Belle Maison

Hello...where have I been??

2011-11-15T16:16:00.000-08:00

Hello!!

I know I haven't posted here in a long time... it has been close to a year. Here is where I have been:

I started a company called New England Candy Co. I never had the intention when I started that it would get as big as it did. My famous last words to my hubby were, "I'll just give the candy a go and see if anyone likes it..." Then a website I never heard of before called Uncrate.com featured my Giant peanut butter bacon cups. After that my candy was featured on countless websites, Good Day NY, CBS, ABC, The Toronto Star newspaper in Canada... Business grew so fast that I couldn't keep up with orders. I was working full time at my job and making candy in between. I sold candy on both Etsy.com and from my website. I even had lots of local business here in Connecticut.

I can't make the candy in the summer, since warm weather does not permit me to ship chocolates. I am just getting my shop up and running again for the holiday season ahead.

You can check out my sweet candy blog, follow New England Candy Co on twitter, or like us on facebook.

I have added several photos of some of the candies I make. Things will hopefully be calmer this year and I have to get back to my love of flea markets and everything shabby chic. My entire second floor landing is filled with tons of flea market treasures, chandeliers, and BOXES of Chandelier crystals in every shape and color. I am going to seriously try to come back to my blog a lot more often... I have missed it terribly, missed reading all of my favorite blogs all the time (although I have poked my head in once in a while for a peek at some pretty blog eye candy)

Outside of business I still have a day job...can't stop my stable work until hubby graduates. I did leave my long time job at Trader Joe's and found a new job in sales. It has better pay, but the hours went from 50 a week at T.J.'s to 70 a week at the new job. Can't wait until hubby is done with school so I can do my fun business stuff full time... oh well. That's for another post!!

It's Market Monday!!

2010-10-31T19:15:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone...Market Monday is Here!!

Please stop by and check out all the beautiful shops filled with treasures.

Pierre

2010-09-27T04:56:00.000-07:00

My little bunny is pretty sick. I am just waiting for the vet's office to open. He just sits in one spot looking down. He doesn't eat, and barely drinks a drop of water every so often.

I hope the little guy is ok, and that this is something the vet can treat.

No Need for Words!!

2010-09-17T05:11:00.000-07:00

Cutie

2010-09-10T07:13:00.000-07:00

Ha Ha! My chair is so old and beat up. Spaz took over though. I think he's so cute peeking out. He was so comfy.

I'm Ready for Autumn

2010-09-08T05:43:00.001-07:00

This is my new Etsy treasury. It is filled with all the lovely things that make me dream of Autumn in New England. Hope you like it.

I'm Ready!!

Pumpkin Spice - Orange Fl
ShySiren$24.00 USD

Lovecraft - Handmade Soap
AlchemicMuse$6.00 USD

i miss you, vermont - sig
slightclutter$25.00 USD

Halloween Cats in a Row t
Bluebirdlane$6.00 USD

Harvest Bounty Banner
BlondiesBitsnBob$12.00 USD

Flutter Paper Lantern
SimpleSweetDesig$30.00 USD

PUMPKIN SPICE Flavored Co
katherynmd$11.45 USD

9 Orange Felted Acorns
greenbaboondesig$18.00 USD

Hand Painted Soft Washabl
SeeJayneKnitYarn$17.00 USD

FULL MOON MAGIC SHOP Prim
oldetimegatherin$7.95 USD

Harvest Pumpkin Orange Or
milkysupplies$6.10 USD

CAFE AU LATTE and PUMPKIN
blisscandles$24.00 USD

Vintage Halloween Boo Blo
GongyAndSquish$14.95 USD

Leaf Trio Fall Decor FREE
allysatticcrafts$13.00 USD

Jar Caramel Apple Preserv
BiscottiQueen$6.00 USD

Iridescent Copper Plated
FreshyFig$32.00 USD

Generated using Treasure Trove by packagery.com

Happy Pink Saturday

2010-09-03T21:02:00.000-07:00

I am working on several pink projects right now, but they aren't done yet so I don't want to post any pics yet. So what can I show you for Pink Saturday this week?

Here is a new Crystal...

I think they would make really pretty christmas ornaments, chandelier decorations, fan pulls...

I also made these pink tiles with pretty German scraps decoupaged on. I love them.

Please be sure to visit our Pink Saturday hostess, Beverly, and visit all this week's pink participants.

Happy pink Saturday...and here's my new baby!

2010-08-20T20:20:00.000-07:00

Here is my pink for today!! These pretty pink chandelier crystal drops.

Here is my new baby...He is the cutest thing ever. Even though he isn't pink I had to show him to you. When Anthony and I were out tag saling last weekend there was a sale at a farm in the middle of nowhere. I was looking at a cute kitchen cabinet when the lady started showing my how her chickens were trained. Then she showed me three little kittens. I picked this little guy out. The first day he was a scaredy cat. Now he follows me around everywhere and wants to cuddle all the time.

I haven't named him yet even though he has been here for a week. I just can't decide on a name. He is sooo tiny.

Please visit our lovely hostess, Beverly to see the list of all the pink Saturday participants.

What I've been working on...

2010-08-13T21:32:00.000-07:00

I have been working on so many projects this week. I set a goal for myself to list at least 1 new items in my Etsy shop each and every day...so far so good.

Yesterday I listed this vintage shabby chic birdcage. It has lots of these sparkly pink chandelier crystals.

Today I listed this cottage candy dish. It is done in one of my favorites...palest aqua color and covered in pretty light peridot green chandelier crystals and pink Baroque crystals and pink teardrops.

Happy pink Saturday!!

Please visit our host Beverly at How Sweet The Sound and of course make sure you visit some of the participants of pink Saturday

Birdcage

2010-08-12T20:48:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to show you my cute little birdhouse

I just finished it this afternoon.

I love all the crystals. The rainbow ones are my favorites.

The sparkle when the suns touches them is unbelievable!

What are you working on this weekend??

Vintage Cottage Finds

2010-08-10T05:16:00.000-07:00

I spent the weekend again searching the State of Connecticut for some pretty treasures...and just look at what I found.

Isn't it so pretty? This is Royal Albert Old Country Roses. I love this pattern. It is so pretty. I found a teacup years ago in Westport, CT and now I found this matching tiered pastry tray. It is just begging for some little cookies and sweets.

Definitely Tea Party Material!

These are adorable little candleholders I found and gave a new cottage look. Two colors of blue, and some shaby little white roses at the base of each one.

This letterholder also got a new look with ivory paint, and then the palest pink overlay. There is still just a hint of the ivory peeking through. This piece is definitely shabby chic. Especially with the little roses on the front of each pocket.

I still love these chandelier prisms. They are a peridot green color. They are on sale right now in my shop. I took $10 off the price of 5 yds. I also have 15yd lengths on sale in my shop, so if you need more for a bigger project I have them in stock.

I don't have a photo yet, but I might have a little surprise later today... If I do I'll be posting back with some pics later and I'll post pics on my facebook page too. Here is a hint...it meows!!

Pinkity Pink Pink Saturday

2010-08-06T22:08:00.000-07:00

First let me show you these adorable "sugared" candies. I made a lot of these this week for a bridal shower. My customer wanted lots of pink...I wonder if she knows about Pink Saturday?

These are handpainted then dipped in Glitter for a sugary sweet look. Perfect Pink Saturday sugary sweetness.

I went out bargain hunting again today. I found these lovely cups by Emma Bridgewater of London. I am not sure how old they are. This pattern is called Rose Chintz. I also found a set in the Fig & Olive pattern, the Striped Tulip pattern, and another pattern I can't find online so I'm not sure what it is called. It has little bumblebees on it.

If any of you know anything about these sets, please let me know.

I hope you enjoy this weeks pink selections...

Please visit Beverly (our lovely Pink Saturday hostess) for more pink goodies!

Happy Pink Cake Saturday

2010-07-31T11:33:00.000-07:00

Happy Pink Saturday!!

My treasure today is perfect because it's pink and it holds cake...

and tomorrow is my Birthday!!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ♥.•*”˜”*°•.♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

I would like to show you my latest creation.

This lovely cake saver.

My favorite color of course.

Berry pink for the handle

And these 2 pretty rose swags

Make sure you visit our hostess Beverly for Pink Saturday.

And go visit all the other Pink Participants!!

Some treasures!

2010-07-26T06:36:00.000-07:00

Ok, I have totally sucked in my hubby...

He is normally into his schoolwork, football, science...

He has no real interest in my treasure hunting.

This weekend we spent the entire weekend going to Estate sales, flea markets, tag sales, garage sales, moving sales... We drove all over most of the state of Connecticut!

I found several pieces of lovely furniture...

I have to give them all a good cottage style makeover though.

Even though I just took these "before" photos I can already see in my mind what the after will look like.

I can't wait to show you!

This matching set is so cute...

I kinda like the green, but don't think they will stay that color for long.

Ha! Can you see my favorite magazine??

Romantic Homes of course...

It seems everytime I pick one up, someone I know from blogging is featured...

Elyse from Cottage, Koralee from Bluebird Notes

I love both of their blogs...and Elyse's house puts mine to shame! All I can say is wow!

Both of their blogs are eye candy for sure♥

I got my husband addicted to these vintage canning jars...I love these aqua blue ones the best.

I found 2 really old ones with zinc lids. At yesterday's flea market he got so excited when he spotted one.

