It's "Beary" Beautiful in Big Bear!

Bon jour~

Wow, we woke up this morning to "loads of snow".  So I bundled up and went outside to take some pictures.

Didn't get too far before I realized I needed to get back home.  The snowplows had just come thru and the road was getting too icy to walk on.  So here are a few of the shots I took before I headed home.  As much as we love going to our favorite Church up in Big Bear, we are going to stay home today.  Chains are required on all vehicles (no exceptions)....usually we are fine in our 4-wheel drive jeep, but not today.  Since it's a holiday weekend, I'm sure there are just too many "novice snow drivers" to make me feel "safe enough" to hit the road.  Luckily the snow should be over for now~we are supposed to get a couple of sunny days in the forecast!! 

You know I "luv" to collect just about everything......look at the darling vintage ski dolls I bought for our cabin some years ago......along with bone china deers, bears, vintage post cards. etc.  Treasures from long ago, gives our cabin such a "comfy" feel to it.  I just "luv" the days of the week bear post cards.  It's really hard to find a complete set so I was really lucky when I came across these. 

The post cards are from the "Busy Bear" series published by the Ullman Manufacturing Co., New York.  These cards were postmarked on February 11, 1908, from Atlantic City, making them 103 years old.  I just "luv" the darling messages that are on each of the cards.  The card for Sunday says:  My dear little friend;~Notice what a good bear this is, he goes to church every Sunday; He never tells stories, nor is he bad on Monday, Tuesday, or any day during the week, so you must be the same.  It only cost 1 cent to mail a postcard back then.  Here is a close up of the Sunday postcard:

Which brings me to my:

 ~tip for today~

........take a moment every day to reflect on God's glory.....just peek outside and you will see the beauty He made for us to enjoy!

~verse for today~

A kindhearted woman gains respect.....Proverbs 11:16

ta....ta....

Kathy Renee Pardee

It's cuddle time........put on your long johns!!!

Bon jour~

It's just beautiful up in Big Bear right now.....we are in the middle of a huge storm!  A perfect day for "cuddling" with someone you luv.....  I thought this would be a wonderful time to share my favorite doll with you.  My "pink" satin cuddle kewpie!  Rose O'Neill designed this darling doll in the early 1900's for little girls to cuddle with.  The dolls were manufactured by the Krueger company in New York.  If you collect vintage magazines, you may have seen these cuddle kewpies used in various advertising back in the day.

I'm amazed this doll looks so...."fabulous" for being almost 100 years old.  I guess kewpie dolls were treasured and placed in trunks to pass on to family members throughout the years.  Just like little girls treasured their dolls........

Life is precious and should be "treasured" too.... it's very fragile!

Which brings me to my...

~tip for today~

Are your fragile hands looking chapped and dry.....Nothing beats Votre Vu's "Duette".....to keep your hands and lips soft & moist in dry, cold, snowy weather! www.votrevu.com/kathyluvsparis

p.s.  Here's a picture from outside our front door.  I will post more soon!

~verse for today~

Come now, and let us reason together, said the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18

ta...ta... for now!

Kathy Renee Pardee

So ugly......she's cute!

Bon jour~

Don't you just "luv" this darling Kewpie Doll?  Once upon a time, her hair was gorgeous....dress stunning and complexion like "peaches & cream", but this gal's been through a lot in 98 years........sometimes I feel a little like she does!

This adorable Kewpie doll was patented in 1913 by Rose O' Neill.  Rose was a fantastic illustrator for many magazines and books in her day.  But I "luv" her cherub looking Kewpie dolls, the best!  I love the vintage basket she is holding, too.  Nothing beats the darling crochet patterns of years ago.

My friend, Nannette, restores dolls!

Maybe she could share her secrets with me and I could bring back this Kewpie doll's beauty!

 or

I wonder if Votre Vu's Au Revoir, Trouble spot treatment might do the trick???   

My wonderful hubby brought me the most beautiful roses for Valentine's Day ......I thought you might like to take a peek.....

I spent the day "Organizing".........  Just look at these "chic" black damask zipper seal storage bags I used for my make-up!  They are made by "Two's Company"~ I bought them online.

Some of you wanted to know how Flame was doing after his surgery.  Well, he is just fine and back to his old self!  Thanks so much for asking........ which brings me to my.......

~tip for today~

When you have a bad day and you don't feel "cute".....remember it's what's inside that counts!

ta....ta......Kathy Renee Pardee

www.votrevu.com/kathyluvsparis

Luv...is in the air ....Happy Valentine's Day!

Bon jour!

