A New Blogger Guidebook

My usual computer gal Miss Lovie has been failing to help me very much these days so I was so excited to see that 

Karen Valentine has written another Blogger's guidebook. 

Her book, Building Beautiful Blogs takes the mystery out of all of the new blogger widgets and thing-a -ma-giggies.  

Some of the things you will learn in this book...

• How to set up a blog
• How to Navigate the post editor
• How to Navigate Bloggers new interface and what all the settings do.
•  How to edit Bloggers new templates to make them look more like Bloggers old Minima template.
• How to configure your comment settings
• How to center the Date and Title above your posts
• Plus many, many more tricks and tips to make your blogging experience so much easier!

 More than 80 pages of great information with screen shots throughout to make it easy to follow along.

$19.99
This book will be delivered via download.

Now that Karen has put Lovie out of the computer consulting business, 

she has to be content with the new fuzzy mice I gave her! 

I laughed so hard I fell off the couch!

I just had to share this with you because it made me laugh 

till I fell off the couch! 

And, since I am heading to "An Affaire with Tiffany" in less than a week, a quote from Audrey herself:

"I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it's the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It's probably the most important thing in a person."

Enjoy!

In the Land of Round Top, There's Royer's cafe where all will stop.

 For a very long time in the land of Round Top

There's a Royers’ cafe where all will stop.

The food was so good, you’d devour every drop,

So much so you would go home and flop.

The man at the door, they called him the king,

He sits on a throne and wears many rings.

He’d make you behave, or you'll get zinged,

But when he called your name, you’d swear he had wings.

So when we were summoned to the 
land of milk and honey,

We all said yes and sent him our money!

Our guest of honor was smart and 
cute as a bunny,

We were captivated by her, she glowed, all sunny!

The Queen spoke to all and introduced her guests,

From a far away land they gave us their best.

They spoke of a project for those who had less,

We decided right there to do our best.

So over a meal fit for a Queen,

We heard about new ideas which none had seen.

They would bring back things 
from a time we’d once been,

Things from years ago, things oh so keen.

So we listened, ate pie and enjoyed our time,

But before we knew it, the Bud clock chimed.

We bid farewell to the Court and their guests so fine,

Leaving,the our adventure feeling completely divine.

Miranda Lambert's dreamy Bridal Brooch Bouquets brought to life by Artist, Noaki.

Miranda Lambert decided to have something a little different for her bridal bouquet, she started a vintage boom of Bridal Brooch Bouquets! They are still the rage in a bridal trends today and I couldn't be more pleased that using something "vintage" is still so popular. 

When I posted about this before I used photos by several artists on Etsy but the reality is that the ones I loved the most were all hand crafted by a girl named Noaki. She has over 800 sales and over 2,500 visits to her site. 
I don't know Noaki, I just admire her work so 
I wanted to share with you!

In her words, Noaki said that this idea began because "she was trying to figure out what to do with pieces of my grandmother's old jewelry that I'd held onto for decades -- scraps of the forgotten excess of the Art Deco era that were too lovely to discard but too old- fashioned to wear. Eventually the pieces she created led to her little shop."
 As you can see she makes bridal and bridesmaid 
bouquets in any color you request!

The daughter of a fine arts painter and an industrial designer, She has had a pretty eclectic upbringing, living for spells in Japan, France, India and England. 

"My roots, however, are in California. Living overseas made me reflect on the lifestyle here -- the angled light and sea air, the crumpled terrain and buried past – rusted, shuttered canneries, splintered gray piers and bleached Deco buildings." 

"I try to bring this breadth to the pieces I make. From my Southern California studio I recycle vintage jewelry found at second hand shops and flea markets and hand fashion each piece, combining Art Deco period brooches, vintage cuff links, shoe clips and other baubles with semi precious gems." 

"Each piece is unique or very limited edition, and many can be worn with everything from a tank top to a cocktail or wedding dress." 

After looking at all her bouquets I want to have one made myself! I just can't decide what colors I would want. Maybe several mini ones would satisfy my indecision!! If you want to look at her entire collection just click on her name above to take you to her Etsy site.

