One Lovely Blog Award

A heartfelt thank you goes out to Blossoming Tree. She has been gracious enough to pass on the One Lovely Blog award to me. This is especially warming considering I haven't blogged in months. It is greatly appreciated and means a lot to have readers stick with me even while I take extra long breaks. :-) Thank you Blossoming Tree!

Snoopy Sweet Treats

If these weren't in the shape of a dog bone, I'd be inclined to start munching on them myself. How delicious do these puppy treats look? Yum!! Not only are they peanut butter flavored, but they are also handmade and all natural!! Thank you Grandma Paw Chow!

A Poem and A Picture :: Nest

Fine Art Photography by EAGMe on Etsy.com

Phoebe. Spring Nesting

It would be easier if I could have a conversation—
explain myself to you, phoebe.
You, who have inhabited our joists (or are they yours
by squatter’s rights?) for so very many years.

What I want to say is, simply, I mean you no harm.
I will go out of my way to ensure your safety, that your nest
is undisturbed, that when I pass you needn’t fly away.

I admire you. You exhibit characteristics beyond rebuke.
You are an example of selfless living, devoted, as you are, to your brood.
Your manner is mild, your athletic ability magical,
as you swoop and snap yet another tiny fly for your babes.

Most of all, it is your endurance that I admire—
not only the day by day effort you display, but the year by year.
I will tread softly, and I will watch you for another year. Lord willing.

Poem by Hanque O . . .

Eco Tutorial: Make Your Own Laundry Detergent

I found this fabulous post on the Eco Etsy blog about how to make your own laundry detergent. It has the recipe and simple instructions, including adding an essential oil for scent. I love finds like this!

Upcycling for Gardeners :: Silver Garden Markers

Upcycling for Gardeners!!

Check out these Custom Vintage Silverware Garden Markers from Monkeys Always Look on Etsy.com. They are silver plated, so as they age, they tarnish more and more, adding to the character. How lovely! These will definitely outlast the marker & popsicle sticks I am using right now. Should I be embarrassed about that?

The Last Straw (you might ever need)

Eco Straws :: Yet Another Way to Go Green!

This is such a fabulous idea! Straws by Carli on Etsy sells these super durable, reusable straws made of glass. They come in various sizes, some big for smoothies, some typical for just a regular beverage. They are made of the same glass as Pyrex, so these babies are extremely tough. The best part? (besides being green)... They are dishwasher safe!!!

Happy Etsy Day everyone!

Happy Etsy Day everyone!

Make sure you visit Etsy.com today to celebrate.You can read an article about Etsy Day in The Storque by clicking here:http://www.etsy.com/storque/events/etsy-sellers-unite-for-etsy-day-join-in-3821/

If you haven't already signed up for an Etsy account, today would be a great day to do so! There are SO MANY amazing artists who sell things on Etsy. I know you'll find something that you love. Maybe it will even inspire you to start your own Etsy shop!

Honeymoon Photo Ops :: The UK's Red Telephone Boxes

Pictures in the original red telephone booths. Now that is an absolute MUST for my honeymoon trip. How can you go to London and not pose in these scarlet British icons?

"Allo Big Ben" photograph by Yann Pendaries on Etsy.com

London Statues to See on the Honeymoon

Only 15 more days until the trip of a lifetime... My honeymoon in London, England! I am so excited to see the artwork and architecture that grace the city, such as these beauties:

"m o t h e r" by The Artful Apple on Etsy.com

This photograph was taken at the Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace.

(I hope to come back in the same state as this statue, if ya know what I mean... Is that TMI? Hahaha.)

"w i n g e d" by The Artful Apple on Etsy.com

Awaiting the Arrival of Spring

It seems as though Winter has overstayed its welcome this year... I am fully prepared to take on Spring with open arms.

"Fleurs Blanches"

"Les Baies sur la Branche"

Marco LaGrenouille's exquisite photography of nature is available at Etsy.com.

Lemonade Award

I've been nominated for a Lemonade Award!!


This is a great opportunity to make new friend and get more traffic onto your Blog. I want to thank BJohnson Jewelry for nominating me!! You just made my day.

The rules are as follows:
1)Put the lemonade award logo on your blog or post.
2)Nominate 5-10 blogs that show great attitude and or gratitude.
3)List and link your nominees within your post.
4)Let them know they have received the award by leaving a comment on their blog.


