update on melissa

Hello, loyal blog followers. Sharon, the mom, here again. Just got home from visiting Melissa at the hospital. I took all your comments with me and she was so happy that so many people were thinking of her. She seems a little better today. We're thankful she is getting the help she needs, but the insurance company is fighting the dr. saying she does not need inpatient care...that's our health system for you. Hopefully they will work out their differences in the best way for Melissa!
On a more mystical note, while coming in from the car I leaned over to get my cell phone and what should be balanced on top of a pair of mittens but my wedding ring, which has been missing for 2 years! I think Brian may be helping with this ordeal after all! I will keep you all posted! Sharon Blake

Update on Melissa

This is Melissa's mother, Sharon, attempting to post an update on Melissa's condition. She has gone into the hospital this morning, due to her worsening depression. Hopefully the doctor will be able to regulate her medication and she will be back online with you soon. I will keep you all posted. Thanks for being such loyal blog followers!

How I Feel (In 5 Photos) Wednesday.

"The sun will come out tomorrow..." --Annie

Floor of Pennies.

How could it be that I've never heard of The Standard Grill in New York City and their floor covered entirely of pennies? I could see myself being mesmerized by that for hours! I wonder how many pennies are actually there!

Fun fact: Every time I see a penny, I automatically look at the date. Do you do that too, friends? xoxo

Daydreaming.

Good morning, my friends! I got home late Sunday night (way, way past my usualo 8 p.m. bedtime!), and am slowly trying to get back into the swing of things. Look for a return to the regular posting schedule later today, but in the meantime, I'd love to hear: How was your holiday? Are you still in holiday mode?

P.S. An update on my depression: Thanks for all the wonderful words of encouragement and love. I really do have the best readers in the whole world. I'm still enmeshed in it and am atill having some pretty rough days. I've been seeing the psychiatrist weekly, and we're trying to get my meds straightened out. I just hate feeling like I can't do anything. Everything, it seems, is a struggle. Writing, Reading. Blogging. Sometimes, I can't even read an entire magazine. It's beyond frustrating, friends!

(Cloud photos taken by the lovely Micaela!)

Merry Christmas!

My friends, Merry (almost!) Christmas. What are your plans this year? I hope wherever this holiday finds you that you are surrounded by friends, family - and of course lots of cookies! I love you all! xoxo

(Photo via The Thinking Tank)

How I Feel (In 5 Photos) Wednesday.

"I'll be there for you, when the rain starts to pour." --The Rembrandts

(Photos via Chasing Pavements)

Fortune Cookie Scarf.

Genius: Etsy shop Xenotees sells giant fortune cookie scarves. How cool is that? I'd imagine you'd feel very inspired just wearing it, don't you think, friends? xoxo

P.S. What's your dream fortune?

(Via Swissmiss)

Guest Post: Special Man Candy Edition.

Hi, this is Leigh, from Marvelous Kiddo! I don't know about you, but I miss Man Candy Monday already. Well, I decided to take matters into my own hands and send Melissa a post about my absolute favorite kind of Man Candy: the BABYWEARING KIND!!! Because seriously, what's cuter than a hot guy toting an adorable baby? Not only are these men beyond-handsome, they're obviously totally into being dads and holding their kids close to their hearts. Swoon.

Allow me to introduce you to my 10 favorite babywearing celebrity dads...

1. Gavin Rossdale. OK, so he was already one of my favorite flavors of man candy waaaaay before he had kids, but I have to say I love him even more now that he's frequently sighted carrying his sons around in slings and pouches. Rock the same look with this Hotsling.

2. Ethan Hawke. I don't think I am alone in my feeling that Mr. Hawke is getting better with age. In any case, he certainly added an attractive twist to that image of aloof charm when he started carrying his tow-headed kiddo around in an ERGObaby.

3. Matthew Broderick. I have to say, wearing one of the twins in a Baby Bjorn, Matthew is the cutest he has ever looked. Take that Ferris Bueller.

4. Cam Gigandet. I will freely admit. I did not give a damn about vampires until I saw this photo. I am so there now.

5. Brad Pitt. The man's hotness knows no bounds, but I dare say he ups the ante every time he takes one of the kids out for a stroll in his arms.

6. Liev Schreiber. Speaking of arms! Wowza. This papa looks oh-so-strapping and sweet.

7. Jeremy Sisto. I just love that he is positively beaming in this photo.

8. Chris Noth. I might be one of the few women that never really got the whole Mr. Big thing. I'll gladly take down-to-earth, involved dad over the distant and debonair version of tall-dark-and handsome any day.

9. Pete Wentz. A cute babywearing dad who also loves to shop!

Be still, my heart.

10. Anthony Kiedis. That's one red-hot chili papa.

Sorry, I couldn't resist ;)

To find out more about babywearing (it does a whole lot more than up your cuteness quotient!) check out The Benefits of Babywearing and how to choose a carrier.

Have A Lovely Weekend.

TGIF, friends. How are you today? What are your plans for the weekend? I'll be enjoying the company of friends and family at two holiday parties. I think it will be good for me, actually. While I'm enjoying cookies (lots of them, of course!), check out these awesome posts from the Web.

