Thanks x 30,000!!!!!

A few days ago, I realized we were on the verge of reaching 30,000 views for the month of March in our Etsy shop. I am normally not super concerned with the amount of views in our shop, but for some reason, this seemed like it was pretty momentous. I mean, when we started this adventure, in June of 2011, we had 12,513 views in our shop. Which was an incredible amount. We were head over heels with that.

We have had a lot of ups and downs in our shop, some months where we didn't make enough money to pay our rent, and others when we we couldn't keep up with orders. We can barely keep up now, barely. And are so freaking grateful for it.

Well, thanks to our support group of Twitter and Facebook and Etsy, RTs, sharing the link to our shop on facebook and your blogs, and super high fives across miles and states, we reached 30,000 views for the month of March. Yes, THIRTY THOUSAND!!!!!

To say thank you, we are offering 30% off for the next 30 hours with the coupon code THIRTY in our Etsy shop! I can't even tell you how full my heart is. It makes us want to work harder, make more amazing sunglasses and products, and give y'all more and more coupon codes for being so awesome!! THANK YOU!!!

xo,

Beca & Doug

What I Wore // Black, White and Yellow on Lookout Mountain

Remember when I told you I didn't want to do these anymore, well, I lied. Okay, that's harsh, I didn't lie, I just didn't want to feel pressured to look a certain way so I could take photos to fit into some circle of fashion bloggers, or whatever.

I love this outfit though. Like, I love the hell out of it and wear it all the time, so Doug snapped some photos of me while we were exploring a part of Lookout Mountain that we may or may not have been allowed to be exploring...

Doug's niece is visiting this weekend and we took a half day to go to the Aquarium {LOVE} and then drove up the mountain behind our house through the fog and looked over the city. I feel so lucky to live on a mountain and be so close to so many amazing natural wonders.

{Dress: Thrifted for $2 originally Apostrophe //Sweater: Ross, I think // Leggins: F21 // Boots: Target // Hair Bow: The Dainty Woods}

THE A R C H E R

My parents got divorced when I was 8 years old. I lived primarily with my Mom, and visiting my Dad every other weekend. We are very similar. In more ways than I ever noticed until Doug pointed it out at my Dad's last visit. We are both anxious and deep thinkers. Worriers and dreamers. When my Dad moved us out to Arizona from Georgia, he had big plans. They may not have worked out how he thought, but he was, and is a good father. Caring and kind, sensitive and supportive.

When I think about my Dad, a few things come to mind. Our cross country trip to Michigan. Our golden retriever Honey Royal. His 67 Porsche. Archery. My Dad used to take me to the archery range every other Friday night to shoot arrows. I looked forward to it. Our walk through the red mountains of Scottsdale to the range, the stacked bales of hay, running out to grab the arrows and running back as quickly as possible. The hours of just talking to me Dad, whether it was good or bad, it was talk. Now, every time I get the bow out, I think of my dad.

Yesterday, Doug and I took an outing to The Sportsman's Warehouse so he could stock up on fly fishing gear/supplies and he picked up some practice arrows for me. Living on the mountain, we can pretty much do what we want in our backyard. I set up some targets and after such a stressful day today, spent an hour shooting arrows into the mountainside. It really turned my day around and of course, made me think of my Dad.

I know with the Hunger Games being all the rage {I can't lie, I haven't read it or seen it...} that archery is becoming more popular. Have you ever done archery? Did you love it or hate it? What do you do to relieve stress?

We're getting ready to go eat dinner and see a movie, I am excited to get out of the house and do something fun!

xo,

Beca

Friendships and Other Battles of the Heart

I know I am not alone in this quest of mid-20s friendship, but I have been feeling weighted by its importance in the last few months. To preface, I don't know how to explain how I am with friendships. I am shy. An awkward shy that is hidden by my tendency to talk to much about nothing, stutter and constantly adjust my hair/glasses/boots/purse. It doesn't help that I am incredibly insecure. That doesn't make friendships easy. Nor does moving to a new place, where I work at home, and could not leave the house in a week except to go to the post office and not notice.

I don't have a lot of experience with friendships. I had a relatively sheltered childhood of being the perpetual only child-loner-book worm, met trauma at a young age, entered adulthood pretty late, and jumped right into the social cesspool of after-college HOW THE HELL DO I MAKE FRIENDS IN THIS BIG GIANT WORLD stage. I tried the party-friend-path. I tried the work-friends-road. I tried the roommates-so-we-must-be-friends route. I have had failure with all of them. Am I too judgmental? {sometimes} Am I annoying? {probably} Am I too honest, or say whats on my mind too much? {absolutely} Do I get too comfortable? {maybe} Am I just a weirdo? {yes}

