Top Decoration

Thanksgiving is just 9 days away, which means that Craft Fairs and Holiday Bazaar's are in full swing.

This coming weekend is no exception!

One of my best friends from high school, Teri, has come out to visit and is throwing her own

Holiday Boutique

along with her mom, sisters and some very talented friends.

Items will include necklaces, bracelets, earrings, watches, handbags, wallets, women's and children's hair accessories, children's dress up clothes and costumes, holiday home decor and gifts, like wreaths, table runners, countdown blocks, and gifts for teacher's and neighbors.

They are also hosting a bake sale and all of the proceeds will go to benefit the "Clean and Sober House".
(CleanAndFreeHousing.org)



If you would like to attend, details are as follows:

Address:
4137 SW 321st St, Federal Way, WA 98023

Hours:
Thursday & Friday, Nov. 18th & 19th, from 12pm to 8pm
Saturday, Nov. 20th, from 10am to 7pm


Here is a tiny sneak peek at some of the goods...

From Teri at T's Etc...



From Analisa at Hair Blingz And Cute Things...

and...

From Mandy at A Girl's Must Haves...

I'll be there for sure, checking everything out and seeing what I can get crossed off of my Christmas shopping list.

Maybe I'll see you there!

:)

The best part is that this fits hand-in-hand with my promise to buy handmade this year.

Speaking of which, have you checked out all of the links that have been added to our...

Lots of good stuff!

Be sure to check it out, and if you sell your own handmade items, feel free to add your link.

Click here for all of the details.


Happy Shopping!

Welcome to Urban Hardwoods!

If you haven't heard about this Seattle based company, then let me introduce you...

When I first heard about Urban Hardwoods, I was immediately drawn to their mission and commitment to it!

For more than ten years Seattle's Urban Hardwoods has been rescuing trees lost to disease and transforming them into beautiful furniture.

Urban Hardwoods has led the way in urban tree salvage.

Each piece of furniture is made in Seattle from massive slabs of pacific madrone, sycamore, walnut, elm, and other trees that spent their lifetimes in Seattle.
Each piece unique, each with a story to tell.

See that tree being taken down in front of this gorgeous Seattle home?

"During the summer of 2006 one of the oldest Elm trees in West Seattle died. Urban Hardwoods was there to save her for a second life. The dining room is waiting for a table from the tree that grew less than 20 feet away.

Had Urban Hardwoods not been involved, this Elm would have met the same fate too many historic trees in Seattle endure - the landfill. Instead, thoughtfully milled and carefully stacked in our 'green room,' the 130-year-old Elm dried slowly and naturally for two more years."

I would love to be able to see this process in action!

Do you see that man waaaaaay up there?

The trees that they save are massive!

I wonder how many pieces of furniture they are able to get out of one tree?

"Made in Seattle from trees that would have been discarded, each piece is unique. The color and figure of the wood, the touch of the craftsman's hand, the shape and size can never be duplicated. We know where the tree grew. We take responsibility for its second life and are proud of our work."

And they should be!

The following pieces of furniture were labeled with where the tree came from:

Maple Valley

Tacoma
(Where we live!)

Capitol Hill

Tukwila


I absolutely LOVE their furniture!
I am sure that a little of it has to do with the fact that they are rescuing trees from the place that we call home! Oh, how I would love to have a piece to call my own...
Adding to the Wish List!
(My husband will get a good chuckle out of that!)

I wonder if they would let us tour their Factory?
How cool would that be?

Check out their website at
UrbanHardwoods.com

You can see their full line of in-stock furniture.
And just in case you are wondering, they do ship to anywhere in the US and Canada!
You can also see a slide show filled with pictures of the process from start to finish.
Check it out - it's pretty darn cool, if you ask me!

For all of you locals, you have got to get over to
Sorci's Italian Cafe
in Sumner!

My best friend took me here for my birthday lunch and, I can honestly say, it was the best local Italian food that I have had!

Benissimo!

They have a great menu! In fact, it took us quite a while to decide what we were going to order because there was just too much to choose from!
Take a peek!

They not only have a great menu and an adorable cafe, but they have an espresso and wine bar, a deli case and a dessert case to drool over! They do wine tasting events, movie nights, and cooking classes! FUN! And they also cater!

Check out their website because the list of things to eat, drink and do at Sorci's goes on and on! And best of all, it is super affordable! I promise, you will not be disappointed!

I can't wait to go back!

I see a Girls Night happening in the very near future!

My friend, Kristie, hosted a bazaar today, and let me just say, as far as bazaar's go - this was a darn good one! It was a great mix of local crafter's and vendors!

I came away with several business cards, but only a few really stand out in my mind. I love what these ladies make! I think you will too, so here they are!
(And lucky for us, they are all on Etsy, so really, it's like one-stop shopping!)
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Clicking on the business name will take you to their Etsy Shop
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Bella's Bowtique

This is my friend Kristie's business. She makes adorable hair accessories and hats for little girl's! And she recently started creating onesie's too! Everything she makes is super fashionable and fun! Perfect for little princesses!

Visit her blog here!
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Two Laughing Hens

I loved this next idea! I almost bought one on the spot, but I wanted to check out her Etsy Shop first and see what else she had available! For you locals, she is also at the Exhibitors Mall in Puyallup, so you can see her things in person!

She calls this "Magnetic Inspirations". They are so cute! They are meant to be displayed on an easel and come with a small magnet to start you on your way to adding photos. She only has a few on her Etsy Shop, but some of the sayings on these were perfect for any of the rooms in your home or as gifts for girlfriend's, family, etc.

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World of Whimm

This next woman captured my heart with her display!

For those of you who have a young child of your own, or niece or nephew, or grandchild...anyone who loves to use their imagination, then this is the shop for you! Her Etsy shop will show you exactly what I mean! My favorite item is the Mermaid Tail! I'm certain that our little girl will be getting one of these at some point in the near future!

Visit her blog here!
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Orange Box Jewelry

This was the only display that I couldn't walk away from without taking something home with me! She had the prettiest pair of dangly, silver earrings that I just had to have! For $10, why say "no"?

She finds vintage jewelry to salvage and repurpose into more contemporary designs. Her things are beautiful! And I *love* it that she's recycling and repurposing!

Visit her website here!
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Amy Rose Designs

My absolute favorite of the whole bunch was this woman's display!

Everything she makes is SUPER cute! Her fabrics are beautiful! But what caught my attention was this sweet little doll that she makes. She can custom make them with brown, blonde or red hair, the eye color of your choice and the fabric of your choice for the dress! This little doll is so charming! And I know just the little girl to give her the perfect home!

Visit her blog here!
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If you get a free moment you should check out their shops! You may find that perfect thing that you didn't even know you were looking for!