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