The Sweet Season: October 2011

I Ain't Afraid Of No Ghost---spooks & winners!

Monday, October 31, 2011

This post has nothing to do with ghosts, FYI. But I have been listening to some Halloween music, hence the title.

I have been loving reading and seeing everyone's costumes from this weekend! I am living vicariously through you all since husband and I didn't dress up this year. Because we have no friends. I'm serious. ANYWAYS----- instead of frightening and spooky activities this weekend, hubs and I layed low. I did lots of work on things for my newly opened etsy shop. (Thanks again those of you who have purchased, told your friends and spread the word so that Bella can get her surgery!) But more about that later! Friday night we got all dolled up and went out for sushi at SOHO. Turns out it was like a club. They had drink specials (two drinks for $5 dollars) and I was like "Sweet!" I ordered a margarita that tasted like pee, and then I tried the cranberry/vodka for my second drink. After two sips I was pretty sure I was going to puke because it was the most disgusting thing ever. And the sushi was sub-par. Definitely not worth the $40 bill we incurred.

Yesterday after church (we go to a church here called BEACH CHURCH. Cheesy, but kind of cool too. Their worship leader looks like the lead singer of rascal flats) we headed to Burro Loco and shared steak and shrimp fajitas. We were STUFFED-- and they were only $15 dollars! Next we headed to the boardwalk, which is right next to the ocean. Bella loves the sand, and since I have been trying to keep her off her leg I decided that the sand would be easier on her to walk on so we let her down to run and play. My favorite photo from the day is up top, but here are a few more!

Bella Louise & I

Law Breakers.

"Mommmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Come down here to the water! I think I saw a jellyfish!!!"

look at that sweet puppy!

why yes, I am wearing one of the bracelets I am selling in my shop.
I sold out of this one yesterday so today I am going to try and make a few more!

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Now For The Lovely Poppy Giveaway Winner!

and the winner is Danielle Wright! Congratulations girl!

You get to choose three colors to create your own necklace!

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And last, a little more about the Fetch & Co. shop... over the weekend I got a few e-mails for some customs items. I am going to try my hand at a few custom breed mugs (fingers crossed!) as well as work on some more jewelry. The lovely Lindz over at 413 Says Hello wrote a lovely post about me and my shop. Check it out, and then check out her adorable blog!

If anyone is new here, or missed it, I am trying to raise money for my pup's knee surgery that costs $1,500.00! 100% of proceeds go towards her surgery so I would be so grateful if you check out what I have to offer. If you would like to read more about Bella and her story, you can get the skinny HERE!

And here are a few more items I added to the shop yesterday!

Thanks again for everyone's support!

So far (after cost for the supplies) I have raised

$150 DOLLhairs!

I will keep everyone updated as I raise the money!

Only $1,350.00 to go! Hey, that is better than it was last week!

I am grateful & thankful for you all friends.

Happy Halloween!

Check back tomorrow to see Bella in her costume!

p.s. I forgot to tell you guys that I am guest posting over at Kyna's blog today! I am sharing my favorite pumpkin recipe everrrrrrr! Go say hello!

Busy Little Bee....

Saturday, October 29, 2011

I have been having so much fun making and packaging bracelets these past two days. More than the sales, I am so encouraged by everyone's kind words for Bella. Today I am working on adding a leash, mug, and a piece of art along with a handful of bracelets and even a few necklaces! I am only putting up 1 of a few of the items because I would love your feedback before making more....

Also, don't forget you still have today and tomorrow to enter the

LOVELY POPPY GIVEAWAY!

With only 24 entries there is still a really good chance for you to win!

So checkkkkkk it out.

Today husband and I are cheering on U of M... (yes, more football).

My Crimson Tide are not playing today--- next week is the big LSU game!.

I. CANNOT. WAIT.

Today for football I am probably going to whip up some chili for dinner.

It's only 50 degrees here today.

Although, that is nothing if you are on the East Coast and bracing yourself for the snow/ice/rain

that is surely headed your way! Hope everyone stays warm! See you on Monday to announce

the lovely poppy giveaway winner!

xo,

ashley

p.s. For your weekend listening pleasure:

Friday's Letters: Fetch & Co. Edition!

