The Shopping Sherpa: Wishin’ & Hopin’

The sunny days and flower lined-sidewalks have put a spring in my step (you love my puns. stop cringing.) but my attitude isn’t the only thing feeling lighter.  With so many bright and sunshiny designs popping up on Etsy, it’s hard to keep my wallet from floating away. (aside: I just learned that “sunshiny” is an actual word.  in the dictionary and everything.  learning feels good when it involves words like “sunshiny”.  don’t believe me?  say it out loud.)  My wish list is growing faster than a baby sea turtle near a nuclear plant.  In fact, it’s so complex that I’ve broken the items down into categories: “Wish”, “Want” and “Will actually buy”.  Can you guess which of the items above have made it to this last category?  If you said, “not the ones with the triple digit price tags,” you’d be right!  But a gal can dream…

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The Shopping Sherpa: Decant THIS!

Brian is right.  Decanting things is hella fun.  What’s my favorite thing to decant, you ask?  Chocolate milk.  Obv.

ROW 1:  Vintage Milkglass Decanter from Haven Vintage; Modern Crystal Decanter from ivgStores; Three Vintage Decanters from She Sits By The Seashore

ROW 2:  Vintage Decanter and Mini Shot Glasses from Pipe & Pepper; Essential Wine Decanter from Gift Tree; Vintage Liquor Decanter from Octavia & Brown

ROW 3:  Vintage Green Decanter and Shot Glasses from Pink Dane; Duck Wine Decanter from Sur la Table; Vintage 1960′s Decanter with Two Glasses from Fire Sign Designs

The Shopping Sherpa: Jump(suit) for Joy!

If I’m not mistaken, last week’s romper posts seemed to go over well.  And really, I’m not surprised.  The very name implies fun and carefree joyousness.  So I’m continuing the theme and the inseam to bring you some happy jumpsuits — the pants version of the romper.  You love it!

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The Shopping Sherpa: Vintage Rompers

I come bearing gifts.  Vintage rompers!  As promised.  These are just a few of my faves from Etsy, but there are plenty more to choose from.  And don’t be afraid to go hunting for a bargain romper at your local thrift stores.  This isn’t a new trend, people.  The romper has been around since before you were born (probably).  Now go get your romp on!

ROW 1:  Tropical Orchids Romper from Bethakabetty; Neutral Tone Floral Romper from Vintage Grime; Peacock Floral Onesie from Natty Paint

ROW 2:  Stars in Your Eyes Romper from Bombshell Bettie’s Vintage; Khaki and Teal Romper from Beta Boutique; Cream Military Romper from Allen Company Inc.

ROW 3:  Ethnic Print Romper from Agnusdei; Apple and Velvet Romper from Bottle of Bread; Purple-Blue High Waist Romper from Ma Petite Amy

The Shopping Sherpa: Rompers

Does anything say “Spring” better than a romper?  Well, maybe birds singing and flowers blooming à la Disney Princess montage, but let’s get real.  When I think of Spring, I think of umbrellas, daffodils and rompers.  I’m ready to throw one on and go “tra-la-lah”ing down to the lake with a picnic basket full of salads (e.g. potato salad, chicken salad, fruit salad).

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The Shopping Sherpa: 9 to 5

So you’ve heard I have a new job, but you haven’t heard exactly what it is.  Well, let me quell your curiosity.  I am the new Administrative Assistant in the Office of Graduate Admissions and Services at Columbia College Chicago.  That’s a mouthful.  Think Dolly Parton in 9 to 5, but with less boob and less corporate BS to put up with.

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The Shopping Sherpa: Weird, White & Wonderful

I regret to inform you that posting might be a bit short for the next several days.  I’ve got personal business (or “bidness” as I like to say) to take care of.  That’s right, Mama’s got stuff to DO.  Oh!  You gettin’ nosy?  You wanna know what it is?  Well, you’ll just have to wait!  Until then, please enjoy this collection of delightful oddities (brought to you by the one, the only… the Shopping Sherpa) and the short posts I have scheduled through Tuesday.  Don’t miss me too much.

