Belts for the Beau's; Fine Needlework by Tucker Blair

South of MaDi believes in showcasing the finer things in Southern culture, why yes, of course!  But, while continuingly highlighting the appropriateness of Southern gentlemanly dress, introductions must be made to New England's, Tucker Blair, as a resource and inspiration for such casual attire.  Owner, Taylor Llewellyn, of Tucker Blair took a leap of faith in business as he left his corporate desk job for a more passionate career in needlework, no less!  Not many young men today have the courage to embark upon such risky adventures;  as to fly to Asia on a one-way ticket with a hope and a prayer of finding a production site for his fashionable ideas.  If things go his way, Taylor would establish a company that would hopefully sell quality and reasonably priced needlework belts to other men who share his passion for whimsical style.

Jump forward to 4 years later and Tucker Blair (named after old family names, and Southerner's share the love of carrying on a good family name) is in business.  With a website that has launched online, Tucker Blair can offer men needlework belts in many conversational designs from patriotic American flags to Atlantic Billfish, Bourbon/Scotch/Beer or your perhaps your favorite college/NFL team.  Wear your Nautical Flag belt to the yacht club,  support the GOP or Democratic Party in your Reaganomics or Obamanos belts, or simply sip on mint juleps while you keep up your khaki's at The Derby in the belt appropriately named Horse Racing.  There is a belt for every man out there who has a hobby or favorite outdoor sport (especially those requiring tailgating).  Can't find what you are looking for?  No worries, Tucker Blair will custom design a needlework belt for you and your personal style.

Quality is not disregarded with Tucker's attention to detail and needlework with designs hand-stitched in 100% cotton, finished off with full grained leather backing and handsome brass buckles.

So, for you men out there who are sitting at your corporate desks, crunching deadlines and sifting through endless documentations of spreadsheets and data analysis; take heed in the notion of giving it all up to voyage out into the great adventurous unkown of your passionate calling.  Alternatively, play it safe, bear and grunt it for what it is worth and buy yourself a Tucker Blair belt for those special moments of leisure.

Check out more Tucker Blair at www.tuckerblair.com

Buki Designs: Bedazzling Playthings

Jewelry in its form of artistic display has and always will be a form of personal adornment by women young and old.  Perhaps the oldest known jewelry, is said to be arguably 100,000 year old beads created from Nassarius shells. Precious stones and treasures  are tucked away in locked boxes, or hidden among undergarments or meticulously balled up in hosiery stockings in grandmother's chest of drawers.  Derived from the ancient Latin word, which interprets as playthings,  jewelry has played quite a role in society, the marketplace and status throughout history.

Through various metamorphosis in ancient eras; fast forward to the modern jewelry movement, which began in the late 1940's at the end of World War II with a renewed interest in artistic and leisurely pursuits. Whether it's a 3 year old who finds her plastic beads just as precious as an heirloom pearl necklace handed down from generations, women take their prize jewelry possessions very serious early on in their lives.  Women can define their own personalities and interests through the jewelry they now buy for themselves; for jewelry can transform a woman's mood throughout her daily activities and create an instant conversation at a moment's glace.   

Luckily, Buki Designs, has emerged into the fold of the modern woman's jewelry of choice; offering unique hand-crafted pieces for gift giving, wedding parties or simply for personal indulgence.  Founded by designer, Carrie Inman, who unveiled her line in 2002 in her self-promoting business venture, has reigned in success in the North Florida and South Georgia markets.  Drawing inspiration from the global fashion industry and nature, Buki Designs are fresh and bold in arrangement with an interwoven juxtaposition of colors, shape and layering textures in her products.  

Buki Designs is for the fashion conscious woman, regardless of age.  The pieces are affordable for the every day girl ranging from $40 - $150.  "There is something for everyone in the Buki Design collections, from very conservative, small earrings and necklaces to the large statement pieces," states Inman.  Named after the jeweler's dog mascot, Buki, it is no wonder why the she chose her Pug for the brand, whose Chinese origin has been described as multum in parvo ("much in little").  There is indeed much in little with necklaces, earrings and bracelets that capture the intriguing and show-stopping accessories women gravitate towards.  

