Valentine's Day Collection! {Take 1}

I got some new stuff to share with you all! First, I got some new stamps! yep, I am pretty excited about these because for as long as I can remember I have been obsessed with zodiac signs and what characteristics people carry based on the star they are born under and so on... so the first of the two necklaces i am introducing today is: "The Compatibility Necklace" :)

{Here is the story}

So for those who like to speak in code, believe in the power of symbols and have a thing for looking up horoscopes and collecting books on zodiac meanings, astrology and numerology, well then you might just like this compatibility necklace. :) because I made it for people like you, and me... yet, despite what the books & stars say we are compatible with, the heart has the last call.

view in detail here

My second customizable necklace is two initials united by a little plus sign...

 {Here is the Story}

I thought of the the way I grew up reading tales and watching movies of couples carving their initials into tree trunks... enclosing their initials within a heart.... so I thought it perfect to take that concept, that symbolization of love and transfer it into a necklace.... love is in the air y'll and Valentines is rapidly approaching, stay tuned for more product launches that will be wrapped in love as I grow the Mano y Metal Valentine's day collection.

view in detail  here

Thank you for stopping by today! Have a wonderful Sunday :)

 much love.

etsy shop //\\ twitter //\\ facebook

 

Truth is...{No.10 } I am split in half.

truth is: this is how I have been feeling lately...

Photo Credit: Alejandro Lavin Jr.

I've been finding myself in this emotional web lately, where I get anxiety being at the cube because i have a rush of ideas for Mano y Metal and then by the time i get home, I am get swept away by the daily house duties that by the time I do have a moment to create, i am too tired and my creative energy is no where to be found... and..If you have an artist heart and a day job, then you probably feel the way i do...

i called my friend this past Friday to wish him a happy birthday and he jokingly said:

"what the hell, my job doesn't understand I have things to do! art to make! they insist on keeping me for 40 hrs every week!" 

                        and we took on our alter-ego voices, the way we like to when we talk to each other---you know, that voice you use when you are talking to yourself while driving? no? anyone? well, I do it all the time :) Anyway, and i chimed in saying: 

" I know! Don't they realize 40hrs is a lot to take away from our creative lives..."
                        and we both wished out-loud
                                 him in New York
                                            and me in Chicago,

        that we could dedicate 40 hours a week, 80 hours bi-weekly & 160hrs monthly to our creative endeavors, and not

                    instead be a cubicle hostage.

BUT my cubicle job pays the bills, keeps the stability in my routine and I know better than to complain... in fact, i am NOT complaining,... I am merely venting today because a cube can wear an artist out is all...

It can wear me out...

Sometimes, I feel it start to take my shine away, and that scares me...

so, since it is truth tuesday, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to be truthful and get it off my chest, and there, I am all better now... good thing i have the soul of a ninja and can fight the negativity off one karate-chop at a time:)

someone please add that to my resume: "soul of a ninja" :)

thank you for stopping by for my truth tuesday vent session!

& by all means, if you have want to vent about something, I will listen & share some of my ninja-negative-chopping-moves with ya :)

much love.

etsy shop //\\ twitter //\\ facebook

 

 what is your truth?

Today, I am joining my girl, Nina on the Moon in her project:

Truth Tuesday

Etsy Wanderings::: Led me to you

In my weekend Etsy wanderings.... I was led to you... and I am so glad i was...

Feeling the black & white combo today... & the personality each of these pieces carry...



"Organic cotton poem cushion, printed on notebook fabric" you had me at the sheet of notebook print ---> Etsy Shop Source





"Polar Bear Tee" makes me smile when I see it :) It's in the details indeed. -----> Etsy Shop Source





"Paper Couple on Bikes" this has been one of my fav. for a long time now...--->Etsy Shop Source






A Zig-zag Chunky Neck Warmer, lovin' the ruffles! ---> Etsy Shop Source

 



"You Should Never Allow A Bird To Do Your Hair" -enough said. Mixed Media print--> Etsy Shop Source



Thank you for stopping by today!

