Treating other people with respect

re-post

We should always do our utmost to treat other people with respect.

All of us have little things that we are sensitive about. Other people might find it hard to understand those things and may think we are oversensitive about them. However, that does not mean that we should not take those things into consideration.

For instance, some people may not like to hear bad language. If so, you should try as hard as you can not to swear when in that person's company. You may think that is silly. You may think they have the problem, not you and they should deal with it. I disagree. I think that you should respect the fact that those people do not like bad language.

Some people may not like you to smoke when there children are present. You may think that is silly, after all they are not going to be affected by you smoking just one cigarette in front of them. However, perhaps these people do not want you to set an example to your children. You should respect that.

Likewise, some people do not want shoes to be worn inside their homes. This is something important to them.

You may think this is daft. If it is for cultural reasons you may think "They are living in the UK not in China." If it is to protect the carpet you may think "Carpets are meant to be walked on." That is fine. You are entitled to your opinion. However, you should still treat their preference with respect. They are fellow human beings who have the right to their preferences and opinions as much as you do. So please don't complain if you are asked to remove your shoes in such homes.

We should also not be afraid to state our preferences. Nobody is going to know that you would rather they avoided using bad language in front of their children unless you tell them this. In the same way nobody will know that you would like shoes-off in your house unless you make it clear. There is nothing wrong with expressing how you feel and asserting your wishes. You have the right to be respected.

Blue (Da Ba Dee)

TGIF! So many good things to look forward to:

• Long weekend - freedom!
• Getting my hair cut and higlighted today (i.e., it'll actually look decent for the next day or two)
• The BF is back
• Renaissance Festvial this weekend - mm, turkey legs, jousting and broadaxes
• Mini outing to Anthro and J. Crew - and froyo
• Movie outing (IronMan part deux)

And most importantly:

• Remember to thank a soldier - and to say a prayer for those who gave their lives for us

Here's my why-am-I-up-so-early-but-am-obviously-ecstatic-OOTD:

Boogie can't be denied!

Shirt: Gap cotton chambray safari (worn here before)

Skirt: Anthropologie Edme & Esyllte Royal Poinciana (worn here before)

Necklace: Anthropologie Double Torsade

Shoes: Sofft Vivian patent leather slingback

Things of beauty...

Long, long week, the one that has just passed. My husband has been away all week, climbing that corporate ladder again, so it's been the Boos and I, home alone. It has its upside; easy meals, quiet nights, no wet towels left on the floor ;-) But Monday to Friday seems like a long stretch and I want him home now. It is bank holiday weekend and we are spending one night away with friends; a group affectionately called 'Cottage Club'. We are staying overnight in a local place - less than 5 miles from home but crucially it's away. Good friends, good food. Freedom from the everyday.

I think I hit a friendly nerve with yesterday's post and we are all in vehement agreement that life is too short for all that malarkey. Thanks for all the lovely comments, as ever it's a marvel to me how many kind people there are out there ready to say hello. 

Boo swam in a swimming gala yesterday and I was awfully proud as her little lithe body slipped through the water like a fish. I know I am biased but she is just so cool and beautiful.

Here are some more things of beauty...I like to ponder on a Friday...

Natalia Vodianova...looking ethereal.

Milkshake and cookies...

A verdigris door handle...

'Apples and Biscuits' painted by Paul Cezanne

Kate Hudson just always looks like she is great fun. Like she'd be a interesting friend to have....

Georg Jensen diamond pave bracelet watch...

Pillowy pink roses...

These are scenes we will all come to know and love I'm sure; this is from SATC 2 but it caught my eye because SJP just does this hairdo so well! There really aren't many women whose features would take this pulled-back look. I also love the necklace. Funny that I choose this picture and so did a good friend of mine in blogland - making the same points about the hair and the necklace! Must work on my originality but it did make me smile after yesterday's post about parallel posts!

Wallpaper heaven...it's wonderful how the rooms just open into each other and the wood floor just sets it all off...

via it's mary ruffle

Boo slept in plaits last night so she would have curls for a school show today...

How pretty is this table decoration? I love coloured wine glasses...if only I could get to plan a wedding all over again - same husband but just the chance to pick all these lovely details!

A view outside...more beautiful roses...

