Monday, November 26, 2012

Black Table, Dry Chicken


I've been in a very black and white mood lately. I think I need to pull it back a bit. 



But, while I'm in the throws of it I decided to set the table in black and white (again). 



I thought the table looked pretty. 


Estate sale stemware, Ikea runners, Homegoods plates and Grandmas flatware.


 The prep went well. Things were looking good

(Ina Garten recipe - white chocolate apricot, cranberry, pistachio bark)

 and smelling great (if I do say so myself).

(Ina Garten roasted chicken breast recipe)

 Dessert was looking delectable.   


 It was a very Ina menu. Good ole Ina, she's NEVER let me down before... 

But this time, the chicken was dry :(   Oh Ina, why have you forsaken me?! 

It's really not her fault. I didn't follow the recipe to the letter.  I'm pretty sure my friends will forgive me.  And Ina, I forgive you--or should I say, I'll never stray from your instructions again. Lesson learned. 

I've had a couple dinner party dishes fail lately and I beat myself up for days after. I love having friends over for a nice dinner, so I'm not going to give up yet. Who wants to be my next guinea pig?...


Saturday, November 24, 2012

True Gratitude

It's pretty common on the holidays for the kids to work on some kind of performance for the grown ups. 
I think this year's Thanksgiving song by Drew and cousin Charlie is the best one yet. 
Just had to share it with you. 
Enjoy (I've typed the lyrics as they were written below the clip be sure to read them)

A song to the LoRusso's 
by Drew and Charlie

When I say I love you, to you, cause your the best, to my mom,
she takes the trash out, helps with my homework, and get's all the food, yhea all the food! 

Yhea I love you, yhea your the best, to my dad, 
make's sure I'm okay, makes me laugh, and especially, he plays with me!

Sunday, November 4, 2012

My Latest Plan - Fashion for Philanthropy

I mentioned a couple weeks ago that I was working on my business plan. While the website is still a mess (I have to get pictures of my designs posted and fix some links) I'm ready to tell you about it, and invite any locals to an open house on Friday. 


My goal was to simplify EVERYTHING
I've changed my logo to what I think is a fresh and easily recognizable logo.

I've changed my website URL.  I shortened it to just JulieLoRusso.com 
(it used to be julielorussojewelry.com). 


I've added a shopping cart to the website to streamline the checkout process. 

And, I've changed my strategy to something that makes me feel good and hopefully makes my customers feel good too. I'm calling it
Fashion for Philanthropy
I'll donate 25% of all sales to charity. Online sales will go to the charity of my choice. But, anyone can host an event and select the charity they want the 25% to go to.  For example, a couple weeks ago I sold jewelry at Drew's school festival and 25% of the sales went to back to the school. The cool part is that anyone can host a party/fundraiser even if you're not local we can do an online sale. 
At the end of the event the hostess will get a check for  her charity AND a piece of jewelry as a thank you. If you're interested in hosting a fund raiser contact me.   

 


 I'm kicking things of this week with my own Jewelry Open House/Fund raiser at Monkey Grass Hill. 

Friday November 9
10:00 am -6:00 pm


If you're local please stop by and check out my newest designs 
(I've got some really new great pieces). 

The proceeds for my home party will be going to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's unique mission is to find cures for children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases through research and treatment. 

And no family ever pays St. Jude for anything.