Jun 16, 2014

My Favorite Things Part 2 - And free gifts for everyone!



Updated 26 June
please note that I just discovered many comments that never made it to my email! Please see comments section for my response, and I apologize to all who took time to comment, but never made it to me. Cyber "connections" can be so frustrating! 



Hello!

Welcome to part two of My Favorite Things posts. You might be wondering why cows are my favorite things...well, I will explain the cows in a moment.

In my last post, I reveal a way for one lucky winner to win a $75 gift certificate from NOVICA - to read about it all, click here:

To learn about how you, and any reader that reads this, can receive a little something from me as a thank you, just scroll down to the end of the post, if you don't have time for a visit. But as always, I hope you can stay and visit with me.




My first post in this series, I showed a few vintage items that I use routinely. And one of those items I featured (above) was an old mason jar that I use to hold my dried herbs. Well, I thought you might enjoy seeing my favorite way I dry my home-grown herbs...








Above is my vintage haberdashery factory cart that came from a closed-up hat factory, here in the Midwest. Below is a vintage image of similar type of cart that was used to move hats into the factory. Image source: click here. (If the owner of this image would like it removed, or have a better credit source, please let me know - thank you!)

I love the industrial feel of the slanted wheels, and the warmth of the wood. I love my little cart, and when I saw it, I knew exactly what I would use it for.




The racks are just perfect to space out my herbs and I am so happy that I am already cutting and drying my fresh harvest. Soon, the entire cart will be filled. Fresh herbs, even dried, makes every dish come alive. Can't get enough of basil!





Above is cinnamon basil, and below is purple basil - both have such a wonderful, wonderful scent as well as flavor. I use this type of basil in my tomato basil soup recipe as well as my quiche.





I am happy to be able to harvest a little lavender, as most of my lavender plants didn't make it through our very hard winter. But, I am getting budding stems, and they smell wonderful. 






Another basil, below, that is perfect for sauces (especially anything Italian). It is super strong when fresh, but when dried, it is perfect for dishes that need only a taste of this herb.






And one last thing I love about my little cart...when not drying herbs, it is perfect to hang my ribbon, lace, and scraps of material  when working on a project. I just roll it wherever I am working.







So what is the deal with the cows? Well, what goes best with herbs and vegetables? Meat! Being from Texas, a good steak is the best meal. I know, seems kinda mean, when looking at such cute cows...





But cows aren't really on my list of My Favorite Things...





But good leather is! Now before you feel sorry for these pretty cows...take a gander at your leather boots, leather chair, leather jacket, or your leather purse. Which leads me to a NEW favorite thing that I just received.



My new leather purse that I ordered from NOVICA!



The gift certificate they offered me (and to on of my lucky readers), I chose to order a leather messenger bag - and I want to share my review of the product, the service and shipping. But before I get to the bag, of course, I have to show the packaging and marketing...which we all know is almost as important as the item itself.  



It came wrapped up securely with a touch brown package, and inside, I pulled out a lovely wrapped package (above) and underneath that lovely paper, I find a wonderful muslin, drawstring bag, and find my purchase wrapped neatly with tissue paper and a little logo sticker.






I finally tear off the tissue (but had carefully taken off the wrapping paper) and below is my lovely purchase - fresh from the cow  hide, to the artisan's skillful hand and now to me. It is MOOeautiful! haha! It is advertised that is it made for men, and yes, my barber husband snatched it up, once he read that. But, no man comes between a woman and her new leather purse. It really is unisex, but it is MINE. Barber husband can go get his own "bag" as he won't touch my "purse." haha.









I really love the buckle clasps that may be adjusted for those days when I am carrying a lot and need more room. Easy opening and closing with the closure behind the strap. And on the back of the purse is the perfect pocket for my cell phone, or car keys, or sunglasses. It isn't a huge pocket, but all the better for me, as it will help me stay organized by not allowing me to cram everything I own into one darn pocket. There is also an additional zipper pocket inside as well. If you happen to have fallen in love with this bag, here is a direct link to learn the specs from the NOVICA site: Click HERE.  Please note that I am not receiving any commission, credits, or funds for providing this link. I am doing this just to help you out, should you be interested in learning more about the bag. 









