Wednesday, April 16, 2008

New Items..."YUMMY" New Inventory!

OK...Are these new Paris-themed bags not just TOTALLY to die for???
These beautiful leather bags are literally works of art: they are made using photographs taken by the artist herself, in Paris, then transferred to the bags - creating art you wear.
Its safe to say, your friends will likely NOT have one of these, so now is your chance to get this major fashion "scoop" first and be the envy of all the girls! Don't you just love it when that happens?? :)
They are expected to be available for us to ship out to you by about April 25 (next Friday) so get your orders in NOW! Obviously, if they come in sooner, we ship 'em sooner! Don't miss out!


Perhaps its how real they look (AND THEY DO LOOK REAL!) or perhaps its that my tummy is growling right now (too many hours at the computer, skipping lunch...) but just working with the pictures of these new "faux gateaux" (fake pastries/goodies) makes me SO hungry!
We're so happy to once again be carrying these wonderful fake delights -- they were incredibly popular a few years ago when we carried the cakes and I know they will be again.

Truth be told, we decided to take a break from carrying them for a rather odd reason --they were SO realistic that we actually had some problems with people thinking they were real -- they would actually try cutting them and then end up returning them because they thought they were getting the real thing!

I see now that even the manufacturer has begun putting a pretty "warning" label of sorts on the cake boxes ('For decorative purposes only! Not edible.') -- smart move!

Perhaps they were having their own "experiences" on their end with people thinking their products were real...?


We now have the pink 9" cakes, absolutely GORGEOUS mini-cakes (much like a petite four, just larger and we have them in either traditional "flavors" or a beautiful, all-white assortment!), cookies, French bread loaves, and a bread basket assortment. YUM!!

Our fancy, large, Pastry Tag is the perfect accompaniment to any of the "faux gateaux" -- as an added touch in display or especially when giving one of the faux items as a gift!

There are also so many other new things already added to the site AND many that are on their way. There is no way to cover everything here, but here is a sampling of some of what's been added recently:
Skeem candles, pictured below...(two sizes: large and GI-NORMOUS) which are one of the hottest brands around (for good reason). They burn cleanly and without the typical waste associated with most candles. The scents are many and the strength makes them worth their weight in, well, wax? :) Check 'em out!
These ceramic glove forms in the picture below were "rescued" from a defunct glove factory and are in wonderul shape (and, their shape is wonderful!). They were actually used in the glove-making process and are approximately 12 years old (their age varies slightly). They're fabulous for display of jewelry, but we also love the idea of hanging a little sign on one saying "talk to the hand!" :)

We've also added some absolutely stunning new decor items such as the toleware-style Robin Candle Sconces, and the matching Robin Planter/Cachepot. Coordinating beautifully is our new set of two, terracotta Robins done in vintagey-mellow coloring...beautiful!

Literally JUST IN are these gorgeous bird/mercury ball hanging pieces (below)! Get yours NOW, because you know what they say about "a bird in the hand is worth two in..." oh, never mind.

The absolutely gorgeous moss-covered baskets (set of two!) are truly something wonderful.

Then there is still more now in stock from the uber-fab Cavallini & Co. - makers of the best, the finest italian paper goods on the planet -- at least we think so anyway.
Just to name a few (seen below) are the newest Paris Landmark gift tags, a gorgeous new set of Bird gift tags, stunning Butterfly Carte Postale postcard sets, and quite a few new blank books (two are shown below).





Also on their way to us, as I type, are these very chic and very affordable (even better!)
French canvas buckets (collapsible for storage, too!) and the canvas French newspaper logo totes. I'm in Francophile-heaven.

OK.....Drumroll....
Saved "the best" for last (although ALL the new things are "BEST").
I am EXTRA excited to be able to finally offer you the much-coveted, typically WAY TOO EXPENSIVE French, vintage-style bottle racks. Now, the one pictured below is an example of what they look like -- not the very one we're getting. But CLOSE! The only difference is the height. Ours will be just a teensy bit shorter. But other than that, you get the idea!
I have one of these personally and I just have not yet taken all the pics for the site. The pics are coming soon and in them I'll show many of the ways this awesome piece can be put to use...
This past Christmas, I had mine set up on my kitchen counter for weeks with ALL my Christmas mugs on it. (That tells you how many mugs I have, for one thing!)

