Holy Mother of Rainbows and Unicorns!

Thank goodness for the Daily Candy. If it weren't for them you would be getting a rant about all the things that are making me ill right now. BUT... instead, you are getting the most colorful, sparkly, fantastic, magical, fantasy land post in the history of Miz. November blogging. Doesn't that make you happy? It sure made me happy!

This, my loves, is the magical world of Lime Crime makeup. The incredible invention of the fabulous Doe Deere, Lime Crime makeup is what your wildest color fantasies are made of. The brightest, boldest colors on the market. Insanely saturated sparkly eye shadows. Purely opaque couture colored lipsticks. If you only click on one link that I have ever made for you, please let it be this one. I promise, you will be glad you did.

Happy Thanksgiving! I'm ready to trade in the pumpkin pie for some cotton candy!

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Sorry for the absence. I have been a little short on words lately. Feeling a little out of sorts. I did go get a new tattoo over the weekend. That always helps me feel better. My tattoo artist says I'm a weirdo because I actually like the pain. Something about it just feels like such an emotional release. I love sitting under the needle for hours at a time. I've been trying to design something bigger and more elaborate to get done so that it lasts longer. A good four hour session.

Yes, I know. Weirdo.

Shopping List

Okey. So obviously either none of my readers buy gifts for guys, or they just avoided that post all together. Regardless, I am back with some more Etsy finds to make your Christmas shopping a little bit easier. Or maybe not. Maybe I'm just giving you some pretty stuff to lust over. Doesn't matter. Here's the Sweet List.

The Teton Cocoa Company is making my belly growl right now. I have never had white hot chocolate before, but it's looking pretty darn tempting. Creamy white chocolate in a cup. Mmmm. Not to worry. They have the regular stuff, too. And it all looks too good to pass up.

If this doesn't set your heart a'flutter, I just don't know what will. This is only one example out of a store full of sweet heart designs. I'm loving them all. From Sarah & Bendrix.

If you haven't seen the Hydrangea collection from Patrick Irla Jewelry, you are seriously missing out. Delicate little blossoms falling from your ears, clustered around your neck, floating on your fingers. So pretty.

I keep running across the most stunning pictures from Little White Dresser. This place is just running over with lovely. I am particularly fond of this soft lilac headband. Give this store a look. It will make you feel all feminine and frilly.

Relax

This is where I want to be right now. Well, technically, I don't know who's house this is and I'm not really into hanging out in strangers homes. But, ideally, in my own little imaginary world, I am totally hanging out right here today. Daydreaming and reading and sipping on something warm. Can't you just imagine it?


*photo from Country Home

Let's Hear It for the Boys

Most all of us have a guy or two on our holiday shopping list. And, lets face it, guys can sometimes be pretty hard to shop for. Finding something for the boys on Etsy is not always too easy, either. But there are some awesome choices out there. You just have to dig to find them.

I love this jacket from CHONCORDIA. It has the look of a snowboarding jacket, but its made for casual street wear.

Does the boy like tattoos? Mine does. And he's always wondering if there is a better ointment to use during the healing process. Mirasol Farm makes this herbal tattoo salve to heal your new ink up and to keep it looking good on down the road. This would be a pretty cool stocking stuffer.

Hurt Couture has to be one of my very favorite Etsy finds of all time. I mean, where else can you get a nice leather belt with a self defense weapon built right in? Exactly. This simple looking buckle pulls out to reveal a shiny, sharp dagger. (not recommended for guys who like bar fights)

I had to laugh out loud when I read this shirt. Yes, this is my sense of humor folks. Etsy is the place for witty tee shirts. This one is from Not Your Moms Vinyl. I also highly recommend Signature T Shirts.

Guys need to carry things, too. I prefer they look manly when doing so, and these duffel bags from RAGGED Edge Gear look plenty manly. Check out the store, because they have lots of color and size choices.

I hope you find something on this list that would make the man in your life smile. Of course, you may just find something that makes you smile, too. Happy shopping!

Weekend Update

On Friday evening I always have big ideas about what I am going to get done over the weekend. But then, come Saturday morning, all I really want to do is curl up in a sunny spot and rest. This has been especially true this weekend, as the weather has been unusually sunny and warm.

I have been ridiculously slack lately at getting things posted. Work has been very busy and I don't have a computer at home, so I'm left trying to find time to fit a post in here and there. But today I came to mom's to use her computer because I miss you guys. I read your posts. But it's just not the same if I'm not posting, too. I miss the interaction. And, today, I want to share something different with you.

Inspiration boards have become a very popular subject lately. I love to see other people's inspiration and I'm sure you do, too. Interestingly, I have been making inspiration "pages" for years. I put together small collages in a little book that I made in high school. I keep boxes and folders full of magazine clippings, waiting to be edited and compiled. These collages are my own personal escape. They are something that I do for myself and I don't often share them with others. But, seeing as you are an appreciative crowd, I thought I would share a few of them with you.

These are three of the more feminine and sparkly collages in my collection. I'm not a huge fan of tons of bling in real life, but I love the way gems look when piled up on paper. The images come from years and years of random magazine addiction. The photos aren't great, but I hope you can pick out all the images and words.

