Soul of the Rose

We Have Closed Our Shop!

2011-02-01T09:17:00.000-08:00

We have closed our shop, however we will continue to monitor all orders until delivered before we turn out the lights.

A big thank you to all of our customers! Soul of the Rose has been a wonderful ride but it is time for new adventures!
If you would like to find our handmade items such as flasks, office desk accessories, coasters, paper weights, jewelry and anything else Kim comes up with you can find them on Etsy at: Soulful Gifts The Etsy site is new so check back often as more items will be added soon.

If you would like to keep up with Kim's adventures you can find her on her blog at: The Lipstick Chronicles

Thank you so very much for helping me to create such a wonderful expression - I had a blast!!!!

Did you say "French Pajamas for $12.00?" Why, yes I did!!!

2011-01-19T11:18:00.000-08:00

That is right! If you need something fabulous to sleep in you had better check out all of our sleepwear that is closing out at $12.00 each!!! You won't find a deal like this anywhere and frankly our manufacturer has probably just choked on her coffee at this price but we need to clear everything out in these last 10 days. We have marked everything in the store at $15.00 or less. If you see anything higher e-mail me but I think I got it all. We have marked the remaining Lollia Bath & Body, MOR Cosmetics, Rosanna Dishware, Fringe Studio Candles, Frames, Trays and Vases down to $15.00 or less.

We will take orders up until Monday January 31st, after that our site will be online during our shutdown but no orders will be taken. I will leave instructions on where to find my hand made flasks that I will continue to make.

Ok girls...lets knock this out of the park!

Au Revoir! We are going out of business...

2010-12-15T15:07:00.000-08:00

Soul of the Rose Gifts will be closing on February 1, 2011.

I began my creative journey with Soul of the Rose in a rented booth in the village antique mall in 2004; we sold vintage finds and French soaps. I segued from there to a small boutique in the village; we branched out selling fine sleepwear and even more elegant bath & body products. Eventually I evolved into an online gift shop for Women, Children & Home. I have loved every creative incarnation of my business. Soul of the Rose has consistently grown however, it has now come to a point of "seriously invest and grow...or let it go". Although I have always poured my heart and soul into this business, I have other investments that are very precious to me. Few people know that I have always maintained a full time and very demanding day job elsewhere in addition to the online store and the time constraints are now at such a level where I have decided to let Soul of the Rose go.

I now find myself feeling somewhat like a caterpillar that has created its chrysalis and I am ready to emerge as something else. I just don't know what. I have never been the type of person that just gets up and goes to work. I have to have something creative and artistic to work on and build. Soul of the Rose has long filled that need in me. Buying and selling is telling a story with product. It is an art form and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to play in this arena. I have enjoyed every single order and every single customer, yes, even the difficult ones as the taught me patience and understanding. I have loved packing every order and sending it on its way with a sweet little treat and a thank you. Through our Soulful Giving program we were able to raise money and donate to some wonderful local, national and international charitable organizations, this was one of my favorite aspects of Soul of the Rose. I really enjoyed the buying trips with Megan...we'll probably still go, we just won't be buying much anymore.

To my customers,friends and family that have supported my journey with Soul of the Rose Gifts, I am truly thankful, each of your purchases allowed me to create something wonderful and I appreciate you all, thank you.

During the holiday season we called our liquidation sale "The Great Holiday Sale Event", now we are are selling out as much as possible in these last few days with our "Au Revoir Sale". I encourage you to peruse the site to see if there are any great deals in there for you, we have marked everything to MOVE! Have fun shopping, thank you for your patronage and remember: always try to do some of your shopping with independent small business or we will be left with nothing but the dregs of Walmart and no one wants that!!!

Merci, Au Revoir!

Soul of the Rose Holiday Shiping Deadline

2010-11-29T11:51:00.000-08:00

The season is well upon us and the last day to place orders for regularly priced Fed Ex Home Delivery on Soul of the Rose Gifts is December 16th. All orders placed on the 16th will be shipped out on the 17th and will arrive in time for the Christmas holiday. Any orders placed after the 16th can not be guaranteed delivery before the 24th of December. This applies to all merchandise that we hold in stock - all sale merchandise right now! Merchandise that ships direct from design houses may require longer shipping. Happy Holidays!

Freshly Baked Holiday Treats!

2010-11-29T11:33:00.000-08:00

Voted New England's Best Cookie at the New England Dessert Showcase! We are in California and we can tell you that Harvard Sweet Boutique cookies are the BEST ANYWHERE - and you can get them here! For Holiday we are offering a Hanukkah Tower brimming with an assortment of large and mini cookies tucked inside a festive tower of keepsake boxes. We have buttery rich mini shortbread stars wrapped with sparkling blue and silver ribbons. The Holiday House collection is a gingerbread box of assorted gourmet cookies to tempt your guests. Don't forget the Peppermint Bark - a holiday treat that has become tradition! Our 1 pound package is beautifully decorated with candy canes and ribbons. Creamy, crunchy and minty! While we are dreaming of minty indulgences the dream is not complete without Pep-O-Mint Brownies - chocolate covered fudge brownies straight from heaven! Holiday memories are crafted from special times sharing food, laughter and good friends. Spread some holiday cheer with freshly baked gifts today!

Building my Flickr favorites

2010-11-19T09:34:00.000-08:00

Soul of the Rose has been a member of Flickr for a few years but we have not really participated aside from our product photo set that appears as a slide show on the blog here on the right sidebar. I am not a very good photographer I am better than my husband though, which is not saying much since he mostly captures blurry images of peoples backs and feet...really it is shocking how funky of a photographer he is. After spending an evening with Nina going through her Flickr favs - she has thousands of images that she has favorited - I got inspired and decided I need to participate more on Flickr. I thought the least I could do is pull a good favorite list together and spend a little time with these artists perusing their photostreams. Wow - talk about fun! Creating my favorites has been an artistic experience in itself. I liken it to buying for the shop - you get to pull together random things that in the end tell a story and set a mood. So check out my favorites on Flickr, it is just a beginning though, only a start.

My very favorite artist I stumbled upon was Tom Palumbo, one of the gifted photographers of Bazaar and Vogue during the 50's and the 60's. After viewing his Paris 1962 set I felt as though I had spent wee into the morning hours partying with the posh fashionables during the heyday of Yves St Laurent. You can almost hear the glass clinking and the wine pouring! To say that I respect this man's art is just not enough. Really, beautiful work...still not enough...

I also found Such Pretty Things and that is an understatement as you browse her collection of glorious images of the prettiest of the pretty! Everything sparkles and shines in a soft delicate way.

For the ultimate in food porn...and I mean that in the very best and most respectful way! You must check out Cannelle-Vanille an incomparable food photographer and stylist, seriously you will not see anything this beautiful and mouthwatering anywhere!

I would be remiss if I did not mention the collection on My Vintage Vogue. Here is a real passion of mine the sophisticated retro chic that depicts the beauty of an era that is gone but so beautifully documented.

Along the way I found snap shots of other images that speak to my heart, glowing Chinese lanterns, English country cottages, vintage baby portraiture, Paris apartments, sweet birds and pink trees! What a soulful collection and I get to keep adding to it!!! (Note, the photos listed in this post are not the photos of these artists, copy rights you know...so you have to click on the links and go check them out to see their fabulousness your self!)

Meet Madame Chocolat Our New Chocolatier...

2010-11-11T12:50:00.000-08:00

It has been quite a search for the ultimate chocolatier to provide rich decadent chocolate gifts for Soul of the Rose Gifts but we have found her! We are pleased to announce Madame Chocolat of Beverly Hills. New to Soul of the Rose Gifts, we have found the perfect chocolatier in Hasty Torres. Madame Chocolat is a chocolate boutique in Beverly Hills that is dripping with charm and elegance; not only a boutique but a factory that produces fresh chocolate daily in the true European style.

As a graduate student of the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu Culinary school and student of Master Pastry Chef and Chocolatier Jacques Torres, Hasty Torres is expressing her true calling as Madame Chocolat. We invite you to indulge in her handmade delightfully sweet bonbons and scrumptious dark decadent truffles packaged in the exquisite Madame Chocolat signature boxes.

Madame Chocolate has been most recently featured on "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" in an episode in which Hasty creates an elegant pair of chocolate designer high heels as a gift for one of the "Housewives" as well as a magnificent 3 foot tall chocolate bunny for Easter! Her work is truly stunning AND delicious!

These decadent gourmet pieces make the perfect gift to send to any chocolate lover. It shows your passion for chocolate and your attention to elegant details. We offer 12 and 25 piece assorted Bonbons and Truffles crafted with only the finest Belgian Chocolate in elegant signature packaging.

Check out our Gourmet Treats section at Soul of the Rose Gifts for the ultimate in scrumptious goodies and send some tasty love today!

So lets see some of these holiday deals...

2010-11-03T15:09:00.000-07:00

The Great Holiday Sale Event at Soul of the Rose Gifts has all sorts of wonderful gift selections at the best prices of the season NOW! We have Fringe Studio candles, trays, picture frames and soaps all on sale. We even have sale prices on our Holiday gifts!

We've marked down almost all of the items in our Women's department and the Home Store! How about this Wood Damask Serving Tray that usually sells for $37.00 now at $ 18.50!

How about some cute Red Toile PJ's for Christmas? We usually sell these for $65.00 but we've marked them down to $29.50!

We've got excellent prices on all Lollia bath and body and candles. In fact all of our bath & body is marked 50% off. We've got Lollia Imagine Eau de Parfum for $23.00 that regularly sells for $46.00!

How about Lollia's Imagine Tall Luminary for $28.00? Regularly priced at $56.00 that's nice!

Be sure to check out our Great Holiday Sale at Soul of the Rose Gifts we have taken drastic markdowns on all the merchandise we hold in stock! Shop early as these items won't last at these prices!

Major Sale Announcement – Good News for Early Holiday Shoppers

2010-10-26T14:20:00.000-07:00

Soul of the Rose Gifts is announcing today that we will be taking major markdowns on the inventory that we hold in stock...we are talking 30% to 50% off or more! Our inventory clearance comes just in time for holiday shopping. Be sure to catch these fleeting sales in our Women's department where you will find significant savings on Loungewear, Bath & Body and Accessories! The Home Store will have impressive markdowns on candles, table top, frames, trays, home fragrance and more! In our Gift Boutique you will find a special link section called "The Great Holiday Sale Event" generated to help steer you to the best bargains in each department.

We're making room for new lines that will be coming in the first quarter of 2011 and we think holiday is a great time to offer unbeatable deals. Everyone needs gifts and everyone needs a great deal! So get your fuzzy slippers on, grab a cup of hot cocoa and let's make a dent in that gift list!

Looking for the Strange and Unusual...

2010-10-22T09:49:00.000-07:00

"I myself am the strange and unusual" - Lydia Dietz in Beetlejuice.

If you are looking for a little something strange and unusual...and who isn't at this time of year? Look no further than the Objects of Desire Section of Soul at the Rose Gifts. We try to keep an eye out for things that are just a little unique, you know the types of things that make interesting gifts or room accents. We also have an affinity for black and anything that is a bit edgy. Be sure to check out our Home Decor and Bath & Body sections too. Of course we love freshly baked gifts so you will find a seasonal assortment of treats too. Browse through Soul of the Rose and I am sure you will find something strange and unusual that you will love!

We've Got Spooky Treats!

2010-10-15T10:29:00.000-07:00

Our chocolatey rich spooky Halloween Brownies have been known to cast a spell on many a soul, but don't be frightened! The only magical potion we use is 100% Madagascar vanilla extract. The only wicked ingredient is pure European chocolate. With a treat this dark and bittersweet, after a single bite you'll be positively bewitched! Order a box and watch them mysteriously disappear...

Twilight Woopie Pies! These nostalgic treats are a delicious way to celebrate the spookiest night of the year. Each chocolate cake is embellished with colorful sparkling sugar crystals, and is packaged in our deluxe "Twilight Delight" two piece keepsake box. Perfect for Halloween gatherings, these twelve decadent filled bite-sized cakes are sure to make you shout "whoopie!"

The All That Glitters Truffle Tower! Generous, versitile and very impressive, this gourmet dessert assortment makes a warm and welcome gift. And there's nothing more appropriate for a housewarming, a birthday, or a big thank you for a job well done. Three-tiers of shimmering shades of copper bedazzle our elegant collection of four hand-dipped Chocolate Truffles, eight White Chocolate Dipped Shortbread Star Cookies, and eight of our rich Chocolate Fudge Brownies. This is a stunning gift that works well for those with a refined sense of style. The perfect way to say "Thank you" or "Happy Holidays" with an extra touch of class. Be sure to check out all our freshly baked gifts at Soul of the Rose Gifts.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2010-09-30T13:52:00.001-07:00

In keeping with the idea of Soulful Giving we are proud to offer a selection of products found in our Support the Cause Accessories department that help to give back to a well deserving community of fighters and survivors. A portion of the proceeds for all of these stylish accessories will be donated to breast cancer research and the American Heart Association. We’ve collected cosmetic bags, tote bags, sparkly bracelets and more, each sporting the classic awareness logos. These make wonderfully supportive gifts to those you know and love who are battling through and surviving heart disease and breast cancer. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so, give these gifts to everyone on your list and help spread the word of early detection and prevention. This is what soulful giving is all about!

Took a little trip to Vegas

2010-09-24T15:08:00.000-07:00

Matt and I did a long weekend in Vegas last week to celebrate our anniversary. We mixed a little business with pleasure and met with an import sales rep and I can tell you we will be adding some Asian culture to Soul of the Rose soon. I think what made our trip special was where we stayed –City Center. We didn’t actually set out to celebrate our anniversary in Vegas – this was the big 25th anniversary so we would have preferred Europe…Paris to be exact. With the economic turmoil of the last two years we just were not feeling the love of taking another European jaunt at this time. I’ve got family overseas so Europe will still be there for us. We were really looking forward to some time together and a little relaxation. We actually wanted something quieter than Vegas and when I checked out the new hotels I was surprised to learn about Vdara at City Center. City Center is a collection of hotels and a new mall smack dab in the center of the strip but with a whole new attitude.

