Category Archives: Uncategorized

As they saying goes, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” That became very true on Saturday morning when Valerie called us to say she was going to an auction that had a Heywood-Wakefield dining room set we might be interested in. I was getting ready to work the MAC counter again as hostess during their event so I couldn’t stay for the auction, but had time to stop and look at it on my way to work. Steve was game so we met Valerie shortly before the auction began. The table and chairs were gorgeous and in pristine condition. Knowing how much H-W furniture goes for at auctions, I didn’t hold out much hope for the set (which had six matching chairs!) but Steve was willing to try. Thanks to our tax return, we had some cash for the occasion. Steve, being a terrific sport and husband, stayed almost the entire day, broiling in the sun, to wait for the chance to bid on it. Luck was on our side and we scored the deal of the century. I don’t want to say what we paid, but some research on similar pieces led us to believe we’d paid about 1/10 of what the set is worth. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the china cabinet, but it was the table and chairs we really wanted. So here’s our gorgeous dining room set!

Here’s a side view. It’s the Wishbone style table and has three sets of the arched legs. It also has two leaves (which are in it) and can seat 8 very comfortably.

Well, my final project for school is done. And only one week ahead of schedule! Hey Greg, I bet you wished I turned in my stories that early. In typical over achiever mode, I made not one, but two brooches for the project. The assignment was to create a brooch that paid attention to the front and back, had a clasp that worked perfectly and was aesthetically pleasing. I do think I achieved all that. The reason I have two pieces is not that I’m an over achiever (which I am) but that I had some silver I attempted to fold form that cracked and split due to overheating. Since I didn’t want to waste a big chunk of silver, I managed to be inspired by the cracks and turn it into something beautiful. I’ll let all of you be the judges.

First, the granulated brooch. This is created with my new style of granulation on fine silver. The piece is about 1 1/2″ tall.

Here’s a view of the back. I also granulated the back of the overlapped pieces and the catch.

Here’s a view of the side. You can see the different layers of the piece. I love this!

Here’s the fold formed piece. I was working on a cuff bracelet design when I cracked the silver. I put the top piece in the hydraulic press to form the dome and bring out the folds. I deliberately opened more cracks to enhance the effect. You can see straight through to the other side near the bottom corner!

Here’s the back.

This little game is compliments of Suzanne. Have some fun!

1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 23.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the next three sentences in your journal along with these instructions.

Don’t dig for your favorite book, the cool book, or the intellectual one: pick the CLOSEST.

From “Girlfriends on the Go: A Guide to Great Shoppes and Cafes in St. Louis” (from Suzanne, actually!)

“lotions, you can find all kinds of gift items. Be sure to watch for their holiday preview to kick off your winter holiday season.”

This is a description of a shop called Botanicals on the Park.

Yesterday [Sephora](http://www.sephora.com/) opened in our mall. Yes, little ol’ Springfield, MO is now home to Sephora. And, you know what? It’s actually bigger and better than the one at Oak Park Mall in Overland Park, KS! Of course I was there yesterday to bask in all it’s cosmetic glory. I decided I’d treat myself to one item and try not to overdo it on the first day. I mean, there will be more shopping opportunities ahead. After wandering around for an hour or so and trying on all the glosses and lipsticks I could find, I settled on one of the new [Plant Love](http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P172734&categoryId=C15940) lipsticks by Cargo in Nahinni. I also picked up a new lip balm while I was waiting in line since I’d recently finished some and was looking for something new. I chose [Smith’s Minted Rose Lip Balm](http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P164932&categoryId=B70) since it can also be used on cracked skin. I like to rub it into my cuticles at night.

So I wasn’t able to buy just one product, but I did limit myself. I declare the new Sephora a smash and a terrific addition to our mall. Now, if I could just get The Gap back, all would be well.

High School Survey

Fill this out about your SENIOR year of high school! The longer ago it was, the more fun the answers will be.

1. Who was your best friend?
Cindy

2. What sports did you play?
Technically tennis, but I wasn’t very good at it.

3. What kind of car did you drive?
My mom’s crappy 1967 (or maybe it was a ’65) pale blue Dodge Coronet.

4. It’s Friday night, where were you?
On a date with Don Weber.

5. Were you a party animal?
No, more of a social butterfly.

6. Were you considered a flirt?
I don’t think so. However, I did have a big mouth that got me into trouble a lot. Still happens.

7. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir?
Choir and drum and bugle corps. I was bugle captain – yippee.

8. Were you a nerd?
Somewhat.

9. Did you get suspended/expelled?
Not my senior year. That’s another story.

10. Can you sing the fight song?
We didn’t have one. I did play charge on my bugle at football games!

11. Who was your favorite teacher?
Mrs. Stinson

12. Favorite class?
English, Home Ec, Art

13. What was your school’s full name?
Greenwood Labratory School

14. School mascot?
Bluejay

15. Did you go to the Prom?
Oh yeah. Of course, it was held in our cafeteria. Not anything exceptional.

16. If you could go back and do it over, would you?
I doubt it.

17. What do you remember most about graduation?
It was the day I got my first car. Plus, the all night graduation party after was a blast.

18. Did you have any boyfriends/girlfriends?
Several. All younger men.

19. Where were you on senior skip day?
At Timm Smith’s parents’ cabin playing Strip Bingo. We didn’t know how to play Poker.

20. Did you have a job your senior year?
No, I started my first part-time job right after graduation. Until then, I did seasonal work.

21. Where did you go most often for lunch?
The lunchroom. Sometimes we ate outside when it was nice, but I think administration ended that.

22. Have you gained weight since then?
Gained and lost, but still weigh more than I did then.

23. What did you do after graduation?
College

24. When did you graduate?
1984

25. Who was your Senior prom date?
Don Weber, boyfriend extraordinnaire.

26. Are you going to your 10-year reunion?
Did that already.

27. Who was your home room teacher?
We didn’t have homeroom. I was at school early every day for bell choir, choir, student council or drum corps. I did love me some extracurricular activities.

28. Who will repost this after you?
Maybe Suzanne?

29. Do you miss anyone you graduated with?
Yeah. I like to keep up with people.

30. Are you friends with the person who posted this?
Yep, since 4th grade!

I feel sorry for my cats. They lead such a rough life. Take, for example, what they are doing today. Yep, they look really abused!

Well, I’m home after my big shopping trip in KC. I knew that since I actually had money, spending it would be tough. I also knew I was limiting myself with a list and a goal. However, the trip wasn’t a complete shopping bust. Here’s what I did find:

* A very cool lucite and silver watch by Michael Kors. It was my first purchase and I had the sales lady hold it for me since it was the first thing I found. I can’t find a picture of it on the Nordstrom website, bit it’s really cool! I’m so glad I bought it.

* Casual crop pants. I have recently purged my closet of old ones I’ve either worn out or grown tired of, so I wanted a couple of new ones. I found some [nice white ones at Ann Taylor](http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=5145&Ne=12&pCategoryId=101&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_118&N=1200009+4294967283&Nty=1&categoryId=118&showAll=Y&defaultColorNameFromCategory=Tumbleweed&defaultSizeTypeFromCategory=Misses) that are casual and thick enough that my underwear doesn’t show. That’s really important when shopping for white bottoms!

* Lucite jewelry. While I didn’t find much, despite it’s hot popularity, I did find some [great earrings at Ann Taylor](http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=5080&N=1200030&pCategoryId=192&categoryId=210&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_210&showAll=Y&defaultColorNameFromCategory=Silver&defaultSizeTypeFromCategory=Misses). They are smaller chunks of lucite with silver on them. Actually, I should say my sister found them for me, but I bought them.

* Shoes. A trip would not be complete without a new shoe purchase I was looking for some patent shoes and found [these](http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/23569705/c/90203.html) at a store called Ciella’s in Oak Park Mall. They had them in a wonderful tortoise patent so that’s the color I bought. I tried to find some cool yellow patent shoes, but all the styles looked like they would be worn by hookers. I also found some shoes at Dillard’s but I’m still trying to figure out which ones to keep. The Dillard’s shoe department in Oak Park Mall is the worst I’ve ever encountered. Regardless of the time of day you shop, it is always understaffed and it takes forever to get your shoes from them. I swear, they go to the back room and get sucked into a black hole before they return. It’s really maddening when you’re in a hurry.

