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Get Your Beach Read On :: Treasury Thursday
I remember a good book like I remember a good friend. I may not recall every detail or line, or even the sequence of events, but I will always be able to feel the mood of a book, the way I think the characters look and act, the feeling(s) I had while reading it. I can’t remember movies to save myself, and even watched the same one three times because I kept forgetting that I had seen it already. I can’t even remember which movie it was. Really { I know…}. But a book, it’s with me always.
Real readers read all year long, but isn’t there just something about the summer read; the beach read? Decadent, indulgent, savory. Somehow we give ourselves permission to get lost in a story that may not be the most enriching or most mind bending because it amuses, it comforts, it transports. It delivers us from our own daily routines.
A good book should leave you… slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading it. ~William Styron, interview, Writers at Work, 1958
Every summer I set out with a great plan to tackle one of the classics that I somehow missed in my younger days, but I usually manage to sabotage my own plan! I hate to admit it, but it’s true; I get to this time of the year, and I just want the easy read, the escape, the transport into the lives of the memorable characters that always manage to take up permanent residence in my memory.
From summers gone by, these are just a few of my favorite beach reads. They are epic, with stories that seem to go on as long as summer itself.
But what about when the book just ends? Leaves you hanging, wanting more? I usually race through a book, only to realize that I miss it the minute I finish the last page. Sometimes, it seems impossible to start a new book, it feels almost disloyal; or, it just seems that nothing can compare with the experience. After I finished reading Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption; it was at least three months before I could pick up another book; the story so compelling, it moved me, and I dare say it even changed me a little.
But if you find yourself looking for good recommendations, try Shelf Awareness: Enlightenment for Readers. They have a newsletter that helps you discover the 25 best books of the week!
For this week’s Treasury Thursday; you will find some wonderful items for your reading escapes – comfy spots to curl up, fun ways to tote and store your books, a few fun accessories and always, some simple truths.
I leave you with two questions – what’s your favorite summer beach read, and when you read, do you go for an ‘old fashion’ paper book, or the modern day e-reader?
Happy reading!
A book is the only place in which you can examine a fragile thought without breaking it, or explore an explosive idea without fear it will go off in your face. It is one of the few havens remaining where a (hu)man’s mind can get both provocation and privacy. ~Edward P. Morgan
A blog walked into a powder room….
…and freshened up a bit.
When I was a kid, I was lucky enough to have my own room {except the year my cranky grandmother lived with us, and oh, yeah, the year the troubled foster teen stayed with us…but those are stories for another day } and a set of furniture my parents found on what would be the then equivalent of Craigslist.
I loved that room, until I didn’t. Then I would change it. It was usually predicated by a degree of mess that, just like boiling water, once it surpasses a certain point, it’s something to reckon with.
I would start out addressing the mess of it and would end up sequestering myself and working furiously for hours - it would become a mission to accomplish, to clean, organize and ‘remodel’ my room – I would rearrange all the furniture into some new configuration, and only when I was satisfied, would I call my mom in for the ‘big reveal’.
I’d love the new arrangement, for a long while and then the cycle would repeat itself when the piles and mess had reached a new critical mass of mess,
or,
I just simply wanted to change things up a bit.
Like this blog.
I felt it was just time for a little freshening up, a new coat of paint on the walls, and a new welcome sign.
It feels lighter, brighter, refreshed. The space and furniture remain the same and so is the person who lives here.
C’mon in!
Treasury Thursday :: all buttoned up.
I know I say it every week, but it’s so much fun to assemble a treasury based on a challenge…it gets me out of my own zone and on the hunt for things I might not otherwise seek out. It’s good to see things differently!
When I was a kid, my mom was always asking, ‘what do you want for dinner?” I never had a good answer and couldn’t figure out why she was always asking ME…she was the mom! 
Now, I get it and gosh darn it if I don’t do the same thing! Thinking of what to cook is harder than pulling the meal together…once you have a plan, the rest is fun. And, the same is true here!
So, this week, my hat is off to Kate over at A Creative Cookie for her idea of buttons! And, once you spend even just a few minutes on her blog, you will realize she really is in fact one creative cookie. Wow! I have visited her blog many times and have a few ideas bookmarked, so it was great to spend a little more time ‘getting to know her’ so I could introduce her to all of you!
What’s fun is that one of her recent tutorials is the perfect match to the buttons…a necklace made from a spool of thread! You can find tutorials for all things creative over at A Creative Cookie…from holiday fun, jewelry, fun for kids, creative organizing, tips and techniques and ideas for parties. And that’s not all, she has a super duper list Link Parties, and if you are looking for a little bit of the spotlight, go see Kate and chat about advertising and give aways …she’s got that covered too! Stop by and say hello; you can find her on Facebook too!
I love buttons, and check this out. When I put the word button into the Etsy search tool, any guesses on the number of items that popped up? Go on, take a guess. Did you guess 371,673 items? Didn’t think so! Buttons show up in so many ways: necklaces, bracelets, every kind of vintage button you can imagine, fabric, painted, wood, ceramic. There are giant buttons, oh so petite buttons. Buttons you can eat, buttons you wash up with…there is a button for everyone! Kate, I hope this inspires your creativity…it will be be fun to see what button projects you come up with.