I decided I would nominate the following blogs:
http://mea-culpa-aromatherapycreations.blogspot.com/
http://mysnugville.blogspot.com/
http://bookwormzreader.blogspot.com/
http://createcrochet.blogspot.com/
http://stonehousestudio.blogspot.com/

Take a look at these individuals blogs and give them some love!!!

Kreativ Blogger Award

I received a blog award from Anji Gallanos!

Thank you so much!!!

Here are the rules:
List 7 things that you love and then pass the award on to 7 people...tagging them and letting them know they won! You can copy the picture of the award and put it on your sideboard letting the whole wide world know you are KREATIV!

7 Things I love:
1. I love annoying my cat Cloe. She is so used to it by now that she just sits there and takes it, just waiting for me to get bored and move on.
2. I love getting massages.
3. I love traveling, road trips and hiking.
4. I love wearing my big floppy hat when I garden.
5. I love rinsing conditioner out of my hair. This one sounds weird, I know. But it is so silky smooth!!
6. I love reality TV. Had to copy you on this one Anji!
7. I love this life that I am living!!

I pass this award on to:

The Pure Gardener
Gabrielle's Garden
New Dominion Blues
Parallel Botany
Fun Gone Bad
Creations Anew
Equivoque

Coaster Kick

Anyone else out there a coaster finatic? I guess Mom has ingrained it so far into me that I find I am now obsessed with using them. Company comes over... whip out the coasters. Having a beer? Set your brewsky on this! I even go so far as to use them for wine glasses. We all know that red wine need not be chilled and therefore does not condense on the outside of the glass. Well.... where's the coaster? I'm still gonna use one! Plus, when they are as beautiful as these from New Dominion Blues Studio on Etsy.com, why wouldn't you want to flaunt them in front of guests?

Alignment of the Mossy Cosmos by New Dominion Blues

I've been blogged! New Dominion Blues, a fellow Design Style Guide member posted a beautiful bit about how we came to know each other through Etsy. Happy reading...

Southeastern U.S. Etsy: We Have a Winner!

Southeastern U.S. Etsy: We Have a Winner!

I absolutely love this new team logo!! Great colors and design.

29

Happy Birthday to me!! My last year as a twenty-something....

Have to Snap Tons of Picture of Old Big Ben While in London!

I can't wait to stand in awe at the foot of this historical beauty! My camera will be tired after this stop, for sure.

"Old Big Ben" by trolleyla on Etsy.com

Sleepy Zuba

Snapped this picture of my little baby Zuba the other day. She was such a sleepy little girl. Awwwwwww....... Ooooop. I just yawned. Guess they are contagious!

London :: Our Honeymoon Destination

"Archway" at the Arundel Castle in England by Shanna Rumburg
available on Etsy.com

I am so excited! My new hubby and I have finally settled on our honeymoon destination: London. I've never been to Europe before and absolutely cannot wait! There are so many things I want to see, like the Kew Royal Botanical Gardens, the London Eye, the Tower of London... The list goes on and on! The only thing I am planning to buy while we are there is a real English tea cup. I can't think of anything better than this as a souveneir from London, considering the fact that I indulge in my jasmine tea just about every day!

"Westminster Abbey" in London by Shanna Rumburg
available on Etsy.com

Think Cold Thoughts, Maybe Spring Will Come Soon...

I wonder if reverse psychology works with the weather. Wish for ice, welcome spring! Nice thought...

Jude McConkey's Unique Fine Art Photography on Etsy.com

"winter winds..."

"Spinning Lace"

"Overload"

Is this soap edible?

Green Tea Handmade Soap

(made with real coconut and green tea)

Vanilla Coconut Handmade Soap

(made w/real vanilla and coconut milk)

Oatmeal Almond Handmade Soap
(made with real coconut milk, honey, oatmeal and almonds)

These soaps looks good enough to eat! The different ingredient combinations are incredibly enticing.
Available at DeShawn Marie at Etsy.com

The Art of Silhouettes Coupled with Nature

Jenny Lee Fowler captures the beauty of nature in the classic art of silhouettes. These personalized portraits make wonderful keepsakes, available on Etsy.com.

'TAG!' You're it!

Cathy from Wire and Wool just tagged me!!

