It Finally Happened

OMG! It happened! It really totally happened! I made 1000 sales!! I am thrilled beyond belief and with this huge milestone, I am going to be starting a new blog up!

I want to go strictly business and try and keep up with it regularly! Keep an eye here for your link to the new place!!

Hope you all had a great weekend!!

My Desire...

This is my latest desire! Hahaha! Weird I know! I collect vintage tupperware and now I totally want these salt and peper shakers! They are all over Ebay, but I just can't bring myself to spend that much yet. I know I can find them, it's just been a lazy summer for us and we have not been hitting up the garage sales as much as we should be. Hmm....I need to find these! Why am I blogging about them? Not quite sure, they are just something that I want and maybe my husband will see this and say, just go ahead and buy them already! heehee!! So what do you collect?

A Name....

My Aunts House in Mexico

So, I've been trying to think up names for my B&M shop that i'm opening up soon I hope! I am thinking if also changing up the name of my items that are going out to shops and festivals already. My B&M shop will be opened up in Mexico ideally. I was thinking of:

Just Michelle

I like how simple it sounds. It's true too, as it's just a one man show, my shop. I can picture the sign in a big and chunky font with hot pink writing....

That's where my brain has taken me today! haha! We've been so busy, that I am only getting a chance now to sit and relax. I have too much going on and i've just rounded the corner into craft shows every weekend this month. Why do I torture myself this way?! hahah!!

More From Cristo Rey...

So there we were on our way up the mountain with all these scary twists and turns when a van that must be from 1962 is beeping it's horn at us!!! There is no way he wants to pass us!? We pull over and he lets us know our van is leaking OIL?!!??! OMG!!! What are we to do?! We are literally half way up this mountain and U-turns are a definate no-go here! That first picture is a shot half way up the mountain looking out. It's soo beautiful. The air was getting thinner and you could feel just how crisp it was getting. We were also leaving the 89* weather behind. We almost needed a sweater to be up here. As you start seeing the monument get larger and larger, you realize just how magestic this trip will be. We decided there is nothing we can do but trek on in hopes that one of the fruit stands on the side of the road will actually carry some oil! We do find some and keep going up up up! The next picture you see is of the road up the mountain! Now just imagine your small car going up and a GIANT greyhound type bus going DOWN the road>?!?! You feel like one wrong stear and off you go!

Now the best part of the trip. We are just about up the mountain and my little girl THROWS UP! Like all over me!! Thank goodness we had a blanket on us!!! hahaha!! It was gross and she must have done it 4 times! She couldn't wait until we got to the top right!! haha! So first things first when we get there?? BATHROOMS! Now this picture is perfect! Yup that's a guy sitting outside of the bathrooms....why?? it's a typical sight in all public restrooms in Mexico...see the toilet paper?? Yuppppp...you have to PAY to use the tiolets! And they are the scariest bathrooms around! No seats on them at all, no soap and this guy cuts you like 3 squares of toilet paper. Sooo..be like us! We bring our own: Soap, wipes, toilet paper, air freshener, clorox clean up wipes and paper towels. Of course after all that, there was a line to use the toilet I cleaned up for my little one! haha!! Hmm...maybe I should have charged!!

After this quick pitstop, it's time to turn around and take it all in.......

Isn't it amazing??? maybe it's just me, but this is my most favorite place to be in Mexico. I have to come here every visit, even if it takes over an hour to get up the mountain! On either side of Jesus are two angels that hold up his crowns. Underneath and inside is a chapel and it's just more than amazing. It's beautiful and breathtaking and all that. There is an anormous crown of thorns that adorns the entire inside and you can't take photos, but it's solid gold. Inside of the crown od thorns in the dome of the ceiling is a giant solid gold crown of our king. Inspirational to say the least.

A Move In Our Future?