If you’re looking for the new hip place to stay this is it. Our room had a panoramic view of the Bellagio fountains and a nice view of the Paris Eiffel tower…romantic! The Vdara is a quiet hotel, hip, non-smoking, non-casino with a slight Asian overtone.

It is connected to Bellagio so if you get a hankering for the poker tables or the slots you just cross a walkway and you’re in. If you need more hipness you can cross the outdoor walk way and go to the Aria. The Aria is the new Vegas elite, all of the swank with little or no garishness. Here is where you find the casino, shows, night clubs and outrageous shopping in a brand new mall called Crystals.

In addition to all this goodness both hotels pump these fantastic fragrances throughout – and I mean wonderful to die for smells!! Think of a cross between vanilla and sandalwood with a bit of citrus. I put my name on the waiting list of 2500 people in line to buy it when it comes out! They still don’t have it completed and they are not sure if it will be a candle or perfume or both. Whatever form IT will take I will take it! So if you are looking for a totally different Vegas experience you should check out the Vdara…and the rates are amazing since they are so new.

We've Got Gifts For Wine Lovers

2010-09-09T13:52:00.000-07:00

While there are no bottles of the fruits of harvest on Soul of the Rose Gifts, there are plenty of great gifts for wine lovers. From personalized wine glasses to exquisite wine accessories, you are sure to find something for the wine aficionado on your gift list. As we head into the holiday season it is time to begin to think about entertaining. Are you throwing the big bash this season? Will there be a set of newlyweds or perhaps a family with a new home on your gift list? This selection is an excellent source for wedding, anniversary and housewarming gifts. You will find etched and personalized wine glass sets, gorgeous cut glass decanters, handsome and classic bottle opener sets, charming bottle chillers, racks, holders and even totes. Check out the Wine Gifts at Soul of the Rose as we have assembled a unique collection of gifts that will help create the perfect party or happy hour.

Getting detached from the things I think are so important...

2010-09-01T11:44:00.000-07:00

I have been working with the idea of detachment lately and I came across something that Wayne Dyer said that really resonated with me regarding the idea of detachment. Think of water and a rock, of the two which is stronger? Water is always going to wear away the rock. If you think you need to harness the water, the more you try to squeeze and hold on to it the less you end up having. It is only when you relax and lay down in the water…float, that there is such an abundance of water, more than you actually need really. I guess that is the true meaning of “Going with the Flow”.

We're thinking a little Fringe Studio today...

2010-08-26T10:07:00.000-07:00

Fringe Studio is perhaps our favorite product line at Soul of the Rose Gifts. We just can't seem to get enough of the design elements that go into each of the candles, trays, frames, soaps, magnets and paper weights. We think you can't get enough either...it is our best selling product in every category and it always tops the searches. Check out some of these great finds.

Everything Fringe is affordable with exceptional design and excellent packaging so they make perfect gifts.

Fringe adds a touch of magnificence where ever it lands.

It's been a week and we have some winners!!!

2010-08-23T14:38:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who played our game this past week and suggested us to all your friends. We have three winners. Heather Speer, Kathleen Schmidt and Jamie Wright will all be receiving some very cool goody bags or actually these would be more like gift boxes. Each box contains three gifts! See our last post for gift descriptions.

With your help we doubled our friends and I think everyone really helped spread the buzz about Soul of the Rose Gifts. If you didn't win this time...take heart, we will do it again. In the mean time think of us anytime you need to send a gift or you are looking for a little something wonderful for yourself. Continue to suggest us to anyone you think would love shopping with us. We are stocking the store almost daily now - getting ready for holiday. Most of all I hope you think of us when you need something soulful and indulgent!

So lets see these Give Aways on Soul of the Rose's Facebook Page

2010-08-17T14:11:00.000-07:00

Follow Soul of the Rose Gifts on Facebook and suggest us to your friends and you will become eligible to win one of three Goody Bags! Just click on the "Suggest to Friends" link underneath our pink tag on Facebook. Let me know that you suggested us to your friends if you are already our friend so that I can enter you in the drawings too!

Give Away # 1
The first goody bag consists of Paris themed gifts. It contains a Fringe Studio Paris candle, Parisian Ladies Journal from Anna Corba and a hand made Parisian Beauty pendant.

Give Away # 2
This goody bag consists of a single crystal ornament on vintage ribbon from Anna Corba, a set of Cavallini Bird Stamps and a Fringe Studio Leaves candle.

Give Away # 3
This goody bag will consists of a Clover and Cassis soap from Fringe Studio, a black and gold grand fleur de lis compact mirror and a chocolate brown capize shell and wire cuff.

We will be announcing this for the next few days so everyone gets a chance to be entered and win. I am having so much fun picking out gifts and meeting new friends! Suggest us to everyone you know and check out the shop often in the next few weeks as we are getting a ton of new gifts weekly.

How about something sparkly...

2010-08-07T10:31:00.000-07:00

Are you in the mood for some something sparkly? A little shimmer and shine is all it takes sometimes. Here are a few of our jewelry finds. Most of our offerings are hand made and we carry only onsies or twosies so if you see something that makes your heart go pitter pat - you better order today.

Smokey & turquoise crystals strung on gold silk thread

Ombre silk ribbon with a turquoise cabochon and pink crystal pendant

We've got some unique one-of-a-kind collage pendants like this vintage chandelier crystal.

Marie Antoinette inspired pendant, strung on French blue velvet.

This is the go to bracelet, it blends with almost anything and makes a great statement.

Love the downward sparrow, it's just a little bit edgy and different.

Do you know someone with a green thumb?

2010-07-30T13:48:00.000-07:00

We've got everything your garden lover needs from beautiful easy grow habitat gardens to sturdy botanical themed garden tool sets, including an assortment of candles and accessories that are garden inspired.

Our habitat gardens are actually strips of fiber tissue embedded with high quality garden seeds that flourish quickly and attract hummingbirds, bees or butterflies. These are wonderfully packaged and make striking gifts.

Our Botanica Garden Tool Sets are sturdy and well built tools that will serve any busy gardener. We've got a set with a basket for transporting all the bounty from your garden and a garden bench that folds out and stores all the tools right where you need them, when you need them. These sets are practical and pretty!

We love candles so we have included a selection of candles and home accessories that we feel encompasses the best of the garden all year long.

Stroll through our garden gift section and send some blooming inspiration today!

Just Hatched!

2010-07-23T09:02:00.000-07:00

Our baby department is filled with new little hatchlings as a brand new selection of baby shower gifts is now available. Our baby gift collection is stocked with new diaper cakes, layette sets, bath sets and personalized gift baskets brimming with new baby goodies, all perfect for the newest little person you know.

Last week we had the pleasure of visiting our baby gift designer to review all the newest designs, as always we were totally impressed as she uses only the softest and highest quality cotton in the creation of each gift. The packaging and theme ideas are truly original. Needles to say the afternoon was spent "ooohing and ahhhing." We'll keep you posted as even more adorable baby gifts will be hatching over the next few months.

You know that baby shower you have coming up? Relax, you can be confident that when you send one of these gifts it will be the stellar standout. Mom will appreciate the thought you put into sending such an original gift and you will love how easy it is to let someone else do the wrapping and shipping for you!

So Let's Get Outside...

2010-07-09T10:54:00.000-07:00

The weather - it's crazy, blazing hot in the east and chilly and rainy in California, but we can't let that stop us! You've got to check out our Outdoor Excursions department to see the very cool and breezy collection of outdoor gear for your next day at the beach or country picnic. Our St. Tropez Beach collection will set the tone for the perfect day at the beach. Choose from the Malibu Picnic Pak, Sunshine Blanket and the magnificently functional Beachcomber Chair. We live at the beach so these items are a necessity!

Be sure to check out our beautifully outfitted picnic baskets for the perfect weekend in the country. We go apple picking every year and it is just "take out" if you don't have the basket packed with all the traditional snacks. Our outdoor gear is built to last, these are quality pieces that will become part of your family fun for years. We think they make wonderful wedding, engagement and family gifts as they encourage outdoor fun and they help create memories for life. Perfect for summer right?

I smell something baking...are you hungry?

2010-07-01T21:11:00.000-07:00

Soul of the Rose Gifts is now offering wonderful, fabulous, sweet and decadent freshly baked cookies, brownies and toffee whimsically packaged and ready for gift giving, or simply easting all by yourself! We have been searching and searching for a baker who understands the concept of soulful and indulgent gifts and we found her at Harvard Sweet Boutique. Sue George has been baking unique and spectacular dessert gift packages brimming with freshly baked gourmet cookies, brownies and more at her Massachusetts bakery since 2007. Each sweet gift is lovingly made by hand using only the finest ingredients including rich European chocolate, pure Madagascar vanilla and premium grade nuts; they are all natural and there are no preservatives. These magnificently packaged treats are the indulgent choice for those who are looking to send the most memorable and sensational gifts.

Check out our Gourmet Treats Section and you will discover an entire bakery filled with wonderful goodies from classic Chocolate Chip Cookies to Raspberry Chocolate Fudge Brownies!

If you are looking for an assortment the collection of gift packages offers tempting choices. To taste test we ordered the "Tower of Thanks" so that we could taste almost everything. It arrived filled with 16 assorted cookies and two of each of the mint, raspberry and the vanilla caramel sea salt brownies. (OMG!!!) The general consensus was that we had gone straight to heaven. I mean really why eat again?

I need to mention the wonderful presentation. This is exactly what you want when you send a gift. No factory tin of plain stale cookies that you could order from anywhere. This is the type of gift presentation that stands out; you will surely be remembered and thanked heartily for sending any of these wonderful gifts.

All of our fresh baked goodies are baked to order and they ship directly from the bakery. Make someones day and send something YUMMY today!

My favorite birthday card

2010-06-17T08:34:00.000-07:00

Perhaps only a parent can know you so well. This is a scan of a birthday card I received from my father some 25 years ago. It says so much about who I am and why I am here. I was so struck that he found this poster and thought of me and kept it to give to me on my birthday. There are six kids in our family so I am impressed that with such a crowd my Dad had the insight to get me so well. Here is what he wrote on the back:

Happy Birthday Kim -
This poster reminded me of you. You are such a strong individual person, but you are constantly caught up in the machine. Keep fighting it, Kim you will eventually do what you want to do. And remember, like this poster, the finger print (you) has a beautiful variation of line, it has color, texture and rhythm - just the opposite of the computer code, which is straight, static, lifeless, colorless and predictable.

I love you Kim,

Dad

Yes, that says it all for me.
Thank you Dad for knowing me so well and loving me so much.

The Ability to Accessorize...

2010-05-10T13:46:00.001-07:00

"The ability to accessorize is what sets us apart from the animal kingdom." If memory serves that is a quote from Steel Magnolias. I am inspired by it and I am inspired by our newest additions to the accessories department at Soul of the Rose Gifts.

We've added unique tote bags from Papaya!
There is a new collection of 100% Silk Ombre scarves - we will be adding more of these!

You have got to love this Bliss Tote Bag from Papaya.

You will find a swell assortment of new purse essentials including compact mirrors, pill boxes and pen and note pad sets!

These make great gifts too!

We love this little birdcage, you know how we love birds!

The Photographic Art of Shadi Ghadirian

2010-04-30T10:15:00.000-07:00

I stumbled upon the photo gallery site of Shadi Ghadirian and was so impressed I had to share it with you. I wrote to her and asked if I could share her work with my readers and she was kind enough to agree. I hope you will visit her site and view each of her photos. She makes some great observations about women in Iran but I think relevant to women everywhere. As it is most of the time, we all seem to have more in common than our differences, at least that is the feeling I get when I look through these photos. I may see them from a different vantage point as in the Qajar Gallery. I feel "where is my history?" But I think many women can totally identify with "Like Everyday" Gallery. Go visit I think you will love it!

"I am a woman and I live in Iran. I am a photographer and this is the only thing I know how to do." "It does not make a difference to me what place the Iranian woman has in the world because I am sure no one knows much about it." - Shadi Ghadirian

Mother's Day Should Be Everyday!

2010-04-24T09:19:00.000-07:00

It is true, I say that because I am a Mother and I like presents. I like to give them and I like to get them. Mothering or nurturing, I have learned comes in many forms and from many figures - at least that has been the case in my life. I have friends and family members who have served as mother figures for me at times in my life and I think of them often on Mother's Day. Their support and experience has seen me through difficult or uncharted waters in my life and I am always grateful for their presence. Are there special "Moms" in your life? Women who show up and give or leave something special for you to draw from? I hope you recognize them. If you need a little something for them I would love to send it out for you. Check out the great gifts for Mothers Day in the Gift Boutique at Soul of the Rose Gifts.

Beingness...

2010-04-13T14:30:00.001-07:00

I was barely watching Cesar Millan's Dog Whisperer the other night and thumbing through a few books on the bedside table, Wayne Dyer's "The Power of Intention" and Geneen Roth's "Women, Food and God". The latter because I must now lose the weight I have put back on from inability to exercise over the previous months of injury, surgery and recovery. I must be honest here, during recovery it was not uncommon for me to come downstairs and enquire "Who will be going to In & Out Burgers today?" So it was not entirely for lack of ability to exercise that caused all the weight gain. Just clearing that up...

The TV was on as background noise, I thought I was present and ready for soul searching. As I picked up these latest self help books it came to mind that there is a point of recognition that takes over my desire to change or cure myself. Oh sure I need to shed a few pounds but I see myself clearly and I like what I see. Certainly I laugh a little too loud. and I always love too hard. I feel way too much for my own good and there never seems to be any dessert that is really too rich for me. But do I really need to "fix" all this?

It was about this time that Cesar began talking to me. Well, he was talking to some dog owners about their dog problems. I like Cesar - even though I am a cat person - he is easy on the eyes if you get what I am saying. Anyway, Cesar was making some great points here.

Master the Walk - set aside time and engage the proper frame of mind, position matters, be the pack leader and define exploration time.

Achieving Balance - Calm assertive leadership not emotional arguments or outbursts. What are the needs, take responsibility for the state of mind.

Energy as Communication - Energy is what Cesar calls Beingness; it is who and what you are in every moment.

I LOVE THIS GUY!

