Rhinestone Pepper

Rhinestone Pepper- Took a Blogging Vacation!!

2008-12-30T21:13:00.004-05:00

I took a breather....from blogging and work but I'm back. This is a tough time of the year for business yet I feel the first of the year will be better. Much I have to offer can help those less fortunate than myself. Every job I've ever had has been trying to make the lives of others better. I was the chief executive officer of a financial institution for more years than I want to admit.

I love my independence now. I work for myself. I'm a tough boss and hardest on myself. I do love have the flexibility that I have in my life. I never knew how much I was going to enjoy saying goodbye to corporate America.

Now I have my life back and my rhinestones....that sounds like perfection to me!!!

Have an AWESOME day on purpose,

Rhinestone Pepper

Rhinestone Pepper- Bad Hair Cut...Now That's Pain!!!

2008-12-24T02:05:00.002-05:00

I moved to Charlotte two years ago and the biggest trauma for me was finding someone to do my nails and my hair to my satisfaction. I was lucky, the first time out with my nails. I discovered a great nail tech. She is a perfectionist and skilled artisan. I never have to guess how my nails will look....they are always elegant, long yet natural looking. With my vivid red colors they do stand out so...nothing sexier to me than gorgeous red polish on my nails and toes. It just seems to fit perfectly with my rhinestone jewelry.

I wasn't as lucky about my hair. I had been so lucky in Mississippi. The same guy had cut my hair for 25 years. He knew what my hair would do and would not do. I trusted him implicitly. I never had concerns when he would experiment and give me a new style. It always worked. I guess I was naive. I told the first hairdresser here about my personality and what I wanted...I thought we understood each other. I was wrong. I ended up with a horrible hair cut. Took 9 months to grow it out.

I finally found someone who is very good yet she's also opinionated. She also thinks she understands my hair better than she actually does...my hair has a mind of it's own. So a month ago, the worse scenario happened....she went crazy with the scissors and I'm back with the BAD hair cut...the nightmare for all women. Men just don't understand. All I want to do is to crawl into bed until it grows out. My hair is a direct reflection on my moods. Great hair means I'm on top of the world. So if my writing ever seems a little negative...look to my hair.

Have a Merry Christmas and and AWESOME day on purpose,

Rhinestone Pepper

Rhinestone Pepper- Making My List For Santa!!

2008-12-22T07:01:00.003-05:00

It's that time of year again...Santa is almost here, just a few more days to go. In the past year, I do think I've been good. I've worked hard to become a better person and have achieved a few steps towards being a more patient person. I've had to draw on that patience daily with my daughter now living with me.

I do think I'm becoming a better parent and perhaps my daughter is actually becoming a better daughter also. We just seem to enjoy each other' company now. Dilly, my cat, might deny that I've been good this year. I've had him on a diet for the past few months, so I'm not his favorite person anymore. I hear him talking about me behind my back!!!

Now as to what I want for Christmas from Santa....just to be loved and appreciated. Everything else will fall into place with that in my life.

Have an AWESOME day on purpose,

Rhinestone Pepper

Rhinestone Pepper- Reflection on Holiday Season

2008-12-20T00:47:00.003-05:00

In my heart...I'm "It's a Wonderful Life". I want to believe in the fairy tale. Life for me growing up was much darker than that. My father is a chronic alcoholic and my poor mother coped as best as was possible. Our holidays were difficult most years. The food was always great yet the mood in the house was a direct reflection of the amount of alcohol my father consumed that day and his day could start at 5:30 a.m.

I loved the Christmas season when my daughter was young. I got to live my fairy tale moments through her. This year the man in my life isn't in town, so I'm feeling a tad lonely tonight. My daughter and I are going grocery shopping for our Christmas dinner tomorrow. Just like my mother, there will be way too much food yet I can be assured that there will be no angry words on that day. The one part about growing up is I can have peace in my household and I love that. I need that.

So everyone should plan to eat too much, get those special hugs and enjoy the upcoming days for the simple pleasures they bring.

Have an AWESOME day on purpose,

Rhinestone Pepper

Rhinestone Pepper- How do I end up with Loners?

2008-12-17T01:25:00.003-05:00

Growing up I always felt I had a dramatic soul. I was timid and shy yet inside I was a rhinestone Diva. I've always been the type of person who has to talk when I'm upset or concerned about something. Getting those thoughts out of body are integral to my internal peace. How then do I end up having so many people in my life that are just "loner" personalities? They hold it all in or run and escape to themselves rather than talking to me?

