brothers and sisters...

When hubby is away I like to keep the tv on...mainly to fill noise. I think it comes from being one of four children in a home that was always hustling and bustling. I am not scared of quiet...I'm just not in my comfort zone with it. I would rather have noise and drown it out than to have silence.

Well...being the night of premiers I somehow got stuck "halfway" watching "Brothers and Sisters". Never have I seen this show before and I fell for it immediately and ended up watching it "uninterrupted" by the end. ...maybe because Sally Field is the momma, or because there were lots of siblings in a big family which I could relate to, or maybe because they were all doing their own thing all at the same time and life was taking directions...big directions for each of them. Yep this must be it...I can surely relate. ...Hubby is trying out a new program as we speak...will we end up in Delaware, stay in Ohio, journey to Pittsburgh, or head home to Texas in less than a year?...Krystal is growing daily in leaps and bounds with her job and making big decisions for life's direction and amazes me with her growth...Austin my soul searching brother is checking his compass of life right now and making sure its the direction God has planned...then Dallas just this weekend traveled to visit a college he is interested in---he still shouldn't be driving in my world... big decisions, all at one time, large changes...wonder how our "Sally Field" handles is all!

treats not tricks!

Can I just say AGAIN...I love it when the holidays come around because it gives me an excuse to get "crafty"! I have been busy making halloween goodies. I decided to put my stash of vintage music paper and the bits of my mom's buttons, old lace, and other lovelies to good use. I made hubby and I a halloween cone that can be filled with treats...not tricks.

a tasty send off...

hubby is headed to his next extern...I sent him off with a full belly of his favorites and a box full of his preferred munchies! I surprised him with banana pudding for dessert last night knowing that the hotel wouldn't be supplying it homemade during his stay!

sending birthday wishes...

...hubby's momma's birthday is coming...hoping that this pretty package makes it in time. We sent her one of Briana's precious frames complete with her name on it...I didn't get a pic snapped before I wrapped it up in brown, but here is an adorable one she made for a friend just a few weeks ago...
She does such a great job and I just love the vintage touch of the old lovelies she uses to embellish the frames. I highly recommend you having her make one for you...or a special friend. She makes them in any color style and pattern you would like complete with any saying, initial, name, etc. you would prefer.
{ Simply drop her an email at briana.diller{@}att.net. }

happy birthday my little yorkie boy!

Happy birthday Stanley Marshall! I can't believe that Stanley is already 1 year old! He wasn't a baby long at all...but he is still all pup at heart! He is just as loving and licking as the day we laid eyes on his little 2lbs frame and is a true momma's boy...just like I had hoped for!

His personality keeps us busy and his brother running! Even his whines to be held keep me company when hubby's away and force us to play after a busy day!

been busy this week...

...making events happen!

straight from France...via Australia

How scrumptious are these!!! I could eat them up! These Lily of the Valley vintage millinery bouquets are from France and would love to have a home in my house in the good ol'e USA. I just love the style of these tickets...you can just smell the old" looking at them! {I know...I am becoming obsessed with old tickets!}

I came across these goodies at this cute little web-tique...So Inspired based out of Australia. As you can see they have some precious goodies...stop me before I go international!

fall is flying in...finally!!!

I noticed today the leaves are finally changing to that first bright yellow and are beginning to fall...it could have been the storm that lasted all day, but nevertheless...they are finally falling! I now feel its ok that I have started bringing my halloween decor out {and making more} with these cooler temps!

so fresh...too cool!

My super creative friend Jen has a famous home! Made famous by her creativity {and need for clutter free while preggo with her 3rd little darling}...her living room is on the homepage of dominomag.com! So excited for her!!! Stop over and take a look...there are some other very cool entries to their decorating contest!

halloween treats!

I just love the whimsy of halloween and the "no rules, no fuss" of the "holiday". Living in the midwest has given me an even more excited feeling to welcome fall with a little black, orange, and gold amid the gorgeous color palette of the leaves! I beat the leaves changing this year...but the crisp air and hubby leaving soon made it feel like it was time to welcome the season!

I made this garland for the windows that cover one side of the living room. I just love this orange pom pom fringe! {I got some in chocolate too!}I found these little webs and thought they needed a little glitz! I glittered them up! The spider needed some character too so one glue bath later and he is now glitzy orange! Of course, I had to add a little of my vintage bling with the old brooch in the middle!

grey's in white!

I am not a big tv watcher. I have a hard time sitting still for long and find myself distracted doing other things...except when it comes to Grey's Anatomy. I really enjoy this show and have watched it since day 1. I caught the re-run of the season finale while at the hotel last week. My goodness! I was so distracted by the amazing picture on the plasma flatscreen in my hotel room. I lost a little of the drama the writers were surely building when Alex let his Jane Doe go...there was lint on his collar! I also got a little distracted with the "seriousness" of the others conversations...there teeth are so crooked! Let me just tell you...our tv with no cable is quite a different show than the plasma I miss out on these details! Don't forget that the season premier is this week! { Umm...can someone please tape it for me? I have an event and can't record without cable. }

gal is back in town!

sorry that posting has been a little slow...ok slow...ok non-existent most of this last week...I have received the complaints and am working to get back in better standings with my fan...hhuummm I mean readers! I am now back in town from traveling this week. I had to head to Cincinnati for business.
A pic I took from the Northern banks of Kentucky facing Ohio. The bridge {on R} has the same builder as the Brooklyn Bridge in NY...this bridge was a model for the BBridge. Bit of history...3 months after September 11th my dear friend Lisa and I walked the Brooklyn Bridge...on "accident" of course...we missed our subway stop because I was chatting with a stranger...the walk ended up being such a great experience in chilly December!

they do!

another weddin' is now treasured on my signature plates!