One can find Buki jewelry in a few special retail stores throughout the Jacksonville, Florida area including Petal of Avondale, St. Mark's Episcopal Bookstore of Ortega, Charisma of San Marco and Pineapple Post of Jacksonville Beach.  Otherwise, fortunate participants of local trunk shows at various homes are offered for a private viewing and shopping experience of a vast amount of Buki pieces; and the special privilege of meeting the designer herself.  Buki has recently launched a website page with vivid photography of some elected designs as well as a Facebook page for fans and onlookers of the "who's who" of Buki adorners.  

Refreshing and uncommon jewelry created by local artisans such as Buki separates itself from the throw-away mass production of department store items and the unattainable high-end jewelry store that women wait for their rare special occasions to earn.  Helping women further develop and express their own fabulous, largely "one of a kind" pieces is what Buki offers her friends, brides, sisters, daughters and mothers.  Buki invites her patrons to walk away and experience the feeling of knowing that they are supporting a brand where each piece was hand-made with love!  

Thank you, Buki, for our beautiful playthings!

Visit Buki Design's Website at www.bukidesigns.com and Facebook page!

  

A Southern Man's Haberdashery : Karl's Clothiers

English Novelist, Anthony Trollope once said, "I hold that gentleman to be the best-dressed whose dress no one observes."  If only Mr. Trollope was born and raised or lived in the Old South, perhaps he may have been better understood; for the pride involved in the process and presentation of dressing a Southern man is much obliged indeed.


For it has been said, behind a well dressed Southern man is a Southern woman; teaching her sons how do dress appropriately with style and when the occasion often calls, panache.  In appreciation to the several privately-owned haberdasheries scattered throughout the Southern region, clothiers of the Deep South including Mississippi, Virginia and the Carolina's have been customizing men's clothing and sportswear since the early part of the 20th century.  Borrowed from the old peddlers and mercers of Continental Europe; today's men's outfitters continue to retail wares and goods inspired by their brothers of French, Belgium and English descents.  


Fast forward to the 1940's in Vicksburg, Mississippi, where Karl and Delores Jabour founded their first shop, Vicksburg Tailoring Company.  As years progressed and the sons of the Jabour's segmented into the family business, The Jabour Brother's surfaced in 1950.  After graduating from The University of Southern Mississippi, son Karl became actively involved in the propriety.  Eventually, Karl moved to his mother's hometown in Jacksonville, Florida in 1987 and took the business with him, renaming it Karl's Clothiers.  With locations in various neighborhoods throughout the Jacksonville area, Karl's has called many places home; but today with the increasingly popularity of the ever-growing St. John's Town Center located in the Southside, the store has claimed its most recent home.  



Occupying approximately 2000 square feet of retail floor, Karl's newest location is a generous interior space but cozy enough to shop intimately with the staff.  Tim Shurling, Store Manager and employee for 5 years, invited South of MaDi, to take a close look at the shop and elaborate on what it offers today's Southern gentleman.  The merchandise is distinctively divided between the Sportswear attire and the high fashion Clothing area.  Centrally located within the store is the living room area inviting patrons to stay for a bit with a leather sofa, two upholstered wing-back chairs and a coffee table displaying the latest issues of fashionable men's magazines.  


Karl's father originally only featured the high fashion European-based style in his store.  The shop continues the tradition of elegant, cutting edge fashions with lines such as Jack Victor and Peter Millar.  Men can walk into Karl's and custom design their entire suit in full made-to-measure services, custom shirt design programs and in-house tailoring.  Tim Schurling assures that, "We are a men's haberdasher, and as all Southern men would have it, we are a provider of all men's furnishings."  Items are stocked to sell, including Italian neckwear with seven-fold silk ties, cuff links and men's footwear.  European influenced designs from Italio Farreti and Dolce Punta compliment such fine apparel.


One thing is for sure in the 21st century, and that is men in the workforce and off-the-clock have become more and more relaxed over the years.  Corporate firms now offer its employees more casual dress code with a collared shirt and khaki slacks as appropriate business apparel.  Karl's provides in its Sportswear an array of articles for both a casual work atmosphere and the casual sport lifestyle.  The coastal South is a tremendous influence on men's fashion.  Pawley's Island, South Carolina has introduced the line, Coast, with their motto as, "Where Taking it Easy is Serious Business."  Charleston-born, Southern Tides' iconic fish logo replaces the mass recognition of the Polo.  Southern Point features a pointer dog in its apparel which was established in 2006.  And don't forget the comeback of the bow tie!  Men both young and old are grabbing the reinvented professor-like neckwear from company's such as High Cotton, Southern Proper and Collard Greens.  The new traditional look is now fresher and bolder than ever with vibrant colors and conversational prints.  Buying featured accessories such as koozies, boxer shorts, belts and hats can accent this easy breezy attitude in menswear on the beach, poolside or on the links at the club.  


