If it's Spring, it's Time for the School Fundraiser...

As dependable as the daffodils in bloom and the start of baseball, Spring is the season to raise money for schools, all across America. Ours was chaired by a friend, who did an amazing job, including securing American Idol Taylor Hicks for entertainment. Don't know about your neighborhood, but the recipe for great events in ours include: cute puppy in the live auction (check!); great auction packages including Ylang 23 jewelry (check!); sitting with friends over wine and dinner (check!), live entertainment (check!), and always, some great surprises, including auction of a Smart Car and UTube star Paintjam Dan Dunn in person, painting to music while he rotated the canvas. Curious? You just need to see this act yourself on UTube...

We are in a Spring Mood......

Their cocoons have burst and the store is filled with sapphire butterflies.....we cannot tell you how gorgeous they are. The earrings float just below the ear lobes, the rings are dazzling, and the orbs....oh my. For Spring, check out the new Temple St. Clair sapphire collection, in store now, but not for long.

Signs of Spring.....

We are bursting out in song and spirit for Spring, including amazing gemstones from Andrea Fohrman, Yayoi Forest's World of the Forest pendant, and Temple St. Clair Sapphire butterflies. If you can't stop by, call us and we will ship Spring to your doorstep.

A Birthday Lunch.....

A friend's birthday was the perfect opportunity to try the new restaurant at the Mansion. This wonderful signature champagne drink, called a Cham-cham, packs a punch. But wait! There's more! I pronounce this lemon extravaganza the most incredible dessert I have EVER had. A layer of lemon cake, topped with a roll of frozen lemon mousse, topped with a crispy lemon meringue crisp, and accompanied by lemon ice cream with lemon curd. My toes are still curling.

Alysa, You Go Girl!

In an attempt to bring the freshness of vacation home, Alysa went crazy in the fruit department in order to replicate a Mexican fruit salad. It was even better, and we only wish her Spring Break were longer, as we need a cook in the kitchen.

Welcome Dunkin' Donuts.....

Seems like Dallasites were stuffing donuts while we were sipping margaritas, since the first of our friends' many Dunkin' Donuts opened in north Dallas. Yes, I stopped by. Yes, I bought donuts. No, I did not eat one. Stop by Belt Line and Campbell, and Kimberly will be happy to help you tip the scales (don't forget the amazing coffee). As the old saying goes, a minute in the mouth, an hour in the stomach, a lifetime on the hips....

Vacation is Over.....

Time to get back to those harsh colors, after one last glorious sunset.

Let's Get Down to the Food.....

From Salsa to Smores, we enjoyed it all. When you get down to it, it's all about the food, at least for this vacationing family.

Enjoying the Company of Mexican Critters....

Friends and Fiesta.....

It's a joy to be at the same destination with friends, including a few others not shown. Dinner at Edith's was amazing and everyone has gotten into the groove of forgetting that school (horrors!) is looming next week....

Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch....

Mexico is not the only place in bloom. Back at the store, there is an explosion of new color and jewelry, including Christophe Dahnier rings, a Becky Kelso shipment with the surprise of a gorgeous rose cut diamond ring (oh, my!) and a petite pair of majestic sun earrings from Gurhan

Finding Friends is the Best Luck Ever....

We are sooooo excited to see our New York friend and baby duck Av (center) with her friend, both on Spring Break from USC (yes, that would be the University of Southern California).....everyone soaking up the beautiful Mexican rays....

Spring Break 2008....

In a matter of hours, we move to a new spectra of colors. From drab (that would be weather, including Dallas' unexpected snow on Tuesday) and harsh lights (including traffic, and any other bothersome form of artificial lighting), to the cheery and soothing colors of vacation. From pastel to intense, the colors of Mexico welcome us....

Vacation....Finally...

There is lots of activity in our house (where in the world are our summer things???), as Spring break is underway and we can't WAIT to get on our plane, along with a million other travelers. We are sad to leave Eddie (who asked nicely to be included), but trust that his babysitter will have an activity plan of her own for him...Adios amigo!

Spring Comes to the Walking Wounded.....

Obviously following the European Shows, with a French Manicure and a pink plaster cast...you go girl!!!

Drumrolls for those Northwestern Dancing Kids....

$933,855!

Northwestern University Dance Marathon 2008 reaches all-time fundraising high

Dancing for Mammy | Dancing for Mommy...

Awwww, I feel so special that Alysa and her friend Francine made t-shirts in honor of their moms, both cancer survivors. This took Dance Marathon to a new level for me. Thanks, Baby Duck....

From Blogger to Blogger...Dance Marathon Update from Alysa

3:47am

March 8th, 2008

While the rest of the world is asleep, it is quite “hoppin” here in the Louis Room. We are all really tired but as the music blasts and our feet still move, things are dandy! Bear Necessities will be bear-y happy tomorrow… Next stop: breakfast!

PS: We love you mom and dad!

–Alli and Alysa, dancers

Dance Marathon is Underway at Northwestern U....

750 Northwestern students, including my baby duck Alysa, started dancing at 7:00 for Bear Necessities, a cancer organization for children. Please help me find her by checking out the live webcast and the pics.

The Gift of the Magi....

I have always loved the story "The Gift of the Magi". And sometimes life is like that. Out of love, HE sold his pocket watch to buy her beautiful combs for her long hair, and out of love, SHE cut and sold her long hair for a chain for his pocket watch. I may have scrambled the details, but I couldn't help but think of this story when my friend emailed me the picture of her broken hand, smashed in a door and requiring surgery, just when I have arrived with incredible rings from Luna Scamuzzi. Well, I guess they will have to wait? Stay tuned.

Arrivederci Milan....

All good things must come to an end, and Alysa and I headed to New York, where we parted company, she back to Chicago and me back to reality and my husband and son in Dallas. Grazie to the JShow for a wonderful experience. Now it's back to work for me, because the Spring collections are arriving at a fast clip, and I don't want to miss anything!

NHOW is NOW

We were hosted at the hip, happening and oh so trendy NHOW Hotel....and somehow decided that Marta Comini's art would not be suitable in Dallas....

Talented Friends.....Ciao

It was wonderful visiting with Luna Scamuzzi, designer of Lucifer Vir Honestus, shown with husband Paolo (not shown is their first child on the way in late May...Bravo!), and Fiona with her husband (and talent) Gurhan, with her constant furry companion.

10 Corso Como: Dio Mio!!!!

OK. While I have not traveled the world (yet), it would be hard to top the specialty store 10 Corso Como (Colette in Paris included). Dio Mio!!! Couldn't the Euro have sunk just a bit before my trip? The clothes! The bags! The Color! The prices for us Americans :(....I will just have to watch the exchange rate and schedule a return trip "molto presto".

Another Great Dessert....