Home for the holidays...and a party

I am now home from a wonderful Thanksgiving in the mountains! Glad to be home, but it's a short stay because I'm headed to my real home of Louisiana tomorrow!

My sweet friend, Beth, offered to have a Christmas party featuring my vintage findings at her store, Sugar Boutique. If you are in the Thibodaux area, stop by on Thursday from 5-7 pm. I'd love to see all of you! We'll have some treats, wine, jewelry, and of course, precious clothing at Beth's store.

Hope to see you there!

Thankful {My cup runneth over}

Photographed by Andrew Lee

During this Thanksgiving week, I am thankful for God's promises and His beautiful blessings! What a great God that I serve. He has poured out His blessings so much that my cup can not contain it! Just like His Word says! When God makes a promise, you can be sure that He keeps it.

My business is going so well, and I have even given the most amazing opportunity to join as a sales rep and a writer in the Anderson newspaper! This is a dream for me. God has allowed this new job to be conducive with my business that I'm working so hard to see flourish.

All my life, I've been average, status quo, and I've gotten by. So many times, I've tried with all my might to accomplish things that I just couldn't achieve. Over the years, little by little, I gave it to God. I said, "Lord, do something great in me that everyone would know it's You working in me. Make You big and make me small." So simple. So child-like. But that was my prayer.

I just love how the Lord uses the weak to lead the strong. I love our God of irony! He has used the most unlikely vessel {me} to make His name big.

As always, to GOD be the glory.

"My cup runneth over, surely goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Psalm 23:6

Thankful {Sassy and Southern}

Day 2 of "What I'm Thankful For" will take quite a different turn. I'm thankful to be sassy and southern. My sassy trait did not come from my Doll, rather I believe it came from someone that irritated my Doll quite often. For those of you in my family, you know who I'm referring to: Ol' Viv, Nan Tee. I loved her just as much though. Her name was Vivien, and trust me, I've thought about if I have a girl and name her Vivien, she will be Vivien Lee. There will be no doubt she would have the sass of the great Vivien Leigh of Gone With the Wind. That would be scary.

A few days ago, I drove up to the mountains to be with my mom and her cousin, Peggy. When I was little, Peggy came for a visit once. Everyone was so excited and saying, "Peggy's coming. Ms.Peggy's coming for a visit!" When she arrived, I started crying because I thought Miss Piggy was going to show up! I loved Miss Piggy! She was so sassy and glamorous.

"When you love someone you want to be near him all the time, except when you are out buying things and charging them to him."

Miss Piggy

So far, my influences have been Doll-good, Nan-Tee-not so good, and Miss Piggy-not good.

But I am who I am, and if you don't like it, 'frankly I don't give a damn.'

Happy Monday. Be thankful for who you are, even if you're a sass pot like me.

Thankful {Doll Edition}

Since it's Thanksgiving week, I thought I would take this time to write about the things for which I am thankful. For day 1, I would like to honor my grandmother that I called, "Doll." Her birthday would have been November 11. I couldn't let November go by without honoring her. I can't wait to see her classy self when we meet again one of these days.

I wrote her eulogy when she passed away in May.

I'm glad I came across it again because it of course reminds me of her, and it causes me to be thankful for the years we had her. Here is just a glimpse of who she was:

"We gather together to honor a woman who touched us deeply in so many different but wonderful ways. All of them consistent: all of the good. You may know her as Joan, Momma, or as I call her, Doll. Many of you have more memories of her or clearer memories than I do, but we all knew who she was as a person.

I can remember going to her furniture store. I just loved going there. The things I remember the most about that store is the old cash register, the old fashioned tub, the smell, and sweet,put-together Doll. Nothing would bother her about all the kids running around, as I'm sure we were a handful. She was so graceful about everything: from frying bread dough to making pralines to keeping her skin looking younger than young.

It's a very rare thing when people have consistent things to say to describe a person, and even more rare when it's all good things! Galatians 6:22 says the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Doll had all of those; all of the time. I have days when I haven't possessed a single one.

I now challenge myself and I now challenge you to be classy like she was. To be kind like she was. To be patient like she was. To be loving like she was. And ultimately, like in 1981, accept Christ as she did was unyielding faith.(Ephesians 2:8-9). It's hard for me, as I'm sure it is for you to make sense of this last decade in Doll's life. We must know that God's ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8). Be comforted to know that our Doll is dancing in Heaven with our Maker not because of her wonderful nature, but because of her decision to walk by faith and to walk with Christ."

Doll suffered with Alzheimer's for about 15 or so years. The only thing I would have added to what I wrote back in May would have been lyrics to a particular song written by Ginny Owens. Doll never heard this song or these words, but I know that her heart sang these words in her own, sweet way.

"If You Want Me To"

The pathway is broken

And The signs are unclear

And I don't know the reason why You brought me here

But just because You love me the way that You do

I'm gonna walk through the valley

If You want me to

Chorus:

Cause I'm not who I was

When I took my first step

And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet

so if all of these trials bring me closer to you

Then I will walk through the fire

If You want me to

It may not be the way I would have chosen

When you lead me through a world that's not my home

But You never said it would be easy

You only said I'd never go alone

So When the whole world turns against me

And I'm all by myself

And I can't hear You answer my cries for help

I'll remember the suffering Your love put You through

And I will go through the valley If You want me to

Show #2 :: Complete

I just glued my fingers together. Seriously. It hurts. Bad.

On that note, I decided to stop torturing my myself with repairs and type on my blog using my sandpapered finger tips.