I spent a long time wondering if I was just a crappy friend-roommate-boss {note to self: don't ever try to be best friends with your employees/co-workers while y'all work together, it's oil and water.} And I went through a phase where I surrounded myself with people who I didn't necessarily get along with because I just wanted that companionship. I'm too transparent for that and I'm sure I have hurt feelings and burned bridges...I'm sorry for that. But then, I met Doug. My very best friend in the entire universe. The person who I have to, want nothing more than, no question about it, will spend the rest of my life with. Not to be a big cheese ball, but my soul mate. Doug, unlike me, has lots of friends. He is social and friendly and easy to get along with. So, of course, I made a huge effort to befriend his friends. Some I clicked with perfectly and still consider some of my closest friends. Others, well, they made me question myself again. Am I that crappy of a person that they can't stand me. They want nothing to do with me? Or wait, news flash, we don't have to be best friends. I have realized in the past few months that I shouldn't have to TRY to be someones friend. I shouldn't have to be anything other than my big, beautiful self. Full glory. Not really, I mean some discretion is appreciated. But I am going to be 27 in just a few short months. I refuse to walk on egg shells. I refuse to be silent and made to feel excluded or out of place. No matter how much I want friends, I don't deserve that.

BUT, I am not innocent. I have no filter. If you know me in real life, I will say just about anything that comes to mind, and not realize that it could be hurtful. I wear my heart on my sleeve, and I can't pretend to be stoked if I'm not. I can't fake it. I just can't. And my insecurities can turn me into a total brat. And there in lies the problem. As a grown up, I should know how to do this. I shouldn't be all willy nilly with my thoughts and words. So since we moved to Chattanooga, I have made a few vows to myself when it comes to friendships. I want to make friends. I want to go on coffee dates and go thrifting and go on bike rides. I want someone to talk to face to face about nothing and everything. Girlfriend stuff.

I will make a conscious effort to not be an awkward mess when we go out. I wont hide in Doug's shadow and I will be open to meeting new people. I will not be judgmental. I will not always say exactly what I am thinking, because to be quite frank, it just isn't necessary. I will be kind, I will be true to myself, and I will be the best friend I know how to be. I have nightmares about a few unfortunate events that took place in the past few years that burned down bridges bigger than the golden gate. I beat myself up. I want to say I'm sorry. I want to be told "I'm sorry too." But since forced friendships that have been broken have no real chance of repair, since words that were said can't be taken back, and since I'm making one hell of an effort to learn from it, the future is bright and clear.

Moving to a new state, where I don't know a soul, has been scary. But in a good way. We work at home, don't have any clear schedule. Doug has skateboarding, which is kind of like instant friend magic. And I have blogging. Oh Lord, I love blogging if only for the amazing friendships that I have cultivated. Blogging has taught me that the friends I need in my life are out there and they exist. Too bad we don't live next door to each other, but thank you for being in my life.

I can only hope that I make friends here that I mesh with. I hope that I can be brave. I plan on being generous with my friendships this year and in this place. How do you make friends? Have you had trouble maintaining friendships? Any tips or advice for a super awkward blogger in the world of making and maintain new friendships? This topic has been ablaze in my heart for a while and I would love to hear how you feel.

xo,

Beca

ps. I just wanted to share that recently, I texted an old friend {who I had a falling out with} while Doug and I were driving through New Orleans, where she moved to. I told her I missed her and I was sorry for everything that caused us to stop being friends and that I loved the shit out of her. It felt so good, that I didn't even need for her to write back. But she did and it made my whole year. If you're missing an old friend, maybe that's the secret to filling that little hole in your heart. I suggest it, big time!

Gold Luster, Turquoise and Sapele

{Sid's Turquoise and Sapele Wayfarer}

We can't help ourselves, we love stones and rocks, almost as much as we love wood and veneer. And after the incredible response we got from the first pair, and listening to feedback, we decided to make the wayfarers with a black frame. Doug also used a beautiful gold luster to fill in the cracks and give them a bit of sparkle. They really do shimmer just enough to make you feel fancy.

The Sapele {suh-pee-leh} is a softer veneer than mahogany and has a bit of shimmer to it too. We thought we should just go all out with these and make them as unique and stand alone as possible! I think it worked!

We're so proud of these, and can't wait to make more! It's so crazy to think that the possibilities are endless when it comes to what we do. Wood, stone, snakeskin, who knows whats next! Hope you love them too!

Happy Tuesday!

xo,

Beca & Doug

H I A T U S

{via 4Four}

Can you believe it's been 11 days since I last made a peep on here. I guess I needed a break, but I'm back, and you'll be seeing some serious changes on here in the coming days. Don't be alarmed, it's all for the better. We're here in Tennessee and happy as clams. So many plans for the future, of our lives and our business. I also have a new direction I want to go in with this space. I hope you'll stick around to see where we go, it will be an adventure, I'm sure.

What have you been doing with yourselves? Leave me a comment and make my heart full. I've missed you more than you know.

xo,

Beca

A Photo an Hour - March Edition

9am / We eat breakfast and drink strong coffee

9:30am / Walk to the post office

10:30am / On the phone with utilities for our new house

11:30am / Emails and Convos

12:00pm / Packing up a load to take to storage

1:00pm / Lunch at the American Legion

2:00pm / Back to work

4:00pm / A snack of pickled beets

5:30pm / Bleaching some deer teeth and Alligator Gar Skulls

6:00 / Treasure hunting in the woods

7:00pm / Cracklins while we drive home (are cracklins a southern thing? It's deep fried pork fat. I know it sounds so gross, but it's really pretty amazing. If you're into that kind of thing.

7:15pm / A quiet moment on the dock

8:30pm / Making biscuits

9:00pm-6:00am / Work. I didn't take photos of that.

xo,

Beca

Link up if you did a photo an hour in the comments!

Greek Yogurt Biscuit

My sis-in-law found this amazing recipe for greek yogurt buscuits and we finally got a chance to try them out last night and sweet baby J, they are amazing. I couldn't wait to take photos this morning and share the recipe with you.

It's super duper easy, and you probably have everything you need to make them.

1 1/4 cup of greek yogurt

TBSP of honey

Pinch of Salt

1 1/4 Self Rising Flour

Directions: Whisk your flour and salt together and create a well in the bowl for your yogurt and honey, Use a fork and fold the flour into the yogurt until it is crumbly and forms a dough. Be careful to not over work it, your biscuits will not rise if they are over worked. Throw your dough out on a floured surface and press it out with your palm until it is about 1/2 inch thick, or a smidge thicker. Cut out 2 inch circles without twisting the cutter/jar lid. Lay out on greased baking pan and bake at 450 for 10-12 minutes.

Enjoy with homemade apple butter or honey drizzle!

xo,

Beca

PS If you're interested, this biscuit is only 98 calories and 2 grams of fat. Huzzzzzah!

Sid's Turquoise and Mahogany Wayfarers

Oh hello! I know I told you that we had a few more things us our sleeves...I wasn't kidding. Don't worry all y'all people waiting for your orders to arrive on your doorstep, we are working into the night on those, but Doug took some time in addition to his regular work days the last few days to finish these beauties. The really, really special thing is that they are the only ones, ever. Like ever EVER. We may do something similar on black frames, and certainly will be working more with turquoise, but since we just used our last aqua frames for a special lady and don't plan on getting any more any time soon, this is it my friends. Here are Sid's Turquoise and Mahogany Wayfarers.

These are made with the Turquoise that we got from Sid and hold a special place in our heart. It's going to be hard to let them go...but I can't wait for them to find their forever home. Just wanted to share that with you. We're busy burning the midnight oil tonight. Happy Monday!

xo,

Beca

Homemade Mini Eclairs

This afternoon, Doug and I took a break from work and headed over to his mom's house to spend some time with his niece before she headed back to Tallahassee. We were watching sweet genius (the worst show ever!) and Moe and Doug both said they wanted something sweet. Doug wanted something chocolate, or pudding, and Moe wanted Bavarian cream and chocolate. I don't want anything unless it's Sprite and Cough Drops, but instead of being a lump on the couch, I said "Eclairs?" Both of their eyes lit up and they asked where we could get eclairs in town. I scoffed and got off the couch and got busy.

If you've never made Pate a Choux before, it isn't always a walk in the park. It can be temperamental. Here is my go to recipe, and it's certainly one of those recipes you need to read the steps before you get started.

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F.

Heat on the saucepan 1/2 cup of butter and one cup of water until melted completely.

Use a WOODEN SPOON (I can't stress this enough, don't use a whisk, don't use anything other than a wooden spoon) and stir in a pinch of salt and one cup of flour. You can gradually add in the flour and stir as the pastry dough creates a ball and pulls away from the pan.

Take off the heat and add your dough to your mixer. Use your dough hook and start on slow (Kitchenaid setting 2-3) and add in 4 eggs, one at a time. don't add them all at once because the heat of the dough will start cooking the eggs before the mix. Turn your mixer up to Med (5) and mix for a few moments until combined.

Use a round pastry tip in a pastry bag and spoon your mixture into bag.

Pipe your dough onto a greased baking sheet, about 2 inches long, and about 1 inch away from each other. Should make about 15 shells.

Bake at 450 for 15 minutes, and then turn down you heat to 300 and bake for another 20 minutes. Your shell should be hollow and airy. If you can pick up your shell and tap the bottom and it isn't soft, then you have succeeded.

If your shell is still doughy, then turn your oven off and close the door. Let your shells dry out for a good 5-10 minutes, checking them often.

Let your shells cool completely. While they are cooling, start your fillings and ganache.

I use one cup of heavy cream and about a cup or so of chocolate chips. Heat your heavy cream in saucepan until it is simmering. Take it off the burner and whisk in chocolate chips until your ganache is thick and dark.

For the filling, heavy whipping cream, whipped to it's finest. Instant pudding. Easy peasy.

Fill your shells and enjoy the heck out of them! You deserve it!

Happy Sunday!

xo,

Beca