Ahhhhhhh!

Hey y'all,

I deeply apologize for my absence around the blogosphere.  I swear that I have a valid reason!  I did not bail on y'all.  Trust me, I do my absolute best to stay connected with you darling folks, but life sometimes gets a tad complicated and you just have to deal with its craziness.  By life, I really mean technology.  

Isn't it true that a lot of the time we don't appreciate technology until we realize what it's like living without it?  I must say that after this week, I appreciate its wonderful-ness, as I have been without a laptop this past week.  And, I tell ya---it has been a struggle. 

For a few weeks, my laptop had been acting up for no apparent reason, so I finally (after seriously considering throwing my laptop out of my window) made my merry way to an Apple store.  Talk about a fun time.  Yes, I'm being very sarcastic.  Apple is cool, but it seems like every single time I go there, I am there for hours waiting for the "geniuses" at the Genius Bar to work their magic. 

For the past several trips, I kept telling myself that next time I will bring something or someone to keep me entertained while I wait.  However, I always forget to follow through with that plan.  So, I promise that next time, I will be sure to plan my trip to Apple accordingly...

See, I have already formulated a list.  Be impressed.  

My plan is to bring a:  

• lunch
• pair of sweatpants
• blanket
• pillow
• good book
• tent
• box of Swedish fish

I believe that if I follow through with my plan, I will be much more prepared for my stay at the Apple store.  Maybe then, I won't die of boredom.  By the way, the tent is a total joke.  Ha, I can't even put one of those things together. 

Yay!---It's Halloween weekend!  Hope you all are getting all decked out in your finest costumes.  Can't wait to share my Halloween costume with you all in the next post.  It was a fun one.

XOXO. 

Be hoooooo you is.

Wahooooooooooooooooooooo!

  
Had to get that out of my system.  

I just can't contain my excitement cause it's fall break, baby.

...And I have no clue how I will be entertaining myself 
for the next 5 days...  

I might go crazy.  Who knows.

Suggestions for what to do with all of this extra time would be greatly appreciated.

My days are open for anything and everything.

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So, I've got a confession to make.

One of my guiltiest pleasures is people watching (Don't hate).

Granted, I haven't been doing as much of it lately

now that I've got my IPHONE to keep myself entertained 

in a moment of extreme boredom (Words with Friends, anyone?),

but still, if I'm on the city bus, in a line to check out at the grocery store,

or just waiting for the light to turn green, I'll find myself keepin' 

pretty darn busy as I watch people carry on about their business. 
As long as it keeps me from biting my nails.
  
People fascinate me, everyday.

And one thing I do love about living in the city is seeing all of the diversity. 
This makes the people watching  
that much better.

Unlike my first college town--- the little cookie cutter college town of
Oxford, Mississippi

where everyone looks alike---everyone here is so 
individually and uniquely awesome. 

They wear their hair the way they wanna, dress like they are making the boldest statement, and just have their swag turned on to the 
max. level possible.
I think it's pretty darn great.

To the boy with the fitted jeans, neon-colored baseball hat, and striped polo that I saw as I was high-tailin' it to class:

You keep showin' 'em what ya got, boy.

 ----------------------------------------

Originality is something that I value a lot, 

and I feel that everyone else should value it a lot, too.

What's so great about "going with the crowd"?

Step out, and be the true original that you are.

Yeah, it might take some guts but you got to be yourself.  

Lets face it---without originality, the world would suck.

And people watching would suck.

 

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Check out these Etsy artists and crafters who feel the same as me.  

These items listed below are for sale.  Please click the link under the pictures to take you to the artist/crafter's store.

 

 thecarboncrusader

GollyWobbles

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Hooooooo loves this owl necklace created by intriguedknits?  

 

I do, I do!

 

I am obsessed with owls.  

And... I am so obsessed with jewelry.

So, put the two together, and I'm in love.

This necklace is an adorable owl face painted on a walnut shell.

Creative and cute!

For $18, you can wear this baby around your neck.

So, check out intriguedknits!

 

XOXO. 

BOOM, BOOM, BOOM.

Today has been super pleasant.

