Wishing You Blissful Holidays!

Happy Holidays from Miami Beach!

Blissful details: do you like?

pic source: print copy Architectural Digest

What do you love about your life?

Susan Shearer Young writes: Make a pact with yourself that you’re not going to just try to spend some time each day focused on something about your life that you love, but that you ARE going to focus on that thing that gives you no trouble for a few minutes each day.

And, of course, that whenever you catch yourself asking where is it, why hasn’t it happened yet, you’re going to gently let that thought go, reminding yourself that you’ve already taken care of it. It’s on its way to you and you’re not going to think about it right now.-- Susan Shearer Young

Howtoallow.net

What do you love about your life?

Let's Sparkle!

These may be THE shoes in Chocolate, Shoes, and Coffee.
at Nordstrom.

photo credit: Polly C.

Missing the Mountains...

This is Moraine Lake in Banff National Park, Canada.

It reminds me of Turquoise Lake in Leadville, Colorado.

Missing the mountains and mountain air--rainy day in Miami Beach.

What are you missing?

Hope you enjoyed the last post from my friend---so powerful.

xo xo,
Danielle

pic credit

Soul Regeneration: A story of devastation, contrast, and survival

My friend emailed me, "Here are some pictures of what the smoke looked like from my house." I was struck by these pictures and told her we needed to share them here. Fortunately, she agreed.

She wrote, "I live approximately 10 miles south of where the fire started and could clearly see the flames from my home. It literally looked like a nuclear bomb exploded."

She wrote, "Here are some pictures I took today at Sugarite State Park. It was the first day they opened it up to the public after the big Track Fire that burned a large area around Raton. I wanted to get the contrast between the black burned land and the new green coming in. It was amazing up there."











I was struck by these pictures and told her we needed to share them here. Fortunately, she agreed. Here is a bit more she wrote about these photos:

Event Background:
"On June 12, 2011 just before noon, the Raton Track Fire began approximately one mile north of Raton, New Mexico. Due to severe drought in the area, unseasonably warm temperatures, and high winds, the fire quickly spread. Within less than a week the Track Fire spread to 27,792 acres in New Mexico and Colorado. An estimated 500 people were evacuated from the northern area of the city of Raton and rural homes north and east of Raton.

I-25, a major interstate running north and south, was closed as the fire raced on both sides creating a dangerous situation for firefighters and the public. Highway 72 and Highway 526 northeast of Raton was also shut down, including Sugarite Canyon State Park. Over 888 personnel were brought in to fight the fire, which included air tankers and helicopters. (I live approximately 10 miles south of where the fire started and could clearly see the flames from my home. It literally looked like a nuclear bomb exploded.) By June 29th, the fire was contained. People were slowly allowed to return home and highways were open to all traffic."


Dear readers, I was so struck by her email about the contrast of the old and new on the first day the park was reopened. I thought there was something very symbolic about it and asked her to write something about these pictures to go with them on the blog. Here is what she penned:

To Be Burned Is To Live Again

Barbed-wire words (whether said or not)
Tragedies
Actions shaving dignity
Rejection piled into mounds of hate
Malignant sense of self
Love withheld
Benign apologies killing hope
All combined to create

Drought
Which left me dry..and bare..and naked….and
Colorless

One spark of depression is all it took
To consume body and soul
Flames leapt from mind to spirit
Until nothing was left
But
Skeleton forms of what should have been
And the color

Black

Compelled to separate
To…
A blue umbrella of compassion
Sheltering laughing yellow rays of warmth
Clear drops of healing rain
Feeding peaceful green sprouts that
Carpeted the journey
To hard-earned joy

All singing together
To Be Burned Is To Live Again

Thank you for
Photos, Email content, and Poem
by M. Stone.

Sincerely,
Danielle

Go See this Movie

I heard SO MUCH BUZZ about it-- therefore, didn't go when it first came out. I went last night and unexpectedly cried (and giggled) in the theater at "The Help." Saw the movie first, which I normally don't do, but I have a feeling either way is fine with this one!

So, here's my contribution: the movie is excellent. See this one in the theater... I think it's a good one for the big screen vs. at home. Take Kleenex, if you haven't seen it or already been warned. I am so glad I saw it and I think anyone would relate to this film. This one may stay with me for a while longer than I expected going in...

