Next up, I want to make blocks with black and white pictures of my family! Can you think of anything else I should be "blocking"? Do share!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Easy Teacher Gifts for Valentine's Day
Next up, I want to make blocks with black and white pictures of my family! Can you think of anything else I should be "blocking"? Do share!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
ETSYcetera- Birdies!
... a more refined one.
oh how I would love to go back in time and put this hat on my daughter.
All of these items and hundreds more can be found searching BIRDIE. Happy Shopping!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Pioneer Woman Cooks- Perfect Pound Cake
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The United Colors of Accessories
And, because I am certain someone will ask.... here are my color coded shoes. I have flip flops and dress shoes in another part of the closet. These are the most commonly worn shoes! Please tell me you all color code your jewelry and shoes also!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
This and That = Cuteness
I'm hoping some really cute pictures!
I booked a local photographer I went to high school with who has access to a picturesque ranch outside Lampasas, Texas. Check out her site and click on my portfolio and the "women series". The pictures with this baby girl in front of them are destined to be frame worthy!
Now, I need your advice, should I try to give her a stick pony or a big cowboy hat or that that going too far? What about a big fluffy petticoat to go with her boots? If so, turquoise or yellow?
Friday, January 22, 2010
Top 5 Online Shopping Sites
Retail Me Not is a site for people like me to share coupon codes! You simply enter the site you are shopping and then it will list any codes available for that site. You can see the deal, like Free Shipping, the expiration date, and the reliability factor as posted by people who tried to use the code.
Being Resourceful is a blog run by a friend of mine that lists great deals and links to coupons. I have saved tons of money just by using coupons on her site. She posts daily and often the deal is good for just that day. It is a great site to check each morning and an easy way to shop for Christmas presents year round.
4. Etsy and eBay for unique items
I can kill hours on etsy and feature my favorites on Etsyetera posts. Just click on the Etsyetera logo on the right to see past posts. I love storing my favorite sellers in my etsy account and seeing when they have new items listed. It is also a great place to get ideas and make your own projects.
I also buy and sell lots of items on eBay. One of my favorite things to shop for is items typically sold at "parties". There are always good deals when a demonstrator/stylist goes out of business. Think of all those parties- Pampered Chef, Stampin' Up, Creative Memories, Beijo Bags, Silpada Designs, Stella and Dot. You'll find so many of these items at great prices.
3. Expressionary and Paper Source for paper and office goods
Expressionary is a central Texas company so I get quick shipping! They run great sales. I recently bought Christmas address labels and had them personalized with my family's name so that I have gift labels ready to go for the next few years. All sales items after Christmas were 70% off. I also bought personalized stationary from them. They have great options for children's stationary and I love the happi line by Dena. Their entire site is almost always 30% off.
I found Paper Source a few years ago when I went to work for a major real estate company and downgraded from an office with a view to a cubicle. It was a hard transition for a decorator and I had to jazz up my office decor. Filing is much more fun in a pretty folder! I also think we all need these and these in our desk drawer.
They also have fun silly gifts for kids like these drinking straws I bought my niece and nephew!I love any site where I can shop for myself, my husband and my daughter in one cart. Plus, Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, Piperlime Shoes and Athleta fitness clothing are all able to ship together for $7 flat! That saves me money!
Here are a few of my favorites on these sites right now:
Women's Ruffled cardigan from Old Navy, available in petite
and this baby girl dress from the Gap. I am a sucker for gingham!
I can't imagine buying shoes anywhere else. Zappos is like that car commercial where he wants a red car, under 50K miles, with a convertible. The site gives you so many options to just keep narrowing down to exactly what you want.
So, I searched for wedges, narrowed it down to shoes (not boots or sandals), picked my size, the color black and under $100. There were 262 options including these Keds. Love them! Zappos has more than just shoes- I bought this CHI blowdryer last month...... and this large casserole dish for our Thanksgiving feast. One of the best parts of Zappos is shipping and return shipping is always free! Once you buy a few items with them, you are a preferred VIP shopper and you will get free overnight shipping! I can buy shoes at night and they arrive the next day by noon. I can't get time etched out for the mall that quickly!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Never Say Never
I bought skinny jeans! I know- me, skinny! ha!
I swore that I would let this fad go right by and not join in, but I want a pair of gray Ugg boots and those call for skinny jeans. And, I own a few longer tunic-like or billowy shirts that need a slimmer bottom. So, I did it. I went with a cheap pair from Old Navy because I am certain that I will hate them at home in my closet and they'll stay home.
If you know me in real life and see me in my skinny jeans, please try to use the word skinny when talking to me. I don't hear it often!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Monogram Baby Blocks
This set is for Sloane. I tried to use more paper I had in stock and opted for a more modern look with turquoise and orange for her.
I love the color orange right now (just not burnt orange!).If you want to make your own set of blocks, go here for my original how to post.
Monday, January 18, 2010
More Handmade Gifts
These are really simple to make with the onesie cut just below the arms and the gathered fabric sewn directly onto the shirt. This printed dress is for another new baby girl born over the holidays.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Sweet Ruby Jane
Sweet Ruby Jane's Momma asked for these invites to match her nursery- Tiffany blue, pink and shabby chic with a birdie. It was a request I could picture immediately.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Valentine's Card Giveaway
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Vintage Fork Craft
I used these jewelry tools instead of pliers.
Bend your fork to create a cup that can hold your photo or recipe.
Insert the paper into frame and glue/tape the fork to the glass. You can easily change out the paper for the holidays or if you redecorate your kitchen since the fork is on the glass. I also think you could attach a spoon and knife and it would look just as cute.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Apparently, I know nothing...
Monday, January 11, 2010
Master Bathroom Mirror Upgrade
A close up of the rich wood frame. This is the most cost effective way I know to get the look-
Buy frames you like from any store. I bought ours at Hobby Lobby when they were 50% off.
Take your mirrors down and take them along with your frames to any glass store. They will cut your mirror down to fit inside your frames. I used Binswanger that charges $10 per cut. Each mirror was $20 or 2 cuts.
Take the cut mirror and frame back to the store where you bought the frame (we went back to Hobby Lobby) and have them give it the proper finish- backing, hangers, etc.
Hang your new mirror! We used 150 lb. picture holders since they are heavy.
I know you can also glue painted/stained molding to your existing mirror or buy a mirror already framed. Lots of ideas for a big bathroom impact.