Round Top~ The Rest of the Story

The search for B-L-I-N-G was un-ending in Round Top but it seems most of the dealers would be taking their shiny treasures home because they wanted way too much for their sparkles!! $$$$$$

It's too bad too, there were three crazy women with cash in hand ready to buy them out!

The annual blog party was a success, it was hot but we all tried our best to get cleaned up for the camera and each other! I think this was the last time we all saw each other still smelling good! Yes, it was hot! Hotter than a fritter in a fryin' pan hot, 94 degrees in April!! I mean come on, just once give us a break from the heat! UG!

Many neutrals all around. Garden and burlap were everywhere! I always love old gates. I forget what you're suppose to grow by your garden gate but I wanted this gate! Alas no more room left in the back of my car.

The friendships you make in Round Top are the kind of friendships you want to keep forever. It's amazing how miles and miles of JUNK keeps you connected with people you love to spend time with!

Skip-to-my-Lou went right in-to my bag! I cannot resist this booth. Her creations are so unusual, so beautiful and she arranges them all on old cabinet cards with a story of your piece on the back. She goes to Paris, Prague, Austria, all over Europe searching for just the right pieces. She finds them and I buy them!!!! Besides Magnolia Pearl this is the booth I drop quite a few coins in but it's worth every penny!

O.K., so the heat made us all a little nutty!

So much stuff-So little time!

We did take time out for a Picnic with the Rodeo Queens who surprised us all with a boxed dinner in the most beautiful setting in the country. One of the girls have a house near Round Top and invited us to come visit. Even the mosquitos knew better than to ruin the evening, it was picnic-perfect!

Now you knew I would find baby dolls somewhere out there! Only one came home with me. I guess people like me have made them too popular to find anymore. The next time you see a baby doll head just think to yourself,"I should send this to Cindy, the poor thing only found one baby doll in Round Top!" The horror, the despair, the lose...... yea well you get the idea.

I didn't think I was in the market for a Chandi but the one in the bottom photo came home in a really big truck. Does hubby know? Hell NO he doesn't know yet! I have it hidden in a warehouse until I can hang it and then I want to see how long it takes him to notice, "anything new?"

Display pieces, yes thank you! I took home the blue printing cabinet WITH the spiders nest that I didn't find until I got home! Waaaaaa! I felt itchy all over just looking at it but, I don't think anything has hatched yet. Can you imagine if it had? On the way home? With me DRIVING!! I would have caused a pile up on 35 because this woman would have driven in front of a semi if I was doing the spider dance in my underpants! YIKES!

This was sad but not. The end of a war and maybe no need for these pieces? I'm not sure how I felt about this but this is the kind of thing you will find in Round Top. Anything from a lace throw to this. It was a wonderful trip filled with great memories, new friendships, and yes a few spiders. Thanks for coming along on my journey. Happy Trails, xoxo-cindy

~MAGNOLIA PEARL Magic in Round Top Texas~

This is Krista of the Magnolia Pearl gals, she never takes a bad photo and she's even prettier in person! I loved her helping me rummage through all those ruffles! It was so hard to chose!

I know I'm crazy about dolls but I am WACKO over this one! Robin if you're reading this, is she for sale? I have a birthday in September?? HINT! This was just one of the little things she adds to the look of her booth that makes it perfect.

This dress was covered in a combination of textures. She had bottles, dried flowers, dries bee hives, baby shoes, it bogles the mind where she comes up with these ideas.

I couldn't take the smile off my face the entire time I was in the booth. Magnolia Pearl mood altering vibes all over the place! This is Tammy with me and my partner in crime Charlene with Krista!

Just shopping away for me and Robin was looking cute as always!

Just part of her new collection. I forgot to take photos of the skirt and jacket I bought! Too caught up in the moment!

Is this "AweSomeNess or WHAT!! I was sad to leave but there's always September! Thanks to the Magnolia Pearl magical team for a memorable trip down fairy tale lane. To see more of her collection, go to Magnolia Pearl. We also learned that Robin and John are making some big changes, they're selling the Ranch and moving to Fredricksburg.

Check out the slide show: Magnolia Pearl's Ranch
Thanks for stopping by.
Stay tuned for more Round Top posts!