daisies are pretty

handmade.

2011-03-15T18:40:00.000-07:00

I was on Etsy today and saw a really inspiring quote from one of today's featured sellers. It's from Cathy McMurray, an artist from Portland, Oregon:

"Choosing handmade is choosing a slower way of life, one rooted in tradition and creative expression. Handmade always involves a story that is as much about the maker as it is about the product."

(Eclipse print)

Cathy has a great little blog that can be found here at Habit of Art.

go take a hike.

2011-03-13T19:13:00.000-07:00

this weekend was gorgeous so we decided to take full advantage of it by going on a hike. we packed a picnic and headed to Raven Cliff Falls with our dear friends David and Kelly. as a northeast Georgian native, i thought i had pretty much blazed every trail in the area. i found out i was definitely wrong about that. i hadn't even heard of this location until a couple of days ago thanks to google, but it was beautiful and i definitely recommend it!

afterword, we rewarded ourselves with a little old fashioned soda from betty's country store. love that place!

plastic island.

2011-03-08T20:19:00.000-08:00

ever wonder where all your discarded water bottles, coke bottles, and plastic packaging go? there's a chance that at least some of it has found its way to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, also known as plastic island. this is no joke, there really is an island of plastic floating in the pacific that is estimated to be TWICE the size of TEXAS. it's not a literal island that you can boat up to and anchor down, it's more of an island of floating particles. the pictures above are for an idea of how much waste is out there. there aren't any actual pictures of plastic island.

plastic island is home to tons of plastics, chemical sludge, and other debris. this seems to be America's best kept secret. hardly anyone i know has heard of this and i myself had not heard about it until about two months ago. i decided to attempt to spread a little bit of awareness on this issue.

my first question when i heard about plastic island was obvious. how did all of that plastic get into the ocean? 80% of the garbage is believed to come from land based sources and 20% comes from ships. one of the most alarming matters to me is that this plastic actually makes its way into our food chain because as it photodegrades it becomes smaller and smaller until even the tiniest aquatic life can consume it. pollutants on plastic island range in size from fishing nets to micro-pellets used in abrasive cleaners.

what can we do to help? such simple efforts can help tremendously such as bringing your own reusable grocery bags to the store each and every time you go to avoid using all of those plastic grocery bags. if we quit using them, grocery stores will simply stop producing them. stop buying bottled water. this sounds radical to some i'm sure, but in a country where clean water is readily available and sometimes even free there is simply no need to buy bottled water. if everyone in America would buy a reusable bottle such as Klean Kanteen to fill up at work, school, or on the go the result would be tremendous for our environment. and of course, of course, recycling! reduce, reuse, recycle. those three words make a world of difference.

i'm afraid that our culture has become so fixated on convenience that we forfeit our health and the health of our planet. i think back to the good ole days when milk was bought weekly and delivered in glass jugs that were reused over and over again and wonder why we have strayed so much from those principles. who made these rules that every single product i buy has to come in individual plastic packaging?

dinner at the Williams

2011-03-08T19:48:00.000-08:00

i tried out a new soup recipe today that's healthy, frugal, and delish! i found it in an old issue of Better Homes and Gardens that I was perusing while I was at my internship the other day. i followed the recipe exactly and it turned out great. also, for a side dish i sliced a loaf of french bread and drizzled a little olive oil on top before toasting it in the oven.

the drinks are super simple cocktails. all you need for them is a can of frozen limeade concentrate (i prefer minute maid), and coconut rum. make the limeade exactly how the directions say on the can except substitute one of the cans of water for coconut rum. yum!

