Mandyland Update

So my little Etsy shop has been plugging away over the last few months.  A few weeks ago I got a request for some custom arrows from Untamed Petals by Amanda Judge who sells beautiful bridal accessories.  I had so much fun with the order as I put together a pretty custom listing in multiple colors based on a reference photo for a chandelier they had decorated. 

Creating the custom arrows





The final product
 

 

Little did I know that Untamed Petals would be using the arrows at their booth at Bridal Fashion Week in NYC.  And they featured some awesome shots of the arrows on their blog about it. 

 

And I've been contacted to provide some arrows for a fairy tale themed wedding shoot in June.  I will share more details on that later.  I am just so touched about all the recent feedback I've been getting about the shop recently - especially the arrows, which definitely seem to be a favorite. 



Living Room

 

The living room has been a work in progress for some time (see here).  Here are some shots of one side of the room.  The couch is really comfortable and I keep seeing couches in similar styles pop up all over the place - so I think I made the right choice.  I'm still searching for the perfect curtains but I had these sheer pink polka dot curtains that I picked up on sale a few years ago that will do fine for now.

 

 

Z Gallerie Couch and CB2 coffee table

 

Bar cart from Society Social with new and vintage glassware

I have flipped around the rest of the living area and I'm going to revamp  my work area at the start of next year to allow for more storage and keep the work area clear. 

Etsy Find: Nest Pretty Things

I was poking around on Etsy the other day and found Nest Pretty Things - and instantly fell in love with a few of the necklaces and the earrings weren't far behind.



 

Double Chunky Beaded Necklace Pink

Pastel and Gold Beaded Hoops

 

Colorful Chunky Necklace

Colorful Beaded Earring

 

 I love the faceted beads and the colors and the gold!  I could go on and on.  The shope has items ranging from $10 to $160 (only a few at that higher price point though). The single strand necklaces are only $28.  I like getting pieces with lots of colors as they work with more outfits and most of these fit the bill.  I can't wait to snatch one up!

More Gold!

 

 

A few of my favorites from Zara Home and ban.do to brighten your Monday afternoon! And who doesn't need the promise of something shiny on a Monday to get you through the week.  I worked all weekend so I'm even more off than usual for a Monday.

 



Rainbow Brites at Zara Home

Sabine Throw / Multicolor Stripe Bedspread / Lawrence Dinnerware / Dotty Placemat / Tuft Decorative Quilt

Zara Home launched its U.S. website earlier this month and it looks promising. While there were a ton of options (in fact it seemed almost impossible to see everything based in part on the fact the website organization could use some reorganization). My favorites on a first review were the items that embraced all the colors of the spectrum. My favorite is probably the throw.

Pee-Chee Portfolios

I have always been a sucker for a good school office supply - gold paper clips, fancy clipboards.  A few years ago I was talking with some friends and mentioned Pee-Chee folders.  They had no idea what I was talking about.  I couldn't believe it. 

 

These were the folders that, at the time, were the cheapest ones at the store but sturdy - so you mom made you get them.  We were usually allowed one extravagant folder (i.e., Lisa Frank with unicorns and/or pandas and/or rainbows, etc.) but as more and more folders were required we were sent to the Pee Chees.  Once the other colors were introduced it was like a whole new world opened up - now I could color code my folders and always know what color I needed for a class. 

 

Fast forward to present time - I was looking for a bottle opener and came across the online store Schoolhouse Electric Supply & Co.  I was perusing some of the categories and lo and behold they had Pee Chee Pocket Portfolios - I almost fell out of my seat. 



Via

For $7.00 you can get a whole set of five Pee Chee folders!  There are my old friends the football players and the track stars and inside there are still conversion and multiplication charts inside.

Sweet 16

So I have been obsessed with this photo since I saw it some time ago.

Via Shelterness

Why you ask?  The large pink Abraham Lincoln print.  I grew up going to Disneyland and watching Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln and even have had the chance to visit Ford's Theater a few years ago.  Anyway I think most people can agree Abe Lincoln was a cool guy and I thought a pink Abraham Lincoln would be a welcome addition to my home.

But then I couldn't find it.  I pride myself on being able to locate items I want to purchase - I will waste spend a whole night searching for some insignificant item that has caught my eye (e.g., unicorn cocktail picks). Sure I found other portraits and even some in pink but none were quite right.  Then the other day I was perusing Pinterest and saw an Abe Lincoln print that I thought I could love just as much: Neapolitan Abe.

Via JustinRichel

 

It was still classic Abe (no zombie references) and pink.  But the added bonus was the ice-cream reference.  I'm sure we can add some other meaning to it as well - he's chocolate, vanilla and strawberry in the middle - but I'm not that deep when it comes to these things - I just know what I like and I liked this.

 

When I found the seller on Etsy I discovered - as though this couldn't get any better - that there was another Abe Lincoln print - again likely imbued with some social commentary - but again I just liked it: Rainbow Abe.

 



Via JustinRichel

 



Unfortunately Neapolitan Abe was not listed and there was only a small Rainbow Abe - I just contacted the seller and he relisted and now they are coming home to live with me!!

I have been limiting my art purchases lately as I have tons of art that isn't even hung up right now so it seems silly to get more but I was able to justify these because I had been looking for something for so long.