Your Son Is Getting Married WHEN???





Oh well, it's only a number!


I'm pretty excited! My son, Paul, is getting married in just over a week, and that will be here before I know it!!! I adore his fiance, Jen. She's a gal after my own heart ... ducks all in a row, the model of efficiency complete with a bit of an over-the-top love of organization and lists. And you all know how I love organization and lists!

The only thing I can't quite figure out is how she and Paul picked the date. I mean Friday is getting to be a more popular day to get hitched, as the competition for the coolest venues becomes more and more fierce. In order to avoid a waiting list of a couple of years or so at the Jewel Box, they gave the thumbs up to a Friday evening wedding.



Engagement photos at Faust Park



But here's the rub ... I know it's only a number, but that number is thirteen . . . 

As in Friday the 13th.  Yes folks, I know it's hard to believe, but Friday - May13th is the day of the wedding.  The day my only child marries a young woman my husband and I are just crazy about. You heard me right - defying convention, and possibly all common sense, they signed up to tie the knot on what is considered the unluckiest day of the year!!!

That being said, gaining your sympathy isn't why I'm writing this post!

I can admit, that although I don't truly believe Friday the 13th is a scourge upon us, it makes me a little nervous. I sort of think of it as the one day of the year Murphy's Law is in full force . . . "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong"!

As Mother of the Groom, we all know I'm suppose to look fantastic. And we also know that I'm in direct competition with the Mother of the Bride ... a distict disadvantage for me due to the fact that the bride is way more important than the groom! Therefore, the M-of-the-B is in an elevated position right from the get-go.

PLEASE TAKE THIS POLL!

So let's get down to it, people! I'm going to post a photo of what the M-of-the-B is wearing and another of what I've chosen, and you won't know which is which. They are completely different - like day and night, hot and cold, boys and girls.  I'm convinced that the direction I decided to go is the one that's right for me, my own personal style . . . . . . .  well, almost convinced!

Please take a sec and vote for the outfit you think is right for me. You'll have to look past the young, tall skinny models and think of a not so young, 5'4" semi-slender woman. But I know you can do it!


And what if the vote doesn't go my way? Well, I've still got a week to re-evalute and SHOP!


Which Style for Jill?

~ Style A ~



~ Style B ~



Thank you! I'll let you know the results very soon :D



Back in the Saddle!

I've been bitten by the Retailing Bug ...

Well, re-bitten actually!  Yes friends, it's true ... I've decided to go back to work in the wonderful world of retailing.  Retail sales may be struggling nowadays, but the holiday season is probably the one good time to enter back into the melee ... if ya have the guts.

I should probably be concentrating on my little jewelry corner of the world in order to maximize sales during the upcoming holiday season, but I've made my bed and now I'm going to lie in it. And gladly, at that!  Everybody who knows me is aware that I'm one of those crazy people who just loves Retailing and is able to cope with all that it implies: irregular schedules, nights and weekends spent at work ... not with your family & friends.  And during the holiday shopping season, there's no time off for good behavior!  It's mad, it's crazy ... it's Retailing!

So I'm dipping my big toe back in the water by connecting with one of my very favorite stores!

No hints; you'll have to guess or find it in among my Facebook 'likes'.


PS  Thanks to Teresa and Dawn for the business recommendations! 

LAMPWORK - Birthday Sale at jQ jewelry designs!



Lampwork Jewelry on Sale!

The Birthday Sale has started at jQ jewelry designs, and Lampwork is today's featured Category.  Handcrafted by some very talented artists, these special focal beads have been hand-torched and kiln-annealed for lasting strength and beauty. Kudos go out to Louise Little, Shannon Hill and Sweetwater Studio for their contributions to these wonderful jewelry designs!

Visit my Shop between now and October 30th to receive a special discount of 25% off all jewelry. (Custom orders not included in this sale)



Dewdrops - Asymetrical  Braclet Design



Chrome - Textured Lampwork Necklace



The Blues - Dichroic Lampwork, Apatitie and Aquamarine Bracelet



Desert Bloom - Citrine and Pyrite Necklace



Antiquities - African Turquoise and Antiqued Brass Necklace



   

The Latest and Greatest ... from JQ jewelry designs

Yes, Big IS Beautiful ...



The Neutrals available on Etsy



This new bracelet leaves me feeling anything but Neutral!  Designed to be bold and versatile, these substantial gemstones are of the finest quality and in shades that are equally at home with with that little black dress as with many of the top 10 colors espoused in the Pantone Fashion Color Report  for Fall/Winter 2010.

Transparent and gemmy, the lovely 'rocks' include Quartz of the Bi-color, Whiskey and Cognac variety, Fire Opal and Champagne Citrine.  With such meticulous faceting, this bracelet sparkles and shines on-and-on! 

Equally at home with jeans & a tee OR cashmere and a tweed pencil skirt

Large, meticulously faceted  Fire Opals almost steal the show!

