30 Simple Rules to Live By....

1. Forgive.
2. Always do your share and a little bit more.
3. Always buy what little kids are selling.
4. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
5. Watch at least one sunrise and one sunset a year.
6. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.
7. When you say, "I love you", mean it.
8. When you say, "I'm sorry", look the person in the eye.
9. Believe in love at first sight.
10. Never laugh at anyone's dreams.
11. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt, but it's the only way to live life completely.
12. In disagreements, fight fair
13. Talk slow - think quick.
14. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
15. Laugh....A Lot!
16. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
17. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
18. Spend some time alone.
19. Open your arms to change.
20. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
21. Read more books and watch less TV.
22. Always read between the lines.
23. Learn to share - your time, your knowledge and your wealth.
24. Never interrupt when you are being flattered.
25. Always respond to a compliment with a sincere and heartfelt "Thank You"!
26. Mind your own business.
27. Go places you've never been before.
28. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a stroke of luck.
29. Learn the rules, then break some.
30. Remember that the best relationship is one where your love for each other is greater than your need for each other.

Ready for Change?

I came across this article today and thought I'd share it with you. There's so much truth in it. Nothing new and revealing, but sometimes you just need to see the truth in black and white. I for one, need to make a few changes in my life and well, I'd better just get going and commit! Read on...


Commit to Change & It'll Be Yours...
All of us - every single one of us - has at least one change we need to make in our lives. We know full well what change needs to take place, and we certainly know WHY we want it to come about. The WHY may be more money, better health, better relationships, or better organization. Whatever the details, the change will be one that we know will add happiness and harmony to our lives.


Seems simple enough, right? What person in his or her right mind wouldn't do whatever needed to be done to bring more happiness into their lives?


Unfortunately, there's a reason I wrote "Seems simple enough" rather than just "Simple enough." Change is hard! Funny, we always look at people around us and ask, "Why won't ____ just change?" or "Why can't ______ just give up smoking? He's not even trying!" Yet, when it comes to ourselves we fully recognize how difficult it is to change habits - many of which are habits of a lifetime. Trying to develop a new, better habit while trying to ditch an old one is like trying to create a new bike path, while ignoring the one that's already there. It's so easy to steer back to familiar territory, isn't it?!


I wish there was an easy answer. If one existed, I'd be typing it out right now - happily letting my readers know the simple thing they needed to do to achieve all they wanted to achieve and to be all they wanted to be. I've given it a lot of thought and have done a great deal of reading and research (to say nothing of the trial and error approach I've had with my own habits!). I know I'm dangerously close to oversimplifying, but success really does come down to a single word: Commitment.


If we commit our mind, body, and soul to a one single, reasonable purpose - we won't be able to fail. However, that commitment can't come and go. We can't be as strong as a lion on Monday just to weaken into a kitten by Thursday. We have to "roaring" with determination and commitment every day. It doesn't matter if we're battling a bad temper, our weight, an addiction, or procrastination - in order to come out on the winning end, we have to commit ourselves to the win.


Part of the solution lies in battling FOR something rather than just battling AGAINST something. Focus on the positive - how wonderful you'll feel once you're standing on the winning side, how proud everyone who loves you will be of you, and how you'll be in a position, then, to help others. Commit yourself fully to the change you want to bring about and you'll leave your habits with only one choice: To come around to your way of thinking.


About the Author:
The article above was written by Joi Sigers for Self Help Daily - a web site dedicated entirely to helping people bring out the best in life by bringing out the best in themselves.

Getting Ready For Fall

Turned the shop upside down last week so we could put out all the new merchandise that came in recently. We are officially ready for the Fall Season. Pumpkins, witches, door hangers, wreaths and rich, deep colors in hand-painted pottery. Do stop by and take a LOOK...

Behind the Scenes: The plan was to spend one day (Sunday) working, and then spend one day, (Monday-Labor Day) doing nothing! But gosh, the weather was so beautiful on Saturday, it was hard to stay inside. So with the slightest bit of nudging, I was off to lunch. We went to the Italian Market Deli on Rt 69 in Wallingford for a bite to eat and then headed to the Half Moon Cafe on the other side of town for coffee/tea. In my world, it makes perfect sense to go across town for coffee/tea...Don't you agree? Well, once out in that beautiful weather, it was impossible to go back to work! I found myself at a sidewalk table with just the right combination of warm sun and cool breeze; stimulating conversation and the perfect cup of Earl Grey tea. What more could I want? If you've read the book "A New Earth" or "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle...well, then you know what I mean when I say I was enjoying the present moment!
Frankly I was enjoying it just a little too much...truth be told, it was a very loooooong lunch. Sooooo...up bright and early on Monday to finish what was left undone!



By the way....these little cuties are back in stock. Leopard design ring holders...




And you might want to check these out...a new collection of jewelry holders in a denim/jean style...

just the right amount of style and attitude!