Today is such and exciting day! My other baby, Hello, Splendor, is turns 1 today. I have so much to be grateful for when it comes to this little blog. I’ve met so many amazing people and had so many new opportunities.

I’m a fan of the ‘Birthday Week’… So, I’ve got some exciting giveaways & celebrations planned, but we will start the celebration with a little link party to celebrate YOU.

From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU so much for being here.

You’re invited to

Hello,Splendor’s Birthday Link Party!!

Post a link to your site at the link party below!

image via tulips & flight suits

After a long week of day long meetings to bid on a new interior design job & preparing for a great residential install today… I’m signing off for the weekend!

Saturday, I’m looking forward to an amazing fundraising event that we’ve been preparing months for. And, Sunday of course, looking forward to being with family and enjoying some relaxation.

Happy Easter Friends!!

Any plans? Who’s traveling?

Image via La Tartine Gourmande

Have you been following along on my Finding Splendor series? This is the second check off the list of projects I’ve created for myself to inspire happiness. Really, it’s just a fun project to make me schedule time for myself and my family during all the busyness. On Saturday, we went to the Dallas Arboretum & had a blast. I even got a bit tipsy on sake! See some pics from our fun family outing…

This is what every weekend should be like!! It was simply… the best.

And, never mind my poor kid’s beat up face! He’s one hot mess. All boy.

All photos by Kevin Dotolo.

Can you tell I’m itching for some new fashions?? With this change in weather & the crazy storms I am looking forward to spring… but, we’ve got to get through these rain showers fashionably, right? I just love a spring thunderstorm… especially from the comfort of my warm, dry home!

Has is been stormy where you are??

1. Diane Von Furstenberg Athena Jacket | 2. Jean Paul Gaultier Striped Umbrella | 3. Owl Umbrella Stand | 4. Ribbon Band Straw Hat | 5. Dolce & Gabbana Tall Rain Boot | 6. Shop Ten 25 Bollywood Pouch

Come see me this Saturday!!

The hubs will be playing in El Gato & I’ll be raising funds over at the merch/raffle table…

Lots of fun things to do including a photo booth, art auction, raffles, & rock music.

I’d love to have a drink with you & raise some money for a good cause.

Find out more about CF or to donate by visiting my Great Strides page.

This weekend was so super fantastic!! We kept busy, but it was doing all the things we wanted to do as a family… and I even snuck in a relaxing mani/pedi by myself. The whole weekend was great & much needed for all of us. Sometimes you just get so busy that you forget to make time to connect with the ones you love, and that is what this weekend was about.

How was your weekend?

Did you spend the weekend relaxing & connecting? Or, were you busy being busy like most of us?

Links to some of the places we visited:

Ikea | All Good Cafe | Nails 2000 | Dallas Arboretum | Big Shucks | Colin Creek Mall

[Wear] I am totally smitten with this Cat Eye Glasses Ring that one of my favorite bloggers, Uncle Beefy, shared.

[Nest] Speaking of one of my favorite bloggers, I’m loving this Abigail Edwards Owl Wallpaper that Will of Bright.Bazaar posted. It would be perfection in Max’s room!

[Eat] Macaroni & Cheese Bites? Um, yes please! Thanks to The Domestic Gourmet for the amazing recipe… It’s now filed in my recipe book!

[Celebrate] Can you believe Hello, Splendor will be ONE YEAR OLD in ten days?? I am planning a week of celebrations here on the blog! It’s gonna be fun! Image via pinterest.

[Make] These Fourtune Teller Flowers have me reminiscing about the 80’s! I just love the story behind these, via designworklife… It’s all about connecting!

I am so excited about this weekend! It’s one of our first weekends to not have work so Kevin and I have some connecting planned… We’re taking Max on a picnic, we’re having dinner with family to start our investigation into the Dotolo family history, and we’re attending a baptism class to learn more about getting Max baptized. I’m looking forward to ALL of it!!

What do you have planned, friends??

In my Finding Splendor pursuit, one of the challenges I wanted to take on was a cooking class. And, this is my first one to check off the list!! Instead of learning how to make a dish, I decided to learn some skills that I could actually put to use in the kitchen! So, along with my bff Carolina & my hubby Kevin, I took a Knife Skills class at our local foodie grocery store, Central Market.

The  class was incredible!! If you like to cook, I totally recommend you take a similar class. I feel more confident in the kitchen… and really kind of feel like a regular bad ass with a knife! This class has totally inspired me to take some more technique classes. So, once I save up the cash to take a three-part series at Sur La Table that Master Chef Anthony Bourdain developed, you’ll hear all about that, as well!

Have you learned anything inspiring lately??

If not, you should totally take a class like this… It is completely empowering!

Hop on over to Lemon & Lavender to see my Real Wedding…

And, find out why I shared this awful picture of my Dad & I!

I laugh every time I see it!

Nothin’ like a blushing bride… Geez!!

Wedding Photography by Sil Azevedo