One Good Deed And Some Vintage Jewelry

vanishingvintage

When I was a little girl I remember getting one of the best gifts I have ever received from a woman who was notorious for being a grouch.  For some reason she gave a starry eyed little girl a box of vintage jewelry.  Some of them were broken but I recall being in awe of the sparkle and shine of the beads...I had died and gone to heaven.  Needless to say I was hooked ever since.

Now that I am grown, I have an even greater appreciation for vintage jewelry. I can fully appreciate the stellar craftsmanship, the fearless color palettes and unrestrained imagination that went into each piece. I just love finding one of a kind pieces that make me gasp...and trust me, I find them pretty often because I collect them. One of the things I do though, is to research and find out about the various designers in the 1930's and beyond.  It has been so very informative and inspiring to me as a designer.

Here are two of my favorite vintage jewelry designers that you may want to buy or collect:

Marcel Boucher - He was born in Paris, France where he designed for Cartier and later for his own company. Marcel Boucher is highly respected as the most imaginative designer of quality costume jewelry. His bold, meticulously executed designs is sought out by collectors from all walks of life including movie stars like Sarah Jessica Parker. Each piece is a "work of art".

sparklz

Trifari - Since the 1920s, Trifari has been one of the most respected and admired producers of costume jewelry in the United States. Trifari was Founded in the1910s by Gustavo Trifari, the Italian-immigrant son of a Napoli goldsmith, the company has designed jewelry that’s been worn by countless high-profile clients, from Mamie Eisenhower to Madonna.

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Who would have thought that one kind act from the town's grouch would bring so much joy and passion into my life for these pieces and for design as a whole...  Thanks Miss B, rest in peace.

Cherio!

For The Love Of Mom - A last Minute Gift Guide

I don't know why this is but somehow no matter how you plan to buy a gift in advance, time always seem to slip away and before you know it you're buying something, anything from Walgreens or the even the grocery store.....at the last minute.  Okay, so maybe its not that bad but you know what I mean,  perhaps you've had a similar experience.  Time is just not a team player sometimes.

If there is ever a time you want to marinate on what you are buying or presenting though, do it for for Mothers Day.  I mean, this is for mom, the woman who gave you life, not to mention all the selfless things she does for you out of love every day.  A little effort here is so well deserved....  But Just in case you are having last minute shoppers panic or a melt down, here are 10 gift ideas mom will love! 

A Spa Day

No mother will ever say no to this.  And why would they, after all, if anyone deserves to be pampered, moms do. Trust me you'll even earn a few brownie points with this one.

A Personalized Gift Bag

Since you are privy to what your mom likes best, you have vital information that can actually result in you selecting the perfect gift!  You know her favorite color, candy, fragrance, movie, book, spice, slippers....and all the stuff she admires on TV.  Now take that information and get as many of these items as you can afford and then put them all in a beautiful gift bag. Top this with decorative tissue paper and and you're done!  The best part about this is, your mom will love everything in the bag, guaranteed.

Jewelry
They say that diamonds are a girls best friend and there's some truth to that...but we love great looking jewelry. Period.  If you can afford precious stones like rubies, emeralds, diamonds etc. then go ahead and get mom some high octane bling!  If your heart is willing but your pocket is weak, there are semi-precious stones that are really beautiful, much lower in price and come in various birth stone colors.  Consider stones like garnet, peridot, topaz, opal etc. Find out what your mom's birth stone color is, but do it inconspicuously...we like surprises, and we especially like it when you take a little initiative and think about the gift. Tip: When in doubt try a classic like pearls or something simple in style like this gorgeous and elegant garnet and white topaz necklace. 

(You can find this necklace at www.ice.com for $75.00)

A Work Free Day ( With Advanced Pampering )

This is my favorite gift idea.  Serve mom breakfast in bed with a note or card saying that she is not allowed to do anything for the whole day except relax and enjoy herself. Present her with a beautiful, comfortable bath robe and comfy bedroom slippers. Give her a few of 

her favorite movies or magazines and let her unwind.  During the course of the day, prepare lunch and dinner for her.  She will appreciate your effort and it will really make her day very special!

A Sewing Machine
If your mom is crafty and likes to sew, a sewing machine is the perfect gift for her.  Even more so if she needs a new one or plans to buy one in the future.   Machines have come a long way over the last decade.  They are able to do just about any decorative stitch you can imagine.  And, this is just the kind of gadget that makes a crafty mom really excited!!!  You can find a Singer machine starting at $149.00  here.

Magazine subscription Or Favorite Books
Whether its a magazine subscription, cook books or novels, books make a really excellent gift.  You are basically giving the gift of knowledge to someone you love, now how awesome is that!

An Ipad
This is the the gift that keeps giving.  Your mom will be able to assemble recipes, keep tract of appointments and organize better in general, send and receive emails, listen to music, shop, and so much more with the Ipad.  If your mom is even a little technology savvy, she will love this, besides, you can always show her how to use it.  Once she gets the hang of it, this will be a favorite!

www.apple.com

Hair Combs

Hair combs are gorgeous gifts for women with "bob" length hair and longer.  These come in a wide array of styles and prices so its all about your own personal preference.  In this case since its for your mother, consider her favorite color, and think about her style.  Is it vintage, modern, ultra trendy?  Either way, every time mom wears this, she will  think of you!  So make it good.

www.bridalphantasy.com

www.bridalphantasy.com

 Coupons Just For Mom

If you are unable to buy a gift and want to do something meaningful or thoughtful, just make some coupons.  Each coupon entitles mom to various leisure activities and benefits around the home. .This is especially great for older children and husbands who can take over for mom for a few hours and provide the service required. Make a handmade card for mom and have all the children color and sign it. Present the card with the coupons inside.  (You can also down load these same coupons at http://static.oprah.com/pdf/mothersday_coupons.pdf)

Flowers & Chocolate

You can never lose with flowers and chocolate.  Lilies, roses and peonies are beautiful and elegant choices but there are so many other gorgeous and fragrant flowers to choose from.  The chocolate is the perfect compliment to the flowers, moms around the world approve!