Friday, October 28, 2011

Dear Baby Bella, I opened your shop last night and we have already made 5 sales. On;y 195 to go until you can get your knee surgery and run like a little puppy should be able to run! Dear Husband, Thanks for spending thirty minutes taking pictures of my bracelets last night, immediately after you walked in the door from working all day long. You are the best. Dear Dana @ Wonder Forest, Thanks for making my etsy shop banner. I think it's the shiz. And Dear Erica & Gentri, you girls were by first and second sale in the shop. Since we all know what I make is nothing fancy. And might turn green a year from now (Let's be honest...) Thank you so much, I KNOW we would be real life friends because you have such sweet hearts.

If you want to read about the shop, and the reason's behind it please read the post below! Or click here if you don't want to scroll down.

Again, if you don't really want to buy something but would like to help me get one step closer to getting baby Bella the surgery she needs you can always donate by clicking below!

Fetch & Co. is OPEN!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

So, I did it!..... Fetch & Co. is now open for business.

Currently it is filled with a few bracelets. Nothing too fancy...

just a little something to raise some money for my little peanut.

If you are new here you might have no idea what I am talking about so let me fill you in.

Meet Bella. She is my 10 month old yorkiepoo baby.

Over the past few months I had been noticing a small limp developing which turned into a skipping gait. She wouldn't bear weight on her leg at certain times, and other times would seem fine.

A few days ago, after the limp became pretty severe, we were told that Bella has a luxating patella.

This requires surgery. A very, very expensive surgery. Upwards of $1,500.00

Ouch, right? I know.

Husband and I can't really afford this surgery, but miss Bella needs it or she is going to lose mobility in her leg, develop arthritis and be in more pain than I want to think about. She is just a baby, and while I said I would never spend so much on a dog's health I have had to eat my words. Anyone with a pet knows how attached you get, and how much joy they bring to you.

So this is where my shop comes in.

The best thing I can think to do is try and raise the money for Bella's surgery while offering something back in return. Right now, I am selling bracelets called "Bella's Bracelets". These bracelets range from 8 to 20 dollars. ALL of the proceeds are going towards Bella's surgery. ANY help I can get from you would be more than appreciated. I did the math, and I need to make at least 200 sales to cover her cost.

Depending on how well it goes, I was thinking of continuing this for others who can't afford their pet's surgery. I have heard from more than one person with similar stories. Perhaps you don't WANT a bracelet, but still want to help my little babe get her knee surgery. You can do that by clicking the donate button below. Every little bit helps. And we thank you so much. Maybe you cannot purchase or donate at this time, which is fine-- you can still help by spreading the word to your friends!

Here are a few shots of the bracelets I added to the shop last night-- Friday I hope to add several more.
Any feedback or suggestions are welcomed. And THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for all the encouraging e-mails surrounding Bella and her medical issues. You guys really are the best!

CLICK HERE TO SHOP NOW

Broadway At The Beach

So there is this place called Broadway at the Beach... we live about a mile away from it.

I don't really get it, because its nothing like broadway.

And, it's not on the beach either.

It's more like a mile and a half of shops surrounding a waterway with lots of

eateries, shops, ripley's aquariums, fair rides, etc. etc. etc.

They have a really good frozen yogurt place, and we have eaten there twice.

YUM. Bella was feeling pretty sad (probably about her surgery) and being a clingy daddy's girl...

So we decided to head down the road for some frozen yogurt.

See that sushi place to the right? It is called King Kong Sushi and I am going to be eating

my weight in dragon rolls this weekend. Also, down the path to the left is a place called

Shucker's Raw Bar. They have happy hour every day from 4-7 with all oysters 50% off.

I am pretty sure we will be making a trip there as well over the weekend.

(basically my life revolves around food)

Bella got skinny vanilla.

Because she needs to watch her girlish figure, you know...

We did some walking around, the lights there at night are so pretty.

We looked at wonderworks, and "upside down" building from across the lake.

We might go there, or to Ripley's aquarium to see the sharks this weekend as well.

Upside down building or sharks? I think its a win win, either way.

and a few more shots from the evening....

also, husband does a really good impression of a serial killer, right?

Creepy Mc-Creepster.

