Friday, October 28, 2011

The Orange windmill giveaway

Ok so If you remember one of my weekly etsy finds a couple weeks ago I shared a gorgeous hand bound embossed journal in the most BEAUTIFUL shade of turquoise, anyways the talented Shirley from The orange windmill is having a giveaway for one of her hand bound leather journals and also some paper flowers from " For any occasion".

Click HERE to enter <3 Here are the amazing prizes up for grabs.... I do hope you will enter




Beautiful paper flowers

Isn't she just so talented? I looove these journals


Gracie

Monday, October 24, 2011

This weeks etsy finds

I know I'm so much earlier than usual LOL but this week I'm going to be incredibly busy so I thought I'd get a head start :)

First off I hope you all had an amazing weekend, mine was awesome and laid back! My family had a fun packed weekend playing loads of ping pong, swimming, drawing all over the side walk and soaking in the hot tub! I honestly can't remember the last time we all just chilled like that, anyways back to the subject at hand hehe. This weeks etsy finds are inspired by the colors orange and gold, I tend to wear more gold jewelery and accessories when fall comes around... Enjoy lovies

This simple yet beautiful necklace by Blue white wear is so elegant! You can find it HERE

This bicycle necklace by Las flores del sur is so eye catching, I can picture wearing this with a cute cardigan and jeans on a casual day! You can find it HERE

Ms. Marisa from Las flores del sur is so talented she also has a shop full of gorgeous accessories like this one! I just love the texture of this and how realistic it is. You can find it HERE

I LOVE autumn, If y'all haven't noticed I've been posting about it like crazy, so it came to no surprise when I fell in love with earrings from the amazing Headpinwear! You can find them HERE
The simplicity yet intricate detail of these earrings just captured my attention from KCdragonfly, You can find them HERE

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Banana nut muffins

These delicious banana nut muffins have always been one of my fall favorites. I will also show you how to ice and decorate them, these muffins make a perfect addition to fall parties, are quick and easy to make and not to mention simply adorable.

I made my dad "pose" with the cupcakes... these are not my hands! LOL just thought I'd mention that hehe
To make this banner simply cut little triangles out of fun scrapbook paper, and hot glue them onto some twine. Next tie the twine on two long tooth picks and your done {ENJOY}

Here's what you'll need for the muffins:
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 3/4 cup mashed ripe banana
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Directions
  • In a bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in the egg, banana and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda and cinnamon; add to creamed mixture just until moistened. Fold in walnuts.



  • Coat muffin cups with cooking spray or use paper liners; fill two-thirds full with batter. Bake at 350° for 23-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. makes 6 delicious muffins.







  • To decorate them cool completely, Here's what you'll need for the icing...

    1/2 cup of Butter (softened)

    1 1/2 cups of Powdered sugar
    dash of salt

    about a teaspoon or 2 of lemon or lime juice
     

     Mix all of the ingredients (except the lemon juice) together and slowly add the lemon juice to make the consistency you desire.

    To decorate place the icing in a zip lock bag, and cut off the tip like so... squeeze out the icing as if you were making a cute swirly ice cream cone!





    Now place the flowers and leaves onto your iced muffins :)

    Happy Fall


    Gracie <3


    Friday, October 21, 2011

    This weeks etsy finds

    Howdy my lovie dovies :) I'm sorry I haven't been posting like I should, I'm incredibly busy these days its insane, but before the week is out I couldn't forget to share this weeks etsy finds with y'all. So here we go, this weeks inspiration is BEAUTIFUL THINGS *which mostly includes turquoise of course squeeee*

    AHHH I could simply pass out from the beauty,  this bracelet by CKsilver is breathtaking... you can find HERE.

    What a stunning work of art, I never even knew people made crochet earrings! Gmaellen is incredibly talented, you can find these earrings HERE

    If I could wear hair flowers everyday then you would definitely see me wearing this amazing accessory by ChickyD's!!! You can find it HERE

    And last but not least I'm so so so in love with these turquoise crescent hoops by Riorita :) The detailing and rustic look is so charming! You can find these beauties HERE

    Hope you enjoyed this weeks BEST team feature and this weeks finds <3

    HUGS

    Gracie

    Thursday, October 13, 2011

    RUCHE

    Ive been given the ENORMOUS honor of being featured on Shop Ruche's blog <3 It is a felt bow DIY, check it  our HERE if you'd like lovies

    I will be putting up more fun DIY's for y'all soon <3 I know most of you have already seen the felt bows but I thought I'd share anyway hehe

    Gracie

    this weeks etsy finds

    Today I'm combining my wedding Wednesday with this weeks etsy finds :) I focused on pastel colors, which will be a huge part of the wedding! I was so happy to see what my fellow Best team mates had to offer <3 YAY

     I would love to see this EXTREMELY gorgeous garden fairy sun catcher by Poison Garden hanging somewhere close to where I'll be saying my vows... Since I hope to have an outside wedding I can see it fitting in perfectly. You can find it HERE

    I love these gorgeous vintage sugar and cream set from Indigo Objects. So perfect for having a little tea party with my bridal party before the wedding ! You can find it HERE


    I was ecstacic when I found this jewelry holder from Redemption art, I can picture myself putting this on my bedside table and putting my wedding ring in there every night! I'm a flower gal so this just made me smile soo much :) You can find it HERE

    Such a beautiful necklace by Jewelry by Jaynemarie, this matches the colors of my wedding so perfectly. I just love it!!!! You can find it HERE
    I hope you enjoyed these awesome etsy finds and shops!!!!!

