Sydney Pener

I have had the luxury to meet an AMAZING gal who is not only talented but is also one of the nicest people that I have ever met.  Sydney Pener is a metalsmith and jewelry designer who I met at Crafts and Drafts (a local KC event) after seeing some beautiful jewelry of hers at the Westport Art Fair.  I really like unique pieces of jewelry and when I came across this branch ring, I knew that I had to have it!

Luckily for me, Sydney is a metalsmith and she designs and makes jewelry in any material that your little heart desires.  This is great for me because I do not do well at all with Sterling Silver!  I wear jewelry all of the time and I wear my jewelry frequently (I am basically the girl who sets off metal detectors because I am always wearing so much of it) so therefore Sterling Silver turns colors on me very easily when I wear it. 

One of the things that I love about Sydney is that she teaches metalsmith classes at Johnson County Community College and her passion for teaching her craft to others truly inspires me.  Seriously, I wish that I was that talented!  Anyway, I wanted my branch ring to be in yellow gold and she told me that if I had any old jewelry that she could melt it down to make my ring and that it would save on costs!  And anyone who know me knows that I am the type of person who LOVES to save money anywhere I can!

The final product was amazing (see above) and I get so many compliments on my branch ring!  If you are looking for a one of a kind piece, Sydney can probably make it for you!  She has her own studio in KC and since she designs and constructs the jewelry, she will work with you to help create your one of a kind piece!  Here are some pics that I have of Sydney making my ring-it is truly an art!  Happy Shopping!

 Sydney Pener
Metalsmith and Jewelery Designer
(816) 718-6510
sydneypener@sbcglobal.net

Vintage Eats N Sweets (Best Povitica Ever)

Last weekend, my family celebrated our Zuptich Family reunion!  My mom did all of the work (I really don't know how she did it) and we had a big fat Croation family reunion!  I had one job, which was to provide the povitica (a sweet Croation bread), which is essential to have at any Croation event!  Many of my family members asked me if I would be making the povitica to which I politely responded, "Do you want Good Povitica or Bad Povitica?"  Ofcourse, my family responded that they wanted good povitica and that is why I called Greg and Patti from Vintage Eats N Sweets and ordered 3 large loaves.

Greg also comes from a big Croation family and he makes the best povitica (just like my Grandma made it).  You can order the povitica for $25 a loaf (and let me tell ya they are huge loaves).  Vintage Eats N Sweets is located on the top floor of Bella Patina every first weekend of every month.   They not only serve povitica in their restaurant but also cabbage roll casserole as well as many other Croation favorites!  The Family Reunion was a success and as you can tell by the photo above (half of the povitica was already gone before I could even get a picture of it).  The family reunion was a success and I really want to take the time to thank not only my mother who organized it, but also to Greg and Patti, who helped make our Croation family reunion a success by providing some of the best povitica that my family and I has ever had!  You can order povitica from Greg and Patti by contacting them below!  Vintage Eats N Sweets is definitely a hidden gem that you have to experience!  Happy Eating!


Bella Patina (Open every first weekend of every month)
1320 W 12th Street Kansas City, MO 64101.
Contact: Greg and Patti at (913) 522-0567
Email: vintageeatsnsweets@yahoo.com

Industrial Shoe Rack (Home Goods)

One of the things that drives me absolutely crazy is the number of times a day that I am picking up shoes in our house and putting them away.  My husband and I don't even have any kids yet and it always feels like there are shoes scattered everywhere in our house.  Also, when we get home we both leave our shoes by the entry way door from the garage.  I thought it was a good idea to leave our shoes there so we didn't track mud in the house but by the end of the week there were 5 different pairs of shoes by the door (mostly mine since my husband only owns 6 pairs of shoes total).  Also, I would find myself putting his shoes away in our upstairs closet only to find him looking for a certain pair as he was leaving for work the next morning.  It was a mess.  So finally one weekend, my hubby and I decided to go to Home Goods on State Line Road and look for a shoe rack.  We wanted a durable cabinet that could hold a good number of shoes and that also fit in our laundry room on the main floor close to the garage.  This was no easy task but we came across this one and we both liked it.  It has an industrial look with the metal and the wood and it is very sturdy.  It holds 9 pairs of shoes and you can also put things on the top of the cabinet which makes it nice.  Plus, it was very reasonable in price since Home Goods has great deals.  Overall, this has totally solved our shoe problems.  I am kind of glad we figured out this issue before we had kids because there will be even more shoes added to the mix in the future.  Problem Solved. 

http://www.homegoods.com

The Jeweled Gypsy

My husband and I went to Porchfest KC last weekend and while we were listing to some really great music, I discovered the greatest thing ever: The Jeweled Gypsy.  The Jeweled Gypsy is a mobile fashion truck that sells jewelry, purses, scarves, and even sunglasses.  The Jeweled Gypsy is also getting ready to feature a men's line as well.  The Jeweled Gypsy is owned by two lovely local ladies from KC, Janet Schmutzler and her future daughter-in-law, Kristi Sargent.

Ofcourse the fashion truck has a name, which is "Esmerelda," and you can book her for private parties.  One of the great things about the private parties is that it is free to host a party with the Jeweled Gypsy and the host receives a free gift and a $20 in store credit for every $250 in sales.  The Jeweled Gypsy requires at least 8 guests for their private parties and it is a great way to get your friends together and do what every girl does best: Shop!

