Last day for custom orders! 12/15/10

yup, I know, it cameup fast this year huh? Only 10 days to go till Santa arrives, so today is the last day to order something custom. I have things in stock and ready to go, if you need something like a frame, candle holders, square plaques, so just message me and let me know what I can do to help that those last people checked off your list. » read more

Are you ready? 12/11/10

Only two weeks to go till Christmas is here which begs the question: are you ready with all the gift and goodies you need? This year I got started early shopping for the perfect gift for people on my list and they are all wrapped up and boxed up ready to go. I have no idea how that happened so quickly but I usually start shopping in Oct or when I see the perfect gift for them. » read more

the crazy shipping line is here 11/8/10

I guess everyone is like me in trying to get orders and gifts out earlier than normal because the line at the post office this morning was crazy busy already. I usually use the automated machines when I can but today had to stand in line with some abnormal sized boxes I wanted to check on. At least everyone was in a good mood, including the postal people behind the counter. :>) I still have more to mail out but hopefully this week that will be off my list as well. » read more

Happy Hanukkah 12/3/10

Hanukkah always makes me realize just how fast the year really went by but I do say that every year, it seems. This year went especially fast for me just keeping busy making art and traveling. Hope everyone who celebrates Hanukkah has a great time and for those that celebrate Christmas...well....better get busy, not much time left to get those gifts off your list. Enjoy the season! » read more

It's Turkey Day week! yeah. 11/22/10

It might be still warm outside but I can still get into the holiday season just fine in my flip flops and shorts. Hey, someone has to do it right? Looking forward to seeing my family this year for the holidays and filling up on turkey and the sides. It's a good excuse to eat a lot but mostly to give thanks for a great family and visiting. It's a simplier year, this year, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Hope you and your family have a great week. Gobble Gobble. » read more

Weddings and babies 11/15/10

It was Benjamin Franklin that said the only two things in life that are certain are death and taxes but I have to add weddings and babies being born to that list. Plus just thinking about taxes and death is so...well...depressing. Working on wedding and baby shower gifts this week along with holiday orders. I just love that ILA means "Island Place". Such a unique name. » read more

3 weeks till Thanksgiving! 11/5/10

I can't believe it is already time to cook the turkey! How many people will be staying at your house over the holidays? Will Aunt Edna and Uncle Jack have enough room in the den? Is your guest room ready for them with clean sheets, fresh towels and a bowl of chocolates by their bedside? » read more

if you can't take the heat....11/4/10

then get off the island. My husbands favorite shirt! I wish they still made this shirt but we now can't find it anywhere. Surprisingly he hasn't spilled anything on it in years! ha! » read more

Golfing 11/2/10

I tried golf one time in San Diego but then quickly decided I was too hyper for the sport. Now, if they had golf where you run to each hole after you hit the ball, then I could get into Golf but until then (or until my hyperness calms down a bit), I will leave golf to the professionals. » read more

Hawaii bound? 10/16/10

It doesn't matter what island you love to visit really because the beach, water and those little fufu drinks make a vacation relaxing and hopefully make you forget about work and stress for a while. Many west coasters love to visit Hawaii vs. flying all the way to the Caribbean and I don't blame them because Hawaii really is spectacular too. Though I am partial to the freak blue water of the Caribbean which you can't get in Hawaii for sure! » read more

Sea Glass Festival 10/5/10

The current fog, drizzle, and clouds are predicted to dissipate for the North American Sea Glass Festival in Hyannis, Massachusetts this next weekend (October 9th and 10th). Still 60 degree weather is a bit chilly if you ask me. A $1000 prize will be given over the weekend for the best "overall beauty" piece (kinda a beauty pageant for sea glass if you will). I have never been to Cape Cod and need to go! (though I do LOVE my pink black dog hat I have from there (gift). » read more

buy 2, get one free deal 9/30/10

Yup, there are only 12 weeks until Santa makes his annual run down the chimney. I have already started my holiday shopping because I am one of those people that 1) loves to shop for anything and 2) when you see something that fits the person you are buying for, you just have to get it now (or geez, it might be gone when you get back!) and plus, it's just easier on the wallet when you do a little at a time.  » read more

Hold down the fort 9/28/10

We are expecting over 2 inches of rain today, which itself is nice, but when it rains, it really rains hard. I am sure there will be some flooding in the streets but I am a big fan of rain. At least I can turn off my sprinkler system and let mother nature run it's course and help me. It will certainly keep everything green. Looks as if this might turn into a tropical storm too. I think I am going to bake something, seems like a good day for that. » read more

Couple enjoying sunrise 9/25/10

Besides the great sunrise at the beach this morning, I enjoyed seeing this older couple in their beach chairs, sitting together, enjoying it too. There were lots of early morning risers with coffee and cameras in hand this saturday morning. I was trying to exercise to walk off a huge bucket of popcorn I ate yesterday at the movies while seeing "You Again". Still have a couple of more kernels to work off I suppose. » read more

