Mixing It Up

I was inspired this morning by Amy from A is for Ampersand  with her mixed patterned outfit. So for school today I thought I'd mix it up and put together my geometric shirt with my floral silk skirt.

I love the weathered look on the chalk ring so I didn't clean it off the last time I wore it.

Top: You're the Tapas Top // Modcloth

Skirt: Forever 21 // F21

Tights: George // Walmart

Shoes: Xhilaration // Target

Necklace: Poindexter Necklace // Craft'n Bettie

Ring: Chalk All You Want // Craft'n Bettie

I Love Maps

 

 

I went to Michael's and got a poster frame on sale to hang up my free vintage map I got last Saturday. I think it looks amazing and is a great addition to the vintage wall. Though I think I'm just going to wait until I get more pieces before I start to hang everything else back up. It just seems I keep taking things down when I  get a new piece and have to rehang everything. Once I get the rest of the pieces for it I'll hang everything back up and it should be finished! Alright I need to finish getting ready for school I have term projects due this week.

Craft'n Bettie Update

Before I head off to the craft store I just wanted to update you about my shop

I have added a few more sales items and lowered ones already listed.

I have added a new section with 1/2 price items mostly from the Fall and Winter collections

Since it adds $1.00 Shipping and Handling for every additional item you purchase I'm willing to return the difference if you buy three items or more. Unless the package is rather heavy then if shouldn't be more than $3.00 to ship but sometimes you get a surprise and it does cost more. If there is a big difference between cost of shipping and handling then I'll be glad to return that difference.

Vintage Finds

Today I went to this estate sale (it wasn't exactly that but it's the best way to explain it) where I got a few awesome pieces for a great price. My grandpa was told about this women selling  some old furniture from her Mom's house who passed away last year at 101. There wasn't much furniture left and no credenza but what I did get was pretty great.

Vintage Jar of Buttons $0.25

 

Beautiful Floral Tray $1.00

 

 

Divided Snowflake Casserole Dish w/glass lid $4.00

 

Smokey Mountain Map (N.C & VA) never opened FREE

After not finding furniture at the first place my grandpa and I stopped by a thrift store that had just opened up. It was more of an odds and ends shop with new and old items. I didn't find much but I got a cute mood ring and this nesting doll. Sadly I thought there were a few more whole pieces but when I checked it again it was just the top of one and the bottom of another piece.

Hunting Fox Nesting Doll $1.00

I'm hoping to get the map framed and use it for my antique collage but I'm still looking for my paint by numbers and of course the mid century credenza/sideboard.

Sometimes It's Good To Share

I have spent too much time going through all the "Sh*t _____ Say" that I had to share the original. Apparently a lot of people have made their own parody of this one with things they say, don't say or others say to them and basically all of them are just as funny; though be warned you will get sucked in and waste an hour watching every single one. Enjoy!


p.s- I do do that, "Did I lock the door?" thing plus "Did I turn off my headlights in my car?" or "Did I lock my car door?"

Sale on Craft'n Bettie (Almost Everything Reduced)

I finally figured out the direction I want to go with Craft'n Bettie and with that there are a lot of things that aren't returning. I want to keep more consistent styles and only add new ones every once in a while plus add vintage accessories. So with all that I put a lot of stuff in the sale section of the shop not to mention lowered the prices on both the Fall and Winter collections

Originally:$10 Now: $7.00

Ravishing Red and Truly Teal are left Originally: $4 Now: $2

Originally: $5 Now: $3.25

Originally: $7 Now: $4.75

I would go even cheaper but I still want to make a profit even if it is a small one. 

I need to take a vacation from the shop to organize all my pricing, jewelry, create new pieces, and build up a vintage accessory inventory. I'm going to keep the site up for a while just to get rid of some of this inventory but hoping to take a break mid February. With Valentines day coming up this is the perfect time to pick up your friends and family some cute jewelry for a reasonably good price!

Vintage Finds

Earlier this week I went with my Mother and her husband to this place that was basically a giant yard sale in an old Lowes building.

As interesting as this place was I didn't get as much stuff from here as I expected. Though I did spot an awesome coffee maker for my Mom's shop..it just needs some fixing but it looked awesome. Anyway I did pick up a few mugs to fill out my shelf, a cork board for the refrigerator, and a neat little clip board.