Fresh Sweets At 8 In The Morning
So as many of you know, my husband fell in love with the country where my family is from. He was enamored with everything that was Aguascalientes, Mexico. Could it have been the fresh squeezed juice down the road where we were staying? The fabulous bakery on our way into town every morning? The handful of taco stands right on the street where my family lives? Could it be the late nightlife in the gardens? Coffee bistros that we can linger at until the wee hours of the morning? Maybe it was the fresh fruit stands that gave you the sweetest most ripest fruit around. There is so much to love that I can see how he is ready to up and move our family out there. Yup, you read that right, he's ready to move to Mexico. He's taking a pretty intense Spanish course right now and hopes to be speaking more by April. So far our April trip will just be a month long and then after being there a month, we will see how much we like being there for that period of time and if we handle it for a longer amount of time. I'm really looking forward to this. It's something to take everyone out of their comfort zone.

Up The Mountain Of Cristo Rey

We were in Guanajuato, Mexico and for me Cristo Rey is a MUST DO! It's a monument located on top of a 3000 foot mountain called Cerro del Cubilete. It is one of the largest statues of Jesus in the world. It truly is breath taking. Here is my husband on the way up. The road is scary and narrow and there is traffic going up and down. There are children begging for food and money on the edges of the mountain and sometimes they are so near the edge it is mortifying. As a mother myself, it was just awful. I gave out all the kids snacks and juices and water. I knew I could always buy more later. Here my husband poses with a burro and we gave the family some money to take the photo. He wanted to get on it, but we were warned that he jumps.

This fruit stand was on one side at the base of the mountain. We stopped for giant cups of fresh fruit. They were 10 pesos each which is the equivalent of 1.00 and OMG! They were huge and amazing! I totally believe if there were fruit stands on every corner here like there are there, we could be a much healthier nation!

More to come!

Up Again!

My 3 Cutest Kids In The Universe!
Alright, I decided it's time to bump this old post up again. It truly seems to happen to me whenever I go to a party, meet old friends, new ones..you know the deal...





Meet Me!
I've heard it so many times, it's just become me. Do you know what I mean? You show up to a party of any kind. The family bar-b-q right up to the swanky wedding. You look great (at least your husband said so, even though he barely glanced your way, he's just so used to answering every question with a yes dear), you smell good and you managed to get that strained pea stain out of last years dress that is just a bit too snug in all the obvious places. Your hair is actually down and brushed and you even have make up on. Then you meet someone new and you know it's coming, the big question..."So, what do you you?"and before you have the chance to answer one of your oh so witty CEO of the household comments, someone steps in and answers for you, and it's always one of those people that you just want to strangle 99% of the time."Oh Michelle? She's JUST A STAY AT HOME MOM."and the answer that follows:"oh um wow, you must love being home all the time."Then they walk away and are gone to someone more interesting. You know, the ones with REAL jobs and now you are left with the feeling you have become all to familiar with, the whole, no one really understands what I do, I just want to go home watch DORA and snuggle with my kids and go to bed in my queen size bed that somehow feels like a twin come 2 am when 2 kids crawl in and your husband is snoring up a storm and there is just no room for your 8 month pregnant body to fit, so you end up on the couch, cold and alone. Yeah, that's always better than sitting here in this too tight dress, these heels that are KILLING me and all I want to do is pull my hair up in a ponytail and wipe this stuff off my mouth.So there you have it! I'm a stay at home mom to 2 kids and I really do have one more on the way! Yes, I have my hands full, OF COURSE I never miss an episode of Dr. Phil, Oprah, MArtha Stewart and of coruse Judge Judy. (Insert MAJOR EYE ROLL HERE!!) If only people really understood that stay at home mom usually means NEVER at home mom! I think I have more clothes in my minivan than I do in my closet! Ahh yes, the minivan, the ever present mom mobile! It's big, mean and green!My kids are 1 and 2 and I am due next month (I am soo ready for it to be now!)My newest start right now is my business! I make jewelry and cell phone charms and all those kinds of goodies! Check me out: http://www.michellescharmworld.etsy.com/. So on top of watching two toddlers (both insanely hyper) and a husband that manages to come home for lunch for an HOUR EVERY DAY, I am running a business!But well, you know....

