Pawalla Box: A Giant Subscription Box for Dogs and Cats

by Lisa on June 18th, 2013

Pawalla Box June 2013

I received a box from Pawalla Box last month, but never got around to reviewing it. I wouldn’t say my lack of a review is because I’m lazy or even because I ran out of time. The box showed up at our door and the dogs immediately knew the box was for them. I couldn’t delay in opening it, and then once it was opened the dogs wanted contents immediately.

This month, however, I shut the door and didn’t let the dogs in until I’d taken photos of the items included. As you can tell,  Pawalla Box is HUGE. The box I received costs $38 per month ($28 if you subscribe for 6 months or more) and contains 7-9 full size products. A mini box is also available for $20.That box contains 4-5 full size products. While I obviously received the box for dogs, there’s also a Pawalla Box available for cats.

Here’s what I received in the June Pawalla Box:

YoPup Happy Belly

YoPup Happy Belly Treats (more…)

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Red White and Blue Style

by Megan on June 18th, 2013

July 4th is right around the corner folks. Where did the time go?! With that being said, do you dress in red white and blue to celebrate the 4th? I was curious this year to find something that represented a red white and blue style, but that didn’t look like I draped myself in the flag.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that, I just like pieces I can wear over and over.

Here’s what I’ve found so far.

anthropologie calypso tunic

LOVE!

What I love most about this tasseled calypso tunic is it’s versatile enough to be worn not just once a year. And it’s machine washable. Folks, I’m lazy. Going to the dry cleaner is a chore. This will make or break a piece of clothing for me.

Since I’ll be at the beach for July 4th, this tunic is perfect. It’s light enough that I can throw it on over my bathing suit. Plus, I get cold easily, so I like that it’s 3/4 sleeved.

Plus I can pair this with a pair of denim shorts and my red Chuck Taylor’s and I’m all set.

red chuck taylor's

What do you wear on the 4th of July? Do you wear red white and blue?

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a (very) small commission if you click a link and purchase something.

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Wedding Guest Dress for Less: Botanical Print Shift Dress

by Megan on June 18th, 2013

It’s wedding season folks, which means it’s time to find the perfect dress (or two) that can go from wedding guest dress to anytime. I’m all about finding dresses that have more than one use, such as I can wear to work, out to dinner with the hubby, etc. Why spend money on something you’ll wear once, right?!

With that being said, I’m smitten with the ASOS Botanical Print Shift Dress. I think it’s versatile enough to be worn again and again and again!

ASOS Botanical Shift Dress

How perfect is this for a beach or garden wedding!

  • Made from a soft woven fabric
  • Crew neckline
  • Bold floral print
  • Slip underlay
  • Regular fit

And you could totally wear it to work as it’s not too tight and not too revealing. LOVE!

Pair it with some simple jewelry and nude sandals and you’re set. The dress is bold enough that you don’t need to do too much to it. The colors just scream spring and summer, right?!

What do you think of the ASOS Botanical Print Shift Dress? Would you wear it to a wedding?

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a (very) small commission if you click a link and purchase something.

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Birchbox Unboxing: June 2013

by Lisa on June 17th, 2013

 

The theme of this month’s Birchbox is Wanderlust, which I think may also be a theme for my life. As soon as I return from one vacation I’m ready to go on another. If I were rich I would currently be taking a trip around the world.

But anyhow, back to this month’s Birchbox. I never got around to reviewing last month’s box and I wasn’t terribly impressed. This month’s box is pretty fab, though I’m obviously smitten with the theme of the box and therefore a bit biased.

Here’s what I received in the June Birchbox:

 

Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser

Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser: I actually received this in the HauteLook Beauty Bag I got a month ago, although I haven’t yet gotten around to trying it out. The cleanser itself contains micro beads that exfoliate at the same time that you’re cleaning. It also has a delicious lemony scent.

(more…)

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Etsy Monday: Letters to Jane

by Megan on June 17th, 2013

When I think of spring and summer, the first thing that comes to mind is wedding season. I got married in June, so it holds a special place in my heart. Although I’ve been married for 3 years now (my how time flies!!), I still find myself becoming nostalgic during this time and browsing wedding items. Hence how today’s featured Etsy shop, Letters to Jane, was discovered!

The shop’s owner, Autumn, created the shop to tell a story.

My great-grandmother Iva-Jane taught me to sew when I was 8. I never forgot her or those first sewing lessons and the joy I had in creating something all on my own. My pieces are a story of love and a letter written to her.

I made my first wedding headpiece for my sister’s wedding four years ago. It took me six weeks to make it and many, many hours of trial and error. But, it was a labour of love and it was that trial and error process that helped me to perfect the methods I use today.

The second headpiece I made was for my own wedding, which I made using my grandmother’s veil, and a vintage pair of earrings from my husband’s grandmother. Walking down the aisle to meet my husband, I felt like I carried a piece of my grandmother’s story with me.

These first veils weren’t perfect, but they were so special, and they are what inspired me to create a store dedicated to making something beautiful and unique for that special day or just everyday.

I created every one of my handmade pieces to tell a story and every item is one of a kind, just like you. Have a special brooch? Your mother’s veil? I’d love to help you create your perfect love letter.

Don’t just tell your story… Wear your story.

Beautiful, right?!

This hits home with me, as I chopped up my both of my grandmother’s wedding dresses and wrapped them around my bouquet. I carried them down the aisle with me. I couldn’t have been happier.

