Friday, October 29, 2010

GIVEAWAY: MAIEDAE PAPAYA ROSETTE HEADBAND

I am currently in the process of building inventory in my shop for the holidays. I thought it would be perfect to offer this charming Papaya Rosette Headband to one lucky winner! This little cutie is fastened to a skinny, black stretch headband and looks great in straight, curly, or wavy hair. Wear it straight across your head or pushed back in your hair.


Like what you see? Well, you have several options: you can head on over to my Etsy shop to check out what is currently offered or enter to win this little beauty for free! Or, you could do both! Oh, and I am super excited to say that, for the Christmas season, I will offer some beautiful handmade necklaces in my shop that can be personalized for you or your loved ones. I cannot wait to show off their pretty little faces soon! Good luck on the giveaway!

Like the prize? Here are the entry details:

TO ENTER: Comment on this blog post. The more the merrier!
* BONUS QUESTION: What is your Halloween costume this year?
* GIVEAWAY CLOSES: Wednesday, November 3rd, at 12:00PM and I will select the winner using Random.org. I will announce the winner on Wednesday, November 3rd, at 2:00PM!
* NUMBER OF WINNERS: One

Thursday, October 28, 2010

THIS AFTERNOON IS PERFECT FOR METRIC



I am falling in love with this band. I just got their album, "Fantasies", the other day and it is becoming one of those albums that I could sit and listen to every song over and over again.

In the spirit of new music, I made some new pieces for my boutique that are perfect for the holiday season. Come on over and take a look! I will update more pieces throughout the week.


Tuesday, October 26, 2010

FANCY SHMANCY: A TUESDAY COLLECTION OF FAVORITE THINGS

Welcome to the new weekly feature on my blog called, Fancy Shmancy - A Tuesday Collection of Favorite Things! Every Tuesday, I will feature a list of my weekly favorite things and treasures. From store-bought goodies to handmade creativeness, it is all here! I am super excited to kick off this first feature week with some things I have been eying for a little while now...


1// Home is Where You Are: I love, love, love this sweet little picture from Urban Outfitters. I have been eying it since Jon and I moved into our first place. And I think I know the perfect place for it...

2// Pumpkin Spice Latte: Cooler weather = my craving for warm foofy coffee. This is my all time favorite from Starbucks, I will take it tall with extra whip please!

3// Nikon D40: This little baby is the same camera I learned to use in my Commercial Photography class in college. I am currently dealing with a dinky digital and a camera phone for all of my product shots and I think something a little more rahrah will look amazing.

4// Baker's Twine: I just love the sweet simplicity of baker's twine. I use it for all of my packaging for MaieDae and I think it adds just a perfect, sweet little touch. You can find some good baker's twine at Packagery on Etsy.

5// Pintuck Floor Pillow: This highly attractive pillow also comes in a dark grey and deep purple. I have watched them come and go on the UrbanOutfitters web site and I am just waiting for them to go on sale!

6// Blue Mason Jars: I will take a hundred of these. Not only are they inexpensive and beautiful, but there are so many ways you can use them! I think storage for my studio room, vases for the kitchen, candle holders for my porch....

7// Floral Print Leggings: I like these because they are not too over-the-top sexy and not too bold to wear with your basic pieces. Anthropology has a great selection of tights for the fall weather.

8// Personalized Tree Print: This adorable spin on the family tree is handmade by cozyblue on Etsy. I love the idea of decorating with unique handmade and personalized pieces. I have a huge blank wall above my couch just waiting for some art.

Thanks for checking out Fancy Shmancy! A small side note: be on the lookout for a whole slew of new products at my Etsy shop, just in time for the holiday season!



Monday, October 25, 2010

ADDICTED TO HANDMADE

It is true; ever since I started immersing myself into the culture of handmade goods, my appreciation and enthusiasm for the creativity has become addictive. The time and skill that goes into making handmade things is amazing and I love that every crafter has his or her own unique aesthetic.

Right now, my drug of choice is the craft fair. I know, it sounds a little "grandma", but I have found an amazing amount of fairs that accommodate all types of genres. I have made it a goal to attend four craft fairs in the span of twelve months and I am already going on number two.
My sister, Kelsie, and dear friend Jenny, went with me to the recent Country Living Fair. It was sponsored by Country Living Magazine and hosted at Stone Mountain.

