Everyday Beauty

All is Well

Yes, I'm here. Alive and kicking. Well, not really kicking, but sitting at the moment. In my nice comfy chair. I know it's time to check in when people start emailing asking if everything is ok. Thank you for thinking of me. All is well. I've just been taking it easy and being a mama. My favorite thing to do.

So, let's catch up here.....

My computer got another doozie of a virus which required it to go to the computer hospital for a long time. I gotta tell ya, I am OVER having computer viruses. Who are these people who have nothing better to do but sit around and create viruses? Seriously.

It was strange not having a computer. But kinda nice, I must admit. Needless to say, I haven't read a blog in weeks. No clue what's going on in the Blogosphere. I need to catch up!

Mario started pre-school {2nd year of it, as he's not 5 yet and his birthday falls right after the cutoff for Kindergarten.} This is ok with me, since I'm not ready to let him go all day anyway.  At home, I've been teaching him to read and, so far so good.

Been making jewelry during Sam's naps. I had set a goal this past Spring that I would make a lot of jewelry this year, and it's been slow going. I enjoy jewelry making, and it feels very natural to me. It's exciting to play around with different configurations and see a piece begin to come together. So, little by little, piece by piece, I'm adding to the collection. Hope to have it for sale sometime in October.

George has been making the most delicious meals, and I think I may never cook again. Did I tell you he's an excellent cook? I tell him everyday how lucky I am. He loves to cook and I don't stand in his way. This was a quick simple meal tonight {'cause I needed to go out and find a dress for Hope's wedding} but still so yummy. Caprese Paninis. {fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil pesto on good crusty bread}

I recently made enough pesto to freeze and hopefully get us through the winter. I'll blog the recipe soon. Easy and delicious. Can you smell that basil?

Been organizing the craft room.  An endless task.

Got all of the boys' summer clothes put away and labeled, and I rotated out Mario's old 2T clothes into Sammy's drawers and closet. What do you think, does he have enough plaid button-down shirts?

Planning the boys' October birthday party. A circus theme. Keeping it simple with a few fun details. I found these invitations on etsy and thought they were adorable. Ordered them tonight. {picture is from the seller's etsy shop.}

Hold on, I have to go change the song that's playing on my ipod.

Ok, I'm back. It was "Almost Paradise" {the 80's song}, and I have no clue how it got on my ipod. But it's not good, and all I can think of are mullets. LOL... I think it must have been on a soundtrack that I downloaded. Anyway...

Lots more going on too. I can't tell you just now, but soon enough.....

Enjoy your week, my friends!
xo

Sew Pretty

 

Sew Pretty is the newest little category nook at One Hundred Wishes! Like so many women, I enjoy sewing and have always loved the feeling of needle and thread passing through fabric. There's something almost therapeutic about taking the time, slowing down {because sewing really can't be too rushed} and stitching. 

I enjoy finding ways to elevate the ordinary to something extra special, and these French thread cards do just that. 

As with any thread cards, they keep your embroidery floss neat and tangle-free, but the beautiful colors, graphics and images make them special.

I love opening my sewing basket and seeing them all tucked inside. {maybe this is one of my quirks!}

 

A couple of years ago I stumbled upon a French company that has been making thread, sewing notions, and scissors for more than a century.

 

The French are famous for transforming even the most basic utilitarian objects into pieces of beauty and quality. It's exciting to have the chance to sell such objects in my shop.

I've coveted these scissors since the first snip I took with them. This is the product description on my website. I figured these sentences say it all, so I might as well rewrite them here:

 Quite simply a gorgeous pair of scissors!
 The production of a pair of these French scissors
 entails more than 20 manual operations, and a
 dozen craftsmen to create each pair.
 The result is an heirloom for generations of
 women to use and cherish.
 
 Fine and delicate, yet very strong steel blades
 are a trademark of their extraordinary quality.
 Presented in a blue floral gift box.
  
 Made in France, by a century-old sewing company.

 

I have to be honest, I have had the catalog for this company for almost 2 years and have gone back and forth on whether to sell the items or not. I love their products. They are of exceptional quality and beautiful details. However, they are not inexpensive. But when it comes to my shop, I always use the same rationale. If I love it and it fits the aesthetic of One Hundred Wishes, I buy it and hope my customers will love it too!

While I certainly don't plan to become the proprietor of a sewing shop, there are a handful of pretty items I'll be adding to the Sew Pretty category in hopes of seeing it grow little by little. All in good time.

Happy Stitching!

Shabby's in the House

Literally!

Rachel Ashwell's new book just arrived at my doorstep today. And all I can say is it's WONDERFUL!!!

I remember when I was in college and discovered Rachel's first book at Barnes & Noble in NYC. I had always loved vintage style, pastels, cotton, frills, flowers, patina and creamy paint. So it was an incredible feeling to find the book..... to discover that someone had given a name to the style I loved. She made it real and made it OK to want to paint our furniture and hang dresses on the wall. To this day, Rachel Ashwell's books are my absolute favorites and I look through them often, never tiring of the images and stories.

She is so talented and has such a great eye, always authentic and always true to her style. The words Shabby Chic have been used (and abused) and have become household names in the decorating world. All because of one woman. Do you think she has any idea how many people she continues to inspire every day? I sure hope she does.

Now, go order the book if you haven't already. It is a visual feast and delight!

Paper Doll Journal {No. 2}

Remember the Paper Doll Journal round robin I posted about way back when? Well, I recently finished my 2-page spread in Lori's journal and have passed the journal to Heather so she can create her pages. Thought I'd share....

I had this journal sitting here for months and just didn't know where to begin. And finally it came to me. I cut out 3 little tutus and numbered them 1,2 and 3.

 

 

Then I made a little spinner.

 

 

So, it's a little game, I guess. Spin and choose What to Wear.

 

I used mostly scrapbook papers...because seriously, I could cover the moon with all of the scrapook paper I have. And I still love many of the patterns and colors I chose years ago.

I decided to use the same paper doll in all 4 of our journals to unify them. I love her hair style!

This is the little tag Lori asked each of us to embellish and tuck inside the front pockets of her book.

 

A velvet heart cut from wide ribbon.

 

The End.

Flea Market Finds {without words}

 

 

 

Our Shoes

 

I bought the boys in my house each a new pair of Chuck Taylor's this week {the authentic old school kind, not these new fandangled styles that we're seeing everywhere}. I tried on the womens' ones, and I'm not sure how I feel about them. They might be kinda cute with a casual skirt. What do you think? For now, I thought my vintage Pointe shoes would make a silly and symbolic picture of life in our house.

I sure do love my boys.

Ruffled Totes

Hello Dear Readers!

Just wanted to let you know that the One Hundred Wishes Ruffled Totes are in the shop now.

A few tote notes:

1. They made from a thin, very light weight cotton canvas, and are not at all stiff or starchy feeling. They would be best suited to carry a lighter load {not bricks, a stack of heavy books, canteloupes, etc} I use mine in place of a purse sometimes, and it works beautifully.

 
2. They are about 15 inches tall by 13.5 inches wide {the handles are another 9" long}

3. I made several of each color {pink & cocoa).

 

4. The velvet rose has a pin back and is removable.

5. They are intentionally a bit wrinkled and  relaxed in feel.

6. I hope you like them!