The Jeweled Gypsy also carries jewelry from local KC designers, which I love.  One of these designers that The Jeweled Gypsy carries is local Columbia, Missouri native, Lily Dawson.  Her jewelry line is amazing and here are some of her pieces that The Jeweled Gypsy carries.

I highly recommend shopping at The Jeweled Gypsy.  Their innovative fashion truck, "Esmerelda," is so amazing and I guarantee that you won't leave empty handed.  To find out where The Jeweled Gypsy will be located in the KC area or to book a private party, please check out the Jeweled Gypsy facebook page or feel free to contact them directly.  Happy Shopping!

The Jeweled Gypsy
Janet Schmutzler and Kristi Sargent-Owners
https://www.facebook.com/thejeweledgypsykc
(816) 752-0586
thejeweledgypsykc@gmail.com

Gigi Moon Gems

For those of you who don't know me, I really really LOVE jewelry.  I am that girl who always sets the metal detectors off because I am wearing so much of it!  Even as a kid, I remember finding my mom's diamond engagement ring in her dresser drawer and wearing it.  I was about 8 at the time and I remember that I wore it all day.  I remember going out to eat that evening at Barbosa's Castillo (best mexican restaurant in St. Joseph, MO) and my mom discovering her engagement ring on my little finger as I was eating.  I remember telling her that I found it in her dresser drawer and that I loved it and that I was keeping it forever.  She quickly demanded it back and I remember getting a long lecture that day.  Needless to say, my passion for jewelry goes WAY back.

Last Friday night, my husband and I were at First Fridays down at the Crossroads in KC and I wanted to find Gigi Moon Gems, which is owned by the very beautiful and very talented Garnet Griebel Booth.  Her studio is located on the second floor of the Bauer building and she has so many AMAZING pieces.  There were a lot of people in her studio looking at and buying her jewelry and ofcourse I found something that I couldn't live without!  I ended up snagging this amazing oval turquoise ring that sits in this crown-like copper base!  I am so in love with it!

The jewelry at Gigi Moon Gems is very reasonable in price and I love knowing that it is designed by a local KC artist.  Here are several other pieces that I am kind of obsessed with.

Feel free to check out Gigi Moon Gems on etsy and facebook (listed below).  Gigi Moon Gems' website is currently being constructed but it will be up soon.  I definitely recommend Gigi Moon Gems because not only is Garnet's jewelry AMAZING, but it is designed right here in the heart of KC!  Happy Shopping!


Gigi Moon Gems
Garnet Griebel Booth-Owner
The Bauer Building
115 W. 18th Street Suite 205
Kansas City, Missouri 64108

gigimoongems@gmail.com

816-914-5739

https://www.etsy.com/shop/GigiMoonGemstones

https://www.facebook.com/GigiMoonGems

www.gigimoon.com

Very Violet Boutique in Lee's Summit, Missouri

Another stop that I made when I was in Lee's Summit, Missouri was Very Violet Boutique.  This hidden gem is located in a rustic home and features re-purposed furniture, home decor, and jewelry created by local artists.  This store is AMAZING and has many pieces to choose from.  You know from my blog that I love shopping local and this hidden gem in Lee's Summit, Missouri is a place that you will find many unique treasures for your home.

 I ended up snagging a really cute tote-purse shaped chicken wire basket that hangs on the wall.  It is really cute and I plan on putting pine cones in it during the holiday season!  I strongly recommend visiting Very Violet Boutique in Lee's Summit, Missouri.  It is definitely a hidden gem.  Happy Shopping!


Very Violet Boutique
111 SW 2nd St
Lees Summit, MO. 64063
(816) 434-5513
www.veryvioletboutique.com

Cameron's Home Furnishings in Lee's Summit, Missouri

This past weekend, my husband and I decided to explore different cities in the Kansas City area and we ended up in Lee's Summit, Missouri for the day!  We had never been there before and when we arrived in downtown Lee's Summit, we discovered that they were having their annual Downtown Days festival.  There are so many amazing local businesses in downtown Lee's Summit and all of the people there were so friendly and helpful.

One of the stores that we came across that I absolutely fell in love with was Cameron's Home Furnishings, which is located in downtown Lee's Summit Missouri.  They have the most amazing home decor and I had the opportunity to meet the lovely couple who owns the store as well as their two beautiful daughters.   I can tell you that this family puts a lot of love into their store!  They have so many unique pieces at Cameron's and I immediately fell in love with this distressed white cabinet that is shown below.

Cameron's Home Furnishings also carries I Heart KC socks, which I am kind of obsessed with!  I mean you don't fully support KC until you rock these AMAZING socks to work!  I am thinking of snagging some for my husband the next time that I am in.

If you are ever in the Lee's Summit area, you have to check out Cameron's Home Furnishings.  It is a local business owned by amazing people who put a lot of love into their store!  You won't be disappointed!  Happy Shopping!

Cameron's Home Furnishings

Address: 26 SE 3rd St, Lee's Summit, MO 64063

Phone:816-554-9190

https://www.facebook.com/cameronshomefurnishings