WEDNESDAY WISDOM

Delicious autumn!  My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.  ~George Eliot

TUESDAY TREASURES

Lots to treasure this Tuesday so let's get started....first, in case you haven't heard ~ I'm going to be a Mimi again! How exciting is that!  I must say that the "first time around" with Miss Abby has been more than incredible, so the bar has been set very, very high for grandchild #2, but I have no doubt that he or she (we find out in just another week or so!) will have no trouble warming our hearts every bit as much :).

Next, if you are an artisan, crafter, or "creator-wanna-be," don't miss out on ArtFire's one-time, limited offer to open a Pro-Account Shop on their awesome site for only $5.95 per month for life....FOR LIFE....yes, I said, for life....NO OTHER FEES with ArtFire ~ no listing fees, no percentage of your sale fee....this is a GREAT deal, especially given the marketing tools and support that ArtFire provides.  I've had a basic shop for some time now - not wanting to make the $$ commitment to go "pro" - but with this offer, I'm "in" for sure.  Compared to Etsy, this really will be a bargain ~ and ArtFire has become Etsy's equivalent (and is edging ahead, some say) in the quality "handmade" marketplace.  Take a look around -- see what's offered & give it some serious thought....but don't take too long.  This "treasure" is only good before October 1st!  After that, the Pro Accounts will remain at their $15.95 per month level.  Eek!

A reminder of my special upcoming Mimi-addition and another "heirloom" treasure I'd like to share with you is a custom order bracelet that was ordered just this week from the SignatureSterling Etsy shop.  "Grandma's Gems" is available for up to 16 (!!!) grandchildren (this picture shows a bracelet made for 5 grandchildren, using 2 birthstones for each one).  Called "Grandma's Gems," this can also be designed as a mother's bracelet and is made using all sterling silver, Swarovski pearls and crystals.  I'm reminded this week that I still need to make one for myself! :)

MONDAY BLUES? HAVE A CUPCAKE!

First really chilly and rainy day of fall here ~ and of course, a Monday, to beat....but no blues, okay?  New cure for the Monday (or Tuesday, Wednesday, ....you get the idea...) blahs is to try a glass (ok, maybe 2) of  vino from Cupcake Vineyards of the Central Coast, California. 

We first tried this favorite while in SW Florida on our honeymoon in June and loved the smoothness of the Chardonnay.  Now, you need to understand our "skilled" expertise at selecting wines....first, we look within the price range we are willing and able to buy (just being honest, here, right?!); second, we look for a label that catches our eye - that's the fun part - labels can be so creative; then, finally, we check the size of the punt, having heard "through the grapevine" (ha, ha, ha!) that a good punt means a better wine ~ we have no idea as to the factual basis of that but we like thinking that at least one of our criteria sounds like we know what we're talking about (especially when we tell people we pick our wine by the label!) :)

But, seriously, this little treat has been a special one for us ~ we've had a hard time finding it back here at home.  We were able to find other Cupcake Vineyard varieties ~ Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot ~ but not the Chardonnay, even checking our best "go-to" places (Cupcake Vineyard DOES ship, but not to our state).  I was thrilled when I discovered two bottles when shopping in my daughter's college town ~ and yes, I bought them both :)

List price for the Cupcake Chardonnay is $12.00 ~ I was able to pick up our last two bottles for $9.99.  Icing on the cake :)

Hey, Women - Girl Up!!

Ok, I know, I know, I am so NOT in the targeted demographics for this organization, but I was so moved, motivated and made more mindful of myself and my world when I heard Elizabeth Gore from GirlUp.org speak yesterday on MSNBC that I had to share...

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy 

GirlUp, a United Nations Foundation, has TONS of information and resources to share here, but the best way to help is to take the "Give a High Five" Challenge NOW ~ don't wait ~ it's easy-peasy...just spread the word, spend $5 (c'mon, cheaper than a pizza and a little more than a large latte), and tweet, tweet, tweet ~ especially to any girls you know.  Let's go, ladies -- GirlUp! :)