It was the talk of every gathering/party we had -- no one had ever seen anything like it and I was afraid if it weren't so gigantic, one of them would have absconded with it! :)
Before that, during the Christmas Tour Of Homes that our home was featured on, the rack was in its normal place in my office/packing & shipping room where it typically holds all my scads of bolts of various ribbons for gift-wrapping for the store. When the ladies touring the building saw it, again, each one was captivated by it and wanted one for their crafts/ribbons supply!
Just a quick note: we still have some of these wonderful "World Landmark" shower curtains. They are probably the coolest thing I've seen in a long time. We have Paris, London (shown below), Venice, and the Brooklyn Bridge! Get yours now!
Finally, a big "MERCI" to all of you who entered the "April In Paris" giveaway. I hated that only one peson could win, though. Yuck. :(

I've got A TON of crafty-type projects to do and feature next on the blog -- I bought a "boat load" of vintage, chippy window frames at a local flea market (thank you, hubby, for understanding and going along with me on this purchase) that I now need to come up with some great ideas for. Hmm...
Also plan to make my own version of the now-famous dress form project (turning a new dress form into one that looks vintage with just some paint!).

Plus, a few other creative projects that have been waiting in cue long enough.

Hope to hear from you -- especially if you have any helpful ideas on how to utilize and transform about a dozen old, large vintage windows! :)

Saturday, April 5, 2008

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!




Its official -- comment #15 won our April In Paris giveaway!! Congratulations, Jean!!

We used this really neat random number generator online to pick the winner, which is good because if left up to me, I'd like to send ALL of you a prize package!

I just can't thank you enough for taking the time to enter the little giveaway game. I'm sure there will be more to come in the future -- I'll just have to think of the next theme for the giveaway! "Christmas In July", maybe?? :)

Jean, all I need from you is the address to which we should send your goodies! To the rest of you who left comments and entered...my heart is just sick that I can't just send all of you something!!

My family is always telling me that if I wasn't careful I'd simply give away my whole store! Oh well, I just like to see people smile. :)

Thank you, again, for all your comments -- reading them was so wonderful! Merci!

Friday, March 28, 2008

"April In Paris...." LET THE GIVEAWAY BEGIN!


FINALLY!!

THIS IS THE POST launching our "APRIL IN PARIS" giveaway -- and all you have to do to enter for a chance to win is LEAVE ME A COMMENT on THIS post.


To leave a comment here, scroll to the end of THIS POST and click on the word "COMMENTS" and enter. You can leave comments through Friday, April 4th.

On Saturday, APRIL 5th, we'll randomly draw a name (well, actually we'll use an online random number generator to choose which comment will win) and VOILA! -- it's "APRIL IN PARIS" for one lucky winner! I'll need to contact you to get your mailing info, etc. so we can mail you the prize package! FUN!
These are the special Paris-themed things I've been putting aside with this giveaway in mind (BE SURE TO CLICK ON THEM FOR MORE DETAIL!)



Now for the"exhaustive" listing.....the..."piece de resistance"...

(Click on the various links in orange below to get the details on certain items!)

  • 4 little Eiffel Tower French-bowls (cream ceramic with black desgin $25.00 value)
  • A gorgeous assortment of various handmade Paris-themed tags (several designs)

  • An Eiffel Tower key chain ($4.99 value)
  • A fun Paris notebook/journal from Cavallini -- BRAND NEW design just released! ($12.00 value)

  • Gorgeous Eiffel Tower double-sided pendant ($23.50 value)

  • Fabulous Paris Luggage Labels Collection - package of 20! ($8.95 value)
  • A collection of authentic, vintage French dictionary pages - old, beautifully mellowed and ready for any number of ways to decorate or craft! (value: "priceless")
  • "Mais Qui?" A super cute little French phrases book

  • Capri Blue's "Paris" scented candle -- an absolutely FABULOUS scent from one of the best candle lines around!! ($12.50 value)
  • Eight Paris-themed cards/envelopes in beautiful sepia tones!

