The simple things in life...

are always the best, are they not?

My children give me sweet, simple moments daily to tuck away into my memory banks and cherish forever...

(they *love* washing the dishes together...and I love that they love it!)

The simple pleasure of a day spent enjoying the sun,

relishing the feeling of sand between my toes...

(with lovely new coral polish, to boot!)

...watching Anthony kayaking with Jett...

...snatching a daydream or two in a peaceful moment...

...teaching India how to reel in a fish,

and smile for the camera...

...which is *very* serious business...

And simple jewels made with heart and thought...

my blog giveaway jewels!

Custom made for four very special ladies in different corners of the globe...

For Noemi,

garnets and ruby...

For Sharon,

prehnite...

For Heather,

amethyst...

For Jenny,

apatite...

Simple and sentimental,

with a wish for four women that their dreams may come true...

~*~

What simple pleasures are you relishing this week...?

Just because...

...he loves me,

he bought me a fan-dangly new camera...

A Canon EOS 550D, no less!

Oh husband, how I love thee ♥

Anthony is notorious for the best 'just because I love you' gifts,

but he outdid even himself with this one.

Now I understand why all the cool people have a Canon...

(including her, and her, and her)

They are unbelievably good!

So, I've been having fun re-shooting some pieces that have been sitting around in my shop...

The *Drop of Desert Sky* Necklace

{ SOLD - thank you!}

The *Petite Desert Flower* Ring in Tangerine

Available here

The *Moroccan Trinkets* Necklace

Available here

The Canon has also been great for shooting some new custom orders,

including this lovely Twilight Topaz and filigree ring...

...this all black version of my *Safi* Earrings...

...and my *Mosaique* Necklace, newly embellished with pebbles of 9 carat gold at the request of a lovely lady...

~*~

The camera was also a blessing for October 7...

our daughter's birthday...

Four!

I cannot believe our baby girl is four!

I will never forget the first moment I saw her,

I gasped because she was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen.

And she grows more beautiful with every passing year...

The hula hoop was a big hit...

she danced and twirled for hours...

...only stopping to ride her new scooter...

It's a Tinkerbell scooter,

naturally.

:-)

And when the new toys had been thoroughly broken in,

my budding chef helped me to decorate her own birthday cupcakes,

complete with sprinkles and princess decorations...

What more could a little princess ask for!

♥

~*~

I'm looking forward to sharing the culmination of my giveaway prizes with you soon as well...

they are coming together beautifully...

Stay tuned!

~*~

Have a wonderful, wonderful weekend, my friends!

Don't forget to smile :-)