Super Woman

New Year's was SERIOUSLY a great time.  How about for you? 

I got to be creative (what I love) by putting together a FAB gold glitter DIY 2014 sign & spend some much needed time with my husband & friends.  However - this new year will be a time to reflect on my business, my marriage, my health & more.   In the midst of everything,  I've been trying to listen to God's voice.  Like anything else, with so much going on, it's easy to miss a beat & end up doing the opposite of what I know I'm supposed to be doing.  I've made a few quirky goals for myself such as working out at least one more day a wk. & longer workouts. I'd like to get those 4-6 pack abs I had back a few years ago.  Why not?!  I'm aiming to stay healthy & maintain a stronger core, which means less back pain for me.  Another thought was painting larger paintings, I know that I tend to do a lot of little 8"x10"'s - but with the lack of time, they're easier to get through.  However, I need to focus & figure out when I could just drown out & paint. Noted.

Another thing was our on going journey to having a child.  I'm not going to lie, it's been a long road & certainly an emotional one.  There are days, I smile in public while quietly yearning for a child. I know it's a part of life to feel pain, but I'm learning that the way we deal with that pain... is what matters.  And, although I'm not ready to fully speak about this, I hope to soon. Until then, we are trusting that God is working behind the scenes for us.

Let's see....is that it?? Hmmm - now Marriage. It's not easy. Ups & downs are constant - but this year we are working to tip the scales, so that we could see more ups THAN downs. Trusting God - having family, good solid friendships & always picking ourselves back up when we fall...that is where we both want to be.  All in all, I AM blessed, and the blessings I see every day are reasons to celebrate.

My hope is to keep on inspiring women all over the globe..... to be strong, courageous, to be loving, kind, caring & to not be discouraged.  Even when I'M A MESS,  I somehow find my SUPERWOMAN vest & I put it back on.  To quote Alicia Keys....'I'm a Superwoman, yes, I am"- and we HAVE TO believe that... despite what others feel or view us as.  This year, I will strive to constantly see myself the way God sees me & I hope you ladies will do the same.  Happy New Year!!

-images by  jen ramos

Pieces of my Life

fave new lacquer "slapper" by butter london & ring is the michael kors chain ring

personalized flatware from the loving spoon

clear spiked tray from the way we are

darla

my fave hot chocolate by mariebelle and some great reads in our bedroom.

-images by jen ramos

New Year + New Sofa

Happy New Year everyone! 

Ever since we moved to our new apartment (about a month in a half ago) - we've been sitting on the floor. My back has been KILLING ME & watching tv was a hassle.  Amazing.... the things we take for granted. 

Now I know how BLESSED we are to say, we FINALLY have our sofa! It's a gorgeous tufted gray velvet beauty from Jayson Home & Garden. 

Aaaah, what a great New Year's gift! If you recall, I posted about it here & even ran a poll on my blog for a few weeks asking YOU to choose a color. Even though the charcoal won the poll, I ended up choosing the 2nd favorite - gray! The sofa is called Rockefeller sofa - and it comes in many colors. I've always wanted a velvet sofa & so did my husband, so this was an easy choice. I'm debating on whether to replace the painting over the sofa, to something a little more muted or to match the rug? Hmmm.

What do you think? Of course, I would have to S-E-L-L the painting that's already there if that was the case. Below are some resources for most of the items below.

I know, the kitchen looks BORING, but we like it clutter free.

 

By the way- the large abstract painting below used to be the large lipstick dots painting- remember? You can see it in my las vegas home.
 

Please leave a comment - let me know what you think. It's amazing how much can fit into a 975 sq foot NYC apartment! I'll say it before & I'll say it again, we are very blessed & I thank God for the home we have.

Python X-Benches via Zhush

Gray Velvet Rockfeller Sofa via Jayson Home & Garden

8"x10" Rug Madeline Weinrib 

Skull (gift) similar here

Lucite coffee table via CB2

Jonathan Adler Meurice floor lamp

Floating shelves via IKEA

Black zig zag tibor via Emila Ceramics

Both Large paintings via my shop Cocoa & Hearts

The print "Cougar Friends" - click here then search for "cougar".

-images by jen ramos

Bits of My Week

above is the Forbidden fruit my guy made for me....scroll down & you'll see what I'm talking about!
 

 people bringing donations of all kinds for the Hurricane Sandy victims.

This line for the bus went around the corner & around 2 more corners - it was sooo long. Never seen anything like it.

The people down in the Lower East Side had no electricity & no water in their homes. It was HEARTBREAKING....

SENIORS who lived on high floors in apt buildings couldn't get down all the stairs & onto the streets to get water. We went out there with our church to HELP some of these people. We brought food, water, candles & more. Many people were standing in line at fire hydrants waiting to get water so they could bathe. On this particular day they had been WITHOUT WATER & ELECTRICITY for almost 3 days!! 

Lychee iced tea

President Obama giving his last speech as a candidate. The president's eyes teared up, it was touching. Fired up!

blue roses!

Taking my art down- getting ready to move mid month!

Below:

Forbidden Fruit - this place is down on MacDougal street here in the city. It is awesome. Those dark chocolate covered with coconut bananas were delicious!

The leather pants I'm wearing are by Adriano Goldschmied, you can buy them here.

 
-images by jen ramos