The Sewing Mom

Candace Bushnell, the author of Sex and the City and Lipstick Jungle has written another engaging novel and, as a member of Parent Reviewers, I had the good fortune to be asked to read it. If you enjoy books filled with eccentric characters, gossip, rumors, intrigue, sex, and even murder, One Fifth Avenue, by Candace Bushnell is the right book for you.

One Fifth Avenue is certainly filled with interesting and eccentric characters. From the somewhat rags to riches story of Annalisa Rice to the born into privilege Lola Fabrikant, there really is something for everyone including a couple of book authors and even a well known movie starlet.The story centers around the lives of the people living in One Fifth, a spectacular building located in one of Manhattan’s poshest neighborhoods. The building has both historical and architectural significance in New York. People dream of living in this fabulous Art Deco building, some using any means possible just to get their foot in the door to set up residence. Once moved in, most don’t ever want to leave. So special is living at One Fifth, rumor has it that murder may have even be committed in order to stay in residence.

While the residents of One Fifth Avenue all lead separate and varied lives from each other, they do have many things in common. First of all, there is the money. From having just enough to have purchased the least expensive unit to having millions of dollars and owning the unbelievable two story penthouse apartment, there is money. Then there is social prominence, some have it while others strive to get it in any way that they can.

As a reader of One Fifth Avenue, you’ll find yourself anxiously awaiting the turn of the page as you read on to learn more about the relationships of the people living inside as well as those who wish they did. Get your own copy of One Fifth Avenue and consider giving a copy as a gift!

Book Info:
# Hardcover: 448 pages
# Publisher: Voice (September 22, 2008)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 1401301614
# ISBN-13: 978-1401301613

Tags: books, Bushnell, New York, One Fifth Avenue

I am completely addicted to Entrecard and that can actually be good thing. You see, it was Shiela from The Ad Master, another completely EC dropper, was kind enough to let me know that when she visited this blog, she was getting a very annoying pop up. Thanks to her, I did some research and discovered that I did indeed have a popup attached to one of my widgets. I immediately eliminated the annoying thing and while I was at it, did a little sidebar cleanup.

My goal is to have a site that is not only enjoyable for me to work on, but also enjoyable for those to choose to drop by and visit. I want to also thank many others at the EC forum who, when I asked for assistance, came to my rescue. Thanks!

Tags: entrecard

This is a sticky post letting my readers and EC droppers know that I will be out of town from Sunday through Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday.  While I will be have my laptop with me, I have no idea if I will have a connection or, if I will have time to drop or post.  I am completely addicted and may go into withdrawals if I can’t get online, but I will also be enjoying my time with family, including the cutest grandbaby ever!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tags: entrecard

I created this bag using contrasting black and white poinsettia fabrics for the exterior and a wonderful black fabric for the interior. This large tote bag has 6 exterior pockets, with the machine embroidered poinsettia on both the front and back of the bags center pockets. All fabrics are 100% cotton. The inner lining is a polyester batting which provides both softness and support. The handles also contain a batting inner lining for added comfort for the shoulder.

If you would like to have this bag for yourself or as a gift for someone special, it is for sale for $35. This prices includes shipping in the continental U.S. If you live outside of the continental U.S., please contact me price and shipping information.

Tags: Christmas, embroidery, poinsettia, tote, tote bag

Sunshine and Lemonade is giving away a Twilight prize pack that includes the following items:

The Twilight Movie Companion:

As if that isn’t enough, how about some Twilight themed chocolate?!
And, this would be something my daughter would love, a copy of Entertainment Weekly with Edward on the cover:
Plus, the Twilight 2009 calendar (if I don’t win this, I’m going to have to buy it!)
But wait, there’s more, how about a Barnes & Noble gift card to buy more things Twilight!
And, of course, every reader needs a good bookmark:
And then there is the wonderful poster:
So, if you’re a Twilight fan, and who isn’t, head over before Friday and enter this contest!

Tags: Barnes & Noble, books, contest, giveaway, movies, Twilight

We’re leaving on Sunday for a week in California and when we get back, we’ll be gearing up for one more softball tournament, the last of the fall season. Last week we froze our butts off at a tournament in 40 degree temperatures and high winds, so I want to make sure we have warmer coats and maybe even some long johns for this next tournament. Yes, even in Texas we have bone chilling weather!

I’m planning on going to the Sears Super Saturday Sale this Saturday, November 22. They open at 7 a.m. and the special deals only go until noon, but that’s all the time I need to get exactly what we need!

Here’s my plan of attack. Outerwear and sweaters for the entire family will be on sale that morning for 60% off, so I’ll load up on those items first. Maybe I can even find a cute little jacket for our grandbaby that we’ll be seeing on Sunday. Then, as a bonus, and because I’ve absolutely worn out my current vacuum, I’ll be heading over to buy the Kenmore Progressive vacuum. It will be on sale Saturday morning at its lowest price of the season for only $229.99, a savings of $70. Anyone who has a pet knows, you have to have a good vacuum, and this is what I need to pick up all the dog hair around here. I vacuum at least a couple times a week, so I need a good sturdy vacuum that can handle it.

