Friday Etsy Favorites *Wrap*

hello.hello.hello.

how are you? It is cold here kids... I know I have said it before, but we are talking in the teens in the mornings. yuck.  So, we have been staying in. Where it is warm and there is plenty of Christmasness to keep us busy.  I have been working on teaching the boy "Jingle Bells" and against my better judgment, I am going to do my best to find him a nice bell this weekend.

Oh, and all my decorations are up... but has been so grey so no photos... maybe later today.

I just have to finish wrapping up some gifts.  And, if I would have been thinking way ahead, I would have scooped up these items that will make the most ordinary parcel spectacular.

Christmas is coming, so let's *Wrap*

Love these clay tags stamped with *wish*

would make great ornaments too

found~ marleyandlockyer

handprinted wrapping paper.... so, so pretty!

found~ oscaranddollie

hmmm.... these are my favorite shade of my favorite color and my favorite shape.... a curvy, brackety shape

found~ scrapbits

my newest obsession- vintage dennison labels (this set is mineallmine)

found~ vintagehandmade

so pretty!  I would just keep the gift that these adorned... too pretty to give!

found~ PaperEclectiquesDeux

love.love.love. baker's twine.  I have it in aqua, black and brown.

Now I think I am missing out since I don't have the red.

And I am so not a red person

found~ parcelandpaper

Both the ornaments and the pretty cursive words had me at letterpress!

found~ DingbatPress

love this great twist on the classic stick on bow

found~ ConcreteJungleCrafts

I would keep this box forever.

found~ rubyrockwell

Not sure what I like more.... the silvery twine or the calligraphy!

found~ KisforCalligraphy

Now, in my last post about my wonderful day, I left out something that was especially exciting and wonderful until I made sure it was going to happen.  I got a call while Mr. Hughes was buying a memory card at Walgreens.... a call letting me know that there was a space available in my one of my favorite antique stores!  So, Vintage Junky will be a chain of sorts in 2011!  I am pretty excited and seriously need to get busy, busy, busy (said like the bad magician in Frosty) painting furniture and creating some new items for my space in Winchester Antique Mall.  I will still be keeping my booth at the Roost... those ladies are too fun and sweet to leave!

We had some very fun weekend plans that I think are going to be cancelled... stinking weather... 80% chance of rain.  I will try to get some photos of all this Snowflaky, Vintagy Christmasness up in here to post next week.

have fun this weekend... make it wonderful!

bye for now!

Sunshine and Rainbows

Hello there... how have you been? Well, I would be lying if I told you that I have been *fine*

You see, I am still coming down off a perfect sort of day high.  There was sunshine ( and 50ish temps,) but no rainbows on Friday.  Actually, at one point, there were birds flying in a perfect heart formation.... I turned to Mr. Hughes and told him it was a sign that we were *meant to be*

Now, If you know me or Mr. Hughes for that matter, that isn't something that either of us would say.

Still, I said it.

It was that kind of day.

We started off our day with a trip to Starbucks... they had told me 2 days prior that they were finished serving the pumpkin scones this year.  Guess who had a pumpkin scone Friday morning... 

Then, we made our way to the mall.. I know, yikes, huh?  Well, I strategically planned this outing so that it was the perfect time between the mall opening and Ole St. Nick's lunch break.

Barely had to wait in line.

baby hughes did not scream.  That in itself was not surprising... he is pretty friendly and social.  And cute too.  But, in case you are thinking of taking him off my hands, just know that he also punches and throws fits like no one else. 

So, after we got our adorable 2010 photo (Kris Kringle had a real beard... that is a requirement) 

we got these funny little reindeer antlers..... and what was inside the reindeer antlers?

A Build -a- Bear coupon.  Genius marketing strategy.

Well, why not?  We rode the incredibly fun *ride* up to the 2nd floor.

And what ever did we find to build?

A snowy owl.

perfection.

We are still deciding what to name it... 

After doing a little more browsing/ shopping, we headed to a Christmas Tree Farm that Mr. Hughes found online (oh, and we picked up a Cherry Coke along the way.  A real one.)

We had a slight little problem with forgetting the camera card.  A trip to Walgreens fixed that.

You can't take a 2 year old to his 1st ever trip to a Christmas Tree Farm and not photojournalize it.

This farm was the real deal.  Lots of trees.  All Sizes.  

They give you a saw and a measuring stick.

And, turn you loose. To run in and out of rows of trees, searching for *the one*

And, when you found it... and passed it up to search a little longer... well, you never found *the one* again.

That's okay though.

We did find a tree.

The perfect one.

And, when Mr. Hughes put down the camera to saw the tree down, I picked up the camcorder to document my manly lumberjack man sawing through the tree (very anticlimatic... it took him like 2 minutes, tops.)

