Smathers and Branson Winner!!

Thank you to all who entered the needlepoint belt giveaway! Smathers and Branson is so kind to spoil one of you all, but who will it be??

Comment 312 got this giveaways golden ticket...so the belt goes to:

Preppy and Proud of it!

Congratulations!! Her favorite S&B belt is the fox and hound belt featured above. Isn't is darling? Please send me your preferred size and address and I will pass it on to Smathers and Branson.

Now, for those of you that did not win, do not fret as I have LOADS more FABULOUS giveaways set for Monograms and Manicures. Keep checking back as they almost too good to be true!

Three!

Today I turn three! Happy, happy blog anniversary to me!

"So if there's anything I've learned from this journey I am on...

Simple truths will keep you going,

simple love will keep you strong.

Cause there are questions without answers,

flames that never die.

Heartaches we go through are often blessings in disguise."

I can hardly believe that Monograms and Manicures turns three today! Time has most certainly FLOWN by yet I have packed SO much into the last three years at the very same time. This has been a marvelous adventure that has helped me grow as a person. Blogging has opened so many doors and breathed breath into more relationships than I can count on all my fingers and toes. I honestly cannot imagine my life without it!

Three and a half years ago if you told me I would always keep my camera nearby because I needed to "keep my readers up-to-date" I would have told you I was not an author and had no readers. If you told me that I would meet some of my best friends through the internet I think I would have told you you had confused me with someone else because internet relationships were not my thing. If you told me I would land a slot on a well known TV show or that I would be featured in newspaper read worldwide I may have laughed. However, I am blessed to say that each of these things has become a reality over the past three years. Blogging has taught me so much about others and also about my self. It has helped me become a more positive person while still keeping things in perspective. It has taught me that no matter how hard I might try I will not always be able to be friends with everyone and that is okay. I have learned how to deal with some interesting people which has made me appreciate my friends and readers so much more! Monograms and Manicures really has changed my life for the BETTER! Thank you to all my readers for brightening each day with your comments and kind emails. You have all helped shape me into the person that I am today.

While I do not know what the next hour, day, week, month or year hold I can only hope that they will just as marvelous as my past. Cheers and three years and here is to hoping there are many more!

Antique Booths

After our trip to the Dallas Flea we were design inspired so we decided to hit up some of the booth marts in the design district. We stopped for lunch at The Cedar Social which was FABULOUS by the way- I can hardly wait to return- and then off to Market Center Blvd. we headed. I LOVE to shop antiques and vintage items. The furniture is always my favorite part. I can always envision certain pieces in specific areas and can find a new life for them once redone. You can always find diamonds in the rough at these markets!

There were so many fabulous booths and sadly I only thought to take my camera out about 1/4 of the way through our tour of the mart. This booth was very welcoming and light hearted. Very shabby chic in my opinion. Of course the blue and white drew me in, but this table was a real gem. Solid wood table and chairs for just $350!!

I loved these little jewelry trays. They were modern chic with a vintage feel. While they were indeed labeled as jewelry trays I do believe you could use them for a million other things; collecting coins or for votives to name a few.

This booth reminded me of a room in a country house in the UK. Don't you love it?

A bowl full of matches also makes for great conversation. Collect matchbooks wherever you go and throw them in a container at home. Each time you reach for a book you will be reminded of a trip and perhaps even a special memory. This reminded me of the ladies at Matchbook Magazine.

Can we say chinoiserie? LOVE it all!

How unique is this piece from a furniture maker? I thought it was so different and fun. You know I am all about tulipiers. I have a lovely blue and white one from Bunny Williams, but this set would look FABULOUS in my future dining room.

At our second stop I spotted a container full of Beanie Babies. These booths were much more contemporary but I still could hardly believe my eyes. I was OBSESSED with these back in the 90's. We are talking about a collection of 100+ babies. In fact, I think I had every single one in the photo above. I have to admit that we were on calling lists for stores when they got new BB shipments in...sad but true fact about Hopsy. When Princess came out we RUSHED over to one of our favorite stores in Fayetteville and my poor mother was forced to spend $50 in order to qualify to purchase one of the FIVE Princesses they had and then Princess was ANOTHER $50 on top of that. Good thing she had ties to British royalty or I am not sure I would have gotten her. All my Beanie Babies had tag protectors, you know, since they were SO valuable, and I even begged my father to take me to a Beanie Baby convention once. I really was obsessed. However, as crazy as it sounds I did come out ahead and I sold my collection at the top of the trend and made hundreds (I bought TWO new Kate Spade bags with my earnings and still had a good load left over). I think I sold most "regular, non retired for $10 and the retireds went for closer to $20 and $30. I donated another chunk of my collection to a local hospital in Panama City and then kept just a handful (Princess of course and the bunny trio and that is it!). Were you a Beanie Baby fan? If so, did you sell, donate or keep you collection?

