A Quick Trip to Camelot

After all the emotion from the election

seems to have died down,

let's enjoy a bit of Presidential style

that we can all, unanimously, agree upon.

{Plus, it is Monday and can only help.}

I was encouraged by the latest cover of The Economist...

it summed up so perfectly my feelings towards last week's results.

So with that, I leave you will their order:

 Democrats, it's time to go hug a republican.

Republicans, it's time to hug them back.

It's only by working together that 

we can make any sense of this mess we're in

and find ourselves back in prettier times.

*all images via

Sweet Land of Liberty

image

It may sound hypocritical to say how proud I am to be an American

since I, willingly, moved to another country...

in fact, the country that we fought so desperately against 

to gain our own independence.

Well, yeah, it kinda doesn't make sense,

but the truth is-

America is a great country

& I consider myself extremely fortunate to be one of its citizens.

I feel very safe, very protected & very fortunate to call myself an American.

And while I won't win any awards for being the most loyal citizen,

I can list some of the things that make it uniquely special.

Bumping around from place to place makes you realize

what actually is great about the country from which you come.

So, dear America, on your birthday,

here are some things that make you so lovely:

1. Your customer service. 

It really can't be beat. Constant refills. Upgrades upon complaint. To-go cups after a meal.

It makes my head spin when I go home... thank you for spoiling us all.

2. Tex-Mex

No matter where in the world it's attempted, it is only successful stateside.

Chile rellenos, drippy queso, refried beans & tortillas.... be still my beating heart.

3. Discounted Merchandise

Because nobody knows how to mark-down merchandise better than the US of A. 

4. Summer Time

Sorry England, I love you... but you really suck at summer. Three cheers for a land who enjoys lazy days at the pool, grilling out in the heat & months of warm nights spent outside.

5. Problem-Solving

This trait can manifests itself pretty ugly while traveling overseas (e.g. endlessly commentating how waiters could do their job better), but the get-it-done mentality of the people in the states is an attribute that also makes it great. What other country can claim life changing inventions such as the microwaveable popcorn bag, roller-suitcases, sunglasses & the golf cart. (Because who says playing a sport have to be physically exhausting, anyway?)

Tonight we are headed off to celebrate where it all began: The Mayflower Pub.

Yup, that's right.

We are going to the Thames where the Pilgrims set sail for the new land.

Do me a favor & shoot off some fireworks to the east tonight.

Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Father's Day!

via

While some girls may be settling into their new palaces,

and other girls can claim to have lived in "Camelot,"

I've never felt like anything less than a princess.

Thanks, dad, for being the best.

I'm so lucky to be yours!

Setting {of} the President

Happy Weekend!

Are you excited?

The freedom is almost tangible, isn't it?

Once this afternoon hits,

you'll be free to sleep in,

free to start checking off things that you need to be accomplished, 

and free to get away from your desk!

{ ... and speaking of desks.... }

Have you seen this?

A new interactive online experience for students of

JFK's Desk

from the Kennedy Library.

Flip through photo albums of the family, take a peek in his White House diary, start the secret recording button, and even get access to the Oval Office phone.

Proud daughter Caroline Kennedy is sharing in on the excitement.

"I hope users will feel they are sitting at the President’s Desk themselves, 

and will be excited to bring history to life in this dynamic setting,” 

said Caroline Kennedy, 
President of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. 

“My parents shared a love of history, and I know they would have enjoyed this exhibit themselves.” 

Enjoy the exhibit for yourself. 

{click through to visit JFK's desk}

Mourning in Camelot...

R. Sargent Shriver died tonight 

at the age of 95,

 burning out one of the last remaining links to Camelot.

"Sarge" served as Ambassador to France, 

and lived just under two years from the death of his wife,

Eunice Kennedy Shriver,

the younger sister of John F. Kennedy.

His life was spent working in worthy causes such as

the establishment of the Peace Corps, 

fighting the war on poverty,

& the sudden arrangement 
of the funeral of his wife's brother, JFK.

He is also notably connected as 

the father in law of California's Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Camelot Comes No More.

I received an email last night 
from a friend

that made me terribly sad.

It was this link that announced 

the cancellation to the 
controversial A&E mini series,

The Kennedys.

With a cast with as many stars

as the American flag,

{lead roles by Katie Holmes & Greg Kinnear}

the network has decided that the representation

is not a good fit it's brand.

