Etsy Spotlight: April Ink

Recently a friend of mine who is the mom to a 10-week-old baby girl told me she was approached at her pediatrician’s office by another mother regarding a play group and she handed her a calling card.  My friend had never heard of a “mom” calling card before.  I had gotten some a while back for myself as I’m the proud mama to a 14-month-old tackling shrieking speed demon bouncing baby boy myself.  I bet you can guess what are on mine…if you guessed OWLS you are the big winner of the day!

Anyway, so since it had been a while since I was on the hunt for a calling card I decided to peruse Etsy to see what the great handmade peeps were offering now.  I fell in love with all of these from April Ink.  I love April Ink’s selection, colors, how modern they are….everything!  And you know, you don’t have to be a mom to get a calling card…they are great for bloggers, etsy store owners, nannies, the list could go on and on.

Tap that errrr Tag that Luggage

With the holidays normally comes travel and we at Tipsy ALWAYS like to travel in style.  So go ahead and tag that luggage and do it with a little humor por favor!

  1. Wishing Fish, Luggage Tags with Attitude
  2. Uncommon Goods, That’s My Luggage Tag
  3. Picture Makes Perfect Etsy Shop, Luggage Tag
  4. Candy Argyle Designs Etsy Shop, Luggage or ID Tag-Orange Owl
  5. Wisteria, Boys Luggage Tags
  6. Dillards, ETA Headliner Identifier Luggage Tag
  7. Decorative Things Etsy Shop, Keep Calm and Carry On Luggage Tag

So, Last Weekend We Got Tipsy…

We told you we’d keep you posted here on some of our social gatherings…. This past weekend we attended a company Christmas party.  Some things to note:

  1. None of us work for this company.
  2. We were expressly invited to this party to make it “fun”.*
  3. It didn’t matter that we didn’t work for this company, however our connection was Der’s mom.
  4. We had great food, great drinks, great company along with the best music from 1985-1993.
  5. Der taught us many dance moves such as The Gator, The Lawn Mower, No Strings Attached, Churning Butter, The Shopping Cart, The Water Sprinkler…and the list goes on and on.
  6. We found ways to line dance to many songs, none of which are of the country genre and we don’t normally line dance.
  7. We beat up the DJ for not playing Sweet Caroline and/or Party in the USA.  (This may or may not be true)
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*We succeeded.  We were known as the “fun table”.

Stuff That Stocking Girly Style!

Here are a few ideas for stocking stuffers of the girly kind ala ak! I think this is the perfect combo of girly meets geeky meets OCD if I do say so myself. Can I get a WHAT WHAT?!

  1. Levenger, Pocquettes Zipped Earbud Pouch Keychain – This is SO cool, I mean the little thing that fits inside to keep the earbuds from tangling up–can you say OCD much?
  2. Bagel Creations Etsy Shop, Adjustable Coffee Cozy-Bright – I purchased one of these a while back for a keno gift and also bought one for myself and they are awesome and very chic!
  3. Chia’sso, Pin Up Frames – OMG you know how we feel about polaroids around these parts and I think they are just too cute to pass up.
  4. Cambria Cove, iPouch Wallet by knomo-fuschia – Something like this is perfect for a mom who is still carrying a diaper bag..you can put all important things in this and just throw it in the diaper bag when you head out.  Also, its perfect for those running out for a quick trip type of situations and you don’t want to haul the whole kitchen sink you have in your regular size purse–essentials only.
  5. JennaDesigns Etsy Shop, Travel or Pocket Tissue Holder/Cozy – Ditto in regards to keno as stated above, purchased one for myself as well.  The great thing about this is that when you are rummaging around in your purse, the bright fabric makes it easier to find.
  6. Anne Taintor, She Was One Cocktail Away From Proving His Mother Right Magnet – I can’t tell you how funny I think this is as well as everything on this site.
  7. Anthropologie, Smith’s Rosebud Salve – This stuff is fab as a lip balm, for minor cuts, for dry skin, for a mini mani and the list goes on and on.  And the smell of it is divine.
  8. Brookstone, My Life Digitial Photo Keychain – I love being able to just upload some pics and run out the door…it’s too hard to have printed pics in an envelope to show off.
  9. Crafts2Cherish Etsy Shop, Black Beret with Red Wet Felted Flower – In Houston, when it’s cold for that one day a year, this would be perfecto!

A Kitchen Gadget That Will Change. Your. Life.

