I've always love to create things...being the artsy soul that I am.
And I love to buy things too...(makes my bank account sad indeed)...
So, I thought I would combine my love of creating with my slight addiction to shopping...and try out a little shop of my own! I started out making earrings for myself (in order to save money, and make more unique pieces). Then I discovered Etsy, and soon found myself loving all the unique and handmade items! And although I could spend a whole entire paycheck...that wouldn't be so great for my little family (sweet husband and cats). So I thought I would put my creations out there for others to enjoy!
Who knows how I will do financially...and I don't really care! This little experiment helps to satisfy my creative juices...and if it doesn't work out I will have plenty of birthday presents for years to come! ;) Or my earring collection will suddenly quadruple overnight...
Monday, July 11, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Spring Wishlist
I've always been drawn to clothes with texture...whether that be a ruffle, coarse weave of cloth, or chunky ribbed sweater. There is something comforting and luxurious about texture...
And then there is color. As my hair color has changed over the years, so has my taste in clothing color. As my hair has become more coppery-red I tend to love deep aqua blues, chartreuse yellow greens, creamy peach tones, and warm toasted purples. The richer and more jewel toned the better.
As my feet have finally begun to rebel against me, I have had to search out comfortable shoes that still have a dose of uniqueness to them. Danskos are my current favorite, and my feet are so much happier because of them. And they are pretty cute to boot...
But this is a wishlist...a mix of practical and a couple not so affordable. But what the heck... :)
And then there is color. As my hair color has changed over the years, so has my taste in clothing color. As my hair has become more coppery-red I tend to love deep aqua blues, chartreuse yellow greens, creamy peach tones, and warm toasted purples. The richer and more jewel toned the better.
As my feet have finally begun to rebel against me, I have had to search out comfortable shoes that still have a dose of uniqueness to them. Danskos are my current favorite, and my feet are so much happier because of them. And they are pretty cute to boot...
But this is a wishlist...a mix of practical and a couple not so affordable. But what the heck... :)
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Favorite Natural Perfumes
All of these are made with essential oils and absolutes!
(Except for the Pacifica French Lilac which contains synthetics, but no phalates/parabens. I use this one rarely...but keep it around because it smells exactly like lilacs.)
Monday, April 25, 2011
My Makeup Bag
I've always been a girly-girl.
Always on the search for the perfect mascara.
Until recently I've always gladly packed my makeup bag with MAC, Nars, and Urban Decay.
I've been striving to 'purify' my life over the past couple of years- switching to organic eating, eliminating parabens/phalates/sulfates/toxins from personal products, tossing my favorite chemical laden perfumes for those made with essential oils and absolutes...
However, my makeup bag has remained untouched. Until recently.
First of all I was determined not switch to a 'healthier' product until I found something of equal quality and performance. Secondly, makeup is pretty pricey (especially the higher end stuff), and to replace my entire makeup bag would put me back some big bucks. And thirdly, girly-girls are snobs when it comes to makeup- we are happy to have MAC and Nars nestled in our makeup stash. It's hard to let go of tried and true favorites that have pretty packaging and outstanding quality. But eventually the chemicals packed in those favorite products began to weigh on my shoulders- especially knowing that our skin absorbs a great deal of what we put on it.
So, the healthier makeup bag makeover has begun!
I've been happily surprised with the quality and performance of most of my new makeup!
And while I'm happy with my Dr. Hauschka mascara...
I'm still on the search for the perfect mascara.
Always on the search for the perfect mascara.
Until recently I've always gladly packed my makeup bag with MAC, Nars, and Urban Decay.
I've been striving to 'purify' my life over the past couple of years- switching to organic eating, eliminating parabens/phalates/sulfates/toxins from personal products, tossing my favorite chemical laden perfumes for those made with essential oils and absolutes...
However, my makeup bag has remained untouched. Until recently.
First of all I was determined not switch to a 'healthier' product until I found something of equal quality and performance. Secondly, makeup is pretty pricey (especially the higher end stuff), and to replace my entire makeup bag would put me back some big bucks. And thirdly, girly-girls are snobs when it comes to makeup- we are happy to have MAC and Nars nestled in our makeup stash. It's hard to let go of tried and true favorites that have pretty packaging and outstanding quality. But eventually the chemicals packed in those favorite products began to weigh on my shoulders- especially knowing that our skin absorbs a great deal of what we put on it.
So, the healthier makeup bag makeover has begun!
