Teacher's Gifts

With my boutique this year I found myself with less time than usual. I came across these chipboard albums at Michael's for $1.00 and each album had 5 to 6 pcs. per set. I covered, aged, and embellished. I printed the recipe for the Gingerbread Caramel Corn and covered the back with it. This is the first time for me to make this recipe and it will definitely be one that I make every year. It is delicious...let me know if you try it!

Merry Christmas to Me!

I made an appointment for the family to have "real" photos taken for our Christmas cards this year. The photographer went to grade school with my daughter and is just starting this venture into her career. I have to say I am not disappointed! She emailed me a card she thought I would like and I fell head over heels! It has a front and back and needless to say, I had one of those "if we have to eat Ramen noodles for a month to get those cards" moments. (not really but I was prepared if need be) If anyone is in the area and wants her information just leave me a comment with your email.

Featured In Southern Living!

I was pleasantly surprised when I opened up the December issue of Southern Living yesterday and saw the Knobstoppers I carry in my boutique featured as one of the top 25 gifts of the season! These stoppers are made with vintage door knobs, and old gate finials. They make the perfect gift to bring to the hostess with the mostess that throws that great Christmas party every year. So classy attached to the bottle you give the boss, the newlyweds, or the new home owners. Bottles topped with Knobstoppers look great adorning an unfinished bottle of wine on your counter top, especially if you have a collection grouped together. These are nice and sturdy to be used for generations to come, a great family heirloom in the making. I have them topping my "cooking wine" and get compliments every time company comes. I priced nice wine bags when I was deciding if these would be profitable for me and the bags are $20.00 at Pottery Barn...on sale! And what exactly does one do with those after the gift has been given? I know I have about 5 stashed in a drawer! If you are interested in one of these little jewels leave me a comment and an email address. They range from $20.00 to $32.00 a piece. My motto is "The only thing better than receiving a unique and gorgeous gift is to be the person giving it!" Happy Shopping, Paula

Decorating with Family Treasures

The holidays always bring in a flood of childhood memories for me. I find it comforting to incorporate family heirlooms and heirlooms "to be" into my holiday decorating. As a newlywed I had a garage sale with my new mother in law and discovered a small box of shiny brite ornaments she had marked to sale for a quarter. When I asked her where she got them she said they were her first ornaments as a newlywed and upon closer inspection I discovered the box was stamped 1969 not only were they her first box of ornaments they hung on my husbands first of many childhood Christmas trees. I imagine my in laws carrying their son to his first Christmas tree to watch their tiny newborn open his eyes to focus on the bright lights and multicolored ornaments. Needless to say that box of shiny brites came home with me, along with their first tree topper. Every year I display these fragile ornaments in a footed bowl that once graced the table of my husbands great grandmother. This year I have draped it with a strand of pearls that my grandmother wore to church on Sundays. There is much history tied to so many wonderful memories in that small holiday display. My cloche holds a tattered book, a baby photo of my father and my prized ornament that my best friend Amy bought for me on her trip to Curious Sofa. This is sure to become an heirloom as time passes and the shine fades. Draped on the book is a vintage rosary. This is the rosary my father carried with him on his tour in Vietnam, if only these heirlooms could talk, what would they say? What have they seen? I would love to hear how you incorporate vintage pieces into your holiday decor.

Old World Christmas...Done!

I have finished decking the halls at Oliver's. My wonderful husband/chief financial officer/best friend/heavy lifter came to my rescue and helped me with the hanging and moving and I have to say I could not have gotten it all together without him. And just in time. The Market is hosting a Holiday Open House on Friday Nov. 13th. If you are in the area they will be serving refreshments, have live entertainment and hourly drawings. Now I just need to re-coup so I can deck the halls at home!

The Old and The Beautiful!

I often wonder if I ever built another house "what would I do different"? I go back and forth between nice traditional cabinetry or something like this. I have a friend who saved antique pieces for years and had her builder "build around" them. I can see this round corner piece as a great coffee/tea bar in the corner of a kitchen or breakfast nook. And this red piece as a place for fine linens, formal dishes, or even used casually as a pantry. The large blue/green piece would look perfect in a master bath as a linen closet with beautiful towels, and vintage apothecary bottles, sitting next to a slipper tub of course with a big fat chandelier hanging above it. I would use these pieces exactly as they are, the patina is priceless.

2 Days til Christmas Music!

I woke up thinking that in 2 days I will be breaking out the Christmas CD's! (I am embarrassed to say I have around 20) My family is giving me a hard time and almost had me convinced that Nov.1st may be a little early for holiday tunes...then I found this in my email and took it as a sign. Christmas is just around the corner and I "need" 2 months of the joyful sounds of Christmas streaming through my day. I did make a deal with my kids that I wouldn't play it to wake them for school or change my ring tone on my phone for a couple more weeks...yes, I do bend! This is from the "chalk guy" he is amazing!

