lillyella

In the Kitchen: Stuffed Poblanos

2011-08-30T10:00:00.001-04:00

Yeah, they're kinda messy, but that means they're good, right? I've made these three times now (so am finally confident that the recipe is ready to be shared), but have never had a chance to take good photos of them. They just get eaten too fast! Seriously. They are best right out of the oven, bubbly and hot. No time to find good light, pose my pepper and shoot. So, this is what you get. Take it or leave it.

I suggest you take it.

Ingredients

6-8 poblano peppers, depending on size

3 large or 4 medium tomatoes

1/2 medium white onion

2 large garlic cloves

2 tsp dried oregano

2 1/2 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

15 oz corn, fresh (cooked) frozen or canned (drained)

4 boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins or equivalent

1 cup cooked brown rice

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Juice of 1/2 lime

To prepare the filling, in a food processor puree the tomatoes, onion, garlic, oregano, cumin, cinnamon and salt. Bring to a simmer in a large, deep skillet and cook for about 15 minutes over medium heat until some of the liquid evaporates and the mixture is thick and pulpy.

In the meantime, cook and shred the chicken, cook the rice and prepare the corn. If using fresh, boil the cob and cut off the kernels. If using canned, drain well. If using frozen, no need to thaw.

Once the mixture has thickened, add the corn, rice and chicken and cook until heated through. Remove from heat and stir in the cilantro, lime juice and 1 cup of the shredded cheddar.

To prepare the peppers, place them on a foil lined baking sheet and broil them on high, turning every few minutes, until they begin to blacken and the skins begin to bubble all over. Remove them from the oven and wrap them in the foil. Let them sit for a few minutes and then unwrap and let them cool.

Now you can easily peel off the skins. Be sure to handle the peppers carefully though, as they will be soft and can tear apart easily. Cut a slit up the middle of one side and cut out the seed core, scooping out any excess seeds, leaving the stem in place. I often rinse my peppers under light running water, I find it's the easiest way to get all the seeds out!

Now you're ready to stuff the peppers. Be generous! Don't worry if it's mounding up and over a little bit. Top with the remaining shredded cheese and bake at 350° for about 8 - 10 minutes. Broil for 2 -3 minutes to brown the cheese, serve with a side of black beans and enjoy!

This dish makes quite a hearty helping. Since it's just my husband and I, I usually make the filling and then prepare, stuff and bake half the peppers, using half the filling. Then we'll have it again later in the week or early the next. I reheat the filling a bit, prepare the peppers and pop them in the oven!

If you'd like to see step-by-step photos of this recipe, just leave me a comment below and I'll be sure to take some next time I make it. You can see some pics of broiling and skinning peppers in my previous Cinco de Mayo recipe post from last year here. Only difference is you're keeping the peppers whole, rather than cutting them into strips before broiling.

I'd love to hear what you think of this one, it's a new favorite in our house!

p.s. I'm just too busy this week to get a recipe card done up for this right now, but I should have it up by early next!

Bella-Bijou Giveaway Winner!

2011-08-29T12:00:00.000-04:00

A big thanks to Jaime for being in the Spotlight this month and to all who stopped by to check out her interview!

Before I announce the giveaway winner, Jaime is offering 15% off all orders on her website, www.bella-bijou.com, when you enter coupon code lilly15! Valid through September 4.

Now onto the giveaway winner…

Congratulations to AMBER! She loves the Carry the Sky Druzy Necklace shown below (me, too!) and never leaves the house without her phone. I think we can all relate to that!

And for all of you who said chapstick, I'm right there with you! I'm hopelessly addicted to the stuff. Dr. Pepper Lip Smackers is my preference. It started in 1997 and I've been hooked ever since…

Thanks again for stopping by!

Couture du Jour

2011-08-29T08:00:00.000-04:00

Inca Trail Dress Shabby Apple $66

Bent Wood Bracelet woodandwire $30

Zig Zag Tote Bag ModernVintageMarket $35

Belt Loop Cowboy Boots Anthropologie $358

So… can you tell I'm ready for fall?

just in case…

2011-08-26T15:52:00.001-04:00

Hey all! I know, I've been MIA again. I'm alive! Just busy. Lots and lots to share, hopefully soon, but in the meantime, I'm hunkering down for my first hurricane. Woo hoo! Not expecting much as we're a couple hours inland, but better safe than sorry.

I'm planning on announcing the winner of the Bella-Bijou giveaway Monday morning, but just in case you don't see me for a few days, it probably means I don't have power! If that's the case, I'll be back as soon as possible.

Stay safe all!

~nicole

people cry

2011-08-12T13:03:00.003-04:00

I had to interrupt my Friday of frantic cleaning to post this image. I stumbled upon it on Pinterest while enjoying a lunch break of Salt & Vinegar Pop Chips and a mini can of root beer (awesome, right?).

It really struck a chord with me, reflecting on everything I've been through recently. So much so that it brought tears to my eyes. I didn't take time to google it or find the origin of the saying. It's probably one of those things that's been around forever, but as I've said before, I'm usually a little late to the party.

Regardless, if this is the first time I'm seeing it, chances are it will be for some of you as well, and it was too perfect not to share.

Have a fabulous weekend all, I'll be back around more soon, promise.

xo ~ nicole

Spotlight: Bella-Bijou Jewellery

2011-08-09T12:00:00.002-04:00

Since I am a jewelry artist myself, I especially admire other jewelry artists who possess skills I strive for and a style I personally love. It would be hard for anyone to fit those categories more than Jaime of Bella-Bijou Jewellery.

Read on to learn about how she got started, where her shop name came from and just how she feels about spiders. You can also enter to win one of her gorgeous necklaces!

Tell us a bit about you and what you create
Well, my name is Jaime – and everyone always spells it wrong. Random Fact.

I grew up wanting to be an artist, and dabbled in every crafty DIY project I could get my hands on. I stumbled into jewellery completely by fluke one day though - went for a walk in a neighborhood I had just moved to, and found a little gem shop just down the road. From there on I was hooked, and my love went from simple beaded creations to full blown metalwork, by the power of self teaching. These days I like to use my smithing skills to make large artsy pieces that tell a story. Often they are inspired by childhood memories, the beautiful great outdoors, or poems I write.

Where are you from originally and where do you currently call home?
I am from North Vancouver, BC, Canada and still call it my home! I love this gorgeous, clean city. I live right at the base of a mountain, with the ocean 10 minutes down the road, and the city 20 minutes down the road.

How long have you been selling on Etsy?

I am an oldtimer! I started my first etsy shop back in Oct 2005, just months after Etsy was born.

Do you sell on Etsy full time or do you have a day job?
When I started on etsy I worked full time, and it was a way to make a little spending cash. Over the years my hours have gradually decreased at the "day job" and Etsy has kind of taken over. I dream of the day when I can call it my one and only full time job!

What, if any, formal training have you had in the arts?
How about none? I guess that isn't entirely true - I did take a workshop on soldering years ago when I was transitioning into metalsmithing. I can honestly say though, other than that I am completely self taught, and pretty darn proud of it!

What made you decide to open up shop on Etsy?
At the time I needed something in my life that was all mine. My little corner of the world where I could make things and find homes for them. I had just been selling my stuff to coworkers, friends and family ( thanks Mom!) and I was just at the right point in my life to take a leap of faith in myself, hoping others would think the stuff I made was pretty too.

How did you come up with your shop name?
To be honest, one day it just rolled off my tongue! Bella means beautiful, and Bijou is French for "tiny jewel or delicate thing" - It just kind of worked!

Tell us about your decision to split your work into two separate shops
For years I kept all my designs in one shop, regardless of their design concept, inspiration or style, but as my taste for one of a kind work really grew, I knew that my tried and true made to order pieces needed to be together in their own environment. I wanted two distinct styles, and for each shop to have it's own cohesiveness.

Do you find it challenging or beneficial to have two shops?
I pondered and mulled over the idea for months before going for it, wondering if it would be a ton more work, but honestly, it isn't. I enjoy having a clear cohesive feeling in each shop, and would suggest it to anyone who feels that they just can't be pigeon holed into one clear style.

What inspires you?
My surroundings most definitely, I live in a truly beautiful corner of the world full of lush evergreens, mountains and oceans - that is where the nature infusion comes into play. I am also inspired by vintage aesthetic, I love the look of jewellery that tells a story; a piece that looks like it was someone's grandmothers.

What do you like least about your craft?
Probably the whole "she copied me, he copied her, they copied us, somebody copied somebody" schtick. I focus on my work, and making each and every piece special, and try not to pay attention to the other side of things.

Do you have any advice for other sellers or those thinking about pursuing their craft?
I was say the biggest thing is to be persistent! It is HARD work running your own business, the hours never end, and the pay sometimes stinks, but the love for your craft should outweigh all of that. That is the most important thing - love what you do and treat it that way. Have faith in yourself, and what you are capable of.

Five Etsy shops you love
Just 5!?
cgwhitfield is one heck of a nice guy, and makes the most amazing timeless silver jewellery, I own one of his bracelets and it gorgeous.

UmberDoveStudios - Kelly's talent blows me away, I have a small collection of her painted sea stones on my mantel that put a smile on my face each time I see them.
CrashingBison - Vita is a true friend, and her beaded designs are fresh and full of great colour pairings, I am wearing a pair as I type this!
haveitconfections for their AMAZING Fleur de Sel Caramels (seriously, they don't last long around here)
novaofsweden - Tess is a friend of mine who makes gorgeous and fabulous jewellery as well. Her designs are whimsical and flirty and inspired by her home in Sweden.

