The Belated Swiss Days Post

I have been meaning to post about this for a while and then forgot all about it.

There are all sorts of Festivals throughout our state all summer long.  One of these happens to be Swiss Days in the little town of Midway.  In case you didn't know, many of the little towns in Utah were settled by Swiss Immigrants.  Midway is one of them.

One of the things that makes this festival so popular is the number and variety of vendors.  I would describe it as an arts & crafts fair, a holiday boutique, and home decor show, with lots of food and treats to choose from all rolled up into one tiny town's big festival.

Throughout the past 14 years of living here, I kept hearing about Swiss Days.  It seems like the thing to do the weekend going into Labor Day is for women, their mothers, sisters, friends, etc. to attend Swiss Days.  And it never failed that whenever I'd see someone with great wall art or a fabulous piece of clothing, they'd always say, "Got it at Swiss Days."

I posted on FB in August about how I was contemplating venturing down to Swiss Days this year, as I had been a Swiss Days Virgin up to that point.  Well, that started a thread of conversation, which led to my friends Mel, Meesh and I planning our Swiss Days excursion.  Mel (and her daughter Syd) had been before and Meesh & I approached it like children experiencing Christmas for the first time.

I had a list of some things I hoped to find.  I had desperately needed a new purse and had the money set aside for that.  I was also on the lookout for certain Christmas gifts.

So with my list and money in hand, we left home early Saturday morning and got down there before the parade started.  I noticed a few parking lots just outside of town which provided free shuttle service to and from the center of Swiss Days.  However, Mel, being the veteran of the group, poo-pooed that as she had the inside scoop.  We drove on into town and at the very edge of the action there was a small private cul de sac of about 4 homes.  Apparently, these neighbors open their driveways, yards, and curbs for Swiss Days Parking, for a fee of course.  It was worth it to pay the $10 vehicle charge and be parked close, especially if one of use wanted to purchase a big item.  What a pain that would have been to lug around.  I had heard from others who went that at times they had to wait 40 minutes for a shuttle.   We counted the cars that were parked in the circle at any given time and figured they easily brought in $1000 each day of the festival...  divided by the 4 houses, that's not bad.  We noticed that the husbands were the ones running the parking operation.  We joked that the wives were over at Swiss Days spending the parking money.  Probably not far from the truth.

Anyway -- we saw lots of fun things, some odd, some unique, and some way over-priced.  The grossest thing I saw was a booth selling baby dolls with REAL HAIR.  They were promoting this by showing that since the hair was REAL, you could actually style the doll's hair, then wash it out, etc.  The thought of the buying locks from other people, and then transplanting it into these doll heads made me nearly lose my breakfast.  I throw up in my mouth again now just thinking about it.  Bleh.

I had the chance to listen to artist Jon McNaughton speak about a month before and was impressed by his (controversial) artwork {{McNaughton Artwork}}.  Let's just say he mixes politics and religion in his art and many people do NOT like it.  His belief is that our Constitution was Divinely Inspired, and that our government and society have seem to forgotten that over the years.  Regardless what you believe, I think it's interesting at how much controversial attention his work draws. I mean, people can paint nudes and put them in museums and call it "art" and yet, they cringe because this guy chooses to display his political and/or religious beliefs through his work?  Something doesn't seem right about that.  Anyway -- back to the post...  This artist was there, signing his work.  I was so excited and had to buy one of his prints.

I found the Christmas gifts I was looking for and for much less than I expected to pay, which was awesome.  I would show you, except it would ruin the surprise for the recipients.

Previously, I had seen some handbags I loved online, priced anywhere from $50-$120.  I didn't want to spend that much. I looked at nearby retailers (Kohl's, Tarjay) and purses were still $40-$60, although none were the right size or style I liked.  I have always done smaller purses.  But, this time I wanted a larger handbag.  Something big enough to conceal my gun (when needed) and something I could stuff a notebook in for class. I also wanted something red.  I love red.

Then I saw it -- the bag I wanted  NEEDED was at Swiss Days and it was just under $40!  They had 1 red bag left, so I took that as an Omen and bought it before someone else could snatch it up.

