Stephanie Verni's Blog, page 70

Classically Beautiful

Classically Beautiful Novels available at Anthropologie

On Sunday, my daughter completed her History Day Project. She had chosen Jane Austen as her subject, as she wanted to study someone from history who was a woman and had a literary connection. As the parameters of the assignment were pretty broad, she decided Jane was a good fit for the project.

Of course, I wholeheartedly agreed, and I had a great time helping her research and understand Austen and her role in generating readers.

When we think of the classics, we tend to think that perhaps they are difficult to read and understand. I do my best to urge my students in my writing classes to give some of these classic writers a chance, as I constantly encourage them to pick up Dickens, Austen, the Bronte sisters, Hemingway, or whomever they chose. Austen’s universal appeal remains that she writes about real people, what it was like to be a woman in her time, social class distinction, courtship, romance, and the like–all subjects that are still rather interesting to read about today. Additionally, her characters are well drawn, appealing, and interesting. But perhaps it is Austen’s humor and wit that keeps us engaged, as she had the uncanny ability to write people as she saw them, and then fictionalize them.

Anthropologie: Classic Books

If you, like me, love these well-told stories, perhaps consider adding lovely bound copies of these books to your library. These classically beautiful editions of a variety of books can be purchased at one of my favorite stores, Anthropologie, where I typically shop for clothes. Gorgeously designed, these novels would make a lovely gift or addition to anyone’s bookshelves. I am a firm believer in giving the gift of reading, especially when it is presented as charmingly as these, and there is no denying the warmth books add to decor and space.

To get more ideas and become inspired to decorate with books, visit a couple of my previous posts: Decorating with Books, and Decorating with Books Part Two.

On one particular shelf in my home, I keep my collection of fashion and style books…while these are not literary classics, they are my staples to style. Any collection can be beautiful, and I am on my way to building a literary classics library to call my own.

My collection of style books…classically beautiful to me. Especially Audrey. :-)

 

Filed under: On Life Tagged: Bronte sisters, building a classics library, classics, decorating with books, Dickens, Featured, Hemingway, Jane Austen, reading the classics, style library

Acceptable “B” Words for a BETTER You

Bonjour, Beautiful Blogosphere Buddies,

As I’ve BEEN thinking about how to make the world around me prettier and lovelier, I BEGAN thinking about how when we make changes in our lives, everything can become more positive. As I pondered this, I was getting dressed this morning. I had to run errands, and I wanted to wear something pretty and feel good about myself. Positive affirmations are real, and we need to accept our lives for what they are and be happy and contented with ourselves. I truly BELIEVE this.

I searched for “positive ‘B’ words,” and from the site Positive Words Research, the list BELOW popped up indicating positive words that start with that letter.

BEATIFY, BEATITUDE, BENEFICIAL, BENEFIT, BENEVOLENT, BELOVED, BEST, BETTER, BLESS – BLESSING – BLESSED, BLISS – BLISSFULNESS – BLISSFUL, BLOOM, BLOSSOM, BALANCE – BALANCED, BEAUTY – BEAUTIFUL – BEAUTIFULLY, BELONG – BELONGING, BOLDNESS, BRAVERY, BRILLIANCE – BRILLIANT, BLISS ON TAP, BEYOND FABULOUS, BIOPHILIA, BRIGHT, BRIGHTNESS, BALISTIC, BLASTING, BLAZING, BLINDING, BREATHTAKING, BUBBLING, BUSTING, BLISSCIPLINE, BUYANCY, BULLISHNESS, BRISKNESS, BUOYANCY, BREEZINESS, BRIO, BE EXTRAORDINARY, BE HAPPY, BEAUTIFY, BEING AT REST, BENEFACTOR, BENEFITS, BENEVOLENCE, BENEVOLENTLY, BENEVOLENTLY CHEERFUL STATE OF MIND, BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS, BEYOND, BEAUTY IN ALL THINGS, BEINGNESS, BELIEVABLE, BLOOD-BROTHERS, BOHEMIAN SOUL, BOHO-SOUL.

