Pink Friday at Make Mine Pink--My Favorite Things

Do you remember the song from The Sound of Music that Julie Andrews sang in the midst of a terrible thunderstorm? (The night she finally won over the children's hearts?)

Join the Boutiques at Make Mine Pink for our next PINK Friday Event as we present a few of 'our' favorite things. You know the Boutiques at MMP very well~ but do you know the owners of the boutiques? Stop by on Friday, August 29 as each boutique offers "These Are a Few of My Favorite Things."

I am offering A Few of My Favorite Things at special pricing all day today. Please stop in and browse at Sweet Necessi-Teas. Who knows, something may be one of your favorite things, too!

Show and Tell Monday at Make Mine Pink

Monday, Monday...It's Monday and time for another Show and Tell with all my pink sisters at MakeMine Pink!

A customer wrote and asked for one of my new teapot-shaped tea cozies in the Tea Rose Garden Pink fabric. I had been planning to do one, but just hadn't gotten around to it! So here is the finished product. I have just enough fabric in stock to make one more...

Sunday Musings

Last week I flew to Houston to spend a few days with my parents. They are in their 80's and I hadn't seen them in a few months, so I packed a bag and set out for the airport. I travel pretty light when I am going by myself, so I just had one carry-on bag with a few magazines tucked on top to read while waiting for my flight and flying.

Those who know me will be able to guess which magazines I took--Tea Time, Romantic Homes, and Victoria. When they arrive in my mailbox, I usually flip through each quickly, but never just sit down and read them right away. I love to savor each issue and usually try to carve out some quiet time with a cup of tea. My summer had been busy and the spare moments few, so I was looking forward to my time alone. When I arrived at the airport, I had a long trek to the gate, and after buying a drink and snack, didn't have much time before boarding. I decided to just wait until I boarded until I pulled one out...

Once I found my seat, I took out the one I had been waiting the longest to read--one that used to be my favorite--Victoria's Blue and White issue. The cover had a mention of an article by Jan Karon, author of one of my favorite book series about life in Mitford. But, as much as I wanted to go there first, I started at the very beginning. The photos were stunning, as always, and time passed quickly as I read the descriptions and articles. About halfway through the flight, I reached the one I had been waiting for on p. 94, "A Room of One's Own Jan Karon".

Victoria has for many years hightlighted the creative personal spaces of artists and writers. I knew it would be a piece about her writing space, accompanied by photos. What I didn't know was that it would touch my heart...

Jan began by describing the room in which she had written 5 out of the 9 books in the Mitford Series: "It was a terrific room of my own, where I felt quite free--even to write on the wall if I wanted to. And, of course I did." (pg. 95)

The three quotes, penned in Majic Marker on her wall:
"There are three stages in the work of God--Impossible. Difficult. Done." --James Hudson Taylor

"Whatever you would do, begin it. Boldness has courage, genius, and majic in it."--Goethe

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phillipians 4:13

My heart skipped a beat, then began to pound in my chest, and my eyes filled with tears as I read and reread those words over and over again. Powerful words. Timely words. A gentle reminder from God that His timing is perfect. Hope for a situation that seemed Impossible...

that has now, a week later, become Difficult.

I am waiting patiently for Done!

MMP's Pink Friday "Gotta have Bling"--Tea Lovers Bling!

Pink Friday is tomorrow...

Some of my favorite Tea Bling from Ellenay Designs:

Aren't these pieces sweet? The handmade charms (whether made into earrings, necklaces or bracelets) are made from glass and lead­-free, non-toxic silver. Each double-sided charm has a tea illustration on one side and a musical theme on the reverse cut from vintage 1920's sheet music. Additional ornamentation varies by piece. Some items are OOAK. Made exclusively for my shop by Ellenay Designs!

Don't forget to stop by my shop on Friday for special Pink Friday prices on your favorite piece!

More Bling!

Here are a few of my favorite "tea bling" pieces from Meadow Street:

And, of course, though they aren't true bling, her rose pins:
To-die-for!

Be sure to stop in early at Pink Friday and get your bling at a special price!

What is Bling?

Make Mine Pink is continuing the Pink Friday themed shopping this week. The theme is "Gotta Have Bling!"

Now, being a 50-yr. old, out-of-the-loop tea enthusiast, I wondered what "Bling" was. The online dictionary had this definition: Bling--An expression popularized by the hip-hop culture, used to describe sparkly jewelry, accessories and/or gemstones.

Jewelry? I can do jewelry! Yes, tea-themed jewelry!

