Stella & Dot Fall/Winter 2010 Collection

It was like Christmas this week at our house -my samples arrived for our Fall/Winter Collection! So I have spent some time today playing with my display. I thought I would share a few pictures with you.

I found the perfect tablecloth while shopping in a flea market in Branson recently - VERY vintage, oh so Stella!

A closer look at some of the silver styles and our Little Girls line.

The Natasha Bib, Turquoise Sea and more of the Little Girls line.

A wider view of the silver styles I have. At a Stella & Dot trunk show you get to try on anything and everything that catches your eye - see anything you like?

The gold styles I have and also the charm collection.

Rings, charms, necklaces and earrings.

My charm collection.

New La Coco accessories...

Lots of earrings!

The Alexa Fringe necklace, Sofia Pearl Bib and the Charlotte Charm Necklace.

The La Coco concept! The style concept YOU create. Inspired by Coco Chanel, this collection is designed to transition from business suit to little black dress. Start with a La Coco Brooch and Necklace, add dimension with mix and match brooches, charms and layering strands. Express yourself for any mood, look or occasion.

Like what you see? Treat yourself! As the lucky hostess with the mostess, you invite some girlfriends. You pop open some sparkly drinks, share some style tips, gab. Best of all, try on jewelry as much as you want. It's the ultimate in personal shopping, wouldn't you say? And, you're rewarded with $100's in free jewelry, plus more shopping at half off.

Let me shower you with attention and jewelry! Let's schedule your trunk show today! Get an additional $50 in free jewelry during Hostess Bonus Days, going on now through August 31st.

Holiday Shopping Open House

I was invited to take part in an Open House this week and it was SO MUCH FUN! There were five vendors participating, and all of these Ladies have home-based businesses. I think it is wonderful that there are so many options for women to have a creative outlet - and make some money while doing it.

My Stella & Dot jewelry display. I thought it looked very pretty - don't you?

I wanted to have a little treat for my guests so I made some Stella & Dot mints! I have some labels that I got from the company store, and I found these Hershey's Miniatures in mint for the Holidays. The wrappers were the perfect shade of Stella green :) I served them on a pretty Christmas dish.

A little closer view of my display. I would LOVE to have one of everything, but for now I think I have a nice assortment of the beautiful vintage, modern jewelry that is Stella & Dot. It is hard for me to choose a favorite, but I would have to say I love the charm collection! There are SO many options for personalizing your own look at a VERY affordable price.

I will be Hosting a Holiday Open House in my home this coming week. If you are local I would LOVE for you to stop by! Leave your email address in the comments and I will send you more details.

I would be honored if you would help support my new business venture -even if you don't live close to me. You can shop directly from my website! You can visit my e-boutique at www.stelladot.com/sherririce At the top right hand corner click on "Find your Hostess" and type in my name. The jewels are shipped via Priority Mail and come directly to you (or whatever address you choose) in less than a week. Shipping is a reasonable flat rate - just $5.95. If you are doing some Christmas shopping you can order through December 19th and Stella & Dot will guarantee delivery in time for Christmas. Your order arrives in adorable little boxes ready for gift giving!

My First Award!

My friend Lindsay has nominated me for my very first blog award! Hooray for me!!

Here is how the "Honest Scrap" award works - I share ten random things about myself, and then nominate ten blog friends to do the same. Since the people I would nominate were already chosen to take part in this, I nominate anyone reading this that would like to take part in the fun!

Let's see, ten things about me...

