Lyd's Glass and More...

If you haven't figured it out already...I really love handmade gifts.  I have a few people on my list that are kind of hard to buy for...they either have everything or want nothing...or both!  "Lyd's Glass and More" has gifts for soooo many occasions!  The bride and groom champagne flutes are beautifully painted with love and can be customized for the happy couple.  Need a Halloween candy dish...how about a huge martini glass version?  Bachelorette party margarita glasses, birthday party martini glasses, Polish pride beer steins...Lydia has something for everyone!  She also does some amazing work on pottery and wall murals that you would love.

Endless Sumners Art

I found Kate Sumners on Etsy. I was looking for a gift, as usual, and desperately wanted something that was out of this world cool!  Kate is an exceptionally talented artist.  She made a beautiful pet portrait for my brother and I had a hard time giving it away because I really wanted to hang it in my own home.  So instead, I ordered one of our dog for us...this is Gustav...

If you know someone who is sometimes hard to buy for and  loves pets...I really think you should sneak a few photos and send them over to Kate!  You will be amazed with her work!  The gift giving holidays are right around the corner...dont' wait! You can find her Etsy shop here and you can check out her full website here.





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Zing Creative

I just had this AWESOME logo created for me by Zing Creative!  What do you think?  Now, I am in Chicago, and she is in Kansas City, Missouri...and she was able to create a logo that truly represents me and my company.  Lisa took the time to get to know me and what I was looking for in a logo and then she went to work creating this amazing logo!  Her prices are extremely reasonable for the super high quality of work, and she is so fun and inspiring to talk to!  Have you started your own company, or plan to in the future?  Check out Zing Creative and let Lisa create a masterpiece for you!

Randy Schaffer Glass

Randy Schaffer Glass brings Hawaii into your home...and who wouldn't want that?!  Randy's pieces of art, created in his Maui studio, are beautiful, one of a kind pieces created with love and inspired by the beautiful environment around him.  He is open to creating custom pieces...and is committed to working with clients imaginations, allowing their input to help design the piece.  Having a custom made piece created for a friend, with their favorite colors, is an amazing gift option!  Check out his website...and don't be surprised if you find a few you like for yourself!

Kitchen Monki

We all need to eat, right? So I wish I could say I frequently create new recipes from scratch like my mom does...but I can't...so instead, I head over to Kitchen Monki and look for recipes organized by categories such as "Season", "Preperation", "Mood", and "Time to Cook."  Under the "Mood" category, I decided to check out "sophisticated" and happened upon chocolate dipped figs with almonds...sounds amazing I agree, but probably not sufficient for dinner...so I kept looking and came across "Honey Soy Broiled Salmon"... WOW...very sophisticated and sooo delicious!  Dinner in under 30 minutes is always ideal!  Now, maybe it's time for those chocolate dipped figs wtih almonds!
Kitchen Monki also offers a Grocery List Manager that allows families to plan meals, create grocery lists, and organize those lists online and on the go.  I can create a grocery list and let my husband know we need some more ingredients for dinner...all he has to do is access Kitchen Monki on his phone and pull up the grocery list I've already created for us.  It's a great system for any family, big or small!
Unsure what to make for dinner tonight?  Or maybe you have a party this weekend, and want to bring a dish you've never brought before...check out Kitchen Monki...you're sure to find great recipes!  You can even link your account via Facebook and snag some meal ideas from friends...who knows how many of them are already on Kitchen Monki!

Bomber Betty Custom Cosmetics

Makeup should be fun, right? Well, I was in a rut...using the same colors...forever...and I needed help.  I got in touch with Jessica at Bomber Betty and she brought the fun back into my makeup bag.  She took the time to create some custom colors for me and then helped me fine tune my application.  I feel much more confident in my makeup and am once again having fun with all of my options!
Jessica has been an extremely successful makeup artist for over 12 years...check out some press here!  AND...
I LOVE "Before/After" shots...check out Ashley's transformation here.  If you love makeup...or if you are in a rut and wish to love makeup again...check out Jessica's skills!

Soul Sisters Candle Co.

These stellar candles can be found on Etsy...by two close friends who created "Soul Sisters Candle Co."  The soy candles that they offer are soooo refreshing and you have to love the jars that they come in!  Their customer service is excellent and their stylish packaging means you don't have to wrap these candles to give as gifts!  A newer feature they offer...which I believe I'll be checking out this week, is the sample box for under $5!  You get to pick 6 scents you would like to try out and you'll quickly receive 6 tealight candles all wrapped up in a cute little box. Now you'll know which ones you'll want to order as full size candles!  There is no shortage to the number of scents they have up for sale in their online Etsy shop...but my favorite is the spruce!  Go ahead...check them out!

Smashed Peas and Carrots

I love this blog!  Maggie is a wicked talented momma of 3 who squeezes more into 1 day than most of us do in a week!  I could get lost in her blog...recipes, craft projects, clothes, gifts, handmade toys, and more and more and more!  She's got the holidays covered with the Rice Krispie Shamrock, and Eggnog bread! 

Have YOU ever heard of LIQUID SIDEWALK CHALK?  I certainly haven't. 

My favorite gift to give ( I bought 4) is Maggie's Fold n go Pony Farm.  It is such a great little travel toy that you can bring along for the kids to play with...and folds up nice and neat too!

Her Etsy Shop is filled with fun stuff!  "Smashed Peas and Carrots" has some seriously good stuff...so make yourself some tea(or a latte), cover up with a cozy blanket, laptop in your lap...and start reading!  You will learn all sorts of stuff...about all sorts of things! 

"Cooking with Italian Grandmothers:Recipes from Tuscany to Sicily" by Jessica Theroux

So my new favorite thing must be "Cooking with Italian Grandmothers:Recipes from Tuscany to Sicily" by Jessica Theroux

You really should go check it out right now...right HERE!

A beautiful book that anyone, with an appreciation for family and food, would LOVE.  Jessica is a true photographer and talented chef and truly captured the passion that accompanies a great homemade meal. The descriptive stories will speak to you in a way only family can...have anyone on your Christmas list that is hard to buy for?  This could be the perfect gift!