Princess of Persia

I was blown away last month when I saw this editorial in the May 2010 issue of Harper's Bazaar Arabia. Gorgeous German model (and dear friend!) Alexandra Blacha knocks your socks off in this shoot, shot on location in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.  The photographer is Melissa Rodwell, styling by Sally Matthews, and hair and makeup by the incomparable Dennie Pasion (who makes me want to go dig out my crimping iron from the eighties).

Keep rockin' it, Alex!

XOXO,

Why I Never Get Anything Done

XOXO,

Blog Inspiration from Google Play

I really enjoy reading blogs, to wit, I'm currently subscribed to 124 in my blog reader, and that's after doing a bit of housekeeping a few months back and weeding some out.  And yet, I still run out of things to read.  That's where Google Play comes in-- it suggests other items that I might have missed.  Since you may not "play" Google-style, or perhaps your recommended list is different, here are a just a few goodies it turned up today:

Huh?  What kind of map is this?  It's an old Paramount Studio map of California's geographic facsimiles-- it shows places that can stand in for other locations.  (via Snarkmarket)

"How airport security changes your mood when traveling," by illustrator Penelope Jolicoeur.  (via Matador Abroad)

Begonias!  An annual event in Brussels, Belgium.  (via Bliss)

Have you found the Snipe yet, Russell?  This one put a huge smile on my face.  (via FFFFOUND!)

If you thought that last one was cute, then you might appreciate these UP-inspired engagement photos.  More at the link.  (via The Wedding Chicks)

Extraordinary Animals in the Womb: stills from a National Geographic Documentary.  More at the link.  (via Lost at E Minor)

Robert Doisneau, Love During the Occupation [1944].  (via Invisible Stories)

That's all folks!  Thanks, internets, for your evening o' fun!  It's my bedtime.  Stay tuned for more internet finds...


XOXO,

Packing Up...

Today is my last day in Dubai and I'm supposed to be doing this right now:

Figuring out how I'm getting home that giraffe I picked up in South Africa (among other things!) is going to be fun... I think I need to go out and buy another suitcase just to transport all the new things I have accumulated along the way.

But, instead, this is what I'm going to do this afternoon (and is, in fact, what I did yesterday):

And, let me just say, I'm pretty proud that at thirty I can still do this:

I'm going to miss you Dubai!

XOXO,

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls. Her husband entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize.


~Proverbs 31:10-11

I'm so proud of my parents.  Thirty-nine (39!!!) years ago my parents made a covenant before man and God to join in marriage.  She was a small town girl from South Carolina, and he, her former school bus driver, was a hot-shot university student.  They were married in their hometown and honeymooned in Charleston.


Six moves, four states, and three kids later (not to mention the death of all but one of their parents), they're still going strong.  I've watched them support each other through times of feast and times of famine.  My mom has been the helpmeet that God intended her to be to my father, and my dad has faithfully ministered to his family, working hard to support us.


Thank you for your commitment to one another and to God.  I pray that the two of you enjoy many more fruitful years together.

XOXO,

One Year Later

It was one year ago today that I received news that would be forever imprinted upon my heart: my dear Grandma had passed away.  She really was the most incredible woman I've ever known-- a God-fearing woman who was devoted to her family.  She was brave-- she enlisted in the war (WWII) after her boyfriend died while fighting.  She decided she wanted to fight in his place, and at the age of twenty, she left her home in Brooklyn behind and travelled to Georgia for training.  She was stationed in Miami, where she met my grandfather, and later settled in South Carolina, where she lived until she died.

My sister scanned these pictures (among others) last year.  I've included a smattering-- they focus on Grandma, but some also feature my grandfather, my great grandmothers, my great aunt, my mother, and my uncle.  I think these pictures capture something of Grandma's spirit-- that of woman who was nurturing and brought joy to those around her.  She was a dear friend, and always up for just about anything.  I miss you, Grandma!

XOXO,

Lillian Vera Herbrandt Howard Beach, Long Island, NY July 28, 1931

May 3, 1942

George Wyman and Lillian V. Herbrandt Stiefel October 21, 1944 Wedding Day

6 years 4 months old. March 1, 1930 at school Miss Geharst Grade 1B

Palisades Park, NY Aug 29, 1941

1942

Polly's Rock and Round Top Mountain in background Catskill Mountains, NY Aug 1943

Anna Marie Nickens Herbrandt and Lillian Vera Herbrandt (Stiefel) Jones Beach, July 5, 1942

George F., George W., Lillian H., and Melanie C. Stiefel Dec 25, 1956

Lillian V. Herbrandt and Anna Marie Nickens Herbrandt Jones Beach June 5, 1942

Lillian Vera Herbrandt and Anna Marie Herbrandt Lillian wearing favorite rust dress she made Palisades Park NJ Aug 29, 1941

Anna Marie Herbrandt, Ben Tumulty, Lillian Herbrandt 1941 Rye Beach

Statue of Ponce de Leon St Augustine, Fla. Lillie Mae Stiefel, Lillian H. Stiefel, Claude Stiefel, and Melanie Claire Stiefel

George Bach & Lillian Herbrandt Boundbrook, NJ

Bus ride from Davis & Geck Margie Egan and Lillian V. Herbrandt at Lake Ronkonkoma Aug 9, 1941

Beta Sigma Beta Club   Bottom Row L to R:  Nancy, Anna, Adele Curnan, Dorothy Shuman, Doris Lightfine, Rose Macaluso, Ann Turano, Lill, Rose   Top row L to R:  Roy, Walter Wilber, Peter Cuso, Peter Andrews, Alf Englund, John Osterita, Vincent DeMilo, Angelo Geraci   Sun 6-1-40  Picnic at Valley Stream  on the step of Valley Stream High School

Lillian Herbrandt Stiefel and George F. Stiefel  Dec 30, 1945

Melanie Claire (with Sparky), Lillian H., and George F. Stiefel (with Bootsie) posing for Graniteville Herald

Melanie Claire & Lillian H. Stiefel & Brownie

Lillian Herbrandt Stiefel, Juliette Hughes, Louise Barton, Margaret Timmerman, and Mildred Leopard, and Adelene Hite  1944   Women in Graniteville Company payroll and real estate departments

Lillian Herbrandt Stiefel and Melanie Claire Stiefel    St Augustine, Fla   June 1956

Marilyn Converse & Lillian Vera Herbrandt   March 1944

Hazel Pitts Barr, Melanie Claire Stiefel, Anna Nickens Herbrandt, George Wyman Stiefel, Lillian Herbrandt Stiefel, and George Franklin Stiefel   New Haven, Conn.

George F., Lillian H., and Melanie Claire Stiefel (7 weeks old), October 26, 1952

Lillian H. Stiefel, George F. Stiefel, and Jacko the Monkey  Oct 1952

Melanie Claire (7 weeks old), Lillian H., George Franklin, and George Wyman Stiefel   Oct 26, 1952

Jessie Mae and Claudia, and Lillian H. Stiefel  Aug 1949