Memorial Day Weekend Goodies

Oh Yeahhhhhhh. Big sale for the discontinuing Stella & Dot items available at 20% OFF now thru Monday, May 30, 2011 at 11:59 PM CT. Stock up on great jewelry pieces for upcoming birthday presents, graduation presents or 'Just Because' gifts.

Orders over $125 will receive a complimentary red or aqua silk base. Just enter MEMDAY at the time of check out.

TONIGHT - I'll be headed to Shirasoni Japanese Sushi & Steakhouse in Brentwood, California for Ladies Night and a trunk show. Be there between 6-8PM. Come talk to me about how to earn an average of $250 in free jewelry, how to become a stylist, and about many of our specials. Also, get HALF OFF signature cocktails and appetizers all day long.

TOMORROW - I may be able to make it to my cousin's graduation in Pleasant Hill, CA. If not, I'll be visiting the Blues, Brews and BBQ festival in Brentwood, California.

SATURDAY - Baby Shower for one of my Maid of Honors. Then maybe back to Blues, Brews & BBQ in Brentwood and the Hangover 2 either with the new Meetup group I joined or not.

SUNDAY - NAPA!!!! Julia has never been wine tasting and that's just a damn shame.

MONDAY - Lunch with my other Maid of Honor and my girl, Nikki B. Getting Indian food!!!

Sounds like a plan and I will definitely be decked out in some Stella & Dot goodies.

What's your Memorial Day Weekend plan?

We Miss You, Cousin Natalie

First, let me just say, we miss you, Cousin Natalie. She passed one year ago today. I plan to stop in Vallejo, California to pay my respects on Sunday morning. My cousins have been updating their statuses, remembering you, missing you. You are not forgotten.



And a thank you note for the Lagade cousins walking at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in 2009. A treasured piece.

Climbed Mt. Diablo - April 2011

I had such an amazing time with my sister hiking Mt. Diablo last month. I have lived in San Francisco Bay Area for the majority of my life and I have never hiked Mt. Diablo. I would see it every day when I lived in the Concord/Martinez area. It's hard not to. We did the 7-mile Juniper Trail to the summit. We gained 500 feet in elevation and reached the summit at 3,849 feet. The observation deck at the Summit Museum will be closed but the view will still be beautiful. “Geographers claim that hikers can see more of the earth’s surface from the top of Mt. Diablo than from any other peak in the world with only one exception: Africa’s legendary 19,340-foot Mt. Kilamanjaro.”

I eventually want to hike the entire Summit Trail beginning at Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd. in Danville but this was a good start.

This is what I can see from my bathroom window every morning. As Amber Meade would say, I can't wait "to make it my bitch."

This is what it looked like two nights before our hike. There was snow!


I picked up my sis at her house bright and early. We took the back road to the Walnut Creek entrance, stopped to pay the $10 to enter the park and chatted with the nice ranger who was incredibly helpful. Upon entering we immediately saw a huge squirrel cross the road. We overtook many bicyclists that probably had legs and butts of steel and the endurance of an Ironman Triathalon participant. After tight turns and ears popping, we finally found where we were going to park and stopped to take some photos of the clouds that were blocking our view of San Ramon, Danville, Alamo and Walnut Creek.

We began on our hike and it was a bit of a chill but I'm sure that wasn't going to last long. And it didn't because the incline immediately began and it wasn't long before the Adidas jacket was coming off. Just like the road up, the trail also had twists and turns. Yes, we stopped quite a bit to catch our breath and for me to look back at my sister with eyebrows raised, "Really?" I don't think I'm that out of shape and I was already breathing heavy? I usually walk an incline on the treadmill when I was a Bally's Fitness member but this was ridiculous.

We reached a higher point and we were about the same level of the clouds and the sun was shining. It was so incredibly peaceful and beautiful. I was so happy to be doing it and taking in Mother Nature's beauty.



