Edible Month of Mayhem?

So I was thinking about what the heck I am going to do in my last month of summer before the wonderful college kicks back into session.
HURRA FOR 8 ENGLISH COURSES! no seriously... Im excited.

Anyway....

And I thought I could do a bunch of edible reviews from Etsy. I can't afford to take the days off and travel, other than going to moms for 3 days, so I figured Id let the fun come to me.
So I am slowly compiling a list of edible delectables to try out from Etsy - from all over the place!
Im going to try and find some stuff from Europe and USA and where-ever I can.
I am up for trying it.

I've seen in the forums that a fair bit of Etsy shoppers have a bit of mistrust when it comes to shopping for snackerals online and I want to give people a heads up and let them know that there is good stuff out there!

Of course I will be getting some more caramels from my fave LeBellaCaramella! How can I resist! But if you are reading this and you have an Etsy Shop that sells treats and wanna get a review out there then hey! Let me know - I will happily try it out for yums.

In the mean time - Im not going to say what I am trying but here are a few of the places I have my eye on for snacks :
(These are shop titles so if you want to check them out either search the name under sellers on etsy or go to etsy and type the name at the end, or click my link here)

• RedBarnWalnuts -> http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6153311
• layla --> http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=3293
• Lebellacaramella --> http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6269589
• BrokenRoadFarm --> http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5780693
• ahimsarescue --> http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7184004
• celebritybakesale --> http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7490894
• BlissCandies --> http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7244021
• mermaidcaramels --> http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7549571
• contacthope --> http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7370722
• miaMallows --> http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7518547
• hillsidebakery --> http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5823318&section_id=5422962
• OhFudgeStore --> http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5755041
• VeesWear --> http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5027417
• InspiredCakeSickles --> http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6799481
  

Please note that I have only ordered two items at the moment as I am eagerly awaiting shipping responses from each of the other stores. That being said - not all stores may want to participate so if a shop that you liked is removed, please still keep them in mind for purchases as it is just a shipping to my location that may be the issue.
Also note that these shops are in no particular order, so if you are looking for when it will be feature in the blog/vlog - you will just have to keep checking back!!

I think that is all for me tonight!
Adieu! & look for the video version of this tomorrow at www.youtube.com/ScrtSolstice !

-Mrs.A

An Okanagan Etsy Team

So There are these things on Etsy called Etsy Street Teams and they are basically just teams or groups of people who live in similar places or have things in common. Kind of cool - well int he location front I didnt see one for the Okanagan and decided to make one. I applied to be in three teams and hadn't heard back from anyone yet so I thought heck I will make my own.

Wow - tough is all I have to say. I sent out about fifty messages and finally got one back saying that there is a local Kelowna Etsy team that is becoming official this week which is cool. Im trying to get some more info about it so that maybe I could join and go to the meetings on occasion or something you know. I dont know if I would really fit in not that it matters but you know, there is that feeling in the back of my head.

In anycase you can join more than one team so I was looking at joining the Vancouver and area team because Im from the Lower Mainland, and then there is one called 'Amys in the Arts' and I contacted them but their main contact doesn't exist anymore and the next person on the list hasn't got back to me, and Im going to try and join this Kelowna one like I said. Most of the groups seem to be beaders or jewellery makers or something along those lines. There are only two people on etsy who do what I do as far as I could find and I dont think the two of us count as a team aha.
That being said there is another team I could join - the Trans Canada team but you have to pay $10 for a year and although it seems cheap it just isnt in my budget. I just shelled out money for advertisement spots on etsy and did I get a single sale? nope. I only got one heart. Then I went into the forums and started chatting around and I got 5 more hearts so atleast I am finding ways to get my work out there. Which is why I thought hey lets meet everyone in the Okanagan.
Its been a long day though - and I have a long one ahead of me tomorrow.

Im going to a Wedding and I am looking after the Bride and Groom's littel girl during the reception so they wont have to worry about her. Im excited to go - but I have nothing nice to wear. =(

See you all soon!

If you want to check out Etsy I highly suggest it. My links are on the side - and the Okangan Etsy Street Team is located and an awesome place called the ning, the link is http://okanaganest.ning.com ! Check them out!

- Mrs.A

Etsy Purchase #2!

So for our second etsy purchase, Alex insisted on getting these things called Monster Sharks... now at first I said no but he said he would pay me back for them he just needed to use my paypal account so I said fine whatever.

They are the cutest little things ever! They are crocheted Cold holders basically. One is a sleeve, and the other is a water bottle cover for when he goes to the gym. I was extremely pleased with them. And they were purchased from Handamade on Etsy. The link is: http://handamade.etsy.com & Here are some awsesome pictures.


Here they are just arrived.


Here is Alex with his Water Bottle Holder.


Here he is with his Re-usable Sleeve.


& Here they are a bit closer up.

All in all, he absolutely loved them and still does... He just can't get enough of them.
they are made by Handamade on etsy.
They come in other colours and other animals as well so I recommend them.
They are highly durable!
-A

My Etsy Purchases!

I had more come today and I wanted to make sure I was on top of all of them in the blog, which I am not!
But never the less I will start now!

My first purchase was a 1/2 pound box of these delicious caramels made by LaBellaCaramella on etsy. Her link is : http://labellacaramella.etsy.com

I purchased the Double Bergamot Earl Grey Caramels and they did not disappoint.
If you are like me and you happen to drink a cup of Earl Grey tea almost every day, then you know the flavor off the top of your head. Now if you also add a wee bit of milk and sugar then you have a distinct taste yes? These tasted exactly like the tea I make myself every morning. Fantastic! Here are some pictures!! Definitely check the shop out, the caramels are to die for!


Heres the little box they came in.


And all the nummy caramels.


And here is my funny looking customer appreciation photo.

And if being tasty wasn't good enough, that little note card you can see in picture two is a little note that says that all the caramels are made with colorado honey. So they support the local market, and(!) a portion of the proceeds go towards research to find out why oour Honey Bees are rapidly disappearing. Which I think is awesome, the fact that by purchasing yummies, you can help the honey bees.

All in all it was a fabulous buy and I am actually considering these as my wedding favour for in the future. Although Im thinking I may get the Lavender ones next. Thats how fabulous they are, DEFINITELY check them out.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6269589

-A

Finally some pictures from Edmonton!

So finally i have some pictures from Edmonton!!


This is JoJo the Cat, who was apparently getting put down the week after we left.... poor thing.


Part of the Sea Lion Show from above.


Some Koi fish in the pond in the China Town Section of the mall.


The Ice Rink in West Edmonton Mall

I may add more later, or link my album,
but for now it is just taking to long resizing all these photos.

Firish update again!

So today they let around half the Glenrosa families go home.
And the fire as of 3pm was about 60% contained which is pretty awesome.
Supposedly there is a 70% chance of rain for friday which will only help the matter!
Im glad that this will all be over soon. Although it smells pretty good it is still a tid scary.

Fire Updates...

There are now three fires being followed at this time.
One is a bit farther North and out of my area near Fintry.
The other two are across the lake.

One that was heavily discussed yesterday has grown to 300 hectares and,
the other which is believe to be cause from a spark which jumped the highway has grown to 75 hectares as of this morning.