I guess I attract that type of personality. My ex kept to himself for 25 years. To survive, I had to do the same....it was just like a living death. My daughter has Asperger's Syndrome and she doesn't show emotions..so no help there. The man I'm involved with right now is like my ex so here I am with no one in my life to bare my soul to. I have to say that he does come closest to understanding me...men and women's needs are just so different.

Maybe living with two of "me" would be too much sparkle in one room any way. Never really thought about it before. Guess I'll just hang out with my "loners"...I've got the "world" to talk to...I've got my blog.

Rhinestone Pepper- Pooh my Kitty in the Dryer...OOPS!

2008-12-15T20:29:00.008-05:00

I have another story about my kitty that was named Pooh. I will warn that it's a tale about pussycats and household applicances. Unfortunately, I do have experience yet the stories all have a positive ending....I made a video for you.

Pooh really was my first child and he lived for many years after his experience with the clothes dryer. To me he was baby....even took him to the photographers to have his picture made. I
found this one tucked away.....

The photo really doesn't do him justice....he was a very large cat. He weighed between 20 and 22 pounds and his hair visually added pounds from there....he was a BIG cat!! He was still my baby though.

Have an AWESOME day on purpose,

Rhinestone Pepper

Rhinestone Pepper- A Day of Relief

2008-12-14T00:13:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was a happy day in our home. We got the news that my daughter's request for Social Security Disability was approved. I'm most proud, as she did everything herself in placing the claim. They did a formal evaluation with an appointed doctor and I'm guessing that his recommendation did help. The approval was really a surprise as I'm told that odds were against her. As a parent, I constantly worry about how she would fare without me around. At least now, she does has have some financial stability.

Next step is for us to get her the medical help she needs. Since she presently has no health insurance, we've held off doing anything. I think she's finally ready to accept any medication as needed.She has had a tough time accepting the fact that she has Asperger's Syndrome yet she's finally come to peace with it. It's a good day for us...great early Christmas present!!

I didn't blog yesterday as I was making videos for work...feel like the video queen now. I'm a person who hates having their photo made...making a video is the last thing I enjoy doing...but you do what you have to do for work!!

Have an AWESOME day on purpose,

Rhinestone Pepper

Rhinestone Pepper- Wish You Could Wish Sress Away

2008-12-11T01:55:00.002-05:00

No more "cat" tails for tonight. I do have more...just too tired to write tonight. I had a stressful day and I'm lingering between being overly tired and wide awake....STRESS big time. I am definitely a sleep deprived person because of the ongoing stress in my life. I've got to work on that. Problem for another day. Rhinestones are off and stored away.

Good night world....I'm going to bed.

Have an AWESOME day on purpose,

Rhinestone Pepper

Rhinestone Pepper- Cat Tail of Pooh

2008-12-09T22:09:00.005-05:00

I have always had a cat in my life from the time I was young. They've been a mix of strays and pure breeds yet in my heart they were always precious. In my adult life, my first real favorite was Winnie the Pooh...we called Pooh or Poohbear. He lived a very long life with me yet it wasn't uneventful. He was huge, proud cat. He had long ,silky gray hair with a white chest and paws. Pooh wasn't a push over either...he weighed in around 22 pounds. I can remember walking him on a leash around the neighborhood....everyone would always mistake him for a dog!!

I can remember taking him to the Vet one Saturday. They had come out to get him and we were sitting in the waiting room. The room was packed that day with lots of pets. All of a sudden, we heard what sounded like a roar!! You couldn't mistake it...it was extremely loud. We all gave each other perplexed glances...it sounded like the roar of a tiger. Just about then, the Vet came walking out carrying Pooh. He was laughing and asked if we heard him? I said "That was Pooh?". He said "Sure was. I had to take his temperature and he definitely didn't like the experience!". With a cat they use a rectal thermometer and till the day he died, he never did like the experience. On that day my Pooh was a tiger. I loved that cat. Pooh was my first "rhinestone" baby. He definitely had a shining personality.

Have an AWESOME day on purpose,

Rhinestone Pepper

Rhinestone Pepper- It's a Cat's World

2008-12-08T20:18:00.003-05:00

There is one single person that rules over my household without doubt. He demands your unyielding attention, dinner on time, a comfy bed and a great conversation. The ruler in my house is Dilly. He's a 6 yr old sable Burmese cat. Dilly controls when we get home or go to bed and firmly believes in an "open" door policy. He will find a way to pop any closed door open.

Dilly is my $2,700 cat...and that doesn't even include the $300 electric cat boxes. It took 2 years to find out why Dilly was so sick...after lots of money in Vet bills and considerable heartache, we discovered he suffers from Feline Herpes. He was unfortunately contaminated at the breeder. Dilly is priceless though. He is the most loving, funny and vocal cats you will ever meet. He has never met a stranger. He's up in your face saying hello and talking about all that's on his mind that day.

