The Upside

I know, I'm blog lagging again. 

It tends to happen in the Summer. When you return from a trip and your mind stays on vacation. Yeah, that's me right now, and for the last week or so.

I'm writing today about a positive side to some bad news. And about new beginnings. And to wish my sweetie a happy 23rd birthday (love you, Bub... hope you're having a fantastic day!).

So, you may know this, you may not, but I've been working as a nanny for the same family for three years. Their youngest was three months old when I started, and now it seems like he's all grown up. The mother told me a couple weeks ago that he will be starting preschool sometime this year. It could be as early as September, or it could be pushed to January. Either way, I'm looking at a significant pay cut, or a complete career change. 

I was pretty sure I didn't want to go through this with another family, and I know that jobs in my field (creative writing) aren't always guaranteed steady income. So I had some thinking to do.

After sulking a bit, talking to my mom, my boyfriend, and some other wise folks, I found a positive solution that should keep me satisfied and allow me to keep making enough money to live on (or possibly more).

I'm going to stay where I am. I'll work afternoons when the little guy goes off to preschool, and I'll live knowing that my hours will be cut in half, and I'll watch these kids for as long as they need me to stay. 

With my new surplus of spare time, I'm going to work my little ass off building up my new Etsy shop. WHAT?!

That's right. 

I'm starting over from scratch.

Remember that new-ish and big-ish thing I was working on? It's a complete overhaul of my Etsy shop that will be totally focused on hadbags, purses, clutches, etc.

I'm going to sew, market, promote, sell, and build this thing so that it's a fully functioning business that will one day be my only job, and my only means of income. How scary is that?

I know it will be hard. Trust me, the loudest voice in my head telling me I can't is my own voice. And I can tell her to shut up any time I want.

Making bags is what I love to do, so I'm gonna go ahead and do it. Ok?

I'll have some more details on the new shop coming soon. And if its alright with you guys, I'd like to also post a little here and there about the process of building a [hopefully]successful online shop, and what I am dealing with along the way.

Cheers to new beginnings :)

30 Day Photo Challenge

Hi there readers!

I just came across this fun photo challenge hosted by Oh So Lovely and Jenn & Tonic.

It looks super fun, and it will give me a chance to be extra photographic, and maybe get in the habit of taking more pictures.

I'll be on vacation the whole first week of August, but I will of course have my camera with me, so I can share when I get back.

Here's the list. All of these are super do-able and I can already see myself getting creative with them.

Source: sherryturley.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

Well... wanna join? Let me know if you're participating too and I'll stop by your blog to see what you've got!

Nerd Alert: Harry Potter T-shirts

I'm sure I have mentioned it before, but it's worth saying again-- I am a huge Harry Potter fan. The books and movies have been a part of my life since they first became popular in like 1999. I was 11, Harry was 11. We grew up together, and the end has finally come. 

We're grown ups now, Harry.

But that doesn't mean I can't still express my love of magic through crafty projects.

For the midnight premier of The Deathly Hallows Part II, my mom and sister helped me make these t-shirts:

We used freezer paper stencils and fabric paint for the front, and free-handed the back. We were all pretty impressed with how well they turned out.I'll be using the freezer paper again.

Although we had a lot of fun, the whole night was very bittersweet. I can't think of any other time I will get dressed up and go to a midnight release for something. I've read every word of every book and watched every movie. I know the whole story from beginning to end. I don't know what to do with myself now... and I'm sure most of the Potter fans are having similar feelings.

This video describes it in a funny way. This girl speaks for a lot of us.

As for the movie, I was pretty satisfied. Since I read the books I had all the extra info that the movie never addressed, but that's ok. I understand that movie makers have limitations that our imaginations don't. I did get really emotional though... like from the moment Harry walked into Hogwarts until the credits... just about an hour of constant tear flow. 

Even though the movies and books are finished, I will always love Harry Potter. I will read the books to my children and grandchildren, and the magic will live on forever. And in the meantime, I'll just embrace all the real-life magic.

Source

My First Guest Post!

Hey you guys, I'm guest posting today over at The Mrs. I'm sharing a quick little tutorial for this magnetic chalkboard. 

I'd love for you to go check it out, and let Megan know you stopped by!

Blagging? And a Shop Update

I know, I've been blog lagging. We'll call it blagging.

I'm blagging because I've been extra busy. At the beginning of Summer I immersed myself in these awesome books...

Source: amazon.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: amazon.com via Amy on Pinterest

I'd like for my Etsy business to be my full-time job. So I'm working on something new-ish and big-ish. You'll find out soon...

In the meantime I thought I'd give my shop a little bump, and offer free domestic shipping for the rest of the month. Enter the code FREESHIPJULY11 to get it!

Here are some of my best sellers:

Carry-It Wallets!

Coffee Cozies!

So stop by in July and pick out your favorite thing!

I hope everyone is enjoying their Summer... it is flying by.

What I Wore Wednesday {New Leather Belt}

So I got this belt at a thrift store over the weekend. I got some other great stuff too but this was the only wearable item I picked up. And boy have I been wearing it!

I paired it with this summery outfit on Monday:

Top: Target

Belt: Thrifted

Shorts" Forever 21

Sandals: Rack Room

This top works for any season... that's why I love it. I think it was on clearance when I got it at Tarjay too :)

I call these sandals my "Jerusalem Cruisers"... they are from a store at the Camarillo Outlets.

I wore my leather belt again last night to dinner and a movie with Brendan, but didn't get any photos..

Today I'm wearing it with this vest and skinny jeans.

Layering tank: Forever 21

Vest: Old Navy

Belt: Thrifted

Skinnies: Forever 21

Flats: Gap

Watch: birthday gift from Brendan

Ring: Great-grandma's engagement ring

Necklace: Made by my sister Jessica

I love this belt and I'm probably going to continue to wear it with everything!

I'm also really enjoying this summer weather, and already looking forward to the weekend :)

Get Thrifty {Ventura, CA}

Downtown Ventura is a great place to go thrifting! 

I'm lucky to live so close... When I was in high school and I lived more inland my friends and I would drive out to the coast to go thrifting in Ventura. 

But now I live right around the corner and it's nice to stop by when I have a few hours.

They just put in a Goodwill downtown, and I know that they are not the best place to get great deals, (sometimes their prices are marked up way too much) but I managed to get these great home decor items on the cheap:

This tiny little chest doubles as a picture frame. I think I might use it too keep spare sewing needles or ribbons.

I also found this simple lampshade at the Goodwill. I'm planning on painting it and finding a fun, funky shade.

The other thrift shops downtown are always good for finding great deals!

...Like this leather belt. All the belts at this shop are only $.95!

And at the last shop I found this fantastic throw pillow.

I didn't realize until I got home, but it was originally from World Market, and I know how pricey their toss pillows can be.

So these are the treasures I found this time at my favorite thrifting spot. It was pretty crummy weather on Saturday, so hopefully next time I'll be able to get some good photos of the downtown area and he beach.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend!