Impromptu Picnic

Yesterday afternoon, Doug and I put down everything, packed up the van with a basket, fishing pole and rifle, a blanket and a book and took off into the woods for an impromptu adventure.

We drove all the way down to the end of the road to nowhere and shot quarters for a little while. It was foggy and quiet out, and the wind was incredible. I felt like I was going to get blown over!

I needed this get-away so bad! We both did. We have been so stressed out and totally taking out on each other. NOT FAIR! Most of our stress has been due to a really slow month of February, getting ready to move again, keeping up with orders, keeping the house clean, the dogs not having a fence, finances, etc, etc, etc. You know the deal. Most of all, we have had a hard time getting motivated every day. We love what we do, so much, but sometimes it feels like a factory and not like art. So, we get frustrated, and since it's just us, two people, we want to scratch each other's eyeballs out. That's the truth behind owning a business with your significant other. It's not always sunshine and rainbows. BUT yesterday we followed one of our very important rules. When it gets stressful and you want to kill each other, get the hell out of the house and do something awesome.

There is nothing better to relieve stress than shooting stuff. We had a blast shooting quarters with Doug's rifle. He's an incredible shooter, but I'm not so bad myself. I like living in a small town (read village) where we don't really have neighbors, because I sit in the front yard with a fire going and shoot the old sign across the road with my BB gun or shoot the bow and arrow down the street to a makeshift target.

When Doug got his fishing pole out, I got my book out and some snacks we grabbed at the corner store. Nothing fancy, you can't get anything fancy in this town, but some chips, grapes, macaroni salad, cheese and deli meat. I recently bought this book at a thrift store. I read it years ago, but wanted to read it again. It's an incredible book. The only thing that bugs me is that all of Owen Meanies dialogue is in ALL CAPS and it kind of drives me crazy. But, it's a good book.

Doug has been tying his own flys, and wanted to mess around with them yesterday. He didn't really expect to catch any fish, he just wanted to see how they fared, but low and behold, an ugly fish found the hook and took a big old bite. We threw him back of course, but look how ugly he is!!

While we were driving back to the house, we caught a glimpse of a deer on the side of the road. We thought she would just dart into the woods, but instead she revved her engines and started hauling ass next to us. If we slowed down, she slowed down, if we sped up, she sped up, it was incredible. It's one of the amazing things living out in the woods, the wildlife is abundant and since deer hunting season is over, they seem to be a little more visible. It's funny, I thought a running deer would be graceful and pretty, but she ran like a bat out of Haiti and face planted into a ditch. I felt so sad, but she hopped back up and darted across the street behind up into the woods. What a goober!

I am so glad we took the time to go out and leave the cell phones and work stress at home. It's totally necessary and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. What kind of adventures do you take to get away? Does it help your stress?

I am about to make a big dent in packing before I get to work today. Our power was out this morning from the wind, so I was able to start deep cleaning. Can you believe we get the keys to our place in Tennessee a week from today. I am not sure I'm ready!

xo,

Beca

This is Tired

I have been losing my mind exhausted. Our lovely neighbors dog howled all night long, I got a little overnight food poison bug, and our heater broke. So to say the least, last night was a pretty awesome end to a pretty ridiculously lousy day. Today has been better though and we're getting settled in for the night to make lots and lots of sunglasses!

Necklace // Sadie Designs. Velvet shorts // Forever 21. Boots // Thrifted

xo,

Bec

Busy Bees

We have been kicking ass and taking names. I swear, I never expected such an amazing response to our sunglasses for the holidays. I was hoping for 2 or 3 orders a day, but we're booked solid. I had to cancel our booth at a holiday bazaar in Alpine and have pretty much gone into what Doug calls hibernation. Black leggings, grey sweatshirt and warm boots. I have to get back to work, but wanted to share a little from my last few weeks.

1. One of my last days at the shop. 2. Monster is a spoiled brat. 3. Sunglasses 4. New shoes 5. Ollie

Our shop is closed now and we have so much to do to get ready for the move. We put our deposit down for our new house today and are busting our sunglasses like no other. You only have 3 more days to get your orders placed for Christmas.