As many of you know, I also have a thing for spoon rings.  Well, the price was right for this little diddy, and I couldn't resist.  I love it.  It was truly the one "splurge" for me.

For lunch, they had everything from Navajo Tacos (fry bread) to anything else greasy on a stick and deep friend you can imagine.  But, I was good and had a grilled chicken breast and a bowlful of fresh berries.  My only food-splurge was the caramel apple we split at the end of the day.  Oh sooo good.

So, there you have it.  My review of Swiss Days.  Will I go again?  Definitely.

Thanks Meesh, Mel & Syd for making it so much fun!

{{More on Midway Swiss Days HERE}}

Etsy Week: $10 Deals! (or less)

Ok - since Christmas always seems to arrive before we know it, and since I assume many of you are on a budget like I am, I have decided to scour Etsy for items $10 or less. It wasn't easy, but here are some of the things I have found. These would make great little gifts for coworkers, friends, cousins or even as stocking stuffers!

Lanyards! When I worked in reservations for the Airlines, it was company policy our ID badge was VISIBLE on our person any time we were on the premises. Therefore, lanyards were something most of us wore. I remember at boutiques, lanyards were a hot ticket item for the airline employees. While some of my favorites have been the beaded ones, those are hard to find for $10. With FREE personalization, TurningHeadsBoutique seems to have the best deal for $8 a piece.

What little girl doesn't love to play "house"? I totally love ItsTheSmallThings. While she has plenty of other inexpensive children's items (Like crayon wallets for under $5) it's her hand-sewn "play food" I love the best. She even has a tossed salad! Of course, I love baking, so this little Deluxe Cherry Cookie Dough Set for $9 is my fave!

Many kids get new PJ's around the holidays. MadeAtNanasHouse makes pillowcases. Right now she has an assortment of sports team pillowcases on sale for $7.99 (Normally, $9.99). You can also message her if you want a team she doesn't have shown! (Incidentally, you know those really cute pillowcase dresses that are so popular right now? Yeah -- she makes those too.)

Ok - this next Etsy Creator gets 2 shout-outs from me. Check out SewingAmity's really cool binky pouch that sells for $8! It's equipped with a plastic ring, perfect for sliding around your diaper bag strap. No more digging deep to find the binky, only to pull it out, covered in cracker crumbs and lint. It would make a cute gift too. Of course, I'd probably buy 2 and stick one around the handle bars of the stroller!

There are tons of iPod/Cell phone cozies on Etsy and many sell for $10 or less. The reason I love SewingAmity's is because it has both a zipper and a clasp. This particular one sells for $10 and is sized to fit a Nintendo DS/DSI, iPod Touch or iPhone, and many other smartphones. (She also sells a way cute owl one for just a few bucks more.)

Ok, although WickedFaerieGifts is in the UK, she will ship to the US. I love this personalized rolling pin for just under $10!

BabyBirdClippies sells these adorable hair clips for $2.75 and has many other little accessories for under $10!

Mouse0403 has some really cute golf towels for only $6!

Here's another one for Dad's or Grandpa's stocking - Luregasmic makes Fishing Lures from NFL Bottlecaps and sells them for $7 each.

Ok - tons of lunch bags on Etsy - and way cute ones too. This one from GoldenLadyRG gets props from me though for a few reasons. 1) I've made Capri Sun bags before and they are a PAIN. My needle broke more than once. 2) She has handles on her homemade lunch pack whereas other crafters do not. 3) You can hand wash it and it's stain resistant 4) It's recycled! and 5) They are only $8!

New teen driver? What about a steering wheel cover from DeniseLukassen? These sell for $7.99 and she usually has an few different styles on hand.

There are soooo many more great finds on Etsy and all for $10 or less. You can find hot/cold packs, lip balm cozies to attach to the zipper of your kids winter coat, hats, gloves, scarves, jewelry, photo frames, keychains, candles, housewares, funny tee shirts, and so on and so forth.

