Sunday, April 29, 2012

Sunday Style with Rogue Baby

Hello! It's time for another Sunday Style! My daughter just turned 2 this week and she is already my little fashionista. Each morning she chooses an accessory for her outfit... whether it be a bib, a tutu, a headband, a single mitten (never both), etc. Here is a recent shot of her, and her "style."



And here is my Sunday style! I'm not a huge hat person, but this one just jumped out to be part of this outfit.

Touch of Turquoise




Saturday, April 28, 2012

Wildlife Safari - A Family Day Trip

When I woke up with the lingering remains of yesterdays migraine, I nearly said, let's not go. And then, when Boo Boo woke up, pissy as ever, I nearly said, let's not go. But darn it if I wasn't going to use that Groupon before it expired!

First things first. Roadtrips with a two year old are no easier than with a one year old. They may be even tougher because nowadays naps are shorter and fewer and farther between. But we made it to Wildlife Safari before noon. There seemed to be a lot of folks there, but the weather was perfect. Not too hot and not too cool. Perfect time to watch the animals roam.

Boo Boo thought it was pretty spectacular to sit on Mama's lap for the ride, and all the animals were "cute."

Here are some of our sitings!



The drive through part went well. About halfway through Boo Boo decided it was time to color and elk are boring. As we neared the end of the drive part, we noticed, it was REALLY packed toward the parking lot. We had really wanted to stop at the Safari Village "free" portion to show Boo Boo the petting zoo, and take a picture of her to update this one from when she was only about 6 weeks old....



But alas, it was "kids day" at Wildlife Safari, and there was narry a parking spot to be found. Not for 1/2 a mile down the enterance road. No joke. So we'll have to save that for another day. I am a little bit disappointed the day did not go as planned. Guess you really can't "plan" fun! I felt a lot more like my Dad than I ever have before today. "FAMILY, We're going to have fun today, whether you like it or not!"

Sunday, April 22, 2012

My Sunday Style

Good Morning! I am currently participating in a lazy Sunday morning at home with the fam. At Boo Boo's request, I made cupcakes for breakfast. German chocolate with coconut. The eggs in the batter and coconut have protien, right? Sometimes, it's not the end of the world to have dessert for breakfast... Or at least I'm telling myself that.

Something I like to do, but rarely have time for is creating outfits on Polyvore.com. It's like paper dolls for grown ups! So I've decided to declare Sunday mornings, "My Sunday Style!" I'm not quite brave enough to do the whole "What I Wore" thing, because well, I kind of hate my wardrobe right now, and refuse to buy new clothes until I lose some weight. So for now, this will be my fashion outlet. The outfits I wish I could afford look good in have!

Summer Style




Happy Sunday Morning Everyone!
) - Ricki

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Not your ordinary headbands - Introducing Lewis & Bucky Designs

So, I don't know if you have noticed sometimes how hard it is to find a TRULY unique item on Etsy. And it's not for lack of creativity on the crafters parts. I am guilty of sometimes just having crafters block and making several similar items for my Etsy shop. Noticed my current kick of using shabby chiffon rosettes for pretty much everything? Guilty.

But this post isn't about me! It was a breath of fresh air to find Lewis & Bucky Designs on Etsy! I asked Anna to prepare a small guest post. Their headbands are so adorable - I wanted to share with all of you!



Lewis & Bucky Designs started last summer as a fun hobby for my sister and me. We went to a little shop near a beach and, finding some super-cute elastic headbands, exclaimed, “Let’s try that ourselves!” Hand-stitching all kinds of girly things to headbands—beads, stones, tulle, flowers, lace, pearls, garlands, beaded trim, appliqués, feather fan, gems—has now become a much-anticipated pastime for me. It’s just as much of a stress reliever as it is a business!




Lewis & Bucky Designs is exclusively a headband business. I use comfortable, stretchy elastic headbands only; they stay in place but won’t give you a headache by the end of the day. On the first headband I made, I used gold thread to secure all the embellishments, and since then, I’ve decided that will be one of my signature elements. My perky, unique “Lewis & Bucky Designs” label is also hand-stitched underneath each trimming to add a finished look.

