currently. it's beginning to feel a lot like...

 

 

obsessing: about our 2013 Christmas letter that I just finished last night. each year I do these and each year I love the next letter a little more. I've had a lot of requests for a template for me to sell in my Etsy shop but I put so much love into each detail that I cannot put together just a boring template. So.... if you'd like a custom Christmas letter, invite, whatever I'd love to do it for you but know that I'll need LOTS of special details! Email me if interested {beautifulblendings@gmail.com}

reading: too many celeb mags. it's my little secret that i'm mostly embarrassed about but i just love hearing what's going on and looking at all the purdy clothes. Does anyone else want to confess to this habit? Or perhaps offer me a suggestion on a good book to read? I'm about to have my wisdom teeth surgery next week so I'd love the help with something to keep my brain entertained while my mouth hurts. 

watching: season after season of house hunters international. gosh, I LOVE seeing those exciting countries and what kind of homes are to offer in those gorgeous places. thank goodness for amazon prime. i seriously heart you. 

 

planning: to get a baby christmas tree today. our house is too small for a large one and with our new Molly pup around; it wouldn't be a good idea anyway. BUT we do have a high table and if I take the time to clear away all the mess on top it.... there might just be the perfect spot for a baby tree to light up right in our front window. I think I shall. 

 

sick of: my teeth being such a hassle. I'm having my second of four surgeries to deal with all the issues my soft teeth have brought me. the total cost to avoid further health issues (like super scary ones) is going to be $12,000. I still have no idea how we are affording it but I do know that I'm SO incredibly lucky to have my fella supporting me. and if anyone has any spare change... let me know. You may find me in a fountain.

 

thinking about: how I FINALLY feel like I'm chasing what I want to do and really doing it. There's definitely sacrifice involved in going after what you WANT to be doing versus just having a J.O.B. But again, it's much easier when I have someone so supportive in my corner. so thankful for him this christmas. and can't wait to go see twinkle lights tonight as a little family of three. 

 

happy holidays all.

what are you currently up to, friend? if you have your own "currently" post, be sure to include it below - i would love to check it out. and as always, thanks to Danielle  and illy for the original inspiration of this post.

If you want more seriously beautiful posts be sure to follow along with: 

 

2013 + something a little happy.

If I had one resolution this year; it would be happiness.

It probably seems so simple. But it's the hardest thing for me to achieve. I want to work toward happiness in everything that I do. Therefore I'm back to my blog. Because this is a place of happiness for me. Day one...check.

Another bit of happiness for me..... this girl. I've pretty much been cyber-stalking her since I started blogging 2 years ago (wow, just realized it's blogiversary time again!).... but then a few months back I actually met her "in real life" as we like to call it and found out we're pretty similar and it's pretty rad.

I wanted to write about Julie today because I just think she's beyond talented and inspiring. Oh, and you know.... pretty much as naturally beautiful as it gets.

She quit her full-time JOB last year in order to completely pursue her talent of designing cards. And I seriously have probably bought every single last one. I feel a little like I've almost kept her a secret all to myself but fortunately for her she's not a secret to the world. Her cards are flying out of her house (eh, office) and I'm so so happy for her success.

You may think this sounds a bit like a sponsor post.... but don't get it confused. This is a braggy friend post. This bitch is amazing and after my 20-something'th order the other day I couldn't wait to share her newest line.

Here are some of my favorites: 

Shop here.

It's really amazing stuff. And you definitely need her cards for every and any occasion in your life. 
Just saying. 

 

NEW beautiful Hoops

I'm so excited to *finally* have some new hoop art in the shop for you! I'm working on making a few more designs that I've had in my head for awhile now. So hopefully I'll have even more for you shortly.

But today I wanted to share these beauties with you.

Love Story

Create Beautiful

Teal & Red Starburst

Make Today Beautiful

Ps. i love you

Wish

Blue & Orange Bliss

I'm so excited about these! So excited in fact that I'd like to offer you a special little discount today!
Use the code BEAUTIFULHOOPS for 15% off your purchase today! But hurry, these babies won't last long and the code is only good for a short amount of time! Visit my shop now. ;)

Thanks so much for all your love and support! And I still do custom work too so let me know if there's something you'd like to have!

where I've been

BEFORE

AFTER

What happens when you get so busy that when you finally get a morning to relax and forget that you are a white girl and NEED sunscreen in the mean yet lovely Southern California sun. Ya, I can't walk. Might be the worst sunburn I've ever had.