Friends For Life...

We all got together at an aunts house for lunch and my son had made the best of friends with one of my cousins! This cute little guy is as mischievious as my own! The houses are amazing here and I think that's what my husband fell in love with. The gates are very ornate and used instead of the standard garage doors that we have here. This gate here is the entrance to a small garden and courtyard. Always super pretty and perfect. The houses all have a little courtyard or garden area. After hanging around like this, the boys thought it would be a GREAt idea to slide through the gate and leave! haha! So much for keeping them in! Skinny kids can fit right through :)

In Another World

Husband and Kids in Mexico

So, we're finally home from the best vacation ever! Yup, I said it...Best EVER! As in better than Disney World! And if you know me, then you know that that is a statement that is truly very hard to say!!

This picture was taken outside of our room at the Fiesta Americana hotel in Aguascalientes, Mexico!! This is the town where I have family and it was just the most amazing thing ever!! These kids found some new treats in a little store and quickly made them their favorite snacks every single day. My husband just fell in love with the food, the atmosphere and everything about the place. He is even talking about moving there! OMG!! How cool would that be?

More photos and other little tales to come!

I WANT I WANT...

I want candy.....

OMG! I am totally WANTING this bag! I MEAN WANTING....to the point where I am soo tempted to buy it and just act surprised when it arrives! haha! Anyway to make this new bag look like one of the bunches I already have??? Hmm...Nah, I bet husband will figure it out!

This candy bag is too sweet and lush! I WANT!!!

CupcakesAndTombTarts My Latest Etsy Addiction!

Lamb Chop Pouch by CupcakeAndTombTarts 14.00

WOW! Step into a rainbow of kitschy goodness, fun jewelery and of course flair for your wrist! Her wristlets are made with the cutest fabric and the best quality! (I should know I own one!!).

The jewelery will have you in a major timewarp where neon was hot and the hair was big! Fall in love with the 80s all over again when you visit CupcakeAndTombTarts. Nikki knows her stuff and give her a chance to make you a fan! Drop in today and tell her Michelle said hi!

PinkSpiderWebs!

Little Doe Brooch 14.50

It's time to get your FUNK on! Check out PinkSpiderWebs, home of truly one of a kind, original pieces that take you back in time. I always feel like i'm in an 80s time warp when I pop in for a visit. Sylvia, has a style all her own that make colors look like candy! Truly a place to get fantastic plastic that makes you feel like a kid, but look like a rock star!
Drop bye and tell Sylvia I said hi!

Borders Run

SJP On The Cover

Today I had to stock up on research! I bought the July issue of Marie Claire UK (they are sooo much hipper in Europe! haha) and I was suprised by THE COOLEST THING EVER! A free novel came inside! As many of you know, I'm addicted to reading! It's gotta be that inner nerdy gal! I loved school as a kid, loved college and if I hadn't fallen in love would have probably gone on for a Masters in who knows what! haha! Maybe I will go back when the kids are in school. I just have this weird passion for learning!

Kristen Davis

Alright back to the topic at hand, you could either get the SJP cover or Kristen Davis Anyways..The free novel is full sized and I can't wait to dive right in! It's THE WONDER SPOT by Melissa Bank.

I hope it's a good read! Oh well for free I won't complain! hahaha!! The reasearch went well too! I will have to pick up some great new mags on vacation! I will also try to be posting daily while on vacay too! Yay!

I've Been Gone For Such A Long Time

Clock From Bode22 on Etsy

I'm sorry! It's been hectic lately!! I have had so much going on with the shop lately and then vacation coming up too! YIKES!




Suitcase From TimelessTotes on Etsy





Eye Spy Necklace From MamasLittleBabies On Etsy

Gun Stationary From SNEW On Etsy




Plane Shirt From MaryInk on Etsy


Almost a month in Mexico has me thrilled to get away and get new supplies!! I will be checking in daily on the shop and still listing of course! I can never leave the shop for that long! haha!!
These are all the travel related goodies I want!!