Five things you love
Tucker, my family's Shorkie. He makes me smile on the dullest of days.
My supportive family who always remind me to keep my chin up and do what I do best.
The smell of the first rain after a long hot summer.
My mom's blackberry pie
The ocean - the smell of it, swimming it it, the sound of it. I don't know if I could ever move away from it.

Five things you don't
Peanut butter - I actually HATE this, with a passion only to be followed by:
Mayonnaise
SPIDERS *shudders*
Bullies
Closed minded people

What is your favorite leisure time activity?
What is leisure time? ;-p

Share some of your guilty pleasures
Watching Days of Our Lives religiously ( I have literally been watching this since the days of mom and I at home when I was a kid)
Jelly Donuts
Makeup/Hair products

Favorite junk food
I kind of like it all {too bad my waist doesn't!} but good ole chips with dill pickle dip is a favorite. I am a bit of a carb freak.

Share some of your favorite music
Classic rock - Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, CSNY, The Beatles, Queen, Neil Young, Heart, Simon and Garfunkle, etc

If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
I'd love to say something like "the power to create world peace" but I think I'd love to be able to fly. To soar through the air with the wind on my face would be a pretty amazing feeling.

What would you like to learn?
I'd love to learn to work with leather, but I fear my honey might never forgive me if I take up any more space in our home with work!

What does the future hold for you and your shop?
I hope the future holds a great many things for me and my shop. I hope it can enable me to quit my "day job" and live the way I knew from the time I was a kid I wanted to : by being my own boss. I hope I can continue to develop a customer base all over the world, and make the people who wear my work feel special, knowing it carries my story behind it, which now becomes part of their story :-)

You can keep up with Jaime and her work by visiting her sparkly new website, bella-bijou.com! You also stop by her blog or follow her on twitter and facebook.

GIVEAWAY!
One lucky winner will receive Jaime's new Pebble Necklace shown above in their choice of Swiss Blue Topaz, Amethyst or Peridot.

HERE'S HOW TO ENTER:
Please leave a comment on this post with your favorite piece from either Bella Bijou's One of a Kind Collection or Catalog collection and also answer the following question: What don't you like to leave the house without?

You may enter once per day and YOU MUST INCLUDE your first name -AND- etsy username or email address with every entry. (If you are worried about email spam, you can spell out the 'at' and 'dot' rather than using the standard email format.)

Receive additional entries (one each) if you:
Follow or subscribe to this blog, my twitter or my facebook
Follow or subscribe to Jaime's blog, twitter or facebook
(You DO NOT need to leave separate comments for additional entries, just list which apply)

You have until Sunday, August 28 at 10 pm (est) to enter and I will announce the winner Monday afternoon. Thanks for visiting!

Couture du Jour

2011-08-09T08:00:00.000-04:00

Madison Ave Dress Shabby Apple $76

Valentine Satin Brooch DinkybirdBoutique $20

The Black Sea Cocktail Ring AllThingsTinsel $24

Jasmine Pump endless $149

db boutique giveaway winner!

2011-08-01T09:00:00.000-04:00

A big thanks to Stephanie for being in the Spotlight last month and to all who stopped by to check out her interview!

Before I announce the giveaway winner, Stephanie is offering 10% off all orders in her shop when you enter coupon code lillyella at checkout!

Now onto the giveaway winner…

Congratulations to STACEY! She loves the Champagne Wishes Satin Flower Pin and would like to see more bobby pins in Stephanie's shop. (I would, too!)

Thanks again for stopping by! Keep your eye open for a new Spotlight interview next Monday!

Couture du Jour: Momma to Be

2011-07-29T08:30:00.000-04:00

Oh Baby Maternity Dress shabby apple $85

Foundation Necklace urbanlegend $25

Leather Clutch TheFigLead $35

Brandy Bow Flat Payless $26

Killing by Keyboards

2011-07-25T10:30:00.002-04:00

Don't worry, no one actually dies in my blog post today. It's not really about killing with a keyboard. It's just a metaphor, but a good one. What I am talking about today is security and social networking. I chatted with a few of you on Twitter and Facebook (ironically enough) about this last Friday and thought this was a better venue to expand upon and continue that discussion.

So, who knows what OPSEC is? Any of you involved with the military will, but for everyone else, it simply means Operations Security. Yes, it's a military term, but one that applies to us all in a way when we put ourselves out there in today's social networking arenas. I attended a class on the base here last Friday about this very topic, and while it was directed more toward protecting Soldiers and the security of their missions, it also addressed personal safety, identity theft and other things that affect us all.

Who else struggles with the dilemma of how much is too much when it comes to public sharing? For those of us with an online business, this is an especially difficult area. I have found that a huge part of being successful as a handmade artist comes from letting others know that you are a real person, just like them. The more someone can relate to you, the better they will feel about supporting you. We're human, we want to be social, we want to connect. It's simply our nature. If a huge chunk of the population didn't find joy in sharing and reading about the trivial things we do all day, Twitter and Facebook would not exist. Instead they grow by leaps and bounds everyday.

I was always a little hesitant about sharing very personal information, particularly here on my blog. Not necessarily because of security concerns (though I do always think about that), but just because it felt awkward at first. During the time my father was sick, I broke through that wall. Anyone else who ever has will probably attest to the fact that it makes a huge difference in the connection you have with the people you share with. It's an amazing support system, for one, even if virtual. For those of us who work from home and do not get out much, virtual friends are our lives. We don't pick up the phone and chat, we chat online. Same thing, different venue.

If I don't visit Twitter and Facebook at least a few times a day, I feel more alone than when I do. Is that weird or is that normal in today's society?

So, you may be asking, what's you point? Let's get into the security of it. It doesn't take a class for someone to know that sharing personal information about yourself online can be dangerous to you and the people you associate with. We all know it, but how often do you actually think about it? In general, people tend to lean towards the 'It'll never happen to me' attitude about most things in life. Sit in any room, any where, with ten people and chances are at least one will have been a victim of identity theft. We make it so easy these days.

Think about what your Facebook profile alone tells someone. Chances are it tells your full name, married and maiden, your birthday, where you live, where you grew up, where you went to school, what year you graduated, who you are married to, maybe your kids names, maybe links to all your family members. No big deal, you say? It's all public knowledge, things people can find out other ways. Maybe, but you're putting it all in one easy place for them.

Someone looking to steal your identity has your name, they also have your birthday. Ok, but I didn't share the year, you think. Well, if you share where you went to high school and/or when you graduated, now they have it. If someone gets ahold of the last 4 digits of your social security number, they can get the first six based on where you are from, which you also told them, and when you were born, which they can figure out with the information you shared. That's just one way.

How about the Facebook facial recognition technology? If you tag someone in a photo, they ask if you'd like to automatically tag the same people later. What's the big deal with that? Facebook calls it convenient, I personally call it creepy. Facebook is essentially building a facial recognition database of several hundred million people, which will ultimately culminate in the ability to search for people just using a picture. Still not seeing how this could hurt you? Imagine a world in which someone can simply snap a photo of you of the street or in a crowd and learn everything about you on the internet.

How about geo-tagging? Do you know what that is? I honestly do not see why this was ever invented. Smartphones and some digital cameras now include tons of information with any photo they create, including a date and time and GPS coordinates of where a photo was taken. Snap a pic of your kids playing in the pool in your backyard, share it on Facebook or Twitter and now anyone who sees it can find out your exact location. Reading through a few posts on your page or checking out your linked spouses page will most likely let them know if you are home alone, what your schedule is, etc. Yes, bad people and criminals will always find a way to be criminals, but we are just making it so much easier for them.

Have you heard of Facebook pages being hacked? Do you know what it means? Basically what is happening is that a hacker is essentially copying an entire Facebook page and setting it up again, so you may have two or three pages out there and not even know it. This person will then friend request all your friends, who think it's you. They may wonder why you are sending a friend request again, but most won't even think about it since it looks like you. Might think it was just a glitch or you accidentally deleted them. The hacker now has access to all of your friends personal information, whether they have their pages locked down or not. Now if this happens to a friend of yours, some random hacker may now have access to all of your information, that you have locked down, without you even knowing. Privacy controls and security settings only keep honest people honest. Ultimately, the information is still out there.

Aside from these 'common' security issues, why am I so concerned about all of this? It's no secret that my husband is back in the Army, that we moved to North Carolina and that he's currently training. Some of you know more, a few of you know exactly what he is doing and the rest of you never will, hopefully. Not because I don't love you, but simply because I never want to be responsible for compromising the security of our nation. Extreme to think little old me and my little old blog could do that? Maybe, but it's true.

The majority of my friends, close friends, don't even know my husbands real, full name. Do an internet search for him and you will get absolutely nothing. Amazing, right? But ideal for his life and his job. If I share too much information, someone could easily learn the things we've been careful to keep secret. Not worth it. Will it be hard for me to keep it a secret when my husband is out training or deployed overseas and I'm alone and lonely, you bet your sweet ass. Will I though? You bet your sweet ass.

It's amazing the stupid things military wives post of their public Facebook pages. Entire units of troops scheduled to come home from a deployment have been grounded as they are about to step on a plane because one wife, in one city, posted the exact day, time and location that they were returning. And it's not just wives, the guys themselves do equally stupid things. Say a Soldier is overseas, maybe it's a semi-secretive mission or location, but they are allowed to have their personal cell phones. Sometimes even if they aren't allowed, they do anyways. The soldier takes a photo with his phone, texts it to his wife who the posts it on her Facebook page. In comes that geo-tagging I mentioned, Soldiers location now compromised, just like that.

