birthday wish list

For the past few years, I've put together a birthday wish list on this blog. I don't expect any of my readers to get me anything, but I know that it's interesting to see what other people have on their lists.

Before writing this post, I looked at my wish list from last year, in which I started by saying that if I could wish for one thing, it would be no more snow. If only I had known what the 13-14 winter had in store. (Still. This was my birthday week last year. Ridiculous weather.) In that post, I also talked about camera lenses, knife sets, and purses. I'm pretty excited that in the past year I've gotten all of those things. My parents got me a Zwilling knife set for my birthday, and I got the 28-135mm (May) and 50mm f/1.8 (October) lenses as well as a Dooney & Bourke Bag (honestly not sure).

Since we're talking about things that I want...

You can click on the picture to check out this amazing item if you're interested. I'm sure that most of you are not. I'm not getting that any time soon, but I can keep dreaming.

Getting back to reality, this is one thing that I will much more likely be getting in the near future to replace my 10+ year old radio/tape/CD stereo that really hasn't worked properly (in about six different ways) since I moved to Milwaukee (almost three years ago).

Lately a lot of the clothing items that I've favorited / pinned / saved online have been Midwest or Milwaukee related.

That was designed for me personally, right?

While I've been reading Alisa Burke's blog for years now, I haven't taken any of her online classes (yet). All of her classes sound amazing, but of course this one appeals to me the most right now.

It wouldn't be a Rose birthday wish list without some craft supplies. I have a mini leaf stamp set from this Etsy shop, and I really love the mini seashell set, too.

Whether or not I need to stock up on any beads, I love to browse Shannon's shop. Check out a couple of her newest listings. I can think of plenty of ways to use these beads.

What's on your wish list right now?

Etsy Christmas Wish List

Is anyone else already doing some Christmas shopping on Etsy? Whether you've been hitting the Black Friday / Cyber Monday sales or are simply doing some window shopping, I don't need to tell most of you that Etsy is a great place to shop for gifts. Christmas is no exception. Here are just a few things that I wouldn't mind getting this year.

The Midwesterner t-shirt by OrchardStreetPress

I have lived in the Midwest my entire life and really can't imagine living anywhere else. So clearly I need this shirt. The Represent Wisconsin and 1848 Wisconsin State shirts from this shop are great, too.

Handmade Button Collection - Set of 4 - Rustic Brown Creamy White Emerald Green Golden Mustard Yellow - Rustic Chic by BackBayPottery

How can you go wrong with handmade buttons?

Eco Leather Camera Strap Applique Distressed Recycled Brown Leather by StudioWaterstoneBags

Lori recently started making leather camera straps. I already have a handmade camera strap, but you know, there's nothing wrong with owning more than one. (Also, Darby has multiple DSLR bags in turquoise and red right now. Go check them out.)

Custom Bokeh. Change the shape of the lights in your photo's background by CoolVinyle

Shape bokeh just got so much easier.

Mustache stamp set by deKrantenkapper

Typically when I browse / buy stamps on Etsy, I go to Mollie of norajane, but this mustache set from Janneke and Lotte is so darn cute.

Orange and Clear Swirl Lampwork Glass Disc Beads - Set of 6 by AlishaWhite

I haven't bought handmade lampwork glass beads or buttons in way too long. It's always so hard to pick just a few colors / sets. This aqua set jumped out at me, too.

Cherry Blossom Branch Adjustable Ring in Silver, Stacking rings, Spring Jewelry, MADE to ORDER, Twig ring, Bridal accessories by HapaGirls

This is one of those shops where I kind of want everything. The rings, bracelets, and necklaces are all calling my name, especially because they are so reasonably priced.

What is on your Etsy wish list this Christmas?

birthday wish list

I think that the biggest thing that I want for my birthday this year is no snow. No snow falling. No more snow on the ground. I know that a whole lot of people are ready for things to look like this outside again.

Unfortunately I don't have any control over that, and a late March birthday can bring pretty much any kind of weather. But it'll be here soon!

Also, for the record, some of you know that all year I've been talking about how I want to do something for this milestone birthday. I have plans in place so presents or not, I really can't complain. I'm also still riding on a high of getting kittens and an SLR for Christmas. But you know, I don't say no to presents either.

There are a couple bigger items that are on my wish list right now. The first is a second SLR lens. I have the 18-55mm lens that came with my Rebel.

It seems like the next lens for people who own Canons is the 55-250mm. For the most part, the reviews are great, and it does seem like a good fit for a lot of the photography that I do. Recently I've also been researching this 28-135mm lens, which is a comparable price and quality and seems like a good fit.  I am completely open to other lenses and would appreciate advice on this topic.

