Happy Sunday everybody. I am sorry that I didn't draw a winner yesterday, but I was recovering from surgery. Vicodin and computers do not go together. haha I used the random number generator to choose the lucky winner of one of Jens beautiful Valentines day ornaments. The lucky winner is number 37. Twyla and Lyndsey just send me an email with your address, and I will ship this beauty off to you right away. Well, I am off to get some more much needed rest. Thanks to everyone for entering the contest....I am almost at 100 posts, and will have another giveaway then.

xxoo Valarie

My poor son!!

Monday night my son blew out his knee playing soccer. We ended up in the emergency room for hours, and were sent home with an ice pack, vicoden, and instructions to get an MRI. He has to wait for the swelling to go down before the Orthopedist will see him. His knee looks like a softball is sitting on it!! Poor kid. He is not used to laying around doing nothing. The pain is so bad that he can only stand to use the restroom!! So, I am being his nurse, and it's kinda nice to feel needed. I have surgery tomorrow, so we will be quite a pair. Yikes.

Have a lovely day, and don't forget to leave a comment on my earlier post to win an amazing ornament.

xxoo Valarie

My one year Blogaversary

I cannot believe that I started my Blog a year ago. I cannot believe how many wonderful new friends I have met through my blog. I cannot believe how much joy blogland has brought me. I cannot begin to thank all of the incredible people I have met through my blog. Thank you all for the kind comments that you have left me. (I disregarded the ugly mean comment that one anonymous person left me). To show my appreciation to everyone I am having a wonderful giveaway. One lucky person will win this beautiful Valentine Ornament that I purchased from Jen at J.Nichelle Holiday......all you have to do to have a chance at winning this is to leave a comment, and I will pick the lucky winner next Saturday.

Be sure and stop by to see Jen...she is giving away one of her beautiful birdhouses!!

Don't forget to stop by Beverly at How Sweet The Sound to see all the other wonderful Pink Saturday Participants.

Have a lovely day.

xxoo Valarie

Vintage Lovelies - and a sale!!

I'm sure by now everybody in blogland has visited the beautiful and talented Jen of J.Nichelle Holidays, but did you know that she has beautiful new Valentine's Day goodies for sale in her Etsy- shop? She promises to add a few new things over the next week, and then it's on to Easter. Look how absolutely stunning these hearts are!!!

Look at the all the lovely embellishments on this heart!!

Well, if these beauties weren't enough, all of her Christmas is on sale!! 20-30% off!!

I'm sure this amazing bottle brush tree ornament will not last long!!

And this amazing pixie vase is too cute for words.......

So, I would suggest that you run on over before everything is gone!! I bought something super special, and will post pictures of it when it gets to my house!!

I hope everyone has a super lovely day.

xxoo Valarie

Joanns Holiday Frivolities

Yesterday while cruising around in blogland (yes, I should have been doing laundry)...I found the most amazing artist. She makes super fabulous glittery works of art. Her name is Joann, and her blog is called Joann's Holiday Frivolities. You must hop on over and see what she has created, and maybe pick up something wonderful in her Etsy or Lollishop!!

Aren't these little eggs the cutest things you've seen?

I know Christmas is over, but you may as well pick this up for next year, unless I beat you to it!When you stop by to see her, tell her Valarie sent you.

Have a lovely day.

