alice adair

red-letter day...

2009-02-24T00:32:00.001-05:00

A wedding anniversary is the celebration of love,
trust, partnership, tolerance and tenacity.
The order varies for any given year. { Paul Sweeney }

Don't they look incredible? I'm sure I'm biased, but every time I look at this picture I marvel at how classy and elegant my grandparents were. This picture was taken on their wedding day, sixty-five years ago today, in 1944. The photographer struggled to color the image so that my grandmother's naturally platinum white hair showed up in the print, and then layered over the lace in the dress so that it didn't look like a face just floating above the white of her dress. Whenever one of us would remark about how beautiful she looked in it, she would often remark that it didn't even feel like her because she had never had dark hair in her life.

"Love", to Our Sister, Adair and Paul. Seeing her beautiful script on the photograph makes me miss her. And how she used to put words in quotations whenever she would inscribe books or cards. Several years ago, in my birthday card, instead of writing much love, she wrote "much much" before signing her name. "Much much", Grandmother.

My grandparents met in the midst of wartime. Granddad was moonlighting with a band and during a break, he looked over to the rhythm guitarist from his drum set and pointed out this woman across the nightclub. She had this stunning silver hair and a young face. To the guitarist's doubt, Granddad declared that he was going to marry that girl. He waited all night to meet her and when he finally did, boldly asked if he could take her out the following night.

Grandmother thought him quite presumptuous. Determined to teach him a lesson, she accepted his invitation and told him at what time to call for her at her home.

When he arrived the next evening, there she was decked to the nines... with twelve of her very best girlfriends that she had invited to go along. { Just thinking about it makes me grin. } Well, Granddad took it in stride and paid for each one, showing them all a night out on the town as he had boasted he would the night before.

Granddad used to say that the best wedding present he received was running into the guitarist almost a year after they'd been married and having the pleasure of introducing Grandmother as his wife. The slack-jawed look on the man's face must've been priceless.

saying goodbye...

2009-02-22T19:54:00.014-05:00

Taz, the much loved American Eskimo "little man"

The house seems empty today. And when I rolled over this morning, I expected to find a white furred body snuggled cozily into my comforter and the small of my back. { It was his favorite place to sleep. }

"Oh, you have to go to work? I'll just stay here and snooze....."

He came into the family when he was five { or maybe six, they weren't sure }, a second-timer at the pound. He'd been adopted as a puppy by an elderly gentleman. When the man went into rehab for a broken hip, his children took Taz back to the pound. The local paper used to feature a Hot Dog/Cool Cat in every Sunday edition about an animal available for adoption. It was December 2003 and at the first glimpse at the picture, there was no doubt that this was a dog for me.

Acquiring a dog may be the only opportunity a human
ever has to choose a relative. { Mordecai Wyatt Johnson }

I called the pound the moment I woke up Monday morning, and was there by the time they opened. When I hit the door, there was this flurry of motion from the kennel at the far end. A blur bouncing up and down like a pogo stick. Seems Taz knew I had come just for him. In the end, it turned out that I took him and his kennel mate, a Belgian sheepdog named Angel, home to stay.

He was the perfect dog. Never barked, never chewed, was content to go riding in the car for hours, and even came programmed with tricks. He could sit, shake with both paws, dance on his hind legs, and my favorite of all -- "a little bit louder now" speaking.

Sitting obediently I would command him to speak and receive a whispery wuff in response. As I would give the command several times more, it kept getting louder in increments. It was adorable and chock full of his personality.

"Whatcha talkin' 'bout, hmmm?"

The first spring we had him, he would often pull an escape artist and bolt out of the house. His previous owner had lived about half a mile from us, and he always seemed to try and work his way that direction. It was my birthday and I had been sick. My friend Susan had come over to visit and bring me presents and get-well essentials, only for Taz to slip through both our legs. I tossed her the keys to the family minivan and asked her to follow me as I took off on foot. I must've looked a fright in slippers and pajamas, my hair piled on top of my head and with a red nose. Through backyards and driveways we weaved until finally he grew tired or took pity on me and gave up his tour of the neighborhood. He never tried to get loose again.

Many who have spent a lifetime in it can tell us less of love
than the child that lost a dog yesterday. { Thornton Wilder }

I came home last night from an afternoon of treasure-hunting and an evening of pizza and cards to find him having another series of what we had thought were seizures. He'd had his first about three weeks ago and while on the phone with the vet, she told us that there were just as many risks with anti-stroke/seizure meds as there were benefits. She advised to just keep an eye on his eating and drinking. I tried to hand feed him and it was as if he was completely short-circuited. It was heart-breaking to watch him struggle and lean against the wall for support or lower his head into the water bowl and not drink. I cuddled with him in the chair rubbing his ears and making over him while my mother called and consulted with the vet. In discussing his symptoms further, the vet confirmed that they were indeed strokes and that if he had lost the ability to eat and drink, he was only going to further decline until an episode caused a heart attack or for him to tumble down the stairs. The decision was made to meet the vet at the animal hospital. She would evaluate him and then the decision would have to be made to hospitalize or... euthanize. My brother and sister-in-law came over to sit with us. It was snowy slush and freezing quickly, so my brother drove my mother and Taz and I stayed home with Sara.

I was a wreck. Completely dissolved into the "ugly cry".

The vet confirmed that there were strokes happening one after the other that weren't evident to the naked eye and that he had lost the bulk of his sight and perception, and the faculties of his tongue. As it turned out, there wasn't really a decision to be made.

God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it
takes my dog being there, I believe he'll be there. { Billy Graham }

My brother held him until the end, and said Taz went to sleep as he always did... front paws crossed with his head resting on them. He was the sweetest dog. The vet told my mother that with an animal as special as he was, you aren't ever really an "owner"... but just blessed to be able to share your life with them for the appointed season.

Our family was indeed blessed.

My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet. { Edith Wharton }

affection...

2009-02-19T22:54:00.000-05:00

I was reminded of a very fitting truth today while surfing Google for sentences that start with the words "Adair needs..." Heather had tagged me in a note on Facebook { more about Facebook at the end of this blog post -- stay tuned! } where you do a search for "your name needs" and share the results. Here are some that I found:

Adair needs no mic to karaoke. { Which is actually quite funny because I really don't. :) }
Adair needs shows!
Adair needs her pengi boshi. { Which was defined as a penguin cap, whatever that is. }
Adair needs the irony detector program.
Adair needs to be addressed.
Adair needs to consider certain points to plan her move.

Quite fun, isn't it? Browsing the pages of results had me laughing out loud and surprised just how many people and places are named Adair!

Which, if you're still following my strain of consciousness led me to the mention of "Daisy Adair", a feral stray dog rescued by an incredible organization, Stray Rescue of St. Louis. Randy Grim, the founder, was a man called to intervene and go after these abused and abandoned animals for the sole purpose of restoring them to health and seeing them placed in loving Forever Families. A video posted on their home page was set to the song "So Small" by Carrie Underwood, and it touched my heart. If you are local to this amazing organization and also a dog-lover, I would highly suggest you check them out as either a volunteer or a possible foster or adoptive home.

I'm the proud mama of two pound puppies { and how many of you are old enough to remember the pets and cartoon of the same name? :) } rescued from the county pound. The eleven year old American Eskimo male, who we affectionately refer to as The Old Man, has been declining ever since New Year and seems to be growing more frail daily. He's already had one stint in the animal hospital and some surgery, but there are signs that are going to warrant another big trip to the vet and possibly some hard decisions. The joy and happiness our pets bring to our lives are blessings, and boy is it hard to think of losing them.

The thing about dogs that really appeals to me is the endless amount of affection and devotion they have to offer. Regardless of how your day went, when you hit the door, they want nothing more than to greet you, love on you... and in the case of mine, curl up to the right and left of my chair as I tackle some paperwork or a chapter in my current book.

So yes, the reminder that love is all that matters after all hit home when all that seems to be talked about lately is chaos, crisis, and calamity.