Pretty Orange Sunset 9/20/10

Nothing like a bright orange (lava looking) sunset to end a perfect day at the beach huh? It just kept getting brighter and brighter as we drove away. I just had to take a picture of it. The wind is picking up this week so my allergies are in a state of craziness but still, we always have to go to the beach to watch the sunset. It's so worth it. » read more

Hurricane Waves today 9/18/10

Though the hurricanes passing us are far away, it still brought nice big waves at the beach this morning (I bet the surfters and kite surfers were so happy about this). We took an early morning walk down to the beach and watched the waves for a while and got in some much needed cardio (too much eating this week!). There were lots of early morning risers with their coffee in hand sitting and watching the waves with us. What is it with weather that is so interesting? I just love it. » read more

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville hotel 9/16/10

No one says Beach, relaxed lifestyle and margaritas like Jimmy Buffett. Along with Radio Margaritaville, his restauraunts, cafe's and bars, food, retail clothing and concerts, it was only a matter of time that he got into the hotel business I suppose. Margaritaville Beach Hotel is now open. I say we all skip Octoberfest this year (starts in 2 days!) and keep summer going by seeing Jimmy in Vegas on Oct. 23rd. Who is in? » read more

up in the mountains 9/14/10

Your vacation get-away home might just be up in the mountains, high above the city or beaches. Here is a mountain home address sign that I just shipped out today. I kinda wish I was up in the mountains right about now, it's almost 90 today! whew! » read more

One Love, One Heart 9/11/10

Remembering today all those that lost their lives on this tragic day, 9 years ago and we will never forget. Bob Marley's idea was that everyone in the world should stop fighting and become one. One Love, One Heart. I agree. » read more

Hot dogs, Football and Rest 9/5/10

Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer and the holiday, tomorrow, is often regarded as a day of rest and parties.  Picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays, water sports, state fairs and farmers markets are going on all around us (as if we need to do anything really right?). Families with school-age children take it as the last chance to travel before the end of summer recess and some teenagers view it as the last weekend for parties before returning to school, although school starting times now vary (but I am sure they have the day off already). » read more

storms go away, come around another day! 9/2/10

Our storm shutters got up (thanks to our handyman, Doug) the day before St. Thomas was pounded by hurrican Earl going by as a catagory 4 storm. There were tons of branches, trees, and debris down and powerlines came down with them but the house stayed in one piece and is fine. Thank goodness for metal panels covering all the windows. The landscaper is gunna have a nice extra job to do to clean up the yard for sure. Looks like the panels will be up most of the month during this extra active season. » read more

Earl, Earl, go away and don't come back! 8/30/10

Looks as if Saint Thomas and the whole Virgin Islands, British Virgin Island and surrounding Puerto Rico, is gunna get hammered with wind and rain from Hurricane Earl. We had our storm shutters put up to protect the house. As of this morning, Earl was a catagory 2 and had winds of only 40 mph but you never know what and when it will change so better to be safe than sorry. It's just that time of year again! ugh. » read more

Cool shelling at the beach 8/25/10

I love shelling and looking for things on the beach! These are a few of my find this month (Which I am so proud of, that they are now in my pottery barn glass candle holders with sand) for all to see in my kitchen. You never know what mother nature will wash up and give you! » read more

Great trip to California! 8/20/10

There is nothing like California in the fastly approaching "end of summer/start of fall" because the weather is just great. The weather didn't disappoint again this month while I was there. I was lucky enough to visit some former HS gal friends and got in seeing 11 of them for the week I was there. It was sure fun catching up with the old gang over drinks and food over a 3 day stretch. I got in seeing 2 cousins and my parents too. This trip was all about the family which I loved. » read more

Frame it up! 8/11/10

Alot of folks are focusing on getting the kids ready for back to school but one lucky man, is focusing on blowing up his fabulous vacation photos that he took while visiting the Virgin Islands last month and getting them ready for them to go in custom frames I made him. He had a great eye for capturing the perfect sunset, a turtle swimming (took while snorkeling or diving) and lonely palm trees that will look great hung up in his living room. » read more

Happy Shark Week 8/2/10

Personally, I don't watch anything related to sharks because I wouldn't want to every get back into the water, if I did. The Discovery Channel is celebrating Shark Week with a Shark Cam linked to the Sea World in Georgia. I am watching it but just choose to hit pause during feeding times! Wow! » read more

What to do when it's hot! 7/31/10

What should you do when the temperature get above 90 degrees in the summer? well, pull that beach chair through the sand and park it right in the water. Ohhh...now that is better! » read more

