Comments : 36

Hi well we are back…….hard to believe summer is over and fall is just around the bend.? The wonderful group I am a part of, By invitation Only takes a reprise over the summer and resumes in the fall….so here we are!

by-invitation-only

Today’s post is on sharing. We can interpret it any way we choose.? I had to think about this one. With an exceptionally busy week, unfortunately I did not have as much time to put into this? as I would have liked but I did the best I could given the limited time I had.

I am so happy to be a part of this exceptional group of bloggers and hope you will consider stopping by the brainchild of this wonderful group, Marsha’s? beautiful blog, Splenderosa to see what she has done as well as check out the links to all the other participants, there is always an incredibly inspiring group of posts to read.

So here is what I did……

I took the letters in S H A R I N G and came up with something to share that means something to me, ready to begin? Here we go…..

 

 

S

Solitude. I never thought I would say it….. I, the one who is “Miss Social”? and loves to be with people, my friends, the one who thinks there is no such thing as too many invitations to fun events, LOVES her solitude!? Funny how things change…..

a08981e2c91f62e68839905a29f9a22c

 

Don’t get me wrong I still love my friends more than words can possibly describe, and still adore? meeting new people and of course enjoy going out and celebrating with those I care about but I am as comfortable being alone as I am being with others.

 

1d536f6eaac5b0c3e93ba350ed02da5e

I have no problem going to a movie by myself or any other place for that matter and actually enjoy my own company. Car rides alone are amongst my favorite. I love the silence and chance to think…..it is golden. If someone told me even ten years ago I would actually like and anticipate solitude I would have laughed at them but ironically I really? have come to see the value in it, not all the time but at certain times. It is almost a form of meditation for me and is an important part of my life now.

8a3c1f03837e57b2149e5e812de0e071

 

 

H

Helping out. I believe in doing what you can. For some they are able to give big, or donate generously while for others donations might be small but with big hearts. For some its money and writing out a check, others its their labor and using their hands or minds.

I am my happiest when I am helping out others. It has always been a part of who I am ever since I was very young. I get a lot of emails from readers who ask me my opinion on everything from where to eat and stay in NY to paint colors in my home to brands of towels I like to what kind of olive oil I favor (yes I am serious). I really make it a point to answer as many emails as I can because I do believe in helping out if you are able.

544d03f2661c8dca98136ca4ac3a1648

A few months back, I answered one reader on some things she had asked my advice on, I remembered it well because there were several questions and my first thought was to tell her this would fall under my e design services but that day I had some spare time and was feeling generous, so? I just answered her questions.? She was so grateful for my reply and that was that, she did ask my address and I figured she wanted to write me a thank you note.

Then a few weeks later, she followed up with the most wonderful basket of Italian goodies from one of my favorite spots in NYC (she remembers my mentioning this place in a post)? telling me how my advice on helping her with her new apt. gave her renewed hope and inspiration and she went on to explain that her husband had passed away just three months ago and she was struggling to make this new life for herself. She used the words that “I helped to change her life”.? I cannot tell you how overjoyed? and overwhelmed I was that I had taken the time to respond that day (having? no idea what she had been through). So do what you can, big or small, you never know the impact it might have on someone…….

d9afa8c1875e068aa8373c36bd9eff0a

 

 

A

AM. I am my best in the morning, very early morning. I get up normally at around 5:30 naturally. There are days I wish I could actually sleep in but I think I have forgotten what that even is. Ironically though when the house is very quiet and all you hear is the brewing of my coffee machine, the early am hours are treasured. I often do my “best work” in the morning and find the peace and solitude incredibly inspiring and calming. In fact guess what time it is as I am writing this…..5:44 am (and my Peets coffee is right next to me to insure I wake up and am fired up for the day)!

Coffee-and-Computer-796269

 

 

R

Realizing dreams. This is a big one for me. I have always been a dreamer, ever since I can remember. I always had a very vivid imagination and nothing ever felt off limits and like it wasn’t possible. But I often stopped at the dreaming stage, didn’t move on to the actual pursuance.? Now that I am in my “late 40″s” I am realizing time is not slowing down if anything it seems to be speeding up! I am finding myself getting a little braver and a little bolder in taking that next step from having a dream to actually realizing a dream (and I am just getting started)!

ceeb72a7b30befe0cdb84f284e028aa8

The tole line is one example, I had always wanted to create a line and this time I bit the bullet and just went for it. I always say I don’t want to be 85 and wonder “what if”. So I am getting a little more brazen with my dreams and chances are when you look at someone whom you admire who has achieved something that you aspire to, the only difference between you and them is that they had the gumption to pursue their dream.

