It was a tiny secret that took eight years to be revealed.
When my husband-to-be and I first dated, I had just purchased a new perfume. I loved it and used it lavishly. Our relationship flourished and I connected my eau de toilette with the passion. But when the romance ran out, so did the fragrance.
Patrick and I eventually reunited, and it was five happy years into our matrimony when I came across a beauty catalog. There on the front cover was a promotion celebrating the relaunch of some old favorites -- including my saucy scent.
I was so excited. This was my chance to right the wrong. I bought the huge economy size, spritzed it on and waited for any retro romantic reaction.
He didn't mention a word, much less come near me.
Figuring his allergies were acting up, I went for another round of the perfume, but I couldn't find it.
"Have you seen my new perfume?" I asked him.
"Hmmm, it's not there?" he innocently replied. "Oh, just let it go, honey, I like the perfume you have now."
"But I got it as a surprise for you!" I said with a big smile. "Don't you remember the smell? It's the one I used to wear when we were first dating!"
There was a pause, and then the horrifying reply.
"OK, I hid it," he confessed. "I never wanted to hurt your feelings then, or now, but dang! That perfume is skanky-smelling! The whole time we were dating I dreaded it, but you liked it so much. ... Please don't put me through that again!"
So I found out the hard way that if only I had asked him long ago, perhaps we would never have ended our courtship the first time. You think?
Anyway, I dedicate this Beaded Bottle Topper project to my hubby. May he find the perfect perfume to go with one of these bottles.
The beads in the photograph are from the Bead Museum, 5754 W. Glenn Drive, Glendale.

Supplies
* 3 glass, painted or wood beads in assorted sizes
* 3 seed beads
* 1 hatpin
* 1 bag of assorted-size corks
* Glass bottle (any size)
Directions: Match the beads' color scheme with the room where you will display your bottle. Arrange the beads on the hatpin, leaving 1 inch at the bottom. Choose a cork that fits your bottle. Carefully push the beaded pin into the middle of the cork and place into bottle.
Tip: Fill with colored mouthwash for added dimension, or glue other beads around the lip.

* For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: home decor, inside