{it was so much fun to work with this black damask!}

taco meat!

No secret...we love mexican food! Around our house {growing up and now into my married home the tradition continues}...we make taco meat in bulk. I should say...hubby makes taco meat in bulk! He spiced up his great day of football yesterday with making 10 lbs of taco meat! He loves it and I love enjoying it with him. Tonight we enjoyed the feast of his labor...as we will for many meals to come!

crepe paper ruffles...

I have always admired the delicate crepe paper ruffles that artists hand-make...by hand! I stocked up on some crepe paper and attempted to be "an artist"...by hand! I decided to try it tonight...Well...once I made these ruffles I was on a roll! I had to continue my artistic play! I got a few witch hats a few weeks and have been wanting to embellish them. Well I used my new crepe paper HAND-MADE ruffle and embellished away!

gonna be a good day!

I haven't had a cup of coffee since I have been sick. Well today is a new day! Doesn't this cup of french vanilla look tasty in this new chic chandelier cup...an oh sweet just.because.gift from Briana!

Chocolate chip muffins!...hubby's favorite!

introducing...

Little Miss Lulu, Madame Dottie, and Lovely Matilda

{Ol'e Ethel sold before she was ever named!}
Thanks so much ladies for giving these kookie gals names! They should be listed in the shop sometime next week!

gobbled up!

Fall is blowing into Cleveland! I love the crisp air and can't for the trees to start bursting with color. It is my favorite time in Cleveland! With the onset of Fall also comes the beginning of the holiday seasons.
Isn't this platter a beauty! Briana and I stopped in our tracks when we saw this lovely platter at TJ Maxx last weekend! A little out of the ordinary line for TJ Maxx we were afraid to know the price! Well...I don't own this beautiful Spode piece, but I ventured back this week to purchase it for my mom...sight unseen on her part {she trusts my taste that much!}. Well Mom...here is your new lovely turkey...in high class!

1st day as 5!

My batteries were dead yesterday and so I wasn't able to get a pic of the birthday boy! Here he is this morning...exhausted at the thought of being 5 and from partying hard yesterday!

pink!

I got my first order in the mail from Little Pink Studio today! I was so excited to get these precious favor cones and these glittery crowning glory tickets {aren't they precious!?}. I was JUST as impressed with her packaging...all powdered pink! ...pink label on the front, pink peanuts!, pink polka dot bag for the tickets, pick STAPLE on the pink bag, and a pink long bow of vintage seam binding around the pink cones! This gal is a true example of details, details, details...and you all know I am obsessed with details!I am so excited to create with these tickets! They are preciously adorned with 100% pure silver glitter! Too cute!

happy birthday my sweet boy!

Happy Birthday Wilson Emory Taylor Crim! ...{little guys's name is bigger than his 5 lb. frame!} My little guy is 5 years old today! I can't believe it! When we got this little <1 lb. babe I was in complete awww of how something so small could love us so much!

I would leave him with the Beaches soundtrack playing so that Bette Midler could keep him company, he used to cry because he didn't like to walk in the grass as it rubbed his nose because he was so small, he went on to adapt quite nicely to leaving family behind in Texas to living life in snowy Cleveland! He is our little trooper!

Happy birthday my little yorkie boy!

sitting pretties!

I am on a wonderful message board full of ladies sparkling with an entrepreneurial spirit and tons of creative juices! It is always such a thrill when one of those gals "hits" the jackpot in the business and is either adorned with sparkling press or is celebrated for her creativity!
Today was Claudine Hellmuth's day!!! She was on the Martha Stewart Show teaching the world how to make her Sitting Pretties. I was so excited to be able to see her segment on my sick day!

{ Be sure and check out her site...collageartist.com }

more kookies & merch!

Our place looks like a warehouse right now with all the merch that has come in. I am now sick and B is still not feeling well...therefore, the new merch is just hanging out and not yet put into inventory aka "the baby closet". {I have at least taken it out of the boxes!}
These are our newest kookies. I worked with the designer this time and handpicked the fabrics I wanted together. I think they turned out just nicely...now these girls need names. Suggestions are wanted...I am low on creative energies at this sickly moment!I just love this new ceramic tableware set! It is our newest addition to the store. I love that it tells a story with all the precious pieces...what tasty tells little ones will have with this set! Speaking of tasty tells...I better go check on my nice big pot of tomato basil soup simmering on the stove right now! YuM!

my 3 sweet boys!