What a nice thank you e-mail! 7/24/10

Sometimes I get a thank you or response after I mail an order, sometime people send me pictures to post of where they hung their art and sometimes, I don't hear a thing (so I just assume they are happy with their artwork. (smile) ) but this thank you e-mail tops the charts. I received this e-mail today from happy customer in NY. Bill purchased these items plus a few more. I am currently working on custom frames to fit new pictures he took while on vacation at Peter Island Resort this week. » read more

Stylish working tools 7/8/10

Sometimes tools are just tools and sometimes you can find tools that are stylish at the same time. Now, I have seen the pink hammers and pink screwdrivers marketed to the girls in the household but I prefer the regular Ryobi heavy duty tools for working with vs. the fufu lightweight items. With that being said, I do enjoy looking stylish when ever possible (using those tools) so when I set out on the hunt for new gloves (my old ones had holes in them from working them too hard), I was THRILLED to find these cute pink washable gloves at Home Depot. I can never have too much pink! I wash my hand so much during the day that anything I can get to cut down on the exposure my hands have, the better. I love my new pink gloves. I also got FREE pink flip flops for the beach this week. Scored! I could use a rubber shirt that wards off stains and drip now, Home Depot! » read more

Happy 4th of July! 7/4/10

The 4th this year really went to the dogs. I was getting ready to ship a "Beware of Dog" sign to Hawaii when another order just came in from anaheim, CA for the same sign too.  All the dog lovers must be on this week on the extended holiday weekend. I love it. » read more

Boxes for seaglass and shells 7/2/10

I am definately a shopper, it's just in my genes, I can't help it! » read more

Even the license plates are cool! 6/27/10

yeah, I have a personal plate that I just love. Of course it has to do with pets and gives money to the humane society; what else would I have on my car right? » read more

Davis-Voight wedding at Megan's Bay 6/11/10

Nothing like a beautiful wedding to life your spirits in the heat of the summer in St. Thomas. Megan's Bay beach is the perfect settling for an island wedding and the weather didn't disappoint (though it was touch and go earlier in the day with rain on my side of the island) . Since it was at 5:30 at night at sunset, it wasn't too warm (if you stool in the shade of the palm trees) to watch the short ceremony and visit with friends. All the remaining tourists, that weren't here for the day off the cruise ships, peeked at the gathering while walking the beach, but for the most part, it was just us locals in attendance. » read more

Shedding my skin 6/2/10

It's the coolest thing to see the lizards here loosing their skin. It's that time of year again apparently. » read more

Rain in St. Thomas 5/28/10

Well, rainy season came early this year but we love, love, love the rain and so do the plants. We got over an inch and a half just yesterday and today doesn't look much better. » read more

New Welcome Pineapple 5/19/10

Here is my new Welcome Pineapple just added to the website as a product. Since the pineapple is the universal symbol of hospitality, friendship and welcome, it's only fitting that I added it to my list of fun things to make don't you think? We see the pineapple symbol in the Caribbean, painted on furniture, doors, and artwork to welcome people into your home. » read more

A Day in the BVI's 5/8/10

It just doesn't get any better than renting a boat with a captain and heading to the British Virgin Island for a day of fun and sun. We had friends come see us from San Diego this last week and since our boat was being worked on, we decided to rent a boat from our good friends at Nauti Nymph power boats. We are great friends with Capt. Dan so having him drive us around (vs. my husband doing it) was a treat. We felt like we could truly relax vs. having to find moorings, worry about the anchor and if they were having a good time while doing it. » read more

Cinco De Mayo 5/5/10

Cinco de Mayo at Yacht Haven Grande Wednesday night had chihuahua races, a taco eating contest and live mariachi music as a fundraiser for Rotary Club of St. Thomas. I was sorry I missed the big party and seeing the chihuahua racing dogs. » read more

2010 Carnival Village opens 4/23/10

Carnival Village 2010 rides open tonight and boy is everyone in for a surprise; surprise freaky heavy rain weather that is! Tonight at 6pm the rides are opening and local musicans will be taking the stage at 8pm (Soca music festival). It has been raining now buckets for hours and hours and we have had about 3 inches of rain so far with no end in sight. This is going to present a problem for setting up the stage and might just keep people away due to the flooding parking lot. It's the kind of heavy rain that is nice to watch on your deck, but not to be riding carnival rides (and hauling your kids around in) and standing outside eating in either. What a shame (even though we need it badly!). The food booths don't open till monday night and if it was tonight it would be such a problem with attendance. » read more

New Caribbean homes 4/17/10

We have seen this new master planned Caribbean community being built for a few years now it seems, but today we decided since The Raphune Vistas was having an open house, we would actually go and take a look for ourselves. From the road, you can see the very colorful units on the hillside and there is a long dirt road that takes you to the top where the models are. When we lived in the states, this was one of our favorite things to do on the weekends to look for paint colors and new ways to decorate our home, but today it was just pure curiousity on what they looked like inside and how big they were. » read more

