Questions and Answers on Goals, Change, Aging and Style.......

We have a really gray, rainy Monday going on,

which suits me just fine.

I've worked hard organizing a few rooms lately and just feel tired.

And lazy.

So on this dreary Monday, 

a blog post might be the most ambitious thing I do:)

My blog challenge topic today is to answer a few questions, so here goes.......

Question #1.  What is your #1 goal this year?

Goal for 2015

I didn't mention this earlier because I only just thought about it.
 And by "adventures", they don't have to be BIG to be an adventure.

Question #2.  What is your philosophy on aging?

Well, I believe it is part of life.  We can fight it or figure out how to make the best of it.

Some days I believe this more than others, but basically, that's it.

I spend a lot of time thinking of ways to enjoy life in the coming years

and be useful and happy.  Worth thinking about, right?

Re: looks......I have my crappy days for sure,

but overall, I would like to think I don't go crazy fighting the process.

Laugh lines.....got em!

Wrinkles from the sun?

Yes.  Wish I didn't have so many and that I wouldn't continue getting them,

but for much of my life I worked HARD for that tan. 

Like I said to my girls when they were younger,  (Sometimes I still say it:)

"You get what you get and you don't throw a fit".

I asked for that tan and therefore these wrinkles.

At least I enjoyed getting them.

I love Jamie Lee Curtis' thoughts on aging.

I like her look too.......especially her hair!

Question #3.  Can people change?

I believe they can.  I believe I have.  In many ways.

I believe there are aspects of us that must change the longer

 we live and the more we learn.

I believe we need change in the world and we need to be open to change sometimes,

because it will happen.

But I also believe some people can't.  Or rather, won't.

Whether they are conceited enough to think they don't need to, or just

plain stubborn enough to refuse to, some people will never change.

We all know people like this.

Which is why I BEG my girls not to marry someone, thinking they will

change them.  Better know it's just not gonna happen.

It may for awhile, and you may get that special person who does,

but it's too much of a gamble when talking about marriage.

CAPICHE?

Good way to look at it.......

Sometimes this is the truth.

 Question #4.  What is your favorite accessory?

This one's easy!  My daughter is a "Stylist" at Michael Kors Lifestyle Store.
(that's what they call sales associates:)

Anyway, I've always liked his bags but I have since come to LOVE his watches.

Before this, my favorite accessories would have been bracelets, 

but now I have to say watches.
They're a good look for me and quite reasonable.
What I REALLY love is that he likes mixing metals.......I do too.
And he believes in layering bracelets with the watch.........I do too.

So we are a perfect fit:)

Have a great day!!!!

XOXO

Suzanne

Cute Stuff from Storenvy. . . .

do you like to shop online?

i have to confess. . . . .i do from time to time.

Amazon is a favorite stop of mine,

and i love finding unique handmade things on etsy.

and now, there is storenvy.

i don't know quite what the site is all about but

i think it's like etsy, where you open your own little shop,

but the items don't have to be handmade.

anyway, i thought i'd show you a few cool things i saw while 

browsing the shops.

oh gosh, where do i start?

 how about those keyboard protectors. . .

from 1point99.com

some seriously cute stuf, don't ya think?

storenvy shop info. . . .

Rainbow Color Keybaord Pr...  1Point99.com $3.99 

       Heart Bracelet    My Lavender Milk $1.00

Grey Loose Casual T-shirt... Whitelily Fashion $18.00

Vintage Style Buckle Flap... Reiji $19.00

Lovely Pearls & Lace iPho... 1Point99.com $5.09

Denim stone washed and to... Socishop $15.99

 Retro Lolita Skater Skirt... Chicnova $28.80

 Handwarmers - Custom  A Stitch in Time $15.00

 Lace Boho Tank Lucky Seven Shop $14.99

Boho Fringe Messenger Pur... Lucky Seven Shop $17.99

Be Awesome Today 8x10 Print  LuciusArt $18.00

Heart Necklace in Gold, S...  P.S. I Love You More... $13.50

Cute Dog,puppy Necklace  Flowerdays $12.00

Delicate Miniature Heart ...  GlamPuss $10.70

 magic mirror necklace.  FemmeZecret $18.00

Lacey Top in White  DoubleLW $19.00

 Cute Simple Whale Animal ...  Dotoly $10.00

 love ring  Rooted $41.00

happy shopping!

xoxo

Suzanne

Beach Gypsies.......Our Little Corner of the Store

Well hello there.......

It's another day, another chance to get it right.......

We can only hope:)

Awhile back, I mentioned that we (my girls and I) have been busy

creating goodies to sell at Vintage Charm of Naples.