I also worked hard to finish some projects. I have had this one for over a year. I figured I can't keep buying things if I never finish any. I gave these canisters a shabby coat of white, and filled them up with some lovely pink treasures. I don't know if you can see those sparkly pink stars in the middle canister. I had a swap with a girl on Etsy. She folds these amazing stars out of paper then makes them all pretty and glittery.

This pink shelf is another one that has been waiting for far too long. It is a vintage shelf, solid wood which is rare now in the age of laminate. It got some layers of different cottage pinks and a really pretty rose swag. It came out really good.

This is my absolute favorite piece. It is a vintage beautiful lamp. It got two layers of aqua paint in different shades for a little depth. The shade is made of strings of crystal prisms...These are the most perfect and gorgeous chandelier crystals I have ever seen. They are cut with so many facets. I have never seen crystals this perfect before. These give off so many rainbows. The whole room dances with rainbows when a sunbeam hits this lamp. The photos don't even come close to doing this lamp justice!

That's it for now...

I hope you liked seeing some of my treasures from this weekend!

I promise not to take so long turning these "befores" into "afters"♥

Finished Project....phew!

2010-07-14T21:12:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars...I actually finished one of my projects.

and I love it. It is exactly what I envisioned in my mind. I painted the candelabra the palest aqua color and added lots of chandelier crystals in my favorite color of course...pink!!

This aqua is so subtle it almost looks white, unless you have it against something white. Then the aqua color shows up better. I put it in my Etsy shop, but I really wanted to keep it.

Here is another close up of the pink faceted ball crystals I hung from the top candle holder. There is a total of 4 crystal balls and 4 really big pink teardrop crystals. Plus all the clear crystal beads.

I am already planning to get right back to work tomorrow on another project I am in the middle of. Remember those brown wooden cabinets from a couple of weeks ago? I think they are ready for their final coat of paint. I primered them weeks ago and they have been sitting in my living room waiting for me.

Just want to show you another item I listed in my Etsy shop today...I found these pretty light green chandelier crystals. I have never seen chandelier swags in this color before.

I also listed some in this deep blue...so pretty. Its kind of a sea blue or navy blue I guess you'd call it.

I love stumbling upon great finds like this. Makes my whole day!!

I am a lucky, lucky girl!!

2010-07-12T08:01:00.000-07:00

Why am I so very lucky?? you might be asking...

because I got these pretty Green depression glass items!!

I love this Divided dish the best.

and this creamer and sugar bowl are etched so pretty...

a cutie pie little salt and pepper set

and this big decanter...

There were more pieces too... a tray etched to match the creamer and sugar bowl.

and a set of 6 pretty etched glasses.

and below we have

my new "Before" picture. Just wait to see how pretty this candelabra will be when I get finished with it. I am thinking of the palest aqua color for it and dripping with pretty pink chandelier crystals.

My only problem is I have more befores than afters...

...at least I have some in-betweens too.

Shabby Sunday!!

2010-06-19T22:50:00.000-07:00

Happy Shabby Sunday!!

First up are these shabby white doll chairs. See the little rose appliques on the backs.

You can never have enough of these pink milinery forget me nots.

And finally is this shabby white doll dresser. I lined every drawer with vintage paper, and added a pretty chandelier crystal.

I hope some more of you will join me next week for Shabby Sunday and show some of your shabby or cottage treasures.

It's Peanut Butter Jelly Time!!

2010-06-17T17:23:00.000-07:00

I just listed these in my Etsy shop. Oh My!! They are so goooood!!

Delicious Belgian Chocolate filled with slightly sweetened organic peanut butter and the organic jam flavor of your choice.

Enjoy!!

You can get these yummy treats in my Etsy shop: New England Candy Co

Around my neighborhood

2010-06-16T17:30:00.000-07:00

Went out with my youngest, Alex yesterday on a little photography expedition. We both took turns with the camera!! He had a blast, as did I. He was talking about photography to his brothers at the table during dinner tonight. We had spaghetti tacos!

These are from the very end of our lake right before it goes over a little waterfall and into a field of cows.

I wanted to get some close ups of these gorgeous water lilies, but can't get close without going in!!

So I used the zoom as far as I could.

This is a hydrangea just starting to bloom. I love hydrangeas, they are everywhere in Connecticut. This one is right in my front garden under my living room window.

And of course Echinacea Purpurea. These things spread like weeds after a few years, but they are still pretty! Now if I could just get the little bugs to stop chewing on them.

This is one of Alex's photographs. I love it. He thought it was cool that the sky was peeking through the trees.

I am so glad that he is home for summer vacation. I don't like being out of work right now with my back, but I am thankful that I get to spend some time with my boys!!

This was taken from our dock looking over the diving board. I like how the sun is just going down over the hills.

This is our view going up the lake toward the North. You can see the Kalmia Latifolia on the right side. The little flowers are so cute close up. Little pink blossoms with tiny red dots inside each one. They are the Connecticut State flower.

Happy PInk Saturday

2010-06-12T06:34:00.000-07:00

We never lived anywhere for very long when I was a kid. The longest we ever lived somewhere was 3.5 years. The shortest was about 5 months, and there were a couple of places that were only 6 months each. When I was in the fifth and sixth grade we lived in Pacific Beach Washington. It was a very small community lots of logging, and shake mills, and that sort of thing. But I loved it. I think Washington State was one of my favorite places that I lived in. There was always so much to do. My family used to take lots of trips to Seattle and places like Blake Island...which by the way has the best salmon feast I have ever tasted in my life. Anyway on my 11th birthday my family took me to Seattle for a day of fun at an amusement park and sightseeing and shopping. That day was the first time I ever rode on a rollercoaster. My friend Rhonda Tarr came with me. Oh boy did we have fun. I got the big pink seashell below that day. The rest are pretty shells I have collected over the years, but the big pink one is always my favorite!! And it doesn't hurt that it is my favorite color.

Happy pink Saturday

make

sure

you

visit

our

lovely

hostess

Beverly

p.s. I am thinking about going out to Washington State next summer for the Farm Chicks show. If anyone reading this has ever been please email me got some questions for ya.

...and please take my poll at the very top of my sidebar.

Sparkly Pink Saturday

2010-06-05T07:58:00.000-07:00

Happy Pink Saturday

My Pink Treasure This Week Is this Sparkly

German Glass Glitter. I found this glittery Hot Pink Color!!

Don't you love it in these cute jars all dressed up with some ribbons and millinery. I love glass glitter, it is so much more sparkly than any other glitter I've tried!!

Here's to wishing you a sparkly weekend!!

Make sure you visit our hostess Beverly for Pink Saturday.

Come back and visit tomorrow for Shabby Sunday and I hope some of you will join in and show some of your Shabby items too!!

And The Winner Is...

2010-06-01T18:29:00.000-07:00

I used this website to pick a random number between 1 and 29. There were 30 comments, but one was a reply by me so I skipped mine as if it wasn't there.

RANDOM NUMBERS - (click 'More random numbers' for more!)

Random number between 1 & 29

Comment #14 belongs to.....

Brenda-shabbycatsandroses

Congratulations!!!!

Your truffles will be on their way soon.

♥ Welcome to Shabby Sunday ♥

2010-05-29T23:44:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my very first Shabby Sunday post. I hope it is just the first of many. I also hope that you will join me so we can all share our beautiful shabby treasures from around our homes.

My first shabby treasure is this old cabinet I shabbified.
It got a shabby coat of white paint.

A lovely chic applique of little roses at the top,
and I covered the back with some old wallpaper.

I use it to hold my seashell collection.

The pink seashell on the top shelf, I got on a trip to Seattle on my 10th birthday.

I hope you have all enjoyed my Shabby Sunday post.

If anyone would like to join me for next week please send me an email with your email address and a link to your blog.

Please add the Shabby Sunday button to your blog with a link back to here.
Then show us your shabby♥
I will add a list to each Shabby Sunday Post with the participants(if anyone joins me).

email me
rebecca (at) bellemaisonshop (dot) com

♥♥Have a Shabby Sunday♥♥

Happy Birthday Pink Saturday

2010-05-29T09:58:00.000-07:00

Pretty treats for a birthday celebration

Fluffy Pink Raspberry Frosting

Lots of colorful Sprinkles and Clear Sugar Glitter

Yummy!!

♥Sunday Morning Crafting♥

2010-05-23T07:11:00.000-07:00

I am having a crafty Sunday. I have a few projects I have been putting off, so today is the day to get some work done. My dining room table is filled with lots of glitter, ribbons, millinery, and old wallpaper.

I love this bit of lace ribbon. My grandma sent it to me years ago in a big box of fabrics and trims.

My favorite supply...German glass glitter. Hot pink and sugary white. I use this stuff so often. I am addicted to glitter. I love giving stuff a little sparkle.

Some pretty pink organza ribbons and extra wide tulle ribbon. Plus lots of little millinery. The vintage forget me nots are my favorite. I like the little hydrangea embellishments too. That little Victorian box is something I made years ago...it is just the right size to hold little trinkets or in this case paper flowers.

I think I will decoupage this picture frame. I already gave it a coat of shabby white paint. I love these Victorian Roses. They are from Germany too. So pretty. The rose swag appliques are going on the shabby tray I am making below.

This tray got a coat of shabby white paint too. I am going to line it with this old wallpaper. More little pink roses...can you see a trend here? No question about what my favorite color is♥I think it will be getting some shabby white appliques too.

Happy Sunday to You

♥♥♥

❀Pink Saturday❀

2010-05-22T07:08:00.000-07:00

If you haven't already entered my giveaway for a Free box of truffles from New England Candy Co please enter here.

