Not just because of Tiffany's.

Key necklaces are hot right now.

But in Ireland, England, Scotland, New Zealand, and Australia they are a popular twenty-first birthday gift.

The gifting of a key or a key necklace is a twenty-first birthday tradition in those countries symbolizing freedom and independence, the ability to open new doors and accept responsibility.

I found a great source for key necklaces and will now be selling them, I'll let you know how I do!

Opportunity missed...

Oh sugar!

( you know what I really mean.)

For a day and a half I had all my children under one roof and I didn't get around to taking a picture to put on the Christmas card I am determined to send this year.

Shit. ( THAT is what I mean.)

I really want to send a photo card. It has been a couple of years and it is time. Also, people are starting to drop me from their list.

It is so true that if you stop sending cards...

you stop getting them.

So I have some schemes in my brain, tell me what you think.

1. make a collage of all their baby pictures, put little wings on them and send it out as a Christmas angels theme? ( you can only imagine how that idea was received by my...ahem...angels.)
2. take a pic of those that live here and photo shop the two other kids into the pic? ( my neighbor actually did that!)
3. Take a pic of my husband and I and just put 5 dollar signs around us? ( so appropriate for this time of year, but maybe a tad too cynical.)
4. wait until the weekend before Christmas when we will all be together, take a pic and send out cards the week of Christmas? ( will I still get cards from others, will they have any left?)

Maybe I should send a Christmas card with greetings and a plea to NOT be dropped from their lists because I really like getting photo cards even though I am too lazy to send them.

( they can keep the brag/Christmas letters though)

Photo above is from http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/

Do not walk, RUN to...

...see this movie!

To you and yours...

New "green" product! Snacktaxis

Snacktaxis are reusable bags for snacks and sandwiches that come in tons of fun designs. They are used as you would use Ziploc bags, but these can be thrown in the dishwasher when they need to be cleaned.

Here is the link to their site: http://www.snacktaxi.com/

I plan on selling them when I am out on the road vending, I think they fit in with the lines I carry.

I am all about functionally pretty.

below are some of the designs I have ordered.

BEE-autiful!

Beautiful bags...

Will have next spring...

No matter what!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Dear Mom,

I hope you are having a wonderful day, an awesome birthday.

Thank you for everything you do for us and for always being there.

I love you so much and can't wait to see you next month.

I now realize that I need to take more pictures of you whether you allow it or not.

This picture is the best, recent picture I could find. ( from Karen)

My apologies to Dad, Beth, and Kathy.

Didn't want to leave you out, but this was the best pic of Mom and it is all about her today!

A Christmas Carol, Mr Magoo vs. Jim Carrey

Went to A Christmas Carol last night.

Imax 3D. Paid $5 extra for that.

Not really worth it.

I think it was $3 extra for regular 3D.

At first I was enchanted.

I thought it was going to be like Polar Express,

magical.

It wasn't.

Then I thought maybe it would be like Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol,

unforgettable.

It wasn't.

Then I thought we should have seen New Moon.

We didn't. The line was too long and too many girls said the two boys I was with.

Now I think I will look for my DVD of Mr. Magoo's A Christmas Carol.

Mr. Magoo wins every time.

Me likey.

This Christmas card appeals to me on so many different levels.

www.elfster.com

Just wanted to remind you about:

www.elfster.com

And you know why?

Because if you are like us, you get together with family and friends the weekend of Thanksgiving and invariably "the gift exchange discussion" takes place.

It's best to come with a plan, cause everybody has an opinion and the discussion can last way too long...

Check out elfster and then you will be able to end the conversation quickly.

Oh, and it's free by the way.

Good advice.

setting- That (stupid) Real Housewives of NJ event I was a vendor at.

conversation- Gay guy who does make -up for Chanel at Saks and me, (vendor bored out of her mind not selling anything because all the Carmella Soprano look-a-likes aren't into pink and green!!)

