All About The Happy

i hope EVERYONE had a fabulous weekend!!! ~ mine was filled with fun and laughter; hitting the beach with my girl Jax and the guy's; watching fireworks while Joe gave me a massage (saaaaWEEET!); walking and taking pictures around my neighbored; and seafood! (oh and a lil shopping, duhh, haha) .. i can only hope YOU all were filled with such happiness as i was!
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AND NOW MY LOVIES ... my 1st AWARD GIVEAWAY!

well my Butterflies .. one of my fellow bloggers, Simply Luxurious, awarded me the Happy 101 award .. and let me tell u, it made my day *errr* week! ..

i'm one of those people that can go on for days when it comes to putting things into words, so needless to say it was really challenging to think of a "top 10" of sorts .. so i decided to just go with my quick gut .. and not over think any of it .. and well .. here's my take on the 10 things that make ME happy ..

1. This blog .. My Butterflies and Comments

Every time i get a comment from you, it makes my entire soul smile! - and when i see my Butterfly list expand with a new follower, i am charmed with excitement! - i started this blog after renting the movie Julie & Julia, and never thought anyone would ever follow me! - it has been so refreshing to put my thoughts, visions, loves, desires, ect. out there in the universe and leave it to do whatever with .. (( who would think a movie would prove so much within?! ))

2. Kayleigh (Maltese) and Peanut (Eastern Gray)

Kayleigh and Peanut are THE best pets (i hate that word, so unfamily like to me *ick*) ever!!! - Kayleigh is always sparkling, waiting for me to get home to play and exchange kisses (she's a teacup maltese)  ~ Peanut can't wait to play with me and his zebra (he's an eastern gray squirrel) ... they both bring me such simple joy .. makes me realize what it's ALL about .. pure happiness and simplicity! ~ pure souls!

3. My Niece

She is my sunshine! - whenever i get a message from her on my voicemail, asking me to leave work to play with her, or her running into my arms ~ this little princess is my world! .. she can not get any sweeter, smarter, happier, or divine! - she is just a bottle of perfection! ~ i will be her Tinkerbell flier, fort maker, and secret teller for as long as i live! *promise*

4. Lazy Sunday's

There's nothing better then after a busy week of work and play, to sit around the house in pj's and watch movies under the blankets! .. i *cherish* my lazy Sunday's! .. it's my time to just do nothing, center myself, and be thankful for all that i am! ~ i'm one of those people who need zen time to refocus and recharge - i can wear myself thin very quickly - and lazy Sunday's are my tool!

5. A Package in the Mail

it's no mystery i LOVE to shop (probably an understatement), whether it's at a boutique, in the mall, or on-line .. shopping almost defines me, in some crazy-unprofessional-absurd way .. so when i shop on-line and that package comes to the door - the butterflies start fluttering in the belly and i can not wait to see what's inside! - most of the time i forget what i even ordered or purchased at the mall ! (*ekk*, that's bad, huh?!) - so it's like a present to myself, on the regular! .. :o)

6. Spending Time W/ Family and Friends

ahhhhhh .. can it get any better then spending time with family and friends?! - the people who adore you and the one's you adore back! - i am beyond thankful and blessed for the people who are in my life - i swear i hit the lotto big time with my group! *kisses* - casual lunches with my Mom, boating with my Dad, going to the beach with Joe, helping my Brother, playing with my Niece, drinking with the friends, gossip with the Bestie, shopping with my Shopping Partners, talkin' 'homie' with my Homies -  exchanging thoughts with all those around me = pure heavenly bliss!

7. Cooking

no skeleton in my closet, that i love to eat and i love to cook! - my All-Clad collection is my pride and joy! - and whenever i'm out shopping i'm always looking for new utensils and cooking aids for my kitchen! - i designed my kitchen and i beyond love cooking in it - and not to sound to posh, but i'm a really good cook too! ~ recipes i love you .. i just wish u weren't so harsh on the hips ! ! !

8. Renovating and Decorating My Home

i've been renovating my home from top to bottom for the last few years - i'm down to only needing to buy and install the doors and moldings (i've been putting it off, for some odd reason, maybe b/c then it's the "end" ) .. and well every inch of my home is ME .. i picked out every little minor detail and so forth - just walking in brings a sense of calm to my being ~ and well ~ it just makes me simply happy ..

9. Nature

i LOVE taking walks, being at the beach, watching wildlife .. all that stuff makes me happy - for me it's soothing to know there's a bigger force out there - something more beautiful then magazines and models - that all this fuss about fashion is just silly and meaningless - watching nature, the beauty of a blooming flower, the conjuncture of clouds, crashing of waves, corn fields swaying with the wind, birds singing in harmony - that all is overwhelming beautiful and defines happiness for me!

10. Scent of Lavender

the scent of lavender puts me in a whole new realm of things ~ i absolutely positively LOVE the smell of lavender, so it qualifies as something that makes me happy! - i neeeeddddd to have lavender around me at all times, ok well maybe not "neeeeedddd" but you get the idea - it's serene and calming - whenever i smell it, i always have a smile on my face and my soul is calm ..

 *** Check out more things about me HERE .. i tend to smile A LOT ! ! ***

Lastly,  i'd like to award the HAPPY 101 AWARD to:

C'est La Vie
The Alternative Wife
exPress-O
The Decorista...Secrets of Domestic Bliss
Romance is Boring
Couture Carrie
P.S. I love this ..
ArtEco
bug Miscellany
Melanie's Randomness

( figured 10 for 10 rigth?! )

Simply accept and post the award ~ let your readers know 10 things that make you happy - and pass the award onto other bloggers .. keep the happiness alive and well!

** NOW WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?! **