the gift basket should be filled with thoughtful gifts ... things that you relate to her. you could go with a theme - if she likes the spa, gardening, cooking, wine, gourmet food... whatever she's interested in - base it off of that.

we want a family for certain!

i'm sorry to hear that. i didn't deal with it well - if i could go back in time I really would have accepted all of the help from other people, instead of pushing people away and living inside my head space for a bit too long. I would have figured out more ways to be there for my mom. I went home all of the time at that time.. and sometimes just being there is a lot to do for her and for yourself. i prayed a lot and that gave me peace. i did hold onto hope. the good thing is that medicine is always advancing, and there are SO many success stories. be there for her, laugh, don't neglect your life - let people be there for you too.

Thanks!! I do not have a design background. I'm self-taught (: I've always had a bent toward the stylish, timeless, and definitely have had my own voice for decor and design since forever. The courage didn't come overnight but after lots of encouragement from those who know me best, and tons of prayers. I never felt like I was doing "what I was born to do" until now. I believe I'd be kicking myself if I hadn't gone for it!

i can count on one hand the amount of negative comments/feedback I've had since starting to have a blog. I'll address the person via email if it's an open comment with an email account. Of course it's never fun to have someone be rude or bully you but you just have to shake it off. chalk it up to someone very unhappy. so unhappy they write mean comments! that's crazy in my opinion.

No we don't live with either parents. My mom just gets upset if she comes over and sees Clorox or something with tons of chemicals.

i have been buying this expensive stuff for years from sephora... but recently just started using California Baby and though it is for kiddos, i love it. it has no scent (i am not a scent fan) and is non toxic!

pinholepress, blurb ... I think most of the expensive ones are just available to pro's. But I'm not sure!

lately, nothing too exciting. my fave cook book is martha stewart's GREAT FOOD FAST. yum!

take a boat or spend the night in palmizana on the islands just by hvar. definitely rent your own boat and go exploring. there's a beautiful beach club there too... bonj les bains . it's just beautiful and stunning all over. Amsterdam is amazing. I loved riding through the canals, eating, so many cute shops, biking if you are brave, the van gogh museum is really something!

i do. sadieloves.tumblr.com but i'm not on it as much. don't know who to follow!

we have! actually this year is crazy. but with mostly weddings or related events (both to attend and plan). palm beach, colorado, highlands, annapolis, rhode island, massachusetts, virginia, Panama - which we'll make into a mini vaycay. we're hoping to get away just us two to charleston or st. augustine soon. We also get a little vaycay in June at The Vinoy. but next year! 2013. we've got big travel plans. overseas for sure. i can't wait!

Take a look at sniqueaway, gilt travel, bloomspot, travelzoo, airbnb ... always do some research on tripadvisor. i'm a tripadvisor nut! if a place has bad reviews - nooo way. a lot of times tripadvisor will show you what the price range, and sometimes they'll have deals on there too. i love b&b's - but again, i look for reviews!

positano, prague, amsterdam, barcelona, hvar

anthro actually!

Korres

http://nancyelle.com/

Thanks! (: I don't believe it's any particular line. It was purchased and made at Heitel Jewelers in Bradenton, FL - you could call them.

Hotel Silvio is where we stayed!

Not sure what it is!