Coffee Talks and Cat Walks

Some run on Dunkin...I run on Espresso!

2012-09-18T15:59:00.000-04:00

I think I failed to mention that I was leaving for vacation.....

I had a wonderful time touring Europe with my husband visiting London, France, Switzerland and Germany.

Now that I'm back - I'm in catch-up mode,

so the details/photos of my travels will be posted later...

Until then.....here is a quick photo of something I

enjoyed a lot of on my trip.....coffee...coffee...& more coffee.

....& Boy do the Europeans like it STRONG!

Now that I'm back - my sleep schedule is a little off...
I could use some of that strong java now and again!

Me time

2012-08-21T10:49:00.000-04:00

It feels like forever since my last blog post! I've been a busy girl working on several graphic design projects, custom orders for The Paisley Tab, tending to my bees/harvesting honey, and traveling with my husband. But, regardless of how busy we get in life,...It's always good to remember yourself once in awhile. It's healthy and makes you a better person! That being said, I've been carving out "me-time" lately and diving into a few books that I picked up from my local library. (Side note: I freak'n love the library! I didn't utilize it for years and I wish I had! I feel like I'm actually getting something back for my tax dollars!)

So what am I reading?

A closer look...

The Hip Girl's Guide To Homemaking, by: Kate Payne

Sewing In A Straight Line, by: Brett Bara

The Kind Diet, by: Alicia Silverstone

Why I'm reading these books...

The Hip Girl's Guide to Homemaking: .....I'm never going to be on one of the hit BRAVO "housewife" shows. That is a guarantee. When I picture a "home-maker", I imagine a frumpy, homely person....that I never want to be - but wait! Hip-Homemaker - now we're talking. When you pair the words Hip and Homemaking in the same title, I'm intrigued and willing to read on and that is just what I did. Since becoming a "wife" - almost 6 years ago, I turned over a new leaf - in the kitchen at-least. I suddenly got into cooking - which my husband loves, but homemaking goes beyond the kitchen. So, I found this book to be pretty fabulous because its full of tips on storage/organization, uses for household items - such as distilled white vinegar, and instructions on how to fold a fitted sheet without going insane.....& more! (Can't we all use advice on that last item!!)

Sewing In A Straight Line: .....Ever since I got back into sewing a few years ago, I love finding new books/tutorials....etc. for fun projects. Even If I don't end up making anything from the books, I feel like I always get inspired to make something new. My local library has tons of awesome books on sewing everything from clothes, gifts,....etc...etc. So fun! I'm hooked!

The Kind Diet: .....Over the years, my diet has taken a complete turn. The foods at the grocery store disgusts me. There is so much garbage in the packaged/processed foods, meats, dairy,....etc. It's so wrong. The food isn't real anymore. ....& people wonder why they're getting sick and obese. My way of eating first took a change after I saw the movie "Food Inc." That was a huge eye-opener. I immediately changed the way I was shopping and furthermore the way I was eating. I cut out the crap - including my favorite: Diet Coke and added in healthy, organic food. I recently watched the documentary "Forks over Knives" - and once again, it's got the wheels in my head turning....about what I'm eating. What.....? No Dairy, Meat, Eggs, Cheese? ....This makes things a little challenging - in my world of cooking. So, I'm turning to the The Kind Diet for help. Forks over Knives - encourages living a Whole food/Plant based diet. ....And that in turn will eliminate my risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. It will also, clear my skin, help my digestive system, and make me feel and look younger. ...It promises a lot - so I'm interested in finding out for myself!

What are you reading these days?

Easy Come, Easy Go...

2012-07-03T19:45:00.000-04:00

Meet the newest addition to

The Paisley Tab....it's the:

EASY COME, EASY GO HOBO BAG!

Just like the name says it, this "Easy-Come, Easy-Go" hobo - is simple, yet special because it's created with vintage fabric. (oooh....ahh)

This purse has a convenient snap front closure and brown strap for those who love to go "hands-free". Exterior is vintage floral fabric and the interior is fully lined with a solid cream lining. This is a simple bag for those who like to live "the simple life". It is fully functional for an every-day bag or even great for your items at the farmers market.

Here are a few other recently added to the shop from the same fabric.

