Just in time for Christmas.

i hate to do another shop-related post, but wanted to fill you guys in on the deal i'm running on Groopdealz from now through Thursday! my popular pine cone necklace is 42% off, with discounted shipping ($2.75)! on top of that, it's guaranteed to ship in time for Christmas, so you can give it as a Christmas gift (it's ok to get yourself a Christmas gift too. just sayin') there's only a limited number available, so i'd snag one sooner than later.

i would be super grateful if you felt like sharing this deal on twitter/facebook/your social media outlet of choice (you can actually do it from the deal page itself when you hover over the photo). thanks guys!! i'll check in soon with a more interesting (less self-promoting) post ;)

oh, hey.

hey guys, remember me? i don't blame you if you don't! it has been a really freaking long time. happy to report i'm alive and well in our new home in the Pacific Northwest. i have to say, Portland is a pretty amazing place to live & is slowly starting to feel like home, though it still feels pretty surreal that we actually live here. will tell you more about that soon but for now i just wanted to drop in to let you guys know about the special i'm having on the pinecone necklace in my shop this week.

that's almost 40% off you guys! (still trying to figure out if they say 'you guys' here..) there is only a limited quantity available & the deal will end on Sunday (the 27th). this is a perfect everyday necklace for fall - it goes with everything, is a comfortable weight & such a pretty antiqued bronze. the length is 27", but i am happy to adjust the length on request, just shoot me a message on etsy. find it here.

excited to be back to blogging! i've missed you all, for reals.

Last-Minute Mother's Day Card Roundup

Just in case you haven't gotten your mom a card for Mother's Day yet (I just ordered mine this weekend). 

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 

Worried about it getting here on time? Another convenient option is downloading this lovely card. I got my friend's bridal shower invites (also downloadable) from the same shop, Paper and Pip -- I definitely recommend.

I'll be back later this week to share a recipe from Cinco de Mayo and some photos from the bridal shower I threw -- if I can get my darn desktop to work! April was a very full month and I'm happy for a bit of downtime before things get crazy again, which will include visiting this space more often - I've missed it!

etsy makes for great gifts.

right?! i know i would be giddy to receive any of these handmade beauties (even the elf hat.. i could always stash it away for our future kiddos :)). love that they are all reasonably priced.

elf hat | moroccan lace mug | latte mug & stamped spoon set |  boho headband in peach | hand painted wooden bird |
felt feather headband | pleated coin purse | peach and gold dot dish | two drifers print

when i pulled items from my favorites on etsy for this collection, i wasn't i wasn't even trying to color coordinate. i guess it just shows how i am constantly drawn to peaches, mustards and turquoises.

p.s. have you guys heard of Fotor (or am i just way behind)?? i used it to make this collage - it's got some really great layout options and it's FREE. now i'll have to see if there's an app for my iPad, since i rarely use my aging desktop these days, except to proofread hubby's dissertation, which he recently finished writing(!!!) in the matter of seven months. he is superhuman.

a new etsy shop obsession :: GYPSA.

i just discovered this shop the other day via Poppytalk & i am pretty much enamored. in particular, this quilt. i've decided it must adorn our future queen-sized bed that i'm hoping we will get to purchase shortly after our move (we have a full now that was mine growing up and some other family member's before that... yea, i think it's time for an upgrade). it's things like this that make me all the more motivated to continue pitching pennies in the meantime & knockin' down that credit card debt.

some other things i would really like to have prettying up our next place. they are all perfect. and also pretty reasonably priced. win, win.

speaking of our next place, we are looking to rent a 2-3 bedroom house in Portland -- for those of you that live there, do you have any recommendations of what neighborhoods we should look in? we've been told SE is a great area & we really enjoyed what we saw of it while we were there. i think this finding the right place busiiness is going to be a bit tricky, especially with the budget hubby is hoping to stay within. the plan is to go there in July to find our place/sign a lease (we move at the end of August). in the meantime, i'm checking craig's list incessantly even though it's still much to early. not a huge fan of the waiting game.

a weekend in cincinnati.

This weekend, I tagged along with my hubby to Cincinnati, where he attended the yearly ACA conference. I love to accompany him on these conference trips because it gives me a chance to explore a new city and get a mini-vacay (while he gets up everyday before 7am to gives presentations and go to meetings, etc. -- my hubs is one hard-working man). He even snuck in some time to work on his dissertation. What?! I'm telling you, he is our of control. I got all emotional/proud-wifey on him on the drive home talking about how it still feels so surreal that he got the Portland State position, but that everything will feel real once he sees his name on the door to his very own office there. I was overwhelmed by feelings of pride; he has worked really stinking hard to get that job - a job that tons of tenured professors applied to -- (he met a ton of people at the conference who were like, "WHOA, you got that job!!" It seriously was a very hot commodity.)

