Hola from Chile!

We have been in Chile just over a month now!  Our move has been so smooth and easy - everything has come together like clockwork. Within our first week, we bought a car and found a house. The second week we moved in and our shipment arrived from Thailand. We spent that weekend unpacking - there is just way too much stuff!  With our house sort of "ready," our jobs began!  Santiago feels like home!
My first impressions:
The scenery is amazing!  There is always a view of the Andes no matter where you are.  The snowcaps loom over the city.  The people are so friendly and helpful!  Since it is winter, it can get rather cold!  But I am enjoying the change of temperatures and came prepared.  It can be colder inside the house/building than outside.
All is well,  and we are enjoying this new chapter in our life. 

Dining in the Big Apple

I spent the weekend with my daughter in NYC. For the past few months. she has been compiling a list of restaurants for us to try! Here are our recommendations - not listed in any particular order.
1. Lokal - Near Bedford in Brooklyn - great for lunch or a late breakfast.
2. Roberto's - a little hidden gem in Brooklyn - specializing in Italian food - Delicious pizza!
3. Balthazar's - Soho;  step back into the past!  Great Sunday brunch.
4.  Curly's - East Village - vegetarian never tasted SO good!
5.  El Cantinero's - East Village - Mexican - killer margaritas!
6.  Grey Dog - Chelsea - need a hearty, down home breakfast? This is the place!
7. Angelina's Kitchen - East Village - organic home cooking.

Our Home to Yours

Our Home to Yours

Debbi and Amanda, a mother/daughter duo,  combine their artistic talents for their Etsy shop “Our Home to Yours.”  How wonderful to be able to work with your daughter  even though they live 1200 miles apart.  Etsy brings them together.   Both are busy full time moms who find art to be a great stress reliever

This charming shop features a variety of handcrafted items. Select from children's stuffed animals, vintage, home décor, accessories/jewelry, photography, and wedding items. 

They also have a sister shop Vintage Vinyls.  There is a collection of 33.5 LP albums, classic oldies, and unusual music. The categories include classic rock, soft rock, opera, Latino,  Hawaiian, and holiday music.

Debbi is offering a 15% discount to my readers so please let her know you read about her shops here.

Follow them on Blogspot at: http://www.ourhometoyourscrafts.blogspot.com/
Or  on twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/ourhometoyours

 Or join their fan page on facebook
http://www.facebook.com/ourhometoyours

Central World

Even though I have been downtown a few times in the past week or so, today was the first time that I was near enough to Central World to actually view the damage first hand.  It was unbelievable!  There was an eerie quietness in the area which is usually bustling with traffic and people.  The few tourists and Thais were photographing the site and staring in awe!  It is sad. The building has some sentimental memories for me.  My daughter's graduation was held in the event hall on the seventh floor.  One of our favorite restaurants was on the 17th floor.  We took our daughter there on her last night in Thailand.  We had many dinners and drinks with friends overlooking the skyline of the city.

 

Pink Lemonade

  

            Come Shop at the Pink Lemonade Clothing and Accessory Boutique! You will discover a darling collection of woman’s trendy tops, chunky necklaces, and other jewelry. I was amazed that Paige the shop’s owner is a talented and creative 14 year old! She loves fashion, sewing, and beading. You can see her passion for girly things in her trendy tops with rosettes, the latest fashion trend for summer!  Pick from the colorful rosette tanks, custom flower tanks, or women's ruffle blouses!

 Don’t miss the chunky necklaces! Colorful strands of beads to adorn your neck! Perfect for spring and summer! And would really add spark to your basic black or basic white dress!

If you need a quick fashion update, stop by and pick out a colorful top or a chunky necklace.

Visit Paige's blog www.comeshoppinklemonade.blogspot.com

AFTERMATH - Bkk Rajprasong area - 21.05.2010

These incredible photos were posted by nminbkk! I haven't been in to town yet to see the actual damage. Even though these photos are very explicit, I still cannot imagine the destruction that has occurred. It is so sad and heartbreaking.