Already produced? 

Going to waste?

Devastation.

It's like having a wrapped package under the tree

{that you've already peeked to find its fabulous}...

and getting tossed in the trash on Christmas eve.

Here's the trailer below... 
It looked so good.

I think we should be able to vote on the fate of this movie.


{Because those in favor, of seeing it air, would be... I.}

A Merry Little Christmas.

Merry Christmas, friends.

Thank you for your daily gifts of

support, kindness, & love

throughout the past year.

I treasure our friendships dearly!

Kennedy Family Heritage

Whether you inherited a rich history, 

or have created one for future generations-

isn't it amazing to be a part of a story bigger than yourself?

via

Having your mom's crooked toes,

inheriting your grandfather's passion for science,

or a French last name that has forever left you a Francophile...

And obviously, being named after someone is a fantastic way to continue a legacy.

My parent's didn't name me for 6 weeks.

{which I think is hilarious.... yes, I am the middle child}

but when they did, my middle name came from this man, Landon Saunders.

{Who's incredible... and later officiated our wedding ceremony}.

Were you named after anyone, 

or did you name your child after someone special?

These family trees are pretty way to keep your predecessors legacy in a prominent position...

unless you are already doing that with Aunt Tina's nose.

*image source 1 - 2 - 3 -  4 - 5

Friday Funday: Dilemma of the Decade.

It's fairly common to have

heroes in history & pop-culture

branded into our minds.

For instance, 

I have a {slight} fixation on 

The Kennedys.

It's because of this adoration,

I'm left looking at life

through a 1960's lens.

via

For Friday Funday,

I'm throwing out this question:

What decade would you pick to spend your twenties in?

Do you dream of Daisy in Gatsby's days?

Do you revel in Rosie the Riveters war time ways?

Would you sing like Sandy of Summer Nights as a girl?

Or did Madonna model the mood that you feel?

Estate Planning

via

He enjoys true leisure

who has time to 

improve his soul's estate.

Henry David Thoreau

Today, I'm headed to London with my husband

and enjoying a day away from blogging.

We'll be visiting Westminster Abbey 

and chowing down on some scrummy Indian food

next to the British Museum.

{Maybe you should do the same. It might be nice to get something extra accomplished!}

Democratic Party meets Bridal Party

We all are most likely aware that

Chelsea Clinton got married this weekend 

in Rhinebeck, New York.

However, I was not aware

 Chelsea Clinton became gorgeous.

Congratulations to the Clintons

from this Aspiring Kennedy!

Wishing you years of happiness together
as you begin a Camelot of your own....

Courtesy of Barbara Kinney Photography

Sweet Land of Liberty....

Happy Independence Day!

Under the leadership of great people

and a country of hard-working people,

we are blessed to live

in this fine country!

Happy July 4th!!

*photography is by Mark Shaw

So Splendid & So Patriotic

Do you read Hello Splendor?

Oh, you really should.

Beth Dotolo does such a great job pulling together

a great modern community of bloggers.

I loved getting to talk about my plans

for July 4th on her blog yesterday...

mainly because

I LOVE THE FOURTH OF JULY!

Though my plans are for Palm Beach this year,

I typically always celebrate this amazing holiday

in the same ways.

Making desserts that are red, white, or blue.

{baked goods are part of my patriotic duty}

Driving out to the country to shoot fireworks

{and laying around on the grass to watch the stars

when the fireworks are gone and laughing for hours}

And what would this Aspirational Kennedy's

Indpendence Day

be without a boat ride around the cape?

What are your plans for this July 4th?

*image 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Family Facebook...

I like the Kennedys.

Did you know that?

So I had no choice

but to buy

this gorgeous book

by Assouline

on Gilt Groupe...

(for $30!)

I can't wait for it to arrive!

It will be even better than

when my

friend-babysat-Jean-Kennedy's-grandkids...

*photos from Assouline.com

Holding Court

Ahh... the lazy days of summer are upon us.

Time to head out to Cape Cod,

and waste the days

at the beach & on the tennis court.

And what might the dress code be

on the courts of Cape Cod?

Navy wristbands,

white sweaters,

and svelte legs...

naturally.

*Photos courtesy of Lacoste.com & Tennisgrandstand.com