In honor of the Royal Wedding, I’m re-posting this fun tidbit about the royal crown. Did you know there’s a mystery right there? What are your plans for the wedding this weekend? Did you know that the large ruby, called the Black Prince’s Ruby, on the front of Britain’s Imperial State Crown isn’t a ruby at all? For centuries there was no way to really tell the difference between red spinel and rubies. But this gem has such a rich history that its value stands out. Touching the lives of royals The gem’s first documented appearance is in fourteenth-century Spain….
Author Patricia Beal shares her nuggets of resilience – Giveaway and Blog Tour!
As a special part of the Just Commonly blog tour, I asked Author Patricia Beal to share her story of resilience, knowing she’s earned her stripes in terms of having a wonderful outlook despite very difficult circumstances such as the “biggies” she mentions below. When you meet her, all you see is her dazzling smile, witty sparkle, and you can feel the power packed in such a special person, like a gem with petite elegance and grace. I’m thrilled to share about her new novel, A Season To Dance, and host her giveaways below. And she’s been even more generous,…
Insights From The California Desert Super Bloom
Searching for the super blooms sounded like a great adventure, and we settled in for a long, scenic drive ready to see the transformation we’d heard so much about in the California desert. As we approached Anza Borrego Springs, the mountainous terrain changed to rocky high hills dotted with cactus and rams romping on the hills. We rounded the corner, and while the temperature climbed about twenty degrees, traffic slowed to a crawl, all of us with the same intent. After at least seven years of drought, and with the most rain in over 20 years, the desert was said…
Fourtané Jewelers delights with stories behind gems
On a cold, rainy day in Carmel, CA, I tucked inside and found a whole other world with the wonderful, historic Fourtané Jewelers. As a gemologist, I’m always looking for exceptional jewelry, and as a resilience expert I love to focus on beauty. I was especially thrilled to spend time with their master jeweler who has an artist’s perspective on crafting the story behind his custom pieces. Come join me as we walk through some of the gems here, or go to my YouTube channel below for the full visit and interview. About Fontané Open since 1950 and owned by…
Tools and Treasures For A Great New Year
Thorn & Vine blog features three key areas to ramp-up your new year dreams and reenergize your family during this first quarter of 2017. Life 101 has tips for living well and intentionally with your choices and planning. Life Stories dives deep with books and inspiring stories of resilience. And in A Beautiful Life, you’ll find places and items to dazzle and delight your hunt for simple joys in life. Life 101 I’ve turned to some home remedies for help this fall and winter, both with health and outlook. From simplifying our household using time and money-saving processes, to dealing…
Seven Steps to a Resilient Christmas
Have you ever wondered if your holiday could be more about gathering and connecting rather than collecting stuff? I’ve got seven of my favorite tips to share with you below to bring a sense of hope and refreshment to you during the holidays this year. Discuss what kind of holiday you want to have as a whole family. Plan a special dinner or coffee outing to bring a notepad and brainstorm this all together. Should you get out all the decorations or are there too many commitments right now? What memories mean the most for each of you in past…
Creative Family Times At Sawdust Art Festival
Having difficulty accepting that the holidays are here? Looking to restart your excitement for the Christmas season, finding joy that bubbles up from within? Try visiting a local art festival in your area. We discovered art festivals when my kids were much younger and my husband and I wanted to begin sharing our love for art and creative things with them. We’d wander the stalls, nibble on delectable foods, and laugh when they got paint splattered or discovered a fun item. Jonathan used to sit on Santa’s lap (but now he’s almost too big, Santa was brave!) when we would…
New Frozen Musical Medley at Hyperion Theater
As part of living a beautiful life, it’s important to seek out uplifting moments for the whole family, especially with all of the turmoil going on in the world. Come find some refreshment and truly “let it go” watching captured moments of Disney’s production of Frozen at the Hyperion Theater in California Adventure. You can see the long version soon on Geek Central Blog, too! Sign up for my blog posts and be entered in the November giveaway!
Let Your Creativity Take Flight with Actress Wendy Speake
Have you ever felt like the edges of your dreams—the ones where you’re a creative, lovely person writing, painting, drawing, or sewing—had slipped so far from your grasp as a wife and mother that you wondered whether you could really find them again? I have. After a summer of travel to launch the blog and for my writing projects, things were, well, a bit crispy on the fringes. I missed the simple joys of cooking a dinner and laying a table with pretty flowers and candles. And then I got to sit with Wendy Speake. She is part of a…
Enter A World of Gems with Eiseman Jewels
Join me for a special visit to Richard Eiseman Jewels, where I used to work as a gemologist, in Dallas, Texas. It is a joy to introduce you to some of my favorite people and an exceptional purveyor of fine jewelry and watches. Come get up close to gorgeous pearls, diamonds that capture a ray of moonlight, and emeralds that twinkle with greens beyond belief. As someone who’s passionate about creating and appreciating beauty, I’ve always been so grateful for the experience to work with such gorgeous gems and amazing professionals in the jewelry industry. Richard’s father, Richard D….
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