Thursday, May 27, 2010

All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten...by Robert Fulghum


For me...it was 1st Grade.
This year my niece Alexis graduated from Brooklyn College & my nephew Jason graduated from Boston University. I thought...what words of wisdom can I impart on them on this momentous occasion. Needless to say...I couldn't think of one thing...so I googled some graduation quotes & here are a few of my favorites:


Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss



Don't waste time learning the "tricks of the trade." Instead, learn the trade. ~Attributed to both James Charlton and H. Jackson Brown, Jr.



Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. ~Judy Garland



Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars. ~Les Brown



If at first you don't succeed, do it like your mother  Aunt Kathy told you. ~Author Unknown

So...off you go with these words of encouragement...

As I go forward step by step, the way will be opened up to me ~Proverbs 4:12



Love,
Aunt Kathy...xoxo
 
Town & Country Gifts
1213 Castleton Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10310
718-447-8237

Websites:
http://www.kathleenrosescollection.com/ (an eBay Store)
http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.com/(an eBay Store)

Blogs:
http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.blogspot.com/
http://www.accessoriesbyashleyrae.blogspot.com/


Thursday, May 13, 2010

Picture Frames...Portals to Our Past...

Picture Frames are often the perfect gift. Who doesn't love to receive a picture frame...especially ones as beautiful as these from the Cosmo Collection. All made with ~Crystals from Swarovski®~are works of art...

Frames available for sale here: http://www.kathleenrosescollection.com


A fan favorite & the perfect gift for an engagement or wedding...


Shades of Amber, Brown, & Green...

Lovely Gift for the Gardener...

Sooo Pretty...

Bamboo...

These frames are as Pretty as the Picture...


Kathleen Sforza

Town & Country Gifts
1213 Castleton Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10310
718-447-8237

Websites:
http://www.kathleenrosescollection.com/ (an eBay Store)
http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.com/ (an eBay Store)

Blogs:
http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.blogspot.com/

http://www.accessoriesbyashleyrae.blogspot.com/

Friday, May 7, 2010

"What do girls do who haven't any mothers..."


What do girls do who haven't any mothers to help them through their troubles?
~Louisa May Alcott~

A quote from one of my favorite authors...and...so appropriate for Mother's Day.

I don't know what I would do without my Mother. All my life...always there...listening to my troubles...both real & imaginary. So this Mother's Day I want to thank "My Mom"...whose ears must be falling off by now!!!


xoxo
Kathleen

Town & Country Gifts
1213 Castleton Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10310

Websites:

Blogs:

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Live Life with Passion...




"LIVE LIFE WITH PASSION"

Today a woman came to my store {not all that unusual}. She was an older woman...still nothing unusual...she told me & my sister Lorraine that she had traveled from Ronkonkoma, Long Island to Staten Island by train, subway, ferry, & bus...UGGGGGHHHH what a looooonnnngggg commute. That trip probably took a minimum of a couple of hours. She was surprising a friend at work (who, unfortunately, was not there)...so she stopped at our store.

This woman was so full of life. Now, here is the part that surprised us...she is 80 years old !!! OMG...Where did all this energy & excitement come from??? My sister & I asked her what her secret was & she told us...

Live Life Passionately...

You must...

Put God first...

Then yourself...

and then those you Love.


These words, from a woman we had just met, touched both me & my sister.

We vowed...that we too...from this day forward...to live life with passion.

Passionately Living Life,
Kathleen Sforza

Town & Country Gifts
1213 Castleton Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10310
718-447-8237

eBay Store:
Kathleen Rose's Collection (new items)
Lorraine's Favorite Finds(vintage, retro, & antique items)

Blogs:
Lorraine's Favorite Finds
The Savvy Sisters
Accessories By Ashley Rae

Saturday, April 24, 2010

CREATIVITY...A Cluttered Desk



If a cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind, what is the significance of a clean desk? - Laurence J. Peter

YIKES........




OMG my desk is always sooooo cluttered. I try... every once in awhile to clean it up...and in less than 24 hours it's pretty much looking like it did before...

I do like a clean desk & I do think I function better & waste less time looking for things. One thing I'm always losing is my glasses & that is why I have 3 or 4 pairs lying around the desk.



Of course, my Diet Coke is always by my side...



My magnifying glass to analyze my "Vintage Treasures" (costume jewelry this week).



My Vintage Treasures...









A bunch of garbage things that I don't want to throw out yet because I'm not sure what they go to...



and last but not least my makeup.



I think it is against my nature to have an organized desk. I have so many interests & hobbies cluttering my mind that I guess it's just manifests itself via the cluttered desk! And maybe...just maybe...a clean desk is the sign of an empty mind.

