Wordless Wednesday...

Independence Day Sale...

Happy 4th of July All! I hope you are having a fabulous Independence Day!

From now through July 8th, all jewels in our etsy boutique is on sale for 25% off retail price! Enter coupon code FIREWORKS25 at checkout to receive the discount. Go here to see our amazing hip jewels!

Lapis Lazuli Cowrie Shell Earrings and Red Coral Hoops

June Glossybox Review...

Hello All! I just received the June Glossybox and let me tell you it is fabulous! June's box was curated by illustrator and blogger Dallas Shaw. I have followed Dallas' blog for about a year now so I was super excited when she announced that she will be selecting her personal favorite beauty products for the June Glossybox. Check out what I received in my box.

Cute box cover designed illustrated by Dallas Shaw

Always a beautiful presentation.

•  Tarte Complexion Enhancing Lipstick: I like this. Nude lippy with a hint of color.
• Oscar de la Renta Fragrance Samples (inside satin bag): Six samples inside. Most have a sweet floral island scent.
• SpaRitual Nail Polish: Color I received is Spirit Child Shimmer. Its so pretty! Mix of red, orange, and gold.
• C.Booth Honey Almond Dry Oil Mist: Free of parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, and petrolatum. This is my favorite product in the box. A light honey scent that leaves a nice shine on your skin. I will definitely get a full size of this.
• Philip B. Detangling Toning Mist: This is a leave-in pH balancing mist with apple cider vinegar for your hair. I plan on trying this when I clarify my hair, which is usually the beginning of the month.

Closer look at the Oscar de la Renta fragrance samples. My fave is Oriental Lace.

I Will Never Outgrow...

Question for the Week... What's the One thing you will never outgrow? I will never outgrow:

1. Converse Sneakers. I love my Converse. Currently on the hunt for a pair of hi-tops. They have a classic look that I love. My daughter always gives me the side eye when I wear them. 

2. S'mores. Seriously the best summer treat. Thanks to many years of being a Girl Scout, I can make the best s'mores!

3. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Miracle on 34th Street. The classic versions! 

4. Ice Cream Trucks. I still get excited when I hear the bell coming through my neighborhood. 

5. Collecting Seashells. Now I look for shells that have a hole in them so I can make them into a piece of jewelry. 

6. Disney World. I can go see Mickey and Minnie over and over again! It's my happy place.

So lets hear it! What's the one thing you will never outgrow? 

Body Sugaring #2...

"Challenge your path to growth. Try something New."

Hey all! I'm a little behind on my 45 new things to do before my 45th! Here is something new #2.

My friend and I purchased a Living Social for Body Sugaring. If you aren't familiar with body sugaring, it's the ancient Egyptian method of removing hair. Hair is removed from the root, thus allowing it to grow back more slower and softer. The sugaring paste is made with sugar, water, and lemon juice and heated to soft candy consistency. Most find it less painful than waxing.

My friend, Kim, got the underarm sugaring, I was a little more daring and got the Brazilian sugaring. 

My technician was a hoot! You could not be shy around her. She was about 60 plus years old. She told me, "I have one rule, if you scream, I'm walking out of the door!" I held back tears to keep from screaming! It was painful, but it didn't last long and the result is beautiful! 

Conclusion, Kim and I are going back and our friend Michelle is scheduling an appointment to get her Brazilian! Carol, my technician promised me the second time around will be less painful. 

So, have you tried Sugaring? 

Lately...

Hey y'all! It's been awhile since I last posted. Let me briefly tell you what's been happening lately. Hope you all have a great week!

Loving: I have girlfriends in all ages! Recently, we all celebrated our friend Linda's 65th birthday! Whenever, we get together there is always lots of laughter.

Listening To:  Justin Timberlake's 20/20 Experience. Love it! My kids gave me the CD for Mother's Day.

Reading: The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis. I can't put this down. It gripped me from the first page, although the first chapter was upsetting to me. Next on my list Life in Spades and Gone Girl.

