fab etsy jewelry finds

My friend Rachel and I had lunch together today and then sat around and talked about interior design and our Etsy shops.  She told me that she had some great new pieces in her shop and even had some examples in her purse.  I flipped out!  Her stuff is gorgeous!  I even bought two pairs of earrings right out of her purse.  Most of what she makes is from vintage findings (i.e. she resurrects vintage brooches or clip-on earrings into fabulous new pieces).  You must go to her Etsy shop, Silver Lining Decor, and see the goodies that she has made.

I bought these and I love them!! 

I bought these too.  They are too incredibly cute! (Much more
delicate in person than in this picture.  The picture does NOT do these pretties justice!)

Oh, and did I mention her that her jewelry is cute AND affordable?

project sneak peek

pic via no biggie

I have been searching for this stuff everywhere.  Not wanting to pay shipping for a $5 can of spray paint, I decided to scour the stores.  Okay, well more like I went to Lowe's and struck out, then went to Home Depot and found it.  I would say it hasn't been at Home Depot for long, seems like a newer product.  I have a piece that I bought from Ikea in January and I'm finally going to work some magic on it.  Pics to come!

a price comparison

$98 at J.Crew

$19.99 at Target

I know that there are a lot of name brand snobs out there (trust me, I read your blogs), but if you can't afford to stuff your closet up with Lilly Pulitzer, Tori Burch and J.Crew EVERYTHING, there are afforable options out there!  Now of course if I won the lottery next week, I may indulge myself in some designer buys, but I'm not sure how 25 year old girls can afford to buy Lilly everything (and live to blog about it).  I know that their stuff is wickedly cute, but good grief!

They also come in red and gold metallic.  Look at this snazzy version by Jill @ Pocket Full of Posies.  She even has a bow tutorial on her blog!

sandra bullock's secret

I was looking at People.com just now and the headline story is "Meet Sandra Bullock's Baby Boy."  What?  So I clicked on the article.  Oh my word, she and Jesse James began an adoption process in January and they adopted this baby boy, and now Sandra Bullock has filed to be a single parent of him.  So your husband is unfaithful with many women ON TOP OF adopting a baby boy.  Here is a summary from the People.com website: 

"Bullock, 45, and husband Jesse James, 41, began the adoption process four years ago and brought Louis home in January but decided to keep the news to themselves until after the Oscars. Their close friends and family – including James's children Sunny, 6, Jesse Jr., 12, and Chandler, 15 – were essential in keeping the adoption a secret."

Granted, I am sure that this little baby has helped her during this hard process, but I can't imagine what it would feel like to adopt a child with your spouse and then only several months later everything just changes.  

Click here to read more...

how does your garden grow?

I wouldn't call it OCD, but I'd call it Obsessive Personality Disorder! When I find something I really like, it's like I cannot stop.  My current obsession is gardening.

It started out really nice and simple.  I needed some color in my yard as we were coming out of the winter time.  Viola!  I'll plant some pansies.

They were nice enough.

Then as March began, I noticed that some shoots were coming up in the yard.  Excitement.  Then the azaleas started to bloom.  More excitement.  Peony shoots?  Triple excitement.

I decided to buy a few plants for the yard.  Nothing major.

A geranium for the back deck.

 An impatient from my sweet father-in-law.

A few more flowers started blooming in the yard.

A climbing Clematis.  Very purpley!

Peonies that are about to pop!

So then I bought a few more things for the yard.  I think I'm running out of room!  

Lots of daisies!

Salvia (On sale right now at Home Depot 5 for $10)

Do not know what this is but it's pretty none the less!

Pretty in pink Petunias

A view of several flower beds.

So you do you think I'm crazy?  I also planted lots of sunflower seeds this morning so we'll see how those come up.  Looks like I've got a lot of work (and watering) ahead of me!  Does anyone else out there really enjoy planting flowers?

things that make me happy

1.  The fact that my semester is OVER!  After putting in day after day at the library I finally finished all of my projects.  I could go without hearing or seeing anything about Jamestown for a good six months or so.  Oh happy day!  I went to Lowe's and bought myself two gerbera daisies to celebrate.  I live on the wild side, what can I say?

2.  The fact that my flower beds are looking beautiful (this is not them above, just a pretty pic).  In one flower bed alone I have bright pink azaleas, pink peonies that are about to pop, purple clematis climbing up my lightpost, cheerful marigolds, a mum, gerbera daisies and little delphiniums that are only seedlings but in another few weeks will hopefully be nice and tall.  There is something deeply satisfying with checking the growth of seeds that you have planted.  Very rewarding!

3.  Rainboots (or flats) of all kinds.  They look so bright on a gloomy day.

Hunter Boots

Tamara Henriques

4.  I am obsessed with this season of Lost.  I'd rather watch this than any other show on tv.  Not entirely sure of what's going on but I'm sure they're conclude the series fantastically!

5.  My family.  Immediate, extended, in-laws, I love them all.  When others let you down, these people are there to pick you back up. 

6.  Gumballs.  I recently tried banana flavored ones and they were so yummy I think I had six in a row. 

What is making you happy today?

really pretty things

I'm obsessed with all things Amy Butler.  I only wish I knew how to sew so I could make my own fun Amy Butler bags.  She has expanded her line with bedding, floor rugs and beautiful stationary.  Do you love it as much as I do?