Best. Christmas. Present Ever.

Doug got me a violin for Christmas, something I have been asking for for a very long time. It is beautiful and old and the perfect starter for a musically challenged soul like myself. One of the things I have always wished for is to be able to play an instrument, since I was a kid, but just never had it in me to practice hard and be successful at it.

Now that I am an adult, I think I finally have the willpower and interest to be good at it. I mostly want to play fiddle style, but need to learn the basics first.

I am kind of embarrassed to post this video, but it will be funny to look back on when I am actually good, so please don't make fun of me!! This is the first "song" that I learned to play this week. I've only had it for a few days now, but have been practicing my hand positions and these little rhythms. This one is called Huckleberry Pancake.

Oh my gosh! PLEASE don't make fun of me! We spent most of today finishing up orders that were placed before the 10th, and packing/cleaning. After a rude call from my current landlord, I want nothing more than to be out of this house! I just have little to no patience for greedy people, and putting up with it for over a year has been enough, thank you. We are excited to get on the road. I have a bunch of awesome guest posts lines up, and a few scheduled posts from me too, so don't worry, just because I'll be on the road, doesn't mean this space will be quiet.

We're heading to go eat some dinner and then back to packing up the van! I just can't wait until tomorrow night!!

xo,

Beca

Our Tumbleweed Holiday

This holiday was pretty unconventional. We usually do the tree/presents/Christmas morning type holiday but because we have an almost empty house, it didn't seem appropriate to go all out for Christmas. I kind of missed it, but next year when we are settled and not in the middle of moving 2400 miles, we will go all out for Christmas. I didn't really celebrate Christmas growing up after my parents divorced, so I absolutely love it now. I love everything about it. Especially giving presents. I'll do a blog post tomorrow about our presents, they were pretty good this year! We just didn't wrap them or anything. Ha!

So, this year, we were so lucky to have Doug's Dad and Stepmom and her sister and husband come visit us for the holidays. It was really special having family in town and getting to play tourists for a few days. We ate so much food and went to all the cool spots in town, including the cliffs, our favorite place to take visitors. I shot this super short little video, and think it's pretty magical to look at...

+ T H E C L I F F S +

+ F O O D +

We did a lot of eating out this past weekend. Probably for the best since we don't have anything to eat in our house except Ramen and left over pizza, and all of our dishes are packed away. It was pretty neat going to the San Diego staple restaurants before we moved. If you are ever in San Diego, make sure you visit Phil's BBQ, Tower Two, The Fish Market and Anthony's Fish Grotto and The Waffle Spot at Kings Inn.

+ T H E M U S E U M S +

We went to the Maritime Museum and the Midway Museum while the family was in town and we got to take a little boat tour of the bay, visit ships and subs, and go on the Midway Aircraft ship.

It was really a wonderful few days. We didn't do any work, we ate A LOT of good food, and on Sunday, Doug and I spent Christmas together going to the movie theater, our yearly tradition, and eating cheese pizza and pumpkin pie in bed. I learned my first song on my new violin (Doug's Christmas present to me, more on that later) and we had such a relaxing weekend, I feel so refreshed and ready to get really busy moving/cleaning and filling the last of this years orders.

How were your holidays? Tell me all about them! I loved reading about your Hopes/dreams/goals for 2012 in my last post. Hope you have a great Monday! I'll be back tomorrow, or later today with photos of my new violin! :)

xo,

Beca

Black Friday // Cyber Monday Deals for Tumbleweeds Sunglasses

The time is now!! The countdown is on. Just under 4 days until the biggest shopping day of the year. We, of course, will be participating. How could we not give ya'll some kind of deals. The first, and most important, is that we have been and will be offering free shipping in our shop using the code FREESHIP. You must use the code in the etsy coupon code box in order to receive free shipping. We also offer expedited shipping for both domestic and international.

Important date to remember: since the international deadline for Christmas orders passed yesterday, the cutoff date to order sunglasses to arrive before Christmas is December 10th. We will still accept orders after that, but we cannot insure your sunglasses get to you by Christmas.

We also now have gift certificates available. $65, $100, or $200.

Now onto the special Black Friday / Cyber Monday deals. We are offering three super amazing specials for Black Friday / Cyber Monday, to insure you get a white, bright christmas.

1 // Your favorite Mahogany and Maple Wayfarers will be available for $50 for this weekend only!!! These are our best sellers and a personal favorite for mine. There are no substitutions with the wood species and we can only guarantee domestic orders by Christmas. You may still get this great deal if you live outside the US. Check back here on Thursday for the link to this deal! Only 15 available, so don't miss out!!

2 // Our traditional His & Hers set, the perfect Christmas gift for newlyweds or the recently engaged. Get one for your lover, and treat yourself to the other. These will be available in our shop for an incredible $95. Only 10 sets available, so better get them while you can!