 

 

I

Instagram! I admit I am a bit of a convert. I never understood it and though I am hardly addicted as some are, I have to say it is awesome to be able,? with the click of a button to see so many incredible inspiring images at my fingertips. Talk about instant gratification! I have discovered some amazing things from Instagram,? from recipes to new designers, incredible travel destination to talented architects. Instagram is indeed quiet a nifty little app! Some of my recent favorites…….

?uasdfannamed unnaasdfamed unnameasdfd unnamfadsed unnamfdfed unnasdaamed

 

N

Nature. I have to admit the older I get the more I am drawn to, inspired by and crave nature. Is there anything more amazingly beautiful? I feel so calm when I get to walk amongst the trees or spend a little time in my tiny garden. Whether I am at a nursery or arboretum, I am always inspired by the gift of nature, and in all four seasons there is always something magical to behold. I honestly never feel as calm and as at peace as I do when I am surrounded by nature and the older I get the more I cherish and value it, every single season.

 

trees

 

G

And last but not least….. girlfriends of course! Life would be so boring without them!? I think if you are lucky to have one great friend, you are very blessed. To have more you are incredibly lucky. I consider myself incredibly lucky. Time spent with my friends is always cherished and anticipated. Even with our busy schedules, we always carve out the time to see each other even if its not quite as often as it used to be.

We have all forged our own paths and many of us are pursing different interests now that our kids are spreading their wings but special time with friends is such an important part of my life and a necessity to keep me happy, balanced and thriving! So a special thank you to each and every one of them, and that goes to my blogging friends and my readers too!

?girls

 

Well there you go. Anything here resonate with you? If so, what? I would love to know. Thank you as always for stopping in. I love hearing from you, if? you want to see other interpretations of this sharing post click here? to visit? Splenderosa where the entire list of participants will be listed. Hope you have? a beautiful day!

 

A special current promotion was announced last night, only on for 2 days, this is a goodie! Below is a sneak peek, click here to see the promotion.

tttunnamed

uLEOPARDnnamed

willaim utallannamed ustripepillowsnnamed unnameDFFDd

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

BRILLIANT !!!!! If this is what yu do when you don’t have a lot of time then goodness knows what you would do if you had all the time in the world !!!!! Loved it. XXXX

This is probably my favorite of all of your posts! Thank you for the reminders this morning…and thank you for “H”~ I wonder who was more blessed by your helping. πŸ˜‰

Good morning kindered spirit. I’m just slightly on the other side of 50, started a new company and can relate to all of your letters in ‘sharing’…and am drinking Peet’s myself. Thank you for penning your thoughts so well for all. Be blessed!

Thank you as always for “sharing” your talent. I love that you used the letters for your post. Isn’t it the best when you do something for someone and it turns out like that?so gratifying?happy Tuesday, Tina!

Tina!!!! Here I am at school very early, before I start my planning for the day. I am like you in many ways, as I too need to be with people, but I also enjoy solitude in order to think creatively. I am an early riser and I need to move!!!!!

I believe you will make your dreams come true. You already have in so many ways, and on a much smaller scale, I too have made my dreams of living in a french cointry home come true as well.

oh! There is the first hour bell….I go on for third hour so I better go…happy day anita

Tina, such a lovely, thoughtful and creative take on our topic. I just love it. Once again you remind me that we are kindred spirits on many levels, as several of the things you cover here things we share – for instance, the early bird thing. I get up at 5:30 to and it’s 5:50 now as I type away. Don’t know what I’d do without my Nespresso! The balance between social and solitude, the importance of giving, the absolute necessity of good girlfriends. Couldn’t agree more. And I’m very thankful for all my blogging friends, too. Hope to see you soon!

Have a beautiful day! XOXO

Acts 20:35 – “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” What a blessing you were to that precious lady asking questions. Many would have brushed her aside. But it only took a few minutes of your time, and look what a blessing you gave her. How many times do we miss these opportunities because we are busy. Thank you for the reminder to stop and ALWAYS be willing to offer assistance.

Thank you for opening up your inner thoughts and feelings … your quote you post is so timely for me as I have just turned 50 and am feeling like I need to dream much bigger for this next stage in my life. I want to look back and say” I did it” not, “I wonder if I could have…”
Many blessings to you… and your blog is one of the first I always open!

Good late morning Tina:-)
Appreciate this blog it is so right on!

