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Is this all there is??
"Teach us...that we may feel the importance of
every day, of every hour, as it passes." -Jane Austen
Earlier
this year I was speaking with one of my dearest friends. She was a
few months shy of her 40th birthday. During the conversation
she pondered out loud and was feeling the depth and breathe of reaching
forty. It was one of those 'meaning of life' conversations. But,
I'll be honest, there was one sentence that resonated with me above everything
else - she said to me "Is this all there is?" ... and the conversation went
foggy. She kept speaking but as she did my entire life danced before my
eyes. "Is this all there is?" I thought ... about my childhood,
my adolescence, my relationships, my travels, my heartbreaks, my divorce, my
resolve, my friends, my strife with my parents and our reconciliation, my 'life
changes', my move to Alexandria, my little store called La Muse, my magnificent
husband and every single day and thing and person that I am grateful for.
"Is this all there is?"
"YES," I wanted to shout, "This is it, this is everything - this is all of it. Love every moment!"
Fast forward a few months ... her 40th birthday had
passed and a month later my husband,
Darryel, and I visited her as she was moving into a new place. It was a
completely impromptu visit - we had our lunch in hand and decided to call and
see if she was home. She was home and we came to visit and ate our lunch
on her new deck overlooking a beautiful canal - the view to the bay is
outstanding. She sat on her Adirondack chair and spoke to us - completely
stressed and involved in the move that had just taken place. And, as she
did so, I looked at her sitting in the sunshine on this beautiful day with this beautiful view enjoying a visit with friends and I wondered if she realized what a wonderful moment this was...that this moment is her life.
Not even three days later did I find this bracelet
by dvb ny ... this gorgeous, poignant, engraved bracelet.
"Teach us ... that we may feel the importance of every day, of every hour, as it
passes."
All too often we disregard everyday
occurrences: a dinner with a brother, a walk with a cousin, a phone conversation with a friend, an argument with
mom, a day at the beach with a
sister, a play date with the dog, a day of solitude, a trip to the grocery store. These
days, these hours and these moments are our lives. It is a blessing
to be able to realize the significance of passing moments. In doing so we are able to let yesterday go
and not worry about tomorrow - we are able to live and appreciate what's
happening right this very moment.
Yes, this is all there is ... isn't it magnificent?!
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La Muse Treks to Eradicate AIDS
As many of you know I will be walking my second Susan G Komen 3 Day in October. I'll be taking a nice 60 mile stroll in and around Pennsylvania to raise money in support of the fight against Breast Cancer. Now Darryel's gotten 'do gooder' fever too! This week, August 11-15, Darryel will embark on a 450 mile bike ride starting in Burlington, VT then zig zagging around New England a bit and ultimately ending up in Portland, ME. Yours truly, along with our two dogs Max and Lemieux, will be volunteering all week long to support him and the forty other bike riders participating. To follow our progress please check out this Facebook page - I'm told new pictures will go up each night! Through the bike riders, Charity Treks has raised over $700,000 in the last seven years for the UCLA
AIDS Institute and Emory Vaccine Center, enabling each institution to
conduct cutting-edge research that no grant would previously allow. They are committed to the eradication of the HIV infection. How much would you pay to NOT bike 450 miles or walk 60 miles?(yep, here comes the sales pitch, watch out! :)The economic challenges of this year have hit all of us, charities included. I can easily see the evidence when I realize that I've only raised 20% of the funds that had been donated at this time last year for Susan G Komen. Donations are down, down, down!! As I know my La Muse enthusiasts are among the most kind, generous, happy and loving people in the entire world I am asking you to support our efforts. Skip the Starbucks this morning! Take the $20.00 (isn't that what they charge for a cup of coffee these days?) - and donate it to help eradicate either AIDS or Breast Cancer. Geez, aren't these much better causes that a Double Mocha Vente Espresso Capucchino Latte??? Is there such a thing anyway? I don't know, all I ever get when I go there is a plain old coffee ... the Barista's don't like me very much. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT - PLEASE DONATE TODAY
... Ummm, really, we need it today because Darryel's riding this week. Just think how great he'll feel when he's riding up a gargantuan hill on Tuesday afternoon and all of a sudden ... "ding" goes the Blackberry. "Someone donated on your behalf.." Now get your legs in gear and kick that hill's butt!!
