things we carry • leanimale

Laura of leanimale here with the things I carry! I believe I am organized in my purse than anywhere else. I wasn't always - but I got so tired of digging through my bag only to find the thing I was looking for very last, after spilling everything else out. I needed a more efficient way of handling all of the things I like/need to carry. So I divvied up my treasures into several smaller bags.

 In my scavenger pouch I have some creative supplies, should I feel the need to write, draw or paint. This is particularly important to have with me when I travel, as exploring and adventuring always inspires me.

My adorable juicy pear pouch holds my 'beauty' essentials which for me include chapstick (very important), a mirror I rarely use, and a hair tie.

I keep a mini Cranium game with me for spontaneous game-play when hanging out with a couple of friends. (The mini Cranium game came from a Chick-Fil-A kid's meal!) I also keep a few actual Cranium trivia cards because I think trivia is fun. And lastly, when I'm bored by myself and want to pass some time, I carry a miniature version of Boggle. I love word searches!

I keep all of my keys & keychains on a key fob I won at a Thirty-One party. Keychains include: "Bear Getting Into Something" keychain from Madrid, one of the only keychains I could find in India, a hand painted Velveteen Rabbit converted from a necklace by Tuckoo and Moo Cow, a quartz crystal keychain from the Jurassic Park land of Islands of Adventure in Orlando, a keychain that looks like my dog, a Disney Vinylmation keychain from Downtown Disney in Los Angeles, and a keychain my mom made from hemp & purple beads. And those are the things I carry!

pets and gardens

Woman’s Best Friend

Hi, this is Tracy from Kranky Krab, and I’d like to introduce you to
my best friend, Keiko. Keiko means “to be adored” in Japanese, which
is right on the money!

Keiko is a “mixed-breed” or as my husband and I like to call her a
“Basselope.” She is part Jack Russell, beagle, and basset hound.

Keiko initially was my husband’s dog (before we were married). He
brought her up to Chicago where I was living when she was only a few
months old. The first time she snuggled up on my pillow beside me, it
was all over! She became MY dog!

She has been by my side ever since. To our first apartment together in
Chicago, our move to Orlando, and several moves within Orlando. She
keeps me company when my husband travels for business. I don’t know
what I’d do without her! She is my pride and joy.

When Keiko was about 7 years old, she developed Cushings disease and
had to be given medication every day. At 9 years old, she almost died
from a bad reaction to a pain killer – I was a wreck! Thankfully, she
pulled through. A few years later, her Cushings turned to Addison’s
disease, so now, we have to give her steroids every day. Ha – we’re
not done yet……now, at the ripe age of 14 she has diabetes (2
injections each day) and is deaf and blind.

My sweet little girl, who has been there for me through thick and thin
is now dependent on me to be her seeing eye human. Fortunately, she
doesn’t seem to be too phased by the change and definitely has her
“sniffer” working overtime to compensate. She sure knows when I'm in
the kitchen! She has always been my kitchen helper when I cook and you
can be sure she’ll be the first to help pick up any mess that makes it
to the floor!

I am very thankful to have such a loving, loyal friend in Keiko!

giveaway • newnanc

Dream Team Member Giveaway: 

Autumn Notecards, Ephemera Mini Envelope Set and French Punched Hearts!

by Newnanc!

 

Here is your chance to win these gorgeous notecards, vintage paper mini envelopes and cut out hearts from Newnanc!  Don’t miss out on this fabulous giveaway!

TO PURCHASE:

To purchase similar items from her shop please click HERE!

TO WIN:

Mandatory Entry:

Please leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry.

 
Make sure to include your email address or a way to contact you if you win! 

1 Entry Visit Newnanc’s shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/newnanc?ref=pr_shop  and browse around and leave a comment here with your favorite item!

1 Entry Follow the Dream Team Blog, leave a comment here that you completed this.

Extra Entries:

Make sure to include your email address or a way to contact you if you win!

Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

1 Entry - Follow Newnanc on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/Fisher2Nancy, leave a comment you have completed this here.

1 Entry – Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment here that you did! You can tweet once per day and each tweet will count as another entry, just make sure you leave a separate comment for each tweet. 