After taking our time and browsing around the seventy-something tables, I walked away with these little beauties from a favorite shop of mine called Found*ling. I love these post earrings and the fact that they go with everything. Mine do, however, say "love" rather than what is pictured below.

What is my next venture? I am enthusiastically making my way to the new "Indie Craft Experience" fair next month in Atlanta. I think the fact that it aims at a younger, "indie" audience will make it an extremely clever and creative fair. I am SO excited! My dream is for Maiedae to have a table at something like this next year. *Crossing my fingers*!

If you are in the Atlanta area, I suggest you think about attending! It is only $5.00 for admission, and it runs November 20-21. Check out their site for more information.


See you there!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

A PERFECT FALL DATE NIGHT

In college, Jonathon and I committed to a weekly date night. Even with the craziness of completing our majors, work, maintaining friendships, and the several thousand "to-do's" that magically popped up out of nowhere, we always had at least one night out of the week that we could have a special date. Quality time is very important to us and, I am happy to say, our date night habit carried over into our marriage. Every Wednesday is "Jon and Savannah Date Night" and believe me, we very much look forward to this day.


Most of the time, it consists of us cuddling up in our pj's, watching our newest fad show (which is currently Fringe, by the way.) Sometimes, if we don't feel like cooking, we will order pizza (that is, of course, if I have a coupon.) Sometimes, we get creative with our date nights and over the five and a half years of dating and five months of marriage, we have cherished and loved our special nights together.

Since we wanted this to be something we wholly committed to every week and did not easily compromise on, we set out to help ourselves by doing the following things:

1. Communicate: We made our family and friends aware of our date night so they would not try to plan anything with us on our Wednesday nights. This was very helpful because there was a general understanding among loved ones about our date night which also helped us keep accountable.

2. Budget: Along with our monthly budgeting, Jonathon and I set aside a small amount to go toward "date night" every month. This gives us the freedom to plan something special if we would like and also does not make us feel like we are cutting into other, set-aside budgets. Usually, we end up splurging a little more every other week by going out somewhere and on the alternate weeks, we will stay around our home.

3. Be Creative: It is really, really easy to get stuck in the same date over and over again. We try to make a list of great date night ideas that we can turn to when we are ready to go out and try something new.

Here are some of the date night hits Jonathon and I have had over the years:

* 4-11 Drive-In Theater
* Dessert at the Sundial in Atlanta
* Putt-Putt
* Scott Pilgrim at a historic theater
* Pumpkin carving at home
* Kite Flying
* Game Ranch
* Bodies Exhibit in Atlantic Station
* Fox Theater - "Annie"
* The Shakespeare Tavern - "Romeo and Juliet" (Valentine's Date)

Our most recent favorite was our trip to the Cagle's Family Farm in Canton, GA last week. We explored around a corn maze, ate dinner, went on a hayride, roasted marshmallows at a bonfire, and picked out our first pumpkins for our little home. Here is a peek at our night!

We had a wonderful time and loved being able to go at our own pace -- not to mention a great selection of pumpkins! Jon and I ended up getting three pumpkins: one for him (largest), one for me (medium) and one for our little green-eyed kitten, Kaito (tiny). And now, the grand task of carving!

Happy date night-ing!

Monday, October 18, 2010

GIVEAWAY: PHOTO PROP WINNER!

Congratulations to...
...for winning the Bartender Mustache and Kissy Lips photo props! Please email: MaieDae@gmail.com with your shipping information. I hope you enjoy them!


To everyone else, thank you so much for participating! Be on the lookout for the next giveaway soon!


Sunday, October 17, 2010

NEW DO!

But first: The GIVEAWAY (see previous post) has been extended to Monday, October 18th, 12:00PM. Hurry and comment for your chance to win swanky photo props! I got my hair cut Saturday and I am loving the asymmetrical look. Thought you might like to take a peek, plus check out a couple of new pieces on my Etsy shop!

Darcy Headband - Blueberry
Things Past Necklace - Cider
Windy City Earwarmers - Latte Foam
The holidays are fast approaching! Get some handmade goodness for your loved ones.

Friday, October 15, 2010

GIVEAWAY: PHOTO PROPS

The holidays are fast approaching and why not supply these little photo prop babies at your next party or photo shoot? They are just perfect for Halloween, Christmas, family portraits, socials, spur of the moment photo-shoots with friends, or any social gathering. 

Both are handmade by yours truly using felt. I also inserted wiring in the middle to make each piece sturdy and flexible, so your mustache looks as good as Tom Selleck's. 

