Decisions, decisions...

This lovely beauty has been our vehicle for ten years. It was great when the kids were small as it has nine seat belts. I was the carpool queen!

 As the years went on it became VERY impractical. The 40 gallon tank was a gas guzzler and I really didn't need to be driving around town, alone in that big rig!

So it became the "extra" car or essentially, my work car. It was perfect for hauling merchandise to events and tournaments. 

Although we used it rarely and under insured it... the truck has 125,000 miles on it.

And, when gas went up to $3 a gallon?

All I could think was, Sell Sell, SELL!

Along came Cars for Clunkers.

It got me thinking. 

The most we would ever get for our beloved truck would be 2,000. There will certainly start to be costly repairs as more miles pile on. I still need something for work, yet good on gas. with our winters I still need 4 wheel drive.

Hmmm. Today is the deadline (unofficially.)
So kids, it's between the Honda Ridgeline or

The Chevy Avalanche.

I'll keep you posted. any opinions?

Off to school!

My niece Alissa is off to college next week, Freshman year.

We are so proud of her and know she will have tons of success.

New York Gift Show -Chandler4Corners.com

Chandler 4 Corners.com was the highlight of the new York Gift Show.

 Amazing quality and designs.

Love the prices too!

Although I usually sell  preppy style jewelry and  accessories, recently I have decided to look for items for the home as well.

Think- pillows, lamps, rugs, throws, candles, prints, and other decorative items.

Of course in the preppy style I love. 

Think- toile, gingham, needlepoint, and other classics.

So, I was thrilled when I came upon Chandler 4 Corners, a company out of Manchester, Vt.

( One of my favorite places) 

Think- Stratton, Bromley, Manchester bar & Grill, and more!

Anyway, This company produces gorgeous hooked pillows, rugs, runners, and Christmas stockings. I fell in love!

 Now I have all sorts of plans on how I will sell for cabin, cottage, and beach house- all inspired by this line.

I collect snowmen and this pillow must be a part of my collection!
Can't you just see this at YOUR beach house?
ANYTHING with stars works for me.
My sister Mary need this.
The Frau would love this.
Beth needs this at her cabin.
And Karen should have this.
Chandler 4 Corners.com has an awesome web site too.

Click here 

Le saboteur de famille y était!

As you can see the family saboteur was on vacation with us, of course.

However, he is never on vacation from sabotaging photo opportunities!

Padel tennis

Quiero vender ropa y accesorios de Padel tennis en España, al por mayor.  ¿A quién debo contactar?  Gracias por cualquier información que puede proporcionar. precio al por mayor

Cousins!

beach walk

Beach, Beach, at the Beach!

I'm at the beach at an Internet cafe. Funny how focused I am when I am paying for internet time by the minute!

It's been interesting. For most of my life We have rented a house on LBI ( Long Beach Island.)

Not every year, but every time we have come down we have been in a house. We rent large homes so that the seven of us have lots of room. We have allowed the kids to bring friends and usually have a houseful. We cook most meals and go out one night to a great seafood restaurant.

I feel as though I am living in an alternative universe this vacation and it is very strange!

Because We only had four days to get away and most homes here rent by the week we decided to stay in a hotel for the first time. Also my daughters were already on the island staying with my sister and her family. My son is here staying at his girlfriend's rental and my other son couldn't get off work. So we only needed one room for my husband and my twelve year-old.

No romance on this trip.

Oh! You should know that there are no chain hotels on the island or chain restaurants.

Anyway, I was SHOCKED when I started calling around trying to make reservations for this trip.

Most, if not all rooms were booked. On the entire island. The average price of a hotel room?

$350

and...up!!!!!!

We are not talking the Dorado or Ritz Carlton.

We are talking beach hotels, old, muggy, no amenities (internet.)

Only one even resembled a decent hotel, Daddy O's which is new and the rooms are amazing.

Read- $400 and up.

So, we sucked it up and were lucky enough to secure a room at a ramshackle motel that had just had a cancellation. And the room was only $250.

We are talking motel, you know drive up. I don't want to sound like a snob, but I haven't stayed in a motel this shabby since 1978's senior prom!

But, we decided that it's fine. I mean how much will we be in our room anyway? My sister's place is nearby ( she has a full house and we appreciate her inviting our girls) and we figure we will be hanging over there most of the time.

Except we didn't anticipate the paper thin walls and the poor toddler next door who is obviously VERY constipated. We knew this because of his bloodcurdling screams and painful crying.

We were glad to hear that his father was supportive as we heard him imploring the little one to,

" just push, keep trying!"

And, we didn't anticipate that the lovely weather PROMISED by our weatherman (they NEVER lie) did not materialize. It rained all day yesterday and is threatening to today.

Oh well.

The other problem we have encountered is that we don't know where to eat.

Sounds stupid right?

I mean we have come down here for years, you would think we would know. But we always cook down here, so it has been a big job trying to decide where to eat.

So, that's my story so far. We still are glad to be here. Change of environment is always good.

Help.

LBI

I'm off!

My two favorite destinations in my two favorite cities.

PARIS.

Musee d"Orsay

Housed in a magnificent old train station. Primarily known for the extensive collection of Impressionist artwork. Kids 18 and under have free admission!

Even the cafe is amazing with wonderful food.

NEW YORK.

