DeCocco Design is growing!

Things are really hopping in the office and I've got a couple of announcements to make.  The most important one is that Gail Healy has joined DeCocco Design as a Design Associate.  Sound the trumpets please. I am so glad she's here!

Gail has run my workroom for many years--that means she makes the beautiful custom window treatments that I design for my clients.  She's super talented and a lot of fun to be around.   Her company, "It's Curtains" is well known in our area (and beyond) for creating the best of the best. Gail trained as an  interior designer, specializing in kitchen design, but just liked sewing better. I've convinced her to come on board to help me launch a related product (next announcement, coming very soon). 

I know she would want me to post a very professional photo.  But this one shows you the true Gail:

Her passion is water skiing.  Doesn't that look like fun?

Welcome Gail!

Ciao,

Anne

Find of the Week!

TJ Pappas of Soft Wind Soap makes really wonderful products.  I'm sure I've told you about his soaps before--everyone in this house uses them.  Grandboy uses the oatmeal soap in the tub because he has very sensitve skin.  Hub likes the shampoo bar (yes, shampoo in the form of a bar of soap!) and I use the Tea Tree complexion bar for my tissue-thin little face (replaces prescription soap).  Late last year TJ sent me some lotion disks to try. They are FABULOUS!

The lotion disk comes in a sweet little tin.  I pull the disk out at bedtime and rub it between my hands, which warms it up and releases the rich lotion.  I really work it in over my hands (you can use it on legs, arms, feet, etc. of course) and they have NEVER looked better.  While it doesn't turn back the hands of time (oh, almost a pun there), it does stop it in it's tracks.  It costs $4.00 a tin!  One tin lasts me 5 weeks.  Lots of fragrance choices, including unscented.  I like the Lavendar and Gardenia best.

If you're moaning about your dry hands, contact TJ by clicking on his name and order up a couple of disks to try.  You can also find Soft Wind Soap on FB. You will love them.  Can you tell I've just discovered the Text Background Colour tool?  Fun!

Ciao,

Anne

A Joyful Noise

I'm a lifelong Roman Catholic, although am sure I'm the kind that makes the Pope roll his eyes. Yes, I'm a pick-and-choose Catholic, believing and not believing in all kinds of things my church does not.  But I love the Mass, the music, the priests and the community here in my tiny part of the world.  This Sunday, during Mass at St. Francis, we had a guest speaker by the name of ValLimar Jansen. 

ValLimar doesn't just speak.  She also sings (what a voice!) and is a performer of the highest level. It was jaw dropping and fabulous. Catholics are generally a quiet bunch. ValLimar is a Catholic like I've never seen. She is on fire with her talent and love of life. It was joyful, uplifting, entertaining and just completely awesome! She will be performing for the next couple of days at St. Francis of Assisi and I hope to see her at least one more time.  ValLimar is the embodiment of a joyful noise!

Ciao,

Anne

Unplugging a bit on MLK Day

I worry that the Wii that Santa brought is going to take over Grandboy's life.  It is fun, we all play, he's often moving and strategizing, BUT it's still staring at the tv, which I'm not a fan of.  So today I made him look in the cabinet for some of the other things that Santa brought.  He pulled out the paint-by-number set.

Such a cute kid.

The masterpiece.  Love it!

Ciao,

Anne

Just made me laugh

West Elm's latest ad

This ad from West Elm was in my email today and when I saw the photo I had to laugh.  These are all examples of end tables in the homes of friends and family members 30, 40 and 50 years ago.  What goes around sure does come around!  West Elm has added a couple of fun colors to freshen things up and they're all fairly affordable.  They're also the kind of things many of us look for in thrift shops to buy for a song and spruce up ourselves.  Either way, they've got great, classic lines and can work in just about any room. 

Ciao,

Anne