All Dolled Up!

Phew...glad to be home!

Hi girls. We're back and sooo wiped out. Just thought I'd pop in and say "hi."

There really is no place like home! Whether it is humble or grand, "home" is just the best. I really am quite the house mouse.

As is this little fur ball who is ecstatic to be home as well.

A girl can make a whole lot of yo yos on a 8 hour drive (and make herself quite carsick in the process!)

I took many many photos. But for tonight, I am just going to share this one because I am just so smitten with the color combination.

Night night!
xo, Cece

Smoke and mirrors!

Hi Girls!  Wow, I am blushing over your very kind comments!  I sure do hope that by posting my photos I was not digging for compliments, that certainly was not my intent but I will gladly and appreciatively take them nonetheless!  Thank you thank you thank you from the bottom of my heart! 
Oh, and I feel I must confess...I wear makeup the consistency of spackle, false eyelashes daily, I color my hair (shhh...don't tell!) and I spend a lot of time roaming the house in pink curlers in an effort to tame my fro-ball!  I just felt like I was cheating, only showing photos of when I am "all dolled up."  If you saw me right now for instance you would want to stage an intervention; seriously, you would! 
On a slightly different note...typepad is driving me NUTS!  I want so badly to comment back to all of you and leave comments on your blogs and grrrr there are those blogs where I have no idea why but I am having trouble leaving comments! 
So, dearest Jennie from Falling Down the Rabbit Hole, I adore your blog and I so appreciate your visiting mine!  Every time I visit, that sweet photo of you as a tot in your side bar just melts my heart!   
Vicki, from Hollyhocks, your blog is another one of my favorites and some days typepad will let me leave a comment and other days it won't except my email.  But I so want to send you my very best wishes and support! 
And Michelle from the Red Velvet Shoe, you are such a glamour girl, so very inspiring to me! 
If you haven't visited Jennifer over at her still rather new blog, A Hoot and a Holler, please do!  They are the cutest little family and I am so smitten with her little girls!  Just the cutest! 
I know that whether or not I leave comments on others' blogs is realistically probably of little or no consequence to the would be comment recipient but nonetheless, not being able to on some blogs is driving me a little cuckoo so I just thought I would at least extend my appreciation here! 

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

As I have rambled about before, I am decorating our house.  Very, very slowly I might add!  It is my goal to buy only vintage (recycled) furnishings.  But when it comes to art, Richard and I decided we could splurge on one special piece that could really set the tone for the rest of our decor.  Holy moly!  Am I naive or what!  Good art is darn expensive!  As it should be of course once I think about it, I guess I just never thought about it!  I just have to share some of the artists I have discovered via cottagechicstore.com.  I'd have to sell an organ to be able to afford any of it right now but they are so spirited and happy and just what I have been looking for (minus the price tag!) 

These are by an artist named Kyle (no last name, just Kyle, kind of like Cher I guess. ;) 

And these are Catherine Elizabeth Morris.  Lovely!

I am off to finish painting the family room a color my husband calls "happy green." 
Have a lovely weekend! 

All Dolled Up!

Hi! 
Lately, the only photos I have of myself consist of me in my bathrobe holding my dog.  Um...yeah...great for the personal family album but not so good for the blog.  Besides, I think about when I am old and I want to show my grand kiddies what I looked like before everything headed south and the middle age spread hit.  I don't want the only photos of me in my thirties to be either bent over in the veggie patch or in my bathrobe and bunny slippers.  So, I took matters into my own hands and attempted a self portrait while sitting in the car in front of our house waiting for DH to get the directions to the party we were headed to. 
I forgot to take off my seat belt but at least I cropped out the neighbor's garage contents.  Like I was sayin...this was very impromptu! 
Here goes...
This is me girls.  Christina (aka Cece) Van Doren age 32 sitting in my driveway. 
 
My attempts at looking glamorous resulted in looking like something was stinky. 
So, I opted for a more "natural" expression.

Posting photos of my smiling mug on my blog is a challenge of sorts for me.  Granted, I know I am not a total "mud fence" or anything but like many women, I am my own harshest critic.  As the years go by though, ironically, as I start to look older I simultaneously start to feel more confident.  Maybe confidence is the wrong word, I think it might be self acceptance.  I joke that my legs are meant to be plowing fields.  Long and lanky I am not! But hey, it is what it is.  I'm just going to take good care of my farm girl legs and if I want to show them off in all their glory, darn it, I'm going to.  I am thinking of challenging myself to post more photos of myself here on my blog.  I by no means have a model figure but I am really trying to just focus on my health and accept me for who I am.  And ya know, I want to see your pretty selves too.  We may not be supermodels but we are real women leading real lives and we should not be shy about it!  I want to see you too! 

Ok, I will get off my soap box for now.

On an all together different note...my friend Karen and I had a blast at the Alameda Antique Fair.  I wish I had taken more photos.  I kind of go into sensory overload mode when I am there so I sort of forgot.  But!  Lookie what I bought!  (drum roll please!)

