Kitchen Coordinates from Now Designs

When I was a little girl, my mom had a dining room set that included some chairs she had recovered in an aqua-blue color. Ever since then, the colors aqua and brown take me back to fun nostalgic memories of being a little girl. That's where this set of coordinating apron and oven mitts took me when I saw them. I was back in the kitchen dreaming of being a domestic diva someday... actually, I was probably just licking the brownie mix off the beaters.

Now Designs Kitchy Kitchen Betty Apron


Now Designs Kitchy Kitchen Potholder


Now Designs Kitchy Kitchen Mitt

The Giveaway Winner is...

...comment number 2! That means that Elizabeth (who is blueviolet at The Noble Wife) wins the Bird in Bamboo Zen Art Print that she loved so much from Kootie's Closet! Congratulations Elizabeth!

Thank you to everyone else for entering this fun giveaway. Just so you know, Kootie's Closet still has a couple of days left in their "September Special", so if you fell in love with something you saw as you were entering this giveaway you could get it that way too.

Calling All Domestic Divas

So I got thinking the other day, "I wonder what pink telephones are available now other than pink cell phones?" So I did a quick search on Google and, lo and behold, up pops a hit for Target (one of my favorite places to find a bargain). So I headed over to their site to see what pink telephones they had. And I am tickled pink (pardon the pun) with what I found.

Let me assure you, I have NO affiliation with Target, and I'm not getting paid to feature these products or put up the links. I just thought they were too adorable not to share. Just click on any of the images to go to the Target site if you want more information or you want to send Santa there as a hint for Christmas.

First, the Crosley Pink Princess Phone. Doesn't it come in a lovely shade of pink? (This is my favorite shade of pink, by the way. I call it "ballet slipper pink".)

Then I found this to-die-for phone that I would LOVE to have--the Crosley 1950s Pink Pay Phone! It would look great in my kitchen (hint, hint to Hubby).


Although this phone is in a brighter pink than I prefer, it is still darling and would look great in a french style boudoir--the Crosley Kettle Classic Pink Desk Phone.
And finally, for the true over-the-top diva extraordinaire... the Southern Telecom Fur Phone with rhinestone-studded receiver! Does this say "Austin Powers" or what? Yeah, baby!

Pink Lemonade Boutique Bags

I think the thing I love most about authoring this blog is that I get to go on hunts for beautiful things to feature. In my most recent hunt, I discovered the work of Caroline at Pink Lemonade Boutique Bags. What I love about her bags is that they are billed as "diaper bags" which means:

"Perfect for mommies on the go, this spacious bag features 3 fully lined pockets perfect for holding your keys, cell phone, and wallet with extra room for a bottle or sippy cup or whatever you need to keep easily accessible."

"This is the perfect bag to use now as a day-trip diaper bag and transition to other uses when your baby gets older. "

Is that just the best or what?!?! Actually, there's something even better about these lovely bags... they're so gorgeous that even a non-mommy (like myself) would love to carry one!

How gorgeous are they? Take a peek at just a sampling of divine pink bags Caroline has created. There are many other colors available too--I just love pink!

Pink Chocolate Toile Boutique Diaper Bag Tote

Pink Chocolate Trellis Boutique Diaper Bag Tote

Pink Chocolate Zebra Boutique Diaper Bag Tote

Pink Chocolate Dots Boutique Diaper Bag Tote

You can visit and shop at at the following web locations for Pink Lemonade Boutique Bags:

Pink Lemonade Boutique Bags Website
Pink Lemonade Boutique Bags Etsy Store
Pink Lemonade Boutique Bags Blog
Pink Lemonade Boutique Bags Photos

Aprons from D-Lux 57

I was impressed when I found this line, because the D-Lux 57 line of aprons is built on a very special idea:

