Still time to order something special for a loved one

Christmas is coming at a much quicker rate this year!  I guess our extended Fall has resulted in some delays getting started, but over the past week there is no doubt that bells and lights are popping up everywhere!

For those with a special woman or girl in their lives, why not select a fun, personalized or elegant statement piece of jewellery that is functional AND cost effective?  And for women everywhere - the time is now to make your orders for Christmas gifts or have a few friends over for a trunk show to earn yourself some incredible pieces to add to your collection for free!

There is still time to have your own Trunk Show in December!  And keep in mind, the final shipping date to receive Stella and Dot pieces in time to put under the tree is December 17th!  For male readers everywhere: she doesn't want a mixer or frying pan this year!

Order directly from the "Stella!" link in the navigation bar, or send me a message if you'd like to have your own show over the next few weeks - celebrate Christmas and friends in style!

Here are a few pics of the more popular gift pieces this year:

Tweens and little girls?  No problem - the hugely popular friendship bracelets are here for your daughter or niece and their friends:

These cute bracelets are made with turquoise and other stones with a silver stone engraved "friends".

For the lady in your life, try a simple design of silver and gold vermeil called "together forever"

OR a statement piece that is both versatile and a showstopper - the popular "Adrienne" in silver

Lastly, our most popular line is the Stella and Dot charms - great for anyone!  Make a personalized and sentimental gift for Grandmas, Moms, Aunts, Daughters or Friends.  Select a bangle or one of many length necklaces in either silver or gold vermeil and add charms that reflect the individual. 

Necklace

Bangle

Silk base bracelets or necklaces

Choose from charms with initials, symbols, inspirational words, relationships and a full assortment of birthstones - the sky is the limit!

Happy hunting!

Great Christmas Ideas - on sale now!

It is November and the countdown is on - while most people are getting their heads wrapped around the sometimes stressful art of gift selection, I am counting down to the GRAND opening of Restoration Hardware in our fine city!  By November 27th, the doors are open for business!  However, Restoration Hardware is also a fantastic place to select gifts for loved ones during the Christmas season (and anytime), and with that, they have recently launched a brillant line up of fantastic gifts from he-will-love tools to vintage games and she-will-love cashmere.  Mmmmm... cashmere.  Who could possible go wrong with that?

As an introduction, cashmere is currently on sale through the RH website

http://www.restorationhardware.com/

Note to file - while the prices in the catalogue are cheaper than in retail stores, the taxes, duties and shipping promptly make it a wash.  You choose - ordering from the comfort of your desk or having the complete experience and leaving the store with a beautifully boxed purchase in hand!

Top pic for a little bit of luxury at a great price - the mini cashmere hand warmers

Huge selection of artisan leather gifts

Italian Herb Kit for the chef at home 

For the Rockstar in your family

A great art set to let your creativity flow during the winter months

For the gardener - an English seed starter kit

Traditional tools, gadgets and gizmos

Scrabble and other games, vintage-style

Great Christmas gifts and a good cause

My daughter's school is currently having a great fundraising event that I take advantage of every year - subscription magazines with up to 85% off the cover price!  It's a great deal and it offers unique gift ideas for those special people on your Christmas shopping list!

To support Riverdale Elementary School, simply go to

http://www.qsp.ca/

Use the school code 1204 and follow the instructions on-line.  Allow 6 weeks or so for your subscription to arrive, and presto - instant Christmas gifts taken care of and delivered to your friends and family (or even a little something for you)!  I believe you can choose to have a card sent by QSP to the lucky recipient telling them about your gift.

My daughter's name is Jenna Camire and she is in Mrs. McLeod's Grade 6 class.

The on-line store has an exceptional selection, from sports to home and garden, wine and fashion - even magazines from other countries and in different languages!  I often purchase subscriptions for my niece and nephews who are scattered across Canada - kids love receiving something in the mail!

For those that take advantage of this great deal, thank you, from Jenna and me!

One great fairy to follow

"Every quilt for baby tells a story - sometimes old, sometimes new; brings to life forgotten lullabies and new baby rhymes; and, creates memories for generations to keep.
Our baby quilts are where The Past, The Present and The Future all meet together.
Enjoy your journey in my baby quilt kingdom!"

The Quilt Fairy


A great new E-Store for those with young children, expectant friends, family or people who simply love quilted items!  Our dear friend in Guadalajara, Mexico, has just launched her e-store for beautiful, handmade baby quilts, quilt sets and quilted baby nursery accessories and rugs.  The Quilt Fairy.  A great website, easy to navigate and with a great selection for the little ones! 

I think these items make a fantastic gift for expectant parents or families with young children - what child doesn't like beautiful colours and pictures of what they love surrounding them at night.  The accessories are also great Christmas gifts, and ... tis the season!

Take a look...

http://www.thequiltfairy.com/



Anniversary Ideas

My husband and I will be celebrating our second wedding anniversary on August 9th.  Last year, we both chose gifts to exchange (unknowingly) that followed the traditional symbol: paper.  This year we were under the impression that the second anniversary was wood, and I scrambled to get some unique ideas for him.  However, my intuition led me to a google search, and low and behold the traditional symbol - cotton! And the modern symbol - china!  Ah, Houston, I have a problem!

Does this fill you with inspiration?  Suggestions anyone?

My daughter has suggested this...

However, she suggests this for every gift, for every occasion!

Where do they get this stuff, anyway?  What is it about the tenth anniversary (for example) that someone has deemed it worthy of a tin or aluminum gift?  Anyway, I have one week and few sparks of imagination right now.  Somehow, I don't see a set of bath towels going over so well, or my husband thanking me profusely for the lovely tablecloth or placements.  Let's not even start with china as a possibility....

All of this sparked further research into why the almighty "they" have deemed August 9th, 2010 as the year of cotton for us.  I found the following:

By the time a couple celebrates their second anniversary, they are more cozy with one another, making cotton the appropriate anniversary gift for this wedding anniversary celebration.
Here are some second wedding anniversary ideas and symbols to help you choose cotton or china gifts associated with your 2nd marriage anniversary.

2nd Anniversary Traditional Gift :

Cotton. As a material, cotton is both durable and versatile. These are both important qualities in a successful marriage. Cotton has also been known as a symbol of great prosperity.

2nd Anniversary Contemporary/Modern Gift:

China. Many people describe love as being elegant and beautiful. In the same way many people view love, china is seen as elegant and beautiful, too.

2nd Anniversary Gemstone:
Garnet.

2nd Anniversary Color:
Red.

Hmmm..  OK, so I feel better knowing that at least "they" have taken some time to make an analogy of cotton or china to the marriage, but somehow, I think it's a hill I am not ready to die on this year!

For those curious to know more about the traditional and modern wedding anniversary symbols, you can find the first 100 here!

http://marriage.about.com/cs/anniversaries/a/wedannivideas.htm

Some milestone anniversary symbols include:

5th
Traditional:  Wood
Modern:  Silverware

10th
Traditional:  Tin/Aluminum
Modern:  Diamond Jewellery

15th
Traditional:  Crystal
Modern:  Watches

20th
Traditional:  China
Modern: Platinum

25th
Traditional:  Silver
Modern:  Silver

30th
Traditional:  Pearl
Modern: Diamond

Happy Hunting!

K