I’m really lucky because both gals have the same name, Karen.  The Karen(s) are really important people to me.   In my last post I talked about surrounding yourself with people who truly inspire and motivate you.   I’m very fortunate to have some wonderful people in my life; I feel, assembled through years of relationships and experience.

In honor of my next group of Gratitude Girls, I am excited to introduce you to another new piece in the Gratitude Artisan Collection called “Karen.”

It’s earthy and casual yet dressy just like my Karen’s.  Both Karen’s love brown, which is why I chose it for this piece.  It symbolizes devotion, friendship and love, gratitude and peace.

The beautiful center piece carved barrel bead, which is handmade and hand painted in Kenya (click here to read more about it) is hand wrapped in shiny sterling silver wire and encased with beautiful chocolate and khaki swarovski crystals.  The beautiful toggle clasp was hand selected to reflect the earth and nature – which is embodied in this piece.

Now that you’ve heard about this beautiful piece, I’d like to introduce you to the personalities behind it….

The first Karen is one of my bffs and an integral part of my group of Gratitude Girls. Yeah, we have a lot in common and have a lot of fun…Twilight, New Moon, anyone? LOL – but seriously we’re different, too. It’s fun to have a group of friends that are similar yet different. We all have our strengths and that makes it all the more fun.

If I had to pick one word to describe this Karen, I would have to say devoted. She’s a devoted wife, mother, sister, daughter and friend.  She’s the go-to gal.

Here’s a little more about Karen…

1.  What is one thing that you can’t leave home without?

My cell phone of course. I have two teenage daughters that I need to have close contact with at all times.

2.    What is your dream vacation?

I guess I’m taking it in March with my husband, Tom. We haven’t been on a vacation alone in 10 years.  We will be going on a Southern Caribbean cruise (my first time on a cruise).  We are very excited!

3.   What is your favorite drink/beverage?

My favorite drink is a glass of red wine with my best friends.

4.   What is your favorite clothing item?

My favorite clothing item would be sweat pants!

5.  What is your favorite season?

I look forward to the change of seasons, I really enjoy the beginning of each.  If I had to pick it would be Fall!

6.  What is your favorite childhood memory?

Camping!  I grew up camping in Wells Maine every year until I was 14.  Why Maine?  The coast of Maine is beautiful! That’s where my Mom is from and we would spend time with my relatives.

7.  What is your favorite quote?

“If you see someone without a smile give them one of yours”   It easy and it makes people happy.

8.  What are you most grateful for?

I’m most grateful for waking up every morning healthy and I’m able to share my life with the ones I love!!

9.  What is your favorite piece from the Gratitude Collection?

My Gratitude Bracelet. It was my first purchase and I wear it everyday.  It reminds me of everything I have to be grateful for!!!

I’d now like to introduce you to my sister, Karen.  We’re similar yet vastly different.  She’s strong where I’m weak and vice versa.  We balance each other out.  She’s a second mother to my daughter Faith.  When times are tough, I know I can count on my sister to give me her, “Who loves ya baby?” and it makes me feel better everytime.

Read on to learn more about my sis…

1. What is your favorite way to relax?

Yoga and Walking outdoors

2. What is your favorite color?

Any shade of green and orange

3. What are your favorite hobbies?

Hiking, Bird Watching, Reading, and Knitting

4. What are your favorite stores to shop at?

Banana Republic, Ann Taylor Loft, Gap

5.  What is your favorite holiday dish?

a.    Thanksgiving—Stuffing and Turnips

b.    Christmas-Gram’s Pierogi’s, Rice Pudding

6.   What is your favorite childhood memory?

Spending our summers at the shoreline.

Each year we would rent a cottage near the Connecticut shoreline.  I enjoyed hanging out at the beach with my sisters and my family.  I also liked riding my bike along the beach and riding it especially to our favorite pastry shop, Emily’s.

7.  What is your favorite quote(s)?

(Any quote by Emerson or Thoreau…I’m a transcendentalist)

“The only way to be a friend is to be one.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
“The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the universe, to match your nature with Nature.”  ~Joseph Campbell
“Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.”  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

8. What are you most grateful for?

My health, family, and friends

9. What is your favorite piece of jewelry in Gratitude Collection:

**I LOVE THEM ALL!!!! I have many pieces from all the collections.  I have purchased many earrings, necklaces, and bracelets in chocolate and caramel that compliment the earth tones I gravitate towards.  I also have a number of pieces that are classic black.