Me- " I don't really wear a lot of make-up. What is the one thing you recommend I buy, other than surgery, to look younger and better?"

He looks at me long and hard. ( that is a bad sentence!)

Guy- "lipstick honey."

And you know what?

I have been wearing it ever since.

And you know what else?

Everyone is noticing AND complimenting me... a lot.

#1. Who knew? I should have done this awhile ago. When my kids were babies I stopped wearing lipstick because I love smooching babies and there would have been lipstick all over them!

#2. Mr. gay guy is my new guru. I plan on hunting him down and asking him what his second recommendation would be.

What if he says surgery??!

#3 Get yourself some lipstick!

Preppy Rides

What is the definition of a preppy vehicle?

To me it is a car or truck that IS classic, elegant, well made.

NOT showy, flashy, or ostentatious.

What is the illustration of a preppy vehicle?

Well, my old rides will do!

The last sweet Saab we owned, 1993

Our first Saab was a white 1988 900.

We. Loved. This. Car.

What do you nominate as a preppy ride?

I have plans!

Not just for my garden either.
These topiary would look amazing in my front garden with clematis or ivy.
Same with these garden gates.
They are all free standing. I saw someone use topiary and gates very similar to these as display at an event and...

I am inspired!

Can't you just see the topiary bedecked with grosgrain ribbon bows or pearl earrings?

The possibilities are limitless :)

Somehow I missed this...

I haven't been interviewed in awhile so I hadn't remembered to keep on the lookout for this piece (a bit dramatic) by Diane Mapes,

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32765018/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition/

What's your pleasure?

And why?

Please comment and share... even if you haven't before.

Don't be shy now.

Oakleys

The half jackets are calling my name...

The pink might be a little much though.

Turn the page...

turn the page

to stop thinking about or dealing with something When a patient dies, a doctor just has to turn the page and concentrate on the next patient.

This meaning of that phrase is so true for me.

We've had a "situation" in my husband's family for a few years now that could not be avoided.

Nothing to do with us, but everything to do with us.

Without a lot of detail, we hadn't seen my brother-in-law in 3 1/2 years. At first there was no explanation for his disappearance... and then 6 months into his absence there was a lot of information, none good.

We eventually told our children the absolute minimum and went on with life.

But, this guy was missed, he was a big part of our family. No one spoke about it at big family gatherings, but our immediate family discussed it plenty. My husband and I wondered if his sister was separated, divorcing, etc. We really didn't know.

Eventually we gave up trying to figure it out. The obvious thing to do would be to just ask her...

But my husband's family doesn't talk about things like that... at all.

Anyway, good news.

He is back in the fold.

She has forgiven him and they have worked it out.

We are happy for them.

We forgive him and support him...

And now we can turn the page.

Christmas request... sounds easy. Not.

I love my twenty year-old daughter, she is my right hand. She rarely asks for anything so when it is Christmas time I try to get her most of what is on her list, although I have set a budget so that all my children have realistic lists.

She had already submitted the Christmas list for 2009,

I thought.

Then I received this email- ( sorry my girl if you're reading this I had to share)

MOTHER,

I have thought of other Christmas gifts if my budget has yet to be fulfilled..

-black blazer (no shoulder pads obviiiouslyyyyy) a couple girls have them here and they look adorable as like a going out over a tank to the bar type thing

-Tan sperry's..I ordered blue and white ones two months ago but they were too small so I had to send them back/have yet to so I might as well wait for christmas at this point..Actually before I send them back do you want them? I have up to a year to return them anyways.. They're an eight, If not i'll just send them back..

OKAYYYY love you : )

First off,

Interesting, a blazer... to wear to... a bar.

She is twenty.

I guess she isn't even bothering to pretend.

As if I didn't know anyway.

But the clincher is a black blazer.

I need more details!

See below. Don't all those blazers look alike, just different models?

They're four different blazers!! And that's just J Crew.

Which of these do you like if you were going to a bar underage and might end up in jail?

