30 November 2010

Three things I love...

Here are three things that I am so in love with right this very second!

1.  This song...it just makes me want to dance no matter how many times I hear it.  I dare you to listen and not move any part of your body.  It's impossible :)

2.  Rhianna and her red hair.

3.  Words with Friends :) add me!

There you go.  Those are three things that I am thinking of and loving right this second :)
What about you?  Tell me one random thing that you are loving right this very second.
love you!
xo
janel

29 November 2010

Craftyfolk giveaway!

This month I wanted to host a bunch of fun giveaways from some of my most favorite etsy shops!!  The prizes are amazing and the best part is that they would make great gifts from the upcoming holidays.
This giveaway is the last giveaway of the month from my etsy love series!!
 The winners will be picked on Friday of this week.

Our last giveaway will be a GREAT one :)  Check out the amazing Craftyfolk!!


Craftyfolk is another one of those shops that I seriously can't get enough of :) I am pretty much obsessed with all of the beautiful illustrations in her shop.  Seriously, the talent is AMAZING.
Here are a few of my favorite things...






And that is only some of my favorites!!!
Again, the winner of this giveaway will receive another one of my most favorite items from Craftyfolk!!!
This amazing Polaroid brooch!!!


loooooooove it!!!


To be a winner, all you have to do is leave a comment here on this post!
 Extra entries for tweets,  and blog postings about this adorable giveaway, so let me know if you did.  The winner will be chosen Friday night!!!
** Also, feel free to enter each day that this giveaway is running to increase your chance of winning!!

This little giveaway series has been so much fun!! Thank you all for participating and a HUGE thank you to all of the etsy shops who offered up their amazing talent for all of you!!
cute!

xo
janel

September House Giveaway!

This month I wanted to host a bunch of fun giveaways from some of my most favorite etsy shops!!  The prizes are amazing and the best part is that they would make great gifts from the upcoming holidays.
I will be hosting a new giveaway each Monday and Wednesday this month so keep checking back! The winners will be picked on the Friday of that particular week.  Since November is running out of days, our second etsy giveaway will be on Tuesday this week :)

Our first giveaway this week is from the adorable shop, September House!


When I first fell in love with September House, it was because of all of the beautifully embroidered necklaces and wall pieces.  I love them so much!





I am super excited for all of you because my MOST favorite thing in this shop right now, also happens to be the giveaway item for this week!!!  This double paneled DIY calendar is the perfect accessory for the crafty-soul :)  Check it out!!




These pre-printed 2011 calendar panels are a perfect start to your next handmade gift. Or, why not make a little something beautiful for your own home or office? You can do both with this double set that includes one mini calendar panel and one large calendar panel. 

You can use a sewing machine for this project but you do not have to sew to complete your calendar. I have compiled a 10 page booklet in digital .pdf format full of ideas and tips for working on your calendar panel. Your panel purchase includes this helpful guide which provides tips for finishing and hanging your calendar, embellishing ideas, a printable ‘sketch-it’ sheet for drawing out your ideas on paper, and a variety of other resources and ideas for creating your calendar from start to finish. 



Additional inspiration can be found on my flickr group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/septemberhouseopenstudio/. I hope you’ll share your finished project there as well!



Are you ready to become the winner of this amazing DIY calendar??
All you have to do is leave a comment here on this post!
 Extra entries for tweets,  and blog postings about this adorable giveaway, so let me know if you did.  The winner will be chosen Friday night!!!
** Also, feel free to enter each day that this giveaway is running to increase your chance of winning!!
Good Luck lovelies!!

xo
janel

28 November 2010

hello

Wow, this little holiday weekend has been wonderful!  
Beyond wonderful to be exact.
There has been so much awesome family time, and food, and holiday decoration, antique malls, craft shows and house hunting!!

