elegant musings

Happy New Year! I know... a wee bit late; but I have to admit it feels like the changing of the year snuck up on me! The time between Christmas and New Year was chock full of little events, get-togethers, working on Shoppe goodies, and spending time with my family. What a lovely--albeit exhausting--time I had!

... but I don’t want to bore you with the Post of the Century. So I shall try to keep brief the events that happened since I started my blogging break! (I know, I know... it’ll be a miracle if I do; I tend to ramble!!)

Christmas was absolutely lovely; I relaxed all day!! Its funny, but Christmas has really stopped being about what I get--I love watching other people open gifts and see the joy on their faces! I managed to keep about 50% of my gifts handmade (either by me, or one of the fabulous artisans on Etsy), which was a bit hard since I had new people to purchase for (L. and his family), and my father: who is notoriously hard to figure gifts for! I was delighted that I received many of the items I had requested on my Etsy wish list; including this gorgeous pair of earrings from Pear22:

The highlight, however, was the two books my parents gave me. One was the hefty, perfect-for-the-coffee-table Poiret book from the MET exhibit. I’ve been slowly paging through, reliving my wonder and inspiration over seeing these garments in person during my trip this summer to NYC. They also gave me Amy Butler’s Midwest Modern, which I have been unable to stop looking through and soaking up the philosophy of Amy’s amazing design and house! Mom and I keep snatching it from each other--we can’t get enough! lol.

The days leading up to New Year’s were hectic and full. Between various social commitments and realizing I had a deadline fast approaching, I panicked a wee bit. After a talk with L., who reasoned the whole thing out with me (whatever would I do without him?!), I spent as much time as I could working, creating, brainstorming, and redesigning packaging (to better reflect the aesthetic direction my website has taken). Once I got into the work groove, it was fun (albeit, exhausting!)!! Oh, and some new music helped too: The Shepherd’s Dog (Iron and Wine) and Chinatown (The Be Good Tanyas) have been my soundtrack and source of inspiration the last week.

Must be off... I’m playing nurse to my poor L. this week. I’m quite loving the feeling of being needed and useful to someone (and I think he’s loving all the attention coming from me)! Have a lovely afternoon my dears!

Cheers & Creativity,
♥ Casey [ email me ]

It is a fact universally acknowledged, that I spend far too much time on Etsy...

etsy goodies [ “let them eat cake” ]


Black and Blue Revue Hair Piece - This gorgeous flower and ostrich feather piece by Louise Black is perfect for adding a little glam to your party outfits!


Vienna at Dusk - I love this beautiful blue silk and velvet ribbon wristlet from Vienna La Rouge!


Filigree Buckle Handbag - A lovely and chic solution to carrying your beauty essentials (and keys) about with you! By Studio 67.

More handcrafted goodness in my previous Etsy picks!

Cheers & Creativity,
♥ Casey [ email me ]

It is a fact universally acknowledged, that I spend far too much time on Etsy...

etsy goodies [ “rings on her fingers” ]


Deco Flapper Girl - I love this chic, image-based ring from the always amazing Tartx!


Forget-Me-Not - Beautiful, icy colors of the blue, vintage glass set against the ornate metal filigree by Morning Glory Designs.


Hot Pink Daisy - Isn’t this a gorgeous, eye-catching silver and pink enamel ring from Metal Garden Factory?!

More handcrafted goodness in my previous Etsy picks!

Cheers & Creativity,
♥ Casey [ email me ]

[ Gloomy days call for bright, pink sweaters! ]

Discovering new things about yourself is a good thing, especially when it falls into the category of learning what you can’t do or handle. The thought behind this, so I’m told, is to avoid the particular action/thought/feeling that causes this adverse ending. However, some people, including your devoted blogger, don’t seem to get this until she’s been banged thoroughly over the head a few times with some sense! Case in point: I learned two, valuable things about myself over the weekend that I thought I had gotten before. Firstly, that Casey does not look good in styles that do not have some waist definition and do not possess a belt or sash. Secondly, and far more important, slicing and dicing patterns at this point is mainly a hobby--and unless some serious revelation in patience comes in the next few decades, will remain just that. Something I dabble in.

Yes, dear readers, the plaid dress I showed off last week and was so excited about now sits in my Scrap Heap. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has ever attempted a project (sewing or otherwise), felt so sure about it, only to have it crash and burn horribly in the end. At least I hope I’m not!! lol. So for my sanity and the sake of keeping this blog a generally happy place, I shall henceforth stick to pre-drafted sewing patterns, garment alterations (still got the "slicing and dicing" element!), and occasionally draping a garment. Things that I know I can do without wanting to tear my hair out. lol!

Anyway, onto more happy and wonderful things! First off, I had to share an absolute miracle that happened today at the Post Office! (And I couldn’t help but think of Laura who had a similar, "Post Office Miracle" recently!) I went there this afternoon, with much trepidation at the holiday bustle and lines, secretly wishing I had gotten my act together and gone there first thing in the morning! But what did my wondering eyes behold?! I got through both the self-serve package kiosk and standing in line for postcard stamps in less than 10 minutes total. Golly, my trip to the library afterwards took longer! This makes me a very happy gal indeed!

And look at all the goodies the postman has been leaving for me lately:

A super-duper cute white rabbit ring from the lovely Meg at Vienna Horses. And she included that adorable cloud pin as a little "make up" for the long shipping time (which wasn’t that long at all!).

Another Christmas ornament in the swap! Eeeep! I love this one so much! Anne made an ornament with a scrap of a map that shows my neck of the woods in Virginia! I mean, how thoughtful is that?! Thank you heaps, Anne! (If you’re reading this!) So now it proudly hangs on my tree!

Lastly, before this post becomes an overly-wordy behemoth: I’m have a wee special over at the Shoppe! From now until Wednesday shipping is free on both domestic and international orders! Be sure to take advantage of this discount while it lasts. Perhaps a little last minute shopping or a treat for yourself?

I’m off to keep chipping away at my to-do list some more. Is it just me but are Mondays sometimes the hardest to get "back into the swing of things"? You’d think two days off wouldn’t mess one up so much! hehe! Have a lovely, creative day, my friends!!

Cheers & Creativity,
♥ Casey [ email me ]

p.s. Today is the last call if you’d like to get a Christmas card from me!! Be sure to drop me an email with your name and address if you’d like to get one; I’ll be posting them later this week. Please don’t be shy--anyone is welcome to request one!