Jess' Handmade Jewelry Winner

Thanks to my friend Jessica for providing the latest giveaway here at Taking A Sunday Drive.

If you haven't already done so, please check out her Etsy Page,

AQUATICA BLUE or her Facebook page

 and let her know that you are stopping by from

 TAKING A SUNDAY DRIVE

Now, for the fun stuff...

We have a WINNER WINNER WINNER

(chosen at Random by Random.org)

Congrats to Karen for winning the Giveaway from Aquatica Blue and Jess' Handmade Jewelry. Jess will be in contact with you to get your mailing info. and let you know what you've won!

My favorite Things Under $30!!

I've been reading a bunch of blogs lately where the writers have been listing some of their favorite things under thirty dollars.

Not that I'm a girl who jumps on the bandwagon or does the TRENDY things at the appropriate times, but I thought that this would definitely be a fun thing to do!

Follow along for a list of 10 of my FAVES/Gotta Have/Can't live without products! These are great items that I'll guarantee (or I'll owe you a glass of wine) will be a hit to any of your girlfriends for Christmas!

#1 Barefoot Wine

My favorite variety is MOSCATO

This is really good, and really inexpensive. Usually the 750ml bottle is about $7...the bigger bottle, which can be found in my fridge at all times is about $14!!

#2) Lolita Wine Glasses

These are the cutest glasses EVER!!

There are tons of different designs for every occasion and event!

Glasses are usually between $20-$30 depending on what store you buy them from

There are pilsner glasses for you non-wine drinkers, Martini glasses, candles, ornaments, and the line always seems to be growing!

This is one of my current favorites called GIRL POWER

(source)

How cute are these for gifts??
Some of my current OMG names are:
"Trophy Husband"
"Always a Bridesmaid"
"Tie one On"

And,"Better than a Sweater"

#3) Hot Buttered Rum Candle

From Bath and Body Works

3 wick $19.50

They are currently on sale and there are coupons available via email/with purchase in the store to get these for an amazing price.

This smell is incredible!! My entire house smelled like baking and butterscotch after burning for only 1/2 hour.  I need to stock up on these since they are a seasonable product!

#4) Starbucks Caramel Brulée Frappuccino

A little sweet..a little salty...a little caffeine...a little coffee..a little piece of heaven!!

JUST TRY IT!!

#5) Ballet Flats

I hate shoes. I would much rather wear flip flops or go barefoot 365 then have to try on shoes. It bothers me that affordable stylish shoes are either uncomfortable, or cheaply made, or fit one day and not the next, or smell if you wear them everyday for a month because they match everything and you have such anxiety about going to the store to buy more shoes and try them on and get frustrated because they don't have your size, or are not on sale that you just end up wearing stinky shoes until you can't stand them anymore and are forced to buy a new pair <------ shoe rant

ANYWAY,  I love BALLET FLATS!!

I buy them in every color when I find a style and price that I like.

And Target never disappoints me!

These are in my current Rotation, and were all under $30

I wear these flat with skirts, dress pants, jeans, to work, church, craft shoes, etc. They are very versatile and comfy! WIN!

#6) Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer SPF15

I am one of those girls that loves the way that make-up looks when it doesn't look like you are wearing make-up.

I have "parched" fair skin with hints of natural blushing, well that's what the Clinique lady said! My skin is a little dry, because I don't drink nearly enough, yes mom, I know 8 glasses of water a day! 

So I was looking for a foundation to even out my skin tones, yet give me a little bit of color, and this product is AMAZING!! It's $24.50/bottle, but well worth it!

#7) Pampered Chef Mini Serving Spatula

$5.50

I use this for brownies, meatloaf, pie, cakes, it's a great piece- if you don't have one, you really should!

#8) Cinnamon Sugar Butter

THREE WORDS IN THE NAME say it all!!

Land O Lakes

YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

#9) Maybelline BABY Lips

"No more Basic Lip Balm"

Makes my lips feel "kissable" and sooo soft!!!

It's available in lots of tints/flavors.

I currently use QUENCHED.

#10) Favorite Scoopneck T 

From The GAP

$14.95

I wear these t shirts all year! Even to bed because they are sooo incredibly comfy!

That concludes my list of my 10 Favorite things under $30!

