Dear Friends,

It's amazing to me how much fuss we make about being environmentally responsible, and yet our lives are so full of useless clutter, more so than ever before.

We co-operate with the marketing people and the big box stores who encourage us to spend our money without really thinking about it, and to buy anything and everything that is thrown our way. Because so many things are now made in third world countries, they are still cheap, attainable, therefore perceived to be affordable. And, guess what? They are throw-away, that means garbage that clutters the environment and clutters our lives. We feel we have to buy, buy, buy. And yet, so much of this "stuff" is scarily inferior to the products we are used to buying and producing right here at home. I really miss "made in the USA", and the confidence, competence, and the quality of life it afforded. We have to demand that quality once again. Now I feel like my own grandmother. I remember a time when things had value. You could just trust it. We just assumed the product was O.K. What a unique idea! What a luxury! Now I read labels, warnings, where things were made or grown, and end up putting the thing back on the shelf.

I would rather own one great outfit, one great pair of shoes, one quality handbag, or one well made sofa, or chair, than 10 poorly made things that I'd have to dispose of within a few months because it either fell apart, or looked shabby, or was just not comfortable. Get wise to it folks! It's waste! It's too expensive to throw things out because they are "crap".There's much we can learn from the Europeans and their standards, as far as material consumption is concerned. They buy fewer things, but they buy quality, for the most part. I say "most" because there is an exception to every generalization, and I am sure there are many Europeans in the same consumer frenzy that we are in. Yes, we are a consumer society, and yes, our economy is dependent on people buying things, and yes I love "things" as much as the next guy, and I do my share of buying. And I love capitalism too, so don't get the idea that I spin my own loincloth and live in a tree. Here's my take: I like "quality" things and I like to live with what I purchase. I don't like waste. Guess that's the New England Yankee in me. And while we are conserving paper and plastic bags, and oil and gasoline, and while we are buying organically grown fruits and vegetables, and recycling like mad, don't forget the pollution created by all of this "stuff" we are importing that is flooding our marketplace.

Now, you may ask why we at Shopsicle, are in the retail home furnishings products business if I am so critical of profligate spending? We're all for spending money and having a good time doing it. But, we want you to receive value for your money. We deal in real value: quality materials, design and craftmanship, mostly at affordable prices. We believe in extravagance too, if you can handle it. Abundance is good for the soul.The key is, you receive what you are paying for. We believe that beautiful things are part of the quality of life. Poor workmanship is a rip off at any price.

Thanks for allowing me to share my thoughts. If you are like me, you're probably feeling a little depressed about our slipped values, our lower standards. We can protest the infusion of "junk" in our stores by simply not buying it. Guess what? That would probably contribute to the health of our environment as well and to the health of our economy. If we are to remain a consumer society, and I certainly hope we are, let's insist on high standards. Hey, it wouldn't hurt to make some things at home in the USA for a change, for our own consumption and to export to other countries.

Visit Shopsicle, and see the great "green" products we feature to help clean our environment. Be sure to sign up for our free newsletter. For May, we're doing a piece on non-toxic wall paint. http://www.shopsicle.com/

To your well-being,

As ever, Joan

Hi there friends,

Dropping by to say that my New Years resolutions are (Big Surprise!!!) moving along nicely. How are yours doing? I'm being very analytical about losing weight. Discovered some major food allergies that are requiring attention. Did you know that sensitivity to certain foods can cause you to hold on to excess weight? You have to stop eating those foods for a while and get some treatment from an allergist. My doctor uses sub-lingual drops to de-sensitize his patients to those troublesome substances. No big deal. Good news for me is that I am not allergic to coffee. Bad news is that I am allergic to cow's milk, therefore, no ICE CREAM!!! Is this divine justice or what? Maybe it's just a bad joke. At any rate, I'm not going near the stuff. We're often allergic to our addictions. I'm also exercising, and tackling projects one by one. Focus is the challenge.