Copper Pumpkins

I will be marking down what is left of my fall merchandise this week to prepare for my Tuscan Christmas. I will be sad to see it go. Retailers rush the seasons through so quickly that I feel like consumers don't have a chance to really enjoy the moment. I am still in "smores by the fire, leaves a cracklin', hot apple cider" mode but will be pushing "tree-trimming, gift buying, eggnog drinking" mode. And to think I will be purchasing next years Christmas in January...it's mind boggling! Here's to... slowing down, playing in the leaves, carving pumpkins, roasting marshmallows by the fire and savoring this beautiful autumn God has given us! Have a crisp and colorful day!

A Tuscan Christmas

Since I made the decision to open my boutique in October, I obviously did not have the luxury of pouring over beautiful catalogs in pursuit of the perfect Christmas decor to sell. I did however have a vision (which usually means bringing it to fruition in a year or two for lack of finding product). I ordered Christmas from 4 different companies and had to learn to "settle" on some of my ideas, but I think I may actually pull this one off! I hope to have everything in and displayed by Nov. 6th for the unveiling of "A Tuscan Christmas". Lots of Old World charm, the most
"believable" greenery, and a little burlap here and there. Here is a sneak peek ....

Can I Borrow Your Finger?

I love to give gifts, I love to find "the perfect" gift, but most of all I love to be the gift giver with the "best looking" gift. You know what I mean, you are at a party and the table is covered with gifts, but yours is wrapped so yummy that the gift receiver grabs yours first! Ahhh what a great feeling. I found this lady and she is the master at gift wrapping, she has evolved it into an art form. I mean this lady even takes the well known and loved blue Tiffany box with the white bow to a whole new level...genius I say! The only thing I miss by renting a space at a designer showcase mall is the opportunity to purchase just the right gift wrap, in just the right color, with just the right logo, (with the perfect font) and the perfect ribbon to finish it off. Someday I will get the chance, and when people see my logo on their yummy gift their heart will skip a beat and they will say "Oh my goodness! You didn't? A gift from Oliver's...really?"

all photos from: A Gift Wrapped Life

Open For Business and My First Giveaway!

I am officially open for business. I am renting a boutique space at The Market in Oklahoma City, Ok. and I am so excited about this venture. I had a space two years ago and did not renew my lease do to the downfall of the economy. Even though my business was doing great, I was scared to death that any day it would all be over. Looking back I realize I was living for the "what if" and not enjoying the moment. My husband (aka my biggest fan and supporter) has been trying to get me to go back ever since and to be honest outside of my family it is my biggest passion. So after alot of praying, and soul searching I took a leap of faith. I mean that literally, God is my pilot, after all he gave me the passion, and he will guide me to use it as he sees fit. No more "what if's" for this girl! Everything has gone so much smoother this time (kind of like with your 2nd baby vs. your first). I am excited to introduce a new candle line, not only did I land an exclusive to The Market...I will be the first to carry it in the state! It is a soy mix, with super strong, complex and unique fragrances and it is eco friendly down to the packaging. And since this is my 100th post I will be giving one away. Leave a comment and I will draw a winner on Friday October 9th. These candles are like none you have ever experienced..I will leave you with the scent description...Have a great weekend everyone! If you are in my area please stop by!
Mexican Pumpkin
Delectable notes of cinnamon,clove,nutmeg,cardamom,and pimento leaf lend warmth to a green balsamic heart. The drydown brings together rich vanilla and sweet caramel for a mouthwatering finale.

Hoping to post pictures of the new boutique next week. Meanwhile I am enjoying the cooler weather and all that autumn brings with it! I am never one to settle for the usual so I am always on the hunt for great heirloom pumpkins to decorate with. This one is probably my favorite. Which variety of pumpkins makes your heart skip a beat?

Finally!

I finally have my handmade tags in place. I couldn't find apothecary jars that I liked so I emptied a few of mine that I was using someplace else to hang my tags on before the season was over! My fall decor is complete and just in time for me to decorate my boutique with the decor I have purchased...it is so yummy! I can't wait to show you guys...I ordered my design for my sign today and look forward to seeing how it turns out. I'll have pictures soon. Hope you are all enjoying your cooler days, Paula

I wanted to give credit where credit is due....I saw this creative ladies labels and decided that I would give some a try for my Halloween decor, I love the way they turned out and if you haven't guessed yet...they are covered CD's!!!! Now there is a great use for all the freebies that come in the mail and all the scratched ones the kiddos can't listen to anymore. I want to see your completed project if you make some of your own!

I have been busy placing orders and designing my new boutique. I will be opening shop Oct.1st and I can't wait to share this journey with everyone. I'll be posting pictures soon. Paula

Ahhhh Fall......