Last night I had the Anderson Holiday Market, and it went quite well! I enjoyed the fact that my "booth" was different from all the rest. Customers seemed to like my niche. (I say "booth" because I was given a 5 x 2 table as my "booth." That's it. Please note when viewing the photos.)

I made tons of contacts and realized that Anderson isn't quite as bad as I perceived. I never see any of those "cute" people at Wal-Mart, Target, Dillard's, or the dry cleaners! I wondered if they existed, and come to find out, they do! Lucky for me, those "cute" people invited me to host a Cherche' show in December at their home!

Here are some of the photo's from last night's show:

Cherche' was on the projector! (Really not a big deal; everyone was!)

Me and Mom in our "Cherche" aprons she made.

The final display.

So I'm having a great day so far; I booked two shows in one day! I'll post the flier for the other exciting show as soon as we get the design finalized.

Now I have to go "cherche" for more jewelry! Off to the mountains tomorrow!

Contradicting Christmas Stance

I wanted to take a minute and finish telling you about my birthday...

JUST KIDDING! I'm officially over my birthday and ready for the holidays ahead- Thanksgiving and Christmas. I'm not one of those strange people that starts listening to Christmas music in August. I think we all need to take everything in stride and celebrate the holidays as they come. I will start celebrating Christmas at the appropriate time: the day after Thanksgiving.

This weekend, though, I am preparing for my {pre-mature} Christmas event. Next Tuesday is the Anderson Holiday show, and I am participating as a vendor! The best part is that my mom is coming up to help (and bringing frozen Cajun food for Andrew and me. Dat's nice.)

So if you see something on my website that you had your eye on, please let me know before Tuesday so I can set it aside for you. (No obligation to buy.) Because when something is gone, it's G.O.N.E. That's the great thing about antiques: ONE OF A KIND!

Okay since I had a qualified reason to talk about Christmas, I'll leave you with my {hasty} holiday spirit. Here are some photos that are sure to inspire my 2009 holiday theme: Country Christmas!

http://blissfullydomestic.com/

http://www.potterybarn.com/

And Christmas wouldn't be complete without my Cajun crooner, Aaron Neville...

You must hear Andrew's impression of Aaron Neville. That is sure to get you in the spirit!

Sugar and Spice

"Little girls are precious gifts like birds and brooks and streams...Their hair is tied up with ribbons and bows....Their hearts are tied up with dreams..." Pasty Gaut

Gorgeous baby girl's room.

I must preface this post with a definitive "No. I am not expecting a baby."

Having said that, I have a lot of friends who are expecting! I can imagine what an exciting time that must be. In my family, we are bombarded with little boys lately! I'm not sure what's in the water, but we love having them and their dirty-selves around.

If you have a baby boy or not, you may need a little girl gift sooner or later. Baby jewelry would be the perfect keepsake. Can you believe I still have mine and actually still wear it?!

1. My gold baby bangle no longer fits, but I'll hopefully give it to my little girl one day.

2. The back of the charm on this necklace has a "W" with teeth marks from when I was teething. So sweet.

3. My baby ring- I still wear it on a necklace!

I also still have my sterling baby cup and rattle! Why do I tell you about this? Because they meant so much to me, and I still have them! I kept the things that meant something; these meant something.

I am currently searching for baby jewelry for people, so if you'd like for me to pick something out for your baby girl, I'd be delighted.

Contentment

Photographed by Andrew Lee

"All of You is more than enough for all of me,

For every thirst and every need.

You satisfy me with Your love

And all I have in You is more than enough."

"Enough" Lyrics by Chris Tomlin

Happy Friday!

Dare to be different: Gold Edition.

"In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different."

Coco Chanel

Oh, the words of the great fashion designer. I couldn't agree more with these words of wisdom. I think most women would; after all, it's on countless facebook quotes. But I dare to point out that most young women I know act in a completely different way than Ms. Coco Chanel indicates. We need to have the David Yurman bracelet, Tiffany & Co. necklace, or John Hardy ring. We must be like everyone else.

Well I dare to be different. Don't let me mislead you; I do like some of these great current designs. I may even wear them occasionally (stacked and mixed with antiques of course!) I find more intrigue, though, in old findings. It's different. It's what we say we want to be.

Disclaimer: It's always okay to copy your momma.

There are a few vintage designers that I would like to tell you about. Of course there's the great Coco Chanel. She needs no introduction. But Chanel has peers that you may not be familiar with. I would like to introduce you to them.

Next time you're out antiquing, look on the backs of jewelry. You may recognize these designers after learning about them as I have. It's embarrassing how excited I get when shopping; it's like finding a little treasure when I recognize the designer. Shopping this way is certainly more fun than walking into Tiffany's and buying something with mindless pursuit. Okay maybe not. But you get my point.

Coco Chanel: the most chic in haute couture. Authentic 1980s gold earrings. These were clip ons, but made into posts. I saw a documentary on Chanel not too long ago. I encourage you to read about her life and success. It's very inspiring.

A little treasure chest of vintage findings.

Sarah Coventry: one of my favorites. In my mountain birthday post, you may remember the gorgeous bangle by this great designer.

Florentine jewelry box: Make sure it reads "Made in Italy" when antiquing as this one does.

Art designs: I look forward to finding more of these Art pieces! Pretty and dainty.

Florenza: Made in the 1930s and ceased operation in the 1980s. Most pieces have a Victorian look. This is a gorgeous brooch can also be worn as a show-stopping necklace because of the well-made pendant.

Miriam Haskell: Maybe my favorite designer. She made pieces in the 1920s-1950s. Even Joan Crawford and Lucille Ball wore her designs for professional and personal use!

"A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous." Coco Chanel