I've been happily surprised with the quality and performance of most of my new makeup!
And while I'm happy with my Dr. Hauschka mascara...
I'm still on the search for the perfect mascara.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Red Haired & Lovely
I've always been enamored with red hair...
As a girl I always coveted the coppery carrot hue of Anne of Green Gables.
As a teenager I pined after the deep burgundy curls of Kate Winslet on Titanic, the tight strawberry coils of Nicole Kidman on Far and Away, and the teased bob of Molly Ringwald on Sixteen Candles.
As a woman I have found (and still find) myself drawn to vintage and modern red haired lovelies...
...Maureen O'Hara, Greer Garson, Rita Hayworth, Lucille Ball, Ann Margret, Drew Barrymore (brief 1990's phase), Amy Adams...and my current favorite, the voluptuous Christina Hendricks (Joan Holloway on Mad Men).
As a girl I always coveted the coppery carrot hue of Anne of Green Gables.
As a teenager I pined after the deep burgundy curls of Kate Winslet on Titanic, the tight strawberry coils of Nicole Kidman on Far and Away, and the teased bob of Molly Ringwald on Sixteen Candles.
As a woman I have found (and still find) myself drawn to vintage and modern red haired lovelies...
...Maureen O'Hara, Greer Garson, Rita Hayworth, Lucille Ball, Ann Margret, Drew Barrymore (brief 1990's phase), Amy Adams...and my current favorite, the voluptuous Christina Hendricks (Joan Holloway on Mad Men).
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Body Products
It's been a long road to finding body products that I enjoy using and that are good for me...
I haven't always been a 'natural' girl...
When I was in college I remember wasting money at Bath & Body Works, The Body Shop, and the Macy's perfume counter. If only I had known that with all those fruity/girly scents and products came a loaded whiff of chemicals!
After years of battling migraines and other health problems, I began to research chemicals in fragrance, body and home care products. As mentioned before the mountain of information was quite large, but one of the standout findings was that artificial fragrance was a big no-no!
The 'fragrance' that hides in so many products today is silently causing more harm than good. Take a look at an ordinary shampoo/conditoner, body lotion, deodorant, body wash...look at the ingredients...somewhere among the list of unpronounceable ingredients will be 'fragrance' or 'perfume.' That fragrance/perfume may smell delicious, but is the tiny tip of a chemically saturated iceberg. These chemicals gradually can build up in a persons system and cause problems...for me it was migraines.
After eliminating and reducing my exposure to artificial fragrance/perfume my migraines have reduced greatly. I rarely get headaches. Every so often I am tempted by a beautiful bottle of Chanel, but then I am reminded as I walk by the perfume counter and feel an instant migraine looming...it's not worth it. Plus, natural products can smell beautiful and make me feel pampered too!
It took me a couple years to sort through the limited amount of healthy/safe products, but in the end I've found a couple favorites. Not only do I feel better, but I also have saved much money over the years (that I gladly now spend on a Dr. Hauschka lipstick!)
I haven't always been a 'natural' girl...
When I was in college I remember wasting money at Bath & Body Works, The Body Shop, and the Macy's perfume counter. If only I had known that with all those fruity/girly scents and products came a loaded whiff of chemicals!
After years of battling migraines and other health problems, I began to research chemicals in fragrance, body and home care products. As mentioned before the mountain of information was quite large, but one of the standout findings was that artificial fragrance was a big no-no!
The 'fragrance' that hides in so many products today is silently causing more harm than good. Take a look at an ordinary shampoo/conditoner, body lotion, deodorant, body wash...look at the ingredients...somewhere among the list of unpronounceable ingredients will be 'fragrance' or 'perfume.' That fragrance/perfume may smell delicious, but is the tiny tip of a chemically saturated iceberg. These chemicals gradually can build up in a persons system and cause problems...for me it was migraines.
After eliminating and reducing my exposure to artificial fragrance/perfume my migraines have reduced greatly. I rarely get headaches. Every so often I am tempted by a beautiful bottle of Chanel, but then I am reminded as I walk by the perfume counter and feel an instant migraine looming...it's not worth it. Plus, natural products can smell beautiful and make me feel pampered too!
It took me a couple years to sort through the limited amount of healthy/safe products, but in the end I've found a couple favorites. Not only do I feel better, but I also have saved much money over the years (that I gladly now spend on a Dr. Hauschka lipstick!)
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