dirty white elephant

every year my dad's side of the family has a kid's christmas party and an adults only christmas party. shockingly- i'm sure- i sooooo look forward to the adult party which is this saturday... yay! at this awesomely fun occasion there is, of course, great food, drinks, and company. the best part, though, is the white elephant exchange. i'm sure, by now, every one has had the privilege of witnessing or even participating in such an uproarous event but for the white elephant virgins out there, it's simple: each person/couple brings an anonymous wrapped gift (we have a $40 limit) and everyone places the boxes + bags in the center. then, each person/couple draws a number representing their order in the game. when all numbers are selected, the game begins. the first couple chooses which package they'd like to open and expose the contents to the crowd. then, the next players either choose to open a new gift or steal the opened gift. this continues as each couple takes their turn, however, a gift can only be stolen three times- then it becomes frozen and cannot be stolen again. if the gift you chose and currently posses get's stolen, it becomes your turn again and you can either open a new gift or steal a gift from another couple (unless, of course, it's already frozen).

it's fantastically fun, i promise.

anywho, this year is the first year that my fiance and i will participate and i had so many crazy ideas fluttering around my head as to what contribute i thought i'd never decide. but... i did. and it was a dirty, raunchy decision, i tell ya. one that i'm quite proud of. i went the sexy route. luckily for me, my dad's family is a loud, fun-loving, humorous group and my gift of the "sex for dummies" and "tickle his pickle" books- along with "naughty stockings" for him and her and some candy "virgin again pills"- will fit in perfectly. i can't wait to see everyone's faces.

where art thou, bronzer?

ok. it appears that operation 'no glow' is in effect and a deprivation conspiracy is at hand. over the summer i purchased the best bronzer product my cheekbones have ever come in to contact with and now- nothin. the bronzer is from the h.i.p. line by l'oreal and it was downright fabulous. i loved the color- as it did not make me look like an oompa loompa- and the powder had a quiet shimmer to it. event the case/compact was awesome: the top was the pressed powder and the bottom opened to reveal a handy-dandy mirror and tiny application brush. everything and more that you could ask from a bronzing product. the hunt is still on, though. i'm even contemplating placing 'have you seen me?' ads on all the milk cartons.

idol

we were contacted about participating in another giveaway contest by a fellow etsy member ashley thalman. of course, we gladly accepted the opportunity to take part in her '9 days of new year giveaways' contest which will be featured on her blog 'bird on the lawn'. when visiting her blog- loving the logo/banner, by the way- i stopped by her photo blog as well, and i am now crooning over all things ashleythalmanphotography. the photos are beautiful and i love the quiet humor in them.

yup. she definitely qualifies for my list of photography idols.

made for walking { ashley thalman }


lover limbs { ashley thalman }


golden ticket { ashley thalman }

let's make it official

i wasn't so sure at first, but i've made up my mind. it may be a bold statement but i'm completely in lust with it! i love the look of faux bois { ya know... it looka lika woodgrain... } and this beaded bracelet is no exception. my wrist has been having dirty thoughts about it all day....

bois peint { time2cre8 }


her other beaded bracelets are adorable, too.

little vine { time2cre8 }


damask { time2cre8 }


copper vine { time2cre8 }

who? lil ol' me?

okay. now i know how pinocchio felt. except, i feel like a real artist rather than a boy. on the business end, things have been smooth sailing lately for my mother and i. we're steadily selling on our etsy store mere et fille and have recently been approched for an interview and an opportunity to sell our items in a local store- how friggin awesome is that?!

the interview i speak of will be a 'seller spotlight' on a local student's fashion blog. the post will give info about what my mother and i do as well as a contest where you can win our 'vis a brun' necklace ( originally featured in our etsy store ). since she contacted me, i have checked out taylor's blog almost every day and i love that she is focusing on and promoting others to shop local, handmade items for the holidays. i love that the blog is cleverly named 'the fashion dungjen' after her last name. make sure you check out the post and enter the contest!

vis a brun { mere et fille }

the local shop i mentioned is beehive co-op. it is a wonderfully lovely company with locations in new york and atlanta. the cincinnati location is set to open next week and houses the work of tons of local artists, making it super-easy to shop for handmade items. hmm, buying cute stuff at great prices that will enrich our local community? c'mon. i'm sure you too are at a loss for an excuse as to why you wouldn't shop there. so go. now. okay, maybe you should wait till it opens next week. as for me.... i'm gonna go watch pinocchio.