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Designer Challenge

A few weeks back I had an idea.... a  good one actually!  I thought it might be fun if I challenged some of my designer friends that do not do what I do to give what I do a try.  Of course my first challenge was thrown out to my dear friend

Suze Weinberg.

  

Now if you know Suze or have taken one of her classes or read her blog....you know she just "dabbles" in beading.  All things UTEE & Melting Pot is her "thing"....and boy is she good at it.  But she is actually a very good beader too!  She has a great eye and a designer's touch; which is a great combo when making jewelry.  So she was a bit nervous about the challenge, but she worked through the nerves and came up with a FABULOUS looking piece that looks like it came from Chico's or some great little boutique!!!

Here is the "base" or "bones" of the piece that I sent her....

Here is the piece that I made...the "Inspiration" piece......

It is a combo of base metal chain, acrylic, brass,  & Swarovski pearls. 

And here is Suze's interpretation.........

Whoo Hoo Suze!!!!!  You did a FABULOUS job!!!!  I couldn't have asked for a better Inaguaral "Designer Challenge".  Thanks so much to Suze for being a willing participant!!!  

You can check out Suze's Blog Here for her version of the challenge and description of the piece!!! 

 

Black Friday Wrap-up

Well....the Girls, the Granmas, and I decided we would go Black Friday shopping.  We luckily didn't need to get up at O' Dark Thirty to buy electronics or some other coveted item....but we did leave at 9am to do a little bargain hunting.  Our first stop was Old Navy and the Granmas bought $15 sweaters....score!!  Then off to our favorite shopping spot.....Millenia Mall.  Love this place!!

 

The crowds at this time of day weren't bad at all! (p.s. I left my camera at home so all of these photos were taken with my phone...not too bad)

Riley loves Ed Hardy "stuff" and had to make a stop at the NEW Christian Audigier store....

Then off to the GAP where I got the BEST SCORE of the day....they had all their sweaters Buy One Get One FREE...including Clearance!!!!  Whoo hoo...so I got these 2 cardigans for $18....so happy!

We did a little more wandering around.....

 

Found super cute, super cozy hoodies at American Eagle for next-to-nothin' 

 

And TOTALLY fell in LOVE with the display at JCrew......drooling over the 3 mannequins in the middle.  The shade of pink/coral is to die for!!!!!

 

 

It was time for a refreshing pick-me-up. Sooo....we made a quick stop at

  My happy place!!!

 

 

We noticed that as the day went on the mall got busier.  So we hit the road.  We headed out to our local shopping center...Waterford Lakes for a couple last minute purchases.  As usual...it was packed.  We didn't stay too long.  So we piled back into the Pilot and pointed it towards home.   The left-overs are in the oven and a cocktail isn't too far behind.  Happy Black Friday everyone...hope you had as much fun as we did!!! 

 

 

 
  
 

Happy Thanksgiving!!

 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!!!

 

Happy Birthday!

Tomorrow is my mother-in-law, Margaret's, birthday. She arrived last Sunday to spend some time with us before she jets to New Zealand for Christmas....ummm...I wanna go!  ;)  Sooo...since tomorrow will be filled with lots of food and desserts....we decided to celebrate tonight.  We ordered in one of her favorite dishes and gave her a glass of wine & my little one Mackenzie baked her a cake.

A pretty nice little low-key celebration for The Bannatynes....just like we like it!!! 

 Happy Birthday Margaret/Granma........WE LOVE YOU!!!!!

 

 

here's mud in your eye.....

ok...so Sunday afternoon we were sitting outside and my oldest daughter asked if she could play in the mud.  Ya see....our neighbors, The Goldins, had prepared their yard to be re-sodded and this would be a great opportunity to let the kids play.  Reluctant...I agreed...but told Riley to get black clothes that she didn't mind never wearing again.  So the sprinklers came on and the fun began.....

Now....my  little one wanted no part of this type of "fun"...that's her....in the chair.  LOL

Riley...on the other hand...had a blast!!!  What the heck...harmless fun!!  Plus...she hosed off really well!!  ;)

 

Now for business......I wanted to let you know about our Thanksgiving Store Hours.  We are going to take an extra day this week and spend time with our family; so we will be CLOSED on Thursday & Friday.  We will, however, plan to see you all on Saturday & Sunday for the After-Thanksgiving Weekend Specials!!!