Didn't mean to go off on a bragging tangent but I couldn't help myself :) Back to our little road trip. We stayed at the 21C Museum Hotel (courtesy of my work - one of the many perks). It was a really unique and beautiful boutique hotel that actually had an art museum inside! Also, cute yellow penguins in random places, including the elevators. It is one of my fave hotels I've stayed at. 

As I'm sure I've mentioned before, one of my favorite part of traveling is eating (duh). The culinary highlight of this trip   :: -- wood-fired Neopolitan pizza with fig jam, prosciutto, fontina and arugula -- seriously one of the most scrumptious combinations, my stomach just growled, no joke. That was accompanied by my new fave cocktail -- made with homemade ginger beer and rum. And followed up by homemade salted caramel gelato topped with a shot of Bourbon. Heaven. The other highlight :: Graeter's ice cream (thank you SO much for the recommendation Kelly!) -- it is indescribably good. They now carry it in some grocery stores (yes!) -- you must try it if you can find it (check their website). I now understand why Oprah said "you haven't tried ice cream until you've tried Graeter's. 

Wow, I am really obsessed with food!! Other than that, I really just checked out some local vintage/handmade shops (one with a vegan cafe!) and hung out an awesome coffee shop. Oh, and slept in. And ate some more. 

This lady let me know that this painting is by Charley Harper, who was based out if Cincinnati! So cool!

Have any of you been to Cincinnati? I really enjoyed the architecture there, particularly in the historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, as well as the artsy and laid-back feel. Definitely plan on joining Joel on all of his conference excursions in the future, even if it means leaving our {future} kids with a sitter. Next March :: Honolulu(!!!!!!!!!!!)

what i've been eyeing lately.

 If I could splurge on a few things right now, it would be these.
They make my eyes very happy.

1. Pompom Peasant Blouse | 2. Chartreuse foldover clutch | 3. Citrus Floral Print | 4. Collared Skipper Tank | 

5. Cotton Skirt from Vanilla & Lace | 6. Wildflower Turban Style Headband

Would love the Rifle Paper Co. print for our place in Portland (loving all of their new spring line right now. And loving that they're offering 20% off their featured section w/ coupon code PICKS20!) I am practically drooling over the two Anthro picks (1 & 4). I have never spent full-price on anything there (duh) but am considering getting those two pieces with the $250 (!!!) gift card that's burning a hole in my pocket. What do you guys think -- would it be dumb to use it on full-price items rather than wait for their additional 25% off clearance sale & stock up? I'm just scared that these lovelies won't make it to the sales rack and they are both screaming my name.

Hope you all have a lovely first weekend of spring! You are lucky if where you are it actually feels like spring. We are in Cincinnati (sadly just as cold as Detroit) for the weekend for a counseling conference for hubs, so if any of you are familiar with the city and have any suggestions of how I should spend my time while Joel conferences, let me know! So far I've been eating yummy food, checking out cute boutiques and hangin' at a sweet coffee shop. Tomorrow I'll be heading to the art museum (it's free!) and not sure what else yet. Maybe a trip to anthro? What are you guys up to this weekend??

home tour :: our living space.

I think the last time I shared photos of our place was shortly after we moved in, three and a half years ago. It's changed quite a bit since then so I thought it'd be fun to document it on here before we leave our beloved abode, starting with our living space.

colorful pillow is from anthro (got a crazy deal) as is the ceramic turquoise basket. globe, thrifted.

With the exception of the two side tables, which were found at an antique shop in grand rapids, and the green chair, picked up for $10 at an estate sale, every piece in here was either handed down by my parents or bought second-hand from the previous tenants of the first place we rented together. I am kind of hoping to sell most of the furniture and start fresh with our new place, wherever that may be. I would love each piece to be intentional and well thought out. I will be scouring Craig's List and flea markets I'm sure.

pink pintuck pillows came from Home Goods, as did the orange ruffle pillow on the blue chair.

