The first thing you need to think about when you purchase vintage jewelry is how you will store it. If it came in it’s own box, you could always leave it there. Be careful if you decide to add it to your own jewelry box that it is not just thrown in with other jewelry. It should have it’s own compartment. If your jewelry box is not designed that way, then you could place each piece individually in small plastic bags obtained from most craft stores. This will protect your jewelry from scratches and you can also see easily which piece is in which bag.

Metal will always scratch other metal and jewelry with stones may also scratch metal so being careful not to put the jewelry in one pot with other metal jewelry will ensure that your vintage jewelry stays in the condition it was when you received it. Some metals are softer than others so it is even more important to protect those pieces. If two pieces of jewelry with stones are knocked together, the stone could loosen or worse you could loose the stone altogether. Vintage jewelry with rhinestones can be quite expensive and it would be a shame to loose a stone due to the lack of proper storage. An earring rack would be a great idea for earrings because usually they have the ability to clip, screw or pierce the earrings in pairs and keep them separate from other jewelry.

Chains are another type of jewelry that should be carefully stored. To keep your chains straight and to keep them from denting or bending, you should always hang them. If you do not have a jewelry box that has a place to hang your chains, you could simply put a nail on a board or a wall in a closet or bathroom to hang them from.

In addition to proper storage, the finish of your vintage costume jewelry must be protected. Some people think to protect the finish they must coat it with clear fingernail polish but this is not the case. Good costume jewelry is designed with a thick electroplate and will take years to wear off and the manufacturer typically coats the jewelry to prevent tarnish. To protect the finish, you will want to be very careful to remove the jewelry before using hairspray, perfume, cologne, or even cosmetics. If these products come in contact with your jewelry, it can wear the finish and even cause the jewelry to leave black marks where it comes in contact with the skin. Also be sure to remove your vintage rings before washing your hands and never wear them while working around the house.

If you need to clean your jewelry be sure to use a soft clean cloth and not a treated cloth. Also for stones, and electroplated jewelry you may gently wash them with a very mild soap and water solution. Gently cleaning your jewelry will remove perspiration, or oils from your body, or even any cosmetics that may have come in contact with your jewelry. Keep in mind that the better costume jewelry should be able to take a mild soap wash however, for the thinner plated jewelry you should just flash rinse it.

Costume jewelry is an investment in fashion and a look worth preserving. With proper care you will be able to wear your vintage costume jewelry for years to come.

See one of our new gift baskets, for that pick me up Peet's House Blend is a perfect choice, one of San Francisco's favorites. We have included a Peet's Coffee Mug, Lady Walton's Dark Chocolate Wafer, and some other great snacks.



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Body lotion, perfume, candles – many of the gifts you can buy your mother for Mother’s Day are scented. It’s no wonder that scented products are popular, because they can evoke emotions and memories like nothing else.
Scientists believe that we begin to learn about odors even before we are born, when flavors from our mothers’ diets are introduced into the amniotic fluid. As we grow up, our reactions to various odors are linked to what we were experiencing when we were first exposed to them. Because of this, everyone reacts to scents in their own unique way.
If your beloved grandmother always made delicious apple pies when you visited her, the smell of apple pies might make you feel content. If you were once forced to drink a medicine that was wintergreen-flavored when you were very sick, you might dislike the smell of wintergreen.
When I was young, my mother only wore perfume on special occasions. If I smelled Shalimar or Chanel No. 5, I knew that my parents were going out for the evening. Even now when I smell those scents, I think about my mother - all dressed up in a black dress, pumps and pearls.
Although everyone’s response to a particular scent depends on their own experiences, there are essential oils that are believed to have similar effects on a majority of people.
Here are some of the most commonly used scents and the effects generally attributed to each:

• Lavender – calming and balancing
• Lemon – refreshing and energizing.
• Jasmine – lessens anxiety and depression, aphrodisiac
• Rosemary – stimulating, enhances mental clarity
• Peppermint – stimulating, may relieve headaches
• Chamomile – calming, reassuring
• Orange – refreshing, relaxing
• Marjoram – soothing, warming
• Rose – relaxing, aphrodisiac
• Bergamot – refreshing and uplifting

Aromatherapy is popular today, but it isn’t new – ancient Egyptians, Grecians, Romans and Chinese used scents for a variety of religious, medicinal and cosmetic purposes. Now, the use of scents has become a major industry – there are even special schools where you can learn about the use and effectiveness of essential oils.
How do you know which scents to choose for someone else if you aren’t an expert? You can buy a product that is believed to have an effect that you think the recipient would appreciate; or choose a scent that reflects a person’s interests or preferences. Still not sure which scent to give? Try taking a stimulating whiff of rosemary – it may enhance your mental clarity.

Contributed By Laura Weaver

Valentine’s Day is approaching and along with the many romantic picks for dining out, melt in your mouth chocolates and fragrant flowers vying for your attention, you can combine all these favorites with the element of surprise and delight your date.

If your special someone is a long-time sweetheart or a first date, most people love a surprise.

Recently, a 23-year-old college grad was anxious to plan an unforgettable evening with his girlfriend and take their four year dating relationship to the next level. Popping the question would surely be the most romantic yet exhilarating night of their life so a series of surprises filled the young man’s agenda. His girlfriend had no knowledge of his secret until the evening, which would turn out to be a celebration that a soon-to-be fiancée, would never forget.

The setting was a favorite steakhouse located in a metropolitan city. A dozen red variegated long stemmed roses from a florist were a carefully selected choice and were delivered to the waiter at the restaurant earlier that day. Next, a stuffed animal was placed on a tray covering the ring box and after dinner two waiters paraded to the table with the gifts. The bride-to-be was stunned as she became the center of attention for the night. She opened the ring box and her beau dropped to one knee and proposed, accompanied by a room full of onlookers erupting in applause.

You may not be proposing marriage but you can slip in a surprise just the same. Here are some ideas to make your day or evening on February 14 just a bit more intriguing.

• Compliment an intimate dinner at home with background music from the country where the food originates. They can be found at area bookstores. So if Italian food is your favorite, set the mood with music that brings amore’ to the table.
• Are you both lovers of the fine arts? Tickets to a symphony or live theatre will be sure to please. Tuck the tickets (like a bookmark) inside a book of poetry or a favorite read and present it at dinner prior to the show.
• Arrange an overnight at a Bed and Breakfast. If there are children that need a caregiver, initiative a surprise and hire the sitter and make the arrangements. If the price is out of reach, makeover your bedroom with a B&B feel and include guest soaps & towels, candles and a pleasing menu in the morning.
• Find a favorite childhood photo and have a local artist paint or draw your sweetheart’s likeness for a present that will be remembered for years to come.

Sweeten up Valentine’s Day with a surprise that fits your personality and you’ll be sure to have an enjoyable and fun holiday.

Contributed by
Elizabeth C. Searcy

We’ve all heard about the impact that the internet has had on holiday shopping, and Valentine’s Day is no exception. With help from the Internet, suitors have the potential to shine (or fizzle) on Valentine’s Day like never before.

A smart shopper will use the Internet to his advantage by choosing a gift that makes his sweetheart feel special. With so many choices at hand, the perfect gift may be just a few mouse clicks away. The important thing is to carefully tailor the gift to the tastes of the recipient.

For an unmotivated person, the Internet offers the opportunity to take the easy way out for Valentine’s Day. But beware of this temptation – no woman has ever been swept off of her feet by a last-minute e-greeting. Similarly, not many women would consider it romantic to be the feature of an Internet video or blog.

When you do your Valentine’s Day shopping online, gift ideas are limitless. You can order anything from the timeless (candy and flowers), to items you’ve selected to fit her special interests, like candles, spa products, or coffee. If her favorite thing is spending time with you, why not find a gift you can enjoy together, like champagne, gourmet foods or the ingredients for a romantic bubble bath?

Would your Valentine appreciate a traditional token of love, like chocolates? Instead of giving her a single foil-wrapped box of grocery store sweets, use the Internet to find attractively packaged, high-quality chocolates. Consider a gift basket that includes several chocolate delicacies in a beautifully wrapped, re-usable container.

You can deliver the gift in person, but you’ll earn extra points if you have it delivered to her place of work and make her co-workers jealous. Just remember to include a romantic, personal note.

The Internet can also help if your loved one is far away. A gift bought online can be sent across town or around the globe, proclaiming your love even if you can’t be there to do it in person.