The photo is not doing our new chandelier justice.  It is sooo darn cute!  (Hubby...it isn't really "cute" what I meant to say is that it is cool, and um...modern, yeah...that's it, cool and modern.)  Oh, dear...poor Hubby.  He married such a girl!  This chandelier is going to look so incredibly perfect in our dining room!  To heck with a super formal dining room I say.  I mean really, who are we kidding?  The last few holidays I have served food barefoot for goodness sake!  So, our dining room is slowly morphing into a cozy, sunshiny, and family-ish space.  And now it is going to have a daisy light fixture!  Yippee! 

If we had a little girl I would have snatched this up in a heart beat! 
How cute is this vintage trunk? 

I have always wanted a vintage trunk.  Even when I was a little girl I wanted a trunk.  I have this romantic (and inflated, I'm sure!) vision of a girl accumulating her cherished lifelong mementos in an old trunk.  Especially a trunk with little dutch girls and daisies!  ***sigh***

I wanted to take this puppy portrait home but alas, I settled for a photo of it.  I thought it might offend Poppy Flower and Ginger.  They are not white and fluffy like this dear girl so I would feel guilty.  I don't want to make my little pound puppies jealous!

I want to share photos of my other flea market purchases but I think I will wait for another day as I have already rambled enough for one day, for sure! 

Have a lovely day girls! 

Candy Colors

Wow, as I am about to write a post about the contents of my purse it just occurred to me that really, I should get a life.  Oh, dear.  I can see it now...some day when we have children how they will roll their eyes and frown when their mother takes to doing things like showing the world her purse contents.
But, my little purse contents bring me so much happiness!  Silly I know but really it is true!  The other day a friend (who was carrying a black purse with all black contents while dressed all in black making me feel like I had dressed up like an Easter Egg or perhaps a cupcake or no, a pinata!) commented that my purse looks like a candy store!  "Why thank you!"  I replied! 

Let's see...we have my pleather (yep!  I proudly said pleather!  I don't do leather...the whole dead animal thing just creeps me out!) aqua organizer, which is disorganized I might add. 
My pink pleather wallet with bright orange lining purchased by DH in New York. 
A tissue cozy made by yours truly. 
A trusty pony tie also made by yours truly. 
My Cath Kidston pink ticking makeup bag, much loved and much used!
A petite hairbrush purchased for its cute color and rarely used although admittedly it should be! 
My lip balm shaped like a strawberry cupcake originally purchased for my 6 year old niece but then I couldn't bear to give it away.  (she'll never know! ;)
Vintage cigarette case used as a business card holder.
My pretty daily journal that I don't write in daily as intended...but I am trying! 
Little pad of paper again purchased primarily for cuteness, hey it is yellow gingham, how could I not buy it! 
Stinky lotion given to me by Santa...at least it is a pretty color. 
Pewter heart key chain that I bought for myself to celebrate passing my driving test when I was 16. 
And last but not least my keychain with my gym pass which I am determined to use with more frequency, a Tiffany's heart (given to me by a creepy guy in college but hey...it is a nice keychain so what the heck!)  And a little Eiffel Tower keychain ironically purchased in New York because I couldn't find one in Paris. 
Phew!  Well wasn't that exciting! 
I couldn't resist girls!  Thanks for bearing with me! 
;) Cece

Just chuggin along...

Hi Girls! I've just been chuggin along, working on misc. household projects. Painting the family room and kitchen and planting flowers in the front yard. I didn't make it through last weekend without sewing like I had planned. Ce la vie! It's all good. At least when I am sewing it is a opportunity really to just sit and relax and once I have a pattern down pat I just kind of space out really. So, my hands may be sewing but I am off in la la land. With many projects in the works, I look forward to having lots to show and tell soon!
Oh, and this Sunday, my dear dear friend Karen and I are going to the Alameda Antique Fair! I'm so excited you'd think we were going to prom or something!
Well, every blog post deserves a cute picture so here it is!

I can not take any credit for these adorable little bags. They were handmade in Nepal and I found them at Craftsbury Kids.
On our honeymoon in France I saw little bags that I think were just like these cuties. I've still been dreaming of them 3 years later! Very tempting!
Happy Friday everyone!

Shoe Love!

Like many women I have an irrational love of shoes and handbags.  But being a vegetarian has always made my shoe love more challenging because I don't wear leather.  But, as more and more people are becoming vegetarian and more and more celebrities are speaking out, vegan shoes and handbags are popping up all over!  Yippee for me and "oh, dear" for my pocketbook!   

Natalie Portman has started her own luxury line of vegan shoes.
Joaquin Phoenix received a lot of press when he refused to where leather while filming Walk the Line.  He wore vegan cowboy boots when he was Johnny Cash.  I think that is so so cool! 

