And The Award Goes To....

In the short time that I've been blogging, I have occasionally run across bloggers who have either been "tagged" or received an "award" from another blogger.

Now, I don't mean to be infantile, but all the while I've been kind of, well...sort of, well, envious. I wondered if anyone would ever "tag" me or one day decide to give me an "award" of some kind...

Guess what? I got an award! (This is where you picture me dancing around, singing the words -- "I got an award, I got an award...Woo Hoo! Yes!" ) The pictues above are the closest I could come to re-creating Joy "presenting the award to me... :)

The award is called the Arte Y Pico Award and it is "dedicated to many who nourish and enrich the spirit and creativity" as described by it's originator Arte y Pico

And the greatest thing is, I got it from someone really special to me...someone that I've "discovered" online that I share so much in common with, its almost scary. Its the ever-sweet, ever-generous Joy! (And if a name ever fit, hers does!!)

Joy received the award from someone and she then felt compelled to pass it along; just like her -- so sweet and ALWAYS thinking of how she can brighten someone else's day!

The Amazing Joy, as she should be known, is not only a wife & mom but runs TWO sites -- her blog, The Joy Of, and her retail website, THE HOPE JAR. PLEASE do yourself a HUGE favor and stop by both sites!

Her blog will have you laughing along with her as she chronicles her daily life, but it will also have you SO inpired as she shows all the incredibly creative ways she turns "junk" into the most fabulous new treasures! AND you will FALL IN LOVE with Wilbur, her almost human-like dog...just look at him! :)

Joy's website, THE HOPE JAR, offers not only the creation the site is named after -- a pretty glass jar filled with single little cards with words of inspiration and encouragement for each day --

but ALSO is filled with some of the most fabulous vintage finds - some "altered" some not -- but ALL are "to die for"! Trust me, I know -- I've had packages from her store arriving at my house so often I think my hubby may pull the plug on my computer!

I really enjoy writing and although I probably don't create posts as often as I should. But when I do write one, I hope it in some way touches the heart of someone at just the right time.

Blogging is sort of today's version of old-time journaling. And if you think about it, each day is like a blank journal page and every one of us holds our own "quill" and measured amount of "ink" for the day.

It is then up to us, each day, to determine what we'll "write" -- how we'll fill today's "page" in our life's journal. Today, because of this award, my life's journal "page" has a very happy and upbeat entry.

Thank you, Joy!

We're Busy Bees Around Here. Queen Bees, Of Course...

**LOOK AT ALL THE NEW THINGS!!**

I love this job. I feel a little guilty even using the term 'job'. More like a dream-come-true hobby. Sort of like playing house when you were little only now its with REALLY cool stuff and I'm "required" to go shopping a lot (so I can supply you with all the latest and best, of course!).
No wonder I call it 'The Beautiful Life'! And let me tell you, there are SO MANY BEAUTFUL NEW THINGS already in and many, many more on the way!

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For many of you, the 'Fabulous Fifi' needs no introduction...