Well, wouldn't you know, somehow, I didn't record the *timber*

So disappointing.

The treefarmhands got the tree ready and tied it to the top of the Jeep.

What an SUV is made for....to haul Christmas trees.

Then, we had one of them snap our photo in front a vintage truck... yep.... that one at the top.

We don't have many family photos.  This one happened to turn out.

And, will be on our Christmas card this year.

If we had hired a photographer, and bought clothes, and fixed our hair the way we wanted, the photo would have been awful.

This one... perfect.

We left... made a stop for some lights and Mexican.

Then a long afternoon nap for baby hughes while we got the boring tree stuff underway.

All the decorating still isn't quite finished... it will be very soon.

Right now, I am watching my hyena engrossed in his Thomas trains with a green food coloring goatee from a *surprise*

Mini Christmas mints.

He totally gets surprises.

Here's hoping you all have a few days here and there that put all other exciting days to shame.

Bye for now!

Friday Etsy Favorites *Deck*

Happy December~

whew... it has been a week since I last blogged.  I wish I could tell you that it was because I was traveling some place warm.  Or doing something interesting. Or even decorating.  But, nope, none of that.  I have been sort of hibernating, without sleeping.  Well, all that will change this weekend, that is the plan at least.  And I have all things Christmasy on my mind as I mentally *Deck* the halls.

 I love fresh greenery and boxwood is my favorite!  This bough would be the perfect spring on a door or above a doorway.
found~ garden22designstudio

This festive garland is so sweet with the little bow.
found~ handmedowns

These bright, fun coasters will add the perfect splash of red to your party.
found~ rubypress

And for the minimalist in you....
found~ paperklipdesign

This, my friends, is what SUVs were made for... oh how I miss Gabe... our Wagoneer!
found~ ohlittlerabbit

Now, I have a handpainted plate for Santa's cookies, but if I didn't have a fingerdot prodigy on my hand's, I would totally go with this one.
found~ wickedlygoodwares

 I love these fun felt stockings... especially the color combinations
found~ rikrak

I am really silly about some things... and there is this field of cows near my house... like dark, dark brown cows.  And they look great against the green, green grass.  I love those cows.  Every now and then, a white fluffy cow will get into the mix... it is great!  And, this towel reminds me of that!
found~ stranddesign

I have bought 2 towels from this shop and they are adorable.  She used pieces from vintage tableclothes and appliques them to the towels.... genius!
found~ vintagehome

And, this so needs to be on my front door!!  With the perfect green ribbon!
found~ blossomy

So, I am off!  We are planning to visit Santa today.  Last year, baby hughes was fine... loved him.  Let's see what he thinks of the big guy in red this year.  Then, we are going to get our tree (planning to, sometimes things don't go as planned for us)
Then we will trim our tree and deck our halls... maybe throw on the Peanuts Christmas Soundtrack... we are wild and crazy!

bye for now!

Etsy Friday Favorites *Trim*

Hello all!  Hope you guys had a very safe Thanksgiving and hopefully you aren't badly maimed from all the Black Friday craziness.  After several years in retail, I try to do most all of my shopping from home, with the exception of a few places.  I really do like to shop local and support online stores, hence the weekly Friday Favorites.  Right now, I am putting off cleaning the house, even though I really need to since I won't decorate until it is clean.  And Mr. Hughes refuses to go into the attic until it is clean!  Sometimes, the man just has to put me in my place.  But, that doesn't stop me from daydreaming about trimming the tree.  So, sit back, relax with your 3rd slice of pie and 

*Trim*

I have always loved these paper urchins... I usually like most paper decorations.

But, I have never seen them used atop a tree.... gorgeous!

found~ kissadesign

Love wool.  Love grey.  Love garland.

found~ elduende

You can put this awesome garland on your tree... on your mantle... across a mirror.... over a window....

I just got it the other day and it is so incredibly fun that there are places in my house fighting over it

found~ afabulousfete

Another great paper tree topper.  Kind of minimalist. Kind of Nordic.

found~ the starcraft

Aqua mercury glass candy canes?  yes, please!!

found~ caramelos

And garland to match?  Perfection.

found~ efinegifts

pssstttt.... this shop has loads of vintage christmas goodness. You are welcome!

If you have littles that keep their chubby little hands off your beautiful tree, then these are for you!

found~ simplehousewares

Or, if your littles are more like baby hughes (a mixture between a hyena and a hurricane)

then, maybe you would like some felt ornaments... very durable and great with the red and grey

found~ winternook

so pretty and sparkly!

found~ staceywinters

More papery goodness!  Love these happy little dots!

found~ kristinamarie

Okay, now, I think I have the motivation to CLEAN this house!  And, then during naptime, well, I may start making some decorations and maybe eat a 3rd piece of pie while watching a mommy movie.  And maybe, just maybe have a glass of wine *wink*

Have a great weekend! Christmas is coming!

