MEET MY ECO-LUSIVE JEWELRY DESIGNER

Now this girl right here....I met on Facebook as well through the fab Shabby Cowgirl & Sunshine Soap Company.   Except when I met her it was via personal page and I had no idea she was a talented jewelry designer.

Well I quickly fixed that situation, I checked out her page and was in love.  I snapped her up and asked her to be part of the team.  When she said yes I was excited, never did I imagine she would design a line exclusively for Lucky 7 Design.   Im so loving her ECOuture GEEKglam line is beyond original and the coolest thing Ive seen.

I'm talkin about none other than

Paulette of Whimsy & Wire Collection

Check out the exclusive line as well as some of her other fabulous pieces.

Yes I know..........some pretty cool stuff.   I have a ton of favorites and Im sure I will be rockin her pieces real soon at the shop.

You can visit Whimsy & Wire Facebook page HERE
You can visit Whimsy & Wire on Etsy HERE

HAVE YOU MET MY TEAM????

My next fabulous rock star on the team just so happens to be a fellow Jersey girl.  But you would never know it by her company name.   I met her on Facebook and quickly became a fan, then she held a Holiday Open House for Cowgirl in the Sand at her home in NJ and of course I had to go.   You can check out the post on that HERE.  She then came to my Holiday Boutique and we've been friends ever since...love how that happens!

She carries some of  the most amazing Western Inspired lines of  jewelry, apparel, gourmet, bath & beauty and so much more.  Did I mention she has her own line of hand-dyed pillows & scarves too.

Please meet Elise of Cowgirl in the Sand

P.S  The last 3 items are on my wishlist...aren't they gorgeous...I mean seriously I would rock those Old Gringo boots all Spring long

Truly something for everyone, she even carries a Men's line of body products. Yeehaw!  Make sure you come in to the shop and check out all the goods from our Jersey Cowgirl.  You never know when she might come around and say hi!

You can visit Cowgirl in the Sand's website HERE

You can check her out on Facebook HERE

-MJ

EXTRA...EXTRA...READ ALL ABOUT IT!

My hand painted sign went up in my shop window tonight.   The building owner and my daughter Gabriella hung it in the window and I gave approval from the outside.  Who said Italians can't work well together...lol

I had some people looking and peeking and that's exciting.   10 day countdown.

IT'S NEVER TO LATE TO LIVE YOUR DREAM!!!!!

- MJ 

A HANDMADE ANNOUNCEMENT

Well the grand opening is less than 2 weeks away.....so I wanted to get the word out there, especially in the downtown area where I am opening.

This is what I had doodled in my book and today took some time to measure, cut, draw and painted my idea......on recycled paper of course.    

It reads:

COMING SOON

Lucky 7 Design......Eco Friendly Home Interiors & Gifts

March 9th, 2012    GREEN FRIDAY

lists my blog url and we are on FB 

I think I did a pretty good job on my logo

The whole concept of my shop

I have dubbed my opening day

GREEN FRIDAY

I promote a GREEN lifestyle and will be giving classes and workshops on this very subject. Not to mention that Im opening on St. Patrick's parade weekend in my town.

- MJ

MY ALLSTAR TEAM

Here is someone else I want to introduce you to.........she is a great girl and Im so thrilled an honored to have her on my team.

          Meet Barbara of  Shabby Cowgirl

Her creations are made from the most fabulous materials.....vintage fabric & sheets, amazing burlap and her own unique materials.   In her line are handmade aprons, headbands, bags and so much more all designed  and made by B.  

TAKE A LOOK...

These are just a few of her amazing pieces.   Her Spring 2012 line will be available at the new Lucky 7 Design shop....so make sure to check in and see what's coming.

You can visit her Etsy shop to see more items HERE

Go over and LIKE her Facebook page too HERE

-MJ

WANNA MEET THE TEAM ??????????????

GRAND OPENING DAY...is coming soon!     I want to start sharing my fabulous team of artists that will be in the new shop.   I'm so excited to have each and every one of them with me on this journey.  

The 1st artist I am sharing is Angela and she is based out of North Carolina and she can do amazing things with metal and a hammer.    But then she can cook up some amazing soap too!  Best of both worlds.

This girl is an amazing talent and her company and its sub division are 

AMERICAN ANGEL ART & SUNSHINE SOAP COMPANY

Just to give you an idea of her amazing talent, I'm sharing some of my favorite pieces.   

Her work embodies the concept of my shop and Im so happy to be able to share her with NJ.

IS THAT THE MOST FABULOUS RE PURPOSED ART YOU EVER SEEN OR WHAT???   AND I KNOW YOU CAN'T SMELL THE SOAPS YET, BUT WAIT TO YOU COME TO THE SHOP, THEY SMELL SO GOOD YOU WANT TO EAT THEM!


Check out Sunshine Soap Company Facebook page HERE
You can see more of her work in her online shop HERE

Get ready for Grand Opening.....

LUCKY 7 DESIGN

ECO FRIENDLY HOME INTERIORS & GIFTS

GREEN FRIDAY EVENT 

MARCH 9, 2012

5 - 9 p.m.






JUST 2 WEEKS FROM TODAY!!!!

A DOODLE OR A DREAM???

It has always been my way when I have an idea or Im thinking of something I must draw it out...doodle it down or scribble it on anything within reach.

I have had many notebooks filled with ideas in my lifetime, but I have to say my latest one is one of the best.  It's blue and has 108 pages and each day it's filled with more ideas for the new Lucky 7 Design shop.

Thought I would share with you my doodle idea for the store window on Opening Weekend.   It will be GREEN in more ways than one. LOL

So sometimes a doodle can really turn into a dream.

Don't forget to check back for posts of the process...I will be sharing store set up from beginning to end which is literally going to be days with the time frame Im working with.

THAT WHICH DOESN'T KILL US.....MAKES US STRONGER

SO THAT MAKES ME .....A SUPERHERO!!!

WHAT HAPPENED?????

Well as a 'lifestyle' blogger it is normal that we share our lives on our blog.  And this I do, I share decorating projects, birthday parties, family news, sad news, happy news.

Well a few weeks ago I shared a post with news we were expecting baby #6....also a video of my kids reaction.  All was good but unfortunately something went wrong.

Last week when I returned to the doctor for a follow up ultrasound to check on a small blood clot that was present 2 wks prior.   The baby's heartbeart was no longer present....doctor said the baby was measuring smaller which means somewhere in those 2 wks it stopped thriving.  I now have to wait for natural miscarriage or schedule surgery....what a decision!

I was shocked and saddened but kept my composure while in the office, because I still needed to get bloodwork.   The kicker was that I had to take a taxi cab to the doctor because I could not find my truck keys earlier that morning.   So I now had to stand outside and wait for a cab.

I walked outside and it was still a gloomy grey day outside, none the less I threw on my Jackie O shades and started to walk....I don't know why but I did.  It was my old neighborhood so didn't bother me.  I just walked and thought oh I'll go to the bank (???)  So I walked about 10 blocks balling my eyes out as I walked down the street.  I played back what I had done, did I overdue it.  What about those heavy boxes I lifted, whatever I could think to blame myself I did.   Then heard the doctors voice "you know you did nothing to make this happen right?" I never answered her.  So I continued in my thoughts and my self blame.

My phone alerts were going off, my daughter asked how the baby was...I text her the news.  My friend Liza texted me and I texted her the news....all as I walked, cried and texted.    Then my phone rang and it was my friend Liza...I didn't want to answer but thought it would be rude, but I was still crying out of control.  I answered, she spoke....I lost it.  I couldn't speak, she just kept speaking to me, she told me how sorry she was and that she understand.   And I know that she did, we have been down this road with each other before...I walked she talked, I asked her to hold a minute, tried to gain my composure and then we had a short conversation.

My phone rang again and it was my beautiful California girl Paulette, who I just recently become close to on facebook through 2 other fabulous ladies Barbara and Angela.    I couldn't go through the phone convo again especially since this would be the 1st time she ever heard my voice.  I felt horrible to let the call go, but I couldnt do it again.  I know think to myself how amazing that she took the time and reached out to me in my time of need.

I took my cab and came home, crawled into bed and laid there with tears streaming down my face for hours. My daughter came in and checked on me, brought me a drink...gave me a hug and a kiss but wouldnt look at me (she was taking it hard because the baby was due on her birthday)

While in the cab I posted to my personal facebook "the lord giveth and the lord taketh away" that is the one thing that stuck in my mind.  I wasnt angry....that's a lie, I was!  But not with God, I had given myself and said to him when I found out that I will follow whatever path he puts me on.  

Apparently my friends all read very well into that phrase...I started receiving texts, facebook notifications and posts on my wall.   My phone alert (which is the Godfather theme by the way) played all afternoon long as I lay in bed.  Not a very cheerful tune but kind of fitting for my mood.

I felt sorry for myself for hours, but then just thought to my self how blessed that I am.  I have an amazing husband who loves me, 5 beautiful healthy children who I love and adore, and Im going to fulfill my childhood dream of opening my own shop in less than a month.  I had to get up and feed the kids for dinner so I did.

So I rationalized that this baby was meant to be in heaven with God and our 2 other angels that are there as well.   I don't pretend to know the reason why this happened but I am going to just take it as a lesson of life.

So this is 'WHAT HAPPENED' now for those of you that were wondering by the comments from friends on both personal and Lucky 7 Design page.


A German philosopher once said:
That which doesn't kill us makes us stronger!


I have something to add to that, and in the sadness of this all..it is now a joke among friends.


That which doesn't kill us makes us stronger.........I'm now a Superhero! 




Thank you all so much for you love and support for me and for my family.  It is truly amazing the connections you can make and friendships created.

