Squeaky Clean

I had to run over to Michael's (craft supplies) this afternoon. "Had to" is such a joke. Who am I kidding? Any excuse for a field trip to Michael's, works for me! After wandering the aisles for a little bit, I realized I truly didn't need anything...until I stumbled upon the soap making section. Uh oh. Big trouble! I have been wanting to make my own soaps for quite some time, but the process looked far too complicated for my liking. Time for a short-cut. I bought a few different, microwavable blocks of soap (olive oil, goat's milk & glycerin) and two sets of molds. I already had some essential oils at home. I had such fun making soap tonight and realized how inexpensive it is, when you consider paying $3.99-$5.99 for a bar of "specialty" soap. I took apart an old sachet and used the dried lavender in the lavender scented soaps. I like the natural look of those bars. Any recipes/ suggestions for things that work well with or in soaps, would be greatly appreciated!

Can it Be....Spring??????

I'm almost afraid to say it, for fear that we'll get hit with another Nor'easter tomorrow, but...today was an absolutely glorious SPRING day!!! The sun was shining, the birds were chirping appreciatively and I was like an overly-caffeinated Tigger all day long. I know that this is the time of year (every year) we New Englanders lament that it has been the longest winter in the history of the world. This year, though, it's true...it really is! I'm sure the meteorologist guys have pie charts and weather graphs that would dispute my claim, but what do they know? It has been LOOOOOOOONG!
Although I have a huge list of (inside) spring cleaning tasks to tackle, I just couldn't stay inside. I picked up pieces of broken planters/ pots that I forgot to move inside last fall, cleaned up my gardens a bit and (only me!) got the hose out to melt away the one remaining pile of snow at the top of my driveway. I called three friends who, much to my consternation, agreed that I could not plant bulbs yet. I was advised to wait until I was sure there would be no more frost. Well, what if I am sure? Does it matter what the weatherman has to say about it???? REALLY! For once, I decided to heed the advice of the masses, lest my gardens fail to produce to their fullest glory. I suppose, since I've waited this long...

My Dad

My big sis sent us (the siblings) an email yesterday, expressing how proud she was to be the daughter of a man as wonderful as our dad. I didn't read her email until this morning, but it's not surprising that we're on the same page. Last night I was trying to describe my dad to a friend who has never met him. I went through the list of adjectives that are commonly applicable to my dad: honorable, hard-working, funny, loving, outgoing, patient, honest...All of those characteristics certainly describe my dad, but they fall so short in painting a complete picture of who he is as a man, a husband, a father, a "Granran" and a friend. It's like sketching the outline of a picture, then leaving the inside blank. As I was ineptly trying to express what an amazing man my dad is, I found myself saying: "I don't know of a single person who doesn't love/ like him". After reading my sister's email this morning, I thought more seriously about my statement. It's absolutely true: people just love my dad. Everyone...from the local lobsterman to the former mayor of Norwalk, heads of Fortune 500 companies to the gentlemen who sells mulch at the hardware store. Can you imagine? I'm sure, at some point in his life, there was someone whose toes he inadvertently stepped on...must have, though I can't think of a single example. I do my best, on a daily basis, to follow God's will for my life and "do unto others....", but I know I continually fall short. How many people can honestly say, about anyone they know: "He/ she is well-liked and well-respected by everyone whose path they cross"???
A significant sidenote: my "dad" did not get that title through any contribution to my birth. He inherited my brother and me 32 1/2 years ago, when he married my mom. I had, at that time, a biological father. It has been the man I described above, however, who taught me what parenting is all about: loving unconditionally, administering healthy doses of tough love when necessary (and it was more necessary with me than with my 3 siblings combined :-) and...most importantly...always, always, always having a strong, sturdy outstretched hand to help us get up when our decision making wasn't quite right!

And the Winner Is...

The winner of my "Bits and Bobs" jewelry give-away is... Whispering Poppies! My son picked the name, although he clearly didn't understand or appreciate the significance of a blog give-away. If "Whispering" would kindly email me with your name/ address, your goodies will be on their way. Thank you to everyone who entered. Keep checking back as I'm on a spring cleaning roll (in spite of the winter weather) and I suspect another give-away id right around the corner :-)

Spring Has Sprung...Yeah, Right!

