Friday, August 31, 2012

I need a nap

Sing it with me!

I need a nap (boom, boom)!

I need a nap (boom, boom)!

Give me some Zzzzzzzzzzz's!

I need a nap (boom, boom)!

Catchy little ditty, no? Sing it to any tune you'd like. I'm an equal opportunity song maker that way.

Have a safe Labor Day weekend!

Thursday, August 30, 2012

A new bag!

I've been in a bag kick lately. I think I will be offering a few in my shop and make some for the fair I am doing next month. They are super cute and just a very comfortable bag to carry. Does that make any sense? I use a duck fabric for one side and a 100% cotton for the other. The best part is that you can totally throw them in the washing machine if they get dirty.

















I really love the reversible look. This is a medium sized bag and I am think of doing a large bag that would be good for a beach tote. The straps on this bag are a little thinner than I like, but I've changed it for next time. Hopefully I will get the bag listed on Etsy tomorrow. The hubster has the camera for a football game tonight. I think we might be reaching a point that I need to get my own camera. 

(On a completely different side note, I really want a doughnut.)

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Can I just sit and pet this fabric all day long?

I think my self proclaimed love of fabrics is obvious. In truth, I'm not the greatest seamstress, but I can pick fabrics out like nobody's business. A few months ago I had an awesome week in my Etsy shop, so I let myself indulge a tiny bit in buying some designer fabrics. I don't usually buy the really good stuff, as it costs a crap ton of money and I would have to charge a lot more for my stuff to recover the price. I am so happy I gave in to my fabric weakness.


















This is from the new Alexander Henry line. I picked it up from Fabricworm. It truly does make a difference in working with the good stuff. The feel of the fabric is unbelievable. I sat there petting it last night as I was sewing it. I may have asked my husband to feel the fabric too. He didn't understand and thought I was off my rocker, but whatever. Hopefully, I will get this dress listed on Etsy tonight. It will cost a bit more then my usual dresses, but believe me, it is oh so worth it. Trust me.

(OKay fine, I probably am off my rocker. What's your point?)

Monday, August 27, 2012

Looky!!

I made a bag! Woot!


It's reversible too! I'm hoping this is a sign that my burn out mode is over with. Maybe? Fingers crossed?

In other news my son has been getting bloody noses every morning at approximately 5:30am. And these aren't your "picked my nose too much" nosebleeds. We're talking half a roll of toilet paper nose bleeds. Going to try a cool mist humidifier, some allergy meds, and maybe some vaseline up the nose. If anyone has any other ideas let me know. I feel bad for the kiddo and am very tired of being woken up at 5:30 in the morning, because seriously after dealing with the yuck I am WIDE awake.

Hmmmmmmm, maybe I should just go sew then..................

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Beauty on a Beer Budget Take 2

Shall we talk more on beauty items that don't cost an arm and a leg? Yes? Oh good. That's just what I wanted to do today. That and have a nice piece of chocolate and win the Power Ball jackpot. (The first Beauty on a Beer Budget post is here.)

1. I have horribly chapped lips that like to crack and yell at me. (And yes, I do drink lots of water.) I fell in love with the Fresh line of lip gloss. It makes my lips very happy. The problem being that it is $22.50 for a tube that doesn't last a lifetime. Thankfully, the other day I stumbled on Nivea Intense Moisturizer. It was $1.99 for sale and I love it long time. Not as awesome as Fresh, BUT it really works and for $1.99 I'm all over it.

2. Maybelline Great Lash mascara. Seriously hands down the best mascara ever. Plus, it's usually around $5 and you can find coupons. My only Debbie Downer about this product is the lack of fun colors. I love me some purple or blue mascara.

3. Pond's Cold Cream. This shit removes all the eye make up off in one swipe - without having to scrub all your eyelashes off. My grandma used it everyday and easily had the best looking skin I've ever seen on a 96 yr old lady.

4. Wet n' Wild nail polish. The best. Stays on 10 times longer than the expensive stuff, and less than $2 a bottle, you can't beat it.

5. Revlon 16 Hr eye shadow. Now these usually run about $12 for a 4 color palette. More than I like to spend, but I wait until CVS runs a buy one get one sale. The shadow seriously stays on all day, especially if you use an eye shadow primer beforehand (Almay sells a nice one).

Have you found any item lately that knocked your socks off? Do share!

