Jasmin & Ruby

I'm leaving for vacation on Monday, but I wanted to show you the gorgeous flowers blooming out my front door this morning! I live in Florida and today is 72 degress. Flowers are blooming, birds are singing. It feels like the middle of spring. We had a storm this morning. You can see the raindrops still on the blooms. It's confederate jasmin and smells heavenly. It normally has tons of bumblebees on it. Up at the top completely covered is the cutest litte bird's nest. We climb up there on a ladder sometimes to see the tiny eggs. Speaking of birds, I had to show you Ruby, the newest addition to our family. She's my sugar's little bird (one of her birthday presents) and she loves it soo much already. What a precious bird! She sings when you turn on music and sits so still she looks stuffed the rest of the time. She's been hand raised and sits on your finger without any hesitation. Great pet for children.
I'll blog about my trip when I get back. I'll wait to share where we're going. Want to take a guess? Leave your guess and I'll do a give-away with a little goody from my trip. You don't have to be right to win. I'll be back around March 5th. See you then! hint: (It's in Europe.)

Hugs~
Lori

Tea Jewelry Collage

Here's some more of my new tea themed jewelry.

Birthdays & Sneak Peeks....hmmmm

I couldn't let my daughter's 4th birthday go by without saying Happy Birthday to my little sugar! We had such a sweet little party for her with her friends. It was the ultimate in pink overkill. I had fun with them and had to wear a tiara and candy necklace too. I was taking soo many pictures, my daughter insisted on taking one of me herself. It was hilarious and scary to see her holding the camera~yikes! So here's some Hugs and kisses for my sweetheart.xoxoxoxoxo

I have a little sneak peek to show you. It's for something special and I'm not going to say what yet. I hope all you tea lovers out there will love these as much as I do. Here's just a sampling.....Let me know what you think!

Have a wonderful week everyone.

Happy Valentine's Day & Congratulations to.......

This was so much fun, I have to tell ya! These dog charms really do make me smile and I hope you had fun playing the game with me. I have learned something, I love give-aways! So, watch out for the next game to start soon.....But now...we do have a winner!!! My husband is my "random number chooser" out of my glass cookie jar. Today, he picked number 16 which was....................


AMY FROM RAZZPIZAZZ BOUTIQUE!!!!!YEAH!!!CONGRATULATIONS, AMY!
You have to visit her boutique! I'm already in love with it and trying decide what to order first. This is a girl with fabulous French style and a big heart. Click on the title of this post to go congratulate her and browse her shop. She has gorgeous journals, tags, fabulous wall art and more. You'll be so glad you did!

Have a wonderful, loving Valentine's Day!!!!xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxo

Love,
Lori

What was I thinking?

I forgot all about the doggie boys (princes) I'd like to call them. I had a few people ask me about it and I realized I could make a more masculine one by making it blue instead of pink for those who love the idea, but only have a prince instead of a princess! So, here they are. Still bling, still pampered pet, but more masculine. If you comment on this post, I'll add your name into the drawing in the morning also. If you win, just let me know which you prefer!

Monograms for your pet GIVE AWAY!!!

I just added a brand new style of jewelry for my Ruffles & Purrles line of pet jewelry! It's definitely jewelry for the pampered pet, because these are GLAM!! These are gorgeous sparkley little charms that really look fabulous on. My beautiful dog, Mia, modeled the large monogram for me last night and I must say she's never looked more stylish. I have made these in small, medium and large and added lobster claw hooks for attaching to any collar easily. They are made specifically with pets in mind out ot plexi-glass (no glass to break).
O.k. here's the fun part.....I have decided to give away one of these to one lucky pampered pet. The winner will receive a custom charm specifically with your pets monogram in small, medium or large-your choice. All you have to do is comment on this post to be entered now through Wed, Feb.13th. I will announce the winner on Valentine's Day. What a sweet gift to give your furry Valentine! xoxo

My name is Lori and I'm a chocoholic......

