Favorite Things

This Friday I feel the need to stop and take a moment to be grateful. I have spent the past two weeks in Florida, taking care of my father after a scheduled heart procedure. It was an interesting place to be in life. Even at my age, I am used to being the one to need my dad. He doesn't need me. He is the one  my sisters and I call for advice, for help, and for guidance. This time he needed us. We didn't hesitate. My sister, Lori, came to Florida with me, and our sisters from California were on call, just in case. It was a long first week followed by a lighter, more relaxed second week. The surgery was a success and my dad will be just fine. It's moments like these that you stop to think about life and what's important. You take time to feel grateful and make the most of every minute. I thought I would share some favorite photos that were taken this week. They are simple things that made us smile and things we enjoyed doing together. Happy Friday!

One of the greatest compliments I have ever been given was to be told I am just like my dad.

A trip to Sun Harvest Citrus for fresh Florida oranges.

Enjoying some of the best Gelato ever at Artisan Gelato by Norman Love in Ft. Myers. Almond Joy was the pick of the day.

Fresh strawberries that seem to taste better where the sun is shining.

We picked up some beautiful and delicious gourmet chocolates at Norman Love Confections in Ft Myers. It's become a regular stop when we visit.

Watching dad play Bocce with his Italian Club. It was the first activity we "allowed" him to participate in after his surgery. He probably can't wait until we leave!

 Enjoying a cocktail by the pool at the end of the day. Cheers to a successful trip!

The past two weeks have taught me a lot. I will travel home today, sad to leave my dad, but grateful for the time we spent together and grateful that I had the opportunity to help him when he needed it. Family is so important. Be thankful for the one you have each and every day!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Leslie xo

Favorite Things

When it comes to favorite things, peanut butter is on the top of my list lately. I'm convinced I could live on a jar of peanut butter alone. It's a little bit sweet but perfectly salty and it goes with so many things. Whether it's a meal or a cure for a craving, I find peanut butter does the trick for me. You may remember a while ago, I said if I were stranded on a desert island and could only have one thing, it would be trail mix. Well, peanut butter would be just fine too. Here is what I'm pairing it with these days. Happy Friday!

tMy guilty pleasure is swirling Hershey's Kisses right through peanut butter. This is by far my favorite quick fix!

Slicing apples and spreading them with peanut butter is almost a daily occurrence for me right now. Chocolate cake with peanut butter icing. Period.

On the rare occasion that I break down and  eat a bowl of ice cream it will most definitely be chocolate and peanut butter.

On a healthier note, a peanut butter and banana smoothie is perfect after a workout, which I will obviously need if I keep up this addiction. This one is made with almond milk, flax and wheat germ. No guilt.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Leslie xo

Blogging for a Purpose

Today instead of sharing my regular Favorite Things post, I decided to share something that in many ways, has become a favorite thing for me. It looks very different than a list of favorite candies, comforts or websites. It's something with more of a purpose and something that I am proud to be a part of.

My involvement with CFCA, Christian Foundation For Children and Aging, began six years ago when I had the opportunity to participate in a sponsorship event at our local church. I was extremely moved by the stories of families that have been helped by CFCA. This organization works hard to provide support that benefits the family as a whole by focusing on education and creating a better future. They are currently serving more than 300,000 children, youth and aging persons in more than 22 countries around the world.

This little girl is now part of our family. She is very special and we are so proud of her.

Once the presentation was over, I sat for a minute and thought about my options. I hesitated, naturally wondering things like whether or not all of the money really goes to these families and would I really be helping the specific child who's folder I chose. I could walk away or I could help. Something told me to help, so I did. I decided to sponsor a child from Guatemala. She was 12 years old at the time. At that moment,  I felt like I had done my good deed for the day. Little did I know, I was not just changing the life of this child, but my own life as well.  It wasn't long before I was receiving letters and photos of my newly sponsored child. It was wonderful to watch her progress and I was overwhelmed with the gratitude that she expressed in each letter that was sent. I knew I was making a difference.