In addition, I have a black and brown Eclectic Toggle Necklace.  I love being able to switch the charms for effortless accessorizing.  I have also found this helpful to expanding the colors in my wardrobe beyond just brown and black.  I have the blue bulls eye charm that I wear with so many outfits, the red metallic, the black spiral metallic, the chocolate with the polka dots…love them all!

I’ve had an idea for a while to profile some of my customers who have really become raving fans of the Gratitude Collection.  They love Gratitude:  it’s beauty, it’s message, and it’s versatility.  They live and embody a life lived with Gratitude, a positive attitude and abundance.

I am really excited to introduce my first Gratitude Girl.

Her name is Dorothy and she is one of my bff’s and an integral part of my group of Gratitude Girls.  I often talk about surrounding yourself with people who really inspire and motivate you.  These people know how to lift you when you’re down and always find the silver lining – the gratitude, the lesson in everything to create a positive experience from a negative.  They are right there to cheer you on when things are good, too – Dorothy is one of these girls for me!

In honor of my bff and being a Gratitude Girl, I am also SO excited to introduce the first of several new pieces.  The newest bracelet in the Gratitude Artisan Collection is the “Dorothy.”

It is classy, sophisticated and stylish just like Dorothy.  You can probably guess from the color what Dorothy’s favorite color is, which is why I chose it for this beautiful piece.  It symbolizes class and style, gratitude and thankfulness, friendship and hope, love and understanding.

The beautiful center piece carved barrel bead, which is handmade and handpainted in Kenya (click here to read more about it) is handwrapped in shiny sterling silver wire and encased with beautiful swarovski crystals.  I also hand selected the clasp to reflect Dorothy’s heart and love that she embodies.

I hope you check out the Dorothy and please read on to learn more about the personality behind this beautiful piece…

1.  What is your favorite place to shop?

The Gap for clothing and Pottery Barn for my home – clean and simple.
2.  Do you have any style or beauty tips?

Wear sunscreen every day!  Even if it’s raining.  Buy and wear only clothing you love and feel fantastic in.   Toss it or give it away if it makes you feel otherwise.  Do it now.

3.  What is your dream vacation?

Canyon Ranch or Miraval Resort.  Please don’t make me choose.  They are both in Tucson.  Perhaps I can do both on the same vacation.

4.  What is your favorite quote?

“If a man does not keep pace with his companions perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears however measured and far away.” – Henry David Thoreau

5.  What is your favorite food?

Eggs. No. Cheese.  Oh eggs *and* cheese.

6.  What is your favorite childhood memory?

Summer weekends at my Nana and Papa Ken’s house on Lake Hopatcong.

7.  What is your favorite holiday tradition?

A quiet celebration of Russian Christmas at home.  Just the 4 of us.

8.  What are you most grateful for?

The gift of my two children and their birth mothers.  Evidence to me every day that God did indeed have a wonderful plan for me.

9.  What is your favorite piece from the Gratitude Collection?

Eclectic necklace – black base with pewter bead charm.  And.  The Dorothy.  Of course.

Founded in 2007, The Gratitude Collection is a line of jewelry and apparel that reflects the benefits of positive thinking and the acts of gratitude and thankfulness. When Deanna Collins, co-founder of The Gratitude Collection, was introduced to the MAOT organization, she fell in love with its mission. “They promote self esteem, family, education, and community. We feel that through this alliance we can truly accomplish our goal, which is to introduce young women across America to the benefits of positive thinking and a practice of gratitude,” says Collins.

“I’m thrilled that The Gratitude Collection has taken an interest in the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen organization. I feel we are two companies that promote positive opportunities for young women and together we’re making a difference,” said Kim Parrish, President of Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, Inc.

For more information on The Gratitude Collection and to purchase your own jewelry and apparel from the line, visit http://www.thegratitudecircle.net. Please enter “MAOT” in the “how did you hear about us” section during the checkout process.

The Gratitude Circle aims to become the premiere online resource for inspiration and merchandise that cultivates a positive outlook on life and creates opportunities for people to share personal stories of gratitude.

