This weekend I spent some time taking a look at things on Etsy.  Ok I admit, I kinda got sucked in!  There are so many beautiful things, some handmade and some vintage…what girl can resist?  Here are my top 3 finds I am having a hard time not adding to my shopping cart (all of which are quite budget friendly for under $35)!
Mini Bow Carpet Bag from Peace Love Polkadots for $35

Joy Poster by The Wheat Field for $15

Vintage Triple Strand Locket Necklace from Capricious Traveler for $26

I am a lover of clever ideas, and when I saw this wonderful way of transforming something ordinary into something fabulous I just had to share!  This DIY comes from The Glamourai.  It is sheer genius how Kelly uses just some Sharpies to transform a rhinestone necklace from Forever 21 in to an amazing vintage-estate-inspired piece!

All of the steps for transforming a necklace are here, and they are oh so easy to follow!  I can’t wait to play with my rainbow of Sharpies to create my own…  Who would ever have thought of this!?!?  The Glamourai is one amazing fashionista in my book, and I’m loving that the necklace only costs $17.80!  You can purchase it online at Forever 21.

**  Use Coupon Code “ILUVF21″ for FREE Shipping on orders over $40!

I found yet another great DIY idea on Refinery 29!  Get a very luxe pair of tights for …

Every time I see a kitchen in a magazine or on a blog I usually “Ooh” and “Aah” over the ones with open kitchen shelves.  They just look so wonderful!  I can’t think of a better way to display beautiful dishes than with simple white ledges.  I am  lucky enough to have fairly simple white plates and bowls, which I think would help me pull off the look.  However, I assume it will only look good when it’s orderly and in proper shape.

How do you feel about open shelves in kitchens?  Love ‘em or leave ‘em?

Photo from House Beautiful

I was thinking the other day that there are probably plenty of ordinary items in our homes that we take for granted, which actually can serve double duty.  So I decided to add a column to the site called, “5 Unexpected Things You Can Do With…”  The first item to get the rundown is Honey.  It’s a splendid thing, honey.  Maybe I’m a little partial since my name, Melissa, actually means “honey” or “honeybee.”  Yet, the golden nectar is actually more than a pantry staple, it can work its magic in numerous ways.

1.  Facial Moisturizer/Mask –

This one is by far my favorite honey secret, that I learned from reading tips from Mireille Guilliano’s website.  It’s one of her family secrets to use honey directly on your face, applied as a mask.  I have been using a locally grown organic honey on my face every other week, and I can certainly see a big difference.  I simply tap the honey in to my skin, and let it sit for about ten minutes.  I then apply a warm, wet towel …