~

Canyonlands available on Etsy


Another of my new designs is Canyonlands ...   a double-strand bracelet created using Utah Jasper.  This unusual stone comes from un- restricted federal lands in Utah and exhibits beautiful colors and patterns.  These gemstones have a very high polish and wonderful shades of grey, berry, yellow & golds  and ivory. The nuggets have a special drill in that half are drilled lengthwise and the others across the width. Smooth Mookaite rondelles pick up the various shades and are the perfect compliment. Mookaite is also a Jasper and comes from Mooka Creek in Australia.


Utah Jasper and Mookaite





Pantone Color of the Year for 2009

PANTONE® 14-0848 Mimosa, a warm, engaging yellow, as the color of the year for 2009. In a time of economic uncertainty and political change, optimism is paramount and no other color expresses hope and reassurance more than yellow.
"The color yellow exemplifies the warmth and nurturing quality of the sun, properties we as humans are naturally drawn to for reassurance," explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. "Mimosa also speaks to enlightenment, as it is a hue that sparks imagination and innovation."

Best illustrated by the abundant flowers of the Mimosa tree and the sparkle of the brilliantly hued cocktail, the 2009 color of the year represents the hopeful and radiant characteristics associated with the color yellow. Mimosa is a versatile shade that coordinates with any other color, has appeal for men and women, and translates to both fashion and interiors. Look for women's accessories, home furnishings, active sportswear and men's ties and shirts in this vibrant hue.

PANTONE UNVEILS THE SPRING 2008 FASHION COLOR REPORT

To kick off the Spring 08 shows, Pantone - the premier color authority - just released the PANTONE Fashion Color Report Spring 2008, featuring fun designer sketches, quotes, headshots, and the top 10 colors for women's fashion for spring '08. The new season's palette is made up of classic, versatile neutrals punctuated by playful splashes of invigorating brights, hopefully encouraging fashionistas to explore new and creative ways to combine colors. "The spring '08 color palette perfectly reflects the cheerfulness of the season,” notes Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, about the variations on popular colors such as energizing red, cool, waterborne blue and eco-friendly green that play a key role this season."Stabilizing neutrals combined with pops of brighter colors to create unique, distinctive looks are the basis for a great spring and summer wardrobe.”

The top 10 spring 2008 colors for women:

Snorkel Blue (PANTONE 19-4049)

Freesia (PANTONE 14-0852)

Daiquiri Green (PANTONE 12-0435)

Croissant (PANTONE 16-0924)

Rococco Red (PANTONE 18-1652)

Silver Gray (PANTONE 14-0000)

Spring Crocus (PANTONE 17-3020)

Cantaloupe (PANTONE 15-1239)

Pink Mist (PANTONE 13-2805)

Golden Olive (PANTONE 16-0639)

Vibrant Snorkel Blue, a favorite this season among designers, is a dependable navy, but spiced up with more animation and sophistication. The cool blue undertones Pink Mist pair perfectly with any color in the palette for a feminine look, and provide a refreshing complement to Daiquiri Green, a brighter version of the popular earth-tone yellow-greens naturally associated with eco-awareness. Warm, cheerful Freesia is an uplifting and inviting color to which people are instinctively drawn; it is also a hue that that allows for diverse accessorizing opportunities in jewelry and shoes.

Brighter reds such as provocative Rococco Red are also in favor this spring, and the deep pink undertones of flowery Spring Crocus make it among the prettiest, most wearable purples. Against neutrals, luscious Cantaloupe proves warm and nurturing...& a great addition to any wardrobe, especially when paired with delicious chocolate browns. Glitzy Sliver Gray has a sheen reminiscent of the popular metallics that add a touch of excitement to any outfit. With its beautiful undertones, Croissant is a delicious base for spring's more exciting accents. Trans-seasonal Golden Olive is another distinctive & tasteful addition to 2008's newest shades.

For the full 2008 spring color report, visit Pantone.com

LAMPWORK IS A GIRL'S BEST FRIEND . . .

Lampwork glass has

become one of my

very favorite 'Gems'!

PRINCESS DIANA - More Than a Style Icon . . .

Remembering Princess Diana

Princess Diana was a true style icon. As Lady Diana Spencer, she owned one formal dress, but by 1991, her closet held 95 evening gowns, 176 suits, 200 purses and 250 pairs of shoes!
She dutifully wore long, conservative gowns as a member of the Royal Family, but following her separation from Prince Charles, Diana adopted a streamlined look that included sheath dresses from Versace and Christian Lacroix.
But her legacy has always been her generosity, not her style. Before her tragic death, she auctioned off 79 gowns at a Christie's auction that raised $6 million for AIDS and breast cancer charities.
Truly unforgettable.

Fall Fashion Trends 2007: Purple Passion

According to the 'fashion indie' Fall '07 Trend Report, for the fall season, purple ruled the runway. A color once relegated only to royalty , it made appearances at a number of shows including that of indie guru, Zac Posen. Looking great with shades of burgundy, gray and blacks, you won't have to look far this Fall to add this color to your wardrobe. From a simple pair of earrings to a full length ball gown, this color rules! Just don’t over do it on the purple power, the last thing you want is for some snarky, smart aleck to start calling you Barney!