I hope you are spending the day with your "Special Valentine!"

Here is the Valentine message I "luv" the most......For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16.

I have to make this post short and sweet!  I bought this fabulous Marie Antoinette embroidered picture a number of years ago.  Lately, she's become all the rage with mixed media artists and more.  So I thought you would "luv" to see how exquisite she is. I only wish I knew the identity of the person who made this beautiful stitchery! First she hand painted the face and body and then ever so carefully stiched the rest of the entire picture.  The floss appears to be satin and most likely came from the Royal Society company.....I also have pictures of her matching beau that I will be posting another day along with full size pictures of her dress!

~my tip for today~

It's important to "luv" your job!!  Since it's Valentine's Day I wanted to share with you how much I "luv" being a Votre Vu Brand Ambassador.  So.....here are 14 Things I "luv" about Votre Vu! "ta...ta.....for now!  Kathy

1.  "HZ"~short for Harold Zimmerman~our founder and CEO~a man with a vision! Harold has years of experience providing business and software programs to direct sales firms.  He took this knowledge and created Votre Vu!  A "chic" skin care line direct from Paris~France. Harold works "with" us and is so......personal.  I "luv" a CEO who took the time to personally call me when I promoted to "Star Director"!  
2. Our "lux" products are handcrafted in France in our lab backed by 80 years of experience.  Previously, these products were only available in high-end destination spas in Europe~until now!  Our professional grade products are blended with a much larger percentage of power or active ingredients making them efficient and effective!
3. You can start your own Votre Vu business for as low as $199 and receive $400 worth of products!
4. Commission earnings of 30% simply by sharing this luxe line~no monthly min. orders required
5. Receive Weekly pay on your Votre Vu MasterCard Debit Card
6. Votre Vu has premium online tools for your business and personalized e-commerce web site
7. As you build your team~Votre Vu has one of the most generous compensation plans in direct selling
8. No inventoy or deliveries required~Free Host Program
9. 30% to 50% discount on your orders and free shipping with orders over $150
10. Monthly specials featuring up to 75% off your favorite products! 
11. I just "luv" our swanky VuBAR, which travels the county spreading Vu....luv.  It's such a pleasure working with other Votre Vu Brand Ambassador's in our mobile spa!
12. Host a "soiree" and every guest order ships directly to the guest.  No more deliveries necessary for the host!
13. Votre Vu features over 55 French-made products for face, hair and body and "SnapDragon" our beauty from the inside out~first of it's kind~ Beauty Beverage!
14. The Buzz is spreading~in just a short time Votre Vu has been recognized by top beauty editors, makeup artists and celebrities....and we are just getting started!!!  I'll post pictures from the Grammy's soon!

So.......if you are tired of having to meet monthly sales requirements.......stock inventory.....deliver products....., please message me!  I would love to share my "luv" of Votre Vu with you and sign you up to join my "Team Paris" brand ambassador's!

Best Regards!  Kathy Pardee

www.votrevu.com/kathyluvsparis

That's what I get for taking a nap today..........

Bon jour, it's me again.  I know... I should be sleeping, but....my cat-nap this afternoon turned into 4 long hours of beauty sleep.  So since I've been up playing around with the design of my blog, I thought I would post something really quick.

 I "luv" the Roaring 20's era~here is a picture of some of the "chic" boudoir items ladies used for pampering in those days.  The darling original Kewpie doll print would have been just the "cat's meow" to own as well......I'll share more of my treasures with you later, but until then....here is  

~my tip for tonight~  stay off the computer and get some real "beauty sleep".  But when you stay up too late, like I did tonight, use Votre Vu's "Tragic Magic" rescue creme to help stabilize and hydrate your skin!

ta....ta...for now!  Kathy Renee Pardee

Why turning 57 is......"Fabulous"!

I, know...... I know, it's pretty much "taboo" for a lady to tell her age, but I am so thankful the Lord has blessed me with His gift of life, I don't mind sharing my age! My "guardian angels" have been very busy watching over me, the last couple of years.....and they've done a "fabulous" job protecting this girl! Life is a precious gift, that we should treasure each and every day. 

So this brings me to "why" I feel turning "57" is fabulous"! I'm going to start my list and I'd "luv" you to add to it.....why do you feel "fabulous" at the stage you are in your own life!  Please post in the comments section of my blog!