Don’t think you’re going to dodge the bullet just because your Valentine lives in another country - Valentine’s Day is a global holiday. It is celebrated not only in the places you’d expect, like Europe and Australia, but also in most of Asia, Africa, South America and the Middle East.

This year, instead of limiting your gift search to the local mall, use the power of the Internet to comb the globe for a present that will show your Valentine just how much she means to you.

Contributed By Laura Weaver

It seems around this time a year, pretty much every year; people begin to get the cupid fever. Everyone either wants someone to spend this year’s Valentines Day with or to make sure that they are with the one they love. Although this is not the only effect that Valentine’s Day has. People start to become very much aware of their sweet tooth. That’s right, whether it be chocolate candies or cupcakes with those little heart sprinkles, people want treats that will put anyone in the mood for love. However this isn’t just a recent discovery. Food has played a vital part in Valentine’s Day throughout history. People have become dependant on aphrodisiacs to follow through with this holiday of love. Scientific tests have proven that some aromas can cause an even greater effect on the body than actually eating the food. An aphrodisiac is any agent that has an effect on the mind and causes the arousal of sexual desire. You can see how this would play an important role in our beloved Valentine’s Day. The word aphrodisiac comes from the Greek goddess of sensuality, Aphrodite.
Chocolate is one of the most common aphrodisiacs. It contains both a sedative which lowers inhibitions and a stimulant which increases the want for physical contact. The reason chocolate has been deemed to “melt in your mouth” which makes it so desirable, is because of the fact that its melting point is just below the human body temperature. Research shows that eating chocolate has been linked with the release of serotonin in the brain, which is believed to produce feelings of pleasure. Research has also shown that heroin addicts tend to have an increased liking for chocolate, which is thought to have connection with the triggering of dopamine released in the brain, when eating chocolate, which is similar to the effect of opium. So it’s pretty obvious how chocolate has become to be known as one the greatest feel good foods worldwide.
Truffles are another commonly known aphrodisiac. It is thought that the rarity and musky aroma is the reason that they have long been considered to arouse the body. It has also been said that in order to sustain his masculinity, an ancient lover gorged himself to death on Alba truffles during his wedding feast. Truffles are a type of edible mushroom and are found anywhere from two to sixteen inches below the ground. Although the aphrodisiacal characteristics of truffles have not been established, it is still known as traditional French, northern Italian and Istrian cooking, and in international haute cuisine. Because of their pungent taste however they are used sparingly in cooking, and today in America chocolate truffles have become popular. These are simply chocolates made ot look like truffles. This is thought to have been created because of the combination of aphrodisiacs.
However these are just a couple of the many aphrodisiacs that have been used throughout history. So for this Valentine’s Day look a few of these foods of love up and give them a try. You be the judge of the effect they have on your love life.

I grew up eating “comfort foods”. My parents were of the generation that did not know frying foods was bad for you. Or that there was any such thing as “too much” of anything! I’ll never forget playing outside all day and being called into the house for dinner – totally ravenous! Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, buttery home-made yeast rolls and, of course, dessert with every meal!

So, it’s no wonder that those foods denote “comfort” for me. However, it’s certainly not a diet I can maintain these days without ever-expanding my waistline in the process. Comfort foods now must be enjoyed only occasionally.

What causes food to give us comfort? First, “comfort food” is generally defined as “food that causes a psychologically pleasurable state for a person. Studies have shown that what we define as “comfort food” is determined at an early age and caused not only by hunger, but also by conditional associations.

Gender differences also define what we consider comfort food. Men tend to prefer foods that their mother’s prepared for them, while women tend to go for treats like chocolate or ice cream.

A common thought is that we indulge in these foods when we are sad. However, the opposite is more likely true, we indulge when we are happy, and celebrating or congratulating ourselves. Our moods can also affect what we reach for – chocolate when we are depressed – or maybe popcorn when we are bored.

A specific trigger often causes the desire for a certain comfort food. If your mother always gave you chicken soup when you were sick – that could be a big comfort to you as an adult when feeling ill. If your Dad took you for pizza after winning a baseball game, then that may be your favorite way to celebrate an accomplishment as an adult.

Food can certainly be a strong trigger for memories, both good and bad. If you’ve ever gotten sick after eating a particular food, you know what I mean! My Father, who passed away some time ago, loved buttermilk. And although I don’t like it myself, the thought of buttermilk brings fond memories of him.

