Wordless Wednesday...

 Photo Credit: Lydia Young 

Gift Ideas for Your Host Family...

Hello All! In about one week my daughter will be leaving to study abroad in Spain for the Spring semester. This is an exciting time for her. I will miss her dearly but I am so happy that she is stepping outside of her comfort zone and taking advantage of this wonderful opportunity.

It is customary to bring your homestay family or in my daughter's case, her Madre, a gift to say thank you for opening up your home to me for 89 days. The gift doesn't have to be expensive, but should be thoughtful, creative.  Keep in mind portability issues. Below are some suggestions I have for host family gifts.




1. Something made in your home state: Ah you thought Texas Pete was made in Texas? Me too until I moved to North Carolina. Look for locally produced items such as honey, hot sauce, jam, or spices.

2. Writing pad/Journal and pretty pen: A great way for you to leave your host family a note or vice versa.

3. Beautiful mug: Anthropologie and etsy has beautiful mugs or check out a local potter. The mug above was handmade by a local potter in North Carolina. Unique and beautiful.

4. Guest napkins or kitchen towels: Another favorite of mine. I love pretty guest bathroom napkins.

5. Bracelet: If you just have a Madre, a pretty charm bracelet will be nice. Add a charm that represents you. Perhaps you play tennis, add a tennis racket charm. Or maybe you love to read, add a book charm. She will think about you every time she wears it. The above bracelet was made by Sydney Austin Designs

6. Enamel Pin: These are unisex. Small collectible item. Can be worn or a denim jacket, scarf, tote bag or like I do on my backpack.

7. Canvas Tote Bag: (not shown) Buy a plain canvas tote bag and paint a design on it. Your host family can use it as a grocery bag, travel bag, etc.

My daughter purchased a pretty journal and pens for her Madre.

I hope your find these suggestions helpful. If you have anymore ideas for host family gifts, please post in comments.

Wordless Wednesday...

13 Books I Read In 2016...

Happy New Year All! How are those resolutions going? I've accomplished one of my 2016 goals and that was to read 1 book a month. It may not be a lot to some, but I'm a slow reader and I'm easily distracted. Last year, I read 13 books! Some were for book club and others for enjoyment. This year my goal is to read 24 books. Check out the books I read.






 1//  Charcoal Joe by Walter Mosley { Easy Rawlings is back with his sidekick Mouse}
 2//  The Woman in Cabin 10  by Ruth Ware { Suspenseful, not as good as Girl on the Train }
 3//  The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena { Quick read, get it from your local library }
 4//  Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead { Book club book, great discussion }
 5//  The Girls by Emma Cline { Summer read, loosely based on Charles Manson, recommend }
 6//  The Girl You Lost by Kathryn Croft { Quick read, predictable }
 7//  Forty Acres by Dwayne Alexander Smith { Book club book, loved it needs to be a Part 2 }
 8//  Dead Wake by Erik Larson { Great for History buffs, I loved his novel Devil In the White City }
 9//  Men of Brewster Place by Gloria Naylor { Book club book, first time reading this gem }
10// Forbidden by Beverly Jenkins { Book club book }
11// Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi { Favorite book I read in 2016!! Highly recommend }
12// Yellow Crocus by Laila Ibrahim { Book club book, Author will Skype for book club meetings }
13// Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche { Started in 2104, finished in 2016, Recommend }


There are so many books I want to read this year. A few are:

Swing Time by Zadie Smith
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
Mourning Calm by Frances Frost. Buy her book here 
Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur
You are a Badass by Jen Sincero

If there are any books you recommend that aren't listed, do tell!

Small Business Sale...

Hello All! Hope you are having a fabulous holiday weekend! Today is the first day to take 25% off all jewelry in my Etsy shop. Enter code THANKS25 at checkout. Go here to take advantage of this great sale! I put a lot of passion in my designs and work. Thank you all for supporting Sydney Austin Designs and other small business owners. Please shop small and local this holiday season.

Below are some of my latest earring designs. Handmade earrings are a great gift to pick up for yourself, BFF, sister, daughter, or co-worker.

Hammered Brass Earrings with Agate gemstones.

Gorgeous Copper earrings with Red Aventurine gemstones. 

Make your own rules! Mismatched earrings. Amethyst gemstones and sterling.

Copper hammered discs and copper chain with Botswana agate gemstones

Copper handcut, filed, and polished components with Turquoise gemstones. 

March Essence Beauty Box...

Hey All! I'm very pleased with this month's Essence Beauty Box. If you follow me on Snapchat (sadesigns) you saw that I did an unboxing two days ago. I got a chance to try out some of the products. Check it out the products in this month's box.

