Trunk Show Preview: Fabric Button Pendants

It's such a beautiful Sunday morning here in Richmond, Virginia!  Cold and not a cloud in the sky!  THIS is how I like to do winter!

I'll be heading back to my hometown in FL soon to spend some time with my family, as well as to co-host a holiday trunk show with my good friend and former neighbor, Marcy who is the creator of K.a.i-y.a. Designs.

Autumn's TN trunk show last month was a huge success and she's been busy filling orders.  Because my show is so close to Christmas (and is actually on the first night of Hanukkah), I have to focus on physical inventory, which has been no easy task.  Thankfully, I just LOVE what I do!

My kids have been very patient with me and my hubby has even helped me out with some ironing.   With their support, I've been able to come up with some fun new accessories to present at the show, which I have been featuring here on our blog and on our Facebook page.

Today I am going to show you some of my newest pendant necklaces.

I can't tell you how much I adore when my clients see my previews on the Facebook page and call dibs on certain pieces.  Makes me all warm and fuzzy inside, especially since I truly make each and every item with SO MUCH LOVE in my heart!  xoxo--Yvette

Click here to see where this and our other projects are linked!

Guest Posting at delicateCONSTRUCTION!

We are a day late announcing our guest post over at delicateCONSTRUCTION.  Michelle was sweet enough to allow us to share some of our favorite gift ideas for this holiday season.  Take a minute to visit her site and show her some love!

The Everything Pouch

For years I traveled with the zippered pouch I was given when I opened my very first checking account. You remember those, right?  I'm not THAT old.  Sometimes it held my travel documents, other times toiletries, occasionally make-up. It accompanied me on my honeymoon and on our first family vacation to the Cancun.

It wasn't until I learned how to sew that I realized how HIDEOUS this thing was.  I couldn't exactly throw it out, it carried too many memories. So off it went to storage with 50 other bins of items with which we just couldn't seem to part.

I still needed a multi-purpose zippered pouch, so I decided to make my own using my favorite fabrics.

I ended up making two, because I kept thinking of new ways to use them! What do you think?  Tell us in the comments!

Click here to see where this and our other projects are linked!

Wrist Strap Key Rings

Years ago, my mom had her purse snatched while walking out of a department store with her arms full of shopping bags.  Because her keys were in her purse (along with our home address on her drivers license) we had to change all of the locks (and worried for years that someone would use her spare key to my dad's car to steal that as well!)

My purse is huge and no matter how often I clean it out, it is always a veritable abyss of receipts, wrappers, and goodness-knows-what-else. Because of this, I always dig out my keys before exiting a store and walking to my car.  The last thing I want is to be distracted while I find my keys in a parking lot. (I also tuck my cell phone into my pocket before walking into a parking lot.)

I had seen the bungee cord key rings and those made out of lanyard ribbon that could be slipped over the wrist, which would solve part of my dilemma.  But there was no reason that these wristlet key rings couldn't be more attractive, so I decided to make my own.

In a few days I was asked by three friends where I purchased my key ring, and AquaSeventy6's newest product line came to fruition.

Our Wrist Strap Key Rings have been a huge success in our shop and at our shows.  We carry them in many colors and patterns and can be made to order to match a handbag, a checkbook cover, your makeup case or more.

These are just some of your options:

I wish I would have had one of these when my kids were younger and I would have to hold their hands (along with my shopping bags, purse, cell phone and keys!)

Getting Ready for the Holidays!

Has it been a week since our last post???  Forgive us!  The holidays do this to us! We still love you all though!! Our Facebook page is a bustle of activity, so if you miss us as much as we miss you, become a fan!

I (Yvette) celebrated my first Thanksgiving in Virginia.  We don't have any family nearby so we decided, for the first time ever, to go out to eat on Thanksgiving Day.  We made reservations at a staple downtown restaurant and got gussied up for the big night.

I busted out a dress I got last year at a little boutique called TARGET! 
Paired it with some textured tights, a bow belt from XXI and Rocket Dog suede heels from DSW.
The silver cuff was a birthday gift from my friend Luana.

I recruited my 11-year-old son to take my pics!

Dinner was great and the next day, while hubby made a turkey, the kids and I decorated for Christmas.  For the first time in about 5 years we decided to buy a natural tree, but since we will be in and out around the holidays, we opted for a table-top size.  This is much different than our 8-9 foot trees from years past.

It is only big enough to hold our most special of family ornaments!

How was your Thanksgiving?  We'd like to know!  Tell us in the comments.

TN Trunk Show

Shopping and orders and wine - oh my!Last week's trunk show was a blast. An awesome group of women came to my house to peruse all the Aqua goodies, enjoy each other's company and I think I mentioned wine (10 bottles to be exact!).
Before the good times starting rollin' I snapped some photos of my living-room-turned-shop. 
All the items in their glory. So many found good homes with lovely ladies!

My friends, Shannon and Emily got creative hanging the scrappy necklaces from the chandelier. Love it!

Close-up on the nifty knit necklaces. (say that 3 times fast!)

Everything from yoga bags to make up bags. Bags galore!

From left: Boys Fancy Pant, Girls Side-Ruched Pant, Boys Cozy Pant

Accessory central! Hair bows, brooches, check book covers, camera cases.



BIG shouts outs to everyone who came! 
AND if you live in the Tampa area and would like to attend the show on December 20, shoot us an email so you can get your invite!