Now with those things being said, chew on this. There is a Facebook page out there just for military wives. It's a nationwide thing, not just for one specific base, and is a venue for wives to ask questions, share experiences, help each other, etc. People post *a lot* of information on this page, thinking it's meant to be a helpful, useful site and that everyone involved is in the same situation. What the majority of people will never know is that the page is owned and administrated by a company is Southeast Asia. Why? Because it's easy, free intel. Can the average person find this out? Nope. How do I know and why do I believe it? Because very high up military security personnel told me so, and I believe them.

So, you're not a Soldier, you're not a military wife, all this still affects you. I'm not preaching to shut down your Facebook pages or stop tweeting. Lord knows I don't think I physically could (without the help of a 12 step program), but I'm just saying to stop and think before you click. You could not only be endangering yourself, but your family, your kids and all of your friends.

I'd love to hear what you all think about this topic, what your personal concerns are and if you are thinking differently about your social networking habits after reading this. Let's continue this discussion in the comments below!

Couture du Jour

2011-07-25T08:34:00.003-04:00

Rally the Loops Dress ModCloth $89

Vintage Bangle Bracelet KatsJewelryBox $8

Urban Dandelion Handbag cayennepeppybags $65

Fish Bow Mary Janes endless $130

Couture du Jour: What I wore yesterday

2011-07-20T08:32:00.002-04:00

Got It Parade Dress ModCloth $69

Farfalla Barette cookoorikoo $20

Tough Ruffles Shoulder Bag madebyhank SOLD!

Feeling Pine Flats ModCloth $39

…and an emerald green stone bracelet that my husband got me in Afghanistan!

Etsy Pets: Suki

2011-07-18T12:00:00.000-04:00

Name: Suki

Owner: Alanna of Bobishi

Nicknames: Suki-La

Breed: Blue Point Mini Lop Bunny

Age: Five

Acquired: We got our beautiful fur baby from a breeder when she was 8 weeks old. We found her on an website where we bought her without seeing her. When we arrived at the breeder she was the most perfect tiny baby bunny you could ever meet :)

Favorite activities:

Because Suki is a house bunny she spends all her time with people:) Suki loves snuggling on the couch and taking turns exchanging bunny kisses for pats. She loves people who are "gentle patters" and feels very strongly about people who have dogs or children who may step on her mat! Suki loves nibbling, chewing and eating of any sort! When people come to visit we have to make sure all their stuff is off the ground or else they may just find the lovely Suki-La snuffling in their handbag looking for a stray receipt or other piece of delicious to nibble on:)

Suki also has what can only be described as a touch of OCD, she must smooth things and everything must be arranged as it pleases her:) My husband learnt very quickly that leaving your clothes on the floor wasn't an option with a house bunny around, unless you want extra air holes...

We live in Australia where it is illegal to vaccinate again Myxomatosis so Suki lives inside and on sunny days is free to go outside in the garden:) She loves the garden! So much delicious grass and places to hide. One of our proudest fur baby parent moments was when Suki dug a trench... not a hole, a trench under a bush for laying in.. This is where we see her enjoy herself the most:) She bounds and twirls in the grass, sprinting around at high speed, always checking to make sure someone is watching out for her.

If Suki could help with your shop, what would her job be?

She would love to arrange and organise the fabrics. She loves to smooth things and although she does love to organise, she could never be involved in packaging orders because she just finds envelopes way too delicious...

Tell us about your shop, Bobishi

Before we found our fur baby we lived in Japan for a year and on the super cold winter months I started sewing hand bags out of beautiful fabrics. I couldn't use them all! So when we got home I started selling them on etsy. At uni I studied industrial design so I now use those skills to create things I love for my etsy store. I love practising different skills and get a bored at creating the same thing over and over again so I don't focus on one product or technique in my etsy store. I figure if I love it someone else will too:) It is difficult to let go of many of the creations but I have to remember I can't keep everything!

Where do you and Suki call home?

Suki and I live with my husband on the Mornington Peninsula about an hour and a half outside of Melbourne. It is a summer holiday spot popular with city visitors, it is a little bit country, very beachy and close enough to the city to not be too inconvenient! Although Suki is an inside bunny she still loves living on the peninsula because she can play outside without the threat of cats, because there is a 24 hour cat curfew because of all the native animals.

Tell us about the first pet you ever had

The first pet I ever had was a cocker spaniel called Tara. She was very old when I was born but she looked super friendly in photos and my mum used to have to peg her ears together on top of her head when she ate:) The first pet I actually remember loving was our super cute Siamese cat Tyler:) He was a house cat, loveable but a little strange:) He hated new shoes and love to spend his evenings snuggling inside your sweater...

What animal does your personality most resemble and why?

I have aspects of bunny:) I share Suki's love for snuggling on the couch. Although she hates when I knit... I share her love for smoothing fabrics and we both love spending time in the garden, although I don't eat the foliage! I also share her love of routine and timelines. Suki knows at 7.00am its breakfast time and she will come and wake me up if I haven't got it for her! We both enjoy spending time with smaller groups of people and we both find thunder a bit unnerving:)

What is the best thing about being a pet parent?

Because bunnies live in groups Suki feels that someone needs to be on guard :) So when we are sleeping Suki sits on the end of the bed watching out for predators. It is nice to know that our beautiful fur baby feels such unconditional love for us humans that she is willing to stay up all night watching out:) I also love when her beautiful little face that comes to greet me every morning. I love to hear her run towards me grunting with happiness when we see each other after I have been at work or she has been napping.

You can keep up with Suki and Alanna by visiting her blog and following her on Twitter orFacebook.

Click here to meet more Etsy Pets!

Couture du Jour

2011-07-18T08:00:00.000-04:00

Bon Voyage Dress Shabby Apple $78

Chiyogami Wood Bangle auryndesign $14

Vintage Macrame Clutch LetterKay $8.50

Open-Toe Wedge endless $80

Spotlight: db boutique

2011-07-12T12:00:00.001-04:00

You all know that I love accessories, especially ones that look like flowers and come in all kinds of pretty colors! So it goes without saying that I love today's Spotlight artist, Stephanie of db boutique, and I think you will, too.

Tell us a bit about what you create
I create fabric flower accessories. My flowers range from everyday to glam, from babies to fashionistas, hostess gifts to custom bridal pieces. I make my flowers into headbands, corsages, hair clips and brooches.

Where are you from originally and where do you currently call home?
I grew up on the Southern Oregon coast and now live in Sacramento, California.

How long have you been selling on Etsy?
I began in November 2010.

Do you sell on Etsy full time or do you have a day job?
I do some part-time book keeping.

What made you decide to open up shop on Etsy?
I made a casual flower wrist corsage and got so many compliments that I decided to see if I could produce enough to open a shop. And I did! (I'd already been a long time fan of Etsy).

How did you come up with your shop name?
My shop is db boutique - the "db" stands for dinky bird. The Dinkybird is a poem by Eugene Field. My mom loved it, and as a child I memorized it. To me, the poem is all about the fancies of imagination - and that's what I feel when I'm designing - full of endless imagination!

What inspires you?
Nature, for sure. Also, customers that come to me with custom requests. They inspire me to think of color combinations or a design in a new way.

What do you like least about your craft?
The detail work (attaching the pins and clips). I love the designing part so much that that's all I want to do!

Do you have any advice for other sellers on Etsy or those thinking about pursuing their craft?
Research your product, know your materials, where to get them (keep good records), and keep track of your costs. try to find out as much as possible about who will be buying your stuff (your customer base).

Five Etsy Shops you love
Heathermurrayart - a great collage and paint artist
Staccato - beautiful stationary
Tumblefishstudio - another amazing artist
SalvagedbeautybyNM - great jewelry
Thefancylamb - cool vintage stuff, including repurposed vintage book journals

Five things you love
Books
Writing
Fabric
My family
Stinky Pete, our cat

Five things you dont
Bad attitudes
Relentless overcast skies (which, thankfully, isn't an issue in Sacramento)
Paying good money for bad food (we're foodies)
Traffic
Kim chee

Where is the coolest place you have ever been?
ha! We happen to be there right now (as of when I'm writing this). The Hyatt Grand Resort in Po'ipu on the island of Kaua'i. It's an incredibly relaxing, beautiful corner of paradise.

Share some of your guilty pleasures
Butterhorns, naps and long baths

Favorite junk food
Mint It's Its

Share some of your favorite music
Weezer, Death Cab for Cutie, Enya and The Shins

What does the future hold for you and your shop?
I hope to continue building my business, working with more customers to create the perfect flower for their prom, baby homecoming, wedding or special night out and expanding my designs and skills.

You can also keep up with Stephanie and her work by visiting her blog, stephanieboman.blogspot.com.

GIVEAWAY!
Stephanie is giving away the adorable Sunshine Yellow Organza flower shown above with your choice of a pin or alligator clip backing.

HERE'S HOW TO ENTER:
Please leave a comment on this post with your favorite piece from db boutique along with what you'd like to see more of — styles, colors, accessory type, etc!

You may enter once per day and YOU MUST INCLUDE your first name -AND- etsy username or email address with every entry. (If you are worried about email spam, you can spell out the 'at' and 'dot' rather than using the standard email format.)

Receive additional entries (one each) if you:
Follow or subscribe to this blog, my Twitter or my Facebook
Follow or subscribe to Stephanie's blog
(You DO NOT need to leave separate comments for additional entries, just list which apply)

You have until Sunday, July 31 at 10 pm (est) to enter and I will announce the winner Monday afternoon. Thanks for visiting!

Couture du Jour

2011-07-12T08:00:00.001-04:00

Summer Garden Tank mtnlotus $50

Speakeasy Beer Quartz Necklace PoleStar $64

Appaloosa Cutout Sandals Anthropologie $99

Radiant Flower Printed Shorts LOFT $44

Peach Picks

2011-07-08T12:00:00.001-04:00

Well hello there!

