread,

Smooth and pleasant.

I hardly taste you at all for I know your savour,

but I am completely nourished.

-Ursula Bethell- (1919)

Song

You bound strong sandals on my feet,

You gave me bread and wine,

And sent me under sun and stars,

For all the world was mine.

Oh, take the sandals off my feet,

You know not what you do;

For all the world is in your arms,

My sun and stars are you.

- Sara Teasdale- (1911)

Ephemeron*

'Behold,' she said, 'a falling star!'

I followed where her vision led,

And saw no meteor near nor far;

So swiftly sank the lustre, dead.

In silvery moonlight stood she there,

Whiter than silver gleamed her hand,

And gleaming shone her yellow hair,

While dusky shadows filled the land.

She seemed a slender flickering shape,

Framed in the blackness of the porch.

How should a child of night escape!

A foolish moth that loved the torch!

Out of my dusk I came to her:

Voices were stilled, anear, afar;

I stood there lost, her worshipper;

What eye beheld that falling star?

-Annie Fields- (USA, 1834 - 1915)

*Ephemeron: an insect which, when it develops wings, lives for only a day.

Friendship

When we were charming Backfisch*

With curls and velvet bows

We shared a charming kitten

With tiny velvet toes.

It was so gay and playful;

It flew like a woolly ball

From my lap to your shoulder-

And, oh, it was so small,

So warm - and so obedient

If we cried: 'That's enough!'

It lay and slept between us,

A purring ball of fluff.

But now that I am thrifty

And she is thirty-one,

I shudder to discover

How wild our cat has run.

It's bigger than a Tiger,

Its eyes are jets of flame,

Its claws are gleaming daggers,

Could it have once been tame?

Take it away, I'm frightened!

But she, with placid brow,

Cries: 'This is our Kitty-witty!

Why don't you love her now?'

-Katherine Mansfield- (New Zealand, England and France, 1888-1923)

*Backfisch:teenagers

 April

A bird chirped at my window this morning,

And over the sky is drawn a light network of clouds.

Come,

Let us go out into the open,

For my heart leaps like a fish that is ready to spawn.

I will lie under the beech-trees,

Under the grey branches of the beech-trees,

In a blueness of little squills and cocuses.

I will lie among the little squills

And be delivered of this over charge of beauty,

And that which is born shall be a joy to you

Who love me.

-Amy Lowell- (1919)

Coming to you

through traffic, honking and off-course, direction veering

presently up your street, car slam, soon enough on my feet,

eager and hesitant, peering with the rush of coming you,

late, through hydrangeas nodding out with season's age,

and roses open outline still the edge of summer gone in

grounding rain. elsewhere, or from it, i brush by, impa-

tient, bending to your window to surprise you in that place

i never know, you alone with yourself there, one leg on

your knee, you with boots, with headphones on, grave,

rapt with inaudible music. the day surrounds you: point 

where everything listens. and i slow down, learning how to

enter - implicate and unspoken (still) heart-of -the-world.

-Daphne Marlatt- (Canada, b. 1942)

'For  Richer, For Poorer'

'Oh, give us of your oil, our lamps go out;

Your well-fed lamps are clear and bright to see;

And, if we go to buy us oil, maybe,

Far off our ears shall hear the jubilant shout,

"Behold the Bridegroom cometh, zoned about

With utter light and utter harmony":

Then leave us not to weep continually

In darkness, for souls' hunger and drought.'

Then turned one virgin of the virgins wise

To one among the foolish, with a low

Sweet cry, and looked her, lovelike, in the eyes,

Saying, 'My oil is thine; for weal, for woe,

We two are one, and where thou goest I go,

One lot being ours for aye, where'er it lies.'

-Emily Hickey- (1889)

Happy  Thursday Everyone! I hope you had a great week so far.