Basically, anything you can think of, there is a good chance they have it! I'd love to hear your great Etsy find! {{Click HERE to go to Etsy.com Now!}}

Etsy Week: Hats!

My kids love hats. I love finding cute, clever or fun hats for them in the winter. I don't knit or crochet, but I love the look of some of these. Check them out!

NJwithLove sells these cute hats for around $25. Who? you asked? NJwithLove, that's who!

This is my other favorite from her... Isn't is Tweet?

By the way, I've seen hats like these all over Etsy, ranging anywhere from $10 - $50. Definitely worth a look-see if you plan to do any early holiday shopping!

And with Halloween right around the corner, who says a newborn can't dress up too? WeeBeePhotoProps has the cutest handmade hats for props. These are great for the baby's first photo shoot or for Halloween. I was at a shower a few months ago and saw one of these, and I've even purchased a sock monkey newborn hat I've found on etsy in the past. They make the sweetest gifts and WeeBee sells them from $12-$25. I couldn't decide on just 1 favorite, so here are a few.

PDXBeanies sells all kinds of beanies for sizes babies up to ladies - some with flowers, some without. I particularly like this one. Most of hers run around $36.

I have found that most fleece hats sell on Etsy.com between $8-$10. There are so many cool ones too, like dragons, and Hello Kitty, and tons of sports themed ones for men. Of course I had to see if they had my team, The Colts (<3 me some Peyton Manning -- MMM) and I found this little gem~~

MimiMakesMemories is a business run by Mimi & Jackie and they will take custom orders (message them your team preference) for these scarf/hat combinations. They come in adult sizes and run $38. I think this is a great gift idea!

So what do those people who raise Alpacas do with the wool? Well, if you're FootloosePalouse you make English Driving Caps and sell them on Etsy.com for $30! As long as I can remember my father wore these kinds of hats!

And finally - from HanuChic. At $29 this Newsboy/Military hat is my favorite pick of the day (If I were shopping for me, that is). I just love it. It's a slightly worn look, yet feminine and classy at the same time.

Oh - wait! One more thing! I forgot that I was gonna tell you where I got my daughter's sock monkey hat for her birthday 2 years ago. I found it on Etsy for $29 from sockmonkeykook. Although she doesn't make the hats anymore, she does sell the pattern for $4.50. Here is a pic of PrettyPrettyPrincess in her hat.

And for those of you who do crochet or knit or sew, perhaps one of these hats have inspired you to make some of your own. If that's the case, well then... Hats off to you! Tee hee!

Etsy Week: Handbags!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE handbags! Although you'd probably never know because I am not one to change out my handbag with every different outfit, etc. Nevertheless, I love them. Today I am going to show you my favorites I found during my handbag search on Etsy!

{{Ruffled Begonia}} is selling this handbag pattern for $6!!! I am getting a BIG case of the Gimmies right about now. I am completely and totally in love with this bag. If only I wasn't having to do other things -- like pay for school, groceries, gas and bills! Of course, I don't really sew that great either, so I'd have to find fabric kind of like this one (since I love it so much) and beg someone to make it for me, haha.

PrettyInPink320 sells this bag for $50, which is competitive with department store purses, and yet it's one of a kind. I never really thought of myself as being into ruffles. However, I have decided I am.

Miss Pretty Perfect knew what she was doing when she combined this fabric & leather look. Of course at $145, I won't be purchasing it anytime soon. When a handbag is more than my weekly grocery bill (Even if only by a few bucks), it's more than I can afford! Still pretty to look at though! :)

Retro Grandma sells this purse (made from a vintage book) for $40. She also does bags from calendars and vinyl record covers.

CayennePeppyBags have so many adorable bags I couldn't decide which one I liked best. I finally decided on this one, which is selling for $65. Even though the button clasp is ginormous, because there is only one, it seems perfectly understated.

Etsy Week: Bookmarks!

Do you Etsy?

I do. Not as often as I'd like. Mostly because I am always a little short in the fundage dept. Nevertheless, I love Etsy. For those who don't know, Etsy is basically an online boutique. It's a place for those who handcraft items to sell their products.

