Yes, Coco... there IS a Santa Claus!

Where did Christmas go?  It's hard to believe 2011 is almost over!

December was a whirlwind around here!

Decorations were up the weekend after Thanksgiving, so we enjoyed the lights and ambience of Christmas every night during Advent! When Mom wasn't working hard on making ornaments for Holiday boutiques, we watched old black-n-white Christmas movies together and drank hot cocoa... well, my Mom did but I probably got a lick or two of cream!

Can you see Natalie Wood, starring in "Miracle on 34th Street" on the T.V.?   Like her, I just wasn't sure Santa really existed, but I really liked the movie and it gave me a lot to think about.

During December, there were lots of people in-n-out of the house.  I just love it when company spends the night.  I got to play with kids and some doggies and there was lots of laughter in the house! The kitchen was filled with lots of yummy smells... smells of cinnamon, vanilla, chocolate, sugar, pears, hot cider... hmmmm!  

I kept trying to get a taste or two, but somehow there just wasn't anything left for me.... what's that all about, anyway?!  Humphf!

One night (I think it was Christmas Eve), I heard a lot of commotion outside....

I ran to the door and looked outside, and who do you think I saw?  I couldn't believe my eyes... it was Santa Claus.  He was riding on a BIG red Fire Engine through Mount Hermon.  I let out a "woof" and secretly told him that all I wanted for Christmas was a toy bone.  I went to bed that night hopeful... maybe there really WAS a Santa Claus.  I dreamt of toy bones... ones that squeaked, and couldn't wait to wake up!

Low and behold, on Christmas morning... what do you think I found under my tree?.....

Was it true... could it be.... Did Santa really remember lil ol' me?  I sniffed it; rolled it a bit with my nose... and just when I thought it couldn't get much better...

Yes... YES, IT SQUEAKS!!!!  I'm a believer!  There really IS a Santa Claus!

Hope your Christmas was as magical as mine!  Squeak, squeak... Coco xoxo

I think I have a new job!

Do I look bewildered and bewitched?  Well, you would be too if you saw all the activity I've seen around here the past two weeks!

I see my mom coming and going; sometimes she's in the studio and sometimes she's out and about!  On a good day, I get to go out too!

There's been soldering (and more soldering) goin' on...  I think (if I counted right) she's made about 45 ornaments!

... and then just when I thought I had seen everything, she goes and starts dabblin' in watercolor and pointed pen calligraphy

... OH, and did I mention she learned how to sculpt with paperclay recently too!  Look at the newest addition to our Christmas decorations.  Her name is Noelle.  She's quite pretty, if I do say so myself!

 I've noticed a lot of vintage buttons lying around...

Sometimes those buttons turn into these pretty bracelets...

oooo-la-la... do you see the fleur-de-lis button?!  She's selling most everything at a new charming boutique in Watsonville: Shabby Maison  If you still need Christmas gifts or a nice hostess gift, a birthday present or stocking stuffer, you're sure to find the perfect treasure at Shabby Maison.... I "bark" from experience...  really!  I've been there with my mom.  

Well, if this weren't enough activity... QUESS WHAT?!!!....

My mom (Lynne) is finally launching her new concierge business too! (Woo-hoo!)

It's called, Coco Concierge Services and by the looks of it, I may just have a job!

See her new business cards and marketing postcard...

now take a closer look.....

Yep, that's me!  I'm guessing this means I have a job... that I get to go with my mom when she goes to work.  I didn't even have to interview.  I must just have that natural knack to make people smile! I love people, and I can't wait to meet my mom's new clients!

Here are some of the services my mom and I am offering:

Personal Assistant Services
Home Management Services
Elderly Companion Services
Patient Advocacy Services
After-School Au Pair Services
Dog-Walking Services (this is my favorite!!!)
Short-term House-Sitting Services

Our Mission is....

To provide the highest quality of assistance with compassion, integrity, reliability and enthusiasm to meet  your personal and/or business needs.

So... do you know anyone who might need my mom (and me, of course!)?  She won't disappoint! And I promise to work really hard too!


So hire us!  Life is busy; Your time is precious; WE can help!

Well, that's it for now.  Stay tuned for updates!  I promise to let you know when we get our 1st client!