The following year, my daughter Elizabeth decided to participate in a Semester at Sea program while she was in college. She would be traveling to several third world countries during her trip. We were busy planning and getting her ready to go and one day it hit us, she would be going to Guatemala! We decided to contact CFCA to find out if it would be possible for Elizabeth to visit our sponsored child. We figured it was a real long shot but why not look into it. What happened next was truly life changing. After many back and forth emails and phone calls, the CFCA team arranged for Elizabeth to meet our friend and her mother. It wasn't easy. By the time it was all arranged Elizabeth was well on her way, in the middle of the ocean, but after a continued effort on all of our parts, we connected Elizabeth to our friend and they had a chance to meet. They exchanged small gifts and had a chance to  speak through a translator. It was an overwhelming and humbling experience for Elizabeth and a moment of extreme gratitude for our new friends.  One of the most profound moments for me was to hear what Elizabeth had to say when she returned from that trip. She told me that as she traveled  from country to country, she noticed that the people who had the least were the happiest and most grateful. They appreciate the little things.

I am extremely impressed by the work that CFCA does and I am thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful organization. In an effort to collaborate with the CFCA community, I will be dedicating a page on my blog specifically to this foundation. I plan to bring you inspiring stories and information about the many people involved. I will be sharing special recipes from the countries where our sponsored friends live. It's fascinating to see how bread is baked  without a traditional oven! I hope you'll stop back to check out the CFCA page, which will be up soon. Feel free to leave comments, get involved or just stick around to be inspired. It's amazing how one small act of kindness can change so many lives. Whatever you chose to do, make it count!

Happy Friday! Have a wonderful weekend!

Leslie xo

*Names and exact locations were not used in order to protect the privacy of our sponsored friend. All opinions are my own. This is not a sponsored post.

*Please note ~ CFCA is now UNBOUND

Favorite Things

Gertrude Hawk Dark Chocolate Smidgens. One of my all time favorites!

Valentine's Day is coming up next week and in my mind that means a green light to eat dessert! It will be one of those days when my "everything in moderation" theory kicks in and I will happily indulge in something sweet. Why not? What's Valentine's Day without a little chocolate? Of course there are plenty of ways to show your love for someone but in my world, if it accompanies a box of chocolate, it's that much better! I guess that makes me a chocoholic. I am more than OK with that label and thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite chocolate things with you today. Happy Friday!

Ultimate Chocolate Fondue from Ghirardelli

Chocolate Covered Strawberries from Food Network

Boxed Chocolate Mini Cakes from Sweetapolita

Chocolate Sweet Heart Cookies from Martha Stewart

The most beautiful and delicious handcrafted chocolates I have ever seen by Norman Love Confections.

Raspberry Chocolate Kiss Cocktail from Martha Stewart. A perfect compliment to a chocolate dessert!

I hope you indulge in something sweet this Valentine's Day! Have a wonderful weekend!

Leslie xo

Favorite Things

Homemade chicken noodle soup on a cold or rainy day.

During the winter months, we hear the words "comfort food" a lot. And lately, for some reason, I find myself thinking about what that means. If you look up the word comfort, it means a sense of physical or psychological ease. That makes sense. Eating chocolate certainly puts my mind at ease! Food can be a great source of comfort for most people. It's different for everyone. So what about the other things that represent comfort? It's a word that I have obviously thought about a lot this week so I decided to share my favorite "comfort" things with you today. Happy Friday!

Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting

Every single hug my grandson gives me. One of the most comforting things in life!

Spring flowers in the middle of winter. Knowing that the bonds that have been created in our family over the years are being carried through the generations.

A text from your son that lets you know he got back to school safe and sound.

Sometimes it's the littlest thing that make you feel warm and fuzzy. Whatever it is, it's a great feeling. What are your favorite "comfort" things? Have you thought about it lately?  Have a wonderful weekend!

