Changing Women’s Lives

I just thought I would share a little bit of information. We love this show and love what it stands for.

AAUW To Host 55th Annual What’s New Fair At JCC Nov. 13-14When Debra Eck was looking to advance her education in studio arts, she needed help.

With three children - one each in elementary, middle and high school - there just wasn't enough time for her to go back to school as well.

''I had lots of driving to school to do every morning, lots of picking up from school every day,'' Mrs. Eck said. ''I really wanted to continue on, but the logistics of doing that didn't seem very realistic.''

After applying for and receiving a scholarship from the Jamestown branch of American Association of University Women, however, Mrs. Eck received the opportunity she had been searching for.

''That money made a difference because it allowed me to hire somebody to pick my kids up from school, feed them dinner, get them to their afterschool activities,'' she said. ''I finished my degree at (the University at Buffalo) and actually was the Dean's Medalist for Fine Arts the year I graduated.''

After taking a year to achieve her master's degree at Northumbria University in her native England, Mrs. Eck returned home to Jamestown and now teaches art at Jamestown Community College. She said the chance she received that was kickstarted by the scholarship she was given by AAUW has taken her to a place in life she may not have gotten to otherwise.

''The educational stepping stones allowed me to pursue my career as an artist,'' she said. ''Being able to teach at JCC because of my master's degree has given me an income stream that allows me to spend time in my studio, too.''

Mrs. Eck - who also teaches young women through working with organizations including the Jamestown Audubon, Aspire, and the Infinity Performing Arts Program - has seen her artwork exhibited to much acclaim both locally as well as in her native country. She said that her education, provided to her in part by the scholarship she received from AAUW, has helped her get to that level.

''I feel very strongly and the statistics show that when women get a better education they get a better financial toehold on life,'' she said. ''I think that education is a way for women to get out of the traditional dead-end situations that a lack of education puts them into.''

GIVING SUPPORT

Mrs. Eck's success story is just one of hundreds that have come from the local branch of AAUW and its scholarships. More than $260,000 in scholarships have been given to more than 300 local women from the scholarship program, funds for which are raised from the branch's annual What's New Fair.

The 55th annual AAUW What's New Fair will be held Friday, Nov. 13, and Saturday, Nov. 14, in the Hamilton Collegiate Center at Jamestown Community College. Sixty-one local merchants will be there selling their newest items for Christmas.

Among those merchants will be Cheryl Greenstein of GG My Love boutique on North Main Street in Jamestown. Ms. Greenstein, who moved back to her hometown of Jamestown recently from Las Vegas, said she joined AAUW during last year's fair because she was so impressed by what it provides.

''I wanted to get involved with an organization that helps women,'' she said. ''They just do such great things - I didn't know all the things that they did.''

A strong and growing organization, AAUW's Jamestown branch supports equity and education for women and girls through its actions. In addition to the scholarships it awards, the branch educates young girls in teamwork and builds self-esteem through the Get in the Game program, as well as contributing to the national AAUW Educational Fund and Legal Advocacy Fund.

Ms. Greenstein, who owned three boutiques in Las Vegas over the past two decades before coming back to Jamestown, opened her local boutique shortly after becoming a member of the AAUW branch. She shops in New York, California and Las Vegas and brings clothing back to Jamestown to resell it, and the shop also offers psychic readings - for entertainment purposes only, Ms. Greenstein said - on Saturdays.

She said the members of AAUW have been behind her throughout the process of getting herself settled into the business world in Jamestown. All the get-togethers and luncheons the AAUW members have throughout the year to talk business are chances to share that support and build a stronger community, Ms. Greenstein said.

''The ladies have supported me,'' she said. ''They inform you of things like legislation that you would probably never be aware of.''

FAIR SCHEDULED

FOR NOV. 13-14

The 55th annual What's New Fair, with proceeds benefiting the Jamestown AAUW branch's scholarship fund, will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 13 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 14. Admission will be $3 for adults, $2 for JCC and Jamestown Business College students, $1 for children ages 6 to 12, and free for children 5 and under.