"Cooking never looked so good. D-Lux 57 introduces a new fashion line of aprons. The high quality aprons are 100 cotton and fully lined to protect clothing when spills occur. Bib style aprons have a flouncy skirt that will add a little flair to housework. This two pocket apron has adjustable neck & waist ties. Teenagers will love these Tween aprons. They are just the right size for the young cooks in between a kids and an adult size. Great for gifts or just some Mother/ Daughter time together. All D-Lux 57 aprons come with a coordinating fabric keepsake pouch. They can stack neatly on a shelf or they will keep your kitchen drawers neat and free of tangled apron strings. Years down the road they become wonderful keepsakes, full of memories of baking cookies with Grandma, gardening with Mom or helping Dad outside at the barbeque. Several fun fashion prints to choose from. Made with Love in the USA."

Isn't that really special? So here's a sampling of some of their darling aprons (all are available in the three sizes mentioned above).

D-Lux 57 Adult Pink Ironworks Apron with Keepsake Pouch


D-Lux 57 Adult Blue Cupcakes Apron with Keepsake Pouch

D-Lux 57 Adult Cherries Apron with Keepsake Pouch

Kootie's Closet Sponsors Our First Giveaway!

Glasses R Sexxy Circle Address Labels (set of 48)
Click here for matching personalized notes

Okay, if you haven't figured it out by now, I have a real passion for retro-anything! So imagine my sheer delight when I discovered the online store Kootie's Closet featuring lots of paper goods that have that retro design style I LOVE!

When I emailed the shop's owner, Kai, to ask her if I could feature her wonderful shop here at Dusting in Pearls, she responded with an enthusiastic "YES!" and the wonderful suggestion that she would like to sponsor a giveaway (the first here on Dusting in Pearls!). And the prize? Kai has offered the winner any item in her paper goods inventory in the online store as the prize! How cool is that?!?!

To enter this giveaway:

1) Visit Kootie's Closet online and browse the entire paper goods inventory to find the item you would love to win.
2) Come back to this post and leave a comment stating the item you'd love to win. And that's it! You're entered!

A random drawing for the winner will be held at noon (Pacific coast time) on September 27th. The winner and their choice of prize will be announced in a post here at Dusting in Pearls the afternoon of September 27th. [See the end of post for full rules and guidelines.]

Here is just a small sampling of the wonderful goodies you have to choose from at Kootie's Closet:

Hat Lady Personalized Notes (set of 12)

Turntable Circle Address Labels (Set of 48)
Atomic Tempo Personalized Notes (set of 12)

40s Platform Shoe Circle Address Labels (set of 48)
Click here for matching personalized notes

"Kootie's Closet Giveaway" Rules and Guidelines
Entries on this giveaway will be excepted up to 12 noon on Saturday, Sept 27th. Each person will only be counted once so duplicate comments won't help your odds (sorry). If you don't have an email link connected to the i.d. you use to leave the comment, then you'll have to check back on the day of the drawing (Sept. 27th) to find out if you won and then contact me via email so I can get your postal address privately on behalf of Kootie's Closet. If you do have an email link connected to the i.d. you use, then I will contact you off the blog as well as announce you as the winner. Basically, it's the standard blog giveaway rules that are out there in the "blog-o-sphere" already.

Breakfast at Tiffany's from Artistic Flair

I think I'm like most domestic divas when I say that I have a love for Audrey Hepburn's style and the designs of Edith Head that made a lot of Audrey's style a reality. So when I happened upon this beautiful piece of fused glass art at Artistic Flair, I was smitten.

Isn't it divine in how it captures the grace and essence of Audrey in the film?
The "diamond" necklace is made of Swarovski crystals.

If you want to see the details, click on the above images to enlarge them.
Breakfast at Tiffany's Artistic Flair

Deb DiSalvo at Artistic Flair is the creator of this gorgeous piece and details her process at her site (click the link above to go there). Deb says, "My Audrey is my absolute favorite piece I've made!" I can definitely see why. I highly recommend that you also click on the links below to see some others lovely pieces by Deb.

