I am in New York City at the moment, and after hearing about the  Ace Hotel (29th St. @ Broadway), we popped in for a cocktail to check out the much talked about atmosphere.  We fell in love with the relaxed lobby scene, which immediately invites you in and you realize that this is a place where you can just hang out. It has been described as a "too-cool-for-school bohemian chic." 

There are graphic signs that get your attention such as the one below. I loved how they incorporated their Exit sign with an inspirational thought. Next time you're in New York, check it out. Their website says "our rates are cheap for New York hotels and motels, even if you book at the last minute. They are some of the cheapest NYC rooms you will find. It's like knowing a little secret." 

"There's a trick to the "graceful exit." It begins with the vision to recognize when a job, a life stage, or a relationship is over -- and let it go. It means leaving what's over without denying its validity or its past importance to our lives. It involves a sense of future, a belief that every exit line is an entry, that we are moving up, rather than out."

-Ellen Goodman

Accept yourself first . . . .

Photo via Grey likes Weddings

Holiday kick-off! . . . .

Yesterday I attended the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade along with thousands of other spectators who lined up along the streets of New York City. It has always been my own tradition to watch it on TV from the comfort of my own home while I prepare our big Thanksgiving meal, but this year we decided to experience it ourselves. What a festive time! Kanye West and Gladys Knight performed along with many others, while Spiderman, Buzz Lightyear, and The Pillsbury Dough Boy floated along overhead. The parade always ends with Santa Claus waving from his sleigh as if it gives us the official o.k. to begin our shopping, put up decorations, and dive in to the Christmas holiday. 

Kanye West

Buzz Lightyear

Smurf

Spiderman

So today is known as Black Friday here in the U.S., which is traditionally the kick-off of the Christmas shopping season. It is a favorite time of year for some, and the most stressful for others. So for those of you who find yourself stressed at this time of year, let me share a few quotes with you that may help you deal with all of the anxiety that comes with having to face the huge crowds while shopping, or that pressing feeling of having to find the perfect gift.

This one from Donald Westlake says, "As we struggle with shopping lists and invitations, compounded by December's bad weather, it is good to be reminded that there are people in our lives who are worth this aggravation, and people to whom we are worth the same." 

Here is one by Harlan Miller that states, "Probably the reason we all go so haywire at Christmastime with the endless unrestrained and often silly buying of gifts is that we don't quite know how to put our love into words."

Bobby, a 7 year-old boy says...."Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."

And my favorite........

Christmas gift suggestions: 

To your enemy, forgiveness.

To an opponent, tolerance.

To a friend, your heart.

To a customer, service.

To all, charity.

To every child, a good example.

To yourself, respect.

-Oren Arnold

Happy (Black) Friday!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Friday!
May your weekend be 
filled with sunshine!

Photo by James Strack via One League Artists

Today looks really good on you . . . .

-Via Notes from the Universe

-Photo by Cameron McDonald via One Eyeland

From the book "be"

May you never forget what is

worth remembering,

or remember what is best forgotten.

-Irish blessing

Photo via Google Images

Come alive . . . .

"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

-Howard Thurman

Photo by Alexa Singer

Come with me . . . .

All good things . . . .

Enjoy the ride . . . .

Happy Friday!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!