Capturing memories on canvas

This is one of our favorite bridal shots of the year. Beautiful work done by April Greer Photography. We decided to take this one step further and put this gorgeous print on canvas. At imagekind.com you can use your own photographs or select one of their lovely selection of stock photos. You choose the size you want and they ship it right to your door.

For a small 'happy' to send to your couple, you can order an approximate 6" x 10" canvas for $16.95! Even Santa would be proud of that buy.

Photographs are always in good taste. Say cheese!

Our South African Adventure in a smilebox

My husband and I recently took a glorious 5-week vacation to South Africa. Take a peek at it here. This is made by a neat little program called Smilebox. Enjoy!

Buh. Bye. Brown bag lunches.

Thank you, Milano. These cute little lunch totes are fantastic! Made of neoprene and available at Target for as little as $15, they make a perfect little Holiday 'happy' for friends in the office. Now you can carry that tuna fish sandwich in style.

Buh. Bye. Brown bags.

Just add bling.

Wow. That beautiful crystal company - Swarovski (swar-of-ski) has taken a basic USB key and made me want to buy it! (Or receive it!) One of my best friends is both a fashion nut and a high tech executive. Her daughter found this perfect combination of both and I couldn't resist sharing it here.

It's so pretty you almost forget that it is a work device.

Save the purses!

If you don't happen to be at an establishment that offers hooks to hang your precious purse - consider carrying one of these beautiful crystal handbag hangers. They're not only beautiful, but will help save that latest Dooney & Bourke. Find these and others at where else? Neiman Marcus.

Go ahead. Make their day.

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."
- Winston Churchill

Were truer words ever uttered? At this time of year, I am reminded of those wise words more than usual. I have been so Blessed in many ways. I have known more love, heartache, despair, and joy than many. And I am so glad that I have learned that it truly is better to give than receive. Waaaaaay better.

So this Holiday season, consider filling your heart with joy by doing something kind for someone else. Pay it forward. It's amazingly simple and the rewards are immense.

When I recently returned from a magnificent 5-week trip to South Africa, my husband and I were waiting for our luggage at the airport. We saw some soldiers trying to pool their money together to get the $4.00 for a luggage trolley. When I handed them the money for the trolley, you would have thought I had given them a million dollars. They were so grateful it was incredible. Let's see? They have volunteered to risk their lives to keep me and my family safe and to protect our freedom. $4 to help them out? It was one of the highlights of my trip.

Here are some ideas from Steve Vogel (and a few of my own) to consider this Season.

• Tape money to a vending machine
• Pay the electric bill of someone standing in line to pay it at City Hall
• Buy stuffed animals and pass them out to sick kids in pediatrics or cancer wing of a local hospital
• Buy a cup of coffee or breakfast for a family or person
• Pay for someone's lunch in the drive-thru.
• Leave a $20 tip for an $8 dollar meal
• Buy a movie pass for two and give it to friends who could use a night out
• Find articles in the paper about people that are making a difference in your community - and do something nice for them
• Send someone a ticket to a lecture or course that he/she will enjoy
• Send someone a tape or CD of music they will enjoy
• Pay a highway toll for the person behind you
• Send money to someone who is experiencing financial difficulties
• Give a poor single Mom a Toys R Us giftcard
• Rake your elderly neighbor's yard
• Change oil, wash windows, babysit
• Leave some homemade soup on your neighbor's doorstep
• Leave the change you receive from the vending machine
• Call home

Remember, as Helen Keller so profoundly put it: "No one ever became poor by giving."

HOT! coffee

We found this cute (and sexy!) little coffee cozy by Amanda Fenniak on Etsy. In the Pacific Northwest, coffee is like air that we breathe. How fun to do your Holiday shopping donning this cute little coffee cozie around your skinny latte! Or better yet, surprise your neighbor, babysitter, pet-sitter, or even a stranger walking by with a HOT coffee and this cute wrap. You're sure to make their day bright - and that's what the Season is all about.

Cheers!

"I want freedom for the full expression of my personality." Mahatma Gandhi

It is important to make your wedding truly yours. It should be an expression of who you and your fiance are. So, if you love to dance and put on a show... go ahead! It will be entertaining and memorable. You'll have fun, your guests will have fun and most of all, it will be unforgettable.

Credit Crunch? Nah.

Defying the current credit crunch, people with mega-money are paying $25,000 per night to stay at the decadent Dubai hotel Atlantis The Palm.

The $25,000-per-night 3-bedroom suites come complete with a gold-leaf, 18-seat dining table and giant glass wall-turned-fish tank which holds some 65,000 fish, stingrays and other sea creatures.

Dolphins have been flown in from the South Pacific to provide guests with mesmerizing underwater world views from their suites. The latest in Persian Gulf excess, the 113-acre resort was built on an artificial island in the shape of a palm tree.

Wow.

This and other great stuff on trendhunter.com.

Tees For Change

TODAY MATTERS. That's the phrase that was on the shirt that Tees For Change recently sent to us. Tees For Change focuses on the power of positive thinking. Their tees, made from eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton and bamboo, sport phrases such as "practice kindness," "laugh often" and "choose happiness." Besides being oh so very comfortable, the Tees For Change are a nice reminder to live life with passion, purpose and positivity.

Visit www.TeesForChange.com for more information.