Well, we finally got enough together to have our very own corner of the store.

our style is shabby, beach cottage, girly and FUN.

it looks a bit cluttered in the pics but in person,

it's very pretty and whimsical.

i think:)

here are some photos.......

we turned it into a beachy winter wonderland!

 everything from sweet seahorses, to wreaths, to painted mason jars.

 ornaments, jewelry and even a mirror!

 can't forget the tutus...and notice the pink snowflakes?

a dollar store find, spray painted pink and glittered:)

 ruffled rompers and white Christmas trees!

we really got lucky with the paint color inside the store...

shabby-beachy aqua!

PERFECT for the BEACH GYPSIES!

if you're ever down south in Naples. stop by Vintage Charm.

you can't miss the beach gypsies little corner of the world:)

xoxo

Suzanne

Tuesday Tidbits......Projects, Blog Links and Cuteness

hello, my friends....

sometimes i have so much to write about, i can't decide 

exactly what to write:)

so today i just have a few random things.......

but before i go any further,

we should all feel beautiful, every day,

because in God's eyes, we are!

now, i have to show you what i did.

Share on facebookShare on twitterShare on pinterestShare on instagram

 i can't get it to line up for this blog post
but see my blog link buttons all in one place.
on my blog, it is at the top of the right sidebar.
get it for yourself at add this.com:
www.addthis.com

okay, there is something i've been wanting to make for a long time.

and i promise you i'm going to give it a try this week!

maybe by saying this, i WILL!:)

it's a hanging doily lamp.

(is doily spelled with a y or ie?)

anyway, like these.......

 using doilies and a balloon........

 keep your fingers crossed:)

i'll let you know how it turns out.

here is one of the cuff bracelets

 i recently made for Vintage Charm of Naples.

if you've read my blog for awhile,
you know i love decorating for Christmas,
and that i have a big WHITE Christmas tree.
usually i decorate in whites, champagne, and silver.....
and i still will.
but this year i'll add sea glass shades...
kinda like this.....

what else, what else.......
i think i'll leave you with a bit of cuteness today.
cause if you don't think this is cute, i don't know what to tell you:)

awwwwwww.......
xoxoxoxo
Suzanne

How NOT to make crappy cupcakes and other super COOL tips:)

hahaha..."crappy cupcakes" .

somehow i think those two words should NEVER be together:)

however, according to one pinner on Pinterest,

she no longer makes "crappy" flat cupcakes thanks to a great tip.

so today, i'm sharing her tip plus some other COOL tips
 you may or may not have heard of yet,

from Pinterest, of course:)
***i have not tried every single tip.......they just sound good.
but every one got RAVE reviews from those who have tried them,
 so you decide:)

photo source

and here is something from food network to help make
the cupcakes pretty.......custom frosting colors!

(hmmm...sure is worth a try if you ask me.  no more CRAPPY cupcakes:)

now here's a tip for a great smelling home.

it seems i've also heard of this in the microwave but maybe not.........
Put two caps of vanilla extract in an oven safe mug or pan,
place it in a 300 degree oven for one hour and before you know it, the whole house
will smell AMAZING!
This is actually a common realtor trick:)

okay, you know how you want to give a plate of cookies to a neighbor
or you need to take a plate to a potluck/picnic...........
but don't want to lose the plate?
check this out.......

....take a white paper plate (sturdy, not flimsy)
and with a paper punch, put a few holes around the rim
and thread a piece of ribbon through it.
very CUTE!

now for a cute gift idea.......

when giving a cookbook as a gift,
wrap it in a new, pretty dish towel and add a few cooking tools
as embellishment:)

GOSH...aren't these great tips?
wish i had thought of them (ha:)
but there's more.......

kids at home?
here are a few cool tips.........
how about painting their homework table with chalkboard paint,
for notes or working problems instead of kraft paper!

another cool thing to do with an old globe.........
write this quote on it~~~~~~

hmmmmmmm......this one is really clever.

when you get those photo Christmas cards,

which everyone sends these days,

take a pic of the card to use as caller ID

for that person on your cell phone.

LOVE, love love this idea:)

and here's what someone says is a surefire recipe for the

cleanest, prettiest, sparkliest jewelry ever........

 1 tablespoon salt

1 tablespoon baking soda

1 tablespoon dish detergent

1 cup water

1 piece aluminum foil

Directions:

Heat water in the microwave for 1 or 2 minutes.

Cut a piece of aluminum foil that roughly covers the bottom of a small bowl (like a cereal bowl).

Pour hot water into bowl. Place salt, soda, and dishwashing liquid into bowl. Place jewelry on top of foil and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse jewelry in cool water and dry jewelry completely with soft cloth. Discard solution after use and make a new batch next time.