...For the most part, at least.

I spent lots of time outside enjoying the gorgeous, sunny weather,

I got some good quality snuggling with my Ollie cat, 

and I was able to channel my creative energy into making jewelry. 

I tell ya, it sure has been nice having some time to finally kick back and relax after being bombarded with an entire weekend's worth of studying.  Talk about a not-so-fun way to spend a weekend.  

Now, as I sit and blog to you, things aren't as pleasant as they were earlier in the day.   

I am getting quite an earful of Justin Timberlake's Rock your Body. Sure, I enjoy jammin' out to my boy JT, but preferably not on a Monday night.   Sorry, JT---it's a Monday night, and you're a Saturday night kinda guy.  On a Monday, I'm into much more mellow music such as Adele or Deathcab.  

My neighbor, who lives one floor directly above me, obviously feels differently about JT on a Monday.  He happens to be having one serious jam sesh to some JT, and honestly, it's so loud that I can't hear myself think.  Writing this post is quite the challenge with the bass BOOM, BOOM, BOOM-ing through the ceiling. 

Sarah already grabbed the broom and tried banging it on the ceiling.  

And, nothing happened.  

Good try anyways, roomie.

On to better things...

Of course my Ollie boy and Sarah's Cricket have to be close by while I'm stringin' beads.  

  Here are some of my new pieces for my Etsy shop that I made today!

 I have been pretty fall-spirited lately, so I figured I'd create some wonderfall pieces.

Here are a couple:

I am beyond thrilled to share 

that I have a couple new followers as of this past week! 

Welcome!  

I am looking forward to featuring everyone's creations, 

so be on the lookout for some good finds!

Buttercup Ring

ModernButtercup created this vintage beauty that fits ring sizes 6-7.  

Girl, I'm loving this floral detail.  So shabby chic and classy!   

And it's only $6! 

Talk about a steal, y'all.  

Be sure to check out her Etsy shop, Modern Buttercup, HERE!

--------------------

I'm happy to say that JT isn't blaring through my ceiling any longer.

I can finally think again.

This is good.

XOXO. 

Shelby loves CLeigh's Collection

Meow?

 Actions speak louder than words, right?

I'll go with that.  If only my cat could talk about how much she loves my jewelry...

 

Just want to clear this up---

I am NOT selling my cat.

Just the jewelry, friends.  

I know, I know.  She's gorgeous, but I won't budge.

I love that fluffy thing.

XOXO.

Pumpkins, Kitties, and Sissies

Pumpkins, Kitties, and Sissies

These three wonderful things summed up my past few days, and I loved it.

Don't you think that receiving a care package is quite possibly the best thing ever?  Seriously.  It makes my day when I roll up to my mailbox and a package is waiting there for no other than me! 

So, this week, my sweet cousins sent me a care package.  I grabbed that baby and bolted up the stairs of my apartment, slammed open the door, ran to the kitchen to find some scissors...and couldn't freakin' find them.  Buzzkill.

I figured I would just use a knife at this point.  There was no time to find scissors when I had a care package to open!  The anticipation was killing me.  I opened the silverware  drawer and all the knives were gone.  They were being washed in the dishwasher.  Shoot---just my luck. 

So, I scurried around the apartment, looking for any sort of sharp object that would tear this tape that was carefully and tightly secured around the entire package.  (Thanks Aunt Bonnie). 

For fifteen long minutes, I was on a hunt for something that would do the job.  After crawling under beds, making a mess of my desk, and searching my car; I went ahead and grabbed a knife out of the dishwasher.  

Note to self:  Buy a pair of scissors.

... or five.

In the package, there were loads of goodies.

Chocolate, fruit, tissues, ramen, a Starbucks gift card, 

chapstick, and a baby pumpkin.

And, let me tell you...

that baby pumpkin was a HIT. 

As you can see, the kitties loved all over that pumpkin.  

While my sissy and I loved all over them.

Gotta love pumpkins, kitties, and sisterly time. 

XOXO.

Blingaling.

Girl, where's your Fall bling?

Surely you've already gotten yourself some adorable adornments for the fall time.  