So perhaps I am not some wild overgrown puppy tearing up the furniture or dragging my owner down the street on our walk but I do get out of hand from time to time. I forget my Beingness, I forget how to Master the Walk and then I need to work on Achieving Balance again. I don't need to fix everything in life as there is no thing that is wrong; rather recognition of my Beingness and re-setting the right frame of mind is all I really need right now.

Happiness held is a seed. Happiness shared is the flower.

2010-04-01T15:12:00.000-07:00

It is a burst of spring here at Soul of the Rose Gifts. Actually it is almost always sunny here in San Diego - sorry about that friends in the mid west and back east as you are suffering in the rain. However, we have just the thing to lift your spirits and get you ready for the new season. Habitat Gardens from BloemBox are in full bloom here! These wonderful little gifts are a special treat for yourself or someone you love. Habitat Gardens are a colorful assortment of flowers selected to attract butterflies, hummingbirds and bumble bees to your garden. Peek inside and you will find three 5' biodegradable, plantable, tissue paper seed ribbons of nectar-rich flowers for each garden visitor. We think these make great gifts that seem to announce the arrival of Spring.

The hand-wrapped paper boxes are adorned with hand-crafted silk flowers made to look like the real garden flowers. Each box is carefully filled and then tied with a lustrous satin ribbon and gift tag with a poetic reference to the flower. BloemBox gifts contain the finest premium seeds distributed between biodegradable tissue paper for effortless planting. The paper boxes are printed in soy-based ink. Each gift is hand crafted and assembled in the BloemBox seed house in rural Northern California. We are so happy to offer these fun gifts. We hope you enjoy them.

Goddess of Administration

2010-02-27T12:55:00.000-08:00

Soul of the Rose is a small operation, a team comprised of some wonderful talent though. Through previous blog posts I have introduced you to Megan our assistant buyer and today I would like to introduce you to Nina, the goddess of administration and in- house photographer.

Nina has taken a more hands on approach to the day-to-day Soul of the Rose workings processing most of the shipments during my recovery from shoulder surgery. This has been no easy task as I monitor the packing of every order with irritating packing suggestions and annoying comments. Nina however takes it all in stride and has not clobbered me yet.

Nina’s talent is most appreciated as our photographer! She is creative and humbly thinks of herself as “the greatest person that ever lived”. Hmmm, such an artistic perception. Usually she bops around here plugged into her ipod (listening to Kenny Loggins music) setting up all sorts of artsy shots when in reality we usually just pick the simplistic shots that show the product most clearly. This is somewhat annoying to Nina – no doubt. Seriously, she is sweet and she works hard – when asked in just the right way. We don’t know if she is the greatest person who ever lived – but she is strange and we get a kick out of her!

Road Trip & Recovery

2010-01-28T13:20:00.000-08:00

We're headed to Santa Barbra this weekend. Matt and I are taking a little get a way to unwind and relax before my surgery.

Don't worry, if you place orders on the shop they will still ship. Nina our administrative goddess will come to the rescue and ship all orders in a timely manner.

If you have read this blog then you know that entrusting Matt with post surgical care is a tricky endeavor. If not read here. But I am assured by friends and family that all will go smoothly. Matt's history of devil-may-care medical mishaps have branded him as one who can not monitor his spouses recovery alone. He loves me deeply but I just can't explain what comes over him at these times, really.

Trust me we are prepared this time. We have the Polar Care 300 a super sonic ice therapy machine that I get hooked up to that will freeze my shoulder to an appropriate temperature that will help with swelling, recovery and surely any hot flashes that might come up! I have a multitude of fetching sweatshirts and loose tops to pop over the shoulder dressing that I will be bundled in for God knows how long. I have books, movies and both my kids will be around me so I am sure that all will be well.

Though the it may not be this sunny this weekend I am sure we will have a great time! Talk to you soon...

Giving Part II

2010-01-15T21:46:00.000-08:00

When I wrote my last blog post about giving, there was no way of knowing what a stage of tragedy would be set with the Haitian Earthquake. Giving is incredibly important now more than ever. Imagine the total devastation that has taken place in Haiti. We see images of it but we are not living it so it is up to each of us to do what we can. Give big, give small but give what ever you can and know that it makes a difference. Many people giving small amounts create a huge change. Give your prayers, give your meditations, and give your best thoughts of peace, calm and healing for these people.

There will always be causes to give and contribute to but every now and then something big happens and requires us to act on our humanity, to dig deeper and say to ourselves - "Yes I can come up with a little extra for this".

Soul of the Rose Gifts is a regular supporter of Doctors Without Borders and we have made an additional donation to help with the operations in Haiti.

Let's Start This New Year Off Right!

2010-01-04T20:10:00.000-08:00

Lets not resolve to lose weight, work out more or become more organized. These are very boring ideas and they only net a few people with incredible will power. The rest of us are left feeling as though we can't cut it as though we can't make a difference. You can make a difference I have an idea!

This year I am embarking on the 29-Day Giving Challenge. Go to 29 Gifts in 29 Days
Give one thing away each day for 29 days. Why? Because, to see your world change, you have to DO something to change your world. I plan to sign up on this site to keep track of what I am doing and to get ideas from others. I plan to continue this abundant lifestyle longer that 29 days but this will be a great way to start. I love this idea. Join me we can do this.

I also found a site called Modest Needs
Modest Needs pools small donations from thousands of donors, who can direct their contributions to help fund specific individual requests. One hundred percent of individual donations go to fund these small grants, which cover needs such as auto repairs, rent, dental work or utility bills. This help prevent otherwise financially self-sufficient individuals and families from entering the cycle of poverty with a small amount of well-timed financial assistance.

This is a great place to make small donations from time to time on an as needed and case-by-case basis. I am really happy to have found this site because you can see simple solutions taking shape right away.

This New Year I am stretching my mind and soul to find new and unusual ways to give. I am not rich and I may only have small amount to give here and there but I think if I can wake each day feeling grateful and reach out to share then I will surely fall on the happier side of life more often than not. I hope you will join me in adopting this grateful and abundant attitude. I think we can make such a lasting difference for others and ourselves. Happy New Year!

Thank you, we couldn't have done it without YOU!

2009-12-23T12:28:00.000-08:00

We at Soul of the Rose Gifts wish to take this opportunity to thank each and every customer that purchased from us this year. Your purchases have allowed us to donate generously to each of the special causes that we support and a few new ones.

As many of you know we donate on the local, national and international level. We support the Women's Resource Center in North San Diego, Feeding America food banks and Doctors Without Borders. This year the giving was extra fun as we made our way to Toys R Us and loaded up with toys for the Toys for Tots Christmas toy drive! We felt that this year donated toys would be in high demand. Our community paper ran a story about the Marines collecting toys and their fears of a shortage. Thanks to YOU, our customers we were able to run right out and donate toys in addition to our continued support of our regular charitable causes. Toy shopping is a blast! We had a great time and we really could not have done it without each of you. Thank you all!

We wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa and a lovely winter solstice. Whatever holiday you celebrate, please know that you are appreciated by all of us at Soul of the Rose Gifts.

Free Shipping - How do you get it?

2009-11-25T15:33:00.000-08:00

Yes, you know it's on! The Free Holiday Shipping at Soul of the Rose Gifts!

You need to know how to get it. If your order is $40.00 or over just enter the word "holidays" in the coupon field on the check out page and your order ships free!

Don't worry if you mess up and forget, you know I will adjust your order to reflect the free shipping - but the coupon thing is truly helpful from an administrative point.

Lets plan our shopping now, the last day to order for free shipping and delivery before Christmas is 12/16/09. So if you all click hereand begin selecting soulful and indulgent gifts you will have a hassel free holiday shopping experience and you won't have to fight for a parking space at the mall!

Pressed down, heaped up and over flowing...

2009-11-25T14:52:00.000-08:00

I am hoping that you take time this Thanksgiving weekend to contemplate all that you have to be thankful for. I mean really do it. You can walk on the beach or lay in the grass and meditate, cook a fabulous meal for those you love, visit someone who has been ill, read a book to a little person. Really, you can do anything as long as you notice and tune into the action of what you are doing in the moment to feel it and be present. Just allowing yourself to be fully present in what you are doing can trigger the notion of all that you have to be grateful for. We miss it much of the time because we are so busy and we often focus on what is gone or what we lost or what we think we need.

For many people this has been a hard year filled with lots of challenges. If you are still here with us - there is a reason. Seize it.

Take a moment or two to consider how much you have. Whenever I think I might need more good in my life, I start with considering how much I already have. I imagine my cup of goodness so full, pressed down, heaped up and over flowing....

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.

Tokyo Milk - New at Soul of the Rose Gifts!

2009-11-13T18:20:00.000-08:00

We are very excited to bring you a brand new line of soft fragrances, lip gloss and beautifully wrapped soaps! Tokyo Milk has arrived just in time for gift giving season.

The Kiss Me Kits are absolutely sweet! Each gorgeous slide box contains a wonderful sheer glimmery gloss and a pack of sweet and spicy mints.

Petit Parfum Solide is a little slide box with a hint of tiny art. Each little solid perfume pot is packaged in a stunning hand glittered box with a collection of tiny note cards tucked inside. Hooray for tiny art!!

We have a cool selection of Marie Antoinette inspired Tokyo Milk items if that's your passion!

To say that the soaps are beautifully wrapped is an understatement. Hand glittered collage art at it's best here. Soft hues of pink and silver German glass glitter with vintage ephemera wrapped around french milled soap cakes - it just doesn't get better than this girls!

Tokyo Milk is fun, flirty and sweet – a true collector’s must have!

A little travel log - Cedros Design District - Solana Beach, CA

2009-11-05T13:28:00.001-08:00

We got out and did some shopping just up the coast the other day. If you are in the San Diego area then you have got to check out Solana Beach. It is a sleeply little beach village between Encinitas and Del Mar. If you are going by train - it has it's own stop right there across the street from the Cedros Design District. THE place to shop for all things Cool!

One of my favorite places is SoLo, a very nice warehouse with lost of sophisitcated merchants selling everything from vintage religious iconic stuff to mid-century modern pieces and sprinkled with asian antiques and topped with hip childrens goodies. Pictured above is a sweet little bowl of ceramic blue birds - a total must have!

Religious iconic goodness - I would like to get more of that going at Soul of the Rose.

Mixture of vintage silver, asian statuary and bits of whatever!

We always stop at Bon Bon too. These pictures don't do it justice. Imagine Shabby Chic meets a "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane".

They manage to take a sometimes too sweet decor and set it just on it's edge where you think "That's a little spooky"

We finished up with a great lunch out and then went home for a nap....

My Gal Pal Megan - AKA Assistant Buyer

2009-10-29T14:02:00.000-07:00

I hope every woman has a gal pal. I really hope they have one like Megan. Yes, by all means she helps me with the buying around here. She can walk down isles and isles of bad gift show merchandise as long as there is an occasional margarita on hand and yet she is sharp as a tack when I veer to close to matronly florals or last season’s has-beens. She is dead on for recognizing a strong trend that we had better follow up on. Buying for Soul of the Rose is just one aspect of my friendship with Megan. We have our daughters and their friendship in common. We are really compatible politically and we share the same fabulous sense of humor – if I say so myself. And though we share a similar sense of style, Megan, so caring, takes it upon herself to remind me of tiny fashion details: “now, you know you can’t wear wedges with those skinny jeans!” And she is always offering to help me with anything: “Perhaps I could walk the dog so you can update your blog!” (We have no dog.)

Megan is always on for an adventure, and she finds fun wherever she goes. She is my most trusted confidant, always loyal and always there for me. I wish you knew her; you would love to have her as your friend. She is creative like nobody’s business, from retail merchandising, to creating a retro cocktail lounge in your home – this is your girl!

Is it too early to begin preparing for the holidays?

2009-09-06T21:32:00.000-07:00

I know the answer to this is no. As a gift retailer, I have been planning for and purchasing for Christmas since June. The warehouse is stocked and getting more stocked as I write. Each week I am searching our just a few more things to add the the mix. And, just as Thanksgiving ends I will place an order or two for things that will work for Valentines Day.

However, there is a whole sub-culture that you may not know about and that would be the Haunters, or at least that's what Nina calls the people that really plan out their home Halloween displays all year and work each year to perfect their Haunt. Nina definitely falls into that category and I sort of tag along. Each year I say the same thing, "You know, I am not going to buy anymore Halloween stuff Nina." I always end up with a few new things each year, not really sure how that happens - its spooky!

Nina starts her planning at the beginning of summer. She decides how the house will be laid out - every room gets decorated, completely over the top. We have about 7 staging areas that get really decked out. Each year our party gets larger. Martha Stewart, eat your heart out! Actually, this year I am hoping to perfect my menu. As I write this Nina rattles off a list of foods that glow under black light.

I think pre-planing for other holidays is important too. Thanksgiving is totally over simplified and an overlooked holiday in my estimation. I find it really gets defined by what is served up on the table. This leaves the whole holiday in the dust. For me Thanksgiving is more of a spiritual holiday than a feast. I spend a lot of time journaling and really meditating on what I am grateful for throughout November. I look forward to that time of year when I really reflect about how grateful I am for all that I have experienced. If you have never done this - November is a great month to begin a Gratitude Journal, then you can finish out the month really celebrating Thanksgiving.

We are doing all we can to get geared up around here for all the Fall/Winter Holidays right now. In the next posts I will give you sneak peeks at the new goodies from the shop.

New Office Accesories

2009-07-09T10:16:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures of my new office accessories collection. This design is called "Script" and is a little European in style. These are hand-made items and each one is a little different, We have desk trays, clip boards and paperweights. These are very limited we only make a few of each design. I have more in the wings waiting to be born so to speak. If you like these check out the Soul of the Rose Office Accessories along with other designs.

I can't just use a regular clip board when checking in merchandise - I've got to have style with function!

This tray is perfect for letters and little "get-to" things on my desk.

I hope you like them - I loved making them.

I Stand Corrected in my View of Twitter

2009-06-20T15:39:00.000-07:00

In light of the events unfolding right now in Iran I stand corrected in my previous assessment of Twitter as being a benign e-technological bit of frivolity. Certainly – its true importance has been born out.

