Red White and Blue Traditional

Born With A Silver Spoon...
Gifts for the  Little Miracle

A Girl's First Pearls

An American girl loves her pearls!  Whether purchased new or inherited a strand of pearls is a must for every jewelry box.  An add-a-bead pearl necklace is a favorite gift to celebrate the birth of a little girl.  One tiny pearl on a gold or silver chain continues a tradition as American as the flag.

I love the ritual of buying a new pearl to celebrate a birthday, Christmas and that special occasion.  Its more than a purchase.  It's a beautiful pink box wrapped in shiny paper.  It's tradition, love of home and family, Christmas morning. It's a little girl's party dress, candles on her cake and a lovely young lady all grown up. 

As our little girls grow so do the size of their pearls.  Most start with size four mm pearls - perfect for our three year old daughters, granddaughters and nieces to wear on special days such as a wedding or playing dress up.  I usually add fourteen 4mm pearls and then finish the necklace with 6 1/2 mm pearls.  When the strand is complete the small pearls are on either side of the clasp.

It's never too late to start an add-a-pearl necklace.  It is a perfect gift for any occasion.  I started my niece Laura's necklace to celebrate her "sweet sixteen" birthday.  

I arrived to visit my little granddaughter who was not yet dressed for the day.  We headed upstairs to pick out clothes  after her mother left for errands.  She chose her "princess dress" which her mother lets her wear on special occasions, such as a grandparent's visit.  We pulled out the pretty pink box where she keeps her pearls and she lifted her hair so I could attach the clasp on her necklace.

We talked about the day she would be a beautiful bride wearing another princess dress and a lovely strand of pearls.  I hope that day doesn't come too soon.  There are so many birthdays and Christmas mornings to savor with our little princess and so many pearls to buy before her "happily ever after" story comes true.

Add A Pearl The Original Since 1915


 http://www.classygirlswearpearls.com/







Beatrix Potter, Silver, and Monograms

Americans have a deep appreciation for England.  We enjoy the history, literature and art, castles and country manors,  and tea time.  Most American children have at least one of Beatrix Potter's books and that book is often a favorite. While Beatrix Potter was a prize winning breeder of Herdwick sheep, a conservationist and successful farmer she is best known for her beloved children's books such as The Tale of Peter Rabbit.  

Born in Kensington in 1866 Beatrix acquired a love of the English countryside, nature, and art at an early age.  Her family spent many of their holidays in Scotland and later the English Lake District where Beatrix cared for small animals and observed their habits. She discovered her artistic talent at a young age as she spent hours drawing the animals she cared for as well as insects, fungi and imaginary animals.  Educated by private governesses Beatrix had few friends as a young girl and spent much of her time with her brother Bertram who shared her delight in drawing their pets and creating stories.  Their parents endulged their passion by allowing, according to a Beatrix Potter website, "rabbits, mice, frogs, lizards, snakes, snails and a bat" in the house. 

Beatrix honed her artistic skills and had some success as an illustrator.  In 1901 she self published The Tale of Peter Rabbit.  A year later Frederick Warne & Company published the book with Norman Warne overseeing the project.  Norman and Beatrix developed a friendly and productive working relationship agreeing that Peter Rabbit would be in color and that the book would be small to fit easily in the hands of children.  By the end of 1902 28,000 copies were in print and eventually Beatrix and Norman became engaged.  Sadly he became ill and died before they were married. 

In 1905 Beatrix bought a Lakeland farm in Sawrey called Hill Top.  She continued to write and illustrate children's books for many years while also finding success as a farmer and conservationist.  Top Hill scenery provided inspiration for many of the illustrations for several of her books including The Tale of Tom Kitten and The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck .  She left over 4,000 acres to the National Trust through her estate.

While Beatrix was English much of the world came to love her beautiful books including Americans.  The books blossomed into a huge industry with merchandise including the the charming cups, plates, bowls and figurines that are favored gifts to this day for new born babies.

Peter Rabbit/Beatrix Potter


Visit Hill Top

Visit Beatrix Potter Gallery 

A treasure trove of gifts from The Buttercup

Any baby can be "born with a silver spoon..."  