This summer has really kicked into high gear and seems to be moving at quite a clip! My boyfriend and I are all about taking full advantage of what the city has to offer (many things for free I might add!) this year. I thought I'd put together a little collection to inspire us all to get outside and get moving!

Hand Printed Bike Pint Glasses vital $35

Celebration Fine Art Photograph irenesuchocki $15

Vintage Breyer Horse Models ClassicObsessive $18

Fly by Kite Print Roadside $15

Folk Art Camper Birdhouse birdhouseaccents $55

Airplane Ring CreaShines $28

Vintage Sunglasses SmallEarthVintage $22

The Photographer Print teconlene $22

It'll be fall before we know it! Run! Go! Outside with you!

~ Peach

Couture du Jour

2011-07-08T08:00:00.001-04:00

Printed Tie-Front Top Dillards $78

Vintage Lemon Ice Necklace kiamichi78 $17

Faithful Peep Toe Pumps endless $60

Discreet Designs Skirt Anthropologie $69

Are you Pinning?

2011-07-06T12:00:00.000-04:00

Have you heard of Pinterest? It's basically a virtual bulletin board where people can 'pin' things they find around the interweb that they want to share with others. You can create multiple pinboards for different themes, or however you like to organize, and there's even a handy little Pin It bookmark you load that makes it all way too easy.

I'm not really sure how long it's been around, but as with most things, I think I'm a little late to the party. Regardless, I'm pinning now! (And it's kind of addicting…)

You can setup an account and create your own pinboards, as well as follow others whose pins will show up in a feed on your main page, or you can simply pop on to the Pinterest home page to browse around or search by subject, such as recipes, fashion or tutorials.

Chances are, once you start, you'll be hooked. I'm constantly amazed by the amount of beauty and creativity you can find online, and Pinterest is pretty much inspirational eye-candy overload.

You can check it out or request an invite here, and you can follow me or browse my personal pinboards here.

Happy pinning!

Couture du Jour

2011-07-06T08:00:00.000-04:00

Who's the Bossa Nova Dress ModCloth $89

Butterfly Lace Necklace efratdeutsch $47

Patchwork Clutch iragrant $40

Heartful Wedge Sandal endless $39

Nissa Clothing Giveaway Winner!

2011-07-05T12:00:00.003-04:00

A big thanks to Dale for being in the Spotlight last month and to all who stopped by to check out her interview.

Before I announce the giveaway winner, Dale is offering FREE SHIPPING in her shop through July 17 when you enter coupon code 070511 at checkout!

Now onto the giveaway winner…

Congratulations to ANGIE! She loves the Goldfinch Tee and would like to see more chocolate brown colors and tank tops in Dale's shop.

Thanks again for stopping by, keep your eye open for a new Spotlight interview next Monday!

Couture du Jour

2011-07-05T09:00:00.000-04:00

Clarity Top modestmaven $56

Boardwalk Tour Wedge ModCloth $30

Window Box Barrette cookoorikoo $16

Linen Pedal Pushers Old Navy $26

In the Kitchen: Spicy Black Bean Pizza

2011-06-28T09:00:00.003-04:00

Phew! It's been a crazy few weeks. Don't you hate when those paying jobs have to get in the way of the fun stuff, like blogging? Geez. I've been talking about this pizza for at least a week and here it finally is. Since I first made it about a month or so ago, it's been on our menu three times and has become a household favorite. I'm just gonna simply say yummmmm. Yep, five m's worth. Maybe even six.

Ingredients

Whole Wheat Crust:

1 envelope dry yeast

1 tsp sugar

1 cup warm water

3/4 tsp salt

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 cup whole wheat flour

2 - 2 1/2 cups unbleached white flour

Pizza:

15 oz black beans*

1 cup prepared salsa (homemade or store bought)

2 jalapenos or 1 serrano chile, cut rough chunks

2 large garlic cloves, smashed

1 cup diced bell pepper (red, green, yellow or mix)

1 cup fresh (cooked) or frozen (thawed) corn kernels

4 green onions, thinly sliced

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

1 cup shredded mozzarella

1 cup shredded cheddar

2 avocados, diced (optional)

Sour cream (optional)

*You can use dried or canned beans for this recipe. If using dried, soak about 200 grams and cook according to package directions (1 - 1.5 hours). If using canned, drain and rinse well before using.

To make the crust, combine yeast and sugar in water. Stir until dissolved. Add salt, oil, whole wheat flour and 1 1/2 cups unbleached flour. Stir well.

Add enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 5 - 10 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 20 - 30 minutes.

If using a metal pizza pan, lightly grease it, or you can use a pizza stone. Stretch and pat or roll dough to a 15" round. Bake at 400° for 5 minutes, until crust is dry and lightly browned. Set aside.

While the dough is rising and prebaking, you can prepare the pizza topping. In a blender or food processor, combine the beans, salsa, chile and garlic, and puree until smooth. Dice the peppers, green onion and cilantro and shred the cheeses.

Spread the bean puree over the prebaked crust and top with the diced peppers, corn, green onions, cilantro and cheeses.

Bake at 400° for 7 - 12 minutes until cheesy is bubbly and crust edges are browned. Allow pizza to cool for 5 minutes before cutting. I know, it's very hard to wait…

Top with cubes of avocado and a dollop of sour cream, if desired, and dig in!

This pizza is perfect for the vegetarians in your life. It's rich and hearty and the carnivores at the table won't even miss the meat. However, chicken does pair perfectly with the other ingredients in this dish and gives this pizza a new life for the meat-eaters. Just add bite-sized chunks of cooked chicken on top of the bean puree with the other ingredients and bake as directed.

> Click here for a printable recipe card

And find more delicious recipes here.

Couture du Jour

2011-06-27T08:00:00.001-04:00

Silk A-line Dress Mirthquake $199

Black Poppy Clutch redrubyrose $78

Midnight Coffee Tights SockBox $54

Cadence Wedge Sandal endless $139

Sole Searching: Pretty in Pink

2011-06-24T11:00:00.001-04:00

Well of course I have pink shoes, doesn't everyone? Here are a few pairs I wouldn't mind adding to my collection…

Nelumbo Kitten Heels by Miss Albright

Find them at Anthropologie, $148

Valll Open-Toe Espadrille by Betsey Johnson

Find them at endless.com, $89

Janetta Open-Tie Flat by Nine West

Find them at endless.com, $64

Apple Pie Mary Jane Pump by Poetic Licence

Find them at endless.com, $73

Rosemarie Mule by Anne Klein

Find them at endless.com, $50

Sleep Under the Star Sandal by BC Footwear

Find them at endless.com, $59

Imani Mesh Sneaker by Puma

Find them at endless.com, $58

Odessa T-Strap Pump by Chocolat Blu

Find them at endless.com, $140

Carson Shortie Boot by Frye

Find them at endless.com, $347

2796 Mary Jane Pump by Biviel

Find them at endless.com, $180

Carly Sandal by Chelsea Crew

Find them at DNA Footwear, $79

Things I Love

2011-06-20T12:30:00.000-04:00

Turquoise Fabric Bird abigailbrown $149

Feist Polaris Silkscreen Poster whatwouldjuliedraw $25

Deep Waters Pendant Necklace brideblu $26

Buttons Awry Chemise Anthropologie $108

Heritage Fine Art Photograph kittyrogers $25

Silver Flower Petal Earrings DestinysCreations $40

The Gatherer's Handbag Rollick $62

Green Caps Print butterflyfood $10.95

Dragonfly Wings Bracelet ForMySweetDaughter $24

Secret Garden Dress Lirola $165

Hand Embroidered Headband lovemaude $24

Braided Maiden Hair Ring ShopClementine $145

Winter's Perch Mirror Anthropologie $148

Paired Hexagons Necklace locallibrary $38

Vintage Factory Shoe Stencil Boxes amsuarezfl $48

Sea Anemone Earrings JarosDesigns $48

Eesabelle painting danapereabloede $85

Ruffle Tote Bag bayousalvage $60

Vintage Pink Metal Tote Basket thisvintagething $19.99

Custom Ruffle Rose Pillow thatfunkyboutique $28

Children's Vintage Book Wreath SimpleJoysPaperie $50

The Occasion Necklace anerasambiance $84

Cast Iron Bird Bath Ring Holder happybdaytome $32

New Heights Scarf ModCloth $17.99

Be Free Bird Necklace GenevieveGail $32

Mister Ordinary OrdinaryMommy $30

Good Morning Pendant jNicDesigns $18.50

Daisy y0omii $25

Retro Quilt Earrings ThatOldBlueHouse2 $28

Sole Searching: Earth, Sky & Sea

2011-06-17T12:00:00.000-04:00

I realized yesterday that I can't remember the last time I wore a pair of black shoes. I think it was back in February, actually. I do own a few pairs, but I own more yellow shoes than I do black, so I guess it's pretty clear that I love color. You bright minds have probably already figured this fun fact out for yourselves :)

Last week on my first Sole Searching post, we were seeing red (a very fitting way to start off the series!). This week I'm all about blues and greens. Two colors I'm not typically drawn towards in shoes, but am all about right now. Not that blue and green aren't fabulous, but I find when it comes to footwear, warm colors like yellow, red, burgundy and pink tend to match more clothes than cool colors like blue and green.

Amongst the shoes I'll be sharing today, two pairs I own, two more I have tried on and the remainder are simply swoon-worthy.