The Simple Life

2012-06-25T17:16:00.001-04:00

Enjoy a taste of the simple life.........ahhh!

happydeliverie... $36.00	OliveYewJewels $26.00	ThePaisleyTab $20.00	OilandWax $10.00
CreativeBond $7.00	irenebclothing $35.00	Molipop $40.00	monpetitviolon $3.99
TortoiseLovesD... $14.50	DashinglilDiva $8.95	dellcovespices $19.95	hoshiidesigns $9.75
bksoapco $4.25	creativebalori... $60.00	soStyle $3.00	DianaParkhouse $8.50

Today is my Birthday!
YEA! - Yes, I'm getting old, but I still like to celebrate each and every birthday and that will never change!

I always see my birthday as my day and it's special to me.

I did some day-dreaming/shopping today on Etsy....

and - fell in love with these lovely simple treasures!

HAVE A GREAT Day & a GORGEOUS Week!

Love,

T!ffany

{The Paisley Tab}

TRIBAL NATION

2012-05-31T14:03:00.000-04:00

JOIN THE TRIBE!

Click on the items below

to follow this summer's Tribal Trend!

Make it Monday: DIY Jewelry Display

2012-05-29T13:30:00.000-04:00

I'm preparing for a craft show in a couple weeks, so I needed to create a way to display some of the jewelry I've been making. This Jewelry frame would be perfect for either a craft show, or just a great way to display your jewelry at home - in an organized manner so you can see what you have & you'll know where your jewelry is when you want to wear it!

WHAT YOU NEED:

Frame (I picked mine up at Goodwill.)

Spray Adhesive

Cardboard or Foam Core

Fabric (I went with some vintage fabric I found at an Antique shop.)

Jute string

Tools to cut fabric and cardboard

STEPS:

1. Trim fabric to be slightly larger then your cardboard.

2. Spray Adhesive to cardboard.

3. Place stickyside down on backside of fabric.

4.Wrap edges around cardboard.

5. Wrap Jute string tightly around fabric board.

6. Place fabric board inside frame.

Voila!

Weekend - send off

2012-05-25T12:31:00.002-04:00

H A P P Y

M E M O R I A L D A Y

W E E K E N D ! ! !

Hope everyone has a GORGEOUS Memorial Day Weekend!
Let the FUN begin now!

ENJOY 10% Off

at The Paisley Tab!

Enter code: SPRING10 at checkout!

Today - Monday 5/28/12, 11:59 est.

Click HERE to SHOP!

Love,

T!ffany

{The Paisley Tab}

Things I love {v. 3}

2012-05-24T14:31:00.000-04:00

{ T H I N G S I L O V E }

white noise

romantic comedies

cotton candy

talking with a british accent

bread and butter

ballet flats

storms - when I am safe at home

fresh manicured nails

temps in the 70's

movie marathons

glossy lips

hummus and pita chips

sleeping with the windows open

neon + neutral

fresh - cold - juice

Copy Cat: Jessica Alba

2012-05-09T10:20:00.005-04:00

Photo Credit: Charles Guerin/ABACA

Jessica Alba hit up NYC's, Soho district yesterday

dressed to the nines in military inspired threads...

with a gorgeous feminine twist.

CONFESSION: I love a good mix of femininity + masculinity!

S T U N N I N G !

Click below to get Jessica's look!

Hello May!

2012-05-03T11:05:00.001-04:00

I blinked and it went from April to May in a flash. April was a very busy month, and sadly the ole bloggy-blog-blog didn't get a whole lot of attention. So Yes, its May, but I'm just going to do a quick re-cap on my April adventures. In a nut shell here are some of the festivities that took place in my neck of the woods.

Top Left: We ate breakfast a few times at one of our favorites in town, (Cafe Patachou). It's a great way to kick off the weekend - A big breakfast, with a hot cup of joe, while reading the newspaper with my love.

Top Right: We also had some cool evenings so we had a couple of fires in the fire-pit and just relaxed and let go.

Bottom Photo: I split my beehive. Still waiting to see how things transpire with the split. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping this year yields a lot of honey.

Top Left: We played the lottery for the first time. It was "The Big One"...the mega-million (I think it was called) - No luck. Oh well.

Bottom Left: My brother and his family came to visit me while they were on spring break. We had a couple of fun-filled days together....ate out, went to the zoo, went to the park and had a great visit together. I wish I could see my sweet little niece and nephew everyday. They are so much fun to be with. I love them to pieces.