Last week, I thought I could fool Mother Nature into bringing spring about a little early this year. I optimisticaly dragged my table and bench out from the garage and up the stairs to my front stoop. I hung my pretty, glass hummingbird feeder on my "Rose of Sharon" tree. Guess what? You really can't fool Mother Nature!

Tag...I'm It!

what are you wearing now? work-out pants & top (sounds so much better than sweats), Tinkerbell t-shirt and pink slippers

favorite smell: newborn babies or the ocean

who was the last person you hugged? my little girl

if you were a tree, what would you be? weeping willow

what's for dinner? left-overs

what was the last thing you bought? my new craft cupboard

what are you listening to right now? HGTV

what is your favorite weather and why? sunny & warm, because it's anything BUT that right now. UGH...6-10" of snow coming tonight!

what is on your bed side table? a pair of earrings, an empty water bottle, my alarm clock & a bookmark that should be IN my book

what is your most challenging goal right now? finding a job!

say something to the person who tagged you: I miss you and wish I was there to chat & bellylaugh

if you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you want it to be? Anywhere would suffice

favorite vacation spot? Old Lyme

name the things you cannot live without God

what movies can you watch over and over? Breakfast at Tiffany's, Gone With the Wind, Serendipity

if you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?
a warm, tropical beach..anywhere, as long as it's warm

who is the most interesting person you have ever met? Kallif (a former student of mine)

RULES: I am SUCH a rule-breaker, so I'm re-writing this part. The rules are: there are no rules :-) If you read this and feel inspired/ compelled to join the game, please do. If not, well...you've learned some things you may or may not have wanted to know about me :-) The real rules: ~Remove one question you don't like, replace it with one of your own choosing ~Answer the questions on your blog and "tag" eight other bloggers.

I think those are the real rules anyway. If you don't like them, make your own & just have fun :-)

Cozy Cupboard

Early yesterday afternoon, I took a quick run over to my friend, Melody's, fabulous antique consignment shop. It's been a while since I've visited with her and the shop is one of those places I gravitate toward when I need a little pick-me-up. Mel had gotten some terrific new things in and was trying to find room in her cozy retail space. One of the things she no longer had need for was this terrific cupboard, with oodles of compartments, so I took it off her hands for a song! A few months ago, I had bought 5 rolls of beautiful black & white drawer liner paper (on the clearance rack, at T J Max, for $1/ each) and decided I would line the back of each compartment with the paper. Of course, I couldn't stop there once I saw how great it looked. I did the sides of the piece as well and was so pleased with the final outcome. Picture #1 shows the beginning, picture #2 shows the finished project and picture #3 shows...WAIT...#3 looks the same as #1??? How can that be? Well, for some unknown reason, the wallpaper paste didn't hold the paper to the cabinet. One by one, the squares I had painstakingly measured, cut & pasted in each cubby, began to peel off. So, for now, this piece stays "as is". UGH!
***I apologize for the eye strain the color of the (above) font may have caused. As soon as I published the post, I realized it was too light. I spent 1/2 hour trying to change the color, but I must be experiencing the return of the Blogger poltergeist. I tried, every way I could think of, to switch it and have finally given up. I'll steer clear of that lovely aqua blue from now on!

MY Friendship Momento

This is my version of Monica's "Friendship Momento". I couldn't find heart forms anywhere, so I used a standard wreath styrofoam form. I followed, as best I could, her tutorial...et voila! What makes mine a special, to me, is the vintage lace ribbon tied at the top, which was part of an antique wedding gown piece sent to me from...Monica! I realized, after I took the pictures, that I still have some cleaning of the glue gun "cobwebs" to take care of. OOPS :-)

More of my Favorite Things...