These sales are one day only Doorbuster sales, so I will be there first thing in the morning to take advantage. There are no rain checks either, these prices are only good while supplies last, so it’s important to get there early. This works out well for me because I have a ton of other stuff to get done later in the day in preparation for our trip.

What will you be doing Saturday morning?

Tags: outerwear, sale, Sears, vacuum

This is one of my favorite small purses that I’ve made. It is made from a Moda 100% cotton fabric showing a wonderful geometric pattern on the outside and stripes on the inside. It has one exterior pocket and 2 interior pockets. The bag measures approximately 10″ wide x 8″ high and has a spring action closure for security. I am selling this bag for $40 which includes shipping to anywhere in the U.S. If outside the U.S., please contact me for price & shipping.

Tags: fabric, Moda, purse, sewing, Wordless Wednesday

We will be leaving on Sunday to fly to California and will be spending the Thanksgiving holiday with my daughter-in-law, her husband and their beautiful little girl. This will be my first time to see their home and only my second to see the little one and we are all so thrilled that we got the opportunity to go spend time with them. It seems like Thanksgiving would never get here when you consider these plans have been in the works since this past June!

As excited as I am for the Thanksgiving trip, I can’t help but think about what we might like to do over the Christmas break. It looks like my husband may have a company enforced vacation the week of Christmas and I’m thinking that it might be nice to go someplace. I’d like it to be some place relatively close that we could drive and not have to deal with the airlines since we’re doing that for Thanksgiving.

My husband was born and raised in Kansas City, but we’ve never really had the chance to explore that state. In fact, we’ve only ever visited the city of Kansas City as a family. One of his favorite memories growing up is the annual trips his family would take to The Ozarks. This is an area that has changed quite a bit since his childhood, but it’s still a destination worth traveling too, probably better now than years ago with even more things to do and see. We’ve always talked about going there, just haven’t done it. Let’s see, besides Silver Dollar City, which my husband remembers, there are two other amusement parks. There is also the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans museum which I’m sure also shows Trigger, the horse. My favorite thing would probably be Old Time Christmas that runs between now and the end of December. Everything is lit up and twinkling for the holidays and there are shops, food and crafts all over town.

There are plenty of accommodations in Branson too. One choice would be the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel, but for us, I think I’d have to choose the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing. One reason is that Santa will be there! My daughter never wants to go anywhere at Christmas because she’s afraid Santa won’t be able to find her. Well, Hilton has taken care of that for me!There are several packages being offered at all of the Hilton hotels, but at the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing there is, of course, the Santa in Branson Package, but also the “It’s a Wonderful Life” package and a very special New Year’s Eve package.

I think I’ll have a family meeting tonight and see if we can make some plans to go to Branson.

Tags: Branson, Hilton, Missouri

I was busily dropping Entrecards this afternoon when I stopped by one of my favorite sites, The Art Zoo and found one of my very own purse creations showcased. I was thrilled! The Art Zoo showcases hand crafted items from a variety of hand crafters and it is always a joy for me to stop by to check out the latest find.

This particular post showcases a purse I made with geometric patterned Moda fabric. The bag measured about 12?h x 15?w, is fully lined with 2 interior pockets, and a spring tension rod closure which keeps it “snapped” shut until it is pulled open.This particular bag has been SOLD, but I will be sure to post similar bags that are currently for sale.In the mean time, please visit The Art Zoo!

Tags: art, crafts, fabric, purse, sewing, tote

I spent a couple of hours yesterday with Verizon Wireless checking out cell phones and adding my mother-in-law to our family share plan. You see, she has had a cell phone for a number of years, originally purchased by one sister-in-law and, most recently, paid monthly by another sister-in-law. Well, due to unforseen circumstances, my mother-in-law’s cell phone service was placed on hold and, for the past couple of months, she’s been without service. This wouldn’t be a big deal, but she uses her cell phone to make long distance calls to save on her landline bill. So, we decided to add her to our plan.

I actually started this process a couple of weeks ago and checked out several different phones including the Verizonwireless Storm . I had recently purchased my own new cell phone, so I did have some idea of what was available. I just knew I was needing a very simple phone for a woman that doesn’t do well with too many buttons or too much technology. In other words, the ATT Blackberry Bold which offers all kinds of fantastic features would have been great for me, but too difficult for my MIL to handle. She really just needed the most basic of phones and didn’t need any extra features. My own phone that I recently purchased is very similar to the Sprint Instinct phone which has been being advertised quite heavily lately. But, I knew the touch screen would not be such a good thing for my MIL.

To make sure that not only was I getting her the right phone, but that it was at the right price, and because this is a long term commitment for us, I needed to compare cell phone deals . In the end, I think I got her the perfect phone. It does have a camera in it, but we’re not going to tell her that, it would just intimidate her! It’s a simple flip phone that looks very similar to the one she’s had for years and I think she’ll be happy with it. We’ll be giving it to her next week when we see her for Thanksgiving, it will be her Christmas present and she can begin using it right away.

Tags: Blackberry, bold, cell phone deals, cell phones, instinct, storm, verizon wireless