Love the box top design. 

The beauty products. Great sample sizes. Theme is: Transform Her Everyday.

For the hair: Creme of Nature Perfect Edges and Uncle Funky's Curly Magic. 

Skincare: LaBelle Femme Body Butter and Biossance The Revitalizer which is a light face oil.

Makeup: BITE Beauty Opal Lipgloss

I'm giving this month's box a B. The hair products every month is overkill. Every month there has been 2 haircare products. One is enough. I would like to see more makeup samples or sunscreen, perfume, bronzer or a highlighter.

The La Belle body butter was amazing. Melts into your skin. I also love the opal lipgloss.  I'm excited to try Uncle Funky's Curly magic. I've been wanting to try something from their line.  I have not tried the Biossance revitalizer, but online reviews are 5 star.

Strands...

Hello All!

Over the weekend I did my first gemstone haul of the year. I'm like a kid in a candy store when it comes to gemstone shopping. It's my retail therapy. I came across so many gorgeous gems at the GTS Bead Show. Take a look at some of the strands of beads I purchased. I can't wait to turn these gemstones into hip jewels!

Gorgeous colors for Spring

Bad picture but I'm loving these pink and green jasper beads. 

Simply stunning agate and mother of pearls beads are perfect for a bohemian or tribal inspired pair of earrings. 

World Book Day...

Happy Women's History Month! Today is World Book Day. What are reading? Below are books I recommend reading. All of the books are written by black female authors.

Forbidden by Beverly Jenkins. This was my book club's February selection. It is a historical romance novel.  Quick and easy read.  Not a book I would normally read, but that is what a book club is all about.


The Men of Brewster Place by Gloria Naylor. This is my book club's March selection. I am enjoying this book. Love how she breathes life into the men.  The novel is a spinoff of Women of Brewster Place.


Ruby (Oprah's Book Club 2.0) by Cynthia Bond. Yes I did pick this book because it was an Oprah selection. Oprah's interview with Ms Bond was so intriguing that I had to get her novel. One Twitter user described Ruby as "like a sweet lime in your mouth. You feel the hit in the back of your throat and then sweetness takes over."  Many reviewers say her writing style is like Toni Morrison.


Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor. Ms. Okorafor is an Nigerian-American author who writes fantasy novels. This is on my 'to-read" list. Sunny, the main character is an albino who lives and West African and doesn't fit in anywhere. I'm looking forward to reading this magical book.


Angel of Harlem by Kuwana Haulsey. This is a novel based on the life of Dr. May Chinn. Dr. Chinn was the first black female physician in Harlem. Another book on my "to-read" list. What a great book to read during Women's History Month!


Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche. I'm currently reading this novel. I've read about 25%. Lots of rave reviews for this novel. Even though I'm only at the beginning I do recommend this book. Read the book before the movie comes out.


Yellow Crocus by Laila Ibrahim. My book club read this for our January meeting. What a gem! A beautiful story about Lisbeth and her enslaved wet nurse, Mattie.

February Essence Beauty Box...

Hey All! I'm very pleased with this month's Essence Beauty Box. If you follow me on Snapchat (sadesigns) you saw that I did an unboxing yesterday. I got a chance to try out some of the products. Check it out below.

Love the artwork on the box.

This month's theme is Shine Like A Star.

The beauty products. Nice and full box. 

Kiss eyelashes and adhesive. Can't wait to wear these! Cover FX makeup primer with anti-acne treatment. Lipstick by IMAN in Hot. This is a gorgeous orange shade with lots of pigment. If you don't like a bright lip this shade isn't for you. It looks fabulous on my lips.

Every month we get hair products in our box. I definitely do not need to buy hair products. Miss Jessie's Coily Custard with agave and coconut oil. Dark & Lovely Soak it up Oil Cocktail. Smells so good. I tried this as part of my LOC method. Loved the results. 

This was our Bonus gift. Colgate Optic White toothpaste. Claims it will whiten your teeth more than 3 shades in just one week. I only used it once, can't give a good review just yet. I will have to see if it's better than brushing with old fashioned baking soda. 

My favorite product thus far is the lipstick by IMAN in Hot. Great alternative to wearing red lipstick.

Valentine's Day Date Night Outfit...

Hey All! Valentine's Day is upon us. Got any plans? I created my ideal Valentine's Date Night Outfit. Check it out below.

I love the monochromatic tones. Clean lines is the look I'm going for.

Love this fun sweater dress paired with to-die-for Stuart Weitzman over the knee boots. Instead of my go-to clutch, I opted for a black leather crossbody bag by Vince Camuto. I actually have this exact bag in a gorgeous royal blue that I got for a super deal at DSW. I'm going for fuss free jewelry. A classic pair of diamond studs and a statement ring. Minimal makeup, I love a natural face. Swipe on some mascara and a vampy lip, like this Mac lipstick. Bundled up in this cream shawl collared coat because it's freezing in NC!

