It keeps me turning home...

"Usually take one last pass through town
Stop the car and touch the ground
Watch those streetlights swayin’ in the breeze
Decorated store fronts
Rusty old gas pumps
Try to fill my mind up
With somethin’ before I go
Picture postcard memories
You know they always make for good company

I don’t know no town
Like the old town
Even when the miles are many
I feel like I’m still around
Deep inside me
Like rings through an oak tree
Yeah, there something ‘bout a Sunday when I’m gone
That keeps me turning home..."

I'm so happy that I'm heading back home to Michigan today for the first time since I moved to Nashville.  Going on vacation to my parents is a weird feeling.


What I am excited for though is to see old friends. The people I spent the first 22 years of my life with and don't judge all the stupid, impulsive decisions I make on a daily basis. And of course I can't leave out actually getting to see my boyfriend, it has been 6 weeks since the last time and two days is just not enough.

I'm super excited to start the holiday season with my family. Every time I head to the store and see all the Christmas decorations everywhere, I feel a little hole in my heart knowing that I won't be home in the Michigan snow for most of the Christmas season. My brothers and I won't fight over the Christmas tree and beat up on my dad in the process.

This growing up this is a weird phenomenon. I'm doing my best to welcome every change with a happy and open mind. Starting new traditions and meeting new faces everyday. But there is a sincere security in my true home. The dirt road and cornfields that I left for the big city are ready to welcome me and I can't wait to see my small town decked out for Thanksgiving.

I feel like I'm becoming a huge stereotype. The country girl who left the cornfields for the big city following her dreams of making it as a performer. Weird being a stereotype... not sure how I feel about that one. Seems to cliche for me.

But regardless of my awkward, I'm growing up and not sure how to deal with it post...I hope you atleast enjoy the Etsians that are featured on here!

Holy Busy Week!

So I've had a pretty crazy and exciting week that I just would love to share with everyone!

For those of you who don't know, I have recently relocated to the Nashville, Tennessee area where I spend my days greeting tourists at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. I've always had a great love and appreciate for country music and seeing as I studied music, history and American culture in college this is pretty much the only place I can tell people how much I love Johnny Cash on a daily basis and not have them get annoyed.

So this week was CMA week, the Country Music Association's awards were last Wednesday night and I was more than thrilled to spend my day at work watching celebrities walk around and watch the tourists gawk at their feet.  I opened up my morning by watching Dierks Bentley play for free on Good Morning America.

A free concert is probably the best way ever to start your day.

During work I watched people gawk over Josh Turner and Keith Urban...who am I kidding I was definitely catching a glimpse at Josh myself.

After my normal work day, I added in some overtime working for an a star studded after party. I'm not allowed to take any picture of that without losing my job but I did catch a glimpse of the red carpet right outside our doors.

Along with the CMA awards, I was also able to attend the CMA Country Christmas taping. The show will be on ABC November 29th but I was lucky enough to snag a free ticket from people I work with. It was really interesteing to be at a taping that was very stop and go, random transitions and waiting in the dark for something to happen, along with fake snow and tons of gay dancing soldiers shipped in from Los Angeles.

All in all it was a crazy week in the Country music world. I was happy that the people I thought deserved to win finally did...which I've been waiting on for a couple of years. I also did a Nashville craft show this weekend but I will update that in the next post.

Good night y'all!

You're just a country boy-Treasury!!

A wonderful treasury I would love to share! It was inspired by a song called "You're Just a Country Boy" as sung by Alison Krauss.

Such cute imagery in this song and the treasury!

Check it out!!

When you live in the city by yourself

This is what I call taking myself on a date on my day off......

Etsy and Panera Greek Salad.

I think I need to live closer to my boyfriend.....

BESTeam Feature on Off The Wall Expressions!

This week's feature is on the lovely, Off The Wall Expressions. Off The Wall Expressions, is run by a husband and wife team of Tina and Mick. Mick has worked as a graphic designer for over 20 years! In those 20 years he has worked in many different venues of design. Tina is a self proclaimed lifetime crafter. These two bring together their talents to make these wonderful wall vinyl designs.

This power couple designs a plethora of different decor for your wall. So many options to spice up any room in your home.  I picked out a couple of photos from their collection but make sure you CHECK IT OUT. This is only the surface of the cool things they have in their shop!!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/58345256/personalized-jet-fighter-vinyl-decal

SO many fun things to check out in their shop, either for your home or for great Christmas gifts!!!

Before you go on, make sure you check out their Etsy page and their Blog.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

So its cliche, I know it is. But the thing I keep asking myself lately is What do I want to be when I grow up? As a recent college graduate, there are many things I would like to do and just can't seem to figure out which is best for me.

Being a starving musician always sounds fun, until you are one and can't pay your bills and then you want a "real" job.

I've been thinking lately about possibly going back to school (shocking, yes I realize I just left) and getting my arts education teaching certificate. Another piece of paper that is suppose to tell people...hey this girl can have a job!

So to all my fellow Etsian, what do you want to be when you grow up?