Matt’s Mother and Sister are here visiting. His sister left Iran on Election Day. Their family is safe although there are a lot of demonstrations not far from their home near the city. We have had some calls earlier in the week but we fear the lines are down today. We have watched CNN’s coverage off and on all day today. It is very different getting this from their prospective.

Tonight we are off to a party to celebrate their visit with family – it will be a gathering of mixed emotions I am sure. This is Shani’s first visit to the States and already I love her. She is so wonderful, talented, funny, sweet and smart.

Please if you can, pray for the highest good to prevail for Iran’s people. If you do not pray perhaps you can meditate on that. It is so very important.

A few of the goodies I have been making!

2009-05-24T18:42:00.001-07:00

It took me a lot longer to upload all my new products than I thought it would. I began designing and creating these items in March and it has taken until now for me to get them on the site but here they are. I have a collection of pendants that are little works of art. Some of the designs are collage work under crystals and some are on bamboo tiles. I have a lot more that I am working on but this is the first batch. Check out the Soul of the Rose Jewelry Designs on the site for each individual design and for prices.

Revolutionary Collection

I made these little black and red crystal charm pendants and Nina and I decided they reminded us of the musical Les Miserables so I named each pendant after one of the female characters in the musical - how funny! We thought it was coincidental that Fantine should have a black ribbon because she just gets one song and dies at the beginning of the musical. If you don’t know this musical then the humor is totally lost but I hope you still like this collection!

Tweet?

2009-05-08T14:08:00.000-07:00

Ok here goes – I am getting old. I don’t want to Tweet. I don’t want to be hyper-connected to my friends and I don’t wish that on my friends from me. No offence but I don’t want to know that Tiffany is walking the dog, hell, I don’t even want to know that Ashton Krutcher is washing his face or falling asleep watching a movie. Wow, that really sounds old – but I think he likes old chicks anyway.

Twitter, how much can we take? I’ll be honest, it is all I can do to run the web boutique, manage my other job, try to create goodies for the store, check in on Facebook and upload a blog post in between life. And can I just say that all of this activity has helped tremendously with excuses for why I don’t have time to cook dinner! But I really think I draw the line at Twitter. What sort of things would I Tweet anyway???

Just ate 5 cookies!

Am watching Godfather for the 1 millionth time.

Am cleaning cat barf yet again

It is not that my life is not interesting to me, I just don’t think that what can be said in a tweet can be that interesting to others. Ok some things could be great tweets I admit:

Just won Nobel Peace Prize!

Have finally lost those 100 lbs I was worried about

So that is what an orgasm is!

Now that would be interesting stuff, but until I can produce a stream of these types of riveting tweets consistently I am not going to sign up for twitter. And that is my final word – for now.

One Hundred Wishes...

2009-04-16T20:43:00.000-07:00

What a sweet name… I wanted to tell you about a fun little online shop that I recently bought from. One Hundred Wishes has ribbons, trims, charms and candy! What a great product mix this is! Andrea Singarella is the proprietor and she packaged my pretty velvet and silk ribbons – the softest ever, with such care. I think her site would be a great place to shop for gifts for your crafty friends.

Who doesn’t like velvet, silk and satin ribbon? Who can not think of fun things to do with intriguing little brass charms, vintage buttons and other millinery finery? And candy? Well, who doesn’t like candy – I don’t want to know them! She also has cards, paper trims – all sorts of fun things to stir the creativity.

I think a box filled with such precious goodies would make a wonderful gift. Your items will arrive professionally packaged with care and thought to detail. I was impressed and that is not easily done. Many of you may already be customers of One Hundred Wishes, I had wanted to buy and finally found just what I was looking for to complement a few projects I was working on. I think it is so important for us to support small unique businesses especially during these times. So if you are looking for something different, creative and sweet visit One Hundred Wishes.

Tales from the couch...

2009-03-26T13:18:00.000-07:00

So when I am sick – and I am still sick if you can believe that, I end up doing a lot of couch time. I have had more than my share of daytime TV. Here is what I can report on daytime TV: Americans most be having some serious problems with acne and erectile dysfunction because Proactive acne skin care, Viagra and Enzite ads run continuously like a video loop 24-7! Also, as it has been winter, there are lots of Snugie ads, a ridiculous product in my opinion! My other profound observation is that we as a people must be taking a lot of medications that produce unbelievable side affects. Some of the medication ads - I don’t even know what they are for - but the side effects may cause unbelievably horrible conditions that I think you may be better off just not taking that medication and suffer with your ailment. And why is America all of a sudden having such a love affair with Probiotics? Could it be all the cheeseburgers piling up?? Well as you can see I have had waaaay to much TV time.

The good news is that in between coughing, nausea, hacking and snorting I managed to work on quite a few craft projects and I will be starting to take photos and preparing to upload them on to the site this weekend. I have wanted to create more original hand-made items and, well, you can only lie around the couch for so long as you recuperate. So be sure to check back soon I will post some pictures of the new goodies very soon. Stay healthy!

Whatever you do, do not get this cold flu thing…

2009-03-05T13:35:00.000-08:00

I have been away for all sorts of reasons lately – just busy I guess wearing myself down so that when the virus came along I was rightly acceptable to it. All I can tell you is wash your hands a lot. Take your vitamins and get the required amount of rest.

I am sure I picked this up at the wonderful Indian wedding we attended with some 500 people in attendance this last weekend. I think that is a good guess because my husband has it too. The wedding was really beautiful and the first Indian wedding I had ever been to. I really loved all the beautiful saris that were so colorful! The food was wonderful and everyone was happy and warm and inviting. However we shook hands with everyone just about so there you have it!

So I am going home to bed because my fingernails hurt and the hair on my head hurts. Why or why when you get a virus do these strange aches and pains come on? Who knew that my left forearm could hurt so much for absolutely no good reason? Well, that is about all the complaining form me for one day.

Stay healthy!

This I Know...

2009-01-26T19:23:00.000-08:00

So the news has been pretty grim lately. This morning as I read about the collapse of Iceland amid financial turmoil I begin to think to myself just where does Soul of the Rose fit in here. There is no doubt about it this is a time to watch your spending, to pare down and do away with the superfluous things. But this is what I know. People will always want to give gifts. People will always find a way to give something. Sometimes we give extravagantly sometimes we give more simply, but we will always give, it is the enduring nature of people. At Soul of the Rose we really focus on that premise – that giving is a way of life and that there is always enough to share and to spare.

This year I will be focusing on offering unique gifts, special, affordable little luxuries that you can take pride in sending to your friends and family. After all just because we may be economizing, does not mean that we forgo the quality of the gifts we give. I will focus on providing top notch service no matter the size of the order. Did you know that every order is packed with a free gift that contains something sweet to smell, something sweet to eat and something sweet to think about all wrapped up in a pretty pink bag? In addition we hand write every gift card and sign them for you so that your gift has the personal feel that you would want it to have. Soul of the Rose Gifts will continue to be diligent in the support of our local, national and international charities as they need it now more than ever.

I feel confident that where we fit in the big scheme of things is that we are a giving source providing not only soulful and indulgent gifts and through our customers purchases we have enough to share and to spare for others in need.

Positive Thoughts for a New Year

2009-01-08T15:06:00.000-08:00

I bet a lot of people are entering this New Year with trepidation. It certainly sounds scary if you listen to the news. I hope the new President is brave, if it were me I might have been tempted to say “You know, I change my mind, it’s not really the job I signed on for now.” But leaders don’t do that.

We had a particularly hard holiday season in our family this year as we lost our beloved Uncle Jim. The only bright spot there was the recognition that I am better for having known such a loving and caring man. And his wife and children are all so wonderful. I wish them peace.

So along with holiday parties we had funerals and wakes. That is the roller coaster of life. Our close knit family probably had too much time spent with some and not enough time spent with others. It is always interesting when we get together – this year proved to be no different. I love each and every person in my big family.

At the beginning of 2009 I learned that sometimes when you love someone you just have to let them go. I learned that sometimes fighting to hold on to someone is not always the right thing to do. It felt like I had been reaching down the edge of a tall cliff just barley catching hold of this long loved person’s hand and it just became too hard to hold on any longer. Letting go and watching them fall never entered my mind, it was my natural reflex to stretch out my hand and try to pull them up. I learned that it may be presumptuous to think that everyone wants to be caught and hoisted up. There is some guilt with letting go. But I have learned that sometimes it is freeing to both people when you let go.

So, where are the positive thoughts you may ask?

Through the highs and lows of the coming year

I wish each of you health, happiness and love.

I wish each of you the inspiration to find a way to give of your self in a way that is unique to you.

I wish each of you abundance and the recognition of your abundance and so I wish you all gratitude.

I wish you all peace and the ability to find peace of mind no matter the circumstance.

I wish you creativity in the face of adversity and the joy of that flowing expression.

I wish you calm quiet reflection and the strength to greet the lessons that will be learned.

I wish you the bravery to create a life that is rich, full and overflowing with the stuff that makes you wish your days would never end.

Here is to 2009, may it be a great year!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-24T13:50:00.000-08:00

May your all your most amazing dreams come true this holiday season! I wish you all health, wealth, happiness and love.

Christmas Party at the Hotel Del Coronado

2008-12-15T09:34:00.001-08:00

This year we were invited to a fabulous holiday dinner at the Hotel Del in Coronado. What fun! If you have never been and you are in the San Diego area - you must go to the Hotel Del on Coronado Island. It is a historic place and the shopping is very fun, the restaurants are great too. The town is so quaint it makes a great vacation place. We go there at least once a year but the holiday dinner was special.

The Del is always beautiful - but at holiday time it is to die for!

The Grand Ballroom where our dinner was. It over looked the ice skating rink outside below - where else can you walk on the beach and then ice skate?

The Christmas tree in the lobby is gorgeous! The lobby is beautiful too all that dark, rich wood.

Here we are all dolled up and ready to go - looks like a prom photo! Matt looks sooo handsome - don't cha think?

We had a wonderful time, the music was great, the food was wonderful too.

Happy Holidays!

The Season Has Arrived!

2008-11-25T11:34:00.000-08:00

Ready or not - here we are – it’s holiday time. I know that as a merchant I am supposed to rush you into buying all your holiday goodies as fast as possible. Well, I have just never been that type of merchant. So I gently announce the arrival of the holiday season. I wish all of you a happy and joyous season!

We’ve tried to make things a little easier for you to find gifts that will fit your budget this season with the addition of our Gift Boutique categories. This year you will find Charming gifts at $20.00 & Under, Wonderful Gifts at $35.00 & Under and Sensational Gifts at $50.00 & Under.

De-stress your holiday season and shop Soul of the Rose, allow us to do the wrapping and shipping. This year we are offering free holiday shipping on ground orders through 12/17/08! We always hand write our gift cards and each package is sent along it’s way beautifully wrapped and with a special little gift tucked inside that includes fragrance samples, chocolates and loving thoughts. In addition you have the satisfaction of knowing that your purchase will include a donation to local, national and international charities. Now that is soulful!

The last day to ship with regular FED EX ground or home delivery so your gifts arrive before Thursday December 25th is December 17th – so there is plenty of time to select your gifts and let us take care of the wrap and ship.

Happy holidays to your and yours!

Lift and Separate

2008-11-14T13:28:00.000-08:00

Ahhh, the promise of a new bra! I can not understand how we can send men to the Moon, see pictures direct from the planet Mars but we can not have a comfortable bra?

It is no secret that as a woman approaches a certain age the features of a good bra are not only comfort but technology nothing short of hydraulics are required as well. You might then also want to include attractiveness into the required features list too. For the lingerie must be more than utilitarian for me but not so far into the fashion realm so as to miss its intended purpose – Lift and Separate.

Most readers here may not remember the tag line “I dreamed I won a race in my Maidenform bra.” The word “race” was often substituted for some other miraculous fete you could accomplish while wearing said bra. The expectations from a new bra are always so great. Indeed it may be too much to ask or expect a good fit, function and looks. Sort of like the new administration in Washington DC – the expectation is just so high! As that old tag line comes to mind I realize this want of functionality and fashion has always been desired – just seldom delivered upon.

Through the years I have imagined becoming queen of my own country, a country where no bras or shoes would ever be allowed. They would be viewed as contraband and grounds for deportation. Hmm, we may end up being a country of muumuu wearing people in need of regular pedicures, but we would be living a comfortable life I am sure of it.

So I scurried home the other day with my lingerie purchases the usual black, white and beige bras – but something else slipped in the bag this time. A rare moment of excitement and risk – I bought a red bra! I have often thought I should have a leopard bra, after all it is beige and black so that is sort of basic – but red, how exciting is that? Well, it is for me. It makes me think of how Mammy felt when she wore the red taffeta petticoat that Rhett Butler brought her from Paris, slightly scandalous!

A New Dawn

2008-11-07T16:26:00.001-08:00

I usually do not get political here. I try not to offend people. I try to stay neutral. I sell my little wares and make occasional comments on the changes in my life and family that I experience.

But I would be totally out of my mind if I did not recognize the significance of this week and the historical impact that we have brought about! I went from blog to blog checking on my friends to see if they were courageous enough to mention the election of the first black man to the presidency of the United States. Some mentioned it and some said nothing. After sitting it out, I sort of felt like I had been hiding in a corner. That is not me.

No matter whom you voted for, no matter how fearful you may be of change, “Change Has Come to America.” I see it as a new and wonderful day. I see this as a bright change for the positive. I think it is a defining moment for the United States to take a huge step forward in a truly progressive way. We have stepped into the global arena ready to get down to work and back to what makes this place wonderful.

This was a divisive election. People squared off, neighbors pitted against neighbors on my street. E-mail ambushes from both sides were a daily occurrence. I woke up on Wednesday exhausted by everything. As I mentioned to one friend I am more interested in what makes us similar and what we have in common as a people than what makes us different and makes us think of separating ourselves from other people or cultures.

So I have spoken up here and said my piece. I still don’t expect to get too political here in the future. But it was important for me to write about what I see as a great new dawn. (This photo is from sarah peter1 on flickr)

A Smashing Time Was Had By All...

2008-11-04T16:12:00.000-08:00

Nina carved this pumpkin

Side table in the livingroom

Nina and her pals - Nina is the one in the glasses

Nina with her creepy uncle - seriously I had to keep him away from the young ladies he was just too creepy!

