Inauguration Day Fashion- Get The Look With Handmade

First Lady Michelle Obama looked amazing during the inauguration day festivities in a beautiful lemon-grass colored dress with matching coat. But her inaugural ball gown and jewelry were certainly stunning. I would have liked to seen her in something more form fitting, but the gown she chose was beautiful none the less. And Vice President Bidens' wife, Jill, was stunning in her red gown.



I think the First Lady did a great deed by wearing bangles. Who would have thought that she would wear bangles? Not me, not in a million years. To me, her choice in bangles shows a free, laid back spirit. Well done Mrs. Obama.




Stacked sterling silver bangles are timeless. Get yourself a set in the Etsy shop of ABlondAndATorch. Pair with jeans and a tank or as our First Lady did with a beautiful gown. These go from day to night in a silver, sparkling flash.




You couldn't miss the big bling on the First Lady's hand, but if you did, here it is. This huge, somewhat gaudy, ring set her as far apart from Laura Bush as anything could. It almost looks like a mini UFO on her hand, but who cares? It's stunning.



Get yourself a big ring! For only $13.50 you can have a ring very similar to that worn by our First Lady. What a deal! From the Etsy shop of KimberlyAnns.

Great Gifts All For Under $10

It seems like every time we turn around we are hearing of another financial crisis effecting someone we know. Just today my fiance and I went to pick up his pay check (he works at a lumber mill) and upon arriving we noticed the parking lot was almost empty. It turns out they laid a lot of people off. Thank God, he wasn't one. But on Dec. 17 they will close his part until Jan. 7. Everyone is pinching pennies and trying to get by. I have gathered some items from Etsy that make great gifts and are under $10.



This fun and funky little necklace is great for the teenage girl on your list or those who like to have a little fun. This brightly colored rainbow pendant is situated nicely on a strand of white seed beads. This and more great buys can be found in the Etsy shop of cjsdesigns and only cost $2.25!



This is a darling little set of magnets. They are done in Amy Butler fabrics, which are so popular right now and they come in this precious little tin. These will cost you only $6.00 and ca be found in the Etsy shop of redbirdroaddesign.



Got a baby on your list? The Etsy shop of hippillow is for you! She has some adorable onesies appliqued with cute hippos as well as the cutest hippo pillows I have ever seen. The hippilow onesie shown above is a size 9 months and will cost you only $4.00! Nothing in her shop is priced above $6.00. Amazing? I think so.



Any dad, son, father-in-law, uncle and so on will love these. They are indeed for the child at heart. These vroom vroom cufflinks are the perfect gift for any guy on your list. They would coordinate great with a white, blue, or yellow button down. These are only $8.50 and can be found in the Etsy shop of baublesnbows.




Key lime pie and a candle? I must be in Heaven. Everyone loves a great smelling candle! AuntieDis on Etsy is filled with some great candles. This is her key lime pie jar candle which cost only $8.00. Stick this fab candle in a great gift bag, write your giftee's name, sign yours and you are good to go!


I hope this reaches someone who needs it most. I think most of us can all agree that while some of us or someone we know may be having a hard time there is always someone out there much worse than we are. We should be thankful for what we do have and the things that matter most; our family, our health, and our friends. I wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May you all be blessed.

This Weeks Thrift Store Finds

Ahh, how I love thrift shopping. I think I'm addicted, seriously! I have actually stumbled upon some new thrift stores while on my way to the ones I am familiar with. I so often find myself asking "who gave this away?". Well, as the saying goes, one mans trash is another mans treasure. Only in this case it's WOman. Here's what I've found recently! Have fun looking and show me what you've found thrift shopping.
I found this awesome little compote at a Goodwill store that I so often frequent. It's a vintage milk glass compote by E.O. Brody. It has an amazing texture that is unique and not often seen on other milk glass items. I paid only $3.oo for this one.



I love pyrex and I don't come across it that often. So, imagine how I felt when I stumbled upon this petite pyrex bowl still intact with it's lid. I didn't know what I would use it for or if I ever would use it and I didn't care. I just knew I had to have it. I found this at a local Salvation Army and I paid $1.50 for it!




Milk glass is obviously as much of an obsession of mine as much as thrift shopping is. I was overly excited to find this vintage milk glass lamp. I haven't changed the shade yet, but I plan to do so soon. I found this at a Wing's of Life thrift store for $3.00.


I'm not sure who the maker of these sweet little saucers are, but he/she needs to be complimented. The blue color is so amazing on these. They are milk glass and have a silver trim on the inside and outside of the blue. There is a partial stamp on the bottom of one, but it isn't visible enough to identify a maker. I found these at my local Salvation Army for $.75 each.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing what I've found as much as I have enjoyed finding them and sharing them with you. I have been considering opening an Etsy vintage shop, but I am still undecided. Let me know what you think!

Recent thrift store and FREE finds!!

Ahh, who doesn't love a cheap find? I know I certainly do. I wanted to share with everyone some of my recent thrift store and free finds. I know your wondering about the free finds. Well, under each picture I will explain all about where and how I found these awesome treasures. ENJOY!

First is this old window pane. This was one of my free finds! While at the house of a friend of Tony's I noticed this laying against the side of the house. I asked what they planned to do with it and they said they had no use for it and that I could have it if I wanted it. So, I got it. I haven't decided what I will do with it yet, but I've thought about either getting some stained glass window panes or displaying pictures behind the panes. What ever I decide to do I will be sure to share!

I purchased this awesome bowl at my local thrift store for only $2.00! I loved the detail of the lines and the green color that has somewhat of an old look to it. I have no idea who made this bowl. On the bottom it simply has "patty" written in it. I'm almost certain it was hand made and it's too bad I don't know who to give credit to. Right now I have it sitting on the counter in my kitchen with come fruit in it. Thanks Patty, who ever and where ever you are!

This vintage tea pot and sugar cup were the second of my free finds. The same friend who had the window also had these. They were sitting outside on a table and were full of water from a few days of continous rain showers. I tried cleaning them with a silver cloth, but it didn't do much good. I will try some other things, but it they don't come clean it's ok. I love them just the way they are and I find lots of beauty in their detail. They were made by F.B. Rogers Silver Company.This is a gorgeous canvas painting that I was very luck to have found. It is still in it's original packaging and I think it came from Target, but I couldn't find anything on their site about it. Now, guess how much I paid for it. It's big by the way, about 3 feet tall. I paid only $4 for this! I purchased it a closeout type store. It has no defects other than some of the paper on the back of it is torn, that's it! The artist is unknown, but whomever he/she is they are very talented. I plan to use this in our new house in the living room. I'm going to do the living room in warm, neuteral colors with the brick-red color as an accent.

I hope you enjoyed my finds, I am surely enjoying them! If you have some great finds please don't hesitate to let me know. Everyone loves a good deal. ~Cassie