Monday, December 5, 2011

Behind the blogger.....meet Teresa from Splendid Sass and H2O!

Hi there! Hope everyone had a super weekend. Ours was really busy and frankly I am very glad its over!! Lots going on this week....  (Please be sure to read the important message about Charity water at the bottom)


Before I begin this wonderful interview.....
I am also offering my "2 cents" on gift giving over at Mon's  wonderful blog, Splendid Willow..... this is a post you will not want to miss! Click here to visit. 

Good morning, today I present to you the last interview (for now)  for my Behind the blogger series. I am going to get this back up and going again after the holidays in a slightly different format, but promise to bring you a "behind the scenes" peek into some of your favorite bloggers. Say hello to........

Teresa of Splendid Sass
 Teresa, a former banker and stockbroker runs the  popular blog, Splendid Sass, it is pure design and decorating heaven with a little sprinkle of foodie goodness (just my style). I know I am promised some seriously beautiful eye candy or a mouth watering recipe when I visit her blog. On top of that, her very sweet and gracious personality is felt throughout every post.  If this isn't enough I was blown away to discover amongst her many attributes, Teresa I will have you know is also quite accomplished in other fields; she has an undergraduate degree in molecular biology and a masters in law on top of playing tennis and doing needlework in her spare time (what spare time)!  And hold onto your hat...I am NOT done! She is working on a masters in visual and liberal arts! How do you do it all Teresa?  You might already be familiar with Splendid Sass and if you are then you will really enjoy this interview and getting to know Teresa a little better. If you are not familiar with her blog, what are you waiting for!! Head on over and see for yourself what all the fuss is about! And give yourself a little extra time because its easy to get swept up in all the pretty!! Hope you enjoy this one on one with Teresa!


Click on Teresa's pretty picture to visit Splendid Sass and thank you Teresa for participating!


So, how did you end up blogging?
I was looking through one of my design magazines and saw the link to Habitually Chic.  I started reading Heather’s blog and the blogs of others and decided to try the blogging thing myself.  Well, two years later, here I am!

A few things I love about fall are....................
Everything.  I love the weather, the clothes, the festivals, and the sports!  

You get to spend a month at the perfect beach house on the beach, will it be Malibu or Nantucket? Well, either would be perfect, but Nantucket would most likely be my first choice. I love the quaintness of this area.

Two weeks first class all the way, is it London or Paris?  Both places are on my list of places to visit, but I would love to go to Paris to see the art, food, and antiques.  I would love to go to the Louvre. 
My daughter speaks French, and has been to Paris, so I think I would invite her to go.

If I were 18 again I would....... eat healthier foods and take better care of my skin.
Otherwise, I wouldn’t change a thing. Life experiences make us who we are, and I am happy with my life and my family.

What would be on your plate for your ultimate dream dinner and dessert?
Filet of beef with a wine reduction, lobster tail, asparagus, and garlic mashed potatoes.  For dessert, I would order tiramisu.

Tell us as little or much as you want to about your family?
I have two lovely sisters, and two beautiful children.  My son is married to a beautiful woman, and my daughter is in her fourth year of college. 
I am so proud of them, and can’t wait to be a Grammy one day!

Worst habit? Best trait?
My worst habits are drinking too much coffee and talking too much. 
My best trait is my love for people.  

Favorite design trend?
My favorite design trend is a more neutral palette and the rustic textures.

One golden rule/advice for decorating that you would pass on.
Decorate with the colors, furnishings, art, and keepsakes that are special to you. You home should showcase who you are.

Designer icon....Bobby McAlpine

You get to have lunch with anyone in the entire world, could be from Hollywood, a famous author or playwright, a politician, rock star, a cooking guru, religious leader, anyone…who are the lucky two to sit at your table?   Anderson Cooper.  I love his drive and dedication to his life, family, and career.

A perfect day would start with Croissants, fruit, and coffee on the terrace and end with dinner and wine at a fabulous bistro.

If we could only live in one season year round, which would you choose and why? 
Winter.  It puts a skip in my step, and I love the fresh cold air.  I also love the holiday season, especially Christmas.

Describe your favorite outfit. 
My favorite outfit would be a heavy cotton cable knit sweater with wool pants or jeans and knee high boots.

