A - Simple Hobknob Cups from Perch! Design ($32.00)
B - Hummingbird Microwave Bowl from Hummingbird Studio Pottery ($35.00)
C - Housefly Plate from Trixie Delicious ($25.00)
D - Coaster/Trivet Set from Branch ($22.00)

Modica Design features stunning wooden jewelry infused with the perfect shades of resin. Each piece of jewelry is made exclusively for you from about 20 different colors of resin to be used for your necklace or earrings. The wood used in these jewelry designs are sculpted from Cherry or Quartersawn Wenge. They generate such warmth and texture with their natural patterns and provides a modern edge when combined with the opaque resin. Cristina Aucone also creates an eco-friendly selection in the Trillium Artisans etsy shop such as the Orange Square Necklace and Green Dots Earrings.

Even though we’re not starting a new giveaway this week since the Mega Giveaway is still going on through the 23rd, I’ll still hook you up with a special treat! How do these Cinnamon Honey Doughnuts with Raspberry Jam look to you? I’ve been wanting to try these out forever! I never made doughnuts before. When I was younger, we had a nice doughnut man instead of an ice cream truck in our neighborhood. He drove around in a white VW bus and I remember my mom always got vanilla icing with sprinkles! However, I can’t remember what flavor I got, probably chocolate icing. They were only a quarter too!

INGREDIENTS:
1 teaspoon active dry yeast
2 tablespoons warm water
2 tablespoons honey
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup milk
1 tablespoon light corn oil, plus more for bowl
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
3 cups peanut oil
1/2 cup sugar, for dusting
1 12 ounce jar seedless raspberry jam

DIRECTIONS:
1. In a medium bowl, combine yeast with warm water, and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Whisk in honey, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, egg, milk, and corn oil. Using a wooden spoon, stir in salt and flour. Mix until dough appears smooth.

2. Transfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and set in a warm place to rise until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours. Line a baking sheet with parchment, and another one with paper towels; set aside.

3. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured work surface, and knead four to five times. Roll dough into a 10-inch square, about 1/4 inch thick. Using a pizza cutter, cut into 2 1/2-by-2 1/2-inch squares, and transfer to parchment-lined baking sheet. Lightly cover with plastic; let rest in a warm place 20 minutes.

4. In a medium saucepan, heat peanut oil until a deep-frying thermometer registers 360 degrees. Working in batches of five or six, fry doughnuts until golden brown on both sides. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to paper-towel-lined baking sheet to drain. Fry remaining doughnuts.

5. In a medium bowl, combine sugar and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Toss the doughnuts lightly in cinnamon sugar.

6. Fill a pastry bag fitted with a #4 tip with jam. Using a wooden skewer or toothpick, make a hole in the side of each doughnut. Fit the pastry tip into a hole; pipe about 1 tablespoon jam into doughnut. Repeat with remaining doughnuts. Toss filled doughnuts in cinnamon sugar again, if desired. Serve immediately.

My friend, Kathleen was looking for a birthday gift for her friend’s daughter (and her goddaughter). With the thought of Snoopy, I came across this great Snoopy Satin and Flannel Security Blanket from 2 Teens and a Toddler Boutique for only $10! What does a little one love more than being able to feel that satin between their fingers and snuggle at night? I also came found a great Linus Blanket and Lucy Baby Scarf too.

If you need help to find that perfect gift or something to treat yourself with, contact us and I’ll do my best to help you. Provide as many details as possible such as price range, preferences (colors, sizes, styles where applicable), who the item is for (yourself, gift), likes/dislikes, etc. Please keep in mind the types of products we feature on this blog as the source of inspiration.

I sincerely apologize for our downtime this week. Of course, it happens while I was out of town and during the mega giveaway! Anyhow, I believe the mega giveaway caused some issues with the server at my hosts. Therefore, a plugin has been installed that limits the number of comments that loads each time you click on an individual post. Be sure to read all the posts you missed during our downtime that were scheduled ahead of time!

