what i've been working on...

i really haven't been working on much jewelry lately, aside from made to order items that need to ship, because sometimes i just need a break from it.  what i have been doing (besides traipsing through the woods and getting into ATV wrecks with chris) is working on things for my art shop.  i spent a good chunk of last saturday taking pictures of prints in a simple white frame to give them a more finished look.  i don't know about you, but something that's always a deal breaker for me when looking for art is showing it hanging or framed.  in a frame?  it's in my shopping cart.

i still have several more to add to my shop, and a few that need to be finished so i can make prints, but all in all i'm happy to have this little escape from jewelry making.  and my fingers and nails appreciate the break from metal, too.

what have you been working on lately?

one pattern shy of crazy

you know that feeling you get when you love the outfit you're wearing - you feel confident and awesome and you kind of don't want to take it off?  this skirt makes me feel that way about my outfit.  also, it has pockets so i know what to do with my hands which we all know adds a ton of bonus points.

shirt: banana republic (thrifted) // skirt: target (thanks, birthday money) // sandals: aldo // necklace: dinosaur toes

there is one accessory i decided to leave out of this equation.  i love pattern mixing to the point it can cause my eyes to hurt from all that's going on, and if i had the confidence i wish i had, i'd mix like that.  BUT, since i can be a little insecure, and because this conservative little town isn't ready for stripes and polka dots AND floral unless the wearer is crazy (bless their little heart), i opted for the tan belt instead of the floral on i was this close (my thumb and forefinger are nearly touching) to wearing.  maybe next time.

so how was your memorial day weekend?  great, i hope!  we pool partied and cooked out, went exploring through the woods, and playing in the creek, and i loved every minute of it!

ice ice baby

first, the good news: CHRIS IS HOME!  he ended up not getting home until monday instead of sunday because they made stops along the way to fully enjoy the road trip experience, and i really am glad he had fun and made the most of their trip (even if it meant i sat at home feeling sorry for myself)!  anyway, it's hot here.  i always find myself longing for snow around may or june, and that's when i really start becoming attracted to things that seem cool and crisp or remind me of ice; things that almost make you feel the cold winter air; or at the very least, make me feel the cool breeze that accompanies a summer storm.  that's why i'm really loving these things...

find these beauties here (from the top): specimental, sirli mosaic, ben forgey dot com, meg a myers, the revolver, agjc, lucky hemlock.

have you been coveting anything recently?  and is it hot where you are?  i went to grandma's on saturday and hung out while the pool was being opened, and in no time i had a clog and shorts farmer tan, which means it's officially summer!

half of me is in wisconsin

yesterday morning, before the sun came up, before the birds were chirping, and before any sane person gets out of bed, my chrissie was kissing me goodbye see you later.  whenever i know i'm going to have most of the day to myself, i'm excited, because it means i can get into whatever i want, make as big a mess as i want, and make as much noise as i want, but i know that chris will always be back home before a full day has passed.  he left yesterday morning for several days, wisconsin-bound (via atlanta because it makes sense to airlines) to move his cousin from concordia university in mequon, wi, back to north carolina.  i didn't realize i could miss him so much.

i know i've told beca several times that it can test a business partnership (like she and i both have with our men) and sanity being around the same person all day everyday, but i'm seriously missing that perv.  anyway, enough whining for one day!  i wanted to tell you 1. have a good weekend, and 2. the winner of the giveaway from printrunner.com for 100 postcards is kyla!  congrats kyla, and email me when you get a chance to claim your loot!

where have i been?!

i always feel sort of guilty when i go for a few days without posting; almost like blogging is a job and i just decided not to show up.  i'd like to say i had 8 million things to do that kept me from it, but i'd be lying.  the only thing that kept me from doing just about anything besides complaining and eating crazy bread is cramps.  those little jerks.  but i did want to tell you about the locavore festival in charlottesville on saturday!

scarf: birthday gift to myself via ross // dress: birthday gift from chris via forever 21 //  jewelry: i made it (dinosaur toes) // clogs: lotta from stockholm

when i'm going to something like this i always like to dress so that 1. i'm comfortable (duh), and 2. so that i can wear something i've made and be walking advertisement!  remember in my last post the picture of flojo caught in the act of brooch destruction?  i had to laugh when i saw these pictures because i've caught her again!  only this time she's chewing at the little strings on my scarf.  she's so pretty though, how can i be mad with her?

so i have to admit something to you - i'm so, so, so bad about actually remembering to pull out my camera when i really WANT to take pictures.  i took my big film camera with us on saturday so i could take pictures of my little display, of arlie and i, and of charlottesville in general since it's so pretty.  but can you believe i left the camera in our vehicle which was parked several blocks away?  i'm really doing something i do NOT like here and posting cell phone pictures, but i want to at least show you a few things from the day (including the most delicious popsicle i've ever eaten - a homemade lemon ginger dream)!

and one more thing: the giveaway for 100 postcards with your design will end tonight before i go to bed, and the winner will be announced on friday, so don't miss out on the chance to be an awesome penpal or promote your business!