Nina made this head on a platter - cool

The Mad Scientist's Den

I made this tiny grave yard.

Me striking a pose just as the party was getting underway. We had fun!

Is there something I am forgetting?

2008-10-29T13:49:00.000-07:00

The house looks great, we have our costumes and the food is piling up on the counter tops. I am just contemplating last minute details for the Halloween party Nina will throw on Friday.

This year the living room is a mad scientist’s den, the formal dining room is a fortune teller’s parlor, half of the front yard is a grave yard and half is a pumpkin patch and the court yard entry is a witch’s lair. Is there anything we could be forgetting?
Oh! the menu – black pasta with vodka sauce, fettuccini made with orange roasted pepper pasta, green ghoulish salad, eyeball bruschetta, graveyard cake and pumpkin pie.

If I can find some meat pies it would be lovely as Nina is Mrs. Lovett from Sweeny Todd this year!

Channeling Sophie

2008-10-24T15:35:00.000-07:00

You remember her… the Gift Giving Goddess of Soul of the Rose? Well, she is at it again with her recent Weekend in the Country. It seems she had a smashing time picnicking, taking in the local jazz in the park spectacular and staying over at a charming B&B. Lucky for her they allowed sweet Mr. Bingley her pooch! You must check out the latest installment of Sophie’s adventures.

We enjoyed a weekend in the country too! We packed up and went off to apple country in the local mountains for a little picnic and antique shopping. I wish I could tell you that the air was crisp with an autumn chill but you are all aware that we live in Southern California and frankly we were just grateful the hills were not on fire! But it was a beautiful day and the picnic was the best part.

While I was there I visited my two favorite shops – the best in town – they are owned by the same woman and her creativity is boundless! Check out Oakwood Creek and American Gardener - what fun!

So Much Is New!

2008-10-04T18:10:00.000-07:00

There are so many new goodies at Soul of the Rose I don’t know what to tell you about first. Perhaps I should just pick out a few things I love in our newest department.

We have a new Pampered Pet department in the Home Store! Everything there is unique and adorable. We’ve found an international pet furnishings design house that we fell in love with called Louisdog. We are so happy to bring you an assortment of their wonderful collection. We carry their unique pet houses, baskets, beds, carriers and even pet clothing! If you have a little furry loved one then you must check out the Louisdog lifestyle collection.We got to thinking that if pet funishings were a good idea then perhaps pet spa products would also be fun! We are so excited about Cain & Able our line of doggie day spa products. The spa line is comprised of all natural ingredients and fragrances. There are even gift sets for doggies! I tell you we have thought of everything!

But let me warn you that if you are a feline lover you may be disappointed as there really was not much fun in all this buying for the cats. We tried on cat costumes and clothing and found that our Trouble and Smudge could not be brought to wear clothing of any sort. We know from experience that they especially detest the entire idea of spa products or any ordeal that may be brought about by the use of them. Actually, aside from the pet beds and houses they were unimpressed with all of our hard work in building this new department. So be warned this is strictly doggie territory only!

Good to be back...

2008-09-12T15:45:00.000-07:00

I am back and it is good to be home, even though we miss the Beej. I was glad that I went and saw where he is living and where he is going to school. It made me feel a little better about saying goodby. We found a Persian restaurant close by too! That was fortunate - he's got to have that. If he can not have Mom's cooking then at least he can run down there and get something once in a while.

Since I have been back I have set to work updating the boutique. We have added many items to the baby section and we hope to continue to expand there. I hope to be adding more fun and unusual gift items in the coming months before Christmas. I am really excited about some of the goodies coming in. We are trying all sorts of new things here so stay tuned and check out the site often.

Now down to work...

We are off to Florida…

2008-08-27T15:27:00.000-07:00

Yes we are taking Bijan to school. Straight into hurricane season we go. They have real weather in Florida. This will be a test for Bijan who having been born and raised in California has not experienced real weather. I told him he had better learn how to hang on and drive in the rain.

Bijan is going to Full Sail an entertainment media collage. It sounds very fun – I would like to go! He will be majoring in Recording Arts. This is the first time he has lived away from us even though he will be 20 in October. This has not been an easy transition. I was not prepared for how I would feel. I always knew this was coming but it sure feels sad when it comes to pass. I am sure I will feel better when I see that he is set up there, when I see the school and that he is living in an apartment and not on the street. I have to be honest the things I think up sometimes are so strange and worrisome. I need to just simply let go. I need to just let him go and make his way. He will be fine. I have a lot of faith in him. Besides I have gone online and found the closest Whole Foods Market, the Doctors office, the nearest Hospital and a Persian Restaurant. I can see his place on Google Maps too! Yep, he’ll be fine, I just need to let go a little.

NOTE: If you place an order between 8/28/08 and 9/5/08 your order will ship on 9/8/08 as we are not in the office. I'll tell you all about Florida when I return!

Hot...

2008-08-15T20:39:00.001-07:00

Ok I know I am supposed to be selling wonderful gifts or at least talking about wonderful gifts but lately I have been preoccupied. Watched To Kill a Mockingbird last weekend and boy was he HOT!

Soulful Giving

2008-08-14T15:19:00.000-07:00

I am thrilled to announce that Soul of the Rose was able to write the first checks out to our national and international charities this month. We previously donated to our local charity following the first quarter. As I mentioned Soul of the Rose Gifts donates 10% of all sales to local, national and international charities. I began this tithing business model in 2008 and I am happy to report that all is going well. I am sending out a big thank you to all my customers who's purchases are helping to make a difference one gift at a time!

What girl dosn't need a flask?

2008-08-08T14:16:00.000-07:00

Well, there may be some, but I find them to be a handy dandy tool to have on hand and they make great gifts! Ours flasks are handmade and each one is uniquely designed. They hold 6 oz of your favorite brew and they come in a black velveteen pouch. These are in limited quantities so if you like one you had better order it right away. They can be found at Soul of the Rose in the Interesting Accessories page.

Check Out The New Gift Boutique on Soul of the Rose Gifts

2008-07-28T15:16:00.000-07:00

I have always wanted something unique in the way of making gift suggestions on our website gift boutique and I am happy to say I think I have found it. Do you remember the Seinfeld episodes in which Elaine worked for the J. Peterman catalog? Well, you could say our gift boutique is a little bit inspired by J. Peterman.

Meet Sophie, the gift giving heroine of Soul of the Rose. Sophie radiates charm, style and a certain joie de vivre. She is a social butterfly with a social conscience. Sophie, with her gift list in hand, clicks on Soul of the Rose to find perfect, unique gifts for her friends and usually a little something for herself. She feels good knowing that her purchases lend a hand to others in need, as Soul of the Rose donates 10% of their sales to charities. Sophie may be our fictitious benefactor but the gifts she gives are wonderfully real and can all be found here at Soul of the Rose.

I first had the idea of taking pictures of various scenes in life where Soul of the Rose product was a featured element but it was my pal Megan’s idea to create a fictitious character that actually attended these parties and functions. Once I got on to the idea it became a very fun project and you could say the fun never ends as we are already thinking of new outings for Sophie to attend. Please check out the Gift Boutique and check back every now and then to see what else Sophie is celebrating.

Happy Fourth of July to you all

2008-07-03T14:45:00.000-07:00

Have a happy and safe holiday!

The Trouble With Photo Shoots...

2008-06-27T15:48:00.000-07:00

I will be doing some photo shoots this weekend and next to update the site with new merchandise that is coming in. That is all very well and nice, but the photo above clearly illustrates the challenges I am routinely presented with. My kitty Trouble was aptly named. She must attend all business functions - especially photo shoots. She is compelled to attend the opening of all shipments to inspect packing materials and approve contents. She is lord and master of the computer when entering inventory and she is the gate keeper of the printer. Wish me luck.

I think it is 84 this year...

2008-06-13T13:23:00.000-07:00

Isn't my Dad cute? He has always been a looker, sper healthy too. Some of my earliest memories are of him jumping rope in the kitchen in that dancing style like boxers. Back then he would sometimes get stopped by police when he was out jogging and they would ask what he was running from. When I was a kid he looked like Cary Grant to me and I was smitten!

Having an artist for a father growing up was different. At least it seemed different from what I saw in other families. Our house was always more exciting.

I remember he once painted Adam and Eve totally nude in our dining room. My mother absolutely rejected that and I can not remember if he just covered them with fig leaves or if he painted something else entirely over them. I'll have to ask about that. I do remember he painted a huge depiction of the sperm fertilizing an egg over his and my mothers bed in bright orange and yellow no less! It was actually very cool and abstract - perfect for the 70's. No other kids had anything like that in their homes.

We were always surrounded by great art. Original works from his friends, interesting sculptures, books, photography, I remember influence all around. I am not really able to paint, draw or sculpt but I have an enormous appreciation for all the arts. Everyone in our family has a passion for art in every form. I think we really owe that to him. On Father's Day this weekend he will also celebrate his 84th birthday! Right on Dad!

double indemnity innuendo

2008-06-04T15:26:00.001-07:00

They just don't write dialog like this any more! Suppose I have to whack you over the knuckles???
You have got to love this!

Found Some Cool New Vintage Books

2008-06-03T15:16:00.000-07:00

I went antique shopping with Miss Nina a week ago at the Circle in Orange. I found a little paradise for vintage books! I am building a little collection of vintage books. I am not any type of educated collector. I don't know a lot about the books I buy and they are not first editions or anything like that. I just like them. For me to adopt them they have to have a sweet or interesting look and some character. Some of these books can not be read because the binding is very fragile. I got Clotilde above and Sesame and Lilies below last week. I was drawn to the blue and gold. I think they look great together.

My Bookhouse The Latch Key has always been a favorite of mine. I have seen these around a bit and they usually have a cool illustration on the front, but few are in as good condition as mine.

You have got to love Em's Husband, come on look at this cover. Em is totally suspecting something!

My love in February was Chester Rand. First off, it caught my eye because it was red and the color of that little messenger uniform - it is just cool. This illustration has a whole feel that I love, sort of industrialist or something.

I have small displays of my vintage books all over the house. The three below look really good together at Thanksgiving time with warm browns, burgundy and gold tones. I pile them up here there and everywhere.

I like them spread around the living room on a side table.

I like them on the mantel with a sunny little tea cup.

I like them in this cool entertainment cubby in the family room.

One of my very favorites has to be the little blue book here - The Lives of Robbers and Murderers - it makes for wonderful Halloween decor!

Happy summer reading to you all...

"He Was Playing Real Good For Free"

2008-05-23T13:04:00.000-07:00

Today I was listening to Pandora radio. My sister Cheryl got me onto this. I am sure some will laugh but I am new to it and I love it. I have created great radio stations that play just what I like and then extra songs that fit into the mix just sort of appear and play. Occasionally I have to veto one but for the most part I like what shows up. Just go to Pandora and put in an artist you like and the music starts, you can add artists and songs to it to fine tune what happens. I am always behind the times so most of you probably already do this. But for those like me - try it, its fun.

So, I was listening away and this great Joni Mitchell song that I love showed up and I thought about what an icon Joni Mitchell is. I have always admired her bravery in waltzing to her own tune. I mean her style has evolved so many times, so experimental, so out there making her own rules in an industry with no blueprint. Surely she held the door open for many.

And now a message from our sponsor...

2008-05-13T12:16:00.000-07:00

I must take this opportunity to show you some of the very cool items we got in this week from Fringe Studios. We love the originality of this designer and will continue to add to our selection. Fringe makes the most unique and beautiful candles, picture frames and trays to be found in the market.

Check out all the Fringe candles and click into Graceful Accents to see all the Fringe home décor items. Each of these designs features their signature decoupage images on glass. We offer a selection that speaks to the dramatic & sultry or the floral & sunny side of life – what ever your mood we have something from Fringe Studio for you. Every item from Fringe Studio comes beautifully gift boxed and makes a very elegant gift.

Food Porn

2008-05-01T14:42:00.000-07:00

It may be the journey of weight loss that leads me to this point. But I am guilty of food fantasies. Yes, I seem to have collected a few food related blogs on my blog roster to the left side here.

I attribute this to the roller coaster ride of a year on Jenny Craig and then the complete repulsion of microwaveable chemical laden food that ensued shortly after that only to be followed by a personal quest to fill an insatiable desire for organic anything.

I have since rooted firmly in a safe place, ten pounds heavier, but still a safe place. I have found a comfortable personal diet that involves more fruit and veggies than I ever thought I would consume. I steer clear of most processed foods and condiments in favor of fresh whole foods prepared simply. I still have a glass of wine or two and I will never give up dark chocolate, I just watch how much I eat of that. Based on recent events, apparently I can no longer drink too much wine anyway for fear of sending the room spinning like Dorothy’s house just before it landed in Oz!

So I have taken up the guilty pleasure of living vicariously through food porn. Don’t be shocked I know there are others out there; I can’t be alone in this. It started innocently enough with Jen Jen at Milk & Cookies. What can I say, she is a wonderful photographer of her creations and she really knows how to give Martha a run for her money. Besides her seasons are opposite of ours as she is in Australia and I love that she is sipping hot chocolate during our blazing summers!

Then at about the same time I found Carol at Paris Breakfasts. I do get really hungry on this blog because Carol has an incurable desire for all things yummy and sweet from France coupled with dark cafe drinks. Her breakfasts and tea times have inspired her to paint the most serene and adorable water color art prints. Living in New York, she visits France frequently. There is so much longing here for Carol to return to Paris that I sometimes want to send her a ticket myself. Oh, we will have to survive on the great photos, watercolors and cute blog posts.

Cathy at Nobel Pig is somewhat of a new and wonderful find; it is a place for food, wine and humor. She is building a wine orchard and chronicles its progress, her family, decadent desserts, insightful wine wisdom and random thoughts on strange plastic surgery procedures, tragic love tales between liquor bottles and general musings. I tell myself I am there for the wine wisdom but I really like the great up close photos of things like grilled marshmallow - chocolate - banana sandwiches. She warns you to get your fat pants out!

I found a new favorite for a rich blend of food and travel when I stumbled upon Laura’s Paris Cooking Notebook. Laura travels Europe taking beautiful pictures of countryside, green markets and local merchants. Sprinkle in a few recipes for fresh wholesome fair and you have a world culinary adventure! Who can resist that type of temptation?