1. I don't have to get my hair "highlighted" as often.....as my gray hair gives the impression of highlights...
2. I have more time to do the things I luv.....like meeting friends and chatting over tea.
3. The older I get, the more I realize, the things I once worried about in life.......rarely happen.
4. With age, comes wisdom.....
5. I'm starting to take more time to "smell the roses".....
6. I realize more than ever, what a "gift" true friends and family, really are!
7. And...lastly how important it is to have a relationship with God!

I can't wait to read what you post, as well!  I know my blog is new, so it may take a while to gather all your comments.

Today is just a glorious day in Big Bear, it's beautiful, bright & sunny outside!  We are staying at our Cabin, "Chateau de Char~leon".  My hubby came up with the idea for the name.  Char, after my precious Mother, Charlotte, and Leon to honor his wonderful Mother, Leona, who's up in heaven now.

It's been a while since we've made it up to our cabin.... so I still have my "homespun" Christmas decorations up.  They are coming down today, though, so I can put up my Valentine's Day decorations.  I keep a "holiday" tree up all year round and "luv" decorating the cabin for every holiday.

My "luv" of holidays, comes from my Mom. Every year growing up, my parents made sure we had the "best" Christmas!  Although they didn't have a lot of money, they spent it on us....and come Christmas time, they always overdid it!  We had a lot of family traditions.....Mom always baked the most delicious Christmas goodies~no wonder I ended up with a such a sweet tooth!  Our house was full of Christmas decorations, Christmas music and most importantly, love.  I remember my girlfriends and I would dance all around our house to joyful Christmas music, what fun we had!!!  Among my favorite "Christmas treasures" were the small wax candles my Mom used to decorate our table in the living room.  I'm sure most of you remember those candles from the 50's..... shaped into nativity sets, angels and more.  For some reason, they are the Christmas decorations I remember most!!!  

My sister and I would always get our Christmas picture taken in our P.J's, sitting by our fireplace holding a sign my Mom would make out of glitter that read "Merry X-mas and the date".  My "favorite" Christmas of all.....was when my parents made me a "Kitchen" for my Barbie (r) Doll.  They stayed up all night putting it together!  All of the appliances had moving parts and some actually worked.....water even came out of the kitchen sink.  I just fell in love with with my "fabulous" kitchen when I saw it on Christmas morning!

My mom is not a "collector" like I am so almost everything from my childhood got donated to local charities.  One day when I was out "treasure hunting" I came across my "kitchen set" at an Antique store, needless to say, I had to buy it......

I "luv" to hunt for Vintage Treasures up in Big Bear... on the major holidays they host a "Peddler's Market" at the local Elk's club.  Can you believe these darling sock monkey's I found last year????  I've purchased a few sock monkey's over the years, but these ballet dancers are the "cutest sock monkey's I've ever seen"!  So of course, they had to come home with me!

 Which leads me to my

~tip for today~

When life gets you down, just DANCE!!!  You won't believe how good it will make you feel.  Never forget to act "child~like" every once in a while!

ta....ta....for now!  Kathy Renee

57 and "Fabulous"!

Bon jour!  I'm excited to start my new blog today.......in a couple of months I will turn 57.  It seems just like yesterday, I spent my time playing with dolls.  I've always been a "girly girl"....pink is my favorite color!  I'm going to be posting "tips and tricks" I use to stay "young at heart, soul & mind"....along with pictures of some of the "sweet vintage treasures" I've collected along my travels!  And what would a "girly girl" blog be without some "beauty tips" for all "us" mature gals!

My wonderful Grandpa, Sid Allenbaugh, started me on my path of collecting treasures of old.  He had a "special trunk" that held all of his goodies, and if we were lucky enough, ever so often he would open his "special trunk" and show us what was inside.  I remember I just "luved" looking at his very small hand painted solid perfume jars.  They were from France & they just intrigued me.  As I waited patiently, grandpa would unscrew the ever so tiny tops....but then the smell would hit me......perfume that "old" doesn't smell wonderful, but I loved the tiny containers just the same.  I have such fond memories of my time with my grandpa & it didn't hurt that he always brought me candy!

One day when I turned 16 he gave me some beautiful antique post cards....and that was it.....  Those cards started me on my hunt and love for everything vintage, especially papier items.  I have a lot to share with you so come back often to visit.....relax in a comfy chair & enjoy!

As you can see....I still love dolls, even at my age.   Don't you just luv the French doll that I found......with all of her tiny toilette items...

...which brings me to my

~ tip for today~

Always wash off your make up before retiring.....your skin will "luv" you for it!  I use Votre Vu's fantastic "base face" sets.  Nothing beats a skin care regime direct from Paris~France!  www.votrevu.com/kathyluvsparis

Best Regards~
Kathy Renee