Happy New Years!

Happy New Years, Everyone!

We'll be back next week with some resolutions and other good stuff.

Have a safe and happy weekend and we'll see you next year!

xoxo

Tonya, Finn and Lola Bean
Image:  Brooklyn Bridge New Years Eve Postmortem by Pinkcookie via weheartit.com.

The Weekly Bean

Don't be bothering me right now..... I'm busy.

January Vogue

What I read the day after Christmas. 

This Charming House

I guess you know you're an adult when the prospect of purchasing new appliances is met with something other than wishing to throw yourself in the floor, kick and scream and cry and pout about the unfairness of it all.....

When I bought my townhouse, it was not yet built.  The builder provided certain appliances which I was sure were the cheapest things they could lay hands on.  They offered 'upgrades' but I figured I'd just pay more for less and wouldn't really have any choice in the matter.  So I decided to go with the 'crap' and then replace them as soon as possible.

Then the recession hit.  Bummer!  New appliances were pushed to the bottom of the list.

This summer, the dishwasher went from noisy and inefficient to deafeningly loud and inefficient.  I figured it's time was short.  The dishes are clean but the noise it takes to get them that way is really no fun for anyone.

Luckily, we got a bit of a bonus this Christmas, so on Christmas Eve, I headed down to H.H. Gregg to shop for a new machine.  I had done some research on the ones in my price range and decided on either an LG or a GE.  When I got down there, the nice salesman showed me this KitchenAid, which was on sale and nicer than either of the other two I had picked out, so I went with it.

They delivered it on Sunday (yes, the day after Christmas in a snowstorm - H.H. Gregg is cool like that).

Here it is in the kitchen.

Yay!

I am happy to report that in addition to being good looking, it is also quiet - as well as energy and water efficient. 

And I feel like such a grown up now.

Wednesday - Run Away Without Leaving Home

Yeah -

It's 4 days after Christmas and I'm longing to run away to an island somewhere....
Image:  Sea City by algodecristal via weheartit.com.

Random Pretty Man

The other night I woke up at like 3 in the morning and I started to worry about some little thing or another. 

And I said to myself "Is this really what you want to do?  You want to seriously tell me that you want to lay here, in your bed, in the dark and worry about bullshit?   Would you rather do that or think about... Johnny Depp?"

I decided to go with thinking about Johnny and drifted back off to sleep with happy thoughts. 

And yes, I have seen The Tourist twice.  And yes, I'm going to see it again.  And buy it on DVD.  My lust knows no boundaries. 

And, you know, I otherwise stay out of trouble.

Charming Words

 

Hang-o-ver [hang-oh-ver]

- noun

1.  Something left behind from a former period or state of affairs

2.  Any aftermath of or lingering effect from a distressing experience.

Image:  All I Want for Christmas by Toroborgen via weheartit.com.

Tuesday's Girl

"I do think New Years' Resolutions can't technically be expected to begin on New Year's Day, don't you?  Since, because it's an extension of New Year's Eve, smokers are already on a smoking roll and cannot be expected to stop abruptly on the stroke of midnight with so much nicotine in the system.  Also, dieting on New Year's Day isn't a good idea, as you can't eat rationally but really need to be free to consume whatever is necessary, moment by moment, in order to ease your hangover.  I think it would be much more sensible if resolutions begin generally on January the second."

Helen Fielding

The Mating Game

This Charming Closet

Finn and Lola got me an Elsa Peretti Bean pendant from Tiffany for Christmas!

Aren't they sweet?

I've been toying with the idea of getting a little charm pendant with their initials, but I was afraid I'd come off like "crazy dog girl" if anyone ever asked me about it.

This little thing is very meaningful to us and now they can be as visibly close to my heart as they always are....

They always take such good care of their Mama.

Happy Monday!

Hi!  Are we all back?  In one piece?  I hope no one had to sleep in an airport!!!

This is a super quick post to say "Hi" and "I'm still here" and "I have TOTAL Christmas hangover!"

It was a wonderful holiday - full of [actual, genuine] cheer, good friends, good food, puppy kisses, gifts, naps, an amazing candlelit Christmas service and finally, a lovely snow storm here in the Queen City. 

We couldn't have asked for a nicer Christmas. 

I'll be sort of 'micro blogging' this week - whatever that means.  To me it means that I need to think of something profound to say but I'm running in 5 different directions so I'll just give you little blasts now and then. 

Hopefully, everything will settle down a little after this week and I can actually begin to think about something more meaningful to say.  Keep your fingers crossed. 

In the meantime, thank you all so much for stopping by to spend a little time with me.  I really appreciate it. 

Let's hope for a great week.  We all have some resolutions to think up, don't we?  I know I'm kinda working on them. 

In the meantime, let's take a minute to remember what happened to me last Christmas - relive the trauma and the lessons learned.....

xoxox

Tonya
Image:  Untitled by TinyPic via weheartit.com.

Christmas Morning

Puppy Claus came while 2 puppies were asleeping!!! He left fun bags full of squeeky toys and treats!!

We were awfully good this year.

Can you believe we're having this much fun and we haven't even had breakfast yet?!?!

This Bean says "We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!"

Sunday Morning

We got about 5 inches of snow on Christmas night!

The Beans were very excited about it.

The Bee Charmer Loves Paris

Image:  French Christmas by Lisa sParks.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

I hope you all have the most lovely, joyful, peaceful and safe holiday.

xoxox - Tonya

Image:  Sugar by Carla Dyck.

A Little Norman Rockwell for the Holidays

My grandmother loved Norman Rockwell.  His Christmas work is just the best, isn't it?

A Holiday Treat for All

Merry Christmas, Everyone!!

The Weekly Bean

Reindeer Finn is on the job this week!

He's keeping an eye out for Christmas Hottentots.....

Make sure they're not sneaking up from behind.....

 

Christmas duty is a long, hard slog. 

Christmas Movies

In keeping with my re-discovered Christmas spirit, this weekend we'll be enjoying these lovely Christmas movies here at Chateau Bee Charmer:

Because - we love us some Cary Grant!

Because it never gets old and we never stop laughing at Ralphie's scheming....

Because Jude Law is pretty and Nancy Meyers' movies are CHOCK FULL of decor porn.

This Charming House

I'm searching for a new wall calendar for the house.  Etsy is such a wonderful resource for these things!

This one is just beautiful!

It's the 2011 Letterpress Calendar from Paper Boats Studios.

Go check them out!!!

Wednesday - Run Away Without Leaving Home

Image:  New York's Radio City Music Hall by Shutterbug Lady.

Christmas

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful."

Norman Vincent Peale

Image:  Snowflakes With Red by Icha Photography.

Random Pretty Man

This week's random pretty man is Mr. Hugh Jackman. 

*ahem* 

I just don't think we could get much prettier, do you?

Charming Words

Hope [hohp]

- noun

The feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.

- verb

To believe, desire or trust
Image:  Star Bokeh by Kelly's Photo Shop.

Tuesday's Girl

"Don't forget the skates for the little nippers.  Get 'em at Gimbles!"

Rosalind Russell as Auntie Mame

Babylon

The first time I went to London - the only time I've been to London - it was Christmas and this song was everywhere.

So for me, it's a Christmas song.  And 'Babylon' is one of my favorite words.  So it makes me happy.

This Charming Closet

So I think we've established a couple of things:

First, I have a serious handbag addiction.  Serious.  And in my defense, in 2009 I went for almost 12 months without buying a bag or even seeing one that I really wanted.  I thought that maybe - maybe - I was getting over it. 

In 2010 I think we can all agree that I have fallen off the wagon.... miserably.  But there has to be an upside to spinsterhood and childlessness, so I figure as long as my bills are paid and my 401K is funded, I can have a bag every now and again....  Or two bags.  Or whatever.  As the case may be. 

Second, lately my bag lust has been focused on Rebecca Minkoff.  Probably because I want something a little more fun and also because these bags are sort of rare for Charlotte.  Everybody has Coach and Kate Spade.  Even Louis Vuitton and Prada are fairly well represented.  Rebecca Minkoff - not so much.  And I like to be different.

This brings me around to the purpose of this post. 

The other night I was walking down the Mall and when I went past the Seven for All Mankind store, I saw this little darling out of the corner of my eye - the Heavy Metal Flame bag. 

I said "I didn't know they carried Rebecca Minkoff!  I must investigate!" 

So I went in - you know, just to look......

They said "You know, they are all on sale for 30% off." 

Well, that's like dangling raw meat in front of Old Yeller, isn't it? 

So I said "OK.  Ring me up". 

And she did - but here's the good part. 

This bag retails for $495.  Not cheap.  But 30% off is better.  But it rang up as $199.  And she sold it to me for that.....  She said "Well, huh.  OK.  That's what it rang up as and that's what you get it for."

I said "I like you." 

And I feel that it was a message from God.  You know.  "You've behaved this year.  You deserve a cute leather bag." 

At least that's the way I choose to see it.

Happy Monday

Hi!

I hope everyone had a happy weekend before Christmas.  Mine was not as productive as I had hoped but I did manage to get everything wrapped and ready to ship. 

I also picked up the house a bit and finished all the laundry. 

