Vintage via Etsy

I have been purchasing items from Etsy for a few years, but have never looked there for any clothing or purses.  After seeing some great finds on other blogs, I decided to look there the other day for a fun clutch.  I have too many purses already (according to the hubs) so I figured Etsy would be a cheaper & greener way to go about looking for a one.  Cyber shopping keeps a car off the road.  So I decided to look again and there are thousands to chose from.  I had a certain style I wanted and kept on going back to Honey Pie Vintage and was thrilled that they ship to the States.     Here is what it looks like. 

Now to try to find great dresses for summer.  Hmmm.... maybe I should learn how to sew.

Size matters

My oldest sister is morbidly obese.  She was not always heavy, it was a gradual progression that never left.  Turns out her thyroid is dead and meds are not working.  I have watched peoples reaction to her for years. We look nothing alike - she has dark brown hair/green eyes/olive complected,  I am blonde/blue eyes/fair until I have a tan, four inches taller and wear a size small.   I wish I could capture and post some of the looks we have received when we say we are sisters.   I could see people judging her by her weight.   Well, that is about to change as she had Lap-band surgery this morning.   I am so excited for her and her new life ahead. She has been talking about wearing a bikini.  It may not happen this year, but I am hoping it is a reality for her in 2012.  She looks great in jewel  tones,  I think this would do!

Prelude Swimwear

Photo courtesy of Elite Fashion Swimwear  

Happy Easter

Wishing you all a very blessed Easter and a wonderful day with those you love.

Earth Day 2011

Happy Earth Day to all.  I have been conscientious about the environment since I was little.   I started giving my Mother green tips even before it was talked about.   I am thrilled that so many companies care about their impact on the world and are doing the right thing  before being mandated by the government.    I am not going to get on a soapbox, just going to share a few green tips.  We all know to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.      

Bring your own bags when you shop.  As I previously posted, I love the offerings of Envirosax.  They are very sturdy and washable.

Save water.  Take shorter showers, wash your hair every other day, wear clothes more than once (if possible), take your car to a car wash – it uses less water and many reuse the same water.   You get the idea.

Keep your screens (tv, phone, computer) on a power strip and turn off when not in use.  I keep the fridge and microwave plugged in and that is it.  Everything gets plugged as needed.

Plant a garden or buy locally grown produce.   I must admit, one of my favorite meals during the warmer months is pesto made from my garden.  

Shop your closet.  I have been doing that this month and have found so many cute clothes that I forgot about or were buried.   You can also swap unwanted things with friends and family.    

I could go on and on, you get the picture.   Here is an example for you of how the hubs and I reused some things.  Stained glass doors from an antique store, counter top is wood taken from a house that was built in the 1800's before it was torn down, bottom doors off of old built-in the original kitchen.  The bottom serves as our recycle center for our 100+ year old home.  We bought the perfect bins from the Container Store. 

View into butler's pantry.

I hope you have a wonderful Earth Day and keep on doing whatever you can to protect the planet. 

Derby kickoff festival

This past weekend the hubs and I went to Kentucky to visit his brothers family.  Saturday was one of the girls birthdays and she wanted  to celebrate by going to Thunder over Louisville.   It is the kickoff  to the Kentucky Derby and is North America's largest firework display.   I LOVE fireworks so this was a go for me,  it was just not a go with Mother Nature.  It was a chilly day (50's) and it rained on and off.  The airshow had to be modified due to the cloud coverage and rain.  We did manage to see and hear some very cool jets.  We were tempted to leave before the fireworks even started, but I am so glad we stayed.  The rain ended and the 28 minute show was amazing.

fireworks on both sides of the bridge

Thunder's signature one-mile "waterfall"

Sunday the weather was perfect to go to Mammoth Cave National Park, but we had somewhere I needed to see first.  My BIL told us that Zappos is located in Kentucky and they have an outlet store, that was all I needed to hear and we were there a few minutes after the doors opened and it was already packed.  Turns out they were having an additional sale on any shoe originally priced  $250 or higher.  I could have stayed for hours, but in the time I was allotted I scored the following shoes. 