The 61 merchants with tables set up in the Hamilton Collegiate Center during the fair will be 3C's Catering, Along Chautauqua Lake, Alphabet Art Photography Designs, Amway, The Bag Babe, The Basket Company, BeautiControl, C'Rosiez for Flowers & Gifts, Carlson's Jewelry/Weeping Willow Gifts, Caroline Alexander, Chautauqua County Master Gardeners, Curves, Discovery Toys, Edies Beadies, Evergreen Outfitters, Gift Collections by MMG, Jaguar Jewelry, Fashionista, Fences & Such, Francis Mac-Leod, Fun Bags & Accessories, GG My Love, Greater Jamestown AM Rotary, Glasswerks, Heart for Haiti, Hemlock Designs Jewelry, Ida Marie's No Bake Cheesecake Mixes, J & L Enterprizes, J B Florals, Jamestown Audubon Society, Jewels by Park Lane, Joan of Z, Josie's Jewelry, KC's Emporium, Lasting Impressions, Maple Country USA, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Marvin Community House, Natural Nomad, NYR Organics, Off the Beaten Path Bookstore, Peaceful Designs, Pennie's Country Scents, Petals and Twigs, Primitive Peddler, Quilter's Haven, Rainbow International Cleaning and Restoration, Roots Jewelry Design, Sew Sweet Designs, Silpada Designs, Simply Sally's, Simply Soap, Small Indulgences Jewelry, Streich's Cake and Candy, Strings and Things, Tastefully Simple, Thirty-One Gifts, Valentine Enterprises, View from Hickory Heights, Viking Trader, Weezy's Korner, and Willow House Gifts.

Among entertainment for children to enjoy during the event will be a visit from Santa Claus himself both days, and the Silvertone Barber Shoppers will serenade attendees Saturday morning from 10 to 11.

Food will be provided during the fair as well, with the AAUW offering personalized gingerbread cookies and other home-baked delectables. In addition, Next Generation Vending and Food Service will provide homemade vegetable soup and chili, macaroni and cheese, assorted sandwiches and wraps, and other foods.

Door prizes will be drawn each hour throughout the fair, with all admission tickets entered to win. Also, tickets will be sold for drawings for many other prizes that will be given away at 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

The Jamestown branch of AAUW will also have a membership booth set up during for fair, at which any interested women can join at a discounted rate. Those interested in joining must have at least a two-year degree from an accredited college or university.

For more information about the Jamestown branch of AAUW, visit jamestown.aauw-nys.org.

A Sunday Afternoon on Lake Erie

One of the things that me and my girls do for fun is to go treasure hunting on the beaches of Lake Erie. We have a special treasure in mind....beach glass. My girls love to search the beach for these rare and amazing treasures. They hit the beach running to find the biggest piece of the day.



I love watching them just enjoy nature and a beautiful day!



For once, Lila found the biggest piece. That made her day, her big sis usually steals the moment.

It is amazing to think how long it takes the Lake to send this glass to shore. The pieces are beautiful and each one unique. I always wonder how old this piece of glass is or how long did it live in Lake Erie. Lake Erie sea glass "true sea glass" is cloudy and all the edges are completely rounded. I love the aqua blue pieces, they are my favorite.



As we were walking back from our adventure we saw the Canadian Geese, well fall is really here on the lake.


I think we all need to take the time to enjoy natures beauties.

Jennifer

Make Mine Pink Friday.....An English Cottage

If I were to close my eyes and conjure up images of an English Cottage, it would be surrounded by an explosion of colorful flowers, both inside and out. The porch, though small, would hold a whitewashed rocker, with even more fresh cut flowers peeking out of a tote hanging from the arm. A beautiful needlepoint pillow, stitched with a riotous bouquet of wildflowers, propped against the back for comfort. The first entry to my English Cottage would feel like home itself with a wreath on the door, welcoming you to step inside.

Once inside my cozy cottage, you’d find the windows draped with delicate lace curtains and gorgeous floral fabrics. Cabbage roses, trailing down each panel. A cozy window seat, made comfortable with a down cushion, provides a perfect place to enjoy a favorite book and a cup of tea. The teacup, passed down for generations and filled with memories. The hand-painted roses, now faded and worn, just enhance the beauty and the experience.

Shelves and cupboards are an essential part of any English cottage. They’re often used for storage and for display. You might see a beautiful collection of vintage dishes, or a cupboard devoted to teapots and favorite teacups. Colorful tins that once held tea, now hold buttons and sewing notions. Hand embroidered tea towels and pure white linens, help fill the shelves until they’re called upon to celebrate a special occasion.