Oh - and I saw The Tourist.  I know it got bad reviews but I have to say that I really liked it.  It was silly and escapist and that's what I wanted it to be so I have no complaints.  And did I mention Johnny Depp.  You know if he's there I just feel like it would be pretty impossible for me not to have a good time. 

I'm hoping this week is slow and easy.  Having said that, some shit will probably explode in my office.  But then again, it is Christmas.  Hopefully, everyone is like the court system - mostly on vacation.

xo - Tonya
Image:  Paris Christmas Lights by Electrorouge.

Sunday Morning

The wrapping has commenced!

A Litte Extra First Lady To Start Off The Week

The First Lady wore vintage!  And I am filled with happiness about it!

The Bee Charmer Loves Paris

Image:  Merry Christmas by Sigfus Sigmundsson.

Happy Friday!

Oh - what a week!

I'm beat.  And I'm still not done shopping for Christmas.  I've got to get it done and get everything wrapped.

*heavy sigh*

But I'm having fun and am not at all grinch-y so I guess everything is ok, huh?

This weekend is shaping up to be contentedly busy but not so crazy as last weekend ('cause I really can only take about one of those weekends a month...).  I'm getting my bangs cut on Saturday (or my 'fringe trimmed' as the Aveda people would say) and then I'm going to finish up my last minute gifts and get everything wrapped.

Other than that, I hope to get a pedicure and make time to see "The Tourist" at some point.  I know it's gotten horrible reviews, but I'm willing to be bored as long as I can lust for Johnny Depp in the meantime.  Is that wrong?  'Cause if loving him is wrong I don't wanna be right.

So I hope everyone has a great weekend full of happy and presents and running around and all that nonsense.  Have a great time!

And I'll see you on Monday.
Image:  Twinkle by ISPhotography.

Happy Birthday, Finn!

The smile on your face
I live only to see
It's enough for me, baby
It's enough for me
Oh, Heavenly Day
Heavenly Day

Heavenly Day

My little boy is 9 years old today!

Happy Birthday, baby.  Mama loves you.

Song Lyrics:  Heavenly Day by Patti Griffin.

Public Service Announcement

Ok - so here's the thing:

I am a crazy, do it right now, check-three-times-before-I-go-to-bed door locker.  I lock every door behind me right after I come in the house.  And I double check it to make sure.

You are all going to think that I'm completely paranoid and/or crazy, but I don't care.  And you may also think I'm telling you something that you already know but I'm going to say it anyway:

Lock your damn doors.

I'll say it again:  Lock your damn doors!

I'm talking about your back doors, your storm doors and your basement doors.  And I'm talking about locking them all the time.  And I mean go do it right now.  And if you're not sure if it's locked, go check it.  And if you have a lock and a deadbolt, lock both of them. 

Did you know that last year the president of the student body at UNC Chapel Hill was brutally murdered by two psychopaths?  Well, she was.  They came into her home in the middle of the night and then they murdered her after they took her out and made her withdraw the money from her bank account.  They pushed her out of the car in the middle of an intersection and blew her head off with a shotgun.

They walked in through an unlocked door.

Have you been following the murder trial in Connecticut involving the Petit family?  Those monsters walked into their house through an unlocked basement door.

A few years ago a young woman in Clemson, South Carolina was raped and murdered in her apartment.   The guy followed her home from jogging and just followed her into her home.  She didn't lock the door behind her.

And the anchorwoman in Little Rock who was raped and beaten to death in her bed - the guy walked in through a door she left open for her dogs.  

So if you're home,  lock your doors.  Lock them now.  Lock all of them.  And your windows, too.  Lock them behind you when you walk in the house.  Don't wait and do it later.  Don't think it won't matter. 

Don't make it easy for anyone to come in and hurt you.

Unfortunately, those people are out there, even in the safest neighborhoods.

Dr. Petit was on Oprah last week.  I have never seen a more pitiful, absolutely broken person.  He told her he ran through all the 'what ifs' in his head.  When she asked him what the 'what ifs' were, he said "What if someone had just slid that latch shut (on the basement door)".

So take care of yourselves.  Please.  Lock your doors. 
Image:  Doorknob by Jennopolis.

Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town

Have a Merry Weekend!!

The Weekly Bean

Ho ho ho.....

I told them -

"Don't quit your day jobs."

The Night Before Christmas

For those of you who have little ones in your life, you may consider buying them this lovely and charming version of the The Night Before Christmas, illustrated by Tasha Tudor.

Ms. Tudor was a lover of corgis and they are well represented in this beautiful book.  Judge the cuteness for yourselves:

This is not actually my Lola Bean - but it could be....

Books are wonderful for children and this one is so lovely you may just want to pick it up for yourself!