Granny Chic Christmas Socks...

I love these crazy Christmas socks from Melange Collection...

I love old fashioned pull toys...

Great toy for babes. See monkeybeantoys.com

The Happy Hamster House...

Also available on Olliebollen.com. 24.95

Classic Toys...

I love looking at this site, I am searching for the perfect gift for bakey-bake.

I swear I had one of these, someone did?

Christmas Gifts I have loved...

My sister gave me this beautiful book for Christmas one year. The illustrations are amazing. And, the words are Robert Frost's unforgettable poem. Perfect for anyone and on sale at Amazon.com for around $12.

Pretty bags for mom...

This one is pretty mom!
Siennna Croco Satchel comes in black and brown.

I love ribbons...

I love ribbons and I collect them in an attempt to always have the perfect ribbon for every project. I learned from Alexandra to buy ribbon by the bolt. It is much less expensive that way. I purchase many of my ribbons through this site . JkM Ribbon & Trim has all the basics and beyond. The prices are really good on some items and less impressive on others. Put your order in a good 3 weeks in advance of when you need it. Shipping is slow.

Most people don't go through ribbon like I do and can use this trick to save time and money. Find a wrap that you love on a large roll. Our local Ben Franklin is now selling large rolls of Xpedx papers for about $10. Choose a paper that is gender neutral, ie. without fire engines or ballerinas and then buy a 50-100 yard bolt of grosgrain ribbon in a solid color. This way you have created a signature wrap for the year and have all of your birthdays, weddings, etc. covered. JKM sells grosgrain ribbon on bolts 1.5 inches by 50 yards for $13.60 in every color you could dream of.

To make packages more personal, just add a personalized gift tag. This can save on last minute trips to the store and ribbons purchased 3 yards at a time, which is almost always a huge waste of money.

Best Wishes... Tiffany

The cutest brown granny chic shoes...

I think this is the cutest shoe ever, unfortunately it is only available in dark brown suede and I have nothing to wear with it. I wish they were red! They are availble through the JC Penny website for 29.99.

Best Wishes... Tiffany

My favorite box...

I have been asked a few times which of all the love boxes is my favorite design. This little pink elephant, is my very favorite of all! It's not even close.
Best Wishes... Tiffany

Mexican Paper Flowers...

I love Mexican Paper Flowers. Once when planning a dinner at church; we had the smallest budget to decorate. My friend had the idea to have a fiesta. We gathered up all the tissue paper we could afford and had about 11 friends over to my little apartment where we made huge paper flowers for hours. It was so much fun! When we decorated the gymnasium, it was so bright and beautiful. We also borrowed some brightly colored Mexican Peasant dresses and silver jewelry. We looked great! And the party was the funnest ever. Good job! Jessica!

Sydney Poitier...

I was so thrilled to see this movie is out on DVD. It was my favorite film at one point as a teenager. I love Sydney Poitier who made three films in 1967 that have all become classics. I can't wait to see this movie again.

Best Wishes... Tiffany

Granny Chic and amazing clothes pin dolls...

A must visit this holiday season is to Clothespindolls they are so fun to look at and I can't believe the effort and detail. I am normally not much of a doll person, but I love these. This little doll sells for $9.50. If belles of the ball are not your thing, there are chefs and teachers and all kinds of little pin people. Enjoy!

Chinese Folk art from the Huxian Provence...

I adore Chinese Folk Art. I have purchased 3 different paintings from this seller on Ebay . And, they take awile to get here, but I have loved every one of them. They are so happy. I hope you will enjoy...

Best Wishes... Tiffany

The Value of Art...

Vincent van Gogh

A favorite quote is by the art critic Bernard Berenson who said, "All of the arts, poetry, music, ritual, the visible arts, the theater, must singly and together create the most comprehensive art of all, a humanized society and its masterpiece, free man."

If only I had a wall...

Do I wish that I had a wall to hang this vintage looking pay telephone? Yes, I do. They are available at Pottery Barn Teen. I have also seen them in a cherry red. I will post the site if I come across it again.

Beth's Market Bags...

Beth is a newbie on ebay and I was lucky enough to stumble accross her beautiful bags one day. I ordered one and was so impressed by the quality and attention to detail. Much of what you find on Ebay sometimes is really garage sale fare. Every once in awhile you find someone who is really creating something of value and something that hasn't been available before. Whenever I find these people, I am going to post them on the blog so be watching. And, let me know if there is someone I have missed, but they have to be BRIGHT because that's what I love. This bag is a present for ME! I'm so happy. Great job Beth! Check out another really cute Beth original here. And visit her store.
Best Wishes... Tiffany

Cath Kidston... So Granny Chic and lovely!

If I had not found the Pottery Barn quilt that I chose for my bed, I would have also loved this cute bedspread by Cath Kidston and available on her site along with pillows like this and the cute tins above!

She also has the cutest first-aid kit ever and lots of other beautiful things! See them all here.
Best Wishes... Tiffany

The November Newsletter is up...

Just click the Alexandra link to see it.

Raoul Dufy, Les Anemones... Beautiful!

Ready Set Play...

If you haven't played this game, it's really fun. It can be played by everyone from 5 years on up in my opinion and is a wonderful exercise for the brain. I saw it at Toys R US the other day, however, I could not find it online there, but it is available online at Target.

Best Wishes... Tiffany

Happy Birthday Dear Jenni! Happy Birthday to you!!!

I have always been grateful to my brother for marrying Jenni, she is one of the best things that ever happened to our family. We all adore her and love her to bits and hope that she has the most marvelous birthday ever!

My Favorite Kimberly Hodges Prints...

This is one of my favorite Kimberly Hodges paintings. Thank you so much Michelle, I would have never seen it again! Where are you Kimberly?

Kate's Ribbon...

Another thing that I love is Kate's grosgrain ribbon. It is a bit pricey at $9.95 for a spool of 11 yards, but the quality of this ribbon is off the chart. It has a satiny feel and sheen that are perfect for the holidays. Forget the gift, just wrap up some of this beautiful ribbon. It is one of my favorite things on the planet. Also available on Kate's site.

I love these papers...

There are just a few fabulous things available from Kate's Paperie online, that I truly love. These are one... Beautiful rainbow colors...

Granny Chic Cute of the Week...

I love these mats. They are made of Mexican oilcloth for easy cleaning and available through The Land of Nod, which is the children's division of Crate and Barrel. They also come in patterns and colors appropriate for boys who also make art.

Best Wishes... Tiffany

They always make the fun things for kids...

However, I am willing to shop in the children's section to get the cute pink pig pillow. These and other darling items are made by The Koko Company which you can find with The Google as our President puts it. It will bring up several fun sites to see.

Best Wishes... Tiffany

Granny Chic Jewels...

These are little pins made by Folk Artist, Nicole Bowen. They are available through earthangelstoys.com, a site which features work by wonderful Folk Artists. They do brilliant work and I wish I was one of them.

Best Wishes... Tiffany

I love this painting...

I love this print found at grandinroad.com. The paintings are called Vivid Stills by J. Collins Keys who needs more of a web presence. I saw another of his paintings in the Better Homes and Gardens Color Schemes publication on newstands now. The entire magazine is really beautiful.

Best Wishes... Tiffany

Good Things Utah

I sent this box into Good Things Utah as a thank you. I was so excited to have my love boxes on the show!

The Granny Chic Movie of the Week...

See this one again! It's really great!

Granny Chic Outfit of the Week...

This may not look Granny to any of you, but watch movies like The Philadelphia Story and other Katherine Hepburn or Audrey Hepburn movies. These are actually called the "Audrey Fit Menswear Pant" from JC Penny and if you go to the site and look these up, they fit at the natural waist! In my continuing campaign to see no more underwears and bums, this is a real breakthrough! Hurray!!!

Aunt Sherry's Party Decorated by the Lollypop Guild...

Aunt Sherry had a party to celebrate Tirra's new baby on Saturday. It was so much fun! We walked up the path befested (I know this isn't a word, but it should be) with giant lollipops. The house was full of colored pots of swirly lollipops as well and I got to take bunches of them home! We were then met by Dorothy, Toto and all the other characters. Each character was having a marvelous time at the party, running through the woods and all over the yellow brick road until, at one point I thought the sweet scarecrow would fall asleep in my lap. A wonderful day was had by all and we were so very sorry when we had to click our heels together three times and say...
Best Wishes... Tiffany

Cupcakes & Cartwheels

I love these Cupcakes & Cartwheels dishes created by one of my favorite artists and designers Kimberly Hodges. Aren't these cute. Kimberly will have a new site sometime this fall. I can't wait!

