The Bride Wore Lavender

This beautiful bride is my dear friend Jenny. A few weeks ago, she married the love of her life in an intimate and meaningful ceremony. The events of that day couldn’t have been more perfect, which did not come as a surprise in the least ~ Jen had to be the most organized bride I’ve ever seen! When she asked me to create the jewelry for her special day, I was more than happy to help her realize her vision. Jen had a definite idea of what she wanted, which made my job pretty easy. She chose lavender as her dominant color and hydrangeas as her “theme”, since they are her favorite flower. I loved how the bride and groom’s personal tastes were showcased throughout the wedding and reception. For her earrings, Jen found a designer in the UK who uses pressed hydrangea petals in her creations ~ how perfect! I can’t take credit for the earrings, although I did use one of the extra earrings Jen had purchased to make a necklace that would compliment her earrings.

The biggest challenge for me was creating the headpiece that Jen wore in place of a traditional veil. Prior to, I had never made anything like this, but I think her crown of silk flowers and Swarovski crystals with coordinating headpins looked rather lovely. It was a fun experience!

Check out Jen's snazzy silver flip flops and purple toenails ~ how fun are they?! Things sure have come a long way since I got married in 1999. Today, brides are foregoing tradition by incorporating color into their dresses. The same goes for their jewelry. I love this expression of personal taste, therefore I am really going to focus on creating some fabulous jewelry for the non-traditional or “offbeat” bride. Stay tuned to my shop as well as this blog to see what I come up with!

Know Your Stones ~ Lapis Lazuli

I often joke that I've never met a bead, or a gemstone, that I didn't love. It's the truth, but there are definitely some that I love more than others. I thought it would be fun to feature my favorites. Many people are captivated by the lore behind gemstones. Some truly believe that they hold special or mythical properties.

The gorgeous stone you see in these earrings is called Lapis Lazuli. It is known for its deep blue color, and is often characterized by flecks of gold, which are Pyrite. The name comes from the Latin word for "stone" and the Arabic word for "blue". In ancient times, lapis was considered as valuable as gold. Today most Lapis Lazuli comes from Afghanistan. It is a rock, not a mineral, and it has a hardness of between 5 and 6 on the Mohs scale.

Lapis Lazuli is the birthstone of December. It is regarded by many as the stone of friendship and truth. It is said to encourage harmony in relationships and help its wearer to be authentic and give his or her opinion openly. (I can think of a few who would benefit from this!) I think I love it because it reminds me of a starry night sky. That's the hopeless romantic in me talking :)

The beautiful earrings you see pictured above were created by the ever talented Alison Kelley. I've coveted them ever since I saw them. You can see also see them here.

Shop Update ~ Love your Wrists!

I'm planning to beef up the Bracelet section of my Etsy shop ~ keep an eye out over the next few weeks for some new designs. The picture at left shows one new piece that will make its debut very soon. Here's a sneak preview at the work in progress ;)

If you ask me, bracelets don't get a fair shake. Everyone seems to favor earrings or necklaces, but to me there is nothing that makes the wrist look sexier or more feminine. Summer is the perfect time of year to show off those bracelets, now that we're all baring our arms. Whether you have wrists that are XS or XXL, I can customize just about any one of my creations to fit you perfectly. That is the beauty of handmade :)

So, get ready to love your wrists, and visit my shop soon!!

Here's the Dish: Black Bean and Avocado Salsa

I was never a huge fan of avocados until I tried this salad ~ ever since then, I've been an avocado lovin' fool. It surprises me how many people that I talk to either really love them, or hate them with a passion. Many of the haters have the notion that they're full of fat ~ it's true that they are but it's the "good" fat, not the kind that clogs your arteries. That is why I'm happy to use them whenever possible. Recently I whipped up this delicious batch of fresh salsa that contains some of my favorite ingredients. It was quick to make, and quick to eat ~ we gobbled it up in no time flat! Good news ~ one 1/4 cup serving contains only 43 calories, plus protein and fiber. Too bad I ruined the healthy part by consuming a margarita along with it :)

Black Bean and Avocado Salsa

Ingredients:

2 cups chopped seeded tomato

1 cup diced peeled avocado

1/2 cup chopped red onion

2 T. chopped fresh cilantro

2 T. fresh lime juice

1 T. finely chopped seeded jalapeno pepper (removing the seeds and white stuff inside the pepper will tone down the heat)

1/8 t. salt

1 - 15 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained

Directions:

Combine all 8 ingredients in a medium bowl, toss gently. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Yield: 3 1/2 cups

Garden Update ~ Everything's in Bloom!

