Reminder from the Universe

Saw this on Facebook this morning and promptly started to cry. This is more truth than I was prepared to handle at 7:45 this morning but appreciated the universe reminding me of the message.

Italian Charms, French Cut Steel Beads, Texas Studio.. oh my!

I previously blogged about my love of the Souvenir Necklace from Amy Hanna and I see my obsession continuing.

For Christmas, Suzanne stocked up charms for me from her trip to Italy (along with a gorgeous rosary). I opened the box and felt the bag and new there were serious goodies inside. I've got big plans for these charms



to make a serious connection with these beads.



I've also got some other vintage finds stockpiled that I've already got plans for with all of these goodies. Now, I just have to finish cleaning up my desk and the rest of the studio but this is the perfect motivation.

Merry Christmas!

I hope your holiday is filled with family, friends and tasty goodness!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve has been very festive and quiet at our house. We went on the hunt for good sales at Anthropologie - sketchy this year - then braved the mall that was shockingly empty to check out The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It was fantastic and I got a little snow fix with all the Swedish winter scenes. Also, I want to totally re-do the house in lots of white and grey with a little pale blue just to mix it up. I'm hoping this passes before I take any action that will get me in serious trouble with the husband. While out and about we did a little scenic tour of the fancy neighborhoods and had tasty lunch goodness before heading home with treats from the new Dunkin Donuts in McKinney and settling in with a fire and the puppies.

Now, we're watching the 24 hours of A Christmas Story which we've never ever seen before except every year for 24 hours!

A little festiveness on the square shown here.



Reindeer display that I'm stealing next year from Anthropologie



Me out and about today going a little steampunk. I'm working on desensitizing myself from pictures since it's going to be all pictures all the time with baby. Also, I feel a little bad we didn't take more in utero shots sooner but Mommy was ralphing a lot and looked like death. Frankly, I've just found my make up drawer again in the last two weeks!



I hope everyone is having a fantastic Christmas Eve!

I blame Rachel Zoe

I've been watching lots of reruns of The Rachel Zoe Project since the clothes are really pretty, I like the trips to fashion week and the rest is beyond mindless. I've also been adding in a few new items to my wardrobe that are a little more daring than my usual style especially since there's no hiding an almost 8 month baby belly. A few of these new pieces have included sequins (shown here), more statement pieces of jewelry and a couple of leopard sweaters that I've loved and will definitely keep in rotation post-baby.

And now I'm mixing in this jacket. I've had my eye on a couple I've seen out in the intranets but I didn't want to pay $100 bucks or more for one. I went to Macy's yesterday checking out the sales and saw the jacket was 50% off and covered the belly (mostly). After all was said and done I only spent $45 (Macy's in store math is confusing but always comes out to much less than I expect to pay) and it's actually pretty toasty. They have it online but it's higher than I paid in the store and limited sizes so definitely check out the store if possible. I've got big plans for it with a shopping trip with a friend tomorrow and a fancy brunch on Sunday with a new dress I picked up at Ross (thanks to my friend Mark for pointing out the thriftiness available) for $10 bucks. I'm trying to seriously limit my spending on clothes I may not wear post baby.

It's been a fabulous vacation week and the weekend should be even better.

Souvenir Inspired Necklace

I made the necklace above after reading Souvenir from Heather Bullard and Amy Hanna's project. I stocked up on the french cut beads and have stockpiled the religious medals so I was set. I had to restring it twice since there was a bead clasp incident on the first one which was fortunate since I used a much thicker gray silk thread the second time.

This seems like a fantastic gift idea for next year. If I start now I'll be done by March!

Steampunk Style Charm Bracelet

Friday after work, my friend Randall and I decided to have a quick crafting session and I knew what I wanted to make immediately. I had seen a few charm necklaces out in the world the last few months and wanted one for myself. In paring down the studio I'd gathered bits and bobs perfect for my necklace and it was super easy to assemble once I sat down to do it. Here's the pre-version, upclose shots and then the finished version. I love it! It's exactly what I wanted and I have total vindication that my hoarding ways have paid off.

Date Night Outfit

I went with a version of glam rock a la Rachel Zoe for our big night out which was fantastic and tasty. All women 1/2 way through their 7th month should wear a sequined dress (leggings were a must since this dress is more of a tunic) and with my sparkly Toms I was ready to go. Also, this pic illustrates why I made a hair appt for Weds, seriously in need of a cut and color (checked 3 times with the doctor and it's still ok so I'm just going to break down and do it. It's been almost 10 months since my last color).

This week I'm off from work and have big plans but if I even get through half my list it will be a major accomplishment. I did get a few things done today: getting our small tree up and decorated, it's pretty festive for this year and I'm bracing myself since next year will be all out with the new baby, grocery shopping and some errands. Big things for tomorrow include cleaning the kitchen, getting a massage and maybe working in the studio.

Hope you guys are planning for an awesome countdown week to Christmas!

- Also, I really need to get new blinds for the window by our front door since Maya went nuts when she was younger and left at home while Abby went to the vet. Oy.

Quick Necklace Commissions

I had a few unexpected sales of some previously made jewelry that I was super excited to move. I had a friend ask for a couple of necklaces for around $15 each for teachers gifts - next year the baby and I are on it as teachers gifts for our niche - and I'm happy with how they turned out. Requests were 1) green in color and design and 2) purple and a little glam.