Peace for Thailand

Mystic Wynd

Mystic Wynd’s shop has a wide collection of eclectic jewelry that appeals to everyone! There is a distinctive necklace, earrings, or bracelet for the career woman as well as the stay at home mom. Her styles range from simple or bold, classic or trendy, elegant or glitzy – you are sure to find that special piece to suit your taste or needs. Her jewelry includes natural stones, crystals, vintage metals, and a variety of unique materials.

Karen has been crafting since her childhood days in Chicago, but designing and creating jewelry is her latest passion. She now resides in Arizona.

Stop by Mystic Wind – there is a unique piece of jewelry waiting for you!

 

You can also find  Mystic Wynd at

Blog at http://mysticwynd.blogspot.com/
Twitter at http://twitter.com/mysticwynd
Facebook  at http://www.facebook.com/MysticWynd

  

Terror in Thailand

These amazing photos are from LIFE. Although it may seem like the entire city is a war zone, it is actually confined to a small area which happens to be the location of the central shopping district and five star hotels. We live north of the city - life is as normal as usual for us. It is so sad to see this happen in Thailand - which has been our home for nine years. It is a great country with wonderful people!

Swing Station Studio

Swing Station Studio at Esty has an amazing collection of hand-sewn box purses and zippered pouches. Heather recently returned from a show and will be listing some new designs very soon. In the meantime, stop by and take a peek at her shop.  Her items are made with such cute, colorful pre-washed fabrics. These purses make great gifts!

           

You can be a fan on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/swingstationstudio or check out her new blog at http://swingstationstudio.blogspot.com/

New BESTeam Featured Shop - Owls Some Gifts

Owl Some Gifts has temporary put her shop on vacation mode as she deals with the flooding in her area of Tennessee.  If you are an owl lover, this is a shop you do not want to miss. She creates owl inspired gifts such as  jewelry, pillows, key chains, art work and photo albums.  If you love owls or know someone who does, you are sure to find the perfect gift. Visit her shop to submit a request to be notified when she reopens. 

Meanwhile - take a look at some of her adorable items!

            

This Says It All!

BESTteam Featured Shop - Fish Princess Designs

Fish Princess Designs  is a fly-fishing, jewelry designing, accountant with two grown children.  As you browse her shop, you will feel her inspiration from nature and the great outdoors in her designs!  Her jewelry appeals to all women which makes her pieces a great gift for Mom or that special woman in your life.  And you may just have to add a little something for yourself to your order.  Her lovely necklaces, bracelets, and earrings are created with a variety of natural materials – fossils, freshwater pearls, crystals,  semi-precious gemstones, and copper.

 

Etsy's Feature Shop - Lightkeeping

Lightkeeping – All Things Beautiful

You have to stop by Lightkeeping at Etsy to view Anastasija's absolutely gorgeous lampwork jewelry! Her work is fabulous. She has a great eye for combining textures and colors. I love every piece in her shop! Anastasija hails from Ireland and lovingly makes each piece; taking great care to all details and paying attention to color, proportion, symmetry – and most importantly – beauty! Her fondness for color, simplicity, and harmony are evident in each bracelet, necklace and pair of earrings. Most of her pieces are lampwork but she often incorporates Swarovski crystals, precious and semi-precious gemstones, and pearls. Wearing her jewelry will brighten your day and put a smile on your face.

Etsy's Feature Shop - Paradise Purls

Paradise Purls @ Etsy is full of beautiful hand knitted and handcrafted accessories.  There is a wide array of hand knitted hats and scarves  as well as some lovely beaded earrings.  Her colorful hats are perfect for children and babies. These soft, fluffy scarves will keep you warm and cozy on those chilly winter days.

Elizabeth is a self-taught knitter and beader who creates her items with a passion for attention to detail and style.  She has a great eye for color combinations and patterns in her knitted items as well as in her jewelry.

Here are some of my favorites:

     

      

For new listings and news about sales:
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/paradisepurls
Blog - http://www.paradisepurls.blogspot.com
Facebook Fan Page - http://www.facebook.com/paradisepurls