xxoo Valarie

The story of the missing diamond

So, this is the story of the missing diamond. 2 years ago my husband bought me diamond studs for our Anniversary. He splurged, and bought me 3 carats of amazing bling. Well, Wednesday night I took off my jewelry before bed, and put it on my nightstand. The next morning, we were having our house cleaned, so I grabbed my jewelry, and threw it in a ring box and stuck it in the closet. I got home later that day, and noticed that one of my earring backs was on the dresser, I just figured that I forgot to put it in the box. Friday night I went to put the earrings on, and realized that there was only one earring. I searched the house, the floor, under the bed, in the nightstand, my dresser drawers, my purses.....you get the idea. Well, no earring anywhere. I called the cleaning service to see if they had found anything, but of coarse they were closed for the weekend, so I left a message, and just stressed ALL weekend. This morning they called and left a message that they had gone through the vacuum bag on Saturday, and found nothing, and that they were very sorry. AAAGH!!! I called them back, and begged them to let me go through the bag with a sifter, so they said come on down. On my way there, they called to let me know that they had found the setting for the diamond, but there was no diamond in the bag. Double AAAGH!!! I got to the cleaning center, and the receptionist told me that she had (bless her heart) sifted through the disgusting cleaner bag one more time, and in fact had just found my diamond. There it was.....a beautiful 1.5 carat beautiful shiny diamond, no worse f0r the wear, just sitting on her desk. I must say it was a huge relief. (I have no insurance on my jewelry, although my husband has been nagging me to do it for years).......so, I may just buy a lotto ticket tomorrow, along with a nice gift certificate for the sweet receptionist. I hope you all have a wonderful day.

xxoo Valarie

Beautiful Pink Crown

I was so excited to purchase this unbelievably beautiful crown from the wonderful Donna O'Brien. I'm sure everyone is familiar with her beautiful blog: The Ribboned Crown. Last Saturday she had a sale, and I was able to purchase this beautiful Pink Crown. It arrived yesterday, and I must say that it is even more beautiful in person. It looks like it has been around forever, with the beautifully aged silver glass glitter, and the lovely Dresdens on it.
I couldn't be happier, and I cannot wait to display it in my home. I'm still in shock that I own one of these beautiful handmade pieces. Thanks Donna.

Have a lovely day.

xxoo Valarie

Okay, I realize that I will never look like this, but a girls gotta have a goal.I am the poster girl for yoyo dieting. I have tried it all. A few years ago I did an all liquid diet. I drank 5 protein shakes a day for 5 months. I lost a lot of weight, and a lot of my hair. I did Slim 4 Life 3 years ago, spent several thousand dollars on their food and pills, I lost 60 pounds in 19 weeks, and gained back 65. I decided to have a go at it again. I hate being overweight. I want to look like I feel, so I am trying again. This time tho, I am making it a Lifestyle change. I just committed to lose 50 pounds on the biggest loser website. For every pound I lose, they will donate food to a local food bank. I think that is a win, win!!! I have a personal trainer that I see 3 times a week, a son who has a degree in Health and Exercise Science, a Husband who supports me, and works out with me, and a desire to make a change. I will try not to bore you with all of my daily details, but I'm hoping that by sharing this, it is going to help me be more accountable. Oh, and the picture of Jillian Michael's goes along with the DVD of hers that I just bought on Amazon. Jillian Michael's 30 day shred.....I saw it on Jessi's blog, and I'm hoping to do it a couple times a week. I'm sure if you've visited Jessi's blog, you know how great she looks. So, a girl can only hope.

Have a lovely day,

xxoo Valarie

Pink Saturday

Happy Pink Saturday. I decided to share some of my favorite jewelry on the first Pink Saturday of January. My wonderful Husband gave me this necklace and earring set for Christmas last year. My brother in law.....the unbelievable jeweler made it.The necklace has a beautiful Pink Sapphire, a Pearl, a Black Pearl, and diamonds.
The beautiful drop earrings have Pink Sapphires, diamonds, and a black pearl.
My husband and brother in law designed the set themselves. I love them. (the jewelry and the fabulous men).

Remember to stop by Beverly's blog and say hello to her, and visit all the other fabulous blogs that are sharing this fun Pink Saturday

Have a lovely Pink Day.

xxoo Valarie

New Years Eve

We had a fun New Years Eve celebration. I wish my whole family could have been here, but it was still a blast. We started out watching the fireworks off of our balcony. They were amazing.

We then headed up to the village to have a few drinks. We had chocolate martinis,

key lime martinis, and good old Coors Light.

My hubby and I were having a good old time!!

Trying to spell out 2010....I was cut out though.

Jill, looking sexy perhaps??? The champagne flowed....and we had a blast.

It was just the three of us, because Amber was still feeling sick, but we had a good time.

Nick and Jill dancing to "Fly like an Eagle"....

My Birthday was a blast....and I am all ready for the New Year!!

Have a lovely safe New Year.

xxoo Valarie