Well, here is the sweet skinny on the event...if you missed it, you may just want to kick yourself...it was a complete and total BLAST! Swishes of pink, tiaras and stilettos everywhere, people laughing, dancing and eating delectable treats, a general sense of well being and unbridled joy...plus the sun was shining with a light breeze wafting through my garden and trees...absolute perfection!
1. To date we have raised a little bit over $13,000.00. Our goal was $13-$15,000.00 so we have met our beginning goal and are still hoping to hit at least our mid-level range...checks and online donations are still being accepted! (See #6) The total for the combined three years of bake sales is now over $30,000.00...amazing what a community can do together...OOH LA LA again!
2. That money ($6,500.00 each to the Westside Food Bank and St. Joseph Center's Food Pantry program) translates into 26,000 meals at WFB and 1,300 bags of groceries at SJC...literally feeding thousands of women and children in need...makes me weep with joy...
3. The Mr. Sugar & Stilettos 2013 Crowning Ceremony was hysterical...Richard Lewis, Steven Weber and Paul DiMeo outdid themselves...and Bob Picardo added a bit of fun with his fabulous humor and outstanding plaid jacket...video will be up very soon so keep checking the website - www.sugarandstilettos.com -
4. Photos from the event will be up on our FB, Twitter, Instagram, etc. accounts as soon as we can get them edited and up for your viewing pleasure...
5. The lucky winners of this year's raffles and silent auction are...
Diamond Stiletto Necklace from XIV Karats LTD. - Karl Miller
Sofia Vergara's Autographed GUCCI Stilettos - Julie Bardin
S & S Custom Made Quilt by Sharon's Cozy Quilts - Susan Grode
BBQ for 12 from The Blue Dog Beer Tavern's Paul Scrivano - Laurie Newbound
Jackie Doyle's Stunning Stiletto Illustration - Nanci Christopher
Congratulations to all and thank you to everyone who participated...we raised thousands of dollars from these items alone...
6. As I said, online donations and checks are still being accepted, so if you've left it to the last minute and now beyond, it's not too late!
For the Westside Food Bank click on the link and remember to mention S & S in the Comments section - www.wsfb.org
For St. Joseph Center click on the link, it is a special one set up just for us - http://www.stjosephctr.org/sandsbakesale.html
7. Mark your calendar for next year's bake sale - Saturday, May 17, 2014 - you won't want to miss it!
xo Nanci, Your Ever Devoted Sugar Queen
Friday, June 7, 2013
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Boston...how do we comprehend the incomprehensible?
It's been a week and a day since the horror perpetrated upon the Boston Marathoners, their loved ones and the city of Boston itself happened. I know that I am not at all alone, but I simply can not wrap my brain around this tragedy...especially so soon after Sandy Hook and the devastation of that community. While not an excuse of any kind it does seem like the evidence points to the fact that Adam Lanza was severely mentally ill...but what is the explanation for these two young men...immigrants granted refuge in this country as boys, welcomed here to begin new lives full of hope and promise? What could possibly prompt them to think that killing and maiming innocent people in the very city that embraced them was a justifiable act, a reasonable act, a purposeful act? How could their young minds have become so hostile, so convoluted, so evil? I am afraid that we will never know the answer to that question because their actions and state of mind defy understanding, defy logic, defy basic human decency.
So, we are all left to feel bereft once again at the vast ocean of sadness and anger engulfing us every time something senseless like this happens. Where can we put our grief, our sorrow, our fear and our sense of hopelessness? Honestly, I have no answer other than to combat it all with kindness and love. I simply don't know what else to do other than double up my efforts to make a difference in the world...even if it's just my little corner of the world, even if it's just with one little comment or gesture of compassion or humor to someone in need, even if it's just a smile to a stranger while out taking a walk.
I am re-committing myself to raising my son to become a decent, loving, compassionate man with a kind heart and a profound sense of responsibility to his fellow citizens. I am re-committing myself to look in the mirror everyday and find ways to be my best self...and then to actually BE that best self out in the world. I am re-committing myself to look at my neighbor be they next door, cross town or cross country with new eyes and a more open heart. I am re-committing myself to being as authentic and honest as I can possibly be with myself and others. And finally, I am re-committing to holding myself to the highest standard of being a human being and all that that entails.