I am blessed to carry 3 lines of the most amazing tea-themed jewelry--all hand-crafted by extremely talented artisans. Two of the lines are exclusive to my shop: Erica of Meadow Street and Lori of Ellenay Designs have created two different looks so that I have something for every taste!

Be sure to stop by my shop very early on Friday--the special pricing is good for that day only.

Show and Tell Monday at Make Mine Pink

It's Monday again and time for Show and Tell at Make Mine Pink!

Today, I think I'll share a little about our family vacation.


My family and I went to St Augustine Beach for a few days of rest and relaxation at the end of July. It is definitely on the vacation return list! When we arrived, we found that our hotel (which I had booked on the internet) wasn't up to expectations. Fortunately, we had driven past a Hampton Inn and stopped by to check their availability. We were fortunate that they had 2 large rooms left and took one with an ocean view and balcony. It was perfect! The ocean was just a few steps away... Here's the view from our balcony:

The beach was clean, uncrowded, and family oriented. The water was cool, but not cold, not clear blue like Pensicola, but not dirty. No Jellyfish (or sharks!). Just perfect!

We spent most of our time on the beach. I took a couple of books and finished both, so you know what I was doing... The kids swam, walked the beach, and napped on the sand. DH napped, read and generally enjoyed his downtime! Here are some shots of my family enjoying themselves:

Beach Bling? Tatoos?

No, just some of many starfish we found in the surf...

Body Builder Wannabee's!

It rained every afternoon for about an hour, but that gave us a good excuse to find some lunch. There was an abundance of restaurants to choose from nearby, so that was easy. We ate light at lunch--Subway, Quizno's, etc. so that we could indulge in the evenings.

And, indulge we did! Seafood was on our menu every night! My favorite? Harry's Seafood Bar and Grille--a New Orleans style restaurant that serves cajun and creole cuisine. We ate outdoors on the patio and it felt just like we were in New Orleans. Here's a picture in the courtyard:As for some of the other restaurants, here are my recommendations: Best ambiance: Saltwater Cowboy's Restaurant, decorated like a turn-of-the century fish camp. Good standard seafood--OC Whites. (We ate outside and had live music to dine by--mostly 70's folk ballads and such.) No wonder I haven't been in the mood to cook lately!


St. Augustine is the oldest city in the US. The architecture has been well preserved and is a beautiful little town. We did take one day to do some walking tours and visit a couple of museums. There's more to see than we had time for, so DH and I are planning a return trip on a long weekend ;).
Here are a couple of shots of some of the places we saw:
Before I left, I promised to have a drawing for a little St. Augustine souvenir. To enter, you had to leave a post and answer a question. And the randomly selected winner is: Francie of The Scented Cottage. Your little package will be on its way to you tomorrow! Congratulations!

Look What's New at Sweet Necessi-Teas!

Tea Cup Pillow--Pink Roses

Introducing my latest design—a unique tea cup pillow for your porch swing, favorite rocking chair or bed. Each pillow is handcrafted from a 100% cotton quilting fabric and is trimmed in 4” venice lace, ribbon rose and bow. (Designed to coordinate with my Teapot Pillow, sold separately.) Dimensions: 9”h x 18”w. This set would make a lovely gift or just treat yourself!Teapot Pillow and Tea Cup Pillow--Pink Roses

Pink Friday at Make Mine Pink

"White, so perfect as Nature's paintbrush~is welcome everywhere. "
Nancy Lindermeyer, Victoria Magazine

White, nearly white, cream and ivory~ all colors that evoke the feeling of cleanliness and purity. The ethereal lace of times past draped in the window, creamware pottery displayed on weathered white shelves, white iron beds piled high with linens, pillows and matelasse` throws~ these are the whites of our dreams. White focuses not on the bold, but rather on the nuances, the shadows, the shape and the texture.

Join Sweet Necessi-Teas and Make Mine Pink as we present "Wonderful Whites" on Friday, August 8, our next PINK Friday @ MMP event. We look forward to seeing you each and every week for "shopping with a twist."

Meet Me at the MMP Retreat!

Make Mine Pink presents the first annual Make Mine Pink "Getting Down to Business" retreat in historic Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia on September 19-20, 2008. Join the Women of MMP, who are always willing to welcome, mentor and help build a circle of friendship.

This is an energized opportunity to network, and gain or enhance business knowledge in a fun and inspiring way~ plus we will have lots of fun, great food, great friends, great information! Casual dress required… stuffiness and worries must be left at home!Make an investment in your business today.

I can’t wait ~ won’t you join me?

Colonial WilliamsburgWilliamsburg Lodge

310 S. England StreetWilliamsburg VA 23185

1-800-HISTORY (447-8679)

September 19 -20, 2008