Do you belong to One King’s Lane?

If not please let me invite you with this link: https://www.onekingslane.com/invite/KatelinMoomau.  It is one of those online sales sites, but it focuses on home goods, decoration, art and cookware.  Pretty much all things home.  I   know you are probably overwhelmed by sites liked these, I have joined so many I never use, but this one- I love it.  I just bought a beautiful, really nice quality rug for my guest bedroom.  I am always impressed by the quality of art they have on the site, as well.  And the shipping fees and return policies on such big items are so reasonable.  Seriously, highly recommended if you aren’t already a member.

So… since we are only a couple months away from Wedding madness time, again, I thought I would put  a post out there on wedding cake toppers.  I have seen my fair share of cake toppers and they can range from odd, impersonal to just too girly/ glitzy for my taste.  I also really appreciate something personalized, but not a big initial.  As a modern woman, I am not necessarily celebrating getting a new name, although I have one, as much as I was celebrating a new family.  So I particularly like toppers that focus on the notion of a new couple and their interests.

Here are some places I have come across that I think are interesting:

Middleburg Folk Art Studio has things under the heading cake toppers and then other folk art items which would be perfect cake toppers.  So click through if you like the idea of Folk Art, there are faxes and all sorts of neat things.  Here is a Spring Easter themed one:

Next up is perhaps my favorite.  Star House.  They provide fully customizable cake toppers that are hipster cool while totally appropriate  and super cute.  The big plus is it is something that you might actually want on your shelf at home afterwards.  Star House will make you, your SO and even your pets.  I don’t have a cake to top at this point, but I still want them!

This next one is actually a fake cake, well two tears of it, but I think you could put this on top of a tear of just use the top part.  After living in Annapolis at one point, I can just see this on top of a clean white bottom tear of cake in one of those beautiful row houses in Old Town.  Made by Vintage MagPie.  And the bunting really reminds me of sailboat pennants.

If you are looking for vintage cake toppers then this next one is the one for you.  In many normal vintage toppers they are so-  brown hair, brown hair over the top cookie cutter- but these are so cool. I think they have such a fun idea to them, there are also shadow ones if you click into her site that are really neat too.  Amadalebel, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Last, but not least is Red Light Studio.  Now no assumptions because of the site name, it’s not like that.  Actually she creates completely custom full length or bust toppers, and makes birds and other animals too.  I think these would look great on top of a simple and modern cake.  As a note since she does completely custom work you have to order these out a bit.

Anyway hopefully this gives all of you some good resources.  I think Etsy may be the absolute best place to find a cake topper.  I haven’t found any other site or place that has this close to the selection and originality.

So you already know I am a big fan of Mali Jewelry.  Well if you still need a gift for Christmas (or maybe two) check out this great deal:

Get 50% off any purchase with the code 50 at checkout at www.malijewelry.com AND you will get free shipping AND if your purchase is over $45 you get this free red coral necklace.

So your shopping could go something like this- buy this amazing smoky quartz and garnet necklace for $187.50, get free shipping and a free necklace.

Or this- buy this amazing and classic pearl necklace for $137.50, get free shipping and the free necklace.

Or this pearl and quartz necklace for $62.50, and the free shipping and necklace.

Or these mixed gems also $62.50, but look like they are worth a lot more.

They have a really large selection of one of a kind necklaces that you just won’t see anywhere else.  So if you are still missing presents they have seriously good deals.

Readers,

I will confess that I baby my dog.  I know I do.  But people, really, I don’t have kids this is what happens. And he gets cold in the winter, he is a toy dog, it happens.  We normally put a sweater or jacket on him until his fur grows out a good bit and he is real shaggy, then we gauge how cold it is.  SOOO, noting that I baby my dog to no end and that he is the most tolerant dog of all time and it is almost his 1 year birthday it was time for the works.

I messaged the fantastic shop owner of Forever Furbulous, whose name also happens to be Katelyn (although mine is spelled differently) about making me a custom design.  I wanted a festive, but not girly green tartan jacket with matching bow tie for Mr. Max.  She quickly messaged me back and said it was no problem and she would send me pictures of fabric swatches.  She then set up a custom listing for me.  Well…………………….. I got the jacket and tie and they were fantastic!!!!!!  (Imagine me saying that line with the enthusiasm of Miss Piggy when she is excited.  Yep that is how excited about it I am.  Please note above were I admit I baby my dog way too much.)

They are really well made, the jacket has a nice fleece lining, excellent stitching with a collar and waist detail.  Both the tie and jacket are easy on, easy off with velcro, but won’t come off willy nilly (as the Puggle found out when trying to remove Max’s bow tie).  A really nice sturdy quality fabric.  Both items are really well made and the fabric has worn well and kept Max warm in the weather.

And the most important part, Max looks so good:

And he knows he looks good, doesn’t he?

I just want to thank Suzanne for a quick note that China is a Country, not a City.  Writing after a long day has its perils, thanks Suz!

This week I am blogging about china.  I absolutely love my set of china, and it means the world to me that it was from gifts for our wedding.  To me it will always have significance as a celebration of our marriage and as the start of our family traditions together as a couple.  Many people get china from their wedding or from a family member, but what if you don’t?  Not to worry there are some good sources out there, so you can get some fabulous china as a celebration of whatever you would like to celebrate as soon as you get it and can eat on it!

First off scour large antique shops.  I really like the Factory Antique Mall in Verona, Virginia.  They have lots of china and depression glassware.  I have also had good luck at the Ivy Cottage in Wilmington, North Carolina.  But I see things all over the place when I am just wandering.  Recently I passed up an adorable glass set of dinnerware in Garrett County at Cabin Fever Antiques that I am a little upset that I didn’t buy.  It had lots of color and personality and was at a really good price point. There is another set online that I am deeply coveting, that I am not putting on here for fear you all will buy it before I can get approval (Honey, I will find  a place for it I promise!) .   But in our area you can even check out the consignment shop at Fort Meyer for some interesting finds from time to time.