Right Photo: Saw the elephants at the zoo with my brother and his family. There was an adorable baby elephant....so cute and playful!

Left Photo: Packing for Vegas. Packing is complicated - I tend to over-pack like most women, but you just never know what you're going to need. I suppose it's better to be over prepared right?

Top Right: Pic of my friend Melissa and I while dining out at Lavo in Vegas. The weather was toasty warm during the day, but gorgeous at night. We dined outside overlooking the Vegas strip. It was fabulous!

Bottom Right: View from our room at the Encore - looking out to Wynn & the Vegas Strip.

Top Left: Ate out at PF Changs with my lover boy. My fortune said that "A lifetime of happiness lies ahead of you" - Sounds good to me! That's all I could ask for. ;)

Bottom Left: Took a quick trip back to my hometown in Illinois to visit some friends. I had an amazing time catching up. I just wish I had more time with my girls. Time flies when you're having fun. Saturday morning, my friend Tara introduced us to a fabulous "Farm-to-table" restaurant for breakfast in a nearby town. I had lamb sausage and gravy. It was amazing. After breakfast, my husband and I strolled around the small town and I fell upon this store-front window. The visual merchandiser with-in me was in absolute awe at this image. It was a store that had been untouched for decades. I love treasures like this. My husband and I spent the afternoon stopping at various Antique shops on our journey back home. We each found a couple of things. It's crazy how my taste in fashion and design has evolved over the years. I love getting my hands on fun, old stuff. I never appreciated antiques in the past, but I really dig them now.

Right Photo: YEARS ago my mom and I went to the Jackie-O exhibit at the Field Museum in Chicago. I bought this poster and have been holding on to it ever since then. I finally got it framed and it's now hanging in my sewing room. I'm not sure what took me so long to frame it. I wish I would've done it a long time ago. I just love it so much and it ties my sewing room together perfectly. I believe "Stunning" was the word I used to describe it when I stepped back and admired it hanging on the wall for the first time.

So That's about it. We'll see what May holds. It's already starting off crazy busy. I'm just trying my best to carve out some time for sewing with Silvia my Singer. I want to make sure that I'm fully stocked and readily prepared for my craft show in June.

Love,

T!ffany

{The Paisley Tab}

Save The Date & Don't Be Late!

2012-04-26T16:18:00.000-04:00

Come see The Paisley Tab

this summer - live at the

Indieana Handicraft Exchange!

I spy with my eye something Floral!

2012-04-21T09:39:00.000-04:00

I awoke to something fabulous

on this dreary Saturday morning:
My Floral Fabric Ruffle Necklace

was included in this beautiful Etsy Treasury!

nostalgems $39.00	CountryChicCou... $3.50	NelliJoy $8.00	teaatnoon $18.50
daileedose $10.00	RusticRainbow $15.00	PonderandStitc... $24.00	kristinstegent $15.00
bootki $12.00	WhiptasticCrea... $10.00	SarahWants $8.50	CountryChicCou... $4.00
lennonsleading... $16.00	ThePaisleyTab $18.00	Gilgulim $15.00	agentbananas $15.00

I hope this Spring mix of flowers

brings a smile to your day too!

HAVE A GREAT Day & a GORGEOUS Weekend!

Love,
T!ffany

{The Paisley Tab}

Copy Cat: Ashlee Simpson

2012-04-20T16:47:00.000-04:00

Source: Credit: Splash News Online

Bee Update: Splittsville

2012-04-20T13:21:00.001-04:00

Big news on the Bee Front:

I split my hive this week!

The hive in the photo above on the right side was my first hive that I set up last year. I was hoping to stretch my first hive to May, however it has quickly reached it's max and to prevent swarming, I decided to go ahead and preform my first split which - is the hive on the left. Now, I just need to sit back and let the bees work their magic and create a new queen. I've never done this before, so the suspense has me on the edge of my seat. I'm hoping to sneak a peak in the next day or two to see how things are progressing.

I'm alive...

2012-04-18T17:34:00.000-04:00

WOW!

What a crazy busy month this has been!

I have been swamped with projects - which is great for my business, but sadly it's left me with zero time left for what I really want to be doing...SEWING! If I could, I think I could sew all day, everyday, and never get tired of it. I truly love it that much. This is a short post because I still have a boat-load of work to do, but I thought I better drop in - say hello and let you know that I'm still alive. I'll also leave you with this sweet, little inspiring message I found!

via.