Happy Pink Saturday!! My favorite blogging day of the week. I love pink and love showing you some pretty pink treasures every Saturday!

My dining room shelf. I found this corner shelf on someone's curb years ago. It got a new coat of paint and pretty pink roses wallpaper on the back. The teapot on the right is my favorite. My wonderful Anthony bought it for me on Christmas a few years ago. The lovely rosey clock was from my 3 boys!! Don't they pick the most lovely presents you ever saw!

I can only wish for this beauty to be in my garden one day. It is a beautiful hibiscus named 'Mary Poppins' I think it is the prettiest of all the hibiscus.

And of course my favorite-pink roses. I love these ones, they are barely ivory at the edge of each petal. Oh they smelled so good.

❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀

Make sure you visit our lovely hostess Beverly at How Sweet the Sound

Belle Connecticut ♥

2010-05-20T17:00:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite farms. I have loved it for so long that I finally had to get a photo. They sell bunnies and plants and I think they have veggies in the summer.

I want to finish this project, so please help me...

which of the two backs do you like better??

Please leave a comment below to let me know your answer.

I think I am leaning toward the one on top.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ ***♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

I'm making some new items for New England Candy Co. We have a new Beach collection with lots of yummy pearlized seashell chocolates, some chocolate lighthouses with toasted pecans and a little sprinkle of pink Himalayan sea salt, and a huge chocolate seashell filled with creamy fudge and crunchy walnuts.

These are delicious milk and dark chocolate swirled with a little pure vanilla. Each seashell is brushed with edible pearl powder for that pretty sheen.

This is our Beach Lighthouse Collection. The lighthouses are dark chocolate with toasted pecans and just a touch of Himalayan pink sea salt.

We'll have our beach collection through the end of summer in our Etsy shop

http://www.newenglandcandyco.etsy.com/

Yummy♥

Happy Pink Saturday

2010-05-15T07:28:00.000-07:00

Hello pinkies!!

I haven't done a Pink Saturday post in a long time, and boy have I missed it.

Let me start by welcoming you to my Belle Blog!!

I have so much pink all around my house...but I don't want to show you something you have seen before.

Pour yourself a cup of tea...

and come look at some favorite pink lovelies I have around my house.

This is a letterbox I shabbified, I painted it the palest of pinks and added a shabby wreath with lots of roses.

Here is a box I use to keep treasures in...right now it is holding some really old and beautiful Victorian scraps.

It is a mini Lane Cedar Chest I painted and decoupaged.

I made it with the intention of selling it, but loved it so much and kept it so selfishly.

As part of pink Saturday we are supposed to find a new blog and introduce it to everyone else. Well everytime I wonder, how will I find a new blog? and then just in the nick of time, I found one. She is a new blogger, but I think it is going to be one of my favorite blogs. It is so pretty I know you will love it.

The lovely blog owner is Fulvia and the blog is called

Country Folk Heart

Please be sure to pay her a visit...she is a new blogger and would love the company. Plus she is having a fabulous giveaway...but don't enter it because I want to win it...just kidding.

Look at this darling pink pincushion!!

How about all the vintage buttons♥

And this is just one of her hat pins...she makes these herself. It is so pretty I am swooning♥♥

I bought this pink one in celebration of Pink Saturday...but it was hard choosing. She has so many pretty things. Don't forget to stop by and say hi to Fulvia.

and

Happy Pink Saturday!!

Stop by my giveaway post to enter and win a box of truffles from New England Candy Co.

Be sure to visit our hostess Beverly and all of the other Pinkie Blogs for some more of your weekly dose of pink!!

Truffle Mania and a Giveaway

2010-05-13T14:09:00.000-07:00

Greetings!! Ok so this is kind of a big deal...there is an event call the National Stationery Show. If you are in the business of paper, cards, stationery...anything like that you want to be at this show. It is where paper and greeting companies go to be discovered.

So next week is this year's show. It is at the Javitz Center in New York from May 16th-19th. My new friend Julee from Siplicite Greetings will have a booth there. I am so excited! It is Julee's first show. She must be bouncing off the walls with excitement. If you want to see some of her lovely work here is her shop.

Aren't her designs simply beautiful!! She does greeting cards, soaps, t-shirts, and many more cute items.

I am so excited for Julee, there are going to be buyers there from hundreds of stores. I know they are going to love her work. I can't go to the show, but she has promised me lots of photos, so I will be posting them here as soon as she sends me some. I wish I could see her booth, it sounds like it will be beautiful.

Now for my part in it all...

guess what she will be giving away at her lovely booth??

Yep...you guessed it...Truffles from New England Candy Co. YAY!!!!

These are the cute little truffle totes I put together for her booth. I did three different flavors...Lemon Tart Truffles, Coconut Caramel Truffles, and S'mores Truffles.

I hope she likes them. I think the colors will go good in her booth. It is going to be black and white with some pink accents.

She is going to be a huge success!!

*•.¸♥¸.•**•.¸♥¸.•**•.¸♥¸.•**•.¸♥¸.•**•.¸♥¸.•**•.¸♥¸.•**•.¸♥

Ok, now for the part that is fun for you...

I am having a giveaway to celebrate the first show for New England Candy Co...well it isn't for us, but we will be there in spirit!! YAY!!

So here is what you can win.

(U.S. only, sorry can't ship the candy overseas...it would melt in the summer months)

I will be sending the winner (chosen at random) one dozen truffles. You can choose any flavor in my shop.

Shown above from left to right...

Peanut Butter and Caramel, Lemon Tart, S'mores Truffles!

but there are even more flavors here.

Entering is simple...all you have to do is leave a comment on this post. I won't make you follow me or anything, however if you want to follow my blog or be my friend on facebook or twitter just because...then that is great. I love chatting with you all!!

So leave a comment on this post in order to be entered. If you don't have a blog linked, then please leave your email address so I can let you know if you win!

Oh, yeah...winner will be chosen on May 30, 2010♥

♥ ´¨)

¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)

(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Thanks!!

*•.¸♥¸.•**•.¸♥¸.•**•.¸♥¸.•**•.¸♥¸.•**•.¸♥¸.•**•.¸♥¸.•**•.¸♥

More Fun♥

2010-05-03T17:38:00.000-07:00

Look at these two beautiful pendants I found on Etsy. I was chatting with Lois in an Etsy forum about blogging and later she sent me a message. We figured out we live close to each other. In fact Lois lives in the same town I graduated high school from. I couldn't stop thinking about her beautiful work all day so I just had to buy these. The first one with the pink rose was easy, it is named Becca's Rose after her daughter. Seeing as how my name is also Rebecca, pink is my favorite color, and it is a rose...my all time favorite, I just had to buy this one.

This was my second choice. It was harder. She has so many beautiful pendants in her shop I had trouble picking one. Could've easily bought many more.

If you want to check out her gorgeous shop go here.

♥♥♥♥ ♥♥♥♥ ♥♥♥♥ ♥♥♥♥ ♥♥♥♥

I also want you to see the fabulous giveaway on OC Cottage.

Aren't these yummy!! And this is just a small part of the giveaway! Everything is just lovely!

♥♥♥♥ ♥♥♥♥ ♥♥♥♥ ♥♥♥♥ ♥♥♥♥

I am working on some other cool stuff too! These two round wood cabinets.

I think they are in need of a little shabby makeover. I am going to paint and decorate and by the time I am done you won't even recognize them anymore. I think they will be in need of a little shabby crystal embellishment as well. Maybe even some pretty vintage hardware. We'll see what I can find for them. I will keep you updated with lots of re-do photos!!

♥♥♥♥ ♥♥♥♥ ♥♥♥♥ ♥♥♥♥ ♥♥♥♥

Finally, I have an announcement of something very cool coming up AND I am going to be doing a giveaway of some YUMMY Chocolates in the next couple of days!!!

I'm deciding which candies to put in the giveaway.

Whatever they are it will be yummy! Check back to see when I post the giveaway. It will probably be Wednesday or Thursday.

What I've been working on today♥♥

2010-04-30T18:32:00.000-07:00

This is a creation of mine. Delicious Handmade caramel, covered all over in crunchy toasted pecans and then drizzled in rich chocolate!

The caramel is so flavorful and chewy!!

Plus I have been making these dark chocolate Lemon Tart Truffles.

The tart lemony filling.

SOOOOOO Goooood!

♥♥

Get them plus tons of other creations for Mother's day here.

Found mosaics!!

2010-04-25T19:50:00.000-07:00

I found these mosaics on flickr!! All I can say is eye-candy!

One day when I have a brick and mortar store candy shop, instead of just online I will paint it pink and pretty like some of these shoppes♥

I love jadite...look at all of this!!♥

Gorgeous lilacs...which by the way, I saw two already in bloom this week♥

Victorians are my favorite!! Look at this color♥

...and finally, I couldn't resist this yumminess♥

All of these mosaics are on flickr here!!

For more Mosaic Monday visit Little Red House!!

What's for Dinner??

2010-04-25T10:14:00.000-07:00

So here is my answer to the age old question asked by kids to parents. The only question asked more often is Are We There Yet??

So...for supper tonight it will be

Steamed Artichokes

Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce & Meatballs

Rosemary Foccacia

Fresh Strawberries and Homemade Whipped Cream

These are Lyon Artichokes, they are gorgeous. The best part, no thorns!!

Some fresh tomatoes

Rosemary Foccacia. It smells and tastes so yummy.

Supposed to be dessert, but I don't think they will last until after supper! The kids have been eating them all day. They are called California Giants, and they live up to their name...so huge and juicy and sweet.

