Gifts from the Heart

Many of my readers write to tell me that they are not in the age group that my columns focus on.  It occurs to me that finding your soul mate is just as difficult at 53 as it is at 23 or 73.  This column is for the older crowd.
After reading so many of your letters, I want to start by applauding your desire to get out there to meet someone to spend time with.  But how do you get started?  Think about some of the things you enjoy. 

“Oh gee, thanks!  You thought I’d like this?  Did you wait until the last minute again?”  Sound familiar?  How many times have we “mis-gifted?”  Maybe it’s time to rethink your gifting and try personalizing your presents while making them earth-friendly at the same time.  One way to do this is by putting a photo of the giftee’s child, grandchild or pet on a tote bag.  Totes are very “out there” and make a statement.  A tote can show the world your heart and help save the environment.

Looking for the perfect gift?  This holiday season consider giving a personal item that can be enjoyed each and every day of the year.  Whether you’re looking for something for a family member, friend or business associate, custom framing offers many options.

Where can you go to do your holiday shopping, find convenient parking, not fight the crowds, and go into a shop that brings a smile on your face, is affordable and calms you the minute you walk into it?
Candleman of Valencia, of course.  Kevin and Karen Leahy, owners of the Santa Clarita Valley’s premier candle, home fragrance and gift boutique, invite you to see what makes this shop so special.  Candleman has been a part of the community for over four years.

Pamela Pollard went to the library to find out what activities were happening in her neighborhood.  While there, she noticed a poster about Children’s Bureau’s foster care and adoption program.  Her interest was piqued so she called the agency for more information and requested an application packet.

Join friends on Saturday, December 12 at 26055 Bouquet Canyon Road in Santa Clarita from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Bring the whole family and help a great cause – Cats in need in the Santa Clarita Valley. 

I won a boudoir sitting in a raffle at the Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Santa Clarita meeting.  The entire room burst into laughter.  Me, someone who never wins so much as a pencil in raffle giveaways, was the winner of the “get naked” prize.  Great.  I told Maureen, the photographer, that boudoir “isn’t my thing,” so could we do a glamour shoot instead?  Sure.  I’ve had pictures taken before, and I’ve looked into the mirror a gazillion times in my 42 years, so I was positive I would see the same Tara when I would see the portraits.

For decades, school cafeteria food has received a bad reputation.  From greasy fries to pizza pockets that soar in the calorie department, school food has never been ideal for a student, at least, from the parent’s standpoint!  Thanks to a program called Santa Clarita Valley School Food Services Agency (SCVSFSA), parents of elementary school students can rest assured that their children are eating wholesome foods.

The Country Antique Fair Mall is one of Santa Clarita’s longest-standing establishments and has remained in the same location for the past 30 years.  The Fair owes its longevity to the fabulous dealers and patrons.  With an upcoming anniversary celebration, it’s hoped that the Fair will continue to prosper for the next 30 years.

Citrine and yellow Topaz shares the role of being the birthstone for November.  Both of these gemstones are a beautiful golden color and they are sometimes mistaken for one another.  Citrine and yellow Topaz are separate and unrelated mineral species.  Topaz is fluorine aluminum silicate crystal that is available in a variety of beautiful colors from brown, yellow, blue, pink and colorless.  While yellow Topaz is perhaps the most common and affordable; it is still extremely attractive and goes nicely with today’s fashion. 

The holiday season is here!  Here is a recommended “gift guide” that makes “good scents.”
Hostess Gifts (Non-family): Bring a “warm” food or “holiday” fragrance inspired scented jar candle, or a reed diffuser with a citrus scent.  A themed gift with santa, snowmen or reindeer motif is also appreciated, with matching votives and tea lights.  Suggest these in groups of three.

As holiday season approaches, it’s more important than ever to organize your gift giving to save time and money.  Listed below are gift giving tips that will help streamline your holiday shopping and make it less stressful and more pleasurable.

So many of us love the Fleur De Lis symbol and at Ma Maison we carry many products with it on them, but how many of us actually know what it means?  We get asked that question all the time so we decided to research it and let everyone know.  The fleur-de-lis (or fleur-de-lys; plural) is a stylized lily (in French, fleur means flower, and lis means lily) literally meaning “lily flower” which is used as a decorative design or symbol in the form of three tapering petals tied by a surrounding band, formerly used by the kings of France.

Fitness Coach, Ironman Triathlete and Author Rachel Cosgrove Shows You How

Santa Clarita gym owner, fitness guru and now author, Rachel Cosgrove, is on a mission—a one woman campaign to debunk the common weight loss myths that have prevented women of all ages from achieving the truly fit, lean and sculpted bodies of their dreams.  Her forthcoming book The Female Body Breakthrough (Rodale, November 2009) offers easy to follow advice on how to get past these myths and achieve your fitness goals.

Coming up with holiday gift ideas can be as difficult as maneuvering through crowds of a “one day sale.”  Sweaters and gift sets most likely will top the list for friends and relatives, but what if you’re looking for something different, something special?  The following gift ideas may fit your recipients perfectly or they may help spark creative ideas of your own.

Some of you may know this already, but last year tragedy struck our lives at Ma Maison and one of the owners lost her 15 year-old son, Taylor LaKamp, to a tragic motorcycle accident.  Our lives were forever altered and the grieving process continues, but with all horrific life experiences we have now found that there can be some shining light if you let it in. 

Join us October 17 at 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. for the beginning of the Heritage Haunt.  Detailed information is posted on our website at www.scvhaunt.com. 
New World Dance - a lively ballet performance of Sleepy Hollow you will never forget.
Psycho’s Fun House - Crazy clowns are lurking around every corner in an intense clown maze with attitude.