Those words are all poetic in their own right, for sure. They are indeed, positive words we can incorporate into our own lives. Then, there are everyday things that can make us feel good, too. So I decided to make my own list of “B” words that make me feel BETTER about myself. Below is what can put me in a positive mood.

It may seem like such a little thing, but my BIKE makes me very happy. BEING on my BIKE and riding it around offers a sense of freedom and allows me to feel like a kid again.
This BLANKET SCARF makes me happy for three reasons: BECAUSE I love the colors, BECAUSE it’s trendy and fashionable, and BECAUSE my husband BOUGHT if for me. The BROOCH has been in my jewelry BOX since I was a fashion consultant. It’s fun to BREAK IT OUT now and then.
These BLOOMS make me happy. During the cold months when winter looms, flowers BRING sunshine into the house. And those of you who know me well or see me regularly know how I am most definitely BOOT-OBSESSED.
BLOGGING has become part of who I am. I cannot imagine my life without it now. BEING a BLOGGER takes time, and it requires connecting all your social media, including Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and LinkedIn. And BANGLES, well, they’re just fun. As for BLACK coffee, I prefer flavored coffees such as Hazelnut and Vanilla Creme.
BIG sunglasses protect your eyes and sure do help when you want to camouflage dark circles that have formed from too many late nights and not enough BED REST.
BOOKS have had a positive influence on my life, both writing them and reading them. Hot off the press as of yesterday is a textbook that our BUSINESS Communication students will be using for our Event Planning course, written by my colleagues and me! We are very excited to finally see it in print after a year and a half of research and work on it. BASEBALL Girl is a fictional story I wrote about a girl who works in professional BASEBALL in BAY City, AND BENEATH The Mimosa Tree is a love story about two people who grow up next door to each other and fall in love…BUT something happens and they must see if forgiveness can BE found.
BANANA BREAD. Honestly, do I need to explain this???
I have a love-hate relationship with my BODY. I have a tough time losing weight, especially as I’ve aged, and sometimes I get lazy and don’t exercise and eat properly. With all the BODY shaming that is going on constantly, especially over social media, I can BECOME so angry when I see people disparaged about their build or weight. For me, it’s a constant BATTLE. BUT, here’s me BEING positive and moving my BODY today. It takes effort, willpower, and time, BUT it can BE done.
Saw this gem at my parents’ house and asked them if I could have a copy. It’s from their 50th wedding anniversary. When I look at this picture, one “B” word comes to mind: BLESSED.

There you have it. My positive “B” words. I’m curious to know what you would choose.

Filed under: On Life Tagged: B words, banana bread, bangles, beautiful, big sunglasses, bikes, black coffee, blanket scarves, blogging, blooms, body, books, boots, brooches, Featured

Prettiness & Priorities

Working is a part of my life, as it is probably yours, too. Why not make our work lives pretty, from what we wear to what we use as a planner or journal? We all need to be organized…but we can be prettily organized.

I don’t know about you, but I’m welcoming 2016 with open arms. While 2015 wasn’t awful or anything I want to forget, it was incredibly busy and hectic, more so than years in the past. Juggling the children’s schedules, my husband’s new job, the writing of a textbook with my two dear colleagues, and teaching a full load of courses among other things made this year go by like a flash. If I have neglected you as a friend in 2015, please know it was unconsciously done. There are only so many hours in a day, and unfortunately, to do lists often take priority over having a good time.

But 2016, I look forward to you…to good times, to family and rekindling friendships, to love and laughter, and to enjoying life to its fullest.

Yes, there will be pressing priorities, but there will also be other things to look forward to this year. I have vowed to incorporate a little prettiness into my life as it combines with my responsibilities.

I hope you get to fold some prettiness into your priorities as well. Let me know what you’ve set out to do, what you hope to achieve, and how little bits of pretty can make your life wonderful.

