Happy New Year! May your new year be filled with much happiness and good health.
xxsdg
Did you know that your champagne flute should be filled with only four ounces of champagne, and never to the top? This allows you do enjoy the fine aromas of the high-quality base wines from which it is made while the bubbles are not allowed to dominate, but are part of the overall pleasure. Cheers! Happy New Year to all!
For those that celebrate Christmas I am sure you will agree it is quite magical... and stressful but the magic far out ways the stress. Some of my fondest memories of my childhood are from Christmas. Not at all about the presents I received but the magic of the season. Simple things like the lights on our tree, Christmas Carols, and cookies. The older I get the more I love the Hallmark Christmas movie channel watching mindless feel good movies late at night that embrace the season. So a little late but heart felt, a Very Merry Christmas to all and enjoy the holiday season.
I love to see an ancient art given a contemporary twist. You might see have seen some of these fabulous pieces in featured in W, Vogue, Elle or Town and County over the last few years. A contemporary take on the ancient art of cameo making" Amedeo ". My personal favorite are the rings but do check out the whole collection and plan a visit when in the NYC, it is a real treat to see them in person.
Some interesting facts about the art of cameo carving: The process of creating a cameo is the transforming of a rough seashell into a piece of jewelry.
The shells are collected all around the world, although the best ones come from Africa (Mozambique, Kenya, and Madagascar) and the Caribbean (Bahamas, Mexico, and Honduras). This stage is very important, because it takes a long experience to pick the right shell to make a perfect cameo.
Actual cameo-carving begins by cutting out of the shell what is called the cup. It is a very difficult procedure because the shell is cut in two pieces by one skilled person, using an extremely sharp wheel to slice the hard shell.
In the cup, the artist draws the shape of the cameo he wants. The shell is concave, not flat, and shows several different shades of color.
At this point, the shells are ready to be given out to the cameo-carvers who will complete the process by turning the simple shells into artworks.
Cameo carvers find some pieces taking two days while others were carved over a series of months.
My daughter shared this article with me from USA Today... It was quite funny, especially in light of the fact she and her family have moved back with us...and I am loving it. I am excited that I have replaced the normal morning routine of coffee, emails and newspaper with looking for an Elf with my granddaughter. So when the Elf leaves at the end of the month who can I invite over to entertain us during the month of January?
Final Word: This Elf's shelf life may be over
Craig Wilson, USA TODAY8:35p.m. EST December 11, 2012
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Parents annoyed by the doll/book may find that the elf is the least of their problems.
A few years ago, an elf appeared on the holiday scene and has been working his magic ever since. I'm talking about the Elf on the Shelf, the doll/book combo that is always a best seller this time of year.
The story line is simple. He arrives in the beginning of December and spends the holidays with your family, spying on the kids and reporting back to Santa every night about who has been naughty and who has been nice.
He moves about (with some human help) and can be found in a different place every morning upon his return from the North Pole. It's both a hide-and-seek game and a you-better-behave discipline tool. This elf has magical powers. Trust me.
Kids, for the most part, love him. They even name their elf. My young friend Colton calls his Buzzbee. Another young friend named his elf Steve. I do not know why. Neither do his parents.
Lately, however, I have noticed this always-on-the-move elf is starting to drive some parents crazy. One recently revised the Alcoholics Anonymous serenity prayer to give her the strength "not to throw said Elf into the fireplace when my son is sleeping."
Elf postings on Facebook this month are no kinder. One posted photo even shows him bound and gagged.
"That little creep has suffocated the spirit of the season by making my son care about its existence more than he cares about Santa, Jesus or his family," posted one mother who fantasizes about writing a letter from the North Pole, addressed to her son, informing him that his elf has perished in a tragic skiing accident. So far, she has not, but there's time — still two weeks until Christmas.
My belief is if you're going to invite an elf to live with you for the holidays, you have to be willing to pay the price.
At least this elf doesn't drink to excess, appears to keep himself tidy and eats little, if anything. Considering the guests we have had over the holidays, he seems extremely low-maintenance, except for that fact you have to remember to move him around every night.
If I were a parent, I'd be more worried about the kid moving back in 20 years from now.
By then, the elf would appear a very welcome guest.
An up coming star? Take a peak and see what you think. A mere 14 years old and every time I hear Pearl sing her voice is more amazing that the last. Great job Pearl!
For all the watch fanatics an exhibit not to miss, Master Pieces of Time IV. MACAU. DFS Group has opened its fourth Masterpieces of Time exhibition with a special media program at the DFS Galleria Macao at The Venetian Macao – the largest DFS Galleria in the world with Asia’s most extensive selection of luxury watches.
Just completed setting the table for the Connecticut Governor's Holiday House Tour in Hartford this weekend. Traditional Christmas mixed with whimsical MacKenzie-Childs. The perfect Christmas morning breakfast, only thing missing was Santa.
I am dying to try these and see how they feel in the hand.... even if they don't feel great I love the design and the concept of not taking up too much space.
I am creative and enjoy being inspired by the unique, innovative and artistic side of every day living. Please join me on my journey as I continue to use the knowledge I have accumulated, the new designs and inspirations I find... to create Timeless Cool Style.
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