Secondhand Sundays

Doing Chores: Laundry Day

2012-02-24T10:00:00.000-05:00

I don't know if I ever mentioned this before, but Ryan and I have no laundry facilities in our apartment so we're unfortunately forced to do laundry in one of two ways. One, lug our baskets and bins down the road to the local laundromat that charges an arm and a leg to dry things. Two, lug our baskets and bins of dirty clothes to Ryan's parent's house. We typical choose the family route because we can actually do something productive, like spend time with them, while getting our laundry done. Needless to say, it's always a bit trying to get all of our laundry from place to place and cleaned in a timely fashion.

The pros to this method include family time, an almost savage need to wear things more than once before throwing them in the laundry pile, and I'm much more adventurous with my clothing choices these days. I try my hardest each month to concentrate on those positive aspects of laundry day instead of loathing yet another household chore needing to be done. big kiss, bekuh

Coffee and Ice Cream with a Classy Lady

2012-02-23T10:00:00.000-05:00

Recently my friend Christine and I went out for snacks at a local hot spot, Pop's. It was so nice to spend a Friday afternoon relaxing and enjoying one another's company. It is not often enough that I get to spend one-on-one time with gal pals and just shoot the breeze. Christine ate a peach ice cream soda and I had a coffee float with dark chocolate ice cream. I felt rejuvenated after she left and thankful for unexpected holidays. big kiss, bekuh

A Painter's Nook

2012-02-22T10:00:00.000-05:00

While rearranging my studio, and prepping everything to be painted it came to my attention that my studio furniture was prohibiting me from getting back into painting, something I am desperate to do. There was just no room for an easel among the growing piles of vintage clothes, and giant work table I've employed for DIYs and home crafts.

So, after evaluating the open spaces in the house I decided to move my easel out of the studio and into a vacant corner of our dining room. Right now my new painter's nook is a little make-shift but it has allowed me to start painting again. It feels good to hold a brush in my hand and work the paint across a canvas. big kiss,bekuh

Why I Buy Vintage

2012-02-21T10:00:00.000-05:00

I talk a lot about my love of vintage on Secondhand Sundays, my love of vintage is part of why my blog is named what it is, but I have yet to share with all of you why I buy vintage clothing and housewares or when all these crazy shenanigans began in my life. So today I'm going to talk from a very personal place about this crazy passion I am so deeply in love with.

The first vintage outfit I remember wearing and feeling transformed by was in third grade. My Mom bought me a pair of dark brown polyester pants and a brown floral polyester top at the local thrift store because I had been obsessing about the 1960s and 1970s for months and months. She hated buying me clothing because more often than not I'd hate what she picked out and end up hiding it somewhere so she couldn't make me wear it; this outfit was different. I'm pretty sure I wore at least one piece from this ensemble every week in third grade. I somehow felt "cooler" because I was wearing something that had so much history behind it and because I felt like it wasn't too late for me to attach myself to the movements of the eras they came from. I know it sounds like I was a really deep third grader, and I was. I was passionate about recycling and feminism and these clothes let me express that in a way I didn't yet understand.

I'm jumping ahead though, because this love affair started so much earlier, like neo-natal earlier. As soon as I was born I wore vintage, not because of some conscious choice but because I come from a long line of strong women who identify heavily with their past and held on to little mementos to share with future generations. As soon as I was out of the hospital I was wearing clothing my mother once wore and my aunts, pieces my grandmother had saved to be passed down. I grew up wearing hand me downs of my sister's and watching old movies from the 1950s, '60s, and '70s on my grandma's couch. I had no idea that women didn't dress the way Audrey Hepburn did in Funny Face or Julie Andrews in Sound of Music. My reality was that old things were beautiful and worth coveting.

Fast forward to today and vintage clothing is so much a part of my shopping psyche that I do it without thinking. But, there are still list-able reasons I like vintage clothing and prefer it to brand names and box stores.