1. Food segregation is important to me! I don't like my food to touch. Everything has a place, veggies, potato and meat. I don't want corn in my potatoes. I don't want soggy bread because it got in the sauce. I know it all ends up in the same place - don't try to reason with me! We have big plates so I can keep everything separate.
2. I love office supplies. I can spend hours looking at file folders and paper clips. And Pens! I love Back to School time because everyone has great sales on their "stuff". Too bad my office is always a disaster! I should be very organized!
3. I also love dishes. I have a set of every day dishes, Christmas dishes, and china. Twelve place settings each. I had four other sets that I gave away. It is a sickness...
4. I like to keep the dining room table "set" all of the time. It looks pretty, and it justifies #3 for me:)
5. Blue is my favorite color. Followed closely by purple and red.
6. I LOVE FOOTBALL!! Nebraska Cornhuskers and Minnesota Vikings - if they are playing, I am watching!
7. I've lived in eight houses in my life. Which means I have moved only seven times. Four of those moves came after I was married.
8. I dated my Handsome Prince for only ONE month before we became engaged. We were married three months later. We'll celebrate 26 years in December!
9. The first job I had when we moved to Arkansas was at McDonald's. I lasted one day. I was not cut out to be a fry girl.
10. My Grandma taught me to do counted cross-stitch. It is a hobby I really enjoy, and wish I spent more time doing. Unfortunately, I'm figuring out what Grandma was talking about when she used to tell me she did her hobbies in the morning "when her eyes were good".

Okay, now it is your turn!! If you would like the "Honest Scrap" award, I nominate you! Just copy the picture and add it to your blog, tell us ten things about yourself and then nominate ten friends to share in the fun! Be sure to leave me a comment if you participate - I want to learn more about you too!

Fall Catalog Reveal Party

As a Collector, and an Independent Consultant with Southern Living at HOME, I look forward to the new catalog, and all the beautiful new products that come with it! Two times per year the Designers and Stylists amaze me with the creative ideas that they come up with for entertaining, organizing and decorating our homes. August 1st was the debut date for the Fall 2009 catalog, and it did not disappoint!

I ordered a few of the new products, and patiently waited for everything to arrive. While I waited, invitations were sent and our house was given a mini fall makeover. I planned the menu, wanting to keep the food simple (for me!) and made a buffet of fresh watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew melon, along with red and green seedless grapes. They were SO GOOD! I had to have something fattening, so I grabbed some of those frozen cheesecake bites, because I love them. I also had an antipasto platter with some yummy cheeses and crackers. It looked very pretty I think!

Everyone seemed to enjoy it! The dishes you see here are part of the Gallery and Cinnabar Collections, and the Gail Pittman Hand Painted casserole in Siena.

Of course I had to show off some of the classic pieces in our product line! I wanted my display to show how all of the collections mix and match beautifully. Everyone went on a tour of our home and I showed some different ideas for product use. One guest had to whip out her phone to take a picture so she wouldn't forget!

Then we settled in to our seats for the "unveiling" of new products! I used a piece of fabric to cover my display, and nearly broke the new Astoria dispenser when a string got caught on the pump. I wanted to create some drama, but this was not what I had in mind! All was well, it landed on the carpet unscathed.

Finally, I had a drawing for three Door Prizes - Congratulations to the winners!

Jackson Square tray - Michelle

Cinnabar Baker - Lisa

O's Big Book of Happiness - Denice

Thank you Ladies for coming and making the afternoon very enjoyable! I hope you enjoy your prizes!!

NW Arkansas Blog Buddies, You are Invited!

Autumn is (almost!) in the air… Let’s get together for a fall affair!
You and your guest are cordially invited to attend my Southern Living at HOME
Fall 2009 Catalog and Product Reveal party. Come see the latest in our beautiful product line! I can’t wait for you to see these items, I know you are going to LOVE them!!

WHEN: Sunday August 9th, 2009 2-4 PM
WHERE: Our Home, leave me a comment and I will contact you personally with directions

A little “Homework assignment” - I will have a drawing, giving away FREE PRODUCT! You can earn as many chances to win as possible by doing the following:
*RSVP --1 ticket
*Come to the party--1 ticket
*Bring a friend--2 tickets for each guest
*Bring a meaningful photograph—2 tickets
*Shop!--2 tickets for each $30 purchase
*Schedule a Party for: September--7 tickets
October--5 tickets
November--3 tickets
*Bring $100 in outside orders from your friends who couldn't come--10 tickets

My “theme” for the day is “Photographs and Memories” I hope you will bring a special photograph and make some memories! I will be sharing a few decorating tips, and of course appetizers, desserts, and drinks will be served in Southern Living style! I hope I will see you Sunday, August 9th

Party for the Cure 2009

The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure was held in NW Arkansas on Saturday. For the third year in a row I held my own little Fundraiser, A Party for the Cure. I donate a portion of my commission in Memory of my Sister in Law Debbie. She lost her battle with breast cancer on January 8th, 1996.



