Hi again,

Well it's time to get back to the original subject matter of this blog - SHOPPING! This time around I'll be covering gift shopping; specifically wedding anniversary gifts. As a business to consumer retailer – and antique dealer- I have found, through feedback from my customers, that they are looking for (anniversary) gifts that are unique, creative, original and show thought and care.

I specialize in creating milestone gifts for weddings, anniversaries and births, so this is an are a of passion for me. With that said, I'd like to share my recommendations for couple's gifts whether it's for married couples or dating twosomes.

Personalized items are especially popular, as are items that complete or add to a collection i.e. buying for a husband who collects Coca-Cola or sports memorabilia or a wife who is always searching for that perfect Lladro' or Waterford piece.

Creative “takes” on the traditional wedding anniversary gift list are always fun too – the first paper anniversary can be a personalized designer art-inspired marriage/anniversary certificate http://www.galleryoflove.net/anniversary.php show that you’ll never forget that special day. Other ideas are paper tickets to a special concert or play (The first year we were together I bought my husband tickets to see
The Producers on Broadway; that was a big hit with him!)

Also, capturing treasured moments for one-of-kind keepsakes is popular i.e. the husband or wife can take special photographs from the couples’ last vacation and have them blown up and matted and framed. The wood frame is a perfect soluction to include in the traditional 5th Anniversary gift of "wood." Some of my most treasured decor is pictures from our honeymoon that I have had enlarged and framed. I did this with a photo of us sitting in a gondola in Venice. This trip is so filled with fun and treasured memories that it never fails to make me smile!

Speaking of anniversary gift ideas....here is a list of the traditional presents/themes for each year of marriage. All of these can be updated, such as the ideas above, for a more modern twist.

Traditional Wedding Anniversary Gift List

Anniversary Gift

1st Paper

2nd Cotton

3rd Leather

4th Fruit, flowers

5th Wood

6th Sugar

7th Copper, wool

8th Bronze, pottery

9th Pottery, willow

10th Tin

11th Steel

12th Silk, linen

13th Lace

14th Ivory

15th Crystal

20th China

25th Silver

30th Pearl

35th Coral

40th Ruby

45th Sapphire

50th Gold

55th Emerald

60th Diamond

Traditional Wedding Anniversary Gift List." Infoplease.© 2000–2005 Pearson Education, publishing as Infoplease.11 Oct. 2005 http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0763772.html

Hi again,

I just read a funny round up of blogger descriptions (titled What Kind of Blogger are You?http://pr.ducttapemarketing.com/

Some of the examples were:

Thinkers -- the highest form of blogging. These people offer new ideas and perspectives that serve to inspire us all.

Linkers -- they can't think, but they sure can research! Their blogs are full of links to thinkers. They serve a valuable function in spreading the work of people whose words deserve to be read.

Blingers -- they use the blogs as personal mirrors, to say "Blogger, blogger on the wall, who is fairest blogger of all? They'll talk about their accomplishments, people they've met and places they are jetiting off to speak at. No real substance, just lots of bling. Sort of like, "Hi. My name is Debbie. While you are reading this, I am off to a blogging conference in Sweden See you later."

Activists --(sorry, I can't get this to rhyme) they use the blog as personal soap box. Right or left, they have proven to be very effective at mobilizing their supports to action and forcing government officials to take notice. Even journalists read these blogs to get a take of the public sentiment barometer.

Another one, actually an additon posted by another blogger, was a Malingerer i.e. each entry starts with, "Sorry it's been so long since my last posting, but..."

So, I'm going to be a "Malingerer" and say, "gee it's been a month since my last posting...." What have I been doing? Where does a month go? Hmmm....maybe I'll just sum it all up with a couple of pictures.

The picture on the top left was taken Sept. 10th at the Wayne Dyer event here in Atlanta. Dr. Dyer is so warm and down-to-earth. And as you can tell by the picture, he gives great hugs too! I have had the honor of organizing and planning Wayne's Atlanta events for the past couple of years (plus other speaking event for Marianne Williamson, Deepak Chopra and Neale Donald Walsch as Program Director for Unity North). It was a lot of work, but fun too. This time, however, I served as a volunteer.

I also visited my sweet horse (which I co-own with a friend). His name is Mystic Blue, he's named for his gorgeous blue eyes. When we adopted him he was just a few weeks old and barely bigger than a greyhound dog! That was two years ago. ...more evidence that time flies!

That's the scoop for now. More later....