december.

A few winter pretties to brighten your day. 

martha would be proud.

The DIY continues...

Ever since I moved, all of my jewelry has been place in one cereal bowl, un-happily tangled together. I was in desperate need of some organization that didn't take up the counter space, that I don't have. I found this little gem on Pinterest and decided to work my magic. One trip to Michaels later and voila. 

supplies. 

-styrofoam

-needlepoint cloth

-embroidery hoop

-acrylic paint

-t pins

Paint, clear coat, or go au natural with the embroidery hoops. I chose a fun orange that will hopefully "fun" up my white white walls. 

Trace the styrofoam with the hoop you will be using for necklaces and cut it with a knife so it fits snuggly inside the hoop. For those of you that struggle to cut in a straight line, don't worry, no one sees the back. 

Add the fabric to each hoop making it as tight as possible. Then add the styrofoam to the back of the necklace hoop. The earrings do not need foam as they can simply hang from the fabric. You may want to hot glue the edge of the fabric to the foam or insides of hoop. 

So simple! And as you can tell from the pictures above....it won't be too long until I will need a third hoop. 

the lady has a desk.

I am now a proud owner of what I would call a "big girl desk". I was lucky enough to receive an old kitchen table for free a few years ago that had been stored away ever since. I knew it would come in handy some day. My pops volunteered to paint it just days before I headed out to the East Coast, although he had some doubts about my color choice. I on the other hand LOVE it. And on top of all that it fit perfectly in the back of my Volv - meant to be. Anywho after almost two months of a desk with no chair I finally broke down and bought one from IKEA. Not the style I had imagined at first, but it is the most comfortable and sweet little chair. Makes working from home a little more fun? Now that I have a complete desk, I need a little something to help de-clutter and provide a bit of inspiration. 

My happy little turquoise desk.

What to do, what to do.... 

Not sure how this would work over a desk, but I love a sweet string of lights. 

Help me choose!

just a little bit of paint.

When I move to a new place, I like to move in completely...this whole taking it slow with opening boxes is for the birds. I am only staying in my current apartment for a few months before moving in with my good friend Sara (a 12 month lease in Boston. Eeek!). Of course this means that I cannot unpack all my boxes and I can't really make myself at home. I do not like this. So to help in this little challenge I have begun a few projects to spiff up the room I am renting. 

Thank you cheap IKEA pot, Martha Stewart sticky stencils, and acrylic paint.

 You just brightened up my life. 

This little guy was just taped off with some blue painters tape...

couple coats later and voila!

Sara - I promise I won't get too crazy with the crafting when we move in together. :)

cure for the winter chill.

Portland - you are so cold! For some reason I felt the fall weather would last longer than it did. I walked to my car last night, teeth chattering and realized it was time to break out all the delightful winter gear I own...or want to own. 

My apologies, ridiculously expensive - but oh so awesome. 

Who doesn't need a couple pairs of fingerless gloves?

...and for your quick winter knitting project 

(which I will be starting pronto, pictures to come)

p.s. be sure to check-in tomorrow. It's blog-iversary time!

outside the lines.

I realize that I am an adult, and coloring books are usually for kids...but I think this counts as an appropriate coloring book for a twenty-something. Coloring in patterns seem like a lovely way to spend an afternoon. Picnic blanket, home made ice tea, fresh berries and some sun. Come to mama.

Time to break out the Pentels. 

via Olive Manna.

yabba dabba doo.

I have so many great memories of my childhood summers. Lots of camping, water fights with the neighbor boys, chalk paint, fashionably skating around in my Barbie roller skates (and matching elbow/knee pads) and the best part...Push Ups. Ahhh those delightful sherbert-y treats with Flintstones characters adorning the packaging. Pretty much my favorite summer snack. So you can only imagine my joy when I came across Shop Sweet Lulu's push pop containers. YOU CAN MAKE YOUR OWN PUSH UPS?! Yes, please. 

I may need to create some push ups before the summers end!

cookies.

I was a deprived as a child. Deprived of magnets. My mother believed that papers, art, and photos do not belong cluttered on the fridge. I do not share that belief. 

Materials:

- Fallen tree branch, 1-2" diameter

- Strong magnets

- Electric drill and bits

- Saw- pull saw or hacksaw

- two-part epoxy or super strong glue

1. Use the saw to cut off 1 - 11/2" medallions from your branch. If necessary, use a bit of sandpaper to clean things up.

2. Use a drill to clear a little hole for your manets to sit. If using the 8x3mm that I have, usa a 5/16" to drill a hole 1/8" into the branch. Usa a piece of painters tape to mark your depth. 

3. Mix up the epoxy and glue them in. You will need a glue strong enough to stand up to the magnetic force (probably not a hot glue gun). Make sure to check the polarity of your magnets before gluing them in! 

4. Simply allow the epoxy to dry for at least six hours or overnight, and stick them up!

voila!

via ManMade

shameless advertising.

Okay, I realize that I have done this whole wedding trailer thing before but 618 Studios is just too good! It's not just that I was the maid of honour at their wedding, it's because their work is heartfelt and conveys everything and more you could ever want from a wedding. Two things: The venue is amazing. Condor's Nest Ranch...if you weren't so darn expensive I would book my non-existent wedding in a heartbeat. Numero dos. Succulents and jute runners. Enough said.

Jenn + Scott via 618Studios

wedding schmedding.

A few weeks ago I made my way down to sunny Southern California to see my lovely friends Nick and Julie get married! Such a quick trip, but so well worth it. Their ceremony was at Heritage Park overlooking the Dana Point harbor. Perfection. They followed it up with the reception at the Salt Creek Grill. Salmon, Cabernet and Susie Cakes. Mixing a beautiful wedding with my three favorite delectables, needless to say, I was a happy camper. Sidenote: the newlyweds not only graduated from college less than a month before their wedding, they also are moving to Uganda in June to work for 31 bits! Graduation, wedding and Africa! What a crazy first year of marriage! Of all the couples I know, Nick and Julie will rock the socks off of Uganda!

shoes: I love/want you. These were actually the shoes worn by the bridesmaids. 

Julie walked down the aisle barefoot, in true Ju style.

gah! So gorgeous!

oh college friends. gotta love 'em.

 31 Bits beads topped the cake and tables, as well 

as bedazzled the bridal party. So cute!

Britt Rene Photography