Also, I apologize for my blogging absence. It all started because of this hoop that I made for my sweet friend... you might know her. Ashley, of Little Miss Momma. She recently had the most adorable second little bamboozle.  And so I made her a special hoop to add to her perfect little nursery.

And then something awesome happened. I woke up to LOTS of messages in my Etsy inbox asking for hoops just the same. And I almost cried! I felt so overwhelming excited and couldn't wait to get to work. But now.... I've been so busy that I totally neglected this space. {insert sad face}

So here's the new plan. Organize my schedule to include both writing time and creating time. AND a huge part of my plan? Re-brand. I'm thinking my name will stay the same but I really want to do a lot of re-designing for the blog and shop. Been looking at designers but can't find someone I like for a price I feel is fair. Plus there's that little part of me that wants to do it all myself. Because I'm crazy like that. But I love teaching myself little bits like that and stamping my approval on the fact that I accomplished a great task. So stay tuned.

Also on the schedule is create lots of ready-to-ship products, photograph them and get them in the shop for you. Don't worry.... if you want something custom, you'll OF COURSE still have that option (I actually LOVE creating custom pieces that I know will be cherished for a lifetime) but I also want to have easy peasy gorgeous pieces that ship out instantly with an easy click of the paypal account. :)

Ready to head home with you! 

To celebrate all the exciting change and me returning to the blog-o-sphere, what's better than a discount on HOOPS! Just head over to my *sparse* shop and use the code : BEAUTIFULHOOPS for a happy discount. The code will also apply to custom orders so don't worry if you want to go that route. Just message me with your thoughts and desires and when we work something out I'll post a custom listing for you with the discount!

Happy Weekend Friends! 

Introducing..... Hoop Art

Owning an Etsy shop is quite an interesting experience. You pour your heart and soul into creating beautiful works of art to sell to others and hope they love them as greatly as you. As I say, "Do what you love, love what you do."

Well when I started my shop I was thrilled about the pieces I was creating. Beautiful hair clips and headbands for lovely ladies and children. And each one I made, I was so excited to list and send home to someone, for them to adore also.

But it doesn't always work that way. Items weren't selling like I had hoped and I lost my spirit for creating for a bit.

But then something happened. I started crafting again for fun. I did a few projects here and there for friends and even sold a couple pieces. Encouraging words were shared and I felt excited about creating pieces for others again.

So I'd like to introduce....


Beautiful Blendings Custom Hoop Art

Only $15 for a custom design

Only $20 for a custom design

Only $25 for a custom design

Only $30 for a custom design

I hope you are as excited about this new venture as I am. If you are interested in your own custom hoop design... just click on any of the pictures to be taken to listing for that size. Or just visit my shop.

I'd love it if you shared this with someone you love.  Thanks for your support friends!
Xo.

{Thrifted Thursdays} Week 11

If you are new to this read about it all here. 

I know many of you are out there thrifting some fabulous clothing, home goods and other fun items so please link them up! If you tweet about something thrifted I will twitter stalk you until you share mkay? :)


This week I want to share with you some thrifty goods I have found via Etsy since I have been unable to go out on any thrifty adventures in the past few weeks. But don't worry... they are pretty great and many are vintage.

{1} Infant yellow dress: via
{2} Rainbow Tumblers: via
{3} Typewriter: via
{4} Vintage brooch: via
{5} Teacups: via
{6} Vintage camera: via
{7} Necklace: via
{8} Vintage coke bottles: via
{9} Vintage gown: via

WIWW {of sorts}

Sorry I haven't been around much lately. I SO miss blogging in all it's entirety. I haven't even read a blog post in a week! Which means I will have HUNDREDS to read when I finally can catch up because I never miss a post from my favorites… that's like missing out on something special.

Well if you follow me on Facebook or twitter you know that right after Christmas I got into a car accident. It wasn't pretty but I am ok.

Thankfully I have great insurance and right now my car is getting all fixed up!

But besides that I also have been working like nuts on my Groopdealz orders. I know I mentioned that before but seriously y'all it's like everytime I finish and package an order I feel like the list grows even longer. I feel terrible because I want them to all go out to their owners in a timely manner but it's taking me forever. Oy.

But in between my two jobs I sit at my desk and hot glue until the late hours of the night. No one said being a handmade business owner was easy.

