I thought I would share some last minute, inexpensive gift ideas.  I bought these gifts for the staff at my daughters’ school.  This particular group of gift recipients work in the afterschool center and do an awesome job!  Most of the gifts cost no more than $12.00 and were bought at Marshalls.

Here they are all wrapped up and ready to be drop off. My girls will be so excited to give these!

 This week, we are giving away our coastal earrings.  This design is new and has quickly become a best seller.  They’re made of sterling sliver, fresh water and coin pearls.

Happy Monday….. I hope everyone had a great weekend!  Ours was very busy, spending time with friends, family, Christmas shopping and doing some volunteer work.

 This week, we are giving away our coastal earrings.  This design is new and has quickly become a best seller.  They’re made of sterling sliver, fresh water and coin pearls.

For a chance to win, leave a comment telling what you did over the weekend.

Good luck!

I’ll contact you and get you your  pretty gemstone hairpins asap.

Every year, our ENTIRE family shops for our Christmas tree.

This year, I attempted to convince my husband I wasn’t needed…told him it was better if I stayed home and prepared things around the house!

Yeah…. nice try….he was not buying it.

So we gathered up the girls [...]]]> Our family has a tradition.

Every year, our ENTIRE family shops for our Christmas tree.

This year, I attempted to convince my husband I wasn’t needed…told him it was better if I stayed home and prepared things around the house!

Yeah…. nice try….he was not buying it.

So we gathered up the girls and piled into our car.

They fought and fussed with each other as we drove around on our Christmas tree quest.

But once we arrived, things changed.

There was instant cooperation and excitment.

We pulled out numerous trees, cut rope, shook them and took turns holding them so everyone could get a good look.

And…Finally….we found her.

Here she is getting ready to come home with us

I guess it can be stressful but I was reminded how much I love this family tradition,  and it’s one my girls look forward to with such excitement.

 I know they’ll cherish these memories forever.

What are your  family holiday traditions?

I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend!

We’re continuing our weekly giveaway in the spirit of the holiday season.

This week I’m excited to annouce that Pinky’s Workbench is giving three sets of lovely hairpins.

They consist of one pair of pale yellow chalcedony hairpins, one pair of natural quartz [...]]]>  

I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend!

We’re continuing our weekly giveaway in the spirit of the holiday season.

This week I’m excited to annouce that Pinky’s Workbench is giving three sets of lovely hairpins.

They consist of one pair of pale yellow chalcedony hairpins, one pair of natural quartz hairpins and one pair of antique pink swarovski crystal hairpins.  The total value is $45.00

What a beautiful way to dress up your hair for the holiday season.

To enter for a chance to win, just leave a comment telling me where or how you would wear these pretty little things.

Cheers!

Congratulations! Please email me  your mailing info and I’ll send your  gift ASAP.

over the summer, we were under construction around here….we added a master suite!  we’re loving the new addition and one of the best things about it is the new view.  it’s so amazing to see how the exact view changes throughout the day.

here it is in the morning.

apparently, our [...]]]>  

over the summer, we were under construction around here….we added a master suite!  we’re loving the new addition and one of the best things about it is the new view.  it’s so amazing to see how the exact view changes throughout the day.

here it is in the morning.

apparently, our cats love it as much as we do. here’s sage enjoying some morning sun.

rainy boy,  also enjoying some sun. you  handsome devil you.  have i mentioned that i LOVE that cat!

sunset

more at sunset. ahhh….makes me want to meditate or have a cup of tea, or just do something relaxing.

Here is the prize for this week!

Organic earrings in sterling silver.

These earrings are one of my best sellers. What a great gift for yourself or someone else!

Here’s how it works.  [...]]]> As promised, I will be hosting one give away per week up to Christmas.

Here is the prize for this week!

Organic earrings in sterling silver.

These earrings are one of my best sellers. What a great gift for yourself or someone else!

Here’s how it works.  Visit my blog and leave a comment on all new posts for this week.

On friday, I will announce the winner…yay!

We started off  at the beach…..  hanging at the beach in late November! One of the many benefits of living in southern California.

Yup here’s Sofia…to say she feels comfortable in front of the camera might be [...]]]> I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Here are some photos from our day.

We started off  at the beach…..  hanging at the beach in late November! One of the many benefits of living in southern California.

Yup here’s Sofia…to say she feels comfortable in front of the camera might be a bit of an understatement.

And here’s Harley looking annoyed with her little sister.  Poor girl couldn’t get a picture alone. We’re gonna have to work on that!

This is on our way home.  The clouds look like an edge of a cliff…. It was mesmerizing!

A beautiful table, set by grammy.

And  finally, a family photo.  We took about 20 pictures to get this one…why is it so hard to get a good photo???

Here’s a tutorial on a coastal inspired wreath I made over the weekend.  We live by the ocean.  Lately, I’ve found that the ocean has had a huge influence on  most of my designs…I especially love the beach during the fall!

Here’s everything you’ll need.  18″ wreath { I found mine [...]]]>  

Here’s a tutorial on a coastal inspired wreath I made over the weekend.  We live by the ocean.  Lately, I’ve found that the ocean has had a huge influence on  most of my designs…I especially love the beach during the fall!

Here’s everything you’ll need.  18″ wreath { I found mine at Michaels for $5.00},  hot glue gun, ribbon , thick  jute, large and medium size starfish and a 6″ wooden letter.

First, hot glue the jute onto the wreath, and wrap. I cut off  long lengths of jute while wrapping.  It was much easier to control the materials this way.

Wrap. Wrap. Wrap.  I would glue the jute about every 4-5 wraps.  It took about an hour to completely wrap the wreath.

Here’s what it looked like when I was done…whew!

Next, simply  glue the initial directly on the jute. 

Glue the starfish on. I would recommend playing around with the placement of the starfish first.  This took me a little time before it looked right to me.

Glue the bow on the letter{I forgot to get a picture of this} It really makes a difference. The bow gives it a pretty finished look.

You’re DONE!  Here’s a full size look.