Crafty Wine Corks

My wine cork bulletin board has been an ongoing project for the last year and a half.

I didn't realize how long it would take to fill up the entire board!  Yes, I could take the easy way out, and either buy wine corks online or ask others to save theirs for me, but I've decided that the majority of corks on this board will be from bottles that I've shared with friends and family.  

I like knowing that each cork came from a tasty bottle of wine, a fine visit, and a shared laugh, all with those who are closest to my heart.  It's really been a fun project.  

 

I do have a confession to make:  Before my project, I often chose my wine based on the clever and catchy graphic on the bottle (does anyone else do this??), but now I've actually started buying my wine based on the cork.  I love when I open a bottle, and I am surprised to find such a unique or nicely designed cork. 

Of course I keep the taste and price in mind when choosing a bottle, but I do love a fun cork!

My project is still only half complete, but I couldn't wait to post this beautiful quote from Mother Theresa on my board:

A Very Unique Tree

It is my Anniversary today - 31 years.  I was only 20 years old when I got married, and I had Nel at 21.  Three years later, I had Jess, and six years after that, we had our son.  I thought this picture was perfect for our special day.  Jess passes by this tree often, and it always catches her eye.

This song is not "our song", but it has always reminded me of the two of us.

Happy Anniversary to the one I love.

A Journal Is A Gift Of Words

Journals are a part of our lives.  We just love writing our personal thoughts and memories in them.  Here are a few of our journals and a little bit about them.

The quote journal is Jess' favorite because she loves to travel.  She quit her job a couple of years ago, toured Europe for three months, and lived her dream.  The camera journal is for her love of Photography.  The Disney journal makes her smile because Disneyland is such a magical place.  She goes as often as she can, and actually went there last night.



The green journal is Nel's New Orlean's book.  The cover looked 'swampy'.  It is a constant reminder of the fun she had in New Orleans with her sister.  The bird journal is her Europe journal when she traveled to England.  The journal with the beads attached to it is her Canada journal.  The beads are from the Caribana Festival.  It is her favorite journal because it was her first International trip.

The red journal my son gave me, and it is my most beloved one.  The Renaissance Lady talks about family and random thoughts.  The Audrey Hepburn is a fav of mine because I have always loved fashion.  The music journal is where I keep my favorite songs - I enjoy all kinds of music, but I especially love the old classics like Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Rosemary Clooney.



So, if you'll excuse me, I think I'll go write in my journal now.  What will I say?  Maybe I'll start out by saying this....

La Vie en Rose

"Hold me close and hold me fast  

The magic spell you cast  

This is la vie en rose

When you kiss me, heaven sighs  

And though I close my eyes  

I see la vie en rose

When you press me to your heart  

I'm in a world apart  

A world where roses bloom

 And when you speak, angels sing from above  

Everyday words seem to turn into love songs
 

Give your heart and soul to me  

And life will always be  

La vie en rose"

La Vie en Rose was written by the beloved French artist, Edith Piaf, during World War II. 

She led a tragic yet successful life, and she is well known today as one of France's most talented singers.  

Since then, many singers have covered this charming song, including one of our favorites, Louis Armstrong. 

Wishing YOU a rosy day ;-)

A Glorious Color

We LOVE the color Pink!  It's a color that just makes you feel good.  It represents "feminine" in a woman, and it's a fabulous color for girls of all ages - from babies to old.  The different shades of Pink signify the different feelings we have - from Blushing Pink to Bubble Gum Pink to Hot Pink.  Here's a few pictures of Pink decor - some of them are in my Paris guest room, and some are just random pictures that we liked.

We like...

So if you're ever feeling blue, think pink!!





A Place To Call Her Own

Nel has always wanted her own study.  As an English major, it has been her dream to have a room filled with wall to wall books.  She went through her Bachelor's and Master's program finding any space she could to fit her desk in the cramped apartments that she had throughout college.  Now, she finally has a place to call her own.  Her study is her workspace, but it is also her sanctuary.  It is where she goes to grade papers, work on articles that she has to write, and curl up with a good book at the end of the day.

This is her favorite desk lamp.  It lights her desk while she studies late into the night.

This is her travel shelf.  Her travel journals are stacked on top of each other.  The framed picture is of her Grandma in Egypt.  It reminds her that traveling can be a life-long passion.

This is her cozy reading chair.  The black throw keeps her warm in the winter time.  There is a little table next to the chair that is the perfect place to set a nice hot cup of coffee.

Her American Literature book shelf, which is her major field of study for her Ph.D.

She keeps a few eclectic decorative items on her shelves.  These remind her of New Orleans.

She really likes this tall vase because the detail looks Indian to her.



She loves her genie lamp!  It sits next to her favorite potted plant, which she's had for six years! 



This painting is of the Venetian canals.  She's looking forward to visiting Italy one day.

Nel's always been interested in languages.  These are some of the ones she's studied.

These wall candle holders have a cool design.

This is her most prized book in the library:  The Applause First Folio of William Shakespeare.



(Same book from the front)  All of Shakespeare's plays are collected in this volume.

Thanks for visiting Nel's space.