Blog Awards

I've been awarded two blog awards from Pricilla at http://casabellachic.blogspot.com/.

Thank you so much for this honor ... I am happy to pass it on.

The Lemonade Award:

For bloggers who show great attitude and gratitude.What you have to do..... Upon receiving The Lemonade Award, you pass it on to other bloggers who you think show great attitude and gratitude.

Here are the rules:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post

2. Nominate at least 8 blogs which show great attitude and or gratitude

3. Link to your nominees within your post

4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog

5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award

Este Blog ...

The authors say that blogs who recieve this award are exceedingly charming. This blog invests in PROXIMITY in space, time, and relationships. These kind of bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that even more friendships will be made.The following bloggers are some special people I would love to share these awards with!!!

1. www.theoldpaintedcottage.blogspot.com

2. www.katiesrosecottage.blogspot.com

3. www.mamaspocketbook.blogspot.com

4. http://www.palepinkandroses.typepad.com/

5. http://cupcakesandcutestuff.blogspot.com/

6. http://myhydrangeahome.blogspot.com/

7. http://theraspberryrabbits.blogspot.com/

8. http://www.forgetmenotdreams.blogspot.com/

Pink Friday ... Linens and Lace

Please join us for shopping with a twist on Friday, February 27, 2009 as we present Linens and Lace.
Linens and lace tenderly woven into the fabric of a life. They first surround when we are wrapped in the heirloom christening gown. Yellowed by time but preserved with love, brought out on a day that is filled with expectant joy. A treasure carefully saved by a mother in each generation, along with the hope for a beautiful life to come. The simple elegance of linens and lace remains in our memories -later we're struck by the beauty of a simple lace hankie that catches our eye, lying in a grandmother's lavender-scented drawer. Linens and lace carefully collected and stored within a handmade cedar chest, for yet another day of joyful expectation. Feelings of love and anticipation lie behind each piece a young girl selects to adorn her one-day home with grace. She envisions a future life of bliss as she tenderly folds every piece and stores it away, to lie patiently in wait for its turn to come. Linens and lace draped over a vintage boudoir chair, in the corner of a quite room. Perhaps it is a small piece of handmade lace, or perhaps it is a layer, that found its way into her bridal gown. She thinks of the women who have worn linens and lace before her on a day like this. A precious object of beauty... delicate and strong, as she herself is. In the kitchen where she works to care for her family, she has hung the first curtains of spring. Linens and lace swaying gently in the breeze, while the sunlight dances through their intricate designs.

http://www.cottageflair.com/catalog.htm?category=53

http://www.makeminepink.com/pink-friday/

The Vision Board Book Giveaway winner announcement!

I am a little behind here trying to catch up after vacation but ... the winner of The Vision Board book is ....

Janet of Janet's Creative Pillows. Congratulations! Please send me your address and I'll get it right out. Thanks to all who signed up for my newsletter.

shopflair@sbcglobal.net

Show and Tell ...

This photo is explained below ... Torch Light Parade down the mountain (the rows of lights are bunches of children skiing down)

My two boys playing outside with the little kids

My younger son, in orange, with his friend
The slope behind them is where the parade took place.

I have been missing in action (actually on vacation) for the past nine days. I had every intention of blogging before leaving but I completely ran out of time. Every February school break we head up to Vermont to a little ski mountain called Magic. It is the most wonderful,family oriented place. We have tons of friends who are there every year. The kids can take off on their own and we never have to worry about them. The kids are all ages and all play, ski and get along great. The final night there they have a huge party with food, raffles, a band, fireworks and something they call the torch light parade. The kids take the chair lift to the top of the mountain (at dusk but with lots of adult supervision). At dark, they each get a torch and proceed down the mountain, all in a row, skiing back and forth across the mountain. It is quite a site! This year my almost 10 year old was able to participate which he loved. The photo looks strange but imagine all of those lights is a kid skiing down. This year there had to be over 100 participants.

We also went to watch competetors from all over the world ski jumping in Brattleboro, VT. It was a newly renovated ski jump that was open for the first time in four years. That was really amazing. Future olympians!

It is such an amazing week. I'm sorry it's over but ... back to work. I did not have access to a computer except for one evening so I was having some major withdrawal! Guess where the first place I headed was when I walked in the door?!

I'm looking forward to getting back to painting and adding new goodies to my site. Have a great week. Thanks for visiting...

Giveaway...

I am having a fun giveaway for anyone who signs up for my email list. I have a copy of the fantastic book written by Joyce Schwarz: The Vison Board.

One lucky person will win a copy of this informative and helpful book all about how to create your own vision board and how to make it work for you! (I read it ... I couldn't put it down!)

Pink Friday time again ...

This week's theme is "Shades of Rose"

Please join us for shopping with a twist on Friday February 13, 2009 as we present "SHADES OF ROSE"
Roses come in so many beautiful colors, all with a special meaning. Please stop by the boutiques at Make Mine Pink and check out all of the wonderful offerings in shades of rose.

http://www.makeminepink.com/pink-friday/
http://www.cottageflair.com/catalog.htm?category=52

Show and Tell Monday ... Even with all of this crazy weather we have been having here in CT, I really enjoy this time of year. January is trade show time and I just LOVE to go to the shows. Then, a few weeks later, the goodies start arriving. It's like Christmas all over again. Below I posted a few picks of some fun vintage inspired boxes and birds from Bethany Lowe. The post below that are picks of some gorgeous chandeliers I found in Atlanta. Some are electric, some are candles and if I do say so myself, they are just beautiful! I have a few hanging in my house. Now, with this crazy weather of too much snow, then rain, sleet, wind, cold again so ice, etc, it has been a little hard for me to work on my painting. I have a heated garage converted to studio but the sanding and washing needs to be done outside. Many times I have turned our driveway into an ice skating rink much to my family's chagrin! If finally warmed up to the 40's this weekend so I was a sanding/washing maniac. Soon I will have some furniture done to show you but for today, just this one cute little table. Happy Monday ... I'm off to visit everyone else.

(chandeliers are listed on my site, new items here will be listed today)

They Have Arrived!!!

I just have to say ... I am so excited! I LOVE chandeliers. I think they are a huge part of my favorite decorating style, shabby chic. I had purchased a six arm taper candle chandelier at one of my favorite shops two years ago. Since then, I have looked and looked for them at the trade shows. Well, I finally found them on my trip to Atlanta along with several other beautiful styles, electric and candle. They have all finally arrived and they are just so pretty. I have listed them on my site and some are hanging all over our shop. The shop has popped! and really looks great (if I do say so myself). I even had to keep a few (don't tell!). I guess the little things really thrill me!

Join us at Make Mine Pinkon Friday February 6th
for Pink Friday.
"Be My Valentine".
So many things can be romantic on Valentine's Day for you and your sweetheart ... beautiful lighting, shabby chic rose decor, sweet smelling soaps and candles, lovely vintage linens ... Valentine's Day isn't just chocolate and roses anymore!
These are only a few of the wonderful treasures that can be found by visiting our participating boutiques.

http://www.makeminepink.com/pink-friday/

http://www.cottageflair.com/catalo