Simple things, like pretty flowers, can brighten anyone’s day, especially as the winter months seem drab. Placing flowers on your desk or your dining table is a way to bring some “lovely” into the room.
Because our home only has one dining area, I try to make ours look nice since it is a place of constant congregation. Our fireplace is the centerpiece in the room, and I always look for ways to make the mantle look cheery.
Fresh flowers on the entry table combined with a decorative bird cage (we are bird lovers in this family…we still have our two parakeets, Holly and Poe, who celebrated their six-year anniversary with us on Christmas Eve) is simple and welcoming for guests as they enter our home.
The blog has a new look…and it’s all about simplicity. And prettiness.
I don’t know about you, but there’s nothing prettier than a teapot, teacups, and home-baked treats. And white roses…my favorite along with hydrangeas.
Dried flower wreaths can break the monotony on the walls of a home with square and rectangular pictures. This wreath was a gift straight from NYC from my husband’s sister last Christmas.
A priority for me in 2016 is to get this collection of short stories published and out the door. I tried my best to make the cover different than anything else I’ve published…with a hint of nostalgic prettiness.
Filed under: On Life Tagged: am writing, decorating, Featured, flowers, home decor, hydrangeas, organized, prettiness, pretty, priorities, roses, short stories, The Postcard, writing

Fashion Resolutions for 2016

I really love clothes. I just do. I always have.

Ever since I was a young girl and I would take the trips to New Jersey to visit my grandparents for the holidays, one of my favorite parts was going shopping with my mom and her mom at Willowbrook Mall. In the early days when we lived in Maryland, there wasn’t an abundance of shopping, especially in the Annapolis and Bowie areas. When I was able to visit New Jersey and New York at the holidays, I would take the money I got as gifts and go shop for clothes.

Now, all these many years later, I still love fashion and shopping. Several years ago when I was home raising my children and working part time as an adjunct professor, I started a fashion consulting business on the side. I was like Stacy London from What Not To Wear fame; I would help women build or rebuild their wardrobes. I took a course in fashion consulting and was certified.

That said, I still love to play with fashion. Earlier in the year before my “big” birthday, I thought I had to completely revamp my style because I am getting older. But when I looked back on it, I thought…WHY? I love fashion and clothes, and as long as I’m not wearing mini-minis and too much of a plunging cleavage, fashion is supposed to be fun and expressive of who you are, so why do I need to change that much?

What I have tried to do is get away from so much black in my wardrobe. As we age, black can be a bit harsh on the skin…and while I will never not wear black as it will always be my staple color, I am trying to mix it up a bit.

Below are some of my recent creations that you’ll see me wearing around town. The trick for me is to know what to spend money and on and what not to spend money on. Classic pieces that you intend to have in your closet for a while–work attire and special occasion wear–these are the pieces you may want to drop a pretty penny on. However, when it comes to trendy stuff that may come and go, I watch my purse. Also, don’t neglect consignment stores. You’ll be surprised by what people consign–and in what great condition it can be. In Severna Park, we have a good one: Savvy Consignment. I’ve gotten quite a few things from there, including a Coach bag, the glittery jacket that is pictured with the pink dress, and lots of sweaters to wear with jeans.

Have fun with your fashion. Enjoy wearing clothes that make you feel good and that reflect your own personality.

As Orson Welles said, “Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn.”

Filed under: On Life

10 Lessons 2015 Can Teach Us in 2016

What path will you take in 2016?

It’s the last day of 2015, and as I tell my students in classes, sometimes when something comes to an end, it’s a good time to sit and reflect and write about things you’ve learned from it—or how you have grown from it. In this final post of 2015, I thought I’d touch upon some things that we all know are true, but we sometimes forget to initiate or appreciate. Therefore, what follows is my reflection on 2015, on lessons that were reinforced for me, and that no matter how old you get, there is power that comes from living and learning.

Don’t be afraid to try something new; we all grow from new experiences and trying new paths.
Age is just a number. You can still be fabulous even as the number of your age changes.
Family is the most important thing in the world. Treasure the moments, both the big ones and small ones, and create lasting memories that you can cherish for years to come.
Never lose your passion. Always strive to do things for yourself that make you happy.
Be a good friend. Even when life gets busy, make some time in your life for friends.
There is power in words. Use your words to write a good story or read one. We all grow by reading (and some of us by writing, too!).
Do what you can to make the world a better place, whether it is a small thing or a big thing, each matters.
Let go of things that do not work for you. It’s okay. Not everything (or everyone) is meant to be part of your life forever.
When offering criticism, always be kind.
There is never a traffic jam on the extra mile.