What the Southern man will wear 50, 100 or 200 years from now, one can never predict.   Bob Dylan sang about it in the 1960's, "Times They Are a-Changin' ", as the lyrical words continue to resonate in a timeless effort in all aspects of society.  However, one thing can be rest assured and that is that as long as the legacy continues in men's haberdasheries and women of the South continue to raise the young men right; Southerners can look back on the family businesses such as the Jabour's with gratitude and pride.  For the Southern man deserves to be halted and observed.....every once in a while.  


Please visit Karl's website and facebook page!  http://www.karlsclothiers.com

The Sweet Taste of Hospitality: A Pineapple Post

According to old legends, a Sea Captain would spear a pineapple on a fence post outside his home to let his friends know of his safe return from sea. The pineapple was an invitation for them to visit, share his food and drink, and listen to tales of his voyage.

Proprietor, Susan Hamilton, may not be a voyaging Sea Captain; but she sure has staked a symbol of welcome with her retail and gift store, Pineapple Post. Since hospitality is the relationship between guest and host; customers of this business can take lessons in perfecting the art of etiquette and entertainment to friends and strangers alike.  

Pineapple Post claims its home on A1A in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, just a few blocks in between the Atlantic Ocean and the Inter-coastal Waterway. The strip-mall store does not draw much attention to itself from the streetscape, but once inside, the interior space offers not only the quaintness of a casual beach cottage, but also a complexity of rooms displaying gifts for man, woman and child.  Just as one peels an onion revealing its layers, the Pineapple Post unfolds itself through series of retail vendors throughout the store. Whether someone is looking for the perfect birthday surprise, stationary, baby shower item, graduation or anniversary gift, holiday present or a hostess thank-you, this store has something to offer just about everyone.  

The original owners of the store were dear family friends of Susan's husband, Craig Hamilton.  Nancy and Ralph Hoyt were college pals with Craig's mother at University of North Carolina. "Since Pineapple Post is such a beaches institution, (the Hoyt's) were so happy to hand over the torch to such close family friends," implies Susan.  A beaches institution indeed, the store has remained in the same location for 38 years.  Adding charm to the well-established beach store; Store Manager, Gail Tetreault, who has worked at the Post since 1993 is known to greet familiar faces and newcomers with a warm and cheerful welcome.  

As Jacksonville Beach has changed drastically in the last four decades, Pineapple Post remains steadfast in serving the local Jacksonville and beaches area. And thanks to modern internet technology, the store has added customers from all over the country.  Brides and grooms can register for specialty items for their new home with popular lines such as Mariposa, Claude Dozorme, Juliska, Michael Aram and Arthur Court.  Those who have a love for Italian inspired tabletops, visit the Vietri section for irresistable dinner and serveware, flatware and home decor.  Since ladies are most likely the customer to frequent the store, many accessory lines such as Vera Bradley, Natural Life, and Peace Love Mom offer women both travel, jewelry and clothing articles.   Toiletries from the lines of Crabtree & Evelyn, Seda France, Lollia, and Botanicals, just to name a few, are available in the bath and body area.  Stop by the sensational pale blue stationary room to find invitations, announcements and special order books from Crane & Co., Sharp & Sally, Whitney English and so much more.  Accent your pocketbook or home with Lilly Pulitzer accessories.  Shop gourmet edibles from Nam's Bits cookies, J&M cheese straws, Savannah's Byrd Cookies' Key Lime Coolers and personal favorite: packaged Shrimp and Grits or She Crab Soup from Charleston's Gullah Gourmet. Before you check out at the front desk, be sure to ooh and ahh local jewelry line, Buki Designs, featuring semi-precious necklaces, earrings and bracelets.

