HoneeBee News Alert!

I am excited to share with my HoneeBee family that I will begin writing a column with QCitymetro on fun and fabulous gift ideas. Qcitymetro is an independent online news source based in Charlotte, N.C. The mission of the company is to be the leading source of news, opinion and other information relevant to the region's thriving African American community. My articles will run every other Wednesday beginning on July 1st. I will discuss some unique and exclusive products but will mostly feature experiences.

An experience is a gift that can be fully enjoyed through action and (I think) creates lasting memories. It could be a hiking trip in the mountains or a spa day with your girls...whatever it is, it will be something that you will enjoy to the fullest.

I also hope that I am able to take the anxiety out of gift-giving for you and make the receiver of the gift smile in the process.

My mission is to bring you the best gift ideas and help you in the gift-giving process. Just know that I am always thinking of how to give you fabulous gift ideas that will blow your mind and make you smile.

I am grateful for this opportunity with Qcitymetro and hope that you will check out my column.

Again, it will run every other Wednesday and my first article will appear on Wednesday, July 1st. You can check out the article at: www.qcitymetro.com. Please be sure to show your love by leaving a comment.

Thank you for your support!
Simone

HoneeBee Quote

When In Style Magazine asked Model Iman what her most treasured piece of jewelry was she responded saying....

My 15th anniversary present from David, a large rose-cut diamond solitaire from Fred Leighton. My husband is the best gift giver. This is my favorite...for now.

Sidenote: In the same interview Iman was asked "When did you know he (husband David Bowie) was the man for you? She said...and I quote "We were walking down the street, and I noticed my shoelace was untied. Without a word, he got down on his knees and tied it for me. I melted".
She melts. I swoon.


source: In Style Mag

Gift Tip #13: The One Hundred

This silver bound beauty book gives you the top one hundred pieces "every stylish woman should own". It literally goes from A to Z sharing insight from now Fashion Editor Nina Garcia (remember her from Project Runway?).

I don't know about you but I love getting advice from someone who eats, breathes and is obviously in love with fashion. I might not be able to afford a stylist but I can afford a book from a top lady in fashion! Oh and guess what? I didn't even have to buy this book--drumroll please--it was a gift! (Thanks, Rachel!) If I had not recieved this book as a gift, I would have purchased it. It's worth it.

Now it's your turn to gift this book to a friend, fellow fashionista or show room stopper who could always use another source to rev up his/her creative style.

Gift Tip #12: Cultural Center Membership

Know a friend who loves art museums, botanical gardens or conservatories? Why not give them a one year membership to enjoy the benefits whenever they like? Members usually get perks like docent-led tours before the public, discounts on cultural center events, member only shopping days and a certain percentage off items in their gift store.

Oh! and the gift shops at most museums are filled with beautiful trinkets, art posters and more. One of my favorites is the Baltimore Museum of Art. If you ever visit, you have to check out their sculpture garden too...perhaps when they have their summer series. I digress...but my point is: this is a great gift! It can be given to art lovers, creative types and lovers of cultural centers. Just to take this gift a step further...this would be a cool "welcome to your new city" gift should a friend/family member move to a new area. Cultural Centers are a nice way to get to know new people and enjoy the scenery in a beautiful environment.

According to toptenlinks.com here are the best museums in the United States:

1. Smithsonian 2. The J. Paul Getty Museum 3. Metropolitan Museum Of Art 4. American Museum Of Natural History 5. National Gallery Of Art 6. Museum of Modern Art 7. Museum of Fine Arts 8. The Tech Museum of Innovation 9. The Norman Rockwell Museum 10. The Frick Collection

source: toptenlinks.com, flickr.com

Gift Tip #11: Pillows

Pillows come in many shapes and sizes but for the purposes of this blog I am focusing on throw pillows. They can add flavor to a sofa, give extra fluff to a bed or be piled together for extra floor seating for an impromptu party.

Giving this gift would be nice for new homeowners or those that are redecorating their homes. Here are a few cute ones:

(photo courtesy of overstock.com)

(photo courtesy of Pier 1)

(photo courtesy of Pier 1)

Fun Facts:

• The Chinese invented silk pillows.




• The ancient Egyptians actually slept on pillows of stone.




• Back in the day, some pillows were filled with straw instead of feathers or down.The Industrial Revolution brought about the mass production of pillows (among other things).

source: landsend.com, pier1.com, overstock.com

HoneeBee Quote

There are so many yummy candles out there--I like to give ones that I love myself." –Jenna Elfman

Did anyone watch Dharma & Greg? One of my guilty tv pleasures back in the day:)

The Spotlight: Polka Dot Bake Shop

Cupcakes, cupcakes, cupcakes. I HEART You....and if anyone wants to get me a special gift (aka a super delicious treat) I will gladly take a cupcake from Polka Dot Bake Shop...I don't even need a bow. What I do need is a fork...so I can really enjoy. Take a peak at how I eat my favorite cupcake from Polka Dot.