Feel free to use this tweet or something similar: 

Win #epherma #notecards #french Paper Collection http://ow.ly/6fH9g  #blog #giveaway Ends 9/11! RT @dreamteametsy @fisher2nancy

1 Entry – Heart Newnanc’s Etsy shop and leave a comment here with your Etsy username.

1 Entry Grab the Dream Team blog button and put it on your blog! Leave a comment here that you completed that with a link to your blog so we can find you!

1 Entry – Blog about this giveaway on your blog, and leave a link here.

1 Entry – Enter another one of our contests HERE and post which one you entered.

GUIDELINES/RULES:

•  Please make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry.
• This giveaway will end at midnight EST on Sunday, September 11th
•  The winner will be chosen by Random.org. I will have the winner announced by September 13 and he/she will have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address. If a winner cannot be contacted, another winner will be randomly chosen.
•  This giveaway is open worldwide.

cook eat drink • Disappearing Marshmallow Brownies

Sue of firstlightphoto, here with a great dessert recipe I found in a Better Homes and Gardens magazine in the 1970's. I still make these as they are requested at family gatherings. They are totally yummy and I'd love to share the recipe with you.

Disappearing Marshmallow Brownies 
1C Butterscotch Bits
½ C Butter
Melt together, stirring with a whisk. Set aside.

 

1½ C Flour
2/3 C. Brown Sugar
2t. Baking Powder
½ t Salt
1t vanilla
2 Eggs

Mix together eggs and brown sugar.

Add remaining ingredients.

Now add in the butterscotch/butter mixture, stirring well. This batter should be cool so the chocolate bits don't melt.

Add in 2½ C. Mini marshmallows and 1 bag semi-sweet chocolate bits
.

Place in greased 9x13 baking dish and bake at 350ºF for 25-30 minutes.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar when done and Enjoy!

7 questions • Christina Newton of Fr33na

7 Questions with Christina of Fr33na

1. Where do you live? Currently i live in Bakersfield, California. I am originally from Bucharest, Romania. The transition from a 4 million people to a city of 400,000 was interesting. I don’t mind experimenting. It’s just weird not seeing a lot of people walking on the street. I wouldn’t mind living up in the mountains as long as I would have a town nearby. Once in a while I feel the need to be surrounded by people.
Oh, and on top of that my dream is to move in Prague, Czech Republic.

   
2. What are you totally obsessed with lately? Other than fabric and crochet, I would say Photography and British Dramas.

3. Coffee, Tea or both? Pepsi please !!! I’m not a coffee person, though I remember stealing sips from my parents cups when I was a kid, just because we weren’t allow to. I used to have a cup of hot tea in the morning for almost 20 years. My favorite is Linden Tea with lemon.

 4. What is your fave thing about being on Etsy? I like seeing artists from all over the world in one place. It’s like a big international marketplace I can shop for days and days and still find something unique.

   
Care to share a photo of you as a child?

   
5. And what is your least fave thing about being on Etsy? Haven't had problems so far, except that one time when I made a purchase from a scam store. Pay attention to the details of the shop before you make a purchase - like feedback and shop policies.

6. What are you afraid of? I am afraid of regrets, of being far away from people I love.

  7. Who are you in love with? Jesus, my husband Lowell, and my large family ( 11 brothers and sisters, 2 nieces, 1 nephew )

giveaway • krankykrab

Dream Team Member Giveaway:

ABC ANIMAL MAGNETS!

by KrankyKrab!

 

Here is your chance to win ABC Animal Magnets - blue or pink- by KrankyKrab! Don’t miss out on this fabulous giveaway!

TO PURCHASE:

These decals are available for immediate purchase HERE as well as HERE!

TO WIN:

Mandatory Entry:

Please leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry.

 Make sure to include your email address or a way to contact you if you win! 

1 Entry Visit Kranky Krab's shop http://www.etsy.com/people/krankykrab and browse around and leave a comment here with your favorite item!

1 Entry Follow the Dream Team Blog, leave a comment here that you completed this.

1 Entry Like KrankyKrab on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/KrankyKrabcom-Original-Childrens-Art/168436003168115 and leave a comment here that you “liked” her facebook page.