Since indulging in our favorite comfort foods is a wonderful experience for anyone, it makes a perfect gift. This is especially true during the holidays, when the wonderful memories of great food and loving families are all around us.

This Christmas, consider sending yourself or someone you love the gift of the ultimate comfort food!

Food is something we can’t live without! But it is also something we thoroughly enjoy. I don’t know anyone who eats just to stay alive. In fact, most of us live to eat!

Everyone has a favorite delicacy that they just can’t resist. At times I give myself a night off, away from the house and the kids (and sometimes the husband as well). On those nights I try to have the foods that I love very much but don’t get to indulge in that often. If you were to give yourself one of those nights – what would you choose?

Chocolate, of course, would be a very common choice for most women. Or for a romantic evening, maybe champagne and strawberries would be a wonderful choice. I have often wondered what makes us like or dislike certain foods. In my experience, it has seems to be genetic. Otherwise, why does one small child love carrots, and another one hate them at first taste?

Genetically, we all have a preference for sweet and salty and a dislike for sour and bitter. Psychologists believe this genetic preference/dislike is a built in survival measure. Most foods in nature that are poisonous have a bitter taste.

However, once exposed to these flavors, we can grow to like them. One interesting fact is that most likes or dislikes of foods has more to do with texture and smell then with actual taste. Sight and touch can also play a part in whether or not we like certain foods.

Each experience we have as a child with food will influence whether or not we grow to love or hate that particular food. Peer pressure seems to also have a great influence over whether or not we learn to like certain foods. If your best friend in first grade loves peas, and you watch them eat peas for lunch over a period of time, you may also decide you like peas.

I personally watched my Mom enjoy avocados for years before I finally decided to give them a try. At first, I still didn’t like the taste. But over time, each time I tried one it tasted better. Now I love them!

There are certain foods that just about everyone loves and that make awesome gifts. Luscious chocolate truffles, fine wines and delicate cheeses, fresh baked muffins, or assorted cookies – all make wonderful gifts.

So, the next time you are struggling to decide on a gift, consider sending something that will be sure to please – send a food gift basket!

This Mother’s Day I’d like to share an article that I wrote in 2000 on being a successful parent. I think that every Mother at one time or another wonders if she is making all the right choices for her children. I hope you enjoy the article and as you read, think about how important, often difficult and sometimes thankless the job of being a Mother really is. Sometimes the weight of responsibility can be overwhelming. This Mother’s Day, show your Mother how much you appreciate all she has done for you.

Raising children is not an easy thing. Much of your time is consumed taking care of their physical needs, doing their laundry, preparing their meals, and organizing the events of their day. The majority of your energy is consumed taking care of their emotional needs, listening to their stories, talking to them, settling their differences with each other or others, advising and teaching them. When they are very small, it’s wiping their noses, changing their diapers, feeding them, rocking them, playing with them, and trust me there is no time for anything else. Parenting is like being a manager, a secretary, and a servant at the same time only as a parent you know that your only compensation is that hopefully they will grow up to be decent, contributing members of our society, who make you proud! That is if you’ve done your job. Of course there is always the fear that if they don’t turn out exactly like you expected, it all falls back on you, much like a project at work that fails or a program you’ve written that doesn’t perform.

Taking a look at the last 15 1/2 years that I’ve been parenting my eldest child, it seems that most of the time just flew by. I wish that I had taken a step back every couple of years to see what wonderful transformations she had made, instead of just having it hit me one day when she was talking about getting her drivers license! It’s too bad that often as parents, our lives are so full with other things that we have no time to enjoy our most important job! And all too often, some of that job gets pushed aside until later. Only later, the kids are grown. Just what is a successful parent? Is it measured by the success of our children? Is it measured by how close we are as a family? Or is it simply making it through another day without pulling out your hair?

If we want to look back on our lives someday and remember the beautiful memories, we have to work hard today to create them. So plan that next vacation as a family, a trip to Disneyland, a road trip, or a week at the beach or even a walk in the park. And remember to take pictures. They are nice to look at now, but they are a vital part of your history tomorrow. For today, for me, being a successful parent, is remembering to stop and smell the roses. Time waits for no one.

