My First Giveaway...soon!!!

I picked up a special prize a few weeks ago but have been waiting until September 1st to host my first giveaway.  A hint:  it was a sought after, oft mentioned item last Autumn in the blogosphere.    

So, check back on September 1st, and the giveaway will be under way!

Buggin' Out!

Having a daughter who enjoys experimenting with various fashions and puts up with my whimsical creations is a delight!  I've made many types of floral headbands and barrettes for her but was bored with the same-old, same-old.


Then I saw them.  Bugs at the Dollar Store.  And a new idea was born.  

She wore the bumble bee with a yellow gingham dress, and it was darling!  And I adore the cheery green of the grasshopper.

Many of the floral accessories were featured here previously, except these two...

Little girls are precious, aren't they?  And truly a gift!

From My Mother...

One of my favorite pictures of my mother.

Pondering the very different relationships each of us kids had with her.

When I was ten, I was fascinated by two pairs of my mother's shoes.

Pointy-toed high heels made out of snakeskin.

I loved parading around the hallway, lost on an imaginary runway.

So stylish and cool.

My mother and I shared a love of fashion.

She gave me all of her custom made outfits from the late 60s and 70s,

like the suit in the picture above.

She also taught me about jewelry, 

the qualities of various stones and the importance of real gold. 

When I got ears my pierced, she bought me 18K gold earrings.

And she let me wear her star-sapphire earrings to school sometimes.

Birthday gifts usually included a beautiful new piece of jewelry,

a ring with my birthstone, necklaces, brooches.  

A gorgeous watch. 

My favorite photo of my mother and me.

Other things my mother bestowed to me... 

A love of big hair and big sunglasses.

An admiration of Sophia Loren.

(we swore we'd follow her glamizon example into old age),

Her dramatic flair - she was a professional dancer, 

studying traditional dance from the age of three.

(I've had my time on stage and have been in a few films and commercials.)
Black liquid eyeliner skills.
(when I was 16 and officially allowed to wear make-up, 
she gave me a kit and taught me how to properly apply everything.  
She used to give me a new make-up kit every Christmas.)

Ability to Organize and Schedule.

Creativity.

A strong voice and sensitive heart.

Compassion for those less fortunate.

Did I mention a short temper???

(Smile.) 

Saying Goodbye...

On July 16th, my mother went home to be with the Lord.  I was grateful to have been able to be with my family and to visit her for the two weeks prior to her passing.  Though she was pretty much in a coma during that time, she did open her eyes and squeeze my hands tightly one morning.  That was the most movement she showed.  

We had a Memorial Service for her a week later on July 23rd.  Though I'd like to share more about that at a later time, this is where I said my goodbyes to my mother.

One of my favorite memories is the afternoon I spent with my mother and my children here by the Lafayette River.  We sat under the shade of trees with a Japanese picnic lunch, enjoying the lovely view and cool breezes.  We must have been there for several hours.  It was a perfect day.

I am away...

I took the red eye and flew aross the country in the middle of the night last week to be with my mom who is critically ill.  The waiting and praying continue as we visit her daily and wait for her to open her eyes.  Mercifully, my sister asked me to do some projects, creating lots of barrettes for a friend goin on a trip to South Africa. 

Forty-five barrettes later, I continue to keep my glue gun loaded and ready for the next round of ribbons, fabric and glue.  The quiet evenings pass quicker when I am creating.  I hope to express and process my sorrow and grief with creativity, making something new out of something in a more raw state.  More posts and some pictures soon.

Inspired by Yellow

Some friends and I went to see "Knight and Day" last week,and one of my pals couldn't stop gushing about the yellow dress Cameron Diaz wore in the film.  She wanted to run right out and shop for the perfect yellow dress.

I have never owned a yellow dress.  Ever.  Come to think of it, a yellow anything.  'Cause I'm half Japanese, and yellow is not flattering if you have an underlying yellowish tint to your skin.  But if I could wear yellow, here's a sampling of what I'd choose...

Vintage-inspired dresses are fabulous.  I could see wearing this with heels, flats, a cardigan on a cooler day, and with slacks underneath (one of my favorite ways to wear a shorter dress!)

Image by Tshahel

A romantic dress in pale yellow, so dreamy!  I changed into a dress similar to this for my wedding reception.  A Bulgarian fashion designer and I collaborated on the dress, and she whipped it together right before my return to the States!   It was light and airy, just perfect for the amount of dancing we had planned for our reception.

Image by Jennifer Buehrer

Smocked, empire waisted dresses are practically a staple in my wardrobe!  This shorter length with the layers of fabric is a must have for sure.  This dress may convert me to wearing yellow, even if I have to endure a spray tan or do whatever to look great in it!

Image by Shawn Lavery

Lilah, dear, this post is for you!

A Celebration of Certain Blues

It's probably quite obvious, with the new background and header on my blog,

that I am obsessed with the lighter, whimsical yet rich shades of blue.

Teal, Turquoise, Robin's Egg Blue...

I am quite the admirer of the pops of color and visual interest

these color variations add.

After lamenting the fact that I wasn't connecting with the thrift stores in my town,

I came across a store called "The Unique Thrift Store" about 20 minutes away.

Whoo Hoo!  And they've got a ton of treasures,

like this marvelous candlestick.

These birds, originally dark brown, were found in the Dollar Store 

and spruced up with Robin's Egg Blue craft paint.

Though Easter was months ago, I still have some eggs out and about.

Inexpensive plastic eggs are great to experiment with...

Cream and Robin's Egg Blue craft paint 

and wrapping with Black Jute twine,

Or with Turquoise raffia.

Details on a decorative pillow.

And finally, my favorite ring and earrings.

The ring was my grandmother's,

and the earrings were purchased in Maine.

They both add that certain je ne sais quoi factor

to an outfit.