Dear Mom, A Letter to My Mother (Revisited)
Dear Mom,
From you, I've learned the value of a strong work ethic, tenacity, and the importance of leading with a warm smile. From you, I've learned the value of cultivating lifelong friendships and nurturing those friendships with love and care. From you, I've learned when to let things go that aren't important in the scheme of life and thatyou can never please everyone.
From you, I've learned to enjoy the indulgence of a Belgian chocolate, a fine pair of Italian leather shoes, freshly cut flowers, and a strong cup of coffee, with cream, in the morning. From you, I have seen the life-altering power of faith, generosity, living with integrity, having a signature perfume and 'keeping it classy'.
Dear Mom,
From you, I've learned the value of a strong work ethic, tenacity, and the importance of leading with a warm smile. From you, I've learned the value of cultivating lifelong friendships and nurturing those friendships with love and care. From you, I've learned when to let things go that aren't important in the scheme of life and that you can never please everyone.
From you, I've learned to enjoy the indulgence of a Belgian chocolate, a fine pair of Italian leather shoes, freshly cut flowers, and a strong cup of coffee, with cream, in the morning. From you, I have seen the life-altering power of faith, generosity, living with integrity, having a signature perfume and 'keeping it classy'.
From you, I learned of the mind-expanding benefits of travel, the essential nature of curiosity and that the devil is in the details. I've also learned the importance of feathering a comfortable nest and placing fresh-cut flowers bedside for family members and house guests. From you, I've learned the importance of celebrating, entertaining, and the fine art of throwing a party!!
From you, I've learned about courage. From moving to Hawaii at the young age of 19 to teach school, to taking out a rattlesnake, with a shovel, to protect us at our house in Loomis. WOW! I've learned about courage from you in that after your own losses you chose to adopt 2 baby girls, Heidi and me, and create a wonderful family life for all of us.
I learned more about grace and courage from your strength through dad's illness and passing, to embracing life and new love, years later, with Hal.
From you, I'm learning to ask for what I need and WAIT for the response, rather than acquiesce away from what I deserve (remember that hotel scene in Paris?).
From you, I've learned to live life to the fullest each day, be grateful for all that we have and look towards an even brighter future ahead.
I'm looking forward to celebrating YOU with Heidi and the family this weekend.
Love you dearly,
Heather
PS - I will never create a bouquet like you do, from flowers grown in your perfectly manicured garden, and I always love to see your colorful creations.
On another note, this will be the first Mother's Day with our grandson, Charlie, in the family. Happy first Mother's Day to his beautiful, fun loving and generous mom, Briana. Charlie is the best gift Gigi and Grandpa have ever received. xx
Charlie on StyleMindChic (my personal Instagram)
To my dear birth mom, Marcia, and sister, Dorie, I'm sending hugs and special Mother's Day wishes to you both.
Not all of us who mother actually gave birth. There are many ways to be family. To ALL who mother children, step-children, grandchildren, foster children and more, wishing you a Happy Mother's Day!
(This post was originally posted on Mother's Day 2017 on Style*Mind*Chic and updated for Curated Travel blog)
Beyond Thankful this Thanksgiving
The birth of baby Charlie, on the first of November, has added an extra dash of thankfulness, joy, and gratitude to our family holidays this season. I simply can't get enough of this sweet, expressive little face. I think he is an old soul and he is only three weeks old!
Beyond Thankful this Thanksgiving
The birth of baby Charlie, on the first of November, has added an extra dash of thankfulness, joy, and gratitude to our family holidays this season. I simply can't get enough of this sweet, expressive little face. I think he is an old soul and he is only three weeks old!
I now fully understand what the look on my dad's face was all about as he gazed at me, his newly adopted firstborn, in this image circa 1961. He knew of my marriage, my becoming a step-mom, and my 2 miscarriages before he passed. I know he would be so very happy for our family with the newest little addition. Can hardly wait to introduce Charlie to his 'great-grandma' on my side and loads of aunties, uncles, and cousins during the holiday season. The miracle and the magic of babies is something to be so very grateful for this Thanksgiving.
For those of us missing family members around the table this year sending hopes for comfort and peace.
Wishing you and yours a beautiful and blessed holiday season.
xx,
Grandma Gigi ;)
Welcome to the Family, Baby Charlie!!
Welcome to the world Baby Charlie. Grandpa and Gigi are head over heels in love with you!
Ohhhhhh Baby!
Scott and I welcomed our first grandchild to the family on November 1st. He was anxious to get here and arrived a few days ahead of schedule. Mom, dad, and baby are doing great and we (and I'm speaking for our entire family) have never, ever been happier!
Welcome to the world, sweet Charlie Daniel Clark!
We are so ready for this next chapter of life and all the joy that you bring.
Baby Charlie Raspberries!
