La Vita e Bella

Monday Musings: I'm a believer

“It was all meant to be. It was all destiny,” said Drew Brees

I am not a big football fan and when faced with having to choose a team, I generally choose based more on where my heart leads me. The city of New Orleans has been through the ringer, it was pretty big deal that the Saints made it to the Superbowl for their first time. I know most of you agree with me that they deserved this win and they worked for it. Despite football not being my favorite sport, I have never seen such a game. When Porter ran for that touchdown, I was on my feet. And when that last 30 seconds crept along with the Saint’s victory already secured, I was a believer. And nothing warmed my heart more then seeing a teary eyed Drew Brees holding his son.

Photo: Barton Silverman/The New York Times

BTW, Carrie Underwood’s outfit? The jury is still out on that for me. But at least the girl actually sang the song and well! What do you think?

Photo from Gather.com

At any rate, between the movie The Blindside and yesterday’s amazing performance by The Saints, I may in my late 20s finally starting to understand the magic of football. If only I could understand the scoring a bit better…is there a Book for Dummies on that?

Have a great Monday and thanks so much for reading!

Friday Favorites: Old standbys with new favorites

Happy Friday! I hope you are safe, warm, dry, etc. This is the 3rd snow/ice storm for WNC and it’s getting old real quick. Since I was called off from substituting this morning, I took some time to explore J.Jill, Land’s End, L.L. Bean, Talbots and Anne Taylor LOFT. And I am IMPRESSED! Clearly, I did not get the memo that these already fantastic companies got some new flair for the new year! Check it out below:

J.Jill Trapeze Sweater Dress

(they are having awesome sales right now…GO GO!!!)

Land’s End FeelGood V-neck Stripe Cardigan Sweater

(One of the most user friendly clothing websites I’ve seen)

L.L. Bean Snowflake Accessory Set

(classy, casual, cute=enough said)

Talbots Check Print Silk Blouse

(Um I heart Talbots now?!)

LOFT (Anne Taylor) Stripe Ruffle Tunic

(LOVE)

Have a safe and warm weekend!

JimDaddy

There is a magical place in Tuxedo, NC where a girl can just be a girl. She can run around, play, learn and be safe. She can be surrounded by people who care for her and love her. She can learn how to live with others, keep her things neat and tidy and eat like a queen for a number of weeks. The fireworks display on the 4th of July rivals any big city and smiles you see all around you and genuine and sweet.

This place is Camp Greystone and it has created this magic for girls since 1920. Jim Miller III otherwise known as JimDaddy was part of this magic. His breakfast club stories, jokes and wisdom shaped my life for 9 years. He always had a smile or a “ding how” for you.

The magic will continue with his spirit and in the smiles of Greystone girls everywhere.

Many blessings and prayers for the Millers.

Bella Bijou Recycled Bottlecap Earrings

A former co-worker and friend of mine embarked on her own “green business” in late 2009. Meet Rachael Fisher, the savvy creator around Bella Bijou Recycled Bottlecap Earrings.

She gave me a few moments of her time:)

1: How long have you been interested in making jewelry?
I’ve always loved fashion and jewelry a LOT, but never actually considered making it until last year. I’ve always viewed it as a sort of expensive hobby, but once I realized you can make jewelry and beautiful things out of inexpensive material, or even better, RECYCLED material, it opened up a lot of new (and cheaper) opportunities.
2: What inspired you to take this a step further aka starting the Etsy boutique; selling etc?

I basically started the etsy store because I wanted a way to market my product to the masses, and since the internet is such a popular way of selling things to a broad range of demographics, I figured Etsy would be best. It’s such a great website, and relatively cheap to maintain. Plus, I had researched other bottlecap earrings and no one else does it exactly like I do, so I figured there was a market in it. Also, everyone who saw them or heard about them absolutely loved them!

3: What role does your mother play in all this?

My mom has been the entire reason Bella Bijou still even exists today. When I was out west touring in the fall, I had no resources to make new earrings, so I basically conveyed the information to her and she started making them and selling them herself, which was so amazing. She worked so hard on them, and she’s really been a key component in the start up of the business.

4: Where do you find all your materials?

Most of our materials come from various bars or donations (for the bottle caps themselves), and the images on the fronts are mostly from recycled magazines. Everything else we order online.

5: What’s next? Are you just sticking with earrings or are you going to grow the line?

Right now we’re working on a way to make bottlecap bracelets, magnet sets, necklaces as well as refining the way we make the earrings. Stay tuned for a broader line of jewelry soon!

And the best part? They take custom orders!

MyAgenda: How I heart you!

I can’t stop talking about MyAgenda from MomAgenda okay?! This is one the best products I have seen in awhile and it’s a perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your favorite organizational diva! I seriously cannot wait until this April when the new colors/styles comes out for the 2010-2011 planners! With holding two jobs, and serving on Leadership for The Junior League plus informal planning special events, I use Myagenda on a daily basis, as you can see below:

I swear this agenda will bring great delight and fulfill all your organizational needs.

Tell me, besides a great day planner, what do you need to stay organized?

SNOW

At The Corner Kitchen, Biltmore Village at around 5pm on 1/29/10

Flat Rock, NC 1/30/10 10am

Friday Favorites: COLOR!!!

Winter has been quite harsh but that doesn’t mean there can’t be hints of Spring here and there:) Spring to me means color and there s plenty of it on the horizon…

Lily Pulitzer Murfee Scarf: Is it bad I want every color?

Crate and Barrel Pillows: Chroma Pillow

Hunter Wellies: Perfect punch of color on those dreary days!

L.L. Bean Tote Bags: durable, colorful and reasonable priced

Essie Nailpolish: Shown in Lollipop. Hands can be happy and colorful too!

Happy Friday! Turn in next week for more on MomAgenda, an interview with the designer of Bella Bijou Recycled Earrings, Rachael Fisher and so much more!

Have a great weekend!

Valentine's Day Whimsy

Valentine’s Day can be hard for us single folk but that doesn’t mean we can’t still honor the holiday! My father every year always gives me a box of chocolates or some other candy. He cheated a little when I was infant when he bestowed on me a “red hot bear.” It was a teddy bear with a bag of red hot candies around its neck. I was too young for red hots so he took those and let me keep the bear;) I always love to give and receiver Valentines so I am so excited that Minted has some wonderful and whimsical holiday cards. My three favorites are below:

Push Papers

Design Lotus

Carrie Eckert

Click below and find your favorites today!

What is a special V-day memory for you?

Wisdom: On communication

Forgive all who have offended you, not for them but for YOURSELF. ~Harriet Nelson

We have two ears and one mouth so that we can LISTEN TWICE AS MUCH as we speak. ~Epictetus

The most important thing in communication is to hear what ISN’T BEING SAID. ~Peter Drucker

Wisdom: Quotes on friendship

Friends are relatives you make for yourself. ~Eustache Deschamps

The friend who holds your hand and says the wrong thing is made of dearer stuff than the one who stays away. ~Barbara Kingsolver

Each friend represents a world in us, a world possible not born until they arrive. ~Anaïs Nin

I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and new. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

*Thanks to Nina at MomAgenda for compiling these in the planners:)