Tuesday, December 31, 2013

New Year's Eve at Home

The clock is ticking down the final hours of 2013.

I was invited a a party by really good friends.  But I just can't seem to rally to show up.  I've been to their parties several times in years past, and it's most definitely my kind of New Year's Eve party-  Pjs and board games.  But although I know and love my two friends that are hosting it, I don't know most of their other party guests, and I just don't feel up to the enthusiastic, "HI!  How are you!  What's been up all year?! Yay!!!"  (Perhaps because Fermin and I did go out last night, and I woke up this morning telling Fermin I am officially OFF THE SAUCE.  Please note:  I've never really been ON THE SAUCE, and because of that, when I do drink, I don't handle it well. But that's it!  I'M OFF THE SAUCE.  FOR GOOD.)

I'm so sorry to Fermin that for nights like these, I can't magically become the charming extrovert that he is.  I can pull it off okay, but it is draining.  I  realize if I could tone it down and be more even keel like he is, it just might not be so draining for me to be social.  But as Popeye so precisely put it, "I yam what I yam."

The great thing is, I was able to tell my friends the honest truth about more than likely not making it to their party tonight and they don't hate me for it.  It feels so good to be understood. And still loved.

So, cheers!  I'm ready for you, 2014.  I'm getting more and more comfortable in my own skin.  Fermin and I, along with the Ricardo's, will be ringing in the new year by watching Dick Clark's (aka Ryan Seacrest's) Rockin' Eve.  I yam what I yam.

Monday, December 30, 2013

Christmas Holiday Wrap

Ahhhhh.  Christmas time.  It's already come and gone.

I can remember, as a kid, I always felt sad when Christmas was over.  There was such a build up to Christmas morning, the whole month of December. Then it was one fast and fun (and a little furious!) day, and by the 26th or 27th, it would occur to me that we had to wait a whole year to get back to that kind of fun again.

Of course, Christmas isn't quite the same, now that I'm a grown up.  But that mindset I had as a child, those "post-holiday blues" each year, lasted long into my adulthood.

Until this year.

I don't feel sad at all.  I'm sort of glad for some of it to be over.  But the good memories will remain...
I went with my family to see White Christmas at Fair Park.  I kept thinking, "Mom would have loved this". 
Me and my big (little) sis got to spend a lot of great time together-- I adore her!
Tuba Christmas, at Thanksgiving Square in downtown Dallas- An old tradition for many, a relatively new one for us!
Grandma Dad-  Dad's head got cold so he wore my scarf.  Who knew my Dad could look so much like a grandmother?
MY FAMILY: I don't know WHAT was going on with my face, but clearly, I was fighting for a little face time!  :)
Holiday baking with my two favorite sous chefs, Lucy and Ricky.
I am grateful for these blessing.
Merry Christmas!!
2013

Sunday, December 15, 2013

This Weekend's Holiday Craft Fair

Well, I've got my second craft fair under my belt now.  And the final one of the year for sure!

Our booth at the Bishop Lynch Christmas Bazaar looked more or less the same as the one I posted about here, that we had done about a month ago.  We had to flip our tables around and set it up slightly different, which really shouldn't have been as mentally challenging as it was!
The Sparkle Booth at the Bishop Lynch Holiday Bazaar
Resparkable Vintage Jewelry on display!
There were about 50 other vendors, lots of them jewelry,  but no other repurposed-vintage-handcrafters like us!   We were located in a great spot, surrounded by nice, friendly people, and we were inside on a cold and windy day. Yay!  I think we lucked out, and it was a great day.

The pillow Allyson gave me earlier that morning.. because, as you know, I say YAY often!
Except, towards the end of the day, my booth partner, Allyson, was complaining more of more of fatigue and a headache.  I figured it was just allergies, or a long day, or....

...She texted me just a little bit ago telling me she just got home from a clinic and has been officially diagnosed with the flu.  It's her first flu ever.  I consoled her, telling her, she will probably feel like she's going to die, and in fact, sort of want to die, but in about a week, she'll be thankful for her health like never before.

I, of course, consoled myself by using my neti-pot for the first time this season.   I read that the flu is contagious even before symptoms start. Uh oh.  So I'm fighting the good fight.  "YAY"

So if you came to our booth, THANK YOU, and now, go wash your hands.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Final Craft Show in Dallas for the Holiday Season THIS SATURDAY!