Store Hours

Monday - CLOSED

Tuesday & Wednesday - 10-6pm

Thursday & Friday - CLOSED

Saturday - 10-6pm

Sunday 12-5pm 

 

One more thing.....Mark your calendars for Dec. 12th & 13th

we have a special Holiday Event planned!

Details soon!!!

 
 

a little inspiration....and a side of Suze

Check out what my friend Tammy made at the shop on Wednesday....she was inspired by this piece I made a few weeks ago.....

Here is her interpretation in bracelet form....

How great looking is that?  AND....... This was her FIRST attempt at making jewelry!!!!!  This proves yet again that making jewelry is not a difficult thing to do.  So wouldn't you love to make something like this for yourself or as a gift?  What are you waiting for? 

 

Thankful today for my good friend Suze Weinberg

She is just the most amazing person and I love her to bits!!!!!

 
 

Nine

Just a brief post to say how excited I am to see "Nine" when it comes out!!  It is a Christmas Day release and is directed by Rob Marshall of  "Chicago" fame!   It looks fabulous and beautiful and has a cast to dye for....Daniel Day Lewis, Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, Sophia Loren, Judi Dench, Kate Hudson, Penelope Cruz, & more!!!  It is the story of a tortured Italian film director in the 50's and the  women in his life.  Put this one on your must see list!

Thankful today for good friends!!!

Hangin' with Mom & a little inspiration

Monday the shop is closed and lately...Mom & I have had the chance to hang out together.  We don't get an opportunity to do that often so we have been enjoying it.  Yesterday we ventured to the "other side of town" to go to a fancy NEW Wal-Mart (I'm a Target girl so this was an adventure)...but I gotta say it wasn't that bad.  Plus...I got a great buy on Dr. Pepper!!!  LOL

Anyway, after the fancy WallyWorld, we went to Panera for lunch....the weather was PERFECT so we ate al fresco....

I tried the NEW Fall fare....Vermont White Cheddar Mac-n-Cheese...man is it good!!!!  Can't eat it everyday though or the old jeans will get tight!!  ;)

We ended the day with  a quick trip to Home Goods...found a few fun Holiday Gifts...cute stuff and great prices!  Thanks Mom for a fun day!!! You're the best!!

Ok...Ok...I know it has been a few days since I have posted about jewelry...I must admit; I haven't made anything new for a few days!  Shame on me!  BUT...there is always room for a little inspiration, right?  Check out what I spotted on The Ann Taylor Loft Website

 

and on the JCrew Website  love the asymmetry of this one!!!

 

Have you started your Holiday shopping?  Making jewelry for your friends and family is an economical and thoughtful gift giving option.

 

 

 

 

Garage Sale

Ok...my neighborhood had a Community Garage Sale this past weekend.  I am not really a Garage Sale girl....I used to go with my MeMe when I was a kid; but not lately and I always seem to busy to participate.  So I thought I would give it a try.  I am not really a keeper....if I haven't used it in a while...it gets donated; but we did have a few odds & ends laying around and a few "kid things" that my girls were no longer interested in.  I spent about a week collecting and pricing and at 7am on Saturday I was ready to go....after a good cup of coffee....

To my surprise...I did pretty well!!!  I have learned though that "kid things", tools, &  household goods seem to be the main items of interest.  Keep that in mind next time you do a Garage Sale. ;)

My hubbie and my girls were there to keep me company and then my little one and her Daddy had to head out to her softball game.  Riley stayed with me and then did a little shopping with a neighbor...luckily I was able to get her to understand that we were "getting rid of things" not "collecting new things" !!  LOL

So after a few hours of selling my wares....I packed up the leftovers and handed them to my friend Amy to list on ebay for me!  Thanks Amy!!  :)  So that is the story of my very first Garage Sale.  Since I am not a keeper ; it won't be a regular thing for me...but maybe once a year just to get a good purge!!

Check out my friend Suze Weinberg's Blog.  She had a class this past weekend at her studio with Margot Potter .  Looks like they had a had  great time....Suze is blogging about it today and tomorrow.  :)