-MJ

KING OF HEARTS

I'm not going to do a "Valentine Post"....I've learned in life that you need to show the ones you love that you love them everyday....not just on February 14th.

My husband and I kiss each other hello and goodnight....we tell each other that we love one another.

In 2009 he was in Iraq on Valentine's Day and that was a true lesson of feeling a void in your heart.  He made arrangements for me to have red roses delivered to the house.  Very sweet, but I really would have just loved to have him at my doorstep.

2010 I gave birth to my 5th child...a gift of love  to each other.

2011 we took a trip away alone, and we realized how every now and then you need to get away and focus on one another.

This year 2012, we have so many things going on...he is going through an exhausting academy.  I'm expecting baby #6 w/ some slight complications.  In addition,  I have about 4 weeks before I open the doors to my childhood dream...my own shop.

So today will be just any other day for us, but as long as we both know that he will always be my

KING OF HEARTS

I don't forget my 5 beautiful children....they also know that I love them, and they in turn show me they love me just the same.

-MJ

AND THE WINNER IS............................

The lucky winner of the fabulous collection of CeCe Caldwell's Paints giveaway is :

#26

AVHallsFeb 1, 2012 10:47 AM
I'm a fan of Lucky 7 on Facebook!




Congratulations!!!!!


You will be receiving as the lucky winner:



8 container samples
1 wax
1 apron
1 color chart
1 paint brush
1 wax brush

THANK YOU AGAIN TO CECE FOR SUCH A GENEROUS GIVEAWAY COLLECTION.  I'M TRULY GRATEFUL AND HOPE YOU WILL ALL CONTACT YOUR LOCAL DISTRIBUTOR OR RETAILER AND GET YOUR HANDS ON SOME OF THIS FABULOUSNESS (YES THAT'S MY JERSEY VOCABULARY)

HOW SWEET IT IS.....TO BE 15

Well the day finally came.....the Sweet 15 party of our friends daughter Amber.  I have been posting pics and sharing the decor I was making for the party on facebook for the past 2 weeks.

HAPPY SWEET 15 AMBER

It was an awesome party.....so here you go!

The seating card table...those gumballs were done asap. 

Beautiful sign on poster of the bday girl

The boys of the her court and brothers Alex & Joshua

The beautiful bday girl and the girls of her court

The Court

The Candy Buffet

The infamous lollipop tree

Can you say Sweet Tooth

My kiddos minus Buggy plus daughter's boyfriend Anthony

The Lucky charms of the court Samayah and Brianna (sis of bday girl)

Amber with her lucky charms Brianna & Samayah

Sweet 15... Amber

Amber & my daughter Gabriella, they grew up together...and now are grown. wow!

Amber and her bffs

The head table.....awesome archway made by the aunt of the birthday girl!

Awesome cake.....from New York

More of the cool candy archway made by Aunt Sandra

I love this...she can now hang this on her wall....so creative.

The infamous centerpieces

Big Daddy rockin the girls hats..lol

Another table

The girls waiting to do their walk in

DJ going over all the names

Teens chillin in the hideaway room

Head table loaded up with candy for the court....martini glasses filled with cotton candy and pixie stix

Candle ceremony centerpiece made by the dads sister Christina

Our family was humbled by being honored as one of her 15 candles.  

xoxoxoxo

The proud parents...my friends Jeanette & Joey.    Peep daddy with the his pimp cup filled with sweetheart candy. LOL

Daddy's family

Hey there I am with Big Daddy....best seat with the chocolate fountain right behind us :)

NOW FOR THE CEREMONY

The lucky charms entrance

Brianna carried the shoes, Samayah carried the crown

1st couple of the court

2nd couple

3rd couple

4th couple

Amber and her escort

They did such a great job

Lucky Charms presenting the shoes & crown

Dad and the changing of the babygirl shoes to the glittery heels of a young woman

The young men of the court

The young ladies

Father/Daughter dance (  I was crying but got a good pic...damn Im good)

Dancing w/her brother Alex....he's such a good brother.

Dancing w/her Godfather John...he's a good guy too.

The court doing their dance to Ne-Yo

Bday girl working it

Brother Joshua 

They did such a great job after so many months of long practices

Go Amber!!!!!

court couple dancing

Bday girl and her beautiful necklace from her Godfather John!

Bday girl and my husband..

My daughters gettn down on the dance floor.

Mama of the bday girl gettin down in her platforms

My daughter Gabriella & her boyfriend Anthony dancing Salsa

Lil sis of the birthday girl....now that's the sign of a good party.

That and the fact that Big Daddy and I and snuggled on the couch today recovering from our activites.  My feet are killing me from all the dancing and the belly was bouncing.   But we wouldn't have had it any other way, was a great time and we were honored to be a part of it all.

ONCE AGAIN.....HAPPY SWEET 15 AMBER!!!

XOXO

-MJ