Here are all the ingredients.
Ghiradelli chopped
Ready to pour in the ramekins.
Grab your sweetie ~ it's ready.
I may have an unhealthy attachment to chocolate. I'm not sure. All I know is it makes me smile, except when I look at the scale and then I realize it was a one-way love affair. But, it's o.k. I can love even when my love gets returned in ways I do not appreciate-it's worth it. My husband truly loves me. This is know because he never lets me run out of kisses (hershey's, that is.) He's a wise man.
Get ready to fall head over heels into chocolate love when you eat this. This recipe was featured on Nigella Feasts and it's been a favorite of ours ever since. You will not believe how sinfully rich it is with it's warm, gooey, chocolatey center. Every bite is pure heaven. It's the perfect dessert when you have another couple over since it serves 4. Also great for date night at home with your sweetie. So, for all you chocolate lovers out there, this is for you.....Gooey Chocolate Pudding. Oh, and don't forget to add kisses...the real ones.xo

4.5 oz. Ghiradelli bittersweet chocolate, chopped
8 tbsp. unsalted butter
3 large eggs
3/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. all-purpose flour

Melt the chocolate and butter in the microwave until melted (be careful not to burn). In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar and flour until just blended. Gradually whisk in the melted choc. mix. set aside.
Grease 4 (1 cup) ramekins with butter and then flour, tapping off the excess. Preheat oven to 400'. Pour evenly into ramekins, put them on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes. The edges will be slightly set and cracking.

ENJOY!!!XOXO

Lori

10 unique things about sisters.......

1. love nothing more than a shopping day together.
2. tell each other things they wouldn't dream of telling another living soul.
3. honestly tell you if you look fat in those.
4. give advice when needed on any topic requested.
5. come to your rescue when you ruin your hair by dumping a box of brown hair dye on your head without a way to get to the store to fix it again (don't ask)
6. are able to tell when you're sad and trying to hide it.
7. know your insecurities and give you courage.
8. will admit to knowing your faults, but will fight someone else for saying it.
9. take you out for coffee and dessert, just because.
10.offers support and encouragement through every phase of life by being the best friend a person could ever have.

Today is my twin sister's birthday's. They are 40! I can't believe it!(They don't look it do they??) Happy Birthday sweeties. You guys are the best!

~ I love you!~xoxo

~An Ode to Victoria~

When I was about 16 years old, I became interested in anything vintage, especially Victorian. It gave me such a sense of peace and beauty to listen to classical music and decorate my room. It became my sanctuary. (This was a somewhat new phase since before this I drove my mother insane because it was never clean.) What brought on the change was a little magazine called, Victoria. I don't know how I was introduced to it, but it became my passion. I tore the pages out that were so beautiful to me they couldn't lie hidden inside being ignored. I used push pins and attached them in a checkerboard pattern to my entire ceiling. My Mom and I used to lie across my waterbed and look at it all and just enjoy the beauty while we talked. My whole room was consumed with Victorian. I loved it. I read and re-read the articles and felt such a kindred spirit with the authors. I really think it put something in me that is still with me to this day. One article was about finding what you love and then doing it. It really made me dream that I could do whatever I wanted and succeed. My family has always had this same mentality, so it certainly wasn't the first time I had heard that. But, seeing so many women fulfilling their dreams was amazing to me. One story was about a lady in Ca. who loved roses so much, she planted a field of roses and started a business with them. I remember thinking how beautiful it would be to work around thousands of roses everyday! Well, recently on our last trip to the mountains, my mom and I were out antiquing and we found the cutest litte shop. In the back, under some boxes, I found 11 back issues dating to 1988 of Victoria! I froze out of excitement! I grabbed them as fast as I could and whispered to my mom what I had found. It brought back all those wonderful memories we had together. Looking at the pages was like visiting an old friend. I have sat for hours re-reading each one. It was wonderful. So yes, thankfully, they have brought Victoria back and I am getting to enjoy it all over again. I hope I pass this love for beautiful things on to my daughter like my mom did for me.

With Love,
Lori