Everyday Beauty

Just Charming

I don't think it's any secret that I love charms, charm bracelets and anything sparkly and dangling. I think it may be genetic. My grandmother and mother also have charm bracelets dripping with charms and trinkets. I love looking at them and asking questions about the origin and meaning of certain charms. It reveals pieces of their lives, moments that were important to them as women, wives, mothers and friends. That's really what a charm bracelet is, I suppose, a miniature storybook of one's life.

My own bracelet is full of charms from the places I've visited, the milestones in my life and myriad other meaningful events, moments, and people who are woven into the fabric of my life. There are many places I've been where I couldn't find a charm to buy, and I wish I could have. My story almost doesn't seem complete without them.

I recently decided to take on the daunting task of moving all of my charms on to this vintage double link bracelet. It's thicker than my original bracelet and can support the weight of the charms more easily. This bracelet is no light weight! Weighs a ton.

Here is another bracelet that I have filled with soldered charms (below). Most of them were made by Sally Jean. One was made by me (the black anagram tile) and one was made by Anne Garrison. (the small square cream and black script letter "A".) I used a very thick link bracelet for this one since the glass charms are quite heavy.

Here's a closer picture that shows some of the charms a little bit better.

 

And then there is this one. I realized I had several heart charms and decided to create an all-heart bracelet.

Some are simply old charms I found at a flea market, and others are more meaningful. A few of these hearts were actually my mom's from high school. Then I also added some old rhinestone buttons for filler and extra sparkle.

 

If you are considering starting a charm bracelet of your own, there is a wonderful book available on the topic. It is called Charmed Bracelets, by Tracey Zabar. It is full of large pictures of exquisite charm bracelets and lots of text to go along with it. A very good book. One flip through it, and you will want a charm bracelet....or two....or three!

I'm Still Baking

I guess not even swollen legs can keep me from baking sweets. Just what my thighs need right now, right? But, I'm telling you, this Pumpkin Roll is delicious! The best part is that you can find the recipe on the inside of the label on the can of Libby's Pure Pumpkin. Or you can get it here. Cream cheese filing....,..need I say more?

And then, when you find yourself with extra pumpkin filling, you can make one of these:

A pumpkin milkshake! It's simply 1/2 cup pumpkin puree, 1 cup vanilla ice cream and 1/2 cup milk. Give it all a whirl in the blender and voila! Yummy. If you love pumpkin, you will enjoy this. I promise.

Autumn Decorating

I finally got some Autumn decorations out. It was still pretty hot around here up until last week, and I couldn't quite get in the Fall spirit. Now that it's cooling down, I'm in the mood for pumpkins.......and pumpkin pie for sure. My favorite tiara found a pretty home here on this pumpkin. I have to say, I really don't go too crazy with Halloween and Fall decorations. I like a little bit here and there, and not too much orange. I tend to go for white pumpkins indoors and orange ones on the front porch. The only orange I've got inside is this banner hanging from the mantel in the family room. It's from the Nicol Sayre collection. Don't you love Nicol Sayre's art and dolls and blog? Always very inspiring.

Here's a closer look at the banner. I credit her with being one of the originators of bringing back the vintage decorating style with crepe paper and sheet music and all of the things that are now so widely used in the vintage paper-crafting arena. She's an original for sure.

I found this fun urn at Target a few weeks ago. Just love the striped tights and witch shoes. I think it's supposed to be planter, but I plan on filling it with candy and using it on Halloween night when the little witches and goblins come knocking.

The picture below is from Halloween last year. I have the same thing up this year, but don't feel like going out to take a picture (talk about lazy!). Anyway, I bought these artificial pumpkins at the craft store and asked George to drill a hole through each one and insert a dowel rod. Then, he filled the bottom pumpkin with sand to keep them from blowing over. I use these urns all year with flowers in the Spring and Summer and then small lit trees at Christmas time. Isn't my little Mickey Mouse cute? This year he's going to be a monkey!

And that's about the extent of my Halloween decor. I put a lot more emphasis on Christmas decorating. Oh, I love Christmas time and am already looking so forward to it. But, trying not to rush through the beatiful Fall. A season for everything........and everything in it's own time. I hope you all enjoy this Autumn season as well.

Cherished Baby Gifts

My dear friends Pam and Dana took me to dinner last week and spoiled me with so many thoughtful and special gifts for the baby. Before I show you everything, I just realized that I don't think I've told you his name! We have decided to name him Sam! (Samuel George, actually). My dad's name is Sam, and he was named after his grandfather, Salvatore Bruno Galucci. (Sam is the English version of Salvatore.) George and I are both very traditional and into family names, and I'm just sentimental that way to begin with. Mario was named after my husband's late brother Mario. The name has been in the Singarella family for many, many generations, and I'm so glad we passed it on to our son. I'm equally happy to be naming our second son after my father. It just means so much to me. I can't really explain it well in words. So, Sam it is! Now if he would just make his debut......