And coming back full circle to Facebook, I'm going to suggest a little mutual affection and love. If you are a Facebook member and become a fan of Alice Adair's Facebook page, you will receive a voucher code for
{[ FIVE DOLLARS OFF ANY PURCHASE ]}
in your Facebook e-mail. All you will have to do is search Facebook for Alice Adair and the link will appear. Just a reminder -- visiting a Facebook page does not make you a fan. There will be a link in the right hand column that you will need to click. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me.

Not a member of Facebook? Don't fret. I'm not demanding that you join. Simply leave a comment here and you will also receive the code!

To love what you do and feel that it matters,
how could anything be more fun? ~ Katharine Graham

Thanks for making what I do so much fun... and for reading. You are appreciated more than you know.

Have a fabulous Friday!

back in the saddle... again.

2009-02-03T15:59:00.008-05:00

Photo used courtesy of Flickr.

It has been a hard transition into 2009 for me.

My beloved Grandmother got to go home to Heaven in time for New Year's. In case you didn't know, I was her namesake. She had been admitted earlier in the week, but the family was called to the hospital on Christmas Eve. Needless to change, in the course of a conversation with the doctor, the world changed. It was simply going to be a matter of time. Christmas dawned after a sleepless night in uncomfortable chairs. To stretch sore joints, I walked about with the hospital with my uncle and purloined "breakfast" of juice and pop tarts from a vending machine. The next five days were full of tears and laughs, memories and music... We came and went in waves, only ever returning home long enough to sleep, shower and change clothes. Once, while everyone else was asleep, I reached for the soft skin behind her upper arm that I used to play with as a child. I turned back from the elevator the night before she passed to kiss her one last time and am so grateful that I did. My eyes prick with tears just thinking about it.

The last of the thank you notes have been sent for the outpouring of cards, flowers and food that we received. For blessings that were given as we dealt with loss. That hollow feeling that lingers and remind us that we were never meant to experience death and separation... the longing to have every tear wiped away as our loved one is ushered into the presence of the Lord.

A picture of the sunset on Christmas Day as I drove home from the hospital.

And then... right as illness was settling in, bodies exhausted and drained, susceptible to bronchitis and the cursed stomach flu ravaging Ohio, winter settled in with a fury. Prior to then, it had been content to be mild and inconsistent. But no, it decided to storm in and made itself a prominent guest. For days and weeks. And even now refuses to leave entirely. Cabin fever is not pleasant when you long to see the sun or temperatures above "arctic tundra". That silly groundhog has confirmed, for all that he is a prognosticator, six more weeks of it. I'm just grateful that my driveway is finally clear of show and a thick sheet of ice, even if the street isn't.

It looks like the bushes were crying and the tears froze as they fell.

I love how graphic this shot is. And how I lucked into capturing it.

The wintry magic fairyland of snowfall and streetlamp light.

January is behind me... and February is now looming large, even if the month is short. For it marks lots of celebrations. President's Day. Valentine's Day. The one year anniversary of Alice Adair's grand opening. The farewell to my 20's and start of my 30's -- though I have still not determined if I shall go for something quiet and sedate or an all-out carnival-esque party. And I'm back in the saddle... back in my routine. My shoulders are squared and I find myself smiling at every sunrise and sunset I glimpse {especially since Ohio only has 200 sunny days a year} grateful for the day I've had and the day that is coming tomorrow. And I'm dreaming of spring...

New product will be online next week and I'm excited to show you some darling seasonal wax angels from S.E. Townsend that should be arriving any day now. Also stay tuned as I won't let my celebrating my birthday without some sort of party favor for each of you.

Hope everyone is staying warm and well. In such a spirit, I'm off to make myself yet another hot chocolate. Grace and peace!

favorite things...

2008-12-16T14:22:00.008-05:00

Love came down at Christmas; Love all lovely, love divine;
Love was born at Christmas, stars and angels gave the sign.
~ Christina Rossetti

It's the season for making lists and checking them twice, for giving friends and family an idea on what it is you want or need {depending on if you prefer practical or frivolous presents}, and recalling the "favorites". That recipe of your great-aunt's, the carols you sing every year, the fresh Christmas pajamas that you receive like clockwork every Christmas Eve.

And for some of my friends, this is when they start compiling lists of the greatest movies, albums, or books released this past year. One even puts together a pictorial of the major events that have occurred in her life. Each picture bears a caption, every story a thousand memories.

So this post is devoted to a cross between all those things... and I hope you enjoy it.

First things first, however, is a great album I stumbled upon and am so grateful I picked up, if for no other reason than this song. "Winter Song" is a collaboration by two of my favorite singer-songwriters Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson and was written for the release of The Hotel Cafe presents Winter Songs. I would've loved to embed the video for you directly, but alas that feature was disabled. It is sweet and poignant, touching on loss, hope and love. Every time I listen to it, I find myself thinking of a line of poetry from Ella Wheeler Wilcox: When Christmas bells are swinging above the fields of snow, we hear sweet voices ringing from lands of long ago, and etched on vacant places are half-forgotten faces of friends we used to cherish, and loves we used to know.

And now, a few snapshots from my house and some of my most favorite things...

I captured this shot looking down into a large apothecary jar I filled with white buttons of all shapes and sizes, a few vintage bakelite pins, a small pearl cuff bracelet, and a deliciously tarnished silver star. I placed a large pearl choker around the neck of the jar and it fit perfectly. Doesn't it look wintery?

I love to collect vintage photographs, especially when they include dogs. When you stop to think about how expensive photography was at that time, the fact that people would choose to include their pets indicates an abiding love and sense of priority. Perhaps this would be the only image of the pet they'd ever have. This darling photographic postcard was snagged at a local flea market I shop at dawn on Sundays {I have it perfectly timed for travel and shopping so that I still make it to church on time!} in the spring and summer. The hats, muffs and wraps almost make it seem like the little girls are playing dress-up, with their beloved pup sitting prim and proper for the occasion.

Another dog photograph, this one of my grandmother circa 1925 with the puppy and outfit { complete with hat! } she had received for her birthday. The little gold frame in the forefront was a flea market treasure that is content to wait until I find the perfect image for it.

I adore monograms and engraving as found on trinkets and jewelry. The silver piece is another flea market find and is a sterling collapsible drinking cup. Love it! Another piece that makes me smile everytime I see it is the tiny bracelet that is engraved "Hoops Major". Doesn't it just sound like a character's name from some heartwarming Hoosiers-esque movie?

I am not a francophile on the whole, preferring an eclectic English/Grand Tour feel, but I couldn't resist sharing this pair that are perched on my farm table turned desk. The mother-of-pearl opera glasses are just one set from my growing collection and the jewelry box is a treasure I picked up during some retail therapy at The Green Velvet in Granville, Ohio. If you are ever near Columbus, Granville definitely warrants a visit. There is a darling cafe that has gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches on the menu just a few doors down. Not to mention the amazing architecture, quaint historic homes, and the campus of Denison University.

Something that came about totally by chance. I got a small stash of these cement angels into the shop this holiday, and treated myself to just one. But it needed something where I nestled it. A little bit of sparkle and... voila! A darling { and inexpensive } adornment from the wedding aisle of a certain mega store. A child's tiara is the perfect cherub crown. As Heather would say, "Love!"

Another auction find. It's missing some pieces and is fragile with age, but I love the idea of a homemade toy carriage with a swan pulling it. Makes me think of what darling little child once received this under their Christmas tree.

I love statuary, whether it is made from concrete, marble, bisque or porcelain. Isn't the expression on this little miss precocious and sweet? Oh, and in the background, another apothecary jar filled with large silver and gold indented Shiny Brite ornaments. { In the meantime, I've poured mother-of-pearl buttons all around the gaps. } Another pearl cuff encircles the stem and a vintage pocketwatch dangles from a super yummy chocolate silk ribbon.

Some of my favorite cameos on display. If you haven't picked up on a theme yet, I love things that are sentimental and tender. On the back of the gold pocketwatch is inscribed {in the thinest, most delicate hand ever} "Thy God Seeth Thee".