Leslie xo

Favorite Things

 Photo by Doug Reese

Wow is it Friday already? This week flew by! It was a productive one for me with lots of catching up, working on projects and planning events, all while trying hard to stay warm. We had some record breaking low temperatures in PA this past week and it made me think that maybe my three sisters who moved to California were the ones with the right idea! I love winter but these cold days had me begging for spring. It made me appreciate some of the little things that I depend on in the winter months to keep me warm, happy and not so chapped! Here are a few of my favorite ways to fight the chill of winter. They are simple, inexpensive and so effective. Happy Friday!

Qtica Lip Balm

I'm pretty sure the word addicted would be appropriate for me when it comes to Qtica. Ask anyone that knows me well (because I probably forced them to try it). This stuff is like gold and if you use it, you will never want anything else! It's that good!

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream

Neutrogena Hand Cream keeps your hands soft and your cuticles and nails from drying out. I keep one in my purse and one on my nightstand. Love it!

CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion

Not everything you put on your face has to be expensive. My dermatologist actually recommended CeraVe lotion to me as a simple, every day way to keep my skin hydrated. I use it on my face and body. I love that I can get it in a drugstore.

STAX fire starters from Duraflame

I love burning fires in the winter. I have a wood burning fireplace and wouldn't trade it for the world. There is nothing like the crackle of real wood. And although I consider myself somewhat of a Girl Scout, I prefer the quick start method over the "from scratch" method any day!

The Republic of Tea ~ Ginger Peach Decaf

As much as I talk about my love for a latte, I am a tea lover too. Republic of Tea is one of my favorite brands of tea and the Ginger Peach Decaf seems to be the perfect remedy for a cold winter day.

Chenille Throw from Restoration Hardware

This is one of my favorite blankets. It's a simple chenille throw that we picked up several years ago at Restoration Hardware. It's heavy, soft and warm.

So there you have it! Just a few little things that I appreciate this time of year. Simple? Yes. But isn't that what it's all about? Funny how  some of the littlest things can make you happy! Look for them, what are yours?

Have a great weekend!

Leslie xo

Favorite Things

Accessories are such a fun part of getting dressed and what we choose tells so much about us. Each piece adds personality to whatever we wear and helps us create our own individual style. Whether we are wearing jeans or a little black dress, we make a statement with the accessories we choose. Right now the stacking bracelet trend is popular and I am a huge fan! It's given us the green light to dig through our jewelry boxes and pile on our favorite pieces.  I thought I would share some of mine. Happy Friday!

I found some fun beaded bracelets at a little shop at the beach that are similar to these Lucky Karma Beads. They are made with beads that represent a different energy or purpose.

One of my all time favorites is this Chan Luu  bracelet that I bought on Gilt. It's made with Jasper, gold chain and leather and was a steal at about half price. 

One of my best friends gave me this Starfish Bangle from Alex and Ani. It is my new favorite. Each eco-friendly piece is created to uplift and inspire with a positive message. You can create your own story by collecting and stacking your favorite ones.

This Slake Black Bracelet from Swarovski is a lot of fun. It's one bracelet that gives the illusion of a stack of bracelets. It's unbelievably lightweight and very comfortable to wear.

This leather beaded wrap bracelet from The Lucky Elephant was a gift from my daughter, Lauren. We fell in love with these bracelets because they are beautifully made and fun to wear but also because of what they represent. Apparently an elephant with it's trunk raised up is considered good luck and is known to bring excellent fortune and the power to take away troubles. You can't argue with the power of positive thinking!

These bracelets all mean something different. Whether they were a gift from someone special or a just a great deal, they have a story. What is your jewelry saying about you? It's a fun thing to think about. Have a great weekend!