I love boutique shopping because I get lots of great ideas and a lot of times I can find inspiration to try my hand at something new. However, I don't have the time to go shopping at boutiques or even boutique malls. And there are those boutiques that seem to have the "same ol', same ol'" too, so I leave with tired feet and wasted time. With Etsy I just type in what I am looking for and voila!

This week I am going to highlight some of my favorite finds on Etsy. Today I simply typed "Bookmark" in the Etsy search bar. My search produced over 30,000 results. They have book marks made out of paper, fabric and beads, oh my! So many to choose from that it was hard narrowing it down to some of my faves. Check out these cuties!

Ian's Cafe - has a Wicked Witch Bookmark for $7! Imagine this and a bookstore gift card for the reader on your list. Pretty cool I think!

HammerItOut has some really cool Stainless Steel Bookmarks. I think I like these mostly because they are different. Plus I like the idea of reusing old metal to create something beautiful. These are $5 and are sure one of a kind!

GreenLeaf Pick Company sells this "guitar pick" bookmark for $12. It's a bit more than I'd probably spend for a bookmark, but for the right person I'd consider it. They also do customizing - totally worth checking out.

Dinner Time Chimes makes Butter Knife Book Marks! Okay - you probably think I am obsessed with metal! But seriously. I love these because they are vintage and re-purposed and best of all, only $6!

PitBull Lady Designs has come up with a clever bookmark that keeps your pages from blowing in the wind and also allows you to toss your book in your tote without worrying if your bookmark is going to fall out of place. These are adjustable and sell for $10.

HoneyCase2 - Rain boots?

Okay, I started with feet so I figured I'd end with feet. I am loving these boot book marks. I giggle just looking at them. True, I probably wouldn't ever pay the $25 they are asking for, but I do think they are clever and whimsical. Definitely my favorite bookmark find of the day!

Does Size Really Matter?

Well, when shopping and buying in bulk many experts will tell you that, yes, size matters! It's how you get the biggest bang for your buck! Well, I am here to tell you that when it comes to certain products, I don't like the big sizes!

The one "super-size" I hate most is Peanut Butter. Wide-Mouth Peanut Butter Jars? Ugh! In fact, "hate" isn't even strong enough. It's safe to say I DESPISE it. Yes, it's true. I prefer to buy my peanut butter in normal, even SMALL jars. Why?

The first few dips are fine, but when you get about halfway down, it never fails. Getting peanut butter out of the jar is like diving in head first!

And while I prefer to use a small rubber scraper, the kidlets don't think twice about taking the knife to the jar. Then, not only do they get peanut butter up and down their arms, but somehow, they manage to get it up and down and all over the outside of the jar and lid. //Groans//

Henceforth, all wide-mouth jars of peanut butter have been banned from my house. I now wait until the much smaller kid-friendly jars are on sale 10/$10 and buy 20 of them.

Well, I don't know about you... but I feel better now! LOL!

Winter BLAHs

I am not a fan of winter. I am not a fan of snow. I am not a fan of dark and gloomy days. I am not a fan of cold. It's bad here too because when the inversion hits, everything is foggy and smoggy, and you can't even hardly see the mountains.

In the winter is when I feel depression tugging a little harder and hanging on a little longer than at other times. It often starts before Thanksgiving and I start to get this feeling that I want to crawl into bed, cover up and not come out until Spring. One lady accused me of having no Christmas Spirit. It's not that. I love the holidays -- the true meaning of the holidays, anyway. I love spending time with family when they come. But it's just the gloomy feeling of... I dunno... everything.

I made it through Christmas and the kids and I enjoyed it. I forced myself to get the tree up and decorated. One of these days, I will force myself to take it down. But in my defense, today - January 6th - is the day of the Epiphany. So, technically, in old Christian traditions your tree is supposed to stay up through today anyway. Regardless, I am going to try really hard to take it down before March... which is what happened a few years ago, haha.