1: I feel good about buying vintage/thrifted clothes because it keeps good clothes out of the landfills, and the 3rd grader in me still yearns to save the planet. 2: I buy vintage because it's unique and you would be hard pressed to find someone with the exact same piece anywhere. 3: I like how vintage clothing feels, the materials are often more natural and have that worn in feel that takes years to perfect. 4: The silhouettes of the clothing tend to be more flattering on my ultra petite frame. 5: I don't feel bad buying a lot of clothes because it usually costs less than new. 6: I find I'm much more likely to alter, or have something altered, if it's vintage. I don't know why this is true but it is. 7: The thrill of the deal. 8: I can usually predict trends based on what there is a lot of at local thrift stores. 9: Vintage clothing is typically well made and has already survived countless years so I find it holds up very well under heavy use. 10: People always compliment my vintage/thrifted pieces a thousand times more than the joe schmoe pieces I buy at target.

There you have it, my vintage clothing back story and reasons (selfish and otherwise) that I choose to buy vintage time and time again. If you have questions for me feel free to contact me and I'd love to hear your reasons for buying vintage clothing. big kiss, bekuh

Homemade Sushi for Two

2012-02-20T10:00:00.000-05:00

For the last four years, from the time Ryan and I met, Ryan has been begging me to make sushi for him. I am not a sushi making pro, but a couple of years ago my Aunt Dana bought me a sushi making kit because sushi is my favorite food, and a person should probably know how to make their favorite food. So I finally relented and decided our first Valentines Day as a married couple warranted a special homemade treat.

We're lucky to have a Fresh Market grocery store within minutes of our house so I was able to pick up super fresh (for Roanoke) seafood on my way home from work. I decided on making salmon and tuna nigiri, a tuna roll, and two california rolls. We started with miso soup and needless to say we had quite the buffet of sushi awesomeness.

We decided on a candlelit dinner with wine for our feast and we spent an hour eating, talking and enjoying a date night in. Just the two of us.

Ryan bought me a gorgeous calla lily and sweet card as a gift and surprised me with my favorite dessert, pumpkin cheesecake. I felt lame having only provided dinner after such sweet treats from my hubby.

After dinner Ryan and I slow danced to Bob Dylan, talked on the couch, split a massive piece of pumpkin cheesecake, and cuddled the night away. It was perfect Valentines Day; private and full of love. I hope all of you had a fabulous valentines. big kiss, bekuh

Weekly Obsessions: Dream Interiors

2012-02-19T10:00:00.000-05:00

With all the hard work I'm putting in around the house, sprucing it up and making it company friendly, I thought it was high time I shared some images of interiors that are inspiring this home remix. Though we're only renting and can't make huge changes to our living space I have managed to find ways to make the apartment feel more like our home. I'm sharing everything from hallways to dining rooms so be prepared for an extra image heavy Weekly Obsessions post.

1. Living Rooms: Lots of light and patterns

Image Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

I started the living room remix last year and there are just a few pieces that still need to fall into place to complete the look. I can't wallpaper our space but I'm adding pattern through pillows, images and (fingers crossed) new curtains sometime this year. We are lucky in that Ryan had living room furniture prior to us getting married, but it's a little too large for a cute vintage chair like the ones above so that's on the someday list for now. I know the wood filled fireplace is kind of passe now but I've been dreaming of doing this for nearly two years and it will be completed this spring. And that's a promise.

2. Dining Rooms: Wood with lots of florals

Image Sources: 1, 2, 3 (original source unknown)

I am totally obsessed with the first dining room image above, I love that open shelving between the dining room and kitchen! When we have our grown up house one day that will be included in the renovations. The bottom two images have a very similar vibe in my opinion and I would like to accomplish that naturally organized look in our gigantic dining room, though we'll never have wood floors in the apartment. Sad face.

3. Kitchens: Open shelving and punchy accessories

Image Source: 1, 2

It's a total pipe dream to have a green stove but I couldn't resist I just love that kitchen! We do however have some open shelving in our kitchen and I would like to add a second shelf to the mix and maybe paint the shelves black or strip them and stain them dark brown. The difference in color could really help our all-white kitchen look fresh and new but we'll see.

4. Bathrooms: White light and airy florals

Image Source: 1

I love the subway tile in this bathroom and the dark/light contrast with a little punch of floral. Have I told you how much I love florals? Our bathroom has been another work-in-progress project for awhile now but I'm this close to finishing up what I'd like done in there. We just received this amazing shower curtain from World Market and I'll be ready to share a bathroom tour soon.

5. Bedrooms: Cocoons of comfort and collections of things

Image Source: 1

I've seen this image on pretty much every blog ever, so why not over share it again here? I love the collection of images above the bed and the balance of colors throughout. I hope that our bedroom achieves this kind of equilibrium to those who come and visit it.