I hope you take my advice and check out a few of them!!

Don't forget to leave a comment on my GIVEAWAY for a handmade piece of jewelry from Jess' Handmade Jewelry

Ang

Linking to http://www.thenester.com/2011/11/favorite-thiiiiiinnnnnnngs-and-a-linky.html

It's the GIVING time of year...Giveaway from Jess' Handmade Jewelry

I haven't been posting much lately. Life has been hectic. Between the basement renovation, work, school, sports, car accident, sickness, Thanksgiving, yadda yadda yadda... it's been put on the backburner.

(Did I really just type Yadda Yadda Yadda?? Oh, my!)

But, I'm back on board..moving forward, ready to tackle the holiday decor, the Christmas shopping, and projects galore!

Thanks for sticking with me, and hanging around! I appreciate each and every one of my loyal followers...and to show how much I do..I'm offering you a GIVEAWAY!! Yep, a Giveaway!!

Jess' Handmade Jewelry (on Facebook), also known as Aquatica Blue on ETSY, has been kind enough to provide ONE lucky TAKING A SUNDAY DRIVE follower a MYSTERY piece of handmade jewelry from her collection.

I've known Jess personally since she was younger then my son is now!

Her jewelry is beautiful! Each piece is handmade and is excellent quality.

Jess' bio from her ETSY page...

"As a biologist, I have forever admired and treasured the colors of the ocean...the deep blues, calm sea greens, and clear turquoises. Since my study abroad to the Caribbean and Central America, I've found a passion for wanting to display the beauty I've seen and the ever present reminder of the ocean creatures in jewelry, particularly earrings and bracelets. In addition, as a tomboy I have finally realized that pink and purple also have a purpose in this world and in conjuction with the ocean colors, I hope to create a wide variety of pieces for everyone alike to enjoy. Thanks for looking!"

Some of my favorite pieces are:

Acrylic and aqua czech glass with starfish charm

Ice Dreams

Romantic Stroll

Multi swarovkski crystals on silver chain

So do you want to win??

Wanna know what you have to do??

Here's the rules

1) To enter, you must already be or become a "FOLLOWER" of  TAKING A SUNDAY DRIVE

(Look over to the right side bar and join this site with Google friend connect)

Leave a comment saying that you are or have become a follower

2) Check out Jess' jewelry by "like-ing" her Facebook page here and visiting her photo album on the Facebook page, or her items on ETSY  here,. Leave a second comment telling me your favorite item.

You have two chances to win, and both of the above are requirements to enter the giveaway.

The prize can only be mailed to a US address, and the actual prize will be selected by Jess personally.

You must include an email address to contact you if you win.

The drawing will be done by me and the winner will be chosen at random on 12/5.

Entries will only be accepted until 12/4 up to 11:59pm EST.

Good Luck...and TELL ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!!

Lucketts Holiday Open House

On Saturday, my girlfriend Karen and I planned a day trip to Lucketts Holiday Open House in Leesburg, VA. We wanted to get some ideas for the holidays, and enjoy a girl's day (without kids) of shopping and conversation.  What would be better then 2 girlfriends taking a day trip? Well...it was even better when the twosome became a foursome, and our mothers came along!

If you live in the Baltimore/DC/Northern VA area, you really MUST take a trip to Lucketts. It's a great place to not only shop for beautiful home decor and antiques, but a great place for inspiration.

Check out their website,  or Blog, and tell them that you heard about the store from me!

Now, what you've all been waiting for.....Here's the EYE Candy!!

The Design House

One side of the Front Porch

My mom liked the room below,

esp. the garland covered deer head!

I liked all of the fur!!

The Woodsland Themed room was Beautiful!

And This Mirror was FAB-TASTIC! (Is that a word?)

I'm going to attempt to make this ornament garland!

And, a few pics from the Store

Not only was this buffett gorgeous, but it had ring cookies and hot apple cider for us too!

And you all know this Blogger (..Marian, aka Miss Mustard Seed.)

..I loved all of  her Music Sheet inspired decor!

What do you think of this sign?

I love it!

We left Lucketts with a few purchases,

and a lot of Wonderful ideas!

Looks like we have a lot to do in the 48 days left until Christmas!!

Yes, consider that a friendly reminder!

Currently.......