A Sweet Summer Bébé Shower for Briana (and Our First Grandbaby) xx, Gigi
It was a sweet summer bébé shower last month for my beautiful step-daughter, Briana. We are incredibly excited for Briana and Shawn with their little one on the way. Briana's mom, Shawn's mom and I co-hosted the shower for family and friends at her mom, Danielle's, house. For me, the preparation started with flowers at home. I used a mix of pastels since they have chosen to be surprised with the gender of the baby, due in early November. I created little nosegays for use in mason jars. I added ribbons with both pink and blue colors because the ribbons (with baby motif) were just so darn cute!
A Sweet Summer Bébé Shower
It was a sweet summer bébé shower last month for my beautiful step-daughter, Briana. We are incredibly excited for Briana and Shawn with their little one on the way. Briana's mom, Shawn's mom and I co-hosted the shower for family and friends at her mom, Danielle's, house. For me, the preparation started with flowers at home. I used a mix of pastels since they have chosen to be surprised with the gender of the baby, due in early November. I created little nosegays for use in mason jars. I added ribbons with both pink and blue colors because the ribbons (with baby motif) were just so darn cute!
Scott helped me deliver the rocking chair we had ordered from their registry. We were so pleased with this piece, comfortable and stylish, that they will enjoy for years (and hopefully more babies to come!). Though this shower was only for the ladies, the men went out to brunch while we were celebrating.
A sweet summer shower for a beautiful mom-to-be and we can hardly wait for the next chapter!
xx,
Gigi
Rest in Peace: Norma Kaylor Lindstrom
We are heartbroken today that our beautiful, stylish, smart, loyal and feisty sister-in-law, Norma Kaylor Lindstrom, has lost her battle with cancer. She and her loving husband, Skip/Dean, (Scott's brother), fought this battle courageously, with optimism and deepest love. Their love story of more than 37 years is an inspiration to so many of us. I snapped this photo of Norma at our house during a family gathering several years ago and it is one of my favorites. That sly smile, that style, enjoying her family as always. She loved her grandchildren, her two sons, her daughter-in-law and her husband, fiercely. She was a loving and beloved friend to so many.
We are heartbroken today that our beautiful, stylish, smart, loyal and feisty sister-in-law, Norma Kaylor Lindstrom, has lost her battle with cancer. She and her loving husband, Skip/Dean, (Scott's brother), fought this battle courageously, with optimism and deepest love. Their love story of more than 37 years is an inspiration to so many of us. I snapped this photo of Norma at our house during a family gathering several years ago and it is one of my favorites. That sly smile, that style, enjoying her family as always. She loved her grandchildren, her two sons, her daughter-in-law and her husband, fiercely. She was a loving and beloved friend to so many.
We know you did it with courage, with grace, and on your own terms, as always, dear lady. Oh, how we miss you already, Norma.
Rest in Peace....xx
A Bridal Brunch in Newport Beach: Roses and Rosé at Zinqué
The setting was picture perfect. The rustic table, embellished with nosegays of white roses tucked into vintage urns, laced with delicate greens, and crowned with intertwining wreaths of greens and tulips from above. The vibe was definitely roses and rosé with chilled bottles of Gerard Bertrand Côte des Roses Rosé adding a blush of color to the table. This was a labor of love and creativity as Dorie created the one of a kind tablescape and arrangements through her popular design business, Broadway Botanicals.
Roses and Rosé: A Bridal Brunch
It was a warm and sunny July day in Newport Beach and the perfect time to celebrate an upcoming family wedding with a bridal brunch. My sister, Dorie Swanson, hosted the brunch for her future daughter-in-law, lovely Caitlin, at Zinqué in Lido Marina Village. It was such a treat to catch up with this branch of my family and get acquainted with Caitlin's mom and sister for the first time.
The setting was picture perfect. The rustic table, embellished with nosegays of white roses tucked into vintage urns, laced with delicate greens, and crowned with intertwining wreaths of greens and tulips from above. The vibe was definitely roses and rosé with chilled bottles of Gerard Bertrand Côte des Roses Rosé adding a blush of color to the table. This was a labor of love and creativity as Dorie created the one of a kind tablescape and arrangements through her popular design business, Broadway Botanicals.
(Click gallery for slide show)
Zinqué was a delicious choice for this special brunch and I highly recommend it for a hip, French-inspired bite or sip by the water.
The Gerard Bertrand Côte des Roses Rosé that Dorie selected for the brunch comes in a beautifully embellished bottle, carved like a rose, and perfectly suited as a favor for guests to take as a reminder of our beautiful lunch celebrating the bride-to-be.
As you can imagine, we are looking forward to a beautiful wedding in the very near future!
Dear Mom + Our MOST Exciting News Ever!!