But I would be remiss if I did not mention the more down to earth blog called Almost Fit. I am new to this blog but I like it. In fact it is just what I have been looking for. In this diary a writer chronicles his quest to get fit through whole fresh foods rather than fad diets one day and one issue at a time. This is inspiring for me as it is just where I am now and I can relate.

I hope you enjoy these new additions to the blog roll.

Paging Dr. Kildare...

2008-03-27T11:07:00.000-07:00

So I needed to go in for a little medical procedure – nothing serious. I’ve actually had this procedure done once before; it is like a dental/oral surgery thing. Since I have had this done I was thinking back on how painful the recovery was and I vaguely remember my husband had something to do with that. It seems there was some event that caused him to be rather late from the pharmacy with the pain medication. Then I began to think of the many times I have had various medical procedures done and how each time there was some complication with the care I had gotten at the hands of Matt.

To know my husband is to love him. He really is the nicest guy you will ever meet. So as I write this I really don’t believe that this could be his sort of twisted way of venting any remote hostilities toward me. I don’t think he has any – he’s a pretty easygoing fellow. But as I tally the events of pain killer misadventures and after medical care mishaps I do get to wonder. Maybe this is some secret death wish…. Who can really be that nice all the time anyway? Just for amusement I will list a few episodes here.

After the birth of our first baby my temperature rose to 105 – Matt had to finish his watermelon before going to the pharmacy to get medication. Matt really loves watermelon – I don’t think he knew how sick I was.

Pulled Intercostal Muscle: Since it was so early in the am Matt felt a heating pad would be best before taking me to the walk-in clinic. Once in the doctor’s office she asked if she was seeing me for the strange squiggly burn marks on my back or was there some other problem we had come about.

Bunion surgery: Matt really wanted to impress me with his new and improved medical attentiveness and pledged to take perfect care of his patient, except he did not read the label clearly and gave me twice the dose of pain killer and I passed out. I slept for a very long time.

First endodontic (oral surgery) procedure: The doctor warned Matt that when the anesthetic wore off the pain would be very intense so he was on his way to the pharmacy but ----- he chanced upon a Persian woman in the medical building that was not so fluent in English and she needed a ride home and was trying to get a taxi, Matt gave her a lift and then it took forever to get the prescription filled. That was super painful.

Torn Lumbar Muscle: Oh this is my favorite! First Matt proceeded to drag me down the hall by my leg and then he tried to push my knees to my chest insisting that I only needed some stretching. Then at the request of the nurse over the phone he tried to feed me some blueberry muffin so the paramedics could give me some Vicodin, but he found the muffin pretty tasty and ate ¾ of it himself and the rest ended up in my hair or up my nose!

This is the itchy and scratchy show at its most loveable! I know a sane person would schedule medical procedures when he is out of town but I love him. If I feel sick or under the weather it is him I seem to want to be with. Don’t ask me why. Don’t get me wrong he is not like Kathy Bates in Misery this is all just some sort of mishap, really it is. So when the doctor told me that I needed to have this little oral surgery thing I asked if I could get the pain killer prescription up front. I went to the market and got everything I would need. Matt called and told me not to worry that he would take good care of me. I said sure – why not?

UPDATE: I had the surgery and after 23 years of marriage I can honestly tell you – he is getting good! All went well.

Happy Birthday Mom!

2008-02-20T11:56:00.000-08:00

Today would have been my Mother’s birthday! I think my favorite memories of my Mom are the times that I got to spend alone with her. With such a large family there was always a crowd, so many people and so many things going on that when I occasionally got the chance to be with just her it was always special.

I have sweet memories of sitting at the bar in the kitchen talking with her while she cooked on the night before Thanksgiving and Christmas. I really loved Saturdays after all her shopping and housework was done she sometimes liked to watch scary movies (always clutching her current book) we would sit together and get spooked watching these silly movies. I remember most weeknights my Mom would ask me how my day had gone and then she would listen to me tell her every minute detail of what had transpired in my day. This was no easy feat as I stuttered terribly when I was young. What a great Mom to endure that every night!

Sometimes parents teach their children lessons they never really set out to teach. My Mom was an inspiration to me. She taught me to be strong and courageous and she taught me the responsibility and importance of creating a life that I love to live. From one Mom to another – great job Mom!!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Soulful Giving...

2008-01-04T09:01:00.000-08:00

With this New Year I am extremely excited about the changes at Soul of the Rose Gifts. We have decided to become a dedicated giving boutique! What that means is that we now tithe 10% of all our sales to charitable organizations! Soulful Giving is what we call it and it is now the foundation for our business.

We pledge to positively affect the lives of millions of people one gift after another as we serve our customers by providing wonderful gifts that keep on giving to people in need everyday, making a difference and creating an impact in the world.

This has been a dream of mine and I am so glad that I have been able to put this into action. The start of a new year is a perfect time to initiate this new business plan. Setting this up, I had a great time investigating various organizations as I want to benefit local, national and international organizations. I found a great site called Charity Navigator that proved to be invaluable for researching charities. You may want to check it out to find charitable organizations that speak to the causes that you and your family really want to support.

Make giving a way of life; it completes the cycle of abundance and creates more good in the world!

Happy New Year to All!

A Marriage of Christmas Décor...

2007-11-26T14:53:00.000-08:00

Christmas décor is an extremely personal thing. The traditions of holiday décor are often passed down from family to family. People get really opinionated about everything from what type of trees to get to the method of decorating the trees. Some decorate large full trees in a specific monochromatic color scheme with flocking and others delicately fill sparse pine branches with years of elementary school holiday art projects as a sentimental tribute to the children of the home.

I try to just flow with it but I would have to confess that I am sort of a Ballard catalog girl when it comes to holiday décor. I like it elegant but not over the top. The banister is decked with greenery, pine cones and lights. The poinsettias are nestled in their urns gracing the front entry and the mantle is set with soft pine boughs, red berries and elegant golden NOEL letters that hold rich velvet stockings waiting to be filled.

So you might imagine my surprise at finding the “Four Color Fiber Optic Christmas Village” conspicuously perched in my shopping cart one Sunday afternoon while shopping Target with Matt. Now, at the risk of sounding snobbish, this Village is not to be confused with anything remotely like a Department 56 Christmas Village item. It is a little more home spun than that. This is clearly not in my holiday décor road map. It is by all means a detour of taste. However, what makes the FCFOCV so fascinating is that my husband desperately wanted it and the look on his face as he said “I’m getting this”, as though he were some character straight out of Napoleon Dynamite, was so sweet – no one could have resisted.

My husband is extremely careful with his spending habits and he could probably open his very own diamond mine with a bag of charcoal briquettes – if you know what I mean. So the fact that he was helplessly taken by the FCFOCV is quite simply what I adore about him. Matt can preach to you about mutual funds, the advantages of maximizing your 401k, joys of equity, and the intricacies of compound interest, but it only took one captivating look at the Four Color Fiber Optic Christmas Village to soften his heart, proving that there is a Christmas spirit in every one of us.

This weekend I proudly made a space in the family room to display his coveted little find. I found some pinecone studded trees to display behind the little Village and plugged it in. Now every night it glows changing colors from red, green, gold and purple. My husband is happy and I love him to pieces!

I can't believe it is almost Thanksgiving!

2007-11-15T15:29:00.000-08:00

As a retailer I am not supposed to say these things. As a matter of fact I should be playing Christmas jingles, shipping orders and sprinkling snowy glitter on everything I touch. Really now…

I don’t know about you but this Holiday thing has really crept up on me. But you know I am always in the mood for Thanksgiving! No, no not the food part. I actually could skip the whole eating part of Thanksgiving and never feel slighted. I like the thanking part of Thanksgiving. I love the idea that there is an entire holiday for being thankful. Just think of how sacred that is! If we don’t get all caught up in the dressing of the turkey and how we are going to please Aunt Vicky with our Martha Stewart spread on the table, but instead take the opportunity to be thankful then it truly is a remarkably spiritual holiday.

Sometimes it can be a tough year and I have struggled to find the thankfulness, I have had years where I was really pulling at straws –“I am thankful that I have not killed my DH.” Or “I am thankful that I can breathe.” Other times the thankfulness just pours over me like an ocean wave and it washes me clean and I am left just laughing and thinking that life is much easier than I make it out to be.

But what is really important for me to do is to learn to be thankful for all of the gifts in my life from the simplest to the most complex because they are all so valuable. I try to be thankful even before I receive life’s gifts, just knowing that good things and experiences abound for me. No matter what I am experiencing – there is someone else who does not have that experience, and so in this way I am blessed and grateful.

I am holding the thought - knowing that good things and good experiences abound for you as well. Happy Thanksgiving to you.

Happy Halloween!

2007-10-31T11:29:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of Nina's Sweet Sixteen Haloween party. They had a good time I guess
because they staid until 12:30 am!

Nina's little graveyard in the backyard complete with ghost!

The witches den...

Mummy head on a platter!

Have a safe Halloween!

California On Fire!

2007-10-24T11:10:00.000-07:00

First off I need to say that I am grateful and thankful for all that I have and for the fact that we are not directly in harms way and that we have not lost our home. Not everyone here can say that. With more than a half million people evacuated, over 300,000 acres burning out of control and over 700 homes burned as of this morning, we are lucky to be in one of the safer areas of San Diego. We are also fortunate to have such a wonderful fire crew that works so tirelessly. We have had the help of so many volunteer crews and crews from other cities as well.

From my home, which sits a top a hill I have the vantage point to see quite vividly the ridgelines of the Fallbrook “Rice” fire and the newest Camp Pendleton Fires burn. We did not go into work Tuesday as the Mayor asked everyone to try to stay home and to stay off their cell phones. The sky here is burnt orange and very thick with smoke. We kept the windows closed yesterday so we would not breathe in as much smoke. Visibility was very murky. It is very surreal and strange here right now. Taking the train in this morning I noticed so many RV’s parked at the beach, their horses tied to the rigs.

Monday night was Bijan’s birthday and we went to the Carlsbad High which had been set up as an evacuation center and dropped off blankets, pillows and playing cards for those who needed to stay there. I have heard this said so many times but it really is true, “San Diego is the largest small town you will ever find”. When we pulled up to the school there were people from all over just stopping by to drop off things and help out. We pulled up to ask what was needed and when we came back with our donations there were even more people coming up asking what they could do. Yesterday I called a friend of mine who was collecting donations from the hotels in town to drop off. I hope I don’t sound corny but San Diego really takes care of its own and those who can respond, respond generously.

Please say prayers, keep positive thoughts and do a rain dance or two for California.

The Red Badge of Courage Part 3

2007-10-05T14:39:00.000-07:00

It may seem as though I have forgotten all about the journey that I set out on – I have not. I have spent some time exploring, gaining lots of ground and sometimes coming back upon familiar territory.

In conversations with my sister I have referred to personal issues as something like a passenger in the back seat of the car. There was a Twilight Zone episode in which a woman picks up a hitchhiker and she keeps seeing him in the backseat of the car even though she let him off miles before. Of course he turns out to be the angel of death or some spooky thing like that. Life’s issues are like the hitchhiker. You may think they got out a while back but they still show up in the rear view mirror and when you look over your shoulder, sure enough they are sitting there staring you right in the face.

Courage is the high road that must be chosen when dealing with these types of clingy passengers. It is amazing how long I can just drive and drive and not look in the rear view mirror. I know that I ought to check all the mirrors in my vehicle from time to time, but I don’t. Often that simple minded barreling down the highway is intentional. Sometimes I just drive like a bat out of hell! It takes courage to look in the rear view mirror; it takes courage to choose to actually see. In that gaze I see not only who is in the back seat (making themselves comfy) but I see all the terrain I have left behind.

I have been in the process of trying to get to know these pesky little hitchhikers, who are they and what do they want? (Sometimes I’ve got to stare fear in the face and just look at what I don’t like about myself or my life.) If I am to have traveling buddies I want to get to know them a little better. I can not say they are interested in me the same way, on the contrary, I find they expect the same old fearful reactions from me. These stowaways expect me to be startled and runaway from the pressure of uncovering what I want from this journey. To consistently move past limitations and define my life on my own terms is not the trip my passengers thought we were taking.

I have had to take a few u-turns and detours on this route, but I am still in the driver’s seat. I am determined to reach my destination and the road is getting straighter and the pathway clearer everyday.

I love the creativity of these questions – Where do you want to go today? What do you want to create? How do you want to live? Who do you want to touch? What do you want to give?

Happy trails to you…

Yes, but can he sing?

2007-09-21T15:03:00.000-07:00

Hmmm... this looks interesting. Johnny Depp as Sweeney Todd. But can the man sing? If you know Sweeney, you need that strong, menacing, out of your brain sort of tone for Sweeney. I am having some trouble hearing it in my head from Johnny, but I am willing to be open minded. It might be good even if he can't sing - we could turn the sound down and just watch Johhny Depp prance around in that waist coat and those tight pants. Although that doesn't work in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - no, not at all. But alas he was extremely fine in Chocolat the film set in the little French Village with Juliette Binoche. What wasn't fine in that film? I like Tim Burton and I think he is artistic, let's hope this works out.

Great Beer and Exquisite Cheese in Amsterdam

2007-08-24T15:15:00.000-07:00

Well, I knew I’d find that. I took every opportunity to splurge on beer and cheese. What I did not know about Amsterdam was the popularity of bicycles. Everyone rides a bike. There were some cars but most people, even the pregnant mommies with only a week or so left to term, were on their bikes. New born babies were strapped to their parents’ chests and their little heads were sprinkled with rain drops. Toddlers were loaded into little wooden carts affixed to the front of the bikes and off they rode.

Our hotel was on this Canal and in a nice, not - so - touristy area. We had lovely accommodations. I did not see the red light district that everyone talks about but I was only there for a few days. When you go to the Dam Square shopping area it is really touristy and there were some sex toy type of shops with risqué toys in the windows right across from the McDonalds. I thought the Pot shops were funny. Bijan went into one to get some T-shirts for his buddies and they handed him a menu for pot. Since he was shopping with Matt it was unlikely that he would buy anything more than t-shirts. I knew from my research that they had public urinals right there in the street. The men can just walk behind a small metal screen and go. That was interesting.

I finally got to see the Girl with Pearl Earring; she creeps upon you in a room in the Mauritshuis Museum. Unpretentiously, this famous work of art just sort of waits for you to turn around and discover her, and it was all that I thought it would be – beautiful! I was really surprised to find the View of Delft, also by Vermeer, to be another favorite. It was much more impressive in person.

Amsterdam was bustling with small cars, bikes, canal boats and sidewalk cafes everywhere, but I got the feeling that there was less tension between the people that lived there. I got the feeling that it was ok to be however you wanted to be. The Dutch seem to be much more relaxed about human nature and the reality that people are all very individualistic. Conformity might not be so good for everyone and every personal preference is not left open to so much scrutiny. There is a pervasive feeling that it makes no sense to be so up tight in this life. I took the lesson of that attitude as a souvenir.

Oh, we also loved the syrup waffle cookies – really good with hot chocolate!

I’ve been to Mr. Darcy’s house!

2007-08-24T14:50:00.000-07:00

If you have seen Pride and Prejudice with Kira Nightly and Mathew McFadden you will remember Mr. Darcy’s house. If you have not seen that particular Pride and Prejudice then what are you waiting for!!

Mr. Darcy’s house is Chatsworth house, or I guess I should say they filmed those sequences there at Chatsworth. But really, lets just stay in the dream of it all - magnificent Mr. Darcy, so noble, so good looking, (not at all “dragged through a hedge backwards” as Donna says.) and he lives there in that incredibly over – the - top house!

If you’ve seen the movie you may remember the sculpture room that Kira wanders into. Yes, it is there and yes, I went and was thrilled to see my favorite in the room the Veiled Vestal Virgin by Monti. It is incredible to think that soft filmy veil is actually marble and not a flimsy whisper of silk. But I fell in love with all of the sculptures especially the Canovas. And at the end of the room they retain the bust of Mathew McFadden as Darcy.

Funny, after we got home I was unable to sleep – over exhausted with jet lag and turned on the TV and guess what was on. I loved recognizing every step in the great house.

Sorry to be away so long...

2007-08-24T14:43:00.000-07:00

Amsterdam was wonderful. In fact our entire trip was wonderful. I would have updated each day here on the blog except that my digital was not compatible with the computer at my sister’s house and we were really on the road as we covered four countries in two weeks. I think we only had one day that was down time.

Scotland has got to be the most beautiful countryside in the world. It really is as green as the photos and there is so much sprawling and lush land dotted with “white things” (sheep) and “brown things” (cows) – I mean everywhere! On our last day we visited Inverary, a little Loch side village in the north. The Castle in the photo is one we did not go into as we had been into so many and after Chatsworth house in England (more on that later) – well, it’s all down hill from there. Instead we shopped in the little village for goodies for our friends and had lunch at the George Hotel. Matt had to order Haggis which is like an oatmeal meatloaf served with mashed potatoes and mashed turnips. Surprisingly, it was pretty good.

In Scotland we also were fortunate enough to drive out to Drumlanrig Castle. This was a gold mine of artwork and extraordinary furnishings on beautiful grounds. I guess the previous year someone stole a Da Vinci from there. I wonder how that happens, but with so much glorious artwork filling the walls it may not be that hard after all.

Being a California born and raised girl, I am always in awe of houses and castles that are so completely old. It fascinates me because California has so very little historical buildings left. Besides the Missions, there just is not anything that is really historic – we certainly are a new country. So I am most impressed with the National Trust in the UK and how they work to keep everything preserved and open for the public to visit.

It was great to travel with my sister. She gave up her flat to us, shuffled us all over and helped get the most out of our trip. Considering we had one child visit the ER with an asthma attack, and one sleep in the hotel all afternoon in Amsterdam with the flue she was also flexible and understanding.

I must also mention that young Scottish men look really good in their kilts with tight tee shirts, Doc Martins and lots of chains!

My Chemical Romance

2007-07-30T12:38:00.000-07:00

Megan is tired of my Fourth of July post and frankly - so am I. I have just been so busy and now I have been getting ready for my fabulous vacation. But before I head out I thought I would set the stage for my return.

I have come to the realization that I really need to get off the fake food! Don't get me wrong here, I love Jenny Craig but Im gettin a little itchy on these frozen dinners and packaged things. I mean it has been more than a year now.

I began to develop a concern about my fake food addiction not so much with the Jenny Craig food that I was eating – for I needed that to get my diet under control. (I had to start somewhere.) I became concerned with the onset of a particularly strange love affair I nurtured for Cool Whip. I mean to say that I put Cool Whip on everything, Have you ever read the ingredients for Cool Whip? There simply is no food in it. I can not pronounce any of the ingredients and I don’t know of a food group that any of those ingredients could be from. I was compelled to purchase mass quantities of Cool Whip each week at the grocery store. It was when I switched to the large Tub o’ Whip that I really became aware of what I was doing. What is this chemical? What is it doing to me? What are the long term effects of heavy doses of Cool Whip?

I began to pay uncomfortable attention to the other chemicals that I have grown fond of particularly my Coffee Mate Sugar Free French Vanilla Powder. What the hell is that? I am really not sure but every morning I jump out of bed because I am going to get some of that powder in my coffee and it will start my day right! Matt calls the Coffee Mate “cool creamer”. He drinks the regular liquid form of “cool creamer” basically he likes a little coffee with his French Vanilla creamer. A good day is when you have creamer and a bad day is when you are out.

I don’t know about the rest of you but this conspicuous consumption of powders and liquids that are concocted of un-pronounceable ingredients that represent nothing like real food is making me nervous. Coke, Pepsi, Sprite? At least wine has grape juice in it – I can deal with that. Splenda – it has been a little splendid but it is also a little spooky. I think that margarine product called “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter” is hilarious. Of course we can’t believe its not butter – we have no freaking idea what it is, but as a society we seem to be ok with that.

Now if you are really looking for interesting reading about mystery things to put into your body look no further than the new weight loss aid Alli’s product description and side affects. Sorry, I wont go into that on this blog you will have to check that one out for yourself – absolutely too gross!

I am no health food nut. I like chocolate and wine and bread and all sorts of goodies that we need to eat in moderation only. But I just started wondering about the fake things I have been consuming. I wonder where they come from. I wonder how they are made. I wonder what those things will do to my body over the long term.

So I am going on vacation and I plan to eat real chocolate. I plan to eat incredible cheese. I especially plan to indulge in some magnificent wine and superb bread. When I come back I am embarking on a new diet journey. I need to end this chemical romance. I want to see if I can eat only food that I understand. Just food that makes sense, things I can pronounce and things that don’t appear to be altered too much. I realize this will be tough because even our toothpaste comes from China and has strange and harmful ingredients but I will just start out with my basic food and work my way up from there.

Sometimes I wake up and while drinking my powder infused chemically vanilla flavored coffee I wonder how we got so far from the simple things in life.

Happy 4th of July...

2007-07-04T11:28:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July to all…

I have been serving on Jury Duty this week and last week. Obviously I can not and would not discuss the case, but I have to say that after trying ever so hard to get out of serving, I am actually glad to be serving. I have come to realize that I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in government on any level.

One of the Judges at the courthouse said that he is always asked what one should say or do to get out of serving jury duty and his reply was that they should move to a country where there is no jury system. Uh…no thanks.

I would hope that if I need to have a jury that there would be some normal folks who could spare a little time to listen to my situation and help settle it in a fair way.

So I am feeling pretty patriotic and I am very grateful and feel fortunate to have been born here.

About 3 years ago I was in London with the kids and we had been traveling around for a week or two and we were in the National Portrait Gallery checking out the collection of wonderful paintings and images of so many historical characters.

After about a half hour we sort of met up in one room and were staring at one painting. At the same moment we all bent forward to read: “The Signing of the Declaration of Independence.” Again at the same time we all leaned back and realized that it was in fact July 4th and we quietly said happy 4th of July to each other. I think that was my favorite 4th of July celebration. No fireworks, no barbeque or sparklers, far from home, in a place where it was just an ordinary day for the people of that country, I realized that I had someplace special that I belonged. I realized that I was part of something great and meaningful.

Please have a happy and safe 4th of July!

We have decided on Amsterdam

2007-05-20T14:17:00.000-07:00

When we go on vacation this summer we will take a side trip to Amsterdam and I am super excited about that!

I just finished reading "I Was Vermeer" by Frank Wynne. It is the true story of the twentieth century's greatest art forger (Han Van Meegren). It was very interesting and I was fascinated by his method of producing works that could withstand forgery tests by the addition of a plasticizing solution. Hopefully when we go there we can see some fine Vermeer works and a Van Gogh or two. That will be magnificent! Girl With Pearl Earring has to be one of my favorite painting so I have to check and see if it is in the new Vermeer center in Delft.

I am getting ready for our June Tag Sale and we just got new wonderful goodies from Cavallini & Co. My favorites are the stamp sets - especially the birds!

Bad Mommy...

2007-05-13T10:24:00.000-07:00

Every Mother finds herself doing what she needs to do to get the day rolling and keep it rolling. I would suppose that one of my down falls as a mother was my habit of fibbing or making up little white lies to get the kids to do what I wanted them to do. If I had to serve them something yucky looking for dinner – say – refried beans, then these became “chocolaty beans”. When it was time to give up the binkies I said that Tinker Bell had taken them. I found that getting the kids to believe what I wanted them to believe was a satisfactory way of getting them to conform – so to speak. Fortunately I primarily used this lame tactic to combat temper tantrums or food dislikes and I could only get away with this ridiculous type of reasoning when they were very young.

My Nina was known all through out the land as having the worst temper. There were friends that simply would not baby sit for her. They would ask, “Are you sure you called everyone else before me?” She was small but mighty – and smart! To get Nina to mind and behave was when I came up with these little white lies.

One day while driving in the car Nina was having a particularly wild melt down, the type of melt down that can make you crazy and seriously cause an accident. In order to get her to hush I told her that I would have to press the EJECTOR SEAT BUTTON if she did not stop her fit this minute. The ejector seat button was in fact the hazard light button. I thought what a great idea, it is the shape of a triangle – facing up and away and it certainly looked foreboding and as though it could do the job, if put to the test. It worked!!!!!! She stopped her crying and hollering instantly. I felt that I had come up with a perfect solution and I used that tactic from then on – probably about 4 times in the following two years. So from three years old to about five years old Nina must have held a fearful respect for the ejector seat button. Nina’s brother Bijan was fully aware that I was fibbing to Nina but being the peaceful soul that he was he seemed content to not make waves – all is fair in love and war and the taming of Nina’s temper.

About the time that Nina was five and Bijan was eight we were driving around town busily running errands and all seemed fine until we got a flat tire. I was grateful that I managed to keep control of the car and pull over to the side of the road. Everyone safe – now to deal with the changing of the tire, my first step was to reach for the hazard light button as I wanted to notify other drivers that I was certainly having a hazardous day. Bijan yelled, “No Mother – you can’t press that – STOP!” I looked at Bijan and he was eyeing me to turn around and look at Nina. When I turned to the back seat I saw Nina braced in her booster seat – her eyes were clenched shut tight and her face was scrunched small. Her body was stiff and she was waiting to be ejected right through the top of the family mini van, off high into the sky and perhaps coming down in some distant field of little white and yellow daisies.
Oh my god, my little white lies had caught up with me in the most horrific way imaginable. How could this child ever trust a single word I would say to her again? The flat tire was the least of my problems. I stopped telling white lies of any kind after that but Nina’s temper seemed to get the best of us for another five years. I am happy to report that she is now the sweetest young woman that you will ever meet and we have to search our memories for times like this to even imagine how she was.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY...

Major Vacation Plans!

2007-04-25T13:03:00.000-07:00

We finally did it. We booked our flights to Scotland this weekend! This is a big accomplishment for Matt and me. We are not as spontaneous as I would like us to be. We have been thinking about this trip back and forth. Should we go or should we go next year? There have been lots of things up for us this year and it did not seem like the time to go. However, when I got the news that my sister was thinking of moving home from Scotland, I thought it is now or never. So – off we go. Well, off we go in August.

Scotland is wonderful. I love Edinburgh, which I will certainly visit again. We plan to take some day trips out from Glasgow but we are hoping to go to another spot for a few days – perhaps Amsterdam or London. I was hoping to do Paris but for the amount of time that we are there it is a little tricky with the flight times I have been finding and my hotel points program.

This will be so much fun – the kids are a blast to travel with and we did not go with Matt to Scotland last time so we are very happy that he is going with us this time. Matt and I have not traveled that much – we are work-aholics I think. So I will keep you posted on where we end up deciding to go.

Happy Easter!

2007-04-07T18:00:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone has a joyful Easter. Nina and I shall color eggs tonight as we always do. This year I even found sugar free peeps! Now you have to admit that sugar free peeps are a silly idea becuase peeps are all sugar. Oh well, enjoy...

I Was Shocked Yesterday, Sad Today...

2007-03-30T12:28:00.000-07:00

Just imagine my shock after calling a friend – this is someone I have worked with off and on for some six years now, only to be told that she had passed away! Not only that – but that she had passed away six months ago!!

I first met Evelyn over the phone when I took a position as an administrative assistant to a VIP. (This job was very much like Devil Wears Prada – but with a man instead of Meryl Streep and he was nicer). He had a massive travel schedule, literally all over the world every week. I had never coordinated such a schedule before – I was in way over my head. I found her name in the rolodex on the desk under Travel so I gave her a call. What I found on the other end of the line was the most caring woman who threw her whole heart into helping me please this boss of mine who was expected to be every where all the time. There was not a day that we did not talk for 3 ½ years straight. We developed a really warm friendship over the phone – not so unusual in our high tech world.

When I left that job I worked for two other companies and continued to call on Evelyn consistently throughout the months into years for all of my travel needs even though making arrangements on the internet is very simple. She was just so much personality and service that if you got stuck somewhere you just knew you were never alone. I think that was her special talent – making you feel as though you had someone who had your back all the time.

When I left the corporate world to open my shop – she called sometimes to check up on me and we would always get to talking about one thing or another. I think we both missed those old hey days of frantic itineraries, last minute flights to the other side of the world and forgetting where we sent my boss or when he was due back! Every time we talked it was like we had talked yesterday and we always felt we would talk again tomorrow.