Here, I will even model them for you!

If you would like me to make you a custom order for an upcoming party, just shoot me an email or contact me on my Etsy shop to submit your request. 

Like the prize? Here are the entry details:
TO ENTER: Comment on this blog post.
GIVEAWAY CLOSES: Sunday, October 17, at 12:00AM and the winner will be selected using
Random.org and announced Monday, October 18th!
NUMBER OF WINNERS: One

Good luck!! 


Thursday, October 14, 2010

DIY: MONKEY SEE, MONKEY DO

One of my favorite things about being out of college, married, and working is the never ending nesting, decorating, arranging, and rearranging that I get to do in our cozy home-sweet-apartment. We've only been here for five months, but I just love it and will be sad to part with it sometime in the future.

Since there are still plenty of spaces that need a little love and care, I have been trying to take it one room at a time, although I must admit, I get distracted. While I am currently trying to decorate and nest my studio//guest//lounge room, I still find myself piddling around the living room and kitchen. Things ARE making progress, and that is what matters; especially when you're on a budget.

For my current project, I wanted to make two creepy bookend monkeys that we inherited from Jon's old room into something that had a little more "pop" to sit on my $30.00 thrift store desk. Don't worry, Jon approved. ;)

Here are the monkeys:

This project was very inexpensive and barely took anytime. I first bought a can of glossy white Krylon spray paint. Then I grabbed an old cardboard box to use as a "drop cloth" in order to preserve my rented patio.

Since these little monkeys have a lot of texture, curves, and dips, it definitely called for a couple of coats of spray paint. I sprayed these monkeys down with about five good coats, letting each dry in between coating.

Finally, after they dried, I put them in my studio to hold up my collection of artsy crafty books. I love how they pop and how the paint gives them a wonderful gloss. 

Much better! I love how a little spray paint can completely transform something. If you find treasures at the thrift store or have things in your home that need a little pick-me-up, just grab some good ol' Krylon.

GIVEAWAY NOTE: Tomorrow will start Maiedae's monthly giveaway!! I made some cute little party//photograph props for your upcoming Halloween party or photo-shoot. Check back tomorrow to enter! All you have to do to enter is comment. See you then!

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

THE ZEPPELIN ZOO

Maiedae is currently featured on Etsy's Storque Main Showcase page! Want to help support Maiedae? Just take a stroll on over to Maiedae's Etsy shop and purchase one of my handmade pieces! If you cannot find what you are looking for, feel free to contact me with a custom order request and I will put together something special for you.
See that beautiful girl with the "Olive Wrap" turban? That would be my little sister Kelsie; model, actor, fashionista, and high-schooler extraordinaire. :)

And on a side note, if you love air-flying, furr-pets, peoplethings, and love pecking, then you will love this short film produced by Joseph Gordan-Levitt. Ladies and gentlemen, I bring you a personal favorite, "Morgan & Destiny's Eleventeenth Date - The Zeppelin Zoo", for your viewing pleasure. Courtesy of hitRECord.com. Please click the photograph to be taken to the film viewing site. Enjoy!


Sunday, October 10, 2010

10 SWEET TREASURES

In celebration of the "number 10" and the only time this earth will see 10.10.10, I have put together a collection of ten, sweet little treasures that will make 10 your new favorite number. Cheers to the end of a wonderful weekend and the beginning of a hopeful week!

Are We There Yet Garland - MaisyandAlice
Bear Stuffie - Bird Mafia
Healing Print - Shirae
Cupcake Trinket Box - Fruit Fly Pie
Mug Cozy - Knit Storm
Sweet Necklace - Foundling
Pink Sugar Purfume Oil - Orange Thyme 
Oh How I Love Three Print - TheBigHarumph
Sutured Heart Necklace - Idle Hands Designs
Patchwork Bag - NancyJoStudio's

Saturday, October 09, 2010

NEW AUTUMN PIECES IN MY ETSY SHOP!

My hands have been keeping busy in preparation for the wonderful autumn season. Speaking of the season, it has been almost perfect outside lately! So, as you start adding on the layers, pulling out the boots, and cozying up with cider, don't forget to dress your tresses with some of these little beauties found on my Etsy boutique:

Navajo Feather Earrings - Pumpkin Spice
Rosette Cluster Headband - Moss
InPlace Rosette Pony - Mustard
Polyester Poppy - Plum
Olive Wrap
Rosette Cluster Headband - Eden