DIY: Copper Spike Black Crystal Earrings

Click here to find these earrings in my Etsy shop!

The simplest ideas are always my favorite. They're over in a pinch, who doesn't love immediate satisfaction! For this project, I used a Swarovski crystal and an edgy copper spike for some fun earrings that can be worn when you want to dress up or dress down.  This is a great beginner DIY project if your new to jewelry making.

Lets Get Started

Step 1: Gather materials. For one earring- 2 jewelry pliers (I used curved chain-nose pliers and chain-nose pliers), 2 small silver jump rings (5mm), 1 small metal spike bead, 1 silver ear wire and 1 crystal owlet bead

Step 2: Gently open jump ring using your 2 jewelry pliers and a light twisting motion. Attach one end of the crystal to the loop of the earwire  

Step 3: Open the second jump ring and attach the metal spike to the open end of the crystal. 

Step 4: Gently twist the jump ring closed and your done. Repeat all steps for the second earring and you're ready to wear!

Easy peasy, right? 

I've created a few more spiked jewelry pieces in my line, you can check them out here and here.  

Please leave me a comment below and let me know if you try these!

Enjoy! 

xx, Carol

I Couldn't Resist!

 
I couldn't NOT post this...Mark Douglasses Handblown glass pendant lights are just so beautiful I had to share. He has so many really cool designs, you can check out an interview with lots more of his work here.  I especially like these pendant lamps of his, there's so much to look at and love, check out his website!

Spikes for Spring

This iteration of the best-selling gunmetal spike necklace is perfect for spring! 

Beautiful emerald green Swarovski crystals amp up the original version. Perhaps wearing this necklace on St. Patricks Day will give you the luck of the Irish.  

Click the link for necklace details: http://www.etsy.com/listing/153591673/spike-necklace-emerald-green-crystal

~Carol

Motivational Hearts-How to Stay Motivated to Workout

I don't know about you but I'm not a big fan of exercise. I mean, I love the results and how great it feels afterwards but the doing, that's the hard part. 

Every few months when I'm in an exercise dry spell, I start to feel extra sluggish and then I start seeing the extra pounds come on and my clothes just not fitting like they used to, then I freak out and go all hard core with my work outs, I may even run. But then the urgency fades and I start telling myself, "eh, I eat really well, it's OK if I just maintain this weight and not workout. I mean I'm a biologist. I work outside a lot and walk around, that's enough right?" 

Any of this brain chatter sound familiar?????

I finally told myself this line of thinking just isn't working. I can't fit into my favorite jeans that I wore all the time last summer. Darn Christmas, New Years, Super Bowl parties etc.....eh-hem, passing blame.

I was listening to the Jillian Michaels podcast, which I find to be hilarious, and very informational, about way more than just fitness. Anyway, she mentioned a rewards calendar that she is doing with her daughter. Every time her daughter did something good she got a sticker on the calendar. After so many stickers comes a fabulous treat. Suddenly, the light bulb went off! I figured I should give this a try with exercise. You know what, it works!!!

For some unknown reason I just can't wait to be able to put another sticker on my calendar. The workout dread talk that used to happen that was oh-so-easy to convince myself not to work out, doesn't really come anymore. All so i can see how many stickers I get on my calendar. The funny things is,  I haven't decided what I want to give myself, I'm just thrilled to see all the stickers! I found these awesome puffy hearts which I think is the perfect way to say that I loved myself that day and was being heart healthy. I think it would be a great idea to find an inspirational quotes calendar to dedicate to your accomplishment sticker journey!

Give it a try!! You could even make it a competition with a roomie or partner. See who can get the most stickers each month. 

Let me know if you give this a try in the comments below, I'd love to hear from you!  If you found this helpful please feel free to share it with your friends!

♥ Carol

Happy Valentines!!

Packing up a sweet gift for a little friend of mine. I told her at Christmas that I would send her rainbow loom rubber bands for books read through February. She did great and now get a fun package from Aunt Carol.

