I am enamel crazy!

The past two weeks I have been working furiously on my Etsy jewelry shop. I've been making new items and adding new items. Frankly, I've been making more items than I have time to list. But, it's really exciting to have new things to show. I've also been changing my backgrounds to white, which I love. It was very difficult to do that before when I just had a point and shoot camera. I learned to do enamel and I'm really happy with the finished pieces I've made. It's lovely having some pops of color in my shop!

First, I think this may be my favorite necklace. I just love these bright colors on the gold chain. It really makes them pop. The polka dots are just so adorable! I also have a sterling silver version with black and white dots. Rainbow Polka Dot Necklace

I learned to use enamel just so I could create some bright colorful enamel birds. This was my first idea and I'm really happy with how it came out. I used a dappling block to dome these sterling silver discs. Personalized Initial Disc Necklace

And here is the super secret pennant necklace I've been working on! I have another color combination coming soon. Pennant Banner Necklace

And finally I've been wanting to add more lockets to my shop for a long time now. For this necklace, I used bright red to enamel the top of a vintage heart locket. Red Heart Locket Necklace

My Target shopping spree

Target is awesome right now. They have a brand new collection of home decor. So, I bought a few things. It is really dangerous when I go to Target. It is my biggest weakness.

I've been slacking in the decorating department lately, but I'm ready to get our apartment looking good again. I used to love all the compliments I'd get when people came over to my last apartment. It was smaller and I took pride in decorating it. Then, I went from a small one bedroom apartment to a large two bedroom. Things look too spread out now and all the accessories look too small.  So here's what I bought for my new gradual apartment transformation.

 Target

The picture frame is in the dining room and currently has a picture of Lucy (the rat terrier aka best dog ever). I love these white birds for the wall. It gives a little texture without screaming, "I have birds on my wall!" This jewelry tree was only $14.99! It is for the bedroom dresser. I'd also like to find a nice tray to go along with it for lotions and things. This super styling pillow is for the living room couch. I bought two of them. I am completely obsessed with it. They also had some great lamps, picture frames and ceramic trays.

My Birchbox review

Birchbox is something I've heard about (and been so excited about) for about a year, but finally decided to just do it. That's about the time-frame of things on my to-do list. I'll get to it...whenever. So, what is Birchbox? It's a website that sells beauty products as well as a sample box for $10. Your sample box is filled with several beauty products to try. I LOVE samples!!

I signed up for one box...but got two...If you only want to try it once make sure you cancel it before the first of the month. They charge you $10 at the beginning of the month and then send it mid-month. You put in your preferences and products you like and they'll send you a sample box. However, the downside is...everyone seems to get the same sample box. So, now I have two sample perfumes that I will never use.


Here's what I got:

Not bad. I would normally use 3 out of these six products. But, since I paid for them I'll go ahead and drink the health booster. I just hope it doesn't taste like alka-seltzer, I'm a little nervous. And maybe one day I'll find a use for the black booby tape (yes, I just said that). 


However, last month I got a Jouer lip conditioner (the same brand as that lip gloss up there) and it is completely amazing! I'm going to order it as soon as I'm done with my sample. The sample is fairly long-lasting for that product. I've already tried this hair gloss as well. It's nice. It feels pretty much like an essential oil for your hair. And I love Benefit so I'm very excited about The Porefessional.


So, all in all, it's a pretty fun idea. Generally it seems there are about 3 products I love in the box and a couple that aren't as thrilling, but you can't please everyone all the time. I think I'll try one more box and see what I get. And hope they will stop this perfume thing.

Have you ever tried Birchbox? What did you think of it? Get anything awesome?

Leggy bookmarks on Etsy

There are times like this that I wish everyone I knew didn't own a kindle. As much a I love my little electronic buddy, there's nothing like the crinkling of turning the pages in a book. Every time I'm in a bookstore, I still love looking at the bookmarks. There's just something about having a cute little bookmark that makes reading a little more fun. But, I haven't seen anything quite like these. Such a clever idea. I love them all, but my favorite is the wicked witch. Visit this charming and unique Etsy shop MyBookmark.

Photos by MyBookmark