Several times, I have mentioned my former employer starting me off, collecting antique porcelain teacups & saucers. During one of my photography practice sessions, I took some pictures of my china cupboard, which was also given to me by my former boss. I can't say I have an "eye" for collecting just yet. I know what I find aesthetically pleasing and, since that varies quite a bit, my trove is eclectic. The beautiful teapot, from Monica, is perfectly at home amongst my pink teacup sets. Some of my basket projects have found their way to the top of the cupboard.

Bits & Bobs Jewelry Give-Away

Spring surely must be right around the corner, because I have that distinctive itch to organize & de-clutter. Even after my wonderful swap, with Monica, I have more bits & pieces of beautiful jewelry than one person needs or can use for crafty projects. So ladies, you know the routine: please leave a comment, if you are interested in being entered, and I will have my son pick the winner on Tuesday, March 3. The photograph contains just a portion of what the give-away package will include...I'm still sorting :-)
I hope she won't mind, but I am borrowing an idea from Theresa (Time Worn Interiors). If you are thoughtful enough to mention my give-away, on your blog, your name will be entered twice.

Blog Inspirations

On a daily basis, I'm amazed at the impact this community is having on my life: in both significant and not-so-significant ways :-) For example, one of the bloggers I follow (and I can't, for the life of me, remember who it is at the moment), has featured unique decorating ideas with cloche(s???) she has collected. Before I began blogging, I couldn't tell you what a cloche was...let alone what would do/ use it for. Today, I had to drop off some clothing at Sally's (a.k.a. Salvation Army), so I took a few minutes to peruse their housewares section. Lo and behold, what should I come across, but a small cloche. It was sitting alone, but for $.50, I figured I must have a stand/ plate upon which to rest it. I did and one of the lovely roses, from my swap with Monica, is the perfect trinket to display inside. It looks very pretty perched on a vintage lace tablecloth from my mom, surrounded by black & white family photographs.

Use What You Have...Love What You Use

I hope Nancy (Fete et Fleur) doesn't mind that I borrowed her post title from a few days ago, with an addendum. Her post reminded me to be creative with some of the lovely treasures I have hidden away because they aren't items I would use on a daily basis. If I love them, though, why should they be tucked in a drawer and brought out only once or twice a year. She inspired me to 1.) do a bit of digging/ organizing and 2.) think outside the box for ways to display various pieces. Thank you Nancy!
My digging also made me realize how many beautiful trinkets I have, that simply go unnoticed...because they've become part of the scenery. It's kind of like the background noise, of the t.v....right now that would be "SpongeBob SquarePants" and my kids left for school 1/2 hour ago :-)
There I go...off on another tangent. Nancy's post prompted me to practice my photography skills on some of my most loved treasures. My Nana used to collect Rose Medallion, Chinese porcelain. Growing up, I never paid much attention to anything my Nana collected, as it was all so "old". Fortunately, when she passed away, my mom dividing up some of Nana's Rose Medallion pieces and put it away for my sister-in-law and myself. After my former boss started my collection of (mostly English) porcelain, my mom gave me the Rose Medallion. I have since added bits and pieces, to the family heirlooms, and they are all housed in a corner cupboard I found, abandoned on the side of the road. After adding some side moulding & corner pieces and repainting the cupboard, it was the perfect place for my Rose Medallion!

Persistence Pays Off

Thank you to everyone who has been encouraging me to continue practicing my photography skills. I've received so many helpful hints, the best of which seems to be: take advantage of natural light. It truly makes all the difference in the world. I was practicing, first thing this morning, with some of my favorite pieces of jewelry. That was another great tip: focus on things you love :-) The individual pictures came out much better, but I really love using Picasa to make collages. Maybe it's cheating...just a bit....but at least the subject matter is more recognizable that my first attempts. I love the combination of turquoise & bronze and white, cream & rhinestones are always so elegant!