Also, I'll be traveling to the sunny South next week, but never fear: I've scheduled a few posts for your enjoyment! xoxo

One word: Gingerbread

Metallic love...

Some cute stocking stuffers

I love this Rushmore pencil set (The movie is such a classic, isn't it?)

Awesome new style site!

What are some of your obsessions?

A winter wonderland engagement shoot!

Pretty prints

I think I need a planner for 2011. What about you?

Don't these foods look yummy!

Cute kids clothes!

Some summer goodness

Before + after: fancy drawers

What a cute mini tree?

This is my kind of wallpaper!

I love this quirky mirror

(Photo via Kelly McCaleb)

Awesome Pencil Sets.

I'm loving these pencils sets from Etsy shop Paper Pastries. The writer in my wants the Do The Write Thing set!

P.S. Any chefs out there? Would make a cool stocking stuffer, wouldn't it?

Video Hello.

Tie-pography Alphabet.

What a genius idea: Ed Nacional, a New York-based graphic designer, honored his father by individually photographying ties his father passed down to him. He then made the alphabet out of them, using one tie for each letter. Can you imagine all the detail that went into this project, friends? xoxo

He also cleverly spelled out this, which I think is awesome...

(Via Happiness Is...)

Camping Engagement Shoot.

I love Sarah and Josh's fun take on the outdoor engagement shoot. Who wouldn't want to S'mores front and center? I love how they captured Sarah's ring in the S'more, don't you, friends? xoxo

(Photos by Millie Holloman Photography)

Would You Like To Advertise on So about what I said?

Would you like to advertise on So about what I said in the new year? January and/or February spots are now available, and I would love to work with you! My readers shop online often for wonderful gems, and my rates are ideal for etsy sellers, small businesses, crafters, bloggers, shop owners, photographers, artists, and designers.

Please email mellow1422 (at) aol (dot) com for rates and blog stats. Thank you so much, and I look forward to working with you! xoxo

[Image designed by the wonderful Ez]

Vintage Purse Giveaway!

Today's giveaway is from Kim of Sassy Sister Vintage, a vintage lover's paradise full of clothes, accessories and home decor items.

She's offering this vintage white 1940's purse to one lucky reader. I love the little frills on the sides.

For your chance to win, simply visit Sassy Sister Vintage, and leave a comment below, along with your email. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow afternoon. Happy browsing! xoxo

Update: Congrats to winner Melissa. Thanks so much! :)

Dream Home: Cabin Fever.

Do you ever just want to hole yourself up in a cabin during the cold winter months, friends? I could stay in that bed or sit in that family room all day! xoxo

(Photos via Poppytalk)

How I Feel (In 5 Photos) Wednesday.

Just stay right here. 'cuz these are the good old day..." --Carly Simon

(Photos via Dreaming)

Love Lounge: Do You Have A Boyfriend?

I'm beginning to hate that 5-word question.

I met with a few therapists last week, friends, in my quest to at least get myself stabilized. They went through the usual routine of my symptoms and discussed all the fears that have been occupying this little brain of mine. I was prepared for every question they threw my way. Until they got to one

Do you have a boyfriend?

In that moment, I could feel my cheeks burning with a red even more bold than my hair, in response to the bluntness of such a question. Things got a bit foggy for a moment. I eventually stammered out a "no", and for the first time in a long time, I lowered my eyes. I spared them the story of how I've never been on a date, never had a boyfriend and have yet to experience my first kiss, but it was all I could do to not launch into one of my specches about trying to date with a physical disability.
Now, I know these professionals meant well, and I know what they were getting at - that a boyfriend would be a good source of emotional support during this time. And that's probably true. But I'm not going to run out - well, roll out - and find myself a man just so I don't have to feel so alone. Isn't that the ultimate in recipes for disaster? Using a man to fill an emotional void, that, the more I examine it, is grief related to my father. I'm finally, after 7 long years, beginning to grieve the loss of my father. That would be the worst thing I could do, isn't it?

Becuse the more I think about it, the more I see that getting involved with someone now would only distract me, and in the long-run, making me feel worse. Does that make any sort of sense? Maybe I'm supposed to be romantically alone right now. I'm not even sure it would be fair to the guy, either. I am so fragile right now, and I doubt we'd even have a chance.

And yet, their question has stayed with me this week, picking at my heart like some teenage heartbreak I never experienced. Somewhere down the line, when I'm in a better frame of mind and in a better place in my life, is there love in the cards for me? Will it even happen for me? I know I put on a brave face, but I think about that a lot more than I let on. And especially as I see my peers start to settle down and start a family, it makes me feel like I'm lagging behind while they've already crossed the ribbon at the finish line.
Maybe it's just that my finish line isn't exactly aligned with theirs. And maybe it's OK if it's not. If I've learned anything in the last week, it's that I need to go at my own pace. Hard, sometimes, when you see your peers so happy, but my own happiness has to be out there somewhere, right, friends? And I'm not going to find longterm happiness in the arms of some guy, right? No matter how chiseled those abs... xoxo

(Photos via Dreaming)