Rules of tagging:
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post these Rules in your Blog.
3. Write 7 Random things about yourself.
4. Tag random people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. Let each Person know they've been tagged.


Look at who I tagged!
hollyzhobby
kristynskreations
soaprehab
urbanheirlooms
lillypeadesigns
blogyonotengo

Some random things about me:

1. The only word in the English language that I can't stand is "unique". I lost a spelling bee in 4th grade because of it and have been scarred ever since. I believe this is only the 3rd time in my life I have typed the word.

2. Next month I am going to London on my honeymoon with my fabulous hubby. This will be the first trip to Europe for both of us!

3. I am scared to death of public speaking or being the center of attention.

4. My two online stores, Lady Sadie's by Locklear and Lady Farrah's by Locklear, are both named after my two adopted pound puppies. (Sadie Lady and Farrah Locklear)

5. I am a Christian woman who loves God!

6. I just recently got my diving certification and have already logged my first 7 dives!! The underwater world is so peaceful and gorgeous. I was a beach baby and have always had a passion for the water.

7. I think I am obsessed with gardening, plants, landscaping... Anything having to do with green!

Photo Cross in Sepia by Jude McConkey on Etsy.com

Simple Classic Ballet Slippers - Crochet Pattern

Love ballet style flats? I do!

Try your hand at making these adorable ballet slippers with step-by-step instructions. This is the perfect project for beginner crocheters, as it is only necessary to know the basic single crochet stitch and slip stitch. The pattern is 6 pages long with very detailed instructions and photos to help you out.

Lady Sadie's by Locklear on Etsy.com

What is a Bukushun??? Hmmmm...

OK, so I couldn't pass up these little cuties... Bukushuns or "Book Cushions" are hand-made ceramic bookends that look like soft little pillows. They are filled with sand and sealed, making them heavy enough to hold up your entire library. They can also be used as door-stops, paper-weights, or simply as decorative sculptures to put on your shelf. Find them at Djenya's Shop on Etsy.com!

Add Some Charm to Your Backyard Garden

These little hobbit and gnome doors are perfect for adding a bit of whimsy to your garden. Ozark Kountry Crafts :: Etsy.com

Organic Lavender Fire Sticks

Have you ever heard of using bundles of lavender to add a special something to a night on the back patio, sitting in front of a fire? Lavender stalks are full of fragrant oil and are very dry. Because of this, they are easy to burn. Just toss them into your fireplace and you have a fabulous aroma plus a good kindling source.

Sometimes my hubby soaks a bundle of this lavender in water and uses it to smoke chicken on the grill. This is such a lovely treat!

You can get these lavender bundles at http://www.tuscanheights.net/.

Newsboy Caps :: Love 'Em

How adorable is this precious little freckled girl? And such a cute newsboy cap! You can find these at Cutie Patutie B's shop on Etsy.com.

Grape Hyacinths in the Spring

Grape Hyacinths in the Spring by Starry Blue Sky :: Photographic Art

Guardian of the Garden

The "Guardian of the Garden" by JennaDesigns.Etsy.com

Keeping Cozy on a Frozen Birdbath

I'm sure this little beauty's feet are cold! How precious is this fluffy American Goldfinch, I ask you? This photograph just makes me want to pick this baby up and cuddle it against my cheek. Muddy River Photos on Etsy.com has some absolutely enchanting photographs of nature's magnificence.

Etsy Favorite :: The Trio Tumbled Turquoise Rock Soap

How delightful is this soap? I believe I would think twice before actually using it because it is so lovely! "The Trio Tumbled Turquoise Rock Soap" is the perfect name for this threesome. You can find these and so many other charming soaps at http://www.amethystsoap.etsy.com/.

the one with moss

It is no secret that I have a passion for nature, especially moss. While paging through photographers on Etsy, I came across Chandra's amazing shop and immediately fell in love with this photo named "the one with moss". The greens are so lovely against the grays and browns.

~In the near future, I will most likely be blogging about quite a few photographers, as I will soon be decorating my new studio and I'm constantly shopping for wall artwork.

Flower Substitute for Valentine's Day

This Valentine's Day, an elegant moss terrarium is a fabulous way to mix things up! Flowers wilt and die days later. Moss terrariums are little glass enclosed gardens. So beautiful!

A small little piece of the Earth in a glass apothecary jar...

You can find all of these and more at http://www.ladyfarrah.etsy.com/!