"Life itself is the most wonderful fairytale."-Hans Christian Anderson

 

Do you remember the days when we learned our lessons the right way? Yes, through fairytales. I had to learn these lessons the hard way because my mother neglected to read fairytales to me. However, my aunt made up the difference and would send me fairytale books into my 30s. Remember, I told you she always gives me back-handed compliments. This would be one of them, “Here’s a beautiful fairytale book for your birthday, Ellie. Read Chapter 4 regarding morals, you’ll love it.” Actually, this could be considered more passive-aggressive. I don’t know, I will ask my therapist.

Now, on the other hand, my friend Susie was raised on fairytales in a classical non-dysfunctional manner, so it is no surprise that she is a lovely human being. More than lovely, Susie is who we are all supposed to be. Courageous, honorable, loyal, loving and kind. It’s also no surprise that Susie married a prince charming. Truly, Prince Charming. I cannot tell you their whole love story in fear of you killing yourself out of jealousy. Good news, as of October 1, Susie has launched her jewelry line, Faery of Tales! The concept is clear...”For the young and the young at heart, because memories, like fairytales are meant to Last.” J’adore!

 

Refined with elegant craftsmanship (think Hèrmes for children) Faery of Tales offers necklaces and bracelets based on childhood fairytales. Snow White, Puss in Boots and my favorite, The Nightingale. Leather, sterling silver, gold, sapphires, diamonds…Oh my!

 

 

Magical, right? We all know how difficult it can be raising children these days with all of the bombastic elements of life. How do you raise a child with all of their morals intact? I think the best thing to do is to go back to the basics. Open a book, dream, imagine and learn through stories. Fairytales are still the best resource. Now, with the Faery of Tales jewelry line, the fairytales are tangible. Not unlike a talisman, Faery of Tales aims to empower the wearer with noble attributes. Friendship, bravery, kindness, honesty, courage, and love. I’m still working on a few of these but it’s nothing that the Nightingale’s Emperor’s Palace necklace with 18 karat yellow gold and diamonds won’t cure.

 

Perfect for you, your daughter, granddaughter, a special friend or your gay son (as all sons should be), Faery of Tales will be a cherished keepsake for generations. Faery of Tales is a gentle reminder that life and childhood can still be filled with magic, wonderment and wanderlust while still following the golden rules and instilling virtues. Voilà!

www.faeryoftales.com

I Don't Do Flip-Flops and Neither Should You.

As spring and summer start to roll around, I always get excited because it’s time to bring out the espadrilles again. These are my “go to” shoe for warm weather. I would never be caught dead in flip-flops these days. The only only only place that I can see flip-flops working is if you are a lifeguard or if you live on the beach, which I did so I’m partially excused. That’s it. Flip-flops do not belong anywhere else, especially not with a Juicy sweatsuit for God’s sake. Espadrilles are classic, fun and you can wear them to a summer afternoon lunch without looking trashy. They work with shorts, jeans, a skirt or dress and even a pareo. Chic women wear espadrilles. Chic men wear espadrilles. Chic kids wear espadrilles.

According to espadrilles.com,"The espadrille has been around for centuries maybe even thousands of years. The Archaeological museum of Granada owns a pair of espadrilles that were found on human remains inside the “cueva de los murielagos” (the bat-cave). It is estimated that these shoes are around 4000 years old.
This light sandal, made with jute rope or braided hemp and with linen fabric, comes from Spain, where, already, they were being worn around the XIII century by the King of Aragons’ infantry men. Its name is derived from “esparto” which is a kind of plant that was originally burned then braided to make the soles.
It was during the XIII century that the production of these shoes truly spread. Since it is a handcrafted shoe, making the treads employs many workers. The alpargatero’s (or espadrille maker) only job was to make the rope soles, while the seamstresses sewed the fabric and the band. At the beginning of the XIX century, Mauléon (a French city located in the Atlantic Pyrenees) began selling them in vast quantities. The first people to wear them were the catalano-aragonese military soldiers then subsequently by the priests. Around 1880, most espadrilles were sold to mine workers, but they were also exported to South America. It was the time of the “hirondelles”, which were young girls from the aragonese valleys who came to work in the espadrille factories between the fall and winter seasons."

 

 

 

 

 

Right?

Parenting 101… My Way

 So, as Mother’s Day approaches, I asked my daughter today to name two things that I did right in raising her and two things that I did wrong. The first thing that she told me that I did right was that I never gave her a bedtime. The second thing that she said that I did right is that I let her ditch school sometimes. Okay, so far so good. Then she told me that what I did wrong was that I was too overprotetive. “Okay, what else?” I asked. She replied, “Nothing. But that one encompasses a lot.” So, based on her answers I’m going to assume that I am a fabulous parent because my child could only name one thing that I did wrong in the past 18 years. I started to think about it today… How did I raise Grace? Not to toot my own horn, but I have to kind of hand it to myself… Grace is a wonderful person. She is kind, sensitive, minds her own business, is a great student, funny and very wise. She has only been in trouble once in her 18 years. I mean that literally. She has only been grounded once and that was when she was 16. She thought it was okay to have dinner with her friend, MK, in New York City in Times Square at 11 o’clock at night with no parental supervision. When I found out where she was, I ran out of my apartment barefoot, jumped into a cab and found the two idiots having dinner by themselves at a hot dog shop. I thought my head was going to explode. Grace was terrified. I dragged the two girls back into a taxi, took them back to the apartment, screamed at them for about eight hours and grounded Grace for two weeks. But, Grace had never been in trouble before and has never been in trouble since. So, again, I started to think about it today. What did I do to nurture this little person into the person she is today. So, I thought I would tell you. You’re welcome for my opinion that you didn’t ask for.

House rules.

 

 

 

Let them build a tent. It’s their refuge

 Encourage them to keep a journal.

 

 

 

                                                  Cherish their artwork like it’s a Picasso.

 

 

 

                                       Show them compassion and they will learn compassion.

 

Teach them that everyones religion should be respected. Except maybe not those who support a jihad.

 

 

 

 

 Read to them every night before bed and make sure you are reading them the right books like these.

 

 

 Give them toys that don’t discriminate.

 

 

 No spanking. If you spank your child, it indicates that you are a moron and you do not know how to use your words. You should also probably go to jail.

 

 

 “Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.”
Plato

 

 

Grow a garden with your child. A secret garden or a vegetable garden. It teaches them how to nurture and how to have patience

 

 

 

Make their rooms awesome.

 

 

                                                        Dress them tastefully for God’s sake.

Emphasize the importance of sports but not stupid sports like football which causes brain damage.

 

 

 

 

                                   Teach your child the importance of education. It’s everything.

 

Remind your children that they are lucky lucky lucky.

 

 Laugh and laugh and laugh. This is how Grace and I get through the day with my ALS.

 

 

        Teach your children that animals have feelings and deserve every ounce of dignity and kindness.

              Build a library for your children so that they know the importance and value of books.

             Encourage your children to do yoga. It quiets their minds and it helps them reflect inwards.

Travel with your children. It opens their minds and eyes to new experiences, cultures and a new landscape.

 

                   Teach your children the joys of cooking and baking. It will stay with them forever.

  Good matters are as important as a good education. Always have children write thank you notes.

                          Family dinner and conversation. This is when you find out everything.

Expose children to every museum, exhibit and art gallery that you can find.

Obviously I’ve left out lots of lessons… financial independence, courage, friendship, etc. but you can read more in the parenting book I just decided five minutes ago to write. Stay tuned…