I am.......

eating. . .Chick fil A Char grilled Chicken Sandwich YUM
 

reading. . .How to instructions for laying wood floors J
 

watching. . .DIY Network and HGTV I am OBSESSED with Yard Crashers and Renovation Realities!! Why can't Ahmed Hassan  show up at Home Depot when I am there??Really!

listening to. . .PANDORA RADIO “ADELE STATION” 

Great mix including well um..Adele, Duffy, Etta James, the Beatles, Maroon 5, Jack Johnson,
 

dreaming of. … our basement re-model completion

anticipating. . . seeing the proofs for our family photos! (Oh, and getting a new cell phone!!)
 

loving. . .  the Fall weather! The cool breeze, the changing of the leaves, the pumpkin and apple farms!!

creating. . .a Basement that is a True entertaining and family room!

appreciating. . .that I have a job, so many people that I know are laid off, or job searching.
 

learning. . .that you can’t do everything and please everyone all of the time
 

celebrating. . . that E loves to read. I am so proud to see him snuggled up on the sofa with a book, reading silently or out loud, laughing and interacting with what he is reading!

I saw this post at a blog called Jodie Noted, 

and thought that it was a cute inspiration for my own Currently list!

M-I-A

I've been MIA lately from the blog! We've had a lot happen in our house. School started, we were all in a wedding, our entire finished basement flooded thanks to Hurricane Irene. And life has been hectic.

I haven't had any time to work on Fun projects, as we've been consumed with all of the activities at school, and now the complete renovation of our basement.

I am photo-documenting the before and afters, and as soon as we show some actual progress, I'll share our journey!

Stay Tuned!!

Angie

The Bridal Tea

Warning: Post with LOTS of Pictures and projects!!!

This past weekend, I braved the weather caused by Hurricane IRENE, to co-host a Bridal Shower  for my friend Karen.

Karen is getting married in October,(only 34 more days girl!!)

Karen's mom, her Maid of Honor Crystal, her gf Kim, and I held a Bridal Tea in her honor.

It was very girlie, shabby chic, and the perfect place to be on a Rainy Saturday afternoon.

Here are some of the Details of the Shower..

.

Our vision for the shower was to include her colors of gray, ivory, and peach, and we wanted her to have a special seating area in the center of the party.

If you remember the before picture from my "la vieille chaise", you would note that there were two identical chairs...so what happened to the "other" chair you ask?

Here she is now!!

I sanded it down (lightly) painted it a grayish-black, then waxed, painted it ivory, distressed, and finally covered with a clear glaze tinted with a peach color.

I purchased a frame from a yard sale, (which was painted bright red),and removed the gaudy picture. I primed it gray, then painted with two coats of  white. Then Added Chicken wire to the back with some staples. I made a mini banner with fabric, ribbon, and felt to embellish and attached it with mini clothespins! 

Scott helped me paint a Family Name Sign to give to the Bride and Groom, and we continued with the wedding colors and distressed it to match the chair.

I also painted a small "KEEP CALM AND SAY I DO" sign to get a laugh out of the Bride!

I purchased the flower petal pillow at TJ MAXX to add softness and comfort to the chair!

Scott found a white board Easel for me at Goodwill, and I painted it white, then covered the white board with Chalkboard Paint and wrote a little "Welcome" Message for the entrance into the Tea Room

As guests entered the room, they saw a bakers rack Display with old dolls, The Mother of the Brides gloves from her high school prom, a top hat, lace and doilies.

Then they saw a table with a tea pot that was custom painted by the maid of honor for everyone to sign as a keepsake to Karen.

We had a guess how many teabags in the pot game, and requested that everyone leave a word of wisdom about marriage or love for Karen and hang it on the chicken wire frame

Each table scape included a tea cup filled with Italian cookies as a take home favor, and the centerpieces were each different tea pots filled with floral arrangements made by the mother of the bride, and her best friend.

The "lite fare" consisted of tea sandwiches and salads, sangria, water, iced and hot teas, coffee, and punch!

Then Desserts Galore!!

The brides place setting included a personal table covered with vintage lace and linens, a handmade tea platter, her special chair, and a hat from her childhood!

We played silly games, she opened presents, we ate, and enjoyed a fun girls day!

Congrats Karen, looking forward to your special day!!