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etsy cuteness by Mykiah

So I'm struggling for blog topics, and I thought I'd ask my oldest daughter to work something up. And then... inspiration. I asked her to list some of her favorite Etsy stuff. I already have her Christmas gifts purchased (I know, you hate me), so there's not much harm in letting her browse Etsy. She loved every minute of it. Here's her list (by the way, she's a 14 year old girl... just in case you're looking for gifts for a teen girl):

I'm not going to lie... I couldn't tell you the last time I changed my earrings. These earrings are an appropriate "everyday earring." They are simple enough to wear with anything, yet they still have appealing deatails.

Recently this year I have become very interested in hair accesories. I have a bobby pin that is decorated very similar to this one and I get many compliments on it. I really love how detailed this little hair piece is. (Christmas gift mom?:)

Cross body bags are so IN right now. I love the print on this bag, almost all of my purses are decorated in paisley print.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! There is nothing better than yummy scented candles around the holidays :)

I don't know about you all but I'm always cold! I'm already pulling out my big comfy scarf and winter jacket daily. This scarf also has really pretty autumn colors.

So there's Mykiah's shopping list. She had fun doing it, and that's a good thing.

Etsy cuteness by Hayden

Hi, I'm Hayden, Kim's dog. About six years ago, I was living in a crate in the garage of a friend of my owner. She had come upon hard times and had to live with a friend, who didn't want me in the house because his dog ruled his house. My name was BoBo.

Then Kim came along, and took me out of my crate. She changed my name to Hayden, and she pampered me. She gave me Brady, who puts me out and feeds me. Mykiah likes to take me on walks, but I'm not very fond of walking with Mykiah. She thinks walking is for exercise, which seriously cuts down on my ability to explore all the wonderful scents out in the world.

Mostly I love Kim. She is just amazing. She spends a lot of time sitting on the sofa by me, just keeping me company. She gets bored, so she types on that black thing... I think it's called a laptop.

Twice, I've almost died over these last five years. The first time, I ate a mouse. I didn't know I wasn't supposed to do that. Since I'm a chihuahua/terrier mix, it was a little difficult to pass all those mouse bones. Then, the dog food that I love to eat was poisoned by some idiots over in China. Or something like that. My mom was quick thinking and got me to the vet, and my awesome vet put me on an IV which  flushed my kidneys and saved my life. Lots of dogs died due to the poisoned food, and I'm a lucky one.

My mom never forgets that, and she likes to pamper me. So here's some of my favorite things from her favorite place to shop, Etsy.

Organic Peanut Butter Treats

I love my treats. Every night when Dan gets home (have I mentioned Dan, who thinks he should share the bed with Kim... not me? who does he think he is?), I sit and stare at him until he gives me treats. He won't give me a treat until I perform a trick, so I bark or roll over or dance for him. It's humiliating. But worth it to get those treats. I'm almost out, so Kim just ordered two different kinds from this Etsy store. Some mini-bones and some training treats. She thinks she'll get me these for Christmas, but she's waiting to see which treat I like better.

Hand Stamped Pet Tags

This is not my tag. My tag is adorable and says "I have people" on one side and has my info (and Kim's) on the back. However, that one isn't sold anymore, and these are frankly quite classic and yet funky. Your pet would love to have one of these.

Christmas Dog Collar

My mom really wants this one for me, but it's hard to justify spending $20 on a collar. I have a perfectly good one (purchased from a different Etsy seller). This collar is by the same people who do Phat Straps (which Kim loves) and that's her holiday fabric. She has a garland in that fabric. A wreath. Five stockings. It seems to be fate, but she's trying to be responsible.

So there you go. Hayden the dog's favorite things from Etsy. I also really like a nice soft bed to sleep in on trips (they like to take me to Branson with them, and I like to go there, too). An extra plush blanket. Peanut butter on a spoon. Popcorn that Brady "drops" while he's watching TV. And chasing the cats. Barking at Dan.

My life is pretty easy. But it's sure fun.

My necklaces

I wrote a few weeks ago about how my necklaces have become symbols for me. They give me strength. I've added a couple more, and thought I'd share my favorites.

My necklace display board is an old bulletin board. I stuck in pushpins and hang my necklaces. This keeps them from getting tangled, and it just makes me happy to see them hanging there each morning before I leave for work.

This is one of my first necklaces. It's a Lisa Leonard. It had tarnished pretty badly, but I found it last weekend and shined it up. Put a new 24" chain on it. Love it.

These are two of my newest. The one on the left has the kids' names on it, and the star is kind of my thing. I love the stars. They make me dream.

The one on the right is by Chantelle Nicole. The other is by Daisy Metal Creations. I can't even explain how much I love her work. She's on maternity leave right now, but I just can't speak enough about how much I love the two necklaces she did for me. They are everything I dreamed they would be, and when I wear them, they make me feel more than I am.

Here's the one I custom designed.

and a close up of the inspiration:

Amazing, isn't it? It's so very me.

And for a final smile... one day at work, I was given a little smile. It's on the top of my necklace hanging frame.

So This is Christmas Journal, the preparation & a giveaway

I've decided that the only way I'm going to be able to share this journal adventure I'm taking with you is to be a week behind in sharing my daily entries. There's just no way I can daily photograph and post. I could try, but I'd fail and I hate fail.

So next week I'll be here on Friday to share with you what I did Dec. 1-4. Today, I'd like to share with you the journal I created.

The concept of my album went through several forms. When it came down to it, what I wanted to do was this:

 

I bought this altered Little Golden Book from a wonderful Etsy seller, This Handmade Life. She takes these wonderful books, coil binds them, and adds a bunch of blank journal paper after the actual story.

I ended up having to remove the original story and a bunch of the extra paper just to try to fit in the essentials for my journal. I used a bunch of different supplies, and just had fun enjoying the process of creating this album. I added the stickers and labelmaker strips to the front. Chesney was in charge of tying the ribbon to the coils.

Then I got all funky. Here's a sneak peek into the inside of my journal:

 

 



I can't even say how much I am looking forward to taking this journal, adding my words, bits of memorabilia, and photos, and making it the start of a new tradition.

I'd love to share my new tradition with one of my readers. I will be giving away an identical upcycled journal to one lucky reader. That's right... one of you will get your very own "Frosty the Snowman" book, shipped directly from This Handmade Life. To enter your name in the giveaway, simply leave a comment here telling me which is your favorite journal from Jodi's shop. Be sure to get your entry in by noon PST on Friday. I'll be doing the drawing Friday night sometime, and the winner will be announced Saturday morning. Good luck!

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!