Her dreamy, inspiring blog has reached near cult status! If you have visited Fifi's blog, no doubt you've fallend in love with the many, many fabric treasures her sister Sylvie creates. Chief among them are her fabulous fabric shoes! (see the photos below from Fifi's blog).

~~~ FABULOUS FIFI (on the right) & HER SISTER "SAINT SYLVIE (on left)" ~~~

This photo (from Fifi's blog) was taken during one of Sylvie'strips back here to the U.S. to visit Fifi.

(By the way, I refer to Sylvie as a "saint" because of how patient she's been with me as we decided on just which fabrics and trimmings we'd use for the things she's making for me!) :)

Sylvie lives in France and runs a beautiful bed and breakfast (when she isn't sitting at the sewing machine turning out the most incredible home accessories).

Below are pictures from Fifi's blog showing just a fraction of the many, many designs that Sylvie comes up with! The shoe haning on the front door is fabulous! The sign above the shoe says "Please Wipe Your Feet". How Perfect!!

Sylvie obviously shares Fifi's limitless energy and creativity!

SO! All this to say that Sylvie has been working on some designs for The Beautiful Life and they are almost done and ready to be shipped over to me! There will be the little stuffed "shoes" (of course) but also the long, skinny stuffed "draft-stoppers" as well as something really neat she calls "candle bags". All are made from the finest, most beautiful fabrics and will have that elegant, classic 'Sylvie' look. A little touch of French elegance straight to you from the heart of France...

It All Started With An Order For A Paper Crown...

AND THIS IS THE CROWN I GOT AN ORDER FOR ONE DAY BACK IN MARCH...

SWEET VICKI, A NEW CUSTOMER TO US, ORDERED A PAPER CROWN WITH INSTRUCTIONS THAT IT WAS FOR A VERY, VERY SPECIAL BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR HER MOTHER (MUM) WHO WAS SOON TO BE 80!!

VICKI BRIEFLY EXPLAINED THEIR FAMILY TRADITION OF ALL THE LADIES CONSIDERING THEMSELVES "QUEENS". THEY HAVE A "CLUB" OF SORTS WHICH THEY CALL "THE IMPERIAL COURT" -- AND THEY EVEN HOLD MEETINGS!

HOW FUN!!!! (WHY DON'T MORE OF US DO THAT??)

ANYWAY, I SPED THE ORDER OFF TO HER SO THAT THE CROWN WOULD ARRIVE IN TIME FOR THE SURPRISE PARTY. SINCE I HAVE SUCH A PENCHANT FOR CROWNS MYSELF, SHE'D COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE!

NOT ONLY DID I GET HER CROWN OFF TO HER, I PUT HER IN TOUCH WITH A WONDEFUL LADY ON ETSY WHO MAKES THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LITTLE TAGS AND JOURNALING CARDS WITH CROWN EMBELLISHMENTS.

THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW, VICKI HAD A FEW DOZEN CROWN JOURNALING CARDS AND A BIG, BEAUTIFUL PAPER CROWN FOR THE PARTY.

THE JOURNALING CARDS WERE FOR GUESTS AT THE PARTY TO WRITE A SHORT, SWEET SENITMENT TO "QUEEN MUM" TO BE PLACED IN A DECORATED MAILBOX ON A TABLE. FABULOUS IDEA!!!

VICKI PROMISED TO SEND ME PICTURES OF THE FUN EVENT ONCE IT WAS OVER AND BELOW ARE THE FABULOUS SHOTS SHE SENT ME!

FIRST, IS A PICTURE OF THE INVITATION THAT THEY MADE UP AND SENT OUT. OBVIOUSLY, LITTLE MISS "QUEEN MUM" MUST BE A SOAPS FAN! HMM...

VICKI SAYS THEY WANTED THE CROWN THAT READS "LET THEM EAT CAKE" BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO PUT IT RIGHT ON TOP OF THE CAKE!!

WHAT A NEAT IDEA!! CAN YOU IMAGINE ONE OF THE OTHER STYLES OF CROWNS USED AS A WEDDING CAKE TOPPER??

AND BELOW YOU SEE SWEET VICKI READY FOR THE PARTY!!! :)

AND HERE SHE IS...THE QUEEN HERSELF!!!

IN HER SPLENDOR, INDEED!!

NOW....CAN YOU SEE WHERE THIS IS ALL LEADING??

ANYONE WHO KNOWS ME, KNOWS WHERE I'M TAKING THIS...

THIS FAMILY I'VE NEVER MET HAS EXEMPLIFIED FOR US WHAT I'M ALWAYS TRYING TO COMMUNICATE THROUGH MY STORE:

LIVE YOUR LIFE WELL AND BEAUTIFULLY!

TRULY LIVE -- DON'T JUST PASS THE DAYS!

WHO WOULD NOT AGREE THAT OUR DEAR "QUEEN MUM" ABOVE IS NOT LIVING "THE BEAUTIFUL LIFE"? WHAT AN INCREDIBLE LEGACY OF

LAUGHTER AND LOVE SHE IS LEAVING HER ENTIRE FAMILY.

CROWN: $18.00

JOURNALING CARDS: $25.00

CAKE: $40

PARTY FAVORS: $50

LIVING WELL AND LOVING DAILY: PRICELESS.

SO, HOW WILL YOU LIVE BEAUTIFULLY TODAY?

IT IS BEING ABLE TO "BE PART OF" THINGS LIKE THIS IN A CUSTOMER'S LIFE THAT MAKES WHAT I'M DOING SO WONDERFUL -- WHAT A BEAUTIFUL ADDED BONUS!

IT HELPS ME REMEMBER THAT I'M NOT JUST SELLING "STUFF" -- I'M PROVIDING THE LITTLE "EXTRAS" IN LIFE THAT MAKE IT JUST A BIT MORE BEAUTIFUL, JUST A BIT MORE LOVELY. WOULDN'T TRADE MY JOB WITH ANYONE!

THANKS FOR SHARING, VICKI!

AND A BIG HELLO TO "QUEEN MUM"!

"Not Spoiled...Just Blessed"

Blessed, indeed!

And, OK, may just a teensy bit spoiled, too...

This morning I had been working in my office, shipping orders, answering emails, placing new inventory orders, returning phone calls, etc., when I decided to run home to get something (home being a few steps away -- see, I really AM blessed!) and on the porch at the front door was this fabulous, long bright green box...The kind of box whose shape/size kinda gives away what's inside, but who cares!! :)

Was it a thank you from someone? No...haven't done anything extraordinary lately (unfortunately). Not my anniversary yet. Birthday's still a few months away...

Mother's Day!! I got flowers for Mother's Day! And what a beautiful bunch they are! I love that they are tulips! I just had to hurry and get them in water and take these pictures to show them off! Aren't they absolutely gorgeous?

And not only that! (Yes, the "BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE" again!) Also tucked inside the fabulous green box was a little box of chocolates!!! DIVINE!!!!!!! Yep. They're already gone...what a great lunch!! Doug & Olivia (hubby & daughter) if you're reading this -- please forgive me for not saving any for you...but, are you really surprised?? :)

Just wanted to publicly thank my sweet husband and daughter for such an incredible, beautiful, yummy surprise. And what a surprise it was! It was THE LAST thing I would have expected on this busy Thursday afternoon.

You see, prior to all I'd been doing at my office, I'd already made lunches, coffee for us all, fed the dog & cats, took my daughter to school, came home, did laundry, folded laundry, cleaned up the kitchen, swept and cleaned our wrap-around porch -- then I headed to the office. So, a luxurious shipment like I was suprised with today was a real treat!!

I do feel appreciated here at home as a wife & mother. I hope you do, too.

I don't know how many times during the week my husband offers to either bring something home for supper or to take us out to eat -- so I don't have to "fool with dinner." Now, after so many offers, one might get a little worried that he's actually just trying to dodge my cooking...but I know him well enough to know that he's just being sweet. That's all. That's what I keep telling myself anyway. :)

Being a "mom" did not come easily to me. OK. Let me explain that. Being a mother comes very easily -- I would have had 8 kids like my parents did, if I could have.

What I should have said is having a child did not come easily to me. We endured the loss of three before finally, thankfully having Olivia; and we almost lost her. So, again, I am blessed. And truly, every single day, I'm so very grateful.

So, thank you to my husband, Doug, and my sweet, sweet, beautiful Olivia -- whose external beauty is what first grabs your eye, but whose inside beauty (who she really is) grabs your heart...

And by the way, in case you're wondering where those cool "X O X O" vintage letters came from -- they are from my new favorite web-girl, Joy! I not only have the XOXO's but I also have letters spelling out VINTAGE, PARIS (duh!), COOK, WISH, 100%, and the numbers 1234567. LOVE them all!

I put the words 100% VINTAGE up over my front door on the porch -- totally perfect, since my house was built in 1891!

No doubt many of you already know of her fun blog, The Joy Of and her FABULOUS website, The Hope Jar, but for those of you who don't -- you simply MUST go now and check both sites out! And, when you're on her website, just know that pretty much anything marked "SOLD" is already on its way to MY house! :)

