Tuesday, March 3, 2015

New Music

Because I like to mix up the music I listen to, I downloaded this song free on iTunes.
Enjoying it now as I type this.  


For The Artsy Side

*because I'm kinda artsy fartsy*

You may have noted by this time that I make my own blog headers
and you don't have to like them.... only I need to do that.
For those of you who wish to attempt a design that is something more than just a photo, you could give some of these websites a 'look see' for characters or simply fun items to download for your header experimenting.

My photography has waned over the past year and I don't want to 'have to' take a photo that is exceptional each time I do a blog post or load a new header.  This should all be about fun and anything more than that, well..... it simply is not fun and becomes a grind for me.

That said, here are some websites that offer a bit of creativity to add some fun to a blog.

Be prepared to pay for some of the items, and in some cases.... all of the items offered.

This website offers mostly female characters although she also offers a few men characters.  
She also has a clearance page, and if you sign up for her newsletter she sends you notices of free items.

Has to be one of my all time favorite design sites to visit, as it lists offerings by MANY designers!
You will need to pay for what you download, but freebies are offered, and there is also a newsletter to sign up for so that you are aware of any new items offered.

More sites to visit that are totally worth the snooping time.




These are simply a few of my favorite design websites that I haunt and I hope those of you who design will take the time to visit these ladies and view their work.

*always be sure to visit their 'terms of use' information before downloading*

XOX



Monday, March 2, 2015

Spring Into Springtime

So call me silly, but I am not sure I have been to Nordstrom Rack website before, and I found this incredibly cute vest that would be perfect for springtime wear.  Our spring weather starts out with a few days like today, temps in the mid 40's but a chilly northerly wind.  That wind drives the brrrr through my bones and I need a little extra help keeping the chill off my svelt *cough cough* back.
It's not an overly expensive item either... a lightweight vest and it such fun colors.
Check out their website for other colors offered.
 

*image by Nordstrom Rack*

And then there is THIS... the below jacket which I purchased in black.
The jacket itself feels lightweight instead of bulky, but it's cozy and warm and once again... it keeps the wind off your back.
It's a lightweight winter jacket that will take you right into springtime until the days warm up and stay that way.
It's made by Columbia and sold by Gander Mountain.
I recommend this jacket.  And, isn't the grey one pretty too!!

 
*image by Gander Mountain*

Have a great day and hope you are looking forward to jumping into spring as much as I am.

XOX

 


Bag Options

In love with handbags?
Me too!
In fact I would carry a different one every week or month if not for the $$.
There are a few I carry often, and I'll show you, but I also want to share websites of other bags that have caught my eye, and I hope too that you will find on one of these websites a handbag, purse, tote, that you love as well.

First up is the newest bag in my closet, it's by Brahmin and was a Christmas gift from my husband.
It's great!  A very structured bag and doesn't hold as much as my HUGE bags, which gives my shoulder a break.
It has a short handle as well as a long one for carrying over the shoulder.
LOVE this bag by Brahmin




Next is a very large bag which I purchased at a local store... Penelope.  It's soft, but most likely NOT real leather, but this bag is the one I use for hauling around my Lilla Rose flexi clips that I sell.
I can organize the clips by size in smaller bags which I then place in this large red bag.  
There is also plenty of room for the brochures, a hand mirror for showing clients the clip in the back of their hair, receipts for sales, etc.
Every sales gal needs a large bag if she has product she needs to take along.
I don't recall the brand name on this bag, but it's well made.

 We recently flew to Arizona and I needed a bag that was large, but that would fit beneath the seat in front of me as my purse/carry-on.  I mean, who wants to pay $25 per bag?  Sooo, why not go for the gusto with a large handbag that will hold your camera, your iPad, a bit of make-up and even a change of undies, hair brush, etc.
This bag is a Lauren by Ralph Lauren -similar here, and was on sale at the time of purchase.  
It really pays off to watch for the sales on items you just MUST have.
This bag is a khaki canvas and it has an inside zippered pocket for keys or lipstick and a couple of snapped outside pockets for those of you who carry a cell phone.
This is my 'go to' travel bag that I will probably have forever.



Here is my brown leather, cross body fossil bag.
This one I don't use often since it's small, but it's very useful if I am going to be walking at an art fest.
This is a 'bare necessities' type bag or one for ladies who don't require taking the entire kitchen sink with them when they leave the house.
I've had it a few years and it's still in new condition.
The outside pockets are for a cell phone or small pocket camera.
Very useful purse.




 The next bag is also by Fossil, and I have to be honest about this bag, Ladies.
It's a DEEP, DARK, HOLE in there and hard to find anything inside, so it stays in my closet like 99% of the time.
A very well made bag of soft, yummy brown leather, but to be honest.... I probably should have thought twice before making this particular purchase.  No offense, Fossil, but this one simply does not fit my needs much.


Now, here is a bag I REALLY want, another huge tote, but that seems to be my theme lately when it comes to handbag fashion.  

It's made by Nena and Co. HERE, and you can can catch a better look at how it looks when carried HERE, on Lisa Leonard's blog

The bag is totally on my 'must have' list this spring because this girl is ready for some COLOR after a cold, hard and VERY snowy winter.  The bag screams fun and sunshine and getting out of the house.



These are neat because you design your own by selecting the fabric pattern you want.  
I guess I like a somewhat structured purse, and although this bag is cloth, it holds it's shape.
Fun Fun springtime designs on the fabric choices too!

Handbags....
they offer so many choices and most likely is one to suit each and every gal's design needs, colors and function.
Go find your favorite today.

XOX






Monday, February 23, 2015

February Snowstorm. We Survived!!!

After the storm came the clearing of the storm by a kind neighbor.
I did my best to shovel the walkway, and Rowdy created trails in the snow so he and Izzy could get out and do their business.
I thought I would get out a couple of days later and snap photos of how our property looked with all of the snow.

 Sunday Feb. 22nd Photos
50 degrees and snow was starting to melt.





























































Monday Feb. 23rd.
34 degrees with a crisp/COLD wind blowing
A lot of melting took place yesterday, so there had been more snow than seen in these next photos.




















 The grill had at least a foot of snow on top, but the 50 degree temps of Sunday melted it away.