The Orchids

Photo; Shandra Beri

Ahhh... the photo is mushy and blown out, but I am here to tell you they WERE beautiful. Every person that passed them gently bent in to find a fragrance in the blooms, the absence of which did not seem to diminish the experience at all. One and all left with a touch of lips lightly brushed on the ephemeral and scentless beauty and the secret smiles they walked away with indicated that was quiet enough to feel alive and lovely.

Cosmopolitans

Photo;Shandra Beri

My only point is that when you are so tired that the only option seems to be straight home to bed, but your hilarious and charming friends wrangle you into a Cosmopolitan or two there is a distinct chance that you will wake up the next morning with hoarse vocal chords and tender obliques from hours of helpless laughter and quiet possibly have vague memories of shoes being pried off to support the part of the story that had to do with someone's feet being particularly pretty (which was true...) as reason enough to be wriggled tantalizing inches from a boys nose.

I regret nothing.

Thank You!

Photo; Shandra Beri

The Prisoner is one of my FAVORITE red blends. It is a gorgeous deep ruby/purple with a soft, lush aroma. When it rolls around on your tongue it tastes like the perfect place to rest in the darkest part of a secret berry patch. The wine is a blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Syrah and Grenache. I could go on and on about this wine, but really, you should just go grab a bottle and find a great person to share it with.

Darling Judy somehow pulled a tiny passing reference to my love of this elixir from the info-packed, lightning  fast time we spent together and lovingly placed it in a hand-knit, up-cycled grocery bag tote made by her equally darling 97 year old mother.

How sweet is this life when we are lucky enough to meet people who take extra care to mark the moments?

Sweet indeed.

Malin Akerman

Photo;Shandra Beri

Dear, sweet Malin! One part goddess, 2 parts Super Girl with a shake of 'naughty' and a generous dusting of utterly genuine human being.

xoxo!

Marcia Unaware

Gorgeous....

Sonder

Yves Smith and Dean Baker on Secrets in Trade