Tell me about a dream vacation for you and your family……
I have always wanted to go to Italy.  The architecture and art is amazing, and the food is perfect!

Favorite movie or book that you could read or watch over and over?  Oh goodness, I guess it would have to be a tossup between You've got Mail or The Holiday! I also love The Great Gatsby.

3 qualities that I think fairly describe me are
Optimistic, dedicated, and driven.

Comedy or dramas?
Definitely comedy!  I am a chick flick kind of girl!  Bring on the laughter and the tears.

A book that I have read in the last few years that I really really loved....................
Julia Child’s “My Life in France” was a charming book.  I read a lot of textbooks in my MLA program.

In my next life I will be a designer early on.

One thing I absolutely cannot live without is..........coffee and my iPhone.

If I have learned one thing in life, it is.................... Do what you love.  It always takes you to where you should be!

And now a little recap on the all the things Teresa loves!











Loved You've got Mail, its one of those movies, Teresa I could watch over and over, ditto The Great Gatsby!  Anything Julia Child I say a big resounding yes to and please include me when you meet with your buddy Anderson. I am fascinated, intrigued and in awe of your many accomplishments and positive energy. You are a true inspiration! Croissants, Italy and Nantucket, coffee and your IPhone...we are meant to be friends! Do stop on over to visit Teresa over at Splendid Sass. Thank you Teresa for participating and to all of you for stopping in! Wishing you a wonderful day.


Don't forget to also visit me over at Splendid Willow to see what I am enjoying giving as a gift this year!

Last, Lauren from Aspiring Kennedy reached out to a group of bloggers to ask them to spread the word about Charity Water and the Well done campaign.. I was thrilled to do so as I am aware of this fabulous organization and it is with pleasure that I ask you to take a look at this powerful video which shows you how Charity water came to be. It is truly an extraordinary story and one worth the few minutes it will take to watch, I promise you will not regret it!  To think, it  all started with a birthday!!



If you feel moved to donate, please visit the link below. Even one dollar is not too little, every cent makes a difference in this effort to ensure that everyone is given the luxury of clean drinking water. A campaign has started, a challenge has been issued to have each of the 25 blogs raise $250.00 within a month. There is no doubt in my mind that we can do this! I think nothing about grabbing several bottles of clean Poland Spring water every day, taking a shower, brushing my teeth a few times a day,etc.....knowing the water is clean and I am protected. Many do not have this luxury. I hope you will consider joining the fight to ensure clean water for everyone.
Click here to donate and thank you!

45 comments:

  1. I love these interviews. My daughter/blog partner are always available. I am a regular reader of yours and love your home. I can't wait to see it when you get settled in.

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  2. Hi she sounds fantastic and very smart! I love her choices in food movies and dining companions! I will visit her blog and will also check your guest post too. I enjoyed hearing about Chatity water and will show ut to my husband!

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  3. This is a fun series that I always enjoy and look forward to reading. It's nice to be introduced to other bloggers and learn a little about what makes them tick!

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  4. Tina-
    Thank you so much for your kind words! You truly are an angel.
    Headed over to Monica's now to see what you have in store for us!
    Teresa
    xoxo

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  5. I love Theresa and all of her picks! xx

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  6. Teresa's interview is wonderful. I so admire women with such outstanding accomplishments.
    Thanks for sharing, Tina!

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  7. Great interview with a high achiever for sure! I get tired just thinking about her drive!! Kudos on the clean water spotlight~my dad was an environmental engineer who took us with him and we lived in countries with bad water while he got water plants set up~when we finally returned to the states, all I wanted to do was to drink water out of a garden hose!! What a luxury we have in our country.

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  8. Theresa is one splendid lady!!! Her enthusiasm for all things beautiful is contagious! And, I think I need to start drinking her brand of coffee - I might get more done! :)

    And, love Charity:Water....what a great cause. Something we can all agree on!

    xoxo Elizabeth

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  9. Who knew that so many bankers end up blogging! Teresa is a lovely as her blog and it was a treat to get to know her better.
    xxoo

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  10. Thank you for showcasing Teresa interesting to learn how educated our blogger friends are and I want to have dinner with Teresa...love lobster. Charity water is a wonderful organization and the perfect Christmas gift!