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Artists at La Muse
Leigh Standley & Curly Girl Designs
Yep, it's been over two months since my last newsletter (and you were afraid you'd be spammed constantly) but I assure you I've been hard at work in my unending quest to find new artists. Now getting them all up on the website is the real challenge.
For those of you that love Leigh Standley and her Curly Girl designs we've got some interesting news. Earlier this year Leigh licensed her designs. What that means to her is that she will reach a global audience. The 'Cape and Tiara' (as well as her other designs) will now be featured on dozens of different types of products - from cocktail napkins to water bottles, from coffee mugs to personal journals. What this means to La Muse is that now all of Leigh's designs are not made in North America.
A very important part of the La Muse mission is to 'support American artisans.' Originally what that meant to me was only buying products made in North America, including 4-5 Canadian produced lines. But when Leigh, as one of my top selling artists, licensed her designs it brought a whole new issue to light. Is La Muse supporting American artisans or specifically delivering products made in North America? The even larger situation that loomed was that if I didn't sell Leigh's new licensed designs (which I already know are a hit with my customers) then my neighbor would.
After much deliberating and speaking with many of the artists I represent I bring you Leigh Standley's new and expanded Curly Girl Design line.
All of the products, except for her cards, magnets and 8x10's are NOT produced in the USA. I'd really appreciate your opinion and would like to know if that influences your buying decisions. Please email me and let me know - remember, I am away on the AIDS bike trip until 8/17.
Other Artists at LA MUSE
RK PRODUCTIONS - This is a line that we've been carrying for upward of one year but have recently expanded. Take a look at some of the new designs! 
Handcrafted Pewter - Angi Weinbrenner
& Bonnie Mason began their company in the early 1980's
with handmade pewter Christmas ornaments sold at craft fairs. Today
their studio is located in Fort Myers, Florida. La Muse carries their candle holders and paperweights.
Inspirational Designs & Decor - Have you seen the new craze on the home shows lately? Lettering that sticks to the wall? La Muse is very excited to have met Mary Musel of Muskuoketa, IA. Her wall art lettering looks fabulous in the store! It is super easy to apply and removal is a snap too. These wall appliques look fabulous in any room and can stick to a variety of surfaces including walls, wall paper, mirrors, metal and windows. The best thing about them is that there are thousands of options under $30 and they can be custom ordered to say ANYTHING!
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Every month is military appreciation month! Military men and women always receive a 10% discount in La Muse. In addition, if you bring in a donation for the www.AnySoldier.com program you will receive a 10% discount - just ask!! Need donation ideas? Click here.
Pass La Muse on to friends and family and earn yourself a $5 gift certificate in the process - Click Here.
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 A Letter from Dani of Aloha Oregon
"Hi
Debra
I just wanted to thank you so much for sending the necklace so fast! It arrived
on Monday which was so perfect. So the story behind this necklace for my family
is that my brother passed away 4 1/2 years ago, and we found this necklace in a
little shop in Tacoma WA and we loved the quote and thought it would be a good
reminder of my brother. My mom bought my sister and myself one. She has always
wanted one of her own so my sister and I wanted to get one for her for her 50th
birthday which was Monday! That's why I just wanted to personally thank you so
much for the speedy delivery and I loved all the quotes written on the
box! I will definitely be ordering from your store in the future.
Thanks again!
Dani" |
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On Clearance
Check out some of the recently added items to our clearance section, including some jewelry, home decor items and lots of books. Items are limited to what's in stock so take advantage of these spectacular prices today!
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Save 15%
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THIS COUPON IS FOR WEBSITE -OR- IN STORE PURCHASES.
SAVE 15% ON YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE! SHARE THIS COUPON WITH YOUR FRIENDS. IT MUST BE PRESENTED FOR IN STORE PURCHASES. FOR ONLINE PURCHASES USE COUPON CODE 'AUG09'. HAPPY SHOPPING!!
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING TO SPEND YOUR HARD EARNED DOLLARS AT LA MUSE :) |
Offer Expires: August 17, 2009
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Debra Monahan
La Muse
108 N Patrick Street
Old Town Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 683-1696
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