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Etsy finds Tuesday: The Perfect Disney bag

One question that comes up time and time again on Disney trip planning message boards is the question, "What bag do you take to the parks?"

The answer to this question involves a lot of personal choice, but one bag that is often recommend is the baggallini messenger bag. I have one, in orange, but it was too big for me. When I'm walking around the parks, I don't want to carry a bag that is any bigger than what I need. I want it as small as possible, but big enough to carry my cell phone, room key, park tickets, some form of payment, and possibly an autograph book for Chesney. That's it. I don't need to carry anything else, and I don't want to carry anything else. I've found that should I be carrying a larger bag, I somehow end up carrying all kinds of miscellaneous junk that my family gives me.

This trip, I decided I should have a bag that gave me exactly what I needed and no more. In the end, I got two bags -- one for the parks, and one as my carry-on. Here's a peek:

Once I knew I wanted something custom made, I searched Etsy for the perfect seller. I found Gypsy Rose Handbags. Seriously, this chick rocks the handbags. I'd love to have an every day bag from her. They are a little pricey, but they were very worth it. The construction is amazing. She worked with me throughout the process to make sure I had the fabrics I wanted, and the extras I wanted.

My "parks" bag was the mini messenger that is on the bottom (and that I'm modeling). I added a cell phone attachment. This was perfect.... no searching for my cell phone somewhere in my bag. I also had a small cosmetic pouch made to match, and used it for media cards and extra batteries for my cameras. The bag comes with 4 interior pockets and 2 exterior. I used the interior pockets to hold park passes, room key and photopass cards, as well as Brady and Mykiah's cell phones. In the center, I could fit Chesney's book, some pens, and my wallet. It was perfection. I never had to fumble for something.

The other bag pictured was a bag I had made that would hold both of my cameras plus my laptop. We didn't end up putting the laptop in this bag, but it would definitely fit. Since we often take weekend trips where I want to take those 3 things, I will definitely be getting a lot of use out of this bag. I also love the colors of it. I was thinking about using it as a regular purse, but it's very big. Still...

I was so happy with my bags, I just had to share. It's kind of sad that I'm looking forward to our next trip just so I can use my bags, no?

Etsy Finds Tuesday: My Signature Scent

Yes, I know it's Wednesday. I'm not totally stupid. However, I like calling this feature Etsy Finds Tuesday, but I hate to post a new post within 24 hours of a freebie because I get a ton of visitors and I don't want them to have to wade through stuff to find what they are wanting.

So here we are with what will probably be the last Etsy Finds feature for a few weeks.

I know what question has been on your mind for months now. Just ask it.

"Kim, what will be your signature scent for this trip?"

I know my faithful blog readers will remember that each trip we take has a signature scent. (In case you don't remember, read this.) Of course, this year I have chosen to purchase my signature scent items from Etsy. The best website in the world.

P.S. These photos are not mine. I do own these products, but I was far too crazy this weekend to stage a photo shoot. I borrowed these photos from the shop owners. Hope they don't mind too much.

Rock Star is a scent that reminds me of bubblegum. Doctor Sweet Tooth describes it as a mix of vanilla, bubblegum, sweet berries and soda. Apparently it is a scent developed by LUSH, but I have no idea what that is. I just know I ordered some scent samplers and this was the one that most made me feel like going to a magical place.

Two recommendations for shops:

1. I bought my whipped shea butter lotion from OilsByJulie. I love whipped shea butter lotion, and I wanted my lotion to match everything else.

2. I bought everything else from doctorsweettooth. I use paraben and sulfate free shampoo only now, and their shampoo not only meets those requirements, it's my scent. I also ordered sugar scrub for the shower, and body splash.

Should you be in Disneyland this week, and smell a wonderful combination of bubblegum and vanilla, make sure you say hi! That's it for this week. Buy handmade!

Etsy finds Tuesday: Aromatherapy

I am quite taken with aromatherapy right now. I find scents really do change my mood, calm my nerves and ease my aches and pains.

This post will just feature one store because it just happens to feature my 2 favorite scents, and another product which I very recently purchased and can't wait to receive.

One of my many favorite shops on Etsy is Soulful Sister.

1. I really enjoy this headache relief roll-on. I find that at least 80% of the time, a bit of peppermint roll-on gets rid of my headache and I don't have to take any medication. I've dealt with chronic headaches off and on for the last decade and this roll-on has really changed my life. I also like using it for the kids. Brady and Chesney both get headaches, and neither likes to take medication for it. A bit of peppermint scented rollon usually does the trick for them, too. I put some on my forehead, temples, and sometimes on the back of my neck if that is bothering me.

2. Dream Weaver room/linen spray. Spraying a bit of lavender scented mist on our pillows is a nightly routine at the Lund household. The girls and I use it every single night, while the men only use it when they really need to relax before they can get to sleep. I have trouble getting my mind to quiet when I'm trying to get to sleep. This spray really seems to help me with this.

So does a dose of Benadryl.

3. I haven't yet received this product, but I know it's on its way. I originally resisted this because I like to fool myself into thinking I am always a pleasant, flexible person. I recently had a day where I pulled up to work and was ready to rip the head off the first person who spoke to me. First, that will teach me to check my work email before noon. Second, there's just no reason for it. That really isn't me most of the time. So that evening I ordered this scent in a roll-on. With this huge vacation approaching, I know that I tend to have at least one good melt-down per trip. My favorite was in 2004 when I burst into tears in the middle of Pizzafari restaurant at Disney's Animal Kingdom. In order to prevent that happy memory from repeating itself, I'm planning to tuck this little roll-on into my daypack before we leave each morning.

I also want to buy the room spray to have at work to use on my coworkers. And an economy size for my teenage daughter to bathe in.

So there's my latest etsy finds for this week. Enjoy. Buy handmade!

 

Etsy Finds Tuesday: Headbands

Lately, I've actually been paying attention to my hair and how it looks. I'm just not the kind of girl who has ever spent hours on my hair and makeup. However, every once in awhile, I start to get interested in looking my best. Right now, it's my hair. Give me some root lifter, a round brush and a headband, and I can pull it off pretty well.

In light of my new hair style, I've been looking for some cute headbands on Etsy. Here are some of my current favorites (also worn by Chesney, who looks almost as cute as me in them).

1. Topknot from foliage. Very fun, and very retro. It's just fabric that you tie in a knot on the top of your head. More on this in a few days.

2. Messy flower from Joy's Hope. I really enjoy this shop. Julie's sense of color and pattern in creating the flower is just amazing. I can't wait to wear one of these big flowers. I just have to get up the courage...

3. Felt bow by Jennifer Parrnelli. I love felt (just in case you hadn't noticed) and this is too adorable. Personally, I'm not sure I'm brave enough to go for the bow smack in the middle of my head, but I can definitely see myself wearing it a bit to the side. Chesney wore this one to school on Friday and the kids loved it.

4. I'm wearing the tuxedo bow headband from Scrapstuff12. Totally cute. Chesney is wearing a felt and ribbon headband from tparker. It looks like it was made to go with that dress.

That's it for today! Support handmade. :)

Etsy finds Tuesday: Bath and Body

Welcome to another edition of Kim-spends-way-too-much-time-on-Etsy-and-here's-what-she-bought.

Actually, my bath and body stuff is some of my favorite stuff. I use it every single day. I'll walk you through my favorites here:

1. Creme Fraiche by Savor. This is a whipped soap in a jar. I take a little bit, lather it up (wonderful lather) and soap away. The one pictured here is Ginger Icing scented. I rather like it. It's my weekends or night scent.
2. This is my favorite, favorite scent. Seriously, I love to breathe this in. You can see I've made good use of it... I only got it about a week ago and the bottle is already significantly less full. The scent is My Boyfriend's T-Shirt and it's also by Savor. I could only find it in the shop as a bar of soap, but truly, you must try it. It smells exactly like it sounds... like you just put on your boyfriend's shirt and now your scent is mixing with his. I find the scent very comfortable. Check it out here.
3. One of my favorite Etsy sellers is Ophelia's Apothecary. She's incredibly nice, and I've enjoyed chatting with her. Not only that, but she makes the body butter that has saved my summer. For the past several years, I have had a patch of rough, dry skin on my right ankle. I have tried so many different things -- from prescription to intensive lotions, creams, salves, soaps, etc. On a whim, I bought some body butter from Ophelia's Apothecary, and I'll be darned if it isn't doing the trick. It's still a bit red, but the roughness is gone and I am so thrilled to not be self-conscious when I wear my flip flops this summer. My favorite scent is Lavendar Mint. Lavendar because I find the scent so relaxing and I usually use the body butter just before bed, and Mint because it's so soothing. I also really love the Vanilla Buttercream scent. It smells just like Maggie Moo's Better Batter ice cream!
4. Finally, I'm always looking for new lip balms. I have always been religious about Carmex, but as I started using more natural bath products, I came to realize that Carmex just has stuff in it I'd rather not be putting on my lips. (Actually, in doing some research for this post, I found a whole snopes page on Carmex addiction. Strangeness.) I decided to look for some more natural lip balm and took a chance on elladean. Woo Hoo was I happy to see that package. The only flavor that I specifically ordered was Pickle Juice and Green Apple, which is so fun. Perfect for me, too. I also ordered a grab bag and was happy with the flavors I received -- the girls grabbed it and took their favorites first. Anyway, really recommend her lip conditioners, and looking forward to trying that Graham Cracker room spray....

etsy finds Tuesday

This week I thought I'd share some office/gift-y things with you.