My solitude makes me a better person for those around me. As for nature;
I am drawn to the beauty of the emerald green waters of the gulf or the view
of looking across the bay with with a full moon.

Giving from the heart has a way of returning no matter how large or small
A kind word to someone will “make your day”

You have become a part of my morning ritual along with the coffee and newspaper. I find your blog more uplifting than the newspaper.

Love the new pillows….

What an amazing post Tina and this affirms why I love your blog so much, you are way beyond the pretty pictures. Thank you for sharing your thoughts- I also love my alone time and need to have a little bit every day, also why I do yoga.
I loved what you said about helping out and agree even the smallest gestures can be a huge deal to someone else. And dreams, everything you said about them has me rethinking a few of my own that have fallen to the back burner, time to start making them a priority again!

As always, I love your take on things! Have you seen the latest issue of O magazine? Oprah talks about how people would be surprised at home much time she spends alone. Lot lonely. Just alone?.so she is another who cherishes her solitude. (Me, too!). The story of the woman you helped is such confirmation to the belief of helping when you can. I tell my boys this all the time. You never know when something simple that you can do to help will actually mean a LOT to the receiver. Your story is proof! I’m a night owl, but continue to dream that I might wake up early one day! πŸ™‚ And, girlfriends?yes! I have always been a girl’s girl and I’ve learned from my mom, in her mid 70s now, that they are the ones who will be there for you.

Enjoy this moody day!
xoxo Elizabeth

Wow, my long lost kindred spirit… I can relate to all of this and you articulated it so well thank you. The only exception is the morning bird.. I am more of the night owl, vampire type :). Well done my friend!

tina, these are truly beautiful reflections of your heart and mind. wish i had a friend like you in my offline life which at the moment feels unsettled. thank you for uplifting words of encouragement and optimism…we cannot have too many.

Oh what an enchanting post! Such wisdom, and such beautiful sentiments.. All expressed with warmth and eloquence, and accompanied by evocative images. Thanks so much for sharing!

Loved this post! I agree with the dreaming section. I too have always been a dreamer and drove my hubby crazy sometimes with my ideas. I think now he gets it and sees that my dreams are coming true with my blog. Something I wanted to do forever. I love your tole line and didn’t realize you design it! That’s incredible! It’s always great to have friends too! Love mine! πŸ™‚

What a lovely post, Tina! All so well said and each “letter” really resonated with me (not surprising since we have much in common.) I love the topic of sharing…it is so appropriate to the blogging world which is based on us all coming together and sharing! Have a beautiful day…it is starting to feel like fall! xoxo

Hello, my beautiful Tina!

I always LOVE reading more about you and your beautiful soul! You’re so inspiring!

I totally agree about helping others. There’s nothing more fulfilling than that!

Have a great day, Tina!

Luciane from HomeBunch.com

Tina-Poo, what a delightful contribution to our “By Invitation Only” you are!
This post is brilliant and creative, and totally original.
I love driving alone also, without music, just thinking, looking at the scenery, and sometimes solving world-class problems behind the wheel. Beautiful how you used S.H.A.R.I.N.G. OK, I’m finally going to get into Instagram just because of those images you posted up. xx’s

Hello Tina dearest
I arrive late to share your lovely post, in this busy old week…so much here rings true for me ( except early starts are exclusively for flowers work and flights to holidays:))
…but seriously, I think most especially the sharing of ourselves together, right here is very special and so important to life. You and the gifted girls who write and share so much that we both enjoy..from decor to petals to the exact same outfit or quote.. you are like close friends to me for whom I feel deeply grateful,much affection and I am inspired every day
Thank you…..for sharing…
Have a happy and enjoyable week, xxxx

Hi Tina,

This was a fun read. I totally get the solitude thing – I go nuts if I don’t have my quiet time and the older I don’t mind eating dinner publicly alone or going to a film alone. Funny, how we change like that.

Keep dreaming?I am certain you have lots more in store for us.

Peets coffee? THE BEST!!!

Love,
Deb xo

Tina thank you for sharing so many poignant thoughts with all of us. Whenever I learn more about you I always realize how much more we have in common than I had originally thought…solitude is just one example. It is something I truly do cherish! I hope you will visit when you have time!

xoxo
Karena
Stunning Fine Art Photography by Darryll Schiff

Great post, Tina! I’m an early bird too. Love those needlepoint blue and white pillows in your shop!! Added those to my Christmas wishlist. Good luck getting ready for your big party this weekend. I am sure it will be a smashing success!

Join the World of the Enchanted Home!

Subscribe

Instagram

Designed and Developed by BNV Digital Marketing