And Again...

Another weekend with my parents! This time it was still fun! hahaha! My dad needed some help with the garden and the kids love going out with nana and grandpa :) It was a lot of fun staying there, but now once again back to reality.

All the passports are in! How fast was that?! I'm totally amazed with the government for once! hahaha!! I am super excited to get over to Mexico!

I got some FABULOUS finds this weekend thrifting and garage saleing with my mom! It was totally awesome, even though it was a bit chilly!

Up top there you can see a heart shaped Barbie Lunchbox I found and transformed into a purse! OMG! It totally rocks!

Here are 2 fun selections of Barbie goodies! These have already been sorted and everything is a perfect jewel! I have already started working with some of the goodies!

We're baaaccckkk!!

Yikes! Have we been having a blast lately! We've spent a lot of time at my parents house and even spending the nights there. They have so much space when my sis is out of town! We had so much fun shopping for the kids entire summer wardrobes and touring some homes....YIKES we even looked at the house RIGHT across the street from their home!!! Crazy, but Husband says they are the only parents he could even think about living close too! hahahaha! It was nice looking, but reality set in and we just don't want to leave the area we live in now. We love it too much and just can't get into the mind set of moving to yuppie town! heeheee! Not to mention living this far out gives us plenty of excuses not to see people ALL THE TIME!!

We have been hitting up garage sales and auctions left and right and i've been getting alot of good supplies! It's just been so much fun! I lover finding new treasures out of old stuff.

We're supposed to be going over to FIL (husbands dad) house for dinner soon, but our schedule is too hectic right now. Our little guy has had tons of appts. recently for his ears and that has my hands full at the moment. I don't mond going over there anymore and actually have found them pretty pleasant recently. Husband says he prefers going there because he is starting to actually like his step mom when she's not being all fake and stuff. :) He says she wins the step parent award! hahaha...

We seem to be getting super busy before our summer has even hit and have already started planning our next trip! We are going camping over Labor day weekend (or whatever weekend comes first Memorial day?! ) and we've been buying up loads of gear as it is my first time tent camping since I was like 8! I'm a bit frightened!!

After that, we get our butts into gear for our Mexico trip and get this! My passport application was REJECTED! It' s totally last minute and now I have to go apply again! argg...

After Mexico we have another camping trip planned for the other holiday (labor day?!) and then a nice calm fall!! :)

I can't believe how fast this year has been flying!

Yay for Friday!

Oh boy am I so ready for the longest week EVER to be over! And guess what!!?? There are 2 Estate sales in the paper for tomorrow! Yay! I love being able to go through peoples drawers and such and find all kinds of goodies!

I've finally and super slowly started working on my new Industrial Chic line, It's made from pieces slavaged from my husbands job! He works with electrical stuff. I love looking at stuff and going with my gut instinct on what to make first! This little Breaker piece TOTALLY looked like a robot the minute I saw him :) So here he is! I LOVE it!

I've also finally started getting back to my roots of button bracelets. They are impossible to make with the kids being around all the time and their little fingers!! Soo I have to eek one out when I can. I can't believe how AWESOME this one turned out, I fell in love with these buttons at an auction and antique store, that I had them set aside for my collection. After a bit of time of just looking at them in glass jars, I knew they were destined to be loved as something else. I'm really in love with this spring/summer look!

Human Again!

Ahhh...To be human again! We are all finally NOT sick for the first time in months! It's an amazing feeling! I can't believe how behind I got, having a house full of sickies!!

On top of getting better, we had to venture out to the 'suburbs' last weekend to a party for my Father In laws parents. It was a suprisingly nice time and God help me, but once again, I found my FIL to be a nice and tolerable guy. AUGHH!!! I know! But honestly, it was because he didn't have a drink in his hand non-stop. I suspect that someone has told someone that has told him (you know the old telephone game!) that we can't stand that he's constantly got to be loaded. I'm glad that he's finally catching on. His wife was even semi decent too! YIKES! The world must be ending! She still doesn't have a clue about parenting and wants to give the kids chocolate and cookies for dinner, but hey at least she wasn't going on and on about how she lost 20 lbs and her clothes were literally falling off her as she walked....oh wait she was! hahahaha!! She's comic relief for us lately though, so that's alright. It was a fun weekend!

