Monthly Archives: June 2013

Etsy Shop Feature | Keep Calm & Carry On Inspired Necklace

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In keeping with the whole Keep Calm movement, I was inspired to create this necklace.  It’s a rustic crown pendant on a smooth dark silver chain.  Its understated and cute, and can be worn with pretty much anything.
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Keep Calm & Carry On is all the rage and you are sure to get complimented on this piece.  Don’t be surprised when your asked where you got it from!  I love royalty inspired jewelry, so anything with a crown is represents royalty is right up my alley.  I was torn on whether to make this for myself or feature it in my shop.  Of course as you can see I went with the latter.
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Check it out in my Etsy shop now!

Happy Bumping!

xxoo,

4th of July Inspired American Flag Necklace

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IMG_0621Jewelry-making is one of my fave hobbies.  I haven’t talked about it much here, because I have been focusing more on lifestyle things to post on, versus my artsy-fartsy side.  If you look at the top of my blog, there is actually a link to my Etsy shop where I sell these pieces. 

I have always been crafty since I a very young age.  Around age 8 or 9 I learned how to crochet, by 11 I was painting glass and candle-making, and in college I began card-making.  Over the years I have re-visited many of these activities when time permits and to keep my skills up.  Mostly recently, I got into jewelry-making last summer.  I don’t exactly remember what sparked my interest in it, but one thing is that I love jewelry, so it comes natural.  I have spent so much money over the years in retail stores buying cute accessories, and now I make them.

 I try to keep my Etsy shop updated with new pieces monthly, but unfortunately I haven’t had the time or inspiration the past few months.  Well, with the 4th right around the corner, I got some motivation.  I decided to create an easy Americana flag inspired piece.  I chose a chain necklace with a small America flag pendant, because I’m all for understated pieces.
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This piece is cute and dainty, and appropriate for all ages.  I love simple, easy pieces like this, because you can throw it on with just about anything.  This piece is available in my Etsy shop now!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/155450970/4th-of-july-inspired-american-flag

 This post is also featured on my Sweetz Shoppe Jewelry blog/website.  Its where I post all my new creations and update readers on what’s in my shop and what’s coming up.
Happy 4th! Enjoy your BBQ, time at the beach, your time with family and friends, or whatever the holiday brings for you. And…last but not least enjoy some FIREWORKS, even if you watch them on tv!

 Happy Bumping!

 xxoo,

Pregnancy Belly | Summertime Orange~Pink Lemonade

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OPL Watermark
This is a super quick and easy recipe, and might I add refreshing!
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All you literally need are these three ingredients:

  • 1 can of Orange Juice Concentrate, 12 oz.
  • 2 scoops of Country Time Pink Lemonade
  • 6 cups (48 oz) of water

Begin by emptying your frozen OJ concentrate into a pitcher, next add 4 cups (36 oz, you can use the OJ concentrate container to measure or a measuring cup.) of water.  Stir until OJ and water are combined.  Lastly add in two scoops of the Country Time Pink Lemonade mix, another 12 oz of water, and throw some ice to make your lemonade extra chilled.

Pour up in a glass and enjoy!
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*If this is too sweet for you, just add more water or ice to your glass or mixture.  This is why I added the last 12 oz of water at the end.  Even for me, someone with a huge sweet tooth I didn’t want to feel like I was drinking syrup.

For an effervescent or fizzy taste, add ginger ale or club soda.  Although I recommend pouring it in by the glass if your aren’t going to serve the entire pitcher at once.  Of course you can always add in fresh cut lemon or orange slices as garnish, or even strawberries, kiwi, peaches, or pretty much any seasonal fruit.  I used an OJ concentrate that had orange pulp in it, so I still got some texture with my version.

You get a summery sweet taste of pink lemonade with a mild hint of citrus from the OJ, perfect combo!  This is a great drink to serve as a punch, because it goes a long way and is quick and inexpensive.
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I’m off to enjoy my glass now, so you enjoy yours!

Happy Bumping!

xxoo,

Pregnancy Update | 24 week appt.

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I must say that this week has been quite trying. Unfortunately my 24 week appt this week didn’t take away from that. Now I rarely post things that are too deep or emotional, because I like to keep my blog a light-hearted and happy place. However, I do want my readers to know that I’m a real person, with real issues and that I’ll always be honest with them at the end of the day, despite whether its something negative or positive.  Okay, so there’s the disclaimer…now on to the appointment.
This was just a routine appointment, nothing special.  If you have been pregnant you know what I mean! It’s pretty much the same drill every time; weight, blood pressure, listening to the baby’s heartbeat, asking if your feel movement and if your taking your prenatals. Very uneventful! Well, this is what I thought it would be. In and out, ya know. Not so much!
My PA comes in the room and immediately asks me why I haven’t gained any weight, and not even in a concerned tone, but in an irritated tone. I was taken aback, because I know I’ve gained weight since my last appointment. She said I hadn’t and that I weighed the same thing I weighed last time. Number 1 I had way for clothes on last time I went to the doctor. Number 2 I had just weighed myself in the morning and saw I had gained a pound. Whatever…I wasn’t going to continue debating. I simply told her that I had been eating, and eating well at that. Se even asked my husband who was there with me and he said the same thing I said.
Anyhow, the appointment seemed to have gone down hill from there. When she went to check the baby’s heartbeat she acted like she was having trouble finding it. Usually she puts the Doppler on and hears the heart beat immediately and listens for a couple seconds and that’s it. This time she held the Doppler on me for at least a min and I had to ask what the heartbeat was. Usually she makes positive comments and says the baby is active or that the heartbeat was good.
One good thing about the appointment was that I got a copy of my chart and a printout of the ultrasound report from the anatomy scan. I also saw from the report that I have an anterior placenta. That bad boy is in the front acting as cushion for baby. I’ve felt movement since early on, so I never had an issue feeling baby move early on.
Alright guys, I’ll spare you another paragraph. Thanks for listening (well reading!)
Happy bumping!
xxoo,

