I Am a Slave to God

Beautiful Book ~ Antique Packaging

While in NYC a couple weeks ago, I stopped in at Kinokuniya Bookstores near Bryant Park. Kinokuniya carries a large selection of magazines, books, stationery and gifts from Japan ~ I especially love the bottom floor where there is a great section for crafts.

While looking through the art section on the second floor, I found this wonderful book ~ Antique Packaging by Josep Ma Garrofe. This book contains a lovely large collection of antique packaging ~ organized by theme or industry and photographed in a unique way. The examples shown were carefully selected from a private collection ~ most of which was collected by one person ~ Francesc Serra.

Primarily chosen for their design and aesthetic aspects, the packages also had to be made of cardboard for this project. The book has a vintage and tactile feel to it as it is printed on uncoated stock and is gorgeously designed. Below are a few of my favorite spreads:

Strange Baby centerpiece

Special Delivery!

Have admired this file cabinet (above) over at scissor variations for quite a while, so when I came upon a similar one (below) on a recent outing at Bottoms Up, I didn't hesitate ~ well, actually I did ~ I had to do some serious thinking as to where I could put it and if I should spend the money!

Since the foot of snow has melted, the man I bought it from is delivering it tomorrow ~ I will be making a temporary space for it in the garage so I can clean it before bringing it inside. My plan is to add some casters to the bottom and then put it in the foyer ~ it will be a great place to organize and store the magazines that I save. I'm not sure if I will keep the cordovan colored finish or not ~ but it will be another huge project I don't need to strip it if I decide to do that!

I was told that the cabinet came from a city office where there must have been a wall of cabinets like this ~ notice the mismatched drawers. Not sure of its age, but I would guess the 40's. Too bad those Budweiser lamps weren't included?! Ha ha!

Hooray for Hickory!

{image from here}

A Scottish Deerhound named Hickory won Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show this week. What a beautiful and elegant dog!

30% discount at Munique this valentine weekend only

Get a whooping 30% discount off everything at Munique Fashions when you use discount code - valentine - at checkout.  There's still time to get that precious valentine day gift for your loved one or treat yourself to handmade jewellery on your wish list.  But hurry offer ends this Sunday. 

Your 30% discount can only be redeemed at checkout. To take advantage of this generous discount please enter discount code – valentine – at the checkout. When you type the word - valentine- in the discount code box at checkout and press return, your discount will be applied automatically. Discount code expires Sunday February 13, 2011.

With your 30% discount this volcanic lava stone pendant mounted on sterling silver chain can be yours for just £40, fantastic value for unique handmade jewellery that will be treasured forever.   Shop now and save http://www.thebeauty-life.com/

The perfect jeans for your bodyshape

I'm on the hunt for a new pair of jeans after wearing my last favorite pair of jeans to the ground.  Sadly I think it is time for us to part ways as it looks too tattered and I don't do shabby chic very well.  Could never understand why people pay top dollar and buy new jeans that's already deliberately torn or distressed all because they've been advertised as trendy or as seen on the catwalk.  If you wear and wash your jeans long enough they will become distressed, faded, worn and all those other buzz terms that mean worn out jeans.  A good idea for my worn out jeans since I love them so much is to add fashionable paisley patches  so maybe I'll hold on to them after all.  May come in handy for that bout of gardening fever when spring finally shows its face. 

But still need to find me some new fashionable, fabulous and well fitting jeans for my body shape.  I must admit I approach all my clothes purchases as I do handmade jewellery, I look for the unique and unusual even if it is only a pair of jeans.  Since I wear my jeans often I must always feel good each time I put them on and know that it is money well spent.  Denims after all are a year round wardrobe staple.

So first things first body shape.  Our blog article on Choosing a winter coat to suit your body shape has a video link to finding your bodyshape and fashion DNA.  Alternatively go straight to  besleek.com input your body measurements and you are well on your way to defining your bodyshape.  Once you know your body shape, click on Gok Wan's "How to look good naked - choosing the right jeans" video and you're sure to buy the right jeans for your body shape.

For a wide range of designer jeans including the one pictured here go to dress-for-less

sea jewellery

Every time we go to Wales and spend time by the beach I am always inspired by sea jewellery as my kids collect countless shells on the beach.  Sea jewellery can either be jewellery with a sea motif or jewellery using materials from the sea like blue coral which readily comes to mind given my most recent acquisition of a blue coral ring.  But before my blue coral ring, pearls were one of the first things I associated with sea jewellery as there is nothing more natural and precious than that.

That's why I'm loving this unique shell necklet with swarovski crystals pearl so simple and yet stunning.  This unique pearl jewellery in sterling silver is mounted on an 18 inch silver cable necklet.  You don't have to a lover of sea jewellery for this pearl necklace to take your breath away.  Which woman wouldn't feel loved and adored receiving this handmade jewellery necklet as a gift on valentines day?  Click her for more valentines day gift ideas.

shell pendant

So while men are busy looking and thinking about valentines day gifts for her to bestow on their loved ones, us ladies are planning our outfits for that valentines day dinner date.  Even if you haven't had an invitation there's no harm in being prepared.  See what I mean about expectations?  Lets hope we are not planning in vain.  Keep it simple is what I always say so why not revamp an old number from your wardrobe with some dramatic handmade jewellery or chunky jewellery.   This shell pendant can be just what you need to glamorize that little black dress or that wrap dress.  A very ethnic jewellery piece that comes mounted on a thick silver snake chain, looks absolutely stunning!. Cut by hand, the shell is decoratively arranged on a disc pendant held in place by a polished silver clasp welded to the disc.  Click here to buy shell pendant online.

Old Summit Antique Show ~ Part 2

{pretty syroco or ornawood dresser box}

Aside from the great block collection, there were lots of other items to admire at the Old Summit Antique Show ~ plus lots of friends to catch up with, so it was a fun show! Here are a few more shots from the show:

{bowl of old herbs packaged in boxes ~ love the variety of labels!}

{impressive book cover design}

{interesting hand painted scarf box}

{shoe clips and embroidered handkerchiefs}

{vintage roll of taffeta ribbon}

{beautiful metal bullion tassels}

{metal embroidery threads with original packaging}

{Fabulous Putnam Dye display ~ glad to know the secret of charm!}

{Bossy the cow ~ or bull or steer in this case}

{litho cardboard farm animals & lion}

{German coffee grinder}

{stack o' suitcases}

{great shelves to organize with}

{watchmaker's metal cabinet ~ one of my purchases!}