D R E A M B I G ! ! !

Pimping Hive #2

2012-03-29T18:08:00.003-04:00

About this time last year, I was "pimping my first bee-hive" - Literally a bee-hive, not the fashionable hair style that women sported back in the 60's. My first year of beekeeping was an adventure. At times felt chaotic, but overall a rewarding hobby, that I think everyone should experience. In the end, when I got to harvest the honey it was worth all my efforts!

Before I got started last year I attended bee-keeping school and learned "enough" - really it felt like a crash course in beekeeping, because what I really learned came from "doing" and "seeing" the activity in my own hive. An issue I ran into a lot last year was overcrowding. When you have overcrowding your risk swarms. Something I hope never happens!! I had no idea that my bees would expand as quickly as they did and I wasn't prepared for that growth. Thankfully, I found myself a wonderful mentor who is extremely knowledgeable in beekeeping. She came to my rescue multiple times last year. I don't know what I would've done without her. She taught me tons and let me borrow supplies when things got tight.

Now that I am familiar with the natural progression that occurs in a hive, I think I'll be better prepared this year. We had a mild winter so my bees survived and since the temps have been so warm, the bees have already been hard at work bringing back pollen. So, since they're back at it so am I. I just purchased my second hive, which I'm now in the process of pimping out to match my other hive. I know this year will bring new challenges. One being - splitting my old hive and hoping that my bees recognize the split and create a new queen for the new hive. Then, I just have to hope and pray that things take off and flourish like they did last year.

My new hive is freshly painted and ready and waiting for the split. I just have to determine the best time and place to do it. The temperament of my bees is different this year, so I'm a little cautious about setting up a second hive on my own property. I might try to find a local farmer looking for a little extra pollination or perhaps someone with some land to let me set the hive on their property where I can come and manage it. We shall see.

I'm looking forward to my second year of beekeeping. I'm sure my beeutiful bees will provide some great new blogging material! Hang on tight. This is going to be a crazy ride!

Free April Sponsors

2012-03-26T13:45:00.000-04:00

April is almost here!
S H O C K I N G ! ! !

...That being said, it's time to start the sponsorship round-up!

Woot-Woot!

So let's get started! Shall we?

If you're interested in doing a FREE

ad swap message me HERE!

If you're seeking greater dets, click HERE!

Piece of cake!

Have a GORGEOUS day!

-xoxo,

T ! F F A N Y

{ The Paisley Tab }

Sew & Tell: Upside Down Wristlets

2012-03-17T09:46:00.000-04:00

Keep it simple with:
The Upside Down Wristlet!

Today is St. Patty's day!
Enjoy 10% Off today at The Paisley Tab

Enter code: SHAMROCK at checkout to redeem your savings!

Hurry! Offer ends 3/17/12 at 11:59pm EST.

Click HERE to start shopping!

Have a GORGEOUS weekend!

Etsy Fun: In a fog...

2012-03-13T21:37:00.000-04:00

Etsy Fun: In a fog...

I did a little browsing on Etsy today...

...look at the goodies I found!

thelittlehappy... $35.00	CarlaDyck $60.00	WhatKnotShop $20.00	PrettyPlush $95.00
OldeTymeNotion... $6.00	reflectionsbyd... $50.00	Seawashed $3.00	thepaisleytab $37.00
cynthiasattic $14.00	skinnylaminx $35.70	Etsy Fun: In a fog.. fiveforty $44.00	pipsqueakandbe... $9.50
SparrowBlu $9.00	DontUWantMe $42.00	VezaVe $34.00	JunkyardGypsy $28.00

Oh...hey there...are you a fan?

We LOVE followers!

Copy Cat: Kate Hudson

2012-03-09T15:44:00.001-05:00

Springs not here yet.

You still have time to sport your

sweaters and boots!

Click Below To Get Kate Hudson's

Celebrity Bo-ho Chic Look!

Credit: Splash News Online

Sew & Tell: Clutches

2012-03-09T14:58:00.001-05:00

T . G . I . F !

Just a quick post to

introduce you to some of the new

lovelies that recently joined

the rest of the pretties at:

The Paisley Tab!

Floral Zipper Clutch


Lace Trimmed Zipper Clutch

Folded Clutch

HAVE A GORGEOUS WEEKEND!