All of the shoes above can be found at Beyond Skin.
How beautiful is the above photo!  I think the boots are super cute but those outfits!  I adore that look, so feminine!
A couple other great sites for shoes and handbags are, Bourgeois Boheme and Matt and Nat. 
And I really really want these boots from Alternative Outfitters.  I know it is almost spring but wouldn't they be great with long flowy skirts!

I'm usually pretty reserved in talking about my being a vegetarian.  I really really do not want to come off as preachy.  But it is something that means so so much to me so on occasion I talk about it here on my blog.  As a vegetarian there have been times when I have felt like I have been perceived as a weirdo or as difficult so it feels so validating that being a vegetarian is more mainstream now.  It is as important to me as religion is to many people.

This quote from Sir Paul McCartney pretty much sums up how I feel. 
“If anyone wants to save the planet, all they have to do is just stop eating meat. That’s the single most important thing you could do. It’s staggering when you think about it. Vegetarianism takes care of so many things in one shot: ecology, famine, cruelty.”

Thank you so much for visiting me here on my blog!  I hope you have a lovely day! 

Business 101: Part Deux (The Late Bloomer)

Happy March everyone!  I love the feeling of a new month.  It feels like a fresh start of sorts, a new beginning. 
I am constantly setting goals and milestones for myself.  I think it is important to do that and it is something that I naturally tend to do anyways.  But, I am tired of beating myself up when I don't reach my goals in a timely manner or change my mind about wanting to achieve said goal altogether.  Do men beat themselves up emotionally this way?  I wonder?  I have a feeling that it might be more of a burden we women put upon ourselves.   As I have blathered on about before, this is something I am trying to let go of both professionally and personally.
I planted an amaryllis back in November thinking it would bloom in time for Christmas.   Oh contraire!  It was going to grow and bloom at its own sweet pace and that was that.  I kept giving up on it.  I even wanted to throw it out.  But then finally, it started to grow, slowly but surely reaching up and up.  "My goodness, is this stalk ever going to stop growing?" I kept asking my husband.  And then finally, after months and months, voila!  A big lush, beautiful bloom!

Maybe I am a bit like that amaryllis?  I am slowly but surely growing but at my own slow pace.  I periodically give up on myself and want to throw in the towel on my little business but I always come back to it.  And when I do, it surges forward just a little bit each time.  I know of alumni from my design school that are so much further ahead than I am.  I wish I did not compare myself to others that way but alas I do.  I guess, where I am going with all of this is, if you have your own little business or if you want to, let yourself establish your own pace.  Don't give up on yourself.  Keep nurturing your business and it will grow and eventually you will be able to step back and savor the amazing bloom that you have been so patient about cultivating.  It will happen!  I keep telling myself that, in my heart I know it will.  When I look at old photos of how I started and then reflect on where I am at now I realize that it is happening, I am slowly growing but I am so close to it that I guess I don't see it unless I step back.  I guess I am just a late bloomer. 

Out and about

"I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date!" 
Sometimes I feel like the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland.  Always late, but not quite sure of where I am going.  Today however, I refused to be stressed, I left my To Do list at home, got a few things done but primarily enjoyed myself after a weekend of working my tail off.

 
First, I purchased new dining room furniture.  Yipee!  Thank you craigslist!  I'll show you photos later, once I've worked my magic and make it fabulous.  Presently, it is not fabulous but it has great potential and $340  for a table and 6 chairs was just too darn good to pass up.  I'm very excited! 
So, the table and chairs were in Lafayette.  Now I couldn't drive all the way to lovely Lafayette and not peruse a bit! 
So, first I went to the Hen House.   Eclectic with a capital E but in a very good way.  The owner is fabulous, she wears these long velvet robes and beaded slippers. 

Than off to A. G. Ferrari Foods, a great Italian grocer and deli.   

I nibbled (ok more like inhaled) Italian bread sticks and Limonata while sitting on this little bench watching birds peck at the ground and ruffle their feathers in puddles from yesterdays rain.

   

I couldn't pass up these pretty Italian candies.  I'm not sure what they are, but well, the wrappers are just so pretty! 

Than off to the fabric store.  I keep trying to avoid the fabric store, but well I always seem to need something. 

The fabric store is close, well close enough anyways to the best self serve frozen yogurt shop. 

And now I am home, with lots to do but not lots of motivation to do it.  But that is ok, lazy days are far and few between so I savor them when I can! 

Our Southern California Weekend

On Friday Richard and I loaded up the wagon and we headed to Southern California.  After 8 hours of gazing at farmland, knitting, and reading to Richard as he drove along, we had made it to Palos Verdes.  I completely forgot about taking photos of the beautiful area because I was so smitten with our beautiful new family member!  My sister in law had a baby a few months back and we were sooo excited to finally meet her!  There is nothing more beautiful in this world than a sweet little baby.  All that love, and hope, and innocence in a bundle of pink softness and chub. 

Wow, there are so many things that are just so adorable when you are 4 months old that would be really not adorable at say, my age.  Like rolling around on the floor with your bottom up in the air for starters.  And you know you are seriously adorable when your family finds it cute that you just "whiffed a woofy."  Yep, that is what we call it in our family. 
Ok, I must get back to work; rather hard to do after a extended weekend of play and relaxation!
Bye Bye! 