My Old Store

2010-04-21T21:53:00.000-07:00

Well, I was doing some reminiscing tonight about a business I used to run. I started it with only $300, and it just grew fast. It was pretty much just on eBay. I used to sell Dessert Beauty and Dessert Treats items by Jessica Simpson. I also sold purses, Victoria's Secret lotions, all sorts of girly things that smelled yummy!

It ended up growing so much my hubby started getting involved in the business with me. He would help set up for photographs and we actually made a couple of trips to Canada and countless trips all over New England to buy inventory. I think I was one of the largest sellers of Dessert products on eBay at the time. Here are some photos of my inventory.

These are body mists, frostings...

perfumes, frostings, bath gels...

lotsa lip gloss sets, cupcake perfumes...

lots of stuff...

this is only a small part of all the cases and boxes we had.

We shipped all over the world: Asia, the Middle East, Australia, Europe...

This was one of the most fun times of my life. I love all the adventures I had with my husband running all over the Northeast trying to buy up entire inventories from stores. We have had so many adventures in the 13 years we've been married and we are starting another one with the candy company I started recently!!

Mosaic of Goodies

2010-04-19T07:44:00.000-07:00

From top left clockwise:

Candied Ginger Truffles, Caramel Pecan chews, Giant peanut butter and caramel cups, caramels, chocolate piggie w/ applewood smoked bacon, snappers, Walnut caramels, himalayan pink sea salt caramels, classic dark chocolate fudge, marshmallow and caramle truffles, fleur de sel caramel, milk chocolate snapper.

I am having 20% off sale today only!! 20% will be refunded via paypal!!

Check out my Etsy shop or online shop for all these goodies and more!!

Be sure to check out Little Red House for more mosaic monday fun!!

Studio Photos

2010-04-14T07:31:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos I took in my craft studio this morning.

From the top left corner:

#1 Hot pink german glass glitter, painted tin pail, kewpie doll, chandelier crystal chains, my favorite pink rose fabric, applique roses.

#2 My colored pencils

#3 Basket of millinery posies, velvet ricrac ribbons

#4 Pink roses in an old terra cotta pot

If you want to see the rest of my Flickr photos

What do you have in your studio??

New Handmade Truffles

2010-04-13T08:38:00.000-07:00

I have invented a new truffle. Actually it was Anthony's idea (hubby). It is called the S'mores truffle.

They are milk chocolate filled with ooey gooey marshmallow filling, there is a layer of sweet graham cracker crumbs inside and a little sprinkling on top. They taste like a yummy s'more.

If anyone is interested you can get them in my Etsy shop here.

Hello Again

2010-04-12T04:25:00.000-07:00

Well, it has certainly been a while. I haven't blogged in quite some time. I just kept putting it off. I don't even know where to begin now. I have been doing a lot. Working a lot, taking a lot of photos...like the beautiful magnolia above. I only wish the tree would keep its blossoms longer.

What I've really been doing though is just working. I work still at my regular job, but I have also started a candy company. So every spare minute I have is making candy and putting listings up and packaging and shipping.

It is so much fun!!!

Here are a couple of my candies:

Handmade Caramel

Handmade Giant Peanut Butter and Caramel Cups

Yummy!

I have a website, but I do most of my business through word of mouth from customers, and also through Etsy!

Hopefully I will have posts regularly again, I'll have to give myself a kick in the butt as a reminder to just post something and stay in touch. I have been sporadically checking other blogs, but I miss reading and looking at photos, and I have a lot of catching up to do.

Bye for now!!

Hello Again!! Finally!!

2009-12-05T22:15:00.000-08:00

It has been so long since I have written a post, I don't even know where to begin. I am fine, just haven't had a free minute to breathe. Since I work at a grocery store, I have been working such long days. November - mid January is our busy busy time of the year as you can imagine. Most of my days are at least 14 hours long right now. Then it is try to cook and clean a little and spend as much time with my family as possible.

How was everyone's Thanksgiving?? I hope everyone had lots of food, family, and fun!!! We had a great day with tons of yummy food and got to see some family. My husband's parents and one of our nieces and nephews came over to eat with us.

I have so much catching up to do. I don't think I've read a single blog since the very beginning of November. I can't wait to see how all of my blogging friends are and what you have all been up to. I can't wait to see what goodies you have all been making too.

I have tons of new Chandelier crystal ornaments for sale right now. They make really beautiful Christmas Tree ornaments!! I went to my MIL's house today, she just got finished decorating her tree. It was so beautiful. I will have to bring my camera next time I go for a visit. Her entire tree is decorated with gorgeous crystal ornaments and crystal garland. It is so sparly!! I have something new this year, Frosted Crystal Chandelier Ornaments. I haven't seen the frosted crystal anywhere else, and it is so so pretty. Especially for Christmas Tree decor.

I have a great recipe to share with you. It is the perfect use for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner leftovers. It is not exact measurements, just one of those recipes you have to kind of estimate.

Take some leftover turkey meat (about 1 cup) cut it up into small pieces. Do the same with about 1 cup of leftover stuffing. Mix into about 3-4 cups of leftover mashed potatoes. It works best if the potatoes have been refrigerated and are cold (so they are somewhat firm). Mix them all up with a little salt and pepper and add a little seasoned salt and a tiny bit of Adobo(you can substitute garlic powder, but only use a little dash) I also added a little smoked paprika and some seasoned salt, but you can add any spices you like and have available. Form into balls about 1.5" across. Drop into hot oil to fry until nicely golden brown all around. Try to wait until they cool down a little. Me and my kids ate the whole batch of these in only a few minutes. They are sooo good we couldn't stop eating them. Poor hubby didn't even get to try one ball.

I wish I had some more photos to share with you. I haven't been out to take any cool pics. I am going to try and visit as many blogs as I can. I miss talking with all of you guys so much. I don't even have a Christmas Tree yet. It was snowing all night, but we barely got a dusting. I wish it was colder so we'd have accumulated more. I love it!!!

♥ Rebecca

Happy November

2009-11-02T02:38:00.000-08:00

Why am I up?? I don't know. Probably because my hubby is a bed hog this morning. So I am up and just made a pot of tea. I love this teacup! I got it at the thrift store in Westport for only $1. I love it!! I have these Cath Kidston fabrics displayed on my bakers rack. I painted it blue about 12 years ago and it is very chippy now, as you can see in the photos.

Well, it is officially November. I hope your Halloween was spooktacular! If the Candy is Free, It's the candy for me! That's what my ten year old son decided when we were leaving to go trick or treating.He comes out with the funniest stuff.

Here are my goblins all dressed up. My 16 year old is too old to dress up, so he says. He actually stopped at an early age. When he was 9 or 10 he didn't want to dress for Halloween any more. He thinks the rubber rat is funny though. I really can't believe it, he will be 17 in just a few months. WOW!! Time does fly by.

I wish I brought my camera with me trick or treating. We can't trick or treat up here by my house. The houses are all too far apart. Plus the roads are too narrow and dangerous to walk on with children. So instead, we went down to the Guilford Green. This town really gets into Halloween. All the houses were decorated, people all dressed up. There were even guys in scary monster costumes hiding in the bushes and behind trees waiting to scare us as we walked by. Several of the houses had smoke machines. Alex had the best time ever. Actually we all had such a good time. It was quintessential New England. We walked along in the crunchy leaves in perfect weather. It was very mild, just a sweatshirt was comfortable.

I have been working on another project. This is the before photo. I will have the after photo in just a couple of days. I can't wait to show you. It is totally different. I went bold with the colors too. Usually I use shabby pinks and whites, but this piece wanted a bright, bold look!!

I have created a facebook page for Belle Maison. Please join me on Facebook if you want. I put all my specials up and lots of pretty photos of the new items I have for sale in my shop.

I am having a sale in Belle Maison this week as a Happy November Sale. I will discount any purchase from bellemaisonshop.com 10% off. The sale will continue through Sunday November 8th. Please just send an email with what you want to purchase, and mention my blog and I will take 10% off your entire purchase price. Plus I still have free shipping on all ribbons within the U.S.A.

If you want Chandelier Crystals this is the time of year for them. They make gorgeous Christmas Tree ornaments. Check out the top of my sidebar, I've added a photo for you to see how pretty they are.

You have got to check out this new online magazine. It is totally online with no paper version. It is absolutely fabulous!! The photos and articles are amazing. Go see for yourself. Plan to spend some time there are a lot of pages to flip through. It has home decorating, gardening, some fashion and more. I am sure you'll love it!

Pretty Pinks

2009-10-26T09:51:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to share some pretty pinks with you.This first one is of some gorgeous orchids. I love how this one is just starting to open!
Hydrangeas, Gerbera Daisies, and of course lots of pink roses.

I love this Gerbera Daisy too. It looks like the edges of the petals have been airbrushed.

♥

Have a beautiful day.

Come back for Tea Things Tuesday tomorrow.

I just added some new items in my shop, and if you haven't seen my new Etsy shop yet please check it out and let me know what you think.

♥

Sorry haven't been able to post or read posts in a while. The high school here in Guilford is closed due to so many kids out sick with Swine Flu. Just been busy with the kids, work, and life...

My First Altered Book

2009-10-19T06:22:00.000-07:00

I have finished my very first altered book. I had so much fun creating it!! It is filled with everything that is spooky~but it is still cute!! There are lots of Halloween frames so you can personalize with your own photos.

This is the front cover. This scary little guy is sparkling with German Glass Glitter...

...and offering up a Halloween bouquet to you.

It has lots of spooky charm on every page!!