So, anyway, back to the baby gifts. To give you some background, Pam and Dana and I all met when we used to work at our local scrapbook store. I worked there a few years ago when I was pregnant with Mario. We are all into paper arts and tend to be drawn to a vintage style. Our styles are all different yet have a common thread running though them. I guess it is our love of old things. These pictures do not do the books justice. In person, they are even more amazing. This first album was made by Pam and is just incredible. She made a 6x6" book from layered cardstock and filled it with pockets, tags, embellishments, tabs, pictures, quotes and more. This is the cover:

And here are some of the many pages from the inside of the album:

 

Pam also made this precious quilted bib and burp cloth by hand. I am amazed at anyone who can do such beautiful hand stitching. I'll have to save this for very special occasions.

She got Sam some adorable newborn outfits too, but they are currently upstairs floating in a sea of Dreft. Is there anything that smells better than baby clothes washed in Dreft? I think not.

This is the fabulous album that Dana made. Just look at that cover! There is lots of space inside to add photos of the baby. She took an antique children's book (copyright 1887) and cut the covers off. Then she created her own pages using cardstock and all sorts of vintage pictures, cards, trinkets and other special items tucked inside. Here are a few close-ups of the inside pages:

 

Dana also bought the beautiful sterling silver spoon that is pictured above with the bib and burp cloth. How sweet is that? A silver spoon surely to be an heirloom for many generations in our family. And she found an old children's storybook called "Cowboy Sam"! It's the yellow book up in the very first photo. I think it will look cute sitting on the nightstand in the nursery.

As you can see, I am lucky to have such thoughtful (and creative) friends. These albums are very special, and I so appreciate anything made by hand. I can't wait to fill them with pictures and journalling as Sam grows and changes. Thank you, my dear friends for taking so much time and care to create these gifts. I will treasure them.

The Shop is Closed....for now

Well, girls, I have decided to close the shop for maternity leave. I hadn't planned on closing this early, as I am still 2 weeks from my due date. But I can no longer physically do everything that is involved with running a business. Last night, I thought I was in labor. I was having severe pains and very intense pressure. It didn't quite feel like labor, but I wasn't sure. Anyway, obviously, here I sit, and I'm not in labor. But it scared me because I wanted to tie up loose ends with orders before I went to the hospital. I feel much better now knowing the shop is closed and I can focus on my family and myself for a little bit.

I apologize that there was no forewarning of the shop's closing. I'm sorry if there was something you were planning to order or perhaps some supplies that you needed for an upcoming project. The plan is to reopen in mid November. But anything can happen and that may change. If you placed an order this week, I am packing it up today or tomorrow, and you should have it in your hands by next week.

I've got some beautiful Christmas ribbons, garlands, Wendy Addison glittered door swags, and a few other glittery treats to share with you when I reopen! The shop will be open in plenty of time for Holiday crafting and gift giving purchases.

I'll continue to blog until the babe arrives....and then, of course, you'll be tired of seeing baby pictures after a while! I'm so excited to meet out new son. I wonder who he will resemble. One thing I know is he will have tons of hair. Mario needed a haircut the day he was born! What can I say, we're Italian!

Ok, I'm off to pack up more orders. Thank you all for your continued support and kindness! It means so very much to me!!

xo andrea

Turning Three

I cannot believe my baby is 3 years old! We celebrated on Saturday with a balloon-filled party with all of his little friends. This was the first year he actually knew that it was his special day and that the party was just for him, and we so enjoyed watching him have such a good time. There was a pinata and a clown and balloon animals everywhere! (as you can see in the background of the photo below.)

 

It was all about Curious George this year. He can't get enough of that monkey. I was feeling a bit guilty that I bought everything this year. Last year I made all the food, the cake, the invitations, all of the decorations, banners, favors, you name it. I made it. This year, I was lucky to make my bed that morning. I just don't have the energy, and I know I shouldn't let it bother me. Mario certainly doesn't care either way. A party is a party to him! He had a ball and that's all that really matters.

Happy Birthday my sweet boy!