Thinking About: I am officially the mama of two high schoolers. Wow, where did time go? I now completely understand when my mom would say, "I can't sleep until all of my children are in the house." When my kids go out with their friends, I'm fidgety until they come back in the house.

Looking Forward To: Our family vacation in the mountains this July along with my parents and nieces. It's so peaceful and relaxing. The best part, sitting on the screened in porch/balcony with my mom drinking a glass of wine and talking.

Trying Not To: Break another weight loss program. Yeah, I'm on something new. Weight Watchers didn't work for me, I just can't with the points. I'm doing Dr. Ian Smith's Shred along with boot camp classes. 

So what's been going on with y'all? Thanks to Sheila of It Girl Allure for giving me inspiration for this post! 

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Wordless Wednesday...

Got this idea from fellow blogger Jasmin!

From Audrey to Punk...

I love it when a DIY project turns out exactly the way you want. Today I punked up my pearl necklace using gold safety pins to look like a Tom Binns statement piece. I got the idea from one of my favorite blogger, HonestlyWTF. It was really easy and fun.

All you need is a pearl necklace and gold safety pins (about 100-125). I used size 7/8 inch. Place a safety pin or two between each pearl. Then go back and connect 4-5 vertical pins with a horizontal one. Now you have a punk pearl necklace. Have a stuffy board meeting you need to attend, no worries just take the pins off and you are back to looking like Audrey.  Below are a few pics of my necklace. Oh, and if you don't want to DIY, you can always shell out a cool $1400 for an original Tom Binns necklace.

May Celebrations...

May is a big celebration month! Proms, weddings, graduations, bridal luncheons, Memorial Day, Mother's Day, and my mama's birthday! Let Sydney Austin Designs supply you with all of your jewelry needs. Whether for yourself or as a gift, we have a great selection for you to choose from. I pride myself with making mostly One of A Kind jewelry. I want my customers to have a unique piece of jewelry.

From now thru May 18th, take 15% off all jewels in etsy shop! Enter coupon code CELEBRATE15 at checkout. Go here to see our jewels. Below are a few of my fave pieces!



The Wren Necklace. Onyx and Pink Agate. I do have matching earrings. An everyday necklace set. Would make a great graduation or Mother's Day gift.

I love this for several reasons! Great layering piece. Add about 2 more long gold chains to complete your look. It's rustic and organic looking. Lastly, the crystal quartz points are beautiful in person. Buy this one for yourself and wear it all summer! 

For Mom. Great for Mother's Day or lovely for a daytime wedding. The lemon jade pops! It's chunky and bold. It's the perfect piece to add a touch of color.

A great graduation or good grades gift. Add this bracelet to your collection and stack them up! I love a junky arm! Summertime is the best time to pile on bracelets. The added bling makes it perfect for daytime or evening.

If you know me, you know I love the boutique Anthropologie. I go there a lot to get inspired for housewares and jewelry. These hoops remind me of something that Anthro would sell. Perfect everyday hoops. Another piece you want to buy for yourself. Wear them to your next pool party. Yes, you still have to look cute at the pool.

Another raw rustic crystal quartz point necklace. I made the pendant and hammered it. I like this with a denim shirt or maxi dress. Hands down my favorite

One Day Without Shoes #1...

"Challenge your path to growth. Try something New."

 

In approximately 32 weeks, I will be turning 45! I decided that I will try 45 new things from now until November 25th. One Day Without Shoes is New Thing #1.

My daughter and I participated in the TOMS event "One Day Without Shoes." I'm sure you all are aware that TOMS shoes gives a pair of shoes to a child in need every time you purchase a pair of TOMS. Buy One Give One. I don't own a pair...yet, but I love TOMS!

 A local store, Altar'd State, held a One Day Without Shoes walk. Participants of the walk had to walk the route in their bare feet. It's a way to bring global awareness about children's health and education issues. It was very humbling and the walk showed us how fortunate we are. Although it wasn't a huge turnout, the event organizers did a great job. Prizes such as TOMS sunglasses, TOMS shoes, and TOMS tee shirts were given out at the end of the walk. My daughter won a book by TOMS founder, Blake Mycoskie. Check out our pics from the event.

