Happy Birthday to......

Happy birthday to...My Mommy!! She is 49 years old today. We enjoyed a lovely family dinner at her favorite Italian restaurant Carabas and I had a 1/2 day at work. Life doesn't get much better than that. My husband was also off of work so we cracked open a bottle of Asti sparkling wine and had a photoshoot pre dinner festivities. Hooray, I finally got him to cooperate. I think the lighting was great and with the magic of a little photoshop I have a few new listings in my Etsy shop. I have a new hair style too. I couldn't do my signature braids today because I wore my hair curly, but I did get several compliments on my new do and make-up. I have a few more things to list throughout the week so stay tuned. Sales have been going great so far...I hope I can keep up this momentum through the holiday season. One thing I have noticed converting from Ebay to Etsy is the Etsy community is so much friendlier and involved. I have gotten praise, support, and helpful tips from other sellers that really keep me going. More great things to come but for now I will leave you with this quote:

"Its better to have a few words of love from one man, rather than the applause of thousands of people.”

Hair Trends

As you can see in my Etsy shop photos...I Love braids they are my signature style. You don't have to be in grade shcool to sport this trend anymore. Celebrities are popping up all over the red carpet with elegant braided locks. Here is a picture of Nicole Richie donning a braided do. I think she looks very elegant and chic. I will definitely be trying to mimic this look. Other celebs on this trendwagon include Sienna Miller, Jessica & Ashley Simpson, Lauren Conrad, Jennifer Aniston and Hayden Panettiere. So stay tuned to my shop and blog for more braided hair ideas. I can't wait to showcase some of my new hair combs. Now if only I could get my photographer (aka my husband) to cooperate.

Lady Gaga

Many of you may have heard all of the hype about Lady Gaga's performance at the MTV VMAs. I really don't see what all of the negative buzz is about. For those of you who don't know she had fake blood coming out of her side and stomach at the very end of her song then hangs from a rope symbolic of dying. I know it may be over the top for some people, but its the 2000's!! We have seen worse. If you watch the video for Paparazzi & listen to the lyrics of the song, it would all make sense. My personal opinion is that everyone is being a bit harsh. I think Lady Gaga is a very talented artist with a unique vision. She is definitely a style icon, no one can deny that. Think of the runway shows in Paris or the catwalks of New York. The models that walk the catwalk are wearing items that the normal everyday woman would not...its all for show. She is a celebrity thats what the celebs do for attention. Anyways I will get off my soap box, I have vented enough. Go check out her video Paparazzi. You will find the vampire Eric from Trueblood plays her boyfriend, she wears an amazing DIOR ring that I would KILL for, and her outfits are adorable.
xo

Distracted

Well I had good intentions last night, but got distracted. I didn't end up taking my dental exam online. I was just about to crack open the book and start studying then I thought let me just see if HBO on demand changed their current movie listings. I scrolled down the list and low and behold there was Sense and Sensibility staring at me. Before I could restrain myself I was clicking the center button on the remote and was transported back to the era of Jane Austen. I own the newest version of Pride and Prejudice on DVD, but it has been forever since I watched Sense and Sensibility. I just love Kate Winslet as an actress, she is so moving. It reminded me of her role in Titanic which I need to watch again asap. I did make a few hair combs, so the evening wasn't a complete waste. A coworker and friend of mine is going to a police ball this weekend and got a stunning black and white dress. She asked me if I would make her a hair comb with pearls and black roses. Then I searched for another movie and came across The Secret Life of Bees. I started watching it and got about half way through before I turned the TV off. I just couldn't get into it. Then I turned my attentions toward my Etsy store. I listed 2 pairs of button earrings, then got lost browsing in the sea of vintage items. Finally I ended the night with choosing a new blog background...hope you like it.

Tonight is 90210/ Melrose Place night. With all of the secrets, lies, deaths, overdoses, and drama I don't know how much studying I will get accomplished. I also need to put Google Advertising on my to do list along with writing my business plan. There are not enough hours in the day. The shop is doing fairly well, I have sold 3 items so far. Pretty good for being brand new. I am a frequent visitor to all of the Etsy forums, trying to absorb as much advice and information possible. Many sellers post very good tips and experiences. Looks like my lunch hour will be devoted to more shop promotion. TTYL=)

Pampered by the Hubba

What a busy but fun weekend, there is so much to blog about:O) I was feeling a little sick Friday afternoon at work with sniffles and a sore throat. To my dismay I had previously scheduled a dinner party/ BBQ for my grandparents and parents. There was no getting out of it, I PROMISED them. I had to grin and bare it and be the charming hostess. The get together was nice. My grandmother brought the hourderves, a yummy avocado spinach dip and shrimp cocktail. I made mac and cheese and Sangria while the hubby grilled honey mustard bbq chicken and burgers. Then after the family left we watched a UFC sporting event before bed.

