Post-Christmas Updates!

Hello everyone!

After I got through my (nearly) 25 straight days of blogging, I took the last few days off to really enjoy the time I was spending with friends and family here in Hawaii.  And it has been a blast!  One of my favorite parts of being home is seeing all my old friends and catching up with family and stuff.  I've been going through some old family pictures and I hope to get some of those up sometime soon to show you "your's truly" as a little girl.  =P  But here is a pic of some of my childhood friends all grown up!

My little sis, my brother, and my hubby are in the pic too and a lot of really good friends!  =)

So I have been dying to ask my blogging friends what you think of these boots.  I have two pairs of black boots, a brown pair, and now a maroon pair but no gray.  I have been keeping an eye out for slouchy gray boots and I think I may have found them.  Who'd have thought that Forever 21 would have the most adorable shoes ever?!  I haven't really stopped to look there before.  =)

gray slouchy boots: forever 21

And for the price being what it is, I'm not sure how long I'll be able to hold out on them!  But then I kept browsing the website (I saw the above boots in person) and came across these beauties!  And now I'm confused!  =P  The typical confusion of a woman who likes two equally amazing pairs of shoes.  =)  

gathered ankle boots: forever 21

I'll be honest, I'm leaning towards the suede ones because I like how soft they look.  And since I was able to try those on, I know they are pretty comfy even with the higher heel.  But I like the more moderate height on these new ones....::sigh:: such "difficult" decisions, right?  What do you think?!

I have a lot more that I have been wanting to share with all of you too but I think it will have to wait for another day.  I am going to watch my brother and hubby play soccer with friends tonight.  =)  So have a wonderful evening and I will see you all soon!

Have a beautiful day!

2nd Deal til Christmas and Christmas Day Greetings!!!

So I have been doing well again with staying on top of everything with my 25 Deals til Christmas but dropped the ball yesterday!  Christmas Eve is the day that my family does everything.  We have lots of people over, open presents, and things like that.  But in the busy-ness of getting everything ready for company yesterday, I (once again!) totally gapped on getting a blog post done!  You, my lucky readers, get two deals today - my Christmas present to you!

1) What was supposed to have been yesterday's deal is a gift with ANY purchase!  I have been doing a gift with the purchase of any pair of Michelle Earrings but for today only, you can get a "present" from me with any purchase that you make!

2)  The Christmas Day Deal that you have all been waiting for is: 40% off my entire store!  Use coupon code "merrychristmas" at the checkout to get the discount!

If there has been anything you've been eyeing, today might be the day to get it.  Or maybe something for a New Year's shindig!  

(Just as a heads up, because I am in Hawaii, I do not have full access to all of my tools and supplies.  So if you order something that I do not have on hand, I will not be able to make or ship your item until after the New Year.)

This is a short one today, my friends.  But I sincerely wish you all a Merry, merry Christmas where Jesus Christ is the center of your celebrations.  "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given..."

Merry Christmas!!!

3rd Deal til Christmas

It is the Christmas Eve Eve!  Is everyone else excited?!  I am very excited because in my family, we always open presents on Christmas Eve and then do stockings on Christmas morning.  So it will be really great to have another holiday in Hawaii with my family.  And this is what our Christmases look like.  =)  Santa and Mrs. Claus let their hair down, kick off their shoes, and enjoy the mild Hawaiian holiday!  My family and I plan on going down their ourselves and I'll put up my own pictures as soon as I get a chance.

hawaiimagazine.com

Before I get to the Deal til Christmas today, I wanted to remind people that you can still get a free gift with purchase of any pair of Michelle Earrings in my shop currently.  I still want to try helping Michelle out this holiday season so please consider purchasing something for her and yourself!

That does bring me to today's Deal til Christmas which is: 25% off of Michelle Earrings in my shop.  With this sale, I will still donate $10 directly to Michelle.  If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an email (snsandsnsibility{at}gmail.com) or send me a message through Etsy!

Have a beautiful day!

4th Deal til Christmas

I know not everyone has the ability to just hop on a plane, visit family, and come to Hawaii to go shopping but believe me, if you could, it is totally worth it!  I grew up in a small neighborhood called Kaimuki.  It used to be the center of commerce and business on south Oahu but times change and the place was not quite as busy as before.  In the last few decades, small businesses and restaurants have moved in and taken over and transformed the area.

So when I read about a new business that was supporting local and handmade artists, I had to check it out!  I had been reading about this new boutique in  some of my Hawaiian retail and handmade community forums.  And I had the wonderful opportunity to come and visit this particular shop!  Drift Boutique is "locally owned and operated featuring lots of local designers such as Machine Machine, Tiare Hawaii, Stoney Seas, La'akea Designs, and lots of cute clothes and gifts from around the world!"  And they are kidding.  I was able to meet one of the owners, Laura, and she proudly shared with me that 90% off what was in the store was locally made in Hawaii and 75% was handmade.  So I had to do some shopping and it was an awesome experience!  I love the chance to support local AND handmade artist at the same time! I am planning on going back before I fly back to California and will try and take some pictures to show all of you!

their shop is the cutest thing ever!  they named the place "drift" because one of the owners' hobby is to collect drift wood and turn it into awesome creations!

But on to today's Deal til Christmas!  We are getting so close now I can taste it!  For today only, you can get 25% off of Nani Earrings!  These simple but easy to wear earrings are great for so many different occasions!  A little black dress or a swim suit during summer will be magnificent with these!  This style is also part of the new Hawaiian inspired collection I am just debuting this week!  Check out "Me Ke Aloha" in the shop for more items and styles being added all the time!

I hope you like it and have a beautiful day!

P.S.  Head on over to moonbeamwishes and much love, illy to enter giveaways that I'm sponsoring and a little interview I've done with both girls!  And wander around their blogs while you're at it.  They are some of my creative muses - I want to be like them when I grow up!  =)  

5th Deal til Christmas

So I have made it home!  Ironically, there is just as much rain here in Hawaii right now as it was in Southern California before I left.  =)  But it is also a little interesting because I usually blog in the morning but now that I am another two hours behind the West Coast, you all are probably reading this really late in the day.  =)  But I will try my best to adjust either my posting or my deals for your benefit.  =)

Today's Deal til Christmas is 25% off of Nancy Earrings for Brides and Bridesmaids.  This particular style can be customized in different colors so let me know if you have a particular request.  But I got such a positive response to the necklaces, here is a chance for you to get the earrings that go with it!

Have a beautiful day!  And I will updating more about general goings on from my island home! =)

6th Deal til Christmas

So I am currently writing this post while sitting in an airplane! Today is the day I fly back to my beloved Hawaii with my hubby to spend the holidays with my fam! I can't say I'm real with it because I had to get up at 5am to get to the airport on time. :p but I am excited and ready to sleep through as much of the flight as possible!

Because I am in transit, the deal from yesterday is continuing today! You can still get 20% off the entire Sense and Sensibility store by using coupon code "sensiblesale20" at checkout. 

But one of my surprises this week is the post that Ilene from Much Love, Illy did for me today! It has been a joy getting to know her so go and check out her blog! The link is in my Reading Pleasure section to your right.

Well, have a beautiful day, everyone! I will see you once I land! :)

7th Deal til Christmas

Today's Deal til Christmas is a great one if you still need gifts for Christmas or maybe something for yourself for a New Year's shindig!  You can get 20% off the entire store for today only!  Use coupon code "sensiblesale20" to get the discount.

I hope you all are doing well and getting ready for a week or Christmas festivities!  Have a beautiful day!

P.S.  Come  back tomorrow for a Sense and Sensibility surprise!

