jamie ann

I have google calendars, shared google calendars, my iPhone, iCal, teudeux and more, but sometimes I just need pen and paper. Having to many places to keep track of things often defeats the purpose.

I see many more purchases from REDSTARink in my future.

Yesterday I decided to pick up a couple things for my trip to Seattle at the end of the month. I got home, pulled everything out of the bags and realized that my whole wardrobe really is black, white and grey. I’ve joked about it before, but right then I decided it was official.

I mentioned it on twitter and it appears I’m not alone, but I don’t think this is a bad thing at all. I think neutral solids are a great basis for a wardrobe. It’s basically a blank canvas to decorate as I see fit, so that’s what I do.

For awhile I did this with shoes. A few years back, I collected sneakers. I had stacks of Nikes in my closet – Dunks, Air Force Ones and Air Maxes. There were some Vans in there too and a pair of really obnoxious Ice Creams. Lots of bright colors and all super cute. Most of those have made their way to a better place, but I still have a pair of burgundy, pink and grey Dunks that are probably my favorite shoes ever. They are kind of beat to hell, but I still wear them all the time.

After that came Etsy. I think everyone knows Etsy is kind of a problem for me because I’m legit obsessed. So obsessed that I even started a whole blog of adorable things to share with everyone because I just couldn’t keep them to myself. And that’s not even all the good stuff. I keep the REALLY good stuff to myself because I don’t want anyone else to buy it before me. Yeah, I’m a brat. I know.

Anyway, the discovery of Etsy was game changing for me. Not only are they pretty and unique things, but they are pretty, unique things from someone who puts a bit of themselves into the product. I love being able to support indie designers who truly love what they are doing. Plus, I get something amazing that anyone just can’t walk into a store and buy. Best of both worlds, no?

With that, here are some pops of color from my favorite site that I think could add a little something to wardrobe full of basics like mine.

bow, necklace, ring & scarf

I actually have two of those bows in red that I bought from my gorgeous mama friend, Morgan, and I’ve been obsessing over that scarf for a very long time. Maybe when I have some extra cash, it will be a birthday present for myself since it’s this weekend and I deserve something pretty.

Also, I’ve decided to close doors on Oh How Lovely Shops. I barely can update this blog, let alone two. The archives will stay up though and I’ll be keeping all my pretty finds here because there really is just too much stuff out there to not share.

I have an awesome giveaway for all you laptop owners over at my shopping blog. Laptop decals!

Go check it out!

Oh How Lovely Shops

The most recent etsy adore feature and giveaway is up at my other blog!

Oh! How Lovely! Shops

Go check it out and win a great print or card.

Also, subscribe to that feed while you’re at it so you don’t miss any other fun giveaways!

P.S. You know Jenn at Free and Flawed? Well she is having some blog issues and her feed changed. I know you adore her as much as I do and don’t want to miss any tiny bit of what she has to say so make sure you subscribe to her new feed!

DO IT.

Free and Flawed’s new feed.

New post coming. I start classes today so I’m sure I’ll just have oodles to write about once I get back!

Remember all that stuff I wrote about before this?

Go do it

This week’s feature and giveaway is at my new shopping blog which launched on Saturday!

Go check it out!

Oh! How Lovely! shops

The winner of the Megan Lee Designs totebag is…

Tina of Dance Like No One Is Watching!

Thank you everyone for entering! This was a great giveaway and definitely one of my favorites so far. Thanks so so so much to Megan for participating! Remember you can find Megan at her etsy shop or website!

This week I have another Chicago based etsy shop! Megan makes each and every item in her store from her home studio here in Chicago where she lives with her husband and adorable little dachshund. Megan Lee Designs offers cards, stationary, tote bags and more!

Some of my favorites include this pretty peacock card:

and if you frequent the Wicker Park area of Chicago as much as I do, this shirt might look a little familiar!

Meg has graciously offered up one of her tote bags for a giveaway this week! She has some really cute ones that I know you all will just love. Use it for grocery shopping, keep it in your regular bag to use instead of using shopping bags or just use it for toting your every day things around.

You know the drill, lovelies. Visit Megan’s shop and pick out your favorite item and come back tell me in a comment. Do this by Friday and you have your chance to win a tote of your choice from Megan Lee Designs!

(Note: Your favorite item entry doesn’t have to be a tote bag, but your prize will be one. Make sense?)

A winner will be chosen randomly on Friday and asked to pick out their prize. I’ll forward your info to Megan and she will send out your tote!

Ready?

GO!

Interrupting BlogHer recap week with some favorite things. As most of you know, I use to recap Project Runway every week and I also have been doing weekly features of Etsy shops.

What happens when both worlds collide?

While I am still not sure how I feel about this season of Project Runway, I can’t help but think this is cool. Two of this seasons designers have shops on Etsy!

Kelli Martin, who won last weeks challenge with a dress made of vaccuum bags and coffee filters splattered with dye and a little bleach, has an Etsy shop called Antilabel. There is only one item currently in shop.

Then there is LeAnne Marshall whose etsy shop, Leanimal, seems to be quite successful. She has gorgeous dressed and jackets that are to die for. I would die to get my hands on one of her coats.

I think it’s really awesome that these girls decided to try Etsy as a way to get their stuff out there and now they are on Project Runway. How about that?

The winner of the Cozy Sister giveaway is…

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I thought it was about time I featured some jewelery for an etsy feature!  This week we have Cozy Sister. Lynde makes lovely pieces out of wire, glass beads and gemstones. You can find pendants, earrings, bracelets and rings in the etsy shop. There is also a Cozy Sister blog for all kinds of news and updates about what’s going on. My favorite are the Venetian glass rings which is what Lynde of Cozy Sister has decided to give to one reader!

So you know the drill, check out the shop and come back and let me know what your favorite item is, it can be one of the rings or not. The winner of this giveaway will be getting a Venetian glass ring though! This one is my favorite, I’m a big fan of deep rich burgundy and wine colors.

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