Creme Caramel Cupcake

This cute little space has a few outdoor tables and indoor seats so you can dine in with your cupcakes. I usually take mine to go but to each its own. The staff are funny, cute and always smiling when you enter the door.

Cupcakes are a treat--not your traditional "gift" but could replace the usual cake at a party, be added to a brunch or shared as a nightcap..instead of Cognac.

Fun Facts:

• The cupcake evolved in the United States in the 19th century.



• In the beginning, cupcakes were sometimes called "number" cakes, because they were easy to remember by the measurements of ingredients it took to create them.



• According to the Food Timeline Web, food historians have yet to pinpoint exactly where the name of the cupcake originated.

The Spotlight: Darrell Roach Designs

Darrell Roach Designs creates beautiful jewelry and presenting someone with his work of art in the form of rings, necklaces and earrings would gain ohhhhss and ahhhhhs from the recipient. These unique pieces are handmade by Darrell Roach himself and his inspiration is the curves of women. Here are a couple of his designs:

Swimming C's earrings

Joany Page Roach necklace

From the horse's mouth (i.e from Darrell Roach's etsy page)
I have made and designed jewelry for many fabulous people and I would like to design for you next. From Super Models to Super Moms I can make your jewelry look fabulous. Darrell Roach Designs is a full service Fashion and Fine Jewelry Design and Manufacture House. From a simple copper bangle to a 3 carat Platinum wedding band we can make it for you.

Get to know the person behind the business
I had the chance to interview Mr. Roach and here's an excerpt from that interview.

Darrell Roach and me in front of his Wall of Fame, which included photos of America's Next Top Model Winner Eva Pigford in his wares and media articles. Check out the beautiful necklace I am wearing- a Darrell Roach original, of course.

Type of Business: Jewelry

Website/Blog/Best way to contact: www.facebook.com/darrellroach & http://www.darrellroach.etsy.com/

Experience: 10 years

Career Advice:Work hard and let God guide you, Praise Him for the beauty that he does through you and never let that be changed or kept quiet because of the though that you won't be accepted.

Business Founded (year): June 4, 1999 Incorporated 2006

Essential Business philosophy: When things go wrong look for the open road

Toughest business decision: Work or Home

Biggest missed opportunity:Not going to a Tommy Hilfiger Fundraiser

Biggest business lesson learned:The biz is what you do not who you are.

Mentors:Cheryl Orrahood, Robert Venguechea, Alfred Ward, Allison Love.

Greatest passions: Jewelry, Art, GOD.

Favorite quote: Go the extra Mile!!

Most influential book: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, Success through a positive mental Attitude by Napoleon Hill

What was your most favorite gift received: Nina Ricci Vintage Glasses 1966 from Hope Nichols

What sets your brand apart from competitors: No one does Darrell Roach like Darrell Roach there is no competition.

What are the next steps for your company: Going International and National on purpose one more time!! New format new Agency, New Manager, New purpose, tear down and rebuild a new house only keeping the good bricks.

Anything else you would like to add: Success is open ended not a specific canned destination the biggest thing that you have to do is never give up the vi son even when it is not working because theory and vision are perfect it is just the human factor that has to be adjusted. It took me 10 years to become a known designer, I lost a wife, a house and even went hungry many nights, I cried in between and in the midst of some of my greatest success because they were not financial and I was in distress. I have seen night where I looked at my work on TV and could not afford to eat and I would not change any of it. God gave me a talent and if I have nothing else i will show what God has given me regardless of how much it does or does not pay me. All things have a purpose in our journeys we have to stay in tune with the journeys accept them and work through them with undying faith. When the business is failing hold on that is your baby and it is never going to be perfect but because it may be off at a particular moment you can not through it away, love it it will grow up. Henry Ford went bankrupt 10 times before he made his first car( Think about it).

Fun Facts about jewelry/stones

• We have to mine over 100 tons of the earth's crust to get one Diamond large enough to cut a fine one carat gem!



• Over one million Diamonds are mined to get that one gemstone!



• The largest Pearl ever found weighs over 14 pounds!



• Fine Emeralds were believed to be good for the eyes and engravers used to use them to stare into when their eyes grew fatigued.



• Opals bring wisdom and good fortune. It was believed that they were pieces of Heaven that got knocked down during violent thunderstorms.



• Karat refers to purity of Gold. Pure Gold is 24 karat and 14 karat gold (14k) is 14 parts gold out of 24.



• A Ruby is a red Sapphire.

source: darrellroach.etsy.com, charlottemagstyle.com,paradise-jewerly.com