How is your holiday season so far?

xo,

Beca

Verbal Jigsaw Puzzle

It's crazy how after a long talk with a good friend, I am realizing that if I want to make all of this, all of this, work, then I need a bit more structure in my life. A schedule. A plan. A means to an end. No, not that kind of end, just an end of the month, end of the week, end of the day. I seem to go on and on, and when I get burnt out, it means I have to put the brakes on everything because I just can't function.

This recent change in the payroll department has thrown me for a bit of a loop. You all know, I hated that job. Not what I did, but where I was and who I was around. The negativity tangled the lattices of my pies and deflated the whipping cream on the strawberry short cake. My ego was bruised and my self confidence was trampled. It really did force me into this spiral of depression. My whole week was centered around the three days that I had to go into that kitchen. I felt this brick on my shoulders, chip, anvil, whatever you want to call it. The last week, I have been sad. Feeling overwhelmed and stressed out and just plain sad. BUT, good news people. I am kicking it back into gear. We have been planning and planning for the past week or so some new projects. I haven't been this excited about the future, well, ever.

I still can't believe it has been one month, exactly since we opened the doors to the Odd Shop. I'll tell you this. Opening up a storefront has been so incredibly stressful for us. Every penny we make goes towards bills, rent, supplies, etc. We sometimes only make a few dollars a day, and although I don't care very much about money, it is crucial to us keeping our head above water.

I can't wait to get the kinks worked out on all these little projects coming up, but I will tell you, it will involve me doing a lot more baking, planing a cross country road trip, opening up the shop for classes, sewing, video (!!!) and lots more. Since I have about a million things to share, I am going to break it down to a small list. Lists are good.

1 // I discovered my sewing machine has no problem sewing leather.

2 // Rediscovering my love of shooting video

3 // A regular customer from the bakery called me tonight and informed me that he told the owners that he will no longer be coming into their bakery and asked me to start making cookies for him and his wife on a regular basis. That made my whole week.

4 // Writers block is slowly exiting the room. I feel like all I have been sharing is shop stuff and boring photos.

5 // Working on some ridiculous DIYs / recipe tutorials. Back in the game, y'all.

6 // I love not having a TV. I miss it sometimes, but really, it has changed our whole life.

7 // I sat with Doug tonight eating nachos for dinner just looking at our shop. It's so beautiful. Every inch of it.

8 // We are taking our I'm a Giant dollhouse to another level. I can't even whisper what we're doing, but you'll see it soon. :)

9 // I went on a shopping/eating/hanging out excursion with a new friend and it was really fun. We spent way too much time in anthropologie, and I was way too stoked to see that they are now carrying product from one of my favorite etsy shops. Peg & Awl.

10 // Doug and I have been watching a lot of late late late night movies when we should be sleeping. That makes me super happy.

SO, now that I am not a depressed lump, what's going on with you!?!?!

xo,

Beca

Wolves and Bears

Technically, I don't even have the time to be writing right now, I shouldn't even be looking at my computer unless it's work related, and I definitely shouldn't be blogging. Wait, did I already say that? Sleep deprivation and stress will do that to you...also, we're a few days behind schedule, and we'll get our orders out as soon as we can. Thanks for being patient. Or impatient, but understanding that the humidity, real life, and back orders are kind of killing us right now!

To make up for the lack of written content, here's some cool stuff to look at. I don't really have any of the sources, so, let me know if you do. These photos kind of describe how I feel right now.

And lastly before I shut down completely and go into machine mode, can I please just say that being a decent human being is a really incredible quality, especially when you make such beautiful treasures. If you're planning on buying just one thing as a gift to yourself, or your friend, mom, friends mom or whatever, to hang on the GD wall, I want to make a suggestion. Here it is.