Leslie xo

Favorite Things

Beauty

True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows. And the beauty of a woman only grows with passing years.   Audrey Hepburn

Beauty means something different to each of us. I believe that true beauty is living well. It's a delicate balance of taking care of your body, your mind and your spirit. Some of the most beautiful women I know seem to have mastered this art. I am reminded of this each day as I read one of my favorite books, Younger by the Day, by Victoria Moran. It's a daily dose of  inspirational words and affirmation as well as diet and exercise advice for living a healthier life. It makes you realize that self care is important. How you take care of yourself says so much about you. And that doesn't mean labels and price tags. It's about putting your best face forward and taking care of all of you. Inside and out. Paying attention to little things. It's something we all deserve. Today I'm sharing some of my favorite ways to live well. Happy Friday!

Younger by the Day ~ by Victoria Moran. Start with the inside each day. A fabulous book that I highly recommend.

Wooden Sign, see the beauty in everything, from Words To Live By Signs. A simple but powerful reminder that there is beauty all around us.

I love yoga but sometimes class schedules don't work for me. Mind Body Green is a great resource for doing things at home.

Whole Living is another great resource if you want to get healthy. Their 2012 Whole Living Action Plan caught my attention last year and is great if you like to have a plan.

I refuse to live without chocolate.  Chocolate Dipped Fruit on a Stick from Family Fresh Cooking is a great way to have the best of both worlds. Just enough chocolate to satisfy a craving and zero guilt.

I hope you are off to a happy and healthy start in 2013! Have a fabulous weekend!

Leslie xo

Favorite Things

The end of the year is fast approaching. It's a time to reflect on the past year while we look forward to the year ahead. It's been a fun year for me in the blogging world. I published my first blog post back in May and have enjoyed every minute of the process since then. I  discovered that I love to write and I have met some amazing people along the way. It's been fun to share the things I love with you and I have appreciated all of the feedback I have received.  When I  sat down to write today's post, I thought it would be fun to go back and share some of my favorite posts with you. I am looking forward to bringing you some fun new things in 2013. It will be an exciting year for my family and I can't wait to share some of it with you. Happy Friday!

Lemon & Sugar ~ This was the first post on the blog so it's definitely my favorite overall.

DIY Cupcake Liners ~ My favorite simple DIY post.

A Walk on the High Line ~ One of my favorite travel posts (and places to go!).

Favorite Things  - Coffee post ~ This was the first post in the Favorite Things category. I love these Friday posts.

Favorite Things - Martha Stewart Weddings Bridal Market Party ~ My favorite event of the year. An amazing experience.

Simple Dessert Bar ~ This is a favorite post because it was a simple DIY that was fun to do. I loved working with my daughter on this one.

Chocolate Covered Christmas ~ I had so much fun with this series. It gave me some great ideas for future projects.

Have a wonderful weekend and a Happy New Year!

Leslie xo

Favorite Things

Christmas Cookies from one of the Annual Cookie Baking Extravaganza's with my twin sister.

How can it be that the first week of December is already gone? This time of year always seems to move faster than the rest. Maybe it's because we are busy doing things that make the holidays special, like decorating, shopping and baking. Christmas is my favorite time to bake. I look forward to it every year.  I am actually in San Diego right now with my twin sister for our annual Christmas Cookie Baking Party. We spend a few days baking our favorite cookies and we always try something new.  I'll share more about this trip later but for now I thought I'd share some of the things that inspire me when it comes to baking. They are my go-to blogs and websites for great recipes and holiday cheer! Check them out and you might find an idea or two! Happy Friday!

 Best-Loved Holiday Recipes Round-Up from Sweetapolita

 Countdown to  Christmas video series and The Best Christmas Desserts from Martha Stewart.

 Gingerbread House inspiration from Sweetopia.

30 Holiday Cookie Recipes from Two Peas and Their Pod.

Best Friends For Frosting is literally the place to go for Everything Dessert!

12 Days of Christmas Cookies from Food Network.

A Candy Cane Cocktail from Hostess Jo to go with all of the desserts! Why not?

 Cheers to a wonderful weekend!

Leslie xo

Favorite Things

Christmas is one of the happiest times of the year. For me, it's a happy time because the season is full of celebration, fond memories and tradition. It's a nostalgic time of year. A time to reflect on favorite moments from the past and a time to look forward to what the future will bring. We started decorating our house early this year so we could take our time, enjoy the moment and soak it all in before things get hectic. These are some of my favorite things this week. They are things that bring me joy. Happy Friday!

