with a heavy heart over the devastating events in Oklahoma; I'm reminded that each day is a gift.... 

The View from here...

A few things that have been happening around here lately...

my new favorite accessory.... these cheapies from H&M;

a beautiful marina on Lac Leman in Morges, Switzerland;

Holden's first taste of the good life...... a cappuccino..... she hated it :);

what "pancakes" look like in France.... this one filled with ham and cheese;

a Springtime aerial view of Switzerland; this is nearly gone now;

our favorite collection over the years.... these from Barcelona;

a new collection started recently..... postcards.... this one from an outing here yesterday...

What are you collecting these days?

Food & Drink: The Spritz

In the spirit of "fake it till you make it" (because, yes, the temps are still hovering in the high 50's here in Geneva); I'm trading in my cold-weather red wine apertif for warm weather refreshment.  While, this and this will still make a strong showing this summer; I can't help but add this ubiquitous European favorite to my bar...

.... on a hot summer's day; this is about as pretty and refreshing as they come...
... add a couple of good friends, some music, a warm breeze, and a comfortable seat outdoors... and, yep, perfection.... can't wait!

Selfies

I've spent most of this week indoors, caring for Marlowe as she fights off a double ear infection and chest congestion.  Is it terrible to say that it has been sort of nice..... having the "excuse" not to go anywhere or do anything other than cuddle up together?  She is growing up so fast and I feel I must savor these quiet moments together, especially after experiencing the growing independence of my two older girls.

All of my girls love art and we can rarely be found without some scratch paper and a few colored pencils or markers in tow.  Marlowe has just recently started drawing stick people and last week while patiently enduring a visit to another "old" church; she drew a self portrait.  I'm no psychologist but I love these drawings because I'd like to think they give me a glimpse at how she feels about others and herself (at the ripe ol' age of 3).... It warms my heart to see that all of her people have smiles....

.... and that she is wearing stripes.... like mother; like daughter. :)

It also reminds me of an intriguing article I read recently about the beloved fashion maven Jenna Lyons.  I was struck by the honesty of her drawing hanging on the wall of her office...

.... and got me wondering at what age and/or at what point in life do we stop seeing ourselves in rainbow colored palettes with wonky smiles and happy eyes? 

What would your stick person self-portrait look like?

Color Crush: Lilac

cocktail ring, converse, nail polish, forever 21 maxi dress, tote

This color has been happily popping up in my life recently... in the blooming wisteria in our village; on the label of my new favorite breakfast condiment, lavender miel; to a Mother's Day gift; a new tank; and these beautiful blooms my husband brought home to me Monday (perfectly coinciding with our first opportunity to dine al fresco)..... lilac epitomizes the word "lovely" in my book.

Do you have a color wooing you these days?