She loves you

Love, love, love.
Love, love, love.
Love, love, love.

There's nothing you can do that can't be done.
Nothing you can sing that can't be sung.
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game.
It's easy.

Nothing you can make that can't be made.
No one you can save that can't be saved.
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time.
It's easy.

All you need is love.
All you need is love.
All you need is love, love.
Love is all you need.

All you need is love.
All you need is love.
All you need is love, love.

Love is all you need.

Nothing you can know that isn't known.
Nothing you can see that isn't shown.
Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be.
It's easy.

All you need is love.
All you need is love.
All you need is love, love.
Love is all you need.

All you need is love (all together, now!)
All you need is love. (everybody!)
All you need is love, love.
Love is all you need (love is all you need).

Yee-hai!
Oh yeah!
She loves you, yeah yeah yeah.
She loves you, yeah yeah yeah.

(All You Need Is Love by John Lennon )

I love you Richard! 
I love you Mom! 
I love you Dad! 
I love you friends!  I love you family!  I love you pets!  I love you Earth! 

I really do feel that Love is the root of all we need.  Love will bring peace both personally and to the world.  Love will save the earth.  Love will save children.  Love will save animals.  I am learning to go about my days with more love and compassion.  Love gives me purpose and love gives me strength. 

We do not need a manufactured holiday to spread Love.  Peace and Love to all of you!

 

Richard, your kindness, loyalty, and compassion and sincere desire to "do the right thing" are so inspiring to me.  My heart is yours and I am honored to be your Valentine! 

Oh, and to any gals out there who don't have a Valentine this year; I just want to tell you...I hunted and hunted for this man.  I kissed many frogs along the way before I found my prince!  I did not give up and once I found him I put all my heart into it!   I did not wait for my prince to come, I got out there and found him, scooped him up, and called him mine! 

Happy Valentine's Day! 
Love, Cece

Nostalgic

I grew up in a quaint country house, on top of a hill, nestled in a grove of trees, in Northern California.  We had chickens, a big veggie garden, and homemade swings hanging from giant oak trees.   Looking back, I realize how idyllic it all was. 
(for more ramblings about my upbringing, please visit My Story)
I was absolutely enchanted by The Little House on the Prairie.  I looked a bit like Laura and I use to imagine she was my friend. 

Recognize the above image?  If you grew up in the early 80's I bet you do! 
I think the baby bonnets I've been making for the past couple of years were unintentionally inspired by these memories. 

As enchanted as I was with the Little House on the Prairie, I was completely smitten with Tasha Tudor.  And, I still am. 
I was riffling through my night stand the other day and I happened upon this. 

I have kept A Time to Keep, The Tasha Tudor Book of Holidays by my bedside since I was about 5 years old.  I cherish this book. 

We want to start a family and this book has got me thinking about just how powerful books and other stimuli can be in forming who a child becomes.  I am proud and so so grateful to have very grounded parents that eschewed pop culture for a simpler and more timeless way of life. 

This book is where my dream of having my own business began.  I have always been so smitten with Tasha's illustration of girls selling baked goods and doll dresses that at 5 years old I announced to my parents that I was going to do just that.   

And in the book, the little girl celebrates her birthday with a party in the woods so, of course I had to do that too.  For many years, my birthday parties were at Samuel P. Taylor State Park nestled in a grove of giant redwood trees and lush ferns next to a meandering creek.

 

As I got older, Samuel P. became a safe place for me; a refuge of sorts.  I use to drive out there by myself in my 69' VW Bug, park down by the creek, put the convertible top down, and just stare up at the redwoods and dream.   

Eventually, I even got married there. 

A couple of years back I wrote to Tasha Tudor to thank her for her books and illustrations and I shared with her just how much they had impacted my life.  She is elderly now, well into her 90's.  One of her children wrote me back with a simple "Thanks."  I do hope they told her.  I imagine she hears stories like this with some frequency but nonetheless, I do hope they told her. 

Good friends are hard to find

And so once I find them, I cherish them! 
I dribbled on a bit in my last post and I just want to give my most heart felt Thank You! to all of the kind and generous souls out there who stopped by and left me a comment.  Really, they have helped me.  I think it is so healthy to hear a myriad of perspectives from which to base life decisions.  My husband will cheer me on no matter what I choose to do.  I am so grateful for that but there are those family members who despite good intentions, have made me feel like me aspiration to be a working Mom with my own business is not realistic.  I am working on letting preconceived expectations go and just being.  So, thank you thank you thank you!  It is great to have you blog peeps in my corner!  I hope I can reciprocate your kindness and be a shoulder for you too!
Tim left a comment that really got me thinking so I am going to share it with you.
This is what Tim had to say:

"I had a friend who also wrote me this, which has sunk deep into my soul: "I've told people in the past that, to get things done, you have to let your dreams die. Why? Because having a dream gives you a reason not to succeed. After all, who ever fulfills their dreams. Just live baby. You know why? Because every moment turns into exactly what you want when you act." So in other words, I actually feel that you're on the RIGHT path right now...living in the moment and NOT worrying (so much) about dreams and things "to do".