Thank you all for your continued support of Steph’s Scribe, and I hope the path you choose in 2016 makes you abundantly happy.

 

Filed under: On Life Tagged: 2015, 2016, Featured, final post 2015, Lessons learned in 2015, New Year, Steph's Scribe

All the Best This Holiday Season

I wish I had more time to write a meaningful post, but it’s midnight, and I’m just posting this among all the other chaos that can often become a part of the holidays. I’ve baked my butt off today and wrapped gits, cleaned bathrooms and the kitchen, fixed the lights that went out around my front door and rearranged the fireplace mantle, and our family watched It’s a Wonderful Life before we all started nodding off a couple of hours ago. I’m awake now and everyone else is sleeping. I’m finishing some odds and ends–and I bet so many of you are doing the same. That said, before things become busy today and we all move along creating our own special memories, I wanted to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season. I appreciate that you take the time to follow my blog, read my books, and keep in touch–I really do. Since we will all be with our respective loved ones, I thought I’d share some photos of my home decorated for the season. What’s missing are the people that make the house a home. I’ll be waiting for them to arrive this afternoon.

May the blessings of love, friendship, hope, and generosity keep you warm, safe, and happy, and most of all, with your family this holiday season. Be well!

  

   

 

Filed under: On Life Tagged: Christmas, Featured, happy holidays, thank you

Christmas Supper Club

Last night, our friends Jackie and Matt hosted our final Supper Club dinner of the year. It’s always so nice to get together around Christmas, eat some delicious homemade food, drink some Christmas spirits, and share quality time with our friends. In fact, we knew how much fun we were having when all of a sudden we looked at the clock and said, “It’s almost midnight!” Time certainly does fly when you’re having fun.

We’ve been getting together for over two years now; approximately every other month, each couple takes turns hosting at their home. The couple who hosts makes the main course and provides some drinks, and everyone else who attends brings an appetizer, salad, side, or dessert that goes along with the theme of the dinner. Last night’s theme was Italian; before we arrived, Kathleen shared the appetizer she made–and Jackie made one, too. Our meal last night was a true collaboration, and everything was delicious. The baked ziti, made by our hostess, was scrumptious; Sarah brought a fresh green salad, I brought Chicken Parm meatballs (a fantastic Martha Stewart recipe I’m sharing here), and Jen made an outstanding “makes your taste buds so happy” Tiramisu. One missing ingredient was our sixth couple, our friends Shawna and Rick, who spent the evening with their kids seeing a show.

Two kinds of Ziti: one spicy, one not-so-spicy.
Jackie set a beautiful “sparkly” Christmas table.
The Chicken Parm meatballs I made…Martha Stewart’s recipe. These things were outstanding…recipe above.
Christmas Sangria. Easy to make…and goes down easy, too.

Drinks and cheer were flowing…I attempted to make the Christmas Sangria, a recipe I’ve pinned over and over and was itching to try, which turned out to be rather delicious.

Santa even left some presents under the tree for us…but the best part about Supper Club is just getting together with friends in their warm and welcoming homes.

Ready for supper!
Sarah taking a whiff of Jen’s delectable Tiramisu!
Not in a group photo, but I was there!
A sampling of the bar…

So, farewell to Supper Club 2015; it was a great way to go out. We’ll be looking forward to a whole new round of recipes, drinks, and good conversation in 2016!

Another angle of Jackie’s table…and that chandelier…oh my!
Filed under: On Life Tagged: baked ziti, dinner club, Featured, food, friends, Italian food, sangria, Supper Club, tirimasu, wine

Go Ahead—Call Me Corny

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Last night I snuggled in and turned on the television, which is something I don’t normally do. I don’t watch a lot of TV, but during the months of November and December, I tell my husband to clear some room on the DVR because I record every Hallmark movie so I can watch them from the time the semester ends until Christmas. This is when I get to be “ruler of the television,” as I watch Christmas movie after Christmas movie and feel the holiday spirit. It’s a lovely part of the down time I get with my family, and I love it. I won’t apologize for being annoyingly corny at this time of the year.

