What to wear :: a day at the beach

There's nothing quite like the sights, sounds and smells of the beach and boardwalk- the crashing waves, the cawing seagulls, the rides and arcade games, the yummy scent of caramel popcorn...It's paradise, I tell ya! And I'm heading there this weekend!

From sunbathing to splashing in the surf to grabbing dinner at your favorite pizza place (ahem-- Mack & Manco!), all you need is a cute retro-style swim suit, a breezy white skirt and simple, beachy accessories to go from a day at the beach to an evening on the boardwalk. And don't forget a lightweight sweater in case the evening breeze gets a little chilly.


Swimsuit from Delia*s | Sandy Beach handstamped sterling earrings by Tidepools Jewelry | Shae Cocoon Cardigan from South Moon Under
| QT Canvas Tote in Purple by Kinies | White Cotton Ruffle Skirt by Janny's Girl | Vintage Gold Nautical Sandals from Sweet Clothes of Mine

Good stuff :: 4th of July Picnic

The makings of a perfect 4th of July picnic? A vintage basket and handmade wine stave, spices, eco-friendly bags, and of course, a cute dress.

Have a safe, happy and handmade 4th of July!


1- Fresh Apples Eco Reusable Sandwich Bag by GoEco | 2- Wine Stave Basket by Wine Cask Creations | 3- The Grill Guru BBQ Blends by Purpose Design | 4- Urban Picnic Roll-up by Nstar Studio | 5- Vintage Picnic Basket Set from Gramma Mac
| 6- Bouquet Custom Made-to-Order Dress by La Madeleine

freshly picked :: JooJoo Land

One click into this shop and you'll feel like you've entered...well, JooJoo Land - a magical fantasy land filled with jewelry in soft pastel shades and nature-meets-Wonderland shapes, all photographed in a serene, and sometimes nearly surreal, photography style.

Top row, left to right: I Love Paris Earrings | Butterfly Garden Necklace
Bottom row, left to right: Water Lily Pond Locket | Golden Garden Earrings

color love :: red, white and blue

What better color combo for Memorial Day weekend than the patriot trio of red, white and blue?

Top row: 1- Berry Cheesecake Necklace by Catie's Blue | 2- Red with Flowers Clutch Purse by Tulip Couture
Middle row: 3- Mute Navigator Blouse by Amoel Barroco | 4- Red, White and Blue Bracelet by Bijoux Mimi
Bottom row: 5- Kilauea Lighthouse Fine Art Photograph by Livvielane Photography | 6- MacIntosh Dress in Red from Spool No. 72

good stuff :: aquamarine rings

D and I started engagement ring shopping this weekend and I found myself bored with the standard diamond rings. I want something different, preferably in a pale, watery blue-green (sort of like the color of the ocean just before it meets the shore). And of course, I want to buy it from a local jeweler or an Etsy seller, rather than a chain store.

After perusing around on Etsy this weekend, I became (even more) obsessed with aquamarine.* There were so many good finds, I thought they deserved their very own "Good Stuff" blog post. Not all of these fall under the engagement ring category (go ahead and guess which one I want as an e-ring -- hint, hint: it's in the bottom left corner), but they sure are pretty.

Top row, left to right: Aquamarine Cushion Cut 14K Rose Gold Ring by One Garnet Girl Designs | The Cloudburst Aquamarine Quartz Ring by Lush Boutique
Middle row, left to right: Beryl Aquamarine Cluster Ring by Shop Shrew | Faceted Aquamarine Cabachon Ring by Janish Jewels
Bottom row, left to right: Santa Maria Blue Aquamarine Ring by Master Gold Craft | Aqua Ice Recycled Sterling Silver Ring by Future Tribe

*I'm a little concerned with choosing a stone like aquamarine (or similar stones like blue topaz or blue zircon) as an engagement ring because they may not be durable enough for every day wear (and tear). Any jewelers want to chime in and help me out here?

freshly picked :: erica leilani upcycled vintage jewelry

I love upcycled anything, but I especially love upcycled jewelry. And designer, Erica Leilani makes some absolutely beautiful handmade jewelry using vintage flowers and crystals. There's so much loveliness in her shop, I can't decide which piece is my favorite.
Top row: Greta Earrings in powder blue | Greta Earrings in mint
Bottom row: Clara Earrings | Mae 3-Strand Bracelet

color love :: peach and hot pink

This color combination just shouts "spring" to me and I'm loving it. Maybe I love it because so many flowers grow in these colors or because it reminds me of eating delicious peach and strawberry sorbet on warm spring day, but whatever the reason, peach, hot pink and I are having a moment.