Malibu Mid Heels Shoes by Chelsea Crew

Find them at Plasticland, $59 and DNA Footwear, $69

Have 'em, love 'em. Period. These shoes are fantastic. I want a pair in every color. I also have them in brown and really wanted them in yellow, but that color sold out pretty darn fast. This green is perfect, it's rich and earthy, not too light and not too dark, slightly emerald. You'll notice that the color looks fairly different on the different websites, but I'd say the color above is pretty accurate. They are one of those colors that kind of changes in the light and with what you're wearing.

The heel height on these is ideal in my world. It's low enough to be comfortable for all-day wear, but high enough to give you the classiness of heels and not look matronly. I find them very comfortable. They don't pinch or rub anywhere, the insole is a little squishy and the adjustable T-strap is always a plus. I think they run true to size on the small side. They are European sizing and I wear a 39 (I'm most commonly an 8), but they are snug. If my feet were any bigger or wider, I would have sized up.

Find some sizes at Plasticland and some sizes at DNA Footwear, where you'll also find them in black and brown. Maybe the yellow will be back someday, too :)

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Ariel Sandal by Life Stride

Find them at endless.com, $40 - $53

This is a fabulous little summer sandal. I have them in burnt tan, but I am drooling over the teal and moss. I think they have a little grecian feel to them, don't you think? Though they are synthetic, the material is thick and sturdy, they feel like will last. That being said, they did need a day of breaking in, as the back is a little tight. After a day of wear, they fit to my feet perfectly.

They run about 1/2 size small in my opinion. I generally wear an 8, but needed these in an 8.5. One great feature is that they come in three widths — narrow, medium and wide. My feet are slightly more narrow than average and I found the narrow (2A) to fit me best.

Find them in six lovely colors at endless.

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Mirna Maryjane Pump by Sachelle

Find them at endless.com, $119

This is my favorite shoe in today's collection. The color, the style, I love everything about them! I tried them on and found they run true to size in length. The laces also make the width a little adjustable, which is nice feature. You get the look of a pointed toe, but there is ample room inside so no squishing at all! The heel is a nice day height and they felt sturdy and comfortable to walk in.

One glitch is that some people may find the laces uncomfortable. You do feel them on the top of your foot, so it just depends how sensitive you are to things like that. I have a pair of shoes with a similar design and laces and have no problem with them.

These shoes also come in an amazing shade of muted purple and a nice, versatile brown. Find them all at endless.

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2758 Mary Jane Pump by Biviel

Find them at endless.com, $90

Biviel is another brand I love. Most of their shoes have a very classic shape, but every pair has beautiful and unique detailing. The quality is also always fantastic.

This brand is also in European sizing. I usually wear a 39, but they specify an 8 is a 38 in their shoes. I tried these in a 38 and while they were certainly comfortable, I could feel the front of the shoes with my toe and would definitely try a size up. Aside from that, they shape and fit was very comfortable and I love the angled strap.

The color is very beautiful, kind of denimy, which means they will go with just about everything in your closet, and I love the tiny studs. Find them in blue, black and brown at endless.

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Snake Tie in Navy by All Black

Find them at Lori's, $124

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Stroke of Midnight Pump by Seychelles

Find them at endless.com, $89

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Mimmi Slingback Sandal by Swedish Hasbeens

Find them at endless.com, $259

I found these via the lovely cookoorikoo on Pinterest.

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Roped Cutout Heels by Miss Albright

Find them at Anthropologie, $138

Couture du Jour

2011-06-17T08:30:00.000-04:00

Rockmelon Dress Dress 911 $47.95

Cherry Swallow Earrings cloudcapjewelry $16.75

Floral Bird Clutch charmdesign $30

Rare Variety Heel ModCloth $99

Spotlight: Nissa Clothing

2011-06-14T12:00:00.000-04:00

Dale's story is one that I know so many of you reading this can relate to, which is why I was so excited to share it. She has always been artistically inclined. As a child, she loved to draw, paint and even designed outfits. She was always encouraged in her artistic pursuits, but only as a hobby, so never thought seriously about pursuing the creative life until later on.

For many years, Dale was stuck in unfulfilling jobs because she had always been told to be practical and that she would never be able to make a living in the arts. The turning point finally came when a soul sucking job from hell forced her to say ‘enough'! That’s when she got serious about finding a way to make a living doing her art full time and Nissa was born.

Read on to learn more about where she finds her inspiration, what her shop name means and what her favorite junk food is. You can also enter to win a beautiful shirt from her shop!

Where are you from originally and where do you currently call home?
I’m originally from Thunder Bay in northern Ontario, Canada, and I now live an hour north of Toronto in a converted cottage by a lake

How long have you been selling on Etsy?
I’ve been selling on Etsy since 2007

Do you sell on Etsy full time or do you have a day job?
I have been on Etsy full time for the past 2 years, no more day jobs I hope!

What, if any, formal training have you had in the arts?
I haven’t had any real formal training in the arts, (other than some courses at a local art gallery as a kid) but I have taken courses in Photoshop, Illustrator and Web Design.

How did you come up with your shop name?

I chose the name Nissa after doing a search on the Internet for unique names. I liked the fact that the name has a happy, positive meaning, it’s a Scandinavian word meaning friendly elf or fairy. The strong visuals conjured up by that image also helped me to create my logo; the winged ‘N’ was largely inspired by the fairy concept.

What inspires you?
I was lucky to grow up with summers on the lake which helped me to develop an appreciation for nature, and that’s why so many of my designs are inspired by nature. This summer, I’ve really been into the birds and the bees.

What do you like least about your craft?
Taking pictures of my creations! I love + appreciate photography done by others, the problem is, I suck at it. I hope that this will improve with time, I’m working on it…

Do you have any advice for other sellers or those thinking about pursuing their craft?
Don’t give up! Be persistent + believe in yourself + your work! It can be tough and it may be slow for awhile, there are definitely challenges in getting your stuff out there, but I believe that it is absolutely worth it in order to pursue what you really love!

Five Etsy Shops you love
So hard to choose!

whitney smith pottery

SlipperySlopeBloomer

dearpony

Amelia Kay Photography

hunterandmoon

Where is the coolest place you have ever been?
Rome – so rich with history and great art and architecture, not to mention incredible food and wine - I’ll never forget it!

What is your favorite leisure time activity?
My favourite leisure activity is reading. Right now I am reading “Keeping the Bees” by Laurence Packer, a Canadian biology professor and conservationist, about why all bees, (not just honeybees) are essential to our food supply and the environment

Favorite junk food
Deep fried Mars bars, which originated in Scotland (where they deep fry everything, including pizza!). You can get them in Canada at an amazing restaurant in Montreal called Garde Manger.

If you could trade places with any other person for a week, with whom would it be?
Margherita Missoni, because she is supported by her incredible, tight knit family (no pun intended) and is surrounded by endless creativity and beauty.

Share some of your favorite music
Some of my favourite music right now includes Goldfrapp’s dreamy, ethereal ‘Headfirst’ and Loretta Lynn’s ‘Van Lear Rose’, her collaborative effort with Jack White, formerly of the White Stripes. I especially like their song “Portland, Oregon” - I drove my boyfriend crazy with that song!

What does the future hold for you and your shop?
I hope to increase awareness and sales for Nissa, and I’d like to include even more organics in my line. I’d also like to figure out a way to use my creativity to help others.

GIVEAWAY!

Dale is offering one lucky winner their choice of either her white honeybee tee, purple swallows tee or white goldfinch tee.

HERE'S HOW TO ENTER:
Please leave a comment on this post with your favorite piece from Nissa along with what other styles of shirts you'd like to see — V neck, scoop neck, sleeve length, colors, etc!

You may enter once per day and YOU MUST INCLUDE your first name -AND- etsy username or email address with every entry. (If you are worried about email spam, you can spell out the 'at' and 'dot' rather than using the standard email format.)

Receive additional entries (one each) if you:

Follow or subscribe to this blog, my Twitter or my Facebook

(You DO NOT need to leave separate comments for additional entries, just list which apply)

You have until Monday, July 4 at 10 pm (est) to enter and I will announce the winner Tuesday, July 5. Thanks for visiting!

Couture du Jour

2011-06-14T08:00:00.001-04:00

L'Artiste Dress Shabby Apple $76

Rope Belt J.Crew $39.50

Vintage Daisy Earrings & Brooch vakar $22.50

QT Canvas Tote in Red Kinies $42

Mimi Slingback endless $81

Sole Searching: Seeing Red

2011-06-10T15:30:00.000-04:00

I decided that my love of my shoes needed a bigger platform than just my internal desires, hence… a new blog feature, Sole Searching! (Big thanks to Kathy L. for the name idea, by the way!)

I'm aiming to post this series every Friday and it will simply feature awesome shoes. Trust me, they find me, I don't find them. It's like this horrible curse! Ok, well… that's maybe half true, but regardless, I feel it's only fair to share all of my toe tantalizing finds with you.

Some weeks it may just be one pair of shoes, other weeks it may tie in with a Shoe Review or I may include some outfit ideas. You know me, just goin' with the flow :)

For my first Sole Searching post, we're seeing red. If you're going to stray from black and brown when it comes to shoes, go red (or mustard, but that's another post!). You can't go wrong. Red compliments any skin tone and jazzes up just about any outfit you put on.

Shipwreck Wedge Sandal by BC Footwear

Find them at endless.com, $45 – $59

You may remember seeing these in a previous Couture du Jour post. I also happen to own them and also happen to love them immensely. These were kind of a stretch for me. I love wearing pumps, but have never been much a wedge girl. I was having trouble finding the perfect red shoe for the summer, decided to give these a try and ended up loving them more than expected.

They are very comfortable. The adjustable ankle strap keeps them in place and the sole is soft and a little cushy. The color is a nice, brighter red, which can sometimes be hard to find in a shoe. You more often see slightly deeper shades of red. I found them to fit true to size, not too narrow and not too wide.

Wanna hear the best part? They come in 6 other colors! I personally love the olive, but you'll also find basic black, white and a lovely cognac tan. Find them all here.

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Jiminy Tear Drop Peep Toe by Chelsea Crew

Find them at LuLus.com, $64

Chelsea Crew is one of my favorite brands. I've always been pleased with the quality and comfort of their shoes. I have these shoes with a slightly different cutout detail in a lovely butterscotch color that I purchased a few years back and I wear them all the time. They are a unique style, not to mention adorable, and they can be dressed up or down. It's taking all my strength not to snatch up a red pair. I'll probably give in soon…

The sizing is European, which can sometimes be tricky. Different charts will give you different conversions and sometimes it's a guessing game regardless. I most typically wear a size 8. Sometimes I need an 8.5, occasionally I need a 7.5, but usually an 8. Thus far, I have always fit well in a 39 in Chelsea Crew shoes.

So guess what? These also come in different colors! Find them in green here at Ruche or in red, green, black or nude here at DNA Footwear. If they don't have your size in the red at LuLu's or DNA Footwear, you'll also find them here at ModCloth.

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Renee Sandal by Miz Mooz

Find them at endless.com, $79 - $99

This pair and the pair below kind of go hand-in-hand. They are both made by the same designer and I love them both to pieces. I did try them both on, and as frivolous as I can be about shoes, even I couldn't justify more than 2 pairs of red sandals and ended up going with the BC wedges above and some Clarks that are now sold out.

These shoes are fabulous, if you like the wooden sole platform style. They are hip, fun and adorable, but they were a little too much for me for the day to day wear I was looking for. Plus, being over 5'8", I don't really need all that extra height.

The pros — great color, a rich cherry red, and they were very comfortable. I'm also a big fan of ankle straps, because your feet don't slide around as much. One con, the rocky toe. I've yet to figure out why this is done on certain shoes, but you may have seen it before. The toe points up a bit and you feel like a rocking chair when you walk. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but it does take some getting used to and I could see how people wouldn't like it. They do run about 1/2 size small. I needed these in an 8.5, versus my normal 8. All in all, if you're looking for a chunky, funky red shoe — try this one!

Other colors? Of course! Along with the red, you'll also find black, cognac and ice at endless.com.

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Heather Sandal by Miz Mooz

Find them at endless.com, $109

This pair is very similar to the ones above, yet I'd call them a little 'tamer', if you will. The platform and heel is lower and the overall design is a little more subdued. I preferred this design over the Renee Sandal.

From the photo, I thought the cut of the front might look matronly, but I loved it and found them flattering. The color was a little darker, and darker than what I was looking for, but they were also very comfortable and did not have the weird rocky toe.

These fit true to size, my standard size 8 fit me well. They also come in the same variety of colors — red, black, whiskey and ice, all available at endless.com.

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Now if you like those Miz Mooz Sandals, there are two more styles I love: The Hype, which has a cute buckle accent, and the Yvonne, which was a wedge heel. Both also come in a really awesome shade of green!

So, I'll finish up this first Sole Searching post with a few more pairs of fabulous red shoes that I've come across in my internet travels. Happy sole searching!

Zacatecas Heels

Find them at Anthropologie, $138

Breen Sneaker by DKNY

Find them at endless.com, $69

Fiddle Scroll by Clarks

Find them at Zappos.com, $79

Helen Palmira Sandal by Eric Michael

Find them at endless.com, $89

(p.s. These shoes come in 14 other colors!)

Sissy Platforms by Dansko

Find them at Zappos.com, $115

Makana Cutout Wedges by Merona

Find them at Target, $23

In the Kitchen: Chicken and Mushroom Macaroni and Cheese

2011-06-09T12:00:00.002-04:00

I won't try to tell you this is one of my 'healthy' meals because… not so much. I mean, it is macaroni and cheese, after all. I will tell you that it's darn delicious though, unless you don't like shrooms, or butter, or cheese. But if that's the case, we may need to end this friendship now.

Ingredients

6 oz whole wheat elbow macaroni

Approx 1/2 lb chicken, cut into bite sized pieces (I use 4 tenderloins)

1/4 of a large yellow onion, diced

2 large cloves of garlic, diced

6 - 8 oz mushrooms, sliced

3 Tablespoons butter (divided use)

2 Tablespoons flour

2 cups milk (divided use)

1 3/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided use)

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Preheat oven to 350°. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and spread in an 8x8 baking dish.

In a medium skillet, heat 1 T butter, onion and garlic over medium high heat until it begins to sizzle. Add the chicken and continue cooking. When the chicken is about halfway done, add the mushrooms and heat until they are soft and chicken is completely cooked.

Add the chicken mixture to the noodles in the dish (including any pan juices) and set aside.

In a medium saucepan, heat 2 T butter over medium heat until melted, add 2 T flour and stir to combine. Add 1 1/2 cups milk, paprika, salt and pepper. Increase heat and bring to a gentle boil, stirring frequently until slightly thickened. Lower heat to a simmer and add 1 1/4 cups cheese, stirring until melted.

Once melted, remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup milk. Pour sauce over chicken and pasta and mix gently to combine. Cook at 350° for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and spread remaining 1/2 cup cheese on top. Return to oven and cook an additional 10 minutes. Broil if desired to brown cheese. Serve and enjoy!

This recipes makes a hearty, but not ridiculous, amount. It will serve 2 – 4 people twice or 6 – 8 once, depending on how much you like to eat and what you serve with it. If you don't like mushrooms, just leave them out! The cheese sauce is easy and delicious and can be used with anything you like. You can also easily double the recipe (entire thing or just sauce) which makes a perfect amount for a potluck!

> Click here for a printable recipe card

And find more easy and delicious recipes here.

Couture du Jour

2011-06-09T08:31:00.004-04:00

Folded Tank Top outofline $78

Charming Bud Earrings balanced $32

Folded Petal Clogs Anthropologie $99

Linen Cargo Shorts LOFT $35

So, I'm thinking it's time for a Couture du Jour Challenge! What do you think? And what would you like to see as the theme?

Things I Love

2011-06-06T12:00:00.000-04:00

Underwood Art Print michelemaule $8

Letter C Forestgirldesign $14

Things That are Round Letterpress Poster 1canoe2 $49

Gathered Front Fitted Tank oohlajena $55

Green Cherry Clutch tshandbags $25

Folk Miniature Wood Town saysthetree $38

Antique Dress Form TheFancyLamb $350

Antique Ornate Frame Pin Board shabbyvintagemom $38

Don't Forget print dazeychic $20

Pops takes the Bitsy Bunnlets for a Ride mamagourds $65

Dogwood Enamel Earrings tekaandzoe $42

The French Nest Pillow Cover JolieMarche $35

Teapot Wooden Necklace shopnevertheless $26

Modern Handbag K8made $70

Heartsease Habotai Blouse Anthropologie $98

Vintage Tulip Wall Sconce 5gardenias $68

Idling Iguana Pillow Anthropologie $98

Band Aid Photograph f2images $25

Floral Bouquet Sweetheart Dress digforvictory $166

Tiffany Earrings cookoorikoo $20

Sluggie-Bun Hybrid Plush Monster PlushRiot $32

Striped Crochet Necklace XauXau $25

Couture du Jour

2011-06-06T08:00:00.000-04:00

Easy Peasey Dress Ureshii $134

Palette Necklace in Sky Blue fringe $26

Blazing Star Ring cookoorikoo $15

Chirp Open Toe Pump Seychelles $89

In the Kitchen: Gooey Peanut Bars

2011-06-03T09:00:00.001-04:00

Today I have a simple treat that's as easy as it is delicious. Three ingredients and 15 minutes is all you need to make these sweet and salty peanut bars.

Ingredients

2 cups coarsely chopped salted peanuts*

14oz caramel squares (about 50 pieces)

1 cup mini marshmallows

*Did you know that if a word such as chopped, diced, sifted, etc comes before the ingredient, you are to measure the ingredient after you prepare it as directed. If it comes after the ingredient, you first measure the ingredient, then prepare it. So in this case, you are measuring out 2 cups of already chopped peanuts, rather than measuring two cups of peanuts and then chopping them, which would read '2 cups peanuts, chopped.'

Lightly coat an 8 inch square baking dish with cooking spray. Line the baking dish with parchment paper, letting it hang over two sides, then lightly coat the parchment with the cooking spray. Evenly spread 1 1/4 cup peanuts across the pan.

In a heavy saucepan, combine 1 tablespoon water, the unwrapped caramel squares and the marshmallows. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the caramels and marshmallows melt and become smooth.

Pour the caramel mixture over the peanuts in the baking dish, then top with the remaining 3/4 cup peanuts, lightly pressing them down into the caramel.

Let cool until solid, about 2 hours. Remove the entire square from the pan using the parchment paper flaps and cut into bars. Store leftovers in a airtight container between layers of parchment or wrap individual bars in professional grade plastic wrap for a delicious grab & go snack!

p.s. The pot you melt the caramels in will be really sticky and the caramel hardens quickly on the sides after you pour it out. You may think that you'll never get the pan clean, but just fill it with hot water, let it sit in the sink for about 10 minutes and it will all rinse right away!

Peach Picks

2011-06-01T11:00:00.002-04:00

Happy June, Summer Campers!

Peach here and am I ready to hit the wilderness beyond NYC :) I don't feel we get out of this bustling city enough, but when we do I like to take full advantage of the spaciousness that is nature and wide open wonderlands.

Desert Camper Two Print leahgiberson $50

Wanderlust Brass Compass Necklace manicmuse $20

Vintage Airguide Achromatic Binoculars StJoshua $95

Fleece Boot Liners WithTheRain $22

Teepee Camping Handpainted Locket kharaledonne $38

Old Brit Blue Enamel Canteen huenemevintage $42

Mini Faux Bois Notebook CampfireChic $5.50

Handmade Cotton Sleeping Bag goodintent $159

Family Name Campsite Sign TheSnowshoeLoft $46

I hope you all have some amazing adventures planned!

xoxo ~ Peach

Sarah Storm Giveaway Winner!

2011-05-31T11:00:00.000-04:00

A big thanks to Sarah for being in the Spotlight this month and to all who stopped by to check out her interview!

The winner of the $25 gift certificate is JENNIFER of Aloquin, congrats! She loves Sara's Butterfly Bliss print and would hang it above her baby girl's crib to give her something pleasant to look at as she drifts off to napland!

You can keep up with Sarah and her work by visiting her blog or following her on Twitter and Facebook.

Couture du Jour

2011-05-31T08:00:00.001-04:00

Set You Free Top ModCloth $67.99

Simple Circle Earrings TheBrokenPlate $35

Seina Espadrille endless $28

Cuffed Capris Old Navy $22.50

Etsy Pets: Olivia

2011-05-27T13:00:00.002-04:00

Name: Olivia

Owner: Suzanne of Tanner Glass

Nicknames: Livie, Livs, Livie-Lou, Boo, Pretty Girl.

Breed: Lab/pit mix, with a little something extra. Not quite sure what it is!

Age: Seven

Favorite activities: In no particular order…..digging through the recycling, digging through the trash, walks, eating Kami’s food (the neighbors dog), trying to steal Devin’s binky (the neighbors son), runs on the beach, runs in the woods, 2 Paws Up (doggy daycare).

Acquired: I adopted Olivia from a local shelter almost 6 years ago. It was a bit serendipitous, as I went to the shelter on a whim, not expecting to see Olivia (she wasn’t listed on Petfinder).

If Olivia could help with your shop, what would her job be?

She would be the task master, no doubt about it. Things would get done in a timely manner, so that she could go for a loooooong walk. In fact, frequent breaks to take walks would be a priority. There is so much to sniff in this world, and so little time.

Tell us about your shop

I started Tanner Glass about 11 years ago, but it was only 3-4 years ago that I added the magnets and hooks, which have quickly become my best sellers. I’m certain that the Pet themed items wouldn’t exist if I didn’t adopt Olivia. She required some rather expensive Vet visits in the first few years, and after one visit in particular, I looked at her and said “you need to start earning your keep.”

I always created FUNctional Objects (fun AND functional), with a heavy emphasis on items that I would use everyday, so it wasn’t a huge stretch to branch into the Pet market.

Where do you and Olivia call home?

Cranston, Rhode Island

What animal does your personality most resemble and why?

Tough one! I was really fortunate to spend a couple weeks in South Africa last year, and went on a number of Safari’s. I found myself most drawn to the elephants….they are resourceful, loyal, and dedicated.

What is the best thing about being a pet parent?

The daily dose of love! And this is so cliché, but, seriously, it’s important to stop and smell the roses (or in Olivia’s case, the stop and smell everything).

You can keep up with Olivia and Suzanne by visiting her website and following her on Twitter or Facebook.

Click here to meet more Etsy Pets!

Last day for my Etsyversary Sale!

2011-05-27T08:00:00.001-04:00

Happy Friday, everyone! I'm sure many of you are already getting a jump start on the long holiday weekend, but since the internet never closes, here I am!

Just wanted to remind you that today is the last day to take advantage of my Etsversary celebration discount. Just enter the coupon code YAYFOR3YEARS at checkout and save 20% of your order! My shop is all stocked up and ready for the pickin'. Offer valiud through midnight (est) tonight.

In other blog news, do stop back later today for a brand spankin' new Etsy Pets and don't forget to get one more entry in this months Spotlight giveaway with the lovely and talented Sarah Storm.

Have a fabulous holiday weekend and I'll see you all on Tuesday!

My Etsyversary Celebration!

2011-05-23T08:00:00.006-04:00

It's been 3 years, 2 months and 6 days since I listed, and sold, my first item on Etsy. And though I'm 2 months and 6 days overdue, this is definitely a cause for celebration! I decided that it seemed fitting to honor my three-year Etsyversary by bringing back all my original designs, so that's what I'm doing! (Along with a 20% discount, too :)

Starting at 9am (est) today, I'll be listing all the old favorites in my shop on a made to order basis. I have ample supplies to create many of the designs, though some I'm down to just one or two and most likely will never bring them back. Not because they weren't awesome, but just because change is good! I'll note in the item listing if the piece is the last one. Also, if there is something you are looking for, but don't see listed, just send me a convo or email and I'll see if I can make it!

And because it wouldn't be a real celebration without a thank you special, I'm offering all you loyal customers and friends 20% off through the end of this week!

You must enter the code YAYFOR3YEARS in the coupon code box during the Etsy checkout process and the discount will be automagically deducted before you pay. I will not be able to adjust invoices or provide refunds if you do not enter the code at checkout. Though I'm not sure how long I'll keep my original designs in the shop, the coupon code is only good through this Friday night at midnight (est). (Discount cannot be combined with any other coupons or discounts)

I also (finally) have tons of new designs whipped up and in the works on my table right now and I hope to get a few in the shop this week and many more the week after, so stay tuned!

Trust me when I say that not a day passes that I don't thank all of you for allowing me to be where I am doing what I love. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for three amazing years!

xo ~ nicole

Things I Love

2011-05-20T12:00:00.000-04:00

Handmade Vintage Tapestry Moth MisterFinch £25

Seascape Collection jNicDesigns $34.50

I Love You Photograph alifethroughthelens $12

Watercolor Petals Dinner Plate Anthropologie $24

See ya… bye. Earrings truche $24

In Nature II sarahogren $12.50

Blue Tit Keyring clairehartigan $6.50

Hamatreya Skirt Anthropologie $88

Sparrow Watercolor Print amberalexander $18

Burlap Feed Sack Pillow nexydoortoheaven $25

Embroidered Pendant Necklace SeptemberHouse $20

Authentic Recipes for Mexican Ice Pops Amazon $10.76

Land of Ampersand Print thewheatfield $15

White Chocolate Lavendar Macaroons Sucre $27

Wooden Butter Mold Polart $14.95

Blossom Eau de Cologne IlluminatedPerfume $7.50

Rabbit Brooch brightcolorart $9.75

Wings Photograph jessicatorres $30

Please stop by next week for details about my (slightly overdue) 3-year Etsyversary celebration! hooray!

Happy weekend, everyone!

Couture du Jour

2011-05-20T07:30:00.000-04:00

Slubbed Rosette Top Kohls $22

Charleston Cloche Anthropologie $29

Vintage Leather Sandals misovintage$29

Pick-A-Peck Crops Anthropologie $29

New in the Shop!

2011-05-16T10:40:00.000-04:00

It's been about a month since my move and I can almost say I'm settled in. Almost. One spare bedroom is still a total disaster (but it has a door so who cares!) and I'm just about finished organizing my workspace. My little fingers are just burning to get back to work, which I hope to do within the next couple weeks.

In the meantime, I was able to shoot a few new pieces that I created before I moved, but never had time to list. Here's a little peek and you'll find a few more bracelets and earrings in the shop, all currently listed for sale. Thanks for stopping by!

Ceramic Leaf Bracelet

Vintage Acorn Necklace

Peace and Sunshine Earrings

Simple Geometry Necklace in Hexagon

Couture du Jour

2011-05-13T08:00:00.002-04:00

Flutter Panel Cami LOFT $44

Each Peach Necklace urbandlegend $25

Mid Wedge Flip Flop Payless $15

Chino Short Target $15*

*These shorts are out of stock online, but I did see them in my local Target store earlier this week. I'll tell you, I'm not a shorts-wearing kinda girl. In fact, I can't even remember the last time I bought a pair of shorts, but I loved these. Not too long, not too short, nice color, comfortable rise, no gapping, great price!

In the Kitchen: Hummus

2011-05-11T12:00:00.017-04:00

Chances are you fall into one of three categories when it comes to hummus — you love it, you hate it or you're too freaked out to try it. I know, the consistency can get to some people. That's why I never loved guacamole, until I made it myself and left it chunky. But hummus, I dig me some hummus. I eat it almost everyday, in fact.

What's so great about hummus anyway, you ask? I'll give you three simple reasons, it'll make you healthy, wealthy and wise. Really, it's true! Let me break it down…

Healthy: The two main ingredients in hummus, chickpeas and tahini, are both good for you. Chickpeas do not contain any cholesterol or saturated fats and they are rich in protein, making hummus a favorite among vegetarians. Chickpeas are also known to be effective in preventing build up of cholesterol in the blood vessels. Tahini is also high in protein and is an excellent source of calcium.

Wealthy: Ok, so it won't technically make you money, but it will save you money! Buying hummus at a grocery store can add up quickly, but if you make it yourself using dried beans and fresh ingredients, it's insanely inexpensive!

Wise: Two more ingredients found in most hummus recipes are garlic and lemon juice. Both are filled with antioxidants that reduce stress in the body. They also work to improve immune functions and fight off bacteria and viruses. Hummus contains plenty of Omega 3 fatty acids, which are great for improving intelligence and maintaining a healthy heart. On top of that, it also has iron, vitamin B6, manganese, copper, folic acid and amino acids that can promote good quality sleep and uplift one’s mood.