Woof, Coco

BOO! It's almost Christmas...

Happy Hall-o-ween!

Can you guess what I'm going to be?  I know, you're thinking... a DOG, right? ..... Wrong, silly! 

Come on you can do it... think outside of the box...    .... I'm a stuffed animal!  Pretty clever, huh?  My mom couldn't even find me!  Shhh... don't tell her, cuz it's my new hiding place!

Well, it's been pretty busy around here the past couple of weeks.  My mom (Lynne) hasn't been able to do much creating lately, but today she got back into the studio, and guess what?   She's making ornaments for Christmas!  Yikes... we haven't even passed out candy for Halloween yet, and she's already moved on to Christmas.  Did you know you only have 55 more days to get all your presents?

Look at the pretty ornaments she made...

She used beautiful ephemeral images and embellished each one with a bit of glitter.  The pearl drops are vintage 1930's and are from Paris... yes, Paris, France!  Can't you just imagine them catching the light on your Christmas tree?  But here's the best part, there's two images - one on the front & one on the back, so no matter how you may hang them, there will always be a gorgeous image to see!  And it just keeps getting even better...

... she's also including a chain, because once Christmas is over, you can wear it as a necklace! It's like three presents: 1 ornament & 2 necklaces!  She's going to sell them at Shabby Maison for $19.95.

Stay tuned... because she's making some other fun ornaments too.  I'll try to sneak pictures when she's not looking!

Well, you better get going...  You only have a couple more hours to get your costume on and go trick-or-treating!

Have fun and be safe!
Coco

Sabotaged and Coiffed!

Usually when my mom takes me for a ride, it means a nice long walk along West Cliff Drive.  I get to watch the surfers and meet other beach dogs along the way.  Sometimes it means we run errands, and I get to ride in the shopping cart and greet other shoppers.

But today, I hopped in my car seat all ready to enjoy a morning out and to my dismay, Lynne dropped me off at the Dog Tub (*Oh, in case you didn't notice... my mom's name is Lynne, and that's what I call her when I'm mad*).

I probably don't need to explain where I was. With a name like: "The Dog Tub"... let's just say it's NOT my favorite place.  Two hours later (after looking like a drowned rat), I was fluffed and puffed... or as the French would say, coiffed!

I must admit, I DO look pretty cute and boy, do I smell good!

When I got home, the kitchen was filled with the smells of Fall... pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg.

It smelled so good I actually settled into my "bad-dog" bed.  Normally, the only time I lay there is when I'm sent there as punishment.

When I eventually joined my mom in the living room (yea, I can't stay mad long)...  I found she'd been creating Christmas ornaments while I was gone...  Can you tell what her sculptures will eventually be?
I know, but I'm not telling... you'll just have to wait and see!

... and while she was "playing", she washed ALL my toys so when I got home, I could play too!  

Gotta go... Woof, woof.... It's PLAY TIME!!

I'm a blog dog!

Some of you know me... but for those of you who don't, let me introduce myself.  My name is Coquette, but you can call me Coco.  Coquette means "flirt" in French...  and I must admit, I'm in love with everything that is "tres" chic!

See that Eiffel Tower to the right?  Well, that's where my mom wants to live one day.  So far, it's just been a dream, but I've got my heart set on being a Paris Pup, so I'm going to do my best to inspire my mom so we can move there one day!

Being unemployed has been great!  Not me, silly... my mom!  It's been great because I've been able to play with her everyday, take trips in the car, and be her shadow.  Now that I'm two (yep, my birthday was Saturday!), she hasn't had to worry about me so much.  She's had lots of time to think about reinventing herself, and I've noticed she's been spending a lot of time getting creative.

She's really new at this "artsy-stuff" but has been exploring all sorts of fun projects.  She's still trying to find her artistic niche (*look, I already speak French!... well, okay maybe only a word or two!*), so she's a little shy.

That's where I come in... I'm going to tell her journey as I see it.  But don't tell her, okay?  So, I'm Coco Chic, a blog-dog, a wanna-be Paris Pup, and hopefully the inspiration that makes our dream come true....  


(*yawn*... ok, it's time for a nap!  This blogging thang can be exhausting)
Ruff, Coco