Have you seen it? Read the book? Any other excellent film/book recommendations?

Enjoy!

xo xo
Danielle

pic credit

Thieves Trash School

Please view this news story about the thieves breaking in to the school:
http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/21005233284344/

Students had to stay home from school after the burglary left their school covered in broken glass and disarray. I am sharing this story and I hope you will as well; this school deserves our support in any way we can give it.

Principal Iliana Pena
Aspira Youth Leadership Charter School

Principal's back to school message: http://www.aspirafl.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=180&Itemid=104

Address:

13300 Memorial Highway North Miami, Florida 33161

Telephone:

305-893-8050

Mango Key Lime Heaven

Today my sweet husband brought home a Mango Key Lime Pie. Run to Publix grocery store or whoever may have them near you, immediately for your own. Or make one if you must. You will thank me. I love Key Lime pie, I'm human, and I love mango. This was the first time I enjoyed this perfect combination of the two. Mango Key Lime pie-- run, don't walk.

Earlier I had been enjoying making pesto with my going crazy basil plant, but forgot all about that when this Mango Key Lime Pie became part of the afternoon.

Then I remembered my sisters and mom recently had Key Lime Margaritas, so I looked up a recipe for those to share. Why not make a mango version if you are a creative mixologist?

Key Lime Margaritas: Epicurious says 4 drinks, a reviewer says "let's be serious, it's 2."

• 1 Key lime (optional), quartered
• Kosher salt (optional) for rims of glasses
• 3/4 cup Cointreau or other orange-flavored liqueur
• 1/2 cup reposado tequila
• 1/2 cup fresh Key lime juice
• 2 teaspoons superfine granulated sugar (optional)
• graham crackers, crushed (optional but I think not)
  

Run a lime wedge (if using) around rim of each of 4 (6-to 8-ounces) glasses. Put salt (if using) on a small plate and dip glasses in salt to lightly coat rims. Otherwise, coat the rims in graham cracker crumbs.

Blend liqueur, tequila, juice, and sugar (if using) in a blender until combined.

Serve over ice (in coated glasses).

Music recommendations: Marley and Buffet

Happy Sunday, the last one of August--- enjoy it! Savor all the bliss.

Hope you've avoided Irene, and if not,
drink extra margaritas.

xo xo,
Danielle

Desperately Seeking... Shoes

Not Rated, Hot Spot 2 Red.
Hmmm....

It's back to school and time to walk all over the campus to teach classes...the inner shoe monster is calling out for fashionable, comfortable, professional shoes. The inner South Beach monster is calling out for fun weekend shoes.

I'll have to remember to wear the appropriate ones on the corresponding days! Here's what I'm checking out...in both categories:
CoSTUME NATIONAL
Calvin Klein, Jennifer
Just for fun: Dr. Scholl's original, Ink Suede. (when I was a kid I thought these were so cool... now I have mixed feelings...lots of cute colors out, though)

Vidoretta

Michael Kors, Palm Beach Demi Wedge
Vidoretta Flore
Born, Chella
Lucky Brand, Nama

Clarks, Shutter Beach
Ugg, Hazel II
Kate Spade
Kenneth Cole Reaction, Let it Knock
Kate Spade, Melania

Kenneth Cole Reaction, Dare Bear
Ugg, Hazel II
Aigner, Gild
Josef Seibel, Misty

With a pair of jeans or tailored work pants, these could be cute.
They look like you could walk all over in them...

Conclusion: Girl seeks work shoes and only finds fun shoes.

With the Miami weather, I embrace warm weather shoes-- although even Miami shoe lovers can be seen with stylish boots. Can't do the boots-- cold weather trauma, still...

I am looking forward to a snowy getaway this year :)

What's on your list for fall?

xo, Danielle

pics: here

A salty cure...

Hope you are engaging
in all three as needed!

xo xo,
Miss Bliss, aka Danielle

pic via Tumblr

Loving Life at Lorelei's

If you are anywhere near Islamorada, FL, make sure not to miss Lorelei's.

Make an afternoon and sunset party evening of it...
The "cabana madness" platter serves 2-3 :).

Don't forget their ice cold mudslide, "The Bushwhacker"
as you enjoy the nightly bands.

My heart's at Lorelei's...

pics: