Kristabela - Etsy Feature

Crystal: Sorry everyone - slacking again over here....my turn for the Etsy shop feature. :)

So I'm tried out this "Pounce" thing on Etsy because I love things that are random (just another quirk about myself).  And so I chose "undiscovered" and checked out what came up...

So I'm also a fan of random knick knacks and gift items...things that you don't necessarily need, but that are fun to have....so this is what I came across and would love to get them as a gift for someone!  Or myself if I still had a baby around....

Kristabela (no shop logo...yet i assume)

She's only got a few things up, but I love what she does have!

These Fabric Wipe Cases are an awesome idea!  I would have been all over these back when my son was in diapers if I knew about it.

And I LOOVE diaper covers....especially monogrammed and personalized ones!  And look how cute her owl design is!!

And then of course, the awesome Tutu Dress....i love tutus :)

Happy shopping! :)

(#9 - May 21, 2010)

Paris Gal 56- Daily Etsy Feature

Jen: I love these French goodies by Paris Gal 56 (reminds me of Department 56!), an Etsy shop fit for a princess! They sell journals, art, pots, tags ... tons of lovely items for the Paris obsessed, like moi ;)

At this time, shipping is only available in the U.S. and Canada, but they have a blog you can visit as well! They do Friday giveaways- how fun!!!
Crystal: Oh I just went and checked out their shop - awesome stuff!  I love the look.  It's so creative.  I loved the little box with the goodies in it.  I don't even know what I would do with all that stuff, but I'd still want it!
Fun shop!
(#8 - May 14, 2010)

The Mother's Guide to Self Renewal Book

Crystal: An interesting book I came across today...I haven't ready it myself, yet, but from what I've seen it looks like it might hold some great ideas.

The Mother's Guide to Self Renewal by Renee Trudeau

I feel that it's really important for mothers to have a self awareness about who they are and what they want out of life. When you have kids, you tend to get so wrapped up in the day to day, that you forget what living is about. For me, having children completed my life, and everything I do in my life is in a roundabout way for them...but I also realize that for the purpose of my sanity, it's important for me to also just be me and do something for myself once in awhile...and sometimes it's hard to figure out who that isor what I want when your whole life has been repurposed for your children.

I don't know that this book is the final solution, but it's probably a good start. I read the mini review from an an Urban Baby email I received last year (that I'm now barely reading)...this is what they outline as some of the suggestions in the book...all fabulous ideas in my mind!

• Go to a deli or natural foods store and pick up items for a delicious picnic. Bring your treats to a local park and enjoy your meal under a shady tree.
• Head to your favorite bookstore and browse the career, self-improvement, women’s health, psychology and spirituality sections. Take note of what topics are most interesting or appealing to you. Make sure you take time to be quiet; sip a relaxing beverage. Resist the urge to turn this into a shopping trip; this is your time to reflect.
• Visit an ice cream or yogurt store and enjoy a new flavor as a special treat. Maybe indulge in a sundae while you sit outside and just chill.
• Take off for a relaxing walk in nature, perhaps near a local lake, river or pond.
• Write a poem about your life and how it’s changed since you’ve become a mother.
• Visit a bookstore or gift store and buy yourself a new journal. Take time to break it in while sipping on green tea.
• Go to one of your favorite outdoor spots to relax and journal on twenty things you’re grateful for.
• Visit a wine bar and have a glass of your favorite wine. Reflect — what are your three favorite things about yourself? Have they changed since you were 20?
• If it’s rainy, use your imagination: where can you find a cozy, quiet kid-free corner in your neighborhood to relax, unwind and de-stress?

And if you don't have kids of your own, you could always pass this along to your own mother...this can also apply to a lot of fathers out there. :)

Jen: What a fabulous book! It reminds me of a book I have called "Snap Out of It". The whole point is to become self-aware and give back to yourself.

Mom's have it rough! I just watched the Mother's Day episode of that new show, The Middle. It showed 3 generations of mothers and daughters melting down over their pressures and stressors (in a hilarious way!). My mom really related to it, as she told me later. Maybe I should get this book for her ;)

Hold My Bag - Etsy Feature

Crystal: I came across a super cute Etsy shop today...it's called "Hold My Bag" (also very cute!).

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

She has some gorgeous fabric that she's used...

This little beauty caught my eye right off the bat!

Extra large Tote in Michael Miller Falling Leaves OOP fabric

Here's another one...I'm already trying to picture what I can wear with this. :)

Amy Butler Extra Large tote in Nigella Water Lotus in Forest

Ooh, and this one is super chic...love it :)

Amy Butler Tote Handbag in Wallflower in Sky and Oxford Stripes

Do you see anything you like??? :)

Jen: Wow, these bags are great! I like her Extra Large Amy Butler Tote in Lacework Brown. It feels so bohemian!

(#7 - May 10, 2010)

White Earth Studio- Etsy Feature

Jen: Nancy Monsebroten's shop, White Earth Studio, takes handmade to the extreme! Not only does she create the structure of her vases on a wheel, but she then hand-forms each petal and attaches it to her beautiful pieces. I can't even imagine how much time goes into her work!

I love how these vases could find a place in a classic home, as well as a very whimsical home! If I were to own one of these beauties, I would keep it near my laptop for constant inspiration and happy vibes!

(#6 - May 5, 2010)

Doodlebugs - Etsy Feature

Crystal: Oops! For some reason I had thought yesterday was Jen's turn to post an Etsy feature, so I didn't post anything...but now that I'm looking back at our blog, I realized that was my miss! Sorry!!

Good thing though, because I just found this awesome shop....I'm a sucker for anything personalized....so this monogram shop is right up my alley, plus offers super cute items!!

Doodlebugs Personalized Gifts and Embroidery

Check out this adorable bib and burp cloth set for $14.00

A great gift in this personalized Travel Tumbler for $17.00

And this one is my favorite!

This beautiful photo album that can be personalized with various fabrics and lettering for $20.00...I'm fairly certain I'll be purchasing one as a gift in the near future...seeing as how I'm a huge fan of pictures!!

LOVE this stuff!! :)

Jen: I love personalized items, too! I have so many pads of paper and pens with "Jennifer" scribed on them. My grandma got me into the trend as a kid!

Doodlebugs has some really cute things- good find, Crystal! I love the albums, and for $20, not bad at all! They would make great baby books ;)

By the way, the wink was because Crystal's cousin will be welcoming a baby boy into the family in the near future! Crystal is very happy!

(#5, May 4, 2010)

Baggino

Crystal: Jen - I feel like you've posted something similar to this in the past, or maybe another product from the same company? Either way, I just came across this site for Baggino, a diaper-bag-changing-pad-thatyouweararoundyourwaist-MacGuyver-looking-thing...at first I was like, wow - this is weird looking...and way overboard for my personal taste...but as I watched the video play and saw them start pulling out the items in the little pockets, I started to think that although it's completely silly looking, and I'd totally walk out of a public bathroom laughing to myself at anyone I saw wearing one of these, it actually was kind of handy.

Judge for yourself. :)

Baggino (http://www.baggino.com/CombinationDiaperBagChangingBelt/)

Jen: How funny! I actually blogged about them last year here. I love this company, even though I don't have any children yet. The owners are so sweet! I'm glad to see their business is catching on!!!