Want to share something with you that is not directly connected to the design of your home. This time, it's the design of your over all well being. Are you familiar with EFT? EFT is a fascinating new discovery. Basically it is an emotional version of acupuncture, but no needles. You just tap with your fingertips on certain meridians to relieve pain, overcome phoebias, lose weight, feel happier, and some claim that it can even cure serious disease such as cancer. I'm not sticking my neck out to claim that, but hey, why not? There is a fellow on TV, a Paul McKenna, ( I think that's his name) who has been helping people to overcome addictions and lose weight and keep it off once and for all. He's using EFT, but he doesn't call it that. One of the women he's helped, due to a miserable divorce, was compulsively eating five pounds of chocolate a day. Can anyone really eat that much chocolate? Anyway, in a few minutes, he helped relieve her of her chocolate addiction. My allergist and holistic physician are both very familiar with EFT. They are in the process of learning how to use it to the benefit of their patients. I believe you can treat yourself though. To learn about EFT, go into www.emofree.com/newcomer.html. Let me know what you already know about EFT and what you think.

To your health and happiness,

As ever,

Joan

Dear HH,

The answer is yes, if you don't count the ice cream, the lemon cake, the hot chocolate with whipped cream. Should I go on? I discovered a charming little tea room nearby that is very Victorian with chandeliers and roses. I had to experience the tea cakes, didn't I? What is high tea without some cake? So now I've been found out. Well, other than that, I've been pretty good. Tonight, it's salmon and broccoli. Grapefruit for dessert. Good food combining. I have one big vice and it is an ice cream addiction. But I'm getting better. Haven't touched the stuff in a week. Sometimes that's the way it goes, one week, then two, then a month, then two months. You really shouldn't completely cut out the things you love. If you do, then where's the fun? My mom used to say "everything in moderation". Yeah, right. HH, how are you doing? What are your resolutions? Gotcha!

Hello once again dear friends,

It's a new year, and I am so optimistic. Don't know why. Just have a good feeling about 2008. I feel something positive and constructive in the air, good things will be happening as a result of what we do this year. This just might be the year we all get it together as a nation, as a world, and in our personal lives. I'm pretty intuitive most of the time. Usually "feel" it right and I sure hope I'm right this year. It's the first time in years I have been awake for the ball dropping. I start my days early, sometimes 4:00 A.M., so by midnight, I'm sawing wood. New Year's Eve to me has been traditionally boring, a time to eat a good dinner and fall asleep early, grateful that I am not part of the crowd at Times Square. Sounds dull? Of course and it's delicious! My sister and I participated in a world meditation that was initiated by our good friend Becky, who distributed a prayer that was coordinated to be read by people all over the world at the same time for the purpose of peace and health throughout the planet. Powerful! It's a great thing to do every year.

This is a year of new beginnings, the year of the rat. I'm sure you all have made New Year's resolutions. I sure have. The usual stuff like dropping weight, exercising more, eating healthy food, being more disciplined, spending more quality time with family and friends, clearing out the cobwebs in your brains, getting rid of the clutter in the attic and garage, filing those papers, and shredding the obsolete files, painting the den. Also learning something new, and carrying through on someting you already started but put aside because you are too busy. Sound familiar? Ambitious too. I usually screw up on January 2nd. My commitment lasts 24 hours. Decided the reason I don't succeed is because I try to take it all on at once. Most people make the same mistake. It's overwhelming to do that. You have to pace yourself. After all, you have a full year to accomplish your goals. Start by giving up dessert and cleaning a closet. The sense of accomplishment will inspire you to take on the next task and so on and so forth. I'll let you know every month how I am doing. Please write me too and let me know how you are doing with your plans for 2008. If you have tips that will help me to accomplish my goals, please help me out. I love to hear from you. Happy New Year! Wish you all your heart's desire. As ever, Joan

Dear Friends,

The holidays are upon us. Thanksgiving is over and we hope you all had a great time. Our day was quiet, with family, good food, good conversation, and much needed calm. Sometimes, when whole families get together, sadly, there isn't much peace because of all the personalities and egos in one room wanting to be heard. Grateful that we are all very compatible in my family except when we talk politics, so we avoid that topic whenever possible.