If you still have holiday shopping left to do, or like me, you haven't yet started, THIS SATURDAY is your big chance for finding unique gifts at The Bishop Lynch Christmas Bazaar.  Here are the details:

Bishop Lynch Christmas Bazaar
Saturday, December 14, 2013
9am-4pm
9750 Ferguson Rd @ Peavy, 75228

I'll be sharing a booth with my friend, Allyson, selling Repurposed Vintage Jewelry.  Please stop by our booth in the Atrium.  

Whether you've got shopping to do for loved ones, or for yourself, I'm sure you can find something great at the Bazaar!  See you there. 

Monday, December 9, 2013

Music Monday- Nothing From Nothing by Billy Preston

I had to have my car towed from my garage a couple of weeks ago because it wouldn't start.  The Mini place kept it nearly 2 whole weeks, altho the only problem it had was a dead battery.  Obviously, they are just a bit slow.

I missed my car.  And was so happy the day they finally called and told me it was ready to be picked up.  I, of course, headed over to get it immediately.

It felt so good to get in my car and sit in the chair.  I felt like Goldilocks... It felt just right. And the first song that came on the radio was this one...


I hadn't heard this song in years.  Such a great one.  Billy Preston, I love you.  Just had to post it.  Such a nice blast from the past.

Happy Monday!  :)

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Sparkly Gift Ideas!

Although these last couple of cold, icy days have kept me indoors and sadly, pretty inactive, I have been somewhat productive.

I've made a few new repurposed vintage jewelry pieces that I think are pretty awesome!  I've listed a several new things in my Resparkable Vintage online store over at Etsy.   I'm in the process of listing more.

Here's a peek at some of the newly listed, and soon to be listed things in the shop.
vintage assemblage necklace- from a vintage pin, bracelet, and necklace
repurposed vintage necklace using vintage CORO clip earring with gold tone, beaded chain
vintage assemblage necklace with gold leaf and white beaded floral pendant and white rosary beads
repurposed vintage necklace with silver/rhinestone leaf on silver tone chain
Although I've made these from my own collection of vintage trinkets, if you have vintage pieces that are special to you, but you don't ever wear them, because maybe they just aren't your style (i.e.: you don't wear brooches, screw back earrings, or shoe clips!) I can turn them into something that you can and will want to wear!  Think about what a special gift to yourself that would be! Just click the email button  to contact me and we can get started right away! 

Friday, December 6, 2013

Baby, It's Cold Outside in Dallas!

Although a couple of days ago it was 80 degrees here in Dallas, today we woke up to ice so thick, it actually looks like snow on the ground.

And it's sort of shut every one down.

And since this is such a rare occasion here in North Texas, it's pretty awesome!

My gig tonight got cancelled.  The drive there would have been treacherous so I'm so glad I don't have to make it.  I'm so thankful to stay put, here in this warm home, instead.  I'm suppose to play tomorrow night at The Oar House, but it's sounding like the weather may continue thru the weekend.  And honestly:  YAY. 

There's no place like home. Especially when.... Baby, It's Cold Outside! (brought to you by the foxy Joseph Gordon-Levitt)

Monday, December 2, 2013

Cyber Monday Shopping and Selling

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday. 

my newly organized spice o' life
Ours was nice and lazy. Fermin had the whole week off from work, and we just hung around the home, getting a few things done.  But I emphasize, a few.  I went to town, cleaning out all the kitchen cabinets and drawers.  I even alphabetized my spice cabinet! Fermin cleaned one side of the garage.  (Fortunately, my side!)We put up our Christmas tree and did a little indoor decorating, but Fermin decided to bah-humbug it and skip out on putting our outdoor lights up this year.  His half-way cleaning and sprucing up our home influenced me, and I didn't get to as much as I thought I would.

But that was and still is totally okay.  It was a vacation week, after all!

We ended the week by napping pretty much all day yesterday.  We slept til 11am, went to brunch, came home and then slept until 4pm.  I know!  Lazy slugs.  But it was heaven.
the cutest lazy slugs in all the land!
Now, Fermin's back at work, and I'm about to get involved in CYBER MONDAY.  Being the little slug that I am, I much prefer online shopping to actually getting out in the crowds to do it!  AND, I'd much rather buy from people, at sites like ETSY.com, than big corporations!

It will be my first Christmas as a seller in my Etsy shop.  Please hop over to Resparkable Vintage and  take a peak at the sparkly things I'm selling over there.  Repurposed vintage jewelry (mainly), a few vintage handbags, and other vintage things I think are very special!  My goal is to put up at least an item a day throughout these shopping days of December, so check back often.  I promise you'll find something unique in my shop.  All of the jewelry I make is one of a kind, and you will never see a duplicate of anything!
holiday sparkle from RESPARKABLE VINTAGE