Another Trip to Sonoma...BEADS

I'm planning on going to Sonoma. I know what your thinking...It's all about the WINE. But nope, for me it's all about the BEADS! I am going to attend a Bead Festival of sorts and learn more about how to bead my own jewelry.

A few years ago my grandma gave me her costume jewelry. I find the earrings to be way out of style, yet the necklaces and bracelets look great. Sooo I am planning to remake the earrings into a style I will wear. At these shows you can find Beads, gemstones, findings, collectible glass art & jewelry. http://www.sonomavalley.com/

Soft Flex Company Glass Art & Bead Festival - Sonoma, CA

LOCATION: Sonoma Veterans Memorial Building 126 First St. West - Sonoma, CA 95476
SHOW TIMES: Saturday, 10 am - 6 pm; Sunday, 10 am - 5 pm
SHOPPING: August 8-9, 2009 Juried show of 95+ exhibitor spaces

A truly exciting WEST COAST shopping Extravaganza
EDUCATION: August 8-9, 2009
No paid classes available. Free Make-It-Take-Its.
No experience is necessary.
A designer can make a beaded project and take it home with them in 30 minutes. Beginners as well as advanced designers are welcome! The Make-It-Take-Its are a great way to learn a new technique with hands on assistance. Make-It-Take-It projects from Sonoma 2007 and 2008 shown.

I also plan on hitting a few thrift stores:

Plain Jane's Consignment
18495 Sonoma Hwy
Plain Jane's is a resale home furnishings store covering a wide range of decorating items. From dishes to furniture, gifts to lamps, we have something for everyone. PHONE 707-939-7875

Rooster's Nest

740 W Napa St
A quality consignment store with a fresh Sonoma personality. We showcase all manner of carefully selected new, pre-owned and estate designer home furnishings and accouterments. PHONE 707-935-6400

Sisters - Consignment Couture

120 W Napa St
Women's clothing consignment store featuring high quality, stylish clothing from casual to formal, including beautiful vintage pieces. We also carry accessories, shoes, jewelry and art. PHONE 707-933-8422

I also want to return to a couple return to a restaurants I loved:

Maya Restaurant
101 E Napa St
Loved the food, rustic interior with some original brick walls, high ceilings, traditional decor. Authentic cuisine with lots of variety. Thick, real tortilla chips. Fantastic agua fresca drinks. Also enjoyed their enchiladas.

Swiss Hotel & Restaurant
18 W Spain St
Yummy simple foods with a charming atmosphere .

DIVA Swap Repeat!

As an update I have attended my second Clothing Swap with my daughters Kelsey, Makay and friend Kristin. Diva Eve in Roseville (Sacramento Area) Designed for Teen Girls & Women was Wednesday, December 17th, 2008 6-9pm. To benefit St. John's Women's Shelter.

Catch the buzz that is sweeping the country!
Thinking green and on the prowl for something special, swappers are having a blast while promoting sustainability and supporting local shelters.

The next swap will be on Wednesday, January 29th in Roseville! Mark your calenders and check out their website for more information (www.clothingswap.org).

Daughter's Visit Sparks Treasure Hunt of sorts...

California Vacations are a lot of fun. My daughter Jenna and her new son Wyatt came to visit us in November to hang out and spend some time together. While visiting Northern California Jenna and I went to many second hand haunts on a "treasure hunt" of sorts looking for excellent bargains. My favorite shop is the Cancer Discovery thrift stores that are scattered throughout the state. We also went to Cross Roads and Freestyle were all three daughters found bargains for their holiday enjoyment. They are cool fun places to take your 17-27 year old friends!

http://www.freestyleclothing.com/

http://crossroadstrading.com/cm/Company_Info/Company_Culture.html

While on the topic of shopping, our family has been trying to be more "earth" conscious. We try and take shopping bags with us so that we do not keep gathering those non recyclable plastic bags. My grandson, Beau (at left), welcomed his new cousin to our home with goofy outstretched arms from one of my favorite earth friendly bags that is branded with images of California. This one is really roomy and large enough for the bigger purchases (obviously--lol).

While Jenna and Wyatt were here we went to my very favorite small local restaurant located inside pottery World. Jenna and I like to go there for lunch and I always order the yummy hamburger. It is home made, large and perfectly accompanied with fresh tomato, pickles and lettuce. I always add cheese to mine. After we eat we wander through the always inspiring Pottery World store -- you can get lots of ideas for decorating. We always go in October/November to get us motivated to start planning our Christmas holiday decorating.

(At right -- my grandson Wyatt and I)

Annual Christmas TEA

Each year my daughters, my mother and I attend an annual Christmas Tea. I enjoy kicking off the holiday season each year to a warm cup of tea, conversation and a special Christmas presentation. At our event we decorate our table for Christmas as do 80 other women.

There are 8 to a table and we never have any trouble inviting our family and friends. My friend Maria and I have done this for the last 5 years (since moving to Northern California.)

Each table hostess sets up the table and decorates it with her favorite Christmas things. They are also responsible for bringing table settings for eight -- including dessert/luncheon plates, silverware, napkins, cups and saucers, water glasses, two cake/pie servers, serving spoons or tongs, a carafe or teapot, and a centerpiece.



This is a fun and easy activity that anyone could plan any time of year. It is a great way to enjoy the holiday season with friends and family!