In doing so I hope that my light will shine brightly enough to block out and eradicate some of the darkness that lives in the world.I am also hoping that even if I am only able to give someone just "one minute of happiness" it will have immeasurable value. Maybe if we all re-committed ourselves to these principles we will be able to make the world a safer place to live...a place filled with more grace, a place filled with noble intent, a place filled with unconditional love...that is my dream...please join me and make it yours too.
xoxo Nanci
So, we are all left to feel bereft once again at the vast ocean of sadness and anger engulfing us every time something senseless like this happens. Where can we put our grief, our sorrow, our fear and our sense of hopelessness? Honestly, I have no answer other than to combat it all with kindness and love. I simply don't know what else to do other than double up my efforts to make a difference in the world...even if it's just my little corner of the world, even if it's just with one little comment or gesture of compassion or humor to someone in need, even if it's just a smile to a stranger while out taking a walk.
I am re-committing myself to raising my son to become a decent, loving, compassionate man with a kind heart and a profound sense of responsibility to his fellow citizens. I am re-committing myself to look in the mirror everyday and find ways to be my best self...and then to actually BE that best self out in the world. I am re-committing myself to look at my neighbor be they next door, cross town or cross country with new eyes and a more open heart. I am re-committing myself to being as authentic and honest as I can possibly be with myself and others. And finally, I am re-committing to holding myself to the highest standard of being a human being and all that that entails.
In doing so I hope that my light will shine brightly enough to block out and eradicate some of the darkness that lives in the world.I am also hoping that even if I am only able to give someone just "one minute of happiness" it will have immeasurable value. Maybe if we all re-committed ourselves to these principles we will be able to make the world a safer place to live...a place filled with more grace, a place filled with noble intent, a place filled with unconditional love...that is my dream...please join me and make it yours too.
xoxo Nanci
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Everything's Coming Up...the play, the house, the bake sale!!!
Here's the latest update of my world since my last blog post...
My play is under major reconstruction and things are going beautifully. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE working with Mark Travis...we are absolutely mining my heart and soul to create this solo show...so very exciting! We even have a new title, which I think is going to make you laugh, smile and be enthusiastic to be an audience member one day..."SUGAR & STILETTOS - a tale of panties and pastries"...now who wouldn't want to be see THAT show?!
Next, my house is still going through some dramatic changes...each one is actually quite small but the accumulation of all of them together
(and we are not even close to being finished!) is quite spectacular. The most important thing I see/feel is the opening up of space which is literally creating a sense of freedom, openness and light everywhere you turn. This new energy is infusing me and the house with a reinvigorated purpose...it is affecting my mind set, my body and the way I now am able to get through the day...simply stunning...every new curtain, appliance, piece of furniture, fabric, plant breathes with a vibrancy that was lacking before...it is all so lovely...embracing all this change can be challenging, especially for someone like me, but I am truly enjoying it and recommend that you do the same in your life...my next goal is to clean out all my clothes closets...create some space for a new look...a new "au courant" me!
Lastly, there is the planning for The Third Annual SUGAR & STILETTOS Bake Sale Extravaganza for Charity on May 18, 2013/11am-3pm...things are coming along in such a magical way...new restaurants, bakeries and stores are joining in, our PR push has begun, we are close to naming
Mr. S & S 2013 and so much more...check out all the details (our raffle items are insane!) on our website...and make sure you sign up for our email list there so you don't miss out on any of our news! www.sugarandstilettos.com
That's it for now...I hope everyone has had a wonderful beginning of spring...here's to the joy of living in the moment, the joy of being your best self!
xoxo Nanci
My play is under major reconstruction and things are going beautifully. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE working with Mark Travis...we are absolutely mining my heart and soul to create this solo show...so very exciting! We even have a new title, which I think is going to make you laugh, smile and be enthusiastic to be an audience member one day..."SUGAR & STILETTOS - a tale of panties and pastries"...now who wouldn't want to be see THAT show?!
Next, my house is still going through some dramatic changes...each one is actually quite small but the accumulation of all of them together
(and we are not even close to being finished!) is quite spectacular. The most important thing I see/feel is the opening up of space which is literally creating a sense of freedom, openness and light everywhere you turn. This new energy is infusing me and the house with a reinvigorated purpose...it is affecting my mind set, my body and the way I now am able to get through the day...simply stunning...every new curtain, appliance, piece of furniture, fabric, plant breathes with a vibrancy that was lacking before...it is all so lovely...embracing all this change can be challenging, especially for someone like me, but I am truly enjoying it and recommend that you do the same in your life...my next goal is to clean out all my clothes closets...create some space for a new look...a new "au courant" me!
Lastly, there is the planning for The Third Annual SUGAR & STILETTOS Bake Sale Extravaganza for Charity on May 18, 2013/11am-3pm...things are coming along in such a magical way...new restaurants, bakeries and stores are joining in, our PR push has begun, we are close to naming
Mr. S & S 2013 and so much more...check out all the details (our raffle items are insane!) on our website...and make sure you sign up for our email list there so you don't miss out on any of our news! www.sugarandstilettos.com
That's it for now...I hope everyone has had a wonderful beginning of spring...here's to the joy of living in the moment, the joy of being your best self!
xoxo Nanci
Monday, February 4, 2013
Change is in the Air!
I am hellbent on making some changes in my life this year. I don't know where any of them will lead and I don't really care at this point. I just know that the way things have been in recent months is not making me happy or allowing me to feel fulfilled...I know, I know I mentioned this in the last blog...well, this is the follow-up so bear with me.
I am well aware that change only comes from action and that each one of us is responsible for taking the initiative to bring about change in our lives...NO ONE ELSE can do it for us...NO ONE ELSE will do it for us...so that's the first really big piece of information to digest. Alright, so it's up to you...in this case ME to begin creating some action that will take me out of the doldrums and propel me forward.
The basic overall emotion that I've been feeling is that my life feels stagnate, a bit old and tired....like it's gotten away from my essence, from what's important to me. I feel it in my home, I feel it in my body, I feel it in my thinking...so I decided to look deeply into what I could do to shake up that perspective.
First, I started with my work...specifically my next play, "SUGAR & STILETTOS - an obsessive baking odyssey" which has been put on the back burner for a long time as other things took precedence or as I allowed other things to take precedence. I wanted to get back to my creative/artistic self...I have been craving that big time so I began doing some re-writes towards the end of last year. Then I asked a few friends (writers and directors) for feedback. Their responses were more than I could have hoped for. Clearly, the play is not done...in fact, has a long way to go until it would be ready for a full production (the development process is pretty long...1-2 years)...but the feedback indicated that I was on the right track and that perhaps a lot farther along in the process than I believed. This delighted me to no end and was really encouraging.
Next, I began to look in to people who could develop the project with me and eventually direct it. After, just one conversation with someone that was recommended to me I knew what I had to do. I had to call Mark Travis and see if we couldn't work together again. It became crystal clear to me that I couldn't waste my time on someone else's learning curve. I needed someone who really knows this solo show world, someone who I already respected and trusted, someone who would know how to pull the rest of the story out of me and guide me through the process...I knew that person was Mark Travis...the person who got me to start writing over 15 years ago...the person who believed that I had a voice and stories that were worth telling...the person who got me back on the ice where I did another ten years of training and competing... the person who is smart, funny, warm and caring...so Mark and I talked for a long time on the phone yesterday and today I sent him a copy of the most recent draft of the play.
I'm not sure where this will lead. It's going to cost me money that I don't have...but I MUST do it. After my conversation with Mark I felt a calm come over me. I instinctively knew that having Mark back in my life and on this project (and at this particular time) was EXACTLY the right thing to do and EXACTLY what I needed to re-connect with my artist self. It feels like I am taking care of the most sacred part of myself. That alone makes me giddy imagining all the possibilities and challenges that lie ahead...every bit of it so perfect in its own way.
Second, I looked at my home environment. Now, although I have an adorable, cozy little house filled with emotional treasures, it has been feeling worn out and dated...like I've out grown it by a dress size or two. So, I made the leap...again money I don't have...and called Kathy Delgado of Vintageweave Interiors. I've known Kathy for several years...she is a doll, a fellow Francophile who designs and decorates in the French farmhouse style (often for big celebs). I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this rustic and refined look!
I have never hired anyone to help me with my house, which I've owned for almost fifteen years but I just KNEW deep in my heart and soul that Kathy was the answer, was the home angel that I needed. Well, she came sweeping in and in our first two hour meeting had me purging books, knick knacks and picture frames as if I were in a frenzy. She immediately started re-purposing items and envisioning new looks for the house...especially the living room, kitchen and my bedroom. I was entranced...the spaces (literally and figuratively) that she opened up that day felt intoxicating in their openness, in their vibrancy, in their simplicity...OOH LA LA...I was so happy! Kathy came back for another visit last week...three hours this time...when she left I was even happier than before! On Saturday my new bed arrived and VOILA a whole new era has begun. The rest of the changes Kathy has in mind will unfold over time but all is in motion and no longer standing still...a wonder to behold...