Back in January, we featured an adorable umbrella necklace made by Small Things Designs. A few days ago, Teresa introduced me to their new exciting line of handmade jewelry called Stone and Honey. Many of the gorgeous pieces such as the Purple Peacock (above right image) features stunning Brazilian agate with its bright hues combined with their intricate metalwork that you have come to love. The flowing peacock feather design provides modern appeal with the complimentary contrast. In many traditions, agate is believed to soothe the mind and is easily captured through the unique color variations and textures of each stone. For a more conservative style, head over to their gold fill necklace collection where you will find such darling pieces as the Janis Necklace. Oh, there’s also the August Necklace which seems perfect for those of us who are interested in helping the dwindling bee population whom we rely on for many of the natural foods we eat.

Fuzzy Felted Friends FRED FLARE	Friendship Apple MIDDLEBURG FOLK ART	Cooking With Friends Tee THREADLESS
Duo Tag Necklace MAMA BETH BLING	Candid KIT Card JEAN FRANCIS BEAN	Elephants in Love Print BARKING BIRD ART

Ever since eyeing a beautiful Black Wool Cameo bag from Becky OH about two years ago, I have repeatedly checked out her site to see what this handbag designer is going to impress me with next! There’s always a great selection of lovely fabrics and styles to choose from! Her line is ideal because for each particular style of handbag, there’s probably a minimum of at least thirty different fabric patterns to choose from. You never have to wish there was one in another color because you’re going to find the perfect one to match your favorite outfit! Add in the fact that these bags are made with the utmost quality and craftmanship, you are going to be sporting the best fashion forward bag around. From the smaller Pequenyo wristlet to the spacious Intaglio Shoulder Bag, you will surely find the exact size you’re looking for. Each of these bags are one of a kind, so you never have to worry about it going out of style.

A - Dotted Floral Knit Top from Heritage 1981 ($14.90)
B - Rose Bubble Tee (set of 3) from Ahpeele ($28.00)
C - Summer Tunic from Rainbow Swirlz ($25.00)
D - Jane Casual Top from Ananya ($30.00)

Look at the personalized pancakes my husband made me Saturday morning for breakfast! My summer vacation officially started since my semester ended on Friday! Woohoo! Starting late tomorrow afternoon, we’re heading to the Upper Peninsula in Michigan. I have posts scheduled, so you won’t even know I’m gone! I’ll be sure to take plenty of photos to share with you. Of course, when I get back, the reality sets in that my summer break is way too short since the fall semester starts back up on August 25th. Technically, the 26th for me since I only have classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I hope two weeks is enough time for my brain to recharge. Where did you go on vacation this summer?

I hope you’re telling all your friends and family about our mega giveaway that started up yesterday! I am impressed that some of you actually had the patience to go through all the shops at once instead of spreading it out over the two weeks! Also, if you haven’t signed up for our postcard swap yet, just a reminder that the last day to sign up is on Thursday! Don’t miss out because it will be a lot of fun!

Look at Paiva grow! She’s already outgrown the new pot I put her in, so I think once we get back from vacation, I am going to move her to a bigger one. She is going to show us a beautiful purple flower soon too! I was so excited when I saw it this morning that I yelled, “Look, Look, Look!” to my husband before he left for work this morning. My friend Kathleen was hoping for pink ones, but this will just be as pretty and I’m sure she’ll be just as thrilled since this plant is thriving so much. Seriously, she grew about 2 inches since Saturday (when I took the photo on the left)! The husband keeps saying she’s out of control, she really is, but it’s because she knows she’s so loved. …And the cats leave her alone.

Remember the Swheat Experiment? It’s been about 4 months and I was still at the 50/50 mark. Basically, this stuff makes our place smell awful and we’re not going to use it anymore. It wasn’t an Ammonia type smell either. This past weekend I picked up Feline Pine which is also a natural clumping litter and was incredibly lightweight. However, this stuff is basically like sawdust and I am not sure how well this brand is going to work out either. I’m up for suggestions!