If you ever happen to be in Cincinnati on the second Sunday of the month from April to October, make a point to visit the Antique Fair in Covington's historic Mainstrasse district. There are lots of quality dealers with incredible one-of-a-kind finds. Some things can inch towards the high-end but every once in a while a bargain can be found, like this tarnished compact with a broken latch. What do a few imperfections matter with an inset portrait, hmmm?

There seems to be some sort of issue with blogger tonight, so I shall end this post here and finish it up in a second entry.

advent...

2008-12-06T13:32:00.004-05:00

And so begins another month, the one we count down day by day until the arrival of Christmas and then after that, through the end of yet another year. So often that countdown is filled with stress and to-do lists, a thousand different activities that require us to double-book our evenings, living our lives in a caravan from place to place so that no gift goes unpurchased, no house unvisited.

Yet looking back to the Christmases of my childhood, it is no wonder that it is still my favorite time of year and the treasure trove of some of my happiest days and my favorite tradition {which I will divulge in a moment}. But first, the backstory...

I was born and raised in Florida and for the majority of my life, my maternal grandparents lived with us. And while in my minds' eye I can still see snapshots of the house in Deerfield Beach, all decorated for Christmas, the years that I remember the most vividly are from when we moved to Orlando shortly after I turned five.

We always had artificial trees, which was fine because that meant we could have more than one and that we could put it up the weekend after Thanksgiving and leave everything up until after the New Year {but never later than Epiphany on January 6th}. Being a native Floridian, it wasn't until we moved north that I could really comprehend what the season felt like with real trees, flurries, and having a nice fire to roast chestnuts on.

Anyway, shortly after we had moved, my brother and I were each given a tiny tree that was maybe 12" for our rooms that only held one strand of twenty lights and little miniature ornaments made from wood. They were simple little things, really. Tiny angels made out of wooden shapes, the cookie dough ornaments you could have personalized at the mall with your name and the year, those little craft teddy bears and birds. There was a strict rule that the lights could not stay on once we went to bed, with the exception of Christmas Eve.

As we got older, we were able to add ornaments until eventually the trees were replaced with larger ones { 3' table top }. By the time I was twelve, mine had ornaments in shades of pink and lavender, spun glass, and an icicle garland. {I think it was just a cry for some snow!} Marshall's had dinosaurs, tin soldiers, trains and bubble lights. In fact, we both have all our childhood things packed away in storage. Just can't bear to part with them.

My mother was mostly a stay-at-home mother in those years, dealing in antiques with her best friend at a local shop. With her at the helm, the season was always magical. One year, we had NINE trees {two large ones and seven in various sizes}.

I could not comprehend that much work with two children, but between my grandmother and she the halls seemed to be decked in no time at all. On top of the trees in our rooms, there were trees in the family and living room, and a small countertop tree in the kitchen with antique glass ornaments and twisted tin "icicles". Then my grandparents had a pencil tree in their bedroom and my parents had a "memory tree" in theirs. It would be hung with the treasures of our family - a silver baby cup, my great-uncles lace baby cap, a pair of my great-grandmother's chandelier earrings - and photographs of those no longer with us. The dining room had a topiary tree with fruit and gold drops, and finally... Grandfather's favorite, the ceramic tree with the little color bulbs that sat atop the console television.

But more than any of the decorations, what holds the most special place in my heart was our advent. On December 1st, we would wake up to find that our stockings had been hung up in a corner of the living room. There was no fireplace, so each hung from the drawer of a large hutch, at just the perfect height for a five year old. I had searched online for an image of what our stockings looked like {as they are also packed up in storage} but came up empty handed.

Our stockings did not look like stockings at all. Marshall's was in the shape of a toy soldier with a large drum and mine was a soft-bodied doll complete with dark curls, dress, apron and cap. The pockets were concealed in their outfits, so if one did not notice the small plastic hooks stitched at the top so they could be hung, one might not think they were anything more than toys. In guesstimation, they were probably about 16" in size. But I digress...

Spilling out from each pocket would be long strands of red and green curling ribbon. At the end of each strand was a perfectly crafted miniature tag {at most 1/4" square} that Mother had made for each. Looking back at it, I marvel at the time and effort she took to make each one something special. Every morning after breakfast we were allowed {with supervision} to go to our stockings and pull the streamer for the appropriate day and from the pocket would emerge a treasure.

Sometimes it would be a small piece of chocolate we could have later for a snack {or I could take to school in my lunch}, or a small little trinket, or a piece of rolled paper that held a clue on where to look for something larger. I can still recall how giddy I was to look under the couch and find a coloring book about Christmas around the world and a set of those crayon pencils that were so popular in the 80's.

Every night before bed there would be an addition to bedtime prayers in the form of singing a carol or reading a Christmas story.

The Neapolitan Baroque Creche at the Metropolitan Museum in NYC

advent: n. a coming into place, view or being; arrival;
a momentous event that has been awaited;
the season including the four Sundays before Christmas

And while it is so easy to let the focus slip from what is the center of the of it all... dare I even say it, the "reason for the Season"... that's what has me humming one of my favorite carols of all. {I've included the lyrics for you below.}

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O Come Divine Messiah

O come, divine Messiah!
The world in silence waits the day
When hope shall sing its triumph,
And sadness flee away.

Dear Savior haste;
Come, come to earth,
Dispel the night and show your face,
And bid us hail the dawn of grace.

O come, divine Messiah!
The world in silence waits the day
When hope shall sing its triumph,
And sadness flee away.

O Christ, whom nations sigh for,
Whom priest and prophet long foretold,
Come break the captive fetters;
Redeem the long-lost fold.

Dear Savior haste;
Come, come to earth,
Dispel the night and show your face,
And bid us hail the dawn of grace.

O come, divine Messiah!
The world in silence waits the day
When hope shall sing its triumph,
And sadness flee away.

You come in peace and meekness,
And lowly will your cradle be;
All clothed in human weakness
Shall we your Godhead see.

Dear Savior haste;
Come, come to earth,
Dispel the night and show your face,
And bid us hail the dawn of grace.

O come, divine Messiah!
The world in silence waits the day
When hope shall sing its triumph,
And sadness flee away.
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{ Photos courtesy of Flickr }

thankfulness...

2008-11-28T12:25:00.006-05:00

On Monday, I spent the day in Canton driving in a cold, dreary drizzle as I jotted from a client to a vendor and then on a quick string of errands. As I was stopped at a light, I noticed this sign off to my left, nearly obscured by the traffic.

Hem your blessings with gratitude lest they unravel.

It humbled me and got me thinking { which for those of you who know me well is not a surprise at all -- I'm a "thinker" }. Anyway... I realized that Thanksgiving, more than the traditions we use to celebrate it, is pausing long enough to be grateful for the blessings we have. From the basics to the bonuses. Too often I focus only on the BIG things and not all the minute daily things that so many in this world do not have.

Yesterday we did the "go around the circle and state what we're thankful for" before grace was said for our meal. I entered from the kitchen and somehow received the privilege of going first. There were so many thoughts in my head, so many things I could have said... that all I got out was "this season of the year". Yes, I know... it seems cliche, but indulge me the ability to flesh out what that means to me.

The Pilgrims held Thanksgiving to give thanks for what had been accomplished over the past year, of the mighty harvest and of God's provision for them and their families. I am doing the same. It has been a year since Alice Adair first previewed, not quite a week since the website launched. Our family has welcomed new additions and a sister-in-law. In the midst of all the uncertainty and the unknown in the world, there is an underlying confidence and peace deep within. And as the year draws to a close, I can actually pause a moment from all that I have to do to... rest and relax.

So it is my prayer for each of you, that you get to do the same. And just so you know -- I am thankful for each of you.

I am excited to share a recipe that was a huge success yesterday. We are a family of game players and while my aunt cooked a most marvelous meal, she had each of us bring things to snack on through the evening during rounds of games and giggles. It is simple, easy and sure to be a crowd favorite. I had wanted to take a picture of it in a beautiful trifle bowl but I made such a big batch I had to use something else at the last minute and completely forgot to snap it. {And there was hardly any left! }

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Finger Salad

1 cup extra virgin olive oil
3/4 cup vinegar of choice {white, red wine, apple -- I used apple}
3 tsp sugar
1 tblsp salt
3 cloves minced garlic
ground black pepper to taste
raw vegetables of choice, coarsely chopped into finger-friendly pieces

The dressing can be made a day in advance but needs to be kept at room temperature. I mixed mine in a large canning jar so that it would be easy to shake and transport. Once all the vegetables are cleaned and cut, simply pour the dressing over the top and toss so that all the pieces are evenly coated. I used a large tupperware bowl to make the process easy.

It is probably best to consider your audience when prepping this dish, but the vegetable options are endless. Listed below are my recommendations:

Baby carrots, celery, baby corn, mushrooms, green and black olives, green onion, bell peppers {red, green, yellow and orange}, sugar snap peas, snow peas, green beans, cherry tomatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, belgian endive, edamame, cucumber, zucchini, radishes, asparagus.

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pleased to announce...

2008-11-23T16:32:00.005-05:00

It was quite the feeling last night to flip the switch for the final time and make the site "live." And even more surreal this afternoon to realize that what had been concept and conjecture for over a year and in production for almost twelve weeks is finally a full reality.

Now I know this isn't an Oscar moment or a time to make speeches { my mind keeps going to that Sally Field acceptance speech "you like me, you really like me!" }, but in a week where we all pause to focus on grace and gratitude, my heart is full of thankfulness.

First, I want to extend my deepest and heartfelt thanks to Heather and Brian. This entire thing would not have been possible without their talent and expertise in taking what was in my head and putting it on the web.

And of course, I would be remiss if I did not thank each one of you -- for your patience with the delays, for the comments and encouraging emails, and for reading this blog as regularly as some of you do.

So yes, Alice Adair is officially open and new product will be uploaded daily between now and the end of the year... which means I should probably get back to doing just that.

May your week be full to the brim with love, friends, and family whether they are in your arms or in your hearts and separated by miles.

2008-11-16T16:14:00.005-05:00

hark! just in time....

2008-11-12T17:01:00.006-05:00

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Holiday Hours
{ now through December 23rd }

Tuesday ~ Friday . . . . . . . . . . 10:00 am ~ 6:00 pm

Saturday . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:00 am ~ 3:00pm

~ and ~
By Special Appointment

CLOSED Sunday and Monday

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ringing in the Season...

2008-11-11T16:43:00.002-05:00

There have already been flurries, but the weatherman is calling for a true dusting of snow by this weekend. It was seventy degrees for our Gala Evening of the Soiree, and while the shop glistened as one client put it "like a diamond" from down the street, the hard chill this week has awakened the hum in the air that is { Holiday }.

My apologies in taking so long in getting the images up, but after this whirlwind and sacrificing comfort for style with cute shoes, I just had to decompress and recover a bit.

I've done things a bit differently... and have posted in reverse so that as you scroll down, you'll peek at individual vignettes. Think of it like peeling an orange and popping out the juicy segments one by one. Please use the post list to the right if for some reason you cannot scroll through all of them.

If you see something in any of the photos that you are interested in, please email me at adair@tusco.net. E-commerce will not kick-off until the end of this week, but very few of the Shop goods are included with the cache of wares for Alice Adair so there will be little overlap.

After posting all the other photos, these are the only ones that remain -- the remnants of an incredible spread that was catered for the Gala Evening. Toni and Donna outdid themselves as always. ( Now if only I could have cajoled them into parting with that great concrete finial and base! ) Countless clients raved that our event is one of the highlights for their year, and that the menu never fails to delight them.

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What We Served

Baked Brie with Honeyed Walnuts
Savory Pigs-in-a-Blanket
Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
An Assortment of Artisan Breads and Spreads
Cheese and Fruit
Marscapone Fruit Dip
Sugared Pecans
Almond Finger Cookies
Swiss Cinnamon Crisps
Powder Sugared Shortbread Cookies
Pineapple-Lemon Punch

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Next year, however.... I'm taking pictures of the tables before and not after.

Enjoy!

sprigs and sprays...

2008-11-11T15:31:00.005-05:00

A miscellany of images from throughout the Shop. Paper chandeliers and ornaments, antique glass ornaments in various containers, glittered snowflake "trees"... the latest edition of Romantic Homes... and our jewelry. Sold the very first piece of it right off my neck!

farmhouse chic...

2008-11-11T13:04:00.002-05:00

Whether your style is rustic to cottage to English country, we have an array of upholstery that is simply ideal.

sparkle and flash at Solid Rock....

2008-11-11T12:44:00.002-05:00

We have been so blessed to have Solid Rock's studio in our building (and now some of her photography on our blog). I adore the ballerina shot of a local senior printed in sepia on metallic white paper. It's simply stunning...

the glamour of gold...

2008-11-11T11:34:00.005-05:00

Lounge among the shimmer and imagine yourself in a French salon.

the greenhouse...

2008-11-11T00:25:00.003-05:00

"I hope you love birds too. It is economical. It saves going to heaven."
Emily Dickinson

winter's garden...

2008-11-11T00:14:00.004-05:00

Paper-whites, pine boughs, snowflakes and statuary... even the garden decks itself for the festive season.

a winter fairyland...

2008-11-10T23:36:00.002-05:00

In Britain, they call strands of Christmas lights "fairy lights". I'm beginning to see why. A little sprinkling of snow, sprigs of green... and voila!

mercury, silver, and glass...

2008-11-10T23:27:00.002-05:00

It catches the glimmer of the fire's glow and twinkle lights, making it seem as if a bit of wintery starlight glistens all about you.

the men's study...

2008-11-10T23:13:00.003-05:00

A little bit lodge, a little bit library.... lots of cozy comfort that makes you want to curl up with some Dickens and a cup of hot cocoa.

a glimpse before sleeping...

2008-11-05T00:30:00.003-05:00

Just a quick peek at a sample of the shop before I fall into my bed for a rather meager allotment of hours. So much to finish up in this last day and a half.

I snapped this with my phone this afternoon as I was dashing out to go vote.

In other news, for the sake of sanity... I've determined that the website will officially launch the week of November 10th { which is next week, so don't fret! }.

Anyway, lots of photos of the shop pre-event will be posted once I tidy up the clutter and run the vacuum one more time...

Goodnight!

decision day....

2008-11-04T00:03:00.005-05:00

Well, the end is finally here.

{ And no, I don't mean the end of the world if your candidate of choice is not elected. }

What I mean is: the end of the sign-stealing, the end of the pundits prophetically projecting, the end of negative ads, the end of ads of any sort. The end of debates, of avoiding a topic with those you love but politically disagree with (or vice versa), of the he said-he said. The end of the world's longest election season, which has been going on for almost 18 months now.

Now I'm not foolish enough to think that by the time the election is ratified everything will be hunky-dory and the ideological tenets that are the fundamentals for each party are going to blend instantaneously. Yet I am confident that the balance point will be found sooner rather than later. Why, you ask?

Because it always has. We are a country founded on UNITY. On the brotherhood of all men and their inalienable rights.

Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Glorious words, no? Even more grand are the realities attached to them. We might disagree on the policies, but not the principles.

This election cycle, I have been described as one of the most sought-after voting blocks: an independent 'unaffiliated' white woman. But I describe myself as far more.

I am: the child of an immigrant, a business owner, the daughter of baby-boomer parents, and a believer. Those "roles" have made me weigh each candidate carefully, to think and process only to start all over again.

Yet when I walk into the voting booth, I will be nothing more than those people standing on either side of me: an American.

My father's family owe their modern day liberty to the defeat of Mussolini and fascism in Italy and the rebuilding that occurred after the victory of the Allies. I've even heard tales that my grandmother sold things on the black market during the war in an effort to keep her family together and fed.