    Gracie <3

    Sunday, October 9, 2011

    my house :)

    I've been getting a lot of y'all asking me to post up pictures of our new home so I decided I'd show you a couple before I take some new ones with all of our stuff settled in!!! Here is the front view of the house...

    the pool and back view :)

    I'm sorry the quality isn't that great, I wanted to re take the pictures but it's been so rainy I thought I'd wait and opt for a better day. I cant believe how many boxes of stuff I still have to unpack, sometimes it makes me want to just get rid of everything and only carry around a backpack with my necessities *SIGH*

    I'm super excited about the long weekend, Ill be able to get some more unpacking done and hopefully begin on the birdcage project YAY... 

    Anyways I hope you all are having a great weekend, I'm sending you wishes for a cool autumn *non rainy* Columbus day <3

    Gracie

    Saturday, October 8, 2011

    heaters, sweet treats and a birdcage

    Sorry for not keeping up with comments and blog posts, I think I'm finally getting used to the move and getting back into to my routine. One thing I've been doing more of lately is swimming, our new home has a pool and spa which I'm IN LOVE with jejeje

    A problem I do have with it though are the freezing temps of the water, I probably get in the pool for 5 minutes and call it quits. So my dad came up with an awesome idea, we are going to install solar panels to heat the pool and spa YAY <3 I've been wanting to get solar panels for the longest time so this is extremely exciting for me!

    An update on my room deco is that I finally found a birdcage *WOOT WOOT* Its painted gray so I'm going to be re-painting it a cream or white. I'm so excited about installing it sometime this week
    and hopefully getting around to painting my room :)

    On a completely different subject I recently ordered some samples and a vegan candy corn lip gloss from Sweet treat cosmetics (an indie company)  and I must say I'm head over heels with this company *THE AMAZING CANDY CORN LIPGLOSS) and the awesome customer service. She  also sent me 7 eyeshadow samples in fondant, blue raspberry, champagne, chocolate mousse, licorice, plum pudding and creamcicle. So far Ive done two makeup looks Ill post pictures below. Here is a picture of my order *sorry for the quality, I took it with my phone*


    I had to tell you guys the candy corn lip gloss is "flavor of the week" and is on sale for 2.50$!!! Im going to pick up a few since they're limited edition :) She's also having a surprise grab bag sale to celebrate 500 fans :) I bought one but it hasn't gotten here yet, I cant wait to share it all with y'all!
    Here is one look which I used fondant (glittery silver) with plum pudding (shimmery purple) and the candy corn lipgloss


    and here is the second look with fondant, champagne, chocolate mousse and licorice (and candy corn lipsgloss :)
    I hope you all are having a fantastic weekend <3 What kinds of things do you have planned for this awesome 3 day weekend?

    Gracie

    Wednesday, October 5, 2011

    Autumn lovin

    OOOO I love fall/autumn it is my favorite season (along with winter) so I try and make sure I enjoy it to the fullest. I've found some things which have inspired me to fall in love with autumn even more than I already do teehee! Here are a few of my fall things right now...

    Dont you just love this banner

    autumn purse galore

    so beautiful
    this stuff smells o so yummy <3

    I loooooove candy corn
    These are just a few things on my autumn lovin list, I have some fun recipies I'll have to share with y'all soon :)

    Happy wednesday

    Gracie <3                         (1-2-3-4-5)

    Monday, October 3, 2011

    Bedroom pinboard

    So today we moved into our new house HOORAY &lt;3 I'm so excited to start decorating my room Ive been spending a bit of time on pinterest making my bedroom's pinboard of inspiration Ill share some of them with you &lt;3

    I have an old cherry wood drawer which I'm going to sand and paint an off white to match the feel of my room. I haven't found my headboard yet but I'm thinking about going to a couple estate sells to maybe find a cute one I can refinish... I also went to Tuesday Morning (OMG that store is amazing) and found a cute birdcage which I will be using as a "chandelier", some cute tiny porcelain vases and an amazingly adorable mini tea set from hemmlin all for under 40$ WOOT now all I need is the paint for my room antique books and some wooden spools, I'm sure your wondering "what on earth is she going to use all of this for?" Here is some of my future rooms pinboard...

    and actual "Book case" jeje



    even though this is a nursery I love the colors and feel


    antique wooden spools as jewelry holders LOVE

    Isn't this the most ingenious use of a birdcage ;)


    OO MY! Isn't is almost to much to take in??? Ikea is my next stop for a vanity, bedside table and curtains :) I hope you all are having a fantastic start to your week, as a celebration for moving in I'm hosting a sale at my etsy shop, type in the code "MOVEDIN" for 20% off your entire purchase!!!