CREAMY POTATO AND ASPARAGUS SOUP

1-1/4 Lb. trimmed asparagus
1-1/4 Lb. potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 12oz. can evaporated milk
6 slices bacon
1 Tbsp. honey
Shredded lemon peel, Italian parsley, coarse salt, and/or freshly ground pepper

1. Reserve 1/3 of the asparagus. Combine remaining asparagus, potatoes, evaporated milk, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1-1/4 cups of water in a saucepan. Bring to boil and reduce heat. Simmer covered for 10 minutes. Blend soup in a blender or food processor, half at a time.
2. Cook bacon in a skillet and drain on paper towels. Keep about 1 Tbsp of bacon drippings in skillet to cook remaining asparagus. Cook 5 to 6 minutes.
3. Chop bacon and place in pie plate. Drizzle with honey and microwave for 30 seconds. Ladle soup in bowls and top with asparagus, bacon, and desired toppings.

Serves 4!

2011-01-11T20:41:00.000-08:00

hi everyone! just wanted to let ya know that i have launched my new store on Etsy. it will feature handmade accessories and vintage goods. i've linked it on the side here -------->

and HERE...

ch..ch..check it out! thanks for taking a look! :]

our home for the holidays...

2010-12-10T13:12:00.000-08:00

i thought i would give you all a glimpse into our apartment for Christmas...here goes!

coffee table centerpiece

our Christmas tree in all it's colorful glory...

i made this wreath last year...it was super simple.

stockings!

the centerpiece for our little cafe table.

i made this wreath this year because i thought the back door needed a little love. it was also super simple.

sneak peek time!

2010-12-07T20:35:00.000-08:00

after a long hiatus, i'm starting up my etsy shop again with all new inventory. here are a few things that i have been working on!

hair clips to add a little pizazz to your locks!

various hair clips...the one up front features two flowers. it looks cuter in hair!

felt flower pins for winter coats, purses, shirts, or whatever you'd like to accessorize!

more various flower pins. all of these will be available in a variety of colors, sizes, fabrics, and designs! i've still got a long way to go, but i'm hoping that i'll get enough inventory to start my store back up before Christmas. these would be great for little stocking stuffers! thanks for taking a look :)

taylor swift's fab new look

2010-12-05T09:36:00.001-08:00

i know the AMA's were quite some time ago now, and i'm definitely behind the curve in posting this, but i have been wanting to blog about Swift's new look for a while now. i've honestly never thought of Taylor Swift as much of a fashion icon, but when i caught some pictures of her at the 2010 AMA's i was in love, from the bedazzled dress to the new do.

her straight locks with blunt cut bangs really take her to an edgy new level. her dress is by Collette Dinnigan and the shoes are Jimmy Choo. we all can take a few pointers from Swift's perfectly accessorized outfit. with a dress that has this much going on it's unnecessary to add tons of jewelry. the sparkly shoes add just enough interest without competing too much with the dress.

again, she has perfected her outfit. i love the simple black silhouette she has created by pairing black oxfords, black skinny jeans, and a black cami layered with a sparkly black blazer. her hair looks cute in this updo with a few pieces framing her face. she's really got this whole new mature look down to a science!

no more cold weather blahs.

2010-11-02T21:51:00.000-07:00

can i just be honest and say that i'm not looking forward to the transition into winter? ugh, cold weather is not my friend. well, that's not tooootally true i guess. i do enjoy some winter activities like skiing and snuggling up with my hubby under blankets watching a movie and sipping hot chocolate. and Christmas.

ok, so i don't think i only speak for myself here when i say that when it gets cold out i sometimes get the winter blahs and dig myself into a wardrobe rut. all i want to do is throw on the nearest sweatshirt and call it a day. that can make me feel even more icky. Refinery 29 to the rescue! today i was browsing their website and stumbled on these outfits that i just adore. could that silk scarf BE any more chic? i think not.

