The Etsy Plunge

I am no longer an Etsy virgin! For some reason, the site scared me a little. So much cute handmade stuff, but it took me a while to actually take the plunge! Tonight was the night though.

I know I have been raving a little bit lately about girly hair accessories. I have found a few cute ones that I love. I don't want to go overboard with them, but I was really interested in finding some little dainty ones for when baby girl is still tiny.

I found a couple of Etsy shops that really struck my eye. Fab Flower Headbands, and Little Keira's Bows. I ordered from the latter, but it was difficult to choose. Maybe that is my problem with Etsy. TOO MUCH cute. It's overwhelming!

I found Little Keira's Bow's a little cheaper though, and since I really wanted skinny bands, with tiny flowers, this was the way to go for me. I purchased 3 bands on sale for $20 with shipping. Not bad, hey?! Each has one small flower. One in Pink, one in Green, and one in Ivory. I thought the Ivory would be super cute for the blessing. I will add a photo upon arrival!

Bamboo, Baby!

Thank goodness I have a specialty blog to rave about things like this! I know I have mentioned in the past that I have a weakness for the baby brand Aden + Anais, and I apologize in advance for sounding like a broken record....but....

I have a pack of original swaddles I bought for Cameron. When I found out I was having a girl, I knew I needed some more, but also wanted them to be girly. I discovered one set which I thought were super cute. They were $10 cheaper than the original set, but they had one less swaddle in them. One less swaddle, because these ones were made from Bamboo.

I debated a while. A LONG while. Do I get the extra swaddle, which I know I love, or risk the bamboo because I like the girly print, and $10 savings? I decided to just go with it, and try my luck with the bamboo. Because I waited so long, I barely missed their arrival in the States before I left, and have only just received them....

....but O....M....G. They are the softest blankets I have ever felt in my life. I am honestly still shocked, and find myself going back into *baby girls* closet just to touch them! LOVE!

Only trust yourself. (Or an Asian.)

Those of you who know me well should know that I am a pretty laid back person. In some cases, often too relaxed, but I quite like that about myself. I tend to take life as it comes, and don't often feel the need to stress over much.

You might also know that I love being a girly girl. Not only have I always enjoyed "prettifying", but I really get into it in some circumstances. I've always had a fairly creative mind, and these two collide nicely in make-up, and nail art. When it comes to these passions...the laid back approach just doesn't work for me. I am a perfectionist in the details. I am not saying that I am amazing at either, but if I know I am capable of something more, you better believe I will start all over again!

I never did go to school for any training, and definitely wish I had, but for now, I do enjoy it as a hobby for myself. Perfectionists need the right tools though, and that is where this post is heading.

As much as I do love a good pedicure, ESPECIALLY pregnant, they are ridiculously expensive. At close to $50 a pop for a good one, it's pricey on it's own, and the keep up on them adds up FAST!

Amazon came to my rescue in cheap-o fashion. The best part about getting a pedi, are the cute designs, so I found some nail dotting tools for under $10...

A whole wheel of small rhinestones for about $6. Now they're not the BEST rhinestones ever, and stand up a little taller than maybe you'd like on your nail, but you can't beat the price and colour selection!

I have often done French Pedicure's in the past, for myself and friends. I always put the white on first, and use a brush dipped in nail polish remover to take it off the back. It makes for a much crisper line. I always used a concealer brush for this, but came across a brush actually used FOR this very purpose. It was less than $5, so I decided to give it a try. It works great. I still have no issues with the concealer brush though either.

The secret ingredient! I have tried several different top coats, and even when I have my nails professionally done, they NEVER last as long as they do at home after topping them with this. I'm actually not entirely sure if it's still readily available, but I'm sure Amazon still has some lying around! I have always had to buy it in a duo pack in the past, like this, but the top coat works as an awesome sealant over any polish.

Here is my first attempt after receiving everything! I'm pretty pleased with the dotting tools. They are easy to use with a little initial practice. A little warm water, and some lotion, and you've got yourself a $20 pedicure, that keeps on giving!

Go-to shirts

Love these shirts! I really love tight fitting basic shirts, and that is exactly what Andee Lew delivers on, only for the younger crowd.

They are cotton, with a little stretchy spandex woven in, and fit perfectly...especially if you have skinnier kiddos!

They started out just with girls tops and bodysuits, and I have picked up a couple, which I have yet to try out obviously.

Recently though, they have worked their way into the boy crowd, with some cute basics for the little men out there. I love them for Cameron. They are plain colored, and the fit is snug, but long enough to keep little torsos covered as they play. My go to plain shirts for sure!

A girl needs to accessorize!

I already have a thing for little girl hair accessories. There are a TON of great little Etsy stores, but here are the two websites I have currently purchased from, and am so in love with!

I purchased this classy set on sale with Kidsteals, from Little Lesiw;

and this cute band from Bandz By Liz;

What is your favorite baby girl hair accessory place!?