Mariposas

Stamping Cloth Napkins

2011-11-17T20:26:00.000-08:00

Stamping cloth napkins is a fun & easy project! If you watched Friday's segment on Your Carolina with Jack & Kimberly then you know how easy it is too!

Here is what you will need to get started:

cloth napkins -- I used 100% cotton & found mine at Burlington Coat Factory for $0.99 each
fabric paint (found at local craft store)
paintbrush
stamp (found at local craft store)

1. Find a nice hard flat surface to work on.
2. Load your paint onto your stamp by painting it on with your paintbrush. This step minimizes the clumps that form from excessive paint.
3. Press your stamp (make sure to apply even pressure) onto your cloth napkin.
4. Repeat these steps over until you have gotten the desired effect!

Remember to use your creativity! Don't be scared to just have fun with it! The freer the design looks on your napkin the prettier it looks. Have fun!

New Printable Babies R Us Coupons!

2010-02-25T19:26:00.000-08:00

Great new coupons out for Babies R Us including a 20% off any baby gear item!

http://www.coupondad.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Babies_R_Us_Coupons_02.28.10.pdf

Thanks Coupondad!

Aerie: FREE tote w/purchase

2010-02-25T10:50:00.000-08:00

Aerie is offering up a pretty sweet freebie today ONLY! Just become a members of Aerie’s free a-list program if you haven’t already (you can do this in-store) and you can score yourself a FREE canvas tote bag with any purchase. This is not advertised online, but has been verified.

Just head to the store and pick out anything you like. It can be a pair of underwear or any other inexpensive item. You also do NOT need to bring in any sort of coupon. Remember this freebie is ONLY valid to snag today, Febuary 25th.

Thanks www.pocketyourdollars.com!

Free Sandwich at Jack In The Box Next Week

2010-02-18T12:50:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, Feb.23rd...Buy a Large Drink get a FREE Grilled Sandwich ...

visit the Jack in the Box Website for more details!

Thanks SheSaved!

Free Auntie Anne's Pretzel Saturday!!!!

2010-02-16T18:58:00.000-08:00

Auntie Anne's is hosting a Free Pretzel Day on February 20th, from 10am - 3pm! You can choose between 1 Original or Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel per person. Go here for more info.

Gerber $5 off $25 coupon

2010-02-15T10:03:00.000-08:00

I LOVE Gerber long-sleeved onesies! They are so soft & seem so comfortable. I am very excited about these new coupons they just put on their site. I am not sure if Gerber clothes is on sale at the moment, but if you hang on to these until then you should be able to get a great deal! (Please comment below if you know of anywhere that has Gerber apparel on sale!)

http://www.gerberchildrenswear.com/OFFERSANDCOUPONS/LATESTCOUPONS/tabid/116/Default.aspx

Card Games for $0.24!!!!!!!!!!

2010-02-14T19:36:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I went to my Wal-mart and I purchased several kid's card games for $0.24! Here's how you can do this too (and some other deals)...

Pictureka Card Game $5.24
Use the $5/1 coupon from here or the $5 off coupon that came in the USA Weekend from this past Sunday
Final cost $0.24!

Monopoly Card Game $5.24
Use the $4/1 coupon from here or the $5 off coupon that came in the USA Weekend from this past Sunday
Final cost $1.24!

My Little Pony & Friends (Singles) $5.64
Use the buy one get one free coupon from here
Final cost $2.82 each!

Scrabble Slam Card $5.24
Use the $4/1 coupon from here
Final cost $1.24!

Monopoly Get Out of Jail Mini game $7.99
Use the $4/1 coupon from here
Final cost $3.99!

Scrabble Diamond Edition $29
Use the $10/1 coupon from here
Final cost $19!

WOW...so confused today...

2010-02-11T18:03:00.000-08:00

So, I headed on over to Walgreens with my deal that was only good today 2/12/2010 except for today is 2/11!!!!! Blah...I feel like such a loser! I was at the cash register & the girl was like, "ummmmmm...that is tomorrow." All I could think was "What day is it?????" Wow...well, I'm am very sorry if I made anybody else waste a trip! :( Or did you all catch that mistake? If you did shame on you for not telling me! :)

Walgreens 15% off Coupon TODAY only!

2010-02-11T11:43:00.000-08:00

If you are planning on heading over Walgreens today (2/12/2010) print & take this coupon with you! This will give you an extra 15% off! I have been meaning to go to Walgreens this week & just haven't had a chance. So glad! Today I will save even more!

I am using my 15% off coupon to purchase Boogie Wipes (after all coupons they will be $0.55!!!). If you are interested in this make sure to ALSO print this Boogie Wipe $2 off coupon. I am so excited about this! I have never tried Boogie Wipes (Personally I hate their name (it's just something about the word boogie that I can't seem to stand...but I am getting sidetracked...so back to what I was saying), but it sounds like a nice gentle wipe. I guess for this price it doesn't hurt to give them a try!)

Let us know what awesome deals you find there today!!!

FREE Excedrin

2010-02-11T11:35:00.000-08:00

Get a coupon mailed to you for FREE Excedrin! (As you answer the questions, DO NOT choose Excedrin as the answer).

Thanks www.southernsavers.com!

Another FREE Card!

2010-02-10T10:51:00.000-08:00

With a holiday just around the corner these free cards are coming in handy!!!

DaySpring is offering a free card at any Family Christian Bookstores with this printable coupon. You can use this now until Feb. 14th for any card up to $2.50! Find a store near you.
Limit one coupon per customer.

Thanks www.moneysavingmom.com!

Ramada hotels 50% off coupon when you book by Feb 12th!

2010-02-09T15:58:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to share this deal with you all, because I know some of you are planning vacations coming up! (I have personally not done the deal & like the rest of my deals I do not get anything for recommending it.)

Ramada Hotels are back with a 50% off coupon when you book now through Feb. 12th! You must access the offer through the link provided. Your stay must be completed by March 31, 2010, but is not restricted on the number of stays you can have. Planning a spring break trip? This offer may save you some money! Click HERE to book your stay!

Thanks for the heads up http://www.survivingthestores.com!

Free Greeting Cards at Publix!!!