Oh yes, house hunting.
eeeek!
All I am going to say right now about that is that if you are a pray-er...please pray for God's will to be done in the house situation.
cross your fingers.
do whatever :)

In other house talk...I got a doll house finally!
It needs some serious renovations but I really love it a lot.
Check out this amazing doll house inspiration: 


(source)

(source)

Tomorrow, it's back to work for me and then sister time tomorrow night :)
2 more days until December!
fun times.
Ok, I love you.

xo
janel

Thankful 30-Day 28


Happy Sunday!
Day 28.  Can you believe it?
This is another one of those things that I can't believe didn't pop into my head sooner!  I am so in love with music and all of the emotions that come from a single melody or line.
I love love love it.
Most of the time songs say things for me that I never knew how to express or say.
I am really thankful for music of all kinds.


Day 28- I am thankful for Music :)

Only two more days of November!!!
I am so excited about making it this far with my daily journaling :)
xo
janel

26 November 2010

holiday spirit!

This morning, instead of shopping with the rest of the world, I decided to do a little more holiday decorating :)
I love the idea of a little winter wonderland right here in our home.  I keep looking around and smiling :)
Would you like another peek?

First things first, I really felt like we needed a new little holiday garland to hang above the couch.
Yarn, doilies, crochet hook and....viola!



I hung a sweet paper chain in pinks and greens above the fireplace along with our stockings...


Here are some sweet little plush trees that I made last year with some vintage fabric left overs.  I also adore the little glitter reindeers.  I found them last year as well in the after Christmas sales. I've used them around the house this holiday season.


Our Advent Calendar... Last year I filled it for Adam so this year it's his turn to fill it for me :)


This is my most favorite decoration that I have seen in like forever.  I found this at the local antique mall and it's made completely out of vintage brooches.  AMAZING!!! I love love love it.


That's it for today!
Holiday cheer all around :)
Now it's time for me to wrap some presents!
and then dinner with the family again.
What a blessed blessed day already.
xo
janel

winners...

I will be back later today with my Thankful journal pages from today and yesterday!  I was too busy yesterday eating pumpkin pie and spending great times with my family :)  They are done, and I will post them later.  In the meantime though, I am excited to announce the winners for this week's two giveaways!!

The winner of the amazing Harry Potter Print is...


and the winner of the lovely lovely bracelet is...



Ok ladies, email me your address and I will contact the shops and get your cute prizes out to you ASAP!
Happy Black Friday!
xo
janel

25 November 2010

true life: janel

My cute friend Jules posted a blog the other day and shared 15 random facts about herself. I love reading random facts about people, especially blog friends because it makes me feel like I know them more.
Anyway, it inspired me to write a little list of 10 random facts about myself.


1.  I go through hobbies, like they are going out of style.  Not only do I go through them, I get into them big time. For example: rock climbing. I was hard core for like 2 months, bought all of the equipment I would ever need, and haven't been in like forever :)  That's how I roll. I get from my dad.  I like to say we are well-rounded.

2.  I carry a 2$ bill around with me everywhere. It was from my grandpa :)  He gave me one when I was a little kid and I have carried it with me ever since.  I also have a special 2$ bill from my dad and now I have one from Adam as well.

3.  When I love a song, I write all of the lyrics down.  Like I listen, press pause, write the words, listen, press pause, etc.  I don't have like a special notebook or even a real reason.  I just write it down on something.  I think it helps me show my love for the song.

4.  I've never ridden a roller coaster before. like ever. and I never will :)

5.  glitter never gets old in my book :) I loooooove it.

6.  I read like 15 books a month.  It's kind of ridiculous.

7.  I could go the rest of my life with no television channels besides Bravo.  And the Sleuth channel because I watch Monk at 6:00pm every night.

8.  My sister and I both have the same middle name (Renee).  My mom wanted us to have an immediate common bond to share right from the get go.  I love it.

9.  Speaking of my sister, she's pretty much my favorite :)

10.   I love the old black and white Charlie Chan movies. love them.

There you go.  Do we have any random things in common?
I double dare you to post some random facts about yourself in the comment section so that I can get to know you better!! Deal?

