I feel like the summer has FLOWN by, and for the first time in years… I am not even sad.

Because right now, every day feels like summer.

And though I fear sounding all annoyingly gloat-y..I must say, I couldn’t be happier.

After seven years, I will not be headed back to work as a teacher this fall. I will miss my co-workers, and of course the kids, but I am VERY thrilled to be able to spend more time at home with my daughter. This is what I have always wanted as a mother and feel so grateful that I have the opportunity to be a “stay/work at home mom.”

While I am not physically going to work every day, I have been staying super busy with blogging for Where to Get Engaged, and Christopher William Jewelers, as well as doing hair feathers, other crafts, and making jewelry.

Here are some of my latest jewelry projects:

I made the brown and pink necklace for the silent auction at Music for MaDee, in MaDee’s favorite colors (top left). The tropical necklace was intended for a bride-to-be but when I was off on the shade of blue she wanted, it ended up as a baby shower gift for a great friend (top right). The necklaces I completed for a bridal party turned out very pretty (bottom left) and I have been really loving these flower stud earrings lately (bottom right). If you’re interested in buying any of these pieces for yourself, message me, visit my Etsy shop, and if you’re local, come visit me at MaDee’s Holiday Market on October 22nd, where part of my proceeds will be given to The MaDee Project.

Speaking of Music for MaDee, I did hair feathers at the event and stayed very busy the entire time!

 It was a huge hit and I had so much fun meeting all the cool clients of all ages.

Our neighbors had a HUGE yard sale last Saturday and I found this simple shelf.

(I didn’t take the “before” pic. until I had already started painting!)

I thought it would look great in the color of my front door.

And make an excellent display for my hair feathers and earrings.

We bartered some treats from our garden when our gracious neighbors refused to take any money for the shelf…that’s my kind of deal!

I hope to write more soon…but in the meantime I will be kissing this sweet face.