Dear Mom,
From you, I've learned the value of a strong work ethic, tenacity, and the importance of leading with a warm smile. From you, I've learned the value of cultivating lifelong friendships and nurturing those friendships with love and care. From you, I've learned when to let things go that aren't important in the scheme of life and thatyou can never please everyone.
From you, I've learned to enjoy the indulgence of a Belgian chocolate, a fine pair of Italian leather shoes, freshly cut flowers, and a strong cup of coffee, with cream, in the morning. From you, I have seen the life-altering power of faith, generosity, living with integrity, having a signature perfume and 'keeping it classy'.
Dear Mom,
From you, I've learned the value of a strong work ethic, tenacity, and the importance of leading with a warm smile. From you, I've learned the value of cultivating lifelong friendships and nurturing those friendships with love and care. From you, I've learned when to let things go that aren't important in the scheme of life and thatyou can never please everyone.
From you, I've learned to enjoy the indulgence of a Belgian chocolate, a fine pair of Italian leather shoes, freshly cut flowers, and a strong cup of coffee, with cream, in the morning. From you, I have seen the life-altering power of faith, generosity, living with integrity, having a signature perfume and 'keeping it classy'.
From you, I learned of the mind-expanding benefits of travel, the essential nature of curiosity and that the devil is in the details. I've also learned the importance of feathering a comfortable nest and placing fresh-cut flowers bedside for family members and house guests. From you, I've learned the importance of celebrating, entertaining, and the fine art of throwing a party!!
From you, I've learned about courage. From moving to Hawaii at the young age of 19 to teach school, to taking out a rattlesnake, with a shovel, to protect us at our house in Loomis. WOW! I've learned about courage from you in that after your own losses you chose to adopt 2 baby girls, Heidi and me, and create a wonderful family life for all of us.
I learned more about grace and courage from your strength through dad's illness and passing, to embracing life and new love years later, with Hal.
From you, I'm learning to ask for what I need and WAIT for the response, rather than acquiesce away from what I deserve (remember that hotel scene in Paris?).
From you, I've learned to live life to the fullest each day, be grateful for all that we have and look towards an even brighter future ahead.
I'm looking forward to celebrating YOU with Heidi and the family this weekend. Can hardly wait!
Love you dearly, Heather
PS - I will never create a bouquet like you do, from flowers grown in your perfectly manicured garden, and I always love to see your colorful creations.
On another note, we will be celebrating Mother's Day this year with some exciting news to share.
There is something brewing in our family and it's a baby for Briana (my step-daughter) and her wonderful guy, Shawn. They gave us this sweet card, above, to announce their pregnancy. It was truly one of the most exciting moments in our lives for Scott and me. We are over the moon excited for these two. They will be amazing parents!
This will be the first grandchild for us, 'Grandpa Scott and Grandma Gigi'. Our family is growing and we couldn't be more excited!
To my dear birth mom, Marcia, recovering from surgery this week, under the care of my sister, Dorie, I'm sending hugs and special Mother's Day wishes for you both.
Not all of us who mother gave birth and life can be complicated. There are many ways to be family and to all who mother children, step-children, grandchildren and more, wishing you a Happy Mother's Day!
Date Night: Al Fresco Dinner At Home for Valentine's Day
It was an unusually warm Valentine’s Day this year. Scott had the brilliant idea of ordering in from the Chico gold standard, Bacio Catering, so that we could thoroughly enjoy our evening. Turns out this was the perfect way to enjoy a stress free date night and an al fresco dinner at home.
Date Night: Al Fresco Dinner
It's been a busy month around here and I'm in need of calming my spirit. I just discovered images of a date night at home from way back on Valentine's Day. Feels like I'm a bit behind the eight ball but I'm going to share this anyway.
The landscape outback looks far different than it does today, but the images made me smile. I hope they do for you too. A beautiful sunset, some delicious food, and a camera on a tripod can capture a mood.
This is a throwback post to February and a cozy evening spent hanging around the house.
It was an unusually warm Valentine's Day this year. Scott had the brilliant idea of ordering in from the Chico gold standard, Bacio Catering so that we could thoroughly enjoy our evening. Turns out this was the perfect way to enjoy a stress-free date night and an alfresco dinner at home.
The delicious menu (Thank you Amanda):
While Scott was putting the meal together, I had time to set the table, arrange the flowers, and sip some champagne.
Now, THIS is my idea of a fun night at home!
Watching the quality of light change -- from sunset to sundown to twilight -- is one of our favorite elements of living here with this view.
The city lights come alive on a clear night like this one. I had no idea placing the camera on a tri-pod would capture the candlelight this way. A moody soundtrack, fresh flowers, candles and twinkling lights help set the mood for date night around our house.
So does his face... :)
Whether it's a simple meal you cook together, your favorite Thai take-out boxes, or a special occasion meal like this one, a date night at home can be just as good (or better!) than going out on the town sometimes.
Do you have any favorite ideas for creating a memorable date night at home?
