Just Another Wordless Wednesday

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Teal Appeal

TEAL seems to be the go-to color of the fall season, but I don't know how much of an investment I want to make in that leather.  Seems people either love it or hate it--not much in between.  Maybe just a teeny tiny bit?  I love it in all shades!

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What I Did Today

Sometimes (OK, often!) it takes a special request, a custom order, to get me to do something I've been meaning to do for a very long time.  Case in point:  I made these custom leather snap-on belts today in assorted colors.  If you're a buckle collector, then you're probably already familiar with these gems.

The leather I used is sturdy but soft, for an effect that's a little more feminine than the stiffer belts we're accustomed to.  I finished each one off with meticulous top stitching.  For this photo, I paired them with a horse-themed vintage buckle from my own collection and called it a day.  (And a very good day at that!)

Custom handmade leather snap-on belts

Wordless Wednesday

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Catch Me! I'm Falling For Fall

I COME ALIVE when the air turns snappy and crisp leaves carpet the ground.  I start thinking it's time to replenish my stash of teas, find a favorite pair of warm socks and a new body butter, and I keep promising that this is the fall I will finally attempt to make my Aunt Carolyn's apple cake.

To welcome my favorite season I will lively up my wardrobe with a special piece I love to wear.   Fall accessories are my favorite to shop for, and lately I've been eyeballing the color plum.  Paired with mocha and coppery hues, it's deep, rich and mysterious; a cozy palette worth snuggling up to.

Top Left to Right: 1.  Art Nouveau Tights, Teja Jamilla 2.  Copper & Amethyst Ring, Midwest Alchemy 3.  Super Snuggly Knit Cowl, Happiknits  Bottom: 4. Desert Rose Leather Messenger, Urban Heirlooms  5.  Plum Floral Nails, Weheartit.com

Desert Rose : The Right Bag For Your Journey

So, I thought I'd give the doilies a rest --just for a hot second--and showcase this magnificent brass antique key on my latest messenger bag, "Desert Rose".  I'm really loving the distressed Antique Mocha leather as well.   It has a well-worn, well-loved and lived-in patina that reminds me of desert journeys and dusty breezes.  And I snuck a funky little doily on the inside! ;)

Desert Rose Distressed Leather Messenger

Authentic 18th Century antique key and deluxe pockets; ticking stripe lining

Adjustable buckle strap and bonus back pocket

Speaking of Branding...Skeleton Key Themed Tattoos

If I were ever to get a skeleton key tattoo, that would take my branding to a whole new level!

Although the dainty one in the main frame is about all I could sit still for without screaming bloody murder, the others are also quite amazing.  Hmmmm...maybe when I turn 50?  How about you--are you the branding kind?

a. Tiny key tattoo  b. Ornate key tattoo  c. Fancy escutcheon tattoo  d. Lock and key couple tattoos

That Old Time Feel

If ever a collection whispered my name...

Check out this awesome Treasury curated by Pearle Northrop on Etsy!  I'm glad she chose my black leather antique key messenger to be a part of it!

Girls Gotta Ride

I promised I'd show you the black leather biker chic messenger bag I came up with in the midst of my boho bag bonanza.  It must have struck a chord because it sold within an hour of me posting pictures of it on my Facebook page!

This delicious piece of buttery soft leather with its massive antique French gate key and adjustable strap was claimed by a special customer who has built quite a nice collection of Urban Heirlooms.  I'm convinced she'll rock it like it needs to be rocked!

Wordless Wednesday

Nice Package!

Don't you just love special occasions? I tinkered with some gift wrap ideas while wrapping this order today.  Brown Kraft paper box, antique key stamp, text from an old book page, and paper twine.  ♥

I just ran to check, and (gasp!) yes, I butchered an unbearably old book for that sliver of text!  Next time I'll check first, though in my heart of hearts, it has far more value on this gift box than sitting dusty on my bookshelf, waiting to be used only as a photography prop.

And The Beat Goes On...My Latest Boho Bags

WHAT'S COOKING at Urban Heirlooms? I've been laying low and trying to figure some things out, like how to upgrade my Mac operating system without causing an apocalypse on my computer, and why Firefox has abandoned me once again and no longer offers me its support.  This was why I was unable to comment on other blogs I follow without my comments disappearing.  And now I can't even properly format my own blog posts.  Forced to upgrade! Oy vey! But I digress.

Despite all that, I've been making as many Boho bags as my chubby little fists can muster!  I even made one for my niece's graduation present.  She wears it well, yes?

I'll be back soon with photos of my newest black leather "Biker Chic" messenger bag.  I promise it'll make you want to strap it on and go ride a Vespa!

Wordless Wednesday

The Captain of My Soul

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

William Ernest Henley

Attack of the Teal! This Beachy Blue Palette Beats the Heat

vintage French soda bottles

distressed teak birdcage

chippy vintage cabinet

cast iron starfish

vintage highboy

distressed vintage armoire

teal boudoir

Wordless Wednesday

Elbow Deep In Leather and Doilies

LOOK at what's coming off the machine lately!  Since I first debuted the Boho Messenger Bags last October, I've made many renditions.  Happily, orders for and interest in them have not ceased.  (KNOCK ON beautiful, semi-gloss hardWOOD floors with chevron inlay border!)

These are just the latest ones that I shipped out. 

Medium Boho In luscious Mahogany leather

Look at that KEY!!!

Looks beautiful coming...and going.

XL Deluxe Boho in rustic Toffee Crackle leather

Delicious Details

I kind of wanted to keep this one for myself!

10 Things I’ve Learned From My Obsession With Pinterest

1.  There’s no decorating dilemma that a mason jar, a wooden pallet and some burlap can’t fix.

 

Vintage Mason Jar Chandelier

pallet bed platform

burlap wedding chair shrugs

2.  Nutella is the new superfood.

heaven on a spoon!

3.  Crock-pots have given a whole new meaning to the term “slow food.”

Crock Pot Company Pot Roast

4.  Who knew so many women were smitten with Ben Affleck?  He’s been repinned 70 times from my board alone, last time I checked, and the fan club is growing daily!

Ben Affleck all Rough 'n Rugged in The Town

5.  What doesn’t kill you will at least inspire a nifty quote.

"Better Things" from The Love Shop

6.  Did you know you can freeze avocadoes?

Pureed, frozen avocadoes can last up to a year, reportedly.

Or better yet, make them into chocolate pudding or a luscious frozen dessert!

Vegan Chocolate Pudding

7.  Forget about diamonds.  Nail polish is a girl’s best friend.  How chic is this?

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8.  Even hardcore businesspeople can’t deny the universal marketing appeal of a cute puppy and kitten montage.  Everybody has one!

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9.  There are hundreds of recipes for crack! Or “nom-noms” inspired by the addictive quality of crack.  Most of them involve cream cheese, bacon, chocolate chips,  marshmallows, or all four.    Most of them can also probably be traced back (within 6 degrees of separation) to this Butter Maven’s website!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Parfaits

10.  There’s only one man in the world who totally understands and forgives your Pinterest addiction.  Hey, Girl…it’s Ryan Gosling.  Get to know him.

Say Whaaaaaat?

If you haven’t yet caught the Pinterest bug, are you at least sufficiently intrigued? Here’s an eye-opening article including stats of pinning trends.  There are even pin boards of the most pinned pins and most followed pinners!  Next time you need an escape hatch, check it out.  You’ll find yourself in Pinterest Rehab in no time.  12 million active users can’t be wrong!