Just Some Thinking Outloud

Hey guys and gals. I hope your day is on the right track and that you're staying toasty warm. I'm checking in for just a second to let you in on one of the thoughts that keeps popping into this little old head of mine.

Lately I've been wanting to start an Etsy shop with some of my vintage thrifted items.

I buy a lot and understand that sadly, I just cannot keep it all.

This weekend I went to a new thrift shop in St. Louis to pick up a craigslist find and was so inspired. I would love to open up a brick and mortar shop but that just may never be in the cards.

But, Etsy? It may just be a possibility. So my question to any one who cares to answer...do you think it's a good idea?

Or is it totally silly? I can take it.

As always, I love to hear your thoughts. You guys are my friends after all and I value your opinions.

xoxo

Give Thanks Giveaway

With Thanksgiving right around the corner another giveaway seemed like a no-brainer. As 2010 draws to a close, I am reminded how extremely thankful I am for this little blog of mine and all of the sweet readers who come back everyday to leave comments that brighten my day! Of course, I am also forever thankful for the unbelievable family and friends that God blessed me with. I hope I never forget to express my gratitude. That is a big priority in my life.

To extend my thanks, my sorority sister and friend, Kate, has offered up the perfect handmade & original necklace you see below. Who couldn't use a little classic houndstooth to gussy up your Holiday attire?

She operates the cutest jewelry shop on Etsy {KateBobate} and her pieces are original and gorgeous.

My favorite of hers at the moment is this little beauty! She incorporates vintage items in a lot of her stuff and that makes me love it even more.

With Christmastime upon us her lovelies would make the perfect stocking stuffer. Don't ya think?

To Enter This Giveaway:

--ONLY 1 entry allowed per person--

1. Leave a comment on this post telling me what you're thankful for this Thanksgiving! Don't forget to leave an email address where I can reach you. And, while you're at it...please visit Kate's shop: KateBobate and/or "like" her shop on facebook!

--Giveaway will close on FRIDAY, November 26th, 2010 @ 12 p.m. CST.

--Winner will be posted on FRIDAY, November 26th, 2010 in the afternoon.

--As always, the winner will have 48 hours to contact me and/respond to my notification email. If I do not hear from the winner, another winner will be chosen.

Good luck, everybody!

xoxo

Fun Quotes + Photoshop = Art!

This summer I had lots of free time on my hands. Being a teacher is the best thing in the world! Several nights I would browse the internet or goof around on photoshop to help make me sleepy.

I had seen this quote from Etsy seller, Hikirik Studio, and I really liked it! There was many a time that I almost ordered it but then thought, you know, I could probably make something similar on my own in photoshop that was more tailored to my style. It was my first non-photo work in photoshop and I was a little unsure of where to start. With nothing but time on my hands, I googled and youtubed my way through it! I obviously really liked the Etsy version, but I wanted PINK. Go figure, right? Eventually I came up with this and I was happy with my handiwork.

It currently sits on my desk at school and is a constant reminder that I'm doing what I should be doing. : )

I then took one of my favorite verses from a fabulous song {'Home' by Edwarde Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros} and turned it into original art from my little brain. I am not responsible for finding this band but rather owe it all to my husband. He and I have very different music tastes, but all summer long he was playing this and I fell in love with it. You must watch & or listen to the song...it's very haunting and the words are just perfect for David's and my relationship.

I was very shocked that I came up with something so visually appealing--I was doubtful my vision would come across like I wanted it to!

And the last of my crafty "art" pieces comes from another verse in a song by the Country music star, Travis Tritt. Even if you're not a fan of country music, I promise this song will rise above your distaste. The words make me and David smile and also remind us of our late best friend, Emily.

Give it a listen and I dare you to try not to like it...I don't think it's possible. The words are just too inspiring.

And, my interpretation of one of my favorite lines ever is below. It's hanging on our gallery wall in our living room now.

xoxo

It's Time For Another Giveaway

The fabulous and very talented, Kate, from KateBobate designs on Etsy is offering up another gorgeous original necklace of hers for a fun little Nuestra Vida Dulce giveaway : ) .

Katie's designs are all gorgeous and I urge you to check out everything she has in her store! Her jewelry would make the perfect little gift and you could guarantee no one else would have the same piece.

All you have to do to enter is check out Katie's Etsy site and leave a comment in the comment section of this post {no anonymous entries allowed/only one entry per email/US Residents only}. The giveaway will close on Tuesday night, 08/03/10, @ 7:00 p.m. CST. I will generate a winner using random.org and will make a post on my blog on Wednesday, 08/04/10.

The winner will have until Friday, 08/06/10, to claim their prize by contacting me at Nuestravidadulce@gmail.com with their address. If not, I will generate another winner.

Good luck and as always, thanks for reading. You all make my day. : )

xoxo

KateBobate Etsy Necklace Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Commenter # 6! MV you are the lucky winner of the fabulous KateBobate vintage-modern necklace.

Please email me {Nuestravidadulce@gmail.com} by 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 17th, 2010 CST to claim your prize.

Thanks to everyone who entered and to Katie for offering one of her spectacular one-of-a-kind beauties!

xoxo

Winner, Winner!

I am so happy to announce that commenter #37 {Julie}, from Back to the Basics, won the fabulous KateBobate necklace giveaway.

It's neat that Julie won because I became blogging friends with her through one of my real-life friends. Such a small little world.

Congrats, Julie! Thanks for reading and enjoy your necklace. Please send your address to Nuestravidadulce@gmail.com and the necklace will be in the mail!