But it is fun. And because I miss you all so dearly I've decided to give free shipping until the end of January. Please order your favs from the shop because soon they may all be going away for a bit of Spring cleaning.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BeautifulBlendings

Use code: PARTY2012 for FREE shipping!!

Until later here are some pictures of my fav new top from Target that I'm happy I wore today.

Happy New Year my friends!

7 days in Instagram

So between the holidays, working two jobs, etsy, blogging, OH and that GroopDealz order of 216 bracelets.....I've been a bit crazy lately. My extreme apologies! BUT.... I did take quite a few pictures via the lovely Instagram. So here's what's been going on....

Rocking cute new clothes at my nanny job

Eating delicious food at the pub {my OTHER job}

 

Enjoying all things Christmas for our very first one living together

We had our first stockings {also first time as Santa}, lego building Christmas morning, berry pie and roast beef in the crock.

And for me.... trying to fill 216 bracelets orders from my GroopDealz offer in just two weeks. 

Also...thinking to myself...WHY did I make them FIVE rosette bracelets? Oy. 

But I do feel SO INCREDIBLY blessed to have sold so many and my packaging reminds me that I'm doing what I love. 

Now if only I could get rid of those other jobs. ;) 

Happy Wednesday.

busy like a bee.

Does anyone else feel like they are running a muck doing twenty-two thousand things at once and not a single thing is really getting done? And besides that you are also constantly listing new things on your to-do list so that really it doesn't EVER seem any shorter?

Like currently I am typing this.... directly to my left is a HUGE pile of gifts to be wrapped, packaged and mailed {not at ALL in time for Christmas}, directly under my left arm is my new 2012 planner where I am trying to input all new addresses to avoid much chaos of tracking them down NEXT year, in my lap is the Xbox remote because I'm trying to find something to watch in the background so that I don't feel so alone since my fella is working 7pm-7am tonight {insert really sad Tara here} AND.... to my right is my slowly dying iPhone where I am answering emails, taking photos, perusing twitter....you know. Oh, and did I mention that I also have various other windows open on my computer with many OTHER tasks that I'm trying to complete? AND.... I'm real thirsty.

Whew! BUT, I do have some good news. Two pieces of it in fact. The FIRST: I am offering FREE SHIPPING in the shop from now until the end of the year. Yep, party like it's almost twenty-twelve people.... cause it is. Holy crapola Batman. Just enter the code: PARTY2012 when you check out. Mkay?

And SECOND: Tomorrow, which is Wednesday for those of you reading this perhaps ON Weds or after maybe, after MANY emails and preparation.... I am going to have a featured deal on GroopDealz. If you have never heard of GroopDealz it's like Groupon for handmade people. I am really excited to be working with them and they've done a beautiful job with my product. Here's what you can get:

Also, if you'd help me share the word about the deal I'd be SO eternally grateful to your heart. I'd really love to sell some of these beauties because I think they're super cute AND I have the BEST wrapping supplies that I really want to use! :) Just $3 people.

So either tweet, FB, blog, stumble, pin, text, email, HOLLA, whatever..... but share this deal for me mkay? You'll have TWO days to purchase it. Eeek!

Hope your Wednesday is great and happy ALMOST holidays to ya alright?

***OH! I almost forgot.... no {Thrifted Thursdays} this week. Taking a break in order to have some holiday goodness.

the holidays.

Since we just moved to CA a few months ago.... there will be no returning home to celebrate holidays with family and friends. Also, we are pretty broke and so we will not be able to get a tree, buy lots of gifts or do anything really.

BUT, I am still a fan of sending out a Christmas letter to all we love and so this year I used my new skills and put together a letter on a cool new program I'm learning called "CoreIDRAW". I think it turned out very cute and I can't wait to package it up in some cute envelopes and send it to everyone! 

Also special this holiday season is the fact that I now have an Etsy Shop that I didn't have this time last year. That means I can not only make super great items for all of you to purchase but I can use my handmade talents to create GIFTS!

Here are some of the items in the new Holiday Collection that you can buy right NOW!

{SHOP Your HEART Out}

{Thrifted Thursdays} Week 7

If you are new to this read about it all here.

I am so sorry this is late. The end.

There were two cute link-ups last week and I can't wait to share them with you now. Hopefully this week we'll have even more! I don't have a button for this but perhaps I'll make one so you can encourage others to join in?

First cute gal:

The lovely Gina from Acute Designs

Her cute skirt is vintage and she MADE her headband. You can find it in her shop.  