An Apple for the Teacher!

Today I had the opportunity to visit Alicia's classroom and watch her be the teacher. I already knew this but it was fun to see; she is a great teacher! She has a wonderful way with her students and is teaching them all the good things! Way to go Alicia! I am so proud of you!!!! Hurray!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good News...

Be a bearer of good news as often as possible...Live a good life. Look for goodness inside your soul and everywhere and communicate it. Ring a bell for no good reason. Life is good. Alexandra Stoddard

Hand Painted Love Boxes on Good Things Utah

I am so excited, this box was on Good Things Utah today! Hurray!!!!!!!!!!

Flim and the BB's...

If ever you are blue... have a little Flim around. I bought this CD for Mr. C our first Christmas together. It is still well played and I never tire of it.
Best Wishes... Tiffany

Robert Held...

Robert Held is an artist that I discovered at a gallery in Sun Valley.

I started collecting heart paper weights when I recieved the most beautiful one I will ever own from my adopted Grandma Lydia's collection.

However, Robert Held is a new favorite artist and he has an amazing website. My link isn't working so it's www.robertheld.com.

Enjoy... Best Wishes... Tiffany

Anything Considered... Peter Mayle

I had considered reading Peter Mayle several times. I wanted to sit in the sun and read about a lovely "Year in Provence." The Problem was it was just too boring of a year and so I couldn't read it. However, it turns out that it was just me. We recently checked out "Anything Considered" and "A Year In Provence" from the library; I am a fair person and wanted to give it a second chance.
These books are both read by David Case who does a more that fantastic job and his voices are perfect. Now both of these books are delightful. I just didn't quite have the imagination for them having never spent any time in Provence.
After reading them, I think I would like to visit for five days and then go home. I like where I live. It is beautiful here. And, I don't really want to eat all those mushrooms even if they are blah, blah, blah in garlic butter, I just can't take so many.
If you haven't read these, they are well written, but just for fun. I hope David Case has read some more of Peter Mayle's books that I can check out. Listen to these, your laundry will do itself. Best Wishes ... Tiffany

Divine Kitchen...

Someday I'm going to have a white kitchen like my mom's. I love a white kitchen and I want it to smell like clorox wipes, because I love how those smell and I want it to have glass doors like these with lime paint on the inside! I think that would just be divine! And I want it to have all white retro appliances and another shade of green paint on the walls or maybe yellow. Lovely... Best Wishes.. Tiffany

Happy Birthday to My Friends...

Happy Birthday to Circe and Michelle!!!

Rach's Cute Wardrobe...

Whenever I see a particular cousin, Rachel, she has on the most darling outfits. When I enquire about the origin, she often says JC Penny.

I copied this skirt from their website today. I love it! And, it costs less than $20. Wouldn't it be darling for fall with a bright, cherry red sweater?

I will be watching this site for cute bargains like this one! Thanks Rach!

Best Wishes... Tiffany

Granny Chic Jewels ...

I think these may be a bit pricey for what they are, but how cute to have them both pinned to your jacket, very Granny Chic!

I love the colors!

Best Wishes... Tiffany

Day of the Dead...

What a beautiful tradition this is. I understand that several latin cultures celebrate these holidays, but this book is about Mexico.
I love this little book. Inside the cover it says, "Above a small town in Mexico, the sun rises like a great marigold, and one family begins preparations for an annual clebration, El dia de los muertos, the Day of the Dead. Soon, they will go out into the night, join their neighbors, and walk to the graveyard to welcome the spirits of their loved ones home again."
Jeanette Winter's illustrations are perfect. This book is not sad or scary, like the holiday, it is sweet and joyful, perfect to explain this celebration to children.
The celebration begins November first which is All Saints day, a day that remembers and honors children who have died. November second is All Souls Day and remembers grown people who have passed on. It is traditional that the spirits of the deceased visit their families at this time and a special altar is prepared with remembrances of the deceased; photos, a treasured possession, candles and marigolds and then favorite foods, including sweet breads and treats.
The popularity of this beautiful holiday tradition is moving north, I am happy to say, and I am going to try to make it part of our family traditions in some form. Best Wishes... Tiffany
***This post is dedicated to my friend Brooke who loves The Day of the Dead and all the beautiful things, art, traditions and people of Mexico