Howdy! Before we get started, you might want to grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine here, as I tend to ramble a bit...First of all, let me tell you a little bit about the reason for this blog in the first place. You see, I have another blog called, "365 Days Of The Year." Four years ago, I started it as a challenge to post a photo a day on it for a year, and I did! When my year was up, I thought I could just drop it, but I found I missed it. So, instead of the pressure of taking a "picture worthy picture" every day, I just started to post random thoughts and stories of my family and friends, with an occasional picture. After each year, I would have the entire year made into a hard cover book, to some day give to our son Landon. I also have a handbag business that I do on the side from my full time childcare business. Occasionally, I would post on my blog, things about purses or shows/expos that I was doing and it just didn't feel right. It was business and my blog was for family, friends, and my place to go to vent or just tell my little stories. I would also post a bit about business on facebook and that didn't feel right either. Now, I have started to dip my toes in a little crafty stuff. Nothing major, but a little something here and there and I needed a place to put it along with my purses that felt right. That place is here. Here I will post things about purses, re-purposing, flea marketing, or maybe just take you along on a few road trips with me. Wherever it takes us, I hope the trip is as much fun for you as it is for me. Ready to ride?



If you would like to send a comment/question, shoot me an email at: tdsiegel@hotmail.com



If you would like to check out my other blog, here is the link:
http://www.desireesiegel.blogspot.com/

If you would like to check out my purse blog, here is the link:
http://www.desireeschicanduniquehandbags.blogspot.com/

I know. I know. The length of that purse site link is insane! But, when I created it, I couldn't think of anything short and cute that wasn't already taken, like... "The Swedish Cowgirl." Ha! By the way, I am 1/2 Swedish. On the other side it's a bit Heinz 57. English, Dutch, German, Irish, Chinese and Indian! My dad's side was the wild side! So, it is what it is. I am what I am.

You can also check out my facebook page, at:
https://www.facebook.com/TheSwedishCowgirl?fref=ts#!/TheSwedishCowgirl?fref=ts

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

*UPDATE

O.k. here's the latest....

Sometime next week or next weekend, (Depending on when my orders arrive) I will be posting Western/Bling Belts, Flip Flops, Necklaces, Bracelets, Sunglasses and Purses on Ebay. (Plus a few other fun items!) These items will not be on my purse site, (www.desireeschicanduniquehandbags.blogspot.com) or at the Wheaton Farmer's Market this summer. If you are local and see something on Ebay you would like, just send me an email or give me a call. Do not order on Ebay or your credit card will be charged for shipping!

I will still be posting purses on my purse site too. Those purses will be going to all the shows and the Farmer's Market with me.

Have a WONDERFUL day!
Desiree

To check out my Ebay store, go here:

http://stores.ebay.com/The-Swedish-Cowgirl

Here's a little taste of what's to come....

BEAD EMBEDDED DISK NECKLACE



ROUND CRYSTAL FRAMED HIPPIE SUNGLASSES

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Happy Birthday, Landon!

Today my baby boy is eleven years old. He is my one and only rebel child, love of my life, my pride and joy. Without even trying, just by being himself, he has taught me so many things. He has made me realize just how strong I can be. When he was nine years old, he climbed out of an upstairs window and up to the top of the house in 3 seconds, to rescue his cat, Lucky. (You will have to go back to April 15th 2010 to read that story! www.desireesiegel.blogspot.com) In that situation, while I stood on the ground below, helplessly watching, he taught me to just breathe and hang on. It will be o.k. (Thank goodness, it was!!) He also taught me how to cope with life's messes. When you've had a horrible day, and you think you just can't take any more, and all you want to do is lock yourself in your bedroom and scream into your pillow....He knows what you really need is just a big bowl of ice cream, with your favorite topping and extra peanuts. Just the way you like it. And the words, "There. Doesn't that make ya feel better. Huh, Mom?" (I have to admit, it certainly does help!) He reminds me how fun life can be, and how it's o.k. to get a little wild and crazy and let my hair down. Not everything has to be all serious, all the time. It's o.k. to get a little dirty sometimes. Be a little messy. It's not the end of the world if everything doesn't go according to plan. Sometimes the best days, are the most messed up days. The past eleven years have been one wild and crazy roller coaster ride. Many ups and downs and crazy curves. But, you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way. What a boring life we would have without Landon. Just an ordinary life, day after day. Today is the day my son was born. My life was changed forever, and I am the luckiest mom in the world.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Gypsy Hippy Sunglasses

Look what's coming in, next week!
Gyspy Hippy, Rhinestone Encircled, Sunglasses!
Also available in Chocolate,
but the website wouldn't
let me copy the picture.
Sorry about that!
$15


Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Northern Lights Casino

If you are in the Walker, Mn area on March 2nd, head on over to the Women's Expo at the Northern Lights Casino. I'll be there with my purses and a little funky junk, along with many, many other fabulous vendors from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. When you're ready to drop from shopping, plop down in one of the hot seats in the game room. Who knows. You might get lucky!