On another note, spending the weekend down in San Diego!!! Gonna have so much fun!

Have a great weekend!

Carol

Organizing Calypte Collection

Hello there! Calypte Collection had a wonderful 2013 and an awesome December. Sales were high and I was super busy making and packaging all your orders. As elated as I was to be so busy, deep down in the depth of my psyche there was this nagging unrest and discomfort. Now here's why. I have to admit I've never been particularly good at organization. I'm a perceiving personality type. You ever take the Myers Brigs personality test? Well I'm an INFP. Which means I'm creative and I like to collect information not organize it. BUT everything can be learned and achieved as long as you work at it right? Your thinking, why is she talking about l this?"  Well, by the end of December my work space was swamped with jewelry supplies,papers needing to be filed and much more. So much that if you didn't know I had work desks you wouldn't believe that I did because you couldn't see them. 

We'll, this is no way to run a business or your life. When things aren't organized and in order there will always be struggle. Trying to find things, loosing something you just had, it's all very frustrating. It will zap time away from all the fun things or everyday things that need to be done. 

So I decided to take January off from the shop and focus on getting my work space and other areas of clutter in my house organized. I made to do lists of all the areas of my house that need decluttering and I tackled the biggest areas first and now I'm working through all the little areas. 

Here is a picture of my new work area. I didn't take a before picture bc it was just too embarrassing. I got the idea for the desk from this fabulous blog by Lia Griffith, shes amazing! Really easy to make with the help of Home Depot, Ikea and Target. I'm working on the decoration of the walls to personalize a little more but it's almost done. So I'll make this my before photo and I'll post the final when I've got all the misc things organized and decor up.  I will be back in production mode with Calypte Collection by the end of February for an amazing 2014. Success feels great! Being organized and efficienct is a wonderful feeling. I didn't know what I was missing!

Are any of you like this? Do you have areas if your house that are super unorganized. If so, make it a goal to work on one section every weekend and work towards a better, clutter free space. You'll love the results!

Have a great day!!

Carol

Happy Turkeyday!

xoxo,

Carol

Thanksgiving Day Menu

Autumn is one of my favorite times of year. I love the cold and colors and the FOOD! Things that make autumn my kind of season are the earthy spices, like clove and cinnamon, hearty veggies like acorn squash and butternut. All the warm colors, reds and orange. It's no surprise to my friends and fam that I like food. It was a huge surprise to me a few years ago when I learned that I am dairy and gluten intolerant. Rain on my parade. Actually it's a blessing in disguise, I've learned (still learning) about REAL food, how to eat healthy, free of chemicals and boxes and enjoy nutrition. Not that I'm always perfect because I do get lazy. 

Here is a Thanksgiving menu that I have created mostly based on this wonderful gluten free blog, Tasty Yummies. Be sure to check it out there are so many great recipe ideas! Click on the photos to view the fabulous blogs were you will find the recipes.

DRINKS 

Spiked Apple Cider

This looks absolutely delicious! Embodies all the things I love about autumn. Yum!


Pumpkin Blinis

This recipe calls for Parmesan cheese. Since I'm dairy free I'll be trying either nutritional yeast or non-dairy parm from my health food store.  I love nutritional yeast I use it on popcorn and many other dishes!

BREADS

Multi-grain Rolls
 

These look like something to curl up to a warm fire with a brick of butter (dairy free of course).

SALADS

Acorn Squash Salad


I've actually made these twice in one week already. So easy and so good. I used red palm oil instead of olive oil and it was delicious. Goat cheese is my weakness so I splurged and then suffered. 

VEGETARIAN MAINS

Butternut Squash Risotto
 

I've got a vegetarian/risotto fanatic in my life so this recipe is perfect!!

Vegetable Pot Pie

The epitome of autumn. Warm veggies, crusty goodness. Yes please!!

MEATY MAINS


Organic Roasted Turkey with Sage Butter


Photo and recipe adapted from this recipe here

I've never cooked a turkey with vegan butter but I would try Earth Balance vegan butter. 

