The Most Dangerous Game

Forget what you may have heard, the most dangerous game is not just the title of a book, but more importantly, it's how I like to refer to browsing my Etsy favorites; specifically when my blood thirsty e-shopping appetite is not met or exceeded by the size of my wallet.  So here's to hoping you'll talk me off a proverbial cliff because I really want these...

Find these beauties here (from the top): Olas Attic, EvieOlu, CeramicSoul, Elis Cooke, Ordinary Mommy, patkas, Amy Robson Jewellery, Cathy Cullis, One Forty Three

What are some things you've been wanting lately, and do you have the willpower to simply window shop?

I hope you guys have a good weekend!  Tonight I'll be in the company of six other women for dinner and dancing and I'm sure a good time in honor of my friend Kristin's birthday!  I'm sure I'll be sleeping in pretty late on Saturday morning (assuming Flojo will allow it)...

stars, stripes, sales

i just wanted to do a quick post to let you know about two pretty exciting things.  the first - most exciting of all - is the fact that WE HAVE POWER!!!  chris and i had fun living in the camper and eating sandwiches and grapes (and we even talked about how we wish we could do that on a more long term basis and live like gypsies), but it's nice to have running water and air conditioning again.

second, i haven't given too much thought to what i'd blog about once the power was back on, but one thing i wanted to share was a little sale i'm having for the rest of the week in my art shop...

from now through sunday night (because let's face it, monday really begins a new week) get 10% off your order - whether it's one item or twenty - by using the coupon code STARSSTRIPESSALE in my art shop Girl + Parrot!  and yes, the discount even applies to the custom watercolor family portraits!

so happy independence day american friends, and happy hump day everyone else!

just a quickie: cyber monday sale!

just thought i'd share a juicy little piece of sale gossip... today i'm having a cyber monday sale in my etsy shop! use the coupon code IKEEPITNOW during checkout to receive 20% off of your order! so buy something for yourself, or buy something as a gift, but remember that the sale only lasts until i go to bed tonight!

and i feel i need to clarify. if you're wondering how i came up with the coupon code "i keep it now" i will explain. years ago on saturday night live, there was a character named mrs. delvecchio. i've seen so many blog posts lately talking about snow (and i'm incredibly jealous) and it made me think of a skit where mrs. delvecchio and her neighbor (played by christopher walken) were talking about the snow blower he bought and was using. anyway, mrs. delvecchio's famous line was "i keep it now." sort of a weird thought pattern, but there you have it!

wishlist wednesday!

This Wednesday's wish list isn't as much fun. I'm still sick, and all I can think about is how bad I feel and how much I want to feel better! So, in case you come down with something yucky, here are a few pretty things that might make you feel better!

From the top: Eco toes in vintage golden plaid by infusion, because who doesn't like a good pair of slippers? Pink Pirken Hammer teacup and saucer from ArgentumVintage, soothe your throat with some warm tea or coffee. Lavender filled sleep mask from emmacwallace, because if your nose isn't too stuffy, lavender sure is comforting! Aviary quilt from QuiltPetaler. There's nothing better than a warm, cozy blanket.

If you'd like to share a wish list, leave a link in the comments section. How has your week been so far? Please tell me you're somewhere tropical with the warm sun and refreshing ocean...

wishlist wednesday!

Time for a little window shopping! This wish list really doesn't have a specific theme or style, I just decided that I'd choose items from a few of the sellers in my etsy favorites. If you'd like to show your very own wish list, link back to me from your post and leave a link to it in the comments section. I can't wait to see what you put together!

From the top: birch bark necklace from bettula, pretties in pink from from gray to gold, barely there white stripes tunic from blue heart boutique, women's sporto vintage galoshes from capricious traveler, vintage sterling silver and bone pendant from cme scout.

Today I'm cold, I'm tired, I have a headache and I have an appetite that just won't quit. On the bright side, I watched one of my favorite shows, "How Clean is Your House?" and that put me in the mood for some cleaning. So now it's off the computer for me and on to dishes and vacuuming!

wishlist wednesday!

It's time for this week's "wishlist wednesday!" This list was inspired by the beautiful art doll made by Harem6. I found the shop while looking through who hearted my items, and I'm glad I did! So, without further ado, here is the "pale and whimsy" wish list!

From the top: Noemi by Harem 6, three's a crowd bird hanger by monkey and squirrel, ninfea baby in cappuccino by ninu, green scissor necklace by tider design, ceramic bird wing by sara paloma.

If you'd like to play along and share your wish list, link back to me from your blog, and leave a link to your list in the comments section. I can't wait to see what you've picked!

Side note, I'm getting a little antsy not being able to swim or do more outside, and I'm really starting to feel kind of lazy and out of shape. The treadmill and exercise bike are there for me when I want to use them, but I was wondering, what are some of your favorite exercises and healthy snacks or meals?

wishlist wednesday!