Sew & Tell: Fabric Ruffle Necklaces

2012-03-06T06:45:00.000-05:00

Check out the newest edition to

The Paisley Tab Family!
Fabric Ruffle Necklaces on Copper Chains.

HAVE A GORGEOUS DAY!

2012-02-29T08:53:00.000-05:00

Click below to get

Olivia Wilde's

Celebrity Chic Look!

Photo Credit: AKM Images

Etsy Fun: Morocc(o)-my-world

2012-02-27T15:10:00.000-05:00

Confession: I had some fun on Etsy today!
Check out these beautiful Moroccan
inspired treasures that I found.
So Gorgeous!

MarleyMaterial $475.00	rosesandlemons $18.00	LITdecor $24.00	ThreeWishesStu... $24.00
EnglishShop $16.00	PomegranateVin... $55.00	SISTERBATIK $55.00	MucciBeads $32.00
KathyKinsella $40.00	zazoma $195.00	bettysworld4u $15.00	RetroFool $19.99
huntandseek $18.00	RingsofDesire $22.50	polkadotandpea... $30.00	thejewelrybar $42.00

Sponsor Spotlight: Shenanigans

2012-02-27T07:00:00.005-05:00

Meet Elizabeth from
Shenanigans

1. How did your blog come about?
The hubs and I have never lived near family. We had been living in Idaho and Utah attending school and apparently no one's too interested in visiting Idaho or Utah to see us. Ha. I got a travel job that was taking us to Hawaii and I thought starting a blog would be a way to document this new adventure of ours and allow our families to see what we were up to. I thought i would only blog for the time we were there but it turned into this journal for ourselves. Let's face it, blogging is more fun than writing in a journal (although I do journal in my girly diary--- i'm more frequent with our blog). We've lived in Idaho, Utah, Hawaii, traveled to Africa for a month and recently moved to Arizona and will probably be moving again this year. We love living in different states and seeing what all of them have to offer and sharing those things with anyone who's interested. :)

2. What inspires you?
This is a hard one because there are so many things and so many people. I'd have to say though, nature and my husband. So cheesy right? I'll explain. I grew up in Arizona and I don't know if it was my upbringing or living in a desert but I was never an out-doorsy person. When I met my husband, everything changed. He took me fishing on a warm afternoon day and that was my first time, in the middle of idaho, at a beauitful river, FISHING. My husband inspires me because he's helped me appreciate the beauty around us.

3. How do you spend your free time and what are your hobbies?
My free time is being outdoors, running, reading, trying new recipes, taking pictures of pretty things I see, and trying new places to eat. None of those big chain places. I'm talking about those places that you only know about because you hear about it through the grapevine or just happen to be driving around in a random area of town and come across this small restaurant. I like those places. Is that weird? And free time usually consists of catching up on sleep. Well, i shouldn't say catching up because i get a good amount of sleep already, i just love sleep so if i can throw in a nap here and there. :)

4. What word best describes you?
unpredictable.

5. If you could share one secret of your success, what would it be?
If this in reference to life, i'd have to say keep trying. If you don't, you're stuck in failure mode. :)

Here's where you can connect with Elizabeth:
{ BLOG }

Do you have a blog that you would like to

have featured on Coffee Talks & Cat Walks?
...if so, Click HERE.

Coffee Talks and Cat Walks

Some run on Dunkin...I run on Espresso!

Me time

Easy Come, Easy Go...

The Simple Life

TRIBAL NATION

Make it Monday: DIY Jewelry Display

Weekend - send off

Things I love {v. 3}

Copy Cat: Jessica Alba

Hello May!

Save The Date & Don't Be Late!

I spy with my eye something Floral!

Copy Cat: Ashlee Simpson

Bee Update: Splittsville

I'm alive...

Pimping Hive #2

Free April Sponsors

Sew & Tell: Upside Down Wristlets

Etsy Fun: In a fog...

Copy Cat: Kate Hudson

Sew & Tell: Clutches

Sew & Tell: Fabric Ruffle Necklaces

Etsy Fun: Morocc(o)-my-world

Confession: I had some fun on Etsy today! Check out these beautiful Moroccan inspired treasures that I found. So Gorgeous!

Sponsor Spotlight: Shenanigans

Confession: I had some fun on Etsy today!
Check out these beautiful Moroccan
inspired treasures that I found.
So Gorgeous!