This can sometimes be a superficial question or you can make it mean more, depending upon your answer. I haven't figured out mine but has anyone? I really would love to hear your life determining stories! When I think of what I want to be, I also think about the good ole' bucket list idea. How much do I want to accomplish before I leave this fine earth?

A website that I found some beautiful inspiration in this week is the Before I Die Project. When you look at the answers from around the world,  makes you want to do something, to change something, and really puts you back into check to stop whining about your life. So please check it out! It is an amazing look at humanity! This was a slightly sporatic entry....but I don't mind...it is how my brain works...and I'm saying no to proofreading since this was more like a journal entry than anything else.

So for one day I'm not going to try to get you to buy something from my Etsy site or anyone else, just want to inspire and possibly make you think. Because lord knows we can all use a little of both every once in a while!

Cheers to all!

Elizabeth O Hara Feature

Check out fellow BESTeam member Elizabeth O Hara. She runs two Etsy shops and a blog.

Unfortunately this is going to have to be short and sweet with my intense amount of overtime I've worked this week but I'll atleast get some links and photos out for you. (That is the important part anyways right?


BLOG

ELIZABETHOHARAGLASS

ELIZABETHOHARAPAINTINGS

Elizabeth has some amazing art that I really think you need to check out!!! So get on it!

BESTeam Feature on Ourhometoyours

This week the spotlight is for Ourhometoyours. Ourhometoyours is run by a creative mother-daughter duo that love to craft.  Debbi and Amanda ( Oh what a cool name!) hail from the great state of North Carolina. Both of them love their lives as both mothers and artists. And of course like many of us they sell their art on their Etsy page along with running their own blog.

Their blog is filled with love for other Etsy sellers and wonderful treasuries so make sure you check it out!


Lets take a look at some of their lovely treasures!!

Who doesn't love Vintage items for the kitchen?

Cute headbands!

And for all the soon brides to be out there, they make custom order memory boxes!

Make sure you check out these ladies on their Etsy page, blog and Twitter!

It's About Time I Show Some of My New Items!

It has been a while since I've just shown some of my new items.
Since I've moved to Nashville, I've had some free time to kill on my own and I've been thrift shopping a lot. So vintage items have really been my specialty lately.  This is only the beginning to the collection I've found in the last couple of weeks but I figure, hey, it is a good start.

Lots of nice cozy fall wools

Saucy Lace Jacket!

Lacy Jacket

And don't forget a girls best friend, SHOES!

There are many other new Vintage items in the shop and there will be more added daily.

In addition to the new vintage items,  I've also started a Songbird Stationary Series. All simplistic pieces of stationary with lovely songbirds adorning the papers. This is a new work in progress, so I'm open to suggestions and also open to special orders.


In additon to that, if you haven't already, make sure to add me on Twitter and Facebook to keep current with daily promotions and sales!

What is a song that speaks to you?

So I've been sitting back in my room today, listening to albums I haven't had a chance to listen to lately.

Music is has always been a gigantic part of my life, both as a professional musician but as an individual trying to make it in the world, music speaks to me everyday. It makes me take a break and think deeper about things I might have just pushed aside, lifts my spirits when I'm in a bad mood, spreads my love for those around me, lets me vent when I'm pissed, helps me worship in my own way and serves my need for attention when I perform.

I find that I cycle through certain songs with each small period of my life. When I head certain songs from my past, I am immediately back in that space and time, with the same smells and the same people. For example, whenever I hear a Guster album, I am back in my sophomore year of high school on spring break with my friend Emily, driving from  Virginia to Maryland. It is a magical experience that I love to feel every chance I can.  

Does anyone have a similar experience? I would love to hear! I love the power of music and its place in other people's lives.

I saw John Mayer in concert last week and although I figured he would be a total douche like the media portrays him, I really enjoyed the honesty I felt in his music. So I thought I would leave you with a couple lines of one of his newer songs.

"Who says I can’t be free?
From all of the things that I used to be
Re-write my history
Who says I can’t be free?"

BESTeam Feature on AllAboutCats!

Hey cat lovers! Do I have the shop for you! Linda, from AllAboutCats makes all different kinds of things that your furry friend might need. She makes all kinds of handmade catnip toys for them and different cat themed accessories for you. If you couldn't guess by her shop, Linda is a cat lover with three cats of her own. She also likes to help other cats by regularly donating her products to Vermont local no-kill shelters.

SOOO lets check out these cool creations, eh?


Best of all, right now she has Halloween themed toys!

And some cat themed accessories for you!!

And even handmade swiffer dusters!!

In addition to her Etsy page, she also has a blog and you can catch her on Facebook.
So make sure you show Linda some love with some hearts, likes and even (gasp) some sales!!

Nashville, my new home!

So I finally did it, I completed my life long dream of moving to Music City, USA: Nashville, TN.
As a musician I've dreamed of this day for many years. I've dreamed of singing on the Grand Ole Opry and working my way through the honky-tonks of broadway. With a city that is run on the ever changing music industry, where everyone has awkward work schedules, there is always something to see and do. The downtown area is always bustling  even on Sunday and Monday evenings which was unheard of back home.