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  11. I love Teresa's interview. She definitely has a blog that features some beautiful projects and has such a sweet personality that shines through. I knew I liked her! I'm an Iphone and coffee girl too.

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  12. Tina, tell me that the magnificent looking blonde pictured beside your blog name over at Splendid Willow is not you! Because being so beautiful and smart and building such a magnificent castle would be too much for one person, lol!

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  13. Absolutely loved this interview with Teresa! She has been a tremendous inspiration and encouragement to me over the past year or so and I feel like we are truly friends! Her blog is always wonderful and she is as kind as she is talented and pretty! There are many days that she simply "checks in " with me just to see how things are going if I haven't been on blogger in a while and I certainly appreciate that! Tina, I love your blog and look forward to reading it everyday! Thanks so much for always bringing us wonderful interviews, beautiful pictures and a true heartfelt warmth with all of your wonderful posts! Have a wonderful day!
    Carolyn Bradford

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  14. Tina! So thats what you look like, you are so pretty!! And so young I cannot believe you have older boys, how old were you when you had them, 12? hehe, so let me get this straight, you are pretty, smart, witty AND building my dream house!
    I loved your gift ideas and I enjoyed hearing more about Teresa. Impressive lady that she is. Thank you.

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  15. What fun to learn more about Teresa, what an impressive person she is. So smart! And always so sweet and lovely when you run into her in "blogland." Thanks for giving us the chance to get to know her better.

    And I love your suggestions for personalized gifts! Great ideas. (And I echo Lisa, you are so pretty and it's so fun to have a face to put to all of your wonderful posts and comments!)

    Have a very merry week! XO

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  16. "If I have learned one thing in life, it is.................... Do what you love. It always takes you to where you should be!" Love this statement! How true!!!!

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  17. Tina-
    Loved you gift ideas over at Monica's! You are one beautiful lady!
    Teresa
    xoxo

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  18. Three great topics all in one post. SUCH a fun interview first of all. And I loved your monogrammed picks, as well as the whole articles over at Monika's...what a fun thing to put together! And last, but not least, what a powerful campaign. Their approach is truly remarkable - so many mothers in developed nations will remember that ad campaign of the mother giving her children a glass of water that is completely dirty - very compelling! One more thing - it was fun to see what you look like - you're face matches your beautiful personality!

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  19. Pretty Tina! I was so excited to see your picture over at the other blog, an unexpected surprise. You are beautiful! So funny I always wondered what you looked like, and somehow I imagined you to be brunette and older (maybe wishful thinking on the older part) Well your beauty matches your inner beauty:-)
    Those monogram gifts were terrific, I really loved that leopard tray could you let me know who makes it?
    Teresa sounds fantastic I am going to visit her blog now, what a warm and kind person she is, not to mention very smart! Love what she said about doing what you love and how it will take you to where you need to go, so so true.

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  20. Tina, another great interview. Teresa sounds like a very impressive lady!! I am continually amazed at the people I find in blogland--who knew.

    My youngest son left for college this last August and the reality of an empty nest was weighing heavily on me. But, I have to say that connecting with so many incredible ladies in blogland has inspired me to see this time of life as a brand new chapter with new opportunities for learning, growing and connecting.

    Have a great day!!

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  21. Great interview! I love what she said about life is what makes us who we are, how true is that! And I love her idea of the perfect dinner too....always in the mood for steak and lobster. I am as addicted to my new Iphone as I am Starbucks coffee, loved reading about Teresa and will go visit her blog, we have so much in common.
    I will also visit your guest visit on gifts, Tina

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  22. Just came from you post about gift giving, love what you selected and you are beautiful, my friend! I had no idea what you looked like but always wondered! Gorgeous.

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  23. I love Teresa! Thank you both for this wonderful interview. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know one of my favorite bloggers a little better.
    Thank you also for spreading the word about Charity Water.
    I think this time of year is all about being grateful and giving back for all of our blessings.
    Oh, and of course Monika at Splendid Willow has the most fabulous taste. 'Tis also the season to give to those in your life to let them know how much you appreciate them!
    Happy Week!

    xo
    Brooke

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  24. I adore Teresa and her gorgeous blog! Loved learning more about her and her fascinating life. You have the best series! Also, so happy to see your photo on Monika's blog. You are beautiful! xo

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  25. This is a great portrait of another stylish lady I would *love* to meet! (And have dinner with, her meal choices looked yummy to me.) I enjoyed visiting Splendid Willow, you know how much I adore your gift suggestions, if it's personalized it's perfect!