Contributed by Wendy Layne

Mother's Day is May 14th! Don't forget to tell your Mother how much you love her this Mother's Day!

Chocolate Gift Basket A chocolate lover's dream come true! It's all here in this sweet selection of dreamy chocolate treats.

Gourmet Gift Basket This magnificent gift basket is abundantly filled with many savories and confections. This basket will definitely leave them with a lasting impression.

Just when you thought at sending flowers would be the easy thing to do for a friend or loved one; you learn that it can actually be a lot more complicated than that. Flowers actually have many different meanings so choose wisely when deciding what type and color of flower to send as a gift, I’ve done some research on a few popular flowers and found the symbolic meaning and other interesting information about them.

Daffodil

The Daffodil is one of the first flowers of spring. Both the Greeks and the Egyptians related the flower with death. The flower is used as symbols for unreturned love or vanity. According to a Greek myth a young wood nymph named Echo fell in love with a man named Narcissus who was granted great beauty by the gods. The gods told Narcissus that in order to keep his beauty he could not look at his own reflection. However Narcissus became so infatuated with himself and his beauty that he ignored Echo who was consumed by love for him. Soon all that was left of her was her voice. Angered by his treatment of Echo the goddess Nemesis led the vain Narcissus to a lake so that he could see his reflection and he faded away. The other gods thought that Nemesis had been too harsh and so they changed his fate from nothingness to a flower, the Narcissus. A more modern, popular meaning of the Daffodil is “you’re the only one.”

Daisy

An ancient Celtic legend tells us that daisies are the spirits of children who dies at birth, they believe that god sprinkled the flowers all over the earth to cheer up the grieving parents. This is the reason that this flower has the meaning of innocence. Other meanings of this flower are loyal love, I'll never tell, purity and is associated with the fifth wedding anniversary.

Forget-Me-Not

According to Christian lore when God was walking through the Garden of Eden after the Creation, He noticed a small blue flower and asked its name. The flower, overcome by shyness, whispered, 'I am afraid I have forgotten, Lord.' God answered, 'Forget Me not. Yet I will not forget thee.’ Another legend is about a man who jumped in the river to swim across and pick the beautiful blue flowers for his lover who was with him. She pleaded for him not to because the currant in the river was strong; he made it to the other side and picked the flowers. However, on his way back he got a cramp and could no longer swim; with the last of his strength he flung the flowers at her feet and cried, “Forget me not!” After he drowned she never forgot him and wore the flowers in her hair until her death. It is no wonder that this flower symbolizes true love and constancy.

Roses

There is a legend that suggests that roses became red when white roses were covered with Abel’s blood when his brother Cain killed him in the bible. Roses have many different meanings depending on the color. Here are some color meanings of roses:

Red

• The spirit of love. True love stronger than thorns.
• True red is the lover's rose.
• Cardinal red: sublime desire
• Carmine: deceitful desire (not true to color)
• Fiery red: flames of passion.

Yellow

• In Victorian times the yellow rose meant jealousy.
• Today it is given as a sign of friendship, sometimes as a sign of sympathy. It is the rose of familiar love and domestic happiness.

Pink

• Pink roses are associated with friendship and marriage, and for either gender, they express warm feelings, happiness or pride. Grace, gentility, elegance and refinement. The rose of sweet thoughts.
• They are wonderful given as a birthday bouquet, anniversary arrangement, or to celebrate landing that coveted job!

White

• A white rose symbolizes innocence and purity as well as youthfulness.
• Loyalty, penetrating and platonic love. Able to captivate secret thought, love stronger than death.

Blue

• Fantasy and impossibility. Hoping for a miracle and new possibilities.

Orange

• Also associated with fantasy but dealing more with want and desire.
• Also could mean I am proud of you.

If you are uncertain what to say, you can’t go wrong with a mixed bouquet and combining a multitude of emotions with your gift. The list of flowers and meanings could go on for hundreds of pages but these are just a few fun facts to help get you started in finding the perfect way to express what you feel with flowers.

Contributed by Wendy Layne

Daffodil Gift Basket This Double Daffodil Basket of bulbs comes potted and ready to grow! Your basket contains 8 Assorted Double Daffodils.

Alstroemeria Bouquet, Peruvian Lily Deluxe bouquet consists of 20 Stems of Assorted Alstroemeria which is also known as a Peruvian Lily