Cute foot tattoo

Blake, her TOMS, and the book she won. I can't wait to read it!

Everyone who won a prize.

Walk participants

One Day Without Shoes

Spring Break...

Hey All! Sharing a few pics taken of our road trip to Maryland to visit my folks for Spring Break. I had not seen my parents since they dropped off my kids to me in Richmond while they were on Christmas break. It was really fast. Like "Oh hey. Kiss. Hug. Here are the kids. OK bye!" It's been almost 9 years since we moved to NC and I still miss Maryland and my family dearly. We had a great time.

Heat update: Remember yesterday when I mentioned that I would not turn on the AC?? I broke down. My thermostat said my house was 84 degrees and rising. Even the dog gave me the side eye.

View of the Inner Harbor taken from Federal Hill.

Baltimore

Um yeah. Selfie. The fitting rooms were huge in Under Armour.

I have a thing for reusable bags. Love this bag from Lululemon.

Pretty cool picture of the tiger at Washington, DC Zoo.

SO in awe of this lefty gorilla.

Met up with my college roomie at the Zoo.

Sleeping Panda. My favorite animal to see at the DC zoo!

Currently Craving...

Currently Craving... Denim on denim. I'm totally feeling this look. Different shades of denim paired together. Teenage daughter hates it. But by the summer she will be sporting the trend. It's only because her mom (who according to her doesn't have any style) says it looks good. Check out a few denim on denim looks that are giving me inspiration. All images via Pinterest.

Side Note:  Hope you are all staying cool. It went from 50 to 88 degrees in two days here in North Carolina. I want a Spring, you know 60 - 70 degree temps, cool breeze coming from your window. Kids are calling me cheap because I refuse to turn the air on in April. Whatever. When they start contributing to the Bourne Energy Fund, then perhaps I will look into it. Until then, back away from the thermostat!

Let's talk about the necklace! Gah!

Source: Uploaded by user via Robyn on Pinterest

Love it all! From hair to shoes.

Source: tumblr.com via Tracee Ellis on Pinterest

I'm definitely a fan of wide leg jeans. So 70's.

Source: weeknightwandering.com via Aleisha on Pinterest



Leaving this for the younger gals, but I love this look.

Source: i.imgur.com via Megan on Pinterest

Strands...

Today was the last day of the GTS bead show that was held in Greensboro. GTS comes to the area about 4 times a year and I always go on the last day. You get the best deals! I'm also loyal to two vendors who always give me great service. I'm like a kid in the candy store when it comes to shopping for gemstones. Here are some of the baubles I purchased today. Fell in love with green strands.  Can't wait to start creating!

Kyanite, Botswana Agate, Jade, Coral, and Green Turquoise

Botswana Agate, Freshwater Pearl, Rose Quartz, and Crystal

New Hip Jewels...

Sharing some pictures of new jewels that are available in my etsy boutique. Hand bracelets, also known as slave bracelets, hand flowers, or hand harness. I love the ring/bracelet combination look.  Great to wear to belly dancing class, yoga, music festivals, concerts, beach and weddings. I will also take custom orders. Contact me for more information.

For the summer bride. White mother of pearls.

To be worn on the index finger. Added a filigree charm and turquoise bead.

Faceted orange jade and copper.

Blue Crazy Lace Agate. Gorgeous for the beach.

Spring Tea Party...

It's Spring!! I'm itching to invite my girlfriends over for a chat session. An afternoon or evening tea party would be nice. It's perfect for a book club meeting, bridal luncheon, baby shower, or Girls Day/Night Out. Finger sandwiches, desserts, champagne (optional), fruit, assorted teas and great conversation is all you need. Sweet cold tea is also a great idea to have on hand. Get out your china, or go to your local Thrift store or estate sale for a hodgepodge of dishes. Put your pinkie up while drinking your tea and have everyone call you "mum."