Christmas and Channukah are just around the corner. I was shopping for groceries today and did my usual nosey observation of fellow shoppers. I try not to be rude, though as a marketer and retailer, this is one way I do my homework. I need to know what folks like to buy. Really wish people would forego most of the junk food. I am an eager student of nutrition and a label reader, spending time over each item, evaluating if it is healthy or not. I usually end up putting things back on the shelf and heading for the produce section. But then, one wonders about that too. Promise you, I'm no saint. Can't walk by the ice cream freezer without picking up at least three different flavors, half gallon of each as long as one of them is coffee. I love to cook, am a "quasi" vegetarian (eat fish), and my shopping cart looks like I live with a family of rabbits who also likes olive oil and good bread.

Why am I talking about food when my websites are all about home design, art, and handbags? It's because it is all one thing. You can learn quite a bit about people by watching them shop for groceries. By their groceries you will know them. You can imagine their life styles and what gadgets and appliances they may need in their kitchens. If a person buys lots of nibbles, then they may watch sports or movies on TV. They may entertain their friends. They'll need a comfortable sofa, some pillows, comfortable chairs, and maybe even a popcorn machine. You can spot a cook too, just by the combinations of things in his/her shopping cart. That person probably buys professional cookware, dinnerware, good chocolate, wine and art.

Now don't be self conscious if you spot me in the grocery store. I'm harmless and have only the best of intentions: to cater to your shopping needs better and better. Now, if you don't want me to watch you shop, then email us about what you would like to see in our websites. We love to communicate with you and hear your thoughts.

Shopsicle and I wish you a beautiful holiday season. P.S. Don't forget to visit hothothandbagsandtotes.com and see our fantastic fashion forward handbags. They make the best gifts. As ever, Joan

Hello Everybody,

It's me again. The news is hot, no it's hot hot! We just opened www.hothothandbagsandtotes.com. Come in and take a look. We are so excited and happy to be doing this. We are carrying some really beautiful bags of high quality and style, but very fairly (reasonably) priced. Our collection is well thought out and we are providing a lot of fashion along with some classics, styles that are important in the workplace. Our bags are hand made of fine leather, some are made of high tech materials that are designed for people on the go, travelers, and people who must have their laptops with them at all times and want to keep them safe and secure. Along with leisure bags, we have included some handsome carrying cases for laptops and notebooks, and some egonomically designed backpacks for both men and women. Take a look at our briefcases and messenger bags too. We are offering gorgeous leather bags from Argentina. Argentinian leather is considered by many to be the best leather in the world. Are we including outrageous fashion? You'd better believe it, but certainly not with price tags of $48,000. We'd rather you spend that amount on your new BMW. So come on in and visit us. Contact us with your thoughts and suggestions. Remember, we are dedicated to our customers. Our customers' comfort and joy doing business with us is of major importance. We love TLC ourselves and we love to have fun. We want to include you in that. So, here's to your pleasure, and to all our fellow fashionistas. Welcome to handbag heaven!

As always, Joan

I just cannot believe that it is almost the Fourth of July. Where has the time gone?

Karen and I are developing another website. We'll tell you all about it in the next couple weeks. I think you are going to like this one a lot. Sharpen your pencils. You are going to want to buy many things. I certainly do.

What are your plans for the Fourth? Oh, we saw fire works last night. It was magic! Usually, we don't get a chance to see fireworks on the Fourth because we are either at a picnic or giving one. Our brother had a boat years ago, and we would go out into the Sound around Thimble Islands in Branford and picnic and watch the fireworks. Fireworks are particularly good when you are on a boat. No obstructions to your view, and it's always fun to hear people cheering when there is a really impressive flashy display.

I'm dropping by to let to know about all the great sales our merchants are having. Go into Shopsicle and into the Resouces page and click: Sur La Table, Design Within Reach, Illuminations, and Art Gazebo. ALL having major sales!
Sur La Table: 25 - 50% Clearance
Design Within Reach: 50% off
Illuminations: 75% off and candles for $1.00, $3.00, $5.00, and $8.00

Don't miss it! It's a perfect time to do your Christmas shopping and save a ton of money! I'm doing it myself to save money and I am usually a last minute Charlie, squeeking just under the line of every holiday.

I wish you all a Happy Fourth of July! Be sure to eat a lot, but do not drink and drive. All my best, Joan