In working on our genealogy with my mother, it's been discovered that our relatives were some of the first to establish parts of Virginia and Kentucky, with military service that ranges from the Revolution on into the Great Wars and Korea.

The struggle and hardships both sides faced have afforded me a great luxury: Possibility.

My future is no longer tied to what a monarch or dictator decrees. I am not born into a "lot" in life and that is all to which I should ever aspire. Instead, I am blessed with an abundance of freedom, which I far too often take for granted.

I love quotes and one of my favorite presidents was Abraham Lincoln. Below I've listed some of his words of wisdom. Odd how they resonated so strongly with me today....

___________________________________________________

You cannot build character and courage by taking away a man's initiative and independence.

Ballots are the rightful and peaceful successors to bullets.

Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow.
The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.

If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will.

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.

The probability that we may fail in the struggle ought not to deter us
from the support of a cause we believe to be just.

___________________________________________________

Thanks for indulging my little political musing today. The polls will be opening in just a few short hours for those of us on the east coast. { Or as my brother is calling it, "battleground state" } And while I'm so tired from a hard day in the shop that the thought of climbing the stairs is exhausting, I'll be there bright and early. { And probably still coated in a fair amount of glitter. }

Not because I'll get free coffee from Starbucks, free ice cream from Ben & Jerry's, or because it's "cool". Not because I'm voting against someone or wanting to be on the bandwagon of a historic candidacy. Not because of spin or talking points. Not because of personality, popularity or endorsements.

It's because I can. As a citizen I get a voice, I get a vote -- and what good is having either if you don't let yourself be heard?

getting closer....

2008-10-29T21:54:00.006-04:00

It's official -- I'm a week away. A week away from food, fun, frivolity, festivity, and fabulous-ness.

But I have to get there first. Climb through the mounting lists of things to "get done". Stave off a cold until next week. Marshal the troops in countless directions and being content to let them do what I ask instead of thinking I need to keep my hands on everything.

There are three basic categories to the lists: Store, Website, and Personal. Pretty self-explanatory, but when you have to remind yourself to pick up dog food and toothpaste, things are still on overload.

Yet, in other news, things are certainly getting exciting.

Our monthly shipment of Romantic Homes magazines arrived in the store, though I won't put them out for purchase until the Soiree. Couldn't wait to peek into the box and flip to the back....

Our new ad! Hooray! Who is that darling crown bedecked child? Why, it's "little alice" as she's been christened by Heather and I. And now that she's been revealed...

In other exciting news, I couldn't resist photographing (not to mention wearing!) some our darling jewelry that will be making it's debut on both the website and the shop.

And in other Christmas yummy-ness, I am busy parceling out oodles of delicious ephemera perfect for packages and projects for you and yours.

Enjoy!

the vanishing explained....

2008-10-17T17:54:00.004-04:00

Had you begun to think I'd fallen over the edge into the brink? Or crawled into a box of new product and fallen down a rabbit hole into Wonderland?

Well, regardless of what might have been the case, I'm pleased as punch to tell you that I've been busy photographing product, receiving orders, placing new orders, handling paperwork and all other general shop duties in order to get ready for our annual event. I hadn't forgotten you, dear ones... but when you find yourself pausing in the middle of the day to wonder whether or not you've combed your hair, you officially have too much on your plate.

Isn't the postcard delicious? Heather did another phenomenal job for me and I'm tickled about how great they look. Next I'll be labeling and getting them to the post office post haste!

So mark your calendars {even if you aren't local and able to stop by}! Because on top of the Soiree, the website will have it's official launch the very same week! It'll be a party in every way imaginable. But those details will need to kept a secret just a LITTLE bit longer...

Every day seems to fly faster and faster though, as the date approaches. {Or maybe my dwindling sleep hours makes it seem that way.} Nonetheless, I promise to reveal hints and sneak peeks here and there over the next TWENTY days. Yep, just twenty days... oh, how I can hardly wait!

In the package with my postcards from the printer came my new business cards! Here's a glimpse at the back of it. "Shopkeeper". Yep, that's me...

And a quick reminder, if you are local and want to be added to my actual mailing list, please email me {adair@tusco.net} with your address or sign up for our e-mail newsletters in the sidebar to the right!

and the winner is....

2008-09-29T18:46:00.006-04:00

MICHAELE!

Thank you to each of you dear ones who commented, coveted, and chimed in on how you love to use your ephemera in everyday life. Since I had no idea what to expect, I was thrilled at the success of my very first giveaway!

So let's all congratulate Michaele and wait with baited breath for this Thanksgiving banner she's hinted at! (Michaele, please email me your mailing information at your earliest convenience. I want to get this sent out before Holiday Prep ramps into overdrive.)

Now do not fret..... because EVERYONE who commented will be receiving a gift certificate to be used once the online shopping goes live at Alice Adair! So please email me (adair@tusco.net) with the primary email address where you would like your promotion code sent.

And to tide you over until then, here are some pictures of my ephemera stash just waiting to go online! It really is just the tip of the iceberg!

winding down...

2008-09-29T12:14:00.004-04:00

Just a few more hours until the drawing for the first ever giveaway! I've extended the deadline for you to comment on the post below until...

5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time!

So... tell your friends, spread the word... and keep your fingers crossed! The winner will be posted tonight!

hearth and home giveaway...

2008-09-25T21:10:00.003-04:00

So I had totally planned to blog about the state of my worktables downstairs today. To show you piles and boxes and bags of scrap and ephemera of all sorts. Until a certain someone (Heather) put the idea in my head about hosting a giveaway leading up to the launch.

Then fast-forward to me digging through all my piles and pockets searching for items for a custom collage. See me diverting from the task at hand and pulling things that make me think of Fall and hearth and home.

Then see me decide to put it all together in my very first giveaway!

__________________________________________________
What You'll Win

2 Sets of Vintage Sheet Music
(Sounds from the Ringing Rocks, The Road to Home Sweet Home)

A glassine envelope

2 1930's Bird Scrap Cutouts

4 black and white photographs
(two houses, one family, couple in the woods)

Large portrait photograph in it's original folder

A beautiful decorative page from an antique photo album
(The pale orange is simply delicious and the scrollwork is on both sides)

3 Postcards

Scrap with a young boy and a turkey

An amazing poem card with Chinese lanterns and chrysanthemums
(With the original gold lined envelope)

A 1909 Grade Card

Letter with Envelope
(The handwriting is so distinctive!)

An adorable colored illustration of two children feeding a squirrel
__________________________________________________

Each of the music sets have multiple pages and I'd added the silk leaves and berry sprig for photographic effect, but I'll be adding those in too. The lace panel I spread over my canvas-topped table -isn't- included. (So sorry to disappoint!)

Just looking over the pictures to make sure I've listed everything gave me lots of ideas of just what could be done with it all. Could you imagine having glass cut for your dining room table for Thanksgiving and serving your meal over a collage of leaves, photos, and momentos? So adorable and with nothing to launder when someone invariably spills gravy. My mind whirls at what so many of you artistic ladies could create with these supplies.

To be entered in the drawing for the giveaway, please post a comment with your favorite way to use ephemera in your daily life (decor, art inspiration, etc). The giveaway will be open for three days -- so that you have plenty of time to post.

I'll be spending the rest of the weekend sorting and situating the ephemera parcels that will be going on the website and wishing you all the best of luck! Check back Monday for the winner to be posted.

a perfect start to the new season...

2008-09-22T16:50:00.005-04:00

blissfall: [blisfawl] n. the experience of supreme happiness, utter joy or total contentment on a day in the season of the year that comes after summer and before winter.

Since I know so many have been cheering on this day, I doubt that any of you have missed out on the fact that today is indeed the first day of Autumn. Or Fall. Or Harvest. Shine on, shine on harvest moon, up in the sky....

And for the record, I make up words, so you won't find blissfall in any dictionary. Yet the term perfectly sums up those moments in the oncoming season that just make you let out a long lazy breath and stand firmly rooted where you are until the experience has passed.

