Title/Banner

Thanks to my dear friend bonniebelle for my beautiful blog banner. I would also like to acknowledge the very talented photographer Brian Salmon who took hubby and I's engagement and wedding pictures. The ones in the banner are just a teaser of all the gorgeous pictures that he took. To see more of Brian's great talent, check out his website. The other picture credit goes to me. Yep I was brave and had a few of my own displayed. Again a big Thank You for the banner help!

Think Pink

In case you didn't know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Yes I am aware that October is almost over, but better late than not at all. Right? For the last several years during the month of October, great companies come out with "pink" products. The beauty of the pink products is well one the obvious. Everything is pink! Yes, I'm a girly girl. I love the color pink. The second thing that I think is great about the pink products is that companies give to cancer research while raising consumer awareness. Speaking of consumer awareness, this is a great year to buy some of the below products. Not only will a generous portion of your money go to cancer research, but your purchase will also boost the economy. There is another added bonus that we rarely talk. Giving back makes you feel good, so do it for yourself also.

These are just a few of the great companies that are offering pink products:

Sephora

Avon 

The Breast Cancer Site (The above scarf is from here.)

United States Post Office 

KitchenAid

Also love the catch phrases that people come up with. This years favorites are:

"Save the Tatas"

"Save Second Base"

"I'm wearing this t-shirt for my future granddaughters. "

The last truly is my favorite. Remember it's not just about you, but future generations as well.

What are your favorite Pink products?

Fall Bouquet

I have a thing for flowers. Really "thing" is not the right word. I think flowers are fabulous. Flowers make me happy. Flowers brighten a room. Flowers make a statement. Flowers are an easy way to decorate with minimal change, time or cost. Because of the my strong feelings towards flowers, I have no issue buying them for myself. Actually I buy them whenever I'm in the mood for them. Sorry hubby, but I can't always wait for you. 

On Sunday, I grabbed my favorite vase and some beautiful autumn flowers. It's square, black, and was a gift from my husband. It also fits in perfectly with our black and white kitchen. Another plus, square vases are super easy to arrange flowers in.  So without further ado, I give you my fall kitchen bouquet. What do you think? 

Love

"All you need is love." ~ The Beatles

"Love remains the same." ~ Gavin Rossdale

"Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies." ~ Aristotle 

"There is only one happiness in life - to love and be loved." ~ George Sand

We spend a lot of time thinking about love. Looking for love. Yearning for love. There are thousands of quotes out there about love. Love lost. Love found. Sad love. Teen love. 

We all want love, but rarely do we think about giving love back. I was at a wedding yesterday, and the chaplain said "I have people come to my office wondering what they are doing wrong. They are giving 70% and just want 30% back. I tell them that you have to give 100% with no expectation of getting anything in return." He makes a great point. When we make love about what we will get in return, it's not love at all. Love is about giving of yourself for someone else. In the words of Shakespeare, " The more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite."

We concentrate so much on romantic love that we forget that there are other forms of love out there.  Love is so many different emotions for so many different people. I love my parents in a very different way than I love my best friend. My love for my best friend is very different than the love I have for my husband. 

I cannot say what love is for others, but I will leave you with my two new favorite quotes about love. 

"Where we love is home, home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts." 

~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

"Love doesn't make the world go round, love is what makes the ride worthwhile." 

~ Elizabeth Browning