6. Laundry and Storage: Lots of organization and clean lines

Image Sources: 1 (orignal unknown), 2

Anyone who has ever lived in an apartment knows that storage can sometimes be an issue and organization is key to keeping harmony in the home. Both of the images above showcase an amazing use of space and lovely design elements that make it easy on the eyes to. I hope our closets achieve this level of zen very soon. I have my eyes pinched closed willing it to happen right now.

I love looking at images of beautiful homes and the inspiration I draw from them is amazingly useful when I'm at a loss for where to hang that last piece of art on a wall or what color combination will work in a space. Pinterest is my crack addiction. big kiss, bekuh

Quick Trip to Hotlanta

2012-02-18T13:00:00.000-05:00

Like my cheesy title? I thought you wouldn't. My quick trip to Atlanta was anything but hot with temperatures in the teens in the morning, but it was a lot of fun and a nice break from the ordinary. I enjoyed some classic Cook Out fast food in North Carolina, saw a peachy sunset, ate way too much at my aunt and uncles, attended a fair for work, bought snacks for the trip home and wine for the year from Trader Joes, and drove a lot. My cousin and I also got the chance to watch the latest episode of the Walking Dead and I'm stoked for the last half of the season now. We also ~~made fun of~~ watched the Grammy's. Makes me want to go back soon. big kiss, bekuh

Meet Nellie

2012-02-18T11:00:00.001-05:00

I am thrilled to introduce to you today our new doggie, Nellie! Nellie is a shipperke/shepherd mix and we just picked her up from Angels of Assisi's yesterday. She is already making herself at home in our little apartment. We have her on loan until we can have her spayed and then she'll be all ours for ever and ever. Doesn't she have the sweetest little face? big kiss, bekuh

2012 Goals: An Update

2012-02-17T10:00:00.000-05:00

I have been working overtime trying to make sure that I complete my massive list of goals for 2012. I have been so intensely focused on this in fact that I've kind of lost sight of what I'm trying to achieve with these goals. I have managed to cross quite a few items off my lists but I haven't exactly taken the time to enjoy these mini-milestones. So today I'm going to, with you as my witness.

1: learning new camera tricks 2: our new car 3: 1980s Lady Cruiser bike 4: Working on the jewelry line for the Button Factory 5: ready for a hike, exercise :) 6: Cookbook cooking 7: Our "new" bathroom 8: Flowers for the home

Things like getting a "new" car should have been properly celebrated by Ryan and I as it was a hunt well won, but I let someone else's mistake over shadow this huge check off my list. We really pinched our pennies to make this car happen, and had to swallow a little pride to do so. I'm super proud of our 1997 Toyota Corolla and can't wait to get our baby back from the shop.

I'm also really excited about my bike! It's a 1980s Lady's Cruiser and I already have my accessories picked out and the new paint bought. This is going to be the perfect early spring project and now Ryan's thinking about sprucing his bike up too. In addition to the bike I've joined a Pilates class at our local rec center and it started two week ago, so I'm well on my way to making the "exercise more" life goal a reality. Biking, Hiking and Pilates are the perfect way for me to keep up with exercising without that typical "gym" feel (I kinda hate gyms).

I've been most productive at home in the last month and have lots checked off that category on my goals list. I've finished redecorating the bathroom, bought shelving for the closets, purchased a chalkboard for the kitchen (and bathroom), recovered my studio chair, started the studio redecoration, bought potted flowers for the house, fixed the paint spots on our bedroom ceiling, bought towel hooks for the bathroom, planned our garden for summer and finished one of two lamp projects.

Other goals I'm on track with include:
Using one cookbook recipe a week
Learning how to fully use the manual mode on my camera
Read more
Buy more vinyl
Make more times for friends
Fill a sketchbook
Advertise on at least one other blog a month
Consistently comment on other blogs I like
Post more outfits
Share more recipes
Complete the Button Factory's first jewelry line

I'm so happy with the way my goals are progressing and I'm confident that I'll be able to finish my lists by 2013. It feels good to write out all that I've already done this year and certainly motivates me to stay on track. How are your 2012 goals/resolutions working out so far this year? big kiss, bekuh

You can find me on instagram by searching "Bekuhdoo" or follow my feed online at webstagram.