Hubby is sick today...most likely a combination of Ohio-weather vs. Texas-weather, working at the VA with all the germs, sleeping with the air conditioner in his face... Now that I think about it, I have no idea why he might be sick! :) Our sweet little guys helpin take care of him!

this little piggy goes to market...for fruit & "fleas"

It is so nice to have hubby home! Have I mentioned yet how nice it is to have my hubby home!? We spent Saturday together with lots of our favorite things! We headed to the market to handpick our favorite fruits and veggies for the week. We both got our favorites...mangos were on sale so I snatched some up and B found his favorite dinosaur plums to be in season! There is no meal like fresh fruit!!!
He surprised me with a "jewel" of a flea market that he found out about from one of his patients. We found some great finds...an antique foot stool, lots more baubles and bling, a vintage fireman's Golden Book, fabulous vintage sheets of music, a silver compote {hubby found a great deal on}...and some tasty fresh squeezed lemonade!

This double strand of pearls have a story {I just LOVE it when a story comes along with my "flea" finds!} We bought them from a lady that had them in her jewelry box since the 70's. An older lady had given them to her before she died in her 90's. This older lady had them since she was just a little girl...so sweet and chic!Sweet little Golden Book...the fire truck is complete with the correct pieces and parts to make it an authentic drawing of a true American LaFrance! I found this vintage sheet music to be the perfect sentiment of our life's story... I want to do something special with it so it will always serve as a sweet reminder to us!

sweet treats wishes!

Happy Birthday Carla!

I am so excited to have a good reason to share this precious find! I came across this sweet little slice of good wishes a while back and tucked it away in my bookmarks! Isn't it just precious!!! It makes me want to clear my "un-clearable" schedule and hibernate with my paper, glitter, and jewels and just CrEaTe!

{ found at: life on this good day...she made it with her own crafty ideas! }

...@ least 1/2 a decade behind!

Soooo...I thought I was ahead of the game or at least on my game with my new purchase of this "My Book". I have been so excited with my new technology since I got it last week. It has made life on the computer so much easier with its 350GB memory for my files! I can take it anywhere and hook it up with the USB plug!Well...I was chatting with one of my friends/wholesalers and was so excited to tell her about my cool new gadget! I begin explaining it with such enthusiasm that one might think I was a paid "My Book" rep! When she finally is able to process my fast ramblings and realizes that I am explaining an external memory...much to MY surprise she busts out laughing! ... I will cut the embarrassment in half here and just let you know that unbeknown to me, she has "had one for at least 6 years, actually has several"! Well friends...I just wanted to fill you in if you too are 1/2 a decade behind and if you aren't...don't make fun for those of us that are technologically challenged.

{ My Book found at wdmybook.com and on sale at best buy! }

wrap so chic!

I am a brown paper-chic ribbon wrapping kinda girl. I don't enjoy battling with the brown paper and trying to crease it just right...but I love the simplicity of the paper against a lush ribbon! ...I must say though that this paper turn lights of creativity on in my head! Isn't it a beauty!?!I found this cute little boutique...The Paris Market and Brocante! Along with this precious biz card holder. I have been looking for one forever! This one might just meet my expectations!!!
I think I need to head to historic Savannah for some serious window shopping...and maybe a few purchases!

good-bye samantha...hello hubby!

{ Image from imdb.com }

Good-bye Sam! I shall see you again next month! Hubby is finally home and therefore, Mrs. Stephens must head back to her case!

I am obsessed with Bewitched and I am "ok" admitting it! It is my comfort when hubby is away. I play episode after episode...season after season...every evening so I have something to listen to while I work!

Welcome home honey you were missed!

lovely flea market...lovely bling!

Briana and I ventured out in the wee hours of the morning today to a flea market in southern Ohio. We had a great time! The day was perfect for "picking fleas" with the sun shining and the wind keeping things cool.

We found many lovelies! We keep changing our mind on "THE find of the day"! One minute it is my early 1900's album that will soon adorn our wedding photos... {I am so excited and was drawn to its golf leaf rimmed pages and uniqueness as I STILL don't have our wedding pictures in an album!...thanks so much Bri for spotting it!}...the next minute it is the precious little vintage wool coat Briana got for Jackson from little "Norman" that tops the list...or this beauty double-stranded crystal necklace of mine...that will soon be on loan to Briana!

As you can see we found so many new sweet treats! We were highly drawn to all the sparkling baubles throughout the day...you can tell by the stash with ended up with combined!!! Dangerous!

I became a little obsessed with the vintage rhinestone brooches and shoe clips! Could you resist this bling? I will have a broach on everything by the end of the weekend!

These books might have been the best DEAL of the day! We were practically given 5 of them by the vendor! {The Adventures of Robin Hood copyright 1911!!}

Ben, Martha, George, and Abe have all come to live with us! {hubby is not yet home so he might be surprised at our new guests!} These PRECIOUS silhouettes were the most surprising find...as they were at a little outdoor booth with lots of other not so precious goods. Isn't that always were the treasures are!I am so glad my mom instilled the love of the "flea" in us and trained us well! I love the hunt, I love the find, I love the deal, and I just LOVE it when new treasures of old become a part of our home...it makes my "working scrapbook" that we call home all the warmer!