Isn't there so much truth in that!? 

I'm new to my little town and am so happy to have clicked with my dear neighbor Nicole.  I had her over for a simple lunch today. 

As usual, I was running late and did not get home until 12:50.  Thankfully, she was running late too.   

We had lots of tea with cream and sugar.  A spinach salad finished with lots of cinnamon cake and vanilla scones.

We talked about children and what it means to be a good mom.  I'm learning so much from her example. 
I guess I have featured my kitchen table a lot on this blog.  Believe it or not I have many many tablecloths.  I just never seem to tire of red gingham though.  Come to think of it, the apron I wore today was red gingham too. 

We talked about our husbands.  They are so different but both such good good husbands.  I know we are so blessed to share our lives with them. 

It was one of those great visits where you both lose track of time and get lost in conversation.

oops...time to go, the kids are out of school!  And off she went.  Thank you for coming over today Nicole!  And thank you out there, each and every one of you, for stopping by! 

Just bumbling along...

"Keep your eye on the prize!"  That is what my co-worker/friend used to always say.

"It is never too late to be what you might have been."

"Your past does not determine your future."

"In the long run, we only hit what we aim at."  -Thoreau

Hmmm...what if I am not sure what I should aim at?  And what prize do I want anyways?  All my adult years I have been very driven and really worked my fanny off (funny thing is it is still there and much bigger than it used to be. bad joke, sorry.) Anyways, seriously, this is the first time in my adult life that I am not really sure what my goals are.  It is an absolutely disconcerting feeling!  I guess I have always formed my identity at least in part based on my goals.  So, without specific goals then, who the heck am I?  I've been really contemplative lately and I feel a bit like I am chasing my tail.  The new year makes me feel expected to set out some new game plan of all that I am to accomplish in the new year.  Blah! 
While stewing over all of this today I puttered around and took photographs of my products and my studio. 

I'm experimenting with merchandising ideas for when I have a shoot with a real little model and not just a dress form.
 
So, I know what my dreams are but they feel so big and lofty and not tangible, yet.  I just can't seem to break them down into actual goals.
I'm letting the cat out of the bag here and I am going to let you in on a little secret to help explain my present quandary.  We want to start a family.  I really really want to start a family.  So, it makes it pretty hard to be super enthused or have concrete goals as far as my career is concerned when I've always assumed that it is all going to come to a screeching halt once I have a baby.  Or will it?  You tell me...seriously!?  I guess I need advice from those who have been in my shoes.  I work full time at a "regular" job and I have my little business on the side.  My dream is to be completely self employed.  I LOVE my little business and I really want it to grow but then what happens once I have a baby and I am the sole person keeping my little business afloat.  Does it all come crashing down then?  Or do I than have to work myself silly and miss out on some of the joys of being a new mom because I'm a stressed out mess over my business?  Can I really "do it all?"  How do you do it?  I'm going to quit my "regular" job once I have a baby but still be self employment with a little one...I don't get how you women do it?   
I worked on All Dolled Up by Cece Marie (my little business) pretty much all weekend.  Saturday Richard and I worked on the website.  (The exciting changes will be up soon!) And today I worked on patterns and photographs.  Then I got sidetracked and started photographing stuff in my studio.

You know you are seriously procrastinating on getting back to work when writing your name in buttons sounds like a good idea.  I stopped myself at C.

Anyways, how on earth do moms have a profitable and real business while at home with a baby?  My amazing do it all, good at everything, doctor sister in-law says it is not possible.  Well, geez...if she couldn't do it then I most certainly can't.  One day at a time I suppose. 
Not being able to decide upon specific goals is forcing me to be in the moment more though.  I feel that is a very good thing.  I'm trying to learn to enjoy the journey more.  Know what I mean?  Uh oh, I feel another cliche saying coming on. ;) "Life is a journey and not a destination."  Right? 
Thank you for stopping by!  Thank you for reading my ramblings!  I know that in the whole scheme of things I am immensely fortunate and that not being able to decide on specific goals at the moment is not really a "problem."  But nonetheless, it is still just on my mind.  I hope you all have a great week!  -Cece

Christmas is on December 30th...right?

Hello everyone! I hope whoever happens upon my little blog has had a wonderful Holiday!
We ended up celebrating Christmas this morning. Although I am a procrastinator that is not why. I got the flu...big time. Christmas Eve was spent in the emergency room with a temp just shy of 104. Ugh. Today is the first day I have been up and about and therefore, here at the Vandoren's anyways, today is Christmas. Well, this was a new tactic to get out of cooking Christmas dinner and it worked quite nicely. And we didn't have to make the 8 hour trip to see the in laws either. Rightfully so, no one wanted me around with all of my snivveling and snarfling. Although our tree is quite crispy, I can't bare to put away the ornaments before they all make it onto the tree. So, I have spent the morning decorating the tree so we can step back and take it all in, and say..."ahhh...Christmas!"...and than dismantle it all. Oh, well. A little Christmas is better than no Christmas!
Thank you for joining us this Christmas Mr. Peanut!

