Etsy Gift Guide

I put together a gift guide for some cute and unique gifts off of Etsy. I already have the leather catchall tray on its way!

Wear Flowers Everywhere Girl

Top, Sandals & Earrings: Vintage, Jeans: Walmart, Hairbow: Wombat Eye

One of the many things I still can't seem to master every day since going "stay-at-home" is actually looking pulled together. I mean, I throw on a pair of jeans and a tee shirt that is somewhat cute. Maybe has a flower or some sequins on it but I can't say I've had any sense of style in the past two weeks. So today I was determined to look presentable. Plus, Sara at Wombat Eye sent me one of her bows from her adorable etsy shop and how could I resist pairing it with even MORE flowers?!? Just look at this little bow!

She can also make any bow into a man's bow tie! Or a woman's....remember when Drew Barrymore wore a black bow tie in the movie Going the Distance? I was obsessed and went and bought one immediately.

I had a hard time deciding on which one I liked the most. Check out the cute leather one! Her prices are fabulous so go grab one now!

The addition of the dainty accessory definitely helped me get all gussied up. I think what happens through the weeks is after I drop my son off at school I know I'm going to have to come back home and start cleaning so it's like why put on something cute if I'm going to have to clean in it? And the fact that no one is going to see me from the house to the car rider drop off line just makes the excuses even worse. But summer break is coming and I won't be having to leave first thing to drop him off. I can get my cleaning done and then put on something that doesn't look like I'm homeless. That is the goal!

I even went all out and added flower earrings. Must.wear.all.the.flowers!!!

Have a wonderful Memorial Day!

Applique

Unexpected break from blogging, huh? December is not my favorite month and I feel like I am just now coming out from the fog of the holidays. Anyway...sometime before the holidays I noticed how I was on repeat at choosing very comfortable outfits to wear each day. That attitude coupled with the stress of the holidays led me to start looking at my wardrobe and really considering what I wanted to keep and what needed to go. Slowly, I started to gather up a dress here, a tee shirt there and before I knew it I had four or five garbage bags full that were on their way to be donated. Then came the shoes. I have probably cut my shoe collection in half. Let's just say, someone has been hitting pay dirt at the Goodwill finding all of the shoes I have donated. Some I had barely even worn, some were worn but maybe once or twice. Most were shoes that I were tired of suffering in. I'm done with feeling uncomfortably dressed, walking in uncomfortable shoes or being too cold because of poor fabric choices. SO, I say all of that why? Well, I don't know really. Basically I have simplified. I am getting back to the basics. 

I found some basic skirts and what not at the thrift and consignment shops and I have been looking at how to spice them up with some DIY. I have been searching and looking for appliques. I found some very cute ideas on Pinterest of course and some nice ones on Etsy too. 

Source: kirstyneale.typepad.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: craftjuice.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Jessica on Pinterest
 

Source: liberty.co.uk via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Jessica on Pinterest

The Gift

I came home one day last week to find a mysterious little package on the table. Inside was this beautiful grandpa cardigan! A gift from my sweetie pie. I have been pretty much wearing it nonstop. I've remixed it about 4 different ways and I can still think of plenty more. It's so very cozy. Which is perfect because when I can get out of wearing a coat I will do it in a heartbeat. I will try not to bore you with seeing it too too many times, but it just might come back around for a visit before winter leaves me.

 Photos by Brian


Sweater: Modcloth "Staycation Cardigan"
Dress: NY&Company
Leggings: NY&Company
Heels: Forever21
Vintage Fur Hat: Etsy

Scroll Work Designs

I had to let you guys in on this. I just found out about Clarity Collins, who is a local silversmith here in my hometown. A true silversmith - is it just me or does that not make you think of the movie Robin Hood or Ever After or Monty Python? Maybe its just me that wants to be Queen Guinevere. Anyway!!! Clarity is so very talented and I wanted to feature some of her wares here on the ol' blog. I love giving shout outs to local talent and Etsy sellers....So take a look at her Etsy shop ScrollWorkDesigns and be in awe of her handcrafted jewelry! It's amazing stuff...considering if my clumsy self tried any of this I would hammer all 10 fingers off within minutes.

 

1.Sunset - Sterling Silver, Carnelian, and Agate Earrings 
2. Grecian - Sterling Silver, Fine Silver, and Cameo Ring (isn't she gorgeous?)
3. Birdcage - Sterling Silver, Garnet, and Quartz Necklace
4. Black Widow - Sterling Silver and Carnelian Spider Ring
5. Black Widow - Sterling Silver and Carnelian Spider Ring
6. Neptune - Sterling Silver, Freshwater Pearl, and Labradorite Bangle

All pictures via ScrollWorkDesigns.

This is a test

A test to see if I can take a long skirt, cut it off and enjoy it. I did! I had not finished the hem all the way when I took these photos but I really wanted to see what it would look like. I adore this fabric. And I am enjoying the way it will work into the fall as well. I am a sucker for pink and florals so when I saw this little beauty at the Goodwill I thought "awww..you were waiting for me"! Well, I try not to talk to my clothes but sometimes you can't help it. Ok...maybe that's just me. Oops... :) I'm also trying to work on some sort of a fabric necklace with the rest of the fabric scraps because I want to see it more often! Maybe a throw pillow...napkin or two. Who knows.

The weather has been absolutely gorgeous here! Its actually nice enough to ride with the windows down and your skin not melting to the seat of the car. That's always a good thing, ya know.

photos by me

Sweater & skirt: thrifted, Goodwill

Tee shirt: Charlotte Russe $3!

Belt: NY&Co
Flower necklace: Modcloth

Gold necklace: local handmade

Socks: old...but clean!

Boots: Etsy

A Day in the Life of a Country Girl

Yeah, I live in the country. Yeah, I'm a country girl. And that's quite alright with me.

Speaking of where I live...we have been house hunting (which means: no blog posting as of late!) and every night has been filled with looking, searching, making pros and cons lists, hashing and rehashing which houses we liked and which ones were not going to make the cut. Tonight we had to make a decision whether or not to make an offer on an adorable little house that is getting ready to be "gone" in the morning to another buyer. We had the opportunity to make an offer tonight...but there was just something about the house that just wasn't right. Neither one of us could quite put our finger on it. It might have been that it needed a lot of work. New wiring, new floors, new this and repair that or just that the yard was way too big. Who knows. It just didn't "feel" right. And you know - its just got to feel right! So, its back to the drawing board...I'll keep you posted!  

Photos by me

Dress: Etsy Action is the Fruit (Check out her Etsy shop! It's so precious. Also her blog A Thought is the Blossom)

Belt: Hmmm..can't remember!

Shoes: Chadwicks

Hat: Gal Capone Hat at Modcloth