[Crafty Lady] Your Flagged!

Up next in the series of "Crafty Ideas I've been Stealing from Etsy"... are little cupcake and hors d'œuvre tooth pick flags. (such an official name)...


When I first started looking for fun things to do... like my scrapbook paper pennant and my Lucky blocks, I came across these cute little flags.

St. Patrick's Day Cupcake Flags - GoAgainstTheGrain

I almost ordered them, but 12 for $13 (with shipping) put me off since I have a TON of paper and all the supplies to DIY.  So I googled and found a bunch of cute ideas and styles and few 'how to's' along the way.

And surprisingly enough, that last image is very similar to the flags I created.

First I started with a sheet of green plaid scrapbook paper.  I cut the paper in strips just less than an 1" wide and about 2" long.

Then I folded them in half to get a centered crease for the tooth pick.

I originally used some spray adhesive, but the fumes got to me and I switched over to coating the inside with some Mod Podge, both worked equally as well as a glue that didn't saturate the paper.  I inserted the toothpick into my pre-made fold and closed the flag smoothing it out before it dried.

After letting it dry for about 20 minutes, I cut a little triangle to make a flag.

So far I've made about 20 and plan on making some more in a different paper and style.  You can find even more cute flags and detailed instructions here.  And I'll be sure to follow up with all my flags in their Cupcake and Irish Potato glory after our party on the 12th. 

....And just to get you as excited as I am, here are our invitations!

I wrote in Ale, Lager, Wheat Beer, and Stout to designate what kind of beer our guests should bring

[OOTD] and Boot Review!

They're heeerrrreee!


As scheduled, my Mack Boots arrived yesterday from Endless.  So here is my review and lots of pictures, natch.

• The color is what I expected, a true taupe.  Somewhere smack in between tan and grey. 
• The zipper in the back is fully working going all the way down the heel, which makes them cake to get in and out of.  The two little straps do unsnap which was a nice surprise. 
• They fit true to size.  I could get them on with my ski socks (what I wear with my riding boots), but they fit perfect with regular socks.
• The calf is little bigger than I'd like, but that's something I have to put up with having 13" calves.   It's not so big they look like wellies, and with jeans they look pretty good.
• Nordstrom lists the circumference as 13", Endless listed it as 15"... most likely closer to 15"
• The leather came and was slightly marked... I was annoyed at first, but it adds to the distressed look they sort of have, definitely doesn't look bad and since they are light I'm sure they are only going to mark up the more I wear them.

Only Complaint:  The Lining.  It's some sort of fabric which I'm not really a fan of.  If they were DV by Dolce Vita (the lower price point line) I'd expect that, but I really thought they'd have a leather lining or something else that would keep them a little more structured and sturdier- thus making them look not as cheap.  However they don't really scrunch down, so while I'm disappointed, I won't complain.

Fun Rave: Dolce Vita threw end two extra heel stopper thingamajigs (the little black heel ends)... that was awesome and much appreeshed!

Overall, for the sale price of $111.80 (plus my ebates cash back) they are a major score!

Here are some shots when I tried them on yesterday - I originally wore this outfit with my Miz Mooz King Boots (seen here)....

Pure and Good Yellow L/S Tee - Anthropologie

Absolutely S/S Cable Sweater - Nordstrom B.P. Department (from Fall/Winter 2009) (similar here and here)

Linea Pelle Snakebite Belt - Anthropologie (knock off here)

 The Deal Skinnies - J Brand (here)

Dolce Vita Mack Boot - Endless (here, duh!)

Curly Frizzy Hair Style - no purchase necessary!

And today's OOTD!

Silk/Ruffled Cardigan - Banana Republic (similar here)

Fei Liquid Bouquet Tank - Anthropologie  (similarish)

The Deal Skinnies - J Brand (here)

Dolce Vita Mack Boot - Endless (again!)

Elsa Peretti® Letter "E" Pendant - Tiffany & Co. (here)

Shit Eating Grin - courtesy new boots!

Happy Hump Day, Readers!

[Etsy] Good Clean Fun

A few weeks ago, there was a soap maker featured as Etsy's Featured Seller... they had the most amazing looking soaps that I don't think I would have mind having my mouth 'rinsed out' with.... we're talking french macarons people!


