Today is my munchkin’s last full day of school for the year. I know a lot of you have kids who have been home on summer vacation for a few weeks now, but we’re just starting to get into summer mode here in the northeast.

For me, summer = beach. Even if we don’t get there nearly as much as we’d like to, I like to surround myself with as much beachiness (yes, I’ve made that a word now) as possible.

It’s so soothing and relaxing and, I don’t know about you, but I need that when the kids are home, hanging from my thigh and asking me what we can do next. Hell, with or without kids we can all use a little relaxation, no?

I collected a group of fun, handmade, beach-themed Etsy finds that can make you feel like you’re at the beach no matter how close you are to the coast. Enjoy…

April showers bring May flowers.

Well, as long as those showers aren’t of the fluffy, white variety, I’m totally cool with that. Better yet if they’re in the form of cute handmade goods instead of the real wet stuff.

I’m not sure what it is about clouds and raindrops in product form, but I find them unbearably adorable. Whether they wear smiling faces or not, something about them makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. Which is weird considering the real wet stuff does nothing for me–unless making my hair fuzzy counts (I don’t really think it does).

Anyway, the onset of April sent me on a hunt for handmade rain-themed pieces. I rounded up a bunch of my favorites for this edition of Etsy Finds:

It’s starting to look like spring is planning to peek out from behind the snow here in New York this week. With sunny, near fifty degree days in the forecast, we’re all breathing a tiny sigh of relief and crossing fingers that warmer temperatures are on the way.

To build off that little glimmer of hope, I went on an Etsy hunt for pretty, colorful spring pieces. Here’s what I found:

I’ve got birthdays on the brain right now. I’m going to hit the big 3-0 on Monday (!!!) and then on the following Sunday my baby bean turns two. Add that to the fact that we’re entering into my family’s crazy birthday season and the weather is showing signs of getting warmer and this girl is in a celebratory mood.

What better way to kick that feeling into high gear than poking around Etsy for handmade birthday goodness?

Stitch Culture embrodiery hoop art / Honey Wild Papercraft gift tags / Brain Surgeons & Rocket Scientists birthday card / Hello Plum Studio cake topper / The Art of Handmades birthday banner / Potter + Butler gift wrap pom collection / Little Blue Olive crown / Parker’s Flour Patch fondant toppers

I’m a big fan of birthdays. I guess I’m really just a big fan of any reason to celebrate. If I have even the slightest reason to get balloons and hang streamers and go on a baking spree, you better believe I’m going to pounce on it with enthusiasm.

I think I’m going to throw Ellie a Minnie Mouse party (complete with DIY Minnie Mouse decorations) and then maybe have our friends over for a game night/taco party bonanza (those mustache and sombrero fondant toppers would be perfect!). Low key fun sounds like the perfect way to ring in a new decade to me!

Are you a birthday lover or are you like my husband who can’t be bothered with the fuss?

Have I made it clear enough that I’m done with winter?

Because I’ve had enough!

My hands are cracked and bleeding. My legs are looking mighty reptilian and I can faintly hear my flats crying from the back of my closet. Not cool, Mother Nature. Not cool.

I’ve been trying to force spring to hurry its lazy bones up by wearing bright springy colors whenever I remember. But that doesn’t seem to be enough. I think we’re going to have to move to phase two here, people.

A couple of my favorite bloggers have done posts recently that featured some pretty fabulous greenery (Hey Gloria! Hollerrrr Amanda!)–or at least some super cool containers for it. It totally got me thinking about forcing spring into my house with plants.

My problem? I have pretty much the blackest thumb ever. If it can’t be killed, I will kill it. Luckily for me, hearty succulents are all the rage right now and Etsy is absolutely bursting with adorably quirky little vessels to hold them in.