So Glad the Holidays are Over!!!

I am so relieved that the holidays are over. OK, maybe not completely over, but my holiday fundraiser for work is over. I manage 270 guests, in a gala event that, happily, went off without a hitch. Well, maybe not completely without a hitch. There were those three couples that didn’t show, even thought they paid to attend, and those other two of someone’s guests who couldn’t come at the last minute, and were replaced by people whose names I didn’t have on my registration list. Oh, and those other two people who came to the event, but whose response I hadn’t yet received, so I had to quickly create two special seats for them. But, really otherwise, the event went off without a hitch!

Glad that’s over for this year.

I also finished another three holiday parties in the span of two days, one in the evening for 110 people and another one the next afternoon for about the same number, and then a much smaller party the afternoon after that for about 40 people, even though one of those days was my wedding anniversary (see the flowers below) and now, we’ll have to make plans to go out to dinner another evening, hopefully sometime over the next two weeks.

And Chanukah, which came early because we are on a different calendar, so the dates change every year, is really over, even though I still have my family party which has become our tradition to host, but which we always wait to schedule based on when my sister and her family come to town.

This year, we will have that party the day after Christmas, but that’s only 35 family members and all I have to do is clean the house and make latkes (which I make from scratch, using a box grater, not a food processor or blender. I’m a traditionalist that way!).

Then, the holidays will really be over.

Except for actual Christmas Day, which I will spend with my sister’s in-laws because they are lovely and invite us every year, even though we don’t celebrate Christmas and they really don’t have to…

But, other than that the holidays are finally over. Unless our very good friends that we have spent New Year’s Eve with for the past ten years have the day off and can get together for our traditional New Year’s Eve intimate Annual Culinary and Gluttonous Extravaganza. But, they are probably working, so we may just stay home and make our signature baked brie with apricot chutney (which is truly the most amazing thing!).

Oh, and one more thing. I almost forgot… I do have to plan something for my husband’s 50th birthday on January 3rd. Hmm….

Guess the holidays are not quite over yet…oh well,

Hope you have a Happy Holiday!

Anniversary Roses!

It has been so stressful at work lately. More than ususal, with lots of late nights. I hadn't had a minute to think about anything in my personal life, not Chanukah (my son went without any presents for the full eight days), not even my wedding anniversary. But my husband did. Just when I needed it, I got a delivery to work - a dozen fresh and beautiful long-stemmed red roses. They were completely unexpected and such a welcome surprise! But, I wanted to enjoy them at home, so I kept them in the box until I got home and took out my largest vase and..... well you can see how stunning they are! Thanks Honey xoxoxoxo

NO MORE BAD HAIR DAYS FOR MY FIRST 3 ETSY SHOPPERS!!!

My nightmare doesn't have to be yours. A day that begin at 80 degrees with 90% humidity...and just gets hotter from there. You walk outside and immediately feel sticky and hot. Your hair sticks to your face and you rush into the car and turn the air conditioning to high, and still, it doesn't get cold. Plus, a headfull of curly, unruly, saggy and yes, often frizzy hair in a climate that is not kind to a curly girl!

But, regardless of your hair challenges, I can help put an end to your bad hair days, with my FREE GIFT.

I will, gladly, offer the barrettes pictured in the post below to my 1st 3 Etsy Shoppers!! Keep them if you struggle like I do, or give them as a gift to someone else. Maybe give them as one of 8 gifts for Chanukah or perhaps as a stocking stuffer for Christmas. They are so cute, you'll want to wear them every day. And you know what that means....no more bad hair days!!!

Mickstonedesigns is Shop of the Day

I am a member of Handmade Artists Forum (HAFTeam), a wonderful group of talented handmade artists.

Well, as part of the Spread the Love promotion...I'm Shop of the Day, the Saturday after Black Friday!! So honored, please come in, take a look around, grab some eggnog and browse...I hope you find something you like.

Some of my pieces are inspiration for custom works, but they are all wonderful, just on their own.

For other wonderful pieces, search on Etsy under HAFTeam and you'll find items like this one.

This wonderful pot is done by mookiejones, a redhead in a red dress. "Your new bff?", she asks.

This is a one of a kind, sealed, and signed multi-functional terra cotta pot. It can be used for a fruit bowl, planter (with a liner), stand alone art display, or for anything you can think of. This pot is recycled and in perfect condition, 8" tall and about 9 1/4" wide at the top. The backround finish is a faux marble in light greens with white graining. Slightly distressed background.

I Believe in Making the World a Better Place - Tikkun Olam

I have worked in non-profit for approximately 20 years. I believe that we must all do our part to "give back" and help those who need it. When I started by business, I wanted to make giving to charity, a part of what I do. It is already a part of who I am.

So, from the very beginning, I chose to give a portion of the proceeds of my sales to a charity of YOUR choice. The customer is asked to choose which charity they want their purchase to benefit, from my selected list. Here I am at a Boys and Girls Clubs Fundriaser.

• Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Program in Florida
• Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
• Safespace Domestic Abuse Shelter
• Big Brothers, Big Sisters
• Alzheimers Care Organization
• Boys and Girls Clubs

I Also Believe in the Power of a Great Pair of Earrings

When I was younger, I never left the house without putting on make-up, at least mascara, eyeliner, and lipstick. The essentials. It was probably just the insecurities that come with youth.

Now, as a confident adult, I don’t have a need for make-up on the weekends. I may even go out to lunch without it. But, I have found that the key to happiness is, undoubtedly…a great pair of earrings!

Nothing can make you feel as pretty, sexy or finished as a great pair of earrings. And no make-up is even needed. Having something colorful, shiny, dainty or bold near your face can make you feel bright and alive. It makes your bad hair day better, it makes your weekend jeans and a tee shirt more stylish.

But it has to be just that right pair. Not just anything will do. If your passion is sterling silver like mine is, then it needs to feature fabulous sterling silver. If your hair is dark and curly, you need to find earrings that show bright against those unruly locks. If your hair is light, go with something that pops, with color, or a deep dark stone. You’ll know they’re the perfect pair, because they are the ones you go for, time and again. They are the first ones you grab. They are the ones that make you feel… you. Beautiful. Unique. Special.

You may not always get compliments. I think earrings are almost too personal for people to comment on, but they’ll notice. Necklaces get the compliments, but earrings get the looks. People will notice there is something attractive about you on the day you wear the perfect pair of earrings. You’ll know they notice, because you will notice. Walk through the mall and catch a glimpse of yourself from a side view in a mirror, you’ll know you made the right choice.