And a silver rattle, a silver cup and a silver brush and comb set. A sterling silver or silver plated baby gift is a timeless treasure.  Most silver gifts can be engraved with the baby's monogram, initials, date of birth or a special message.  Silver spoons can be ordered in the mother's pattern if desired.

Silver baby gifts are rich in tradition and set the stage for a lifetime of collecting and living with silver.  As much as possible, silver should be appreciated and not tucked away in a silver chest or tarnish proof bags.  Daily use of silver that is cleaned with soapy water and occasionally rubbed with a cloth will keep silver shining.  It will only need occasional polishing.  

Silver baby gifts can be found at many good jewelry stores.  I frequent Morrison Smith, The Buttercup and Tiffany and Co. in Charlotte - all great American stores.  Tiffany, founded by Charles Lewis Tiffany and Teddy Young in New York City in 1837, still publishes it's famous "Blue Book" catalogue that usually includes silver for little ones. 

Nowadays silver can be ordered on line from many sources.  Pottery Barn Kids stocks pewter gifts which can be ordered on line.  (Check out Pottery Barn Kids American series for growing children!)

If you ever have a chance to visit Natchez, Mississippi be sure and stop by As You Like It located in the carriage house at historic Stanton Hall. They have beautiful silver including inactive and obsolete sterling patterns.  They also sell silver polishing products and tarnish prevention products. My favorite is their own silver polish which is known throughout the South and beyond. 

As the Tiffany website says, "Good things come in small packages. Silver spoons, porcelain plates, bunny banks—these are a few of our favorite things for baby."

As You Like It Silver Shop for baby gifts 


Tiffany Gifts for Babies


potterybarnkids Gifts for Babies

Let’s Get Practical

What if I told you that your beloved new born could amass a fortune of $24.8 million by age 70 by investing $50 a month for 19 years?

Check out the link below to The $50 A Month Millionaire by Bill Staton, MBA, CFA and Mary T. Staton, MBA, CEO of Staton Financial Advisors and find out how this could be possible.    

Let me break down this example a little further.  According to the Statons' “$50 a month (beginning at birth and earning 13% annually) will be worth $43,161 by the time the child turns 19.  If no more contributions are made and the money continues growing at 13% (taxes excluded), it will be worth $2.2 million at age 50; $7.3 million at age 60; and an astonishing $24.8 million at age 70."

While you might be doubtful due to the recent poor performance of many stocks the Statons’ point out  that Standard & Poor’s index of 500 stocks grew at 9.9% annually (price appreciation and reinvested dividends) between 1925 and 2010, an 85-year span.  The Statons' theory is based on highest quality stocks which “outdistanced the overall market by some 40% annually over that 85 year period.”

In their guide Bill and Mary describe in detail how to put your children or grandchildren on the path to becoming a millionaire.  The Statons' are extraordinary Americans who are successful entrepreneurs and generous philanthropists.  They want to share at no cost the guide with one million people in their altruistic desire to help other Americans achieve financial independence by investing in some of American’s finest companies.

Here are a few tips from the Statons’ playbook but I encourage you to follow the link and read the booklet their own words:

• Invest in companies who consistently raise dividends year after year.  (I think its fun to buy stock in companies with whom the children are, or will be, familiar, i.e. for us Duke Energy, Wal Mart – you pick).

•  You can buy stock directly from many American companies at little or no cost.  At the time of your initial purchase you can enroll in the company’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP).  When a cash dividend is paid it will be reinvested for you in the company through whole or fractional shares. 

• Many companies let you get started with as little as $25 if you enroll in a monthly purchase plan.

•  If you can invest $250 each month, for example, consider purchasing stock from five companies with an investment of $50 each.  I like to diversify the companies – perhaps retail, energy, food or beverage and so on.

Since these are America’s finest companies we tend to hold on to what we have.  There are times to sell however as the Statons’ point out in their guide. 

Do it yourself investing the Staton way is fun, easy and doable on just about any budget.  I had a marvelous time taking my eight year old to a Duke Power shareholder’s meeting.  This is a great way to teach children about business and investing and grown ups can learn a few things too!

Remember no results are guaranteed and always consult with your own advisers before investing!

$50 A Month Millionaire