Of course, I love the little letter pressed card and must show it.







And I didn't notice until later, a beautiful postcard was enclosed with a very nice NOVICA statement that explains how easy it is to return my purchase should I not be satisfied - which is NOT an issue with this purchase!  




I love the postcard, which is the cherry on top of a wonderful buying experience. (Plus, I love that I am supporting an artist.)






This has ended, as well as free gifts. However, please feel free to leave a comment.
Thank you! (June 26, 2014)


Here is how YOU may enter to win the $75 gift certificate from NOVICA. I want to be clear that NOVICA emailed me, and asked if they could give me a gift certificate to be used to purchase from their site and then share what I purchased with my readers. I wouldn't be doing this second post had I not been very pleased.

Just leave a comment and your name will be entered (along with those names from my prior post). NOVICA supports artisans around the world with fair trade. They are associated with National Geographic, an organization with reputation like non other. 

If you would like to receive a FREE little gift from me personally (something I made, or maybe a little something I am ready to part with), all you need to do is link this article to your social media of choice and leave a comment letting me know the link. Be sure to leave your mailing address so I may mail out your little thank you gift for supporting artisans worldwide. You may email me on the address at the sidebar if you want to keep your address private. Feel free to share this - new readers will receive a gift, if they link as well. 

I will be doing a final post on My Favorite Things and giving readers a chance to sign up, if they missed this post and the prior.  But THIS post is the post in which linking readers will receive a thank you gift from me. I would love to hear if you visited the NOVICA site, and if any particular item caught your eye.

For now, love what you own and own only what you love. 

from my house to your house,


Signature

25 comments:

Kim Gaynor said...

I love cows too for the reasons you mentioned. Cows remind me of my childhood home and there's something so restful about seeing them in a field. I also am a meat and potatoes gal (big time). My aunt used to call me and my two siblings the 'potato children'. We could easily be satisfied with meat and potatoes! Oh, and I love your vintage cart too and how you use it. I'm working on a post featuring vintage carts, so I'll definitely share it there (if OK with you, of course). How long do you dry your herbs, by the way . . . and how long do they last when they're dried? Lastly, I love your purse! I love big bags as I'm ready for allergy episodes, beauty touch-ups, reading, note-taking, measurements, calculations, and photo ops everywhere I go! I will definitely check out Novica when it comes time to buy Christmas presents this year. Oh! and here’s my pin: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/80150068343985752/.

Burlap Luxe said...

Hi again, oh Elizabeth I so love your cart and the slanted wheels, I too could find so many uses for the cart. What if you made beeswax dipped candles they could hang from your cart, in fact you could even buy the double strung candles and hang them on it for a photo shoot amongst the beehive fields :)
Linen hand towels could hang on all the rungs also. This cart is endless in use.

About the purse, I have ordered from Novica before when it was the big company with bloggers doing Giveaways I took interest in a linen robe, the robe was package in a heavy duty black linen covered box and tissue wrapped finely. I was amazed with the packaging as well.
Your saddle bag style purse is fabulous and truly look like your edgy artistic style. I thought it was great that you chose a man bag, sometimes the men's designs are so fitting for a ladies accessory. I have to let you in on my little secret, sometimes I will buy men's crisp white cotton button down dress casual shirts and where them oversized one shirttail tucked in and the rest hanging out just because I love the look and will often get the best compliments to as where did I buy my shirt? I also have been known to button them down on a kitchen chair pulling the selves around the back tieing together turning over sized white man shirts into little fun slip covers for my dinning kitchen chairs. Then I will tuck some lavender in the chest pocket for that little hidden scent.

I will post your link to my Facebook.
As for your photos once again you never fail to inspire breathtaking beauty.

Xoxo
Dore
I hope you received my last post comment.

Burlap Luxe said...

Hi again, oh Elizabeth I so love your cart and the slanted wheels, I too could find so many uses for the cart. What if you made beeswax dipped candles they could hang from your cart, in fact you could even buy the double strung candles and hang them on it for a photo shoot amongst the beehive fields :)
Linen hand towels could hang on all the rungs also. This cart is endless in use.