Well thats a wrap my friends.  I hope this helps you to select a wonderful gift for your mom.  Let me know how it goes and all the best to you for a happy and blessed Mothers Day!

Love. Straight From The heart

If there is ever a time I thank God for being born female, its just before and on Valentine's day.  And its not for the reasons one might think.    

What makes me grateful to be a woman on Valentines day is not having the pressure and anxiety that most men feel to go beyond what they did the previous year.  To be more romantic, to buy a bigger/ better gift and to wow everyone, not just his wife or girlfriend. Especially if the gift or flowers is delivered at work.  In a lot of ways its like a competition with drastic consequences if you mess up. The gift has to be spectacular or the poor guy finds himself in the dog house, on the sofa, or enduring "the silent treatment."  Either way, there is a serious lopsided dynamic happening here that women do not experience.  

Now, I am not endorsing the inactions of inconsiderate men.   Those of you who year after year fail to let your lady know just how special she is to you, shame on you.  I suggest you get your act together and start making changes.  Like right now.  Am no Dr Phil but one thing I do know is that everyone wants to feel loved and appreciated.  If you show your spouse more love and affection, your relationship will become deeper and more fulfilling.  As a direct result, you will be a happier man and there will be peace in your home. A woman needs to feel that she is heard, loved and appreciated in her home.  Its the greatest gift you can give her.

Contrary to the commercials and marketing rhetoric, love is not measured in chocolate, red roses or karats.  Love is measured by our actions.  Our actions speak much louder than our words ever could.  I truly believe that true romance is in the little things we do for each other.  Like when your man offers to cook, do laundry or take the kids to the park just to give you a little time to relax.  Or how he remembers your likes and dislikes and tries his best to only do what you like.  Thats love. 

Some of the most romantic experiences I've had with my husband were unplanned and spur of the moment.  Like the time he stopped a public transit bus after it had already pulled off just to "kiss his wife bye" and then get right back on.  And, over the years he has surprised me with river rocks, beach glass, wild flowers, shells, sand from my favorite beach in the Bahamas and so much more.  He's a hardcore city guy and not at all outdoorsy like me so its that more special to me that he would go to these lengths to make me happy. Although I do receive expensive gifts from my husband sometimes and despite the fact that he enjoys spending money on me, I am glad that he knows that I love him.  Not the stuff.  

And Thats Amoire.

With A Grateful Heart

As we approach Christmas day every single hour the shopping and mad dash for decorations or last minute gifts greatly intensifies.  Unfortunately the stress levels for most people are becoming just as elevated and intense with each swipe of the credit card and each new receipt for items purchased. Why do we do this to ourselves every year? When I found myself venting to a dear friend of mine about my impending holiday doom, I suddenly had a moment of absolute clarity.  Is all of this really necessary for me to have a merry Christmas? 

Well, the answer to that after some thought is a resounding No!  Oh happy day!  
With this new found sense of freedom, there's a new sheriff in town. 


Yes, I still plan on giving and receiving gifts this year however, I will make an effort not to think so much about what is given but appreciate  the spirit in which it was given. Now I am not advocating giving a gift that is useless or thoughtless, in fact I am encouraging you to do just the opposite. 


















 Before you run off to the mall think about who you are buying something for, are they artistic, romantic, sentimental, adventurous, superficial? If they are the latter, off to the mall you go!, if not you may be able to give something that you can make or put together yourself. Some of the the best gifts I have ever been given have been gifts that were fairly inexpensive but totally took into consideration some of the  things I love. I have received everything from lemon meringue pies to exotic seeds, pods and beach glass, and I was just as thrilled to get them as someone who perhaps got a designer bag. It made me feel special and this is what we strive to do for others at Christmas.  I really want to celebrate this Christmas in the true spirit of the season which is love.  I figured I would make a list and check it off as I complete each task.  Well, here goes, am sharing this with you since these are all Godly deeds that cost little or no money to do but will bring joy and love not only to our own hearts but to all around you.  And that my friends as we all know is what Christmas is all about!

    Christmas To Do List

1. Give a hand written letter or handmade Christmas card to someone who I care about but haven't  spoken to in a while.  In my own words tell them how much they mean to me.
2. Bake something that one of my siblings really likes and surprise them with it.
3. Give a gift to a child whose parents cannot afford gifts for the holidays
4. Spend quality time with my family with absolutely NO computer time on Christmas day.
5. Pray and have a grateful heart throughout the holidays
6. Do a free piece of Graphic design for a new startup business
7. Hug more and be more affectionate
8. Wish the telemarketer a Merry Christmas instead of hanging up on him or her right way
9. Compliment and tell people when they are doing a good job or if they look nice
10. Smile more, especially with someone who seems to be having a bad day