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

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Wash Your Fruit!


This next post has nothing to do with antiques, junking, purses or Ebay. At all. But, sometimes something comes along that is just too good not to share. So, here is a little, BIG tip for the day.
Wash your fruit!!

Recently a friend of mine posted a recipe for washing fruit. We all know the horror stories of fruit and veggies being treated with chemicals and such, so I won't go into the ugly details regarding that! Anyway, it said to place your fruit in a pan of cold water, add a cup of white distilled vinegar and stir it up. Yesterday I made a trip to the big store and loaded up on fresh fruit. (After a long winter of sky high fruit prices, yesterday was the first time the prices weren't the same as a buying a new house! Well, you get the drift.) I have to admit that when it comes to washing my fruit, my recipe involves a strainer, cold running water and a good shake. That's it. No vinegar. Well....let me tell ya. Vinegar is my new best fruity friend! (BFF! haha) Take a look and see.


First I loaded up my pan with my fruit,
water and vinegar. Gave it a few
gentle swirls and let it sit a minute.
Swirled again for good measure
and then I picked out my fruit,
rinsing it off in the other side of the sink
before drying it with a linen towel.



The water was a weird yellow color.
At first I thought maybe the strawberry seeds
that were laying on the bottom
were contributing to that factor.
No. It was not.



LOOK!!!
You can see the chemicals/dirt/crud in the water droplets!!
I will ALWAYS be washing my fruit and veggies with vinegar.
I hope you do too.
Life is too short to eat poison.

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Updates

I've recently made some changes in my websites, and I'd like to update everyone.

*I decided to close my Etsy store, as I just don't have the time or energy to keep up with the "funky junk" business. I am still very much into repurposing/creating. I just want to keep it as a hobby I enjoy and not as a business. I very much appreciate all the support I was given during this event in my life. It was one of those "live and learn" experiences. No regrets.


*I still very much have my purse site. I will probably always have that business. I love it too much not too. Here is that link:

http://desireeschicanduniquehandbags.blogspot.com/

I have a little fun blog, on which I share bits and pieces of my life, friends and family. If you are super bored one day and have nothing better to do....you can check that out here:

http://desireesiegel.blogspot.com/

I also have an Ebay store. However, I am finding it very hard to compete with the other Ebay vendors with their purse prices. So, there aren't very many purses on there. Just lots of cool fun accessories and whatever else I find fun to put in the store. You can check that out here:

http://stores.ebay.com/The-Swedish-Cowgirl?_trksid=p2047675.l2563


I also have a Swedish Cowgirl Facebook page, where you can contact me with questions and requests.

https://www.facebook.com/events/list#!/TheSwedishCowgirl

And of course, there is always email...

tdsiegel@hotmail.com


Have a WONDERFUL day!!!

Coming Next Week! What Do You Think?






 
Hats $18
Burnout T's $22

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

This Is Why

This is why I support small businesses. Being that I am one, I am all for the little guy. I recently started using essential oils on myself and my family. I was going to do a post on it, but there is so much to tell, I don't even know where to start. I will say, I can't say enough good things about them. Recently I was wondering what I was going to do this summer with the oils and Landon. I was concerned about when he went to the pool and the oils washed off. (They do get into your bloodstream, but it still helps to reapply them.) I know he would not be too keen on pulling out a bottle of oil and rubbing it on his feet in front of the "guys." (The oils help keep him calm and focused. He's like a new kid with the oils!) I happened to come across this web site for terra cotta pendants. You simple put one drop of oil on the pendant and the aroma is almost the same as if you were to apply it to your skin. Since half the boys in Landon's class already wear necklace,s and I found one shaped like a basketball, it was the perfect solution! Now, check this out....

 
Not only did the owner send me a thank you note, hand signed by her...
she sent me candy!!!
Oh, yeah...
I will be ordering from her again.
And...
 
 
I would be more than happy to promote her business
by sharing her website with you.
I love that she writes,
"Have a wonderful day!"
on her notes.
I write the exact same thing on my Ebay invoices!
Now is that cool or what?

Monday, April 8, 2013

Load em' up!

Last summer, I tried my hand at repurposing junk/fun stuff and selling it. Let me tell ya, that's hard work! What was a fun little hobby, became a very stressful, time consuming, labor of work. So, I decided to hang up my junkin' business apron and just go back to doing the fun repurposing/creating that I love, when I want and for who I want to. (Usually me. ha!) So what's the problem? The problem is, I now have a shed and a basement FULL of cool stuff that is just begging to be made into something awesome!The solution? SHADY HOLLOW FLEA MARKET! I love that market. It's located in Detroit Lakes, Mn on US Hwy 59. Providing the weather is good, I plan on being there May 25th and "maybe" May 26th. (Memorial Weekend) I am sure I won't sell everything in one weekend, so I plan on showing up there a few more weekends over the summer. I'll keep you posted on which ones. Here is a link to the market, should you like to check it out. I'll be the vendor with the mile long row of good stuff, reasonably priced! See ya there!

http://shadyhollowfleamarket.com/

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Foldable Flats

Check these out! They are the neatest thing ever! They are foldable flats that you tuck in a little pouch and then tuck in your purse. Perfect for wedding dances, when your high heels are starting to feel like vise grip. Instead of dealing with black bottom feet, you just slip these babies on! Or how about when you check into a hotel, but don't want to walk on the carpet? Come on, you know they don't shampoo those rugs very often. Even in the fancy joints! Let me know what ya think. I'm thinkin'... Ebay!!