It got me searching around for, what else, shamrock soaps... which I found and purchased (below)

Shamrock Soap (in Clover and Aloe Scent) - Etsy Shop: kittredgecandles

But, I was so amazed with some of the fun (and tasty looking) soap shapes I found, I had to share!

French Macaron Soap - Etsy Shop: KcSoapsNmore

Carrot Cake Soap - Etsy Shop: soapopotamus

Strawberry and Chocolate Cupcake Soap - Etsy Shop: pinkdottedowl

Chocolate Donut Soap -  Etsy Shop: HowardsHome

Movie Theatre Popcorn Soap - Etsy Shop: ajsweetsoap

Sunny Side Up and Bacon Soap -  Etsy Shop: BeenAroundTheBlock

Amazing how creative people can be!   What kind of "soap" would you like to have in your soap dish??

[Shopaholic] a little treat

Dolce Vita Mack Boot - Endless $111.88 TODAY

I've been stalking these boots for a while... December, earlier maybe?  I've really been wanting another pair of lighter tone (beige, taupe, or grey) boots, that are narrow in the calves (a must), and have a heel (so they can be casual - the color, but still dressy - the height)....

These boots normally retail around $280.  They are now sold out at Nordstrom, but Endless has almost every size between 6-10.  Not to mention 7.5% Cash Back through Ebates and FREE two day shipping and returns.


After seeing Chloe's post about Endless's President's Day Sale last Thursday, I saw the boots were marked down to the price above.  Yet, I hesitated.  Yesterday, the boots went up in price to $143 (endless likes to change the price of items daily).  So I ran some errands, which included getting a price adjustment on my Whispering Vespers Sweater (score!!), so I decided to put that money I got back towards something else I wanted.   The Boots! 

I checked Endless this morning, and what do you know, they are back to being 60% Off.  Mine.  Hopefully the calves fit, so stay tuned for a review.




Don't forget to use Ebates, if you don't have an account sign up HERE

[Anthro] New Picks

I was browsing Anthro's site last night, and surprisingly not all was holy sweaters and boxy striped tees....  There was a nice little selection that I immediately moved over to my wishlist....



First up, two new awesome sweaters.... love them both! Only gripe, and it's a BIG one, is that they are $118 a piece and both 100% cotton.... What gives Anthro??  you throw some cashmere, wool, alpaca... whatever into a blend, sure I'll "understand" (but not like) the price... I've gotten used to the $98 tag for cotton, but now an additional $20 on top of that??  The buttons aren't even fancy....  humph.

... and they are both Dry Clean (??)  since when do you have to dry clean cotton.   Not a fan Anthro. Not a fan.

Oil Paints Cardigan $118

Hanging Gardens Cardigan $118

I also was loving some of the tops... some aren't even new, but for whatever reason I changed my tune.

On the Agenda Shell $88

big fan of this after seeing it on Robin's friend Nora on How I Met Your Mother last Monday

Squeezebox Top $48

I've been looking for the 'perfect' non-plain body con navy top... this just might be it

Bespoke Yoke Top $78

I think this might be one of those you pass right over on the hanger, but would look great on with the right outfit.

And if I wore skirts and had an extra $198 laying around.... I'd totally grab this too!

Garden Of The Spectrum Mini $198

and fyi, it's $198 for POLYESTER

Aside from my irritation at inflation, I'm liking some of the new things... hopefully we get out of the cropped and boxy aesthetic and move on to better things for spring.

[Crafty Lady] Lucky Fun

Happy Belated Valentines Friends!


The husband and I didn't do much last night (although I did whip up some of these)... but on Saturday we had a blast.  We first had lunch a brewery, before heading on down to my favorite local winery (yeah, we like our booze).... We did the Valentine's Day tasting which consisted of 4 wines, each paired with a local cheese and wine infused truffle - except for the wine that was paired with the chocolate covered potato chip (yum)!...   We had such a good time and it's doing simple things like that and being together that make our Valentine's most enjoyable.

(I'm sorry I didn't take any pictures!!)



Aside from that, I've been working on some crafty projects for our Beer Tasting party next month.  Annnd since V-day is finally over, I can finally put them up guilt free :)


First up, I took this quirky little candlestick I bought last spring at Marshall's for $7.99 and gave it some sophistication.   I did actually like the turquoise, it just didn't 'go' with any of the stuff or rooms in our house.  I grabbed a bottle of Valspar Spray Paint in Cappuccino from Lowes and gave it a few coats.

