Jewel Tone Treasuries + Shopping Small

I was inspired to start a bundle of jewel tone treasuries as a result of my recent Emerald Treasury Post, plus I love spending wasting time being creative and with many millions of projects going on at once,...what's the harm in just one more? So, I have been perusing Etsy lately in a calculated and categorized way. Looking back at my favorites on Etsy is like looking at my closet -  color coordinated! Yup, I am "that girl" who has her clothes hung in color order. Admittedly crazy, but it just makes sense to me that way. I digress, so....I have been collecting jewel toned favorites and creating treasuries out of the lovely and talented artists and curators on Etsy. It has been a fun way to explore and hopefully help people get more traffic to their sites. I can justify the time spent as a little public service that I am providing during this holiday season; hopefully it will increase sales for these talented people as we roll into the holiday season. 

So here are a few to start...(If I did all of the jewels out there, I wouldn't be making any money actually working!) 

July's Birthstone: RUBY 
      

(Direct links to the listings of the product images above) 

Septembers Birthstone: SAPPHIRE 
      

(Direct links to the listings of the product images above) 

Novembers Birthstone: TOPAZ 
  

(Direct links to the listings of the product images above) 

I have a check list on my desk with the images of other jewel tones to continue my recent obsession with all things jewel tone, so stay tuned. Enjoy the wonderful creations of these talented artists and curators and remember during this holiday season to shop local and shop small whenever possible. 'Tis the season to spread the love! 

Cheers, 

My Christmas Bells are Ringing.

So, it dawned on me the other day why the decorations were up so early this year, there are Christmas presents wrapped under the tree (ALREADY!), and I am feeling on top of things....because for the first time in 5 years I am not in finals-hell right before the Holidays! Life is SOOOOO good after grad school.

Well, I thought I would share a few images of my decorations...in particular our adorable tree that I am falling in love with every night as we sit by it in our cozy living room listening to Charlie Brown's Christmas.


We got our tree (for FREE!!!) from a friend who was cutting down trees, responsibly of course, in his yard. I love that the branches are separated, which highlights our few and special ornaments.

I also bought a bunch of pine cones this year as decoration...subtle, natural...and I just love them!!! Oh, and as you maybe able to see...I won the newly-wed war! I achieved my mono-chrome, classy tree with silver and white ornaments.

Hoping all of your holiday seasons are off to a great start. Peace and much love from our home to yours!

In the Spirit Early!

Getting in the spirit much earlier this year! Since I am a newly-wed, or I would like to think so at least...1.5 years is still newly-wed right?? Anyway, over the past few years we have been building our ornament collection. Despite my husbands liking, I am pushing the idea of Christmas tree with white and silver ornaments...mostly consisting of snowflakes and icicles! I think it looks classy and timeless, while he would prefer more colorful decorations on the tree. In this case, I think the designer WINS! :)

I created a treasury on Etsy last night that would embody how I would like my holiday decorations to look. I figure I can have these types of decorations until kiddo's come into our lives...then things will be a little more crafty, definitely more colorful, and a lot less organized and neat.

In the mean time, I would like my holiday decorations and tree trimmings to be simple, clean, and elegant like this Etsy Treasury.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4ceb2b27412d8eefe875a387/in-the-spirit?index=0

HAPPY HAND-MADE HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!