What I've Been Up To

Hello Gorgeous! Long time, no see! As you probably know, my schedule has been extremely busy lately, but I wanted to take a few minutes to share some of the fun things I've been up to. Of course, most of my time has been devoted to school (I defend my masters in just 8 days), but here are some of the highlights from the past month!


My fiance and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary!

And I wore this little number to our celebratory dinner. This Free People dress was also featured in a post back in May. Here I styled it with my new boots by Nicole and a tan cardy.

I also went to Seattle for a conference!

And drank an average of 2.5 lattes each day...

And found this huge ass leaf. :)

And this past weekend I took my etsy shop on the road as I participated in my first craft fair! I made lots of new designs in preparation. Here are just a few:

Paracord Survival Bracelet - $10

Braided Triple Wrap Bracelet - $20

Beaded Adjustable Macrame Bracelet - $18

By the way, Black Friday & Cyber Monday are just around the corner and I will be offering some great deals! On Friday, you can get 10% off plus FREE SHIPPING with code BLKFRISHIP! There will be other deals on Shop Small Saturday and Cyber Monday as well, but the deal on Friday will definitely be the best, so be sure to shop my etsy store, Tara Lane Designs, on Friday!


So that's what I've been up to! What have you all been doing lately? I've been missing you!

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More Wedding Ideas

Good Morning, Gorgeous! I have been procrastinating on my work this morning by browsing Etsy for some great wedding ideas! I created a list of some of my favorite finds, and wanted to share them with you!

Click here to see my original list and check out each gorgeous item!

I love the idea of having lots of personal touches, and the contrast of nature and luxury. What do you think of these finds? Which are your favorite? I'd love some feedback!

Also, don't forget- there are only a few days left to enter the Jezzy Belle's Vintage Giveaway!

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Bracelets & Necklaces & Earrings... Oh My!

Hello Beauties! Over the last couple weeks I have added a lot of new items to my Etsy shop and wanted to share a handful of them with you! While bracelets are still my primary business, I've been trying to add more necklaces and earrings as well. Plus, I decided to sign up for a craft fair in November, so I need to have lots of baubles ready by then! Here are some of the most recent additions to my Etsy store, Tara Lane Designs:

I hope you all enjoy being periodically updated on the progress of my shop and love my creations just as much as I do! I really love having a creative outlet and making things with my own two hands. I think the gratification received from creating something on your own is some of the best there is, and I am glad I can share this passion with others!


Also, if you're in the Chicagoland area and are interested in coming to the craft fair I'll be participating in, it will be Sunday, November 20th from 10:00am-3:00pm at the Holiday Inn North Shore which is at 5300 W. Touhy in Skokie, IL. Admission is just $3 if you purchase tickets in advance, or $5 at the door. I'm a little nervous about the fair, but also really excited to try out a new avenue for selling my designs. I love talking to people both online and in real life, so I'm sure I will enjoy myself. Stop on by if you're in the area! I'd love to see you there!

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Jezzy Belle's Vintage Giveaway!

Hello Lovelies! I have some exciting news! My newest sponsor, Jezzy Belle's Vintage, is giving away $30 store credit to one of my fabulous readers! Jezzy Belle's has amazing vintage clothes, shoes, accessories, and house wares, so everyone will be sure to find something they love! Here are a few items that are $30 or less that I would love to have (in addition to everything I featured last week)!

This blue suede skirt ($27.50) would be perfect this fall! Not only are leather skirts popular this year, but bright jewel tones are also in, making this skirt doubly trendy!

This genuine eel skin handbag would also be great for fall and is just $12!

This khaki smock dress ($30) is actually a rare plus size vintage find, and I love the neckline detail!

Of course, I might not limit myself to just $30 since there are so many gorgeous treasures at Jezzy Belle's! If I were to spend a little more, I would love to have this:

This mod mini dress is yet another double threat as it is both color blocked and features colors like mustard yellow that are super trendy this season!

So those are a few things that I would get, but since I can't win, I want to know what you would get if you won!!! This is an international giveaway, so all are welcome to enter!

Here's How to Enter:

Mandatory Entry- You should be a public follower of Haute Lunch via Google Friend Connect (see sidebar) to enter. New followers are welcome!

• Visit Jezzy Belle's Vintage and tell me which item(s) you would buy if you won $30 store credit.

Additional Entries-

• Add Jezzy Belle's to your favorite shops on Etsy (1 entry).
• Follow Jezzy Belle's on Twitter and leave your twitter name in your comment (1 entry).
• Follow Jezzy Belle's blog, Fancy NoPants via Bloglovin' (1 entry).
• Like Haute Lunch on Facebook and leave your user name in your comment (1 entry).
• Follow Haute Lunch on Twitter and leave your twitter name in your comment (1 entry).
• Tweet this message and leave a link to your tweet in the comment: "Enter to win a $30 Jezzy Belle's Vintage Store Credit from @haute_lunch! http://bit.ly/pikkVK #etsy #vintage #giveaway" (1 entry).

*Please leave a separate comment for each entry. You can submit up to 7 entries total. See below for contest rules and deadlines.

