New Kala and Joanne's Treasure Hunt at Ylang 23

Check out our Taigan Videos, including Stack 'em up!

Vegas: Finally Meeting the Bubbly, Darling, Amazing Marion Fasel, InStyle Contributing Editor

Actually, we probably have known each other for decades, but that was through email correspondence. Marion has such an eye for fashion and trends, it's scary, and she wears it well! Loved introducing her to designers at Couture I loved, and she returned the favor. Just have to have her come to Dallas, working on it for sure! PS. Her dress? Thakoon! See you on Twitter @mifasel! hugs ~ joanne

More Vegas Designers: Lucifer vir Honestus; Temple St Clair, Pippo Perez, Todd Reed

Remembering a great time in Vegas, as the jewelry is beginning to pour in from these amazing designers: Luna Scamuzzi (& Paolo) from Lucifer vir Honestus, Mizuki, Pippo Perez, Temple St Clair and Todd Reed

Designers in Vegas: Irene Neuwirth, Emily Armenta, Andrea Fohrman, Heather Moore, Ila & I, Jamie Joseph, Gurhan (and Tipsy & Fiona too!)

Sharing today some pics of our talented designers, taken in Vegas at the Jewelry Show in June. Shown: Andrea Fohrman; Emily Armenta; Fiona, Tipsy & Gurhan; Heather Moore; Ila & Vikos (Ila&I); Irene Neuwirth; Jamie & Jeremy Joseph. Lots of fun, and oh, yes, amazing jewelry buys! Stay tuned!

Celebrating Dads, but Mothers also ROCK!!!! Story of a Mom's Devotion

A pair of articles which caught my eye, with Father's Day approaching tomorrow. First, "Dads Empower Kids to Take Chances" which talks about risks vs. rewards. The second, which touched my heart, is the story of an autistic teen, who could not utter a word at age 5, but through the dogged work of his Mother, graduated second out of a class of 200, delivered the graduation speech and is college bound. 

Tomorrow is another day to reflect on parenting, and yes, to celebrate Fathers. That's YOU Charles!!

The New Jamie Joseph is Amazing!

Ylang 23 Celebrates Birthdays; Always a Party Around Here!

Seems like there is always a birthday to celebrate and the last few weeks we celebrated with Lauren and Patty. While Alysa no longer works here, she does manage to pop in at just the right moments!

Snapshots from Las Vegas

Just love the Zoltar machine, which I remember from Tom Hanks' movie Big. While there are some cutbacks we noticed at our hotel, was happy to see that the flower budget stuck. Just love the flower balls and have photographed them every year. These doomed fish caught my eye. Am also drawn to the changing sky at the Shops at the Forum, and well, there is always a bride. Always a wedding in Vegas.

Ylang 23: Happy 25th Birthday to Us!

25 years ago today, in the middle of a hot, Texas afternoon, we opened the doors to Ylang 23 (then named Ylang-Ylang). The first woman to walk in pointed to a rack of earrings behind me and said "I'll take those". I then turned to Charles and asked, "Now what do I do?". He said "Ask her how she would like to pay." I then took her American Express and asked Charles, "Now what do I do?" He said "Bring the card and I'll show you how to write up the sale."

It's been the most wonderful journey, working with Charles, the love of my life, and amazing staff, some of which are now doctors and lawyers and have families of their own. Our opening staff included an employee named Dena who lied about her age to get the job (she was only 15 and amazing).

We have raised a family (Alysa and Jake) in a wonderful Dallas community, made the most amazing lifelong friends along the way, and I have never regretted dumping a successful and lucrative advertising career to join the wonderful world of retail.

We are at the jewelry shows in Vegas, and in the middle of lunch with two strangers we had never met, a consultant and a talented designer, I suddenly remembered what we did 25 years ago and leaned over to Charles to wish us both a Happy Birthday.

May everyone find as much joy in what they are doing, and do it well enough with a heart full of gratitude to share their good fortune with their community.

It's a wonderful life and I love it.