Have a lovely Monday!

etsy shop //\\ twitter //\\ facebook

 

Sunday FUNday! {No.13} Hello Captain America

::Outfit Confessionals:: 

• This is what I call power of association purchase/outfit. I saw this t-shirt at f21 and had to have it... why? have you seen the Captain America movie that came out this summer? Um, that man is h-a-n-d-s-o-m-e with a side of wow! :) We took our 5yr old to see the movie and I was won over instantly. I now understood the Avengers comic books my son has, it made total sense and here goes the power of association: the shirt gave me happy feelings because it reminded me of my son and I pictured him smiling when he saw me wearing it, and I do like to be in the business of smiles so booya, it was done, mama made this Captain America shirt hers. :) I swear I am such an impulse buyer sometimes!
• I walked out of the bedroom wearing this outfit and the hubs said: "whats with the teenager look." really? Why can't a woman that turns 25AGAIN (every year since she turned 25 forreal) wear a Captain America shirt? It's fun! It's Sunday! Give me a break! ;p Oh well, might be a little juvenile but I don't care, I prefer the cashier at Trader Joes ask to see my ID when I buy wine than not, in fact, if they don't I get a little hurt :) So hubs went in the "you-just-a-hater" category for the day. ha!
• I'm a kid at heart, stuff like this makes me happy & my son likes this outfit, so its a win in my book. Also, did I mention, I am only going to target, art store and to visit my grandma today so whatevs. :) xoxo!

shirt: f21

cardigan: borrowed

double finger ring: Mano y Metal

jeans: ynq

boots: target

the kid in me: my spirit

Power of association is so strong! the things I buy because they bring happy feelings is ridiculous :)

What have been your impulse purchases lately?  

Hope you are having a great Sunday!

etsy shop //\\ twitter //\\ facebook

 

Snow Storm!

Of course, it would snow like this! There is always some kind of crazy snow storm or blizzard or below zero weather near(or on) my birthday (my bday is Wednesday!), & snow and blizzards come with the territory of being born in January and living in Chicago. Prepare for snow. But we have been waiting for a long time, I mean we went through December and Christmas with barely a single snow flake, but I knew it would come, I knew it was only a matter of time until it snowed!

Yey for snow! I get as excited as my 5 yr old to throw on some snow boots and play outside.. but alas, it is NOT driving weather, I parked my car at 2pm in front of my house and don't plan on moving it until all the craziness of the snow calms down, traffic is bad, cars are slipping and sliding and well, this weather it is the perfect excuse to cuddle with a hot chocolate & homemade chicken noodle soup! :) Maybe, just maybe, I'll make some... and who knows, maybe tomorrow we can make a snow man! oooh! That will be fun! Until then, to everyone in a city covered in snow like Chicago, be safe and stay warm!

Do tell, how is the weather where you live? Snow? Sunny? warm? 

and if you tell me you are wearing shorts...

I won't believe you. :)

Have a great weekend!!!!

etsy shop //\\ twitter //\\ facebook

 

:::Outfit Post::: Keep it Simple.

::Outfit Confessionals::

• My outfits usually never escape a dash of bright colorzzz thrown in somewhere. So sure, it is an army green and brown combo I'm wearing, but then I dart around my bedroom, searching for an accent in a bright color to throw in... what is that? why is that? I don't know, but I can't help it. Seriously, I feel weird if I don't have some kind of bright color thrown in there somewhere. :)Hence, the pink lipstick & bright orange+yellow necklace. See? I can't help it, Iz needz the bright colorz on me... it's like carrying a little bit of sunshine in my pocket.
• It is rare, but I will straighten my hair once in a big while, I usually go with low-maintenance hair: so curls, wavy mess or sloppy buns usually win me over, but hey, sometimes I get down with a hair straightener to tame the mane.
• Mixing a pair of dark tights with lighter shoes is something I like to play with a lot, so expect the extremes to be graced in these outfit posts... as I slowly warm up to posting them. :)

shirt: h&m

  Brown Corduroy Pants & shoes: thrifted

double finger ring & necklace: Mano y Metal

tights: f21

I found these shoes thrifting! Um, I considered that a "jackpot" thrift visit! The double straps won my heart, Not to mention the thick heel makes them super comfortable to wear and walk in. So yea, that thrift visit made me happy, especially considering I paid like $5 for the pair! Thank you mom for teaching me all about the thrift store! :)

 

linking up with Lindsey & Nina today!

Thank you for stopping by today! 

Have a great week!

etsy shop //\\ twitter //\\ facebook

 

Mano y Metal is hitting the beach!

Yep! That's right! While I jump back and fourth from rain boots to snow boots in a Chicago winter, my pieces get to travel to California and find a new home in a shop called: Hapa Collective! So for anyone that should find themselves in California near:

123 Main Street

Seal Beach, California 90740

stop by Hapa Collective that carries tons of handmade products from various artists, and now, Mano y Metal can be found there too!

feels pretty cool to cross state lines & have Mano y Metal available for purchase in shops outside of my beloved Chicago, Illinois! 

{:::does happy dance also known as the dougie:::} 

Thank you for stopping by today! 

Have a great week!

etsy shop //\\ twitter //\\ facebook

 

p.s 

and the giveaway winner of the "Boss Lady" Mano y Metal earrings is... 

Jenelle from TrashN2Tees! :) 

email me your address & I'll send the earrings your way! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway