Dedicated to Living Beautifully

Archive for the ‘Information’ Category

If you’ve ever wished that your baby could just tell you what’s wrong when they are having a tantrum, you need to learn about sign language. Babies can communicate long before they can even walk when sign language is made a part of their daily learning. Babies are constantly learning and when they can’t express themselves they get frustrated. Imagine being in a situation where you need a drink of water and everyone just pats your cheek and keeps on doing what they are doing. You’d feel like screaming, too.

Babies can be introduced to sign language in a fun and playful system that teaches with music and stories. Babies as young as 3 months old can begin to learn to communicate with you so they don’t have to suffer through the “Terrible twos” that time when babies are trying to learn so much they can become easily frustrated when you can’t understand what they are trying to "say". The Signing Time program is brought to you by the same Coleman family that brought you the PBS series "Signing Time"

You can read the full article, or read the true story of the Coleman Family and why they began teaching others how to use sign language to communicate with their children. It is an inspiring story!

A few weeks ago my sister Samantha gave me a thoughtful little gift. A crystal cow. I don’t know if she was making subtle references about my diet, but I prefer to think she just wanted to cheer me up. ‘sides, my diet is going just great! I love that little crystal cow, it is just so beautiful and whimsical – and I found out that her actual name is Mo, she’s available in a bigger size as well (so that proves it has nothing to do with my diet). Mo is my constant companion here at work, she is a Fully faceted clear crystal cow, even her tiny cowbell is faceted. OK, not the horns and her adorable little black eyes are made of Jet Hematite crystal. Her character stands for enchantment and enthusiasm. She enchanted me and I am enthusiastic – so enthusiastic I went to talk with the folks at Swarovski and we now have just about everything they offer, right here at PlusMama!

Please don’t go and look if you’re in a rush, there’s just too much to see and it is all astonishingly gorgeous! It has been a long time since I felt so good about a new section but I am so happy that we got these goodies here in time for your Christmas and other holiday shopping. Did you know that Swarovski offers a flash drive disguised as a crystal pendant?? I need one. At least one!

Swarovski Digital Accessories

Swarovski’s Disney Collection

Swarovski Crystal Collectibles

Everyone has heard of Swarovski, I think, but a lot of folks think that Swarovski just makes some incredibly beautiful beads. Yes, they do, but wait til you see their Disney Collectibles and the Christmas ornaments, the jewelry, their home and office decor , the sentimental treasures, and oh, the birds and flowers! Simply breathtaking. There’s a full line of Wedding Accessories too and Hair Accents, Handbags, just every beautiful thing imaginable!

Swarovski’s gifts are always well received, they’ve been doing outstanding work with crystals for well over a hundred years. That’s why my little cow impressed me so much- I’ve seen cheap knockoffs and there is just no comparison to the real thing. The quality of the crystal, the clarity and color, the exquistely perfect faceting (how do they do that??)

I think Samantha knows that just any little knick-knack would not have gotten a second look but the Swarovski Lovlots are works of art, crafted to the highest standards and it shows! Little Mo sits on my desk and the light from the window is enough to shower my office in pinpoints of rainbow light. I have received so many real compliments, they want to know where they can get one too! You can start here and check out all the crystal creations of 100% pure divine beauty. So get a cup of coffee, sit down when you have some time, and take a good look. See how many lines you can cross off your shopping list at one sitting. Until December, everything is Pre-Holiday priced too! There is something for everyone and it is a gift you can feel very good about giving – or getting of course.

My sister Samantha knows I’m crazy for animals!  She stopped by last week and we shared some tea and fig bars. (Yes, I’m sticking with my diet!) and talked about our plans for spreading some of our work around a little more.  I was feeling down because one of our favorite suppliers has decided that they wanted to sell their business and the new owners are not inclined to be as favorable to deal with.

I really enjoy my work, selecting products from the showrooms and writing up all the interesting details about each new section as we add it; that’s what makes me feel badly when we have to part ways with any of our suppliers.   We want our friends to have first chance at anything new, useful and beautiful- even when it’s beauty is just how functional it is.  We also insist on top value for our hard earned dollars so a huge price increase with no change in the product or service is just unacceptable.

Well I see I’ve wandered away from what I started out to share with you, my sister tried to cheer me up, but when something’s got me down I’m just cranky and not easy to persuade, I’d rather be alone to think through the options of finding a better source.  She left and I went back to work and she said she hoped I’d be feeling better soon.  Last Monday morning I came in and found a box on my desk, a small, pretty box, but heavy for it’s size.  A note from Sam was under the box but it didn’t give a clue.  I opened the box and it was like a box of sunshine, I giggled and scooped out my little crystal cow. I had to laugh, it was beyond beautiful, sending rainbows all around my office!  Just a perfect little whimsical touch, it radiated light and happiness.  I wanted to put it down and admire it but every time I set it down, I had to pick it up and change the angle, it just had me fascinated.

Samantha came in as I was finding the perfect place to put my little treasure and she laughed because I didn’t even notice her come in.  I had to run and show it to her as if she hadn’t seen it before, which got her laughing even more.  We were like two little kids for awhile, her laughing at me and my cow and me just unable to get enough of the delight it had brought in its little box.  I’ll remember that morning every time I see my little cow, I just love it!

My little cow also solved a problem for me: Samantha said she had picked it up at the jewelry store, it was made by Swarovski – you know, the famous Swarovski Crystals people.  Swarovski was one of the offices I had on my list of calls for possibilities so I called that morning to see if we could get together soon.  We did, and we’ll soon be featuring Swarovski products – all of the beautiful crystal jewelry, and their incredibly cute little crystal critters, the Lovlots.

I have experienced a Lovlot gift from Swarovski and believe me, it is an impressive little crystal treasure that you can depend on to convey happiness, warmth, whimsy and thoughtfulness.  These adorable radiant Lovlots don’t cost a lot either, they cost less than a bouquet of flowers would and bring such joy.  If you know someone who needs to be cheered up, or just reminded that you care, you need to take a look as the Lovlots, they are a lot of love in a little package!

Oh, look! They’re featuring my COW!

If you love pets, especially if you are owned by a dog there’s a community you should take a few minutes to visit.  Fetchdog at http://www.fetchdog.com is just an incredible place to learn more about loving your dog.  Glenn Close is there and Martha Stewart too, Bernadette Peters and so many more celebrities sharing the details of their own pets.  Fetchdog is a community that you can join and participate alongside the celebrities.

There are articles on pet care, grooming, details of training your pet and even charitable shops.  When you’re shopping for pet needs or pet treats, it lets you choose which charities you would like to benefit from a donation proportionate to your purchase.  The Charitable shops are sponsored by various celebrities so you can shop at Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen’s Charity Shop to benefit his favorite charity The Little Angels Pug Rescue or Bernadette Peters’ Broadway Barks Charity events.  The shops are at http://www.fetchdog.com/Shop?dsp=charitableshops

If you just want to check out their unique line of doggie beds and toys and leashes – all the goodies – you can visit our showcase shop right HERE

It lets you feel good about buying the things you can buy for your own faithful friends.  Fetchdog is a great resource that is benefitting the lives of abused, stray and abandoned dogs everywhere, and they offer things you won’t find anywhere else.  Take a minute to check out our little video that shows you how simply and painlessly your dog can be microchipped in case he’s ever lost or stolen.  Easy to avoid that heartbreak.

Public service announcement: Microchip your dog with HomeAgain