Creepy Spiders...

...and Grinning Jack~O~Lanterns

What shimmering webs he weaves. Watch out for the bats!!

This black cat will bring good luck, not bad. Dare you go in the Haunted house??

Here's the Back Cover. Another Frame to add a photo of your own spooky Goblins!!

More millinery and ribbons.

I just put it in my Etsy shop. It is a one of a kind book. Just right for some pics of your trick~or~treaters!!

♥

Almost Halloween...all I can think of is Candy!!!

2009-10-17T16:37:00.000-07:00

I couldn't resist buying a pumpkin last week. They were only $3.99 so I picked this one for my front porch. It's not for carving. We'll get some for jack~o~lanterns later. Some of my near~by neighbors have some pretty autumn displays outside. Tomorrow I'll hopefully get out to take some photos for you. North Guilford is especially pretty right now. The trees are so colorful and bright. We actually had snow day before yesterday. It was a little strange to say the least.

Please visit Vanessa's Hauntingly Magical Celebration. It is so spooky and fun!! Her photos are awesome. Oh what Halloween fun!!

Please also check out Sheryn's blog, Pink and Pretty designs. She is having her first blog giveaway and wow is it a nice one.

I am working on some Halloween crafts. This is a little sneak peak at the very first altered book I have ever attempted. It is far from being finished. It needs lots more embellisment... some pretty yet spooky ribbons, and more millinery. Maybe a touch of lace. It is so much fun to make. I am also making some spooky little Halloween tags. I will show you everything when I get them finished.

I have finally opened an Etsy shop (WooHoo!!!). I have been wanting to open an Etsy shop for a long time. I even added a little widget in my bloggy sidebar. I don't know about you all, but I am having so much fun doing all this creative stuff and making gadgets to show them all off. Blogging really is the best creative outlet. I am really having so much fun!!! Plus I am so excited that I had my first customer in my online shop last week!! YAY!!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

I love that people actually stop by to visit my blog. I can't believe that I have actual followers that come to visit regularly!! All you fellow bloggers are some of the sweetest and nicest people I know. Now I am off to read some of your blogs and see all of your lovelies!! I am still so horribly behind with my reading and visiting.

Autumn Ribbons

2009-10-15T16:55:00.000-07:00

My new Autumn Ribbons Have Arrived!!

FREE Shipping continues on Ribbon shipped within the U.S.!!!

These sheer Orange and Black Organza Ribbons are now on sale in my Belle Maison shop. They are 1.5 inches wide. They are oh so pretty for fall decorating!! 25yards is only $7.95 including shipping in the U.S. I also have the Organza in pink and turquoise!!

How about this cute Black and White Ribbon. It is 1/2 inch wide. Only $1.25/yard with shipping included in the U.S. This one reminds me of the movie BeetleJuice.

Here's another pretty one for Halloween!! 3/8 inch wide reversible Black and Orange with pretty stitching on the edges. Only $1.20/yard including shipping in the U.S.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

It has been snowing on and off all day. I bought a car after work!!! YAY!!! Nothing fancy, just an old Chevy Prism. It runs good and will hopefully be reliable to get me back and forth to work.

I also made 4 loaves of this delicious apple spice bread. Alex and I also made some home~made chili. Oh it was yummy!! My house smelled so good.

Have a good weekend!!!!

♥ Tea Things Tuesday ♥

2009-10-13T17:17:00.000-07:00

Here for Tea Things Tuesday I really want to show you these two teacups I found at Marshall's years ago. They have always been one of my favorites.

I wish I had more than two.

They are so pretty with a delicate gold band around the rim.

Look at the pretty cabbage roses.

I love teacups.

Here they are again, dressed up a little bit.

I love the pretty pink color.

I wonder if there is a teapot somewhere in this pattern...oooohhh something to dream about.

♥ Happy PS!!

2009-10-09T20:45:00.000-07:00

Happy Pink Saturday. Orchids aren't usually my favorite, but they are just stunning and very elegant. I think I will start to show you some a little more often. See the little pink faces on these blooms.

Roses of any color are my all time fave. They always have been as long as I can remember!!

I love this deep pink, and look how this one is poking it's head up above the rest.

Off to find some more of my favorite color on your blogs now.

Thanks for coming by for a visit.

♥

Chandelier Crystals

2009-10-07T13:52:00.000-07:00

I am adding these gorgeous chandelier crystals for sale in my shop!! They are so pretty and sparkle~icious!! Plus I have a big assortment of some new ribbons arriving any day.

I am off to read some of your blogs. I have fallen so far behind in my visiting this week and I miss all my faves!! I am hoping to be able to get a few in before bed. Have to get up at 2am, so need some sleep... have had hardly any all week.

Isn't this view pretty?? It is of the Connecticut river from a couple of weeks ago when hubby and I were out for a nice drive. I am putting up some other sightseeing photos on my other blog tomorrow. Too tired now, must sleep!!

Tuesday Tea Party Day!!

2009-10-05T18:30:00.000-07:00

Happy Tea Things Tuesday!!! I Love Tuesdays!!!

This is another of my pretty pink Rose teapots. Do you see a theme with my play~tea things?? So many of them have different pink roses.

I like to use this tea cup with it, even though it doesn't exactly match...actually I love using mismatched pieces together. It makes the tea party have so much prettier. I think the tea cup is "moss rose" it is from Japan.

Roses, roses everywhere!!!

Would you like a cup of tea??

I'd love your company for my tea party!!

Please visit our hostess Kim at Shabby, Pink, and Pretty. There are lots more pretty tea party blogs to read. See the all the participants Here!!

Giveaway Winner

2009-10-05T06:28:00.000-07:00

Hello and Good morning.

I have picked the winner for my giveaway using a random number generator. The winner is Lemondrop Marie.

Congrats!!! Thanks to everyone else who entered my giveaway!!

Have a sunny day!!!

p.s. I still have FREE Shipping on most trims and ribbons in my shop. I also added this cute mini chest of drawers filled with trims, ribbons, buttons, tags, sparling mica flakes, victorian scraps, and milinery for your fun crafting projects. All the drawers are lined with vintage shelf lining paper.

Check it out Here

Late Pink Saturday!!

2009-10-03T14:36:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness!! What a day. I have been trying to post to my blog since yesterday. Needless to say I have been having some real problems posting and getting any photos onto my blog. Nothing fut a message that said failed in red every time I tried.

HAPPY PINK SATURDAY!!! A little late, but at least it is still Saturday!!!!!

I took a photo of these gorgeous cream tipped pink roses at work the other day. Several bouquets of these came in our flower shipment!! How pretty. These are the same as the ones I bought myself for my birthday in August.

I always love these pink milinery forget me nots. I am sending some to a friend...I didn't forget you. I'm going to the post office on Monday!! Also, don't forget today is the last day to leave a comment on my giveaway post. You have until midnight tonight!!!! I'll announce the winner tomorrow!

Sorry that my post is late. Hope you like my pinkie pics!!

Tea Things Tuesday

2009-09-28T18:35:00.000-07:00

I am so excited...this is my very first Tea Things Tuesday. It is hosted by the very lovely Kim at Shabby Pink and Pretty.

For my first Tea day I would love to show you my very fave teapot. It was a present from Hubby a long time ago. It is covered in my fave color roses!!

The lid has this adorable pink rose on it.

Isn't it lovely??

I am so happy to be able to participate this week. I can't wait to see everyone else's pretty Tea Things.

There is still time for you to join my giveaway. If you want to join you have to visit my last post here.

Pink Saturday, A Giveaway, & Shop Opening Today!!!!

2009-09-25T23:23:00.000-07:00

Happy Pink Saturday!! Grab a cuppa, it's another long post (but filled with lots of pretties). I love any excuse for lots of pink!! What can I show you today?? ♥ How about a pink filled giveaway. I want to celebrate because my online shop has its Grand Opening today!! Please stop in for a visit at my new Belle Maison shop. Let me know what you think, tell me if any of the links don't work for you. Okay now let's get to the giveaway goodies!!

Let's start with some glitter in my fave color!!

How about these pretty roses. They are scented bath petals. They will make your bath so relaxing and yummy smelling.

Of course, some pretty pink millinery forget me nots, because what is a pinky giveaway without some millinery.

Let's add a jar of old fashioned mica flakes. oooohh sooo sparkly!! I have some for sale in my shop too.

I will add this sweet tag to the prize.

Some colorful ribbons. They are reversible too!! You will get a yard of each color. If you love ribbons like I do, check out my trims pages for a huge selection.

More millinery.

These cutie~pie clips are meant as hair clips, but I think they are perfect for holding a length of ribbon.

Some crystal bling!! Lots of these in my shop.

Here is everything that is included in the giveaway, plus I will slip in a couple extra surprises for the winner!! Please leave a comment by October 3rd, on this post only to be entered in the giveaway. If you want to tell about my giveaway on your blog that would be awesome too. I always think the more the merrier.

I have a Belle Maison button in the top of my sidebar. Feel free to add it to your blog if you wish, make sure to link it back to me. I will be picking a winner on October 4th.

♥

This is a collage of just some of the goodies I have in my online shop! There are lots of items with FREE Shipping. Plus some really great deals on pretty things!!

Lots of glitter, trims, bling, and pretty pinks (and other pretty colors)

♥

Happy Pink Saturday!!

Go visit the lovely Beverly to see all the PS participants for this week.

I have two new blog recommendations this week. They are both yummy foodie blogs. Enjoy!!