Oh, and BTW:
I've already listed some spots in my etsy shop for anyone who wanted to secure a spot early or surprise a friend with a holiday gift of journal inspiration :)
I'm so excited about this class!
It's going to be the best one ever!!!
Also, keep checking the shop this week because I will be updating it every day with loads and loads of lovely!

xo
janel

24 November 2010

Thankful 30-Day 24


So I was waiting and waiting for the rain to stop so I could get a good photo of this page with natural lighting.  There is no getting around this crummy day though so you get "Art classroom fluorescent lighting" instead :)
Sorry!
Anyway, here's my page:


Day 24- I am thankful for antique malls.

I love the treasure hunting, the thrill of finding something amazing and guessing the history of every item.  I love it so much!!

xo
janel

23 November 2010

I Adorn You Giveaway!!

This month I wanted to host a bunch of fun giveaways from some of my most favorite etsy shops!!  The prizes are amazing and the best part is that they would make great gifts from the upcoming holidays.
I will be hosting a new giveaway each Monday and Wednesday this month so keep checking back! The winners will be picked on the Friday of that particular week.


Our second giveaway this week comes to you from the lovely etsy shop:  I Adorn U!


Yeah so Im pretty much in love with every single thing in this shop but I'll share a few of my mega faves with you right now :



these best friends necklaces are on my Chirstmas wish list !

and another one of my faves is also the giveaway gift this week!
One lucky winner will receive this gorgeous bracelet :


Beautiful!!! I am so jealous of the winner.

All you have to do is leave a comment here on this post!
 Extra entries for tweets,  and blog postings about this adorable giveaway, so let me know if you did.  The winner will be chosen Friday night!!!
** Also, feel free to enter each day that this giveaway is running to increase your chance of winning!!

xo
janel

the holidays season...

It is officially the holiday season around here.  Adam and I have been cutting snowflakes and hanging paper chains like crazy :)  All of our decorations are up, including our gorgeous tree and it just makes me so happy.  I love decorating for the holidays. 



























Doesn't it look so cozy :)  
love it!
Thanks for reading!
xo
janel

P.S.  don't forget to check back tomorrow for another Etsy giveaway!  It's a great one <3

Thankful 30-Day 23


Hello Tuesday!
Here we go with day 23.  I stayed pretty simple with this one.
Simple but lovely <3
I wanted to show my love for prayer and "The Word" so I used these verses from Ephesians since it's one of my most favorite prayers.




Day 23- I am thankful for prayer.

I will be back later today to post some bento lunch pics.  I realized that I have been forgetting to share them over here on the blog.  Rest assured, they are always posted on my Flickr :)  I love that I have heard from so many people who have decided to give bento lunches a try as well.
Thanks to my sweet friend, Lehua, my lunches have been looking much much cuter!
I love it!
They are so fun!
xo
janel

22 November 2010

3 Lamb Graphics Giveaway!!

This month I wanted to host a bunch of fun giveaways from some of my most favorite etsy shops!!  The prizes are amazing and the best part is that they would make great gifts from the upcoming holidays.
I will be hosting a new giveaway each Monday and Wednesday this month so keep checking back! The winners will be picked on the Friday of that particular week.


Our first giveaway this week is from  3 Lamb Graphics!  


"As seen on Apartment Therapy, Elements of Style, Ffffound!, Etsy's The Storque, The Bright Side Project, Centsational Girl, Oh Brooke, Polyvore, This Next, Moxie Fab World, Lemon Sweet, and more! "

Here are a few of my favorite things from this lovely lovely shop <3





Up for grabs this week is my absolute favorite print of hers:


and seriously, could it come at a more perfect time!!  I know that I am not the only one with Harry Potter fever right now with the last movie just coming out.  The winner will be receiving an 8x10 of this print :)

All you have to do is leave a comment here on this post!
 Extra entries for tweets,  and blog postings about this adorable giveaway, so let me know if you did.  The winner will be chosen Friday night!!!
** Also, feel free to enter each day that this giveaway is running to increase your chance of winning!!

xo
janel