We stopped at the first flat area where there were electrical towers, bathrooms and a picnic table which immediately gave me splinters as I slided onto it. We ate our snacks and chatted a bit, trying to figure out which city was which. I could pinpoint the 24-680 junction in Walnut Creek. I'd say we were almost half way to top. We continued on our way up as bicyclists and runners blew right past us. Peace. Good for you guys.

Then we finally made it. A few cars were parked there but many more bicyclists. We tried to take a self-portrait of ourselves at the top and failed after a few times. A nice bicyclist saw our failed attempts and volunteered to take the photo. We went to the visitors center where they had videos, a museum and a spot where you can touch and stand on the actual summit. Pretty cool. I did it as if I was Jack from Titanic. We found a window facing our side of the mountain, where Brentwood and Discovery Bay would be. We couldn't make it out exactly but we did find the bridge heading North in Antioch. It's just crazy to see this huge mountain outside your window everyday and here we are, standing right on top of it.

Bucket List Item - CHECK!

Then we began our decent and took a different route to explore more of the mountain. Going down is a lot less fun. And there's so much gravel that my Skechers were not providing quite a bit of traction. But we made it, was able to use our map and find the right trails to get back to our car. Getting back to the car was a lot tougher than going up the hill, in my opinion, because you're already tired. And I ate all of my snacks that I was famished. AND the clouds were dying off so the sun was beating down. Thank goodness there was still a breeze. I don't think I could do that hike during the summer.

We made it back to the car, took a detour to visit Rock City which was really cool, and then headed to Concord to try Peruvian food at Inca's Grill & Restaurant. It was super delicious. Then home...

Every time I see Mt. Diablo's summit, I smile and think "I was there." Good times.

Check out the below links for more information on the mountain, including a map.

http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/517/files/mtDiabloBrochure.pdf
http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=25098

Autism Speaks & Nike Women's Half Marathon

This is the second time I've donated to a cause regarding autism and it's pretty amazing that "Every 15 minutes, another child is diagnosed with autism. Austism Speaks is dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for autism; to raising public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families and society; and to bringing hope to all who deal with the hardships of this disorder."

My cousin, Tiffany, walked with her FedEx colleagues this past weekend. She had a goal of $150 and when I donated $20, I believe she was just another $20 away. I'm sure she reached her goal. GO TIFF! Visit www.autismspeaks.org for more information


Also, I have just teamed up with Danielle S. in helping her fundraise for her Nike Women's Half Marathon on October 16, 2011 benefiting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She and her friend, Mary, are hosting and promoting a Casino Night on Saturday, June 18, 2011 from 6-10:30 PM in Santa Clara, California. There will be Poker, Backgammon, Blackjack, a Photo Booth, Raffles, Children's play area, food and beverages....And Stella & Dot!

10% of ALL orders placed that night will go towards Danielle's fundraising goal for such a wonderful cause
If you cannot make the event but would still like to make a purchase to go towards her fundraising goal, please:
1) go to http://www.stelladot.com/Bernadette
2) Click on "Find Your Hostess"
3) Enter Danielle Stolman
4) And place your order


$20 per person
Purchase tickets by calling Danielle at 408-896-9995

Hope to see you all there!

Another Week - Another Deal

It's Monday. But Monday just got better for you fashionable ladies and those still looking for a graduation gift. Stella & Dot just announced that the Festival 'Til Dawn necklace is 35% OFF thru midnight of this Wednesday, May 25, 2011. Enter the code FESTIVAL at the time of check out. Look at what you can do with it!




And, a reminder that this is the last week to host a Trunk Show to take advantage of $50 additional in free jewelry credits and to be entered into a drawing to win $500 in free jewelry and a $500 shopping spree to complete the outfit.

Also take a look at some discontinued items that have been announced to make room for the fabulous Fall collection. All the more reason to host a party now because once these styles are gone, they are GONE!



And a Sneak Peek to some new jewelry debuting in June.


Contact me for more info. I am available! NOT everyone goes away for Memorial Day Weekend.

Happy Shopping!

