it's my party and i'll cry if i want to.

It's my birthday in a few weeks, and I am fully on the "treat yo'self" train nowadays. 

I don't think there's anything wrong with getting yourself something shiny and new on your big day, so here's what's in the running for a good old gift to myself:

1. New Printstagram Prints from Social Print Studio: These guys & gals are just the best. I have prints, a calendar, heck- even stickers from SPS. I haven't ordered anything in a while, and I think some new prints with new Instagram shots I've taken recently might just be what the doctor ordered.

2. The First Snow has the most gorgeous prints. I have one in my bedroom and this beautiful quote about The Compass would make a great addition!

3. Michael is pretty spot on when it comes to buying me jewelry, but that doesn't mean I can't still grab something for myself- like this ladylike bracelet!

4. I'm a bowl hoarder, I've turned into my mother. But I mean, these West Elm bowls are pretty fantastic, right?

5. DUDES. Have you seen Gap's new line of shoes? Just yes yes yes and yes all over again. I think these would be some pretty nice birthday kicks.

6. When I lived in Peru I read Pablo Neruda's Love Poems over and over in Spanish. They are poetic perfection and I don't own the full book...so this is currently the front runner in my "treat yo'self" birthday gift. I love (hah. punny) how Anthropologie made the cover of this book- just as romantic as what is inside!

7. I love the Pine Sophia studs I got for Christmas, and the Coral version are just as lovely. Loren Hope-you do good work, lady! 

If you feel like sending me something off this list, you just let me know and I'll send ya my new address. Kidding. But seriously.

So tell me: if you were to treat yo'self on your birthday- what would you get yourself?
I expect some fabulous answers here, friends!

xo, lp

etsy loves

I love Etsy.

[wow laura, way to make a generic and unoriginal statement]

No, but really.

I would say a GREAT majority of the gifts I've purchase for others (&myself) in the past two years have come from Etsy. I mean, if you're going to buy a creative print or jewelry, why not support awesome artists on Etsy? I could make a post 20+shops long, but these 4 are my favorite at the moment. Visit, click around, buy something pretty or inspiring & thank me later. 

--------------------------

Pen and Paint

When it comes to art, sometimes I feel like one Etsy shop runs into the next. Saying that seems funny, since art is supposedly such a personal and creative thing- but it seems like shop after shop comes up with the same typography charging ridiculous amounts for annoying "keep calm and ______" prints. Then I came across Pen and Paints through another blog, and my cynicism went away a little. Lindsay hand draws the images and then can digitally alter the following prints to the color you want. The vivid colors and inspiring words will have you hooked. You can see her drawing them if you click through her Etsy Shop. The best part, everything in her shop is around $20. I may or may not have bought 4 prints last night. Oops. Warning friends and family: I may have just ruined the surprise of your holiday/birthday gifts!

Find Pen and Paint on Twitter / Facebook / Blog 

to buy, click here

Christina M. Boutique

Y'all know I have an unhealthy love of jewelry. Chains have been everywhere lately, and I love the feminine spin Christina puts on them. If plain chains are your thing. you can get them for around $25, but if you like a little something extra, Christina has plenty of options. Most of her necklaces and bracelets feature different colors of ribbons (mint, neon, black- you name it!) and in case you question her fashion prowess- click through her Etsy shop to see just a few popular bloggers that have worn her baubles!

Find Christina M. Boutique on Facebook /  Twitter 

click here to buy! 

click here to  buy!

Steph Loves Ben

I love this shop. It's small, but it is so, so sweet. Stephanie's shop is full of sweet garlands & other homemade party decor. With baby showers, bridal showers, and birthday parties being more and more "DIYed", the personal touches seem to matter more and more. The best part? Stephanie will customize the colors/length/lettering for anything in her shop! I seriously want a collection of those colorful flag cupcake toppers. 

Find Steph Loves Ben on Facebook!

click here to buy!

click here to buy!

Rocks Paper Metal
WAIT. Before you go calling me unoriginal because they were recently featured on BaubleBar (shop special collection here) may I just say I actually did have them "favorited" on Etsy before that. Yeah. Great. Now you have me sounding like an annoying hipster saying "I listened to that band BEFORE they got mainstream".  Whatever. Tease away. Back on track: Diana and Kat have some seriously killer neon designs. Edgy, bright,  stunning; the items in their shop are the definition of "statement pieces". Their Tangelo Tear studs? Mine.
Find Rocks Paper Metal on Twitter/Facebook

click here to buy!

click here to buy!
PSST: these ladies are so cool that when i told them i was featuring their shop they said they'd offer all of you 10% off their shop! just use code RPMLOVESU at checkout! 
--------------------------------------------------------------

Which of the featured shops is your favorite?
...or is there another shop you'd recommend? 


xo, lp
* no, i wasn't paid or perked for this post, these are just some talented ladies with some awesome shops i thought i'd share! all pictures are from their respective etsy shops. why are you still reading this, go show them some love and tell 'em i sent you and say hi!