2010-02-08T20:49:00.000-08:00

Publix currently has coupons (on a pad) in their greeting card section that takes 99 cents off of any Hallmark item. Perfect for Valentine's Day coming up!!!!! They have $0.99 cards...so that would make those free!!!

FREE Oikos Organic Yogurt at Whole Foods!!!

2010-02-07T19:47:00.000-08:00

I LOVE Whole Foods, but everything is usually so expensive there that I rarely go. I am so excited about this deal!!! Hopefully I can make it in & out with only sale items...everything looks soooooo delicious there that it is going to be tough! :)

Whole Foods Market has the Oikos, Organic Nonfat Greek Yogurt, Assorted Flavors 5.3 oz. on sale for just 5 for $5! Use the $1/1 coupon available on the Whole Foods site here or from the 1/3SS to score FREE Oikos yogurt!

Also, the kettle Brand Baked Potato chips are on sale for just $2 per bag! Use the $1/1 coupon from the 1/3SS to score these for only $1 per bag!

Thanks hip2save!

Ann Taylor $20 off ANY purchase coupon!

2010-02-05T08:15:00.000-08:00

Wow! This is a great deal! Tomorrow, February 6th ONLY, head to any Ann Taylor store and try on a pair of shoes to score a $20 off any purchase coupon (minimum $20 purchase)! Just bring along this print out and show it to a sales associate before trying on a pair of shoes.

Ann Taylor also has lots of final clearance available, with discounts up to 60%! I think this coupon might be able to applied to that if you wish...if so, you might be able to get a free item!

Thanks for the heads up hip2save!

Feel free to come back & comment on what you found! I am always so excited to read comments!!

Free Tabasco Sauce at Bi-Lo

2010-02-04T18:56:00.000-08:00

I am posting this deal for all of you that love spicy things...like my husband. Wait...I am NOT saying my husband is spicy...just that HE likes spicy things! haha WELL...actually he is pretty hot! Where was I going with this post again???? Oh yeah, FREE hot sauce...oh my I get side tracked easily. Anyway, I can't stand Tabasco sauce, but out of my love for him & the fact that it was FREE ;) I got this for him today.

Ok, here's the deal:

Tabasco Pepper Sauce, 2 oz, at $1.82 it is on Buy 1 Get 1 sale and that makes it 91¢ (remember at Bi-Lo you don't have to buy two items to get the B1G1 price)

use your -.50/1 Tabasco Sauce any size or flavor coupon from this past Sunday's paper (SS 1/31) or printable (makes it FREE)

(Bi-Lo doubles any coupons under $0.55 automatically--but always keep your eye open and make sure it goes through!)

Bi-Lo Meal Deal

2010-02-04T16:58:00.000-08:00

Today I went and purchased their meal deal. I thought this was a great deal! You are basically buying 2 Digiornio pizzas at full price and then getting a bunch of additional things free. You do NOT need any coupons to get this deal, but if you have some that apply then it makes the deal even better!!! This meal deal seems perfect for Super Bowl day! Here is the meal deal:

Buy (2) DiGiorno Pizza, 12.6-34.2 oz, $13.58

Get
Super Pretzels, 13 oz, FREE
TGIF Appetizer, 7.6-11 oz, FREE
Totino’s Pizza Rolls, 7.5 oz, FREE
Pepsi, 6 pk 12 oz, FREE

I'm a Coupon Dork...

2010-02-04T16:43:00.000-08:00

So, I was at the grocery store and the manager called me a professional couponer...too funny! Well, I am NOT a professional couponer (wish I was!). I am just getting going with these grocery deals, but I do have a HUGE pink trapper keeper (Am I dating myself??? Does anybody still call a folder with a zipper a trapper keeper??? Anyway, back to what I was saying...) soooooo I guess that makes me a coupon dork. Wow...the sad reality just hit me in the face...and here I thought I was so cool! haha Well, I saved $70 in groceries today and I am sooooooooo excited cause that is what makes a coupon dork excited!

Two FREE things at Walmart!!!

2010-02-03T08:48:00.000-08:00

You can get free Kikkoman Sauce and Kotex pads at Walmart this week.

Kotex Pads (small packages)–$1
Buy 2 and use $2/2 Kotex coupon here
Free after coupon

Kikkoman Sauce 5-ounce–$0.97
Use $1/1 printable coupon
Free after coupon

Dove Ultimate Deodorant–$2.47
Use $2/1 Dove Ultimate Printable Coupon or (FF)
$0.47 after coupon

Thanks MoneySavingMom!

Trade your old books for new ones!

2010-02-02T20:53:00.000-08:00

So, my cousin, Tara, told me about the greatest site ever!!!! Swaptree.com This site allows you to trade your books, cds, dvds, & games (xbox, wii, etc) for other items. I am so excited about this! I usually buy best sellers to read when I go on vacation, but then I don't like to read them again and they end up taking up much needed space on my shelf. Now, I can trade them and get new ones for my next vacation...for free!!! Yay! The only thing you do have to do is pay for shipping.

3 Free Homemade Simple Coupon Booklets

2010-02-02T18:34:00.000-08:00

You can sign up for three different free Homemade Simple coupon booklets right now. Go here and click on each of the three different coupon links and fill out the information to get your free coupon booklets.

I have requested and received these in the past. They do take a while (about 6 - 8 weeks) but they do arrive! They are always full of great coupons too. The last one I received had a coupon for free Cascade rinse agent!

Walgreens Huggies Diapers $2.99 a pack!!!!

2010-02-02T18:14:00.000-08:00

Next week ( 2/7-2/13 ) Walgreens will have Huggies Diapers on sale for $8.99 per pack. Plus, when you purchase one package you’ll get a $3 Register Reward! Here’s how to get each pack for just $2.99:

Deal Scenario:
Buy one package of Huggies Diapers $8.99
Use the $2/1 coupon from here: IE or Firefox
Use the $1/1 Walgreens coupon from the Walgreens Coloring Book
Pay $5.99
Get back a $3 Register Reward
Final cost $2.99 per pack!