I will duplicate headbands if requested or if one appears to be a popular accessory, but otherwise, I enjoy making a different one each time. Sometimes using the same embellishment but a different color headband changes the look entirely. It is fun to experiment and lay out different options; sometimes it’s so hard to choose!



As accessories, Lewis & Bucky headbands are very versatile. They can be worn with either dressy or casual outfits and completely change the look of the day. The more ornate fascinator headbands are a delight as they add that extra-special touch to a formal party dress. Lewis & Bucky headbands offer a fun, wide variety for any outfit, whether fancy or funky!

It is my hope that Lewis & Bucky Designs can offer you stylish headbands that fit your particular personality and style and that you enjoy wearing them as much as I enjoy designing them! Thanks so much for checking us out!

Lewis & Bucky Designs on Facebook: HERE
Lewis & Bucky Designs on Etsy: HERE

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

My 1st Fashion Post - Gearing up for summer time....

I am anxiously looking forward to summer time, warm weather, heading to the coast, and most of all wearing flip flops! A couple months back I was dreaming of summer and created this cute outfit on Polyvore. Cute right? I had to share.

Peachy Beachy


Yes, another Etsy shop feature! Meet Brittany from Precious Bowtique!

You've probably noticed by now, I talk a bit about Etsy. In April, I decided I wanted to feature some of the great sellers I'd met in the Etsy community. It is so hard to get noticed on Etsy, especially when you are selling certain types of items that seem to be oversaturating the Etsy marketplace.

I love how every shop owner has a story and a dream. Please take a moment to read a little about Brittany and her dream!



Hi! My name is Brittany and I am the owner of Precious Bowtique.

A little bit about me, I am a 21 year old college student in Oregon. I am studying American Sign Language/English Interpreting and will graduate with my BA in June of 2013. I am a competitive ice skater, and have been ice skating since the age of 8. I have a 6 year old step sister who began ice skating 4 months ago and loves it as much as I do, so now I can live my ice skating dreams vicariously through her (joking of course)! This summer she and I will be traveling to Texas for ISI World Recreational Championships. This will be my 8th ice skating recreational worlds competitions and my step-sisters first. As you can imagine this is a very expensive trip and competition so currently all my proceeds in my Etsy shop help send us to competition this summer.



A little about my shop, I joined Etsy in June of 2009 after I graduated from high school. I originally opened my shop to sell bows, hence the name BOW-tique. At that point I had no knowledge about promotion or getting my shop out there and I did not receive any sales. I came back to Etsy in February 2011 during my first year away at school. I sell a little bit of everything now: friendship bracelets, hemp bracelets, polymer clay earrings, knit goods, hair bows, and paper goods such as gift tags and mini cards. I like to say I have craft A.D.D because I can never stay doing the same craft for very long, but I think that's what makes my shop fun! You never know what I will have for sale, but you can always count on it being cute! I'd have to say my friendship bracelets are my signature items, but I love knitting so I hope to increase my sales in that area.

Check out Precious Bowtique on FACEBOOK ETSY TWITTER

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Tuesday 10 LinkUp! This might get embarassing!

I’m linking up today with Lena over at Mom2Memphis&Ruby for Tuesday 10. This week’s theme is a fun one! What 10 movies are you embarrassed (or proud) that you love (but maybe shouldn’t)???

It took me awhile, to think of any really cheesy, corny, or just plain awful movies out there that I love. And I really couldn’t think of any, because, after all, I have awesome taste. Well, at least in movies.

When it comes to TV shows, however, I am AWFUL at getting sucked into AWFUL shows, that even I “DON’T LIKE” and I will explain why!!!

In no particular order regarding level of embarrassment in admitting said watching….

1.) Secret Life of the American Teenager. Drama, Drama, and more unrealistic, yet semi-realistic drama. How is it possible that in one sick day I managed to watch nearly all of season one? And really, nothing advanced in the plot. Shows like this are such a time waste. Side note: Still love Molly Ringwald in it.



2.) Weeds. Yes, the first season is sort of an intriguing concept. Upper middle class soccer Mom turned drug dealer when her husband unexpectedly passes away. But then it gets more and more ridiculous! Before you know it you’ve watched 4 or 5 seasons and she has a baby with a Mexican mob boss’ish politician and her teenage son is committing murder. Stop the insanity already!

