BEST Treasury - Grey & Pink

part of two more great treasuries featuring a lot of BEST members!!

 

Happy Birthday to my Brotherrrrrrrr!

my "little" brother is turning 27...sheesh, how did that happen??

I am pretty lucky to have a brother like him...growing up we never really fought...he's always been one of my biggest supporters...oh, and we like to take silly pictures too...

Item of the Week! 1.24.11

this week's special item is...the Let it Snow necklace!  this stunning snowflake is Swarovski crystal, and is perfect for this time of year when we're all wishing for a snow day...

any order placed that contains this necklace until Sunday, January 30th will receive free shipping*!

*shipping cost will be refunded after the purchase :)

Favorite Etsy Shop - Kimmchi

while you all know that my wholesale experience at the BMAC show in August was quite overwhelming (and in the end, very positive because I was forced to take a good hard look at my business, and made a decision of where I wanted it to grow...) one of my favorite things about that show, was some of the great friends we made while we sat in the dimly lit convention center for three, very long days...

one of those new friends is the talented mind behind the Etsy shop, Kimmchi

a member of the New York Etsy team, and based out of Brooklyn, Kimm is a busy bee putting out new designs often!  the silk screened images can be found on shirts, scarves and bags, and while some designs are abstract, others have cool images like flowers, city scapes, or even an angry tv!

shes as nice a person as her designs are fabulous!  go ahead, and shop over at Kimmchi! 

Baltimore in Black and White - Treasury

very excited to be a part of this awesome treasury of BEST shops Black and White designs!

 

Happy Birthday Panda!!

welcome to the 29 club...

Saturday's Photo

This is an oldie...but this Saturday I'll be spending with some of my best and oldest friends back home in NJ...

this photo is from about 6 years ago at Christmas...makes me miss the times where we could all just call each other up and meet for coffee or some other fun adventure...growing up is a bummer sometimes :p

can't wait for our girls weekend!!

Friday Finds - winter wonderland

so far this winter we've had a few small dustings of snow in Maryland- the one big snowstorm in New Jersey the day after Christmas has held me over for a while - but I need snow!  I love to watch it fall from the sky, and coat the sidewalks, making everything beautiful - until we start driving on it...

so this Friday Finds is inspired by my dreams of a winter wonderland...enjoy!

a cute print by The Dreamy Giraffe

a cozy scarf/shawl by Sweet Knitting

and the beautiful Icicles necklace by Hampton Jewels

because you can never have too much glitter...

ahh shoes, one of my many weaknesses...but I've been pretty good in the recent months to curtail my urge to buy multiple pairs of shoes...although I really could use a good pair of rain boots...but I digress...

so this Thursday's shoe story isn't about shoes I own...but rather shoes I feel like I should...

hello...they have glitter on them...like everything else in my life (not all on purpose)...super cute new shoes at Payless...can I resist??

*I'm a size 9, should anyone feel compelled to get them for me...

an artists statement

I have to admit, those words have always terrified me...to actually admit to the world that I consider myself an artist #1, and #2, what message I want to send about my work...I know they are supposed to be short and sweet, but the pressure was still on...

I recently started doing my applications for the upcoming year of shows, and I wanted to do something different ala pink scented resume in Legally Blonde...so I came up with this idea, to showcase my artists statement for the application for Ballston Market...

and Jessica, the lovely coordinator of said event, was kind enough to use it as an example on their blog!  thanks for the shout out!!

recipe box favorites: pumpkin cupcakes

I know pumpkin is usually a flavor reserved for fall...but I could eat pumpkin pie, cookies, cakes of any variety all year long...

now this is a recipe I haven't tried yet...but might consider whipping up for a snack for our girls weekend coming up...

Ingredients

• 1 18.5-ounce box yellow cake mix (plus the ingredients called for in the package directions)
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree
• 2 8-ounce bars cream cheese, at room temperature
• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 24 pieces candy corn

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350° F. Line two 12-cup muffin tins with paper liners. Prepare the cake mix as directed but with the following change: Add the pumpkin pie spice and substitute the can of pumpkin puree for the water called for in the package directions.
2. Divide the batter among the prepared muffin tins and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 18 to 22 minutes. Let cool.
3. Meanwhile, using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and sugar until creamy. Spread on the cupcakes and top each with a piece of candy corn.