What is most amazing to me is the creative spirit that takes over this town.  Almost everyone here is an artist in some way or form and it really shows in the love and support that artists get in this community. Any night of the week you can find a new art show or album release party and everyone in the city comes out to support its artists!

One of my very favorite places in town is Hillsboro Village. This village sets close to the Vandebilt campus and has many fun boutiques and art shops. It reminds me of a little Etsy village there all always fun things to see, do and buy here. And if you are there make sure you stop at the famous Pancake Pantry to a meal!

For some country gal inspired duds check out these Etsy items!

BESTeam Feature on MysticWynd

Welcome to the lovely designs of Mystic Wynd. Karen is the designer of Mystic Wynd and MWElegance on Etsy and also a wonderful blogger.
Karen resides in sunny Arizona which sounds amazing to me when I'm living in this Nashville humidity!
Through her two Etsy sites, Karen designs many different styles of jewelry that I know will catch your eye!

In her first shop MysticWynd, she has many different styles of rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets. Many of these fall into certain themes that she likes to work with, which can be checked out on her Etsy page.

I really, really enjoy these blue floral earrings!

Now for the upcoming bride or for anyone who loves elegant jewelery, you have to check out her MWElegance page. It has many simple, classy designs for your big day or day at the office!

So make sure you take a minute to check out Karen's two Etsy pages MysticWynd and MW Elegance and also her blog!

FACEBOOK!

Hey y'all!

I started my new Wayfaring Magnolia Facebook page today and would love some extra followers on that as well as a reminder to my Twitter account.

Also for all of those who haven't heard, I am having a 50% off sale until this Friday. So buy buy buy lovers!!

BEST Team Feature on YouAreMySunshine

It is that time of the week again, time to show you the work of a fellow BESTeamer and this week it in YouAreMySunshine. Youaremysunshine is run by Nina, who's name comes from the lovely song, originally written by the Jimmie Davis (Yes I LOVE music history!) According to her profile, the song has become a nice little family tradition and the inspiration for her name.

I can tell that Nina is a busy woman! She runs two Etsy shops one homemade goods YouAreMySunshine and a vintage shop: MySunshinevintage. And she runs her own blog as well!

Lets look at some of her vintage items!

 I LOVE this! How cute is that tray? Great addition to any country home!

Lets stick with the floral theme and check out this amazing necklace!

In addition to her two etsy pages, she also runs her wonderful blog! That you can check out here. 

Also please check her out on Twitter and Facebook!

BESTeam Feature on Turquoise Angels

It is that time of the week again! Time to do a feature on a fellow BESTeam member and this week it is Turquoise Angels. She runs her Etsy and Blog page with adorable products for all ages.


Show some bride pride with her tank! You can even have it personalized!

Just in time for Halloween, a lovely tutu to spice up a costume.

Make sure you check out her Etsy page and Blog and show her some love! No doubt there is something in her shop to please everyone!

BESTeam Feature on SewDandee!

It's that time of the week again, time for me to show you the lovely work of a fellow Etsy BESTeam member.

This week my feature is on Sew Dandee. She has a lovely blog that is often updated with interesting tidbits, along with her art and the art of others.


Sew Dandee's Etsy store features all different designs of switchplates, many inspired by pop culture. She also has an array of greetings from sarcastic movie quotes, to pretty cards to show your love.

I would advise you to make sure to add her on Twitter as well as visit her Etsy shop and show her some love!

Better Late Than Never

So first I need to apologize to UniqueDesignsbyMsP for not posting sooner, so for that I am definitely sorry! But with a cross country move in my midst, free time is something I have very little of.

But on to UniqueDesignsbyMsP, she is a fellow BESTeams Etsy blogger and for those of you who don't know what that is, it basically a group of us Etsy sellers who love to spread love and good sales to one another.

So, Paula the designer and owner of UniqueDesignsbyMsP and Tomboy Tools has two great blogs under her belt but I think I would like to focus on TomboyTools. I think this is a beyond great idea! As a fellow tomboy, I love the dolled up power tools! What a fantastic idea! She has many different options of power tools, garden tools and other random tools that you can usually only find in bland "manly" colors. So for all of you DIY-ers, spice it up with some of her Tomboy Tools!

Below are some photos of some of her awesome products but make sure to check out her blog for more! 

Also check her out on Twitter!

Wish List on Sunny Saturday

Like many of you, I spend too many hours on Etsy checking out the wonderful art and products made by the artists on Etsy. Lately I've been looking at a lot of unique jewelry and different art prints. So lets take a look at some of the wonderful artists that have caught my eye this week.

Wexford Jewelers

Rose Garden Diamond Ring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sing from the heart original 5x7

Secret heart necklace, the green owl.

I really thought this bed was like a magical wonderland. If I ever have the money to buy something like this I definately will have to buy it so I can feel like I'm in the woods every night. :) 

 

Under the Apple Tree Canopy Bed

Orange Sunrise with green bag purses leather

 

Well I hope you really enjoy these fabulous items. Make sure you check out their shops and give them some love. Make sure to support the homemade community!!

MaPetitPapeterire, AttilaDesign, RTNT, Timssally, WexfordJewelers