White Christmas

The largely anticipated Christmas book is about to arrive.

The folks at Jeanne d’Arc Living were swamped
 in the last year with requests

to reprint this book. They decided to not

only reprint but to reprint in soft cover to lower the price.

Good for us

Did I mention it’s in English this time?

So not only can I drool but I can read too.

Some Christmas packaging ideas.
Wrapping a present is probably my favorite part.

 

 

I thought I’d share with you a wonderful giveaway I won

from one of my favorite bloggers,

Chrissy from The Apothacary Shop.

I have followed her blog since I first started blogging.

She’s someone with great style and  redecorates her home often.

We’re the lucky ones that get a peek at her latest changes.

Her style and images are like the pages of Jeanne d’Arc Living. 

My win was this gorgeous and unique necklace made by an

artist that she found in the same store her
 husband sells his furniture.

He’s a talented cabinet maker and their home is filled

with special pieces that he’s made.

I’ve worn this necklace a few times worn alone and with
other longer necklaces and it looks great both ways. 

I just love this little box with stamped text.

The number is such a cool addition.

Numerical style is everywhere now.

The year of the digit is what JDL claimed
was a big trend for 2010.

I think it will continue for some time.

Don’t you?

In addition to the necklace was an array of perfumes and creams.

I can always use these!

Chrissy works in the beauty industry as a

cosmetologist giving

her a window, I think,
into what is esthetically pleasing.

Beautiful objects whether animate or inanimate
still follow the same principles.

So you can get a feel of her warm
and charming style I've included some pictures
from her blog.

Thank you Chrissy.

I love everything you sent.

I'm so lucky to call you my friend!

Go visit her and you'll be happy you did.

You'll return over and over again.

( image 1-7 Jeanne d'Arc Living

8-10 me

11-15 Chrissy)

A Gathering for Vintage Bling

Do you remember when I told you about the Vintage Jewelry event at

Gather in the center of Ivoryton Ct.?

Well I’m finally going to show you what you missed.

I know that’s not very fair

but I know you’ll love seeing it at least.

The event went on from 1-8pm

I was there at 2 and left hubby at work alone.

Nice hubby right?.

You can see from this picture that there was hours of

exploring to do. This was going to take time.

I wasted no time shopping.

The cases were very organized by necklaces, rings,bracelets, charms,

silver, precious stones colors and themes.

I did my shopping first and took pictures later.

I’m no dummy

I focused on the rhinestone pieces and the silver but don’t worry I took

pictures of more then that.

I thought I was done shopping but I decided to pick up this cute pinky ring.

Normally I don’t like to draw attention to my hands……there NOT my

best asset! usually dry and cracked from working in the dirt

but on my pinky it looked cute.

Does that give the impression that my rings don’t fit anymore??

I don’t know?

These would be great for a black tie event.

I go to those a lot!

No!!!

but I’d like to.

It was fun grouping the different colors together.

The blues and aqua blues were striking.

cobalt blue

How about that IKE pin???

and that crown pin?

The one on the bottom left is really gorgeous.

Why did I let that one go?

I couldn’t resist this bird pin so that one came home with me.

Animal theme pins.

I also bought this lovely bracelet!

see the more I photographed them the more I bought.

My little basket was filling right up.

I kept finding other customers picking my jewelry out of my basket.

Had to Slap their hand!

Kidding……. sort of.

What can I say I picked good stuff.

This was about the time that the hors de oeuvres were

coming out and the rum cider!

151 proof I might add.
`

This is our lovely hostess Deanna modeling this piece.

It looked great on her. Now she can pull off a colorful jewelry piece 

and I just can’t for some reason.

I look like I’m wearing my mothers jewelry…

and not to give the impression that I look that young either.

Hey maybe I should wear colorful jewelry!

NOW here is the BIG BLING BLING

though it is not vintage. They told me that this is made

by the same designer that made the jewelry for Sex and the City.

I can picture Carrie Bradshaw wearing this.

Isn’t this wild??

Not that anyone would wear that many pieces of jewelry at one time

but how cool is that?

The event was a great success and I know

the girls of Dawns Vintage Jewelry will be back again.

I left that night at 7…yep I was there that long….

As people were getting out of work

more were walking thru Gathers doors….

Some trying on jewelry, some shopping her vast and wondrous

inventory of the rest of the shop ,

some drinking coffee from Ashlawn Farms, some

sitting in her wonderful and comfy new used books section

 and catching up with friends and neighbors. 

The place was abuzz with people.

It was exciting to see.

The name of the store really fits this place.

It truly is a place for the towns people

to “Gather” which was the vision Deanna

had when she opened the store 3 years ago. 

When I walked out thru the doors the sound of laughter fading in the background.

The memory of a great day with

 friends was

now

mine!

and a few lovely pieces to add to my collection too.

Thanks Deanna!

Happy Birthday to the twins

Some of you may remember our friends with

the twins

Fifi and Coco

aka  Felicia and Clio.

My nicknames haven’t really stuck yet

but I’m not giving up.

They are the names their crazy Aunt Carole…me

will always call them:)

That’s ok I like the role of being the crazy Aunt.

I was stumped as to what to get them for their 1st birthday.

Obviously they really won’t have any recollection of this milestone like they

will when they turn 5 , 6 or older.

Do you remember your birthday presents at that age?…I only remember

my Barbie's.

It was all about the Barbie’s when I was 5.

Wish my mother hadn’t given them away. 

I wanted to give the twins something that they would keep forever….

or at least longer then toys or clothing.

My search brought me to Martha’s site

of MJ Ornaments.

You may remember me doing a post on her HERE

We’ve been blog friends for awhile now.

We have a lot in common,

both of us are talented, tall and blonde.

Oh did I mention gorgeous!

haha

Just kidding…. I wish!

She was sweet enough to make these charms special for me…

or should I say for the twins.

We emailed each other back and forth a dozen times or so.

Thanks Martha for all your patience!

I picked the Mermaids because they are beach babies

and will surely grow up loving the sea like their parents.

I needed a special box to put them in.

I really like the cherubs but wish now that I had used photos of them.

As usual I was making these the night before and it was a rush job.

This is the bottom of the box. You probably wondering why its blue and not pink.

Lynn, their Mom decorated their baby room in Blue and Brown.

Her favorite color combination.

She’s not a  Pink Girl and yes I did pick the charms in pink.

I tease her that they’ll probably love the color pink

when they grow up just to be different then what they grew up with.

Who knows why we gravitate to certain colors?

This is how dingy I am.

While I was making the boxes I thought I had done the top and back upside down.

I panicked for a second.

Then I turned them back around.

Pretty bad huh?

It’s not easy being me!

In my lame defense…

it

was very LATE!

I think this was such a good choice for them.  They won’t be able to wear them

until they are older but

for now Lynn will wear them on a charm necklace.

Everything goes right into their mouths

No matter how BIG!!!!!

They have grown so much in the last few months.

This was taken in April.

and this in July with Dad being tickled.

Is there any sweeter sound then the sound of a toddler

laughing?

Or that awed look

Or just starting to walk

with momma’s help of course.

She looks so proud of herself.

Or discovering flowers

We love when they come for a visit.

The large dahlias look like vintage hats on those little heads. They didn’t like

them all that much but with persistence I finally got a picture with them.

My little flower children.

Felicia riding high with George.

It’s such a joy to watch the twins learn to walk.

They just started walking!

Now their parents will never get any rest:)