Lastly, I am working at cleaning out the cobwebs in my mind and body. This, of course, is a bit trickier than the other stuff, so all I've really accomplished thus far is to be aware of my thought process and pay more attention to taking care of my body...be kinder to it and get it moving/exercising on a more regular basis. I feel the shifting of attitudes going on already...giving me a calmer, gentler perspective. I'll keep you posted as to how this process reveals itself to me over time...
So, my lovelies, what are you going to change this year in your life to make yourself more joyful, more fulfilled? I can't wait to hear all the details of your awakening...
xoxo Nanci, Your Adoring Sugar Queen
I am well aware that change only comes from action and that each one of us is responsible for taking the initiative to bring about change in our lives...NO ONE ELSE can do it for us...NO ONE ELSE will do it for us...so that's the first really big piece of information to digest. Alright, so it's up to you...in this case ME to begin creating some action that will take me out of the doldrums and propel me forward.
The basic overall emotion that I've been feeling is that my life feels stagnate, a bit old and tired....like it's gotten away from my essence, from what's important to me. I feel it in my home, I feel it in my body, I feel it in my thinking...so I decided to look deeply into what I could do to shake up that perspective.
First, I started with my work...specifically my next play, "SUGAR & STILETTOS - an obsessive baking odyssey" which has been put on the back burner for a long time as other things took precedence or as I allowed other things to take precedence. I wanted to get back to my creative/artistic self...I have been craving that big time so I began doing some re-writes towards the end of last year. Then I asked a few friends (writers and directors) for feedback. Their responses were more than I could have hoped for. Clearly, the play is not done...in fact, has a long way to go until it would be ready for a full production (the development process is pretty long...1-2 years)...but the feedback indicated that I was on the right track and that perhaps a lot farther along in the process than I believed. This delighted me to no end and was really encouraging.
Next, I began to look in to people who could develop the project with me and eventually direct it. After, just one conversation with someone that was recommended to me I knew what I had to do. I had to call Mark Travis and see if we couldn't work together again. It became crystal clear to me that I couldn't waste my time on someone else's learning curve. I needed someone who really knows this solo show world, someone who I already respected and trusted, someone who would know how to pull the rest of the story out of me and guide me through the process...I knew that person was Mark Travis...the person who got me to start writing over 15 years ago...the person who believed that I had a voice and stories that were worth telling...the person who got me back on the ice where I did another ten years of training and competing... the person who is smart, funny, warm and caring...so Mark and I talked for a long time on the phone yesterday and today I sent him a copy of the most recent draft of the play.
I'm not sure where this will lead. It's going to cost me money that I don't have...but I MUST do it. After my conversation with Mark I felt a calm come over me. I instinctively knew that having Mark back in my life and on this project (and at this particular time) was EXACTLY the right thing to do and EXACTLY what I needed to re-connect with my artist self. It feels like I am taking care of the most sacred part of myself. That alone makes me giddy imagining all the possibilities and challenges that lie ahead...every bit of it so perfect in its own way.
Second, I looked at my home environment. Now, although I have an adorable, cozy little house filled with emotional treasures, it has been feeling worn out and dated...like I've out grown it by a dress size or two. So, I made the leap...again money I don't have...and called Kathy Delgado of Vintageweave Interiors. I've known Kathy for several years...she is a doll, a fellow Francophile who designs and decorates in the French farmhouse style (often for big celebs). I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this rustic and refined look!
I have never hired anyone to help me with my house, which I've owned for almost fifteen years but I just KNEW deep in my heart and soul that Kathy was the answer, was the home angel that I needed. Well, she came sweeping in and in our first two hour meeting had me purging books, knick knacks and picture frames as if I were in a frenzy. She immediately started re-purposing items and envisioning new looks for the house...especially the living room, kitchen and my bedroom. I was entranced...the spaces (literally and figuratively) that she opened up that day felt intoxicating in their openness, in their vibrancy, in their simplicity...OOH LA LA...I was so happy! Kathy came back for another visit last week...three hours this time...when she left I was even happier than before! On Saturday my new bed arrived and VOILA a whole new era has begun. The rest of the changes Kathy has in mind will unfold over time but all is in motion and no longer standing still...a wonder to behold...
Lastly, I am working at cleaning out the cobwebs in my mind and body. This, of course, is a bit trickier than the other stuff, so all I've really accomplished thus far is to be aware of my thought process and pay more attention to taking care of my body...be kinder to it and get it moving/exercising on a more regular basis. I feel the shifting of attitudes going on already...giving me a calmer, gentler perspective. I'll keep you posted as to how this process reveals itself to me over time...