Hope you all enjoy all the amazing items made by such creative Etsy shop owners. View the Treasury in Etsy and below…
{ Hope your day is all buttoned up! }
Treasury Thursday :: let’s connect the dots
This week I am going to the ‘archives’ for Treasury Thursday. Ok, so not really the ‘archives’; I am just going back to last week. There were a few suggestions for the weekly challenge I post on Facebook, and there was one I couldn’t get off my mind. Simple, but fun and whimsical was the idea from Hailey Ann over at Lizzy and Jaynes: dots, spots, & speckles. For some reason, she had me at dots! So, the big reveal is that this week’s treasury is inspired by Hailey Ann from the Etsy shop LizzyandJanes: custom creations and accessories. Hailey Ann…thank you, it was a delightful quest for all things dots, spots and speckles!
photo via LizzyandJanes on Etsy
She shares her Etsy shop with her sister, and though they live hundreds of miles apart they found a way to bridge the distance and work together. Even though I loved their shop name right off the bat, I have to admit that I didn’t clue in. When I read their shop profile it was so much fun to learn this…
As you might have guessed from the shop title, we LOVE Jane Austen and more especially Pride & Prejudice!!!
I should have connected the dots, being a Jane Austen fan too! But, I must have been distracted by their fun shop filled with color, whimsy and all things wonderful. As a mom of a boy, with friends who mostly have boys, it’s an understatement to say that my shopping consists of sneakers, t-shirts, jeans, sweats and shorts. And, the occasional “little-man gets dressed up outfit”. But bows, flowers and headbands? Nope, not ever. **sigh** But, wait. You’ve got to check out their shoe clips…I could live in flip flops, so I just might get to do a bit of shopping afterall!
Find LizzyandJanes on Facebook, and on Twitter at @LizzyandJanes, and stop by to visit their blog! Tell them {PaperKeeper} sent you!
And, another thing I learned – they are coming up on their one year anniversary next month! Being a new shop owner too, that one year mark has got to be a thrill…congrats to LizzyandJanes – and thanks for the great inspiration this week!
{ find some dots in your life…and connect them! }
 The Jane Fairfax 3″ Pin… $7.50
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 Japanese Washi Masking Deco … $1.75
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 30 Paper Straws….YELLOW Po… $4.75
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 10%OFF- Amor Vintage Inspire… $42.00
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 Cornerstoregoddess Porcelain… $10.00
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 8mm Speckled Stoney Green an… $6.50
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 Handbag Purse Everyday Bag :… $65.00
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 round speckled red bead ring $7.99
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 Custom King Size Orange Yell… $140.00
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 Set of 6 Dotted Drawer Knobs… $42.00
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 Lots and Lots of Spots and D… $2.50
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 Coral Pink Polka Dots Washi … $4.35
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 SILLY SPOTS (Sunshine) Colla… $11.00
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 Washed Ta Dots Fabric/ Linen… $8.00
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 Lunch Bag: Boyfriend Spot Pr… $9.50
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 Orange Spots – Fabric Button… $8.00
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Treasury Thursday :: just a wisp
Today’s treasury challenge was really a challenge…I had so many great ideas to choose from this week and wanted to do them all. Ultimately, I ended up feeling pulled towards the light, the wispy delicate lightness found in a whisper, in the softness of a dandelion.
photo via LeesWhimsy
Thanks to Leona at LeesWhimsy [ LeesWhimsy: Digital Photo Art to Lift Your Spirit ] for today’s treasury theme, “ethereal wisp”. More on Leona and her great shop, but first a mini confession. Ethereal is one of those words that I know, understand, and can even feel, but honestly when I tried to put it into words for myself, I found that I couldn’t really come up with any. I could only define it in a physical sense, not a word sense, but I needed words t get started. So, I turned to our friend Mr. Webster and found what was on the tip of my tongue, tucked away somewhere in the back of my brain….and know how relieved I was to find that one of the defining terms is ‘intangible’. Exactly!
1. Characterized by lightness and insubstantiality; intangible. 2. Highly refined; delicate. See Synonyms at airy. 3. a. Of the celestial spheres; heavenly. b. Not of this world; spiritual. 4. Chemistry Of or relating to ether.
Leona’s shop is filled with beautiful images that easily convey the gentleness of something ethereal. In her profile I learned this about Leona and her art:
“I believe Art is vital to our wellbeing, and want to improve your environment with my photography! This means that my photos and digital art photos will be done in a way that lifts your spirit and mind, and creates a space where you feel safe, comfortable, and at peace. That way you can concentrate on whatever you have to do, even if that task is simply relaxing.”
And you know what, she’s right! I was feeling tired tonight, a bit overwhelmed from the load at work and well, just a bit worn out. Delving into a treasury to curate a collection of items that all have in common the essence of light and a delicate touch did lift my spirit! It was easy to concentrate on this very relaxing ‘task’! Thank you Leona for your gentle suggestion. Be sure to stop by her shop and all the great shops featured in this collection of beautiful items.
Now, prepare to enjoy the relaxing and ethereal goodness here. Thanks again Leona!
{ relax and find some lightness in your day }
 Soft Fluff 8 x 10 Fine Art P… $20.00
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 Child’s Hand Holding See… $30.00
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 Will o’ the Wisp Necklac… $55.00
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 Burst into heaven – ethereal… $40.00
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 Silver hoop earrings with Mi… $22.00
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 20 Place Cards, Wine Glass D… $50.00
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 Dragonfly Bobby Pin – An Eth… $8.00
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 Ethereal Portrait Marie 8×8 … $30.00
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 Beach Fog Surreal Ethereal A… $25.00
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 the wispy duo // 2 tillands… $18.00
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 Cashmere-All Natural Mineral… $4.99
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 Blank Note Card With Dragonf… $4.00
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 evening wisps – nature photo… $35.00
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 Ethereal Seed Lampshade $300.00
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 Ethereal Opal Cage ring ster… $258.00
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 Ethereal Sky Blue Wave Trape… $25.00
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