I have this recipe that I would say I make fairly often…special occasion, holiday, what have you…  The problem with this recipe?  The everlovinghandcrampingsifting.  I mean holy mother of hell, the sifting alone could kill you.  Then I found it.  IT.  A battery operated sifter!  It’s UhMayZING!  I have one and I gifted it 3 times last year.

ak-sifter

Etsy Spotlight: Sparkle & Cheer

I was on the hunt for some cute christmas tags and I knew Etsy would come through!  I came across this CUTE etsy shop:  Sparkle & Cheer.  These photo gift tags are just CALLING. MY. NAME!!  My favs are the mixed set-colorful confections, what are yours?

Ladies, This is a Way to Destroy Your Husband at Golf

So this is our Christmas tradition at my parents house…  Christmas morning we eat breakfast, we open gifts, we get dinner started and then we get our game on.

Since we live in the Houston area, the weather is generally not what you think of as wintery…its more like throw a jacket on and go outside and you are fine type of weather.  So while dinner is cookin’, we get to gamin’ and let me tell you you might as well have yelled SHALLONGE!  The competitiveness that comes out here is unbelievable.

Here’s some ideas for ya…

ak-xmas gaming

  1. Halex Lasso Golf Tailgate Game
  2. Official Outdoor Steel Horseshoe Set
  3. Fundex Bulls-Eye Washers

What do you guys do on Christmas Day?

Christmas Wishlist: AK Edition

Der thought it’d be a good idea if we all shared our dream Christmas Wishlists for this year–she explicitly said if money was no object what would you ask for.  So I picked a little something something or alot of something something.  But I categorized it for you foos because I’m OCD like that.  Anyway…have at it.  I’m drooling.

Shoes & Accessories

ak-xmas wishlist accessories and shoes

  1. Boden, Patent Buckle Flats-Navy – I love love love this color combo.
  2. Piperlime, Bernardo Google-Red – I’ve been wanting a driving moc
  3. Zappos, PUMA Cabana Racer II Wn’s-Hi Risk Red/White/Blue Mist – a vintage tennis shoe mixed with the bomb color combo..could not be more AK
  4. Dreams Corner Etsy Shop, Scarf ruffle gray in wool italian fabric with vintage button – ohhhh ruffles, yes please
  5. bossa, Shiraleah Recession collection tote bag-Pewter – I’ve been looking for a metallic purse that’s not to out there…I think this might be it.
  6. Levenger, Pen Pocket Briefcase with Pen – a cute little notepad to have with me to write down stuff to remember since I can’t remember shit anymore–can you say old?
  7. Abas, Cate Accordian-Classique Blue – this was on my list last year, turquoise…my favorite color
  8. UGG, Women’s Classic Cardy-Grey – this was newly added thanks to Court

Jewelry

ak-xmas wishlist jewelry

  1. Sundance, Pitter-Patter Ring – not sure what it is about this ring, I’m just drawn to it.
  2. Craftsbury Kids, Custom Silhouette Pendants-Medium – would I ever be able to get a profile shot of my 14 mo to send in for one of these…aren’t they SO cute??
  3. Sundance, Modern Times Watch-Blue –  again, the color combo got me…would be a great occasional watch
  4. Sleeks Etsy Shop, Silk Necklace-Slate Grey – I love this and am envisioning it sprucing up my tee collections
  5. Sundance, Champagne Pincushion Ring –  I don’t wear gold much but man o man this is a statement ring
  6. Silver Tribe, Native American Navajo Indian Multicolor Sterling Silver Bead Necklace Jewelry – picture it…a navy tee with this necklace…OMG
  7. Belartes, Tagua Adjustable Necklace – this one is thanks to O Magazine..aren’t they gorgeous??

Clothing

ak-xmas wishlist clothes

  1. Sundance, Jacket Militaire-Ice Blue – I love how this is the perfect shade of bright..right up my alley
  2. Kate Boggiano, Tank Top-Sparkling Grape – I have a couple of these in neutral colors and would love to brighten up my collection.
  3. Nordstrom, Velvet by Graham & Spencer “Kylea” Sequin Tank –  Sequins are everywhere in stores, have you noticed?
  4. Chadwicks, Sculptural Cross Neck Babydoll – Love this neckline AND the color
  5. Target, Merona Elbow Sleeve Turtleneck Top – Newport Aqua – This sleeve length is perfect for Houston weather–its a turtleneck but a shorter sleeve–perfecto
  6. Victoria’s Secret-Open cardigan tee-Blackberry – COMFY is what comes to mind when I see this..and adorable.