I simply had the VERY BEST time on Saturday and cannot wait to go visit all these booths again...and perhaps even make something mine!

The Dallas Flea

Four times a year there is an event in Dallas where a select number of unique vendors come together in one location for a fabulous shopping experience. It is known as The Dallas Flea. This past Saturday was the first Dallas Flea I was able to attend (I sadly missed the December event at which The Pink Pagoda was present) and to say I had a grand time might be an understatement.

Admission into The Dallas Flea is $5, that includes a bottle of Vitamin Water, and you can than peruse the booths until your heart is content. There were so many fun vendors to explore!

Gaia was one of the very first booths and it was a hit! All the napkins are made from recycled fabric. The best part is that everything is made by refugee woman here in the US! If you live in Dallas you might recognize these from Madison (a FAVORITE local shop of mine). I LOVED all the hand painted furniture, but sadly was too late in the day to make it mine (I would have not been able to regardless since I am NOT shopping, but wishful thinking). Can you believe these two side table, cabinets were JUST $75 each!? There was also a dresser at the same booth for just $250!

The vintage cowboy boot booth was PACKED...we were in Texas after all.

I am a long time fan of Southern Fried Paper. Having ordered invites from Chelsea before I was thrilled to see she had a booth.

These are some of her wine and gift tags. Aren't they darling?

Jewelry is often hit or miss for me at fairs. However, Cheeky Chicks was definitely a HIT. They had so many amazing pieces and the prices were FABULOUS! I think the above necklace was only $48!

Another hit was the vintage rosary pieces and saint pendants. There was this bin with numerous treats, but there were also actual pre-made necklaces and bracelets with these lovelies.

I could not resit snapping a photo of these vintage Easter cards (just $3 for a pack) and all the dainty items covered with glitter.

There was catered BBQ inside if you wanted to eat lunch at The Dallas Flea and then you could also get a sweet tooth fix upon exiting.

I cannot resist a Sprinkles cupcake!

I can hardly wait to return to the flea in June. The vendors change from flea to flea so you can always find new goodies and treasurers. After leaving the flea we headed to several antique stores full of chinoiserie treasures...more on that adventure tomorrow!

Sponsor Announcement!

I met Jamie Meares when at the Greenbrier for the Carleton Varney event last Spring and was thrilled when she contacted me this year about an extension of her blog, i suwanne. Jamie has an actual store in Raleigh, NC, but thankfully for those of us not in the area she also allows us to shop online at Furbish Studio. I thrilled to announce that Furbish Studio is now an official blog sponsor of Monograms and Manicures!! If you peruse Jamie's site (which is so well organized by the way!) you will see we share VERY similar tastes. From lots of pink to ikat to elephants to blue and white galore we are two peas in a pod. Furbish Studio offers everything from small trinkets like vases (LOVE the urchin ones!) and trays to home decor items like rugs and lamps to jewels to adorn us all. I could buy one of just about everything, but here are a few of my VERY FAVORITES since that plan is clearly not too budget friendly! Pink Safari Elephant Earrings ($25)

Blue and White Ming Ginger Pots ($75)

Hot Pink Moroccan Leather Poof ($285)

Small Dog Bed ($95)

Zig Zag Long Tray ($22)

Boho Elephant Bangle ($30)

Canton Lamp ($200)

Palm Springs Pillow in Pink ($95)

Mr. and Mrs. Cocktail Glasses ($18)

Ikat Tea Towels ($20)

Furbish Studio is my new go-to for gifts (I think the Mr. and Mrs. glasses would be a darling engagement gift....that will not break the bank) and home decor (I have been yearning for a Moroccan poof...what color is the question...pink or gold or white?!). Hop on over and take a look, I know you too will enjoy it as much as I do!

*Sorry for the odd spacing, Blogger will not allow me to change it!*

This and That

So much is going on this Spring. It must be the warmer weather that gets people in the mood. I wanted to highlight several items that I am supporting and whether or not you live in Dallas you can also take part in at least one!

First, a good friend from my KKG days in MN emailed me to let me know a dear friend of hers is trying to adopt a baby from Ethiopia. They are currently holding an online auction to raise additional funds to help cover all these costs. All the items have been donated by friends and family and they have such darling things! The auction ends on Sunday at 10pm CST. I know many of you have close ties to adoption through family and friends and I hope you will check out all the Thompsons have to offer in their auction; here are a few of my favorites:

This would be perfect hanging on the wall of a little girls' room or above some one's desk!

Aren't these sock monkey prints fun? I can think of so many places to hang them...play room, bathroom, nursery, office, hall and on and on goes my list!