The green design uses all recycled material with rosary chain, old chain and key. The only new item is the clasp. The purple and glam was fun since larger quartz style seems to be in and coupons/discounts at Michael's had this one coming in right on budget with chain already in my cabinet. I'm hoping my friend, and the teachers, like them.

Now, I'm off to get ready for our Sunday night day night at the fancy steak house and then heading out to look at Christmas lights in the fancier neighborhoods. Tomorrow starts the official first day of my holiday vacation and I can't wait!

Happy Sunday!

Christmas Party 2011

Christmas party pictures from last night. I got to have fun and spend lots of time sitting which is fantastic at 7.5 months pregnant! The husband was super cute too.

Tasty food at a beautiful house of a friend means lots of fun with no work from us. :)

Journal Pages: Paris

Paris pages that I can't stop. I've already added some pink scallops to the postcard. It really was like spring time even though it was October (a few years ago) when we visited. So lovely. I need to convince the husband to give it another try.

Smash Journal

I've been obsessed with journals lately but lacked some motivation but my new Smash Journal has helped me jump start the pages. I love the prompts and working intuitively by just pulling out pieces laying around my files or desk. It was especially great after my fairly crappy day to just play.

First 2 full pages finished in the journal. 2 more in progress for later postings.

Humboldt Mansion

My sister-in-law, Anita, has the best shopping spots in Springfield and we found this little treasure after she read about it in the paper. It's at the Humboldt Mansion which has lots of events and she's now got a few shops with some fantastic goodies as seen in the pictures below. I tried to show some restraint after a larger previous purchase (another post) and settled for some vintage ornaments and some paper ribbon. You can see some more fantastic pictures on Common Ground. If you're in the area (Springfield, Missouri) I highly recommend a visit. I'm going to have to start planning visits around her few weeks a year that she opens.

Thanksgiving

We had a fantastic Thanksgiving at my parents house. We got their early afternoon Weds and headed out this morning to Missouri for more family and shopping. A wonderful trip to Kansas and I have a few pictures to prove it. There are more but I got tired. :)







I continue to have lots to be grateful for but haven't had a lot of time to blog about all the grateful goodness. I'm adding all of these people to the list plus turkey and chocolate.

Thankful Day 18

I missed a few days there but thankfully this is my blog and I can just move it along and act as if nothing happened!

I'm thankful I just saw the post that my favorite antique store is open this week with a vintage ornament sale!



Also, that my hubby is fantastic and has no issues with visiting said antique store even though he kind of hates that sort of thing. This is why I'm thankful for him everyday.

Thankful Day 13

I'm thankful for cable and wireless internet that helps keep up my food porn obsession by watching cooking channel, food tv and searching Amazon, while watching said food porn, for some new favorite cookbooks and inspiration. Upcoming this week I plan to attempt some crock pot cooking, making squash dumplings a la Alton Brown and my favorite pumpkin bread from the Eureka, KS church cookbook I've had since getting married (thanks Grandma Criswell!) - also, they have a shockingly good website. Excellent Sunday evening.

Thankful Day 12

Today's random thankfulness goes out to Behr paint for making paint with primer that made it easier to paint the nursery.

Behr is in now way paying/sponsoring this post but if they wanted to that would be ok as well.

Thankful Day 11

I'm thankful for this post that made me feel like I'm not the only one who had doubt and fear issues about infertility and pregnancy.

Thankful Day 10

I'm thankful for my nephew Hudson (his parents are kind of awesome too) who is an incredible little spirit and I love him like crazy.



Happy Birthday Hudson!

Thankful Day 8 & 9

I missed yesterday's post since I had a horrible allergy attack. I went home then straight to bed which is what I was grateful for yesterday. A cozy bed. Ours has this duvet but not done in such an artful image. Please insert rumbled blankets and dog fur to maintain the appropriate glamor. Although I'd rather have the dog fur than a very tidy house.


image via Dwell

Thankful today for my Mom and it also happens to be her birthday. Happy Birthday Mom!



She loves antiques and is ridiculously excited about the new grandchild which is awesome for everyone. Have a fantastic day and I love you!

Thankful Day 7

I'm thankful that I saw this on my windshield tonight when I left work. It reminded me that email was probably not the most important thing I did today and I'm grateful for the reminder.

Thankful Day 6

I'm thankful for these guys. Every day. They are incredibly sweet and love us more than we can possibly know. I'm grateful they came into our lives and we've been able to give them a good home with lots of pets, treats and snuggle time.

Thankful Day 5

Continuing with the odd clothing theme I'm thankful for Old Navy leggings and their ability to stretch to fantastical new heights. I'm hoping 3 pair will get me through February!

Thankful Day 4

Today I searched deep for my thankfulness and came up with Target and their awesome designer partnerships which meant I picked up this hat at lunch time.

Thankful Day 3

I'm thankful to have these people in my life.... and a few others but I don't have great pics of them. :)

I'll get to see them this weekend for our cookbook gathering and I'm super excited to have Suzanne stay with us for some extended girl time. It's her visit up here since I saw her in Austin this summer and I can't wait. Seriously everyone needs a Suzanne, a Yuri and a Bo in their life.