Little Bo Peep, it has been a pleasure. After all these years, I'm so glad you still are with us.

Pink Betty, we are happy to have you join our Christmas family this year! (If you would like a Pink Betty of you own, please visit Sadie Lou Who over at etsy!)

And to the rest of the Christmas gang, it just wouldn't be Christmas without you!

I guess my penchant for vintage Christmas decorations is quite evident.

I'm ready for the New Year. Aren't you? 2007 was a good year in many ways but it certainly was a challenging year. A lot of inner turmoil went on during 2007 and a lot of reflection too...well for me anyways. I'm ready to take action this year...act on all that "reflecting" I did. I'm always talking about my dreams and plans blah blah blah...I'm even tired of hearing myself talk about it. No more lip service, time is a-wastin...2008 is going to be about maken it happen. Makin what happen you ask? I'm not sure exactly but it's gonna be big! We'll see.

Best Wishes and Happy New Years everyone!

I don't want to go

I started out so enthusiastic at my new job. My District Manager keeps saying how great I am doing and how he has big plans for me. I've been extra kind and friendly to everyone. Really, I have. Being the new girl can be hard, you know? I really like the sales staff, all incredibly nice and interesting people who work at the store part time while being retired or in addition to their "real" career. But there are two people that have made it very clear they do not like me. Despite a room full of people who do, having two of my fellow managers make is very clear they don't like me really really hurts. I've brought them cookies and bags of coffee. I've greeted them with a smile everyday. Yet they say such mean things. They say I am "self motivated" and come right out and tell our store manager that "I don't like her." Geez...that hurts. But than I wonder why the store manager is telling me this as it is not very constructive and just hurts so I don't think she likes me either. I've been trying to analyze myself to figure out where this hostility is coming from. Frankly, I don't care enough about the job to be "self motivated," so that leaves me completely perplexed. Maybe part of why they don't like me is because our boss the District Manager really does and openly says so? Either way this is the pits.
Honestly, I know I'm not perfect but I really am a nice girl. I take such pride in that. Needless to say, I don't want to go to work today. I'm suppose to be there in 10 minutes. I called to say I'm running late. Something I never do but well, I'm on the verge of tears and it is embarrassing.
Reading everyone's blogs and looking at all their pretty pictures really does lift my spirits when life gets me down. I'm thankful and appreciative to everyone who takes so much time with their beautiful blogs and most of all takes the time and effort to share themselves with us.
I want to stay home today so I can cruise around crafty blog land and make a cup of cocoa and put my slippers back on. I want to stay home and rub my puppies soft ears with her curled up in my lap.
I keep visiting a couple of little stacks of fabric in my sewing room. As trivial is it may sound, they make me happy. I look forward to when I have some free time to play with them and create something new and experiment. I haven't had time to do that in a really long time, to just play and create. It is nice to know that I will have time for that soon though...a light at the end of a tunnel so to speak.

I've been accumulating those little fabric stashes for awhile. I have lots of fabric but those are special. I plan to make my first quilts with them.

I just think the fabric above is the sweetest print. It makes me smile. :) I just have a little 1/4 yard remnant piece of it. I sure wish I new who made it so I could get more!

I received a delightful package in the mail the other day! I received my order from Janet over at Primrose Design The adorable tissue covers were suppose to be gifts (for my co-workers ironically) but I like them so much I think I am going to put one by my bed, one in my car, and one in my purse.
Bad girl I know, keeping gifts. I'll just have to order more!

One of my favorite things about purchasing goods from other crafter/designers is the care and love that you can tell is put into each piece. I love both of these sachets. Especially the pink one. And I appreciate how you can tell that she made sure to have the fabric print centered just right and the little pink button is positioned just so.

Well, I'm feeling a bit better all ready. Crafty therapy really is the best.

I hope everyone feels warm and happy today even when it is cold outside.

I'm so thankful!

As Thanksgiving approaches, it seems fitting that I share with you all something my amazing sister inlaw Katherine has shared with me.

If Earth's population was shrunk into a village of just 100 people-with all of the human ratios existing in the world still remaining; what would this tiny, diverse village look like? That's exactly what Phillip M. Hartre, a medical doctor at the Stanford University School of Medicine, attempted to figure out. This is what he found.

