Happy 233rd Birthday!

December 16th would have been Jane Austen's 233rd birthday.

It wasn't until I saw Emma Thompson and newcomer, Kate Winslet, in Sense & Sensibility, that I became a fan of Jane Austen's. Last year, I introduced my friends to her and they in turn have become friends. Sit back and have a cup of tea and a scone in honor of this amazing woman who is one of the top novelist of all time.

"It was a delightful visit - perfect, in being much too short."

Jane Austen

Pink Saturday- Swap Sharing

I signed up for 4 swaps this season. When November was by busiest party month (I hosted 8 parties plus my daughter's), my mom was in the hospital recovering from surgery, Thanksgiving, changing the season decorations, end of Fall baseball, Nutcracker rehearsal, I quickly realised--"What was I thinking!" I was completely overwhelmed! The deadlines were quickly approaching and I was freaking out!

I decided to make stockings for all of my recepients. I worked with colors themes and used fabric that was already in my sewing closet. I made this one for Cheryl out of a vintage pillowcase for the Pink Vintage swap. She said she is a Shabby Chic girl, so I thought this was perfect.

Cheryl sent me this gorgeous swap! She is also a scrapbooker and made this beautiful flip book for me. I can't wait to put Christams pictures in it.

She told me her 4 year old made this birdhouse pick for me...how cute is that!!!

I can't believe she new I collected birdhouses!

The tree in my living room is decorated with pink and white ornaments with lots of angels and sparkle! Cheryl also sent me this GORGEOUS beaded ornament. It looks so great on my tree.

Here are some great pictures of the flip book.

My second swap was a Vintage Christmas swap and my partner was Alaura.

Her theme was red.
This is what Alaura sent me.
Love, love, love the tea cup. I had my Christmas spice tea in it this morning with a freshly baked chocolate chip scone...perfect!

Alaura made me this adorable candy dish. I will be serving my home made English Toffee on it.

Alaura also sent me some ornaments for my living room tree.

How cute are these!

The mini stocking has beautiful bead work on it.
This is what I sent to Alaura. The stocking is made out of fabric that I made my kitchen curtains out of.
We sent each other tea cups. Great minds think alike!

I also sent her some chocolate peppermint coffee and chocolate.
I'm still waiting for the other 2 swaps. One is coming from Australia and the other is for the 12 Days of Christmas Tea swap. I just mailed that one out on Friday.

After receiving my packages, I remembered why I do these...to share with other women and create friendships. I am looking forward to joining a Valentine's Day swap. :)

Please check out the other lovely pink at Beverly's.

Nutcracker Rehearsal

My daughter has been taking dance lessons at Dance Studio 84 since she was 2 1/2. Last summer, she told me she wanted to take a break from her combo tap and ballet class. I must admit I was a bit disappointed but after all, she was 6.
After a few months break, she told me she wanted to go back to dancing but just do ballet. WHEW! I was so relieved! I danced for 25 years and was on an adult Hip Hop team when Sheridan was 1. We placed 1st in competition and qualified for Nationals.

Plus, I was on Drill Team in High school as was my mom. So, no pressure on Sheridan :)
In September, her class started rehearsing for The Nutcracker.
The students are not allowed to miss any practices or they cannot perform in the show.
On Sunday night, Sheridan rehearsed for 4 1/2 hours since she is performing in all 4 shows this weekend. They split the performance into 2 casts, but Sheridan is a solider and they perform in all of them.

She has been practicing in our living room all week and even knows the Mouse King's part. It's so fun to have her give us a private performance! I just love watching her get so excited about dance because it is such a love of mine. I hope that she will continue (no pressure) and get as much enjoyment out of it as I do.

Pink Saturday at the Flower Mart

This week, I needed to go to downtown Los Angeles to buy some mini tiaras for a Princess party this weekend. I brought my friend Sandy, my shopping buddy, and after we got the tiaras we headed down the street to the Flower Mart. I just love the Flower Mart!!! Whenever I am hosting an event (when am I not?), I buy my flowers here.
Upstairs in the Flower Mart is GM Floral. This is where all the fun decor is! Going here at Christmas time is such an inspiration!

Sandy and I have an unusual ribbon fetish!

Is that Zac Efron?

Sandy and I decided we should decorate others peoples homes because there is so many different styles and we can't have them all :).

We could have spent a small fortune in here even though they have wholesale prices.

This is a giant elf hiding in the tree!

This is an upside down ROTATING tree!

I don't think it would go in my home!

Downstairs in the flower mart, it smells just heavenly!

Sandy is picking out some cedar.

I want all of it!

These hydrangeas are gorgeous!

Walt Disney Concert Hall is down the street.
On the way home, we pass through Hollywood.
The Capital Records building always has a giant Christmas tree on the roof. It looks great at night!

Taking a small detour before we head home.

Going through "Beautiful downtown Burbank" where they tape the

"Tonight Show with Jay Leno"

My parents grew up down the street. My mom would go to many television show tapings when she was younger.

Warner Brothers Studios is right next door to NBC.

AAHHH! Our destination! My favorite...Bob's Big Boy for lunch. My parents ate here when they were in high school together. They even have a car hop service and classic car night!
Thanks for coming with me downtown. Hope you found some holiday decorating inspiration.!

Check out all of the other fun pink stuff at Beverly's.