Next up search the internet.  Ebay, Etsy and Replacements Ltd are all good places to check.  Start by browsing some manufacturers your like.  Lately I have been into Noritake.  And if the set isn’t complete, see if you can find replacements on Replacementsltd.com Here are some finds I thought were cool:

This set of Turquoise Lifetime China really reminds me of the Greenbrier china and is in great condition.  $175 for a large amount of pieces.

And these Floral Napkin Rings are a bargain at $8.50, and are cute as can be.

Although $400 sounds steep, for this Noritake 59pc set it is a really good deal if you compare it to per piece costs. It will have all the pieces you want without having to buy additional pieces.  And it is beautiful, classic and in wonderful condition.

If you want something with clean lines that is also a bit more modern, check out this Mikasa set.

And then last but not least is this very fun 30 pc Set of WS George Shabby Floral China for a bargain price of $35.00.  I love how cute and fun this set is.

For me thinking about china reminds me of all the family dinners and special moments you spend together with family and friends. Not that anytime can’t be special regardless of dinnerware, but as a child I always remember how fun it was to eat off the fancy plates, it was a big deal, and I guess deep down to me it still is a big deal and I want to translate those feelings of happiness to all the people I get the privilege of having over for dinner.  Plus with Thanksgiving coming up, maybe you can con your way into being where people come for dinner, I mean you have the new china that needs to be used right?

While perusing Etsy for other goods, I found this super cute dress.  It just won’t fit me, by inches… BUT it may fit you and would be really nice.  Lots of color, but really classic lines, although it may need shortened.  I love it. $59 here.

And then I saw this dress, again inches too small (I am working on that but not fast enough to buy clothes in anticipation), but very me!  Classic looks with a punch of color.  My husband always wishes I would wear color.  If only these two dresses were my size!

I try to be very careful when buying vintage.  It has to be impeccable and absolutely me.  These are both in great quality, with timeless style and nice looking fit.

One last pick:

So my friend Rachel has adorable dachshunds. And in the DC area they are such a popular dog.  They are just such cute beings to portray.  Everytime I find something I think she would like I get so excited.  Here are some things I love.

This is made out of DC!!! Well at least maps.  Find it here on Etsy.

I also really like this scarf on wireless.com:

Last, but not least some fabulous napkin rings!

Readers,

I normally have clear skin, BUT sometimes my skin revolts, probably due to stress.  I don’t normally get many pimples, but I do get bumps and blackheads that I dislike.  I also don’t like when I put make-up on for an event or in the morning and then my face gets all oily and shiny a few hours later.  My friend, Alysha, introduced me to the Murad products. I am normally not into these really hyped, marketed products, but after using this a couple days in California, I thought I would try it at home.

I use the Clarifying Cleanser to keep my skin clear.  It isn’t really harsh, and keeps my skin really clear and calm.  I just use a tiny bit so a big tube lasts a long time.  Sometimes if I have some extra suds I put it on my upper arms to get rid of the small bumps I get there.  I am not a big fan of a lot of scrubbing and exfoliating on delicate facial skin, but I wanted something that would keep my skin clear, this accomplishes both.

Recently when picking up some of the cleanser at Sephora they recommended the Murad Oil-Control Mattifier Lotion.  This lotion really helps my skin stay oil free, but doesn’t dry it out at all.  It also provides a really smooth base for my make-up.  If you don’t have a really oily face, but do have some oil and get some shine, you might try this.  I really like the feel and overall effect.   I don’t use it everyday, but I do use it when I want to avoid shine, or my skin is more oily.  It has SPF 15 too.

I am not a big product user, normally for me I wash my face and moisturize and then put on minimal make up.  But these are really great basics.  I have tried a lot of different things to find the right balance for my face, but this just seems to work.  And they aren’t a sponsor, my only sponsor for my blog is my patient husband who buys me meals at places and tries things I make.  They probably don’t need any more advertising, I just really liked this lotion and thought I would pass it on in case anyone had the same problems.

Don’t bother with the Murad website, it is a nightmare, if you want to order it online go to sephora.com.

I know that the season for wearing these shoes is over, but they are a real bargain at $24.  If I worse a size 5 I would snap them up in a heartbeat because nautical is always, always in season.  And these shoes are just so flattering.  Find them here at Lapine Ours.  Unfortunately I don’t wear a size 5.

With Fall in the air, Halloween has started to come into my thoughts.  I also have a niece who really likes the whole Twilight thing, so more and more Gothic-Romantic items having been catching my eye for this year.  So in line with those thoughts I found some things I thought I would share:

These Fingerless Cranberry Gloves from ZenandCoffee are really cool, and would keep your arms warm on a cold Autumn Night.  I also like the pop of color, which makes them wearable at another time.  $22 on Etsy. From pop to goth all depending on your look.

This little jacket reminds me of a super cute jacket my Niece had for my brother’s wedding.  It is a little pricey, at $75, but something you could get a lot of use out of because it could be worn for a date night with jeans, Halloween or a party.  From maryandangelika.

I think many of you saw my wedding dress, I loved the corset top on it, so this really made me drool, $155 from olgaitaly.

Next up is some perfume for the eve.  Try this unisex perfume by Solstice Scents, Monster Mash for Boys and Ghouls.  The scent is a little dark, but I like some deep scents from time to time, especially  after all the light and floral scents of Summer.

And last, but not least, your escort.  Now don’t worry if you don’t have a two legged companion, you can have a very dapper escort anyway.  And perhaps he will do some tricks for treats.  Here is  a handsome tux from Poochie Heaven for your date to escort you with.