I think I have also mentioned my enormous collection of fashion photography before. Maybe one day I will give you a glimpse of those, too. One reason that I enjoy these collages so much is that they are just for me. There are no expectations from others like there is for my art and design projects. Does that make sense? No one asks about or questions these things. But everyone wants to pick apart and give opinions on and tell me what I should do with my paintings and designs. Do you have anything like that? Something that you do just for yourself? A creative outlet that demands nothing more than your own heart? I would love to hear about it.

I hope you have had a restful weekend. I hope to see you more often this week! And I hope you find time to do something just for you.

xoxo ~Jo~

Question.....

for my Aussie girls.

Do Australians wear UGGs?

I wonder this every time I see an UGG ad in a magazine. Just curious.

Let's Get Started

First of all, I would like to thank you guys for such sweet birthday wishes. I think we can all agree that lovely comments from fellow bloggers can just make your day. I appreciate each of you.

Now. Let's talk about the upcoming holiday season. I know. I know. You don't want to hear about it. It's just November. But months go by quickly and if we don't plan ahead we will all be sitting in traffic fighting for the last parking space at the mall come December. You don't want that, do you? Me neither. This is exactly why shopping online is a great idea. And shopping handmade online is even better!

I have a few different lists for you, all stocked with items from Etsy. Today we are going to start with Classic and Cozy. Beautiful things that anyone could love.

Have you seen the bags from CalviRee? They are gorgeous. And simple. I do believe that this design would span any generation gap. They come in different fabrics, but with the same cool handles.

Ok. So I have a soft spot for jewelry by One Garnet Girl. But, can you blame me? Such clean cut designs. So classy. Who wouldn't love a pair of white topaz earrings? I know I would. Once again, just as lovely on your grandmother as on your little cousin.

Not everyone loves handbags and jewelry. For those loved ones who would rather adorn their homes, there is April Hiler Designs. You would be hard pressed to find a prettier wreath than this one, made of frosty colored succulents. Beauuuuutiful.

For those who love vintage, and recycling, and greening the planet..... Mireio has got you covered. She recycles vintage glassware by hand pouring her clean burning soy wax candles into them. Yeah, wow! How awesome is that? Plus, she also makes some lovely eye pillows filled with natural ingredients. What better way to relax?

I hope you check out all of these great Etsy shops. Most sellers try to list a range of items that cover all budgets. Maybe you'll find a little something for yourself while you're at it. ; )

Welcome

As some of you have already figured out, today is my birthday. And right now I am sitting at my mom's, full from a most fabulous birthday meal and uploading pics to the computer. My hubby is off doing Army stuff that he can't get out of. And so I am here with you, sharing a few photos.

These are from a few weeks ago. The leaves fell really quick this year. Not much time to enjoy them. This is the maple in my front yard.

When I get home in the evenings my living room is already getting dark. The yellow leaves outside seemed to illuminate the window like a lantern. So pretty.

This is the dessert table from the baby shower I hosted Monday. We had two big pots of soup for dinner and then cake and cookies. I put the flower arrangements together with flowers from the grocery store and leaves and greenery from my backyard.

I moved the flowers to the hall after the shower. They look right at home on my linen dresser. The frames above showcase a favorite gift from my grandmother. She bought these "paper dolls" at a flea market. There are a whole pile of them, but I could only frame a few. They were folded inside one of those huge Uncle Sam war posters. They are actually hand cut out of catalogs! Some have been colored. Some have arms missing. They were obviously well loved. My Nanny knew that I would love them, too. Click on the pic to see them a little larger.

Hope you enjoyed my little show and tell. Love to you all. Have a great weekend.

XOXO ~Jo~

Rock Candy

Raw Naked Gemstones!!!

I love a beautifully cut diamond as much as the next girl. I love polished stones and metals. I love refined jewels and I would never suggest that we toss them aside (unless you're tossing in my general direction). However, there is something to be said for elements in their natural form. Especially gemstones.

How gorgeous are these naturally formed stones? They look like colorful sugar crystals spiking up from their bedrock. Proof that God is a master jeweler. I'm sure you have seen the popular druzy rings and pendants. I've even seen big chunks of stone fashioned into votives and paperweights. And I love them. What do you think of them?

These two amazing examples come from My Cellar Door. And they are quite affordable. (and you know that if I am saying that, that it's true)

Whew! November.

WE MADE IT!!! It's November. October is finally over. The time changed. It's actually light in the mornings when I get up for work. Whew. I feel like I just ran a marathon! The October marathon.

How was Halloween for everyone? I spent time with the family kids and then me and the hubby went to a little get-together with friends. The baby shower for my aunt went fantastic last night. We ate good. She got tons of cute stuff. My house is still clean! This weekend is going to be a special one for me. I'm not gonna say too much, but it involves my mom cooking my favorite meal and buying me The Sartorialist book. And then some more quality time with friends, hopefully. Woo hoo for November!

Okey, so. I have always been very aware of the fact that I am a very touchy-feely kind of person. I love hugs and cuddling and sitting close and brushing up against people in crowded spaces. Love it. Truly. But Saturday night it occurred to me that a lot of my friends are also touchy-feely people. We are a very loving bunch. Now, don't take that wrong. We aren't crossing any boundaries here. Nothing creepy or too provocative. We just like to hug and touch and be close to each other. So. When I ran across this shirt from Signature T Shirts, I just knew that I had to have it. I haven't ordered it yet, but I plan on it. And I am totally stoked about wearing it! What do you think? Would you wear it? Are you a happy hugging homey like me?


*btw. I am very sorry for the sporadic posts. Things have been lightening speed lately.