Extra Entries:

Make sure to include your email address or a way to contact you if you win!
Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

1 Entry – Follow KrankyKrab on Twitter and leave a comment here that you are following her.

1 Entry – Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment here that you did! You can tweet once per day and each tweet will count as another entry, just make sure you leave a separate comment for each tweet. Feel free to use this tweet or something similar: 

WIN Dream Team: Giveaway @krankykrab http://ow.ly/681gq  #magnets #school #kids #blog #giveaway Ends September 2 ! RT @dreamteametsy

1 Entry Heart KrankyKrab's Shop and leave a comment here with your shop or username.

1 Entry Grab the Dream Team blog button and put it on your blog! Leave a comment here that you completed that with a link to your blog so we can find you!

1 Entry – Blog about this giveaway on your blog, and leave a link here.

1 Entry – Enter another one of our contests HERE and post which one you entered.

GUIDELINES/RULES:

•  Please make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry.
• This giveaway will end at midnight EST on Friday, September 2
•  The winner will be chosen by Random.org. I will have the winner announced by September 4 and he/she will have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address. If a winner cannot be contacted, another winner will be randomly chosen.
•  This giveaway is open WORLDWIDE

things we carry• maddenphotography

Hello, it's Bree from Maddenphotography, and I am going to give you a look inside my bag!

Not the typical “purse” going on here. My daughter will be 2 in October so I am still sporting a diaper bag. I choose an awesome Igloo Cooler bag to be my diaper bag. It is easy to wipe out, (The beach somehow ends up in my bag every week! It also keeps things like my daughters milk and snacks nice and cool for the days when we are outside or at the beach. I got my Cooler bag at the grocery store LoL, but I love it and it works for us:)

My FAVORITE thing that is attached to me at ALL TIMES, is my IPHONE 4. It is lit up to see a picture of my daughter in action. This I take everywhere so I can always keep up with what is going on in my shop and respond to emails when needed. This is also my favorite thing to have as I take millions of pictures on it every day of my daughter being cute! I can't leave the house without it.

My wallet I have had for years. I love it because it opens up to be many different compartments and holds everything I need! It is leather so everything wipes off easy as well, which is so important when you daughter hides treats in your purse, or there is spilled milk!. It also comes in handy when my daughter needs something to keep her entertained. Lots of things to explore in here. :)

My baby sunscreen is a MUST at all times. We are always at the beach surfing or outdoors so we need to have this handy to make sure we are protected at all times.
As well I carry my Lancome Face sunscreen:) for me. As well as my very expensive($11 dollars) sunglasses that I got at Kohls! LOL Did I mention I have a 2 year old? That is why I get my glasses at Khols - they don't last very long with her around.

Diapers are always handy as we never know when you will need one ;). I buy the standard "up" target brand. They work well and get the job done! Also my little case of Huggies travel wipes are always on hand. Desitin is always in the bag as well as a “just in case”.

I am not a make-up girl, since I am always at the beach surfing or in the water. The only thing I carry around is my Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm. What of my favorite and a great thing to keep your lips hydrated and protected!

And of course Since this is my “daughters bag” lol I must always have snacks and a sippy cup of water and or milk handy at all times! I choose the Platex sippy cups from Target as I find them sturdy and easy for her to use.

Thanks for stopping by to take a peek inside my bag!

cook eat drink • Sauteed Mushrooms for Two

Rhett of RhettDidntGiveADamn, here with a delicious side dish recipe for two. I love mushrooms and this is by far, my favorite way to have them. It's a simple saute that uses only 7 ingredients but packs a ton of flavor! Usually, I make this in small batches because my family isn't as into the shrooms as I am. But don't be afraid to double or triple this recipe. It's always a hit with the fungi lovers so I'm happy to share it with you all. Isn't there something all together wonderful about the sharing of recipes?

Ingredients

1 Pound Button mushrooms
3 Tsp. Butter
3 Tablespoons minced Vidalia (or other sweet) Onion
1 Tsp. minced Garlic 
1/4 Tsp. salt
1/4 Tsp. pepper
1/4 Cup Sherry

Simply melt the butter in a heavy pot over medium heat. Add in the mushrooms and garlic and heat just until you can smell the pungent aroma of the garlic releasing it's scent - don't burn! Add in the Sherry, salt, pepper and finally the mushrooms. Let the mixture cook for 20 minutes or until your shrooms have reduced in size by about half. Let cool and serve. These are wonderful as a "second day" dish - just microwave for a minute or so. There. Simple and delicious.

giveaway • cherrywalls

Dream Team Member Giveaway:

Bird and Butterfly Wall Decals!

by CherryWalls!