And if the calendar wasn't enough to inform me, my inner body clock has been steadily nudging me forward. My hands have lingered over my denim jacket wistfully waiting for the temperatures to dip. Gone are the cravings for sun-brewed ice tea or lemonade, apple cider and hot chocolate eager to take their place. The kitchen is changing too. Baking is appealing again, with rich nutty flavors and lots of cinnamon. Ever since I made that pot of chili, I'm been making "good meals" as J would call them. Comfort food. Like the pork chops and noodles I baked last night with cream of mushroom soup, then served with lima beans and cranberry sauce. Or the zucchini parmigiana my dad made that I had for lunch. Yum.

My blissfall moment came today as I spied a bunch of red buckeye pods littering the side of the street by the shop. The fallen branches had been picked up by the city workers finally, revealing a carpet of this yellowish gold 'fruit' in the grass. Red buckeyes tend to be larger than the variety that grows in my front yard and the pods do not bear any spikes. So there I am, in the grass, opening up all the pods that won't ripen on the tree to extract the buckeyes. Why? Because of how great they would look scattered across a table, or in an apothecary jar, or.. or... any number of possibilities. I even thought about using them at Thanksgiving and writing each family member's name on one in a fine-tip gold paint pen. It could serve as a place marker and a gift (my granddad always said that carrying a buckeye brought good luck). So as I stuffed my pockets and then used the front of my shirt to corral all the leathery brown orbs, it dawned on me that this was the first of many more blissfall memory moments to come.

There are clear snapshots of time as I think back to years past, other Autumns:

Standing around a bonfire with friends, soaking in the glow of the flames and the laughter reminiscent of childhood when we were all on break from college. The sound of drum cadences echoing in the air as the marching band leads the way to the football stadium.
Finding the perfect red leaf resting on my windshield (when there are no red-leaved trees anywhere around), like a little present God tucked there for me, a reminder of the pristine clarity and purpose of creation as fingers traced minuscule veins and the paper-thin surface.
An open expanse of grass where I would lounge on a bed of quilts and read to my hearts content, warmed by the sun and your favorite layered long tee shirt and hoodie. I lived in Cincinnati then and can still feel the chill of the earth through the fabric. My friends and I would congregate on our favorite hill to spend Sunday afternoons together in silent community while we read or studied, taking breaks to laugh over something silly, finally playing Frisbee once we grew too cold and needed to get the blood flowing again. And all the while the city sprawled out before us like a glorious backdrop.
A sunset over a ridge of beech trees that seemed to set the world in flame and caught me by such surprise, I had to pull over and watch it. I still mourn the fact I didn't have a digital camera at the time.

The emotion that permeated each of those memories flooded my day today. Tonight I'll be dreaming about what will get added to that internal scrapbook that defines this time of year.

{ Photos courtesy of Flickr. }

announcements...

2008-09-19T01:57:00.003-04:00

___________________________________________________

Curiosity is lying in wait for every secret.
ralph waldo emerson

And now here is my secret, a very simple secret;
it is only with the heart that one can see rightly,
what is essential is invisible to the eye.
antoine de saint-exupery
___________________________________________________

For those of you who have known it was coming or wished for it... or even figured it out from previous posts: Alice Adair is going online!

The super talented Heather of Bluhm Studios, whom I've mentioned to you before has gone above and beyond in capturing the feel of Alice Adair and the vision I have it. And as a complete bonus, she's become one of my favorite people. Ever since stepping out on this dream, God has truly led me to incredible women that are as inspirational and beneficial to my spirit as they are influential in helping me get one step closer to that image in my head. Do you know that type? The kind of woman that wants you to be prosperous and successful just as much as you want the same for her. One who understands that there is enough in the world for everyone and that living in your own skin is far better than trying to be all things to all people as my mama would say. Anyway, that's a tangent and will bide for another post in the future someday.

While the banner is just a teaser for greater and grander things to come, I hope it whets your appetite for what I am scrambling to get prepared for the grand opening. Right now the online launch has been slated for the the first week of...

... to coincide with our annual holiday event (to be named later) at the shop, and the debut of our new ad in Romantic Homes Magazine. I would love to show it to you, but if I did it would ruin the big (still somewhat secret) reveal. Think of it like a present wrapped in beautiful paper and ribbon. You can see it, but can't open it just yet. But oh, when you do...

www.aliceadair.com

I know the splash page probably isn't live JUST yet as Brian has been traveling. But go ahead and bookmark it and check back often. Who knows... maybe a special "treat" will come your way earlier that you think.

liberty...

2008-09-11T13:17:00.004-04:00

The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time: the hand of force may destroy, but cannot disjoin them.

~ Thomas Jefferson, Summary View of the Rights of British America (1774)

I woke from a dream this morning of "that infamous day" seven years ago. My shadow splayed against the brick of the commons as I made my way to art history class. Voices echoing off the building as the news begins to trickle through campus. Fidgeting in my seat that entire hour, only to exit the room and find myself face to face with banks of televisions projecting the horror. The acidic taste of vitamins as I raced into the bathroom and retched.

Images whirled behind my eyelids until I realized just how much time had passed, the morning being orchestrated by coverage of the memorials on all the news channels. I had to pause getting ready because I was crying my makeup off faster than I could apply it. Haunting voices of choirs singing requiems to the skies. Nearly two hundred men in uniform unveiling the bench and memory pool of each individual victim of the Pentagon.

Over the past seven years, I've listened to one particular song on this day as my own private memorial... and now I'm sharing it with you. It is from John Rutter's Requiem, "The Lord Is My Shepherd". It has always had sentimental significance to me, because I play the oboe and have performed the piece before. But in light of today, it is only that much more important. I've included the best video I could find of it on YouTube and have given you the lyrics.

__________________________________________________
The Lord Is My Shepherd

The Lord is my shepherd: therefore can I lack nothing. He shall feed me in a green pasture: and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort. He shall comfort my soul: and bring me forth in the paths of righteousness, for His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me. Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble me: Thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full.

But Thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

__________________________________________________

The piece is from Rutter's Requiem Mass and although I am not Catholic (to the disbelief of all of my Italian family), I find something comforting about the timbre of the Latin, the platitude of the prayers offered in it. In fact, my CD was so scratched I downloaded the full album so that I could put it on my iPod.

This is my prayer for those whose lives were taken, those who laid them down, and the families left behind....

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine: et lux perpetua luceat eis.
Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and may light eternal shine upon them.

home and hearth...

2008-09-09T22:23:00.005-04:00

Ahhh, September in Ohio. Is there anything quite like it? Mmm, I don't think so but then again, I live here. Although my imagination tells me that autumn in Boston or Nova Scotia is nothing to sneeze at.

Speaking of sneezing, I should buy stock in Kleenex for all that I'm a-chooing. This time of year is always a killer on my allergies. Which means I need cardigans and pants with deep pockets to stock with tissues. Since they are all in storage, I will be swapping out my closet sooner rather than later. Yikes. Just thinking about all that needs to be done at home, not to mention the shop, makes me cringe.

The coming weeks are going to be full of new things though. Sorting through product, new upholstery for the showroom, a brand new baby in the family, that top SECRET project. Not to mention that we are now at the threshold of my favorite time of year. Even as a retailer (translation -- sleep, eat, breathe your shop), there is something magical and warm that dwells in the heart of dipping temperatures and shortening days. It's all about coming home. Making things snug for those we love. Dragging out the goodies and recipes we've packed away. The memory contained in the scent of a bonfire or the cadence of the high school marching band on a Friday night.

So I might cringe at the work and shiver with the cold if I don't get that pesky closet turned around... I love it. It feeds my soul and invigorates me. So while I can't wait for the crunch of scarlet leaves beneath boots or to make huge pots of my famous chili, I'll have a cup of hot chocolate and sit out on my porch to enjoy the final days of those glorious hanging baskets that made my summer dreams come true.

Here are some snaps I took of them tonight. Check out how huge the geraniums are in my wicker planter. I love my local greenhouse.

hello, my name is adair...