3.) Hoarders. What is it about this sad and disgusting show that keeps you watching? It isn’t fascinating by any means. I definitely feel compassion for the people featured on the show, but really, what is the point of watching it?

4.) Mad Men. I think I’m going to get some flack for this one….I will admit, it has a pretty good plot, but there is something that sickens me about watching the infidelity and dishonesty. I don’t condone that kind of behavior, so why should I be watching it? (Not to mention on a show that GLORIFIES it.)



5.) The Biggest Loser. Don’t get me wrong. I love this show, and will continue to watch it 5 years from now probably, but if you have seen one season, you’ve seen them all. Overweight people losing weight. It’s great to see them triumph and attain their goals. And it can be motivational as well. But after 12 or 13 seasons, I’m surprised anyone, including myself is still watching.

6.) Drop Dead Diva. I’m not sure if this one is still on the air (since I am in the dark ages and watch most all cable channel shows via Netflix.) However, this one I am a sucker for. There is enough crime/mystery type stuff to keep me interested. But the concept is ridiculous and the story line can get so unrealistic…But of course, I watch it anyway. ;)

7.) Ax Men. Yep, my husband and I have watched every season of Ax Men available on Netflix. Why? I’m not really sure. Whether it was on as background noise around the house or what, but somehow we watched over 100 episodes of that silly show. Yep, it’s about loggers. Logging wood. That’s it.

8.) Wheel of Fortune. Perhaps it was spending too much time with my Grandparents as a child, but I will watch Wheel of Fortune and get giddy when I figure out the answers before the contestants. Yeah, I could totally win that show…

9.) Deal or No Deal. When I was home on my maternity leave I watched this show nearly every day. Don’t get me wrong, Wayne Brady is funny, but that show is soooo cheese-tastic.

10.) Phineas & Ferb. Yeah, I am guilty of singing the “doofenschwertz evil incorporated” jingle around the house and turn this show on for “my daughter.” Right!?! Gotta love a good cartoon now and then.



There you go. My Tuesday 10. Be sure to check out the host, Mom2Memphis&Ruby!

Mom2MemphisandRuby


Thanks for stopping by!
*Ricki*

Monday, April 16, 2012

Guest Post - Andrea from We're Bound Together

Hello, my name is Andrea Davis from We Are Bound Together, a store featuring handbound books. Ricki asked me to guest post on the blog and here I am.

My journey into bookbinding started when my husband and I began thinking seriously about where our stuff came from. We started making an effort to buy products where the workers were being treated the way we would want to be treated - ethically and fairly.
This was before I knew much about Etsy. I had the hardest time finding photo albums. So I decided to look into making one myself. I had always been artsy, so I figured that there must be some way. Hence my adventure of bookbinding began.



I found that I really enjoyed the craft of creating handbound books. I love working with the pretty fabric and the different styles available to bookbinding. At this point all of my books were gifts to people I knew. But I felt that this was something I could really get into.

Parallel to all this, the desire to help others was something my husband and I both possessed. We didn't always do it right, but we learn through our experiences. At one point I really wished I could do more, especially for persecuted Christians around the world. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ, and as a family was should support them. We donated bits of money here and there, but the desire to help remained a passion of mine.



One day the idea came to me of the possibility of making handbound books to sell and the proceeds going toward those who are suffering. I had heard of Etsy by that time and that seemed like the perfect market. I was unable to fulfill that idea at that time, but it remained a dream of mine.

A few months ago, the opportunity came where I could go through with my dream. My husband greatly encouraged me, and now I have a store on Etsy, opened only just very recently. Currently it features my “duct tape” books. The covers are recycled book covers, covered with duct tape. People like duct tape wallets so why not books too? I hope to expand to leather bound and fabric covered books in the near future as well as funky duct tape covered RFID blocking credit card holders.

My store, “We Are Bound Together” combines my work of bookbinding with my desire to help persecuted Christians. The name has a double meaning. We are bound together as believers, and by handbound books I hope to help others. I do not donate to a single organization, but rather through a few. Currently the three that I focus on are “Voice of the Martyrs”, “Open Doors” and “International Christian Concern”.

