Bead Happily Ever After

Sealed With A Kiss

Posted on February 21, 2011 by crystal

Good Monday, Kids! 😀
Hope you had a great weekend.

Today is a holiday but Sir Beads has to work. However, I’m happy to report, that we did enjoy a 3-day weekend anyway – Fri., Sat., and Sun.! We needed the break and can’t figure out why we don’t do it more often.

Amidst the relaxation, I thought of you and I have a new weekly question.

Ready? 🙂

Ok . . . Look in your purse and tell us the “name” of your lipstick and also the brand!

Is it your favorite?

Do you switch often or do you have a tried and true signature color and brand?

Or maybe you prefer to wear a little lip balm only?

My answer:

Clinique, Violet Berry! I’ve worn it for several years now and I just dread the day they’ll tell me it’s been discontinued. Love the color and that it stays on pretty well too.

Hugs,

Wash Day Blues

Posted on February 18, 2011 by crystal

It’s Friday, which often means it’s time for Friday Favorites!

Today, I have a work of art to share.

(click photo twice to enlarge)

”Woman Ironing” by French painter/lithographer, Armand Désiré Gautier (1825–1894)

I love the play of light in this painting! At first glance the colors seem drab but with a closer look, you’ll notice that there is lots of color in the scene.

Poor girl, though, not only was she living in an era before permanent press – there was no electricity either! Obviously, she has her work cut out for her with that mass of wrinkles hanging on the line.

Who was she? What was she like? Was she happy? Was she loved?

Ah, that’s the mystery and the fun of viewing art. 😀

Happy Weekend!

Hugs,

An Apple A Day

Posted on February 17, 2011 by crystal

Apples are one of those perfect foods . . .

They’re delicious, they’re good for you; and they smell wonderful while cooking!

I came across this quick and easy recipe for an apple dessert and thought you might enjoy it. 🙂

SWEDISH APPLE PIE

Fill a greased deep dish pie plate 2/3 full with sliced apples (about 5 apples needed)

Sprinkle with:
1 teaspoon sugar & 1 teaspoon cinnamon (mixed)

Combine:
3/4 cup melted margarine
1 egg
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup flour
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Pour over apples and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until top is browned.

I‘ll add my two cents to the recipe . . .

*Serve warm.
*And a small dollop of real whipped cream or vanilla ice cream couldn’t hurt! 😉

Hugs,

Button Button Who’s Got The…

Posted on February 16, 2011 by crystal

You’ve probably noticed that buttons are everywhere!

These days, they’re not just functional – they’re the “in” item for embellishing anything from clothing to accessories to home décor. While it’s true that collectors have always had an appreciation for them, suddenly they’re stealing the hearts of a whole new crop of fans. Vintage buttons are especially prized! Even the old button molds have been placed back in service to create new buttons that capture some of the charm of their vintage counterparts. Most amazing, though, is the fabulous selection of contemporary buttons available now – all colors, shapes, materials, and styles!

I’m wondering – did you grow up with a button box in your home? Or maybe it was Grandma who had a jar of buttons that you loved to sort through?

My mother (and both grandmothers) had a button box. It contained all of the carefully removed “still good” buttons from worn-out clothing, along with extra buttons from completed sewing projects, and finally the occasional card of new buttons that were purchased simply because they were hard to resist!

Today, I have little collection of buttons – old, new, plain, fancy.

And what serves as the storage container for them?

Why, it’s this pretty tin from a past Valentine’s Day!

(You know how I LOVE Lindt truffles!)

There’s only one problem.

As pretty as those buttons are –

They’re just not as tasty as chocolate! 😉

Hugs,

Favorite Commercial

Posted on February 15, 2011 by crystal

Tuesday Greetings!

How about a weekly question? 🙂

Actually, I have 2 questions . . .

1. What is your favorite TV commercial? (currently or from the past.)

2. What commercial do you dislike the most?

My Answers:

I love the E-Trade commercial with the baby called “Solitary”! (Click here to see it.)

I truly dislike the Piggy GEICO commercial. (See it here.) The sound is grating – even if I’m not in the room while it’s on! Cute idea maybe, but it should be MUCH shorter!

I can’t wait to read your answers!

And remember, if you have a question that you’d like me to ask the whole group in a future post, just email it to:

crystal (at) beadhappilyeverafter (dot) com

Hugs,