I personally do not have the Walgreens Coloring Book -- these came out about several months ago. I have never checked to see if my Walgreens still has them. They are $0.99 a piece and the coupons in them expire in March. Anyway, without that coupon it is still only $3.99 a pack!!!! Wow!

Thanks hip2save!

DIGIORNO Champions House Party

2010-02-01T19:36:00.000-08:00

DIGIORNO Champions House Party

Just found out about these house parties!! They sound like a blast -- I signed up & am hoping I get selected. If you get selected they give you a party package free. Basically you are hosting a party for you and your friends to try out & hopefully get hooked on the product. Sounds like fun to me! :)

Swagbucks...the reason I have their banner on my site

2010-01-31T09:58:00.000-08:00

The reason I have a Swagbucks banner on my site is because I LOVE this site!!! I have only been using it for a month and have already gotten $10 for Amazon.com from it. Swagbucks is a search engine and they get their money to be able to award by sponsored links. Swagbucks is powered by Google. The downside to Swagbucks is that sometimes the search results aren't as good as if I had gone directly through Google. I use it regularly to look up sites that I need to go to and about 2-3 times a day I win a swagbuck!!! These are what you accumulate to be able to redeem for money. It only takes 45 swagbucks to redeem a $5 Amazon.com gift card so you can see how that could easily add up! You also get bucks for having someone sign up under you so if you are interested please sign up with me!

If you have any questions just comment below and I will answer them!

Twitter!

2010-01-31T09:49:00.001-08:00

I am now on Twitter!!! Haha...I do realize that everybody and there brother has been on there for ages, but I was too stubborn to join. Well, I finally did it...hooray :) So, if you would like to follow me...well, please do! :)

Cheap Hair Products at Ulta

2010-01-31T09:02:00.000-08:00

Ulta has some great sales starting tomorrow, 1/31 and running thru 2/13. All John Frieda Hair Care products will be on a buy 2 get 1 FREE sale with prices start at just $4.99 to $9.99 (according to the ad). Maybelline eye cosmetics will be on a buy 1 get 1 50% off sale and this includes the new Maybelline Eye Studio line.

Deal Scenario:

Buy 3 John Frieda Luxurious Volume products $5.99 each
Minus buy 2 get 1 FREE sale= $11.98
Use the $3.50 off $10 or more purchase Ulta coupon
(this is found in the catalog they mail out–you can sign up for Ulta offers & coupons here)
Use 3 $2.50/1 coupons from here or here
Final cost ONLY $0.98 total, just $0.33 per product!

Thanks Hip2Save!

FREE Blink Tears Eyedrops from Walgreens

2010-01-31T08:38:00.000-08:00

Well, this one is a moneymaker!!! You can get this product free from Walgreens this week without any coupons because they are $7.99 and you get $8 RRs when you buy 1. If you get/buy the paper today there should be a coupon in there for $2 off or you can go here scroll down to the bottom and print out a $1.50 off coupon. You can only use one of these, but if you use one they are basically paying you to buy this product! Keep in mind that you will be paying $6 - $6.50 out of pocket depending on what coupon you decide to use. The RRs are Register Rewards that will print out after you purchase. These can be use on your next purchase.

Colgate Printable Coupons

2010-01-31T08:21:00.000-08:00

Go to http://www.colgate.com/app/Colgate/US/Corp/Consumers/SpecialOffers.cvsp to print out several toothpaste coupons. There is one on there for Colgate Max White for $0.75 off that can be used towards CVS deals 1/31-2/6. CVS has the Colgate Max Fresh Toothpaste – 4.6 to 6 oz at $2.99 (get $2 ECBs) Limit 1 with this coupon you will be able to get it for $0.25!!!

ECBs - are Extra Care Bucks they are printed out at the end of your transaction and are good toward your next purchase & can be used in combination with coupons

FREE Energy Bar from GNC!

2010-01-30T09:30:00.000-08:00

For those of you that like energy bars GNC has a coupon available to try a Free Everlast Energy Bar. No purchase necessary! I never go to GNC, but I think there is one at the mall...if I go this weekend I will definitely swing by and get one! This coupon expires Jan 31st.

Bath & Body Works Coupon

2010-01-29T20:47:00.000-08:00

Here is a Bath & Body Works Coupon

for 20% off your entire purchase!
This coupon expires January 31, 2010!

Great Sales at the Mall!!!!

2010-01-29T17:52:00.000-08:00

It's time to check out your local mall! It seems like all stores are clearancing out the winter merchandise! I went to Haywood Mall of Greenville, SC today & found lots of great deals. Belks has an additional 50% off all sale items...including things already marked 75% off! Dillards has an additional 30% off of all sale items. American Greetings (I think that is their name...) has all Christmas & some other various items 90% off!!!!!!! I bought some CDs, wrapping paper, wind-up toys & stickers at 90% off!

Denny's Free Breakfast

2010-01-29T07:56:00.000-08:00

FREE original Grand Slam breakfast

on Tuesday, February 9th from 6am-2pm at

Last year I attempted to go to this before work, but the line was so amazingly long ( out the door and down the side of the building ) that I had to skip out and eat a not free & not on sale breakfast at Dunkin Donuts (it is beside my Denny's -- it was also crowded I guess I wasn't the only one not able to stand in a crazy long line). I had never had breakfast at a Dunkin Donuts it was surprisingly good!

Babies R Us $5 Gift Card

2010-01-28T09:11:00.000-08:00

Today only (Thursday), Babies 'R' Us is giving away free $5 eGift cards when you become a Facebook fan! The gift card will be emailed to you in a few days, and you can use it online or at Babies 'R' Us or Toys 'R' Us stores. Click here to get yours!

Thanks Fiddledeedee!

FREE CHOCOLATE!!!! OH YEAH!

2010-01-27T13:48:00.000-08:00

Free chocolate! Yummmmmmmy! I can't wait to go do this deal...heading out the door now :)

Thanks to the Wrapper Rewards Program you can get a rebate for a FREE bag of Pieces. Here’s how this works: Exchange a Reese’s, York, Almond Joy, or a Hershey’s Special Dark candy bar wrapper for a FREE bag of Pieces.

This offer expires 2/10/10. You must turn in your candy wrapper (with the UPC code on it) and their form by 2/26/10.

