etsy

I still haven’t started my Christmas shopping.

Rather than brave the stores, where I end up with a wandering eye and buying way too much, I typically shop for everything online.

To save you some time, I thought I’d share my favorite Etsy finds this year. Most of these gifts are for the women on my list, but I found a few for the guys as well. Etsy is definitely lady leaning.

Have fun browsing and shop local or home grown as often as possible. I think you’re about to see 10 really good reasons why.

1. A Merry Christmas Banner

Love it. Made out of vintage wrapping paper and the edges are antiqued. [UDPATE: I think this one is sold out and looks like the silver isn't far behind]

And here it is in a chic metallic.

2. Bow Purse

This is a splurge at $199.99, but a girl can dream – can’t she? And if you browse the seller’s shop you’ll find equally impressive bow bags for under $60.00.

3. Wall Dolls

I think these are absolutely brilliant. Made out of cloth, you can wash them again and again and they never lose their sticking power.

The $42.00 price tag is easier to swallow given their longevity and the sheer awesomeness of this idea.

And I’m showing the winter set but there are also dolls for every season, dinosaurs for the boys and a mini Christmas tree.

4. For the Men

Love this shaving cube. The perfect stocking stuffer. The seller also has gift sets available.

5. Instant Style Headbands

I am in love with head and hair accessories: hats, headbands, sparkling pins. And there’s something so refreshing and nostalgic about the new headband trends. There are feather headbands and my favorites – bows.

This messy bow and rhinestone headband is $36.00 at the Be Something New shop on Etsy.

For the feather headband fans here’s one for $21.00 by La La Fashionista on Etsy.

6. Magenta Mum Earrings

From Nomsa. Love these. And they’re only $7.00. [click to continue…]

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I spotted my first fallen leaves in the grass of the baseball diamond near my post office last Thursday.

The bag over my shoulder was bursting with little brown packages. Each containing a silver or bronze new leaf necklace destined for one of you. I make this walk to the post office, with Murphy in tow and sometimes Mr. Benjamin, at least a few times a week. And still, two months after quitting the day job, these post office trips are my favorite part about my new job.

The walk itself is the last step before the necklaces will be around your necks. I’ve sent packages all over the world now. One even went to Saskatchewan. Another to Argentina and yet another to Great Britian. On these walks it all comes full circle. I feel like a bearer of hope, sending little packages of it one by one to each of you who so generously chose to support my little blogging career by buying one.

When I saw the leaves I stopped for a second to digest the sight of them. August, I thought, it’s still August but I guess Fall is almost here now. I gave Murphy a little whistle and we kept walking. Now about thirty feet from the busy street I had to cross to reach the post office and with the building before me, I started thinking about her.

The first time she processed a pile of my packages, stamping them all and tucking them away under her counter she asked me what was inside.

“Necklaces,” I answered.

“Well, you’re not allowed to send jewelry to Canada,” her words were cold as her hands rested on one of my brown envelopes destined for a single mom in Ontario. [click to continue…]

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