Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts

Saturday, May 23, 2009

What a wonderful time we had

This past Tuesday morning we left for the Oregon Coast. Rory, the kids, my mother-in-law, and myself packed up the van and away we went.

It took quite a bit longer than we had planned to get there but the drive was absolutely beautiful once we hit the coast. I did all the driving (9 hours) and found myself driving in pockets of monsoon like rain but all in all the drive was great. We (Ror and I) were blessed with kids that are great travellers, I remember back to my childhood and I don't think I could have handled that drive as a kid but they don't complain, I think they like the adventure.

We arrived in Lincoln City and the pictures began. In 2 days we took 117 pictures, I am so thankful for digital cameras!

Here are a few of the pics from our first night there.








The first night was quite funny, we were staying in an old house, it was built in 1929 and I am not sure if some of the old residents weren't still around! The house had 5 doors (not sure why) but because Brendan is still in a wandering phase we decided to split up the sleeping arrangements to be sure Brendan didn't walk out one of the doors. So here I am in the back room with both kids in bed and I can hear doors banging in the main room. I get up to check it out and nobody I am staying with is awake, but the banging persisted. Then the smoke alarm starts to beep, not like it was warning us of a fire but just a beep here and a beep there. In the morning I chalked this all up to the wind and an old battery in the fire alarm until.......the t.v. turned itself on. We were all sitting in the living room just watching the water out the large windows when all of a sudden the t.v. turned on, can't explain that one :)


After a walk on the beach in the morning we took off for the outlet malls. Some really good bargains to be had but in all honestly I can't shop with the boys so I didn't even try. It's Rorys birthday next week so I wanted him to find some clothes, he hates to spend money on himself so I was happy that he found some cargo shorts, track pants, and shirts, he got them all for the price of the tracks pants here at home, awesome.






This log reminded us of a turtle!



We then went for lunch at an Oregon coast favorite called Mos. Really good food but I think the balloon hats they made for the boys (Rory included) was the highlight of lunch.




Next we went back to the beach to fly a kite, dig in the sand, blast off a rocket (Christmas present of Trevors that was tons of fun to do on a large beach as it blasts off 50 feet), and just enjoy beach time. The wind was so strong, the sand was blowing, and little Brendan could sometimes barely walk but he loved it.

Cooked dinner at the house, got the kids ready for bed and then enjoyed the finale of American Idol as the surf pounded in the back. (Yeah Kris!!!!!!)

It was an incredible few days and we all can't wait to get back, the next time we go we decided it will definitely be for at least a week.

Since we arrived home very late on Thursday we decided to keep Trevor home for one last day off school. Night of the Museum 2 opened on Friday and Trevor has been waiting for about a year since we heard it was coming out, they filmed it here in town so we knew about it coming out pretty early. Trevor loved the Night of the Museum and was literally counting down the days till it came out. So we decided to trick him, I can't imagine that we have many years left to be able to do this. We didn't tell him where we were going just that we were going out for a drive, we live a block from the theatres so he quickly realized where we were going but then we told him that movies don't start till the evening and that we were only going there to have lunch at Burger King, he actually bought it until we went to get the popcorn, then he figured it out.

It was a great movie! It was really weird though, about 1/2 hour into the movie all of a sudden everything was upside down and the talking was all weird, I thought I was losing my mind because nobody was saying anything, then the theatre manager came in and said that in 10 years he has never seen this, they put the movie on the reel backwards, they could not fix it though so they moved us to the Imax screen and we all received free vouchers, totally worked for me!!!!!

So now life returns to normal, I will be making my lists and getting organized for next week. I start my new job on Monday so our schedules will definitely be changing.

Have a great weekend
Cheers.


Saturday, November 15, 2008

Wow the talent on Etsy is mind blowing!!

As the title states the talent on Etsy is mind blowing. I put out an offer for Etsy shop owners to be featured on my blog and the response was incredible!


I decided to make this a Christmas gift feature with quite a number of different items and shops. I wasn't able to include all simply because my fingers would fire me for all the typing but I have to say that every shop that responded was amazing!

So let's get started, hoping that you will be able to find that perfect Christmas gift from one of these sellers.


This shop includes a wonderful selection of watercolor paintings. Florals, Abstracts, Land & Sea, and much more.

They are currently have a great sale. If you purchase anything in their Holiday Gift section you will receive another item of equal or lesser value FREE.

Here is one example of the beautiful work in the shop.


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Well if I had girls I would be spending a ton of money in this shop. Since I wasn't allowed to cut my hair until I was 12 you can imagine just how many ponytail holders I have worn. These are by far the sweetest I have ever seen. These would make a great stocking stuffer for sure!
This shop is also offering free shipping for all orders over $20.


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This shop features oil paintings, pet portraits, pendants and more.
The pendants really struck me, simply beautiful and a great selection.
Here is my favorite. Be sure to check out the shop as they have many different designs.


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Treeartist - http://www.treeartist.etsy.com/
When I came across this shop I fell in love with the paintings, they are so unique and really vibrant. I was quite happy to see that the artist was just down the highway from me. I love supporting local business.


Currently they are offering free shipping on all purchases till November 30th.

Check out these wonderful paintings


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Across the Pond Designs - http://www.acrossthepond.etsy.com/
This shop has something that I have never seen before and I think it is the greatest idea. Perfect gift for the person who has everything.

It is a wooden locket that you can do so much with, here are some examples from the artist
Some ideas for using your locket:

-Use index prints from your photo processing
-Print tiny pictures from your own computer
-Type up your favorite quotes
-Put inspirational messages that you can look at throughout the day
-Collage a tiny little scene
-Scan and reduce a love note from your favorite person
Here is my favorite


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Here is another very talented shop owner. The quality of the work looks outstanding and the originality is superb.

If you are a butterfly or cat lover this is one shop you don't want to miss
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There isn't much to say about this shop because the pictures speak volumes. Stunning work for sure. I can't imagine any woman on your list that you couldn't find that perfect gift for.

This shop is also having a great sale, Free earrings with a minimum $20 purchase. Please check with the store for further information on this sale.

Again my favorite:



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Bancroft Studios - http://www.brookepickering.etsy.com/

One look at the dinnerwear available in the shop and I'll bet you' ll be in love. I know I was.

All of the pieces are dishwasher and microwave safe. Currently they are offering nautical or hydrangea designs, however you can visit http://www.bancroftstudios.com/ for other designs as well.
This piece is beautiful!



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Jillian Haupt & Co - http://www.jillianhaupt.etsy.com/

If you have a princess or cupcake in your life then definitely stop by this shop. The items for sale are just so sweet that every little one should have something special like this.



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Are you looking for a ring that is truly unique to you or for that someone special on your shopping list. Well look no further. The rings available in this shop are stunning. Stop by an take a look, so many different colors!


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This is the description on their front page and I think it describes their inventory wonderfully.
Welcome! To the home of lovable, huggable, joyful, covetable toys, dolls, craft kits, t'shirts and more!

There isn't one item in their shop that isn't really sweet, this below just happens to be my favorite


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Ok doesn't every little girl deserve a strawberry hat. I think they all do, or maybe an acorn hat, cupcake hat etc. The items available here are so much fun. I mean really Mary Jane booties, awesome!

Take a look at these pics, just two of the sweet items currently for sale.



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Ok so finally I was dared by a fellow shopowner to feature their shop. Well I never step down from a dare, lol. I do not wish to add pictures but another shop to visit on Etsy is:

http://www.naughtyknits.etsy.com/ (be warned they disclose mature items on their pictures)

Happy shopping everyone, only 39 sleeps til Christmas

Cheers