Thanks Free Sample Freak!

Huggies Rewards Code

2010-01-27T13:15:00.000-08:00

New Huggies Rewards Code!!

BFGMRKBCNNHHPGB (5 pts. expires 3/31/10)

Just wanted to post this in case anybody is collecting them. I have been playing their instant win games, but have yet to win anything. :( A lot of people have been blogging saying they have won though...so who knows.

Huggies Rewards Site

Isadora's Birth Story

2010-01-27T12:48:00.000-08:00

Since this was my first baby I was completely terrified about the whole birthing process. I had seen a video of a lady giving birth to a child and that definitely didn't help relieve my fears, in fact it added to them. I had a friend tell me that the reason hospital windows don't open is because you will want to throw yourself out one! Wow. Talk about encouraging!

So, here I was a week from my due date and my anxiety level was reaching a high. I wanted to see my baby but I wasn't too sure that I wanted to deliver her...but there really aren't many choices in that department. She couldn't stay in there forever...could she? My mind kept coming up with super crazy scenarios...why didn't we lay eggs, why didn't men have the babies instead, why didn't we have zipper bellies??? Yep, each scenario got crazier and crazier. I think I might have been going insane.

In the midst of all that craziness an odd feeling started in my stomach. Hmmmm, was I hungry...yep, that's probably it. I always seemed to be. So, I ate something. That didn't take care of it. The odd feeling just kept coming and going. Wait, maybe this is it? Maybe these are contractions?! So, I called my doctor's office. They informed me you would just know when you were having a contraction because you could just tell. Not quite the most helpful advice ever. So, I assessed the situation...did I think this was it? Nah...so, I guess not. They did tell me to time the odd feeling to see if they were coming in regular intervals though. They weren't. Phewf. Coast clear. This wasn't it.

Somehow I had missed the "just knowing it is a contraction" gene because this was it! The contractions continued through the day and became more regular. My husband & I checked into the hospital. The doctor confirmed that we were going to be meeting our baby girl some time that day. Wow! How exciting! Oh no...that means I have to deliver her! I informed the doctor several times that I wanted an epidural. He smiled and said they would send the anesthesiologist. The epidural was heaven sent! It was smooth sailing from there on out. I caught a little nap...don't know how I managed that with my nerves the way they were! The nurse came in and woke me so the doctor could break my water. My husband ended up almost fainting! He turned deathly pale and broke out into a sweat. I was sitting there totally fine watching as the nurse bustled around him and gave him juice to try to get him to feel better. It was so funny! He was totally embarrassed...he was supposed to be the care partner & ended up being a patient. I still tease him about that one.

Anyway, after all that the nurse came back in to check on me & she said that we were ready to go! It was time to call the doctor...she was crowning! The doctor arrived and fifteen minutes and five pushes later she was here!!!! I couldn't believe it. I had felt nothing and now I had a sweet and gorgeous baby girl! This was absolutely amazing!!! I am definitely going to be the next spokesperson for epidurals! Wow! I wish I had known how easy it was going to be...all that worrying for nothing and now I had gorgeous baby girl that would have made anything I had to go through worth it!

I'm back!

2010-01-27T12:43:00.000-08:00

So, I'm back! I just realized I've been absent for a year! Since then I have had a baby girl! Life has been so crazy, but the dust has settled & I got the itch to join the blogging world again.

Free Denny's Breakfast Tuesday!!!

2009-02-02T11:40:00.000-08:00

If you weren't watching the Superbowl last night (don't know who wasn't!) you might have missed this commercial.

FREE Denny's Grand Slam Tomorrow!!!

http://www.dennys.com/

FREE IHOP National Pancake Day on Feb 24, 2009!!!

2009-01-23T10:02:00.001-08:00

Known also as Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, National Pancake Day dates back several centuries to when the English prepped for fasting during Lent. Strict rules prohibited the eating of all dairy products during Lent, so pancakes were made to use up the supply of eggs, milk, butter and other dairy products…hence the name Pancake Tuesday, or Shrove Tuesday.

Since beginning its National Pancake Day celebration in 2006, IHOP has raised nearly two million dollars to support charities in the communities in which it operates. With your help, we hope to raise $1,000,000 for Children’s Miracle Network in 2009!

http://www.ihoppancakeday.com/pancake-day-details.html

Awesome Free Gift Certificate for Downtown Greenville, SC Restaurants!!!

2009-01-23T09:46:00.000-08:00

All you need to do is print!! :D This certificate takes $25 off dinner for 2 people at either of these three restaurants. Soby's, Devereaux's, or The Lazy Goat. I used mine last night at The Lazy Goat and had a wonderful time. They should issue you a new certificate for a different restaurant after you use the first cert. My next certificate is for Soby's in Feb! YUMMM Can't wait!!!

Enjoy!

http://www.table301.com/images/T301_GiftCert_Stim_index.pdf

What a GREAT night!!!

2008-12-08T14:45:00.000-08:00

We had a fabulous time last night at the Christmas Gift Show at the Cazabah in Downtown Greenville! Thanks to all who came!! And for those of you who weren't able to make it last night feel free to visit our sites... http://www.apfelfoto.etsy.com and www.mariposas.etsy.com

Christmas Gift Show at The Cazbah!!!!

2008-11-18T09:31:00.000-08:00

(Photo taken by GreenvilleDailyPhoto.com)

Life has been super busy lately!! I haven't had a chance to stop by and blog at all! :( Right now I am getting ready for a Christmas Gift Show that I am doing with 2 other local artists...Threadbare (Heather Kaiser) and Apfelfoto (Joe Apple) at the Cazbah in Downtown Greenville. I am getting really excited!!!! Hopefully we will have a great turn out and a fun time as well! I love Christmas time!!!

Anybody & EVERYBODY is invited to this! So, if you happen to accidently run into my blog and read this feel free to come out! :D Here are the details...You are now "officially" invited! & most importantly you will recieve a complimentary glass of red or white wine with purchase! ;) So, come get rewarded for shopping!!