SIDES

Mashed Potatoes

http://www.naturalwellnessgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/002_Chive-and-Garlic-Mashed-Potatoes_s4x3_lg1.jpg

Green Beans with Caramelized Shallots




Persimmon Cranberry Sauce



Vegan Mushroom Gravy




Mushroom Stuffing
 

 Sweet Potato Casserole

DESERTS

Maple Apple Galette

Crustless Pumpkin Pie

I wish you all a happy thanksgiving! I hope you have a wonderful day, enjoy!

♥ Carol

Happy Halloween!!

 Guess who I am this Halloween?

I'm having a great Halloween this year, 2 parties and 1 more to go today at the office and then passing out fun Halloween themed toys instead of more candy for the trick or treaters. 

Have a fun day!!

New Braided Metallic Leather Necklaces

This weeks new pieces are some of my favorites! I've paired the classic braid with metallic leather in colors perfect for fall. Gold, regal purple, teals, and bronze!

Metallic Berry Purple Braided Necklace

Metallic Teal Braided Necklace

Metallic Gold & Bronze Braided Necklace

Have a wonderful weekend!

♥ Carol

FRIDAY FIVE-Things That Make Me Say Yeah!

My new Moop bag, the Paperback! I know I raved about this on Instagram and Facebook already, but it truly is awesome! I love supporting small business and this shop is high quality!

Awesome food blogs! If you love good food, and who doesn't, go check this site out, you will be so happy.  In Pursuit of More has delicious recipes and photographs, every pic makes me hungry!

 

Cute sayings! I love an awesome card and this one was too cool! I mean, it's talking about food but so much more. I wish I remembered the brand but I found it at a wonderful little cafe market in Laguna Beach called Zinc.

Photos of the moon at daytime. In general I love photography and I've been making a big effort to improve my skills. This was taken with my iphone because I didn't want to miss the shot to get my DSLR. This was a beautiful site, the moon was stunning against the silhouette of the trees, simply gorgeous.

Last but most definitely not least, hanging out with best friends, being silly and sitting in egg shaped teal chairs of course! I love teal!

Thanks for stopping by! What is something your grateful for today? Let me know in the comments, thats where the magic happens!

Have a wonderful weekend! (My sister gets married this weekend after 26 years of being with her partner!)

xo, Carol

DIY Silver Leaf Foil Moleskine Notebook

I have always love Moleskine notebooks but for some reason I have never owned one.  Well I finally did it, i bought them!! Now to decorate and make them my own with some silver leaf foil.  Here's how I did it.

Start with your favorite Moleskine notebook (or any other) blank book.

Apply adhesive in your favorite pattern. I chose stripes and triangles. I like using the pen that comes in a kit with the foil. I got mine from Michaels.

Gently lay a piece of silver leaf over the adhesive and tap down with a soft foam or bristle brush. After you've waited 5-10 min for it to become tacky lift off the strip of foil and you should have silver foil attached to wherever you placed your glue. Use your brush again to gently tap the silver onto the adhesive just for good measure. 

Gently rub off the excess foil with your brush apply a glossy sealant and your done! I used a clear glossy sealant from Valspar. I changed my mind about the triangles, so i just reapplied some glue and foiled over those gigantic triangles. No need to aim for perfection. I like the little pieces of peek-a-boo purple through the foil.

Have fun with your pattern and make them your own! I carry mine around with me in my purse for all those brilliant little notes that I don't want to forget : )

FRIDAY FIVE-Things That Make Me Say Yeah!

My new succulent holder, a recycled DIY project coming soon to the blog. 

Calypte Collection supporters and making jewelry for them! Find these earrings here

Finding new iced tea flavors, I have a slight obsession with iced teas, ok maybe not so slight. 

The new to me iPhone wallpaper from Cotton & Flax you can download here

Last but never least, my crazy fun friends who are hilarious and are teaching me to scuba!

Thanks for stopping by! What are five things your grateful for? Let me know in the comments, that's where the magic happens!

Have a great weekend!

Carol