Pretty Little Liars, Season 4, Episode 2 Recap

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Okay, so I am totally late on this…forgive me!  I fell asleep right before PLL came on last week and missed most of the 8 P.M. airing. I did catch enough in the last 20 or so minutes to put everything together when I re-watched the entire show at 10 P.M.  Tip for those of you who miss the first airing at 8 P.M., it always airs again at 10 P.M. (thank goodness, even though I have On Demand!)  Who wants to wait until the next day if they don’t have to?  Anyhow, so from what my memory serves me…it wasn’t too eventful of an episode, which I fully expected.  You rarely have a strong follow-up episode to the premiere, although it did have its moments.

In this episode Hannah questions why her mom’s shoes ended up in the trash after it appeared that they had attempted to be cleaned with a toothbrush.  Emily ends up hitting her head on the pool wall during a swim meet, most likely caused from her passing out while swimming.  It is revealed during this episode that she has been having arm/shoulder pain and that she’s been taking something for it.  As usual, everyone who pops up appears to be very suspect.  Spencer and Toby are yet again at odds, because Toby tells Spencer that “A” has promised him something and that he can’t tell her what it is. 

Allison’s mother reminisces on different memories of Allison, also revealing what we already know, that Ally was extremely unstable and manipulative.  Of course, the ever-going awkwardness of Aria and Ezra was evident during the dreamquence classroom scenes.  I’m actually quite bored with that particular storyline, so I’m glad the show is moving away from it. Looks like Aria has a new love interest and has even taken on karate in her efforts to make a connection.  Now from the beginning it looks like she is simply taking the class to learn about Wilden, but we soon come to see her attraction to the instructor, ending up with her kissing him. 
Overall, the episode was a little slow and uneventful, but of course as with every episode they build on each other. There is still a lot of mystery and unknown and this week’s episode ended with the quintessential cliffhanger as they all do.  They always leave us wanting more!

Well, those were the main highlights.  Stay tuned for episode 3′s recap and review!

Happy Bumping!

xxoo,

Tenns

Pregnancy Beauty | MAC Tropical Taboo

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I was completely inspired and taken aback by this make up look.  I think it is just gorgeous.  I love the contrast between the light bronzy tones and the deep almost woodsy tone.
I’m a huge makeup buff, but since being pregnant I have tuned it back a little.  However, that doesn’t mean I still don’t enjoy looking and getting ideas and inspiration.  This look and products come from MAC’s new collection Tropical Taboo.  Its available on their wesbite and in stores now.
Just wanted to share!
Happy Bumping!

Baby This Week | 24 Weeks

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Yep, that’s right we have officially hit viability! What a big feat, now just 16 more weeks to go, if that! We are also at cantaloupe status this week. Whaaaa…your telling me my kid’s a cantaloupe?! Okay, okay, logically I know my baby isn’t a cantaloupe, but he or she is as big as one. This week baby’s skin is gradually becoming less see-though and it starting to look more opague, soon it will start getting some pigment too. Baby is heavier now and let me tell you, I can tell! She or he weighs about 12.7-20.8 oz and is about 11.8 inches long. So basically, this kid already takes up my whole abdomen. This is probably why I him or her in my ribs sometimes. Baby’s brain is also growing quickly now, and his or her taste buds are continuing to develop. The lungs are developing “branches” of the respiratory “tree” as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his or her air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. Also, baby has developed waking/sleeping patterns and real hair (not lanugo) has begun to grow on the head.

Baby – Always rolling around and punching and kicking in there!  This kid is active all day…and night!  The movements, or kicks and jabs have definitely gotten stronger.  I’m also starting to rally be able to feel whole body movements.  I do believe that baby is on some sort of sleeping schedule, mainly during the day, because he or she is less active when I’m at work.  However, as soon as I’m home and resting this little guy or girl wakes up and starts bouncing all around.  I have also noticed that baby is more active when its time for me to eat.  I can’t pinpoint if its because maybe my stomach growls and moves or if the baby is actually hungry and telling me, “Hey Mom, its time to eat!”.
 
Me – I’m feeling pretty good!  My belly has expanded by probably a half of an inch to 3/4 of an inch.  Exciting!  I do think that pregnancy insomnia  has started to set in.  I’m up later and its hard to stay sleep, because I’m tossing and turning all night and up going to the bathroom.  My belly has been very itchy as well lately, so I’m know I’m growing and the skin is stretching.  Hair, skin, and nails are looking good and growing well, no complaints!  I did noticed that my gums don’t look swollen any more and I’m not getting the teeny tiny blood shed I was getting when I brush my teeth lately.  Overall, nothing major, no signs of pre-term labor, stretch marks, or swelling, so I’m very happy about that!
 
Hubs – I really think he forgets I’m pregnant sometimes, lol!  I do know that he likes that fact that I’m pregnant, but not necessarily me (or my personality) while pregnant.  I think once baby gets here, he’ll be glad to have his wife back.  He’s super excited about the baby and we talk more and more about the baby all the time. 
 
Until next time folks!
 
Happy Bumping!
 
xxoo,
 
Tenns