2008-09-09T14:43:00.003-04:00

... and I am a book addict.

Yes, they say admitting the problem is the first step in recovery. But I am not so sure that this is necessarily something I want to escape. I just need more shelves. Lots and lots of shelves.

So last night I went to a sale, and while browsing the table nearly fell over when I peered into a box tucked far out of the way and spied leather, marbled papers, and gold letters. OLD BOOKS! But not just any old books. Rather the just-came-from-the-library-at-Monticello-I-need-to-have-these-yes-I-do old books.

I waited all night for them to come under the hammer, fidgeting in my seat to keep my nerves down that someone else had spied them and would want them as badly as I did.

As you can see by the pictures below, I was lucky enough to bring them home. To hold them and marvel at the illustrations only to have my mother pluck them from my grip and claim them for her office. When I lifted my voice in protest, I got the "But you're my best girl..." (never mind the fact that I'm her ONLY girl) "... and you know what's mine is yours, don't you?" How could I argue with that? All I would've gotten was the huge awkward labor story. So now they sit nestled quite cozily in her office.

Tutter's Practical Philosophy, Complete Poetical Works of Robert Burns, The Waverly Novels: Book Twelve by Sir Walter Scott

See the marbled covers... love the marbled covers. Let sighs of happiness overtake you.

This book of sermons was published in 1831 and is signed by the first owner, John Lloyd, with the date June 10th, 1832. Don't you just ADORE the handwriting. Such distinction.

I'm looking forward to having kids someday just to be able to pull out the labor story at will on them.

Anyway, Karin posted today about some old books she had found recently and asked for opinions as to whether or not she should tear them apart for use in her artistic endeavors.

The advice I shared with her is what I will pass along to you. It pains me to think of lovely, old, rare books being torn asunder -- but like the rest of you, I love tucking old pages here and there in my vignettes. Here are my quick rules-of-thumb...

Never tear a book apart if it is...

a) part of a complete set that you have in your possession. The fact that they've survived together needs to be honored.

b) rare and/or valuable. Look for clues such as engraved illustrations, the quality of binding and materials, the subject matter, the publication date, and any signatures or "history" included in it's pages. Sometimes you will find newspaper clippings, letters, etc tucked inside.

c) falls into category a or b and is in good condition. The spine is tight, the pages are complete and don't show signs of loss or severe water damage.

d) of sentimental importance to you. Whether it was something passed down in your family or a treasure you unearthed in your travels -- it's irreplaceable.

There are plenty of books of varying ages at thrifts and garage sales that would be perfect to tear apart for projects without sacrificing anything. Look for antique books that have severe condition issues. This way you are using something that might possibly have been thrown away without you rescuing it. Or even consider taking more modern books that were mass-produced (I'm thinking from the 50's and 60's) and giving their pages a good dose of artificial age or weather.

So... in honor of fall's cooler weather and perfect days for curling up on the sofa with book, go get lost in some pages while I plot on how to get more shelves.

eye candy...

2008-09-05T23:22:00.003-04:00

Some quick snaps of what's in the shop right now... Enjoy!

perfect strangers...

2008-09-05T14:38:00.005-04:00

"We're so happy, we do the dance of joy!"

When I was younger, my brother and I simply loved watching the television show "Perfect Strangers". The main characters, as pictured above, were Larry a mild-mannered newspaper reporter and his highly hilarious cousin from a Greek island, Balki. In my recollections, it must have been on Friday nights because it was always one of the last things we were allowed to watch before bed. Anyway, when ever something really wonderful happened, Balki would turn to Larry and grab him by the arms with this line: "Cousin Larry, we're so happy, we do the dance of joy!" After which lots of happy grinning, bouncing frivolity would commence. Have you ever had one of those moments?

This week, I have. And lots of them. But I'll just tell you about two.

The majority of them have all been courtesy of Heather, the creative Co. of Mr. Doodle and Co.. I simply cannot tell you how much I love working with her and how much I look forward to working with Brian (aka Mr. Doodle) to make it all a reality. Since contracting them to do some work for me for the very SECRET (but probably discernible) project which will be making it's debut rather soon, we have been talking just about every day. And now that I am bringing the new laptop to the shop, I've been able to touch base with her as needed with questions, opinions and lots of ideas. In fact, the bosses have started making note that whenever they can hear my laughter from the back of the shop, they know I'm in a "design consultation long distance".

When she "gets me" and transforms all of my ideas into the perfect visual, I want to do the dance of joy. Oh, and when no one is looking -- I do. In fact, even though we've never met and are technically "strangers"... we share so much in common, our friendship is the perfect -click-. Early on Brian called and relayed that he was waiting on something until he saw that Heather and I were on the same page. We were chatting while he perused the emails we'd exchanged back and forth. He said, and I quote, "But yeah, I can see that you are." Classic, no?!

On other fronts, yesterday was an absolute whirlwind. Clients, customers, the super-talented Tami were all in the store at the same time that I was trying to flip-flop two sofas... and everything that I wanted to do seemed to have an audience or something else needed my attention first. Yikes. Sufficed to say, by the end of the day I was absolutely wiped when a sales rep dropped by without an appointment.

Normally I wouldn't have spent the time to sit down and look through his lines, but boy am I glad that I did. Ralph showed me incredible things. Lamps, art, mirrors, the whole gamut. I'm so giddy about one line that I've shifted some other orders to change the feel of the holiday. Perfect timing? Check. Dance of Joy? Check check.

So go find some Dance of Joy moments of your own. Fair warning though -- it's exhilarating.

looking ahead...

2008-09-02T14:22:00.005-04:00

A thousand and one apologies for getting lost in the scenery as this spring and summer has absolutely raced by. Between my brother's wedding, the shop, my cousin's first baby, and putting out household emergencies (like the plumbing letting go in our bathroom and dripping into the kitchen or the transmission in my car going belly-up), I've been absolutely swamped.

Not that I don't think I'm somehow alone in this little pickle. As women, we are dealt a fair chunk of responsibilities and often sign up for even more on top of those! I know we're all busy and I'm quickly learning the easiest way to keep it all under control is organization which is not at the top of my list as far as gifts and talents go. But I'm learning and getting better every day. Baby steps through the clutter. Baby steps into routine. So... the particulars of my lull aside, let's look forward to what is in the pipeline for this fall.

1) Artisan Originals: We are currently featuring the creative talents of some amazing women in the shop. Semi-precious jewelry by Jackie, African trade bead earrings by Robyn, custom and one-of-a-kind collages from A Vintage Design, and more goodies arriving in just the next couple of weeks. More jewelry! Adorable boxes with vintage papers! The most charming clocks you've ever seen! I'll post photos soon, but be sure to stop into the shop and finger all the delightful goodies in person.

2) Frames and pictures and mirrors -- oh my! There is nothing faster to give a wall a new punch of personality than a piece of art. Whether you go for the less is more and want ONE stunning piece to showcase or you (like me) would collage your entire wall in frames and images of all sizes -- there is quite a cache of goods in stock. Now if only I could contrive a way to get more wall space in the shop so I could put them all out. And as always, if there is something you are longing for, please let me know. I'll gladly keep my eyes peeled for whatever it is that tickles your fancy when I'm out to market.

3) Solid Rock Photos! Suzanne and Denny have put their studio in our building. Browse their galleries and trust me, I know you'll be blown away. They have such a fresh, journalistic approach to photography. They've even brought a few seniors out for shots on our upholstery and in the greenhouse! So adorable. I cannot tell you how much I wish they could've shot my senior photos. Then I'd have something cute instead of those huge styrofoam numbers. Yikes. Anyway, moving on from that flashback... could you imagine having a great family portrait done and then mounting it in an antique frame?