I called her office yesterday to make some travel plans and I knew something was up when I asked if she was in and I was put on hold for a while. Her associate picked up the phone and told me. I was crushed and doubly so when I learned it happened in September. Of course no one would know to call me. It was not unusual for us to go six months with out talking. After all these years I was no longer one of her main clients. The last time we talked was about eight months ago. I guess it is strange – when someone dies there are all sorts of people that do not know. You can not inform everyone. I really loved this little gal. She was a great person and she helped me more than most people would know. She made me look like a success at dealing with the most stressful part of my job in those days. I feel so sad and I keep thinking I wish I had known. I will miss her.

Has Anyone Seen A Really Fat Toddler?

2007-03-17T18:59:00.000-07:00

Because that seems to be what I lost. I mean I have lost 50 lbs and about 31 inches to date. If you think about it, that is about the size of a short round little kid. I prefer to think that it is some loud child screaming in Wal-Mart. Or perhaps some whinny little one that is crabby all the time. However I imagine it – it is gone. It didn’t go easily but it could return easily if I am not vigilant. I have not reached my goal yet but I am so close. I would like to lose about another 10 to 15 pounds but heck that might take another year and I promised a before and after shot. I was going to put one up sooner but I could not get the last bit of weight off. I have been on a plateau for a few months now and I stay within the same 3 lbs no mater what I eat or do so I will just hang in there and keep building muscle.

This is my before picture – that is me in the white blouse. This was taken almost exactly one year ago. I had a lot of fun with my pal Sylvia that day. We do like our margaritas! But I was uncomfortable and I remember that I was worried about my health.

This is me after a year of working out and eating Jenny Craig food. I have to say that I do have the best counselor at JC that anyone could ever wish for. Judy has nurtured me along in such a supportive way. She is very helpful, professional and just a down right wonderful person. She is an important friend to me. And although some think it is an expensive program – it is cheaper than a heart attack and the aftermath of all of that so I am grateful.

I am happy to be healthy and I am surprised that I actually like working out – I even crave it sometimes. I feel very exposed and self-conscious about posting these pictures but I felt it was important for the little journey that I have been on this year. I embarked on a pathway of self discovery and renewal and this task is part of that.

Next post will feature some of the fun new goodies that we got in at Soul of the Rose – or maybe I’ll just write something silly instead.

Well you know I love birds

2007-02-23T21:21:00.000-08:00

It is true - I will buy almost anything with birds on it. My pal Megan gets fit to be tied as she is much more hip than I and she does not share my affinity for birds and can not understand my fascination with them. Really, I can not understand it either because I am afraid of them - you know when they fly around I get a little nervous! However, bird images - oooh I love that. Birds outside the window - love em. Iron birds - I got about 10 placed in various nooks and niches around the home. I have a Frank Capra style black crow forever perched on a large dried Manzinita tree in my dinning room. I even have a bird on my Anthropology apron I got for Christmas from Miss Nina.

So I had to have these Anna Corba Bird Image Photo Books just as soon as I saw them. I like her work - Lauren Mumford mentioned her on her blog once (I miss Lauren's blog) and that is where I saw them. Anna is very nice and I am excited about being fortunate enough to offer some of her designs. I was extremely please when the items came in as they look even more beautiful in person than in the photos. I know you will love these new goodies!

A Call To Worship...

2007-02-14T19:08:00.000-08:00

Sometimes on my way home I take the coast. It is just a small step in trying to break out of the grind. I love pulling off the freeway and refusing to deal with San Diego traffic. It makes the drive longer but the view is worth the length of time it takes. I have to admit that I am blessed to live in such a wonderful place. While most of the country is freezing I am blissfully cruising along the seaside.

There is this wonderful little phenomenon that I witness as I head home on this route. The people that gather each evening to watch the sunset – it’s like a passion. I have an hour long drive going home so I pass through La Jolla, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Cardiff by the Sea, Luecadia and Encinitas until I hit Carlsbad.

Never fail are the people that gather every night, every town and at every stretch to watch the sun go down in all it’s glory. They gather in their cars just as I pass through La Jolla, some sit inside and talk on the phone or read the paper until the magic moments. In Del Mar they gather up along a cliff like edge near the railroad tracks and stare west. All along the coast there are joggers that keep pace along with the sunset. There are different glimpses of the sea and each town has a different manner in which people gather. Some are couples or familes, some with their dogs, but I really like the single people who just stand there and stare. I like the fact that this is an important place for them to be. I like that no matter what has happened that day it seems there is always a collection of people willing to bid farewell to this day and it’s daylight hours. It rained this week and they gathered with umbrellas and coats braving the stormy and threatening waves. They are always there.

They remind me to value the ending of a day and the beginning of a new one. They demonstrate for me the ritual of closing and moving from one activity to another. Sometimes I get so busy and caught up with the stress of everyday that there literally is no let up. One day melds into the next and one deadline into the next. But like the motion of striking a match and lighting the candle, watching the sun melt into the ocean is a sort of call to worship.

It is absolutely shameful...

2007-01-28T18:02:00.000-08:00

the way I have behaved! I have been missing from the blogosphere for so long, flying way below the radar if you will. It seems like the merchandise arrived for Christmas, the relatives soon after that and then the parties, the food, the wine, the orders and also the big project I have been working on and well….. I have all but tossed my blog aside. How rude and I hope I can be forgiven.

I check in with Amy at least every other day and the guilt over reading her blog and not updating my own has been tremendous!! And I see my blog sliding down the list of her favorite blogs (you know they are ranked in order by updates) and I am damn near the bottom! I guess it brings out some competitive spirit lurking within.

It is not as though I have not been thinking about each and every one of my friends out there. Why, just last week I was at the LA Market looking for fun, new and wonderful goodies for spring and trying to imagine just what it is that you would all like to have. That is by far the most fun part of this blissful endeavor – the buying! We had a very successful December tag sale so we will be bringing in some beautiful new indulgent gifts very soon.

I contemplated writing about New Year’s Resolutions – but really… why? Most people have tossed those by now and they are usually designed to chastise us or make us feel guilty for what we did not seem to get around to doing last year anyway. Lose weight, exercise more etc. How incredibly boring is that? So I have decided no more guilt-ridden resolutions ever again. This year I resolve to love myself more. I resolve to try to listen more and speak less. I resolve to try to help just one person at a time if I think I can truly be the one to bring the “light”. I resolve to try something new every week it can be anything as long it is new. (This could be really fun). Oh, and I resolve to have a lot more FUN! That’s all.

2006 was an interesting year I learned so much, evolved and changed so much. I am thrilled to see it GO! Lets face it learning, evolving and changing can be very uncomfortable – hell it hurts!! But it is what growing up is about and I am sure one of these days I will be all grown up but until then I know there will be a lot more learning, evolving and changing. So onward with the journey I say. I will continue the red badge of courage journey – but I really need better shoes for this year’s path that is for sure!

Lollia's Believe and Inspire

2006-11-25T09:07:00.000-08:00

I am happy to report that the first of the new Lollia lines "Believe" and "Inspire" have arrived! This has been a much anticipated event. I really feel that this line is the perfect gift line - well, if you are giving a gift to someone of the female persuasion that is.

Lollia offers bath and body goodies as well as luxurious candles. The fragrances are unique and soft. The new fragrances are Cabbage Rose Citrus for Believe and Inspire is a medley of Mimosa, Violte Leves and Rose. The packaging is unsurpassed. In fact it is the packaging that slows up the process sometimes. This designer, Margo Elena uses no stock packaging elements, everything is designed to perfection: vintage letter press, layered designer prints, elegant wine bottles and crystal adornments. This can sometimes take a while to get the product out but it is always worth the wait.

Check out the new goodies from Lollia in the Fine Bath and Body Preparations and the new candles in the Home Store sections of our store and check back often as new products will be arriving shortly.

Luv n these new pj's!

2006-11-12T09:22:00.000-08:00

Finally we got some merchandise! Christmas always panics me as you order your things well in advance and you are at the mercy of organized or disorganized manufactures. Never the less we have wonderful new PJ’s from Pinecone Hill up on the site and I love them. Resist is my favorite. A classic cut with a hip print - we offer the lime and pink. Perfect for a slumber party!

I have to say that I am still waiting for an entire line of goodies to arrive. Wonderful new Lollia lines are on order and I can tell you from the competitive shopping I have done almost no one has them in stock. I may not even get them in time for this year’s Christmas gift season. This is sad because they are lovely and make stunning gifts. At the show the crowd was overwhelming to see what the new goodies would be like. Wonderful perfumes, hand crèmes, candles and soaps. Buyers were writing orders heavily. Indeed, it was the only reason I went to the show - to see what was new from Lollia. I am guessing that production is slow or surely every one would have them. You cannot find them on the web and I have not seen them in boutiques yet. I would love to offer them to you but we will just have to keep our fingers crossed and hope that they arrive very, very soon.

As I get more goodies in I will post here as well as the store so you can be the first to see.

My iPod

2006-10-06T13:10:00.000-07:00

What I love about my iPod is the ability to be anywhere and be listening to magic right there at that moment. The other day I was zoning out on the train and dug my iPod out of my bag and in seconds I was listening to one of the greatest moments in music history – Judy Garland singing “The Man That Got Away” live at Carnegie Hall sometime in the 60’s. I was enraptured! I mean who needs to sing any other torch song after that one? Has there been another torch song since? It made my ride home beyond bearable it made it magnificent. I almost leaned over to the unknown man across from me to say “listen to this and tell me if this is not heaven!” Of course I would not do that but I should have.

I have all kinds of music on this little goodie from Judy Garland to Oingo Boingo. Mary J Blige to Pink. Frank Sinatra to U2. I downloaded some Corinne Bailey Rea last night and I have to say she is my new favorite. “Put Your Records On” is wonderful, its reminiscent of old school R&B with a dash of Rickie Lee Jones added for good measure. I found some lovely Madeline Peyroux cuts and picked up some Marc Broussard just for the fun of it – nothing like “Home” for a soulful good time.

Nina is juicing my iPod with a wonderful playlist for Halloween mostly classical but really nice. I love my iPod and if you have the means, I highly suggest one! We are off to Target to get more iTunes cards….

The Red Badge of Courage - Continued...

2006-09-24T13:41:00.000-07:00

You may remember my mentioning that I had begun a soul-searching journey. A journey that I have taken before but as I approach a certain age I felt it was time to embark once again on an inner trip exploring where I have come from and where it is that I want to go. Well I have been traveling. I promised to send you a post card from time to time….

After coffee one morning with Matt It became apparent that I had really not charted a proper course through the back roads of Self Confidence but rather I had somehow taken a sly shortcut through the path of Self Doubt, Regret and Relying on Others for Approval. So after asking for my husband’s approval in some lame-ass and round about way for the 2 billionth time in this 21-year blissful relationship…I set out for a walk.

I won’t lie the pace was brisk and my temper had the best of me. Angry at him for not giving me the answer of “Oh my dear you are always wonderful!” But incredibly angry with myself for dwelling in such a hovel of self-depreciating behavior for so long. I set out with Nina’s iPod juiced up with her latest Halloween play list of spooky but lovely eerie music. I walked out of the little housing tract of suburbia headed straight down the road for this nature preserve/wooded area.

As I deliberately headed into the woods I felt like a child running away from home. “Ha – see if I come back!” I headed into the thicker part of the woods and it actually got a bit dark even at 8:00 am. I began to regret walking that far and thought to myself surely there must be some folks down on their luck that sleep out there at night and well, with the scary music playing, I began to feel very frightened. Still I walked further and instead of turning and ditching I decided to stay with the feelings of fear.

I took the opportunity to think of all the fearful things in my life. All the times that were frightening, all the episodes that I have imagined in my head that scare me. I walked and thought about everything that could go wrong or that has gone wrong in my life. I began to cry at the thought of all of those possibilities and the memories of all that had passed.

Somewhere between the kaleidoscope shadows of the trees and the eerie music I got the idea that I should leave all the misery there. Just leave those horrible feelings in the woods. It really seemed like the perfect home for my low self-esteem. It would be happy there in the woods with the ground ripening and the occasional breeze that rustled the trees in an uncomfortable and lonely way.

It was about at that moment when I felt a tightening in my throat and a clenching in my chest. I thought – oooh this is not a good place for a heart attack – no one knew I was in there and no one would ever find me! So I began to walk faster and I started coughing very hard. After what was an unverving amount of throat clenching and coughing I realized that this was my decision moment and that I needed to simply tell myself that I was through with looking to others for approval. I told myself that I was through looking at my self as less than what I really am – a very strong, talented and courageous woman that is capable and able to make my own way and that I am proud of where I have come to in my life right now with no regrets.

Absolutely at that moment the clenching and tightening released and I could see the clearing from the trees. I wiped away my tears and headed out into the clearing and climbed up the embankment back on the road and back into suburbia. I walked a way and then turned back to see the thicket of trees where I had left my low self-esteem. It was a beautiful place for all the feelings of being “less than” to reside. It made a perfect home for all of my regrets and doubts. I was free walking along the road. With every step I felt stronger and freer.

I had not noticed when I left that morning feeling angry that I had actually set out with suitcase in hand to deposit these old and tired feelings packed in the case. I had not realized that the anger that fueled my steps was my unwillingness to continue in this way for one day more.

I was back on the road to my life with one less suitcase to carry feeling lighter and much stronger.

Really Fun Tag Sale

2006-08-31T12:22:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy and neglecting my blog and I apologize for that. However on the weekend we had our first Tag Sale. We invited customers from the shop and close friends to come and enjoy refreshments and spend the afternoon shopping for wonderful goodies at their leisure. It was a huge success and we will hold another Tag Sale on November 4th - just in time for Christmas shopping.

We featured all of our sale items in the Unique Sleepwear section of Soul of the Rose Gifts and of course had all of our usual product lines. This week I am shopping for new goodies for the store and if all works out I will have a really nice new batch of lovelies to choose from in Bath and Body, Children's and Women's Sleepwear that I am really excited about. Think feminine, think floral, think vintage and very hip. Oh and just for Christmas think chocolate too!