* Vino. I had to go to World Market and get us some wine. The wine refrigerator was looking a bit empty so I stocked up on some goodies. One of our summer favorites is Ironstone Symphony, a slightly sweet white that tastes really good on a hot day. Normally, I’m not a sweet wine drinker, but I do like it in the summer. I got six bottles of wine, two new kitchen towels and some potato chips for less than $60. Man, I love World Market!

That’s really the highlights of my shopping trip. I was all set to throw down some cash in the Puma store at Oak Park, but I really wasn’t that impressed with their selection. Plus, sandal season is in full swing so I wasn’t in the mood for tennis shoes. Still on the hunt for another good pair of casual crops and some interesting new tops. I did try on my share of empire-waist tops until I just resigned myself to the fact they make me look pregnant. I’m already growing weary of the loosey-goosey, hippie-trippie look this summer. Guess I’ll just wear last year’s t-shirts.

Since we have vision insurance (for the first time) and my old glasses were almost 2 years old, I decided to invest in some new frames. I went out of my normal zone and opted for wire frames with rimless bottoms. My philosophy is normally “see me, see my glasses” but I still think these have some punch to them. They seem funky without screaming “fashion victim.” Along with my new glasses comes a new haircut. I was all set to grow it out to a shaggy bob, but lately it has been driving me crazy. Today, right before my appointment, I made the decision to get rid of it. This is the shortest it’s been in about 4 years and I love it. Next Thursday, the transformation will be complete as my stylist Brook will give me really blonde highlights. We’re going all the way, baby!

So, here’s the (almost) new me:

Gentlemen, let me tell you what turns on a woman. It’s not flowers, candy, perfume, diamonds or expensive cars (although none of those hurt). Nope, the key to turning on a woman can be seen below:

Yeah, baby!

As many of you know, I’m a huge fan of [Tim Gunn](http://www.bravotv.com/Project_Runway/bio/heidi_and_tim/Tim_Gunn) despite the fact he states that women over 40 should not wear crop pants. The man has impeccable taste and style. This morning he was on the [Today Show](http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/18275777/) discussing his new book “Tim Gunn’s Guide to Quality, Taste and Style” and also talking about the basics every woman should have in her wardrobe. I thought I’d share these with all of you.

* A trench coat – Every woman should have a trench coat in her closet and I’m embarrassed to say I don’t own one. It’s mainly because I think they’re boring and have not found an interesting one to purchase. Tim states that even patterned trenches have a long shelf life so don’t be afraid of investing in one. Guess I should add it to my KC shopping list.

* Dresses – day and evening. According to Tim, all closets should have a shift dress, a shirt dress and a little black dress. I’m glad I have a body for shift dresses as they are my favorite. I have yet to find a shirt dress I like, but it’s a style I’ve always admired. As for the LBD, I have two. One is linen and one is a very dressy black crepe with a rhinestone buckle. Unfortunately, the crepe one doesn’t fit well right now, but I’m working on it!

* Jeans – This is something we all have in mass quantities. However, Tim states that everyone should have a nice pair in a deep wash that can be dressed up. This includes trouser jeans. I have a favorite pair I invested in and they never fail to gain me compliments when I wear them.

* Handbags – Again this is something most of us have in mass quantities. At least I do. Tim states that the Hobo design is the most versatile and women should look past black and brown to “neutral” colors. Red, orange, green and blue can be great pops of color in a basic wardrobe. My orange purse gets more compliments than any other one I carry. I have a huge line of people waiting for me to give it up so they can have it!

* Shoes – Ok, I have a shoe disorder that forces me to own more pairs than the average person. I’d attend a 12-step program, but I’m sure I’d be tempted to buy a new pair of shoes for every step! Tim suggests ballet flats for day and night, classic pumps, a dressy boot with a heel and flat boots. So, that’s like 5 pairs of shoes?! Yeah, times that by 10 or 20.

* Jewelry – I see a trend here in my own wardrobe with overconsumption of shoes and accessories! However, in my defense, jewelry is my profession so it makes sense that I have a variety. Tim believes in the classic cuff bracelet and I’m inclined to agree. Having never really owned one before, I made one recently and have been wearing it a lot. They are actually quite comfortable. I wore mine all day yesterday while I was working in the studio and it never got in the way. Another basic is a great cocktail ring. Thanks to my loving husband, I have a terrific piece that will suffice in that department.