absence

Sorry I've been gone for so long! I took a week off to be with my family. I will post a new blog tomorrow.

Etsy Picks of the Week

This weeks Etsy picks are not things I would want for myself, rather they are things I would highly consider getting for the people near and dear to me. I've been stalling on Christmas shopping because I'm so indecisive about gifts! I want things to be personal and thoughtful, but right now my budget is rather tight, so it's difficult to achieve those things. If I had plenty of money to spend, here is what I would get.


For my baby sister, Olivia.

from PerryFinalia

I love getting cute clothes for Livvy. She is like my own little porcelain doll to dress up however I want! And until she gets old enough to appreciate toys, I will continue to get her adorable little dresses.


For my sister Lauren.

from Juniper and Lamplight

Lauren is at the age now where she is exploring style, and trying to figure out how she wants to be perceived. She is kind of stuck between hippie chic and rebel rocker, and I think this is the perfect blend of both. She has this cute little layered bob going on that would work prefectly with this headband. So cute!


For my sister, Natalie.

from Beijo Flor

Natalie is my little explorer. She is the same age as Lauren, but is not at the point where she cares about style. She is still trying to figure out the world, and is obsessed with nature. She is quite the avid rock collector, and recently went to a rocks and minerals show for her girl scout troop, and really fell in love with all the different styles. I think this ring would be the perfect gift for her because its something she would love to look at every day, and its definitely a bold piece, just like her personality.

For my husband, Derek.

from AllUnique

I already know what I'm getting Derek, and unfortunately it's not this, although this would be a wonderful runner up. Derek is really into anything art deco, and he has a weak spot for amazing record players. This would definitely make him squeal with delight. Heck, I even want it, it's gorgeous!!!




Well, wish me luck on my adventures over the weekend! We are going to attempt to paint our kitchen and downstairs bathroom with the hopes of breathing some life into the boring rooms. I think I might also take a trip to city salvage to find an interesting frame for a chalkboard project. I'm very tired of my Ikea dry erase shelf. Although it is quite handy.

Jewelry!

I'm finally going to post about my jewelry, which was the whole reason I started this blog!

I've been making jewelry for about a year now, and I guess I would consider myself a novice still, but it's something I really enjoy doing. I've always been into art and creative things such as cross stitching, painting, graphic design, interior design, fashion, etc... but making jewelry has been one of the things that I have really stuck with. I'm one of those people that almost never finishes anything she starts, so it's a big deal for me to continue something for an entire year.

Most of my jewelry involves some bit of vintage incorporated into it, but lately I have been working with semi precious gemstones and working with different color combinations. I really love colorful jewelry with simple details. My jewelry is meant to be versatile, so you can wear it with jeans or a nice dress.

Here are some new pieces, and some pendants I am excited to be working with but have not put together into a piece yet.

ouchies!

Okay so I said I would post something about my jewelry today, but I'm feeling a bit under the weather, and definitely not in the picture taking mood, so I'm going to make a lazy post.

Today all I have been thinking about it sweets! I was trying to decide if I wanted to make a dessert in addition to my famous stuff mushrooms and smitten kitchen's baked chicken meatballs for thanksgiving. So far I have a huge list of delicious items.

Dulce de Leche Cheesecake Squares

photo via smitten kitchen

I'm a sucker for any kind of cheesecake, but there is something about the delicious sweetness of dulce de leche paired with the bite of bittersweet chocolate that makes me feel all cozy and happy. My mouth is watering thinking about it!

Hot Cocoa Marshmallow Cupcakes

photo via rugby1212 of allrecipes.com

It's the perfect time of year for anything hot cocoa flavored! I would probably even warm these up just before serving to make it really feel like hot cocoa.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes

photo via Christina of Allrecipes.com

I have a tendency to eat cookie dough before I bake it. I know its terrible and really really bad for you, but its so much more delicious before its cooked! But anyways these cupcakes look so amazing even though its already cooked. I would definitely bake some cookies just to put on top. I like to make my desserts ridiculously bad for you. That's how I roll.


Speaking of desserts, I'm really really in the mood for a cupcake shake from Burger King! I haven't had one yet, and I think its just the medicine I need to feel better. It looks so delicious!

photo via less apathy more cake

New Flooring!

I hate carpeting almost as much as I hate spiders and bugs. Its ugly, gets dirty quickly, and just generally feels gross. So I am thrilled to finally have wood flooring in our living room and dining room. I live in a townhouse, so any kind of improvement that sets us apart from our cookie cutter neighbors is a welcome change. This is the beginning of a long journey of home improvement. I have so many things I want to change in the house. It is so beige! Everything is currently very neutral and bland, and that is not my style at all. I love color!

Here is a picture of our new flooring. Its so much more lovely in person!

The color is called "Cinnamon Oak" and its from Mohawk. It matches the rest of the woodwork in the house perfectly, and it has a very warm amber glow to it.


Anyways, tomorrow I promise to actually post something about the shop. I think I'm just stalling because I'm a little disappointed at the lack of movement of product. I suppose I can't just reopen the shop without any kind of advertisement anywhere and assume I will start selling stuff. My product is not overpriced, I'm sure of that, because with the prices of my supplies and the time I spend making it, customers are getting a good deal! Oh well, enough with the whining. It's not about making money anyways, it's just something I enjoy doing for fun.

My favorite shops in Minnesota

I love shopping, but I would guess I'm more of a window shopper. I browse and drool and try to persuade my husband to buy me ridiculous things, and then I generally just end up leaving without anything. It's still fun to look though!
Here are some of my favorite places to wander aimlessly:

Hunt & Gather Antiques

image via hunt & gather

I love this place! It's such an experience to walk around in there. Carefully walking around suitcases and ducking below chandeliers was never this fun! There are so many crazy things, its like a hoarder looted the 50's and 60's. The owners are so very friendly and laid back, so you don't feel like they are following you around and making sure you don't steal.

Swank Interiors
photo via bo darville's flickr

The thing I really love about Swank is the basement. Its full of wacky coats, awesome chrome edged kitchen tables and chairs (at ridiculously cheap prices!), and all sorts of different things. I love retro items, and I think Swank really goes for quality rather than kitsch.

Patina
photo via lavendar magazine

Patina is one of those places you have to visit if you are in MN. There are multiple locations now, but the handpicked, boutique feel has not left this place. It's very much like urban outfitters/anthropologie, but only home furnishings and gifts. Wandering in there means giving up at least an hour of your time to scour every table and visually devour everything.

City Salvage
photo via the ephemeral mailbox museum's flickr

I love City Salvage, but at the same time the place terrifies me. If you've ever been on the second floor you know what I mean. In my mind I am risking my life by going upstairs, because you can see through the flooring! It feels like you are urban exploring! Anyways, City Salvage is one of those places where the expected motto should be "one man's trash is another man's treasure". There is a lot of crazy and interesting things, from rows and rows of doors to large marquee signs to stained glass windows and bathroom fixtures.

I think my favorite places are the ones with piles and piles of things you have to sort through to find what you want, like a big permanent garage sale with better ambience. I've always been like that, I feel like shopping is an adventure and you shouldn't take it for granted by running to the nearest rack and grabbing something a bunch of people have already grabbed.

Hello!

I'm going to make this first post short and sweet.
My name is Chelsea, and I'm 23.45 years old.

I live in Hastings, Minnesota with my husband, Derek, our dog Marlin, and our cat Joanna.

Jo and Mar

This blog will mostly be to post updates about my jewelry, but I will definitely post anything I find interesting in my day to day life.
Goodbye for now!