Second cute gal:

 

And just look at Rachel from Dramatic Attic

Her adorable skirt is also thrifted and her hair pin is from her shop. 

If you want to be featured here next week, you gotta link up! And a tweet doesn't hurt either. ;)

Happy thrifting! And Thursday, uh Friday.  

 

Words cannot express.

Today has been unreal. Today is why I live. Today has left me with a warm heart and a permanent smile. And while I'm feeling this exuberant joy.... I had to tell about it. So I can always remember why I must work hard.

Today I had coffee, aimless shopping and the BEST conversation with a fellow blogger---Jacqui. Jacqui blogs at BabyBoyBakery and reached out to me to see if I wanted to meet up. I've never met any of my friends from this community "in real life" so although exciting... this was also scary in a way. But we absolutely had the BEST time together. We are so similar and can really relate to each other. This new friendship is something that is so invaluable to me especially if you read this post from awhile back. 

I also found a PERFECT xmas surprise for fella and cannot wait now to give it to him. But sorry, can't share a photo of that just yet. ;)

While purchasing said gift, the cashier told me she loved my headband and asked where I got it. When I told her I made it {best feeling to be able to say that} she asked where she could shop and I got to hand her one of my new cute business cards from Moo.com.

THEN, I came home to check the mail {one of my favorite activities ever} and found that my first published article had arrived!!!

I cannot ever describe to you how it feels to see your writing in print and then to also have someone paying for those words. And other people reading them! It was IS the best feeling. I am accomplished and I CAN do THIS.

And just to top it off I found that my friends at ShopKempt have me featured on their site from this post and I just feel so overwhelmed with appreciation to be considered a "fashionable blogger". If you've never visited their site you MUST. They have the CUTEST clothing at the BEST prices. Love love love THEM.

It's such a beautiful day. I'm going to keep the happiness flowing by getting some new products listed in my shop. Who cares if I don't have a swanky nice camera? That's not what matters.

And you should smile too. Tomorrow I will have a giveaway for you from one of my fabulous sponsors, Poshlocket. You will love it.

just another manic {cyber} Monday.

Yesterday I had grand plans. Fella and I were going to spend the day taking photos of ALL my new product in a really pretty place (instead of just me alone in my house trying desperately to show you my lovelies). But then SATURDAY night I decided it was smart to update my iPhone to the new iOS5 and it instead basically died and wouldn't come back to me. I spent like 5 hours on my computer searching for a cure and ended the night exhausted and in total meltdown crying mode. Fella consoled me and said we'd get it fixed tomorrow. I literally couldn't even fathom tomorrow by this point.

The most evil symbol ever. Trust me.

So back to Sunday.... We did indeed go to the Apple Store. Waiting forever for an appt with one of their "geniuses" and he literally took my iPhone (that I had fought with for HOURS) and returned it in 5 MINUTES completely fixed and updated. The battery was even fully charged. Pretty sure he's magical. Thanks again Apple dude.

Then we decided we needed to eat and have a quick brew at our new friend's amazing brewery {Eagle Rock Brewery} which we LOVE. They have a food truck {Flat Iron Truck} that makes NO JOKE the BEST food ever. They have this Challah French Toast that is like heaven in your mouth. And then wash it down with one of Eagle Rock's brews and it's a fantastic relief to a stressful 24 hours. Or just a Sunday afternoon.

Photos via and via

So then we headed home so that I could gather what I needed for the shoot and curl my hair (must look cute when you are the only model you have to use....volunteers greatly accepted!) and headed out to finally take photos!

But then..... we couldn't find the park we were searching for, the sun was setting like it was trying to make me upset and once we found the park there was no parking. We literally just drove around for awhile and then ended up right back at home. I was SO disappointed. I really want to list product for y'all and I've been working SO HARD at getting it done in time for an article that was being posted about my shop on Dec. 5th on ivillage.com.

Well then I got word this morning that the article went out today instead. Of course. 
And I'm still so excited that so many people will be visiting my shop but obviously I'm just beside myself that there's no new product! I suppose these are the woes of being a handmade biz owner. Here's the article:

So anyways....it's really exciting but so frustrating all at the same time. I'm just happy for the exposure {thank you Cory} and here's hoping for some sales!

Also.... it IS Cyber Monday and so all day you can SHOP {pretty please} and save big! Just use the code: BIGSURPRISE at checkout and I KNOW you'll be happy! I WILL get that new product listed soon too.... just ordered myself a tripod in fact. Ha.

Thanks for being such great bloggy friends!