It's been too long...

Sorry for my unplanned absence, things at work and home got a little more hectic than usual for the past couple of weeks. But I have lots of recent fun things to report and a few awesome upcoming things to fill you in on too!

First off, if you know me, you know that I never went on rides as a kid. Being from New Jersey, that's almost a sin. Between our legendary boardwalks, the proximity to Dorney Park, Hersheypark, and the fact that there's a Six Flags in South Jersey, there's pretty much no excuse not to give it a shot. Now go forward 20 years and now I'm an adult in NJ that's never been on a ride...married to a man that loves them. So after a few years of making excuses and finding ways around it, I finally bit the bullet two weeks ago and went on my very first ride! Not a big deal to most people, I'm sure, but it was a HUGE deal for me. And I loved it so much that we went back down to the boardwalk this past weekend to ride some more!

For those of you that aren't familiar with the Jersey shore and our boardwalks and amusement piers, here's a shot taken from the top of the ferris wheel, overlooking a few rides and the beach in Seaside Park. No, I will not ride that roller coaster...no matter how fearless I get. People have a lot of bad things to say about Seaside Heights and while some of them have merit, they have done quite a bit to make it nicer and safer over the past few years and I really have a good time when we visit for the day.

If you don't already know, I'm somewhat addicted to the beach...it's actually the scariest part about possibly moving to Tennessee for me, I've never been that far from the ocean. We take several day trips to the shore every year and one big vacation in August to Wildwood Crest. This year Rob and I are going for ten days in the beginning of August and I cannot wait! My mom is even coming down for a few days too! We'll spend most of our days on the beach and our nights on the boardwalk or in Atlantic City. We also spend a day or two in my beloved Cape May, walking the mall, going to Sunset Beach, and going to their awesome (and free) zoo.

And if that ten day trip weren't enough, I'm also going to Wildwood for a weekend with a friend that I met on Etsy! Krystan has never been to the Jersey shore and I'm so psyched to show her around and just get a great little vacation to have fun and relax.

If anyone is considering travelling to Wildwood or Cape May or has never been there and has questions, please let me know...I'm a vacation veteran in that area and would love to make some recommendations!!!

For any of you that I've now got craving the beach, but for whatever reason it's not an option right now, I may have a solution for you.... This is the most authentic 'beach' scented product I've ever used and I'm absolutely in love with it. It's just all-around awesome and you can get it in HelloCrafty's Etsy shop. In fact, all her products are incredible and if you're not a beach kind of person, try the Satsuma lotion :) It smells good enough to eat.

Did you ever do something even though it was against a rule that you yourself created? I did yesterday. I've been telling myself and my husband for months now - no more pets! The majority of our fancy rats are older now and it will be easier to move the fewer we have. But then I walked into the pet store yesterday, looking for a simple container of dried plankton and came home with this.

Meet Coriander. Cori, for short. I apologize for the crummy picture, I took it with my phone as soon as we got home (which is why he's still in his pet store box) to send to his new dad who was still at work. I normally don't even buy my ratties at pet stores but he is quite the exceptional boy. He was marked 'for pet only' and has obviously been adored by the pet store staff - they were so excited that he was coming home with me! Normally when I get a new rat, they're cautious, a little skittish, and generally fearful for at least a couple of days. Not Cori! He's just all love, he gives kisses and snuggles and took treats from my hand as soon as I got him home. He's living on his own for just a few days as a precaution and then will be moving in with Jake, Louie, and Killer as long as they all get along well.

And in my true childlike nature, I am way too excited that my birthday is now within a month's time. I normally don't make gift requests from him but this year I've asked (ok, begged) my husband for a Nintendo Wii...we'll see later this month if he comes through!

My Etsy shop should be updated this weekend with some new cards and other paper goodies...be sure to take a look!

Best of the Best: Part 1

The more time I spend exploring all of the creative works on Etsy, the more I tend to feel like I have no right whatsoever to even be there. Some of the artists and artisans there so far surpass any abilities I have or will ever have to such an extreme, it's near frightening. I have, however, compiled a list of some of who I think are the best of the best, the most creative, the most talented or for whatever other reason, just my favorites. I've decided to feature these artists a few at a time here so that you all can see just how incredible these people are.

The first etsy shop I'd like to show you is a little place called Perdoozy. The Perdoozy shop's owner, Portia, is not only insanely talented and awesome to work with, but the creator of my most favorite possession that has been purchased from Etsy. She made me this:

Yes, those are pictures of Elvis rockin out all over it. How awesome is that? Jealous that it's mine? I know you are. But her aprons are all super cute with that retro pinup flair and I can't wait to add another to my collection. You can find her shop here: http://www.perdoozy.etsy.com/

I cannot emphasize enough the quality of this item and how great Portia is to buy from! You would have a hard time finding a nicer seller or a cooler apron!

The second shop I want to show off is actually one I found not too long ago. The shop is called MagicHands and this shop quickly became one of my top favorites. They make and sell some of the most amazing soaps and body products I have ever tried- and as a self-professed bath junkie, I've tried just about everything. Her soaps do incredible things for your skin and the scents make you want to wash your own mouth out with soap!

But the soaps are just the beginning - Have you not been able to find the right body butter because they're all too heavy, too light, too greasy, too powder-y feeling or a million other things that just aren't quite right? Well, search no more - the perfect butter exists and Jackie at MagicHands will sell it to you AND make the transaction a truly pleasurable experience. Go visit MagicHands here: www.magichands.etsy.com and you'll find out what I mean.

In other news, there are some new goodies listed in my shop and I'm thinking of opening a supply shop...actually I've decided to open one but I CANNOT think of a name. I'll be selling plain tags, poly and cello bags, and some die cuts and paper piecing. Any ideas for a shop name? I'd gladly hear any and all suggestions at this point.