Vases stuffed full to overflowing with fresh cut blooms, are tucked on tables and window ledges throughout the cottage. Each a reminder of the beauty that awaits, just steps outside the cottage door.

The garden, visible from the kitchen window is ablaze with color and activity. Ivy climbs the trellises and arbors, colorful bird houses and wrought iron bird baths, a refuge for our aviary friends.

With cottage touches in just the right places, the simple beauty of a English cottage can be yours no matter where you live.

Please stop by the boutiques at Make Mine Pink to help create your own English Cottage.

Joyce Lucas, Founder
Make Mine Pink

Our Photo Shoot So Fun!

My entire family meets in Brigantine, NJ for a week of fun and sun. This year I brought a box of all our CarolineAlexander belts, pins and hair flowers. My sister and my cousin has so much fun! My Uncle and myself were the photographers and I felt like I was preparing for a magazine. I just had to show you all the fun things we did with our flowers!

Here is Kendra with a belt as a headband...love it



Here are the girls look just like models


Love the fascinator...


And of course Lila had to get into the action.


I love the beach and can't wait to get back there next year.
Jennifer

Mika's UK wedding

I just had to show you the wedding that we just finished for a sweet girl in the UK. It was a long process, but tons of fun. I love to custom design, especially for brides. Mika contacted me about some flower belts and brooches and we just took off from there. Here wedding story is unique, she is getting married in a traditional dress for the ceremony, but there is a twist for the reception. Here fiance is Chinese and she order a surprise traditional red silk dress for the reception. So, there were two different looks for this wedding. Mika loves flowers and we made sure they were everywhere.

Here is what we designed for the bride: Mika wanted a red silk flower with a vintage center to wear with her Chinese red silk dress. The dress is very red with hot pink silk on the inside. So, we chose a red silk flower with a vintage pink rhinestone center on a thin red velvet ribbon. Mika also chose a hot pink anemone cuff bracelet with a red vintage center for an opposite coordinating look. Just in case she wanted something in her hair we created a small red rose for an alternate look.

Mika's wedding ceremony handbag was made of ostrich feathers and a tiny rhinestone butterfly at the top. We created a small rose with a vintage center and placed it on a sheer ribbon so she could tie it to the handbag.

We also found a great Chinese red silk handbag that we could not resist. We embellished the handbag with red satin ribbon roses on both sides. These are the same red roses that we used to make her shoe clips.

The ring bearer pillow was made of an almost white satin, we embellished it with a vintage trim, satin ribbon streamers and a large peony with a vintage rhinestone center.

We embellished red sheer bags with orange and hot pink satin roses to use as favor bags. What a great gift to get at a wedding.

Finally we created flower accessories for the mother of the bride, bridesmaid and the flower girl. We created one brooch and the others we placed on ribbon to tie around their wrists.

What a fun elegant wedding. I can't wait to see how it all comes together.

Pearls and Flowers

I love to find a new use for a discarded treasure. As we walk around estate sales and antique stores my creative juices are always flowing. I usually buy more than expected, but you never know what this vintage treasures future may be. CarolineAlexander has created a new line (soon to be listed), of combining our handmade ribbon flowers with vintage jewelry. I love this new piece, I may not be able to part with it! It looks great with a pretty tee and sweater or a dress that is just missing something. I am so glad these new pearls found a new home.

Jennifer
CarolineAlexander

A Fairy Birthday Party

My Lila turned six this month and I had to share our fairy birthday party. We love fairies and we are well equipped for this major event. Here is the birthday girl...my little fairy.


Each girl/guest must become a fairy before they enter the party. We bought cool glitter makeup and their favor was a flower headband, tutu skirt, and rainbow fairy wings. They must be fairyitized to enter the party.


While each girl was magically turning into a fairy we printed out fairy coloring pages from our website. You always have to keep these little fairies busy.
When all they fairies were ready they could have a glass of pixie punch and a fairy pretzel want. For the punch we took pink lemonade, added a touch of lemon/lime soda, and topped it off with rainbow sherbet. The pretzel wands consisted of pretzel sticks dipped in pink chocolate and white glitter sprinkles for an added whimsical touch.


Game time....we played a couple of games that were a big hit
Flower Drop: I got 3 silk flowers and a glass vase. The girls stood on chairs, put the flower to their nose and then had to land the flowers into the vase.