According to wire-sculpture.com, "this works well for gold-filled, brass, german (nickel) silver, and sterling silver. I have even cleaned jewelry with freshwater pearls, shell cameos and mother of pearl with no problem.".

last but DEFINITELY not least,
did you know all the things you can use DAWN dishwashing detergent for?

i mean, people swear by these things!
i found most of these tips at JILLEE's place.
i'll list some ideas but visit her to get more!
1. homemade bubbles:
Here is the Giant Bubble Recipe used in bubble makers at many children’s museums: 1/2 cup Ultra Dawn 1/2 gallon warm water 1 tablespoon White Karo syrup
2.  degreaser:
use to remove greasy hair and product buildup

3.  Clean Greasy Tools

4.  PETS AND PESTS

Use it to bathe the dogs.

It kills fleas on contact and is much cheaper than expensive dog shampoos.  

5.  CLEAN YOUR WINDOWS 

Try this recipe from Merry Maids: mix 3 drops Dawn in 1 gallon water and fill a spray bottle with the solution. Spritz and wipe as you would with any window cleaner.  

6.  TUB AND SHOWER CLEANER

Take a spray bottle and fill it halfway with white vinegar. Heat in the microwave. Fill the rest of the way with blue Dawn. Put lid on and shake to mix well. Spray on your tub and shower walls. Allow to sit for a few minutes and rinse away. It will totally melt all the gunk, slime, sludge and other stuff that builds up including a bathtub ring.  

7.  SIDEWALK DE-ICER

For icy steps and sidewalks in freezing temperatures, mix 1 teaspoon of Dawn dishwashing liquid, 1 tablespoon of rubbing alcohol, and 1/2 gallon hot/warm water and pour over walkways. They won’t refreeze. No more salt eating at the concrete in your sidewalks  

8.  ICE PACK

Partially fill a strong zip-type sandwich bag with Dawn dishwashing liquid, close and freeze. The liquid soap stays cold much longer and it can be re-frozen many times. It will conform to the place you need an ice pack.  

9.  REPEL ANTS

Spray counter-tops, cupboards and any other area where you see ants with a solution of Dawn and water. Wipe dry. The slight residue of Dawn that remains will not be a problem at all for kids or pets, but ants hate it. Should you see a trail of ants, go ahead and hit them with the Dawn spray.  

10.  Fight Stains

"I love blue Dawn dish detergent. I’ve been using it as a stain pretreater/laundry booster, hair shampoo, face/body wash for a long time now (and for my dishes). "

11.  pretty hands/manicures

Soak fingers in full-strength blue Dawn. It makes the cuticles soft and easy to work with. And it removes the natural oil from the fingernails, which allows the polish to adhere very well.
*******Update:  My mom just told me my dad knew about
this years ago and used Dawn to get rid of Box Elder bugs and wasps/hornets.
one spray and they dropped like flies:)

WHEW!

did ya get all that?:)

hope so!

if you would like to follow me on pinterest to see more cool stuff, click on the red link:)

and i hope you have a wonderful weekend my friends!

XOXO

Suzanne

P.S.  and no CRAPPY cupcakes!
 heehee

Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday.......

pinterest.......

oh my gosh, talk about idea overload!

and i LOVE it:)

so i thought i'd share a few pins with you......

hopefully there is something to INSPIRE you,

make you SMILE or make you run out to Michaels:)

first up, something sweet, of course.

J

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L

L

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C

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O

K

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S

 from iheartnaptime.net

i've always said i don't need to spend money on

expensive artwork.

my girls are my "works of art".

so you just KNOW i love this wall of photos!

(and the desk isn't bad either:)

 From melangephotographyblog.com

summertime = picnics =

POTATO CHIPS!

and what a cute way to serve them.

simple brown paper sacks cut down with fancy scissors!

 from stylemepretty.com

i have this pinned on a board for my girls.

because sometimes we need to remember the best feelings in the world

 are also the simplest ones.

from thrilld.com

i'm just wondering.......

could i convince my husband to paint the bed PINK?

i mean, it's not a cotton candy pink.

more like an antiqued ballet slipper pink.

hmmmmm.........this might be a tough one to pull off:)

from  thecottagemarket.co...

sigh.......don't these bracelets take you away to the beach?

and speaking of the beach,

i sooooo want to make a driftwood christmas tree!

 from

beachcomber26.blogs...

but after making cake batter milkshakes........

who can go to the beach?????:)

but they sure look YUMMY!

 from

abeautifulmess.type...

i've seen this look before:)

and we have those popping pillows once in awhile too!

my pinboards can be found here:

and you can find a whole list of people showing some favorite pins here:

CIAO!!!

suzanne