Dear Santa: Yvette's Christmas List

I can't remember the last time I wrote a letter to Santa.  I must have been 9 or so.  My kids have written letters to Santa every year...every year, that is, except for this year.  This year's list was just titled "Christmas List". They didn't ask to put it in the mail.  Just a list on the fridge.  It makes me sad to think they may have stopped believing.  But, I won't ask, because once you stop believing...well, we all know how that tragic story ends.

I decided SOMEONE in this house needed to write a letter to Santa. Why not Mom?? Since it isn't exactly the best of times, what harm would it do to dream big, right?  So here is my letter to the big guy in red.

Dear Santa,


I've been a pretty good girl this year. I try not to pick fights with my siblings (much).  I don't talk back to my parents (often).  I eat all my food (as well as what my kids leave on their plates).  But let's be real here, S.C.  I know that what I should be asking for is world peace, love for mankind, and all that jazz, but it's been a tough year for us, and so today I am just going to indulge myself in a little wishful thinking.  So, here is what I want:

A Babylock Sofia 2 sewing machine.  Even though I don't know what
I would do with all of the features and accessories, the fact that
it cuts its own thread is enough to win me over.

A Brother 1034D Thread Serger.  For that "professional finish."

 This k.a.i-y.a. dress, in my size, of course! ;)

A gift certificate to Victoria's Secret to replenish my supply of PINK panties.

This laci jean bag. Or this one. Or either one of these two...

A gift certificate to Bonefish Grill. Because nothing is yummier than Bang Bang Shrimp.

The soundtrack to Breaking Dawn.  While you're at it, you can throw in Rob Pattinson.

A gift certificate to Sage Salon and Spa in Land O' Lakes, FL to
use on my Christmas vacation (it's only been 6 months since my last hair cut!)
You can throw in A gift certificate to get a pedicure and eyebrow wax
(because mama's getting tired of plucking her own brows and doing her own toes!)

Dinner and a movie at Cinebistro at Stony Point. Because the entire theater is 21 and over.

Narciso Rodriguez for Her perfume....so delicious!

Oh, Santa...my list is nowhere near finished.  But, I will leave you with these so you can get a head start! ;) xoxo


Yvette

Loving: Scrappy Scarf Necklaces

You might remember the original Scrappy Scarf Necklace.  Our little recreation became a big hit among our clients and we just wanted to share some of our favorite versions of this versatile accessory.

We put together this necklace and cuff combo for a client in Florida.

This funky boho version is for a client in Ohio.

Love.

Here is a closeup of one of the necklaces.  Scrappy and funky...colorful and bohemian. ♥

You know you want one...

Click here to see where this and our other projects are linked!

Holiday Comforts

This post is sponsored by Tempur-Pedic, the brand millions of owners trust to deliver their best night’s sleep every night. Enjoy our Buy 2, get 1 free pillow offer now and give the gift of custom comfort to someone you love.


It's that time of year again-- the holiday season!  Many people don't consider it "the holidays" until after Thanksgiving, but for us here at AquaSeventy6, the holidays begin well before our kids have even gone trick-or-treating.  We plan our holiday trunk shows months in advance, and have Jingle Bells on the brain at the first sign of Fall.

Stretching out the holidays for so long can put anyone at risk for Christmas burnout. But we have learned to cherish those little comforts that make the holidays special, without screaming "Santa Claus!"

Special recipes--It isn't the holidays without a bowl of Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup.  This warm and savory dish brings us back to our childhood.  It's especially yummy on a cold and rainy afternoon. We change the recipe up a little by adding some cubed butternut squash and sprinkling in a dash of cumin.

Dinner around the fireplace--As you may know, we grew up in sunny Florida.  Homes with fireplaces were few and far between.  Now that we both live in cooler climate areas, we love to light a fire on a cold winter's night.  Eating around the fireplace makes dinner time so special and creates memories we know our children and husbands will never forget.

Movies in bed--Now that it gets dark before dinner time, we like to settle our children down a little early.  But since Yvette's two children are older, 6:30 p.m. bedtimes just won't cut it.  At least once per week, Yvette and her hubby let the kids jump in the king-size bed to watch a movie or catch up on family-friendly t.v. shows. The kiddos are usually out like a light by 9:30 p.m., and after Daddy carries them to their own beds, Mom and Dad can catch up on movies or t.v. shows of their own.

It's these little comforts that help us make long-lasting holiday memories, but can be recreated almost any time of year.

What are the little comforts that make your holidays special?  Tell us in the comments!





Comfort is the perfect gift for everyone on your holiday gift list, so be sure to take advantage of ; Tempur-Pedic's Buy 2, get 1 free pillow offer! I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective.

Colorful Checkbook Covers

In the age of online bill pay and debit cards, our poor checkbooks barely see the light of day.  (Remember your first set of checks?  Mine were "Precious Moments"!)  Even though a box of checks lasts me longer than the calendar on the back of the register book, I wanted to give my checkbook a little "sprucing up".   I made myself a cute little checkbook cover and lo and behold, other people liked it!

It turns out that I am not the only one who still carries my checkbook on me at all times "just in case".  Just in case, what?  I don't know...just in case I leave my debit card in my other jeans after using it to pump gas the day prior (this has happened to me more than once!)  Just in case the credit card machine is down at the grocery store.  Just in case my kids remind me as I am dropping them off that field trip money is due TODAY! 

So here are some of the checkbook covers I have designed.  These will be at our trunk shows, but you can always order by clicking on the email tab on our sidebar.






For pricing information, visit our Facebook page. 

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