Find the fairy: I split the girls into two teams, each team was given a picture of a fairy to find. The first team that found their hidden fairy won the game. I just need to find a good hiding place for the pictures.

Pin the wings on the fairy...you all know this game.
Note, all girls won a prize for each game even if they didn't actually win. I love the dollar store....chalk, glow sticks, and stickers are so affordable!

Next we opened presents, so fun. Now, where do I put all this stuff?

Finally....Cake. My mother (grandmother fairy) of course made the cake. I loved the roses and the edible glitter. We used one of my fairy houses as the cake top, it really turned out cute.






That was a fun two hours. I think all had a magical time. Happy Birthday Fairy Lila!

It is time for some fun...It is time for a shop hop

It is time for a shop hop at Make Mine Pink...let's have some fun. The Make Mine Pink Shop Hop starts April 25th and ends on May 1st. Are you new to the MMP shop hops?
MMP Shop Hops are a type of contest where you try to find as many “You Found It” image as you can. Each of our participating boutiques has hidden an image on its website that says, “You Found It!” on the tag. Click that image to return to Make Mine Pink and get credit for finding it. The more images you find, the better your chances of winning great prizes. See the prize list below to see what you can win!

There is no cost and no obligation to purchase anything. However, if you do happen to find some products you might be interested in, don't forget to bookmark those pages so that you can come back later! Good luck!
Jump over to Make Mine Pink and register for this fun event@

And the winner is.....

The winner of the $25.00 CarolineAlexander gift certificate is Momtoem. Congratulation and thank you to everyone for your kind words.

Jennifer Cameron
CarolineAlexander

CarolineAlexander giveaway

Well, it has been awhile since we have done a giveaway. CarolineAlexander had huge giveaways on our original blog (long gone and sadly missed). We could not decide what to giveaway, so we will giveaway a $25.00 gift certificate to CarolineAlexander.
This way you decide what you want.

Here are the rules.
1. become a follower and leave a comment 1 entry
2. Become a facebook fan 1 entry
3. Sign up for our newsletter 5 entries
4. Tell us your favorite CarolineAlexander product 1 entry
5. blog about this giveaway 5 entries
6. Tweet about this giveaway 5 entries
7. Refer a friend 5 entries

We will randomly choose a winner on Wednesday March 24th.

Jennifer Cameron
CarolineAlexander

This months Girls Dinner....Irish

Girls dinner out theme for this month was Irish. It was delicious! We had a very small group, only four. A flu bug has been hitting all the families, thank god it wasn't me this time. I have served my time this winter.

Lets get down to the menu. Jessica hosted the March girls dinner out. She made a delicious corned beef and cabbage. I didn't realize how much I love it. It is so tender and has just the right amount of spices to keep me asking for more! The drinks....whiskey sours....Yum.


Our appetizer was a spinach and artichoke dip. It tasted just like something you would get in a restaurant....great job Judith.

Mary made a wonderful salad and I brought the Irish soda bread. I never had Irish soda bread before, it was actually pretty good. I toasted the leftovers for breakfast the next morning. I just love a good bread, I guess I am a carb freak. Atkins would never work for me.


Julie brought a been and cheddar soup. It was yummy too! I made a beer and cheese soup for our "beer" theme a couple of months ago and it is really a good soup. My husband loved it. But, he loves anything that has beer in it.


For dessert....well that was interesting. Denise was going to bring dessert, but her girls were sick and she had to cancel. Jessica decided to try something new. She has a great idea, but I am not so sure it worked. As cooks we have all had this happen. She made chocolate pudding and decided to add Irish cream, to give it some pep. Well, I guess you cannot add alcohol to pudding. She said it didn't set so she kept adding more pudding until it looked good. I will say I have never had chocolate pudding that lasted entirely of alcohol. Wow! If I actually ate the pudding I would never have been able to drive home. Lesson, do not add booze to pudding!


To end the night...Jessica as crafty as she is had a little envelope beside our dishes. If you had a pot of gold you won the four leaf clover centerpiece. How neat.


Girls dinner out was another enjoyable evening. It is so important that you actually take time out for yourself. It is therapeutic! Once a month it is great to have an amazing dinner and good conversation with girls that you admire and enjoy. Until next month.....

If you are interested in any recipes, just email me and I will get them to you.
Jennifer

The history behind our love of vintage jewels

I remember those nights as vividly as if I were six years old again. I can picture my Mother standing in front her of dresser mirror, wearing some kind of 1980’s dress, dabbing perfume behind her ears and on her wrists. The final step in this long, anticipated process was deciding which jewelry she was going to wear that night. That was my favorite part, the one that made me bounce up and down on my knees as I sat (now impatiently) on my parent’s bed.

Mom had various jewelry boxes in all different shapes and sizes…her porcelain cloisonné, a bowl that I made for her in art class filled with earrings and the one that played music when you lifted its lid. But I wasn’t waiting for that. It was my Grandmother’s jewelry box, hidden away in her bottom drawer that I couldn’t wait to get my hands on. That is where Mom kept her “good” pearls and her diamond earrings and various other pieces handed down from my Grandmother. Mom always chose the expensive pieces, but it was the brightly colored brooches, earrings, and rings that I loved the most. “Costume jewelry,” Mom would say. But it was anything than costume jewelry to me, and they were the only pieces that I was allowed to try on.

I loved the stones that contained every color of the rainbow, and no matter what...they were real to me…rubies, sapphires, diamonds. I would adorn myself from head to toe and watch how they sparkled in the mirror. I looked beautiful and pretended that I was going to that party.

As I grew, I would accompany my Mom to every garage sale that we passed. Sometimes Mom would pick up a piece of furniture that she would take home and cover in another fabric. Sometimes she bought various knick-knacks that sat on our shelves, collecting dust over the years. But I wasn’t interested in furniture and gaudy pictures. It was the antique jewelry that typically sat near the seller’s table that fascinated me the most.

I’m thirty-four years old now and I stop at every garage sale that I pass by. I can’t help it. I especially love the estate sales, remnants left behind after one passes away. I love my vintage belongings and I still love to look at the costume jewelry on the way out.
We now have a business of our own. Many of the accessories that we make are pillow, belts, and bracelets, each with a vintage crystal or bead to give it that old, warm feeling of days gone passed.

I peruse through antique stores in search of these jewels for CarolineAlexander to use in our designs. Brooches, earrings, buttons…anything with a crystal or rhinestone center that can be carefully removed and recycled. That is my contribution to their business, CarolineAlexander, and every time I hit the jackpot, I feel like I am six years old again.

But I can’t help but wonder wear these vintage pieces came from. Who was it that wore that beautiful, crystal brooch? Was it pinned to her coat? Is she still alive? And how did it end up beneath the counter of this antique store? I am intrigued. Who were these women? What is the history behind these jewels? I picture these women living in the mid 1900’s, a debutante, a mother, or a celebrity. They would open their jewelry boxes and carefully pick out which necklace or earrings matched their beautiful party dresses. Where were they going? Were they attending a high school dance, a fancy ball, a dinner party perhaps? Could they have been worn on their wedding day, that tradition of something old or something new? Unfortunately, it will always remain a mystery.

I will never find the answers to all of these questions but I know that one thing is true…there is nothing more beautiful than a piece of jewelry bought or passed down from love. And nothing can embody the personal history behind each and every piece.

I am honored that CarolineAlexander find the beauty in these pieces as well and have been able to preserve the memories behind them. Now they adorn hand-made flower belts and purses and other designs that my family creates for their business…an inspiration to once was, a celebration for someone new. And they will always be something old, something new to me.

To see some of these inspirational designs, please visit www.CarolineAlexander.net

Jillian Walulik & Jenifer Cameron

Martha Stewart Weddings...pretty in pink

We are so excited, the Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine is on stands today. We are so excited because CarolineAlexander has been included in the marketplace section. I got an advanced copy last week, our ad is beautiful and so is the magazine.

I love to just look through all the gorgeous bridal gowns...there are so many. There is a terrific article on spring blooms. The shades of these pink flowers are just amazing. Grab your copy today, this months issue is worth the money.

The View Ambassador

I wanted to share with you all my excitement of being named an official blog representative chosen by ABC’s The View (Barbara Walters, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Joy Behar, Whoopi Golderg and Sherri Shepherd themselves we are told) to be an Ambassador. As an ambassador, we get a sneak peak of all the upcomings shows, which I will naturally share with you. I will keep you posted on new and exciting events, even an upcoming contest.


Disclosure “I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for ABC Daytime and will receive a tote bag or other The View branded items to facilitate my review.”

Shabby Apple Shakespeare Garden Dress GIVEAWAY!!!!