This weekend has us cleaning hard core around the house, out with the sick and in with Mr. Clean! We have 3 Drs appt.s for the kiddies and then we have the rest of saturday evening to get this place in shape!

As far as the shop, I have gotten some good supplies in because.....GARAGE SALE SEASON IS HERE!!! Yup!!! we hit some Estate sales and garage sales last weekend and it felt GREAT! Yay Yay! I can't wait to start sharing pics of my loot! Alright, i've chatted enough!!

Thanks for hanging in there with me!

Time Flies

Boy o Boy does time fly like crazy! It's been a hectic weekend and now it's April first?! YIKES!! I have to get started on so much work, but of course I find myself here. Why?

Well I broke my drill bit and my kids are napping, soo I have to wait until husband gets home so that I can go and get more.

Next I can't play on ETSY or organize my shop, because the wonderful site is DOWN! YIKES! I totally thought it was me at first and I tried a billion times to log in and everything! All to have no luck in the end! blahhh...

I have started working on 2 new lines in my shop. The Lolita Glam look, for gals with that 'baby doll' taste and then Industrial Geek Chic for that rustic, computer insides kinda look :) They sooo are 2 opposite ends of the spectrum, but I want to make it mesh well together some how!

I got the GREATEST shirt in the mail today! It was my first shot at using ETSYs Alchemy and it ROCKED! I will add in photos of everything later, it seems I am having sudden problems with my camera thanks to one of my children...arggg....

We Have a Winner!?!

OMG! I'm sorry it has taken me so long, but yesterday was my birthday and we've been celebrating since friday! I am so happy to be trying to get back into the swing of things over here!





I wanted to announce my BLog Contest Lego Ring winner!!! It's: TALERI!!! Thanks so much for visiting my shop! And I too love cookies and Milk! I think my obesession with them is what inspired the necklace!! Congrats to you!!

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Ahh my birthday! We had so much fun and got lots of goodies!!! My husband surprised me with a Disney purse I have been craving since I saw it!! We spent saturday with my Dad and took the kids and everyone to a Japanese Teppan style restaurant where you sit with other groups and the chef cooks up a great meal right in front of you!!! While the liquor was flowing and the bill was heart attack inducing, the food was FABULOUS! This is my husbands and my fave place to dine, so when my dad wanted to take me out for my birthday I knew just the place. The kids loved everything about it and the table is large enough that even if they stood on their chairs and leaned forward they were not close enough to the stove in the center. Our group was pretty big. so we didn't have to sit by anyone else. THEN the lights got dim and about 20 people crowded around us AND the worlds biggest bowl of pineapples came at me! haha! They lit a candle and sang happy birthday in Japanese!! It totally rocked! I've never had so much fun! We even got to keep the cool buddahs, gnomes and other crazy shaped cups that our drinks came in!!!

Yesterday was Easter and also the official date of my birthday. We spent it with both of my parents and had a blast again! That took us to California Pizza Kitchen for the MOST fabulous meal ever!! EXCEPT! My daugthers pizza had a ZIP TIE baked into it!!!!!! I almost died when she found it! She's 3!!! I was soo mad, but I will admit they handled it with such professionalism and when the cook came out and apologized and AKNOWLEDGED that it was his , it was a job well done. My daughter was terrified, so he brought her a special macaroni and cheese just for her and then made her a pepperoni pizza to go, so that she could eat it at home, when she was ready to try pizza again. Very admireable! They also comped her meal and mine and then sent up 3 giant birthday sundaes to celebrate!! Stay away from their fruity rum punches though as they held virtually NO liquor for the price.