SO excited to leave our massive TV behind, haha. hoping for a fireplace instead of a TV in our next place :)

Anyway, this is what our living space looks like now. It is a space I have grown to love despite it not being exactly what I would want (for example, I would love a couch like this). I am trying to let go of feeling like everything needs to look perfect. Looking at beautiful blogs can exasperate that feeling but I've been learning to put things into perspective and remember what's really important. And it is quite freeing. But we'll see how I do when we have a new place to make our own.. I could definitely see my perfectionist ways making me all crazy-like again.

I am a huge fan of Rifle Paper Co and have several of their cards displayed as art work throughout our house. Talk about affordable art. And then when I'm ready for a change I can use them for their original purpose and get a new set of pretty stationery to display :) The "there's no place like home" print is from here. I love it. It's weird to think about how much it's meaning will change soon.. 

a winner.

Thanks for all who participated in my giveaway. I just chose the winner via random.org, and she is ::

1. 

   JoJan 19, 2013, 8:22:00 PM

   Following your blog ! I love the maroon and metallic gold one :)

2. Congrats Jo! Please email me at prettythingsbymeg@gmail.com with your postal address. 

I also wanted to share a couple of new pretties that I added to the shop over the weekend :)

Sophia necklace | Branch earrings 

Hope you all are having a great start to the week! This is a big one for us.. Joel flies out on Wednesday for his first final, on-campus interview. And then he has two more in other parts of the country within the same week. Yea, pretty intense. Your thoughts and prayers would be greatly appreciated!

weekend links.

{source}

- this wedding makes my jaw drop.
- hubby and i are trying to get our finances in order because they are a MESS. believe me, i am not exaggerating. love this idea of a spending fast.
- have you entered my giveaway yet??
- have you seen ordinary mommy's new sequin twist blow clips? aDORable.
- also - iviebaby's new geometric fabric line.
- making these tonight and plan to make this soon.
- obsessed with this dress from lalamagic. wishing my birthday was sooner.
- it's not often there's a movie in theatres that interests me, but i really want to see this one

hope you all have a lovely weekend! i will be spending time sorting & purging (can't start too early), making, relaxing and hanging out with a ridiculously adorable 2yo. i really should do some cleaning too, we'll see. i'm finding myself not caring as much about the state of our house since we'll be leaving it this year.

A GIVEAWAY!

Hello, lovelies. As a token of my appreciation for reading this 'lil 'ol blog (and because I just realized that December 17 marked the four-year anniversary of when I started it - whaaaa?!), I thought I would give away one of my new geometric ribbon necklaces.

All you have to do to enter is be a follower of my blog, and leave a comment telling me which color is your fave.

For additional entries :: like my page on Facebook (+1), tweet about the giveaway (please mention @prettiesbymeg in your tweet) (+2) or blog about the giveaway (+2). Please leave a separate comment for each.

Giveaway is open to U.S. and international readers. You have until Sunday, January 27th to enter.
Want one now?? Use coupon code PRETTIES15 to save 15% off your order!

Thanks, friends, for all of your support! I am truly thankful for the life-giving friendships I've developed all because of this little space. It's pretty awesome.

Here's to blogging more consistently in 2013 & to deepening those friendships :)

new in the shop!

This coming year, I hope to dive back into my Etsy shop. By the end of 2011, I was feeling burned out and ready for some "me" time. It felt like every bit of my spare time was spent either working on my business or feeling guilty for not working on my business. So, as you may have noticed, I stepped back quite a bit last year, for much longer than I intended. Now I'm ready to get back into it (as much as working a day job & preparing to move (potentially cross-country) will allow). I really have missed it.

Last month, I was so excited to introduce my geometric ribbon necklaces. This past weekend, I added a couple more necklaces that I really love. These are great everyday necklaces that go with everything. I have been wearing my pine cone necklace pretty much everyday.  

pinee cone necklace | branch necklace

Oh, and right now you can save 20% off with coupon code HAPPYNEWYEAR. Those are some pretty significant savings. I will be adding new earrings within the coming weeks!

New necklace line {finally} here!

This is a loooong time coming. So happy to finally introduce a new line of necklaces to my Etsy shop, just {barely} in time for Christmas! They are made with wooden beads that are hand painted on alternating sides, and strung with beautiful silk ribbon. They're available in three different color combos, as shown below. You can find them here.

There is a limited quantity available right now, so you better be quick! They would make a beautiful Christmas gift, and will arrive in a gift box tied with a lovely lace ribbon. Place your order by the 14th to guarantee shipping in time for Christmas (or U.S. customers). There is always the option of upgrading shipping for an additional cost - just message me on Etsy.

