CYBER MONDAY SALE!

A Wreath For All Seasons

I love having seasonal wreaths on my front door, but I don't love storing them at the end of each holiday.  They always end up smashed or deformed or worst of all--full of spiders and cobwebs.

I wanted a wreath that would go with me from season to season with little design effort.  Here is what I created last fall:

I used burlap ribbon to create the wreath and embellish it each season with an inexpensive plaque or oversized ornament. This particular Valentine's ornament I made myself.  Totally wonky and by no means perfect, just like me.  :)

What do you have on your front door? 

Third Annual Shop and Sip Holiday Trunk Show

Hi friends!  Remember me?  ;) 

I'm sorry I've been missing in action.  Moving is tough!  So is living with relatives!  I won't even get into my daily routine, because honestly, it's late and I am tired enough already!

I hope you all have had an amazing new year so far!  I'm planning to rock the heck out of 2013!  Who's with me??

I know this is a little late, but I wanted to share some photos from the 2012 Shop and Sip Holiday Trunk Show.  This is the third year I have co-hosted this totally fab handmade shopping event.  My homie (and then partner-in-crime) Autumn and I hosted the first ever Shop and Sip in 2010 when AquaSeventy6 was mostly a dream.  In 2011, my friend and former neighbor Marcy and I co-hosted the second Shop and Sip.  This year, Shop and Sip had four lovely co-hosts: Marcy of Kaiya Designs, Kara of Simply Vintage Candles, Jasmine of R & E Avenue and, of course, yours truly.

I have to apologize in advance for the quality of these photos.  One day we will splurge on a professional photographer, but for now, my handy-dandy iPhone will have to suffice!  :)

Here's my table.  Do you remember this Rag Ribbon Table Skirt?

I made over 115 items!

I spy some Elephant Karavan Pillows!

My Mustachio Coin Purses sold out!

Fabric Button Jewelry is always a big hit!

I only made three of these Christmas trees, and one lovely client bought them all!

Loved meeting all of these beautiful shoppers!

What I loved most about this show is that it was also a toy drive for Toys for Tots!

Here we are surrounded by all of the wonderful toy donations!  AH-MAH-ZING!

Have you attended any of our Holiday Shop and Sips?  Tell me in the comments!  xx

40% Off Sale for the 4th of July!!

Hi friends!  I hope you are enjoying your holiday!  If you aren't able to make it to the beach, pool or parades today, I have a special gift for you!  Take 40% off of EVERYTHING in my shop.  Today only!!!  Use code: July42012.  This is my BIGGEST sale to date, so don't miss out!!  Click on the link above or use the widget in my sidebar to see what goodies I have for sale!

In the meantime, here's a little preview of what my little mama will be sporting at tonight's 4th of July party:

I will be wearing the matching brooch!

Have a great holiday, and hope to see you around the shop!

Tampa Trunk Show and an Announcement

Happy 2012, my beautiful friends!  I am so sorry that it has taken me a whole 6 days into the new year to wish you well!  Also, I am even more sorry that it has been almost an entire month since my last post!!

What a crazy holiday season it has been!! I spent the entire month of December making items for AquaSeventy6's final trunk show of 2011, in Tampa, Florida.  After a 12 hour drive, and three days of last minute preparation, I am happy to announce that the show was a success!

It was such a pleasure to put this show together with my friend, Marcy, owner of K.a.i-y.a. Designs!

Here is the AquaSeventy6 table!

Checkbook Covers, Everything Pocuhes, Key Rings, and Headbands.

Button Pendant necklaces, Cuff Bracelets, He Loves Me Brooches and Hair Clips, Business Card/ID Holders, and more Headbands.

Ruffled Wreath, Felt Wine Bag and Clutches.

Fabric and Bead Necklaces and Scrappy Scarf Necklaces.

Here is the K.a.i-y.a. Designs table.  The Superhero tees and onesies were a BIG HIT!

Just look at these super cute headbands and reindeer tees!

