My Mom

Many of you know my mom from coming in. Especially in the early days, when she helped out frequently around here. She still helps, but mostly behind the scenes. This picture was taken last Sunday, just short of 1 month after she had a heart attack.

Yep, April 6th my dad called me at work to say that he had called an ambulance because she wasn't feeling well. I thought it was probably just a panic attack. Wrong. When I got to the hospital, I found the Dr. telling my sister that they had called the helicopter and we needed to decide where we wanted to send her for an emergency heart cath. Wow. I asked him if she had a heart attack and he said "she's having a heart attack right now". I have been saying it was a "mild" heart attack given the fact that she never lost consciousness and she was semi propped up in bed talking to us the whole time as the Drs. were monitoring it. Her pain was more like "pressure" and she ranked it at 5 on a scale of 1-10. We had to tell her she was having a heart attack...then she got alarmed. So off she went to Allegheny Gen. for a stent in 1 artery. Luckily that was all she needed. When we got to see her after the procedure, she was as pink as a newborn baby. I looked at my dad and "uh-oh, you're in trouble now. You couldn't keep up with her before, now she'll really run circles around you!"

She is doing really well (doesn't she look great?!)...is following Drs. orders and taking it easy for the most part. She still wanted to cook Easter dinner, but we wouldn't let her. We will be taking her out for Mother's Day and we will celebrate a little bigger this year.

I need to thank Betsy and Janet for jumping in and running the place while I was gone. I checked in periodically, and could tell that you were in good hands. It was nice to be able to be where my family needed me to be and know that things were fine here. Thanks girls!

So that's the story not only of my mom, but also of where I've been. I was out of the shop more than ever this past month but things are looking like they are back on track somewhat and should be returning to normal! For the time being at least!

I hope all you moms have a wonderful Mother's Day!

Gettin' giddy

As I eagerly await a new shipment of pictures, a reorder of Sid Dickens {already!}, and a few straggling back orders, I happily gaze at a new line of wedding worthy goods that make me absolutely giddy! These crystal candlesticks {hefty and heavy enough to double as a weapon!} are absolutely gorgeous! Named The Manhattan Collection with good reason, the sophisticated style with a current edge will meld into any palette and get along well with a full range of decorating styles.

These are the next up and coming "must have" look in candlesticks. We've seen architecturally inspired wooden candlesticks in whitewash and black finishes, and iron candlesticks, and those are still hot ones to go with {please tell me you got rid of those brass ones!}, but un-etched, sleek, chunky, crystal candlesticks were showing up all over the market in NYC! Yep, up and coming...and you saw them here first! Not your momma's crystal candlesticks for sure! Sizes ranging from 12" - 28" tall. LOVE.