Slow Down - One Year Anniversary for Cousin Natalie

With the one-year anniversary of my Cousin Natalie's death approaching, it is time to reflect on life, take in the moments of joy and remind myself I have to slow down. Today, I received the following forward from my future mother-in-law and its timing couldn't be more perfect. I am so pleased to have spent time with one of my Maid-of-Honors, Tara, at her husband's graduation from law school this weekend. She is pregnant and due in July and looks amazing.
I also got to see one of my closest cousins on my dad's side, Shanti, who is also pregnant and due in July as well, and beaming with happiness. She lives in Hawaii so it was the first time I've seen her in quite some time.
And I had an early dinner with a former clerk of mine in Albany, CA and it was just nice to chat it up about life, a hint of politics and the future. My Cousin Natalie never had children and as she was ill, I believe her sister, my Cousin Donna, said she was glad that she didn't have children because she didn't want to leave them.

Thinking of you, Cousin Natalie. Always. We miss you.

READ THIS VERY SLOWLY... IT'S PRETTY PROFOUND.

Too many people put off something that brings them joy just because they haven't thought about it, don't have it on their schedule, didn't know it was coming or are too rigid to depart from their routine.

I got to thinking one day about all those people on the Titanic who passed up dessert at dinner that fateful night in an effort to cut back. From then on, I've tried to be a little more flexible.

How many women out there will eat at home because their husband didn't suggest going out to dinner until after something had been thawed? Does the word 'refrigeration' mean nothing to you?

How often have your kids dropped in to talk and sat in silence while you watched ' Jeopardy ' on television?

I cannot count the times I called my sister and said , 'How about going to lunch in a half hour?' She would gas up and stammer, 'I can't. I have clothes on the line.. My hair is dirty. I wish I had known yesterday, I had a late breakfast, It looks like rain' And my personal favorite: 'It's Monday.' She died a few days ago. We never did have lunch together.

Because we cram so much into our lives, we tend to schedule our headaches.. We live on a sparse diet of promises we make to ourselves when all the conditions are perfect!

We'll go back and visit the grandparents when we get Steve toilet-trained. We'll entertain when we replace the living-room carpet. We'll go on a second honeymoon when we get two more kids out of college.

Life has a way of accelerating as we get older. The days get shorter, and the list of promises to ourselves gets longer. One morning, we awaken, and all we have to show for our lives is a litany of 'I'm going to,' 'I plan on,' and 'Someday, when things are settled down a bit.'

When anyone calls my 'seize the moment' friend, she is open to adventure and available for trips. She keeps an open mind on new ideas. Her enthusiasm for life is contagious. You talk with her for five minutes, and you're ready to trade your bad feet for a pair of Rollerblades and skip an elevator for a bungee cord.

My lips have not touched ice cream in 10 years. I love ice cream. It's just that I might as well apply it directly to my stomach with a spatula and eliminate the digestive process. The other day, I stopped the car and bought a triple-decker. If my car had hit an iceberg on the way home, I would have died happy.

Now....go on and have a nice day. Do something you WANT to...not something on your SHOULD DO list. If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say? And why are you waiting? I had a friend from high school that I was always going to call and never did. The other day her name was in the obituaries so we never had that chat.

Make sure you read this to the end; you will understand why I sent this to you.

Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry go round or listened to the rain lapping on the ground? Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight or gazed at the sun into the fading night? Do you run through each day on the fly? When you ask, 'How are you?' Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed with the next hundred chores running through your head? Ever told your child, 'We'll do it tomorrow.' and in your haste, not see his sorrow? Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship die? Just call to say 'Hi'?

When you worry and hurry through your day, it is like an unopened gift....Thrown away.... Life is not a race. Take it slower. Hear the music before the song is over..

Show your friends how much you care. Send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND including me if you consider me a friend. If it comes back to you, it affirms your circle of friends.

To those I have sent this to... I cherish our friendship and appreciate all you do.