8th Deal til Christmas

It is a rainy, cold, lovely weekend!  It has not gotten above 65 degrees in the last three days and it has been rather wonderful!  Now, some people would read those first two sentences and stop and look at me and get ready to call in a national emergency.  You see, I have a very low cold tolerance (I guess growing up in Hawaii thinned my blood a lot) and everyone knows it.  In college, I was rather humorous I think because I would rarely ever wear less than three layers in Southern California's mild winters which rarely get below 60 during the day.

The hubby and I went to Disneyland this two nights ago to see the decorations and everything.  And it was totally worth the crowds and the cold!!!  The pictures turned out well!  And you get to see the first outfit pic of mine that I've expressly taken for the purpose of use on this blog.  =)

Main Street Disneyland decked out for Christmas!!!

Awesome holiday fireworks from the backside of Matterhorn Mountain

Jeans: American Eagle Outfitters
Long sleeve white tee: Target
Gray sweater: Nordstrom
Scarf: Disneyland  =) It has a Mickey head on the end of it but you can't see it in this pic
Saddle Bag: Vera Bradley

It was a pretty fun night but by the end of it, I really couldn't feel my fingers.  =P  

Today's Deal til Christmas is the last in my necklace series and you get 25% off the Ocean Avenue Necklace with Coral, Peridot, and Smoky Quartz!  I love this color combo with some of the great camel and neutral colored items that are popular this winter.  I hope you like it!

Have a beautiful day!!!

9th Deal til Christmas

We are getting so close!!!  And even closer, is the realization (for the fourth or fifth time this week) that I need to get my act together because I get to go home to Hawaii for Christmas!!!  And I am really excited to see my family and spend time with them before my brother ships out with the Army and life gets chaotic again.

My family at my brother's commissioning as a second lieutenant in May.  So proud! =)

But on to the important stuff!  Today's Deal til Christmas is 25% off of another necklace - this time it is Ocean Avenue Necklace with Coral and Pearls!  This style has quickly become one of my best selling pieces.  I love them for how easy to wear they are!  And the colors can match so many different outfits!  I hope you like it!

Have a beautiful day, everyone!

10th Deal til Christmas

Today's 10th Deal til Christmas (besides being short and sweet!) is 25% off of the ever popular Ocean Avenue with Garnets, Pearls, and Smoky Quartz!  Perfect colors for the holiday season or any occasion!

Have a beautiful day!!!

11th Deal til Christmas

Well, the weather in Southern California is not appropriately COLD!!!  It dropped into the low 60s today and it is a lovely day to stay in next to my heater with a cup of coffee/tea that I keep refilling every so often to keep my insides warm!  =)  But it is also great blogging and jewelry making weather so I am going to work on knocking all my work out today!

How are you spending your Wednesday?

Today's Deal til Christmas is 25% off of Emily Earrings with Coral, Citrine, and Peridot!  I love the strong geometric shape in this style.  I have always loved hoop earrings but got bored of the simple silver things you see so often.  This is my take on hoop earrings that are fun, colorful, and super easy to wear!  

Have a beautiful and warm day!!!  =)

12th Deal til Christmas

I can hardly believe we only have 12 days until Christmas!!!  And to get in the mood, I pulled this picture out from last year!

me and my bestie in December of 2009 at Disneyland!

Along with all kinds of wonderful goodies to be planned, I have the immense honor of being able to provide gifts for others!  There is something that makes me so full of joy that I get to hand make jewelry that is going to give joy in so many different homes this Christmas!  If you have never handmade gifts for anyone, you are missing out on some amazing experiences!  But I know not everyone is equally gifted in this area and that is part of why I LOVE Etsy and other handmade outlets.  I can make jewelry but I cannot make things like this or this or this or this.  So even though I could try, I know my attempts would not be anywhere near as wonderful as these artists!  But supporting them and getting great gifts?  Now that is a joyful thing!  =)

But on to today's deal!  The 12th Deal til Christmas is 25% off Nancy Necklaces!  Although I designed these with bridal parties in mind, I think they are really cute for more than one kind of occasion. So for a classic design for many occasions, I think these necklaces are great.  And you can get them for 25% off today only!