Today's wish list is all about warmth seeing as how today's high in Lynchburg, VA was a warm 36 degrees. Chilly! I like spring weather the best as I prefer sandals, but I can't turn down a good scarf!

Lovelies from top: sanchia845, thehouseofhemp, anasousa, sweetknitting.

i've been working

...on new bow ties. They seemed to be pretty popular, and I gotta give the people what they want! I need to make some more leather bow tie bracelets as well as a few types of fabric flowers, but with all this snow, I can't make myself stop playing and start working!

Also, have you tried the Pillsbury Cinnabon cookies? Mmmmm, I made them last night and my mouth is watering just thinking about them. But I have to remember, "a second on the lips, forever on the hips!"

wishlist wednesday!

One may think, because of all the items I'm lusting over, that I'm quite the shopaholic. I can assure you, I am not, I just love so much stuff! If I just made money and had no responsibilities, I probably would buy it all, but those annoying bills keep coming every month. So until then, it's just eye candy for me!

I've never owned a knuckle, or double finger ring, but I've always wanted to. I love them, and I just love metal!

From the top: double finger ring by fleathers on etsy, custom raw brass bangle by BrillianceFound on etsy, knuckle ring from ATHD on etsy, travel memories necklace by MetalPressions on etsy.

etsy favorite: restless things

Olivia Jeffries, the artist behind restlessthings on etsy has become one of my absolute favorites. A wallflower to the core, I'm not big on tons of flashy, bright colors, so her neutral color palette just sucked me right in! At first glance, her work may seem simple, but the more I look, the more I see, and the more it seems to say.

I have two or three more Christmas presents to buy, and then it's time for a little treat all for myself...prints! Last, I'm doing something new, a weekly series if you will, "Wish List Wednesday." Check back tomorrow!

i'm gun-toting crazy!

Crazy for target practice. Crazy for gem stones. Crazy for bullet necklaces. I got a bit behind when my little brother came to visit over Thanksgiving, but I'm back in action with new bullet necklaces all ready for le shoppe!

got a light?

I'm head over heels in love with vintage lamps, and I have a hard time turning down a nice, bright beauty when I see one! Since I've turned into a bit of a minimalist as far a furniture goes, I don't have many surfaces on which to display lamps, but a girl can dream, right? I'm totally lusting over these little dreamboats:

Etsy shops from the top: fabulousmess, backstashandbygones, and findingfabulous.

after thanksgiving blues

I had a great Thanksgiving, how about you? I ate my weight in mashed potatoes, bread and stuffing (I'm a total carboholic) and I got to spend some time with one of my best friends, my brother. Derek lives in Pennsylvania, which isn't thousands of miles away, but still not close enough for me to see him all that often. I know it'll pass, but for about a week after he leaves, I'm a little down in the dumps. Luckily, he'll be visiting over Christmas, so I don't have too long to wait!

Now, on to the happier stuff! I love leather (but the recycled scraps since I'm an animal lover), so it should come as no surprise that I'm totally in love with making and wearing these little leather pouch necklaces! I made an itty bitty one for myself to keep a few of Miss Flojo's feathers with me, and I currently have a few photographed and for sale in my shop, but there are more on the way!

my new goodies

I'll be back with more San Francisco (or as I like to call it, "my home away from home) pictures, but first, look at my new treasures! I got these from Michelle, the sweet shop owner of storybookcharm on Etsy.

The adorable little turtle is a magnifying glass, and while my vision is still 20/20, it never hurts to give your books such a cute companion. As you read a few posts ago, I've gone gaga over tarnished silver knick knacks! This basket is beautiful and makes a nice home for my antique mercury glass ornaments on my mantle. There are lots of other vintage goods in her shop, just see for yourself!

my current annoyance...

At the ripe old age of 27, I've finally decided that I'm ready to try and have a baby (Mr. Dinosaur Toes has been ready for the last two years). There's only one problem...I don't have health insurance. With one good kidney and one bad kidney, it's a little scary to go it alone when, as of a few months ago, it would cost an uninsured American woman right at $10,000 to have a baby. It's super frustrating trying to decipher insurance lingo, deductible this, max out-of-pocket that, but in my present situation, it's a necessary evil. Having said that, I thought this was hilarious and wanted to share it. Maybe I should have thought twice before marrying my uninsured type 1 diabetic husband. Hmmmm...

Found at owlyshadowpuppets on Etsy, $12.

etsy favorite: LuxCoronette

I found this great shop yesterday, and I just can't get enough! Being inspired my nature myself, I love the earthy, natural style of the jewelry, and I could see it with any outfit imaginable! Two of my favorites are the Owl Claw Necklace, $85, and the Sparrow Skull Necklace, $45 (both pictured below). Visit LuxCoronette for yourself!