Sherbet Hairpin Set by Hot Pink Chick | 60s Hollywood Regency Vintage Lantern from Fabulous Mess
Betsy Johnson Iona Dress from Modcloth | Victorian Rose Necklace by Jewellori | That was just a Dream Photograph by Zuppa Artista
Daisy Hot Pink Chalcedony Earrings by Made by Sam | Cotton Washcloth Set by Madd Crocheter

what to wear :: sunday brunch

What are your plans for this weekend? Maybe a Sunday (or Easter) brunch? I always take brunch as an opportunity to wear a fun dress and stand-out shoes. And while we're having fun, why not just pile on a stack of handmade silver bracelets and hammered silver hoop earrings? And don't forget the colorful bag.


Art Academy Dress from Ruche
Glass Ceiling Blazer from Modcloth
Emerald Green Leather Frilly Bag by The Leather Store
Grayson Shoes in black from Nine West
Silver Hammered Hoop Earrings by 2 Trick Pony
Bracelets:
Left: The Bangle Sterling Silver Handforged Bracelet by Sea Babe Jewelry
Right, top to bottom: Faceted Sterling Silver Wrap Style Bracelet by Rowdy-Wear
Just Peachy Boro and Argentinium Silver Bracelet by Jewelwing Designs
Twin Curve Cuff by C.G. Whitfield

freshly picked :: 2RavenChicks

Well, I'm back from my California vacation (sad!) and I'm planning to post some pics on the blog later this week (yay!), but for now, here's a fresh freshly picked Etsy shop. Lorraine and Nicole, the team behind 2RavenChicks,* stock their shop with delightful, flowery jewelry. So befitting of the upcoming (it's almost here, really!) spring season. Stock up now!

Top, left to right: Bunny in the Garden Necklace | Fleur de Lis Necklace
Bottom, left to right: Toffee and Pearls Charm Bracelet | Garden Party Floral Bracelet

*I have the pleasure of "knowing" Lorraine and Nicole via our Etsy Street Team, The Etsy Beagles. Our team members share a love of- you guessed it- beagles. And we have a few honorary non-beagle owners who just love dogs- we beagle peeps are the friendly, inclusive type.

freshly picked :: sparkle couture

Everything in Sparkle Couture's shop is colorful and sophisticated with just a bit of earthiness. This is the kind of jewelry you wear on a sultry summer evening with a long, bohemian dress and flat, metallic sandals. Or in the dead of winter when you need a reminder that warmer days will be here again. Is it August yet?

all jewelry by sparkle couture

pretty little things :: sparkly friendship bracelets

Remember your days spent in the summer camp craft room, weaving friendship bracelets out of embroidery floss? Well, here's the grown-up version- still handmade, but this version is a little more sophisticated, a lot more sparkly, and perfect for stacking (I'm wearing an armful of them right now!).

Top to bottom, left to right:
Fine silver PMC bracelet by round house jewelry | "Enlightened" faceted sterling silver on Greek leather bracelet by The Water's Edge
Single wrap blue Czech bracelet by Anne Elizabeth Designs | Champagne leather wrap bracelet by i heart jenna
Rapa Nui leather wrap bracelet by sareca | Celtic by serenity dawn

inspired by :: alice in wonderland

Have you seen Alice in Wonderland yet? I haven't, but I'm hoping to this weekend. It was one of my favorite childhood stories and I even played the Red Queen back in junior high theatrical production(many, many moons ago). So, of course, I couldn't pass up the opportunity for an Alice-inspired post of Etsy finds.

1 - heart pocket watch necklace by Love Spell Jewels
2 - fairytale sweetheart ribbon and leather corset belt by Contrived to Charm
3 - vintage european teapot at menzo collection
4 - running bunny ring by Proteales
5 - rosette headband red and pink trio by Shop Byrdferth

freshly picked :: botanical bird

I'm loving the vintage style, nature inspired jewelry in Botanical Bird's Etsy shop. If you like your jewelry flowering with roses and ribbons and accented with birds and owls, don't miss this adorable shop.

{ good stuff } :: beagles

To know a beagle is to really, really love a beagle. Really, really. Beagles are goofy, adorable, stubborn, hilarious, loyal, ornery little bundles of love (and they also have bottomless pits in lieu of a stomach- don't leave your sandwich unattended, that innocent-looking beagle with the big, sad eyes will steal it).

Trust me, I know. That's Lucy, my own little bundle of beagle love, in the picture above.

