"A New Dawn, A New Day!"

Greetings from New York City!! (I will explain that in just a little bit ;)) But first, I want to CELEBRATE a bit what truly looks to be the start of a fantastic Spring.

Personally, Spring has always been my favorite because it brings with it a sense of "new", rejuvenating the earth, and the spirit.. And "new" also means things have changed, and I think change is always growth.., Which to me is proof and that we are ALIVE! (and should revel in this fact!)

"To be fully alive in springtime.."

Let me explain. I can't imagine there is anyone out there reading this that didn't experience some sort of challenges or adversities over the last year or two. It was unavoidable! At Giving Tree we did all we could to weather the storm, and stay positive as we dealt with a variety of very challenging things...
And then...
the snow melted,
the first crocus appeared out of the hard earth...
and HOPE found its way into our hearts again.

How?
In a word or three - Courtney walked in.
Actually, she's walked into the gallery many, many times over the years...first as Courtney Clifford... I will never forget her first visit to the Giving Tree to buy the gift of a Dogeared mini wishbone.. I was still in that 'Just back from L.A. can I really LIVE on Cape Cod" mindset when Courtney came in. I remember thinking... "What a cool girl! hmmm and SHE lives on Cape Cod :)"

Over the next years Courtney bought lots of gifts for her girlfriends, so as a thank you to her, just before her wedding day (yippee!) we treated her to a massage at THE NEST at Giving Tree...
The next time we saw her.. she was Courtney Philos Jensen. Courtney was married! (check out this picture perfect picture!)

When it came time to hire someone to help do, well.. everything Courtney was our very first thought. And it is looking like it may be the best decision we ever made!
Courtney at the Giving Tree every day, truly 'completed' us. (and yes, she had us at hello!) She and Laura were fast friends, in fact, I know they found an hour in the beautiful sunshine yesterday to work on the gardens together! Plus, they share a mutual love.. no OBSESSION with cupcakes! In a word, Courtney was the perfect personality fit, which is super important to me, because I have always said I just want to work somewhere where everyone just WANTS to be there, and works with a happy heart. I have often called Laura 'the heart of Giving Tree' (and she is!).. it seems Courtney is turning out to be the joy of it too!
And that doesnt even touch upon her diligence, her skill, her CREATIVITY! All you have to do is look at the site to see her almost instant effect!. Brand new 'flash images' (those rotating screens at the top of the home page) new sections, like FABULOUS FASHION, And helping us launch TWITTER TUESDAYS, WIN ON WEDNESDAYS AND TRULY GLORIOUS INCENTIVES ON FACEBOOK (TGIF) on our social media sites. She is a veritable gold mine of talent and energy! And the result, in my eyes, is the BEST INCARNATION OF THE GIVING TREE JEWELRY SITE AND BUSINESS YET!! Thank You Courtney! And Laura! For making me feel that THIS is the spring that changes everything!


And what of NYC? Well, that's where I am going to spend part of my time! It's beyond thrilling to me, as I have 'tried' to do this in the past, but honestly, could never quite imbibe and match the 'rhythm' of the place.. it was just so big and overwhelming to me! But apparently, the 8th, or 12th?? attempt is the one! I think I can do it! I can't wait to split my time between the gallery and gardens at Giving Tree, and the streets of NYC! I also know this will only help Giving Tree (and me :) ) GROW!
Here, I get to REALLY see what is moving fashion forward, what the trends are, and what the truly trend setting are wearing! I also get to nurture and indulge in friendships with our artists like Alexis Bittar, Susan Lieberman of Sparc Jewelry, Anna Sheffield of Bing Bang, and of course, the inimitable PABLO VALENCIA! We spent Easter Sunday together and I thought he was going to hug everyone in the entire restaurant he was so happy we would be getting to spend more time together! (I feel the same way!)

So, expect a lot of 'reports' from the big apple!
And speaking of apples, and art, and LOVE.. if you aren't a 'friend' on my page (and Giving Tree Jewelry's) on Twitter and Facebook, please please join me in my NYC experience! I am so happily overwhelmed by this place I am CONSTANTLY sharing pictures and little stories of my time here. I've started a very loose art project of taking pictures of LOVE in all it's forms.. around the city.. and sometimes, if the night commands it.. you might even find me juggling apples to celebrate the BIG apple!

Yes, it is Spring. Yes it is glorious and YES.. HOPE, AND LOVE AND GORGEOUS GROWTH ARE ALL HERE TO STAY.Thank you, again and again, for 'sharing in our dream with us!"
May you experience the sense of joy and wonder that Spring brings with it.. every day!
With all the love in my heart,
Rachel