I will be back on planet earth sometime this weekend. See you soon, friends.

xo,

Beca

Birthday Wishlist + Some News

It's almost my 26th birthday!! Hooray. Here is a mini wishlist and some of the things are kind of unattainable but beautiful, none the less. I am so super cheesy about birthdays, like get super excited and talk about them non-stop. Not just my birthday, but everyones. I love birthdays. Maybe it's because I make a lot of birthday cakes, or maybe because I am a sentimentalist, but I love birthdays.

Oh my gosh, this dress.

I think I want an iPhone, but I am definitely going to wait until I have an upgrade, because there is no way I can afford one through Verizon until then. But a girl can dream. And I LOVE this wooden case, it looks like Pau Ferro.

I love this Pioneer Woman mixer. I desperately want my own custom painted mixer, which I know a certain person who is working on this right now!! :) Won't be done for my birthday, but I'll share it when it is!

This arrow ring. So rad.

And of course, I have major puppy fever right now and I know it's impossible for us to get another one, I really want a frenchie, like you have no idea.

That's all for now. i want to try and get as much work done as possible tonight and tomorrow, so we have a few days to take it easy. I also have some news to share. Today was supposed to be my last day at the bakery. However, the owners made me an offer I would be stupid to refuse, and when it comes down to it, I love what I do, but I will not get bullied and I will not be made to feel bad/inferior at my place of work. That will change with a new schedule for starters. Anyways, I am happy with my decision to stay and I can't wait to make my work environment more enjoyable. I will also get to spend 4 days a week working with Doug building our business and making the sunglasses you love!

Have a great night!

xo,

Beca

Hair Net How-To Pt. 3

This is the style I do the most often. It's kind of Romanian gypsy, if you ask me. And really easy. Tie your hair into a bun at the nape of you neck.

Use a square scarf that you fold into a triangle. And wrap it loosely on your head.

Tie a bow underneath your bun. And ta-da. Easy peasy.

Not glamorous. Not fancy. But comfortable and keeps all those stray ends on your head and not in your cake.

Thanks for playing along and have a great day!

xo,

Beca

Hair Net How-To Pt. 2

This is what I do when I have a few extra minutes in the morning and want to do something a little cuter than just covering up. Keep in mind, when I wear my hair like this, I have to wear a thin hair-net over the exposed part, but it's worth it because it looks so darn cute.

I start by braiding a silk scarf into pigtails. I may make a video of this, because it's kind of awkward, but you tie in one end so it's very long, and take the excess and braid that into the other side so you have a loop, or a U.

Criss-Cross your braids in the back and pull them up, so the loop is above your head. Criss-cross again, like your doing a turban, and loop it back under the braids. Kind of like a stretchy headband, but with your hair intertwined.

It ends up looking kind of patchwork if your hair is shorter, but I'm sure if yours is longer, you'll be able to see the braids.

I'd love to see how you up-style your hair, for work or for fun! Hope you're having a great day!

xo,

Beca

Hair Net How-To Pt. 1

Not all of us have jobs that we go to everyday and get to look stylish and professional. I wear slip-on skate shoes, cuffed jeans and a black tee-shirt to work every day. If I wore anything that I actually like or spent money on, I would be stupid because it would just get ruined. I have sadly made this mistake before. Also, for someone who likes doing fun stuff to my hair, I have to keep it tied back and covered at work.

I know I am not the only one, so I thought it would be fun to do a few little tutorials on how I tie my hair up when i go to work. The great things is that you can wear your hair like this whenever, you don't have to work in a kitchen to have fun with tying your hair up!

This first style is a take on the 1950s housewife/turban style. I used a vintage scarf, but you can use just about any kind of fabric that is square.

Fold your scarf into a triangle, and tie it up with the ends at the top of your head. Tie a knot over the tip of the triangle.

Tie a pretty bow!

Then fold the end of the triangle back and tuck it in.

And feel as cute as you can because it is the sweetest way, I think, to tie your hair up and keep those tresses out of the way. Your creme brulee thanks you.

I have a few more of these scheduled to post soon! Back to making sunglasses. We shipped out about 20 today!

xo,

Beca