Which would look best behind bars? ( as in prison)

And, do I really want her reject Sperry's that she is obviously NOT bringing back cause it sounds like it might be too late or she lost the receipt or something?

I love my girl.

Facebook opportunity...

We can all agree that one of the best things about Facebook is finding long, lost friends.

How about enemies?

Trust me. This isn't negative.

Some people have a "bucket list," a list of all the things they want to do before they die.

Not me.

I have an "apology list."

I'm not a part of a twelve step ( or is it ten step? ) program. I just know that there are certain people that I would like to apologise to before I die.

Or should I say before they die?

Yes, unfortunately one of my friends from my childhood/teens/twenties who I had drifted apart from and had always assumed that I would reconnect with... passed on.

This happened about two years ago and I have such regret that we weren't able to meet so that I could forgive her for past transgressions and more importantly, ask for forgiveness for my past actions.

Well, the top person on my apology list is my first college roommate. I will preface this story with the fact that I came from a strict, (almost controlling,) household regarding cleaning. We had a lot of chores and every Saturday all of us sisters did the equivalent of what would be considered Spring cleaning.

Every Saturday. Right Frau?

Anyway, I get to college and I feel so free. No cleaning, no responsibility other than my schoolwork.

My boyfriend slept over a lot, I left dishes in the sink, I left garbage on the counter, I left lights on, doors unlocked...

I could go on and on.

And my roommate could not stand me!

Can you blame her?

I did.

I thought she was a total #@%& and a nag and couldn't believe how uptight and rigid she was.

Of course I didn't see how inconsiderate and rude I was.

In fact, I don't think I saw it clearly until I was a mother and looked back to my college days more objectively. And then as my children began to go off to school I was horrified.

What if they ended up with a roommate... like me?!!!

So, over the years I would tell them how bad I had been and how ashamed I am for having behaved that way so many years ago, telling them to make sure they are considerate and tolerant.

And now because of facebook I have found that poor girl that suffered for an entire year with me as a roommate from hell.

I haven't contacted her yet.

But I plan on "friending" her this week. Of course there will have to be a message accompanying the request, otherwise I doubt she would accept me as her "friend."

The message will be,

"Hi Katy, it's Patty from freshman year at (blank college) I want you to know that I am so sorry for being the worst roommate ever. I really am ashamed about how I behaved back then and hope you will forgive me."

I already feel better!

Crockpot time!

Not just because it's dark out earlier.

Not just because the winter chill is beginning to settle in.

Not because of that amazing smell when you come in the door...

Mostly, because it is now basketball season and if I don't get the crockpot humming by 8am we're not eating dinner until 9pm!

Let the games begin!

Boxwood crazy...

Oh yes I am!

I love box wood, but am very particular as to how it is used. I love it when it is used almost as a lawn as I have seen in New Orleans.
My ideal use of boxwood is as a low, trim hedge defining a garden as in this pic.
This garden is either a boxwood dream or nightmare...
Although I can appreciate this tall hedge, I like it tidy- so this wouldn't do.

Do you have a particular plant, bush or hedge that you like? Most of us have out favorite flowers but I think plants like ivy or shrubs like burning bush can really define your garden.

Do you agree?

More silverware caddies... to die for!

I received a few emails asking about these babies! They don't have to be just for silverware...

This would be lovely in a bathroom or on a desk...
Can't you see this as a catch all on a dresser or bureau?
This belongs in my preppy bathroom?
Can't you see this on your holiday buffet?

$35 folks.

Shipping is probably $3-$4

French Heraldic Bee hostess items

My top selling hostess gifts are the items shown below and the design, French Heraldic Bee, is the best selling design of these items and i think you can see why.

It is elegant and matches every decor. Appropriate for the holidays or for any elegant table or bar.

The wine coaster prevents a ring of moisture on any tablecloth or surface.
The utensil caddy makes buffet organized and dazzling.
And the beverage bucket?

Needed.