I rotated the picture but for some reason it won't upload that way

The store didn't have prices on things so you basically just show them what you have and they give you an estimate. I got all this for $1 and with all proceeds going to the church's mission trips I donated $2 to them.

Also for your enjoyment:

I told Derrick (my Mom's husband) it looked like she was riding in one of those swan shaped peddle boats.

SOPA and PIPA

(click photo to sign petition)

Instead of the usual Obsession Wednesday I want to let you guys know about two new bills that has been presented to Congress called Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect IP Act (PIPA).  These bills that Congress will be voting on January 24 can severely limit and punish people for things we would have never thought could get someone five years in prison. They both are wrapped around copyright laws in which sites can be eliminated (i.e erased from the internet and no longer working websites) if it contains any copyright material. It may seem right, punish people who steal but they are not written out to punish criminals as it is presented. Sites like Google, Youtube, Facebook, Tumblr in which people quote lyrics,upload images and music can be deleted just because of one person. These bills are very vague and can hinder much more then just social network sites but also businesses. I could go on for hours about how under structured these bills are but I'll let you read more (here) and let you make your own decision on this.

Vintage Finds

Last night my boyfriend and I spent some quality time with my family. We went out to eat at one of our favorite local restaurants and being as the only place to "shop" in town is Walmart we headed over there to walk off our meal. When we were done we went to my Mom's house so Dustin could work on a computer. while there she let me pick through some of her vintage items that she was still rummaging through for her etsy shop Red Rover Retro.

The box had a lot of stuff that would sell and wouldn't and I got my pick of a pumpkin container, a plate that matches some I already have (this one had a manufacturer chip), and a french press that was not so vintage. Then as I was telling her how I have been looking for vintage knobs for the dresser (particularly the round spheres) she pulls out a ziplock of the old knobs that use to be on the kitchen cabinets. They were exactly what I was looking for!!

 For the moment I'm just going to line the drawers with some pretty Martha Stewart brand shelf paper just so I can get those closes on the right out of baskets. Later on through I want to sand it down the whole dresser and stain it a lighter shade.

Total cost: $0.00 I think I had a great day yesterday.

Also as I mentioned my Mom has an etsy shop where she sells vintage housewares at a great price. She and her husband has found some really amazing vintage pieces. The shop has only been up for about a month but she has a lot of items to offer. Feel free to check out her shop and leave a comment about your favorite piece :)

My Good Outfits Go To Waste

Sometimes I feel like my good business casual outfits tend to go to waste. I always think of the best ones when I only have one class then that class ends early. Oh well at least I know it works and can make it a "go to" outfit.

Blazer- Forever21//F21

Top- East 5th// JCPenny

Skirt-Chocolate Aline Skirt//Prototype Designs

Shoes- Xhilaration//Target

Earrings- Gift

Searching

The other day I read a couple of amazing post on wonderful artist and a lot of people who aspired to find their artistic style. It had me thinking the same thing about my own style. I've been drawing since I was very young and I did well redrawing images I saw. While in high school I took almost all the art classes available and improved on my drawing and later challenged myself to draw people better.

 Then I started working with watercolors a bit. 

Now that I've challenged myself in those ways I want to challenge myself again to find my own style. I would love to start a daily challenge but I'm afraid I won't be committed to it but maybe a weekly challenge. I know some of my favorite artist have weekly challenges like Ambird's Sunday Night Drawing Challenge where she list words and you find a way to incorporate them into a drawing. It sounds fun and I might try doing that and figure my own style of drawing :) 

Are any of you looking for your artistic style of drawing/painting/etc?

Responsible Blogging

This blog isn't very old but I have had my share of blogs as a teenager (anyone remember Xanga?) so I've learned my way around on my own. With this being the beginning of the year I know a lot of people start  blogging for multiple reasons so here are some tips I've gathered over the years that I practice myself as a blogger.