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Today I am going to look for some things to make bracelets that are going to go towards raising some money for baby Bella's surgery. I will experiment with some treats this weekend too, but I wanted to also have something available for those who do not have pets but want to see baby Bella's little knee fixed up. POOR LITTLE PEANUT. She limps everywhere she goes and it makes me so sad. I figure if I sell bracelets for about $15 bucks, I only have to make about 120 sales and that will cover the cost.

I hope I can do it sooner than later so poor puppy doesn't start getting arthritis.

I mean, just look at that face....

she is saying "pwease help me run again without the hurts!"

Things To Do In....South Carolina

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Visit Murrel's Inlet!

Sunday I told you how Bella and I spent part of the morning walking along the marsh and watching people throwing out crab baskets and catching heaping amounts of blue crab. When we got there the tide was out but in less than half an hour the tide came in and the water level rose several feet. The crabs came right in with the water and almost flung themselves in the baskets. If I was brave enough, I might consider crabbing myself. I just would have no idea what to do with the live crabs once I caught them! And I am just too kind a person to actually kill the crab so I could eat it. (Not that I am opposed at all to having someone ELSE kill my food. I am not that kind). Here are a few pictures from the day.

(p.s. this is Murrell's Inlet, about 15 miles south of Myrtle Beach!)

I have like 200 more pictures, and had like 60 on here and then at the last minute deleted most of them because I decided you probably don't care THAT much. But in case you do, I might add them to the facebook page. So yeah.

So, you might be wondering where I was yesterday since I am usually such a consistent weekly blogger. (toot, toot). WELL, yesterday Miss Bella went to the vet where we found out she needs a knee surgery for a luxating patella. basically that means her knee cap pops in and out and she can't use her leg the way she should be able too. Poor bella. The surgery is going to cost anywhere from $1200 to $1500 dollars. That is for the one knee. On a 6 pound puppy. Poor ASHLEY. We don't have that kind of money to spend on Bella's surgery. Which got me to thinking. I might offer to sell some really delicious gluten free/organic doggie treats. Package stylishly in a mason jar with a pretty fabric top. All funds going for miss Bella's knee surgery of course. So I have to ask, if anyone would be interested in something like that? I don't know, but I have to do something because if we don't get her surgery done then she will lose mobility on her leg and be in pain 24/7. And that is not okay with me.

SIGH.

I hope everyone else's week is going better.

Random: I had a bird stuck in the condo for thirty minutes this morning. I took a picture of it. I might show it to you tomorrow.

xo,
ashley

Lovely Poppy Giveaway

Monday, October 24, 2011

I am sure you have all met Nicole over at the Lovely Poppy.

No?

Friends, meet Nicole. Nicole, friends.

More than designing ridiculously cute things in her etsy shop,

she just has an amazing heart. During the day she manages a program for

children with autism, and somehow manages to run her household, take care of her husband and

furbabe Bailey and then create the goodness that is the Lovely Poppy.

Today she is giving away one of her cute necklaces. Winner gets to choose three colors for three blossoms on their necklace. That means you get to choose whatever will compliment your wardrobe the best. It doesn't get any better than that does it?

To Enter:

Mandatory: Must be a follower of this blog.

winner will be announced 10/31

Head over and like the Lovely Poppy's blog, and then come back here and tell me all about it.

That's it. Just like the lovely poppy.

OH and guess what else? I am offering a free month of sponsoring over on her blog...

right now.

right this very second.

you can go enter over there too.

How about them apples?

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Now this brings me to our small bird studios $25 credit winner...

Congratulations Abbie! Please e-mail me your info so I can pass it along and you can start

working on your goodies for you bloggy!

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and finally, I want to tell you what my weekend looked like...

well, Bella and I spent a lot of quality time together since husband only had saturday off.

We went to this really cool spot called Murrell's Inlet and watched people crabbing and fishing in the marsh. It was pretty cool to see, but sad that husband was stuck at work. He sent me this picture yesterday, he walked in and was afraid that one of the patients had died while reading a magazine.

Turns out she just didn't want the light in her eyes.

CLOSE CALL.

Don't you feel sorry for him? He does OUTPATIENT therapy but somehow got tricked into working in a nursing home. SURE we are in myrtle beach, but this still kind of stinks.

Probably literally. HA!

and, they also told him that he has to work on Thanksgiving Day, and most likely Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. BOO. TO. THAT.

Check back tomorrow so you can see all the fun crabbing pictures!

Happy Monday!