five dollars to happiness.

One five dollar skull candle.

Add in the fact that the wax drips down and looks like it is oozing through it's eyeballs.

Let's just say I've got one very happy child on my hands. :)

I love Halloween time!

PS.

You can get this candle at Target! xo!

choo-choo!

From the age of one, Andrew was absolutely enthralled by Thomas the Train. Every birthday and holiday was full of Thomas everything. Then one day, he was just over it. It usually sits in three big green tubs in the bottom of his closet, and I always wish for him to pull it out again and play. These little trains occupied him for countless hours over the years and it makes me so sad to think they are just collecting dust.

But days like today make me happy again!

A day that he wants to get it all out again and play just like he used to.
I guess we haven't outgrown Thomas just yet. :)
xo!

chese these out - i love sequels!

I love books.

I love reading.

And I love, love, love a good sequel!!

I love when a story continues.

(Maybe that's why I am so weirdly crazy about Harry Potter and Twilight???!!!)

Here is what's on the top of our reading lists at the moment!

Remember when I blogged about The Pencil, Andrew's new favorite book?? Well... we found the sequel at the library a few days ago and it is just as enchanting. The illustrations are sweet and whimsical, and the book is so intelligent and funny! A book with a runaway hard-boiled egg named Billy is always good, right?! Check it out!

And who has read the Sookie Stackhouse novels??! I *think* I am now into True Blood... I really want to like it! I had watched half of the first season when I checked it out from the library, but then had to take it back.. so I thought I would give the books a try in the meantime. It was tough to get used to the whole "southern vampire" deal, but halfway through the book I was totally hooked! I just started book number two (there are like a million of them!) and the first season of the show is on it's way to me at the library again! Who is a True Blood fan?? Or who has read the books?! What do you guys think? :)

OK, hop over to the library today, my friends, and give me some more book recommendations! I am always on the look out for new things to check out for Andrew and myself! Happy weekend, xo!

ah, tonite!

... Ghost Whisperer is back!!!

Yay, now we get to see J. Love and all her cute outfits and hair again!!! AND it is jumping five years into the future, woo! Can you tell I'm excited?! After a looooonnnnggg week, this weekend is going to be a relaxing one. LOTS of new TV shows to get caught up on from the past week! I love fall. :)

PS.

Life is more complete with Grey's Anatomy back as well! Anyone else watch the episode last night?! So sad! And Project Runway, omg! I just love Christopher, he makes the best dresses, right?! Enjoy your TV, everyone! Haha, xo!

about me.

I am the 29-year old momma
to my darling eight-year old son, Andrew.
I am married to the LOVE of my life, John.
He makes me happier than I ever thought possible. :)
I am a recent Orange County newbie.
I love the art of the handmade
and like to incorporate it into my life whenever possible.
I love thrifting.
I love bargains.
I love bad reality TV.
I love fresh flowers.
I love pizza, tomato soup, and anything sweet.
I love Martha Stewart.
I love kayaking.
I love shoes.
I love learning new things.
I love working.
I love relaxing.
I love the holidays.
I love to craft.
I love glitter & twinkle lights.
I love black nail polish and cheap shampoo.
I love my life.
Follow along with me. :)
xo!

down with the dirt.

Yawn.

That pretty much sums up my week.

I am so sorry I have been so bad at updating my blog this week.

It's just been a bit of a challenging week, still getting used to school for me, along with the huge workload that goes with it. (At least this is the last semester, I keep telling myself. Whew!) And then Andrew caught a bad cough and cold this past week... it is hitting lots of the kindergartners and it kept Andrew out of school for two days, along with making him tired, cranky, and quite unwilling to finish his little pile of homework. One of those weeks, I suppose!

But this photo makes me smile. :)

My sister happened to snap this picture of our little and crazy cat, Max. Apparently, he likes to snooze away the day, snuggled up in the dirt on the back patio. I love that Andrew's gardening shovels are still stuck in the pot as well, haha!

And I have been busily working on many, many Etsy orders. I have been very blessed lately to work with some super sweet people, and I am thankful for the work! And then I got a creative burst of energy yesterday and made some new items for the shop as well! More coming in the next few days, but for now, take a peek. :)

sweet birdie thank you card

funky birdcage thank you card

fabulous house thank you card

And with that, I leave you for the weekend, wishing you all a happy and relaxing Saturday and Sunday! :) Now I'm off to watch Project Runway, woo! xo!

work, work, working!

Lots of new cards

are up in the shop!

And I am working on many more as well... the weekends now are taking on a whole new meaning for me. This is when I get caught up with Etsy orders, work on custom items, and new listings for the shop! Whew! I had to re-prioritize with starting school again and it has definitely been an adjustment, but I think I am getting the hang of juggling homework, reading, Andrew's school and activities, and the shop! :)

Cutie little owl!! :)

Thanks for sticking with me as I adjust to being much busier hehe! :) And have you signed up for my newsletter yet?? The first one will be sent out soon, and you get a free surprise just for signing up, yay!!! Enjoy your weekend, xo!

we must remember.

I will never forget how I felt that day.
This day is a reminder that comes by once a year,
reminding us how vulnerable our country is,
but also how incredibly resilient we are when we have to be.
Remember that today.
And never forget.

brown paper tags and a free gift!

I have decided to add a new section to my Etsy shop... the Brown Paper Tags! Always only a dollar, the tags come in all different types! :) The tiny ones are four for a dollar, and the bigger ones are three for a dollar and I really think they are just too cute!
Use them as labels, gift tags, favor tags, anything you want! And remember to contact me if you need more... I would be more than happy to set up a custom listing for you!!

And if you have noticed a new gadget on the right side of my blog, you are in luck!! I am starting a new mailing list and newsletter in order to keep my customers up to date about my shop, any sales or promotions that will be happening, and even offering coupons and deals only to subscribers!

And what do you get just for signing up for my mailing list??!! A free set of Brown Paper Tags, your choice! Simply click here and sign up or you can input your email address on the right side of my blog. As soon as you are verified to receive the newsletter, look for an email from me regarding the free tags! Thanks a million in advance to anyone who signs up, I so appreciate it!! :) xo!

for all of us crazy twilight fans...!

When I was reading Breaking Dawn, I couldn't help but wonder what Bella's wedding dress would look like... romantic, turn-of-the-century, lace... well, on In Style's website today, I found some sketches by famous designers wondering the same exact thing!! Here are my favorite takes on Bella's wedding dress. Does this make anyone else freaking-out-excited to see the new movies????!!! November 20th can't come quickly enough, eek!!! (Although the real wedding dress we will have to wait a little longer for, darn!)

monique lhuillier

max azria

lela rose


What dress is your favorite??
I am thinking that Bella's dress will hopefully be a combination of these three gorgeous dresses!


And speaking of fashion, anyone else watching Project Runway this season??? I will pick my faves soon. So far, the only one who has stood out to me is the winner of the first challenge, Christopher, who made that fabulous fluffy black dress! What do you think??

Happy Tuesday, xo! :)

gotta love a dollar sale!

A bunch of items are now in the "just a dollar" section of my Etsy shop! Yay, I love finding fabulous deals on handmade goods, so get them before they are gone!! :)

Also, I want to apologize for being so absent from my blog. This week was a very tough transition for me, having to make sure Andrew was at school with everything he needed, and then getting myself ready and down to school as well. Plus, I have already been loaded up with reading and homework, so it is taking me a little while to adjust to the swing of this new fall season. Bear with me, by next week I hope to be running the blog like normal again! :)

Have a happy weekend, everyone!! xo!