Taste of St. Croix 4/15/10

Well, it's that dreaded tax day for most of us and not really a time to celebrate (well, maybe once the taxes are sent off to the taxman) but there is one place this evening that will be really celebrating here in the islands. The island of Saint Croix is hosting it's annual "taste of Saint Croix" culinary event competition at the Divi Carina Bay Resort from 6-9pm this evening. It's in it's 10th year! This is part of a week long food and wine experience which benefits the St. Croix Foundation, a non-profit community foundation that administers a number of local programs. » read more

Barefoot Buddha sign 4/11/10

I saw this painted door sign while getting coffee at Barefoot Buddha and it just sums it up in four simple words; Communicate, Participate, Create, Change. Enough said! » read more

St. Thomas Reformed Church 4/9/10

Giving back to the community in which you live is very important to me so when my friends again this year asked me to donate some auction items to raise money for the youth group at the St. Thomas Reformed Church, I gladly said yes. This will be my 3rd year donating fun local signs for event goers to bid on. I try to pick funny saying that apply to people that live here like  "Office" "Iguana Crossing", "No Vacancy", or "Paradise" plus of course, religious crosses made out of seaglass and shells which are pretty too. » read more

Linda Bean's Maine Lobster 4/3/10

We are always excited to get a new restaurant in Saint Thomas, no matter what kind of food it serves. We have been hearing good things about a new place called Linda Bean's Maine Lobster place on the waterfront at the harbor so while it was a "no ship" saturday we headed down to check it out. It has been open now since December and we have a ton of friends who have eaten there and said it was good plus I consider this research and blog material so I had to go (right?) » read more

Record setting ship day 3/30/10

It seemed as though the ships leaving the harbor of Saint Thomas tonight were just coming and coming and coming, one after another! We usually see one right after another but these were all in the same area all at the same time as if they were racing to see who could get out fastest. There were 6 ships in, setting a record number of cruise ship passengers in port, and breaking the 20,000 mark for the first time! It was a good thing I didn't have to go anywhere near town yesterday to run arrends or shop. Wow, that is a ton of people, litterally. It's because 2 of the ships are of the largest in the world. » read more

37th Annual Rolex Regatta 3/26/10

How can you tell that the Rolex Regatta is here again in St. Thomas? Just take a peek at the amount of boats in the downtown harbor, Redhook and Yacht Haven Grande and when you say to yourself "hmmm, there sure are a ton of sailboats that I never noticed before" and you will know!  You will also notice that the traffic gets crazy in Redhook (where it usually isn't) and the marine stores seem to be filled with tons of boaty people all dressed in matching shirts and hats (and they are new and colorful too). I really enjoy seeing the various shapes and some of the huge sailboats that race each year (not to mention the sailors hanging on the side of the boats-it's crazy!) » read more

Gas prices on the islands 3/24/10

It's a very good thing that our island is only 13 miles long, with no freeways to deal with (we never really get over 30 miles per hour and one strip of the island you have a little straight-away and can get to 40 mph for about 10 seconds). I am glad that my gym and the stores that I shop at are close by my house and if not, I save up all my arrends to run all in one day to save time and gas money. I say this because our gas prices are crazy these days!!!!!! I checked the gas prices in Ca. just now, and we are paying about 50 cents more! ouch! Must be that dang Sunshine tax I use to talk about in California has followed me here. » read more

Paradise Point Tram 3/20/10

We are in the middle of our very high season here for tourists (while it's still snowing a ton of cities all over the states, he he he......sorry!) so it's no wonder everyone comes here to vacation and stay or via a cruise if just for a day. This week it has been over 90 degrees (hot, hot, hot!!!!) and we are having 5-7 ship days which unload mass people into our downtown and cruise ship docks. We love having you but sometimes it seems a little out of control with the masses. » read more

Rock Iguana at the boat yard 3/16/10

We love rock iguanas like we love our dogs and cat. They aren't so cute and cuddly, and I say that we love them when they are hanging out at a distance from our house! This week while boating with our family here on Spring break, this little creepy guy was at the boat yard just hanging out watching us on the sidewalk near our boat. He looks like he is 100 years old  (though they can live only about 25 years) and I only know he is old by the color of his skin; dark green is older while bright lime green are younger iguanas. These Rock Iguanas, are also  known as “whorl-tailed” iguanas because of  the colored rings on their tails, are only found here in the West Indies. How cool is that? » read more

Hibiscus are so pretty 3/9/10

I just can't kill this plant. Not that I want to, mind you, but it's had more than a few bug challenges, fungus, been cut back way, way, way too far (by me) and still it hangs on and produces the most beautiful flowers almost all year long. It takes a ton of water and since we have had a few days of heavy rain this week and it is in the perfect position on our deck to take advantage of that, it stays moist and ready to bloom. » read more
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