Monday, February 11, 2013

Olive & Pique



Look What's New!
Olive & Pique
(Yes! The very same Olive & Pique that you see in the BUCKLE stores!)
These hats will be in sometime next week.
(Today is 2/11/13)
I wasn't given an exact date, and since this is the first time ordering from this company, I honestly haven't a clue how speedy the delivery process it. Patience....
Trust me, I know how you feel. I'm lacking in that department too. haha...
I will also be posting these in my Ebay store when they arrive. You can check that out here:
# 1285
Olive & Pique
Zebra
Handstiched
Rhinestone Flower
Cadet Cap
$32

 
#1284
Olive & Pique
Tang & Aqua
Handstiched Rhinestone Flower
Ball Cap
$32
#1283
Olive & Pique
Smokey Grey
Hand Stiched Stone And Beaded Cross
Cadet Cap
$32
#1282
Olive & Pique
Khaki
With Ivory Cotton & Lace
Rhinestone and Pearls
$32
#1281
Olive & Pique
Lite Chocolate
With Ivory Cotton & Lace
Rhinestone and Pearls
$32
#1280
Olive & Pique
Golden Honey
Lace Bouquet
Cadet
$32
#1279
Olive & Pique
Olive
Lace Bouquet
Cadet
$32
O.k. here's the deal on this one...
The camo was not available,
however it was the only one pictured.
I order one in black and one in white.
When the actual cap arrives, I will post pictures.
Sorry!
$19
#1276
Olive & Pique
Denim
Heart Vines
Cadet
$19
#1275
Olive & Pique
Camo Peace
Ball Cap
$19

 






Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Etsy & Ebay

O.k. this is the last post about this! I promise. (Well, maybe I promise.) I keep going back and forth between Etsy and Ebay. I opened the Etsy store a few weeks ago. You can check that out here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheSwedishCowgirl?ref=si_shop

BTW....I sold my 7th item today! It's my birthday and 7 is my lucky number! Hope that means that I am going to get lucky on the lottery tonight! Baahahaha....

Anyway, I posted a few items on Ebay, but didn't open a store. I have been selling a few things here and there. So, last night I decided to pull a few of the duplicate items that I had on Etsy, and open an Ebay store! You can check that out here:

http://stores.ebay.com/The-Swedish-Cowgirl

Feel free to pass along the sites to anyone you think might be interested. While there isn't a ton of fun in either store....yet, come this spring though, when it's warm enough to get out to my treasure shed....then look out! Let the good times roll....and shop.


Monday, February 4, 2013

Funky Business Card Holder

I'm not sure what it is,
but it's perfect for my checkout table,
at my purse/junk shows!
 I'm in love.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Friday, February 1, 2013

Let Them Eat Peanut Butter Cake!

It's no secret that I'm just not a baker. I have a little trouble following recipe's and I only have two or three recipes that ever work for me. But that doesn't stop me from pinning 3,467 beautiful, mouthwatering pictures of baked goods, recipes included, on Pinterest. I love peanut butter and one picture that I had pinned of frosted peanut butter cake, just wouldn't leave me alone. It kept calling my name until I finally broke down and I just had to try it.

Pinned Image
 
It knows my name.

So, I skimmed the recipe and thought I had all the ingredients and set to work. When I got to the sugar amounts, I was blown away. (I didn't look at the amounts when I was skimming.) It called for 77 cups of brown sugar and 88 cups of white sugar. O.k. maybe not quite that much, but close. Since it was Friday and I am going to start my diet on Monday, I decided to keep on going anyway. Sugar be darned. Then I got to the ingredient, buttermilk. I don't believe in my lifetime, I have ever purchased buttermilk. But, I wasn't going to be discouraged. I simply hopped on Pinterest and typed in, "buttermilk substitutes." Low and behold, did you know that adding a little lemon juice to milk will give you buttermilk? I just happen to have both milk and lemon juice. So, after making homemade buttermilk, I was able to keep on going. I was a little worried how it was going to turn out, as every time I add or subtract or substitute an ingredient in a recipe, I end up with glop or glue. The cake mix looked pretty good and it poured right into the pan, smooth as melted butter. (It should. There was a whole freakin' stick of it in there!) I popped it in the oven and baked it according to the directions. When the timer dinged, I stuck a toothpick in and it came out clean. The top also bounced right back all nice and spongy like it was suppose to and miracles of miracles, it wasn't lop sided! (For some reason, all my cakes come out looking like a tidal wave.)

 
 
Isn't it beautiful?
 
 
 
I was so happy with my cake, but I still had this feeling of dread though, when it came to making the peanut butter frosting. I just didn't think that with my cake being so perfect, that the frosting would turn out well too. That was just asking too much from the baking fairies. Ya know? But....look!
 
 
I know. I'm blown away too.
 
The recipe said to pour the frosting onto the warm cake. My frosting didn't exactly pour, but it did spread very nice and easy. I thought for sure it was just going to melt into a messy, watery, glue on that warm cake....but...look!!
 
 
This is my cake!!!
And guess what??
It tasted wonderful!!!
I just love a happy ending.
Well...there's one more thing.
 
 
I was so busy reading the recipe, that it wasn't until I was half way through, that I even noticed what was printed at the top of the page.
 
 
Crap.
I like to think that I am beyond that, and I have no worries. But I sure would hate to be one of those freaks that you see on the Maury show. I can just see it now...
"She got knocked up at 85 and didn't know it! She says it was the....peanut butter."