Dreams of visiting distant countries enter my head. I am working on my dream vacation board and one of my top picks is planning a trip to Paris. This great European city has so much to offer for travelers; from fashion to architecture to historic landmarks to museums. There are so many amazing things that I would like to see, that I would have to make sure that I plan it right. Tops on the my list to visit is one of the greatest museums in the world, The Louvre.
The Louvre
The Louvre has the infamous Mona Lisa; but there are also great traveling exhibits that should not be missed. Right now, the museum is showing an exhibition on the Late Raphael from October 11, 2012 to January 14, 2013. Raphael is an Italian master painter and architect from the High Renaissance period. His artwork looks so life like that it is as if I could reach my hand into the portrait and become a part of the moment. When I was in college I had an art class and studied Raphael. It would be so surreal to see his artwork in person. My hubby and I love to visit museums and historic places and this would be the ultimate place to see.
Planning
The first step to planning this awesome trip is envisioning it and seeing it. So to start, I am creating a dream board. A dream board is a place where I can put my dreams up and in front of me where I can see it. The board would contain photographs and articles on all of the places I want to visit while in Paris.
The photographs and articles can be on the Refrigerator, or it you can create a push-pin board and it can be placed in a room where you can see it daily or a scrapbook would be a great way to have it all together.
You have to think big and look outside of the box when it comes to your dreams. How big can you dream?
As my hubby and I prepared our Thanksgiving Dinner, we had two sous chefs to help us. Gio (the beagle) and Vinny (the collie) decided that they wanted to make sure that I carefully and accurately prepared the dressing. They kept a close eye on me while I prepared it.
Gio and Vinny keeping a close eye on me.
Along with the dressing, we also had roasted duck, cooked cabbage and macaroni and cheese. When i was a little girl, I remember my grandmother roasting a duck during the holidays. However, I had never made one for myself. I searched for a recipe and found one that proved to be so easy and tasty. If you are looking something different for your next holiday meal or family gathering, I highly recommend a duck.
Day Nineteen
I thank God for the opportunity to travel with my wife to Memphis early this year for the Duran Duran concert. My wife had always wanted to attend a Duran Duran concert; but never had the chance to do so. She grew up listening to the tunes of this British band and seeing them in concert was a dream come true for her. It warmed my heart to look over at her during the concert and seeing her sing the countless hits. But I have to admit, I was singing along myself. We had a great time and enjoyed our first, but brief, visit to Memphis.
Day Twenty
I thank God that my wife and I had the opportunity to witness the great horse show known as Cavalia when it came to our city. My wife and I love animals and horses are high our list of favorites. The show was a belated Valentine’s Day present because we couldn’t celebrate on the actual day. We were in the second row and were so close to the horses. The show included horses from all over the world and featured acrobatics, trick riding and horse stunts. The two-hour show include a back stage tour of the horse stables. I can’t recommend this show enough.
Day Twenty-One
I thank God that my wife and I had the chance to see the Lion King musical at the Fabulous Fox Theater as a birthday treat for me. This was our first Broadway musical and the first time that I had ever gone to the Fox. It was indeed a treat for us. The Fox is an ornate theater built in the 1920s. The architecture is indeed over the top; but that is what makes the Fox so great. The Lion King proved to be better than what I could have imagined. I was not a big fan of musicals, but the Lion King changed my opinion of that.
The holidays are now in full swing. Having just celebrated Thanksgiving last week and soon Christmas will be here before we even know it,and then New Year’s Eve. If there are any holiday parties or family gatherings on your social calendar, you will need to get started sooner rather than later,to find that perfect outfit.
Purchasing your outfit online offers makes shopping easy as you are able to make the purchase from the comfort of your own home. Bonmarche.co.uk offers collections of gorgeous plus size clothes from dressed-up elegance to comfortable casual. While I am not a plus size; I often hear that it is hard to find cute clothes in plus sizes. Well definitely this is a site for you to check out.
The type of gathering that you are attending will usually determine your outfit. A family gathering may call for jeans and sweater; but for a work party you may need dress it up a bit. It is always a good idea to ask your party’s host for what the proper attire should be. It is not a good thing for you to arrive at a party and to be completely dressed up. For me I have found that its always best to be a bit overdressed for an event. To not feel awkward, please ask first what the dress attire is so you are well prepared.
The dress below is so figure-flattering and the sizes run from 18 to 24. A faux-wrap dress is always a winner in my book. I love the draping at the waist, how it cinches in and elongates the body.
I picked this blouse below from the selection of ladies tops because the blouses are so flattering. This blouse looks like there are two pieces, a sequined tank and a jacket overlay.Well it is actually a 2-in-1the tank and overlay are attached. It gives the illusion of being separate. The sizes in this blouse run from 12 to 24. I can see this top with a black velvet skirt and black tights with knee high boots and silver and gold accessories such as bangle bracelets and abstract-hooped earrings.
The sizes are English standard sizing; so a UK Size 10 would be equivalent to a US size 12 and a UK Size 12 would be equivalent to a 14 and so on.
I had to include the video of this pretty dress, love the design. I did not see it on the website; but wanted to show you the detail of the dress.
Day Fifteen
I thank God that, in spite of the hustle and bustle of life, I still have a place that I can go to get away from all of it. And that place is my home. My home provides me with a place to spend time with my wife and my doggies and to get a release from all that is going on in my life. With a full-time job and volunteering at my church my schedule full most of the time. It is great to have my home to be a quiet place and a refuge that gives me the chance to rest, recharge and prepare for the next day and its challenges.
Day Sixteen
I thank God for Gio and Vinny, my two doggies. They are a rowdy and boisterous duo; but they provide a spark of vitality to our house. Gio, the big brother, is a beagle who is always on the hunt for squirrels in the backyard. Vinny, the little brother, is a Collie is always wanting to play with this big brother. Their personalities are completely different. Gio is needy and loud and Vinny is laid back. Gio talks to me with deep stares and tail wagging. Vinny talks back with ruff ruff and roul roul . But I won’t have them any other way.
Day Seventeen
I thank God that my wife loves me for who I am; but also wants me to be better. I know that I am a work-in-progress. We all are. But my wife loves me in spite of my flaws and all. She just doesn’t leave me with my flaws and weaknesses; but she helps me to improve myself and shows me a better way. She hasn’t given up hope on me and is always helping me strive to do better. I love her for that. Being a better man is not just for me; but for God first and her too. If I can make myself better, it will make me a better man and husband for her. We both benefit from it.
Day Eighteen
I thank God that my wife is always helping me through difficult situations with her Godly wisdom and advice. God has placed in my wife so much wisdom and knowledge that she knows the right words to say or the right advice to give. I can always count on God first and wife to see me through the difficult situations and be right there with me. It is as if God is speaking directly to me through her yielded voice. I am amazed by what God is doing in her life to help me grow and becoming a better person.
Learn More About JT
Bubbling with Elegance and Grace started out as an outlet for my passion for fashion but has evolved into a place for me to teach, collaborate, and inspire. My hubby has since joined the team and we have been digital creators for 13 years. We are thankful for those who believed in us from the beginning and those who have just started riding with us on this lovely journey.
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