I am a believer that I am in charge of my own attitude. I can get up and choose whether to be happy or not be happy. I am the one who chooses my reaction or pro-activeness to the events that will take place today. And, for the most part, I'd say I am pretty good about staying upbeat and positive. But that doesn't mean I still don't have this... feeling.

I can't really put it into complete words. And I know that men especially have a hard time understanding. Whenever I try to talk it out with a guy he doesn't really "get" it and usually tries to give me advice to FIX it. (Why can't men just listen and then comfort without trying to FIX it?) But like yesterday for example, it was a great day. I had fundings and closings and new orders at work. I went to lunch with a great group of people. I ate the best salad and made the best cinnamon rolls. I checked online and saw that all of my financial aid paperwork was finalized for the semester. I had a relaxing evening. And yet, there was this lump in my throat all day. The lump that forms when you are on the verge of tears. That lump. I have that on most days when I feel like this. And yet it isn't like there is any one thing that is making me want to cry. And usually, I avoid people when I get like this, to minimize any trigger for tears.

I don't like people to feel sorry for me -- so please do not leave the "I'm sorry you're feeling that way" comment. I just blog about it, because perhaps it helps me make more sense of it in some way. I don't take medication for it because I don't feel it is severe enough and I am not a good pill swallower. Having to swallow pills makes me have anxiety, haha. But I do what my counselor has referred to as "talk therapy" and I find it helps. I guess that is more of what this is, "talk therapy" by way of "blog therapy". I know I must be rambling... and this may or may not make sense.

Anyway -- back in "the day" when I was married had a good job and 2+ incomes, I often shopped. People joke about "retail therapy", but it's a real thing. When I'd feel down, finding something on sale was a quick pick-me-up. Often times, the purchased items weren't even for me. Nonetheless, I felt better. Well, that's not an option anymore. So, I am back to the "talk therapy". I don't like talking too much about it, because again, I don't want the pity. Also, I don't like being a Negative Nelly and feel like I'm whining or something. I tend to keep it in if it isn't funny or positive or upbeat.

I am hoping that once school starts up on Monday I will be too busy to be fully aware of this gloomy feeling hanging around my head and my heart.

Anyway -- so that is why I haven't been "around" the blogosphere lately. Just don't really feel like doing much of anything... just feel like staying in bed, all day with my jammies on.

It's a good thing I need the money, or I'd probably be ditching work. haha.

Anyway, that's it. The end.

My Love-Hate Relationship

This "relationship" of sorts has been weighing heavily on my mind the past few years. On the one hand I really want to move on, and yet on the other hand, I just can't seem to let go. But I fear I must. Because if I don't let go on MY terms, I fear the worst -- that it'll sneak up on me and leave me feeling stressed, anxious and out-of-sorts. I mean, although my relationship with "the Beast" has been fairly good for the most part, I see that in the long run, it's doomed to fall apart.

It's true - we've seen a professional about a dozen times over the past few years and it's certainly kept things going. But like I said, that day of reckoning, when everything falls apart or beyond repair -- that day is coming, my friends. And the Beast has a history of bailing out on me at the worst possible times. So -- I've been thinking that perhaps one day soon, sooner than later, I need to move on. Stop procrastinating. Move ahead, trade up so to speak.

It's time dear readers... It's time to introduce you to... the Beast....

Yep. My 1997 Chevy Astro mid-size van. It looks like this. I have a love-hate relationship with my van.

I love that I haven't had a car payment in over 7 years.

I hate driving a van.

I love that I have cargo room for when I get groceries or go camping or on a road trip.

I hate driving a van.

I love that there is plenty of leg-room for the kidlets when we travel, which adds to comfort and lessens the fighting (just a tad).

I hate driving a van.

I love that we can take friends with us places.

I hate driving a van.

I love sitting up a little higher than the cars and feel I can see better when driving on the freeway.

I hate driving a van.

I love being able to watch fireworks or a drive-in movie or a hot-air balloon race from the back, sprawled out with blankets and pillows.

I hate driving a van.

I love that my way-amazing mechanic keeps it in tip-top shape so I can do all of the aforementioned things.