When we returned from our trip, I was pleasantly surprised to see all the new flowers that opened up while we were away. Not only were they fully in bloom, but looking extremely healthy and HUGE, due to the rain we got during that time ~ thanks, Mother Nature ;) The fluffy white stuff you see all over them is from the Cottonwood trees ~ they've been spreading their seeds around the neighborhood for weeks now. Not only does this stuff clog your gutters and the storm drains, but it irritates my nose and throat to no end. It's one aspect of Summer that I do not look forward to each year, but it's a small price to pay for fun in the sun and the rewards that come with it.

Multi-colored petunias that sit by my side door ~ love 'em!! A pot filled with Calibrachoa, Lobelia and other annuals.

This is my "mini" foxglove ~ it's actually quite big and spilling over with flowers

A sea of yellow coreopsis standing at full attention

Beautiful clematis ~ this year loaded with blooms

Avens ~ so sweet and a pretty shade of red

I'm Back

After three weeks of being out of commission, my Etsy shop is finally back open for business. I must say, as much as I love going away, it does feel good to be back to the ‘ol routine ~ or most of it, anyway. For part of those three weeks, I was down in sunny Florida visiting my brother, who lives in Orlando. You’re probably wondering if my trip included a stop at Disneyworld. Not this time. Trust me, after being on a plane filled with families headed for the magical place, I'm almost convinced it's a mortal sin to go there and not spend at least one day with Mickey Mouse. Oh well, guess that means I'm hellbound for sure. Back in 2003, we visited all of the Disney parks, and it was a super great time. But somehow the thought of hanging at WDW on a stifling hot, 99 degree and humid day did not sound like a ball of fun to any of us. So, here’s some of what we did instead:

Got up close and personal with tons of alligators at "Gatorland". Who needs a mouse when you can hang with these guys?! It was waaaay cool!! Ate some of the most amazing food, including Cuban cuisine at the historic Columbia restaurant in Tampa's Ybor City neighborhood. This place has been in business for over 100 years, when it began serving cafe con leche to the Cuban immigrants who worked in nearby cigar factories. Today it is still operated by the same family and is absolutely outstanding.

With all of that heat, frequent stops for refreshments was a necessity :)

Watched the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Washington Nationals at Tropicana Field. That's one of their stars, Evan Longoria. What a hottie!

Sunned ourselves in the crystal clear water and white sand of Clearwater Beach. Aaaaahhhh . . .

Climbed 200+ winding steps to the top of the St. Augustine lighthouse. The view of America's Oldest City from that vantage point was breathtaking, and well worth the climb!

While in St. Augustine, we visited Castillo de San Marcos, a Spanish fort that was built over 300 years ago. Now that's some history for you!

Whether you're planning a vacation, a playcation, or a staycation, I wish you safe and happy travels!

Happy Father's Day!!

We can’t forget the dads of the world ~ Happy Father’s Day to you all! I am so lucky to have a wonderful dad who has always been extremely generous with his love, support and encouragement. Dads are so underrated, aren’t they?? The role of a father is so important to both daughters and sons. In my case, the relationship with my father set the groundwork for how I expected to be treated by all men, and I think it helped me pick a pretty good guy to marry.

My two favorite guys in the world!

I think John Mayer said it best:

“On behalf of every man, Looking out for every girl You are the god and the weight of her world

So fathers be good to your daughters, Daughters will love like you do. Girls become lovers who turn into mothers, So mothers be good to your daughters, too."

Have a Happy Day!