Dilly exemplifies a shining personality....he's my rhinestone of cats. If you're a dog lover, you'll still love my Dilly. Even the most jaded can see that he's a cool cat. I can't imagine not coming home to him. No matter how difficult my day is...Dilly brings a smile to my face.

Have an AWESOME day on purpose,

Rhinestone Pepper

Rhinestone Pepper- Hard to Accept the Truth of Asperger's

2008-12-08T20:04:00.003-05:00

One of the hardest things in life is to know that your child is sick and there's nothing you can do to make them better. I grew up being the child of an alcoholic and I'm your typical fixer. I always think I can fix it and make it right. It took several months in AL-ANON to understand that it's not possible. I can only change my actions and reactions.

Finally when my daughter was 18, we put all the many pieces together and discovered she has Asperger's Syndrome. It's a type of Autism. You can look at her and think nothing is wrong. She is beautiful and smart...made mostly A's in high school and college. It's only after you spend some time with her, that you see something is different. She has definitely struggled to have acceptance of the Asperger's and I have too. Sadly, there is no magic pill for her yet I do have hope. She's 23 now and it was only in the past few weeks that she's started to come in at night and give me a goodnight kiss. That might be considered trivial by some yet for me...it's a huge deal....she's learning how to express her feelings. I'm a very proud parent.

This will be a lifetime commitment from me to help my daughter find her happiness and full independence. I'm confident though as we're both stubborn women...both rhinestones....so I'm sure we will succeed!!!

Have an AWESOME day on purpose,

Rhinestone Pepper

Rhinestone Pepper- Asperger's in My Life

2008-12-08T19:17:00.003-05:00

The second "A" to make an imprint on my life is Asperger's. The other wonderful woman in my life is my daughter and she has Asperger's Syndrome. She was always a very different child. She didn't like to be touched or hugged like most children. She would immediately recoil..she had to be the one to give you permission to approach her. A strange memory for me is that she always cried every single birthday. Cake, parties and presents yet she always cried. I never saw her display joy. I always wondered why. Now of course, I believe it was because of the crowds of guests at her parties...too many people and too many noises.

My daughter is a bright, intelligent and a physically beautiful woman who was a loner from the time she was little. I vividly remember being called in to see her teachers as they were concerned about her socialization skills...the fact is that she had none. She had no close friends or playmates. I knew something was wrong yet I was clueless as to what it might be. My daughter is adopted so I never had a family history to look back upon to give me some clues. I had no one to give me answers. It was a long and hard journey to discovery of the truth.

It was like looking at the many faceted sides of a rhinestone. The smooth surfaces seem to reflect all that was on track in her life...her intelligence, her kindness and goodness as a person. The sharp edges were personified by the way she sank into isolation, the looks of emptiness in her eyes and her inability to show empathy or joy. I just knew that I loved her and felt compelled to search for answers.

Have an AWESOME day on purpose,

Rhinestone Pepper

Rhinestone Pepper- Alzheimer's in My Life

2008-12-06T19:28:00.013-05:00

Someone recently told me I was like a rhinestone. I could be shiny from without yet hard and stubborn from within. I've drawn on that stubbornness to get me through some difficult times in life. That inner voice keeps me focused and directed to find the right solutions rather than give up. My life has been touched by two big "A's". The first one being Alheimer's.

My mother is the face of Alzheimer's in my life. I knew what to expect as my first experience was with my ex husband's step father. I thought I was prepared for what she would become and how I would lose my mom years before her body would take it's final breath. You think you can be logical and accepting but it's very hard. Her body has become an empty shell. You look into her eyes and you see that she is lost. There are lapses in time when she'll come back if even for a few minutes....those are the moments I yearn for and live for. So you just love them for today and draw on your memories of yesterday. I can see the vision of her wearing her rhinestone jewelry. I can remember her laugh. I can feel her kisses on my cheek. That's what I want to remember....I do miss her so.

Have an AWESOME day on purpose.

Rhinestone Pepper

Rhinestone Pepper- Wearing Your Rhinestone Jewelry With Style

2008-12-06T19:04:00.002-05:00

Who says you have to have a special occasion to wear your vintage rhinestone jewelry? I say no. I wear my jewelry with whatever I choose. I have over 600 pieces in my personal collection.