Shabby Apple Shakespeare Garden Dress GIVEAWAY!!!!

Something old, Something new.....

Did you ever wonder where this saying started from or what it means? Well, I am going to tell you.

Something Old, Something New
Something Borrowed, Something Blue
And a Silver Sixpence in her shoe.

Each element of this saying is to wish the bride good luck on her wedding day. If all these "criteria" are met, then she will have a fruitful and happy marriage.

Something Old - Symbolizes continuity with the brides family and the past

Something New- Hope for the brides new life

Something Borrowed - is a token from a happily married friend or relative whose happiness will carry over to the bride

Something Blue - In ancient Rome brides wore blue to symbolize love and this is why blue has been around for centuries. Some think that the Virgin Mary, who is always dressed in blue symbolizes purity. And there is an ancient proverb that states "marry in blue, lover be true". All leading us to believe that the color blue is a wedding tradition.

And a Sixpence in her Shoe - This symbolizes wealth, and for optimal wealth it should be worn in the brides left shoe.



What exactly is a sixpence? A sixpence is a silver coin from Brittan and is worth six pennies. If is funny when I was photographing our new rose bridal clips I used my wedding shoes. Guess what? Tapped inside was a sixpence, I didn't even remember that I had one. I am glad I had all the elements of a fruitful and happy marriage!

Ribbon Rose Shoe Clips

I just had to share our latest creation! We started making these roses for our new 2010 Bridal line, but they are not just for brides. This is a picture of a pair of sandals I found at the grocery store for $1.99. They had a very large and cheap plastic rhinestone in the center. I loved the color and style, so why not customize them. I added a coordinating ribbon rose shoe clip in silver. I love my new sandals. These go great with black, white, navy...all colors. Give your shoes a makeover, I did and I love the new look.

Jennifer

February's girls dinner Out...Barefoot Contessa Recipes

For over two year a bunch of girls have been meeting for dinner. When we started this gathering we all were not close friends. But, as time has gone by it has become a date to look forward to with great friends. I now consider all these gals great friends.

These are the rules that we have setup for our monthly dinner
1. It is the second Tuesday of every month
2. A hostess gets to choose the dinner theme, she is to prepare the main dish and drinks
3. The hostess with email the other girls asking for supporting dishes-such as vegetable, salad, bread, and appetizers
4. The next hostess is always named before the nights end

These are some very simple rules, and it really gets us out of the house. We are all busy women and cooking can get old. Just think, if you are just cooking one spectacular dish-it makes dinner a whole lot easier.

We started a blog, 2nd Tuesday dinner, but the girls are not bloggers, so therefore nobody was posting. I love my dinner club, so I will take the lead and post all about it. If you are interested in any recipe, just contact me and I will get it.

This month was the Barefoot Contessa recipes and it was at my house. I was going to make here Chicken Salad and to drink Coppola Wines. Here are some great pictures!



Marci made a wild mushroom risotto. It was yummy if you like mushrooms.




Julie made a roasted pear dish with blue cheese salad. This was so wonderful, I love blue cheese!



Judith made a bow-tie pasta dish with garlic and broccoli, Denise made a butternut squash and apple soup, & Jessica made a spinach appetizer. All of which I never took pictures of, silly me!

And last....the coconut cake by Mary. It was spectacular!



Everything was delicious.....Next month Irish Theme.

It's Make Mine Pink Friday, "Roses and Pearls"

Please join us for shopping with a twist on Friday February 12th 2010 as we present "Roses and Pearls"

When I think back to when I was a little girl, I remember the pretty off-white and pink pearls that my mother and grandmother wore for what I always assumed was "dress up." Whenever they went anywhere special, like church on Sunday morning, or celebrated a special event like a family birthday party, they slipped on their strings of pearls.

Sometimes they let me try them on too, as long as I was careful. I remember admiring myself in the large mirrors on top of their dressers, framed by pearls and sitting on a rose covered bedspread.

Thinking back, pearls and roses have always been a common theme in my life. Both my mother and my grandmother had furniture that was slip covered in big, bold rose fabric. Even the carpeting had sculpted roses and floral patterns. I can still see my mother and grandmother, wearing their pretty pearls against perpetual backdrops of roses.