Going to the Christmas tree farm to wander around and cut down our tree.

Vintage Santa glasses from when I was a little girl. They are more than 40 years old. I still love them.

 I bought this wooden Pinocchio ornament in Rome during a family trip to Italy. It reminds me of the wonderful time we had.

A Santa jar that my son made for me when he was little. It is one of my favorite Christmas decorations.

Vintage Christmas ornaments that were passed down from my maternal grandmother. I treasure each one.

The first snow. A beautiful start to the holiday season.

Find your joy and have a wonderful weekend!

Leslie xo

Favorite Things

If you spend any time at all on social media, the days leading up to Thanksgiving were full of conversation about how everyone was celebrating the holiday. Some people had a quiet day planned, and some people had houses that were bursting at the seams with family and friends. Regardless of the size of your gathering, I hope you had a wonderful day. Our day was quiet this year and my favorite part was having all four of my kids together, in one place, at the same time. That is always the perfect day, and for that alone I am grateful. Here are some favorite shots from the day. Happy Friday!

This year we decided to make a brined turkey. It was delicious!

One of the best parts of  Thanksgiving was having my grandson as my little helper. Words cannot describe how much I love this child!

New addition to our menu this year, Green Bean Bundles with Brown Sugar. Amazing!

My little sister's famous pumpkin roll recipe. A must have each year!

FaceTime with my sisters in California. So grateful for this technology! We connected with family members everywhere!

Whether you are spending time with family and friends, shopping or traveling home, I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Leslie xo

Favorite Things

You know when someone asks you what you would want to have if you were stranded on a desert island and could only have one thing? Well my answer to that question would be trail mix. Silly I know, but I seriously love the stuff and whether I'm traveling, sitting on a beach or shopping for the day, I will usually have trail mix with me. It's perfect because it's full of protein, has just enough sugar to keep me happy and you don't really have to stop doing what you are doing to eat it.  I laughed at myself  when I realized just how hooked on the stuff I am when I was packing my bags to go out of town this week. I had to make a special trip to the trail mix bar at Wegmans just so I could stock up. Here are my favorite things that I put into this batch.  Happy Friday!

Unsalted Cashews

Dried Cranberries

Unsalted Almonds

Raisins

Salted Peanuts

Dried Cherries

 Pecans

Have a fabulous weekend!

Leslie xo

Photos by Leslie Reese

Favorite Things

The Hershey Chocolate Factory has been in the news a lot lately due to the fact that The Hershey Company is planning to knock down some of the factory’s original structure. The equipment and some of the factory buildings are outdated and there is apparently no reasonable way to renovate them. Some of the demolition has already begun. When I was a little girl there were public tours of the Hershey Chocolate Factory. I remember watching the chocolate swooshing back and forth as the conches were churning and the wonderful smell of chocolate filled the air. I will never forget receiving a souvenir packet at the end of the tour that contained a full size Hershey’s candy bar and a package of Hershey’s Cocoa. I have lived in Hershey most of my life and as I watched a local news report this past week, I was reminded of the rich history of this factory and I couldn’t help but feel truly fortunate to have experienced a piece of it myself.  It made me sad to see the reporter standing in the same place that I stood over 40 years ago but now the building was empty and dusty and the conches were retired.  So, as sad as it is, life moves on and progress happens. We have to embrace change and look forward to new things. I am just happy that I had the chance to experience the Hershey Chocolate Factory when it was thriving. It's something I will be able to tell my grandchildren someday. Today I thought it would be fun to share some photos of  one of the "Sweetest Places on Earth.”  Happy Friday!

A view of the factory smokestacks and the silos that housed cocoa beans, from Chocolate Avenue in Hershey.

An even prettier view of the factory and smokestacks.

The well-known intersection of Chocolate and Cocoa Avenues is a popular photo opportunity for tourists.