Bye for now!

I have a confession....

Here goes....I don't like Thanksgiving food. There.  I said it.  I never have.  Now, my mother will tell you (hi mom) that this is some sort of a rebellion that began when I was 5, that I used to eat anything.  But I am not believing it.  I can't remember a time when potatoes didn't literally make me gag.

See, I lump what I consider "Thanksgiving Food" into the same category as "Country Cookin"

And, while I think Paula Dean is very entertaining, I probably wouldn't eat a whole lot at her house either.

And, just for the record, I don't necessarily like being weird or different on this holiday.

I mean, it is quite obvious when my plate only contains a slice of ham or turkey, some green beans, and a roll... oh and the one thing I really like.... Cherry Slop (the one thing that Mr. Hughes thinks is disgusting... maybe it is the name..... just so you know, my grandpa and I coined that name  when I was little... it is really called Cherry Fluff.... much more appetizing huh?)

Then, I get the looks.... and the eye rolls... and the snippy "that's all you are eating?"  from my sister who loves Thanksgiving food.  Then the guilt and shame sets in.... I feel as if I am offended whoever made the meal.  Then "Are you sure you don't want some potatoes and gravy?"  I would rather eat cardboard.

"No dumplings for you?"  No, thanks really, I am fine. "Don't you want some pumpkin pie?" LAY OFF!

Now, usually the guilt I feel sets in with the menu making process... there is always some talk, "well, we will have to have turkey AND ham because Michelle doesn't like turkey all that much."

And, "we have to be sure to have some brown rice since Michelle doesn't like green bean casserole."

And so on and so on.  And, don't get me wrong, I can be teased... I can take it.  But this is worse.  This is concern. As if something is fundamentally wrong with my genetic makeup because I won't eat soggy bread casserole (stuffing/dressing.)

I always assure them that they don't need to make special arrangements, that I am in no danger of starving.  That I will find something to eat.  I would rather everyone not even know about this.... I would rather sneak into a corner with my small plate of food and eat it quickly and exclaim how good it is and how full I am.

But no.... everyone is always checking out what is on my plate.  Why... there is no reason to make sure I am eating, trust me... I am not too skinny!

Am I a picky eater.... probably by your standards.  But I will eat stuff that my non-picky sister and my non-picky mother wouldn't touch.  Crab legs.... yum!  Fish tacos... the best!  Calamari... bring it! I could eat olives all day long!  And, Mr. Hughes LOVES Thanksgiving food and is entirely in love with dressing... I really think if I pressed the issue, he may choose it over me. So, I guess I am a bit of a spoil sport. And, you ask, why don't you just pretend you like it... because when it comes to certain things, disgust is on my face, I can't swallow it without gagging.  Just try it, you say.  I HAVE, and I don't like it.  And I am an adult and if I don't want to eat it, I am not going to eat it!

But, before you put on your judging pants and call me a Thanksgiving Scrooge, let me tell you a few things that I do like about Thanksgiving.

Being at my grandma's early while she made the pies.... she would always take the cuttings from the pie crusts and sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on them for me.

The parades.  I adore the parades!  And, my mom told me that the only parade that had the REAL Santa in it was the Toronto parade.  Santa is pretty busy this time of year, and Toronto is pretty close.  So, baby hughes and I will most definitely watch that one tomorrow.  And, it has always been my dream to actually be there in NYC for the Macy's parade in all that madness.

Spending time with family.... well, I have been honest with you about my food issues, so let me change that to  most family.  I love getting together and seeing people that I haven't seen in awhile.  

Realizing the things I am thankful for every day... the trivial ones like heated seats on a cold morning.  And the much more important ones like how in love I am with my little family

Playing games... like Trivial Pursuit, Sorry, and so on.

Here is something else you should probably know at this point:  If I want to keep you as a friend, I will never, ever play a game with you.  Because you will probably not like me much.  I am a little ruthless.  And a bit of a bragger. And a sore winner... but not a sore loser.... why?  Because I never lose.... 

There was this one time that my mom beat me at Clue, but that was because my sister didn't show me the card that she had.  But that was the only time. But, my family has to keep me and love me, so they also have to put up with my domination of any game.

So with all that being said, I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving and if we ever spend it together, I promise not to wrinkle my nose at your plate of dressing if you promise not to shove potatoes down my throat.

And, when you fall into your food induced coma, you can rest your head on my sleeping shoulder and tell yourself that I also ate too much.

But, we will both know it was from the wine.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Bye for now!

I am also not a Black Friday shopper... still love me?