♥

#1 Standing at the Kitchen Door You have to scroll down to see her recipe for caramel apples!!! OMGoodness!!!

#2 Thibeault's Table more delicious recipes!!

Autumn Is in the Air

2009-09-25T09:16:00.000-07:00

Autumn is definitely in the air today. We got some Indian corn at the farm up the street where we get the best fresh corn in the world.

Buttermilk Pie. OMGoodness. Thanks MaryJane for the delicious recipe. I made two pies and gave one to my neighbor.

My neighbor came back the next day to give us some apple pie. Mmmm yummy!!!

Apple butter is a New England staple. Plus when we make it the house smells so good all day!! My kids love it for breakfast. It is so good.

Come back tomorrow for Pink Saturday. I am having a giveaway!!

My online shop's Grand Opening is tomorrow!!! YAY!!! I am so excited. The mosaic above is a little peek inside my shop.

There will be lots of pretty chandelier crystals, crafting goodies, ribbons and trims, and lots more!!

Plus don't forget about the giveaway tomorrow!!

Much Needed East Coast Event!!!

2009-09-22T21:29:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I am always reading about these events from the West Coast for these beautiful 2-3 day events. They are like a flea market, but everything is shabby, and pink, and pretty, and vintage, and fabulous, and gorgeous!!! They sound like so much fun!!! I always want to attend one, but can't obviously afford to leave work and my family for several days and travel and get a hotel... soooooo...

I would love to do something like that out here. A Shabby Show if you will!! There are several of you lovely, and talented ladies from CT, NY, Mass, and RI (Hi Elyse!!) I was thinking that maybe we could all get together and rent a space maybe set something up like a craft show/flea market. I'm thinking lots of pretty tables and displays. Before Christmas would be a great time to do it!!

Does anyone else think this is a good idea?? Is it feasible?? Do we have enough interested people out here in New England/New York region?? Where is a good place to have it?? I'm thinking somewhere in CT is right in the middle of NY, RI, and Mass. Even a one day event would be so much fun!! Okay, so it might be too late to plan one for this autumn, let's get together and plan one for either the Spring (pre-Easter would be a pretty time of year to have a shabby event) or Autumn of 2010!!!

This is what I'm thinking:

♥ Handmade items

♥ Fabrics and Trims

♥ Pretty Handmade Jewelry

♥ Altered Books

♥ Scrapbook Supplies

♥ Craft Supplies

♥ Shabby Finds (flea market re~do's)

♥Tags and Pretty Paper Items

♥ Painted Goodies

♥ Anything Pretty, Shabby, Pink, etc...

♥ Could be Vintage or New

More Pink Treats

2009-09-20T21:10:00.000-07:00

I got a sweet treat in my mailbox today...actually it was delivered yesterday, but I forgot to check the mail when we got home from the Guilford Fair yesterday. I ordered these sweet autumn treats from Stefanie at her lovely Rose Petals and Rust Shop and they are here!!! YAY!!!

Everything was wrapped up so pretty and she sent me this sugary sweet tag as well. How did she know I love cupcakes??

Pretty, pink, sweet, and glittery!! Everything I love!!

♥

We had so much fun yesterday at the Fair. There were no pig races this year but there were trapeze artists, games, rides, food, food, and... oh yes, food.

Alex rode on a big kids ride for the first time. Up until this year he has only been on the smaller kids rides. I guess I'm too protective? Funny he is in seat number 10 and he will be 10 years old in a couple of weeks. He had so much fun on the ride he went again as soon as he got off. He loved seeing all the other kids at the fair. All 3 boys had a lot of fun. They also ate lots of carnival food...cotton candy, pizza, corndogs, soda. We ended up going home with lots of stuffed animal prizes and 2 new goldfish that Alex won in a ball toss.

I loved seeing all of the farm animal exhibits, especially the chickens and roosters. Bunnies are another favorite for the whole family since we have had rabbits as pets for about 9+ years.

♥

Don't forget, my online shop Grand opening is this Saturday the 26th!!!!

Pretty Pinks For Saturday

2009-09-18T22:19:00.000-07:00

Happy Pink Saturday!!!

♥ * ♥ * ♥ * ♥

This post is going to be longer than my usual Pink Saturday post, but I have so many pretty things I want to share. Grab a cup of tea (or coffee, if you are so inclined) and enjoy!!

First, I can't resist showing you these two pretty pink fabrics I just found. They are gorgeous sheer fabrics with embroidered roses. Oh they are so pretty. I haven't decided what to do with them, though I think I have a great project idea in mind. The first one is the cotton candy pink roses on a sheer pale pink fabric. It is so cheerful and pink!!

The second fabric is much brighter. It is an ivory sheer with different tones of deep pink roses embroidered on. I love this one and hopefully I can show you a finished project in a week or so. I am thinking about adding them to my shop. I got them at such a great price, they would be nice to share.

♥♥♥

We went for a visit to my mother in law's house. She had a gift waiting for me for no reason!!

There was a huge bag stuffed with treasures, These cute baking cups covered in pink hearts, 2 extra large cup muffin tins, a new pretty butter dish, some adorable kitchen towels with gingerbread men ready for Christmas.

A beautiful table cloth and set of matching linen napkins. (I know, not pink...but so cutie~pie...I love them)

Some pretty ivory lace curtains. So many pretty gifts.

♥♥♥

Then when I got home, more treasures waiting in my mailbox.

These lovelies arrived from Tami at Pink Butter Creme. Oh my goodness am I a happy girl. They are so pretty and so prettily wrapped. And my birthday was last month. What a lovely day (it is the first day of my time off from work)

Just look at the beautiful teacup tie~ons above!! Ooohh La La!!

These little teapot cupcake picks are just adorable. I won't be home to bake tomorrow (I'll tell you why later in the post). But Sunday afternoon I will be making some fluffy pink cupcakes with these on top!!

Everything is so prettily painted and decorated. Lots of millinery flowers, and everything so prettily wrapped with ribbons and more millinery.

Tami even sent an extra special present for me...this cutie~pie magnet, which I promptly stuck right to the fridge. So pretty in my kitchen!!

After a long, nice day...I was feeling crafty so I made these tags. They are brighter than my normal colors, but I love the combination of the tangerine and the many shades of pinks. What a great color duo!! Plus I think the tangerine is a lovely color for autumn.

♥♥♥

Tomorrow is a special day. The Guilford Fair is this weekend and we can't wait to go. Hubby had his stitches removed this morning and is feeling better so hopefully we will all have fun.

At last years fair I had the best corndog I ever have tasted. I have waited a full year for another one. I think I will have to get more than one. They are really that good. They hand~dip each one before frying them up. mmmmmm!! so yummy!! Plus they have racing piggies at the fair every year and little Alex has been practicing for the dart toss game.

♥♥♥

Then on Sunday I am getting up at 5am to go Flea Marketing. There is a nice one called the Elephants Trunk every Sunday, but I've only been once and that was back in the spring. We'll probably stop for breakfast on the way. There are always lots of vendors, including some plants and flower growers. I hope there are some bargains to find!!

Now I am off to read as many Pink Saturday posts as I can!!

Oops, almost forgot. I have two new blogs for you to visit this week.

The first is Everyday Beauty seriously this blog has such pretty eye candy.

The second is Everything Vintage, which is just filled with lovely photos and so much fun stuff.

A little Show and Tell

2009-09-14T08:11:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday!! I was sorting through some of my stuff...er...junk? in my studio this weekend and came across this box of old valentines I had just about forgotten about.

This is a Lane mini cedar chest I re~did years ago. It has a tiny little key so you can lock it up if you wish.

My Father in Law makes his living buying and selling antiques. Mostly old war memorabilia lots from WWI and WWII, but even some older items from the Civil War. Anyway he found me these old valentines and Victorian scraps years ago.

There are tons of them.

I even had this old paper doll dress in with the Valentines. It must be fairly vintage, because the back of it looks like it was cut out of an old magazine, maybe from the early 60's or the 50's.

These different colored boot scraps are pretty.

More Victorian pretties.

♥ * ♥ * ♥ * ♥

Now I want to introduce you to Sheryn. Her beautiful and shabby blog is Pink and Pretty Designs. She makes gorgeous extras like buttons and headers and backgrounds for blogs and websites. Please go check her out. She has lots of freebies for your blog too (like the I ♥ Pink badge above).

She made me this pretty little button especially for my blog, and she is going to help me with my website too.

(aargghhh! I am still trying to get more pretty stuff in my shop by the 26th)

And her prices are really low. Just tell her what you are looking for and she can make it. I love the cutie~pie polka dots and pink girly roses she did on my button.

♥ * ♥ * ♥ * ♥

p.s. If you like my pretty button, please feel free to grab it for your sidebar. Just link it back to my blog.

YAY!!! Pink Saturday!!

2009-09-11T22:55:00.000-07:00

Hello, and welcome to another lovely Pink Saturday. Hope you all had fun since last week. I can't wait to show you the project I've been working on...

For my second Pink Saturday post I want to show you this pink ice bucket. I was procrastinating a bit even though I meant to finish it a while ago. Then I had to wait for the pretty knob to arrive to put on top. It is finally finished though.

I painted it in the palest of pale pinks. I love this soft romantic color. It was a dark brown before the re~do. I think I have a before photo on another post somewhere I will try to find it for you.

I also added the lovely little drops on each side. I think they add a nice bit of cottage charm to the piece. I think I may still shabby it up a little, then I will be adding it to my shop. Don't forget the Grand Opening of my shop is going to be on September 26th. I will be hosting a fun giveaway that day too, so make sure you come back to visit.