I hate driving a van.

I love that I can hitch up a trailer (if I wanted to).

I hate driving a van.

Did I mention I hate driving a van?

It's not that I want a new (to me) vehicle because I am just plain sick of driving a van. But it would be nice to have something a little newer, that would require less maintenance. I would like to be able to take a road trip without the fear that I am going to break down in the middle of nowhere. The Beast is 14 years old now and has around 199k miles on it. Even though I've had to have a handful of repairs done over the years, it was still far better than having that monthly car payment.

In looking around at available inventory of pre-used vehicles and planning to use money from tax returns and from savings, I am hoping that sometime within the next year this goal of getting a new (to me) vehicle can be realized. I don't have tons of money, mind you. But here are my criteria in my next vehicle purchase:

1 - Not a van.

2 - Something that sits higher up than a car.

3 - Not a van.

4 - Something with plenty of leg room.

5 - Not a van.

6 - Something with plenty of cargo room.

7 - Not a van.

8 - Something that has 4-wheel drive for these nasty winters.

9 - Not a van.

10 - Something no older than 5 years old.

11 - Not a van.

12 - Something with less than 80k miles on it.

13 - Not a van.

14 - In my price range as I hope to pay with cash, eliminating need for monthly payments.

15 - Not a van.

I am hoping that I can find SOMETHING that meets these criteria, that - you guessed it - isn't a van.

In the online search I conducted mere minutes ago, here is what I have found.

The 2006 Chevy Trailblazer...

The 2006 Chevrolet Equinox...

The 2006 Saturn Vue...

So, I am wondering dear readers, if any of you have any insight to these vehicles, or if there are others you think I should look into.

I am open to suggestions as long as... it's NOT a van. :)

So, You Think You Can Cupcake?

Ummm..... hullo!?!?!? Do you see what I see???


That's right ENOR-HUGE-GI-MONGOUS Cupcake pans!!! Wilton makes them... the pans look like this ---

I am definitely using my 50% off coupon for this lovely little piece!

Seriously, folks. I am NOT an "impulse" shopper nor a gotta-have-it-now buyer. But this?!?!? Yeah... I'm getting it.

Body Pillows?

Next week, we'll visit a few more Craftsy Bloggers. But today...? Today, I want to share the latest in what I call Disturbing Consumer News. Body Pillows. Now, I recently thought about purchasing a body pillow to help me sleep better. I googled. As expected, I found something like this...

But, I also found this. An "Edamame Body Pillow"... Weird. Sleeping with a soy bean.

I thought these pillowcases were a little kitchy, but sort of cute. Reminded me of my father's lame-o but funny "Dr's lab coat" and "tuxedo" T-Shirts.

And this is weird... I guess because I did a search for "body pillows", "body PART pillows" came up to. I mean, I don't know if I could fall asleep with a bunch of heads in my bed.

Ok... now these are... **Chinese accent** How you say... All right, fine. They're dirty, but funny. There. I said it. You got me. These are called "Endurance pillows" by Durex in New Zealand. Let's just say they are to help men with... **ahem** skipping ahead a little too fast? So wrong on so many levels... but still. I laughed. I mean, who'd wanna look at these old hammered hags in bed? Of course they could be a killjoy altogether. It's a fine line.

Um...yeah. Here's another take on "body pillow". I must say though... was it really necessary to point out the obvious? I mean if you've got one of those in your bed, I kind of assumed...

And apparently these "new trendy body pillows" are for those trying to get over a break up, or for those who just can't bear to sleep alone!

Mkay... that was just creepy. But not as creepy as this!!!! The Edward Manllow!!!

However... **THIS** one by far takes the cake! I mean, what is WRONG with people?!?!?!?!?

Is this supposed to be what happens **AFTER** the lap dance? Obviously Sensei has "mommy" issues from his childhood?
Seriously... Who comes up with this stuff???

Want MORE weird and FREAKY stuff? Hop on over and read about 7 whacko plastic surgeries that are on the rise in China! 7 Controversial Cosmetic Surgeries Now Surging in China