A shot of a famous Hershey’s Kiss light with a view of the water tower on top of the Hershey Chocolate Factory.

A view of the entrance to The Hershey Company on Chocolate Avenue.

The center of town, Chocolate Avenue.

The famous Hershey's Kiss street lights. Every other one is wrapped and then unwrapped.

Have a sweet weekend!

Leslie xo

Photo Credit and Copyright: Doug Reese

Read More: The Hershey Chocolate Factory

Favorite Things

It was a hectic week, and stressful for most of us on the East Coast, thanks to Sandy. My heart goes out to everyone who has suffered loss over the past few days and I pray that things return to normal soon. On the brighter side, November has arrived and the next few weeks will be quite busy with the anticipation of the holidays just around the corner. For many of us, this is the time when planning for parties and events goes into full swing. It's also when I pull out my favorite resources to make things easier. I thought I'd share some of my inspiration with you. I figured since Daylight Savings Time ends this weekend, this is what I'll do with my extra hour! Happy Friday!

Sweet Designs by Amy Atlas 

Amy Atlas, "The Sweets Stylist" responsible for creating the stylized dessert bar trend, recently published Sweet Designs. It's a wonderful book full of tips, recipes and crafting projects to help you style an unforgettable party. It’s easy to follow and is a perfect reference when I need new ideas for parties or events.

 Dylan's Candy Bar

"Candy Queen" Dylan Lauren is the daughter of clothing designer Ralph Lauren and the owner of the largest candy store in the world, Dylan's Candy Bar. Her book Dylan's Candy Bar is bursting with beautiful photos, creative ideas for celebrating and tips for decorating with candy. It includes everything from the history of some of our favorite candies to recipes for candy cocktails. I had the chance to meet Dylan last year in New York City and  I have to say, she was one of the sweetest people I have ever met. Funny how candy is her passion! I love this book and never get tired of flipping through its tempting pages. It's a great book to have if you like to throw creatively themed parties.

Real Simple Celebrations

In case you haven't noticed, I love books that help me celebrate. I feel like Real Simple Celebrations was written for me. It's a great book full of party planning ideas for every occasion. It includes everything from prep, tableware and etiquette to recipes and decorating ideas. The ideas are simple, classy and creative. I absolutely love this book!

Cupcakes and Cashmere

Cupcakes and Cashmere , by well known blogger Emily Schuman, is a great little book about entertaining, decorating and creating your own sense of style.  Emily seems to know the importance of celebrating the little things in life and that's why I love the book. It's a great guide for living an inspired life.

Spend time doing what inspires you and have a wonderful weekend!

Leslie xo

Favorite Things

Halloween seems to be in full swing this week. Parades are marching, kids are Trick-or-Treating and costume parties are going on. It's a fun time of year. I have fond memories of running through my neighborhood as a kid with my sisters on Halloween night. We wore our store bought costumes that came in a box and carried our plastic Halloween bags to collect our candy. It was simple and it was fun. The best part of the night was running home when Trick-or-Treat was over so we could dump out all of our loot and put it into piles to count it. My kids, although they wore cooler costumes, did the same thing. It was all about the candy! So as the celebrations continue and your sweet tooth starts calling, enjoy the season and have some fun! Halloween only comes once a year! I'll be digging into my favorites too! Happy Friday!

Black & Orange Gumdrops ~ a current favorite

Wax Bottles ~ back in the day

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups ~ then & now

Black Licorice ~ always at the party

Sour Gummy Worms ~ believe it or not, a current favorite

Charms Blow Pops ~ always a great find in the Trick-or-Treat bag

Black, Orange & Yellow Jelly Beans ~ a forever favorite

Have a wonderful weekend! 