57 would be Asian
21 would be European
14 would be from the Western Hemisphere
8 would be African
52 would be female
48 would be male
70 would be non white
30 would be white
89 would be heterosexual
11 would be homosexual
6 people would possess 59 percent of the entire world's wealth, and all 6 would be from the United States
80 would live in substandard housing
70 would be unable to read
50 would suffer from malnutrition
1 would be near death
1 would be pregnant
1 would have a college education
1 would own a computer

The following is an anonymous interpretation of the above information:
Think of it this way, if you live in a good home, have plenty to eat and can read, you are a member of a very select group.
If you have a good house, food, can read and have a computer, you are among the very elite.
If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation...you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.
If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death...you are fortunate, more than three billion people in the world can't.
If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep...you are richer than 75% of this world.
If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace...you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.
If your parents are still alive and still married...you are very rare, even in the United States.
If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you, and furthermore, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read at all.

Have a good day, count your blessings, and pass this along to remind everyone else how blessed we all are!

Play Day!

Monday through Thursday I worked all.....day....loooong. Literally, until like midnight. Just sewing and sewing and sewing. I love sewing and all but that is definately too much of a good thing. This morning I started out my day working and than at about 10am I peered out the window and it was so pretty and sunny so I decided to take a little break to sit outside. Next thing you know I'm sitting outside with this little one taking in the crisp fall air as we basked in the sunshine.

And that is when I decided, "Heck with work! Today is going to be a play day!" My day may not have been exciting by other people's standards but I had so much fun! First I went and got a Soy Chia and a yummy scone which I enjoyed as I walked around quaint downtown Benicia. I went to my favorite vintage store where I purchased these Victoria magazines for just a dollar each.

And just what I don't need but couldn't resist; this sweet little baby bib.

I went on a little bike ride. I love my bike! Richard bought it for me during the summer and I just adore it!

Than I decided to plant these!

I'm having so much fun slowly re-doing our new front yard. Two weeks ago I pulled out ALOT of icky scraggly bushes. Than last week I planted a row of baby roses; alternating pink, yellow, and white. (Trader Joes has the sweetest baby roses for only $4!) Today I planted more roses, pansies, and bacopa.

All in all a very nice day of puttering around. Back to work tomorrow!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Round and round,

and around she goes, where she will stop nobody knows!  hmmm...I don't recall where I have heard that saying but that is how I have been feeling lately.  So many changes!  So much going on! 

So, my last post I mentioned a big interview.  I am both proud and sheepish because first, I got the job and than second, I turned it down!  Although interviewing can be very nerve racking it was actually a fun experience for the most part because it gave me the opportunity to briefly be my old self again.  I have been married and living a suburban life for 2 1/2 years now and it has been a pleasure but a major change from how my life use to be.  I worked in San Francisco for many years and before that I went to college in San Francisco.  So, the interviewing process allowed me to be that chic city girl I once was, although very briefly.  I've been meaning to take a photo of my interview outfit since it was such a fun departure from my daily attire.  I wore a high-waisted fitted black pencil skirt, cream silk charmeuse blouse, and a black and cream boucle cropped jacket with very high black heels with ankle straps.  Oh, and sheer black hosiery with a seam up the back (very 1940's!) and my cream cashmere coat (which I never get to wear anymore.)   
The corporate headquarters of this cosmetic company where I was interviewing was impressive for a girl like me who has been living a quiet and quaint life for a few years!  Seriously, I felt like I was on the set of en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Devil_Wears_Prada_%28film%29   I stepped out of the elevator into an all white, glass, and crystal foyer!  My interview was with a Regional Manager in her sleek corner office with an amazing view of the San Francisco skyline.  I felt like I was sooo out of my element!  Rather over the top but so fun to visit.  Anyways, to make a long story short; the very next day I was offered the job.  Perhaps I should have taken it.  Perhaps if I was more confident I would have.  I know that I interview well and all but I was pretty shocked that they offered me the job!  I mean couldn't they see that despite my fancy get-up I really am just a small town girl with curly red hair who collect hankies and sewing boxes?  Couldn't they tell that most days I scoot around my house in ballet slippers not stilettos?  Ok, enough about that...I'm relieved I didn't take it I know I would have gone mad due to stress and would work insane hours.  Besides, I'm not enamored with prestige or fancy things the way I use to be.  I would not be a good fit for such a image based environment. 
I did however land a much less intimidating job that I am so so excited about!  I am going to be a assistant manager at a delightful garden shop!  I love to garden and I love window boxes and flower pots and outdoor furniture and pagodas and...and...and...I could go on and on.  Anyways, it will be nice stable full time employment yet I will still be able to pursue my crafty endeavors on the side.  I am very very happy about this.  Big sigh of relief! 
Thank you for enduring my job talk! 
So, last weekend my Mom did the sweetest thing!  She knows that Richard and I are on a really tight budget right now so she took us to my very favorite place for a fancy three course meal as a treat! Le Bistro

Le Bistro in Walnut Creek, CA is this darling tiny restaurant that is just so so charming!  The staff consists of the owners, Jean-Paul and his wife Kathleen, and about two French waiters on any given night. 

Wherever my Mom goes so does her pup, Carly.  She seriously refers to Carly as my sister that is how attached she is to her pup!  But can you blame her?  Look at this sweet ball of fuzzy wuzzy sweetness! 