I wish I would had grabbed the "glossy" finish instead of the "satin"... but for the most part, I'm probably the only one who notices and its always something I can fix later... maybe even do it lime green or something bright if I'm feeling it.

After that, I started on decorative wood letters.  I saw this listing on etsy, and while cute... I figured I could easily enough make some myself.

 LUCKY BLOCKS - Etsy Shop: lisabees 

I grabbed some white wood letters at Michael's for $2.49 a piece.

Gave them all a few coats of acrylic paint that I already had lying around in my craft bin

 I then picked two patterns from my green scrapbook paper haul from two weeks ago....

I traced the letter upside down on the back of the scrapbook paper, cut out my letters, and put a coat of Mod Podge directly on the wood before placing the paper on top.  I waited 15 minutes for the paper to set in place and make all wrinkles and bubbles got smoothed out before putting another coat of Mod Podge on top (I did two top coats on each letter).

I think I'm going to get some clover plants... or maybe some succulents to put on the wine bar or the ledge with center piece.    I love how the letters turned out.  So simple and easy and I'll be able to pull them out year after year.   

This would also be a great project at Christmas (JOY or NOEL, perhaps) or even for kids room/play room. 



Stay tuned.... I'm kicking it in high gear, I got some more projects coming up... but maybe some window shopping first??... hmmm

[Giveaway] WINNER!

Congrats to Amie! 

I'll be contacting you shortly to let you know you the details!

[Giveaway] Have a Heart

I'd like to thank Emily of ERM Originals for wanting to host this awesome giveaway, just in time for Valentine's no less!


Up for grabs is this Custom Initial Sterling Silver Heart necklace.  Perfect for layering or wearing on its own!

 Custom Initial Sterling Silver Heart Necklace

How to Enter:

1.  Become a follower of this blog (if you aren't already)...

2.  Check out Emily's Store, ERM Originals, and leave a comment below letting me know your favorite item!

3.  Please also leave your email or a way for you to be contacted, should you win.

4.  For an additional entry,  blog about this giveaway and come back and leave the link to your post as a separate comment below.

Enter by February 14th, Valentine's Day, at 12pm EST. 

Winner will be randomly selected at 5pm EST the same day.

Good Luck!

[Wishlist Wednesday] Lucky Love

Okay, it's official... even though Valentine's is still 5 days away, I'm completely obsessed with all things St. Patrick!   (For the record, I won't let myself decorate until Valentine's has passed, that'd be like putting up the Christmas tree before Thanksgiving)...

So a little "wishlist" slash "hint hint"- "wink wink" for the husband for Valentine's (even though we rarely exchange gifts and instead enjoy a nice dinner together)... here's my St. Patty's themed, Valentine's Day Wishlist Gift... just one item.

Lucky Cluster Necklace - Etsy Shop: ERMOriginals

 

Be Mine?

***Stay Tuned for more from ERMOriginals***

[Etsy] Finds for Valentines

I was perusing Etsy for some great crafty St. Patty's decor and stumbled across these Valentine's Day items instead... Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice!

The ORIGINAL Neapolitan Cupcakes Scarf - Etsy Shop: kellyzkreationz

(::nom nom nom::)

Hearts and Love Stationery Note Card Set - Etsy Shop: SaraNicoleDesigns

(who doesn't love a handmade valentine)

Love Birds in a Tree Print 11x14 - Etsy Shop: Fancy Prints

(i have an empty 11x14 frame that's calling for this)

Sweetheart Crochet Beanie - Etsy Shop: lylakayt

(in case your have a new valentine in your life)

Sweet Heart Ring - Sterling Silver with Twist Band - Etsy Shop: amycornwell

(simplicity at its finest)

Language of Love - 8 x 10 in Gray - Etsy Shop: sugarfresh

(obviously I'm a sucker for grey and white, but the typography is lovely)

Valentine's Day Cake Pop Variety Pack (12) - Etsy Shop: cakepopbakeshop

(adorbs)

Valentine's Day is a week away.... hope you are all being as sweet as can be!