No wonder I both love and surround myself with anything pearls and roses, whenever possible. They remind me of the times I spent with my mother and my grandmother, growing up, listening to their stories, learning how to become a woman. Women of my generation must all experience the same feelings of nostalgia that I do when they discover themselves surrounded by roses, pearls, and anything pretty. My love of pretty things extends to vintage hankies, hand-embroidered with beautiful roses to tuck into a handbag or display like a doily on a nightstand. A teacup from someone's vintage china pattern – it never mattered to me if it matched anything else in my cupboard, or if it was handed down from someone that I knew. It's the delicate beauty that captures my heart and makes it part of my collection. Feminine quilts in pink and off-white roses remind me of the hours I spent stitching and talking with my mother and grandmother. Somehow, even then, knowing that no other moment in my life could ever make me feel as complete.


When you visit the boutiques at Make Mine Pink, you'll find yourself surrounded with beautiful collections that will fill you with nostalgia for your own memories of pearls and roses.

Joyce Lucas, Founder
Make Mine Pink



Photo Contribution 1: The Casual Cameo | Photo Contribution 2: Caroline Alexander

I was beginning to hate the snow

It has been so cold the last couple of weeks, and I don't think it is ever going to stop snowing. I miss the sun, it seems to always be grey here in Western New York.
Here is my list of why I hate the snow
1. My driveway is a mess, or what is left of it
2. It takes me 15-20 minutes to get out the door with the girls
3. My hair is always flat
4. I cannot even clean up the dog poop, because I can't see the dog. I will find a lovely mess in the Spring
5. I got stuck in the driveway this morning. The snow is so deep I couldn't even open my car door. It is always a treat to climb out the window, only to return to that wet seat later.
6. There is a permanent puddle of slush in my kitchen
7. The cats won't go outside, so they must use their litter boxes, yuck!
8. The snow is so deep in our driveway I cannot even see any neighbors
9. I always have wet socks
10. I gave up shoveling my front door, just use the back one! I am just too lazy.

BUT, last night something magical happened. It was snowing, AGAIN, and I took the dog out at 11 pm. The snow was so fine, that it looked like fairies were sprinkling glitter all over my yard. It was magical. I grabbed my camera to see if I could some how capture the beauty. The pictures still do not give it justice. I actually felt like I was in a fantasy world. So, for a brief moment I actually enjoyed the snow. That all ended when I woke up and got stuck in the driveway. Sometimes it is just nice to stop and appreciate what we dislike so much. I did choose to live in Western New York

Jennifer

Make Mine Pink Friday...Making Way for the New

We're so happy to be back to business as usual in this wonderful new year. I love feeling that all things are possible. We're so happy to let you know that our exciting PINK FRIDAY events will continue for yet another year! 2010 promises to be full of fun and exciting themes for your shopping pleasure. Won't you join us each Friday as Make Mine Pink presents "Shopping with a Twist?"

The first week of January greets me with mixed feelings. I enjoyed the time spent with family and friends, yet missed Make Mine Pink and all the hustle and bustle of activity.
I was happy to get the Christmas trimmings stored away, making room to proudly display the gifts so thoughtfully chosen for me, but with the new year, comes time to clean house externally as well as internally. With the new year, we make resolutions, determined for a fresh new start. We clear out the old plans and start working on new...making way for all of the wonder a new year can bring.

The Boutiques at Make Mine Pink are experiencing the same thing. We love our planned events, and our merchandise is gorgeous - but it is time for us to straighten up the shelves a bit, look at everything with new eyes, and a fresh outlook. So this week, we are celebrating this PINK Friday with a special "Making Way for the New" shopping event. Don't be fooled by our fabulous sales and low prices. It's still our usual beautiful and unique merchandise! We just need it to go to a new home so that we can stock our shelves with new and even more exciting merchandise for the new year.

Joyce Lucas

Don't miss this once a year event! Friday, January 8th at Make Mine Pink!

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A Sneak Peak of our 2010 Wedding Line

We have been very busy creating our new bridal line for 2010. New this year are handmade ribbon rose shoe clips, handbags using vintage buttons, & our fou fou flowers. We are attending a Bridal show at the end of February, our first. We have always loved weddings, it is actually where CarolineAlexander got our start.

I love using vintage rhinestone jewelry in our flowers. I feel so good when I have found a new home for a lost or forgotten piece of history. I love each one, and I will never tell how many brooches, belts, and hair flowers that I have made that I just could not part with.