2010-10-31T21:33:00.001-07:00

happy halloween!

from

Jem and Pam (haha, get it?)

an Indian

and Madonna.

xoxo

family time with a little inspiration

2010-10-31T19:48:00.000-07:00

benji, my mom and i all went on a saturday afternoon drive to Highlands, NC for a little leaf lookin' and some family time. it's quickly becoming an annual tradition for us. we drove along the winding roads and got to town where we spent some time exploring and shopping a little. we also made a stop by buck's coffee, one of the cutest coffee shops ever. the town was celebrating halloween and with all of the adorable trick-or-treaters lining the sidewalks and the small town feel it felt like a real life 'Hocus Pocus', one of my favorite movies.

we also stopped in a favorite shop of mine, Dutchmans Design. some of the merchandise gave me some ideas for crafting. i think this light fixture is such a great idea. it's made of old canning jars that have been strung up and randomly lit. it would be really easy to make and would make such a statement!

don't you just love this?

another really great idea is to make a candle holder out of a really pretty wine bottle that you just can't bring yourself to throw out. this would be great for a kitchen table or countertop accessory.

i thought this chandelier was really neat. all you would need to make for this would be a few metal rings in different sizes, paper clips, and pages out of old books. love it!

antique window art

2010-10-29T05:50:00.001-07:00

a few weeks ago i purchased an old window from an antique store. i had it propped up against the wall in my living room unsure of exactly what i wanted to do with it until yesterday. i almost liked the way it looked on the floor, but i decided to add a little pizazz and hang it on our big bare wall in the living room.

the supplies are pretty simple for this project and may even consist of things you have lying around the house. gather a sponge or small paint brush (i ended up using a paint brush which isn't pictured), acrylic craft paint in your desired color, stencils of your choice, and tape.

i put my window up against the baseboard to keep it nice and straight. i chose to paint on the back of the window so that the designs would be protected from scratches. decide a pattern that you would like to do, and tape down the stencils. paint them and give a quick dry with the hair dryer on "cool". slowly peel of the stencil. the big thing here is to not worry with perfection. i went back over mine with a second coat of paint once they were dry. you could probably find a protectant to seal the designs, but i just left mine as so if i ever want to change it up i can easily remove the designs with a little cleaner and a sponge.

make sure each design is dry and wah-la you've got a new piece of art to hang!

we're all full of hot air.

2010-10-25T20:51:00.000-07:00

i dream of going to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and flying up, up, up and away in one of the balloons. hot air balloons are so fascinating to me. they're such a beautiful means of travel. impractical, but beautiful all the same! who's down for a road trip?

coffee date

2010-10-24T19:54:00.000-07:00

heaven in a cup.

pumpkin and white chocolate lattes at inman perk.

after being lazy at our apartment saturday afternoon benji and i decided to go out for a cup of coffee and a stroll around downtown. i love going on autumn walks. the brisk air, smell of coffee, pumpkins on doorsteps, colorful trees, fallen leaves lining the streets, and store windows decorated for halloween all make me so. so. happy.

2010-09-09T18:24:00.000-07:00

alright, don't judge me when i say this, but i was an avid watcher of 'The Hills'. my love affair with reality tv began about six years ago when i was a senior in highschool and i first laid eyes on a little show called 'Laguna Beach' that let us in on what it's like to be a privileged teeny bopper growing up on the coast of California. after that, i was hooked. i followed LC, Lo, Heidi, Spencer, Brody, Kristen, and Audrina until the bitter end. and that's no exaggeration, it was bitter. am i the only one who was thoroughly disappointed in the final episode? ugh, no resolution whatsoever. we already knew it was fake...did they really think they were revealing something revolutionary?

all that to say, Lauren Conrad is rumored to have a new reality show in the works which she has said will offer much more than the cheesy story lines of 'The Hills'. i for one, am stoked for the possibility to see the up and coming fashion designer in the spoglight again. also, she's twenty-five this year and sporting a much less good-girl-next-door look and a much more badass look.

fall fashion inspiration

2010-09-06T09:05:00.001-07:00

sooooo....as i mentioned in my previous blog, i am highly anticipating the change in wardrobe that comes with fall. i was perusing the j. crew website and found some unbelievable outfits that i had to post. below are some of my faves:

a tweed blazer is a must for my shopping list this year. it's so versatile and can be thrown easily over a slouchy tee with skinny jeans or a polished business top.