Here's the Dish: Orzo Salad

A favorite local restaurant of ours serves this yummy Orzo salad. It is sooo good that I have to order it each time I go there. Not too long ago, I was really craving this dish, so I decided to make it at home. I found a basic recipe that seemed pretty close and then tweaked it to my liking. The results were superb. You will love this for summer ~ it's so light and refreshing. Check out the recipe below:

Orzo Salad

Ingredients:

1 cup Orzo

1 cup feta cheese

1/3 cup olive oil

3 cloves freshly minced garlic (use more or less, to your liking)

3 tablespoons parsley (chopped)

3 tablespoons fresh dill (chopped)

1/4 cup lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 tomato (diced)

Directions:

1. Cook Orzo according to package directions.

2. Drain and rinse with cold water.

3. Add feta cheese, garlic, parsley,dill and tomato*.

4. In a container shake together the oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.

5. Pour this over the salad and toss.

6. Chill in refrigerator.

*I added cucumber as well, it's optional. You can also use green onions, I just forgot to add them.

Serves 6

I love plates!

I have a fascination with vintage plates. My own personal collection is always expanding and can sometimes be seen in pictures that I take of food that I’ve cooked. There’s no preference given to any particular era, or pattern, or style ~ it’s a “I’ll know it when I see it” kind of thing. I love to peruse estate sales, flea markets and the like for that next piece to add to my collection. The thrill of the hunt is the best part of all. Plus, I love a bargain ~ I don’t believe I’ve paid more than $1 for a single plate (and probably far less). I was recently browsing the vintage section of Etsy, where I found some great prospects to add to my collection. Aren’t these cool?!?

"Crepes you can't ignore" - Stetson "Wildflower" platter, from objet petit a

Homer Laughlin "Virginia Rose" bread & butter plate from Cbartist

Retro flowered milk glass snack plates with cups from Little Owl Vintage I actually have this set!

Stetson "Marcrest Swiss Chalet Alpine" plate from defdif

I own a small plate in this pattern

So, what do you collect?

Wardrobe Dilemma ~ What to Wear???

I have a fun outing coming up this Friday evening , which naturally calls for the purchase of a brand new outfit. Multiple trips to various retailers have turned up nada. With only two days to go, I am beginning to panic. It’s not that there’s nothing cute to be found, it’s just that nothing looks cute on me or fits like it should. SIGH . . . what’s a girl to do???? A quick virtual shopping trip turned out the following get up’s. Each is completely different from the next in terms of style but I like something about each one. Here is what I would wear if : 1. Price was not an issue ~ I’m not looking to drop a lot of coin here. 2. I was a size 2 ~ LOL!!! I usually don’t do dresses, but I like this one from Jones New York. It’s conservative without being frumpy ~ perfect! I think it might be a little too formal for the occasion though. Crisp white jeans and a silky top ~ kinda dressy/casual. Did I mention that white clothing and I don’t get along well??? Let’s move on, shall we? I love this flouncy skirt from Anthropologie ~ it’s perfect for a night of dancing. I’ll put this on the back burner for now . . .

This colorful top from Banana Republic is a winner ~ it is bright, flowy and comfy looking. It would look great with a skirt, or jeans, or crop pants. I can see one of my very own creations in place of that fabulous multi-layered necklace.

Shop Temporarily Closed . . . but there's good news!

Happy Monday morning to all . . . I'm just getting back into the "real" world after being out of town for a few days, and I'm a little foggy. Just flipped the calendar page to see that today is the 1st of June ~ can you believe it?? This is just a quick reminder that my Etsy shop will be on a brief hiatus for the next few weeks. No worries, I'll be back in full swing later in June. I've got many new designs planned that I can hardly wait to show you! If you can't wait until then to get your jewelry fix, then pop on over to jaC jewelry ~ shop owner Janna is having a fabulous sale from now until June 7! Here's the scoop:

Get 10% off when you buy 1 item; 15% off on 2 items; 20% off on 3 items; 25% off on 4 items or more!

Never before have such tremendous deals been offered, so jump on them while you can!

Ms. Janna is one organized lady ~ she even offers a monthly newsletter where you can be the first to hear of sales, specials and other insider tidbits. You can sign up for that here.

I hope everyone has a terrific next few weeks! I'll be popping in now and then as time permits, but after the 10th I'll be officially out of pocket (hopefully sitting on the beach with pretty drink in hand). Talk to you soon!