Don't know where she unearths all the incredible things she sells, but I sure wish I could find such neat things around here! But, that's what we have Joy for, right?

May I wish each of you wonderful ladies a very Happy Mother's Day....whether you are a mother biologically or not. We women have an ability to "mother" even when we may not have birthed a child. Trust me, you have a sphere of influence -- and you may not even recognize it. So to you all -- Happy Mother's Day.

The Art Of Display...thinking INSIDE the box.

(Be sure and click all pictures for the best possible view!)

So...you've taken the family to the beach and have the most exquisite shells you brought back with you...Now what?

Hubby has a few prized sports cards or an autographed hockey puck or two that he'd like to proudly display...but where?

That honeymoon to Europe was divine and the left-over Euros and Pounds Sterling are now langquishing in a drawer...how sad.

You have an addiction to all things vintage -- buttons, labels, ribbons, papers, books, etc., and before your family forbids you to buy one more thing, you know you'd better find an "artsy" way to display this stuff -- as if you had a "plan" all along while buying it all! :)

We've got you covered!! Just look at the fabulous new additions to the store!!

A collector's dream come true!! Three sizes/shapes of display boxes all crafted from vintage, recycled pine and lined with burlap for that edgy/rustic appeal -- even with your vintage lace collection!

BUT WAIT!!! THERE'S MORE!
(don't you just hate it when people say that?)

We decided we couldn't 'leave well-enough alone' so with every box we're tucking in some antique papers from our stash (OK -- so I have a paper fetish/addiction, too...).

We'll include either vintage ledger paper and/or pages from an antique French dictionary!

Can't you just feel your creative juices flowing??

There is a box for just about anything and no matter what you put inside, its going to look like an instant "collection". You could put a Twinkie in these boxes and it would look great! Well, maybe not a Twinkie....that would just be a sad waste of a Twinkie.

Click on this picture, above! The picture of the Masai warrior holding his spear was a fellow that my husband made quick friends with (wouldn't you make friends with a guy who carries a spear?) while he was in Africa for several weeks. During conversation one day, the warrior asked my husband if he had any daughters...SAY WHAT?? Yes, he wondered if we had any daughters and if so, how many cows it would take to buy her! HOLY COW!

Needless to say, our daughter still resides here with us...where she will stay. No, Olivia -- daddy did not sell you off for a few cows while on vacation in the wilds of Africa... :)

But I digress...

These beautiful new silver pieces are just some of the incredible, unusual new items we're working on adding to the site. All I can say is "buckle your computer chair belt" -- we've got some unbelieveable things coming your way...The likes of which you just don't see anywhere else...

The silver angel and the hand are a very unique little accent to add to a tabletop vignette (or, one of our display boxes!), hang on a door, tuck into a wreath, etc... They're simple, yet so unusual! Many, many more styles are coming, but this is a start!

Below are some adhesive bookplates from Cavallini that we're adding. If you love decorating books (or any books for that matter) like I do, you are more than happy to loan them out -- you just want 'em back! :) These gorgeous bookplates will ensure that your beloved books find their way back to you. These also make a perfect gift for teachers, friends, etc. Perfect to even tuck right into a greeting card! Buy them here!

Last, if you haven't checked out our new French-inspired purses, you've got to click over there now!! You won't be sorry!

(They're pictured right at the top of the blog post just below this one!)

They look incredible and they definitely get compliments when you're out and about!

Honestly, they are the most unique and chic bags around! Get yours before we run out!

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! :)