Makes 24 cupcakes



how cute are they with the little candy corn on them!? 

recipe from Real Simple

show recap...BUST Craftacular

so it was over a month ago that Jen and I made our way up to NYC for BUST's holiday Craftacular sale, which was by far the biggest show I've been involved in to this date...it was so exciting and it was a bustling show, filled with wonderful shoppers and vendors...

and even more exciting, there was a photo taken of me and my booth, that ended up on the website for Metromix (guide to NYC restaurants, nightlife and events!)

Thanks Jessica for forwarding to me!  If only it was taken from a slightly better angle...oh well, motivation to hit the gym!

Penguin Awareness Day

did you know, or I guess more appropriately, were you aware that today, January 19th is Penguin Awareness Day?

I was not aware until I was searching the other day for fun activities for January to do with my after school class, but penguins happen to be my favorite animals (tied with fluffy black cats, of course)...

I also hope to start posting soon, the 365 sketch project I started back on January 1st...365 days of penguins!  if my true love for them wasn't apparent...it should be now!  if you can spend every day of the year drawing something, you must have a soft spot for it ;) 

so for your Penguin Awareness Day enjoyment...these adorable cake toppers by Kikuike on Etsy :)

movie review - Despicable Me

I am such a sucker for cartoon movies...especially ones with cute little yellow minions, who speak a squeaky gibberish language, and wear goggles...

 

but this movie is definitely adorable...the orphans who warm the villain's heart, the dim-witted amateur villain in training...ballet and cookies...what's not to love!?  this is a movie not just for kids, but adults alike...I might go watch it again right now actually...

my first snow day!

well as a teacher, that is...but I have to say, waking up to see just a dusting of snow, covered by a layer of ice was definitely a treat this morning!  now I can get so much more done today...which includes writing some lesson plans, editing photos and hopefully some laundry...

and finishing my application for the Baltimore City Teaching Residency...I am finally doing something to make my teaching dream a reality...it might be a tough process, but I have so much that I want to do, and getting a job is just the first step in accomplishing those goals...

but also, I'm catching up on all the blogs I follow, getting inspired by the creativity and motivation of others!  it's funny how your list of blogs to read can expand so greatly just by what you read...I've got a window full of tabs to get to...

so thank you snow...thanks for the extra "me" time

Item of the Week!

Happy Monday everyone!!

this week's special item is.......the aqua chalcedony drop necklace!!  this bright aqua stone will have you dreaming of warmer days in no time!  so it might be cold and snowy out, but it's summery in your heart!  the color of this chalcedony is just like the water of a Caribbean ocean...put it on and it will warm you right up!

any order placed that contains this necklace until Sunday, January 23rd will receive free shipping*!

*shipping cost will be refunded after the purchase :)

Favorite Etsy Shop - knap

even though I make jewelry, which I typically end up wearing myself as well...I am always tempted by new designs I find on Etsy!  one of my new favorites, Knap is a shop based out of Japan...the pieces in this shop are made of sterling silver and different colored glass, and it is stunning!! 

these beautiful designs are also very reasonably priced, which made me impulse buy them, moments after discovering this shop!  I am now the proud owner of these dark glass drop earrings...and bonus- they shipped and arrived so quickly!!!  go shop Knap!!  you won't be disappointed!

Saturday's Photo

snowy view of the Harbor, after my birthday dinner

quite a nice interview :)

I almost forgot to mention this!  I was so thrilled to be featured by a fabulous local blogger, Paulette on her blog, Ms Charm's Chic- and on my birthday no less! 

you can find a link to our interview here...and while you're at it, take the time to read about other great local artists and designers!!

thanks again Paulette!!!

Friday Finds - Ravens Purple!

okay, I know I already had a Friday Finds for today...but everyone in the city has gone crazy with purple fever for the big game tomorrow (Ravens vs Steelers) and even though my team is out of the running, it's kind of fun to see everyone around you get so excited for the game...so with that being said...here's another set of fun and fabulous friday finds on etsy...you're welcome :)

letting go pendant by BEST's own Block Party Press

super cute and fluffy My Big Monster hoodie by Cute but not Cutesy

and last but not least...a fabulous sparkly "Raven's Purple" ring by yours truly, JerseyGirlDesign :)