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The Shopping Sherpa: Ancient Egypt

I got a little inspired by yesterday’s post with Mario Zoots…

Clockwise from top left: Tut Women’s Tee from Shipwreck Design; Anubis Jewelry Case from Kikkerland; Antique Pyramid Necklace from A Little Bead; Artifacts of Ancient Egypt Pen Collection from Design Toscano

Clockwise from top left: All 4 1 & 1 4 All Tee from Threadless; Customized Hieroglyph Pillow from Blue Terracotta; Pharaoh Necklace from The Brass Menagerie; 69 BC Print from Amber Alexander

The Shopping Sherpa: An Etsy Wedding

I’ve got weddings on the brain!  Between the Crate & Barrel Ultimate Wedding Contest we entered, my sweet baby Gracie’s upcoming nuptials and all the wedding season commercials/shows on tv, I can’t seem to escape it.  Like many a daydreaming schoolgirl, I’ve already started planning ours, even though we haven’t even set a date yet.  Below are some of the lovely, handmade things I’ve picked out from Etsy — a mix of sweet and quirky.  For those of you just joining us, Brian and I have entered the contest (mentioned above) to win $100,000 and the aid of a talented wedding planner to create our dream wedding.  We need a lot of votes to win, so if you haven’t already voted, please take a few seconds to do so!  Vote for us here.

EDIT: If you’ve voted for us, you can now enter our giveaway to win a stunning embroidered necklace from Marañón, a featured seller on Etsy.  Enter here.

1. Squirrel Groom Cake Topper from Melabo

2. Necklaces from The Vamoose — These would make lovely gifts for ladies in the wedding party, no?

3. Gray and Royal Blue Hat from Behida Dolic

4. Gold Paper Bowl from Up In The Air Somewhere – On the reception tables, filled with small pebbles and a tea light.  Might need to see how flammable they are though…

5. Pink Petals Dress from Sarah Seven — I must have a Sarah Seven dress in my life!

6. Silvery Sash/Headband from Little White Dresser

7. Light Shades from Nice — I’m in love with these.  In LOVE!

8. Custom Couples Portrait from Tuesday Mourning — To go on the Save the Date cards.

9. Teacup and Silverware Windchime from Reclaimed Designs — For the wind to make sweet music as we celebrate our sweet love.  Eew!  Sappy.

10. Tiny Twig Pencils from alliebeans — To sign the guestbook.

11. Silk Tie from Tie One On — For the groom.  Obv.

12. Custom Tiny Text Bowl from Paloma’s Nest — Instead of those froofy little ring pillows.

1. Silk Pleated Collar Dress from Amanda Archer — A possible bridesmaid dress.

2. We Make Sense Poster from Things by bubbo-tubbo — I want to have this printed on rectangles of cotton (preferably recycled or eco-friendly material) for reusable napkins that our guests can take home.

3. White Gold Band from One Stone New York — Made from recycled gold by the same artisan who made my engagement ring.

4. Multi-color Flag Necklace from Scout Holiday — Not sure who would wear this yet… I just had to include it.

5. Vintage Ledger Seals from Kis for Calligraphy —  For sealing all the “Thanks for the gift” letters.

6. Big Dots and Bunting Teapot from Ninainvorm — Because you gotta offer your guests a little after-dinner cup of tea, right?  Really, I want all the plates to be from Nina, too.

7. Small to Tall Containers from Jfish Designs — Picture these filled with mismatched wildflowers

8. Triangular Laced Necklace from Marañón — I gotta temper that dainty, sweet wedding dress with a little bit of spice!

9. Porcelain Tiles from Ashley G

10. Cupcake Stand with Bird Bell Jar from Whitney Smith Pottery

11. Porcelain Pie “Tins” from Lorena Barrezueta — We’re thinking the food will be “picnic fair”, so I think these would make cute serving dishes for the potato salads and such.

12. Victoria Cake Stand from My Cake Stand

Rippin’ on the Headlines: Evidence Builds on Color of Dinosaurs

“The color pattern of Anchiornis is reminiscent of living birds. A breed of chickens called Silver Spangled Hamburgs, for example, has white, black-tipped wing feathers. Dr. Prum speculated that studying these chickens might allow scientists to determine the specific mutations that gave rise to Anchiornis’s plumage.”

Check out the Silver Spangled Hamburg for yourself:

Sarah:  Aaaawesome!  You know what else looks like the Silver Spangled Hamburg?  This stuff!