MOTHER'S DAY SALE 20% OFF

In the nick of time to ship before Mother's Day, I am offering 20% off everything in my shop, excluding pillows.

Prints, canvases, note card sets, original paintings and matches - you're sure to find something to show your mom just how much she's loved! Just type in MOMS20 at the etsy checkout to receive discount.

sale ends on May 7, so check out my shop HERE!

VERANDA AND HARRISON HOWARD

I was excited to see this gorgeous piece by my friend, Harrison Howard - talented artist and color master extraordinaire- in the current issue of Veranda.  His work is truly unique and in a league of its own. This beautiful giclee is being offered on his site here. What a lovely Mother's Day gift it would make for the Chinoiserie buff or art lover. 

Harrison is a delightful person, as well as a true master. You can read my interview with him from 2008 here

Have a wonderful weekend!

YOUR HAIR'S BEST FRIEND

I don't know about you, but my heat styler has become an indispensable part of my grooming routine for the last 7 years or so. I don't know quite how I survived without it! Here in this tropical climate, it's essential to keep my thick and wavy hair smooth and silky by sealing and smoothing the cuticle or to create curls and waves, all with one tool!

ghd is an iconic British brand that re-invented the professional hairstyling tool market ten years ago with the launch of its ground breaking styler replacing flat irons, straighteners and curlers with a professional styling tool designed for salon use that could also be used easily by women at home. This new ghd Peacock Collection is on trend for Spring Summer 2012, as striking iridescent finishes graced the high-end designer runways of Marc Jacobs and Chanel, whilst bold, gem-coloured hues featured heavily at Oscar de La Renta and Rodarte. The ghd Peacock Collection features three individual limited editions that form an iridescent injection of jewel colours; sapphire blue, amethyst purple and emerald green.I love the embroidered roll bag case, too - something completely different from regular heat tool cases. 

If you're looking for some ghd straighteners or just some more information on them, you can visit their website at www.ghdhair.com

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SOMEWHERE, OVER THE RAINBOW

How was your weekend?

Mine was productive with some work and a tiny bit of time out to re-charge for the coming week.

I just wanted to share this photo I snapped of a gorgeous rainbow that I saw over the golf course down the street. If you look closely, you can see another, much fainter, rainbow in the distance, off to the right. 

The funny thing was that I didn't even notice it until I uploaded the photo to my computer. 

Rainbows are always a reminder to me that beautiful things can come out of the storms we face in life and that, ultimately, God has everything under control, no matter how bleak and stormy things can seem at times. Genesis 9:13

Keep your eyes peeled for the rainbows!!

FRENCH CONDIMENTS

It's been a bit crazy here lately with a HUGE painting to finish, projects for clients and keeping the business humming.  Wearing all the hats yourself can be a challenge, but being your own boss is worth it. 

Less moving parts (read: difficult people) to "gum up the works" as my Grandpa used to say.

I apologize for being a bit preoccupied. I came across these mustard jars the other day online and was reminded how exceptional packaging can make even the mundane objects in life seem so much more appealing.

Only the French could make mustard look this good!

Check out all the varieties

HERE

and have a great weekend!

PRETTY CLEVAH

 How clever are these little chairs made from champagne caps?  Recycling and art merging for certain. I used to spend hours making tiny baked goods out of Fimo clay for my dollhouse when I was a kid. I'd turn bottle caps upside down and make them into pies with lattice tops, so when I saw this, it almost made me want to try it. The only problem is that I don't have the time, nor do I drink, much less collect champagne cages.

Found via Pinterest from Martha's site. Read more here

PILLOWS AND PRICE CUTS!

My Royal Worcester Jar is now available on a pillow here

and the 2 very last of these large canvases available HERE are marked down to 20% off!! They were $125, now only $100!
GET THEM BEFORE THEY'RE GONE! 

THANK YOU

Meredith & Gwyneth, the New Yorkie

a gracious interview by Katelyn at Pure Panache

I Love Your Crazy

I want to thank these bloggers for their support and kind posts recently. I hope that you will take a moment to check out these great blogs if you haven't already!
Enjoy your weekend and I will see you back here next week.

A PERSONAL RE-BOOT

I haven't been doing much of this lately, as things have been very busy work-wise.  When I do need a break and get an hour or two to re-boot, I like to head to the local beach with my trusty pink portable lounger.

The first Trader Joe's in Florida recently opened here, so I've become a regular as I love their selection and great values. I often come away with one of these to eat at the beach

Trader Joe's "Super Spinach" salad with carrot ginger dressing and a myriad of other raw goodies. I love their roasted sea weed, too. I enjoy every morsel, even when everyone else thinks I am crazy! Have you ever tried it? I say, don't knock it until you've tried it!

Then I will sit and listen to the waves and watch all of the tourists watch this

And I feel rejuvenated enough to go back at it for another day!

Enjoy your Wednesday.

GETTIN' AROUND

I just wanted to thank Sherri in Long Beach, CA for sending in a photo of  one of my chair prints sitting pretty above her desk (did you catch the matching stamps, too?)  It's fun for me to see where my art ends up and thanks to everyone who takes the time to send an email, photo or leave a comment. 

I have the best customers, readers and clients out there!  I really do appreciate all of you.

Hope you have a great start to your week.

25% OFF ALL PHONE CASES AT ANNECHOVIE

Now through April 9, midnight PST, all my phone covers on my  ZAZZLE  site are 25% off. Just enter code: PRESENTCASES 

at checkout in the zazzle "coupons/gift certificate" box. Here are a few samples and feel free to contact me here with questions or a custom request.

I am posting early today so that I can take some time to contemplate the significance of Good Friday 

and Easter and all that they mean to me personally.

Happy Easter and have a wonderful weekend!

SPRING PINKS & PAIRINGS

Spring is my favorite time of year because I love all of the bright colors that are out in the stores.  I don't naturally lean towards black and drab colors (in case you haven't noticed!)  Living here in South Florida, we are able to get away with lighter colors because of our warm climate and beach culture. 

Pink is definitely up there as a favorite, add to that a fondness for espadrilles and a little height - without sacrificing comfort- and I thought this pair of wedge shoes was adorable. Personally, I think that heels are great and I love the way they look, but generally speaking, I don't like to wear them very often. I am fortunate that my casual, work-from-home lifestyle affords me the opportunity to dodge regular workplace clothing rules and wear what I like and what works for me personally. Often that includes a bathing suit (under casual clothing - convenient for an afternoon swim break) and flip-flops. There are times when a girl wants a little lift though, and that's when I opt for a comfortable wedge with some style and color like the pair above.

I'd probably sport these with a great pair of white jeans (my Summer staple).

and maybe a bright aqua tank

This is kind of my go-to Spring/Summer casual get-up. 

There are an endless number of color combinations that are great for this time of year, whether you pair jeans and a tank, shorts and a tee, a sun dress and a great pair of metallic sandals or a colorful tunic and leggings. To me, it's all about color and the ease of putting pieces together that look sharp and yet are comfortable and versatile. 

What are a few of your favorite Spring pairings? 

30% OFF ALL ORIGINALS THIS WEEK!

THIS WEEK ONLY!! 30% off all remaining original paintings in my shop! 

Now's the time to strike if you've had your eye on a particular piece!  Please help me make more space in my little studio. 

To receive discount, just type in code: ORIG30 when you are prompted for discount code at etsy checkout.

Find all originals here