‘Life may not be the party we hoped for... but while we are here we might as well dance!’;

Take a moment...
For yourself...
You never know how positively it'll effect someone.

S&D Vintage Link Necklace in Essence Magazine - June 2011

Every time I log into my Stylist Lounge as an Independent Stylist for Stella & Dot there is always some great news or special offer on this wonderful jewelry. And I have only been with the company for a week! S&D has received so much press, the jewelry is featured in magazines such as InStyle, O Magazine, Redbook and now June's issue of Essence Magazine with the gorgeous Alicia Keys on the cover. The Vintage Link Necklace is now 20% OFF through June 30th, 2011. Just enter promo code ESSENCE20 at the time of check out.

I am having a great time as a stylist, booking events and promotions, being able to dress up and just wear the products. I will be attending a law school graduation this weekend in Sacramento, then a BBQ in Davis so I'm going to count how many compliments I get on my Stella & Dot jewelry. Not to mention, I'm lending a girlfriend of mine some S&D jewels to wear to these events so let the compliment battle begin! What woman doesn't love receiving compliments?

What do you think of the Vintage Link Necklace?

For Your GRADuate

I just went to a graduation for my Maid-of-Honor's hubby who graduated from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge Law School in Sacramento, California this past Saturday. What an accomplishment! Then I'll be heading to my cousin's graduation at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, California next Friday. I don't think either of them would appreciate one of the three items we have on special at Stella & Dot right now. But perhaps their partner would.



Checkout code is GRAD
20% Discount at
www.stelladot.com/bernadette
Expires Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at midnight PST so HURRY!!!

Did you notice that the Vintage Link Bracelet goes with the Vintage Link Necklace that's also on sale based on an earlier announcement?

Please be sure to LIKE "Stella & Dot with Bernadette" on Facebook to hear about the latest news and promotions! Thanks in advance!

Forgot Mother's Day? Want 50% Off?

I love sales. Stella & Dot are coming up with so many wonderful promotions, I love it! There's always something exciting available to offer to you! ... Or your mother, or sister, or aunt... Did you forget Mother's Day was yesterday? Take care of these wonderful ladies with this Jolie ring, now 50% OFF. I personally prefer jewelry over flowers and chocolates. They last longer and jewelry always makes women feel pretty. Satisfaction from chocolates don't last long. But a sweet poem and a card from the heart always hits home for me. Not a writer? Eh, maybe you should try this:



Also find me on Facebook: Stella & Dot with Bernadette

I Heart Free Jewelry

Well, it hasn’t arrived yet but at this past weekend’s bridal show in Santa Clara with my former bride and client, Kristin, we came across many great vendors. We spent quite a bit of time at the table of Natalie V. and Stella & Dot. Honestly, what caught my eye before I even said hello was their cupcakes and I just took one. Oops. But we looked over their sample displays and I really wanted to try some on but I knew I shouldn’t be spending any money. I was wearing a necklace I just purchased at Francesca’s Collections on Thursday so my jewelry/personal allowance was done for the month… or quarter.

They had so many nice pieces. Kristin commented on the bridal set that she wished she had for her wedding and I loved all the bling with black. I have made an effort to stay away from purchasing anything fashionable that was black in color. The new necklace I was wearing was orange and I really picked out what I was wearing that day just to wear that necklace. I foresee myself doing that more and more. I think I really haven’t put much effort into being fashionable because we just bought a house, we’re trying to make renovations and save money for a wedding and a family soon after. And plus, DB never really notices when I actually put more effort than usual into my appearance anyways. I did buy jewelry last week as the first step to put more effort into myself, my appearance, how I feel, and be more girly. Today I am wearing a purple and gold necklace and earring set with my deep purple button up from Express, a black skirt and my black Cole Haans.

