Happy Anniversary to Us.

Today is the day I married my best friend. I can't wait to see what else is coming on the wild ride that is our life together. I love you, Eric.

P.S) I've really enjoyed these guest posts on the Secret to a Happy Marriage over on Joanna's Blog.

My Desk: Before and After

Here is my desk before and after. What do you think? I used this statement making vintage wallpaper from Gingerscraps to cover some foam core so I can also use it as an inspiration board. Top shelf from left to right: The Lucite file folder was on sale at Target and I have plans to buy up a few more for stashing magazines. Papier mache Lady from Bluebell Bazaar with birdie corsage from La La Laurie. And the Paper Carousel and Daffodil pens are available in my shop. Have you been doing any nest feathering lately?

My New Fall Do!

Here's the new do! The stylist cut off about 6 inches and it feels so much lighter and simpler. It also feels really soft and healthy- hooray! Am rather tempted to go even shorter for a look like this, but need to grow the old bangs out first. I love her makeup here too!


Are you changing anything up for your Fall look?

Proud as a Peacock

I've got peacocks on the brain lately. They seem to reference a tropical fall- since there is no such thing as "autumn" in Hawaii. Here are some of my favorites on Etsy right now. Take a peek at the treasury I made right here and, as always, click on the links to go right to the items.

Mr. Porter's Pithy Posters

New Cole Porter inspired posters at The Fab Miss B! If you haven't visited for awhile, do come take a peek- there are lots of new goodies rolling in now that I'm getting settled into my new island home! (Give this tune a listen while you shop to set the mood!)

P.S) Just learned that one of these babies is featured in a Wedding Gift Guide! Hooray!

Swimming Elephants Love Diet Coke

This commercial has really stuck with me over the years, as has my enduring love affair with Diet Coke. I'm not sure when it was made, but it still seems chic and funny to me now. (I wonder if it was shot in Hawaii?!) Also, aren't elephants shockingly graceful in water?

P.S) If anyone knows the name of the song playing during this commercial, I'd love to know what it is!

What Will You BEE for Halloween?

If The Fab Miss B hadn't just cut off all her hair, this is definitely what she would bee for Halloween this year! Of course, I love the pipe cleaner bees most of all! Are you planning a costume for Halloween?

A Very Short Play List

"Lucky" Official Video With Colbie Caillat


Usually by now I'm ready to begin assembling my annual autobiographical cd, but this year there's only one song that's made the cut. Some of Jason Mraz's songs grate on me, but not this one. The lyrics actually makes me a bit weepy, because they describe the feeling of elation that comes with having the deepest kind of love. Not a day goes by that I don't meditate on how lucky we are. And the Island vibe means that it perfectly describes this moment in my life, just as a song on an autobiographical cd should. I couldn't resist including the lyrics for those of you who don't have patience for the video.

Do you hear me?
Talking to you
Across the water
Across the deep blue ocean
Under the open sky
Oh my, baby I'm trying

Boy I hear you in my dreams
I feel your whisper across the sea
I keep you with me in my heart
You make it easier when life gets harder

Lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again


They don't know how long it takes
Waiting for a love like this
Every time we say goodbye
I wish we had one more kiss
I'll wait for you, I promise you I will

Lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
Lucky we're in love in every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday

And so I'm sailing through the sea
To an island where we'll meet
You'll hear the music fill the air
I'll put a flower in your hair

Though the breezes through the trees
Move so pretty, you're all I see
As the world keeps spinning round
You hold me right here right now

Lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
Lucky we're in love in every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday

Midas Touch

Editor's note: Visit the treasury while it's live on Etsy here! See my past Etsy collections here, and click on the images to go right to the listings!

Her Midas touch turns every thing a bit more glamorous.

She always gets noticed in these zippy frames.

Golden orbs swinging from her earlobes look perfectly mod with her shaggy blonde pixie cut.

She always wears a little metallic shimmer around her eyes to make them glow and smolder.


The subtle shimmer of matte sequins, and the gentle hiss they make as she walks leave an impression wherever she goes.