South of MaDi wanted to know what inspires Susan to maintain ownership of her store and what she likes best about it all.  She summed it up best in her own words:

"

The best part of Pineapple Post is the opportunity to help people.  We are not just selling stuff!  We help people with the most important occasions in their lives - brides with their wedding invitations and the dishes they'll use to feed and entertain their families and friends, new mothers with their birth announcements, grandmothers with baby gifts, parents with graduation presents and parties, mothers of the groom with rehearsal dinner invitations, widows or widowers with sympathy acknowledgements, spouses with anniversary gifts, etc etc - we have the honor of helping people through the most memorable occasions of their lives, some joyful and some sad. And one of the really cool things about Pineapple Post having been around so long is that we serve generations of customers!  It's so fun to have customers we met as a brides coming in to get wedding invitations and gifts for their children!"

So whether you are coming off the beach, driving out from town or browsing on the website; relax and stay awhile, for it is an invitation to visit, share and listen to Pineapple Post's tales of her voyage!

www.pineapplepostgifts.com

Bonne Nuit, So Chic!

Arguably, every woman takes refuge in one room in the house. This is a place where she can kick off her shoes, let her hair down and ultimately let go of the day that stood before her earlier that morning. If there was one interior room in the house where a woman can truly feel herself; it is the Bedroom. In the Victorian era and early 20th century, women of Europe sectioned off their private retreats, known as the Boudoir, for sitting and "to be sulky". Now, in modern times, most mother's would chide their daughter's if they ever "sulked" as children and could not imagine behaving that way as grown women.....but do these rules apply in her own bedroom?

Perhaps, Bonne Nuit, the fine lingerie retail store in the Historic Shoppes of Avondale, allows women to indulge in their sulkiness, if they may. Fresh into their new location from across the street, offering the finest undergarments, robes, candles, french milled soaps and more; Bonne Nuit (which means Good Night, in French) just may entice women to pamper themselves more often. Owner, Karen Johnston, along with her daughter who manages the store, Jennifer Perkins, promises to offer ladies an array of products in their store, but also rendering those items beyond your reach. "Just because you do not see something in the store, or it isn't in stock, does not mean we cannot order it for you," adds Ms. Caroline Steedley. Both Caroline along with Ms. Lawson Armes, both serve the store as Sales Associates for Bonne Nuit. With backgrounds and experience together in high-end retail and luxury products, the sales team (along with store mascot, Webster, the black labrador) is on the floor to greet, answer questions, invite customers to try on clothing and to take special orders.

This is no Victoria Secret, mind you. Bonne Nuit provides many fine lines of lingerie, brassieres and women undergarments which are carried in the store, including: Cosabella, Spanx, Hanky Panky, and Natori just to name a few. Some lines, the common woman may have never heard of. For instance in the Long Gown section, clothing from Southern-based Verena Designs, Inc, a High Point, NC company, create intricately sewn reproduction antique lace. Embroidered Thea pajamas and nightgowns are reminiscent of the Colonial era, with matching mother and daughter lounge sets. High quality cotton gowns as, Hanro, are soft as melted butter to the touch. If you aren't sure about sizing, step in to one of the dressing rooms. Behind the dupioni silk curtains, a small but cozy personal room awaits you with floor-to-ceiling mirrors and a cushioned seated bench under the kindest soft lighting.

Throughout the store are small nooks of displays to pull you in for more opulence. Candles by LAFCO tantalize the senses for every room in the house (and for your second home on the Coast or in the Mountains). Danya Decker, Aquiesse and Agraria are also among patron favorites found in the store. Continue the sweet fragrances behind closed doors and in drawers with Irene Hirose sachets. A Voyager in style with travel accessories from the likes of Stephanie Johnson, Rowallan and Longchamp.

Benefiting from more square footage in their new location, Bonne Nuit now stocks some of the finest abundance of linens the market has to offer such as Peacock Alley, Traditions, Le Jacquard and Yves Delorme. Personalize your flat sheets, shams and pillowcases by customizing your monogram from Matouk. On display is a queen-sized, upholstered and nail-head bed demonstrating the beautiful duvet, sheet and coverlet options, which will interchange throughout the year. "We offer 200-500 thread-count stocked to sell," informs Ms. Lawson. Need new down inserts? Not to worry, Bonne Nuit sells DownTown lightweight comforters and inserts for your Euro, Standard and boudoir shams. Ask about the wool mattress pad for sale that stays cool in the Summer and warm in the Winter months.