Odds & Ends

ak-xmas wishlist odds and ends

  1. Sur la Table, Copco Round Bag Caps – Chip clips are so 2008
  2. The Container Store, Drop-Front Shoe Boxes – This would be the beginning of my dream closet
  3. Amazon, Vacu Vin Glass Markers Party People – Another new edition thanks to Sarah
  4. happytape, so many pretty solids 20pak – My brown paper bag wrapping would be so happy
  5. Amazon, Jiffy Steamer ESTEAM Travel Steamers-Pink – a PINK clothing steamer!! SQUEEEEE!
  6. Bed Bath & Beyond, Amy Butler Bath Towels-One of each please – I couldn’t believe it when I saw these..I would buy all different ones and mix them up because I’m eclectic like that.

Gadgets

ak-xmas wishlist gadgets

  1. Sur la Table, Skybar Wine System – It’s like WHAT?! are we at the AK casa or a wine bar?!
  2. Urban Outfitters, Speedball Screenprinting Kit – I would love to learn how to do this
  3. Paper Source, Letterpress Machine Combo Kit – Again I would love to learn how to do this
  4. Amazon, Kindle Wireless Reading Device – I would load this sucker up and take it with me wherever I went
  5. Amazon, Polaroid CZA-10011B PoGo Instant Mobile Printer – Isn’t this the coolest thing?
  6. The Demy – A recipe gadget, perfect, love it.

Books

ak-xmas wishlist books

  1. Amazon, Confections of a Closet Master Baker: One Woman’s Sweet Journey from Unhappy Hollywood Executive to Contented Country Baker – About Sandra Bullock’s sister
  2. Amazon, Kirtsy Takes a Bow: A Celebration of Women’s Online Favorites – The pictures I’ve seen online alone are drawing me to this book
  3. Amazon, Stay Home, Stay Happy: 10 Secrets to Loving At-Home Motherhood – 10 secrets to anything is intriguing to me
  4. Amazon, Twilight – Yes, I admit, I might be the last person on Earth that hasn’t read this book or seen the movie..I should start, yes?
  5. Amazon, Guac Off! – The perfect end to this post–Guac Guac Guac–I have an unhealthy obssession to it, but it’s the good fat right?

So what’s on your wishlist this year?

Wrap Me Up Like A Mummy

Two years ago I bought one of these blankets for my grandma for Christmas and then two days later I went back and bought one for myself. Don’t judge.

Warning:  This blanket may or may not induce a sleep coma.  I keep it on my couch for my Glee marathons, among other marathons (ie Private Practice, Grey’s Anatomy, Brothers & Sisters, HGTV) for keeping me snug as a bug in a rug errr couch?  Anyway, this blanket is so soft and delicious I can’t even describe it!  Just trust me, it’s amazing.

You guys, its on sale…Holidays coming…do it, you won’t regret it.

Pioneer Woman with a Teething Toddler!

Pioneer Woman was coming to Houston today and my husband and I (both fans) thought we’d throw caution to the wind and go meet her and get her to sign the cookbook we received many weeks ago.  Here were the odds stacked against us:

  1. We were bringing our toddler with us
  2. Our toddler just this past week started waking up at 3a and when we were wondering what was going on he started biting the chair rail on the wall in our dining room and we realized DUH teething.
  3. We were going during the most important time of all times, naptime.  And naptime in our house is most sacred I tell you…because mainly it involves renapping and if said renapping doesn’t occur, all hell breaks loose that night.

But BLAGH we decided to go anyway…I mean it’s Pioneer Woman for land’s sakes!  In Houston!  And what if she was handing out Monkey Muffins?!  I would never forgive myself for passing it up.

So here’s how it went…we showed up to this:

pioneer woman2

Waited around and said toddler proceeded to scream bloody murder because he was in a grocery store and not in his crib asleep…so after becoming mildly embarrassed when people would stare at us with that “what ARE you doing to that child” look, we decided to chance it and sit down instead of walk around.

pioneer woman1

So we had about 30 minutes of this, then he had some milk and we got called up to get in line.  So of course he charmed the pants off everyone in line.  A big shoutout to the kind woman behind us who talked to him and got him to face the camera while we were taking pictures.  Thank you!  So anyway, we get up to the front of the line to meet Ree and guess what–toddler turns crazed squirming whining lunatic!  But we did get a good pic!

pioneer woman3

We had a great time and thanks to Ree/Pioneer Woman for making the trip out and taking the time to take a pic with a squawking small fry.  She also gave us a t-shirt!  SQUEEEE!

pioneer woman4