For my new blog introduction this week I am really happy to show you Down To Earth. This wonderful woman from Australia (Rhonda) is amazing, and so is her blog. She blogs, has a forum, has posts teaching canning, cooking, time management, and organic gardening to name just a few of her talents. She also has chickens...so you know I love her. Please check out her blog...it is awesome!!!

♥

Now I'm off to read as many of your Pink Saturday posts as I can!
HAPPY PINK SATURDAY AND HAVE A PINK WEEK!!

A Hauntingly Magical Halloween

2009-09-10T06:42:00.000-07:00

First and Foremost I want to thank all of you for your kind words these past few days. I have not been quite myself, and your comments have meant all the world to me. I am still astounded at how sincere and nice all of my fellow bloggers are. You are truly my blogging friends!!!

Since I have been home all this week I have had lots of time online and have nearly got my online store ready. Oh the goodies I have waiting to show you. I really can't wait to open up the shop.

I have picked September 26th for my Grand opening. I will give you a few little peeks into my shop before then, but make sure you come back on the 26th, I will be hosting a fabulous giveaway that day.

Fall has arrived, and halloween is in the air. This is a true treat loving holiday. This is candy's day more than Valenitne's Day!! Candy lovers rejoice!!
♥♥

Vanessa over at A Fanciful Twist is hosting a fabulously spooky Halloween party. Last year's party looked like so much fun so go check it out and sign up for the big day. October 17th.

A cheerful post!!

2009-09-09T10:25:00.000-07:00

Pretty and pink!!

Fudgy delicious brownie from the bakery up the street. The fudge frosting on top was so thick and yummy!! mmmmmm

A stormy sky over the ocean

Drawing

I love this cabinet. I refinished it and filled with my favorite seashells

Taking a drive to nowhere special with my hubby!!! We love to explore and get lost together!

My goofy boys!! Ice cream time is the best thing on a summer evening.

Autumn

2009-09-08T10:00:00.000-07:00

I am home for a while, my hubby has had an accident. We spent Sunday night in Yale hospital. Thank God my landlord who lives a couple houses away is a paramedic and she acted quickly to help him and then get an ambulance over right away. He isn't able to be left alone yet so I have taken a few days off from work to stay with him. I won't go into details since I want my blog to be a happy place, but he was hurt pretty bad. He will be okay Thank God!! But I was extremely worried. Especially since they wouldn't let me in to see him when I first arrived at the hospital. Okay...now for a happier note.

Since I am able to be at home for a few days, and since it is cooling down nicely...time for some baking. Spending some time in the kitchen seemed to help me relax. At least it took my mind off of things for a little while. I made these Chewy Pecan Cookies. They are so yummy and super easy to make. Plus baking makes the whole house smell yummy.

Chewy Pecan Cookies

1 stick butter

16 oz box brown sugar

4 eggs

½ tsp vanilla

2 cups flour

1 ½ tsp baking powder

pinch salt

2 cups chopped pecans

Melt butter and mix with brown sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. In bowl combine flour, powder, and salt. Add to egg mixture. Stir in nuts. Refrigerate for a couple of hours, or overnight. Roll into 1” balls. Bake on a well greased cookie sheet at 375° for 15-20 minutes. Remove from pan immediately to a wire rack. They tend to stick to the baking sheet if you don't take them off immediately!!

I got out some autumn decorations. I love these cutie~pie teddy bears. The boys liked getting some decorations up too. It helped to cheer them up a bit.

These leafy votive holders are adorable, I just need to find some little votive candles.

and of course Susan Branch, one of my all time faves!!

My online store will be ready soon. I made this awesome magazine cover to celebrate. By clicking the magazine at the top of my sidebar you can get a little sneak peak at my shop. Hopefully by mid-September it will be up, fully running, and shopable.
♥

I think tomorrow I have to go back to work, but two of my neighbors have been kind enough to help out by looking in on hubby while I am gone. The kids are a huge help too.

I'm off to check out some of your pretty blogs now. I couldn't sleep last night so I was up catching up on some blogs last night. The pretty photos are so good at taking my mind elsewhere. It is great therapy.

Happy Saturday Pinkies

2009-09-05T08:10:00.000-07:00

Happy Pink Saturday!!!

Since this is my very first Pink Sauturday, I thought I'd show some of the pretties I made last night. Today is the birthday party for my very good friend Lorie's daughter Alia. She is 2 years old, and she is the absolute cutest little girl in the world.

I made this pink banner for her. Since she is a girlie girl I hope she likes it. I thought it would look pretty in her room.

I also made these pretty pink tags. I'm so happy I finally got a new hot glue gun yesterday. I have been without one since mine broke. I was so happy, I was up until about 3:30 in the morning making tags and some other sweet treats.

This birthday cake tag is for little Alia's present.

Beverly asked that we each visit a new blog this week that we have never visited before and write about it in our post. I think that is a lovely idea! I actually found three very awesome blogs this week. I will add one new blog to my post each Saturday.

This is Maria Celcia's beautiful blog-Casa Dulce Hogar.

She is from Chile, so most of the posts are in Spanish. Even if you don't speak a work of Spanish it is well worth the visit. Her photographs are just breathtaking. The entire blog is a feast for your eyes. What a treat!!

Well I'm off to read some other Pink Saturday posts. Make sure you stop by for a visit with our lovely host Beverly and see all the other participants this week. I think there are 157 pink loving blogs this week!! WOW!! That is some pink goodness!!

And The Winner Is...

2009-09-04T23:30:00.000-07:00

Sorry it is a little late. I wanted to post the name of the winner of my first ever blog giveaway earlier, but didn't have a chance to get online until now.

I wrote down all the names on little pieces of paper...

Then Alex helped me mix them all up...

and he picked...

Congratulations Marilyn!!!!!

I will be sending your winnings out on Monday or Tuesday. I hope you enjoy everything.

If you haven't already been to Marilyn's blog, go check it out now. Soo cute, you should see what she does with a lampshade. Her lamps are oh so charming!!

Coming Soon!!

2009-08-31T06:40:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to enter in my first ever blog giveaway!! All of these treasures could be yours. The last day to enter is September 3rd, and I will be picking a winner on September 4th. You can enter by leaving a comment on the original post of the giveaway.

I have decided to go ahead and give having an online shop another go. So this week I have been working on building a website and finding/making lots of pretty treasures to put in it. Here is a little peek into some of the treats you will find in my shop...

...some sweet sugary treats
...some sparkly pink glass glitter
... shimmery mica flakes

... some pretty flowers

...a really nice selection of pretty ribbons

...and of course lots of chandelier crystals~perfect for crafts, redoing a chandelier, or as Christmas tree ornaments.

There will be lots more too, refinished treasures and furniture. Vintage finds and pretty teacups plus lots more. Everything will be pretty and crafty. As you can tell I am very excited and I can't wait to share all of my finds with you.

I am not sure when I will open up the shop, but I have been working very hard to get the website running and looking the way I want it, and trying to find lots of special treats to put in.

Show Us Your Rooster Party

2009-08-27T18:34:00.000-07:00

Cock-a-doodle doo!!!!!

Today is the day!! Bella Vista's Show Us Your Rooster Party. What Fun!! I can't wait to see everyone's pretty roosters. I made these pretty rooster tags.

I can't wait until I get home from work so I can get online and look at everyone else's lovely roosters.

I had planned to go out shopping and get a rooster of my own. Unfortunately, circumstances did not work out in my favor and I was not able to get out as planned. I was however able to make two really pretty tags that have been roosterfied. YAY!! I made a new word!!

As we all know pink and sky blue is one of my fave color combinations.

These were really fun to make. Maybe more fun than going out shopping. And they are still pretty roosters!!

I hope one day to have real roosters when I have my farm. (wink*wink*) These are called Phoenix, it is a rare breed of chicken. I just love the extra long sweeping tail on the rooster!! From what I hear they are nice roosters, and not at all cranky as some roosters can be.

I can't wait to see all the other Party-Goers' Roosters!!!

**Don't forget to check out yesterday's post for my very first giveaway ever!!! **

My First Award and A Giveaway!!

2009-08-27T12:51:00.001-07:00

I am so so so excited, I won an award!!! WOOHOO!! The very fabulous Susie of Susie's Country Cottage has given me this wonderful award. The winner must list their 5 biggest obsessions, so here goes...
#1 Blogging and Talking w/ my new blogging friends
#2 Drives in The Country w/ Hubby
#3 Thrifting/Flea Markets
#4 Crafts/Refinishing furniture
#5 Cooking/Baking

I just want to thank everyone who reads my blog posts and leaves comments and all of you lovely people who I have emailed with. I really and truly value all of my new blogging friends. This is such a lovely and friendly community. I am so enjoying my time blogging and also reading so many pretty and funny friendly blogs!!! This is such a great outlet of creativity for so many people.

First Day of School Today. These are my 16 and 14 year olds. What cheeky guys they are. The 14 year old thinks it's funny, he is as tall as his brother if he stands on the top step. They are both in high school now!!
My baby. Entering the 4th grade.

Okay, now the fun part. I am hosting my very own giveaway!! One lucky winner will get all these goodies. Here is the list of treats:

*6 Victorian Tags

*Chandelier Crystals

*1 yd mint green velvet ricrac

* 1 yd pink velvet ricrac

*1 yd reversible pink/chocolate polka dot ribbon

*1 yd reversible blue/pink polka dot ribbon
*Some milinery flowers

*A pretty jar of sparkling mica flakes

*A vintage blue bobbin-Great for holding your ribbons

*A Shabby Key Lime green tin with pretty pink roses

*Some Victorian Scraps
Here is a close up of the tags. Sweet Reversible Ribbons~ 1 yard of each.