Have a beautiful day!

13th Deal til Christmas

We are getting so close!!!  Christmas is almost here and I am really excited about it this year!  I am excited partially because I get to celebrate it twice!  Once with my family in Hawaii and a second time with the in-laws when we get back to (cold) Southern California after the New Year!  It would be lovely to have everyone that I love altogether at the same time but since I can't have that quite yet, I am being content with two families to celebrate with (and thankful for the extra time to shop for my brothers-in-law which can be interesting sometimes).  =)  I think I've said that before but with how crazy this week is with getting orders made, shipped, and packing for Hawaii, I am thankful I don't have to worry about it yet!

Today's Deal til Christmas is 25% off of one of my personal favorite styles: Corrine Earrings in Semiprecious Stones!  As you probably know by now, I love long, elegant, and classic jewelry styles with a little twist of trendy and modern.  I like to think that this pair of earrings is along those lines.  The crystal quartz teardrops are so classic but have a great pop of jewel tone colors with the pink tourmaline and iolite rondels hanging daintily above!

Have a beautiful day!

14th Deal til Christmas

Hello everyone!!!  This post is a little late today (I had been doing really well with getting them out in the morning until that one day last week).  =)  But the good news is that you already know what today's deal is but there is a little twist until Christmas!

You can still get 15% off the entire store today by using coupon code "sensiblesale15" at the checkout.  In addition, I am also going to be giving you a gift with any purchase of Michelle Earrings!  Like I said in my post earlier this week, I know Michelle personally and know that she can use all the help we can give her.  If you are able to or would please pass on the word, it would mean the world to them this holiday season.  Remember, she gets 50% off the total purchase price of any pair of Michelle Earrings!

So you will be getting TWO deals per day until Christmas!  The Deal til Christmas will change each day but you also will have the opportunity to help a family out this holiday season!

Have a beautiful day!

15th Deal til Christmas

I got to go to the Gem Faire yesterday!!!  That may not sound like much to anyone who doesn't know the joys of handmaking things but think of a large building filled to the brim with vendors who have tables and tables chock full of everything you could ever possibly want for making jewelry!  Even if you aren't a jewelry maker, it is such a fun experience because your eyes are mesmerized by the glitter and sparkle of crystal, semi-precious gems, sterling silver, gold, and other similar girl eye-candy.  =p  There are premade items and loose stones so you can decide how much work you want to put into it!  And since it travels, there is a good chance that you will be able to find one relatively close to you!  But suffice to say that I bought several goodies that I am super excited to get turned into jewelry to share with you!!!  =)  But on to important things!

Today's Deal til Christmas is a chance for you to finish your Christmas shopping in one stop. I am offering my readers 15% off the entire store for this weekend only. Enter coupon code "SENSIBLESALE15" to receive your discount on your purchase.

City Lights Bracelet with Amethyst and Pearls

Ocean Avenue Necklace with Coral, Peridot, and Smoky Quartz

Have a beautiful day!  

P.S.  Keep an eye on the shop in the next few days!  There are still a few products that will be added before the holidays are over!  

17th & 16th Deals til Christmas

So I made my first blunder of this Deals til Christmas series!  I missed my post today!!! I was doing some work online this morning and getting ready to post the new one for the day and then next thing I know, I'm out the door and realizing that I didn't actually get it up!!!  So today you all get two Deals!  =)

The holidays are always really exciting for me because it is the one time of the year that my usually thrifty family won't yell at me too much for spoiling them.  =)  But this year, I think I've grown up and into a new stage of life.  This is my second Christmas as a married woman and life has been progressed around me.  I am hearing about more people getting sick, growing old, and in some cases, even dying.  I don't mean to be depressing here but it has made me so thankful for the time I still have with my family.  I am fully aware that it won't last forever and that one of these days, God is going to call some one or another of us home to Himself.  But I am learning to count my blessings and savor the time I have with my family and friends now.