My store is still in it's infancy, so I don't have any great advice for those considering something like what I'm doing. Only take it one day at a time and try not to get too overwhelmed. Getting started is more work than it looks, but I believe it's worth it in the end.

You can find me at my website HERE

my Etsy store HERE

my Facebook: HERE

Thank you for having me,
Andrea @ We Are Bound Together

Friday, April 13, 2012

A Formal Introduction...

Next week my blog will be 2 months old. Can you believe it? While I am so excited with how quickly it has grown (thanks to all of my fabulous fans & friends & fellow blogging mamas!), I am a little embarassed that I have yet to take the time to really introduce myself to you all! I admire the way more experience bloggers have crafted their blogging personality. I swear I feel like I really "know" them through reading their blog. How cool is that to be able to connect with someone like that!?!?

So I am pleased to introduce you to...... ME!

I am Ricki.



I am 28 years old. I grew up in Northern Idaho, but I call Southern Oregon home nowadays. I am wife to my wonderful husband Kyle. We have been married for eight years, and he is truly my best friend.



I am mama to one amazing little girl, Ella. She will be 2 years old this month, and I can honestly say, the past 2 years have been the most joyful and rewarding of my life.




By day, I am employed full time outside of the home as a Mortgage Loan Officer for a community bank. I have been in banking for about 5 years now. I genuinely can say I do enjoy my job, although I do have days I'd love to stay home and snuggle with my baby girl!

By night, I am owner of Rogue Baby Boutique. My dream was to open a baby & children's store here in Southern Oregon, but reality set in, and I decided in this economy, it was probably not the wisest investment. So Rogue Baby Boutique has evolved into an Etsy shop here and Children's Boutique via Facebook here.

My Etsy shop started with the custom diaper wipes cases I began making last year. I began making custom hair bows, headbands, and other fun accessories shortly thereafter. I've recently had orders for custom hair flowers and shoe clips for weddings, which has been so much fun. I hope to continue to expand the handmade division of Rogue Baby over the coming months.

The other side to Rogue Baby is baby & toddler clothing. I began opening wholesale accounts with many fun clothing brands like: Hatley, Trumpette, & BabyLegs when the plan was to open a brick & mortar shop. So I still have quite the inventory of new adorable baby items - as well as a huge selection of gently used name brand clothing, shoes, and accessories. The items available for sale can be found on our Facebook page.

Some little known facts about me:
I'm not quite certain what my natural hair color is...
From time to time you might catch me playing Halo on Xbox Live with my hubby. And occassionally even Call of Duty! I even have my own gamertag!
My favorite color most days is green, but varies depending on my mood.
I once believed my husband when he told me potatoes were poisonous if consumed raw. (Yes, I'm from Idaho, no I've never grown potatoes.)
I have 4 half siblings ranging from 33 to 13 in age. With my one and only brother being the youngest. He is taller than me.



The most recent addition to Rogue Baby has been the blog. I've always loved writing and have enjoyed this new outlet for my creativity. I appreciate each and every one of your wonderful comments! Thank you for reading and being part of Rogue Baby.
*Ricki*

Photobucket

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Giveaway - Art by Shara

I am so happy to introduce another talented Etsy seller I've recently discovered! And to top it off, she has graciously offered my readers the opportunity to win one of her amazing pieces. Without further ado.....

Hello Blog Readers! I am Shara. I currently live in Mexia which is located in Central Texas near Waco. I am an artist. My art work includes paintings, drawings, and photography. Subjects include still life, floral, animals, and landscapes.

I first started painting around the age of 4 when I went to visit my grandmother for summer vacation. She was an established Texas artist who kept me painting whenever I came to visit. One summer, she devoted three weeks to teaching art to my sister, my oldest cousin, and myself. I also took art as an elective in high school. Later, I majored in art in college. I recently decided to open up an Etsy shop and to try to sell my work at various local venues. - Shara





I absolutely love black and white photography! The rest of Shara's artwork for sale can be viewed in her etsy shop here.

You can also visit her Facebook page here.

One lucky winner will be the new owner of this fabulous pen and ink still life. It is 10"x13", matted, shrink wrapped and is ready to frame. Enter to win below. Thank you Shara & good luck readers!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

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