That is our stairway which will be changing colors very soon thank goodness!  Nice colors for someone other than myself. 

I really like this photo, I think my Mom and Carly look a bit alike.

Thank you Mom!  We Love You!  And Carly too! 

sorry for the freak out...

Hello. How is everyone today? I say that as if "everyone" happens upon my humble blog; not the case for sure but nonetheless I do hope everyone out there in blogland is having a nice day! So, as some of y'all know, I had been blogging for over a month and I was finding my voice and bumbling along, enjoying myself as I bobbled around blogland and than POOF! all gone. You see, I had a minor freak out and erased it all. I'm so bummed. I'm just such a nut sometimes. A real life acquaintance happened upon my blog and was asking me about some embarrassing stuff I dribbled on about on my blog and well...I just couldn't take it! So, I came home and erased it all. Ya...big bummer. I actually was really liking my little blog too. Well, I won't do that again...promise. Instead, you all are just going to be my little secret :) until I am ready to reveal this wonderful world with well, the real world.
When I was a little girl growing up kind of out in the country as a very shy only child, I came up with a imaginary world and in that world was my best friend, Lasa. Lasa liked everything I liked! And she always wanted to play house when I wanted to play house and she didn't even mind playing the part of the Daddy because I of course ALWAYS played the Mommy. I digress...my point is...blogland is this happy place for me where suddenly I feel understood and validated and so much more open than I am in real life. You all are my Lasa!
I am usually quite shy you see. I mean, I am very friendly but I am shy about revealing my true self to other real life people. Fear of being judged and misunderstood I guess. So, I am back for good this time and I am really sure of that this time. :)

So, I am going to retrace my steps a little bit...this is me, Cece.

That photo was taken on my birthday. My dear hubby knows how much I love pink and that I love polka dots!

And this is Richard, the aforementioned dear hubby, looking dapper in his suit and tie.

Occassions that require a suit and tie are far and few between in our life but he just looks so cute in this photo it is one of my faves.

And this little ball of furry love is Poppy Flower. She is our baby and we love her so much! We rescued her from the Humane Society. When I say rescue, I mean literally, we got her just in time and I am so so thankful!

She does have a drinking problem though.

Doesn't she look a bit drunk in that photo!

And this is Ginger. Our snuggle bug, house mouse, and mischief maker.

Her resume includes; excellent tummy rub recipient, bug catcher, and floor licker. She is always by my side as I sew, and well, always by my side generally.

Pardon the disgruntled look on her face. She is the sweetest girl but as soon as she sees a camera she freezes. Camera shy I guess.

So, that's me and our little family so far. We do hope to add some babies to the bunch soon, hopefully very soon! My father has expressed his sincere concern over my referring to my pups as my babies. I asure you I have not gone off the deep end yet but we do hope to start a family soon.

How about a few random facts about moi? A fabulous excuse to avoid house cleaning and errand running don't you think?

Ok, here we go...

* I have a funny little voice. Really...truly...I do. I use to hate it and it made me very shy. I'm not so phased by it anymore. My voice is very little girl like and frequently catches people off guard. I like to think of when I'm a little old lady with this tiny little girl voice it will be hilarious!
* I'm a lefty. I'm not sure why but I really like being a lefty, it makes me feel special. :)
* I'm a vegetarian and I LOVE animals! My love for animals started very young. I was given a pony when I was 5 years old. To my Grandma's dismay I would not kick it to make it go. I absolutely refused! I did love however to lay on her like a big hug and to sit and talk to her for hours. I'd put little braids in her mane with little wild flowers from the field behind our house. I don't usually talk about it unless asked but animal rights really is as important to me as religion is to many people. I just can't bare the thought of killing and torturing animals when we don't have too. I just don't understand to be honest. I avoid leather too. Ok, I could go on and on about this, but enough said.
* I'm a total Francophile! I have such a romantic vision of France and I thought after going to France I might get over that a bit but it is worse actually! I LOVE France! Such a beautiful culture and such an amazing heritage!
* We got married in the woods in a grove of redwood trees. We feel most spiritual when in nature and I couldn't think of a more enchanting or beautiful place than the woods to exchange our wedding vows!
* Forever and ever I have wanted to have my own little line of clothing and accessories but now I am contemplating if that is in fact what I am meant to do. I now see mass production as just clogging up our world with more stuff we don't need. If I could figure out a way to use vintage and recycled materials and create a line that is environmnentally and socially responsible than perhaps I will still do it but as of now I am on the fence and think I just may try and find a alternative creative outlet and different way to use my business background.
* We just moved and I am making it my mission to decorate the whole house in as much vintage and antique items possible. I love the look of vintage and one of a kind items anyways but it just seems so much more environmentally responsible too. Plus, refinishing and repainting furniture is so so rewarding!

Well, thank you for letting me introduce myself and my family to you! And I have enjoyed sharing random tidbits of information as well!

I hope you have a lovely day wherever you may be!

Sincerely, Cece