An MAOT fan favorite is the “Be Grateful” T-shirt donated to each state representative participating in the scholarship organization (Retail: $25) and items from the Signature Collection donated to Miss America, Kirsten Haglund and Caitlin Brunell, Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2008.

The Miss America’s Outstanding Teen program is scholarship-based and allows young women to showcase their accomplishments and awards the most outstanding young women with college funds. The organization not only promotes scholastic achievement, but also community involvement, creative accomplishment, and healthy living.

For more information on the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Organization, please visit http://www.maoteen.org/.

Enjoy!

Today I am incredibly grateful for this school year being OVER! I spent the afternoon with friends at an ice cream social for the kids and look forward to spending the afternoon with some more friends tomorrow celebrating the end of school and the beginning of summer.

I love the summer and can’t wait for all the fun we have in store this summer with friends and family. I am blessed (and grateful) to have unbelievable friends and look forward to all the fun we will have over the next few months.

I hope you look ahead at your summer and enjoy every moment…because it does go so fast! Take time to breathe in the ocean air if you are at the beach, notice the beautiful blue sky, the lush green grass (until the August sun hits!), and all those little subtle moments to feel gratitude.

In gratitude,
Deanna

Count your blessings. A grateful heart attracts more joy, love and prosperity. –Cheryl Richardson

Enjoy this beautiful day!

In gratitude,
Deanna

P.S. I loved this picture of daffodils. It made me think of my grandmother, who will be 90 next week. It’s her favorite flower.

Ok, so I’m a summer gal–I love the water and dream of my house on the shore (of course with my hubby’s boat tied right to the dock), but how did we go from chilly 50′s to off the charts 100 degree days? Too quick even for me!

My town had our first “Oxford Day” event on Saturday. I had a booth and it was great to get out and support the community and see so many people that I know and don’t get to see on a regular basis…but boy was I hot! I have never torn down early, but I did on Saturday.

My father-in-law took my daughter to the beach yesterday and then they were back at the pool for a day of swimming–this meant a day for Greg and I to spend together. We’ve had a crazy year and it was great to have a day to ourselves. We took a ride to the shore and spent the whole day in the area where we rent our summer cottage. We were just so excited looking forward to the summer ahead and grateful for all the days we’ll have at the beach.

My girlfriend put in a request on Saturday for a Gratitude tank top–it was so hot–who could look at a hoodie!? I guess that’s the next one I need to do!

Stay cool and hydrate! Have a fabulous day.

In gratitude,
Deanna

It was so exciting to watch the Kim Parrish Collection on HSN today and see Kim and the models wearing the Gratitude Collection.

It was an incredibly rewarding feeling and some great exposure for us!

As I travel on this amazing journey with this brand and its message it is remarkable to me the people that I am meeting and the opportunities that are presenting themselves to me. In a world focused on fast paced non-stop life styles, it is heartwarming to meet people who want to help you. They want to help you succeed and believe in you.

I feel that I am on the edge of so much that is before me. To all my supporters and believers, I say thank you.

Have an amazing day,
Deanna

As I was at my desk, I popped open my Wayne Dyer “Inner Peace Cards” and how appropriate, this is the one staring right at me:

“I am responsible for the day I create for myself. The choice is up to you. It can either be “Good morning, God!” or “Good God–morning!”

Each day as I get Faith off to school I ask her what kind of day she is going to have. She usually (now trained) responds with a booming, “GREAT!” Some days she says in a kind of ho hum way, “Good” and I say “Just good?” She responds “No mommy, GREAT!!” I am then excited for her and feel that she has her best foot forward walking into school.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend. Take the time to relax and enjoy.

In gratitude and peace,
Deanna

P.S. Thought you might enjoy a picture of me and my sister, my best friend, at her annual Memorial Day picnic. I can’t wait until tomorrow!

In the infinity of life where I am,
all is perfect, whole, and complete
I am one with the Power that created me.
I have within me all the ingredients for success.
I now allow the success formula to flow through me
and manifest in my world.
Whatever I am guided to do will be a success.
I learn from every experience.
I go from success to success and from glory to glory.
My pathway is a series of stepping stones
to ever greater successes.
All is well in my world.

This really spoke to me today as my life and successes have had many twists and turns building to this wonderful place I am at today with my work. I am grateful for every experience that has brought me here.

In gratitude,
Deanna