Drop in for a toast of good cheer & browse through one of a kind treasures from

Apfelfoto

Threadbare

Mariposas

Featuring: Gorgeous Jewelry, Beautiful Hand-Knit Creations, & Stunning Photography

Sunday, December 7th at 6-10 pm

At The Cazbah
16 West McBee Avenue
Greenville, SC

http://greenv.planetdiscover.com/sp?skin=&aff=1002&eventId=67499&startDate=12/7/2008&endDate=

Halloween is Coming Up!!!!

2008-10-25T19:30:00.000-07:00

I am one of those crazy obsessive people that love to have EVERYTHING at the party going with the theme...if you are one of those people you will love these free MP3 downloads from Bacardi.

http://www.bacardi.com/#/us/en-us/halloween08/

Great Giveaway!!!

2008-10-25T14:04:00.000-07:00

Follow the link to receive a 1 oz eye cream sample!

http://www.nutritionaltree.com/samples/sample-giveaway.aspx

Remembering Europe

2008-09-27T20:08:00.000-07:00

I would LOVE to be back in Europe right now!!!! My lavender candle here just doesn't cut it. :D I need freshpicked lavender!

Labor Day Weekend!!!!

2008-08-23T13:38:00.000-07:00

I LOVE Labor Day Weekend!!!!! Mainly because it will be my birthday ;) This year I will be going to the Southeast Balloonfest in Anderson, SC and attending the Wallflowers concert. I am soooooo excited!!! For some of you that don't recognize the name of this band they sang a song in the movie I am Sam. Such a great movie!!!! Anyway, here's a fun photo of last year's hot air balloons in Anderson, SC taken by the great photographer that does http://www.greenvilledailyphoto.com/

Just Got Back From A Walk

2008-07-30T22:57:00.000-07:00

Yes, I do realize it is late, but we still went on a walk. It is always so interesting to go on a walk at night. Everything was so eerily quiet. You could hear the chirping of obnoxious bugs, the high pitched squeal of the street lamps, a car every once in awhile in the distance, and AC units. This would have been a pleasant walk except for the fact that it was extremely muggy. Yuck. I wish we could have been transported to the cool cobblestone alleys of Lake Como, Italy. Aaaaahhhh, just remembering it is starting to cool me off. :)

(And yes...that's me & my husband walking away from the camera -- always a good idea. hah)

Panzerotti Withdrawal...

2008-07-23T15:27:00.001-07:00

My favorite food ever is Panzerotti from Luini's...too bad I can only get it in Milan, Italy!!! Here are some pics of my beloved Panzerotti. There were always crazy lines waiting for their own delicious bite of fresh hot Panzerotti. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh, to have some right now. I guess I will just have to learn how to make it!

Summer Camp

2008-07-20T06:36:00.001-07:00

I just realized that I haven't blogged in several days!!!!!!!!!! eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek! I've been sooooo busy! This last week I was teaching my own summer camp called Traveling Around The World. Thankfully it went smoothly even though it left me exhausted! Tomorrow starts Animals All Around in the morning and then Cooking Around The World in the afternoon. This should be fun! :)

Main Transportation

2008-07-15T20:53:00.000-07:00

Bikes and scooters were everywhere you went! They definitely are the preferred method of transportation there. I love the look of the bicycles with the wicker baskets! We didn't really have any time to rent a bike or a scooter (and with all the crazy drivers and lack of parking didn't really want the hassle) while we were in Italy or France so almost all our transportation was done by Metro. Definitely a lot faster than a bike! :)

Gondoliers

2008-07-14T16:19:00.001-07:00

I absolutely LOVE how this photo turned out. It really captured the charm and romance of Venice. Gondoliers would ride up and down the canals singing songs and paddling away. This picture was taken from our boat while we were cruising the canal.

Photo can be found at www.apfelfoto.etsy.com

Feeding The Birds

2008-07-12T13:19:00.000-07:00

Pigeons, pigeons, pigeons...they were everywhere!!!! And of course I had to feed them.

Just A Random Church In Rome

2008-07-10T16:04:00.000-07:00

So, we wandered into a church in Rome one evening that was having a concert. The concert wasn't that great, but the church was gorgeous. Here is a picture of a little part of the ceiling and the front. The ceiling was incredibly detailed.

Bonfire Jumping

2008-07-08T19:33:00.000-07:00

Remember I was telling you all about the crazy French parade and how it ended with jumping over the bonfire. Well, here's a pic of it. The second picture shows my crazy husband, Joe, sailing over it unharmed (shoooof!).

Apfelfoto

2008-07-06T09:06:00.000-07:00

Now that we are back from Europe we will be updating the Apfelfoto website with photography from the trip. The sidebar to the right of this post should show thumbnails of the pictures in the store. When you click on any of those pictures they will take you straight to the online store and you will be able to view the full version of the photograph.

Our trip to Europe was fantastic and hopefully you will be able to live some of that through our photography! I will also keep adding pictures on this blog that tell the story of our trip but for true art that will only be found on Apfelfoto.

Varenna

2008-07-05T21:09:00.000-07:00

Varenna is a gorgeous little town on Lake Maggiore (right beside Lake Como). From this little spot you could see ducks and fish swimming by and of course a fantastic view of the mountains.

Milano's Main Square

2008-07-05T20:56:00.000-07:00

Crazy French Parade

2008-07-05T11:19:00.000-07:00

This crazy French parade was only the beginning to a long evening of sausage eating,French fries w/mayo, strange folkloric dancing & jumping over bonfires. Fun times! :)

Happy 4th of July!!!!!

2008-07-04T07:37:00.000-07:00

I Loved France!!

2008-07-04T07:31:00.000-07:00

France was gorgeous! We stayed in a little coast town called Antibes. Everybody (I mean everybody-even big tough looking men) walked around with a tiny fluffy dog, the streets were cobblestone, they had delicious bakeries at every corner, and the toilet paper was pink! YEP! It just couldn't get much better!!! I love that place!!!! :)

Window Shopping

2008-07-03T12:26:00.000-07:00

A gorgeous purse and shoe combo by Dolce & Gabbana. Who doesn't love window shopping in Milan?! :)

Milan

2008-07-03T07:22:00.000-07:00

Milan is known for it's fashion and for having the third largest cathedral. The cathedral is absolutely breathtaking! We climbed to the top of the tower and here is what you could see. On a clearer day you would be able to see the Alps.