After perusing through the pale blue interior walls and damask rooms of this delighful boutique; one may acknowledge that women today may not have the boudiors of ages past and each of our bedrooms come in all of different shapes, styles and sizes. Nevertheless, with schedules busier than ever and with little time to gratify our minds and souls to rest, a woman should deservingly take advantage of indulgent rarities. Ladies, take refuge. Bonne Nuit, sleep tight!

North Carolina Screams for Ice Cream...and so do I!

I know every Summer spent in the South, people claim to say that it seems like it was hotter than the last. In July, to escape the Florida heat, I enjoy packing the car up and heading up to North Carolina and just hope for a smidge of cool breeze in my hair. While it appears that I will get little to no relief once I'm there, western Carolina hills and mountains at least give the illusion that it is slightly cooler than the remainder of the Deep Southern regions. To break away from the mundane sound of indoor air conditioning, I decided to take an adventure out to find myself and my two children a great little ice cream shop near Shelby.

My friend, Google, pointed me in the direction of Tony's Ice Cream Company in nearby Gastonia. Not a bad trip, only 20 minutes or so "up the road a piece" as my late Papaw would say. So with air blowing full speed capacity in our car, we took a trip through the hills and found ourselves driving through downtown Gastonia. And in case you do not know where Gastonia is on the map, it is just southwest of Charlotte just off I-85.

Now Tony's is not a fancy establishment, but an old two-story masonry building with aluminum windows stretching along the first story. From the road, we could all ready see the patrons sitting inside along the windows and the parking lot full. Now mind you, it is about 4pm on a Tuesday afternoon, and we suppose that everyone else in Gastonia had the same idea we did about ice cream. As we enter in the side door adjacent to the parking lot, we are greeted by the staff behind the counter and stand in awe of the vast old school menu on the wall that goes on forever. Oh my! This place is much more than ice cream, it has a menu full of grilled items from burgers, bbq and hotdogs to Chuckwagon Steak. We told the kind lady who stood in front of the menu and kitchen that we were only interested in ice cream today, so she directed us around the L-shaped counter to place our order. How do we possibly choose from 28 different ice cream flavors? Easy, just go for the classics. For my son, one scoop of chocolate on a cone, for my daughter, it would be two scoops of strawberry. As for myself, I would leave all dieting aside and order the strawberry-banana milkshake, please.

We scope the room out and my daughter decides that she will take a booth along the windows. We join her and sit down at the bright red vinyl four-seater and formica tabletop. As we savor our Summer treats, I cannot help but to step back in time and imagine what it was like to have my Tony's ice cream in 1915 when the place first opened. Or to meet at Tony's with friends after school in the 1950's. There is something to be said about the history of the old parlor and one could sense that the regular customers were just carrying on a tradition that their grandparents and perhaps great-grandparents began in this small Carolina town.

I urge you to indulge yourself with a milkshake, cheese fries or any of the menu items if you so happen to be in the region of Gastonia. Take time out at Tony's for a scoop of history and pure ice cream delight! For more info visit www.tonysicecream.com

There is Hope for the LB's (Left Brainer's)

After I'm asked what it is I do as a profession, I often hear from people I meet that they wish they had the creative eye to design their own spaces. After all, we cannot all possess the so-called right-brained way of thinking which is said to be intuitive, thoughtful and subjective. I thank God that I am surrounded by the LB's; for one, I wouldn't have any potential clients and two, I wouldn't have individuals in my life to bring me back to my senses through their logical, analytical and objective point of view. So just like the ying cannot live without the yang, I appreciate all of you LB's out there who keep me in line and who from time to time, may need my professional advice.

South of MaDi is here to assist you LB's with resources and insight on the design products and services that you yourself may not know about. I hope these tips and sources can help you find objects that will help you create your own beautiful living environments.

Let me introduce you to One Kings Lane. OKL is my daily go to for decor, vintage and furniture finds for your home, but much more! Products are essentially at cost and highly discounted for you as a member when you sign up on their website www.onekingslane.com. Launched in 2009, the founders Susan Feldman and Alison Pincus brilliantly created a go-to online website, representing home and lifestyle brands. My favorite highlights of OKL is the Tastemaker Tag Sales where selections can be purchased from leading design visionaries, such as well renowned Interior Designers and Decorators; and the finds under $50. I encourage you to visit One Kings Lane for your personal online designer shopping experience.