The other big item on my list is a new set of kitchen knives. We have a set that came from a Bed Bath 'n Beyond kitchen kit that Jake got when he started undergrad. It's held up surprisingly well through a whole lot of cooking, but it is way past time to get something much higher quality.

I know even less about this subject than I do about SLR lenses. What kind of knives you have? What do you like? Can you recommend a good brand?

I am really picky about purses. The huge bag trend doesn't help, as I really don't want anything big. I also don't like spending a lot of money on bags. The purse that I've been using for every day is okay, but it's seen better days. I want something that feels more "me"...I just haven't found it yet. This is one of my favorite bags on Etsy right now.

Since I've gotten more serious about my photography, I've been enjoying retro camera items. Most likely I will end up making some sort of wall art or other item myself at some point, but here are just a couple of my favorite camera picks on Etsy.

Of course I never get tired of browsing and lusting after beads. Here are a few great new items from Shannon's shop.

What's on your wish list right now?

Friday Feature: birthday wish list

Thanks so much to everyone who linked up with me this past week for my Friday Feature link up!  Here are just a few of the great finds that were featured.  Click on the photos to check out the item listings, blog posts, etc.

Last year when I wrote this post, I mentioned that I wasn't thinking much about my birthday because my mind was on other things.  I do still feel a little preoccupied this year, but for different reasons.  Regardless, to anyone who is about to or who has a spouse who is about to complete the match process for med school, I am very sympathetic because this time of year is so tough.

Moving on, I put together this list for my family.  I don't expect my readers to buy me presents, though you certainly can.  I share this list here because I think that it's interesting to see what my own favorite bloggers like to buy (or browse) on Etsy.  Enjoy!

Stamps from norajane

Music Note Rubber Stamp

Paw Prints Rubber Stamp

Baby Chicks Stamp Set

Small Bird Rubber Stamp

Little Mojito and Teal Lampwork Glass Disc Spacer Beads - Set of 20 by AlishaWhite

Red and Turquoise Polka Dots (handmade buttons set of 6) by TessaAnn

Beads from beadsandbabble

16x5mm Matte Opaque Denim Blue with Vitrail Peacock Czech Glass Dagger Beads

16x5mm Matte Sunburst Swirl with Vitrail Peacock Czech Glass Dagger Beads

15mm to 6mm Garden Goddess Mixed Shapes and Sizes Picasso Czech Glass Beads 16 INCHES

4x2mm Purple Lumi Luster Czech Glass Farfalle Seed Bead Strand

 

25 Miniature Clear Glass Bottles with Corks 2ML from charmsgalore

 Traveler in Black Canvas - Ready to Ship by jennyndesign

My ring size is 3.5.
Spring Green Square Princess Solitaire or Stacking Ring in Tarnish Free and Recycled Sterling by onegarnetgirl

I don't like to make a lot of rules for my link ups, but if you link up, please visit and comment on at least one other post.  Thanks!











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Etsy Christmas wish list

The past few years I've put together an Etsy wish list for Christmas and birthday.  This is primarily for my and Jake's immediate families, although anyone who would like to get me a gift is welcome to use this list, too.  For those of you who like to shop on Etsy for yourselves or others, hopefully this will give you some good ideas.  Enjoy!

I have been considering getting one of Mollie's leaf stamps for a while now.  She recently released this awesome sampler pack with little versions of some of her most popular leaf stamps!  How awesome that you no longer have to choose.  I still really want this button stamp of hers, too.
Tiny Leaf Rubber Stamp Sampler by NoraJane

Lisa has been listing lots of new goodies this month!
Handmade RAKU Ceramic Buttons Set of 5 In Shades of Turquoise by LisaPetersArt

I love sugar scrubs, and peach is one of my favorite scents (and tastes).
Ginger Peach . Soap & Sugar Scrub . gift set with soap dish by DancingMooney

This would be another great charm/focal option for my new herringbone line.
Ceramic Daisies and Vines Porcelain Pendant in Blue by SummersStudioEtc

This would also make a great charm/focal.
Sea Glass Bottle, Genuine Sea Glass by BorealisSeaGlass

There are so many fun possibilities for these.
Ancient Blue Grotto Gear Links - Handmade Ceramic Beads by ktotten

I ordered a set of these before my final 2011 show and ran through nearly all of them.  If I don't get more for Christmas, I will be ordering a set myself in January.
100 Thumb Tacks - Push Pins for Covered Buttons from coverbuttoncity

I'm planning to start adding more cabochon embellishments to my magnets and tacks as well as my new rings and hair pins.
Very Autumn - 15 pcs Assorted Flower Cabochon Sampler Set from PrettyLovelies