I actually wanted this adorable Christmas skirt and top combo for myself!

Our hubbies took over as bartenders for the evening. 
Sangria Terreo was number one on the menu!

After a long, yet productive evening, Marcy and I
were finally able to pose for a photo!

I wish I would have photographed some of our guests, but by the time Marcy and I came up for air, the crowd had dwindled down, and our tables were sparse! We were very, very blessed.  Thanks to all of you who joined us that evening!!

Finally, I wanted to take a moment to announce some changes here at AquaSeventy6:

I started this blog in 2010 in conjunction with my very good friend, Autumn, who shares my passion for second-hand, refurbished, vintage and handmade items.  Together we featured our DIY projects, tutorials and our handmade items for sale.  As of January 2012, we decided that we each had so much to share that we would divide and conquer.  I will keep you updated on Autumn's journey and link her new site as soon as its up and running.

Autumn, your contribution to our site will be greatly missed, but I can't wait to see how you transform your skill and passion into another beautiful endeavor.  Love you tons!






Click here to see where this and my other posts are linked!

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.

Holiday Comforts

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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.

Shabby Ruffle Mini-Wreaths

Yes, we know most of you are still carving pumpkins and picking out Halloween costumes, but here at AquaSeventy6, the winter holidays are in full swing!  You might remember the Shabby Ruffle Mini-Wreaths we made last year.  They were a huge hit at our Holiday Trunk Show! 

Our friends over at Blossom and Poppy loved them, too!  Here is what we made for them, and a preview of what you will find at our shop and shows this winter.

Sorry that the photos are so bad! Between orders, sick kiddos, and traveling spouses we haven't had time to set up fab vignettes.  Hope you still love us, though! xoxo

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

Fabulously Frugal Fall Fashion Friday #6 and the Week in Review

Hi friends!  Unfortunately the week got away from us here at AquaSeventy6 and we don't have any photos to share with you for the Tights Challenge.  We've been sewing our little fingers off preparing orders for clients, planning our 4 cross country trunk shows, and filling up our Etsy shop so that all of you can get a jump start on your holiday shopping!

Our FFFFC will continue on Monday with features and our FINAL challenge.  I know, we've had SO MUCH FUN recreating looks on the cheap.  If possible, we will recreate a tights look over the weekend and share along with the features.

In other news, we have SOLD OUT of the aqua and green Envelope Clutch we previewed last week!  Don't worry little chickadees, similar ones are in the works.  The fabrics will be different, but the style will remain the same.

Our readers and clients have been buzzing about Wednesday's Scrappy Scarf Necklace project.  I agree, these WOULD make fun Christmas gifts! :)

Did you see yesterday's Petite Bag and makeup bags?  Super fun for gifts or for yourself!  Don't forget to become a fan on Facebook for coupon codes, previews, and Facebook Fan Only specials!

We really appreciate you!  Have a great weekend!

Here's a blast from the past....

Our First Holiday Trunk Show 2010

Haunted Exterior

There is something about seasonal/holiday decorating that makes me super giddy. Maybe it is the fact that I only bust this stuff out once a year. Perhaps it is the festive mood that is evoked. But no matter how you slice it, I really dig holiday decorating. I haven't quite gotten around to decorating the inside of the house...but the outside is off to a good start.

Last year I made this snake wreath. I thought it got lost in the move, but you can imagine my spooktacular glee when I discovered it this weekend! If you want to make your own, see directions at the end of this post.


My boys love to help in the house decorating! But hands down, their favorite is always the inflatable! My favorite quote of the day came from my 2 1/2 year old, Easton."Mommy, I not scared of dose ghosteses or dem pooosycats."
Happy haunting, everyone!!
Snake Wreath of Terror:
1. Weave plastic snakes (I bought mine at the Dollar Store) in and out of a grapevine wreath.2. Spray paint black (or any color you like...or not at all...or buy the glow snakes!).

Happy New Year!

We wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2011.  May your year be filled with love and long-lasting friendships.  Here's to the New Year!