You Say It's Your Birthday??

In honor of my birthday today, take 18% off your order in either one of my Etsy shops!!  That's half my age, by the way ;)

Use Coupon Code BDGRRL during checkout to receive the discount here or here. 

Camera Help!

I've been saving my pennies for over a year now, and I think I am finally ready to purchase the next thing on my never-ending Wish List.    I love my current camera, which is a Panasonic Lumix, but I would like to upgrade to a DSLR, or what I like to call a "big girl" camera.

My dilemma is, which one to get?   There are many popular models out there.  I've been happy with my Panasonic, so I was considering staying in that family.  Although, I am not one to be brand loyal.  I would like one that is not too complicated for a newbie to the SLR world, if that's possible.  Obviously, I want one that takes awesome pictures.  I also want to stay within a certain budget, or else I will have to keep saving.

I'm open to suggestions ~ what camera do you have, and what do you like about it?

One of My Favorite Things

I'm feeling especially festive, because my birthday is coming up!  So, I thought it the appropriate time to share one of my favorite cocktails :)   It is called Rum Chata, and you must try it.    What exactly is it(?), you may be wondering.  As the above picture states, it is "a delicious blend of sweet dairy cream, rum and cinnamon".   Truly, it is heaven!   It makes the most delicious cocktails, including a martini that tastes just like Tiramisu ~ YUM!    Still don't believe me?  Check out these other recipes, and I'm sure you'll find one you can't resist.   

As I like to say often ~  "It's Rum Chata time!!!"

Do You Love Buttons??

Who loves buttons??   I do, I do!  You can use them in so many ways, not just for sewing.  I love everything about them.

These are some new additions to my vintage shop on Etsy.  Go there and check them out, if you love buttons, too!

We Had Visitors!

Last week we were busy getting ready for a visit from my niece and nephew.  They don't live close, but we see them as much as possible.  This time was different, as they got to spend the weekend at our house, without their parents.  It's a pretty big deal, and we spoil them like crazy!

Here we are at the skating rink ~ it was a windy, but very sunny day, and a perfect one to spend outdoors.  Before this, the last time I went ice skating was in college.  We won't mention how long ago that was!  So, I was proud of myself for not falling or breaking any bones :)

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Survivor Hand Stamped Awareness Necklace, $36

Take 10% off your purchase through 2/14/11 ~ use code "LUVYA" during checkout. 

One of My Favorite Things

These are mini cupcakes, from one of my favorite local bakeries.   I love them so much because they are small, which means I can eat one of each! 

from L-R:  Mexican Hot Chocolate, Maple Bacon, Samoa, Chocolate Malt

Here's the Dish: Vinegar and Spice Oven Ribs

We love ribs at our house, especially in the warm weather months, when we can grill them outdoors.  Since the weather hasn't exactly been right for outdoor grilling, there hasn't been any rib-eatin' at our house for a while.  That doesn't mean we don't crave them!   So, imagine how happy I was to find this recipe from Chow.com :)   At first I was doubtful that they would even hold a candle to the ones we cook low and slow on the BBQ.   But, after making them for the first time on Superbowl Sunday, I am already planning to make them again very soon.  They were that good!

Click here for the recipe!

Imported from Detroit

Speaking of effective marketing, did you catch this commercial that ran during the third quarter of the Superbowl?   I don't know how it was received by those living outside of Michigan, but the Motor City is buzzing about it.  It's pretty outstanding, I think ~ but I'm a little biased ;)  What do you think?

Happy Superbowl Sunday!!

Does your day involve partaking in any football festivities??

Lessons Learned

When I opened my shop on Etsy four years ago, I knew virtually nothing about selling online.  Since then, I've learned so much ~ mostly through trial and error, but also through the Etsy forums, blog and by comparing notes with my seller friends.  Four years and two shops later, I consider myself far from being any kind of pro at all of this.  It is a constant learning experience, but that's partly why I love it.

Recently I was thinking about the secret to having a successful shop.  My suspicion is that many sellers would like to know the secret to success.  Of course, each of us has a different idea of what it means to be successful, and how to get there.   Unfortunately, I am still in search of the magic formula.  

I am an observer by nature, and I can tell you one thing I have observed when it comes to selling online ~  Having a terrific product surely helps, and finding a niche really helps.  Selling jewelry is especially challenging, when there are over 1,000,000 pieces for sale on Etsy.   So what is the secret?  Marketing, of course.   I truly believe you can sell anything, and sell it well, if you market it right.   By that I mean ~ take awesome, artistic photos, give your shop a clever name, and make your product names especially cute and catchy.    It seems to work for many.   That has to be it.  If it was based on hard work alone, then my sales would be in the gazillions :)

Obviously marketing is not my forte'!   

So . . . I would love to hear your thoughts, if you sell on Etsy or anyplace online.    Please share them!  What have you learned from running an online business?

Oh, you're probably wondering what the photo above is all about.  That is the front window of a Fluevog shoe store in San Francisco.   I snapped the pic when we were there in October.   I thought the sign was pretty clever . . . it caught my attention anyway!

DIY Facial Mask

I think I have tried just about every skin product on the market, with less than satisfactory results.  It doesn't help that I have the craziest skin on the planet!  It's oily, and prone to breakouts, yet most products dry it out too much, especially at this time of year.  I  prefer to use all natural beauty products whenever possible, but those can be hard to find.  After doing a little research, I whipped up this homemade facial mask.  It contains white tea, honey, apple cider vinegar, oatmeal and tea tree oil.  It is so refreshing, and it really tones down any redness in my skin.  Let me first say that I am not a chemist, or an aesthetician!  I just know what works for me.  So, here is the breakdown, if you'd like to give it a try:

Mix 1 T. of brewed white tea (cooled to room temp!), 1 T. honey, 1 T. cider vinegar, and 1-2 drops of tea tree oil (available at most health food stores).   Add oats and combine until thick and pasty.  I add oatmeal because it is good for dry skin.   Plain yogurt could be used in place of oatmeal, if desired.   Spread on face and neck.  Leave on for half an hour ~ read a book, take a bath, or drink a glass of wine.   The mask will tighten as it dries.  Rinse off with warm water.  Any leftover product can be saved in a jar and stored in the fridge for a few days.

This mask is perfect for oily/acne prone skin!   Apple cider vinegar is gentle on sensitive skin and contains AHA's, malic acid and amino acids, which help break up scar tissue.  Honey stimulates cell renewal, and it contains antibacterial properties.  Tea tree oil treats acne.  The tea helps to reduce inflammation.   Not to mention, this is the best tasting product I've ever put on my face!

One of My Favorite Things

A friend recently introduced me to this website called BluntCard.  As the name suggests, these are real paper greeting cards and E-cards that, well . . . tell it like it is.   I must say, I've become addicted to this website!  The next time you need some comic relief, or maybe when your boss/nasty neighbor/mother in law pisses you off, you will surely want to check it out ;)