MORE DECORATED WOMEN

If you catch me staring at your chest, it's probably your jewelry. 

scenes from The Art Girls Road Show
featuring the Earth Angels artists at Jeanine Taylor Folk Art, Sanford, FL

Marie Pendley of Derby Blooms wears her own corsage and a necklace by her sis Melody.

Mme. Earth Angel Jen O'Connor pairs Melody Elizabeth's Pretty Purse with a masterpiece Swatch.

(top) Debbee Thibault slings her own jewelry. The more the Debbee-er.

(above)) Letty Worley rocks a fab cuff by Melody Elizabeth's.

Melody Elizabeth in Melody Elizabeth.

Valerie Weberpal flaunts one of her own wearable dolls and on another day 

sports the big "V" by Melody Elizabeth.

Miss Vermont
(or Laurie Shuran Meseroll in Melody Elizabeth with a side of Derby Blooms.)

Ar-risting arm decor: book bracelet by Melody Elizabeth.

ALL ITEMS ARE MADE FROM UNIQUE VINTAGE MATERIALS OR HAND-PAINTED, SO NO TWO ARE EVER ALIKE EXACTLY WHICH IS OF COURSE PART OF THE ART, CHARM AND DESIRE AVAILABLE  @ EARTH ANGELS TOYS

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I BET YOU'LL WANT ONE TOO: THE PORTABLE PEDI-STICK

{Inspired by a recent blog I wrote for Benjamin Moore about portable paint decks, I created a pedi-stick. Read all about it. You just might WANT one too}

my present polish repertoire

voila! my pedi-stick looks cool.

I have big feet. They’re not particularly good looking. But I still like to paint my toes.

It’s 1 a.m., and I decide to polish my toenails. I start with Stormy.

It looks a tad dull.

Dots? Stripes? I reach for Minted.

I need a finer brush but I am too lazy to go to my craft cupboard for a super thin paintbrush. I find a thin wooden manicure stick instead and use the pointy end to apply pattern.  

I notice how pretty the first inch of the stick looks dipped in Minted, so I decide to paint the remaining length with some of my favorite color stock.

I love my daughter's hands.

I wish the pale Lily on the end was brighter like the color my daughter Dylan is wearing now.

Photo courtesy: A Perfect Gray

Many interior designers say that dressing a room is like dressing oneself. To that I add, polishing one's toes is like dressing a room.

Decorated Women

I XOXO how these 6 women decorate themselves.

Nancy

Heather

Jamie

Susan

Linda

...but no one lays it on like Laurie

THIS WOMAN NEEDS HER VITAMINS (but hasn't been very good about taking them so far)

I am aware that I NEED to take vitamins. My gynecologist keeps after me to take a multi and my physician tells me to take extra D.  I have taken both of them for a few days, and then, after about a year have thrown the money bottles out. I know my health matters --  I get that every time I look at my kids. But I'd rather eat an entire pot of sauteed watercress and half an acorn squash than take a vitamin.

When I was recently asked,"Would you like to sample a delicious liquid vitamin?" I immediately said, "Yes!" -- thinking this might be the chance to redeem my prior vitamin failures. I was asked to review Passion4Life. I started it 3 weeks ago. I am proud to say that in 21 days I have forgotten to take it twice, and purposely didn't take it once because I just didn't feel like it. To my taste buds, you see, it's not all that delicious.

It's not horrible either. Each time I approach the bottle, I tell myself that it's really not that bad and in fact, I think I am getting used to the taste. But I have also perfected the art of ignoring the taste. I don't pay it much attention as it goes down, and I also refrain from inhaling. And yes, I have tried holding my nose.  With every swallow, however, I hope my cells are benefiting tremendously from the 135+ ingredients -- many of which I have taken on their own here and there.

After 3 weeks of taking Passion4Life,  I don't see any "OMG WOW" changes, but then I wasn't expecting anything dramatic. I am not nauseous from this vitamin like I have been from capsules. I feel fine for a women of 48 who gets 5 hours of sleep on average a night. I do believe that a regimen such as this should be complimented with a regular exercise routine which....unless you consider manic typing and dishwasher unloading a work out...I am admittingly still lacking.

Of course I googled Passion4Life before I took it. I watched the segment that aired on Lifetime's "The Balancing Act."  The 70-year old inventor Charles Van Kessler seems extremely robust for his age and passionate about delivering consumable health to the public. His story is a good one: forced to live in an Amsterdam orphanage during WW II, lived in dreadful condition, ate poorly, sought to regain his health, and then was inspired years later to create his own health business, and also a non-profit called Passion for K.I.D.S. -- that gives assistance to kids in desperate situations. I like that a lot.

I XOXO CLEVERNESS: 5 Cool DIY Ideas from Atlanta Gift Market

As I strolled the floors of AmericasMart at the recent Atlanta Gift Show, I spied several clever DIY ideas. Whether for sale or just for show, these DIY projects and furnishings used recycled or re-purposed elements. Since I am not a clever DIY-er, but merely an observer of what's good, stylish, and blogworthy, I will not be supplying instruction. This is purely inspiration.

1. CRAYON PEACE SIGN

 is one DIY project I believe I could actually do with a glue gun, board, and a lotta crayons.

(by Mike Farrell, as part of a rotating exhibit called Blue Home)

2. SHUTTER SHELVES

enable you to display cool stuff while adding architectural interest.

(at Aidan Gray Home in JDouglas )

3. SOUVENIR LAMP

allows you to stow/see the mementos -- corks, shells, spools, a weird doll -- you've been collecting, plus it comes with a nice linen shade.

(from Regina Andrew )

4. THE GARBAGE FLOWERS KIT

enables the pack rat to become a floral designer

(@ Sugoi Group)

5.  THE RULER CHANDELIER

simply rules immeasurably.

(from Go Home)