80s bowling party

well, i told myself years ago that i would never again attend an 80s themed party.  there truly is no way to dress up and *not* look like a total idiot in my opinion.  i lived it.  i wore it.  i don't really need to experience the horrid fashion that is the 80s ever again, personally.

but, i have given in.  my husband and i were invited to an 80s bowling party.  and so we are about to head off in a little bit to experience the pure joy of looking like total idiots.  well, at least *i* am, because he is going for the "marty mcfly" sort of look...which is pretty tame.

i have been searching the internet for the past week trying to figure out how to *do* 80s without looking completely ridiculous....it's harder than you might think.

here are some of the images i came across for inspiration:




the awesome blue eyeshadow with more subtle everything else...

 the rocker / punk sort of outfit with the (of course) neon accents...

                               she's rockin' that makeup!

who *didn't* want to be alyssa milano when they were a kid (at least an 80s kid...) ?










and this gwen stephani inspired hair might just be the right amount of 80's pouf with a rocker edge.

well, with all of this inspiration, i think i have put together something to do the 80s justice.  i think the overall look will be a mix of the lovely exercise sort of look with a rocker twist.  we will just have to see how idiotic i look from the pictures that will inevitably immortalize the evening... 

crowdtap & old navy sample and share success!

does anyone use crowdtap?   i have been on their site for a couple years now and just love the sample and share's i've been able to participate in.  old navy is one of the companies that use crowdtap, and so i have had the chance to try out several of their sample and shares.  basically, they send out coupons for FREE clothing items...and you get to use one and give one (or more) to friends!  it is AWESOME.  this latest one was for work out gear.  and it is exactly what i have been needing more of...you know...for that pesky new year's resolution to work out more!  ha!

my mom came with me and it was a blast.  i ended up getting more than the free items and i am stoked!

crowdtap is a pretty simple site...free to sign up for.  as you progress through the levels (by completing easy little multiple select polls about various products that they call "quick hits") you get the chance to participate in more awesome things like the sample and shares or hosted parties.  PLUS, you rack up points that can then be exchanged for gift cards to places like amazon.com.  i have already received something around $300 in amazon bucks over the last couple years!  let me tell you how great those amazon bucks were around christmas time!  woo hoo!

interested in joining crowdtap?  check it out here:  crowdtap

front page 12/30/12

tonight was my first time actually stumbling onto the front page to find that one of my items was being featured RIGHT THEN!  what a treat!  when i first saw this treasury, i surely could tell that it had front page potential.  a true beauty in blues.  check it out for yourself!

thank you to the wonderful marina from miopupazzo for the beautiful feature!

she has such adorable little lovies in her shop like this sweet caramel bear...

new packaging

i am so very excited to receive my new batch of packaging supplies!  and even more excited that i finally went through my initial batch!  i really liked what i had initially, but i wanted to invest a little more and so had some custom earring cards made.  i am also switching up my box color a little bit...it is actually what i originally wanted to go with, but now i can make it happen!  as soon as i go through my original ribbon, i will likely change that up slightly as well...though perhaps only by narrowing down my options!

i can't wait to get all the supplies in and use them!  if you want to see what the new packaging will be, come check out averybethdesigns and place an order for you or a loved one!  the new packaging will be in place after the holidays!

one last day to get your orders in in time for holiday shipping!  come check out the shop and order by december 18th!  if you want to place an order after the 18th, send me a convo on etsy and we can work out an upgrade in shipping.

happy holidays!!

black friday / cyber monday

i am offering FREE SHIPPING on domestic orders for black friday / cyber monday through the whole weekend (11/23 - 11/26).  head over to averybethdesigns to check out details and pick up some gifts for the loved ones in your life for this holiday season!

etsy shop

home made coffee syrup

i absolutely LOVE this recipe.  i have used it several times now and have even tweaked it a little by adding different flavors to it.  this is, by far, my favorite syrup base for my coffee.  i think the trick is that it uses both white and brown sugar.  divine.

vanilla syrup for coffee recipe

now, i HIGHLY recommend getting a funnel if you don't already have one.  i, however, DON'T.  so it is a very good thing that i make a little more than this lovely little recycled store bought creamer container can hold, as a good 1/5 of the syrup ends up down my drain!  (it's on my to-buy list, i promise)

this round i flavored it with 3T vanilla extract and 1T almond extract.  we will see how that flavor combination works out!  i have also used another recipe to make a pumpkin spice syrup.  HEAVEN.  if  i don't find myself a fan of the almond, i might just have to go back to pumpkin spice for the next time around.  nothing tastes more of autumn bliss than pumpkin spice coffee!!

december 1st holiday trunk show in spokane

i am SO excited that our holiday trunk show is coming up in just a little over a week!  members of the etsy inland northwest team are gathering together (along with a few other local spokane artisans) and putting on a handmade craft fair the first saturday in december at the service station in spokane.

                                     

i will be featuring all of the jewelry items in my shop as well as a few that i haven't had the chance to photograph and list yet.  i will also have some of my custom jewelry display cases there as well!  and i will happily be taking custom orders!

so, stop by our facebook event page to get more information and rsvp for the show on december 1st!  there will be gifts perfect for everyone on your list.