If you haven't, then don't you stress out, friend.  I'm right there with ya.  In my mind, it's still summertime.  Geeze, I still haven't parted with my shorts and summer blouses.  It's October now.  And I need to get my act together now. 

I had a family gathering today and my Nana pitched a fit about how I was wearing a short-sleeved blouse, shorts, and flip flops.  Okay, so maybe my outfit did not suit the weather.  Whatever,  until it stays in the 50s, I will change up my wardrobe. 

When I do change up my wardrobe, I promise that I will be wearing some fabulous fall jewelry.  So, for those of you who need an extra somethin' somethin' to spice up your fashion, I've got you covered. 

Girl, you don't even have to move your booty!  Stay seated in that comfy chair with those pink, fluffy slippers warming your toesies and silly curlers twisted in your hair and hit up Etsy. 

If you haven't added some fresh new pieces of jewelry to your fall look, then look no further than my most favorite site ever, Etsy.

A couple of days ago, I logged onto Etsy and received a message from Bonnie at BonnieSewCrazy.  She featured me in a treasury list.  Yipee! 

My list was grouped under "Fall Bling".  

Here's my piece:  If you're interested, here's where you can find it:  Click here!

The other fall pieces of jewelry are wonderful (I listed a few above).  Check out all of those precious items here.

Thanks again to Bonnie for featuring one of my items.  Fall time is absolutely fabulous, and she certainly picked a variety of gorgeous items that no-doubt-about-it gets me in the mood for fall.  Now, all I need is a mug of hot cider in my hand.  Right.  Now. 

Too bad the cat doesn't take orders... 

XOXO.

I go pink.

It's October, which you should already know,

unless you've been living in a hole

or haven't checked the calendar lately.

If that's the case,

 then I'm deeply concerned about you, friend.

October is a wonderful month.

...and it's not only because of the fall foliage,

hot cider, and Halloween decor. 

 Yeah, those things are quite dandy,

but it's especially dandy because it's

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Founded in 1985, NBCAM is a health campaign organized by various breast cancer charities.

                                                           

NBCAM's goals are to...

• Increase awareness
• Raise funds for research
• Offer support to those who have been affected by breast cancer
• Get rid of this crazy b!tch AKA cancer

     Any discussion relating to cancer really hits home for me.  Literally.  My mom was diagnosed with Lymphoma during my senior year of high school.  The cancer not only affected my mom, but it affected me and everyone else in my house.  My mom has always been Super Woman.  Somehow she managed to keep the house spotless, cook delicious meals, work a full-time job, and be an all-around amazing mom.  Sounds like Super Woman to me.  This all changed when cancer came into the picture.  My mom's positive, energetic, peppy self felt totally helpless and so beaten down for the first time in her life.  I never would have thought something as horrible as cancer would ever happen to my mom.  She never had any health issues prior to the discovery of the Lymphoma, so this really came out of nowhere. 

And by golly, it really did some damage to my mom---in every possible way.

Bottom Line---It's nothing to fool around with. 

It has the potential to affect anyone, so please do yourself and your loved ones a favor. 

Get educated. 

Even though NBCAM takes place only one month out of the year, I will be celebrating this month, as well as all the other eleven months of the year--- the rest of my life, for those who have ever been affected by any cancer. 

You gotta live each and every day to the fullest. 

Life is so, so precious.

XOXO.

PS:  Below I am featuring some Etsy artists who are fighting for the cause as well.  Please check 'em out, y'all.

Breast Cancer Awareness Crocheted Pink Wristlet

Dog Collar Breast Cancer Awareness (Donation)

Keep Calm and Fight On Breast Cancer Awareness 8x10 Poster

Think Pink Headband Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast Cancer Awareness Knitted Pink Sheep (Fundraiser)

Big Giant Owl Breast Cancer Awareness

Pink Hope Pumpkin Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast Cancer Awareness Bunny Monster

Breast Cancer Awareness Earrings

Octopus Breast Cancer Awareness Collage Card

Breast Cancer Awareness Coffee Cozy

Breast Cancer Awareness Coozie