About the purse, I have ordered from Novica before when it was the big company with bloggers doing Giveaways I took interest in a linen robe, the robe was package in a heavy duty black linen covered box and tissue wrapped finely. I was amazed with the packaging as well.
Your saddle bag style purse is fabulous and truly look like your edgy artistic style. I thought it was great that you chose a man bag, sometimes the men's designs are so fitting for a ladies accessory. I have to let you in on my little secret, sometimes I will buy men's crisp white cotton button down dress casual shirts and where them oversized one shirttail tucked in and the rest hanging out just because I love the look and will often get the best compliments to as where did I buy my shirt? I also have been known to button them down on a kitchen chair pulling the selves around the back tieing together turning over sized white man shirts into little fun slip covers for my dinning kitchen chairs. Then I will tuck some lavender in the chest pocket for that little hidden scent.

I will post your link to my Facebook.
As for your photos once again you never fail to inspire breathtaking beauty.

Xoxo
Dore
I hope you received my last post comment.

Burlap Luxe said...

Hi Elizabeth, I linked you on my Facebook ...
Dore Callaway.

Xoxo
Dore

Glenda said...

Such a beautiful bag!

Carol said...

Oh my gosh, Elizabeth. I can almost smell the leather. I adore that smell. It's fabulous. I paid the folks at Novica a visit, and spied a couple of pretties. But I think I'd like a messenger bag of my very own as well. I'm putting it on my wish list. I think it would be perfect for a day of junking in Warrenton or the field in Brimfield. Thanks for sharing

Smiles,

Carol
jcdas@msn.com

maggiegracecreates said...

Good afternoon. I too love the vintage and tattered and am rapidly getting to a place in my life where I know that the beauty my soul craves is worth what I need to do to nourish it. Love the bag and would love to be included in the gift card giveaway - I also would be thrilled to have a tiny something from your hands as well. I've shared this post on my facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/teresa.atkinson.963

primjillie said...

What a gorgeous leather bag! I'm so attracted to real leather! I found myself admiring the most beat up, well loved leather suitcase at the airport this week. I wonder if they make leather luggage any more..........

Mountain Girl said...

Elizabeth, your site continually amazes me! I am a budding photographer and find so much inspiration from your photography that I can't say enough about it! Not to mention that I like you as a person! Thank you for the opportunity to be considered for the gift...
A faithful reader of your site,

Tani

Mountain Girl said...

Hello again!

I linked your article to my fledgling blog...www.thelighterburden.blogspot.com and added it to google+, AND you are added to my blog roll! Love your blog! For some reason my blog post with your link is displaying only the URL address and I don't seem to be able to get it to display as a one word link. Ugh. How do I get you my mailing address for the free gift which you are offering? Thank you for the offer, by the way. Tani

Mountain Girl said...

Elizabeth,

Sorry, I promise I'm not stalking your website...I just read on one of your posts that it would help if you had an email address to respond to. I tried to find a place to click over at the "typewriter", but nothing showed up. So..here's my email address should you need to contact me for any reason - mtngirlofco@gmail.com.
Regards,
Tani Carr
PS - I did look at the Novica site and it's wonderful! Love the rugs and purses.

Bohemian said...

Oh you crack me up and I NEEDED a good laugh! I was in Herb Heaven visiting your Post today and LOVE not only your fabu Drying Rack, but THAT WALL... so perfectly decayed, which is one of MY Favorite things... Derelict Decorating and Divine Decay... don't know why, have always been drawn to it in some Mysterious way and seen the Beauty of that which has been ravaged by Time.

Blessings from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian

Curtains in My Tree said...


I previously looked at the Novica site and I have bought from individual artist before, mostly baskets or jewelry

As far as the leather goes sometimes I think about how lots of our home items and food came from a slathered animal and it hurts to think about it, like right before I eat a grilled thick rib eye steak ( I think I could be a vegetarian easy enough) or see a beautiful leather jacket i want, sometimes I can resist and other times I try just not to think about it, because God provided those cows for us, ? right we all serve our purpose on this earth

Patty said...