So, my lovelies, what are you going to change this year in your life to make yourself more joyful, more fulfilled? I can't wait to hear all the details of your awakening...
xoxo Nanci, Your Adoring Sugar Queen
Saturday, January 19, 2013
HAPPY, HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013!!!
Well, I'm embarrassed to say that's it's taken me almost three weeks to come out from underneath the holiday madness fog I was in. Even though Joshua and I did not go crazy over his winter break we still did our fair share of making the party rounds, celebrating, going to the movies and theatre, out to dinner etc, etc...
So, here I am trying to figure out what 2013 is going to be like for me...what life I want to CREATE for myself...what life I want to LIVE...what life will bring me the most JOY and sense of PURPOSE (aside from being Joshua's mom!)...these are HUGE questions to ask oneself...and they are questions I have only just begun to delve into.
This is what I do know so far. I am not completely happy with where I am at, personally or professionally. I, at times, give away too much of myself leaving nothing (or little) left to nurture myself and my own dreams/aspirations. My creative/artist soul is in desperate need of a voice again.
I also know that I want to focus more on my new play, "SUGAR & STILETTOS - an obsessive baking odyssey" getting it ready for a table read, workshop production, possible submissions to various festivals and development programs with the ultimate goal of a full production, etc. I want to start working on the SUGAR & STILETTOS Baking book, and a proposal for a SUGAR & STILETTOS television baking show...both major elements in growing the S & S brand...I'd like the Third Annual S & S Bake Sale Extravaganza to be a PHENOMENAL success, really grow this year in amazing ways, financially and awareness wise, getting lots and lots of PRESS...and, oh yeah, I'd like to fall in love again...at least one more time before I leave this planet.
And lastly (for right now) I know that I am incredibly blessed and privileged...that I am completely capable of re-inventing myself...of beginning a new chapter of my life by deciding to create it and then doing just that.
OK, so that's what I know...what I don't know could fill volumes and volumes for sure, but I'm not going to focus on that...I am going to focus on figuring out what I do want and how to create that...knowing that as I work on myself I will become happier and more productive...which is not only better for me it's better for everyone around me...finding a way to be my best self is what the universe is begging me to do...begging you too, by the way...
So, mes belles et mes beaux...WHAT IS YOUR GOAL for 2013? Look inside and discover/re-kindle your dreams and best self...set the world on fire with your passion...and when you have a minute bake a little something...like Zoe Nathan's Whole Wheat Apple Butter Cake...it's a beauty and everyone you share it with will love you even more than they already do!
xoxo Nanci, Your S & S Baking Queen
So, here I am trying to figure out what 2013 is going to be like for me...what life I want to CREATE for myself...what life I want to LIVE...what life will bring me the most JOY and sense of PURPOSE (aside from being Joshua's mom!)...these are HUGE questions to ask oneself...and they are questions I have only just begun to delve into.
This is what I do know so far. I am not completely happy with where I am at, personally or professionally. I, at times, give away too much of myself leaving nothing (or little) left to nurture myself and my own dreams/aspirations. My creative/artist soul is in desperate need of a voice again.
I also know that I want to focus more on my new play, "SUGAR & STILETTOS - an obsessive baking odyssey" getting it ready for a table read, workshop production, possible submissions to various festivals and development programs with the ultimate goal of a full production, etc. I want to start working on the SUGAR & STILETTOS Baking book, and a proposal for a SUGAR & STILETTOS television baking show...both major elements in growing the S & S brand...I'd like the Third Annual S & S Bake Sale Extravaganza to be a PHENOMENAL success, really grow this year in amazing ways, financially and awareness wise, getting lots and lots of PRESS...and, oh yeah, I'd like to fall in love again...at least one more time before I leave this planet.
And lastly (for right now) I know that I am incredibly blessed and privileged...that I am completely capable of re-inventing myself...of beginning a new chapter of my life by deciding to create it and then doing just that.
OK, so that's what I know...what I don't know could fill volumes and volumes for sure, but I'm not going to focus on that...I am going to focus on figuring out what I do want and how to create that...knowing that as I work on myself I will become happier and more productive...which is not only better for me it's better for everyone around me...finding a way to be my best self is what the universe is begging me to do...begging you too, by the way...
So, mes belles et mes beaux...WHAT IS YOUR GOAL for 2013? Look inside and discover/re-kindle your dreams and best self...set the world on fire with your passion...and when you have a minute bake a little something...like Zoe Nathan's Whole Wheat Apple Butter Cake...it's a beauty and everyone you share it with will love you even more than they already do!
xoxo Nanci, Your S & S Baking Queen
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