Pretty Kitty
I DO
Shopping Diva
Betty Boop
Ballerina Girl

Jessie Steele Aprons

As always, click on any of the images in this post for more information

I have recently discovered the line of adorable and feminine aprons from Jessie Steele. They are so cute, retro, and girlie. Some of her aprons come in a full style for complete coverage while others are the half apron great for the hostess.

I have to start out with the pink and brown polka dot apron by Jessie Steele because pink and brown is my favorite color combo. The polka dots just put it over the top for me. Jessie Steele also offers kid's size aprons for the little junior divas out there. So cute!

I also love cherries--particularly any retro-style cherry motiff. So Jessie Steele's retro cherries aprons and coordinates caught my attention. This one is also available in a kid's size version for the diva-in-training.

Another motiff that always catches my eye is a great French motiff--eiffel towers, fleur de lis, poodles... So this cute half apron with coordinating oven mitt is a favorite of mine too.

Miss Diva Shoes

I peruse the offerings at Zazzle quite frequently to try and ferret out design gems that may be going undiscovered. That's how I found these adorable "Miss Diva" Keds Champion mini slip-on shoes by Jennie at Kurono Creations. They are so comfy and yet so stylish! The perfect combination for the busy domestic diva, right?

Click on the image above to view larger and visit Jennie's store

Cute Cat Designs

Don't let the name "Cute Cate Designs" fool you. There is a lot more in store for you than cats when you visit Cat's site at www.cutecatdesigns.com. Cat offers "fresh and sassy personalized stationery" that covers a range of styles from cute to chic. Here is just a small sampling of what Cat has to offer in the treasure trove of stationery goodness she has awaiting you:

Fall Watercolor Renaissance Folded Note Cards


Hunny Bunny Chick Standard Address Labels

Pink Leopard Bag Tags

Fleur De Lis Flourish Square Book Plates

Lil Black Dress Mommy Contact Cards
Shopping Girly Girl Divas Postage

Pretty and Practical

I recently discovered the Gloveables line of aprons and fashionable rubber gloves and think they're so smart! All of you know I'm a sucker for polka dots and pink which is a big plus. But the aprons are also made of oilcloth! That means I could wear this when I'm potting plants or in the kitchen. And I'd be in polka dots for either activity. I can't help but love that!

Gloveables Classic Oilcloth Apron in Pink Polka Dots

And don't forget that Gloveables also makes these adorable matching rubber gloves to wear when you want to doll up AND do housework.

Gloveables Fashion Gloves in Pink Polka Dots

Classic Clothing

There is something about classic cotton shirt styles that always make me feel pretty when I wear them. Maybe it's because when I'm wearing a classic collared shirt I've got delusions of somehow looking a smidge like one of the Hepburn's--Katherine or Audrey, either one would be fine. Even if it's just a white shirt paired with some casual black cotton pants, I feel pretty. And then if I don my pearl earrings... hello!

The problem is that like many domestic divas, I am a plus-size diva. Which means that it's hard to find classic looking clothes with that Hepburn-esque quality. That's why I rely heavily on a handful of plus-size sources for the clothing I love to wear.

One of those sources is Avenue. I've ordered multiple times from them and been very happy with their service and their products. I'm in need of some new pieces to add to my wardrobe and started poking around Avenue again. These are some of the pieces I have my eye on...

Avenue Patterned Wrap Shirt *More Patterns Available* Womens Plus Size

Avenue 3/4 Sleeve Satin TrimTee Womens Plus Size

Avenue Floral Border Circle Skirt Womens Plus Size

Avenue Charmeuse Trim Pleated Skirt Womens Plus Size

In fact, now that I'm done writing this post I'm going to go back over there and get maybe one or two of these pieces (maybe three). And I SO wish I could afford this, but, alas, I cannot...

Avenue Tiger Print Topperby Anthracite Womens Plus Size