Last week, one of my coworkers had a birthday. Approximately two weeks ago, the same coworker lost a clipboard.

This wasn't just any old clipboard, but the clipboard on which her daily snack attendance and special diet information were kept. There's not a whole lot of places it could be, but the clipboard is unable to befound.

When it came time for me to think about buying her a gift, I immediately thought, "Clipboard!" My next thought was, of course, "Etsy!"

Here's what I found:
The clipboard is from Kute Klipboard by Amy. I know it's the end of the year, and I'd imagine there might be some teachers in your life that would enjoy a unique, one of a kind clipboard. One thing is for sure... this clipboard will not be easily lost.

The other item in the photo is a card I thought was too fun to pass up. It is from Neat Things. One of the things I love about Neat Things is the use of clean, crisp fonts and lines in their designs. The card sentiments also make me laugh right out loud. I love a bit of sarcasm in a card.

Thanks for stopping by for my 3rd Etsy finds Tuesday. Back with something fun next week -- I'm thinking bath and body!

Etsy finds Tuesday

My current addiction is Etsy. I can spend hours and hours on that site, looking for the perfect something.

I've found so many cool things to share (and buy) that I thought that I'd share my favorites every Tuesday.

We'll start with my other current obsession... owls.

A few weekends ago, Chesney left the Easter bunny a note asking for a new stuffed Stitch. The Easter Bunny wasn't quite prepared for that one, so he wrote back that he didn't have any Stitches left, but Hedwig the owl wanted to come play. Chesney is currently quite addicted to Harry Potter, and although E.B. tried to find a stuffed Dobby (who is her favorite character), she struck out. So Hedwig it was. And he's so stinking cute, too.
The Easter Bunny may have found him here. Fun etsy seller, and fast shipping, too.

Then Chesney loved her Hedwig so much that she spent hours on Etsy trying to find the perfect companion. She finally came up with this little gal from myook:

She named her Pigwidgeon. Are you picking up a theme here? If you're not, pick up a Harry Potter book. You're missing out.

Finally, I was shopping on Etsy one night and a little owl caught my eye and I knew she must come live with us. Meet Hermes:

Hermes was made by ZAPOLdesigns and is just adorable. 

Finally, I'll leave you with this photo of Chesney and all her owlie family. I've got her addicted, and it makes me happy.

Etsy finds Tuesday & a giveaway

I recently bought the best purse ever on Etsy.

  The photos just don't do it justice. It is so amazingly soft (not stiff like a lot of purses when you first buy them). There are 4 pockets -- 2 inside and 2 outside. I use the inside pockets for lip balm, etc. and the outside pockets are perfect for my cell phone and keys.

I found this etsy seller while looking for a purse to serve as Mykiah's Easter basket. I bought this one:
As you can tell, Mykiah was completely thrilled to model her bag for my blog readers. It's just the perfect size for a tween to wear cross body, and it's quilted and oh-so-soft. Kiah is going to use hers on our upcoming trip. She will truly be the coolest girl in Disneyland.

In addition to my purse, I got a matching portfolio/notebook. I didn't take these photos (because my camera batteries went dead and I'm essentially lazy) but here are the photos at ElizabethDavid's store:
  I enjoyed working with Elizabeth on my purse so much that I thought I'd sponsor a little Etsy giveaway here. Your prize will be a mini-portfolio notebook. Actually, here's a photo of it:
The prize will be shipped directly from ElizabethDavid Designs, which means that you will actually receive your prize in a timely manner (I am so awful about going to the post office. Sorry!).

How do you win? Simply go to ElizabethDavidDesign's shop on Etsy. Look around, come back here and tell me what your favorite item is. Make sure you leave a real email address so I can contact you if you win. I'll choose a name using the Random Number Generator next Sunday evening, so your deadline to post is by 5 pm Central time on 4/26/09. Good luck and happy browsing!

P.S. This contest is open to international participants. Enter away!

addicted to Etsy

I am spending way too much time just window shopping at Etsy lately. Monday night, I was chatting and more than half my time I was at Etsy, totally ignoring the conversation but just letting my eyes feast on the many varied, fun offerings at Etsy. I just had to share this screenshot of my favorites page:

I love to just click on someone's favorites and then find my way around the site, discovering new treasures. If you'd like to check out my favorites, they are here. If you're an Etsy shopper (or window shopper like me), leave me a link to your favorite store. I'd love to check it out.