Hawaii Oh Myii

Blog Carnival for Feb 26th: Etsy Bloggers Street Team:

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A gorgeous paradise only one could imagine until you get there. It's a dream come true, a tropical getaway that everyone should visit at least once. In June 2008 my husband and I went to Oahu/Waikiki for our honeymooning. We made sure to visit the greats: Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, Hanama Bay, Waikiki beach, Dole Plantation, and of course the Marine Corps Base. It was definitely a blast as well as the greatest vacation I'd ever been on. Everything about the island was amazing...expensive, but amazing for sure. I'm glad we saved for this trip, it was well worth it!

With our rental car and laminated maps in hand we set out to explore the food, the fun and the sites this great place had to offer. Much to our surprise, the sand was a large rocky grain so it wasn't too comfortable to walk on. But once you were in the water snorkeling, it really didn't matter. The shopping was glorious, the gas was expensive and the food was phenomenal for the most part. We even enjoyed a delicious and educational afternoon at the Dole plantation indulging in pineapple flavored everything and learned about our favorite fruit!

I'd go back in a second! Especially to try out the SPAM, Eggs and Rice platter at McDonald's...Mmmmmmm!

Blog Carnival for January!!

For Etsy Bloggers Street Team January blog Carnival!

**What's your favorite Winter time activity?**

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I must start by mentioning that I'm not a fan of the cold weather, and I do love to stay inside on a chilly day! Living on the NC coast gets it's share of rain, snow, and cold weather for many more days of the year than Texas...I miss the warm January's there...but, I try to keep busy inside as I love the warmth of a snugly blanket and hot cocoa!

As of now it's cold here, but I'm definitely staying busy with jewelry orders and trends developments. I haven't made too much lately as I'm trying to get some of my stock sold before I indulge into more jewelry designs...a draw back of the January season no less...Christmas is over!

So I'm keeping busy with getting the house organized and fixed up nice to get ready to put it on the market. And there are lots of unorganized closets, shelves and storage that I have forgot about...and the garage definitely can use some cleaning love. It's a great time of year to re-vamp your organization, clean, and rearrange! I like the idea of cleanliness in the summertime and spring, but I'd much rather be outside than indoors cleaning when the weather is nice again!

The custom orders keep me busy so I'm glad about that, I don't have kids, just my Schatz dog and she sheds like it's already summer so I'm definitely keeping myself busy with all the vacuuming! Plus with all the cleanliness that's going on, I'll be ahead of the curve by the time allergy season hits!

Is it May yet?....

If I had my way I'd be taking advantage of the season and get to a place where I can snowboard!!!!! It's so fun! A trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains or West Virginia might need to be in order! That's the one part of the snow that I do enjoy!

Long Time No Lone Star...State!

Excited! We are heading back to the home front for the holidays! The eyes of Texas are upon us!

I will have all of my ready made jewelry there for you last minute shoppers, but custom orders will be on hold until I return on Jan 3rd. I will be able to do minor adjustments, but no much soldering. We have a craaaazy busy schedule to maintain while we see James' family and my family so we will be bouncing between Houston & San Antonio a lot, plus a day trip to Austin.

It will be crazy, but it will be great! I haven't been home since July...minus the Round Top trip to Dallas in September. And James hasn't been home since Christmas last year!!! Amazing! He's so excited to see everyone!

And Schatz will be in tow...

Round Top, Warrenton...and More-nton

A Texas trip fit for the antiquey-est of antiquers and the crafty-est of crafters! If you've never been to the bi-annual Antique Fair of Fairs...you must go! It's known as "Round Top" after the city it originated in, and has spread across the hill country of central Texas...in the middle of Austin-Dallas-Houston triangle. Vendors and dealers of all ages form all over the country (and globe) bring all their findings, art, junk, antiques, collectibles, and more to the Texas countryside for a 10 day long show of just about anything you can imagine! Literally!

Workin the Warrenton Fields

Creepy dolls heads...seriously you never know what you'll see

Deer Bottle Tree...$85, don't you need one of these?

Enjoying someones attempt to attract people into their booth...too bad we just used them for their "head cut-out" for a photo op!