  • 6 vintage French military uniform buttons in silver (aluminum maybe?) - gorgeous!

  • Approximately 5 yards of French cotton ribbon with the names of famous Paris landmarks done in black with white ink...INCREDIBLE RIBBON!! Over the years, when we've put this ribbon on packages shipped from our store, and when the customer gets the package and sees the ribbon, we've gotten requests from our customers for just the ribbon! Its so unique! What would YOU do with it??

  • A gorgeous, large (20" wide x 28" high) sheet of decorative/wrapping/crafting paper in our Pink Paris Collage print from Cavallini. OH MY WORD! This is a gorgeous sheet of fine Italian paper that you will have NO problem finding something beautiful to do with! Hmm...Italian paper with a French design...sweet!
  • And WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE I might add between now and April 5th!

I'm so excited to give these lovely things away -- they certainly appeal to me and I hope they do to you, too. I know I would love to win this collection! :)

Well...let's GET STARTED, shall we??

Click on the "Comments" link just below (in orange) and register - but please don't opt for "anonymous" since it will make determining who you are quite difficult if you win! ;)

P.S...You need only enter once... :)

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

"APRIL IN PARIS" Giveaway coming next!

JUST A QUICK POST TO GIVE YOU A "HEADS UP" ABOUT THE UP-COMING
"APRIL IN PARIS"
GIVEAWAY!
Our next posting will be the "official" launch of the giveaway and it is the posting that you will want to leave your comment on in order to be part of the giveaway.
I've been adding to the stash of French/Paris-themed goodies for about a month and now its time to give 'em away to someone!


Be looking for the next post (sometime next week) and see what all we've collected to be given away!
ALSO, I haven't stopped buying yet! More gorgeous new items are arriving and being photographed (hint, hint, hint...see the ceramic glove form in the photo??)


(click on any of the pix to get a closer look!)
We're added an INCREDIBLE range of candles that I discovered which I think you'll be VERY pleased with.

So many BEAUTIFUL new things, there won't be space here to show them all!




Yes, there will be "faux goodies", too...just wait, they are to die for...

In case you haven't seen our new "World Landmark" shower curtains yet, here's a peek at one:




OK, OK -- so you KNEW we'd show you the Paris one...we also have London's Trafalgar Square, Venice (with a gondola in the foregound) and the Brooklyn Bridge! Wanna see 'em all? CLICK HERE!


Just wanted to let you know to be on the look-out for the next posting and invite you to then leave your comment and be entered in the giveaway -- you won't be sorry you did!!

Au revoir for now...


Ruth

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Lessons from Mr. Magorium (and my own "Wonder Emporium")


Am I the only adult out there who gets more emotionally touched by movies geared toward kids than those made for "grown ups?"



I know I'm a bit behind the curve, but only just last night did I watch Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium


Oh my word...tears, emotion, analyzing, relating to my own life...And this is supposed to be a children's movie!



Happens to me every time!
I even had to leave the room one day while watching Pooh's Grand Adventure: The Search For Christopher 
That Pooh movie ever-reminds me of my daughter growing up and going off to school at the end of each summer vacation and I just simply can't make it through the movie without squalling. But I digress...
The Mr. Magorium movie was another such unexpected "learning curve" for me -- what was supposed to be a rather fluffy, feel-good movie about toys and wonder instead was a powerful message seemingly meant just for me.


Sure, the movie has plenty of the stuff that kids love - the impossible toys-coming-to-life stuff, etc. -- but I wasn't seeing that - I was hearing the message on almost a parallel level while watching the movie...here's the gist:

Mr. Magorium loved life - every second of it - and saw magic in everything. Much like how I strive to live my life. He believed that anything was possible - no matter what the nay-sayers would have you believe. I was loving it!