    Thank you for showing the Charity Water, I am going to visit the link and watch the video after I post this.

    Sending you a smile,
    tp

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  26. I had to come back after a trip to Splendid Willow! I thought, who is that model shown next to Tina's name and blog?? Then I realized it was you my friend~so happy to out a face to my blogger BF and will say this, you are so pretty, I am not surprised one bit~you match your insides!

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  27. One of my favorite series on your blog that share the personal aspect of the talents behind the beautiful blogs.
    You are gorgeous as your home :-))

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  28. So fun getting to know Teresa better! She is super bright (also wonder how she does it all!)and indeed her love for people shines through!

    Tina, thank you for participating in my 2 series. I loved having you and I wonder how many comments you will get saying you look STUNNING in that picture! You are beautiful on the inside and outside.

    lovelovelove,

    Mon

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  29. Tina you never told us you look like a super model! You are so beautiful, I was taken aback when I read your post about gift giving and I loved all your ideas too, something personalized is always a great way to go.
    Teresa sounds like a wonderful, grounded, kind and very intelligent woman. I look forward to visiting her blog and checking it out. I really enjoy these interviews very much and must say this one was one of my favorites.

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  30. Loved Teresa's interview. Her ultimate dream dinner and dessert is suprisingly exactly what I would choose. I SO agree with her on so many points (such as what she'd do in her next life, and doing what you love). I love your monogrammed picks over at Splendid Willow. And, what a beautiful lady you are! It seems you've found the fountain of youth. Last, Charity: Water sounds like quite a worthy cause. Clean water is an absolute essential for health.

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  31. I'm so with her on how she'd love to start and end each day...fabulous interview!

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  32. Splendid sass is one of my favorite blogs. Teressa is such a sweet lady, always has something nice to say. Great interview and i cant wait to check out the blog willow. I love when you interview these great ladies. Its fun to learn about them.

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  33. Thanks for the blog introduction. I hope you continue this series, I enjoy it so much!

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  34. Tina-
    I want to thank you for this interview! I have met so many new bloggers that I can't wait to visit, and thank you to my old friends who I dearly love!
    Teresa
    xoxo

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  35. I love your interviews Tina! I think I have a lot in common with Teresa...love chick flicks, favorite season is winter (why do i live in California)? and I could never live without coffee and my iphone and of course I love her blog.

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  36. How fun to learn more about wonderful bloggers, like Teresa. She is quite remarkable. Love her way of living life. She seems grounded, yet shoots for the moon by living life to the fullest. Hoping over to see your guest post now. XOXO.

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  37. Tina Teresa sounds like such a wonderful person, I love what she said about "doing what you love" she is one smart lady, and agree about her choice in movies. Great Gatsby is my all time favorite. Great story behind Charity water.
    I saw a few of comment raving about how pretty you were so I was intrigued, I went to see your guest post and they weren't exxagerating one bit! You are just beautiful. You were holding out on us! If I looked like that my picture would be plastered all over my blog:-)

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  38. Always fun to learn more about blogging friends - although I already knew Teresa was lovely with such impressive credentials!! Will pop on over to Monika's!!

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  39. Oh I always enjoy reading about other fab bloggers - so nice to learn more about Teresa :O).
    Hope your day is sunny,
    Axx

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  40. What a lovely interview! I have some things in common with her! Chick flicks and croissants! Going to check out her blog!

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  41. I loved your interview questions! I'm over to her blog, and to watch the video about charity water!

    Cindy

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  42. Oh wow, that video made me cry... How inspiring and wonderful, and how cool that just a few people starting out with no money affected so many people in the world... powerful stuff

    Cindy

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  43. Love how you do these interviews. Such a nice way to get to know more about someone, and really gives you a peek into their lives. She sounds like such a quality person not to mention really smart and driven. Impressive!

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  44. What a fun interview! I just found her blog and it was fun to learn more about her and to find your blog as well!

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  45. Teresa is Spendid! I agree.
    Best,
    Liz

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Would love to hear what you have to say......happy thoughts only please!!