Two paragraphs and no mention of FREE jewelry? Hold on! At the Stella & Dot booth, Kristin was signing up for hosting a trunk show to earn up to $250 worth of free jewelry and 50% off on up to 4 pieces. I was speaking to Natalie more about how the business works. From developing BeeMWellness, I wanted to learn more about how they made money… AND get free jewelry because pretty things are always nice to have. I was given an opportunity magazine and moved onto the next few booths where I was complimented on my necklace. I “dressed up a casual outfit.” Score. That night, I read thru the entire magazine, made a call on my way into work to Natalie, exchanged texts and she put me in touch with her upline, Dawn, who answered all my questions. Twenty-four hours later, I signed up, placed my order for $350 worth of FREE jewelry to wear and to display at trunk shows I’ll be booking and got 50% OFF everything I wanted. You just can’t beat that!

So, now I’m waiting for my order to arrive so I can start feeling fabulous. I am looking to host my Launch Show soon in my new home, but if you’d like to take advantage of a MAY special and be my first few trunk shows, please don’t hesitate to let me know.

When you book a trunk show with me in the month of May, you can earn an average of $250 PLUS a $50 bonus in free jewelry and 50% off additional pieces. Aim to have at least 10 people in attendance. The more you invite, the more will come, the more they buy and the more jewelry credit you will earn. And all while just hanging out with friends, some apps and a glass of wine or champagne.

I’m excited to start chatting it up with you ladies and brides about Stella & Dot. Please contact me for more information. Located in the San Francisco Bay Area and willing to travel!




Bernadette
http://www.stelladot.com/bernadette
bappletree@gmail.com
925.895.7136

WHO will be my first hostess for a Trunk Show?

History Has Been Made

Americans have been waiting anxiously to hear those words. DB and I were hanging out in the living room, watching a baseball game when an announcer said "Osama Bin Laden is dead" and that we can tune into President Obama's speech on CNN. DB did not know what channel that was but I did... or the general vicinity.

Apparently, it is true and our President was to confirm it. The master mind behind Al Queda and the attacks on September 11, 2001 is dead and the US has his body. It has been almost 10 years since that tragic day when we lost almost 3,000 of our American citizens on the East Coast. At first there were reports that a drone killed Osama, but it was later confirmed that the CIA and the National Guard shot him in the head. There have also been reports that he used his wife as a shield. We weren't there so we'll never really know what exactly happened.

"It's a good day for this country" and I agree with some people's statements like "@YoungJoe813 Osama Bin Laden may be dead but America's hands are dirty still. You can kill a hateful person but can't kill hate." Although he was the ring leader, the terror doesn't stop there. The threats do not stop there. Many people lined the gates of the White House on Pennsylvania Ave. singing the Nation's songs and chanting "USA" - and similar celebrations occurred at Ground Zero.

We spent half a day in New York City, came in through the subway from Hoboken, NJ and walked the entire perimeter of Ground Zero. I looked straight up to neighboring skyscrapers and could only imagine two 100+ story buildings standing there. I have seen them once with my own eyes from afar at the Newark Airport in New Jersey a few years before. I stood on the bridge of overpasses to see the construction going on underneath and the thought of the horrible day, what people were going through, people jumping to their death off the Twin Towers, the streets filled with ashes... When this happened, I had no idea what was going on. I was on my way to work and thought it was odd that the Caldecott Tunnel headed to Oakland wasn't busy and that the other side, heading East, was packed! I reached the city, parked like I normally did on First Street and headed towards 100 First Street. I randomly saw a classmate I had in the previous semester walking towards me, in the same direction as the Bay Bridge. I smiled and said "What's up?!"
"You don't know???"
"No."
"The Twin Towers collapsed. A terrorist attack."
OMG, I am so out of it. The city was evacuating in case of an attack.

I thought President's Obama was great. He gave a quick recap of events, what lead to the killing of Osama and restates that we are not in war with Muslims and that he's been in touch with the Pakastani leader.

I know Osama's death will not bring back the lives lost of family members from 9/11 but some are finding relief.

How does Osama Bin Laden's death make you feel about our future?
What did you think of President Obama's speech?


Long Live the United States of America