4) Holidays! Yes yes, I know few of you are counting down to Christmas yet or even culling through albums for the best "shop-mix" like I am... but it will soon be here. It will be arriving on 2nd Street with it's usual flourish and fanfare -- so be sure to mark your calendars for the first week of November. More details to follow, but let me tell you.... there will be goodies and delights GALORE, not to mention a very special, exclusive SECRET that will be unveiling in the next couple of weeks. If I whet your appetite too soon, you might be overcome with anticipation

I'll be rearranging the store this week and working with my sister-in-law to begin the process of transitioning away from the book work (can you see my mega-watt grin from here?!). But never fear, now that I have a new laptop, lots of inspiration, and some slivers of time -- more posts will be coming, I promise!

But first... baby steps through the filing.

a nose for news

2008-04-26T14:54:00.007-04:00

I am so excited to announce the creation of our e-mail newsletter! Want the inside track to tips and tricks, special events, coupons, new arrivals, and overall announcements? Then you'll want to be sure to enter your e-mail in the lovely white box to the right. (It would look a bit prettier if I could figure out the HTML code, but after staring at it all morning, I'm still baffled.)

The service we are using requires you to verify that you are signing yourself up and gives you the ability to permanently unsubscribe if you wish at some point in the future. But I promise to keep the e-mails to an appropriate limit. Once it is up and running, you will be able to select the specific topics you are interested in being informed about.

Now, for the good stuff....

the first 100 people to sign up for the newsletter

will be entered into a drawing for a

$25.00 gift certificate!

Yes, it's a win-win situation all around -- the latest juicy tidbits from Alice Adair and a prize. The winner will be announced on the blog (and in the newsletter) once the 100 sign-ups are received.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend -- I think I'm going to take a little jaunt and see if I can come up with some new goodies for the shop. Will post some more pictures on Monday!

collage wonders

2008-04-25T17:15:00.002-04:00

We held our first collage class in March and it was a huge success. Another one will soon be scheduled for a Saturday afternoon in the month of May. Don't want to wait? We will gladly schedule a private class as long as there are four people per class session. For time constraints and attention, class size is limited to no more than six. So grab some friends and be creative. You'll have an afternoon of laughter and a self-created wonder that will add personality to any room of your home.

the details

Cost: $15 (pricing includes class, adhesives, and cut-to-size board)

Time: Approx. 2 hours

Suggestions for ephemera and elements: Vintage flowers, photos, pages from antique books, engravings, smaller frames, jewelry, bird nests, twigs, trading cards, lace, buttons, letters, german glass glitter, unusual bits, postcards, feathers, ribbon, pressed flowers, and sheet music.

There are countless theme ideas if you want to center your project on something specific -- or perhaps fill it up with things that inspire and make you giggle. Since it's all about you, you get to make up the rules.

Participants are encouraged to bring a frame or shadowbox and any pieces they wish to work into their collage. If in need of a frame, please let me know so that there will be suitable options available for purchase. I will gladly look for specific sizes and within a budget if you wish.

All collage ephemera and elements purchased during the class will be given a 15 % discount.

Some things to note: With items of high sentimental value, such as a rare family photograph, I encourage you to have a digital copy made at the local photo shop. I would hate for you to regret using the original at some time in the future. Reproducing the images is not limited to sentimental, irreplaceable items either. It is a great way to resize or recolor those images that "speak to you", whether you are actually related to the subject or not. (For those of you who might not know, I've been "adopting" discard photographs for several years. But I'll save the reason why for another post entirely.)

Now I know some of you are thinking, "I don't have the (fill-in-the-blank) to be able to do something like that but I would LOVE to have one." Don't be alarmed! We will gladly create a collage for you! All it takes is a brief little chit-chat about what you like and what your goal is for the project and then we'll get to work. You'll still be able to provide any materials you would like incorporated and any additional goodies added will be given the 15% discount. And if you need instant gratification, there are even collages in the shop for sale! Some on display have already been spoken for (pesky co-workers), but fear not -- more are coming!

Here are some pictures to get your inspiration bubbling!

promised pictures

2008-02-28T17:40:00.009-05:00

For those of you who are still digging out from snow and ice, or who live too far and wide to come for a visit just yet, I've tried to snap some pictures to give you a feel for the shop. That is, until I get the urge to start mixing it up again and before more springtime goodies arrive next week.

And if I can find the time, I'll try to post some more in the next couple days. Enjoy!

a gigantic thank you...

2008-02-28T17:03:00.003-05:00

... to Tami. Sister-friend, I could not have imagined anyone else to be my partner in this venture. You are inspiration itself and being around you continually pushes me to get my brain outside the box. God has blessed you with talents galore and I am so thrilled that you share them with me. I shall be eternally grateful for your friendship and my new affection for twigs and sticks.

... to Darlyn and June, the best mother and aunt a girl like me could have. Even though I'm not "twenty" any longer, thanks for trusting me with a vision of my own and giving me the space in which to make it a reality. Thirteen years of your time and patience have made me who I am, and if there were ever two women with a heart for others and for retail, I could not have had two better to learn from. I love you both with all my heart.

... to Robyn, graphic designer extrordinaire, for always taking my not-so-concise ideas and crafting them into the perfect culmination of what I so poorly tried to communicate. For fitting my projects in to your schedule even when I'm in a time-crunch. You were my catalyst into blog-land and I hope this blog is lucky enough to even be half as wonderful as yours.

... to my friends and family. I could try and list you all but this blog would then be forever long. Thanks for asking, laughing, cheering, encouraging, supporting and loving me and for understanding when I disappear for weeks in full shop-mode. For taking me on shopping excursions and to my first auction, for girls' nights and e-mails, and for conversations that come just when I need them most.

And finally... to all the wonderful people who have braved the never-ending snow and cold weather to stop in this week and see the shop in person. I've been blessed by your comments and compliments and it has been a pleasure to get to know you.

It's been said that every journey begins with a single step (or in this case a leap of faith). Each of you have made this so wonderful that I can hardly wait to see were it goes from here.

happy birthday, baby.

2008-02-26T09:41:00.001-05:00

The beginning is the most important part of the work. ~ Plato

It had not been my intention to start off the premier post with a quote from a lofty Roman. But the sentiments fit so perfectly I could not look past them. Beginnings are so much work. I keep repeating that to myself as I keep making to-do lists that have downgraded from must-absolutely-get-done to bare-necessities. There are times when being a perfectionist, or as my friend Tami says "having a storm in your brain", is nerve-wracking deluxe. Proudly crossing off yet another necessity, I cheer myself with the idea that there really is only so much preparation that can happen in life, but even more so in retail. You have ideas and these grand mental images of what you want, but once you're hands on in the middle of it, anything is liable to happen. Regardless of how it goes off, whether exactly as imagined or with on-the-spot improvisation, there is work and lots of it.

Today is the beginning of Alice Adair. In fact, someone at church asked me the other day if the beginning wasn't in November when the boutique previewed at 2nd Street Interiors' Holiday Soiree. I had to pause for a minute to think of how to properly explain it. Logically, the answer would seem to be "yes". And then it dawned on me -- it was a baby shower. A party to let everyone know that a new arrival to our little corner of the world would soon make it's scheduled entrance. So for months I've been telling friends, family, customers... even total strangers the "due date" - February 26th. There were times when it felt it couldn't get here fast enough and others when I wondered if it wasn't a bit premature (especially this week of "labor" pulling in all the loose ends). But somehow, some miraculous way, all of us are proud to announce an incredible "birthday" and the party to celebrate it!

The shop is brimming with garden, silver, jewelry, linens, ephemera [paper], books, pictures, and other one-of-a-kind finds. Spring is blossoming even if there is snow on the ground! There's even a great line of iron benches and planters guaranteed to get you dreaming of the flower-filled months that are on their way (just not soon enough!). And as if the goodies and delights weren't going to tempt you to brave the weather, there will be refreshments and party favors for all! We'll be serving the most delectable cupcakes and tarts from DaVinci Desserts with plenty of coffee and tea to warm you right up.

Grand Opening
Tuesday Evening: 5:00 ~ 9:00 pm
Wednesday through Saturday: 10:00 am ~ 5:00 pm

130 west second street, dover, ohio
330.343.7776