thigh high socks are a HUGE trend this season. i like them on other people, i'm just not so sure if i could pull them off.

i feel like i might look too 'naughty school girl' in them. (think britney spears' 'hit me baby one more time' from the 90s.) oh no, disaster.

i'm in love with this outfit, from the stockings to the leather coat. it's effortless beauty at its best. a leather coat (i already have one, but i'm not thrilled with the color anymore), tights, ankle boots, and a 'go with anything' skirt are also must-haves on my shopping list.

this is a great every day outfit. i would switch out the skirt for something less sparkly for daytime though. the skinny belt is an essential also. camel is a great color for belts and shoes as it meshes well with most colors.

long slouchy cardigans. i'm going to stock up on these. they can be worn loose or cinched with a belt. either way, they're lovely and comfy.

i'm digging this jean shirt. again, it's very versatile. i love buying neutral items that can be paired with almost anything because it insures that they will be worn many times, and in turn, cuts down on shopping costs.

and finally, military inspired items are huge this season. from shoes to jackets, they're all over the place.

autumn

2010-08-30T09:57:00.000-07:00

it's safe to say autumn is my favorite season of all. my love for fall started back when i was a kid as did my love for decorating. i remember each and every holiday, especially halloween, getting sooooo excited to pull out all of the fall stuff and decorate the house. i loved trick-or-treating and dressing up almost as much.

fall is swiftly approaching and i could not be more happy about it! these are a few things that i'm super stoked about: apple cider, fall fashion, cold nights spent snuggled up under a blanket, camping, camp fires, pumpkin carving, drives through the mountains, falling leaves, the smell of cinnamon and pumpkin filling the house, butternut squash soup and other fall recipes, and halloween of course! i can almost smell the warm apple cider and camp fire burning. not to mention it's all i can do to keep myself from throwing on a long shirt, cardigan, leggings and a pair of boots in this 90 degree heat.

so to get myself really inspired and even more excited i went to one of my usual sources of inspiration, we heart it, and typed in 'fall'. these are some of my favorite finds.

very simple desk makeover

2010-08-30T08:29:00.001-07:00

for about a month i have had a desk chair and no desk to go with it. i have been scouring craigslist and local thrift stores for a potential find. finally a few days ago my searching paid off and i found the perfect little desk to accommodate my chair.

first thing's first when searching for fixer-upper furniture. make sure it's made of real wood because if it's not it will be really hard to paint and resurface. hardwood is more durable than veneer and particle board furniture. check. next step, make sure it is free of any major defects, scratches, or marks. check. step number three, visualize it in your space and assure yourself that it will blend with the other furniture you have going on in the room. check.

lastly, you will want to make sure it's sturdy. if it's not, sometimes it can simply be a matter of tightening a few screws. check underneath to make sure all of the screws are in tact. if not, i would probably move on to another piece since it will probably be more of a hassle than it's worth to fix.

this piece checked out so i picked it up for 20$. i love the simplicity of the desk. it has very sleek, straight lines and will blend into most decor motifs easily. oh and i almost forgot to mention the 2$ brand new memo board that i found. it

goes perfectly above the desk and gives me a space to put all of my fabric swatches, appointments, etc.

again, i used valspar (available at lowe's) satin paint to cover the desk. i recommend this brand highly as it covers quickly and smoothly. first i sanded the clear coat off the desk to insure that the paint would stick. it took about two or three coats and a trip out for an extra bottle of spray paint. lastly after it dries, apply a clear coat of protectant paint. it makes the piece durable and oh so shiny.

don't forget a dropcloth or plastic. it's inevitably going to make a mess otherwise.

and wah-la, after a couple of hours and 22$ you've got a brand new workspace! the lamp and picture frame i already had laying around the house. the organizers are actually lanterns that we used at our wedding. re-purposing items you already have is a great way to recycle and cut costs in your makeovers.

road trippin to jacksonville

2010-08-30T08:07:00.000-07:00

benji and i recently took a trip to jacksonville to visit our dear friends ty and rachael. they are a fun bunch to be around and were excellent hosts. these few pictures were the only memorabilia from the trip. this surfer dude statue was eerily realistic and made us a little uncomfortable. it made for some hilarious takes though.

anniversary numero uno

2010-06-30T10:00:00.000-07:00

i'm clearly behind in my blogging...haha. benji and i spent our first anniversery weekend in north myrtle beach. i was going to take him to one of my most favorite places in the whole world, folly beach, buuuut there was absolutely no availability seeing as how it was memorial day weekend. we went for plan b and it turned out to be just as fun! we found this amazing trio of restaurants tucked away on a side road somewhere in north myrtle. i don't remember the exact names of the other two, but we decided on river city cafe. it was soooo good. i was slightly obsessed with the decor. i la..la...loooove all things eclectic.

internship

2010-06-30T08:44:00.000-07:00

so... as i have mentioned in an earlier blog, i was hired recently to design the summer storefront display for a gelato and chocolate shop in forsyth. after a lot of debate i finally decided to go with a 'carnival' theme for the shop. i thought it would be fun for the kids to look at while they are eating their treats and also i thought it would be easy to work gelato and candy into the theme. i was given a 120$ budget to work with. the shop owner requested everything be handmade. this is what i came up with:

reduce, reuse, recycle!

2010-06-29T22:32:00.000-07:00

Welp, if there's one thing you should know about me it's that I loooove to turn trash into treasure...especially when it comes to home goods. I dropped by a few thrift stores today just to see what I could find and left with this chair that I saw had a lot of potential. I sanded, painted, and reupholstered it. It's going to be used for my future craft table! Here are the results:

Now for the instructions! Alright, first things first...you must gather the necessary supplies. For this project I used a can of white spray paint (preferably Valspar from Lowe's), a block of fine grain sand paper, upholstery fabric, and a staple gun.

When applying upholstery always make sure the fabric is wrinkle free. I had to iron mine as I had quite a few wrinkles to deal with.

Unscrew the seat of the chair and begin stapling the fabric from one corner and then pull from the opposite corner and staple there. Make sure the pattern on the fabric is in line with the seat or it will look messy.

Fold fabric according to what looks best and staple all around the seat until the fabric is tight and secure. Next, find a well ventihilated space to paint. Be sure to put a drop cloth if necessary. (Mine is an old shower curtain.) Then paint two to three coats depending on the lightness or darkness of the wood. For this project I did three coats. After the chair is dry you can either leave it as is or if you like a more distressed look like mine you can simply sand random areas of the paint until you like what you see. Always spray a layer of polyurethane on your furniture to help avoid scrapes and scratches. Screw the seat back on and whoopty doo, you're done with you're very own personilized desk chair! :]

2010-06-19T16:49:00.000-07:00

To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury; and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable; and wealthy not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly....to listen to stars and buds, to babes and sages, with open heart; await occasions, hurry never...this is my symphony.

-William Henry Channing

foodies

2010-06-08T19:59:00.000-07:00

a few weeks ago our friend's ty and rachael were in town from jacksonville, fl. they were able to pay us a visit before they headed back to florida. benji and i threw on our aprons, fired up the grill and whipped up a dinner for all of us which consisted of steaks, salad with homemade blue cheese vinaigrette and rosmary garlic roasted potatoes (these have become a staple for me and my dinner planning). i used a recipe from real simple and put my own twist on it. i thought the salad seemed a little dry with the addition of the potatoes so i made them seperately and spiced them myself. bon appetit!

on a lighter note

2010-05-24T20:04:00.000-07:00

macgruber is hysterical and ridiculously w r o n g in parts. such a good way to end a somber week! thanks, macgruber ; ]