much love monday: pendant lights

Yesterday I said that I've been having one long, drawn out blogging brain fart, and it's actually really simple; I'm so excited about my trip to California that I can think of little else. I do have a giveaway in the works, so I'll probably post that tomorrow and then announce the winner on Tuesday the 15th.

Last week I forgot about "Much Love Monday" until Tuesday, but I'm on time today! This Monday I'm loving pendant lights. I have the Urban Outfitters bird cage pendant light that was given to me for Christmas, but I'm still waiting for it to be installed in the breakfast nook area of my kitchen. I'm thinking I wouldn't mind having on in my dining room, too!

Back to the California trip... I'm going to have so many pictures to share when I get back, it won't even be funny! 1. I've already been told that Kassi is going to get Brandi, Lauren and I drunk on our first night there, so she can steal our wallets loosen us up! Weighing in at less than 100 pounds, it only takes a sip or two to get me tipsy. 2. I've washed most of clothes and packed half of what I need already, so the only thing to worry about now is navigating the dreaded Philadelphia airport! 3. I have to admit, even though I'll miss Chris, I know he can take care of himself, but I'm really getting sad thinking about being away from Flojo and the kittens (who have doubled in weight and are eating A LOT). 4. I'm sure once I get there I won't want to leave. Hopefully I won't cry as we're taking off on the way home like I did in San Francisco last November. Don't get me wrong, I love Virginia, but it's definitely no California!

stuff.

I'm kind of embarrassed to say it, but I really don't have much to blog about. I feel like the blogging side of my brain has shut down because I got nothin'. Well, almost nothin'. I did add something new to le blog, though. Over to the right, I added an item of the week type deal. I'm not out to get your money I can assure you, but I know that some people aren't on etsy and have been interested in some things. So, it's over there and will change every week, and since you're lovely enough to visit my blog, you get a little discount, too!

I was browing some pretty pictures on blogs this evening after I got home from a cookout, and I found these. They're so gorgeous, and I thought I'd share...

In addition to going blog brain dead, Chris and I went to a cookout and had so much fun. It's been a few years since we've been to a cookout with those particular friends, but even the rain couldn't spoil it! Of course, being the food addict I am, I ate entirely too much. I even ate a big fat brownie, which, if you know me, you know isn't common as I don't like chocolate. It's funny what mother nature can do to your appetite once a month. I've also been thinking about almost nothing but the California trip I'll be leaving for on Thursday morning. I have some laundry left to do tomorrow, then I should be all set!

How has your weekend been? Have you been enjoying any cookouts yet this summer?

i've always hated geometry

It's true, math was never really my thing, especially geometry. However, I've come to love geometric shapes in jewelry, accessories, clothing and graphic design. My current shape crush: the triangle. I sat at my desk - for professional purposes, read, "I sat in my studio" - one day last week and could think of nothing but the three sided beauties, and this is what came of it...

The headband is decorated with pale bluish grey leather I hand cut. This is definitely one of my favorites, and if I can find some time between house cleaning, laundry, kitten feedings and a graduation, I'll be making one for myself this weekend!

This 3D prism necklace was born from brass, lots and lots of hammering, too much drilling and some brass chain I've oxidized to black. I like the sculptural look of it, and I've got another shape/3D necklace up my sleeve! Please excuse my mannequin's torpedo boobs.

Onto some good news... today I got four turtles out of the road, all within less than a half of a mile. Three were females and the other was a male, so I hope they get busy and make little turtle babies because their numbers need to go up! Also, I'll be able to raise the babies once I get back from California, so they'll just have a babysitter, not a new foster mom! Whew, I'm so glad!

I REALLY need to get to work and get some things ready to ship. I'm sending some bullet necklaces and bow tie necklaces to a store called Pack Rats in Columbia, SC for their grand opening on June 11th, and I still need to get the paperwork filled out and get things ready for mailing tomorrow! I'm such a procrastinator! This is the first time I'll be doing consignment with a brick & mortar shop, so wish me luck!

wishlist wednesday!

It's all about necklaces today. I don't know about you, but I'm not a big jewelry wearer; Chris constantly stays on my case because I don't always wear my wedding & engagement ring, but sometimes I just feel too overdone with more than one or two pieces. One thing I'll always wear is a necklace. It doesn't matter what outfit I'm wearing (if it's on me, it's super casual), it's always made complete with the addition of a necklace.

necklaces: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5.

I'll be the first to admit, I'm not lacking necklaces, not even close. Still, like shoes or bags, it's always fun to have a new one! I can also be a little picky when it comes to finding "the perfect necklace" and one thing I look for is something about it that's unique, that's why I love the ones in today's wish list!

What are you current;y lusting over or feeling like you can't live without? If you want to join, make a wish list on your blog and link back to me, then leave me the link in the comments section!

what a day.

My day started off (early) fine as usual, but it went a little sideways about noon. The four little kittens I'm currently raising still have several weeks before they'll be able to eat on their own, and as much as I would like to raise them until they're ready to go to new loving homes, I can't. I'll be leaving on June 10th for California, and Chris will be going on a roadtrip while I'm gone, which means that I need to find someone who can raise these babies. I called the Humane Society and told the lady the whole story, only to have her get rude with me and say they wouldn't help. So I've been crying most of the day, but Chris called them back and got someone much nicer who said they'll find a foster mom for the kittens. I'm glad they can help, but at the same time I'm kind of sad. I told myself that I would NOT get attached, but that pretty much went right out the window as soon as I heard that first pur.

I'll probably be crying for a few days, but I always get super emotional when it comes to animals. So if you read the following posts and I seem a little melancholy, I am, but it'll pass.

So, what's with the old pictures? I got them as part of my vintage exchange gift from Lucy, and I just love them! What's really neat is that some of them are from Germany, as is my family! Since I've been busy with the kittens, and crying, and trying to find someone kind enough to help me out and raise the little angels, I didn't have much time to think about blogging; I just took a picture of the picture to show you because they're pretty, and I figured I'd give you an update. I'll be back tomorrow with "Wishlist Wednesday!"