That being said, I have a request for all of you and it has to do with the fundraiser items that I have in my Etsy shop.  As you may have read, Michelle is a single mom who has Lyme's disease and it has progressed to an uncurable stage.  There is, however, a medication that will help keep the disease dormant for a period of time.  Michelle's health insurance will not cover the cost of the medication and it is several thousand a month.  So a few of her friends have done fundraising through different means but something that is always available are the earrings in my shop named after her.  50% of the sale of any pair of earrings goes straight to Michelle.  My request is that you spread the word to as many people as you can.  It is the perfect way to get your shopping done and help a woman who could really use our help!

So the two Deals til Christmas are: 

1) Gift with purchase of Michelle Earrings  (my thank you to you for your kind help!)

2) 25% off Judith Earrings in Green!

Michelle Earrings in Apatite and Pearl

Judith Earrings in Green

18th Deal til Christmas

Man, the days are flying!!!  Sometimes time seems to drag on and I think to myself, "You're good, Aime.  You have lots of time to finish up all those loose ends, brainstorm blogposts and new products."  Or not.  Like when I started writing this blog post this morning and realized that holy cow! I only have 18 days until Christmas!  Which means 12 days until I am flying to Hawaii!

But regardless of how fast time may or may not seem to be flying, there is another Deal til Christmas!  And today it is 25% off Becky Earrings with Pearls and Garnets!  This is the original version of Becky earrings that were inspired by a dear college friend of mine whose father passed away of brain cancer before she graduated.  His birthstone was garnet and Becky loves the stone so I made these in their memory and honor.

Have a beautiful day!

My Package from Cold Hands, Warm Hearts

So I had a rather largish box waiting for me when I got back from Arizona yesterday and could barely wait to get my things put down so I could open it!  And I was ecstatic with what was in it!!!  I was soooo excited to join Cold Hands, Warm Hearts and got a wonderful partner and someone I think (I hope) will be a great pen-pal!

I had a whole big box full of beautifully wrapped little gifts that have made my day and very possibly, the rest of my week!!!  I put the boxes under my jewelry tree to show you how awesome my swap partner is!!!  As you can see, I got an amazing assortment of little goodies!  I got a scarf, mittens, beads, green tea, coffee, peppermint stick, soap, pancake mix, syrup, hotpads, spatula, handmade Christmas ornaments, and two amazing little things that made my day!  

In our correspondence, Morgana and I had talked about several different things.  She told me about her favorite scent company, Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, and I had never heard of them before.  So as I opened the little packages that were under my little tree, I was thrilled to find a little bottle of an amazing scent!  But more than any of these things, I LOVE this gift!

This beautiful little item is a hand made canvas tote featuring my logo and website!!!  I was so confused when I saw Morgana's little sneak peak picture but I am LOVING the actual item!!!  The logo flower is made of felt, exactly the color of my logo and she also made a little matching card case!  I have such a talented swap partner!!!  Ah!!!  I LOVE IT!!!  =)  

Morgana, I am so thankful that I got you as my swap partner!  You have inspired me by your creativity and sincerity about your life and family.  I was so blessed by this swap and can't wait to keep in touch!

Have a beautiful day and I hope you all have a chance to get such a great package too!  

19th Deal til Christmas

So after a crazy weekend of family, soccer games, shopping, and blogging, I came home yesterday to find my package from Morgana and was soooooo excited!  I did open it (and went a little nuts with excitement when I saw what was in it) and will blog about it more thoroughly later.  For the moment, I wanted to get you all filled in on the Deal til Christmas for today!!!