We're Back!!!!!

2008-07-03T07:19:00.000-07:00

We got back home last night. We had such a great trip! And now that I'm home and am not having to pay outrageous amounts of money to get online I will be able to add more to this blog. Yay! :) So....like I promised pics are coming!!!

Last Night

2008-07-01T09:37:00.001-07:00

Sadly this is our last night in Europe. We are currently in Milan and we leave early tomorrow morning for home. We should be heading to the airport at 7 in the morning...shoof.

Cruising

2008-07-01T09:33:00.000-07:00

We spent our last night in Venice (last night) cruising the canals in a slow Vaporetto (boat). It was gorgeous!!!! We cruised around for about two hours! We started in the evening and kept cruising after the sun went down. It really gives you a postcard view of Venice when you look at it from the water.

Off To Venice!

2008-06-27T14:36:00.000-07:00

We are headed to Venice in the morning! We have seen Rome, Pompeii, Herculaneum, and have been hanging in Sorrento. We are just now having time to catch up with this site! We have lots to tell and will whenever we can find a cheaper place! They are charging us 1 Euro for 10 minutes of internet time!!!! Shoof!!!!

San Gimignano

2008-06-21T07:02:00.000-07:00

This little town is preserved almost as it was in the 12th century (with the exception of this little internet cafe). It is set up on a hill and has gorgeous views of the Italian countryside. We are getting ready to go back up to the park and find a nice little place in the shade under some olive trees. It is scorching hot around here and there are tourists everywhere! This is the first place that has really felt completely overrun by them. Every once in a while you can find a tucked away lookout point that nobody knows about. So....that's where we are headed to relax.

Street Basketball Game

2008-06-20T09:29:00.000-07:00

Last night we stumbled upon a street basketball tournament. Here in Siena the neighborhoods are seperated in seventeen districts and they do lots of activities as teams against each other. We got to watch their basketball tournament last night. It was fun, but they really weren't any good at basketball at all!!! hah oh well In a couple of weeks the neighborhoods compete against each other in a horse race...maybe they'll be better at that! :)

The Heart of Tuscany!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-06-19T10:46:00.000-07:00

So...here we are...in the heart of Tuscany--Siena. We rode on several different trains all day long to get here. We rode a really nice train (1st class) today. The EuroStar. It goes over 100 miles an hr. They gave us free soda & biscotti. We were living the life! That is the first one that has been like that though! Most of the trains make me think that I will get piojos or pulgas. (If you don't know what that means consult a Spanish dictionary).
Anyway, we just finished eating a great dinner on the main square here in Siena. Joe had some strange pasta with wild boar. He claims that it was tasty. I'm not so sure. I stuck to pasta w\normal meat sauce.
Well, we're off for a stroll around town! Arrivederci!

Lugano, Switzerland

2008-06-19T10:43:00.000-07:00

One of the days that we were at Lake Como we took a bus ride up to Lugano, Switzerland. Switzerland was beautiful (this city was modern though and not the village look I thought it would have) anyway...the city was great BUT the bus trip up was HORRIBLE...at least for me...since I get car sick. We rode up in a hot (no air-condition) bus packed with people and a crazy Italian driver driving up extremely narrow roads that wound up the mountain. Luckily, I managed not to throw up!!!!! Close call. Anyway, it was a very uncomfortable ride, but at least I can say I have been to Switzerland now. :)

Rain, Rain Go Away

2008-06-19T10:41:00.000-07:00

So, thankfully the rain finally did go away!!! Luckily we had the nice hotel to hang out in and watch European soccer matches in while the cold rain fell. It only rained for one day and the rest were beautiful! Lago di Como was gorgeous and relaxing!!! We loved it!

Lago Di Como

2008-06-16T10:07:00.000-07:00

We arrived around 6 pm at a very beautiful but overcast and now rainy Lake Como. The views are spectacular here. We wandered around Como for an hour and then we got on a battello (really slow ferry boat) to Varenna. The mini-cruise lasted two hours. We saw great mansions on the side of the water. After we arrived we walked around in the rain and tried to find a hotel...well, the cheap ones were booked...one of them seemed to have disappeared so now against our will we are in a nice 3 star hotel. :) We are sitting at this moment in a little internet cafe and waiting on some piping hot prosciutto, mozzarella, and tomato paninis!

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....

2008-06-16T01:45:00.001-07:00

It's super cold here right now!!! Thankfully I have my pashmina and pants that keep me warm. It's been raining all day but we are currently headed out of here and to Lake Como, Italy. We are going to hang out there and then make a day trip into Switzerland. We switched Switzerland out for Spain...Spain turned out to be a 12 hr train ride away from where we were. Shoof...don't want to do that! We would much rather actually enjoy thing that are near by. So...off to Lake Como! Buon Giorgno!! :)

Currently In Nice

2008-06-15T05:44:00.000-07:00

We are currently in Nice exploring while we wait for our train. So far we haven't cared for this city at all...this is the first city that has seemed rather dirty and way too touristy.

Native French Dancing & BonFire Jumping

2008-06-15T05:41:00.000-07:00

Last night we attended the annual Fete de St. Jean (some strange festival...not quite sure what it was all about). There were people dressed like the old Dutch dancing variations of ring around the rosy around a bonfire & other people jumping it. I somehow got sucked into the strange skipping dance...it was quite fun actually. :) Joe ended up jumping the bon fire...of course! :) Thankfully nobody got hurt!