And here are some handmade finds commemorating my favorite breed:

Top row (left to right): Beagle glass tile pendant by Gena Semanov Art, Bad Beagle letterpressed card set by Rigel Stuhmiller

Second row (left to right): Beagle print (8x10) by John W. Golden, Beagle Puppy needle felted necklace by Kay's K9s

Third row (left to right): Beagle print by Jenn Ski Art, Beagle on Glass necklace by Frums Glass Menagerie

Bottom row (left to right): Beagle necklace by Mooshy Gooshies, Regal Beagle Coffee Company Graphic Artwork by Gemini Studio Art

Happy Valentine's Day Weekend!

Wishing you a safe, happy and love-filled weekend.


1 - Double Hearts Earrings by Pineapple Sugar (that's my Etsy shop!)
2 - Pink Lampwork Heart and Sterling Bracelet by Wild Woman Jewelry
3 - I Love heart headband by House of Telsa
4 - True Love original encaustic painting by Susan Najarian
5 - "Pink is..." Vinyl lettering wall hanging by It's Written on the Wall
6 - Gentle fine art print by Twisted Summer

{ freshly picked } :: Jewels by L Designs

Speaking of artisan lampwork, the husband and wife team from Jewels by L Designs really showcases these stunning beads. Not only do they create their own lampwork beads, but they surround them with sparkling gemstones and intricate wirewrapping, creating pieces that truly take your breath away.


Find these and other gorgeous pieces at Jewels by L Designs on Etsy.

{ pretty little things } :: artisan lampwork

Have you ever looked really closely at an artisan lampwork bead? They're stunning. So detailed with brilliant flashes of color- some even change colors depending on the light. They really are little works of art you can wear. And they're one of my favorite pieces to use in my own jewelry designs. Here are a few of my favorite designs from some other jewelry artists:

1 - Circle Ring in Gray by Kristin Perkins Glass Jewelry
2 - Caramel Swirl Earrings by Andy Justy
3- Orbit Earrings by Pole Star
4 - Bird on Branch Earrings by Alisha White Designs
5 - Linear Circles Earrings by Sterling Crystal
6 - Alanna Necklace by Catie's Blue

{ good stuff } :: retro typewriters

I have a slight addiction to the sleekly designed iMac (and all things Apple, really). The clean, curvy lines, the shiny (super-thin) screens- it's computer design perfection (inside and out). But I'm also a sucker for the retro style of vintage typewriters- whether it's the real thing, photography, a cheeky illustration or, even a necklace, these pieces from a bygone era still have a decorative place in the modern world.


1 - Green Original Mixed Media Painting by Michele Maule
2 - Vintage Royal Quiet Deluxe Typewriter in Teal from One Tree Vintage
3- Dainty Vintage Typewriter Necklace by Jeweled Ambrosia
4- Vintage Style Typewriter Necklace by Lara Lewis
5 - Retro Royal Heritage Typewriter from Sarah Anntiques
6 - Love Letters original signed art photograph by Alicia Bock Photography

{ inspired } :: let it snow!

There's a snow storm coming in the Mid-Atlantic and it looks like it might break some records! Have you stocked up on your bread, milk and eggs? Me neither. Pizza, wine and LOST on DVD is more like it for me. But come ice or high snow drifts, winter wonderlands sure do inspire some pretty arts and crafts. A few of my Etsy picks, inspired by the coming storm:



1 - Vintage Snowbells Charm Bracelet by Mia Beads
2 - Snow Cat Cocoa Butter Soap by savor
3 - Morning Dove in Snow Print by Rocky Top Studio
4 - Snow White Double Stranded Posy Necklace by Cimbaline's Designs
5 - Winter White Ruffly Rose Scarf by Cherished Vintage
6 - Winter Flower Earrings by Amaia
7 - Old Man Winter Was Here by I brake for bokeh photography
8 - Kanzashi Hair Clip- Ice Crystal Flower by Petal Mix

{ Good stuff } Sun, surf and sand

Any LOST fans out there? This one's for you. In honor of the fantabulously awesome premiere of season 6 last night (seriously, people, how good was that?), here's some good stuff inspired by tropical islands (time-traveling and questionable inhabitants not required).



1 - Turquoise Blue Ocean Crashing photo print
by Eternal Images
2 - Sweet Destiny Necklace by Rachelle D
3 - Tropical Coasters by Thea P. Katon Photography
4 - Aloha Bracelet by Mary Grace Jewellery
5 - Ebb and Flow Earrings by Meghan T. Artistic Jewelry
6 - Jamaican Me Crazy Handcrafted Soap by Smokey Mountain Scents