Introducing men’s cuff links! I have been dreaming of introducing a men’s product into my line for years. I would get requests here and there for key chains or a necklace that was more manly but what I really wanted was a product that was specifically for men. I thought about the cuff link and did some research. Pretty quickly I realized I didn’t like the look of the manufactured backs and instead did some experimenting creating an entirely custom cuff link that had the signature OhSoANTSY look and was also entirely hand cut. After a few attempts I finally felt happy with what I had created. I made a set for Walker to wear on our wedding day and finally I get to share them with you! Just in time for Christmas also! Right now I have listing Michigan and Washington listed as well as a custom link for any state or country that I offer.
I can’t wait to see what you choose!
To celebrate I’m offering 15% off with code cufflinks15 through Wednesday!
I sometimes think to myself I really need to make a list of all the things in my life that I appreciate in an effort to focus on the good things and let those outweigh the negative thoughts in my mind. But like many things I think throughout the day I don’t act on it. It’s nice to have a day to remind me to stop and give thanks for all I have and all I appreciate. Happy Thanksgiving! In no particular order I am thankful for…
my family (goes without saying)
my husband! It’s our first Thanksgiving as husband and wife
my dad who says things like just book your trip home and I’ll drive you wherever you need to be
my mom who is always giving me new recipes to try and giving me unsolicited medical advice
my sister who I facetime with so we can catch up about life
my nephew who chooses to say octopus over aunt Jessica (we’re working on it)
my brother with his many talents including photography (he did the photos for my wedding)
my baby niece on the way (the first niece for Walker and I)
having the best wedding I could imagine that reflected Walker and I perfectly
spending a whole weekend with my loved ones celebrating a life long commitment to Walker
getting to have lunch in the Grand Hotel on our mini moon.
honeymooning in France and Portugal
this time of year when it’s cold and we get to cozy up inside
gathering of friends to appreciate good food and conversation
my handmade business and all those who support it
cheesy tv shows with love triangles
seasonal dark beers
finding miniature leaves on the ground for a special art project
having friends who you can call up to hang out last minute
having a husband who comes up with crazy ideas for the future
living in a city that is truly beautiful
all the people I’ve met through my online communities
all the friends I’ve met since moving to Seattle
a chance that it might snow when it gets cold
knitting and wine nights with my lady friends
happy hours with my husband (it’s still super weird to say)
traditions of any kind (West Coast Thanksgiving here we come!)
I have many, many more things to be thankful for and my heart really feels full.
I’m finally sharing my Belize pictures! We traveled there at the end of December but we took so many great pictures it was hard to decide which ones to share and how to break them up so I don’t overwhelm you. We left late at night on the 30th of December so we arrived in Belize City on New Year’s Eve (also the eve of my birthday). We rode the water taxi over to Caye Caulker. It was a pretty rough ride but luckily I didn’t get motion sick.
It was so incredible to be finally seeing the island we had researched so much about. The warm air felt so amazing and I got really excited seeing all the pretty blue water and coconut trees.
We found our taxi driver (golf cart driver) and got quickly settled into our cabana before finding something to eat. Our driver/caretaker for the week recommended Rosa’s for lunch. It’s one of the more touristy restaurants but the food was good and finally I was sipping on a tropical beverage. Ah…
After lunch we all agreed a nap was in order if we were going to party like the locals for New Year’s Eve. We rested up and later in the evening got all dressed up to go out. We found a fun place to have dinner and then made our way to The Split where just about everyone on the island was dancing and drinking and having a great time. We got some tropical drinks and hit the dance floor. It had been far too long since I just let loose and danced and it felt great.
After a while we realized it was almost midnight. We made our way closer to the water and everyone began to countdown. Walker had stepped into the water and I wanted to join but I was wearing strappy sandals (and not the water kind). I was frantically taking them off and trying to get to the water before the countdown ended. 3…2…1 I made it just in time! We yelled happy New Year and happy birthday to me and stood there arm in arm watching the fireworks display. It was pretty magical. There we were, we had just arrived in Belize that very day, we were standing with our feet in the Caribbean Sea, it was New Year’s Day, and fireworks were going off. Not to mention it was my first birthday ever to not have to wear a coat of any kind.
The next day, or rather later that day, for my birthday we had brunch, went and hung out by The Split, did a bit of exploring, and then had a bit of a strange dinner with a very pleasant ending. We had finished our meal and were getting ready to pay and leave when most of the lights went out. We all assumed it was just some sort of power failure until we saw a very lovely looking dessert with a candle on it headed our way. Everyone sang happy birthday and it was really special. Also the chocolate torte or whatever it was was so good.
Over the next couple of days we enjoyed the pool at our Cabana, we tried a lot of the island foods, we shopped around town, we went to a local basketball tournament (that was so much fun), and enjoyed the sun. Walker and I also went snorkeling one day but I think I’ll save that for another post.
On another day we decided we would just bike around the island and see what we could find. I think that was one of my favorite days. We biked around the less frequented part of the island so it was very relaxing. We also found the public dock which was pretty scary to walk on as you can see. But how beautiful is that water! I swam around for a little while and it felt so warm yet refreshing.
Oh my gosh the cutest puppy in a basket.
On our last night on Caye Caulker Walker and I discovered a little local restaurant really close to our Cabanas where we had one of the best meals on the island. We were a bit sad that we found it so late in our trip but at least we found it. It was the perfect way to end our time on the island.
I also made a custom gold Belize charm to wear while we were there which was really fun and when I got back it was a nice conversation piece.
