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Let’s say, hypothetically speaking of course (cough, cough), that you were a complete idiot and lost your engagement ring.

Thankfully the insurance gods smiled down at you and accepted your claim. Now you have a pocket full of money and a shit ton of options as to what to do with it.

Would you…

A. Create an exact replica of your lost ring? Why?

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In case you need some last minute Halloween costume ideas for those raging parties this weekend, allow me to display years worth of somewhat clever and always hilarious outfits. Let’s step into the Halloween time machine for a second, shall we?

#1 1999. Our freshman year of college. I believe my best friend and I are ‘Julia Goolia Spice’ and ‘Hannah Banana Spice’. We are possibly related to the Spice Girls in some way, but mostly we fell prey to they common sport of dressing inappropriately just because it’s Halloween. Shameful, really.

#2 2000. Our sophomore year in college. As you can read in my caption, we are a ‘Pure Angel’ and ‘Evil Angel.’ I had to edit this one a bit but I cannot help but chuckle. The hooker boots are key, my friends.

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When I packed up for college - headed to North Carolina from Austin, Texas - I was looking forward to lots of things.  One of them (lame enough) was seasons!  Changing leaves and snowfall were foreign concepts to me, and I was thrilled to sport my meager winter wardrobe for months at a time, as opposed to three days out of the year.  Actually, “Boys in Sweaters” ranked pretty high up on the “Pros Column” when selecting Wake Forest University as my undergrad alma matter, if I remember correctly.

But people kept mentioning the rain.  ”Oh its rainy up there - pack your umbrella!”  ”Do you have a good raincoat?  North Carolina sees a lot of wet weather!”  Um, okay silly adults, I’m from Texas, remember?  I’ve been practicing tornado drills since kindergarten and survived some pretty severe thunderstorms… I’m pretty sure I can handle “the wet season.”  Bring it, North Carolina.

Yes, well.  By October, my foot was planted firmly in my mouth as rain - from drizzle to downpour - continued for days on end.  Some days, I felt like Forest Gump and Bubbah… hard rain, soft rain, sideways rain, upside-down rain - on and on and on!  And it was cold!  By Christmas-List-Making-Time, I was coveting the Northfaces that seemed standard fare for my South-Eastern classmates, and something nearly identical to this topped my wish-list.

Ever the practical shopper, my mom found a coat she claimed to be “the Northface’s twin!”  You won’t even know the difference, she promised.  I took the woman at her word… and subsequently walked around campus like this for several months a year for the next four years:

{source}

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As you know by now, ABCD Design (the blog) turns two on Thursday, October 7. You also know that in the week leading up to my blog-i-versary, we’ve been running an ABCD Designs Bespoke Stationery giveaway over at the Pretty Lovely Things blog. The giveaway ends at midnight, so be sure to pop by THIS POST and THIS POST to leave your request for Bespoke Stationery. Don’t forget to tell us how you plan to use it if you win! Would you pick Holiday Cards? Personal Stationery? Thank You Notes??

As you see above, ABCD Designs’ motto refers to me (ABCD) as “a maximalist of sorts” which means I am going to take this 2nd Blog-i-versary celebration to the MAX! Do you know what that means?

I am giving away ANOTHER PRIZE! Since we’ve already given away paper goods, I have decided to turn the tables and give away something I would be delighted to decorate my home with. If you did not win the personal stationery set of 100 bespoke cards and matching envelopes at Pretty Lovely Things, stay tuned tomorrow ABCD Design for the plum pretty details. Plum Pretty … ring a bell -?- winkwink!

I feel most privileged and honored to have been let in on the best-kept camping secret ever by a new friend of ours, and I’m so excited to share it with you now. Allow me to introduce…hobo eclairs!

So you take a broomstick (clean and unpainted, of course) and rub the end of it generously with a stick of butter. Then take a square of Pillsbury crescent dough (2 perforated triangles together) and wrap it around the end of the broomstick, making sure that the end is sealed. Roast it slowly over the campfire until it’s puffy and golden brown. Make sure you don’t get engrossed in conversation and let it burn!

Once it’s cooked, let it cool for a minute or so, then slide the cooked dough off the stick. Squirt a healthy dose of whipped cream inside, then drizzle (on top or inside) with chocolate syrup.

Brilliant, right?

Week #3 of my series on Etsy favorites was all about accessorizing your wardrobe… Week #4 is all about accessorizing your home!

Hijirik

I’ve sung the praises of Hirijik before but I’ll say it again: the “Live What You Love” letterpress post series is my favorite non-cheesy, gender-neutral art piece I’ve found!  We have the red in our living room and my computer background boasts the lime green at work!

Geninne

After seeing Geninne’s vibrant watercolor prints, I fell instantly in love.  An artist living in Mexico City, Geninne’s creations have both a vintage vibe with a bit of funk!  I’ve already determined that 4 of these little birdies are coming to roost in Dallas - I think they’ll look lovely framed in a foursome-square somewhere in our little cottage!

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Here we are in Week #3 of my series on Etsy Finds for all of life’s spheres!  Last week we explored Etsy’s options for our fall closets, and this week its time to accessorize!

Galit Barak

While offering all types of jewelry, I pick Galit Barak for her 14k gold crocheted cocktail rings - bold enough to be worn as a statement piece but dainty enough for all occasions!

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Welcome back to Week #2 of my series featuring my favorite Etsy finds!  If you missed last week’s post on ceramics, you can find it here. This week - as kiddos around the country pack their backpacks and brown-bag lunches - its all about the fashion!  Just think of this as a little Adult Back to School Shopping! Now let’s get on with it…

Liza Rietz

Portland-based designer Liza Rietz creates frocks, jackets and hats that are both softly feminine and architecturally modern at the same time.  Plus, can you really ever beat a garment that is custom-tailored to your measurements?   The Ruffle Dress, Kimono Jacket, and Ruffle Bib Dress are my picks for versatile investment pieces combining classic lines with up-to-date details.

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I use my KitchenAid mixer constantly. It makes me happy! If you’re like me, you might be interested in this little video about the history of KitchenAid colors:

(via Boing Boing)

Mine’s the Blue Willow color. Its name is Little Blue, and I have the matching blender, toaster, and food processor (I told you I was a KitchenAid nerd).

(Source)

What color is yours??

For those of you that read E.A., you know I’m mad for Etsy!  There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t scour its pages, hunting for unique items to feature in our home, my closet, or a gift bag for a friend.  There are so many incredibly talented people out there, and I love knowing that I’m purchasing something made by hand on a small, personal scale.  I like to think of it as shopping “global-locally!”

Anyhoo, in honor of my new favorite online pastime, I thought I’d do an EAD Living series featuring my favorite Etsy sellers in different categories, starting with my latest fixation: pottery and ceramics!

PrinceDesign UK

I just recently discovered PriceDesign UK when searching far and wide for a little bowl to sit sit on our kitchen window ledge to hold my engagement and wedding rings whilst cooking.

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