I went with my Dad and Barbara, and luckily they have a house nearby in New Ulm, TX, so it was only a 20 minute ride to get our daily fix of milling through other people's stuff....and "dead" people's stuff too. We found some great deals, and some not so much...like way overpriced furniture, boots, jars, collectibles...but then there were DEFINITELY deals to be had. We learned who would cut you a deal based on their booth, their looks, and their age...it was kind of tricky, but we managed to get some great prices and met some interesting folks.

Dad's place in New Ulm, TX

Some Random Stuff...

Boot Quest!

We mainly were in Warrenton, TX which is about 3 miles or less form the main Round Top, then hit other small towns too like Marburger, Carmine, Fayetville and La Bahia, TX. Needless to say we shopped ourselves to death, and spent a good chunk of change. I found some pretty cool findings for home decor, beads for jewelry making, and and mannequin torso for jewelry display! Plus, after many days of questing for the perfect boots, I finally found the most excellent pair! Vintage 1960's custom hand made boots! And then later on, found another pair...for a deal I couldn't refuse...$20! It was the steal-deal of the century!...for snakeskin & leather boots!

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I recommend going to the Spring 2010 show. (it's usually around end of March - early April) For tons of info about the shows, dealers, maps, places to stay, food, and fun, go to http://www.antiqueweekend.com/indexmain.html to get all the deets! Don't miss out! I will definitely be going back again!

**A post of my found items will follow....it gets crowded when I put too many pics on one blog posting!**

New York, New York!

Had a great time in NYC with Danielle & Claire for Labor Day weekend! Beautiful weather, excellent food and marvelous times! I was hoping for some celebrities but no such luck, I did see tons of models though, that are WAY to thin! Yikes! But it's all in "the Glamour" of the NY lifestyle I suppose. Had plenty of burgers, "dirty dogs", street pretzels and pizza to last me a lifetime, but it was all so good. We even ate at a Texas BBQ place smack in the midst of Manhattan...brisket was de-lish!

I finally got to go to Top Shop which is a London based clothing store similar to H&M, but really edgy London style and amazingly HUGE jewelry, very different, very cool. I loved it! I got an awesome Teal leather satchel purse there (as a b-day gift from James, Thanks! ;-) And I fell in love with it! Danielle got one too in black, so now we are satchel twins! It's all in a days work...Oh, the Fab-u-losity!

Lady Liberty herself, makes me proud to be an American

The gals in Central Park

Smoochin' one on Hugh Jackman!

Beautiful ladies with the beautiful crowns!

New York Here I Come!

Headed to NYC tomorrow morning with one of my friends to visit a fellow Marine wife/fiancee (they aren't married quite yet) whom lives in Manhattan! We are looking forward to the trip and I'm hoping to see some cool inspirational jewelry as well as a few celebs! ;)

I know I have been running around a lot, but it helps the time fly counting down the days until James is home! (2.5 months!) Hopefully I'll hear form him soon, it's been over a week. Our agenda will bring us to many historic sites as well as some local New Yorker places that aren't so touristy. It helps having a friend who knows the ropes...

When I went in 2003 we were pressed for time and didn't get to see everything NY had to offer, especially since the Statue of Liberty was closed after 9/11. But now, I'm SO going to see Lady Liberty! I've always wanted to know what she hides under her robe!

Pettin' the Pigeons, NYC, 2003

Back & Thanks!

Finally back form Chicago! It was awesome! The city was beautiful, and Lake Michigan was spectacular! The weather was cooler than I'm used to for summer time...what with being from Texas and all...but it was fun! The Chicago style deep dish & hot dogs were to die for! I think I came back with 10 extra pounds though! Pictures below of a Wende in the Windy City...

Top of the Chicago Tribune looking over Chicago River

"SUPERDAWG" drive-in with exceptional Chicago style dogs! Since 1950's this place has been a staple among Chicago's best...and Mory & Flory on the roof to watch you eat!

Took a tour of Wrigley Field too...

It was also my Birthday Tuesday! Big 2-5! AAH! I'm getting old! But thanks for all the kind B-day shout outs! I was pleased to find a package with a 24 pc. dapping set & disc cutting set for more hand tooling techniques...thanks D&B!
Not to mention a Rio Grande gift credit on my account so I can buy more silver & supplies...thanks Ma! More jewelry soon, it's been a busy summer with travel, custom orders, and getting some beach time in before it's too late, but I am trying to stay focused on my work! I promise new things soon!
Going to NY next weekend for Labor day, more adventure news to come! Maybe get some good inspiration too...