If you are in Dallas I have another wonderful opportunity for you. The Rummage Roundup sale is just around the corner and VIP preview party tickets are currently on sale. I bought mine earlier this week and can hardly wait to go (do not fret, Lent will be over!) after all Kirby's photo updates. They have loads of luxury items, furniture, housewares, books, you name it. It is sure to be a wonderful event and all the proceeds will be going to the Junior League of Dallas community fund. Visit the Rummage Roundup site for more information and be sure to let me know if you are going to the VIP party so we can run into each other!

Happy weekend to all! I hope you have fantastic weather!!

Smathers and Branson Belt Giveaway!

I LOVE all things needlepoint! I started needlepointing in 9th grade and have made numerous pillows, a few key chains and several belts. Speaking of needlepoint belts I am hosting a Smathers and Branson giveaway!!

The winner of the giveaway is extremely lucky....They get to pick ANY belt on the Smathers and Branson site (a $150+ value)!!!
If you are unfamiliar with the brand you simply MUST head on over and check out their site. They have so many fun belts, but also carry other needlepoint accessories like key chains, cummerbunds, coasters and wallets.

While I love all the fun designs they offer my favorite concept at Smathers and Branson are their life belts:
I am always telling friends about these and think they would make the perfect gift for your soon-to-be-hubby or current love. I first read about these at Henley on the Horn and ever since fully agree that they are the "gift of a lifetime."

So, now the GIVEAWAY 411

You can earn up to four entries for this giveaway.

1 entry: Simply leave a comment on this post telling me what belt you like best (you do NOT have to be a follower to qualify). This will be the belt you win (note that is must be a belt listed on the site and not a custom belt).

2nd entry: "Like" Smathers and Branson on Facebook.

3rd entry: Follow Smathers and Branson on Twitter.

4th entry: "Like" Monograms and Manicures on Facebook.

Please leave a separate comment for each of your entries (be sure to tell me what each is for as well)!

All entries must be received by 11:59pm on Wednesday, March 31st, 2011.

Needlepoint belts are the perfect way to spice up an outfit year round. They make divine gifts for both the men and women in your life and you can never, ever, ever have too many! Best of luck and happy needlepointing to all!

Spring at Vineyard Vines

I have been a long time fan of Vineyard Vines and remember them from their very early days. I always love when you see great brand grow and expand all while sticking true to their roots; this is exactly what Vineyard Vines has done in my opinion. Last week I was so excited to get an email from Vineyard Vines saying that they had been named the "Official Style" for the Kentucky Derby! I was also elated when they emailed me earlier this year asking if I would ever be interested in testing a few pieces from their Spring line...how can a clothes lover and a lover of their brand pass up such an offer!?
Vineyard Vines certainly spoiled me! A box arrived just days after we first made contact. While the box was just cute as could be the contents were nothing short of amazing!
I have been a long time tunic lover as you know. I wear them when jeans and shorts throughout the warmer months here in Texas. While the Daisy Tunic would be perfect with either I am actually planning on saving it for my trip to St. John's. I think it will be perfect to throw on over my swimsuit (perhaps one of the new VV ones?!) and go from the pool to lunch or the condo. The delicate embroidery reminds me of something I would see in India and the soft, lightweight fabric are again, perfect for this time of year.

If you have met me in person you know I love my jackets and sweaters. I tend to get rather cold more often than not (yes, even when it is 95 degrees outside...in fact I used to wear my uniform sweatshirt to school daily when in Panama and Honduras) so I always like to have something to cover my arms. Well, the Ocean Drive Cardigan has been my go-to these past few days. I have worn is with a silk blouse, but currently have it over a dress- very versatile indeed. While the color is simply divine, and can really be worn year round here, the buttons are my favorite part. Gold is my current go to accessory color so they match everything perfectly and the clovers make the sweater dainty.

Though I did give up shopping for Lent I have been perusing the Vineyard Vines website making my list for later this year...my favorites include:

Destination Dress ($245)

This dress can easily go from day to night and it works with flats or heels. I love the neckline and the cut is extremely flattering.

CeeZee Skirt ($145)

The name of this skirt is enough to make me love it, but the print is too fun to pass up. This would be the perfect Saturday skirt in my opinion!

Tisbury Pond Lazy Pants ($55)

These pants have gators allllll over them, enough said.

Everglades Jacket ($165)

Another jacket for cold blooded me. While the style is very traditional, there is a pop of hidden color in the trim which I adore.

Thank you to Vineyard Vines for thinking of me this Spring. Their current line is full of great, classic and fun finds and per the first photo they have MANY more in the works. I can hardly wait for the Derby collection to be released, that patchwork dress has my name all over it!