L is for the way you look at me.

Cheesy I know but some parts of Valentine's Day just have to be to get the full value out of the holiday. I don't feel like writing about regular old life right now and am happy to blog about a fun giveaway instead.

Before I go all giveaway crazy and tell you what it is...a few things to catch you up on for the sake of L-O-V-E. Like my lovely sister in law, who after hearing my obsessing over nature and birds made me this:

my very own bird nest, modeled by me:


on to the goodies though. Since I love my necklace, I thought it would be fun to give you a little Valentine's Day bling as well. I just love showing off my crafty friends & blessing the few of you who read my thoughts. I guess it goes back to my desire to give thoughtful and unique gifts.

Without further ado. I present to you the loveliness of Inspired Pendants , the brainchild of Ami & Christy (I have known Ami since I was 12). There are so many options to choose from
and you can shop your little heart out here

Here are two of my personal favorites that I can imagine wearing with jeans and a white tank on a summer's night. Sounds really good right now as the snow piles grow higher and higher.



Head over to their new website to find your own personal favorite. Then come back here and I want to know the best Valentine's day memory you have along with your pendant choice. You have until Saturday at midnight to enter & I will have my Valentine help me determine the winner & share my best Valentine's memories as well. Go!

I promised and here it is

meet Abby, from whom creativity spills over. Abby and I went to Taylor University together (yah Olson Hall) and I have always loved the spirit and energy she has. I found her blog a few years ago and have enjoyed watching her family grow as she is now the happy momma to two little ones.
Isn't she beautiful?!

She will be giving away one of her beautiful handmade cowls that come in so many gorgeous colors and as you know, I am obsessed with scarves (as seen here and here) so I think it is a great option. Wear it with a plain sweater, your favorite printed coat, a long sleeve tee. Possibilities are endless. For your chance to win one of Abby's creation, go to her etsy shop between now and Wednesday and come back to let me know which is your favorite. You may also blog and/or facebook about this giveaway and comment with your link for another entry!

And remember how I mentioned that I would have a partner in this one. Well for those of you who live in the Wheaton/Naperville area, Alicia is going to share with you details on Abby's upcoming local appearances and some special deals just for you!

Have a great weekend! Can't wait to see which is your favorite.

Recessionista

I was reading an article online that discussed Hope College & campus slang from current day back to 50 years ago and it cracked me up. I have to agree that part of campus life comes new verbage and some of the
things that I remember from our days at TU were that everything was “random” and people who were really great were deemed “quality” by our definition. Anyone else, any other throwback terminology you want to get nostalgic about?

One of the terms they listed in the Holland Sentinel article was “Recessionista”

A Recessionista is a fashionista who clips coupons; she looks good but she got it on sale. love it. That is my shopping mantra this fall on a new and improved budget to incorporate tuition into our cash flow. Here is what this Recessionista is loving this fall.

Scarves- again, really? Yes! I just can't seem to stay away from them and have already started obsessively wearing my orange scarf from last year' trip to India because it is all things fall and makes me happy.

Bubble Rings! My sister-in-law Rochelle is so talented and this is her latest creation. Check out more of her jewelry here (or on me because she lets me be a walking sales girl for her goods.

Dark nail polish-which my friend Michelle pulls off really well and I think I may have to indulge in it soon. Here it is on Fergie Ferg- she is a fashionista and I seem to continue to be drawn into the beats of Black Eyed Peas again this fall. Heard his rendition of their latest last night and the song will never be the same.