French Fries and Mayonnaise

2008-06-15T05:39:00.001-07:00

So, I have come to the conculsion that french fries with huge globs of mayonnaise is the official beach snack here in Antibes! Who would have thought??! I had some fries those were great...but I just couldn't muster up enough courage to dip them in mayonnaise...that just seems so disgusting to me. So...I stuck to the American way and asked for ketchup. yum :)

Antibes

2008-06-13T12:03:00.000-07:00

We took an uncomfortable five hour train ride from Milan to Nice and then from there to Antibes. The Nice train stop was a nightmare!!!!!! Who knows what was going on there! I can't understand French...and it wasn't just me...even the French were confused. Shoof. Well, somehow we made it...Joe and his handy phrasebook got us out of that city and into Antibes. Antibes is gorgeous and relaxing...quite the opposite of Nice. And here we have a SUPER CUTE hotel! It has a great location overlooking all the shops & bakeries here in Antibes. So, all we have done here so far is go to the beach and eat. Quite the life!!!! Last night I had this great steak and ratatouille!!!!! YEP ratatouille....just like the movie! It was great! I felt so awesome :) Joe had some weird fish and other stuff...you can ask him later if you like. Today I had a panini...this place is filled with great food! Yay! ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....and my hotel has pink toilet paper!!!!!!!! Things can't get any better!

So....

2008-06-13T11:58:00.000-07:00

Our room wasn't exactly like it was pictured below...haha! Oh well! It was cheap and that's all that mattered!! Oh and thankfully very clean! Just not as pretty. Milan was quite the adventure! Everybody dressed totally different here...no crocs thank goodness!!!! Lots of high heels...thankfully I brought a pair! I also brought band-aids which came in very handy. :) There definitely is a price to pay when you walk around in high heels for too long. While we were in Milan we had a TON of delicious food (and even some McDonalds)! My favorite was the Panzerrotti. It's like an empanada (fried dough) that is made out of donut dough and anything you want on the inside...I chose prosciutto and mozzarella. YUM YUM
We also climbed to the top of the fourth largest cathedral...GORGEOUS PICS!!! Can't wait to show them! Unfortunately can't download pics! :(

Off To Europe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-06-07T12:08:00.000-07:00

First stop -- Milan, Italy

We leave Monday at 5 pm take an all night plane ride and arrive in Milan around 8:30 am on Tuesday. That's going to be a killer! Hopefully I will sleep the whole way! :)

We're spending two nights in Milan at Hotel Valley. http://www.hotelvalley.it/en/index.htm It looks cute and is thankfully cheap!

Well, hopefully I will be able to keep up with this site and let you know the latest happenings!

Chris Sligh's In Town!!!

2008-05-02T19:11:00.001-07:00

For all of you who kept up with American Idol last year Chris Sligh (he was in the top 10) is from my hometown. He's on tour & I went and saw him last night. Here's an awful pic, but a pic nonetheless!!! :)

Tomorrow is Earth Day!

2008-04-21T11:17:00.001-07:00

Even though we should be taking care of our Earth sometimes we just need a reminder or a little boost. I know I get caught up in my daily activities that I might not do something that requires a little extra effort. It makes it a lot easier for me to do it when I get reminders often! :) Soooooo, tomorrow is Earth Day take a little time out & try to do one of these things . . .

Earth Day Opportunities

Earth Day is a day to stop and think about your affect on the environment and what you can do to help protect it. One of the best ways to do that is by properly disposing of the products in your life. Here’s how:

Start a recyling program in your home, office or school

Shop for products made from recycled content

Create a compost pile your food scraps

Recycle your obsolete electronics

Properly dispose of your household items

To read more go to http://earth911.org/earth-day

Pictured is a Trunk Study by Joe Apple http://apfelfoto.etsy.com/

Artisphere!!!!

2008-04-19T09:42:00.001-07:00

Artisphere is an art festival held in Greenville, SC. It is actually this weekend! I was so excited this morning because I was going to get up & go have lunch there and check out all the wonderful exhibits and activities they always have going on. Sadly, it's been raining!!!!!! It's an awful dreary day! Hopefully the sun will come out soon!!!

Here is a pic of the sidewalk art that was done last year. It's incredible!!!

Gardening . . .

2008-04-18T15:59:00.000-07:00

I am currently sitting in my courtyard wearing one of my sun dresses with the nice summer breeze blowing my hair. It feels fantastic out here!! I just love it! I am also watching my husband who decided to make a garden this year out in the yard planting. He's working on quite a spread! We have tomatoes, onions, carrots, strawberries & the list just goes on!!! I can't wait until we can start eating them!!! Too bad they don't grow overnight!

Well, since I definitely don't feel like toiling in the dirt this evening I decided I would do some online window shopping! :) I just love doing that!!! Anyway, I went to a very cute Etsy store called Handmade by Khristinne. Her jewelry fit my mood perfectly! I'll wear fun summer garden jewelry while my husband does all the work! That sounds perfect! I absolutely adore her strawberry necklace!

The Tragic Story of My Beloved Blush

2008-04-17T13:03:00.000-07:00

So, I guess it's National Toss Your Make-Up Month!!!! I didn't even know there was such a thing!!!!!!!!! At first I thought it was just a ploy to get me to buy new make-up (which it probably still is!!) but they had some cold hard facts out there about just how disgusting it is to keep old make-up. "Every time you touch your makeup or skin-care lotions and potions, you transfer germs to them — and, subsequently, to your face. Heat and humidity, which promote the growth of mold and yeast, are factors, too. That’s one reason the bathroom, though convenient, isn’t the ideal spot to store cosmetics. (High levels of airborne bacteria can contaminate beauty products, too.) A better place: a cool, dry linen closet."--from Good House Keeping Well, I hate to admit it BUT I realized as I read all this info that I had one item in particular that I had had for 3 years!!!! eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!!! It was my blush...though rarely used it was a great color & very very old.

Sooooooo, out it went! My heart died a little that day -- somehow without knowing it I had become very attached to that contaminated beauty product . . . I almost reached into the trash & saved it from certain death BUT I resisted. Now, I had to replace it . . . So, in the end CVS won the battle and convinced me to buy new make-up . . . meanwhile my dear blush is lonely in some landfill. Hopefully, it will make friends with all the other sad dejected & contaminated make-up this month.

Who's on Facebook???

2008-04-12T15:33:00.000-07:00

Are any of you bloggers on Facebook?! I just created a page for my jewelry and my husband's photography . . . come friend us!!!!! :)

Click here to go to our page . . . Mariposas & Apfelfoto Facebook Page

A Peek Into My World . . .