Ready to give it a try? Here's the recipe…

Ingredients

15 oz chickpeas (garbanzo beans), cooked & chilled*

1/3 cup tahini (ground sesame paste)**

4 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

3 large cloves of garlic, peeled

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground cayenne pepper

1/2 cup water

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil (soybean or canola will work, too)

You'll also need a large food processor to make this. And by large I don't mean gigantic, I just mean bigger than those mini cuisinart choppers. I imagine you can also use an immersion blender or Vitamix, if you have one. In fact, the Vitamix would probably work best of all!

*I generally always cook with dried beans. Aside from being super cheap, I like that they are naked — no added salt or any other funny business. You can find dried chickpeas at most grocery stores and will pay about $1 for a one pound bag, which will make you about two batches of hummus.

**You may be wondering what tahini is and where the heck you can find it. This is the only ingredient you may have trouble locating. You probably won't find it at most local grocery stores, though you should be able to find it at any whole foods or natural grocer. You can also find it at a mediterranean market, which is where I purchase mine. It looks like natural peanut butter, with the separated oil sitting on top. Just be sure to stir up it really well before using it.

If you are using dried beans, soak and cook them according to the package directions, then weigh out 15 oz. I'm kind of a nut about weighing food and a little kitchen scale is really a very useful tool. When I'm trying a new recipe or baking something precise, weighing helps you get exact amounts or help you judge amounts that you can later eyeball. I meant to measure 15 oz chickpeas in cups for those without a scale, but I forgot, so I'm sorry! I'll update the post next time I make a batch (which will be soon, Im sure).

If you are in a hurry, just can't deal with dried beans or can't find them, you can use canned beans. Just be sure to drain and rinse them well before using. I've never weighed a 15 oz can after it was drained and rinsed, but it should be close enough to 15 oz to do the trick.

A couple things to note for those using dried beans. I always soak them overnight, as opposed to a quick soak method, and I also add a little baking soda to both the soaking and the cooking water. It allows the water to penetrate the chickpeas more easily, which reduces the cooking time and produces a better hummus. I also find that chilling the cooked beans, as opposed to pureeing them warm, makes a big difference in the creaminess of the finished product.

Another element that affects this is the chickpea skins. Did you just imagine yourself sitting around peeling popping hundreds of chickpeas out of their skins just pop into your head? Yeah, that's what I'm talking about. It takes a little time and patience, but the result is worth the effort. After cooking the soaked beans, chill them until cold and the skins will just pop right off most when you squeeze between your fingers. This is not a mandatory step, just one that creates a smoother, richer and better tasting hummus.

· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

I'll continue now by saying this is one of those flexible recipes. Aside from the chickpeas and tahini, the other ingredients can be adjusted to suit your personal taste and texture preferences. And really, even the tahini is adjustable. A little more will give you a little creamier result, but also more of a sesame taste. Adding additional lemon juice will help balance this out.

I'll tell you that I like my hummus pretty middle of the road when it comes to flavors. I'm not a huge fan of garlic, I don't love it too lemony and I definitely don't love spicy foods. Perfecting hummus to your taste preferences is kind of an art. The measurements I provided here are how I love it, but they can all be adjusted. If this is your first time making hummus, I suggest you stick with the recipe and then add more or less of any seasonings to suit your taste. Other spices you can include or swap out for the cayenne are cumin, coriander and paprika. There's lots of flexibility!

Start by blending the chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, oil, garlic, salt and cayenne pepper in the food processor until well mixed, but not entirely smooth.

Next add the water and blend until smooth. If you'd like it thinner, you can add more water. This is also when you can give it a taste and decide if you'd like more lemon or other spices.

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You can get creative and add other flavors when pureeing, such as hot sauce, green onions or fresh herbs like parsley. Pine nuts and pureed roasted red peppers are also popular additions to hummus. You can buy jars of roasted red peppers packed in oil at most grocery stores. Simply drain the oil, reserving it, and puree the peppers in a food processor or blender until smooth, adding oil as needed/desired. If you want to make your own (which I recommend!), quarter red peppers, discarding seeds and stems, and place them skin side up on a baking dish lined with foil. Place them under the broiler until the skins begin to blister and peel. Remove them from the oven and wrap them in the foil or seal them in a zip top bag. Once cool, the skins will peel off easily leaving you with roasted red pepper flesh which you can then puree (add your favorite oil when processing if needed).

However you like it, humus is a delicious and versatile snack that is loaded with nutrients. Serve it as a dip with pita, flatbread, crackers or veggies such as sliced cucumbers, carrots and baby romaine or bok choy leaves. It's also delicious as a spread on sandwiches and wraps or for topping a salad.

If I've inspired you to try hummus for the first time, I'd love to hear about it! Alternatively, if I've inspired you to make it homemade for the first time, I'd love to hear about that, too. If you're still scared of it, well, better luck next time.

> Click here for a printable recipe card

And find more easy and delicious recipes here.

Couture du Jour: Emma Pillsbury Style

2011-05-11T08:00:00.000-04:00

Sunny Soiree Dress Anthropologie $148

Vintage Floral Brooch vintagealcove $68.50

Featherweight Cashmere Cardigan J. Crew $158

Scrabble Peep Toe Pump endless $151

Today's ensemble was created by Samantha N., who has an awesome fashion sense and is a fabulous supporter of the Etsy community!

Spotlight: Sarah Storm

2011-05-09T12:00:00.002-04:00

In my opinion, you can never have enough art on your walls, so I'm always excited to stumble upon a fresh, new face on Etsy. Today I'm excited to introduce you to the fresh, new face of Sarah Storm. Oh, the endless possibilities for clever word play with a name like that, but it is true that her fine art and photography shops are taking Etsy by storm.

Read on to learn about how she got started, where she spends her days and what she finds inspiring. You can also enter to win a gift certificate to pick up a piece of her art for yourself!

Where are you from originally and where do you currently call home?
I was born and spent most of my child hood exploring the lovely Green Mountains of Vermont. When I was 10 I moved to breathtaking Colorado. I am now haunted by the mountains here and am very blessed to call it home. It is an easy place to get inspired. But I do miss those New England fall colors.

How long have you been selling on Etsy?
I started actively selling from both of my shops in December 2010, so I am still very new to it, but loving every minute.

Do you sell on Etsy full time or do you have a day job?
I work as a horticulturist and landscape designer for a country club at the base of the Rocky Mountains in Boulder Colorado. It is an amazing job and I am so blessed to be outside everyday in such an incredible location.

What, if any, formal training have you had in the arts?
I have taken several art classes throughout my high school and college career. Art has always been something I have had a great passion for ever since I can remember. I have not taken a single photography class though. I have learned a lot by experimenting through the years.

What made you decide to open up shop on Etsy?
For years it has been my favorite place to find handmade unique items. I also love supporting the talented people who create them. It gives me faith in the humanity that such incredible talent still exists. I also love how it brings people from all over the world together sharing their gifts. Everyone is so supportive and lovely. I am so happy to be a part of it.

Do you find it challenging or beneficial to have two Etsy shops, one for your photography and one for your fine art?
Both. It would be untruthful to say it was easy to devote equal amounts of time to both shops, but I still enjoy having them. I find the more effort you put in to any shop, the more you will get out of it.

What do you like least about your craft?
Nothing, other then I wish I had more time to devote to it. I have so many ideas and so little time to develop them all. I am obsessed with creating. My Mom likes to refer to it as an Art- Attack.

What inspires you?
All aspects of nature, especially the small details that people might overlook. My goal is to capture the beauty of nature and share it with the rest of the world. Such as insects, they are amazing. I have a degree in environmental science and biology and that reflects a great deal in my work. I have also been blessed with amazing art teachers and family members who were always encouraging and never critical.

Do you have any advice for other sellers on Etsy or those thinking about pursuing their craft?
Go for it! What is there to lose? As a newbie, I have learned so much in these past few months and am still constantly learning the importance of marketing and social networking. Also reading others advice. There is so much out there on how to have a successful shop. You just need to take the time to read and carry out some simple steps. It may not be fast or simple but it is worth it.

Five Etsy Shops you love
Five out of a bazillion…
alexandragrecco
Geninne
virtualdesignlab
TheHauntedHollowTree
heatherevanssmith

Five things you love
The sound of frogs at night
Discovering new music
My family
Great food
Orchids

Five things you don’t
Sauerkraut
Rollercoasters
Crowds of people
Math
Scary movies

Where is the coolest place you have ever been?
I just got married in Maui, Hawaii last May and I am so in love with it there. Almost enough to give up my mountains!

What would you like to learn?
It is a dream of mine to learn large format film photography like Ansel Adams used.

Share some of your favorite music
Right now: Band of Horses, The Black Keys, Florence and the machine, Metric, Sufjan Stevens and Xavier Rudd.

What does the future hold for you and your art?

I hope to continue to grow in my personal style with both painting and photography. I think etsy provides a great outlet for creative Moms. So I am looking forward to focusing on my shops entirely when I become a Mom in the near future! I also love connecting with new people around the world and hope to continue to make new friends in the Etsy world!

You can keep up with Sarah and her work by visiting her blog or following her on Twitter and Facebook.

GIVEAWAY!

Sarah is offering one lucky winner a $25 gift certificate to spend in either her fine art or photography shop.

HERE'S HOW TO ENTER:
Please leave a comment on this post answering the following question: What is your favorite piece of Sarah's work and where would you hang it?

Receive additional entries (one each) if you:

Follow or subscribe to this blog, my Twitter or my Facebook

Follow or subscribe to Sarah's blog, Twitter or Facebook

(You DO NOT need to leave separate comments for additional entries, just list which apply)

You have until May 31 at 10 pm (est) to enter and I will announce the winner Tuesday, June 1. Thanks for visiting!