This photo print I bought from the lovely Natasha, who is a very talented photographer and blogger - this is her Etsy shop.  I am so delighted with this picture, I am going to find a great place for it in my house.

 It's half term, so I shall be trying to bake with the children (I know I always say that and in reality my Mum steps in and does it, but I am going to try!)...

via it's mary ruffle

I am completely addicted to Leah's thx, thx, thx I think she is a genius of little thoughts...I especially like this one:

Blooming Ikat

Top: Anthropologie Deletta Rare Bloom (worn here before)
Skirt: Xhiliration Ikat smocked from Target (worn here before)
Shoes: Arturo Chiang At-Thea peep-toes (worn here before)
Bracelets: Old Navy enamel bangles

So one of my must-have summer staples had been to find a great brown-tan leather wedge sandal I could actually walk in. I started this search about a week or two ago, and for some reason I had it in my head that my perfect pair was the Cynthia Vincent for Target wedges in cognac - which I was always pretty sure my chances on scoring a pair were next to nill. My closest Targets don't have them (nor had I ever seen them) and Ebay auctions for the wedges are stilling ringing up to $100 or more (I don't love any clothing or accessory piece enough to pay over retail for it, sorry).

Thus, after much hemming and hawing over five million and one similar-looking brown-tan sandals that ranged in price from ghastly to "is this just a sandal-making kit?", I finally ended up purchasing a semi-inspired-by looking wedge (think second cousin once or twice removed):

Indigo by Clarks Finch wedges (see them here, or here for less)

Not the same and not as edgy as the Vincent wedges, but I think this will be a nice neutral addition to my summer wardrobe (yeah, 'cause I needed more shoes), and the low platform height will actually be comfy nice and wearable.

And to all you ladies who can prance about confidently in your 4" and above wedges or chunky heels, I salute you - and I invite you to take at look at these (so pretty and on sale - my first choice had I not thought I'd break my dang ankles in them), these (also on sale, hello!) and these, if you're searching for hot pairs of summery platform wedges.

My next "great" summer fashion search: The Romper (da-da-dummmm ...) IF I can find the perfect flattering one that doesn't make me think toddlerville or "Pretty Woman 2010" - and IF I can get over the whole completely undressing to use the ladies room thing.

What are your summer must-haves?

Hell hath no fury...like an anonymous commenter

What is the deal with anonymous blog commenters? Not the nice ones, they are ticketyboo...I mean the rare nasties. I have seen a few examples of anonymous venom being dripped and wonder what drives people to do that? Seems odd to me. I do understand that sometimes you have an urge to say something, but why not just say it and be open and known about it? Say what you feel. But put your name behind it!

In the last few months these blogs (that I have seen; I am sure there are many more) have been touched by anonymous commenters of vitriol. Diary of a Yummy Mummy, who was told she looked old in a post that featured a photo of herself. Kasey at Lola B's, who provoked a disproportionately strong reaction with her April Fools post that someone didn't quite 'get'. Mrs A in the Cove whose pain-staking and beautiful house renovation was poo-pooed by an anonymous commenter. And then Little Emma English Home who was told by an anonymous commenter that she had plagiarised another blogger's pictures. Bizarre. I love especially that Ziara from Little Emma English Home had to slip into her Italian mother tongue to publish a responsive rant to the comment! Sometimes only that will do. When delivering a riposte what better language than Italian to do it in? Although I don't know Ziara well at all, I imagine her typing away and pausing every now and then for a hand gesture and flailing of arms ;-)

So what is it? I do acknowledge that blog commenting is a strange sport and can feel a bit like making friends in the school playground. You know where little girls say 'I like that and this and I like your shoes and I like your hair and I like your Barbie and I like your rucksack and I like your smile' etc etc. We all like a lot of the same stuff; that's a given. Plus sometimes there are parallel posts where pictures are used and you get that distinct sensation that you've seen it somewhere before. That's just a spooky coincidence.

For what it's worth, I have a live and let live philosophy in life. People make their choices, they do their thing. I agree in some cases, in others I don't. If I don't agree I generally keep that opinion to myself as I would rather be respectful and polite than confrontational and mean-spirited. That's just me. As I always say it's whatever floats your boat...just be kind.

P.S. Hello to Amelia...my 100th follower :-)