3 // Lastly, "You Call It" $60 Sunglasses. Limit one per customer, single species, no substitutions, and wood options will be available in the listing. We're only doing 20 of these, and you can get free shipping by using the coupon code. Which coupon code is that, oh you know, the one plastered all over our shop page. ;) FREESHIP and don't you forget it. Please check the shop for the listings on Friday morning, at Midnight.

That's all for us, we are working late again tonight. Lots of prepping, sanding and sewing to do in the next 72 hours. All international holiday orders will be shipped on Friday morning before I go into work. Have a great Monday night!

xo,

Beca

A Problem with a Solution

I have this problem. I buy things in multiples. Like, I have more Christmas ornaments than I know what to do with, and even if we got a 100 foot tree, I would still have ornaments left over. It's stupid, but it's true.

And yesterday, I was at the shop, tidying up and rearranging things, and I noticed how bare our window looked, and I wanted to hang something festive to go with the pretty lights I just hung up. Well, I have lots of ornaments, lots of yarn, and this is what I made. I haven't hung it up in the shop window yet, but I know it will be pretty. Here is what you need to make this at home.

And here are some simple steps and maybe you can vamp it up to your own style. I kept ours simple so that you can still look in the window to see all the treasures in the shop. I know it's not rocket science, so if you get it, just skip this, if not, I hope this helps you make a pretty garland of your own.

And take those steps and repeat as many times as you seem fit. And cool, now you have something that like like fove minutes to make and looks super pretty for the holidays. Is it Christmas yet?

We're taking a break from today and going to the zoo. I need to get out of the house and we haven't been in a long while.

OH yeah, I wanted to also post on here, we have new holiday hours!

MON-WED: Appointment Only
THURSDAY: NOON-8pm
FRIDAY: NOON-8pm
SATURDAY: 9am-8pm
SUNDAY: 9am-NOON

I am actually pretty excited to be spending some extra time at the shop. I have a lot of ideas for the holidays and can't wait to get started.

xo,

Beca

True Grit - Movie Review

Doug and I have been looking forward to seeing this Coen Brothers version of True Grit since we first saw the preview months and months ago. We love pretty much every movie these dudes have made, and this was no exception. If you don't know anything about it, the movie is based off the 1968 book by Charles Portis. The book is about a 14 year old girl named Mattie Ross who's father was killed by a drifter and she is out to avenger her fathers death by bringing the man back to hang for his deeds. She hires Rooster Cogburn, a US marshall, to hunt down the man and she intends on going along.

Another film, of the same name, was made in 1969 with John Wayne but is so incredibly different than the book that it is hard to compare. The 1969 version was more about Rooster rather than Mattie, since John Wayne was so popular at the time.
The Coen brothers were true to the book, and made the story all about Mattie. It is narrated by her adult self, and begins with her fathers death. Mattie is spunky and smart, maybe too smart. She is the epitome of tough young women and I really think this would be a great film for girls entering their teenage years to see. (It is only rated PG-13) The film is full of exciting twists, and lots of black comedy the Coen brothers are known for.
Not just that, but the style of the film is very 1960s western. It has good pacing, interesting dialog and the production design is impeccable. You know we're going to see it again while it's still in the theaters. Have you seen Ture Grit yet? What did you think? I'd love to know what other people thought of it!

xo,

Beca

PS, don't forget about our giveaway of friendship bows. You can click HERE to learn more or visit the tab at the top of the page.

UGH!

This is how I feel today. Too many words to fit in a word bubble. Obsessively thinking about everything that is happening, worrying, worrying, stressing out, trying to fit too much in a box, not enough in another, sweeping, cleaning, stressing. Ugh! I just keep telling myself FIVE MORE DAYS!!!!

Here are some things that make me feel less stressed out, and very very happy.

This was our portrait in front of our Christmas tree (that you can't see) last Christmas. It was the first tree I have had since I was 8 years old. We NEVER had christmas trees at my Mom's house and my roommates had always gotten trees, but they had never been mine! Doug picked this tree out with me and we decorated it and I was totally in love. I can't wait to celebrate Christmas this year in our new house!! I have more ornaments from estate sales and the like that I have been collecting and am super excited to use!

OWL CUPCAKES! I'm going to make these after I get my kitchen set up in SD. I want to make some cupcakes for Greg and Paula as a huge thank you for everything. These may be the ones.

Bedazzled Taxidermy by Angela Singer She is one of my favorite taxidermy artists. Her work is incredible and if I cold afford it, I would have all of her work in our house.

Oh, and I stopped by the old bakery I used to manage, to pick up a thank you box of treats for the post office I go to every day. A little good-bye gift. I also got a box of Halloween cupcakes for Doug that Jes baked. When I hired Jes, I knew I made the right choice, and now she is running that kitchen. Cupcakes are her specialty.

You should visit her pretty blog and etsy store ilaughyellow
Can you tell how much I adore her? I hope she knows it too...

I CAN'T get motivated today. Doug has been doing stuff all day and I can't get moving. Oh well, I guess now is better than never. I have a to-do list that makes me sick just looking at it.

xo!