Sourcing Images
I know a lot of people search images on Google, Pinterest, or Tumblr and simple copy the image on their computer and later upload it without the original source. Even if the image is floating around on the interest someone took or created the image you are using. They do deserve credit for the photo so link backs or a click through to the original blog or website is a must. For many it is the fact they don't know how to include a url link (i.e http://www.websitename.com) to text or images. Lucky for you most blogging sites include buttons ,such as "link" like Blogspot, that once the text is highlighted or by clicking on the image* you can click the link button that will open a window that allows you to paste the url and turns it automatically for you, but some websites require a html code. For those sites copy and paste the codes below depending on what you are coding and insert the url.

For Text:
<a href="http://www.websitename.com"></a>
For Image:
<a img src="http://urlforimage.com"><a href="http://www.urlforwebsite.com"></a>

*if you used the url to upload the image on blogspot click on image and then click on "link" to get rid of that url . Then click the image again then click "link" to put the url that will connect to the article or website where the image was originally used.

Sharing Original Ideas
Everyone loves a good DIY post but it is also great to source the inspirations or the original person that you got the instructions from. Sometimes your original idea may have already been done before but when you find a project from another blog that you are trying out and are going to share in a post you need to give credit for the original inspiration. For example I have always thought about making faux oxfords before using some white shoes and markers, but I never did the project.  Then a few months back I stumbled upon a blogger who thought of the same idea and posted the DIY. When I finally decided to do the project for the blog I sourced it to the person who inspired me to actually go out and do the project even though the idea had occurred to me before hand. It's just something nice to do for other bloggers and it can also help you when others link to your projects.

TMI
Blogs are a great place to meet other bloggers with common interest but when you start to let your guard down because you are friends with a few people who read your blog remember it is still the internet where anyone can see it. I'm not saying to not make friends but be aware of personal things you post that people can use to access your information. Some people look for those simple things that they can use to answer your security questions. Just remember if you have something set as an answer avoid the subject on the blog or change your security question to something completely different. Also think of the consequences of a post such as an angry post about your boss or a party where you got drunk. Posting about it on your blog is just as bad as a eye-half-closed-red-solo-cup-in-hand photo you've been tagged in on Facebook. Now don't be afraid to share your feelings or a great party you went to on your blog just be wary of the information you put out.

Friendly Networking
Everyone wants to get their blog noticed and networking is a great way to do it but there is a friendly way and an annoying way. Commenting on others post is a great start but there is a difference between spamming and truly leaving a nice comment. It's okay if you're a new visitor to let them know but don't comment on every post like that. Say something positive such as something related to the post you just read or if you've been catching up (since you are new) mention how you really enjoy their blog. Also it is okay to ask them if they could check out your blog in return but don't mention it in every comment on that persons page. That is when it becomes spam. It is important to respect all bloggers regardless if they have a few readers or over a thousand; we are all human. One thing I hate is when people piggy back on well known bloggers for "15 minutes of fame" for their blog to get noticed. I know some blog friendship just kind of fade out but there is a difference when you only talk to them for a very long time only to gain readers.

Common Courtesy
This one is rather simple but treat others as you would like to be treated. When leaving a comment think of how you would feel if someone responded that way, especially if someone asked your opinion. You can get your thoughts across without sounding mean if you have an opposing view. Also do not hide behind annon to say a mean comment just because they felt comfortable enough to post something does not give you the right for your mean or hateful words. Be nice to others and you'll have a positive blog where you can feel comfortable being yourself.

I hope these responsible blogging tips are helpful for you to start your own blog or maintain your current one!

Welcome 2012!

Just want to wish everyone a Happy New Year today and welcome to 2012!

There are some major things going on this year and I'm so excited for them.  I graduate college this year with a Bachelors degree and hopefully make plans to continue my education in getting another degree. I plan on really improving my shop by providing quality items and some new awesome thrifty/handmade accessories. There are a few minor things that I'm looking forward to this year but I can't go into too much detail (otherwise I'd take up the whole blog).

Anyway, I am not sure if the weather man said anything about snow but I saw a superstition that is suppose to mean snow will come in the next few days. My grandma saw it last year on Christmas eve when a bunch of birds were in our neighbors little field then it snowed on the next day! Yesterday while driving to work I saw a bunch of birds in this little field, so if I don't see snow in a few days I'll be a little disappointed :(

Well I actually woke up on my own at 7:30 so I'm going to try and be productive before going to work at 3 today. I hope everyone has a great day today and wish you all a great 2012!