She'll be attending a masked ball for Halloween this year, and these feathers are guaranteed to turn heads.

These gloves will add a bit more mystery to her look that night. Sex appeal is all in what you don't reveal.

A belt to cinch in her waist and add some shimmer.

A golden raptor claw keeps any outfit from looking too sweet.

Gold snakeskin heels make her feel like Debbie Harry.

As do these boots.


This bag is her go-go to for day or evening. What's everyone got against gold lamé anyway?

Shuffle Hop Skip

It began with an impulse purchase. These never or hardly worn tap shoes fit me perfectly. The $9.95 price tag (indelibly etched in the leather soles with black grease pencil) made them irresistible.


Then I began daydreaming about tap dancing outfits. Leotards sprang to mind. Since I now live on an island, buying said leotards online was the next logical step. Since I've got to pay shipping to get leotards to said island, I illogically bought three to justify shipping cost. (Grey, black and white from American Apparel via e-bay. Three for the cost of one direct from their website.)


Tights, always a weakness of mine, were on super sale at Target since 80 degree weather and 90 percent humidity means no one in Hawaii wears thick patterned tights for fall or ever. I bought six pairs.



Jimena discovered this wonderful clip which provided something to shoot for (in about thirty years!).


Next, a DVD to teach me a few basic steps. (Note her suspenders.)Bonnie Franklin begins our sessions by announcing "There is no such thing as an unhappy tap dancer." Sounds right up my alley.

Oops. My tap shoes appear to scuff the tile in our rented home. A trip to Home Depot is required for an inexpensive, temporary tap floor that will spare the rented floor and hide neatly under the living room rug. 12 squares of 69 cent tile and I've got a spiffy checkerboard on which to to tappity tap tap.


Now if I can just master the shuffle hop before losing interest in the whole business. I sure do like getting dolled up in my new dance outfits and clip clopping around the house!

Hair Highs and Woes

Am loving my new shower cap from Emily. It makes me feel like Little Miss Muffet and is simplifying my hair care routine in this hot humid new climate. I'd hoped to grow it really long for something like this, or this, but now foresee a serious haircut in my immediate future. Perhaps a look like hers? When was the last time you really changed up your hair style?

An Easy Way to Market on Facebook

One of my favorite ways to network and market my shops, blog and website is Facebook. I personally find it really fun to see what other people in my life are up to and I like sharing what's going on in my world too.

However, nobody likes a Facebook friend who is endlessly marketing themselves- it gets tiresome quickly. So instead of constantly linking to my listings or blog posts, I share links that I think are interesting. Perhaps it's an amazing pair of Louboutins that I could never afford but am drooling over. Perhaps it's a cool Cole Porter number on You Tube. Or even an amazing DIY project from one of my favorite bloggers.



This way, I stay on people's radar, but it doesn't turn in to drudgery for me or them. You can't reach people if they are bored or aggravated and block you from their newsreel. And my contacts are more likely to peek on the occasion when I do share a new listing or blog post of my own.


My secret weapon is the share button I've added to my toolbar. This way I can link to Facebook from anywhere on the web. Whether I'm reading through my blogroll, shopping for curtains online, browsing Etsy or tracking down a recipe I can share it in a few seconds by just clicking in my toolbar and adding a little note to make it personal. Give it a try and be sure to check back and let me know how you like it! And add me as a friend while you're at it. I'd love to know what you're up to as well!

Now it's Official!

These address announcements reminded me of our wedding invitations, and I couldn't resist the Hawaiian Statehood stamps either. It's so nice to be settling in again. My boxes of art supplies and Etsy inventory should be arriving soon and then the routine will be back as well. The blues are definitely on their way out.

Sellers Assisting Sellers Blog Post is Live!

My Etsy Photo Saga post is up on the Sellers Assisting Sellers Blog today. There are already a few helpful comments and suggestions, and a wealth of helpful posts for rookies and seasoned veterans alike. Go take a peek! The SASSY Team is a great resource.

Vespa!

We are loving our new Vespa, even without the right hand rear view mirror. This baby really hums!