I awoke on Saturday to my hubby in the best of moods. Still feeling a little sick we cancelled our plans to ride the roller coasters at Universal Studios (we have season passes). Oh the joys of living near Orlando, there is always next next weekend when Carlos is off again. He works as a corrections officer and gets every other weekend off. He decided to take me shopping instead. Oooo lala my favorite pastime! He bought me 2 new shirts that I need desperately for work, a new hot pink cell phone shell, and some craft supplies. Then I ended the shopping spree by purchasing my Halloween costume for the year...drum roll please...a sexy pirate with an adorable feathered hat. I can't wait for this years festivities. Then we stopped by blockbuster video and rented several discs of the HBO series Rome. I love blockbuster nights. I curled up on the couch and crafted away. I made several crochet headbands for my etsy store http://www.hairsewvintage.etsy.com/ and a few new hair combs...so go check it out.

Sunday was another photoshoot day. I think my husband's photography skills are getting much better. I thought my hair came out pretty also. When the sun went down I listed some of my new items, then it was time to study. I am currently enrolled in an online dental assisting program. I have always wanted to have a career in the medical field. I am working now as a shipping manager/ accountant for a travel agency. Both my mother and grandmother are nurses but I do NOT have the stomach for that. I would much rather deal with people's teeth than there other body parts. I need to take another test tonight. All A's so far...wish me luck. For now back to work tata.

Presents in the mail

I love coming home to a package in my mail box. My vintage buttons came...YaaaY=)) I can't wait to start crafting. What a great selection for such an amazing price. For those of you who haven't seen my etsy.com shop here is the link: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7992065

GO CHECK IT OUT!

Ode to Patrick Swayze

As you may know our beloved Patrick Swayze passed away a few days ago. This has been a rough year, we have lost many iconic celebrities. I remember being a young girl and dressing up in my grandmother's silver high heals trying to mimic the dances in Dirty Dancing. It is still, years later, one of my all time favorite love stories. It is one of those movies with a great message...stand up for what you believe in. I think this weekend will have to be a Dirty Dancing marathon craftathon. I will pop the dvd in to the player and craft away.

On a lighter note Sunday's photoshoot went well. It was a rainy day so some of the photos taken are not as light as I would like them, but I am improving. Last night I designed a new comb that came out very pretty. I will probably list it sometime this weekend. I decided to expand my shop and add sections and new products are in the works. I am awaiting a shipment of new vintage buttons, so button earrings will be coming soon. My one of a kind critter patterns have also made their way into the shop. They don't really go with the whole hair theme, but they have sold well in the past on Etsy & will help me raise my sales and positive feedback rating. I am so excited for everything to come this holiday season!

Shopping and Vamps

I could type all day about my favorite thing to do...shopping! Isn't retail therapy the best? Todays trip to Orlando was very successful. I found some nice flowers and vintage buttons. I got to spend some time with my grandma, we ate breakfast at Cracker Barrel. French toast...yum=) Then I got a few hours of craft time in. Tomorrow is mother daughter bonding time. I will be running some errands in the am then off to my mommy's house for a photo shoot and Etsy listing spree. In between photo ops we will be doing a season one of Bones marathon. I am not thrilled with that show but she is trying to convert me, so we will see. Speaking of show I did DVR The Vampire Diaries and finally got to watch it when I got home tonight. It was great!!!! I am going to add it to my long list of Vampire must sees/reads...

Vampire Diaries
Twilight
New Moon
Eclipse
Breaking Dawn
True Blood
30 Days of Night
Bram Stoker's Dracula
Underworld
Interview with the Vampire
Van Helsing
Lost Boys
Subspecies
John Carpenter's Vampires
Fright Night
Salems Lot
The Monster Squad
From Dusk Til Dawn

I think I will cuddle up with my Hubba and my little woofer, light the candles, and watch a spoooky movie. Nighty Night. ZZZzzz

Day one!

First I would like to say hello and welcome to my blog! I have started a brand new Etsy business under the ID hairsewvintage. The purpose of my blog is to promote my shop, showcase my one of a kind hair accessories, and give insight into my life as an artist. I promise to dedicate several hours a week to updating my blog. So here goes...

My name is Heather Natalie DiGraci-Stoneking. I was born December 17, 1980 in upstate New York. When I was a wee 5 years old my family moved me to Florida, and I don't plan on ever leaving. I love the sun, sand, and surf. I am a newly wed, married to my husband Carlos since 06-07-08. We have one of those cookie cutter houses in a quaint development similar to Desperate Housewives "Wisteria Lane." Thats one of my many favorite shows. If you asked me which housewive I relate to the most I would pick Gabby! My husband and I have 2 little furball pupsies (Tilly & Gizmo) and no children yet.

Right now I am stuck in corporate America working for the man, but good news is its FridaYYY=) I am very stoked for this weekend. My grandmother is picking me up early tomorrow morning so we can go craft supply shopping. Its a 45 minute drive to one of our favorite stores. I just hope we don't get stuck gawking all day because we need to get some projects started. I have 15 listings on Etsy now, but I hope to have at least 10 more listed by 9/22/09. I have paid for an advertising spot that day. Thus far I have not sold anything, but as they say Rome wasn't built in a day!