It’s hard to choose favorites in Autumn’s shop.

bridal hair flower- letters to jane

This bridal hair flower is exquisite. I love the detailing of the “hand tooled silver wire branches, pink swarovski crystals and a blush pink ostrich feather.” Swoon.

mint headpiece- letters to jane

This is the perfect accessory to any vintage wedding! Or, if you’re bridesmaids are wearing mint, how delightful would this mint headband be! LOVE!

And, if mint isn’t your thing, you can choose from an array of colors! Heck, go ahead and order one for each bridesmaid! They’ll love it I’m sure!

Lastly, this sash screams must have for a vintage wedding!

ribbon wedding sash- letters to jane

This grey, ribbon wedding sash with vintage cameo, book paper, feathers and pearls is sure to make you feel like you’re waiting for your Mr. Darcy at the end of the aisle!

Amazing.

Autumn was kind enough to answer some questions. Enjoy!

1. If a bride to be wanted to use her mother’s veil, would you be able to do a custom order for her? What would be required?

Absolutely! I love to incorporate anything a bride finds meaningful or special. I’ve had brides send me their mother’s veil, a special brooch or even just sewing initials on their piece. My goal is to help every bride create that piece that completes her look but that more importantly tells her story. To me, it’s all about those details that take something from ordinary to extra-ordinary. The best part about doing what I do is working with brides to create something totally unique for them!

If a bride was wanting something incorporated into her piece, she could contact me for a custom order and mail me the items that she’d like use.

2. What is your bestseller?

My bestseller is probably the simplest piece in my store! It’s a soft cream, vintage tulle and lace birdcage veil and it’s so delicate and feminine that I think it’s too hard to resist! Plus every veil has a one of kind vintage brooch at the top that can be in either gold or silver, so that means that every one of my veils is totally unique!
www.etsy.com/listing/121069009/birdcage-veil-cream-birdcage-veil-tulle?r…

3. What is your favorite item in your shop?

My new favourite item in my shop is probably this one: www.etsy.com/listing/150754344/silver-rhinestone-headband-bridal?ref=sho… And that is because it’s so simple and elegant and it makes you feel like a princess!

4. What has been your favorite custom order?

The best custom order I’ve had is a design I did for a bride that wanted both her Mother and her Mother-in-law’s wedding veils incorporated into one piece for her to wear on her special day. I loved that she took both sides of her new family and combined them into one special piece! ( I attached a photo of the piece I had made for her).

letters to jane custom order

Thanks so much Autumn!

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Guest Post: Organza Bags Make Frugal Party Favors Look Fabulous!

by Lisa on June 17th, 2013

organza gift bags

I am so excited that Lisa has asked me to write a guest post about my party planning. I am not a professional party planner but I consider myself an expert in throwing creative, fabulous, yet frugal parties.  One of the things that I love about being a guest at a party is a party favor. Whether the party is for kids or adults, everyone loves to take home a goodie or two. It’s a nice touch that leaves your guests thinking that you did not cheap out and also kept them in mind when you were planning.

You know how when you buy something at an expensive store like Neiman Marcus, they wrap your purchase up nicely, often put it in a nice box and place the item in a high quality bag? When you buy something at a discount store like Walmart or Target, they just throw it in a plastic bag.  Keep this in mind when you are making up party favors.
Favors ranging from candy to expensive trinkets should be presented in a nice way to prevent them from looking cheap.  One of the easiest ways to make a favor chic is to present it in a little organza bag.   Organza bags make almost anything look like a present.
I recently hosted an event at sea (a Bar Mitzvah Cruise for my son). I prepared very elaborate gift bags for my guests. I blogged about it on my blog but one of things that made the gift bags look nice was that I put much of the swag into various sizes of organza bags.  (Lisa’s side note: Check this out. It is seriously the best gift bag ever.)
Some things in organza bags that I put in my  my swag bags were:
  • sarongs for the beach
  • beachy bracelets
  • baseball caps
  • gourmet treats
  • little beaded clutches
  • cool watches for the teens and kids
  • Cheap sunglasses for the teens and kids
  • beach jewelry for the teens and kids
  • lip balm and hand cream
My guests said that when they took their bags to their cabins to open them, they felt like it was their birthdays because everything was useful for the cruise but was also packaged so nicely
I bought my organza bags on eBay.  You can purchase them there at wholesale prices in small quantities. If you need them quickly, make sure that your seller is located in the US (or your home country). There are some sellers that only sell organza bags!  These bags are also sold at party and craft stores but they are often quite pricey there.
So for your next party, why not throw the favor in a little(or big) bag.
Some ideas for frugal, yet cheap party favors that look way more expensive in a bag are
  1. Dollar store memo pads
  2. Fashion Jewelry
  3. T-shirts commemorating the event
  4. Scarves, sarongs
  5. Candy or other treats
  6. A bottle of wine
  7. A pretty bar of soap
  8. Lip balm, nail polish, small tube or hand cream
  9. A  pair of cheap sunglasses
  10. A paperback book
Which gifts do you think look best in an organza gift bag?
organza gift bag with book
organza gift bag with perfume
organza gift bag with earrings
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Thanks to Japolina for this fab guest post!
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Reminder: Julep Warehouse Sale Today

by Lisa on June 17th, 2013

Julep Warehouse Sale

I am pre-posting this, so unfortunately I cannot provide you with any details other than the sale is today, June 17! If you don’t see the sale at Julep, check out their Facebook event page for details.

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