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Still in burn out

I think it's safe to say that I am still in burn out mode. I haven't sewn in a really long time. Which is NOT helpful seeing that I have a fair at the end of September. A two-day fair. As in I need to make enough stuff to last for two days in a row of selling things. I'm sure you understood what a two-day fair meant, I just needed to clarify it for myself. In hopes of maybe lighting a fire under my ass. It's not like I don't have oodles of adorable new fabric, sitting on my drafting table, calling out to me every night, "Nikki, come sew me. I need to be made into a skirt." Instead I sit on the couch. Or holding a horking up the lung 3 year old.

Speaking of the horking up the lung three year old, my daughter has pneumonia. That's right, pneumonia. In the SUMMER. Who gets pneumonia in the summer? My DAUGHTER, that's who. Round 2 of antibiotics and I think she might be getting better. Maybe. Kind of. Oh hell, I don't know.

I think I just need a nap. Or a beer.

Better yet, BOTH.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Back to school shopping party

Make sure ya'll (I don't know why I say ya'll, I live in MI and don't have even the slightest southern drawl) are friends with Funklicious on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/Funklicious. I just dropped a really good coupon code for some back to school shopping fun! Double woot!

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Beauty on a beer budget

Okay. I'm going to admit it.

My name is Nicole and I have a beauty supply addiction.

I follow many blogs that talk about their favorite beauty supplies, new hair care products, etc. I'm always interested in finding out what works well for others and what I should look into getting for myself. The thing is - 9 times out of 10, I can't afford the product the blogger is talking about. I am a beauty on a beer budget kind of a gal. (That and I'd rather save my pennies for more important things. Like fabric. And ribbon. And buttons. And more fabric.) I thought I'd write a couple of posts and talk about the products I love and for the most part you can find them at CVS or Target. Most everything is $15 and under.

1. Cetaphil face wash: Only I go the extra cheap route and buy the store brand. I will admit that after my daughter was born my skin went ape shit. After a year or so, I finally broke down and got Proactive. I am a big fan of Proactive and for $20 you get a cute little introductory kit. And then a month later you get a ginormous kit and they charge your credit card $100. Ooopsies. Make sure you uncheck the automatic order box when you place your introductory order. The $20 kit lasts a long time. And then I just copied the wash treatment by using cheap drug store items. Seriously, store brand Cetaphil runs $7 for a huge jug of it. Well worth it. I am also finding out now that you can buy Proactive like kits made by Aveeno and like brands.

2. Face Toner: Definitely find a face toner you like. I recommend Aveeno or Neutrogena. Fabulous stuff. I've also been told that Witch Hazel works as a good toner too. Anyone have thoughts on this?

3. Moisturizer: I like Aveeno for this. And get one that has some SPF in it. Oil of Olay is a good one too.

4. Night cream: Yes. I am of that age now where I have started to use a night cream. I HIGHLY recommend the Oil of Olay Age Rejuvenating Night Cream. Plus it's under $14. My skin has never felt better. And watch your coupons too! Oil of Olay has coupons in the Sunday paper almost every month.

5. Body Soap: I use just plain old Dove or Oil of Olay bar soap. It just depends upon which is on sale when I need to buy more. Plus, they are mild enough that my kids can use them.

6. Lotion: The one area I spend a touch more on because I am addicted to The Body Shop's Olive Body Butter. It's a whopping $19 a container, but I wait until it's on sale or I get a gift card. I refuse to pay full price. REFUSE. If it's not on sale and I don't have a gift card I will buy the Target Brand of Aveeno's body lotion.

7. Shampoo: I buy what's on sale. Currently I am using Suave's version of Biolage. Although I just got a container of the new Clear brand of conditioner and so far I really like it. I will not buy name brand shampoo. $22 for a bottle of Bed Head shampoo is just not worth it. My hair is just as happy when cleaned from stuff I get at CVS.

8. Styling products: I have curly hair, so I usually use a leave in conditioner. I love Biolage's Leave in treatment, but I don't buy it often because it costs more than $10. I have found that Herbal Essence has a good Curly Detangling Spray. Marc Anthony also has a good curl hair care line. Plus, I am told Bed, Bath and Beyond sells it, so save your 20% off coupon! I prefer the Anthony's curl creme to the spray. Just an FYI in case you were interested.

The best part about buying items at CVS or Target is that usually you can get coupons for them to make them cheaper. What is your favorite "drug store" beauty find? I'm all about saving me some $$!