2008-04-11T09:53:00.001-07:00

This evening we're hosting a party out on our courtyard. I can't wait!!! We've done no entertaining out there for a couple of months, but since it has been warming up we can!!! Yay! I absolutely LOVE my courtyard! So, today I have been trimming some plants, sweeping, and cleaning pollen off of the chairs. It's starting to look good again! In the evening it will look better with the candles and torches lit. I will try to take some good pics then too! But for now here is a small peek into my world. :)

Come stop by!!!!

2008-04-10T13:28:00.000-07:00

If you live in the area stop by the Galleries of Brian Brigham (1004 Augusta St
Greenville, SC 29605) this Saturday from 8am-3pm. I will have be there with my Mariposas jewelry booth. Come around to the back the fair will be outside by the peacock garden. So, even if you aren't in the market for jewelry come see all the other booths!!!! It sounds like they are going to have quite a wide range of booths!!!!

When To Wear White?????

2008-04-08T07:14:00.003-07:00

Today I grabbed my white dress pants, threw on a black shirt, and some black shoes and was out the door to work. Well, not quite that fast...I had some serious setbacks like being horrible at ironing BUT that's another story. Anyway, here I am at work (on break) and was wondering how many people still follow the old rules for when to wear white. I know I really don't care about white clothing in the winter/spring, but I wouldn't have the guts to wear white shoes until summer. And I definitely don't think I would be able to pull off an entire white suit like Jennifer Lopez does in this pic. So, what "white" guidelines do you follow???

Relaxing...

2008-04-06T13:02:00.000-07:00

Right now I am sitting on my super comfy chair in my living room eating some extremely delicious eggplant dip that my husband made me. YUMMMMMMMMY :) So, I decided I would do some online window shopping while I waited for the load in the wash to finish...(uh-oh I think it just finished...well, I will put a new load in once I finish this. :) Anyway, I was on & since I was eating eggplant I decided to try to find eggplant stuff...why??! I'm not quite sure why! BUT I found this STUNNING jacket!!! I wish I had the money to buy it!!! To go to the store go to www.weatherread.etsy.com

Photo Shoot

2008-04-05T10:55:00.000-07:00

Ok, so this was definitely not as fun as I had imagined. It was supposed to be 76 degrees yesterday and sunny, but instead it was cold, dreary, & rainy. A cold mist was coming down the whole time we tried to take pictures, but I really wanted to get this done yesterday so we trudged on. Here is a pic from the shoot. I just finished adding two new necklaces from yesterday's shoot to my online store. I love these necklaces!!!! They can be worn so many different ways! To see go to www.mariposas.etsy.com

Modeling...

2008-04-04T12:06:00.000-07:00

I've been busy making new super cool necklaces that can be worn multiple ways. I love them!!! I've already made several just for myself! :) Anyway, the only problem is without showing the necklace on a "model" it is impossible to see the different ways it can be worn. So, I decided that I was going to get my husband to take pics of me "modeling" the necklace. Thank God he's a photographer!!!! Well, I'm off to do that right now...will post pics later. :)

I've been tagged!

2008-04-02T10:21:00.000-07:00

I've been tagged thanks to Manda at http://sunshineandpoppies.blogspot.com/

Sooooo, it looks like I'm supposed to share 7 random facts about myself. Ok....here we go:

1. I speak two languages--Spanish & English.

2. I keep fortune cookie fortunes if they are good....like the time that it predicted I would get new clothes soon!!!! Now that is a GOOD fortune!!! :) Not like the one in the pic...even though that one is pretty funny!!!

3. I love to play soccer & volleyball. I haven't played soccer in a long time though. :(

4. I have 2 cats that are super cute!!!

5. I HATE to pay full price for anything bought at a store where you know the mark-up is just ridiculous and it WILL go on sale at some point.

6. I am currently trying to learn how to speak Italian. Non se ne parla nemmeno.

7. I would love to live on a beach.

To Paris!!!!!

2008-04-01T07:20:00.000-07:00

Today I am truly exhausted! I went to bed last night around 1 am & got up at 6:30 am! eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkk!!! Tonight I am definitely going to try to be asleep by 11 pm! My eyes are half shut right now...so, if none of this makes any sense then just ignore it! haha

Anyway, the only thing that is keeping me going is my excitement about my trip to Europe! I just bought my tickets to go to Italy and from there I will go to France, Greece, & Spain. I just can't wait!!! So, now I have to do some clothes shopping! I am going in the summer & I want to have some ultra cool clothes! Here are two finds that I adored. To see more of her great clothing go to http://www.tangente.etsy.com/

Speaking of the library...

2008-03-31T12:27:00.000-07:00

In my last post I mentioned one of my paintings that I had hanging up in my library room. Well, today I came across something that I could put on my shelf. Ok, ok, ok...there is something you MUST know about me...I have an extreme weakness for cute notebooks that I can write in!!! Yes, now you know one of my deep dark secrets! :) Anyway, Subu at www.subu.etsy.com has some great notebooks that are stitched together with hemp twine. And of course my favorite is the purple butterfly notebook!!!

Mariposas=butterflies (in Spanish)

Decorating your Home

2008-03-31T11:38:00.000-07:00

So, in my last post I said I loved to decorate my home. Well, I do. :) When I can I try to always hang original paintings up. I just love the texture that an original painting has--much pricier than a print but I think definitely worth it! In my library I currently have a gorgeous painting that I had custom made for me by Jen at AlmostFamous. Her work is fabulous!!! My husband loves JFK and I wanted to decorate the library room with historical figures. So, I am currently working on getting a collection of original paintings up that compliment each other. I just can't decide what other historical figure to get next.... (to go to her store visit www.almostfamous.etsy.com)

Writer's Block

2008-03-31T11:16:00.001-07:00

Soooooo, here I am...my first post on my new blog. It feels like it should somehow be memorable. Will it be? Nope. For some odd reason I can't think of anything "grand" to say. So, I will just tell you a little bit about myself. I LOVE to shop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE hand-crafted items. I make jewelry and sell it online & in home shows. I absolutely LOVE fashion...I might not always be fashionable BUT I still LOVE it!!! ;) I also love to take time and decorate my home. So, I think I will make this journal of mine about fashion, hand-crafted things, house decor, & a little behind the scenes of my jewelry designing.