Goodbye Michael Jackson

The news was heard around the world today. The sudden and shocking death of Michael Jackson at age 50. As a child of the 80's, Michael's music defined our generation. My mom would tell me that when I was around 2 or 3 she would put on Thriller and I would dance and dance like no other. His music and videos were like no other in the world. He broke down walls and paved the way for new music artists. I don't think there is a single music artist that can't trace their roots back to the King Of Pop.

Of course his death didn't hit me as hard as when I got in my car to leave work and after speaking to my mom in California, all the radio stations in Phoenix were to play his songs. By the time I got home I sat in my car and cried. It is not until you hear those songs until you realize how much this man brought to the world. There are so many that you just know the lyrics to without really even knowing you do. One of my favorites growing up was smooth criminal and the video was earth shattering with the famous lean in the pure white suit and hat.

Recently I became a fan of P.Y.T after watching the dance group Jabbawockeez on America's Best Dance Crew in tribute to the 25th anniversary of Thriller. The dance they did really changed my mind on the song and it is one of the top on my play list.



There are so many things I can say about the man behind the music, but sometimes you just have to let the music speak for itself. I know he had some trouble in the past, but we all have our demons. As Tupac once said "Measure a man by his actions fully from beginning to end."

Rest in Peace Michael. May your music live on forever.

Featured Etsy Seller: Christy Studio

I just received this adorable red purse from Christy Studio and I had to share. It was a large bag called the 'Victoria' in bright fire engine red brushed cotton twill and a vanilla color inside. It has an adjustable strap to use as a messenger bag or shoulder style.

What I was impressed with the most, was the interior. It has 5 pockets including a zipper pocket, dog leash for your keys, magnetic closure and a cute Christ Studio Logo sewed inside. I was unbelievably impressed by the quality and craftsmanship of this purse.

By far, it was the best purse I think I have ever bought. Perfect size, perfect design and the price cannot be beat. Better than anything you can find in the stores. If you like simple designs in purses like I do, this is the Etsy shop for you!

Christy Studio is located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia so please be patient in regards to shipping. I ordered mine last week and it arrived today, but that doesn’t mean it will always be that fast. Trust me, they are worth the wait.

Here is a few of my favorite designs including the 'Lydia' (below) in dusty blue that I just bought moments ago. I can't wait for this one to arrive. I love the color and the design is a little different than the bag that arrived today.

Another great style is the 'Pandora' featured here in a Rose Red brushed canvas that looks so soft!

Be sure to check out Christy Studios at www.christystudio.etsy.com or follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/christystudio

Splish Splash! Custom Mermaid Tails

Most kids growing up want to be a police officer, firefighter, nurse...but not me. I wanted to be a mermaid. I wanted to figure out how to grow a tail and swim like one under the ocean. When I saw the movie Splash and how Madison used a can of salt in the water to make her tail grow, well I tried that a couple times and nothing happened except my mother wondering why were was this clear film at the bottom of the tub.

So as an adult, I still secretly want to have a mermaid tail and at swim around a beautiful lagoon. I found an Etsy seller creating swimmable tails that let you believe you are mermaid with glittering tails and fins.

Earth Song Designs has adorable mermaid tails made of swimmable fabric and a custom made monofin fluke that help you swim through the water.

Emerald Mermaid Tail

Kohaku Koi Mermaid Tail

Fire Flower Mermaid TailThese are meant for serious adult swimmers. Earth Song Designs promotes water safety and highly suggests you swim with a partner at all times when wearing the tails.

Check out more info and pricing at www.EarthSongDesigns.etsy.com

Featured Artist of the Day: Karingrow

Today’s featured artist is Karingrow from beautiful San Diego, California. Her paintings are so vivid and beautiful. She has a way with tiny details that don’t overwhelm you, but somehow draw you in to the bold colors. The women she paints has such fluidity it is quite calming. Here are a few of my favorites.

Autumn

Of Course this one is my favorite. It reminds me of my favorite scene in Disney's The Little Mermaid when tiny seahorses wrap themselves in Ariel's hair. I love the few touches of the Hawaiian flowers floating along.

Mermaid with Seahorses

Of course my Hispanic side of me is drawn to this one. I think it is the bright bold red in it. Red is my secret favorite color. I think it would be perfect for my kitchen.

Lovely Girl with Birdcages

Check out her shop at http://www.karingrow.etsy.com/ as well as a look into her current projects on her blog at http://www.karingrow.blogspot.com/

D.I.Y - Plastic Bottle Vase

Ever pick a flower or two while on your lunch break and when you return to work, but you never have a vase to put them in? They always look dorky in your mug and they die without water. What about making a vase out of an empty plastic bottle? Every office has soda water bottles and before it hits the recycle box - make one into a vase!

With some careful snips of some scissors and a few folds, you have a cute looking vase. And after your are done - toss that baby right into the recycle bin!

Check out the step by step instructions here: www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Vase-out-of-a-Plastic-Bottle

Tip: You might want to use the thicker plastic bottles. The new water bottles they have out there are made with 30% less plastic (which are awesome for the earth) but are super flimsy.

I Am Seeing Stripes

Living in Southern California, you pretty much know what a Mexican blanket is. It is a striped thick blanket that can be used for anything! I wanted one for so long but I could never find any girlie colors that was super thick. The ones we found were super thin and blah in color. Finally after searching store after store in Ensenada, Mexico I found a black, white and purple stripped blanket stuck in a pile in the back of the store. It comes in so handy when you need it for a picnic, bed covering, camping, you name it!