I had a little product tour around my house, showing some ideas for how I use the products in our home. These are the Camille Vases. I've taken some of the glass beads that you can buy at Wal*Mart or Hobby Lobby and created a diffuser in the smaller vase, and just added a candle to the taller one. You could easily use these in any room with tons of uses and they are on sale this month for only $9.95 with a $29.95 purchase. Wouldn't they make a great gift for Mother's Day?
Of Course I had some good food! You have to have snacks when you shop! Something salty, something sweet and something to drink. I've got it all covered! I bought some pink tulle and a lighter pink fabric remnant at Wal*Mart to set my "THINK PINK" buffet. I made Brownies and Sopapilla Cheesecake for my sweet choices. For my salty selctions I had some mixed nuts and dried beef and pickle roll-ups. So salty, but so GOOD!

The Sopapilla Cheesecake. I'll share the recipe on Tuesday for my Tuesday Treats!

I made Kelly's Cherry Limeade punch. So yummy! And EASY.

A closer view of the roll ups. A jar of dried beef, a tub of spreadable cheese, and baby dill pickles. Careful, they're addictive!

Throughout the year I accumulate more product than I should. Some items retire, so I don't need them for my kit to show anymore. Sometimes they are on special and I'll grab an extra to meet a personal sales goal. I pass the savings on to my customers, and donate a percentage of the sales. Here's some of the loot I have for sale.

It was a good time! Wish you could have been here!

Tuesday Treats: Larry's Birthday Cake

For my Handsome Prince's Birthday, I attempted my first ever layer cake. (I usually just do a 13 x 9 and frost it in the pan.) I think it turned out pretty good! I had a box of Carrot Cake mix, but I wanted to kick it up a notch. I dug out my Southern Living at HOME "Cake mix miracles" cookbook and found this recipe for Cheater's Carrot Cake.

Cheater's Carrot Cake
1 (18.25 ounce) package spice cake mix
1 (10 ounce) package shredded carrots (about 3 cups)
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained well
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts or pecans. divided
2 (16 ounce) containers ready-to-spread cream cheese frosting

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Fold in carrots, pineapple, and 1/2 cup chopped nuts. Pour batter into three greased and floured 9-inch round cake pans.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 28 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.
• Combine remaining 1 cup chopped nuts and frosting;stir well. Spread frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Chill, if desired. Yield: 1 (3-layer) cake.

Keeping it real:

I used my carrot cake mix, and it was fine. I didn't have shredded carrots, but I did have baby carrots and a salad shooter, worked great. I used walnuts, again I had them on hand. I did not use the containers of frosting, because Cream Cheese frosting is my favorite part of the cake, and I like to make my own. Could NOT be easier.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1 stick of butter, softened

1 (1 pound) box confectioner's sugar

mix together until desired consistency.

I doubled the recipe for this cake, since I was frosting each layer. I didn't quite need all of it - there may have been some bowl and spatula licking taking place! :)

We had our good friends, Bob and Lisa over for a Birthday dinner on Saturday evening. We had a wonderful salad, Cavatini and garlic bread, and this birthday cake. There was some over-eating done by all! Another GREAT weekend, and Larry thought it was a good way to celebrate his birthday!

March 28th, 2009

Happy day after your Birthday My Handsome Prince!

We are hoping that we are still having friends for dinner this evening, but this is what we woke up to this morning...

Look how big those snowflakes are! It's absolutely beautiful - as long as it doesn't mess up my plans!
It isn't snowing as hard now, but it is still snowing. According to our "trusty" weather people, we were going to only get a "dusting" after lunch. This started at about 8 o'clock this morning, and it is more than dust!

Oh well! We have wood in, and the fireplace is going. It will be a great weekend for us, I hope for you too!

Jaxon Update and another craft project

First of all, I want to say a HUGE THANK YOU! for your prayers for my nephew Jaxon. He was diagnosed very quickly, responded to the medication and was sent home late Sunday evening. PRAISE GOD! The Doctors anticipate a FULL Recovery, after about a month of medication. Thank you so very much for all your prayers for my family!

Here's a little preview of my latest craft project. I bought these eggs at my favorite craft store, AKA Hobby Lobby! I liked the size of them, but they were a little too plain. So I grabbed up some craft paint while I was there.

Here they are in various stages of "done-ness"! I've gotten very creative at finding things to prop them in while drying!

I already had some glitter glue from a long ago project. This is working perfectly to add a "little Bling" to my Easter Eggs!

It has been kind of fun having these to work on a little each night while we are keeping up with our intense Reality TV schedule! I'm just about finished with these bigger eggs, and I have started on some adorable smaller ones. I'll post pictures when I 'm done!

Weekend Recap: My Birthday Extravaganza!

We had another really nice weekend. They just go by too fast!
Friday after work we went to eat fried chicken at Bud's in Bentonville. Yummy! They serve it homestyle like the Chicken Inn in Monte Ne. Not quite the homey atmosphere as Monte Ne, but really good food and lots closer to our house! Then we made a trip to The Lob. I was wanting a bit more greenery to complete my wreath project. I had thought I would wire some of his antlers in there, but once again, it wasn't working out so well for me. Here is a picture of Plan B.

Once I completed the wreath, I tweaked the accessories on the mantle. I don't have a whole lot of room to arrange things up there. You can see from this picture I took of my hand to give you a little perspective, it isn't very wide! I wish I could figure out a way to attach some wood to the brick and make a big chunky mantle, but that's a post for another day (or two!)

Saturday evening we went to eat at Red Lobster. As we were getting ready to leave my friend Lindsay and her Husband came in. I had to play a little joke on her before we left! :) We ran back to The Lob so I could get rid of another Fall arrangement Then we stopped by to see my BFF Lisa and her husband. We ALWAYS enjoy visiting with these good people! When I got home I made this arrangement, and I must say I am VERY pleased with it.

My tablescaping...

Sunday was my actual Birthday - I told ya'll it's an EVENT! Anyway, last weekend we had purchased my gift at Lowe's. Larry's brother came over Sunday and installed it for us. It's so nice to have an electrician in the family! Especially since every fixture in our house is screaming 1990's! Here's what was hanging in our bedroom. Even in the dark you can see the shiny brass glowing in the dark! Not exactly a romantic glow from those bulbs either.

So here is the new one I picked out! Love, love, LOVE it! It has a nightlight that comes on between the downrod and the motor if we just want a really soft light. SO Romantical! The bathroom fixtures are next on my to-do list!

Larry baked me a German Chocolate cake ALL BY HIMSELF! It's VERY good too! I MAY have already had TWO pieces!! So another Birthday event is winding down. Hope you had a great weekend too! I'm anxious to see The Bachelor tonight!!

Happy Birthday to ME!

Today is my Birthday! Happy Birthday to ME!

I'm a firm believer in a Birthday Extravaganza. Birthdays SHOULD be CELEBRATED! You've made it another year! And it sure beats the option! In honor of my big day, I thought I would share some cake with you! I have picked out a few that looked really good to me. Grab some coffee and share in the festivities!

Doesn't this look like a fun time is about to be had? I had the best parties when I was little. Mom and Dad always made a big deal out of our special day. We would get to pick our very favorite thing to eat and Mom would make us a wonderful meal. Daddy didn't care for spaghetti too much, but he would be a good sport if that was our choice!


My birthday is on the same day that the Father of our Great Country, George Washington was born. Some other famous people that I share a birthday with are Julius "Dr. J" Erving, Steve Irwin (The Crocodile Hunter), Drew Barrymore and Senator Edward Kennedy. Quite an eclectic bunch there!

I am not quite ready for this cake! I still have a couple of years to prepare for that one. I will honestly say that my age doesn't bother me. It's just a number! I feel very Thankful and Blessed to still be celebrating. God has more plans for me!

This one might be my favorite! I'd say there is something for almost everyone here!


I bet this one tastes as good as it looks! My choice of cake would definitely be CHOCOLATE! German Chocolate with coconut pecan icing - YUMMY!

This looks like something my Handsome Prince would do! HA!

Enjoy your Sunday! I'll have a Birthday Festival Recap for you tomorrow!