I believe winter is a more appropriate season for wearing most of my sparkles. It's really about size and proportion. Winter clothes tend to be heavier and less colorful so the jewelry is great to wear on a daily basis. If you've never had much exposure to vintage costume jewelry, you may be surprised to see how "weighty" the jewelry can be. They can be "busy" pieces....lots of different shapes and types of stones and sometimes with even some pearls added....all in the same necklace or bracelet. The main caution is to make sure your jewelry does not compete with what you are wearing. Your jewelry needs to shine. It needs to be noticed.

I can remember when I started my collection, I would spend up to 6 hr a night looking through jewelry samples on Ebay to bid on. I really had to find the pieces that I would fall in love with. When I was done I was so proud of myself. I had a beautiful collection and then it hit me....spring is coming. I had to start all over and look for some spring and summer pieces. I just added a little more love to my collection. Those pieces tend to be lighter in stature, many in pastels in colors and are sometimes lighter beaded and pearl pieces.

Just wear your jewelry every day. Select what looks good on you and what compliments what you're wearing. Always know that you're special and this beautiful jewelry only shows that off.

Have an AWESOME day on purpose.

Rhinestone Pepper

Rhinestone Pepper- I love Wearing History...Makes Me Shine From Within!!!

2008-12-06T17:55:00.004-05:00

I love my rhinestone jewelry yet perhaps even more...I love knowing that I am wearing history. I'm reminded of my dear mother. My mom is still alive yet I lost her several years ago to the tragedy of Alzheimer's. It's a terrible disease and a very sad experience to live through. To find happiness inside, I have to think of my mom when when she was younger. I remember her wearing her rhinestone vintage jewelry. I adore looking at my pictures and seeing her pride show through.

Every day I put on a gorgeous necklace, pair of earrings, bracelet or a great pin...I think about the woman who once wore these beautiful pieces of art. I think about it being her special day. That day may have been the highlight "event" of her year..a birthday celebration, Christmas Ball or an elegant night on the town. She was dressed in her very best with every hair in place. The last thing she would do to complete her "perfect" look was to don her beautiful costume jewelry. In my mind, I see her in that mirror and feel her feelings of self satisfaction. It makes me feel GREAT!!!

It's a gift that just keeps on giving to me. I feel their joy every day. Lucky me though...I don't have to get dressed up. Rhinestones go with everything. You just have to learn to wear them with style.

Have an AWESOME day today.

Rhinestone Pepper

Rhinestone Pepper- Found A Wonderful History Video Online

2008-12-06T02:29:00.005-05:00

I found a great historical video online from Gail Gupton at Atlanta Vintage Jewelry, http://www.atlantavintagejewelry.com

She's made a wonderful video about the history of costume jewelry. I thoroughly enjoyed watching it and I wanted to share it with you.

There have been some wonderful designers throughout history. Perhaps my favorite has been Albert Weiss and many of my most treasured pieces of vintage rhinestone jewelry are his.

Wearing a Weiss piece of jewelry makes me feel very special. He was an incredible artisan. Watch the video...I think it will give you a real appreciation of these collectible treasures. I would also like to thank Ms. Gupton for producing it. Easy to see that it's her passion too!

Have An AWESOME Day On Purpose,

Rhinestone Pepper

Rhinestone Pepper- Only bid on what you really like.

2008-12-04T01:03:00.004-05:00

There are all sorts of ways to start a collection of vintage rhinestone jewelry. Some may have been lucky enough to have inherited this beautiful jewelry from a grandmother, mother or loving Aunt. Others go to estate liquidations, garage sales, or Collector's Fairs. The main thing is to love the piece if you're buying or bidding on it. It needs to make you feel special. It needs to have a meaning for you. Just be passionate about it and the price will always be the "right" price.

My collection is valuable and if I were very smart, I'd never wear any of it and all my decisions would enhance the monetary value of my collection. Any real lover of vintage costume jewelry will tell you, that's the least important thing we care about. I want to feel the weight of it on my skin, see the shimmer in the sunlight and the glimpses of other women who would love to be wearing it. It doesn't matter what I paid for it....some of my favorites were really rather inexpensive...yet wearing my vintage rhinestone jewelry makes me feel like a million bucks!

Rhinestone Pepper- Ebay, Ebay, Ebay !!!

2008-12-04T00:48:00.007-05:00

I think I loved the process of acquiring my collection of vintage rhinestone jewelry almost as much as the jewelry itself. It took me several months of bidding to learn the restraint to hold back and not act like a "newbie" on Ebay. I mastered the needed technique. I had my digital kitchen timer and I used it ruthlessly. I would sync the timing with the ending bid time at Ebay to make sure the alarm would go off timely so I could make my winning bid.

