G'day Mate!

Today I am off to Australia for 2 weeks to visit one of my best friends!

Can't wait to share all of the adventures with you all when I get back.



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I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  I'll be spending the next two days on an airplane...

And don't worry, while I'm gone you still get lots of wedding inspiration!

Etsy Find - UpUrAly

Bridesmaids gifts... what to do?  It's always a big question I get from brides.  They want to get something special for their ladies to let them know how much it means to for them to be part of their big day but they also don't want to get them something they'll never use again.

Well, today's {Etsy Find} is the answer to that question.  UpUrAly is a shop owned by Aly, who lives in Eagle, Idaho with her husband Joe and their pets Kitty and Doja.  In her shop on Etsy, Aly has handmade jewelry rolls, make up rolls and wristlets.  The best part, you can pick the fabric combinations!  So, you can pick a different fabric for each bridesmaid based on her and her personality.  It's something personal and useful!

I asked Aly to tell us a little about herself and how she got into this business: I have always loved making jewelry, crocheting, knitting and doing anything craft related! I even do a little origami. I just love how you can take just about anything from paper to fabric and make a beautiful item out of it, and I also enjoy knowing that it came from my hard work.

Aly has a Music Ed degree and Masters in Education (smart lady!).  She loved the idea of teaching music but realized it wasn't so practical for having a family due to the long hours.  So how did she start her business and get her shop on Etsy? 

My husband bought an old 1915 treadle style singer sewing machine to occupy my time while I figured out what I did want to teach (I'm thinking Spanish or ESL).  So with what I remembered from when I was young that my mom and grandma taught me and a few tutorials from the Internet I taught myself to sew!  I started out with purses and an apron but I wanted something to use everyday for practicality. I already had a shop with some jewelry and crochet items so I decided to start a new one with only my sewn items. For product to put in my new shop I thought about practical things that could be used for every day needs. So I redesigned the brush rolls that are available out there to fit my needs. Such as spaces for my make up brushes but also for my make up. So the make up brush roll came to be. Then while at a friends house a few of my friends liked my idea but also wanted somewhere to organize their jewelry for traveling. I had a sewing book that had a jewelry roll in it already but I didn't like the way it was laid out, so again I redesigned it for my needs and what I thought real women would need out of it. Now I have two different jewelry roll designs to fit most women's needs. As for getting into the bridesmaid gift business, it was totally by chance. Someone saw my jewelry rolls and asked if I could make them for her bridesmaids. So that's how I got started catering to brides =) After I got into that, I have been busy nonstop!

So I still want to pursue teaching and am hoping to get an endorsement in spanish or ESL so I can teach but still have time to grow my family. I think I will always keep my shop open as long as people still like my stuff and to keep my crafting and sewing need satisfied.

Jewelry Rolls

Large Jewelry Rolls

Inside Detail

Small Jewelry Roll

Inside Detail

Makeup Rolls

Use these for makeup brushes or art supplies or anything else!

Inside Details

Wristlets

 

Fabric Choices - so cute!  And there are more options on her Facebook page.

Be sure to check out Aly's Etsy shop and Facebook page for even more products and fabric choices! 

P.S. I just ordered one of the jewelry rolls for myself...  Aly was so helpful in picking out fabrics and letting me know what would look best together.  Can't wait to get it!

European Adventure - Amsterdam

Over Labor Day weekend (aka the first weekend of September for those non-Americans), I traveled over to Amsterdam for a week to visit the bf (he is currently there for work). After spending a week biking (the number of bikes there is insane) and walking around the city, I got to see how relaxed and beautiful the city is.

So, I thought I'd share a bit of my European Adventure in Amsterdam with you.

Heineken Brewery - so cheesy, but at least you get a few beers along the way.

It's beautiful, right?

Up next: Nice, France & Monte Carlo in October!

Ahoj v Praze! (Hello Prague!)

Today I am heading to Prague, Czech Republic with one of my girlfriends! 

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I am so excited to get a little break from work and to explore a new city.  One of my favorite things about traveling is getting inspired by new cultures and styles.  I'll make sure to take lots of pictures to share with you all!

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Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!  And if you have any tips for me about Prague, I'd love to hear them.

India & Some Inspiration

Last week, I got some interesting news at work (for the corporate job I unfortunately still have...)  I found out that I am going to India!!  Oh and I leave this Friday... talk about last minute planning.  They barely gave me time to go shopping for some new India appropriate garb.

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I've never been to India and am beyond excited / slightly nervous about going.  I think it is going to be a great experience working there for a week and getting to be immersed in that culture.  The one thing I'm not looking forward to?  The 110 degree weather... that should be interesting.  If you have any tips for me to stay cool, please do share!

While I will be there for work with very little free time, we are planning a trip to the Taj Mahal one day.  By doing a quick search online of the famous palace, I am absolutely thrilled to have this opportunity!  I can tell it's going to be one of the most beautiful place I've ever been and can't wait to share lots of pictures with you all.

 Seriously, how amazing is this??

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All this research about India gave way to some wedding inspiration which is where my mind always tends to wander after all! (If only I could do the wedding planning full time - someday, someday... that is the plan)

How beautiful would this wedding be?  I love all of the bright colors and ornate decor.  And the reception is stunning!

No Indian wedding is complete without an elephant!

Have you ever been to India?  Please share your stories & tips with me!

बुधवार खुश!

 

Pictures via: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10