The Museum of Modern Art

Located in the heart of Manhattan. Primarily known for its huge modernist and contemporary art collection. Most expensive museum admission price in NYC, but there is free admission for all on Fridays after 4pm. WONDERFUL cafeteria and cafe, think wine and cheese plate around 5pm after a day of walking this huge museum.

A sad goodbye.

My Uncle Bob passed away recently. He was my Dad's  brother and he was my Godfather.

I didn't see him much growing up as he lived in Alaska  and then back in Seattle when we moved to NJ.

He never married or had children. He lived with my Grandmother for many years until her death.

His lifestyle definitely contributed to his death. No exercise, lots of alcohol and all the wrong foods.

I have a few good memories of him. I remember him always making me laugh when I was very little. I remember him giving me a very "mod" yellow vest for  the Christmas of 1969. I think I wore it every day of 4th grade. I also remember him giving a very eloquent eulogy for my grandfather's funeral.

Unfortunately, I also remember how much he worried my Dad and his sisters. I remember how difficult he became as he got older. That he was very demanding and critical of those around him.

What I think I will try to remember is that he was once the cute little blond boy in this picture. That he was a beloved son and little brother. He had pets who loved him and friends too.

I pray that he is back to that person and  back with his parents who knew him as that cute little boy.

Web site recommend for college internship search!

If you have a child/college student that is entering their sophomore year,

Go to this site:

http://www.onedayoneinternship.com/

FAST.

And then make sure they go on!

I wish I and my older kids had known about this site when they were searching for internships.

There is no guarantees of an internship, but plenty of insight put forth in a plain and often times humorous way.

The site is VERY user friendly.

Let me know what you think.

Baseball into the night...

15 innings of Yankee baseball ending at 12:45 am.

They won.

My boy is happy and still asleep.

Don't expect to see him until around noon.

And he will still be smiling.

Kick back

A true summer is finally here for us.

You know, lazy, hazy days with an open schedule. 

Work is slow.

No sports or camps to ferry kids to.

We stay up late talking, eating, and watching TV.

We wake up late and leisurely eat breakfast, read the paper, lingering at the table.

We read. We surf the net. We swim. We play tennis. We nap.

It is a little strange for us, I can't lie.

Go, go, go is what we're use to, not slow, slow, slow.

But, I think we will survive. At least for the two more weeks that we are allowed.

Yup, two weeks. 

Then we get busy again.

Equestrian chic!

The next events I am selling at will be horse shows. With that in mind I shopped the NY Accessory Show looking for items that would appeal to that demographic.

This is what I found!

The stainless steel and leather watches are bangles and sell for $60.
This tote will retail at $80.
And this one will be at $70.

Enamel bangles! $40.

I do have time for you! Watch and see...

And I really do!

 During the holidays I like to sell watches. I try to keep them at a lower price point, so I am always on the lookout for new lines that are classic, preppy, sporty, and well priced.

I found this line at the NY Accessory Show.

It fits the bill.

Classic, go with everything watch band.
If you wear gold, this watch is a casual acoutrement.
Love the black inlay around the watch face. It's all in the details for me.
I LOVE this watch! Big face, blue hands to match the band. Crisp and clean cut.
Besides the fact that green is my favorite color, the stitching and the colored lines/numbers on the face make this watch special.

I expect to have these in stock by September.

What do you think?

NY Accessory Show

I spent yesterday at the NY Accessory Show. It is so much smaller than the gift show and far less overwhelming. I shopped it looking for some new lines to add, specifically looking for fresh, new items. 

Not easy to do.

It seems that in this economy no one wants to take a risk introducing anything new or different. The manufacturers tend to go with what has worked and done well in the past.

Because of this a few companies really stood out.

Spartina

    449

Beautiful bags! Colorful and textural. Great price point.

Another company that has been around, but has really risen to the occasion is,

Nouvella

Socks, socks, and socks

Socks are going to be very important this Fall/Winter, especially knee socks and (believe it or not) over the knee socks. These rugby knee highs are the ultimate trendy/preppy item!

Perfect with Uggs or loafers. Warm and practical. They come in all the usual rugby combo colors. I predict I will be selling these by the boatload.
In two weeks is the NY Gift Show, can't wait!

Summer scarves serve a purpose!

Summer scarves seem strange at first,

especially  seen on the hot, steamy streets of NYC.

Sure, they look fashionable and trendy. And yes, they update any outfit.

But still, in the sweltering heat and humidity, how can anyone stand any extra, unnecessary clothing? (even if it does look cool.)

Until you experience an icy, cold blast of air conditioning when you enter any store or building.

 Or if you go into any restaurant or theater in NYC and experience being really uncomfortable in absolutely frigid temps

Then it is understandable. 

You must be prepared.

Extreme temperature changes at this time of the year call for drastic measures...

OK, summer scarves aren't that drastic. But they are so pretty!

And they transition into Fall so well, don't they?

PS- OHN doesn't this scarf look so familiar? I do believe you purchased the "look alike!"

Update on bee pollen...

In case you were wondering. I have now lost fourteen pounds on this  "crazy" bee pollen stuff!

It is truly hard to believe. I think I need to measure myself as I'm not sure how many inches I have lost. All I know is that I feel great and my clothes are loose.

I keep researching bee pollen to see if there is anything negative or dangerous involved with consumption. I can't believe that taking one to two capsules a day is all I have to do...

I think this is what I needed to kick start my sluggish metabolism. 

Ever since the dreaded peri-menopause came knocking at my door I haven't felt like myself.

I finally do.