If you need to get organized somewhat here are some items that help do the job.

The desks of "My Dreams"...













All "Dream Desk" Photos courtesy of Ballard Designs...



Longing to be clutter free...
Kathleen Sforza

Town & Country Gifts
1213 Castleton Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10310
718-447-8237

Websites:
http://www.kathleenrosescollection.com/ (an eBay Store)
http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.com/ (an eBay Store)

Blogs:
http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.blogspot.com/
http://accessoriesbyashleyrae.blogspot.com/

Saturday, April 17, 2010

If Shopping...


This sign says it all & with summer fast approaching, I really need to start an exercise program. You'd think that with all the shopping I do, both personal & for the store, I'd be a size 5. Unfortunately, that's in my dreams. With that said, I am going to tryyyyyy on Monday (of course...always a Monday) to get healthy. I have a goal...I am going on my "Dream" Vacation in July (Mediterranean Cruise...Italy, Greece, Spain, Turkey...) & I really need to get physically fit for all the walking & touring I will be doing. Not to mention the fact that I have to put a bathing suit on :(.

So here goes...the official start...of my "Life" change.

At the store, we are also getting into the "Summer Groove" and Heritage Lace offers some of the lightest, airiest (is this a word ????), beachiest (????? word) linens & lace in the Beach Cottage Collection.

Blue Crab...

Crisp graphic art transfers add crustacean character and bold color to home textiles. A tasty denizen of the deep marches across the placemat and both ends of the runner, which are just right for casual seaside dining and entertaining. Machine wash. Made in U.S.A.



Sand Shell...

A great look for décor at the shore: Delicate starfish and seashells with natural shell trim. Distinctive crushed lace features marine motifs accented with dainty trim (optional) of real seashells.




Shell Linen...

Embroidered shell motifs accented with soft neutral bands make a great seaside collection.Maritime motif of scallop, shell and starfish has well-defined detail and texture. Machine wash. Imported.




Tiki...

The clean, casual look of bamboo adds visual and textural interest to these home textiles. With the distinctive look of bamboo, these table textiles do more than reserve place settings; they make a statement. Machine wash. Made in U.S.A.




Sandscape...

You're on a sandy beach, littered with shells, starfish and the usual marine flotsam. Except for the occasional seabird, it's quiet, and the soft, soothing colors of sky and sand go on into infinity ... that's "Sandscape". Machine wash. Made in U.S.A.



Lighthouse...

Home décor with a maritime motif and a shoreline view -- no matter where you are. Each component of the Lighthouse collection features well-known maritime sentinels on each seacoast and the Great Lakes. Machine wash. Made in U.S.A.



Tropical Breeze...

Tropical Breeze can lend any room an exotic view, a center of interest and instant personality.

This exotic design brings the islands and the South Seas as near as your window. Machine wash. Made in U.S.A.



Crab Damask...

Inspired by the infinite variety of sea life, this is a reminder of those lazy days at the shore. Intricate marine motifs give Crab Damask a salty sense of the sea. It's woven of special yarns with two-tone dying to achieve this unique look. Machine wash. Made in U.S.A.



Dory Bay...

Rustic woven fabric has the natural texture and feel of the outdoors or a breezy beach. Dory Bay is in a natural shade called "Spa", with the attractive colors of sand and beach glass, and the authentic look and feel of natural fibers of linen and cotton. Machine wash. Made in U.S.A.



Dolphins...

A unique alternative to "hard" vertical blinds.Features scenic or all-over designs knit into soft fabric vanes. Beautiful as a stand-alone treatment or as a base for your personal decorative scheme. Made in U.S.A.



Shells...

It's written in the sand, " ... one cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach."

A treasure trove of marine motifs and messages in the sand make these window dressings ideal for that beachside cottage. Machine wash. Made in U.S.A.



Dreaming of Summer...

Kathleen Sforza

Town & Country Gifts
1213 Castleton Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10310
718-447-8237

Websites:
http://www.kathleenrosescollection.com/ (an eBay Store)
http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.com/ (an eBay Store)

Blogs:
http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.blogspot.com/
http://www.accessoriesbyashleyrae.blogspot.com/

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Happy Easter


May God bless you at Easter, and keep you all year through. May God give you all the faith you need, to make your dreams come true. May His love and wisdom always help, to guide you on your way. May His light shine down upon you now, to bless your Easter Day" ~ Irish Easter Blessing



Happy Easter!


Kindest Regards,
Kathleen Sforza

Town & Country Gifts
1213 Castleton Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10310
718-447-8237

Websites:
http://www.kathleenrosescollection.com/ (an eBay Store)
http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.com (an eBay Store)