I'm all set! Where are we going Troy?

Valentine's Day Date Night by sydneyaustindesigns featuring a leather shoulder bag

Winter Favorites...

 Hey All! Below is a list of things that I'm loving this winter.




Downton Abbey English Rose Tea I don't watch the show, but I love this tea. My mom turned me on to this tea. If you are a tea drinker, give this a try morning, afternoon, or evening. Delish.



Walkers Shortbread Rounds These are the perfect compliment to my Downton Abbey tea. My grandmother loved shortbread cookies and these cookies remind me of my nana. So buttery. Forget scones, give me my cookies!

Nurse Jackie on Netflix. I straight binged on Nurse Jackie, all 7 seasons. Seriously, I watched them all in about a week. I never watched it when it was on Showtime. I am so sorry it ended. What should I watch next? House of Cards? Orange is the new Black?


Hobo Lauren Clutch  This wallet is perfect. It keeps all of my stuff together. It has space for my cards, receipts, cell and a tube of lipstick. Seriously, I have gone through so many wallets because I jam so much stuff in it. Then I get frustrated when it doesn't close. Not the case with my Lauren.


Herbivore Botanicals Phoenix Facial Oil I first discovered Herbivore on etsy. Their products get rave reviews. When they had a sale around Christmas, I jumped on it. My skin is super dry. This facial oil is heaven sent! A little goes a long way.

Snapchat Okay so I'm a couple of years late. But it took that long for my kids to finally show me how to use it. It's a great app. I think I have one follower and that's my sorority sister Sharon. Let's snap and chat! Follow me on Snapchat. My id is sadesigns

Sheepskin Softsole Moc Slippers These moccasins are the bomb! Mine came from Target. They were a Christmas gift from my daughter. I don't want to take them off! I get the mail in them, take the dog out, pick my kid up from school.

When I do take off my sheepskin slippers, I put these on Sam Edelman Paige Boot  They are the cutest fringe suede booties. Very comfortable. I'm a big Sam Edelman fan, and these do not disappoint. I mostly wear them with skinny jeans, a tee and a comfy cardigan ( my winter staple).

New Hip Jewels...

Hello All! New and exciting designs are being launched in 2016! I love working with brass. Below are 2 designs that were designed from a sheet of brass. Hand cut, hand drilled, and hammered. Don't you just love gold shiny things! Also pictured are cascading cowrie shell earrings, garnet and citrine necklace, and freshwater pearls and garnet statement earrings.  If interested in purchasing, please click here

Gorgeous pink coral attached to handcut, hammered and filed brass components. 

Pyrite gems attached to handcut, hammered, and filed brass components.

Wire wrapped citrine and garnet pendant on antique brass chain with garnet accent beads.

My personal fave. Cascading cowrie shell earrings with red coral on silver chain.

Peachy freshwater pearls and garnet gemstones with silver chain earrings. 

Strands...

Hello All!

Over the weekend I did my last gemstone haul for the year. I'm like a kid in a candy store when it comes to gemstone shopping. It's my retail therapy. I came across so many gorgeous gems at the GTS Bead Show. Take a look at some of the strands of beads I purchased. I can't wait to turn these gemstones into hip jewels!

Orange Coral is gorgeous. I'm thinking chunky tribal themed necklace.

Coin shaped freshwater pearls are my favorite. Bridal party jewelry inspo.

Salmon pink coral chips will be great for designing hoops. 

Cyber Monday Sale...

Hello All! Hope you had a fabulous holiday weekend! Today is the last day to take 25% off all jewelry in my etsy shop. See picture below for details. Go here to take advantage of this great sale! I put a lot of passion in my designs and work. Thank you all for supporting Sydney Austin Designs and other small business owners.


I am also pleased to be mentioned in Afrobella's list of Black-owned businesses to support. Go here to see this wonderful list of over 350 black owned businesses.

Birthday Sale...

Hello All!

In celebration of my birthday week, I'm having a sale in my etsy boutique. Take 25% off all jewels from now until 12/1/15. Use coupon code BDAY25  at checkout. Click here to purchase. New jewelry being added daily. Thank you for supporting independent artisans this holiday season!

Citrine and deer antler necklace. Only 1 available.

Brass hoops with wire wrapped pearls.

Kyanite and gunmetal chain chandelier earrings.

Hammered brass discs. Domed and super lightweight. Perfect for everyday.

Copper and cowrie shell earrings.