Thank you all so very much for your support! I will be adding more new pretties to my shop in the coming weeks! :)

Christmas card lineup + a little announcement

This will be the first year since Joel and I have been married that I will be sending our Christmas cards :) Still anxiously awaiting for them to arrive from this favorite stationery shop. I have so many lovely (and unique) Christmas cards this year, I thought I'd share a few of my faves, just in case you're still on the hunt.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 (clockwise)

Hope you are all soaking in the holiday season and spending some QT with the people you love. It has been a special one over here so far. 

On an unrelated note :: I will be introducing a new jewelry line TOMORROW (Friday), just {barely} in time for Christmas. Be sure to check back here or my shop!

pretty shops :: my little invite.

you guys, i have been meaning to share this beautiful shop with you since it was opened. it is the latest brainchild of my amazingly talented and awesome friend lisa, designer behind my little buffalo and of my beautiful blog header. her designs are ridiculously lovely. i'll let them do the rest of the talking.

listed in clockwise order :: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 

be sure to head her way for your invites, stationery, and design needs! you will not regret it! this girl has got skills (not to mention a beautiful heart).

wednesday wishlist :: recent etsy faves.

It's been forevs since I've done a Wednesday wishlist! I don't think I'm comfortable with the idea of posting one every week anymore because I don't know about you guys, but when I'm constantly seeing {or posting} pretty things on blogs, my tendency is to be constantly in want. And it's not good to be in constant want... it's depleting. I'm working on being content with what I have (which is so much) and this spending freeze I'm in right now has been helping with that.. it's been good for my soul, even empowering. I'm striving to admire/draw inspiration from the pretty things I see on the interwebs, rather than lust after them. Which is just what I've managed to do from these seriously drool-worthy things on Etsy that I've spotted lately. They are simply too pretty not too share. And major plus - they are all affordable! And you'll be supporting an independent artist, rather than a faceless corporation, which is a beautiful thing. 

If you're in a spending freeze like me, I hope that you can draw inspiration from these pretties too. And if you're wondering what to get me for my birthday (two weeks from today :o), you've come to the right place. Just kidding (well, except for a select few of you ;))

turban headband | mint tote bag | linen pillow cover | julia child quote illustration {how had i not heard this quote before?!}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

crochet earrings | yellow flower scripture print | kitchen towel

foldover clutch in blue & white ikat | foldover clutch in vintage floral {LOVE}

Do any of you struggle with lusting after things (my major weakness is clothes)/comparing what you have to what others have? How do you combat it?

{wednesday wishlist}

{snugstudio}

{shopdirtsa}

{ManeMassage}

{Fr33na}

{LBCPaper}

{madebyhank}

{i like getting pretty things in the mail}

isn't it just so fun to find a little package waiting for you at your doorstep
when you get home from a long day at work?
the other day, i found just that and was very pleased with its contents ::
a set of darling coasters from the talented and just-plain-awesome mandie,
blogger behind mandie's mumblings and shop owner of moxie mandie.

look how pretty!! and the packaging is just perfect. love the twine.

and look how awesome this card she included with it is! 
such a nice little added bonus. love the attention to detail.
looks like she took a cue from my blog design colors :)

what a perfect new home for our glasses :) they even match!
they are so beautifully crafted and the colors & design are gorgeous.

you can find more pretty coasters, as well as ruffly clutches, pouches, hot pads & handmade cards at mandie's etsy shop.
and lucky for you guys, 
mandie is offering an exclusive 10% off discount
by using coupon code PRETTIES10 at checkout!!
you can save on pretties such as these 
(although believe me, they already have fantastically affordable price tags!) ::

{raw semi ruffled wristlet clutch} LOVE!!

{home sweet crazy home quilted hot pad}

{raw semi ruffled wristlet clutch / grey and plum}

{poppy pouch} 

{wednesday wishlist :: baby style}

 {small parade wall strip}

it seems as though lately ladies in the blogosphere have been
getting prego left and right. serrrriously girls, you are not at all helping my emerging {and quite unexpected} baby fever. 


and though trying for a baby is not in our near future for a couple of
{very convincing} reasons, that certainly doesn't stop me 
from looking at ridiculously cute baby things.

{SEWNnatural}

{by sweet mom}

{beautiful photo props}

{lila frances}

{paper doll accessories}

{sleepy king}

{sweet pea toad}

{down home amy}

{ivory & moss}

{olive}

{handmade baby love}

it doesn't get much cuter. i'm pretty sure that once i do get preggers, 
i'm going to make an etsy registry.