Happy Birthday to Me

Today is my birthday, I won't tell you how old I am. The fact that I won't say should tell you something. Suffice it to say, I've been pondering where my life is going. I think we all get to feel a little bit like there are things we wish we did, or knew, when we were younger. Maybe we could have gotten a better head start on life. Maybe our lives would be completely different (good or bad) if we just made one different critical decision. Anyway, this traffic sign in my home town always seemed odd to me. But today, on my birthday, I think it's pretty clear. Gotta do something about that.

Things I love: Food and Wine Pairings for Dummies!

I love this little widget that I just found! Check it out below. This little widget will take all the guess work out of matching the perfect wine to any food. Natalie MacLean's Food and Wine Matcher. It will have a permanent home in the side bar of my food blog, All Up in My Kitchen.

Natalie MacLean's Drinks Matcher

A New Clutch Handbag! by Little Brown Bird

Black and Gold Striped Clutch Handbag
Originally uploaded by littlebrownbird

The newest addition to my handmade handbag collection is this black and gold striped clutch. It has a classic, yet contemporary look and a yummy soft top cuff with a convenient wrist loop. Inside is a large inner pocket sewn into the beautiful black satin jacquard lining. Snap closure. 15"w x 7"h (38.1cm x 17.78cm)

This bag will be listed soon on Etsy in my shop, http://littlebrownbird.etsy.com/

When Good Shrubs Go Bad!

This is my landscaper...







THIS IS MY LANDSCAPER ON CRACK!!!!!

I came home to find a man with a power hedge trimmer playing out horror movie's greatest hits on my landscaping.


What once was a happy lil' shrub, minding its own business,
soaking up the sun, looking all pretty along my front walk...

...is now the BLACK HOLE you see exposing the ugly gas meter on the side of the house!
The branches are just hanging off the one they left.
They went completely POSTAL on every other shrub all along the front of the house. I'm afraid to look out back.

And I can't even stop them before they do it because they are hired by our association's management company.
Oh, ya, my monthly dues are paying for this attack!

And this was their idea of CLEANING UP AFTER THE CARNAGE!!!

Be sure and hug your foliage tonight before you go to bed, for you never know if it's the last time you'll see it!
Don't they know they are contributing to global warming?


OH THE HUMANITY!

I'm Blushing

Yay! Another satisfied customer! I have to say, when I create something that I think is pretty darn good (ahem...) I love to show it off to my friends, family, coworkers. I think they have all seen everything from my Etsy shop before it went on line. And I get feed back from them, if changes should be made, or if they like it the way it is, whatever. I can usually tell by the tone of voice if they really think it's great or if they are just "being nice". But still, what do I expect my mother or coworkers to say. (I can usually count on my sister to be brutally honest!) But I have to say, it is freakin' awesome when I hear great feedback from someone outside the circle of friends.

I just received this picture from wonderful buyer on Etsy who purchased my Twilight Headband. It looks so awesome on her that I asked if I could use her picture. I'm so happy she likes it! YAY!!!

Memorial Day Weekend in Crystal Lake at Mayfair Furniture and Carpet

Please check out the Mayfair web site for all upcoming sales

and to find links to all of your favorite manufacturers.

Mayfair is the areas best resource for one-stop shopping for

all your home furnishing and flooring needs.

Mayfair Furniture and Carpet...Beautiful homes begin here!!!