Hi Elizabeth. I'm fixing to sit down to a nice steak myself! But first I wanted to do this. I'm just now seeing it (through Fiona & Twig) so I hope it's not too late. The only media I'm with is Pinterest, so I hope that will be acceptable for you for a little something extra from you. I love your style. I need to look for a way to follow you. Below is my link to where I have placed this on my pinterest board.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/17029304815907313/

Thank you, Elizabeth, for this exciting giveaway. If I win, here's my contact information:

Patty Soriano
PO Box 26
Castroville TX 78009
soriano471@sbcglobal.net

Elizabeth Maxson said...

Hi Patty!
So glad you visited! I can't believe you are from Castroville, TX! I lived there for about six years! Do you live in the old part of town? I lived in old farmhouse down the street from little convenient store. On Florence. What a small world!

Thanks for the link and I will be sending you a little thank you gift. I have had a few emails regarding this post as well.

Thanks again
Big hugs
Elizabeth

Elizabeth Maxson said...

To My Dear Readers:

A quick note to all until I can respond individually:

I JUST discovered quite a few comments that never made to my email! Have no idea what happened, but at least that explains why so few comments...I was beginning to think that my readers didn't find free gifts or a certificate very interesting! Ha-ha. And I was pretty sure I knew my readers and gifts pretty well. :-)

Thank you so much for visiting me!
Big Hugs
Elizabeth

Elizabeth Maxson said...

Thank you Kim for visiting me. I love the "potato children" name - how cute! I have to ask...did you marry a couch potato? hahahaha.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting the artisans on NOVICA ....there are some really neat stuff there.

Big hugs to you
Elizabeth

Elizabeth Maxson said...

Hi Dore!

I am catching up on lots of comments that never made it to me - thank you for writing me. I LOVE your shirt idea for the slipcover - how clever and lovely! And yes, I would love to learn how to make candles and hang them on the cart as well! I have used the care to hang my vintage lace trims, ribbons, and pieces when doing a project. When you wrote about the men's shirt, I thought you were going to say you wore them, and then I was going to write you back about men's underwear and how comfy they can be - but since you had such a lovely decorating idea with the shirt, and my underwear story isn't nearly as pretty - I will pass on the story. May be TMI....or maybe another story for another time.

I think you are fab.
Lots of hugs

Elizabeth

Elizabeth Maxson said...

Thank you Glenda - I've been using the bag ever since I got it, and I love it!

big hugs
elizabeth

Elizabeth Maxson said...

Hi Carol,

The bag is so comfy - not too big - not too small. I need to keep it on the "smaller" side as I will stuff it full! Yes, put it on the wish list - easy shopping for the gift giver.

Big hugs
elizabeth

Elizabeth Maxson said...

Hi Maggie,

I am always happy when others discover a need for their soul, and they finds ways to nourish it. Good for you!! Thanks for stopping by for a visit.

Big hugs
elizabeth

Elizabeth Maxson said...

Hello Primjillie,

I know, I love worn leather. It is a great bag - should put it on your wish list! :-)

Thanks for stopping by
big hugs
elizabeth

Elizabeth Maxson said...

Hello Tani,

I visited your blog and what a neat blog you have. And I have to ask - is that you and your hair in your image? I am so jealous of such a nice head of hair! :-) I laughed when you said you weren't stalking...so of course I had to go visit you. Thank you so much for the lovely comments - they brightened my evening.

big hugs
elizabeth

Elizabeth Maxson said...

Hi Dawn

Oh my gosh I was just at your blog, and was SOOO cracking up with your post!!!! So glad you stopped by and yes, I love that old worn out wall too. Funny, that kind of wall would have been a wall that my mother would have never found any beauty, but lots of reasons to "fix" it. hahaha.

Thanks for visiting
big hugs
elizabeth

Elizabeth Maxson said...

Hi Janice,

So nice to hear from you. While I would never condone cruelty to animals, we can all do our part in our own way...whether we become vegetarians, or eat only grass fed beef, or keep our own chickens...and so on. I also think doing our part by helping artisans with their craft - not a big thing, but over time, it honors the craft, the artist, and helps educate others when the comment on something we have bought from an artist, vs a big box store. I always enjoy your comments.

Big hug
elizabeth

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