A Proper Tea Party

More significance of the teapot from Monica:
My former boss got me hooked on collecting porcelain teacups, several years ago. Even for a Brit, her collection is vast and highly impressive. She gave me my first pieces: a gorgeous, vintage Aynsley cup & saucer. Slowly, I have been adding to my collection.
My daughter, who typically has no interest in "girly" things, has recently been begging me to have a proper tea party. We were all set to do so one day, but she called an abrupt halt and pointed out that I didn't have a "proper" teapot with which to have our soiree. Such a stickler for details, she refused to go forth until we had all of the necessary components.
Tonight, we were able to have our first Mommy/ daughter tea party, thanks to Monica! I only wish she could have joined us. I'm certain our fancy British accents would have tickled her to no end. The white bits you see, peaking out from under the teapot, is a "doily" my daughter made and insisted we use: a paper snowflake cut-out, actually. Clever girl!

The Most Wonderful Surprise

The easiest way for me to write this post is to copy the email I sent to my sister yesterday. The rest is self-explanatory!
"I'm going to wait a day or two before I blog about this....just so it doesn't seem like I'm running a Monica Fan Club. Mind you, I haven't shared 1/4 of the things she sent me from our swap. There were 2 packages jammed with Italian goodies (magazines, pages from antique books, vintage stamps, etc.). Yesterday there was a slip from the post office in my mailbox, letting me know I had to pick up a piece of registered mail. Of course I'm thinking: Now WHAT? I didn't even notice that it said 'Italy' in a tiny box on the slip. Backtrack a minute....when Monica got the package I sent her, she emailed me right away, but said she needed to brew a pot of tea before she opened it (I think I blogged about that). I had written her back, saying I'd wished I was there to join her in a cup of tea while she opened her goodies. Okay....back to today :-) The lady at the post office hands me this big box and I immediately recognized Monica's handwriting. There was a card inside that said: 'You said you would have liked to have tea with me...now you can! Love and Hugs~ Monica'. I'm attaching some pictures of what she sent me...handpainted by her. I just can't believe how sweet she is! And I SO needed a good surprise today!

Your Couture

I love Audrey Hepburn. It's that simple...I just love her! Her classic, yet unconventional beauty...her timeless grace...her quirky mannerisms...she just fascinates me. When I worked at "the shop", I would continually use Ms. Hepburn's style as an example of the basic foundation of a "good" wardrobe. Get back to the basics and work from there: a pair of black slacks (capris, wide-leg, Bermuda shorts...whatever suits your fancy & body type) paired with a black top (turtleneck, blouse, short-sleeved, tank). From there, anything goes in putting together a look that works for you.
~ballet flats & pearls...and you're off to a P.T.O. meeting.
~a chunky, brightly colored beaded necklace, an over-sized straw tote bag & a pair of funky sandals...lunch/ shopping with the girls.
~classic, black pumps, a tailored jacket & a lovely silk scarf...a day at the office or an important interview.
~the highest heels you dare to wear, huge dangle earrings, bright red lipstick & a handbag with a bit of bling...a night on the town.
~rhinestone accessories, a silver evening bag & strappy sandals...the company Christmas party.
~a baseball cap & comfy sneakers....soccer mom with a touch of class!
It's all about 1.) knowing your body & choosing clothes that fit properly, 2.) accepting your body as it is...not as it was (back in 1986) or how you wish it would be (after you "commit" to the fad diet du jour, 3.)building a wardrobe based on simple, classic foundation pieces (preferably ones that won't go in and & out of style by next year) and....4.) accessorizing! This is where your personality comes shining through. You don't have to spend a lot to completely change the look of a basic ensemble. Get creative...fasten a pair of vintage clip-on earrings to a pair of flats, use your favorite pin/ earring to hold a scarf in place, tie a silk scarf to the strap of your simple, black handbag, transform a brooch into a pendant by popping it on a simple gold/ silver chain. Have fun and think Audrey :-)
***"Your Couture" is the name of my small business that was an off-shoot of my experience working in retail. I go into women's home and help them sort through/ purge their existing wardrobes. From there, we work with what they have to rebuild & revamp.

My Etsy Shop

It is with GREAT trepidation that I'm "announcing" the opening of my etsy shop, SerendipitUs. Because of my nervousness with beginning this new venture, you will find that it truly is a veritable flea market of vintage items and handmade goodies. Right now I am focusing on the vintage jewelry, truthfully, because it feels safer than putting my own creations on the market. I'm sure, in time, and as my confidence grows, I will find my niche. Until then please consider it to be an eclectic adventure of sorts!

Playing with Pictures

Normally, I am very persistent when facing challenges, but I am on the brink of surrendering to, what is clearly, an inability to take decent pictures. In spite of my cute, new camera and the discovery of the Photobucket editing program, the pictures that land up on my computer monitor do not come close to those I've captured in my mind's eye. I will, for at least a bit longer, plug along and hope that I have one of those "AHA!" moments when everything "clicks". In the meantime, I trust that your wonderfully creative imaginations somehow transform my awkward attempts into something lovely. I was pouring through older pictures of my children and decided, perhaps, they (the pictures, not my beautiful kids) would look better in a collage. Worth a try!
***Lest it appear that I favor my daughter over my son, I offer this disclaimer: he has made it perfectly clear that he wants no part in my blog and has "forbidden" me from mentioning him. Does he forget that I brought him into this world..... My daughter, on the other hand, would happily star in each and every posting!

More Monica Goodies!

I will, undoubtedly, be inundating my blog with posts that refer to...or are primarily featuring...all of the amazing goodies from my friend, Monica. The plethora of treasures she sent me is overwhelming and I am still discovering hidden surprises! Everything she sent me is still sitting on my dresser, en masse. I can't make myself put things away just yet. It's a bit like Christmas morning: when you start the clean-up process, it's an indicator that the gift giving has reached an end.
I wanted to share my absolute favorite thing she sent me, a handpainted china bell. Ever since I fell in love with the movie "It's a Wonderful Life", I have a sweet soft spot for bells ("Teacher says 'every time a bell rings', Daddy, 'an angel is getting his wings'."). Again, this is something Monica did not know about me, yet she gifted me something I shall treasure always! Monica painted the most beautiful, intricate peach & lavender flowers on this particular bell. Since I have not an ounce of traditional artistic talent (painting, drawing, etc.), I am perpetually astounded by people who are talented in this arena. Monica is absolutely one of those fortunate people.
The bell is sitting right next to my computer, so I can gaze at it often. Every so often, I pick it up and give it a tiny shake...just in case Zuzu was right about ringing bells!

Oh Double Happy Day!!!

Just when I thought my day couldn't get any happier...
I have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of my package from Monica (from the swap we did). The transit time between Connecticut and Italy does not suit my impatient nature, but I have been held over by daily emails, from Monica, sharing the projects she has been working on with some of the vintage baubles I sent to her. It snowed (AGAIN) today, which meant that my mail carrier was running late. I kept looking out the window, for telltale signs of the mail truck's tracks in my driveway. Finally, shortly after 5:00 p.m., I saw that the mail had been delivered and there appeared to be a sizable parcel, somehow, attached to the front of my mailbox. I grabbed my coat, skated down my icy driveway and lo & behold, there was a package affixed to the box with a bundle of rubber bands. Suddenly, my impatience quieted down a bit and I wanted to savor every part of the unveiling....thus the pictures, beginning with one of the snow covered parcel. I emailed Monica immediately, to let her know her goodies had arrived. Of course, the 8 hour time difference means that she won't know that until tomorrow.
Inside of the box was a lovely Pannetone tin that, once opened, overflowed with the most wonderful treasures from my sweet Italian friend! There was a rainbow of assorted ribbons, in so many different colors & materials, which I had mentioned I was sorely lacking in my crafting supplies. Monica added bunches & bunches of beautiful silk flowers...of which I had none. In fact, I was wishing I had some pretty flowers to add to the tutus I was working on yesterday. I will surely be using them on the next tutu I make.
I will save the sharing for another post, as I need to get my daughter settled for the evening. Suffice it to say, I am thrilled beyond words at Monica's thoughtfulness and generosity. It is positively uncanny that everything she chose suits me to perfection. You are absolutely remarkable, Monica, and such an amazing blessing in my life!