Today's Deal til Christmas is 25% off Simple Becky Earrings in Jade!  These simple earrings are great for so many different styles of people!  And for today only, I am also offering you the opportunity to get any color stone you want!  Besides the jade, I have a light blue aquamarine, pale pink tourmaline, and lavender alexandrite.  So please include in your notes to seller what you would like if it is different from the jade.

Have a beautiful day!

20th Deal til Christmas

Realizing that I only have 20 days until Christmas is starting to bother me!  I need to get a move on and get my Christmas stuff together!  Now thankfully, I am celebrating Christmas with my two families separately and will have a little extra time to get things all together for each side.  But I have to make sure I actually do it!  =)

Today's Deal til Christmas is 25% off of Nancy Earrings in Pearl, Crystal and Aquamarine!  I love these earrings for so many occasions.  As you have probably seen from my pictures, I wore them with all black and loved the way the color popped in that outfit!  

Have a beautiful day and happy Christmas shopping!  =)

21 Deals til Christmas

Like I have mentioned before, I am in Arizona hanging out with the girl-in-laws!!!  I can't think of another way to describe them but they are my mother-in-law's family who happens to be all girls.  So grandma, aunties, and cousin are getting to spend time with me.  I also heard that my little sis's ballet holiday shows went well also!  So I have been having a wonderful time but I had to take a break and come and talk to all of my blogging buddies.  =)  

Today's deal of the day is Buy One Get One 50% off!!!  Refund for second item (of equal or lesser value) will be given via PayPal refund.  So if you are thinking of getting anything for Christmas gifts, you can get twice as much shopping done or get something for yourself too!  =)  

There are lots of options and even more possibilities if you send me your custom requests!  

Have a beautiful day!  And finish your Christmas shopping!!!  =)  

22 Deals til Christmas

So the cold I had earlier this week has eased up a fair amount but now I am developing a shmexy deep voice that is on the verge of disappearing completely.  =)  I just thought I would share.  I haven't lost my voice in two years now but it used to be my finals' tradition.  Without fail, I would lose my voice the last week of classes or the actual week of finals exams.  So not being in college this year is a plus.  =)

But you didn't want to hear about me losing my voice. (Thank goodness I only need to type for my blog!)  I hope you did come to hear about my 22nd Deal til Christmas!!!  And today you get 25% off of Nancy Earrings in Coral, Pearl, and Jade!  I love how these beauties look with so many color palettes!  If you have any camel colored items you plan on wearing this winter (a very popular color for a lot of designers!), these earrings will be a beautiful compliment to whatever item you are wearing!  The coral will bring out the warm tones in the camel and the jade and pearls will pop against the softness of the color!

Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend and have a beautiful day!!!

23 Deals til Christmas

The great thing about these deals is that it makes me excited to help other people do holiday shopping but it is also scaring me because I realize then that I have to get a move on with my Christmas shopping.  =)  But today's 23rd Deal til Christmas is 25% off of Corrine Earrings in Watermelon Shades!  I love these earrings that have a great color palette of deep greens and rich wine reds!

In other exciting news, I am so excited for the fast coming conclusion to the Cold Hands and Warm Hearts Swap I am participating in!  I have had a blast getting to know Morgana from seemorganacook and shopping/crafting for her gift!

 

And she is teasing me with a teeny little picture of what she is sending me!  =)  But it has been a great experience and I am so glad to have a new penpal and friend!!!

Hope you all have a great weekend ahead of you!  I will be in Arizona with my mother-in-law and her side of the family which is always a blast!  And my little sister has a ballet performance on Saturday which I always love hearing about since I can't be in Hawaii to see this one!  =)  You will be hearing more about it and seeing pictures as I can get them to you.

Have a beautiful weekend!

24 Deals til Christmas

Another day, another special!  And today, I am giving you 25% off on Terri Earrings in Pearl, Agate, and Crystal!  There is a limited quantity so don't wait!

There are still lots more days until Christmas so don't forget to keep coming back!