fantasy art and tree chatter of aquariann

EDIT: Giveaway is officially over. Congratulations to Mai Tran for submitting the randomly-chosen 182nd entry. I am totally an '80s child. At age 5, my parents took me to my first concert to see The Bangles. They were my favorite band (unless you count Jem and the Holograms) through grade school. And yes, I still belt out their hit songs at the top of my lungs when I hear them on the radio. I also still have several bangle bracelets from that decade, as does Vandana from Vintage Vandu . I'm not ready to part with mine, but she's offering one lucky lady a $10 gift card to take her pick. Vandana's bangle bracelets collection rocks. The vintage bangles sets come in several colors, widths and designs. Or if you don't wear bracelets, browse other handpicked vintage finds from her global Indian closet. Beautiful embroidered silk sarees, salwar suits, linens and table decor might make your heart sing. <a href="http://blog.aquariann.com/2014/09/gift-card-g...

Labor Day has clocked out and unofficially ended summer. With less tourists to wriggle into my view, it's time to return to the beach and watch for mermaids. The sunshine sparkling off my golden bangle bracelet from The Indian Bazaar just might lure them closer. The velvet and lurex lace pattern is reminiscent of fish scales and would match any mermaid's tail swimmingly. Even if serenaded by a siren song, I wouldn't part with my golden metal bracelet. But don't shed a mermaid tear! Not only are there other colors available in this vintage bracelet style, but you still have a chance to win a wrap bracelet by entering Vishruti's Jewelry Giveaway before September 10, 2014. Disclaimer: I received this free bracelet as a thank you gift for hosting a jewelry giveaway. If you think your creations would harmonize with my whimsical ramblings, learn how to sponsor a giveaway here .

Ever since early June when Mary Anne of MiddleEarths Jewels told me that a little island fairy had left something special for me in Azores, I've been fluttering to the mailbox in anticipation. I had no idea when to expect the surprise to arrive, since it was journeying all the way across the sea from Portugal. The day it magically appeared, I had the package open before I even reached my front door. The gorgeous treasure to the right was carefully wrapped in black tissue and waxy paper, uniquely secured together with two metallic round-head fasteners. Its vintage brass findings, exquisitely enhanced by a patina process, whispered tales of sunken ships and underwater secrets to me. The light that danced off the green gems was hypnotizing, but I finally tore my eyes away to read her beautiful note. And then I glowed even brighter - Mary Anne named this stunning design after me ! She's even offering another in her Etsy shop. This pin from her new PreciousTrinkets line can be add...

I am thrilled to introduce my very first and incredibly sweet blog sponsor, Megan of Autena ! Her childhood home was akin to a museum, full of interesting items that amassed over the years. She describes it as, "a magical visual atmosphere, which allowed for the viewer’s imagination to bubble forth. Thus was nurtured my passion for collecting - holding on to heirlooms and scouring markets of all sorts for whatever held my fancy at the time." After a career in the food business, followed by one in health care, she's returned to her roots for her third career as a treasure hunter and re-purposed jewelry artist. She proves that the third time's a charm! Her Etsy shop is filled with unique trinkets from vintage Christmas ornaments and perfume bottles to handmade bracelets of upcycled buttons and chains. Want to advertise your shop and help support my blog at the same time? Become a blog sponsor like Autena !

Last week's X-Men Friday Finds theme was in anticipation of frolicking about at Baltimore Comic-Con. True to my thrifty mutation, I picked many X-Men comic books from $.25 and $1 bins. I even splurged a blueberry bit and bought Uncanny X-Men #350 for $10. *pets shiny foil cover* I had been waiting to read the trial of Gambit for years, and devoured it as soon as we reached our hotel room Saturday night. Sunday I stumbled upon an even more delicious comic book - Strawberry Shortcake's Great Pie-Baking Contest! It was printed in April 1985, when I was only three years old. I still have the original dolls from my childhood, and even snagged the entire 80's cartoon series on VHS off eBay several years ago. In the afterglow of adding this sweet book to my collection, today's handmade finds from Etsy are devoted to Strawberry Shortcake and her berry friends. 1. Strawberry Shortcake Doll by BoriDolls Creations 2. Strawberry Shortcake Travel Crayon Holder by Crafts By Nancy ...