Oh, and don't forget to check out Katie's shop for the rest of her fabulous creations! Her creativity is refreshing and so are her prices. : )

xoxo

Get Ready For Another Giveaway

The fabulous and very talented, Kate, from KateBobate designs on Etsy is offering up another gorgeous original necklace of hers for a fun little Nuestra Vida Dulce giveaway : ) .

The last giveaway was such a hit that she decided to take another chance at it. My choice for this giveaway is the classic and somewhat vintage inspired, "Winter Ready".

Katie's designs are all gorgeous and I urge you to check out everything she has in her store! Her jewelry would make the perfect little Christmas stocking stuffer and you could guarantee no one else would have the same piece.

All you have to do to enter is check out Katie's Etsy site and leave a comment in the comment section of this post. The giveaway will close on Sunday night, 12/6/09, @ 7:00 p.m. CST. I will generate a winner using random.org and will make a post on my blog on Monday, 12/7/09. The winner will have until Friday, 12/11/09, to claim their prize and if not, I will generate another winner.

Good luck and as always, thanks for reading. You all make my day. : )

xoxo

Let's Try This Again {New Etsy Necklace Winner}

We had a winner, but since she never contacted me {after this blog post and emails} I went to the trusty random.org and had it produce another winner!

This time the lovely and talented Michelle, from Three Men and a Lady, won the big prize!

Michelle has an absolutely gorgeous home and even more gorgeous family. Check her out when you get a chance.

And Michelle...shoot me an email to Nuestravidadulce@gmail.com so we can get you the super fantastic etsy necklace.

Thanks for entering, everyone! : )

xoxo

Fabulous Little Giveaway: Etsy Necklace!

Hey there all of you fabulous little readers! I've got a great giveaway in store for you today. I am so excited to announce that Katie, from the fabulous little etsy shop, KateBobate, has offered up one of her fabulous vintage-modern necklaces for one of Nuestra Vida Dulce's devoted readers.

Her shop is full of beautiful handmade jewelry with extra special names to them. The necklace up for grabs is "If All The Raindrops Were Lemondrops And Gumdrops." Don't you just love it?

Her description states:

This necklace was made using a vintage clip on earring, attaching it to large, pink, mother of pearl beads, and reworked with vintage gold-toned chain. It has a lobster clasp and measures about 20" long.

All of Katie's items up for sale have a vintage flair to them, but with a modern twist. I am seriously coveting the gorgeous necklace named "Vingtastico."

To enter:

1. Promise to visit Katie's site today {or sometime soon : )}
-and-
2. Become a Nuestra Vida Dulce follower and comment on this post!

Deadline to enter is Thursday, October 29th, @ 8 p.m. CST. Winner will be generated by random.org and announced on Friday.

Buena Suerte!

xoxo

Check Out This Seller {Etsy}

I ran across a fabulous new blog, Sparrow's Nest, whose pages I was perusing when I came across this undeniably lovely Etsy seller. Everything at Lucky Blue Bird Art is divine. I can't decide on what I want to order, but I do know I will be ordering many items and it will be happening very soon.

Here is just a snippet of some of the absolutely perfect designs you could make yours!

You must not delay, check her shop out asap. Have a fabulous little Tuesday : )

xoxo

Home Sweet Home

I am in love with my new Etsy print from Two Poodle Prints!!! It looks great in the perfect square frame from Crate and Barrel {which was sorta free since we bought it on a gift card} and now resides on the photo wall in the living room.

Her prices really can't be beat--please check out her site! : )

xoxo

I'll Take Them Both!

Thanks to my buddy L, from DP, for the fun finds over at Etsy. You all already know about my slight obsession with this fabulous little online market {as documented by this and this}!

Now I'm about to make the prints below, mine as well. Love, love, love them!You can find them here and here.

And, if you have a favorite etsy seller, be a dear and leave their link in the comments section.

xoxo

Looking For Love {The Print, That Is!}

I don't think I can tell you how much I heart Etsy. By now, I'm sure all of you have perused its greatness...and if you haven't, get over there right now : )

I always check up on a few of my favorite sellers and see what new things they have in store! I fell in love with this print awhile back{from Irene Suchocki} and used my online survey money to make her mine. It should be here soon and I cannot wait!

I own two other prints {a beach shot and butterfly shot} from Irene that are spectacular and help make my art wall in our living room so fabulous!

Treasured

It's here and made it all in one piece. My lovely piece of custom pottery {sounds so money, right??--hehe} arrived safe and sound and is absolutely stunning. Thanks to the posters from my previous post who offered up their ideas on the words I could choose.

I decided to go with "treasured" because it symbolizes how I feel about my engagement ring, wedding band, and the ring my best friend, Emily, used to wear everyday.

If you would like a little birdie of your own, visit Paloma's Nest on Etsy.

Dish It Out

It's come to my attention that I need a place to rest my fancy jewels {a.k.a my wedding bands and Emily's ring} while I get my beauty rest at night. I've found that while I lotion up in the morning it takes too long to remove the rings from my semi-swollen fingers from the night before and realized it'd probably be better anyway if I took them off to sleep. While I was perusing Etsy, one of my favorite online sites, I came across this

from Paloma's Nest. Can you say, love?!? These dishes are so precious and delicate. My only hold up is what to have her inscribe on the dove....hmmmm, have any suggestions?

What are you waiting for....go check out the rest of her stuff! Her shop is undeniably sweet, chic, and simple. You won't be disappointed.

xoxo