The formula for Hallmark movies is pretty much the same, although this year the channel has forged ahead into our technological age with actors in our Countdown to Christmas flicks text messaging and talking about Twitter and Facebook within the context of the films. We’ve advanced, and while the plots are still predictable, guess what? That’s what I want. I want predictable. I want happy. I want a spiritual and meaningful message delivered in each movie. And I want everyone to live happily ever after. It is Christmastime, after all, when we should focus on the good in all of us.

And it isn’t just Hallmark movies I take the time to indulge in year after year after year. You already know from an earlier post how much I love Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, and I’ll pretty much watch any version of it, although I would readily admit that Albert Finney is without a doubt my favorite Scrooge of all time. I love the music, the sets, and the acting in that particular version, and if you haven’t watched this musical version of Scrooge, you’re in for a treat because the original Obi Wan Kanobi, Sir Alec Guinness, plays Marley. (See how I’m doing my part to keep up with the Star Wars hype?)

Then, of course, there are more modern films like It’s a Wonderful Life, Elf, and The Holiday that top my “must watch” list of favorite Christmas films. And New Year’s Eve just isn’t the same for my husband and me without watching When Harry Met Sally.

I love you, Hallmark Channel. I love that I can turn on the telly and watch something wholesome and sweet and lovely with my kids. I love that the word Christmas is still uttered in the movies and that the joy of the season is spread to those people who openly admit, and are not afraid to accept the fact that, they are a little bit corny.

Iris, played by Kate Winslet, relays these sentiments exactly in The Holiday. “I like corny,” she says. “I’m looking for corny in my life.”

My sentiments exactly, Iris. Bring on corny.

Filed under: On Life Tagged: A Christmas Carol, Christmas movies, corny, Countdown to Christms, Dickens, Elf, Featured, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Christmas movies, holiday movies, It's A Wonderful Life, Scrooge, The Holiday

The Things We Take For Granted

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Tonight after I dropped my daughter and her friend off at their religious education class, I was driving home listening to the radio. I happened to be listening to 97.1 and the host Delilah because she was playing Christmas music and taking requests. The female caller with whom Delilah was speaking was telling the story of visiting a senior home, something she volunteered to do during the holidays. She was there just trying to brighten their spirits, as she recounted stories of folks who resided there who had no family members or friends who would come and visit them during the holidays. This is why she would go–to be there for those who had no family. She was sitting next to an older gentleman who had a present next to him. She asked him if he was going to open the present. He said, no, that he already knew what was in the package. She asked him what was in there, and he said, “A handkerchief.” When she asked him how he knew a handkerchief was in the box, he said, “Because it’s the same present I’ve gotten for the last 10 years.”

After this conversation, the woman went home and told a co-worker the story. The two of them planned a new tactic for the center and created an “adopt a family/person for the holidays” program, whereby the seniors actually made a list of items they may want or need for Christmas. She said she was humbled by what they would ask for—things as minor as a large can of shaving cream were the types of things they requested.

Which brings me to the title of this blog post: the things we take for granted. It made me feel badly that I have the means to buy a big can of shaving cream—several, in fact—and it won’t hurt my wallet. How much I take for granted sometimes. And how much more I can give.

This caller’s discussion with Delilah prompted me to come home and tell my own family about it. My son is working on a project, and even prior to this caller’s story, he and I were thinking that seniors are neglected in our society. As Delilah said, we come from them, and they are to be cherished. My son’s project will potentially revolve around doing something for the seniors.

I am hopeful that he will do it—that not only he will embark on this idea of creating a program for seniors in our area, but that he will possibly make it come to fruition.

I know that if he does, I will be first in line as a volunteer.

Filed under: On Life Tagged: a story about Christmas, Chistmas, Christmas stories, Featured, giving, senior centers, senior citizens, seniors

Midnight Madness in Annapolis

Last night was the second of three scheduled Midnight Madness events in historic Annapolis. The city looked beautiful, the weather was mild, and shoppers were scouring stores for holiday treasures. Next week is the last one, so if you live in the area, don’t miss out!

 

Filed under: On Life Tagged: Annapolis, Christmas, Featured, holiday shopping, midnight madness