And then comes the part where you realize what he's up to-- he's making his plans, rather matter-of-factly, to "exit" this old world. He realizes he is "leaving" as he so gently puts it, and proceeds to put his magical affairs in order.

But in the process, he gives others (including the viewers) the gift of "seeing" the magic in things and of believing in themselves.
Who of us has not been there at that point of wondering, questioning, pondering what we thought we'd be vs. what we are?
Are you "there" now?


Do you wonder what happened to 'the girl who used to be you' and wonder if she even exists any longer? Do others see that sparkle in your eye anymore? Or do they just see tired eyes that no longer dream big and really believe in those dreams?

I could so relate to the young girl who was his shopkeeper (played by Natalie Portman). She wonders where her "magic" has gone -- what happened to the "potential" everyone saw in her. She loses confidence and begins not to believe. She is handed an incredible opportunity, having been bequeathed the magical toy store she has worked faitfully in for years, yet she falters and feels inadequate to do so.


Never mind that she's been managing it for years; she feels unable to move, frozen in her fear of doing it now officially on her own.



Sound familiar?
But take a critical step back for a moment and think about it. Think of all we, as women/mothers "manage" without even realizing it or even being even a little amazed by it. We just take for granted that we manage the equivalent of a corporation right in our own homes.


Think of each and every little thing you do during the course of a day, a week, a month, etc. -- and don't forget a thing, count everything you do -- things that if you were to disappear, wouldn't be done. You will be amazed! So why do you suppose it is that when we very same women, who manage things in our comfort zone (home) freeze at the idea of using those same talents, that same creativity, those same fabulous organizational/motivational skills (ever seen a big-shot CEO get a kid motivated to do a school project they hate?) to go beyond our comfort zone, "out there" in the world?
Right now, for me this struggle is in the area of pondering the question: "Do I or do I not finally open the "brick & mortar" version of my store, The Beautiful Life?"
I've been successfully running it for almost 10 years online and the dream of a "real" store is stronger than ever now.
When I saw Natalie Portman struggling in the same way in the movie last night, it was such a powerful message to me.
Sometimes we just need someone to believe in our dreams for us, or with us.
She had Mr. Magorium. Do you have a "Mr. Magorium" in your life?
Someone who sees (or still sees) that potential that we have not yet fully realized and even perhaps lost sight of?
They still see the dream that everyone but you knows is just waiting to be brought to life, because maybe you put it "on hold" for so long you've actually forgotten it?


Maybe you've even forgotten how to dream.
One of my husband's favorite quotes is "If you hide from the risk, you hide from the reward".


Sometimes we have to ask ourselves if we're just mouthing the words because they sound good or are we really living what we say we believe?
Now, I'm not recommending that everyone throw caution to the wind and make unwise, wholesale changes in their lives in order to selfishly "find themselves". Especially so if you still have small children at home who need you.


BUT! Even during the seaons in our lives when the "big dream" may need to wait in the wings... the roots of that dream (whatever skills, talents, passions have created that dream) can always, always be utilized, honed and enjoyed in your everyday life.
This is the time of perfecting the dream -- using the creativity that will one day drive your "bigger dream" right now, in your every day life to create a 'dreamy' life for those around you.


Because, if it truly is a passion for you, it will simply have no choice but to manifest itself in all you do.





Whether its creating a cozy, lovely home for your family while your children are young, or its the attention to detail that you put into the smallest of tasks that everyone notices about you... Whatever "it" is, its in you - its not some "thing" that must be put on a shelf for "someday". So go ahead, begin today living the dream in whatever form is feasible for this seaon of your life.
If that describes you right now, I urge you to go out and rent Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium.
I can almost guarantee you'll get more out of it than you bargained for -- if your "eyes" (and your heart) are open.
And remember this:
"EVEN 37 SECONDS,

LIVED WELL,

CAN

BE
A ...

LIFETIME."

GO.
LIVE.
And don't forget to dream. BIG.