Pay it Forward

I just had to repost this beautiful, thoughtful list that Anne Marie at Brunch at Saks blogged about. She started her own list of little, simple things that we can do for others to change the direction of someone's day.

"Whether you spend $5 on someone else, or you simply smile to lift the spirit of others- committing a random act of kindness is truly a way to serve from the depth of your heart." - Brunch at Saks

Brunch at Saks 'Pay It Forward' List:

• Hand write a note to a friend or relative and put in the mail.
• Bring a meal to a neighbor or friend when they are sick.
• Spend an hour playing games with the residents of your local convalescent hospital.
• Pay for the person behind you in a fast food line.
• Mow your neighbor's lawn or pull weeds out of their planters.
  
• Bring a pile of old magazines to a doctors office or hospital for their waiting room.
• Take unwanted clothing items to a shelter or goodwill.
• Tape the exact change for a soda or snack to a vending machine.
• Leave a couple pieces of candy on a coworkers desk with a note.
• Pay for the person behind you at a toll booth.
• Call a family member or friend on the day of a test or other important event and tell them you're thinking of them. (No text messages, IM's, Facebook comments, etc! An actual call so they can hear your voice)
• Offer to babysit for friends or family so they can enjoy a night out.
• Draw colorful pictures and bring them to a local hospital for patients' windows.
• Leave behind your finished magazine or book on a plane or bus.
• Make an extra sandwich and snack bag for a homeless person.
• Start off by telling a customer service agent "I know this problem is not your fault." We so often blame them, which is unfair and must be very stressful.
• Return a shopping cart to the front of the store.
• Write a note with an encouraging thought to someone special and put it in their lunch bag or coat pocket for them to find.
• And finally, when all else fails, simply open the door for someone behind you and leave them with a smile.

I'm sure many of us have done some of these random acts. Do you have any to add to her list?

photo credit: *Deline

I'm Blown Away!

Thanks to all of you who participated in my giveaway with Cote de Texas. I can't begin express my gratitude for the overwhelming 350 comments received. It was amazing reading each and every one of them. Some of you were existing customers of Paris Hotel Boutique or followers of this blog, and many, fans of Cote de Texas.

It's difficult to put into words just how humbled I am that you took the time to comment in great detail. I am flattered by your kind words. It makes this job of selling online and blogging so meaningful and special. You rarely get to meet people in person working in a home-based business, but your comments made it feel as if we've met before.

Okay, I'll stop the "mushy" and "gushy," but your comments truly brightened up my world! And a big thanks to Joni for hosting the giveaway!

And, congrats to *Kristin* for winning the antique gilt mirror. It's on its way to you!

photo credit: ~Fussel~

Beautiful Decay

Is that an oxymoron? Is there such a thing as "beautiful decay?"

Nothing pains me more than watching old buildings being demolished. Abandoned homes. Theaters. The most beautiful architecture is being replaced with, in most cases, cheesy modern structures, strip malls and the like.

So tell me, why do I see some sort of beauty in these images? Do you? Perhaps it's the photography, or is there some sort of beauty in decay?

Some of these images are from Beauty of Decay; a special photo community site dedicated to all who are addicted to urban exploration and art. Its main focus is not the location itself, but the outstanding photos.

Most of our communities have preservation groups where we can donate money or volunteer our time to protect, preserve and celebrate the beautiful workmanship of the past. Let's keep the beauty alive before it becomes decay...

Cheers to the wonderful photographers! 1. never ends 2. Rosita Moerkens 3. Roman Solowiej 4. Raymond Larose 5. Diane dc 6. Jon DeBoer 7. Daniel Cheong 8. Alain Dejealfve 9. Rosita Moerkens 10. Sven Fennema 11. antitude 12. Noel Kerns

Are We Still Hip?

Last night I had dinner with a lovely group of impressive, trend-setting bloggers. At some point in the evening I looked around the table and realized that everyone at the table was in their 20's and 30's. Bright, successful, fun and happening ladies. Then it just hit me like a bolt of lightning. I realized that I could have been their mother.


Where did the time go? 30 years ago I had a 9 year banking career, then an 8 year career working for a blues musician, and some time in the middle of that I started selling antiques -- 15 years ago. I wore the mini-skirts, hung out all night at blues clubs, hob-knobbed with celebrities, and immensely enjoyed those years. Now it's their turn.



I'm not saying that it's over at 40 or 50 or 60 years old. Quite the contrary. We "baby boomers" are keeping up with the times with blogging, websites, Facebook, Twitter...whatever is thrown our way. We have the experience behind us to move ahead to a whole new chapter of great things and live our lives in a most meaningful way.

I guess I'm just starting to realize that 50 years fly by so quickly and suddenly it's all different. I can no longer buy the clothing featured in Lucky or InStyle magazine. Well, I could, but let's just say, it wouldn't be pretty. I get tired really early. When did that happen? Even a simple dinner out with fellow bloggers requires a bit of energy.

Suddenly I'm shopping at those "older lady" boutiques that I used to quickly pass by. Strolling through stores like J. Jill. Reading magazines like More. Conversations with girlfriends are about hot flashes and anti-wrinkle creams. Who would have thunk?


When I was in my 20's or 30's I certainly didn't want to hang out with my aunts or my mom's friends. I'm wondering, do you think that we "baby-boomers" seem hip and relevant to the younger crowd? Is that even important?

I think the reality of age is finally starting to set in. But, I'm gonna keep on truckin,' schlepping those antiques and embrace the lovely age of 50!

images from Mom Style Icons

And I Thought it Was From Aging...

Do you ever feel like you're just floating from thing to thing? Forgetting a thought in mid-stream?

Today I read (actually listened) to this interesting article on NPR about Nicolas Carr's latest book, The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains. It kind of scared me actually. Carr started research for The Shallows after he noticed a change in his own ability to concentrate. Hmm...

I assumed that my bouts of forgetfulness were due to aging. I'm constantly forgetting a thought during the middle of a sentence, or on my way to do something only to forget what it was!

Whether it's the internet or simply aging, I can tell you this. Some distractions make me a bit nuts such as...

really small typeset on websites or blogs so you have to squint to read it...

Perhaps if the font was larger, we would be able to focus better.

Reading words against a black background. That kinda drives me crazy.


Ads that pop up and flash in the middle of your screen out of nowhere!

Those are just a few. We each have our own internet "pet peeves." I haven't figured out a remedy except to read more books and magazines, and of course, your wonderful blogs. And, take walks away from the computer. I refuse to get a Kindle. Ever.

Thanks for letting me vent. I was really thinking it was an age thing, which it could very well be, but the jury's still out on that one. I am off to read a book...the kind with pages that you can turn.


And speaking of books, The Shallows sounds like an interesting read. You can purchase it online here.

Have a great rest of the week!

photo credits; the English Muse, moocatmoocat, the Heart Of