Baubles, Jewels & Other Pretty Things

I have been busy making Found Object Charm Bracelets. There are 4 new ones in the shop now, and they are getting harder and harder to part with. I love their uniqueness, the fact that no one else will have one exactly the same. I love that they are made from random bits. Random is interesting. They're loaded with old buttons, vintage jewelry pieces, charms, glitter-filled bottles and so much more. Twinkling treasures on a Sterling Silver charm bracelet!

I have long been a collector of vintage jewelry and prefer it to newer jewelry. I think I really started appreciating it's uniqueness in junior high, and I have been wearing old pieces ever since. Here are some of the jewelry boxes stacked on my dresser full of vintage baubles that I enjoy digging through. You never know what you may find inside!

So, for the love of old jewelry, I have (finally) added the Bundles of Baubles I've been talking about for ages, to the shop. This was an idea I had before the shop opened and it's finally coming to fruition. I've put together sets, or "Bundles", of old pieces that can either be worn or used to embellish your artistic creations with a vintage flair. This batch of Bundles contains lots of old beaded and pearly earrings that are perfect for art. It also includes several rhinestone brooches and other sweet vintage pieces. Bundles of Baubles will be an on-going category, as I am always hunting and gathering old jewelry. You can see the sparkling goods in all their vintage glory here.

In other shop news, pale pink velvet leaves have been added to the assortment here. This is a soft, beautiful pink color. Also, the popular crown Dresdens are now available in gold too.

I know I've been promising new Paper Cakes and Trinket Cones. They are coming, honest, they are. I wanted to have several to present to you instead of listing just one or two. By next week, they should all be complete. I did just add some pretty new Bon Bon Cups to choose from though.

By the way, thank you for all of your sweet, convincing comments about the diaper bag dilemma. You made some good points, and now the decision is even more difficult! I really do want it and, man, I've been in some serious pain lately. I think I deserve it! George said he thinks the baby must be laying on a nerve that affects my senses......... 

Do I Need This?

Please, someone, convince me that I need this diaper bag. I really love it. How could you not covet a diaper bag made of cut velvet and tweed? In these gorgeous colors. And just in season for this Autumn baby (who by the way, shows no signs of wanting to come out). I do realize I still have 4 weeks to go, but a girl can hope!

It also comes in pink. Love. of course. And it is convertible. It can be worn with a shoulder strap or carried with the handle shown here....or worn as a backpack!

George, if you're reading this, you can purchase it here. A small token for giving you another son, no?

Why is it I can justify this price tag for a bag but not for the Dyson vacuum? Issues, my friends. I have major handbag issues.

Practical Magic

It's that time of year. Time to watch one of my very favorite movies, Practical Magic.  It is based on the book by Alice Hoffman.The film didn't get rave reviews at the box office, but that doesn't matter much. It's got such a great cast (Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing) and a gorgeous set. I cannot even tell you how many times I've seen this movie. Far too many to count! The first time I watched it, I remember wishing I had:

1. A sister
2. A botanical shop like the character Sally has
3. Long hair down to my waist
4. The Victorian house in the movie (which, by the way, was built just for the movie and then torn down)

Isn't this house incredible? The interior is just as captivating if you love the Victorian era. You can find more pictures here.

Did you know that the October 1998 issue of Victoria Magazine featured an article on the house? This is the cover of that issue, but not a picture of the house. {I've got stacks of old Victoria's.....what to do with them all? I can't throw them away!}

Well, if you have not seen it, I recommend renting it. It's especially fun this time of year with the witch theme and all of the beautiful nature cinematography. And of course, there's a love story woven throughout the movie. Gotta have the love story, right? Oh, and the soundtrack is great too!

Anyone else love this movie?

Tricks & Treats in the Shop!

Really, there are no tricks. Just Halloween treats that I've added to the shop! Take a peek and you will find new Trinket Cones just waiting to hold candies and other goodies.

And who wouldn't love a Bon Bon Cup full of sweets? There are only a few handmade items for sale. I wanted to make more, but time has a way of slipping away it seems. I'm glad I made these at least.

Some spooky new Dresdens are now available......cats and witches and spider webs! Oh my! These are fun for embellishing Halloween crafts, cards and party favors.

I found these black vintage millinery roses and have been holding onto them until now. The underpetals are velvet, which I just love. These would look so special tipped in silver glass glitter!

And last but not least vintage crepe paper streamers in orange and black. The best part is that the edges are pinked! I was thrilled to find these. There is only one roll of each though.....

Quantities are quite limited on all of these seasonal goods. And by the way, all orders that include Halloween merchandise will ship the next business day! (If they are placed by 3:00 pm EST) I want to give you plenty of time to create & decorate with these items.

Today I plan to decorate the house a bit for the season. I'll share some pictures when I finish.