Kylie

A pair of Kate Spade NY normally $298 for $50

Air Carma

A pair of Cole Haan normally $275 for $50 

Bailey

And some fun wedges normally $85 for $36

From there we hopped in the car  and it was off to see the caves.  The hubs and I also visited two Bourbon distilleries on the Bourbon Trail and plan on drinking Mint Juleps while we watch this years derby.   Maybe next year we will be in the stands instead of on our couch.

Photos courtesy of Thunder over Louisville and Zappos.

Jalapeno Peanut Brittle

I ordered  jalapeno peanut brittle off Etsy a few months ago and loved it.   The heat from the peppers made the sweetness of the brittle taste amazing.  I recently bought some raw peanuts and knew exactly what I had to make.  I am giving most of it away to friends and family since the hubs is still eating low carb.  
Warning: my co-workers could not stop eating it.  

  

Wish List

I know that there is a group of believers out there that say if you write something down, it will come true.  I am going to follow that logic here on my blog.  I will start with a few today and add to the list.  Some of the items are frivolous and I readily admit to that.   Of course, like so many, I would love lower gas prices, no more wars and food & shelter for all.  

A pool with the perfect deck and landscaping.  My  house is 100+ years old and would look out of place with a trendy Mediterranean backyard.  I really would love a salt water pool and some type of covered structure or a cabana.  

Salt water pool by Pool Swimming

I have a thing for purses and my closet is showing it.   A classic Chanel bag like the one pictured below would be a lovely addition to the masses.

Chanel Large Shopping Bag

I just went on line to search and was shocked at how many sites selling fakes are out there.  If it is too good to be true, it is a fake!   I do admit that I get bored with bags quickly to the benefit of family and co-workers.  I think I am going to start selling the ones I no longer use on Ebay.   That can be my Chanel starter fund. 

 

A vacation in which I travel and get to learn more about food/cooking.  The hubs & I enjoy going to new places,  but I long to go back to Italy to cook.  He wants to do a biking/wine tour in Tuscany so I think this will happen since he is on board.

View in Venice from our vaporetto

 I am willing to do one even closer to home.  I adore Charleston and a food tour by Culinary Tours of Charleston  or one of the many other companies there would be fun.  

Charleston, SC

A butterfly garden that attracts butterflies!    I followed the Better Homes and Gardens plan to a T and the butterflies keep going back to a plant that has been in my yard since before we bought the house.  I know it will take a few years to fully mature.  I keep on adding to the basic plan and I pray that they will love their new garden.

From Better Homes and Garden

 That is the start to my list. I will keep you posted if any come true.

A day by the water

Set sail by blonde gi-gi featuring an old navy cardigan

Old navy cardigan
$25 - oldnavy.gap.com

Seven For All Mankind wide leg jeans
$155 - 7forallmankind.com

High heels
$295 - ssense.com

Kate spade handbag
$345 - saksfifthavenue.com

Kenneth Jay Lane magnetic bracelet
60 GBP - my-wardrobe.com

Sunglass
5,95 EUR - hm.com


The bracelet is a grown up version of the rope ones I wore as a kid at the beach.    I am hoping to find the perfect straw bag this summer.   Years ago I had the perfect one by Kenneth Cole and gave it away.  My search continues....

Three for me

Some things stay the same, regardless of the season.  Here are three must haves that I always have with me. 

• Sunglasses - I am never without a pair.  I am super sensitive to the sun and keep multiple pairs handy.   I am currently adoring by my Ray Bans .   They never hurt behind my ears like some of my pricier ones.  

Aviators

•  I carry at least one Envirosax in my purse (I have over a dozen) at all times.    I even change them with the seasons.   This one is for spring and summer.  They hold up to 44lbs, great for groceries or clothes/shoe shopping.   

Origami Bag 1

• Lip balm with sunscreen.  I must admit that I am addicted to lip balm.   I keep it next to the bed, in a kitchen drawer, family room, desk, etc... you get the point.      I drive convertibles, so I make sure that it has SPF 15 or higher.  

Rite Aid

I am off to put on some lip balm and my shades.  It's time to drop the top!   Have a great day.

Photos thanks to: Ray Ban, Envirosax & Rite Aid.