 

Here is your chance to win these two sets of gorgeous flower and bird vinyl wall decals by CherryWalls!  Don’t miss out on this fabulous giveaway!

TO PURCHASE:

These decals are available for immediate purchase HERE as well as HERE!

TO WIN:

Mandatory Entry:

Please leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry.

 Make sure to include your email address or a way to contact you if you win! 

1 Entry Visit CherryWalls shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/CherryWalls?ref=pr_shop_more and browse around and leave a comment here with your favorite item!

1 Entry Follow the Dream Team Blog, leave a comment here that you completed this.

1 Entry Like CherryWalls Shop on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/CherryWalls and leave a comment here that you are “liked” her facebook page.

Extra Entries:

Make sure to include your email address or a way to contact you if you win!
Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

1 Entry – Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment here that you did! You can tweet once per day and each tweet will count as another entry, just make sure you leave a separate comment for each tweet. Feel free to use this tweet or something similar: 

Win #art #flowers #birds Vinyl Decals Wall Arthttp://ow.ly/5WgeC  #blog #giveaway Ends August 19! RT @dreamteametsy 

1 Entry Heart CherryWalls Etsy Shop and leave a comment here with your shop or username.

1 Entry Grab the Dream Team blog button and put it on your blog! Leave a comment here that you completed that with a link to your blog so we can find you!

1 Entry – Blog about this giveaway on your blog, and leave a link here.

1 Entry – Enter another one of our contests HERE and post which one you entered.

GUIDELINES/RULES:

•  Please make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry.
• This giveaway will end at midnight EST on Friday, August 19th
•  The winner will be chosen by Random.org. I will have the winner announced by August 22nd and he/she will have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address. If a winner cannot be contacted, another winner will be randomly chosen.
•  This giveaway is open for US or Canada residents only.

Get The Look: Cottage Chic

Rhett here, of RhettDidntGiveADamn with a favorite look to copy. Let me just say that one of my favorite decorating styles is Cottage Chic - sort of shabby, a little French and a bit farmhouse. Fortunately, anyone can get this style - you just gotta know where to look!

Linen anything says "Cottage" to me - but especially handmade linen napkins with a simple, floral motif. Try these from giardino:

Sky Blue on White Passionflower Linen Napkins by giardino

Cottage style isn't just a look - it's a feeling. You can lather yourself up with these egg-shaped soaps by aBreathofFrenchair if you want to feel farm fresh! 

Farm Fresh Egg Soap by aBreathofFrenchair

What says shabby-cottage love like a Mason Jar? Do your home lighting up in a truly unique way with an original jar chandelier by BootsNGus.

Mason Jar Chandelier by BootsNGus

This fabulous 50's dress by DeLaBelle says charming cottage to me. What do you think?

Robins Egg Blue 50s Vintage Dress by DeLaBelle

And add a little shabby luxe to your look with a handmade locket. I love this one by laurenblythedesigns:

 Heart Locket by laurenblythedesigns

You know, when I think of this particular style my mind always seems to settle on eggs, nests, chippy and blue - this gorgeous set of mixing bowls by shoponalark features all that and more!

 

Hand painted Nesting Bowls by shoponalark

You can't leave out the ornamental and functional accessories. NOSTALGIEeurope offers just such pretties for your home.

Antique Silver Tea Strainer by NOSTALGIEeurope

Every home deserves a touch of whimsy and quirk. I think these vintage busts by corrnucopia lend just that extra bit of something. 

Boy and Girl Busts by corrnucopia

Sometimes you can't re-do your entire home in your favorite style of the moment *sigh*. Or you need just a touch more emphasis on your walls. That's when a great print, photograph or piece or art comes into play. I love this art photo by firstlightphoto: 

The Cottage Door Photograph by firstlightphoto

French Armchairs with lovely distressing and great textured fabrics. Feel free to lust after this lovely pair by FrenchEclectic:

Vintage French Arm Chairs by FrenchEclectic

I hope you've enjoyed this installment of Get The Look and picked up some ideas for your own Cottage Chic look!

xo,

Rhett