I found some CUTE girlie Mexican blanket theme items on Etsy that I had to share.

First is this ADORABLE purse by BettieBubble. It is made from authentic Mexican blanket with a zippered pocket on the interior and a removable rose brooch. Each bag is handmade to order can come any a variations of colors.

Check out BettieBubbles shop at www. bettiebubble.etsy.com

This cute and bold Mexican Blanket Clutch was just featured on Etsy’s front page today and I had to post it on mine. It is a one of a kind cotton twill purse by Midnightjo1327 that comes with a removable chrome wristlet handle. And the best part is, free shipping! Yay baby!

Congrats to Midnightjo1327! Check out more stuff at www. midnightjo1327.etsy.com.

And finally, what a more perfect bag to throw all your makeup and goodies in before you run off on vacation. Well, maybe just to the boyfriends house for the weekend in my case. This cute bag from Lapistolera can fit all your stuff for only $15!

It would make a perfect gift for anyone. Check out more cute items at www. lapistolera.etsy.com

Broke & Crafty

In this economy, money is tight and it is hard our us artist to be crafty and save money. I ran across this website www.dollarstorecrafts.com that people post AMAZING cheap crafts for under $15. Most of the crafts I have seen are made with items I am sure you have around the house. There are a few projects I want to try myself when I am broke on a weekend.

The first is an adorable necklace holder created by WendyStarr made of any frame, scrap paper, furniture knobs, new or used and E6000 glue. I must say, they are better than anything I have seen in stores.You could even make it personal with family photos! I have some old Pinup theme calendars I have been holding on to for a reason. Props to Wendy for this great idea! Here is the link to the instructions: www.dollarstorecrafts.com/2009/05/necklace-holder. Check out her Etsy shop at wendystarr.etsy.com

I have tons of those light kits lying around my house doing nothing. And after moving from California to Arizona, there is very little need to have more than one sweater here. Now there is something I could finally use both of them for! A SweaterSleeve lamp designed by Sara Ebert for the International Contemporary Furniture Fair.

It is SUPER simple. All you need is a lamp kit, washed out bottle juice container with the label removed and an old sweater. Simply cut off the sleeve of the sweater, stretch it over the empty bottle container and insert the light kit (be sure to have a low heat bulb) and hang. Here is a link to the project for more details and comments: www.dollarstorecrafts.com/2009/05/sweater-lamp

As a girl, I read a ton of magazines and they just collect, usually under the sink in the bathroom. Hey, we are all human right? (I just don’t take books in the bathroom, we all saw that episode of Seinfeld where George got ‘flagged.’)

Anyways, The Rag & Bone came up with amazing rolled paper wreath made out of magazine pages. I have seen those recycled frames and containers online for almost $100 each! The Rag & Bone brag it will cost you under $2! You can’t beat that. Check out pending instructions at www.dollarstorecrafts.com/2009/05/rolled-wreath

Check out www.dollarstorecrafts.com daily for new stuff posted by crafty people!

I have been bitten!

For several months, I tried to not give in to the whole Twilight phenomenon. Especially since the author, Stephanie Meyer is based here in Cave Creek, just a few minutes from my home here in Phoenix. It seems to me to be another ‘tween’ fad that wouldn’t really be interesting to a 27 year old. However, I saw a small clip of the baseball scene while flipping through Pay Per View on TV and saw that is actually could be pretty darn good. So I figured I would read the book first and then finally watch the movie since books tend to be different, sometimes better than the movie. I found that for a fact when House of Sand and Fog came out as a movie. Such a disappointment compared to the book.

I purchased the first book from CostCo Friday and so far read about 200 pages while waiting for my car to get an oil change at the dealership. I must admit, it’s pretty darn good. I just need to find time to squeeze in some more reading. Maybe this weekend while the boyfriend is out of town.

I checked out Etsy and found a lot of people have been inspired by the movie. Check out a few pretty cool finds:

Now this is a FIND! It’s is the actual bag Bella uses in the movie. Stitchandswash was contacted by a prop manager who purchased the Feather Bag from a boutique in Seattle and needed a second bag . Stitchandswash stayed up all night and made a second one and shipped it straight to the prop manager…AND BAM! It became one of Bella’s main totes in the movie.

It is an adorable brown leather bag handmade with a aqua peacock feather which is my favorite touch. Be sure to snatch one for yourself – but please allow 5-6 weeks for your very own piece of the phenomenon. Hmm...my birthday is coming up in October, this may be a must on my wish list. It is always great to see an Etsy seller do so well! Congrats! Check out the Etsy page at stitchandswash.etsy.com

I have always been a fan of charm bracelets. I think they are adorable and so fun to wear and collect. Foreverandaday created a Twilight inspired charm bracelet with a wolf, truck, music note, apple etc. It is super cute and would be cute present for the young fan you know.


Check out the Etsy page at foreverandaday.etsy.com


And finally I found this unique idea for a Twilight inspired stuff art doll by KreepyKids. Each doll is made out of 100% cotton that is washable and perfect for older children and adult that features the characters from the book/movie.

As a bonus, 10% of the proceeds goes to animal charities. Love it! Check out more creepy dolls at www.kreepykids.etsy.com