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Still thinking.....

 
Well, a full month has gone by since we closed the shop.  I am still thinking about how to move forward concerning the business....but I have been very busy in the meantime.  I was fortunate enought to have  a career to fall back on.  I began susbstitute teaching and luckily....I got a job offer!!  Beginning Feb. 8th....I will be the Media Specialist at Ventura Elementary.  :)   Teaching was my first career choice and after a series of decisions and opportunities....I ended up a small business owner!  I am excited about my new challenge and now have to decide how to incorporate my "creative"  instincts back into my life.  I am itching to design jewelry again so I think that is a very good sign!!  I just think my brain needed a break after closing the shop...a diversion from the stress of running a business.  Now that the smoke is starting to clear and a routine is beginning to take shape I think that I wil be able to figure it all out. 

Thank you for your patience and for those of you who have been checking this blog.  I promise to post more often.  :)   Enjoy your day!

Have been busy getting things in order....hope you all had a wonderful New Year!! Will post soon!! ;)

out with the old...in with the new!

It is time to say goodbye to 2009 and hello to 2010 and all it's possibilities.  As 2009 ended....we closed the shop.  Thanks to all of you who came out to support us in our last days and give us your best wishes.   We appreciate it!  ;)  And thanks to a special pair... Mary and her daughter Angela who spent a whole day with us and made the process a little easier and certainly more fun!!  Angela is our favorite little beader.....how can you resist that face!!

Our New Year's Eve was low-key at The Bannatyne house....

The Girls, Grammie and I went to see Alvin & The Chipmunks....really cute!!!  Only bad thing.... Riley and I missed the Chipettes singing "All the Single Ladies"  while we were in the concession line!!!  Sorry Riley!!!

Then we spent the evening with our friends The Dunleavys

  eating fantastic food and lovely cocktails.  I made Angel Hair with Marinara, Italian Sausage & Goat Cheese and Amy made the most amazing Lemon Shrimp Risotto!!! YUM!! Then, she whipped up a delish dessert....Strawberry Shortcake!!!

Tip:  Just bake some biscuits then layer it with whipped cream and strawberries!!!! Really Delish!!!  Thanks Amy & Nick....we had a great time ringing in 2010 with you! ;)

Now that 2009 had been sent on it's way....it was time to welcome 2010 with a little college football!! And ...thank goodness....the Seminoles won their bowl game!  It was a great game and so glad that Coach Bowden went out with a win!!  Thanks Coach...we will miss you and Seminoles everywhere will love you forever!!

So now that 2010 is under way....I look forward to the challenges ahead....whatever they may be.  I am feeling hopeful that it will be better for all of us than 2009.  Be sure to check in here on the blog to see what I am up to....

One thing I know I am doing is teaching at the Donna Downey Inspired Event in May!!  Click over to see how you can be a part of the fun.  It is a weekend of 6 amazing classes with 5 other artists & little 'ol me!!!   Join us if you can...it will be a blast!!!

 

Holiday Wrap-up

ok....ok....I confess...I did an AWFUL job of taking photos this Christmas.  I am totally annoyed with myself and already regret it!!  Not that I have big plans for said photos...I just like to have them.  The other thing I forgot was to purchase the "Christmas Jammies" for everyone to wear.....dang it!!  I love it when we are all in our jammies in the photos....it's so festive.  BUT...alas....I forgot.  I WON'T forget next year.  I'm not sure what it was this year; but we had a very difficult time getting into the spirit of things this year.   I guess it could be a combination of the shop closing, the uncertainty of the future, the economy, etc.  Just a few things on my mind this holiday season!  LOL   But nevertheless, I did manage to take a few photos to look back on.....

Starting with the girls opening their gifts.....

They loved the Rip-Sticks they got.  For those of you who aren't familiar; it is basically a skateboard with only 2 wheels that you have to move by using a "surfing" type motion.  You will not find me giving this one a try!  LOL 

 
 

After a presents and a yummy breakfast (if I do say so myself) we headed off to the movies to see......

Man!  It was good!!!  It was a little slow to get into the story...but the action started quickly and never stopped.  The movie was smart and funny and I love how they answered all your questions in "wrap-ups" or "flashbacks"...go see it!!!  p.s.  Love Robert Downey Jr....he is fabulous in this role!!

The day after Christmas (Boxing Day for Canadian/Americans like my hubbie) was a really fun day for  The Bannatynes....we spent the day at Universal/Islands of Adventure.  

Leave it to me to sniff out the Starbucks....HEY!  it was cold!!!  ;)

As soon as we got in the gate....Riley & Wayne made a beeline for The Hulk rollercoaster (now I have ridden this one ONCE....that was enough for me but they love it!)  So Kenzie, Grammie and I waited and people-watched (our favorite thing to do) ;)

Here are a few more photos of the day.......

ok...this one is the new Rip Ride Rocket...it lasts 3 minutes and goes all throughout the park....I could've done this one but the GIANT start to the ride is not my cup 'o tea....do you see the car on the side headed STRAIGHT UP and then the ENORMOUS DROP....nooo thank you!!!  LOL  But Wayne & Riley waited for 90 minutes for this one!!

Grammie did good taking this one!!   ;)

After a full-day of riding, walking, watching, more Starbucks, and freezing....we headed to MY favorite place in town.....Margaritaville!  THE best margaritas...period... and a great "Cheeseburger in Paradise "(don't forget the Heinz 57)

If you come to Orlando be sure to stop in to Jimmy Buffett's...tell 'em I sent ya!!! ;)

We finished off the day with a stop at Cinnabon for some dessert to go....

All in all....we had a great holiday together.  We missed having Granma with us this year.  She is in New Zealand....whatever!!!  LOL     So that's it....The Bannatyne Christmas 2009.  Not too many pictures; but the memories are there.  My new year's resolution.....take more pictures at Christmas next year AND don't forget the Christmas Jammies!!!  ;)

Hope you had as much fun as we did!!!!

  

Merry Christmas to all.......

Have a wonderful Christmas and may all your wishes come true!!

and....

Merry Christmas from The Bannatynes!!

(and Grammie too...she snapped the pic!)

 

Fa La La La La.....

It has been a few days since my last post...I apologize for not keeping up; but the shop has been quite busy since announcing our closing.  Thanks to all who have come out to support us and give us your best wishes.  :) 

A couple nights ago my daughter got her haircut and on the way home we stopped by a house in our area that is a perennial stop on the "christmas lights tour".  This house is crazy!  It must take weeks to put together AND take down and the cost must be ridiculous....but it is always a treat to see!!!

 

P.S...Here is Mackenzie with her new "do"...super cute Doodlebug!!!

Here is a pic of our "special Christmas dessert" that Riley prepared for us that night.....

Reindeer Brownies!!!  Yum!!!  Thanks Riley! ;)

And finally,  I received a box from New Jersey from my friend SUZE WEINBERG.  How exciting...my first Christmas present of the season.  Luckily she didn't put one of those "Do Not Open 'til Christmas" stickers on it...'cuz I wanted to open it!!!!  So I did....and look what was in there.......

It was the coolest Jewelry Stand from very cool Urban Outfitters and some beautiful brass embellishments that I'm sure I can work into some funky piece of jewelry that I have yet to create.  Thank you Suze....I love it!!!  xoxo

So now I am off to the shop today to continue our liquidation sale.  If you can stop by to see us...please do!! 

Enjoy your day and the days to come as we celebrate "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year".  :)   
 

End of an era.....

 

Yes...you are reading this correctly.  I have decided to close my Waterford location.  It has become clear that we can no longer run a successful business at Waterford Towers and I have been forced to take this action.  We will be open for a couple more weeks and will be offering GREAT DISCOUNTS to liquidate our inventory.  We will then take a few weeks to re-group and decide how to move forward.  I ask that you please remain on our email list as this will be the best way to keep up with us and what is going on.  I will also continue to blog so you can check that out on occasion as well.  I do want to thank all of you for your continued support it is because of you that we have been able to stay in business this long and it will be you who help us in the future.  Coincidentally, today is actually the 3rd Anniversary of the opening of Waterford.  Ironic isn't it?  Please keep checking your emails for special discounts and announcements as we move through this transition.

 

I will also be continuing to design and create and I will still be appearing as the Featured Jewelry Artist at Donna Downey's Inspired Event.  Have you signed up to join us?  It will be fabulous!!!

 

You can join Me, Donna, & Suze and other fantastic designers at this amazingly creative and artistic weekend.  It is a great opportunity to try new things and go outside of your comfort zone!  

 

Holiday Bazaar....this weekend!!!

 

Join us for our 1st Holiday Bazaar!

We will have Make & Takes, Craft Vendors, & Great Gift Ideas for all of your Holiday Shopping!!!

December 12th & 13th

12 - 4pm 

We have decided that this Christmas it's not about how much you spend but the sentiment behind the gift.  We have some great Make & Takes that are beautiful and affordable....

Wine Charms

Keychains

Bracelets

Ornaments

All Make & Takes will be under $10 so this will be a great opportunity to make some teacher gifts or something special for Mom or Grandma.  There will also be some very special Craft Vendors who will have their handmade crafts available to help you finish off that holiday list!!!

 

Join us for our 1st Holiday Bazaar!

We will have Make & Takes, Craft Vendors, & Great Gift Ideas for all of your Holiday Shopping!!!

December 12th & 13th

12 - 4pm 

We have decided that this Christmas it's not about how much you spend but the sentiment behind the gift.  We have some great Make & Takes that are beautiful and affordable....

Wine Charms

Keychains

Bracelets

Ornaments

All Make & Takes will be under $10 so this will be a great opportunity to make some teacher gifts or something special for Mom or Grandma.  There will also be some very special Craft Vendors who will have their handmade crafts available to help you finish off that holiday list!!!

 

A man and his dog.....

Not much to blog about today...I'm at home this afternoon...between holiday parties and watching the Alabama vs. Gators game.  (Since I'm a Seminole, I am routin' for the Crimson Tide today!) But as we came into the house from party #1 Wayne hit the couch and the dog {who is NOT supposed to be on the couch} joined him.  I couldn't resist snapping a photo to share.......

Aren't they cute?  And it is not an optical illusion....she is HUGE!!!...  100 lb. lapdog we call her....poor Maddie is a "little dog" trapped in a "big dog" body!!!  LOL

 

Just a reminder to come join us next weekend for out Holiday Bazaar!! 

 On Saturday & Sunday from 12 - 4pm we will have 10+ vendors with their handmade crafts to sell and great holiday Make & Takes to help you finish off that gift list!!!  Check the post below for details!

That's all for now....heading out the door to take Kenzie to party #2 then off to an evening cocktail party.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!!

Holiday Bazaar

Join us for our 1st Holiday Bazaar!

We will have Make & Takes, Craft Vendors, & Great Gift Ideas for all of your Holiday Shopping!!!

December 12th & 13th

12 - 4pm 

We have decided that this Christmas it's not about how much you spend but the sentiment behind the gift.  We have some great Make & Takes that are beautiful and affordable....

Wine Charms

Keychains

Bracelets

Ornaments

All Make & Takes will be under $10 so this will be a great opportunity to make some teacher gifts or something special for Mom or Grandma.  There will also be some very special Craft Vendors who will have their handmade crafts available to help you finish off that holiday list!!!