I would add the item I wanted to my watch list. Usually I would never place a bid early. I would make a single bid at approximately 7 seconds before the bidding expired. I was very focused on winning and usually did win. You can easily tell who the experienced bidders are...they all swoop in the final seconds trying to dash your hopes in winning. I learned to play their game and have a beautiful collection to enjoy now.

Rhinestone Pepper- Becoming an Ebay Expert

2008-12-03T00:01:00.003-05:00

I made all the mistakes a newbie does on Ebay. I'd see a great necklace or bracelet I wanted and I'd starting watching the bidding intently. As soon as I was outbid, I'd jump back in and place a higher bid. Seller's love newbies. They can artificially drive the prices up. All I knew at the time, was that I wanted it and I was bound and determined that I'd win it. Maybe it's my personality type...I just hate to fail or lose at anything.

To make matters worse, I'm small boned and have a very small 6" wrist size. The average wrist size is probably 7.25" to 7.50", so finding small sized vintage bracelets was very difficult. It's all about quantity and demand so when I saw my size, I was even more determined to win it. I would see the glitter and think of how cool it was and just start bidding away. I may have overpaid for it but I had won it!!! First rule, only bid on what you really like and honestly do know your budget and your financial limits. That's just good business.

Rhinestone Pepper- Starting of the Collection

2008-12-02T23:47:00.003-05:00

I had those few pieces of vintage jewelry from my Mom and I just loved them. I had recently been divorced and had the age of 50 coming closer every year and I thought..."I deserve a present, a really nice present!!!" So I jumped head first into the "Ebay World". My ex had used Ebay to bid on coins yet I never really understood why he seemed to spend hours locked up with his head in his computer online in Ebay. Now I clearly understand the attraction. I admit I'm an Ebay Addict. I'm not proud of it yet I don't regret any of the pieces of jewelry that I've won.

Here I am 711 buys later on Ebay. Now part of that is also for the vintage purses, eyeglasses, perfume bottles and children's china sets that I collect. Mostly though it's jewelry. I can't seem to get enough of it. I can always justify why I must have that great piece of vintage jewelry. The definite upside is the value of my collection has tripled or more since I started it. It really has been a great investment. But life is short and you never know what it has in store for you. It's a passion and makes me happy. Rhinestones bring out the best in me. What could be better???

Rhinestone Pepper- How can you not love the glitter?

2008-12-01T04:51:00.004-05:00

I do love my jewelry. I fell in love with vintage rhinestone jewelry when I was a very small girl. I used to sneak into my Mom's vanity drawer and model some of her necklaces and earrings in the mirror. I thought I was a genuine princess. My mother has Alzheimer's now, so a few years ago I retrieved those few pieces of the costume jewelry as a keepsake to remember her by. She hasn't known me for several years now yet I can look at pictures of her from the 1940s, I can clearly see her spirit. I found that she even worked in an airplane factory in WWII...she was a "Rosie The Riveter". She was just a cool lady.

Here I was approaching 50 yet when I tried on the jewelry again, I still felt like a princess. All those memories came back to me and it felt great. Thus my collecting of vintage jewelry began. Trust me, it can be real addiction...they are such great looking pieces of jewelry so it's very hard to stop. I collect them because I love wearing them. It's like taking a "happy pill" when I put them on. I'm on cloud nine. I wouldn't dare trade them for "real" jewelry...they are priceless to me.

Rhinestone Pepper- The Beginning of my Journey

2008-12-01T04:31:00.005-05:00

This is a new adventure for me but of course, that's what life is all about...your journey. It's all part of a change in my life and that's exciting. Change can be very scary yet it's also exhilarating....the possibilities are always endless. My two com padres in this journey are my daughter and pussycat named Dilly. My life is never boring with either of them. They come with love but real challenges at times. If we were all perfect, life would be really boring so I love them both intensely.

I also love loving my passions and the one that gives me perhaps the greatest joy and excitement is collecting and wearing vintage costume jewelry. Most of my collection is from the 1940s and 1950s yet some pieces date back from the Art Deco period of the late 20s and early 30s. As you can guess from my name here, rhinestones are my favorite. The glitter and shine just put a smile on my face. I particularly love the rings for the Art Deco period, they are to die for! Just stunning pieces of art.

I'm also passionate about helping my daughter face the world and become completely independent. She is adopted and it took many years to try to make sense of what was going on. In her twenties, we put all the pieces together and found out she has Aspergers Syndrome, a form of Autism. She makes me proud and everyday I try to become a better parent. Dilly just makes me laugh as he's a silly cat with a dog's soul inside of him.