Rules: Only one of each entry method listed per person/family/household. No entering on behalf of others, using extra identities or others identities, no automated program entries, etc. This giveaway is only internationally, ages 18+. All entries must be received by 11:59 pm Central Time on Monday, October 3, 2011. Three winning entries will be chosen using random.org and winner will be contacted via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to claim the prize. If no response, a new winner will be chosen. Good luck!

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Labor Day Sale!

Hello Lovelies! Besides long weekends and spending time with friends and family, one of my favorite things about holidays like Labor Day is the fact that there are always lots of amazing sales. Lucky for you all, I've decided to have a Labor Day sale of my own! Now through Monday night you can save 15% off anything in my Etsy store with code LABORDAY2011!

Even if you're not looking for a new bauble yourself, each piece comes wrapped in its own box with a little bow so you can send your bestie something extra special! Head on over to Tara Lane Designs now, and be sure to use the code LABORDAY2011 at checkout for your 15% discount!

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Etsy Love

Hello Gorgeous! Since I've been selling my jewelry on Etsy, I've been spending a lot more time on there than I used to. Not only have I been lucky enough to have people like (and buy) my designs, but I've found work by other artists and crafters that I absolutely adore! Here are some of my most recent favorites I've found while browsing around on Etsy.

Fancy Shoe Clips- I might need a pair of these for my wedding!

Hand Painted Silk Blouse

Two Tone Tote Bag

State Charm Necklaces - I asked my fiance to buy me the one of my home state: Indiana!

Hoot Owl Note Cards - So adorable!

Handcrafted Ring

Leather Ballerina Slippers - I love the champagne color!

Ikat Clutch in Blue with Ruby Leather - Love the pattern (this store is one of my favorites; her clutches are amazing)!

Have any of you made purchases off Etsy? Do you admire the handmade goods as much as I do? What are some of your favorites? I'd love to see what you all have been admiring! If you have an Etsy account, add me to your circle so we can share our faves!

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Keeping Busy

Hello Friends! Since I found out about the loss of my childhood pet this morning, I have been doing my best to stay positive, but it isn't easy. Luckily, I have a lot of friends (both online and in real life) who have been cheering me up. I've also been creating some new items for my Etsy shop to keep my mind off Sneaker. I honestly didn't feel up to being in public today as I was afraid I would spontaneously break out in tears, and I also couldn't focus enough to do anything requiring a ton of brain power, so making jewelry was probably the best option for me. Here are some of the items I recently added to my Etsy store. 

Sailor Knot Bracelet

Woven Bracelet Set

Three Strand Chain Necklace

Woven Leather Bracelet

Purple Silk Wrap Bracelet

Orange & Green Silk Wrap Bracelet

Which ones do you like best? Also, don't forget to enter my giveaway for your chance to win your choice of bracelet or necklace from my shop! Thanks again for being such fabulous friends!

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Tara Lane Designs Esty Store Giveaway!

This giveaway has ended. See the Giveaways page for a list of current giveaways.

Hello Gorgeous! To celebrate the grand opening of my Etsy shop, Tara Lane Designs, I am offering one lucky reader their choice of any single bracelet or necklace from my shop! Here are some of my current handmade creations you can choose from:

Woven Chain & Chevron Combo Friendship Bracelet

Silver Tone Charm Necklace

Braided Stitch Friendship Bracelet

How to Enter:

This giveaway ends Wednesday, August 10th at 11:59pm CST.  Open to all followers (international).

*Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

Mandatory Entry- Publicly follow Haute Lunch via Google Friend Connect (see sidebar to follow) and visit my Etsy Shop, Tara Lane Designs. Leave a comment telling me which item you would choose if you won.

Additional Entries-

• Follow Haute Lunch on Twitter and  tweet the following: "Enter to win your choice of handmade jewelry by Tara Lane Designs via @haute_lunch! http://bit.ly/pY7KPd #etsy #giveaway! " - leave a link to your tweet in your comment (1 entry).
• Add Tara Lane Designs to your "Favorite Shops" on Etsy and leave a comment telling me you did so along with your Etsy user name (1 entry).
• Like Haute Lunch on Facebook and leave your user name in your comment (1 entry).

Rules: Only one of each entry method listed per person/family/household. No entering on behalf of others, using extra identities or others identities, no automated program entries, etc. This giveaway is only open internationally, ages 18+. All entries must be received by 11:59 pm Central Time on Wednesday, August 10, 2011. Winning entry will be chosen using random.org and winner will be contacted via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to claim the prize. If no response, a new winner will be chosen. Good luck!

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New Etsy Shop Now Open

Hello Lovelies! I'm so excited to announce that my Etsy shop, Tara Lane Designs, is now open for business! Currently, there are several bracelets and one necklace available, but I will be adding items regularly. Also, I am taking custom requests, so if you see something you like, but want to have it made using different colors, etc, just send me a message on Etsy or email me (hautelunchinfo@gmail.com) and I can create and reserve your one-of-a-kind piece! Here are a few of the items currently for sale in my shop:

Woven Coral & Purple Curb Link Bracelet

Multicolored Wrapped Bangle Bracelet

Embellished Chevron Friendship Bracelet

Also, as a thank you to all my fabulous followers, I am offering a 10% off through July! Just enter the code HAUTELUNCHJULY at checkout! Thanks for all your support! I hope you enjoy my creations!

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