Lilly + Home Decor = Florida Fabulous

Anyone that knows me and has been to my home knows I absolutely love and cannot get enough of COLOR! One thing I relish about living in Florida is not having to excuse yourself for accessorizing in funky bold colors and textiles. Old Florida represents all things pastel, palmy, sunny and border-line vintage tacky (think of the old Florida postcards from mid-20th century our Grandmothers kept in a photo album). One of my iconic design guru's of fashion would have to be Lilly Pulitzer. Lilly who moved to southern Florida from New York in the 1950's along with her husband, transcended Florida fashion into a colorful frenzy, and til this day has many of followers, mostly up and down the Atlantic east coast. I had to pinch myself when I came across the introduction of Neiman Marcus' Lilly Pulitzer home decor debut this Summer. Chic and bold furniture pieces, shiny lacqured chairs, dining and vanity tables are for sale for those who dare to furnish in the fresh and unafraid. My personal favorite....Lilly's Yellow Barstools.

Intercoastal dining in Palm Valley

Since dining with friends is one of my absolute favorite things to do, I rarely pass up an offer to share company and explore cuisine in town or travel far to the coast . Last night, as we said goodbye to a favorite couple my husband and I love who is moving to Indiana, what a better way to release them to the Midwest than to share wine and local catch seafood?

I am urging you to take notice, if you haven't all ready, Palm Valley Fish Camp, in Palm Valley, Florida.

Located on Roscoe Blvd, a windy two-lane road along the deep intercoastal waters, the Spanish oak trees and overgrown mossy vegetation draws you into rustic Old Florida where dirt roads meets blacktop. Don't drive too fast or you'll pass by the narrow lot and small sign that welcomes you to the Palm Valley Fish Camp. Meticulous landscaping with limited parking lets you know that whomever owns this restaurant is proud of their little piece of waterfront land.

If you get to PVFC on a weekend night, be sure to either have reservation set from days in advance or don't come famished, because the wait can be weary. Not to worry though, the friendly bartenders will invite you to have a seat along the long shiny black granite bar where people watching is at its best. Or if you are thirsty, grab a cold draft beer or a glass of wine and head to the front deck and sit along the gleeming lacqured wood bench or the floating dock where the boatsmen wave either by yacht, by john boat or something inbetween.

The interior feels like stepping into someone's newly built beach cottage with dark hard surface materials, fresh coats of green and blue paint and white trim throughout. But there isn't anything pretentious about this newly built restaurant, for the decor is laid back and rustic where fish nets and bouys hang along the walls and the daily specials are handwritten on an old shutter door chalkboard.

Shall we order?! Being with two other couples, we made sure all six of us ordered a variety of items so everyone could share a bite. For starters, we picked the Cornmeal Crusted Fried Gator Tail, and the Fried Green Tomatoes w/ Lemon Aioli. Be sure to have a cup of the Rick's All Day Seafood Soup, a light tomato base cup of heaven. The men all ordered the Mahi Mahi served over Grits and side of Collard Greens. I helped myself to the classic Mayport Shrimp and Creamy Grits. My lady friends helped themselves to the Grilled Salmon with Shallot Dill Butter, Steamed Spinach & New Potatoes as well as the Seared Yellow Fin Tuna w/ Toasted Sesame Salad. Each delectable menu item simply melted in our mouths as we savored and sipped on our glasses Hahn Pinot Noir. Though too stuffed for dessert, we wished we had room to try that Cranberry Bread Pudding...but there's always next time.

I urge you to make a reservation to dine at this wonderful and fine Southern seafood cuisine establishment the next time you are heading to the coast near Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida; and if you do, please save a seat for me!

http://www.palmvalleyfishcamp.com/

Introductions, Please!

Let me begin by saying that South of MaDi is inspired by living. In order to truly savor life, sometimes we need to put our experiences down on paper, or in this case, a blog. Otherwise, we may forget the people we've met, the places we have been, or the paths we've traveled that have designed our own souls. What I hope is to share my life experiences with you so that together, we can delight in every bite this Earth has to offer!

South of MaDi will bring you insight on an array of subjects: family, The South, reading, dining, shopping, art, design, architecture, travel, friendships and many other delightful notions that fly by my way.

I invite you my friends, old and new, to relish the good things in life....