tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43862806370997886142023-11-15T12:13:29.219-06:00Distinctively DowntownA place to blog about inspiration, ideas, designs, places to sell and market your art and jewelry of course!Distinctively Downtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02961914429952004106noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4386280637099788614.post-15140227156627505232009-04-04T10:47:00.001-05:002009-04-04T10:47:56.257-05:00Suburban Journals | Special Feature | One-of-a-kind fashion for Belleville<a href=http://suburbanjournals.stltoday.com/articles/2009/04/04/stclair/special_feature/0401fhj-bvdowntown.txt>Suburban Journals | Special Feature | One-of-a-kind fashion for Belleville</a><br /><br />Posted using <a href="http://sharethis.com">ShareThis</a>Distinctively Downtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02961914429952004106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4386280637099788614.post-83527072638478593392009-02-15T00:07:00.004-06:002009-02-15T00:14:05.882-06:00Jewelry Design Ideas for Spring 2009 ~ by Anne RushThis is an incredible article for all of you jewelry designers out there working on your Spring 2009 lines...Definitely a "Must Read."<br /><br />Jewelry Design Ideas for Spring 2009<br />Anne Rush shares the biggest design ideas for jewelry<br /><br /><a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1051690/jewelry_design_ideas_for_spring_2009.html?cat=24">http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1051690/jewelry_design_ideas_for_spring_2009.html?cat=24</a>Distinctively Downtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02961914429952004106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4386280637099788614.post-11666310036369921442009-02-08T15:23:00.000-06:002009-02-08T15:23:57.335-06:00Craft Critique: It's Carnival Time!<a href="http://www.craftcritique.com/2009/02/its-carnival-time.html">Craft Critique: It's Carnival Time!</a><br /><br />Found this wonderful blog and wanted to share.<br />For all you crafters out there is almost deadline time so get your "hearts" on and submit your Valentine themed craft.Distinctively Downtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02961914429952004106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4386280637099788614.post-56766732823439471092009-02-07T20:49:00.003-06:002009-02-07T21:54:02.537-06:00Re-Visiting Yesterday...Today ~ Downtowns Across America<span style="font-family:georgia;">In today's struggle to stand-out, be unique and offer the community an alternative to the hustle and bustle of shopping and dining at those cookie cutter, "big box" chains, cities across America are giving their downtown districts a fresh new face lift!</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">While many people do prefer going to the "mall" to shop at many stores under one roof, have lunch, see a movie, or even enjoy some time goofing off in the arcade, there are still many more people who enjoy strolling from boutique to boutique, sitting outside with friends enjoying a latte and/or lunch while taking in the fresh air and creating memories.</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Travel across this fine country and think about the areas that you are drawn to visit and I am sure it will include a downtown somewhere in America. Each time we visit a new city, we are compelled to explore...and that usually means heading "downtown" to the heart and soul of the city. </span><br /><blockquote><p><span style="font-family:georgia;">The place where it all began. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:georgia;">The place where it all happens. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:georgia;">The place where memories are made.<br /></span></p></blockquote><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Whether you are a hunter of history, a connoisseur of local delicacies, a boutique diva looking for that unique piece that no one else has, there are downtown's across America calling you to explore all they have to offer.</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Cities were originally "born" around the downtown. Everyone gathered there to do all of their business and socializing. It is only in the last sixty or so years that the need for space has moved the core of living away from out "downtown" beginnings. But, in the last 10 years we have seen a great movement to get back to that simpler way of living. So, if you are excited again about getting out and visiting the places around you, then check out my downtown and <strong><em>be sure to comment and add yours here</em></strong>, too.</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Downtown <a href="http://www.bellevillechamber.org/community/history.asp">Belleville</a>, Illinois (</span><a href="http://www.bellevillemainstreet.net/"><span style="font-family:georgia;">http://www.bellevillemainstreet.net/</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">):</span><br /><blockquote><p><span style="font-family:georgia;">"...There's always something happening in Downtown Belleville. Spend a day visiting our one-of-a-kind shops, restaurants and services. Spend a lifetime in one of the historic neighborhoods that add to Downtown Belleville's charm.<br /><br />Afternoons, walk along the shaded streets of our 190 year-old Shopping & entertainment District, sightsee among the fabulous architecture, enjoy lunch and a latte, and be a part of the spontaneity and fun that semi-urban life offers. Evenings, take in a show at our historic </span><a href="http://www.lincolntheatre-belleville.com/"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Lincoln Theatre</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">, check out a local or touring band at one of our clubs, enjoy a play or an art opening in one of our galleries, have dinner, and finish it off with a glass of wine. Downtown Belleville is a place for art, dining, and most of all, people!<br /><br />Don't forget our special events! </span><a href="http://www.artonthesquare.com/"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><em><strong>Art on the Square</strong></em> </span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">in May. <strong><em>Music on Main</em></strong>, our<br />outdoor Summer concerts that highlight Belleville clubs at a great destination for music and fun. We're a fantastic, family-friendly neighborhood of St. Louis."<br /></span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family:georgia;">This is my downtown, the reason my husband and I moved our family out of St. Louis and back to Illinois. We wanted to be part of a community that was seeking to revitalize their rich history while incorporating a new and vibrant one at the same time.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;"><strong><em>Here are links to just a few of my favorite shopping and dining places:</em></strong></span></p><p><a href="http://www.candidgifts.com/"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">Candid Gifts </span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">(also where you will find my </span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.ddowntown.etsy.com/"><em>Distinctively Downtown </em></a>Jewelry</span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">)</span></p><p><a href="http://www.ilovecirca.com/"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">Circa Boutique & Gifts</span></a></p><p><a href="http://www.williamjamestrading.com/"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">Dave's Home Brew & Allison's Common Sense</span></a></p><p><a href="http://www.myspace.com/thewinetap"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">The Wine Tap </span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">(Check out Dave's myspace page --- yes, that's Dave of Dave's Homebrew!) </span></p><p><a href="http://www.ctgpub.com/"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">Castletown Geoghegan</span></a></p><p><a href="http://oregontrailroasting.com/"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">Oregon Trail Roasting Company</span></a></p><p><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">Other eateries definitely include <strong><em>The Acropolis</em></strong> ~ the best place to go for Greek & an amazing slice of chocolate cake...mmmmmm!!!</span></p>Distinctively Downtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02961914429952004106noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4386280637099788614.post-84617614245949014542009-01-26T14:20:00.002-06:002009-01-26T14:23:22.731-06:00Coming Soon....Welcome to my new blog. I am working diligently on setting this up and hope to have it fully functioning by tomorrow morning. If you landed here, please come back soon and check it out again.<br /><br />Thank you....AliDistinctively Downtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02961914429952004106noreply@blogger.com1