All of these chandelier crystals. They are a lot prettier in person than in the photo.

These are just some of the milinery flowers. There are also some pretty pansies that you can see in the big photo. I really love these tiny forget me nots though. And this pretty painted tin is perfect to hold some of your little treasures.

Please leave a comment on this post with your name and email address by September 3rd. I will be choosing a winner on Friday September 4th.

Don't forget, tomorrow is Bella Vista's Show Us Your Roosters Party. I was hoping to get out and buy a pretty rooster just for the occasion, but seeing as the car isn't running right now I will be making some pretty rooster-y crafts for the party. Hopefully homemade is okay.

My Prize Arrived!!

2009-08-22T15:55:00.000-07:00

Oh joy!! Today is the day. I came home from work to find that my oh-so-lovely prize from Roseberry Cottage had arrived!! Hooray!! I had so much trouble containing myself when I came home and saw the package sitting in the living room. Hubby was trying to talk to me and I was so busy opening the box and looking at all this eye candy. I had to stop myself to go get my camera!!

How did Carol know I love pink?? It has pretty pink tissue and even the packing peanuts are pink!!

The linens came wrapped in this pretty box and tied with pretty pink ribbon!!
There was even some yummy lavender potpourri. It smells so delicious!
A special note!! Thank you Carol!! This is all beautiful! I love this doily. It is going to live on my shabby hutch with my teacups!!
This is the first of the 2 gorgeous embroidered handkerchieves that Carol sent me.
Here is the other. Aren't these just too much? I love all of the violets, and the fabric is so delicate and feminine.

Here is my favorite part, the beautiful teacup and saucer set and the little dessert plate. All decorated with such pretty violets.

I love all of these. What beautiful and very generous prizes!! I still cannot believe that I won so many goodies.

Thank you so much Carol!!!

Please go visit her gorgeous store in all its pink-ness.

Show your Roosters!!!!!

Also... please go visit Barb at Bella Vista for her lovely Show Us Your Roosters Party!!!!

I can't wait!! I am going out shopping for a rooster!!! So much fun!!

Gotta sign up by August 27th.

The party is August 28th!!

Oh and p.s. I will have another surprise to tell you tomorrow!! Check back!

Some Much Needed Advice

2009-08-20T17:50:00.000-07:00

I think I am addicted to shopping lately. I have tons of projects to start and some I already started that really need to be finished, but it has been so hot I just don't seem to get anything done...except shopping for more pretties. I love these little flowers. They are papery and cute.

I got a great deal on some Cath Kidston fabrics.
I thought this velvet ric rac was just so cute I couldn't resist.
These aren't vintage buttons, but they were so bright and colorful I just had to get them. I also have a few more treats on the way. I'll show you as soon as they arrive.

And since I have so many goodies lately, and because I won my first giveaway last week. I want to host my own 1st giveaway soon. Keep checking back...it will be before the end of the month. That gives me some time to gather some really pretty goodies for you!!
And I treated myself to some pink loveliness!!
More flowery goodness. I love hydrangeas, but all my bushes outside are deep blues and purples. These white ones are so pretty.
Some Gerbera Daisies, and pink hydrangeas in the mix.

And since it was so hot we all went out for some much needed ice cream again yesterday. Rose Orchards in Branford is right up the street. I don't know why we have never been there before. After we ate our ice cream, we took a walk around. There was this adorable water wheel and they had some farm animals for the kids to see including some goats and horses. Usually we can see llamas when we drive by, but they must have been keeping cool becuase we couldn't see them anywhere.

Okay, now I need some advice please. I have been thinking about reopening my online shop again. I stopped selling online last year right after Christmas, but I miss it. It wasn't much...I had some pretty chandeliers and chandelier crystals, some refinished shabby furniture, and a few cute little things I made. Well I have been thinking about starting up again. Maybe adding in a few more items this time.

What do you think, should I give it another go?? Let me know.

2009-08-15T17:55:00.000-07:00

I absolutely can't believe it. I entered in the giveaway at The Roseberry Cottage and Carol just sent me an email to tell me I actually won. This is my first time winning a giveaway. It's actually my first time winning anything... except for a sombrero I won when I was 11. This is the first time I've ever won anything so nice and sooo pretty.

Carol's giveaway was for a gorgeous dessert set, two beautiful vintage hankies, and a vintage doily. Let me tell you, I will be outside waiting by my mailbox. I am so excited. I should be in bed since I have to get up for work at 2am, but I just can't sleep.

Thank You Carol!!

Weekend Over

2009-08-13T17:03:00.000-07:00

Hello Belle Readers, It has been a semi busy couple of days...or maybe a lazy couple of days I guess, depending on how you look at it. The most important thing is I had two days off from work so at least they were relaxing. Here is a little showing of what I have been up to.

I finally got these two sconces finished. Sorry about the lighting conditions, I couldn't wait to take some pics and it was starting to get dark already. For those who haven't seen the before photo you can see it here. Not sure if I will put it up for sale on eBay or in my Etsy shop, or take it up to the little shop by my house.
These have been keeping me nice and busy. Bought the lot of them on eBay for cheap. They are older issues, but I don't mind that at all. They are still just as beautiful.
Went for a drive earlier today and snapped some photos from the car. This is of the Long Island Sound. I love the stormy sky!!

This adorable little rose bush was a gift from my friend Lorie at work on Tuesday. I love the green stripes on the petals.

This was Pierre yesterday morning. I know better than to put anything on the botton shelf of this hutch. It is one of his favorite places when he's hot and lazy. Right before I took this photo he was happily eating some little strawberries.

We had a nice tea yesterday morning for breakfast. The kids like to go fancy and set the table with a pretty tablecloth and a teaset. This strawberry set was a gift from my Nanna in England. It is Alex's favorite set.

Alex being shy about his morning bed-head and nursing his hot cup of tea.

I finally made a trip to Home Goods Tuesday on my way home from work. This is my new favorite teacup. I love the little dessert plate that goes under the saucer. You can never have too many things with roses on them. I wish they had a whole set of china, but all they had were teasets. Oh well, it's still gorgeous. Glad I found it. I know I'll be stopping in there a lot more often.

That's it for today. Should have another post soon. Maybe for Show and Tell Sunday.

Thrifty Finds & Crafty Too

2009-08-07T19:16:00.000-07:00

Oh what great thrifty finds I found. Went to the thrift shop in Westport to find these pretty teacups. I turned this one upside down to make a little pedastol. It would be cute to serve a cupcake I think.

I'm not sure what this piece is. If anyone else knows, please leave me a comment or an email to let me know what it is. The top is circular and the lid slides open and closed. It will be shabbified of course, so I guess this is a before photo.

These shutters are just a stroke of luck. I mentioned to hubby that I needed to find a set of shutters for the corner hutch in my dining room. I just happened to find three of these for a bargain of a price. They need paint of course, and probably some sanding, but oh what luck they are the perfect size. Exactly what I wanted.

This is a nice wooden ice chest. There is a plastic lining inside, but luckily it can be removed so I can paint and decorate it.

Here is another before photo. These need some pretty pastel paints and something colorful to keep inside the little jars. I think candy colors would do nicely on them.

Ok, these trims weren't thrift finds, but I got them for a great price. I just couldn't resist these pinks and blues.

Little Swimmers

2009-08-06T20:11:00.001-07:00

I have been trying for weeks to get a photo of this family of swans. They haven't been down at their usual spot on the lake for a while. I was hoping to get some distant photos of them. Today I was on my way home from the Clinton Thrift Shop and they were right there on my side of the lake. I pulled over right away to snap a ton of pics of them.

I was afraid I would startle them and they would flee before I could get a good shot, but instead they seemd curious of me and came even closer. I think this one is the father. He wanted to make sure he was between me and the other two. Isn't he handsome!

Aren't they a lovely family? They are called Mute Swans. They don't talk much, but they do hiss sometimes. I have seen a male go after a whole gaggle of geese that go too close before. This one didn't hiss at me at all though. The baby kept dunking his head under water to eat. So cute.

Click on the pics above, it will enlarge so you can see the details.

This post is short, I just really wanted to share these with you. I will have a post tomorrow I want to show you all the cool thrift shop finds from this week. Plus a few other pretty crafty finds.

Here's a little peek at one of my treasures!!

Day After Birthday

2009-08-02T17:17:00.000-07:00

Aren't these beautiful pink birthday roses? I went back to work today and my friend Cheryl surprised me with these soft pink roses when she came in. She was very happy that she knew my favorite color was pink. She also took great delight in telling every customer that yesterday was my birthday. It was a fun day getting back into work and seeing everyone again.

This is something I am working on. The paint color is key lime...definitely not one of my usual colors. I love how it looks with the pink roses though. I really like this color. I am so excited, I have been working on some really fun things this past week that I'm not ready to show you yet. This tin is just a little peek.

I made a batch of homemade sugar scrub. I love this stuff. Organic sugar, mango butter, and other yummy stuff for your skin. It smells sooooo yummy too. This one smells like fluffy pink cotton candy. It's very scrubby and very moisturizing.

This is a weigela from my old garden, I think this variety is called Carnival.

I added some new pics to my Flickr Photostream. Short post today...have to get up at 2 am and tomorrow I have to get up at midnight to go to work. Not much sleep for me over the next couple of days.

Check out this cute giveaway from Little Reminders of Love.