Leslie xo

Photos by Leslie Reese

Favorite Things

This past Monday, I had a wonderful opportunity to travel to New York City to attend the Martha Stewart Weddings Bridal Market Party on behalf of Best Friends for Frosting, an online dessert magazine. As a contributor for BFFF, I was asked to represent our team at the event. It was an assignment I was happy to accept. The evening was spectacular and I am still pinching myself because I feel like I was dreaming. You can read about my experience at Best Friends For Frosting but for today's post, it only seems fitting that I share my favorite moments from the night. I hope you all had a great week. Happy Friday!

The Party

I was so excited that I could take two of my daughters, Lynsie and Elizabeth, with me. We had so much fun together.

We were fortunate enough to be standing front and center when Martha Stewart and Darcy Miller kicked off the evening.

I was thrilled to meet Darcy Miller, Editorial Director for Martha Stewart Weddings

We were honored to be guests at the (unofficial) wedding ceremony of Alex Pelling and Lisa Gant, the couple behind the blog 2 People 1 Life.

Watching famous cake designer Sylvia Weinstock personally deliver and serve a cake she designed for Alex and Lisa.

Chatting with American jazz musician Steve Tyrell.

I just loved the flowers on the wedding cake.

A paper dress from Paper Posy Designs.

The sugar flower I brought home from the Sugar Flower Cake Shop.

The amazing talent of Sandy Patangay, from Creme Delicious. I was amazed at the detail in her Henna Cake.

Martha Stewart Living Behind the Scenes Tour

The fascinating inspiration boards made to create the magazine pages at Martha Stewart Living.

Cake stands, cake stands, cake stands!

The prop house for magazine photo shoots.

A gingerbread house that was in the middle of construction. I wonder if we will be seeing this in the holiday edition of Martha Stewart Living.

The lesson for this week is Never Say Never! Have a wonderful weekend!

Leslie xo

Photos by Leslie Reese

Favorite Things

Life rushes by at such a fast pace and when we get busy with all that we have going on, we often forget to stop and pay attention to the little things. There are so many small joys that happen every day. Something as simple as a morning sky, a blooming flower or a person walking by can turn into one of life's best moments, if you take time to notice it. Here are a few of my favorite moments from the week. Happy Friday!

Waking up to a gorgeous sunrise during a weekend trip to the beach.

My mother's homemade vegetable soup with a side of gourmet potato chips.

An accidental mix of hazelnut and pumpkin spice coffee that ended up being one of the best tasting lattes ever.

Our first fire of the season.

Watching my grandson create a masterpiece with his own little hands.

Don't forget to look for the little things! Have a wonderful weekend!

Leslie xo

Favorite Things

Pink ranunculus from a trip to The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch in California.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Somehow we are all affected by this disease. Maybe we have been diagnosed or a family member, friend or someone we know has been diagnosed. Take time this month to become more aware. Help someone fight. Support someone in need. Encourage someone. But most of all, pay attention to the little things in life  and celebrate the good. Let's all "Get Our Pink On" in honor of women everywhere. Here are some of my favorite pink things. Happy Friday!

A pretty pink tea set from my grandmother. Something I treasure.

Pink iced animal cookies.

Pink decorating sugar.

Sugar cookies with pink icing.

Pink peonies.

 Breast Cancer Awareness bracelets from Pura Vida &  Rose Quartz bracelet that I designed.

Essie nail polish in Good Morning Hope, debuting this month to support National Breast Cancer Awareness.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Leslie xo

Photos by Leslie Reese

Favorite Things

Football season is in full swing and heading out for a big game is always fun. The tailgating, the energy; what’s not to love? But sometimes those Saturday afternoon seats on the couch can get a little boring. It’s just not the same as watching the home team take the field while you’re jumping on the bleachers at a college game. For me, grabbing a few of my favorite things for “home” games helps make football season a lot more fun. Happy Friday!

I still love flipping through magazines. I don't think it will ever get old.

A perfect time for updating my manicure to a fun, fall color.

Popcorn & Raisinets {my twin sister's invention} a perfect football snack.

Wine isn't just for tailgating...

Pinterest. In case of overtime...

Have a wonderful weekend!

Leslie xo

Photos by Leslie Reese