Ryan's Song to Me

2012-02-16T10:00:00.001-05:00

In honor of Valentines Day being this past Tuesday I thought I'd share a song that Ryan wrote for me right before we got married in October. Ryan is an amazing musician and I love his new project On the Cooling Board, a one man band heavily influenced by pre-war blues and early alternative. I'm so proud of all the work he's been putting into this project and he will have a new album out this Spring!

I've hesitated sharing this on the blog earlier purely because the thought of someone writing a song about me terrified the ever living day lights out of me and made me extremely uncomfortable. I was mortified the first time he sang this in front of our friends because of the attention that I was receiving. But now I listen to it secretly when he's not home and love the work he put into this super special surprise for me. Heart really captures those first confusing moments in our relationship where our three year friendship suddenly felt like something more. We've both been broken but now that we're together all of that heartache makes sense because without it we wouldn't know how good we've got it now. So listen up.

You can download this and other On the Cooling Board songs for FREE at Sewn Together Records the record label that Ryan and our two good friends Austin, and Sean have been tirelessly working on to offer great Roanoke music to the masses without the record store prices. You owe it to yourself to check them out. big kiss, bekuh

DIY Camera Strap

2012-02-15T10:00:00.000-05:00

I was shooting photos for a DIY on the blog recently and thought, wow I really dislike my camera strap. Somehow it had slipped my attention that I'd managed to personalize just about every object in my house except my camera! Immediately I started scheming what fabric I should use and got to work.

Because my camera strap wass black with a red stripe down either side I decided to use a fabric that coordinated so I could cover just one side of the strap and not both. I picked out this fun black and white polka dot fabric with wild flowers all over to really make the camera strap pop.

The first step is to measure your camera strap, both the length and the width. Add an additional .25in to your measurements to create your seam allowance. Next, layout your fabric, face down, and draw out your strap cover shape, cut and preheat your iron.

Once your iron is hot, fold in each side of your fabric strip in .25in and iron flat. Now, carefully pin the ironed strap cover, front side up, over the top portion of your camera strap (where the logo is) and using a straight stitch on your sewing machine assemble your new strap cover.

Below you can see the before and after of my camera strap, I love the way mine turned out!

It surprised me how simple this project was and what a big impact it made! I have another strap laying around my studio that I want to try recovering both sides; now that I know how easy it is to do it.

I hope you enjoyed the camera strap DIY, let me know if you have any questions or if you try this yourself and want to share the finish product. Happy shooting everybody! big kiss, bekuh

Seeing the World Through Rose Colored Outfits

2012-02-14T13:02:00.000-05:00

Valentines day felt like the perfect time to share this rose colored ensemble with you. I've never outright chosen an outfit because of a holiday but occasionally I inadvertently pick out something that perfectly incapsulates the commercialized representation of the holiday we're about to celebrate (ex. colorblock elf). Note to self: stop doing that, it is boring.

I love the ombre effect in this outfit, only disrupted by the thin strip of yellow across the middle. It's funny how belts always make me feel so put together, like that extra step somehow elevates an outfit to "going out" status. Do any of you have a clothing staple that makes you feel polished with little effort? I could use a new staple like that.

Shirt: UO

Skirt: Vintage

Tights: Target

Boots: Thrifted

Belt: JCrew Warehouse

Tonight I'm making homemade sushi for Ryan and we're having a Valentine's date night in. It will be delicious, maybe not sushi chef quality but good tasting at least. I'm going to throw this out there and feel free to disagree, but I think Valentines Day should be a national work holiday and we should all be given a free pass to spend the entire day with those that we love. I think St Valentine would agree. big kiss, bekuh

Happy Valentines Day Lovelies

2012-02-14T10:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentines Day my lovelies!

Ryan and I both wish you a day full of love and happiness.

A kiss on both your cheeks from the Brownings. big kiss, bekuh

Nothing is Quite Like a Chocolate Chip Cookie

2012-02-13T10:00:00.000-05:00

I just love homemade chocolate chip cookies and a tall glass of milk, it feels like being a kid again even if just for a moment. I tried the recipe from my Joy of Cooking cookbook and really loved it. I don't usually add walnuts to things but they added a nice crunch that is a little unexpected in something so sweet.

The recipe didn't make as many cookies as I wanted, so I ended up going back and making a second batch so my sweet work-study student Myriah could have some. I like my cookies bite sized so I can eat a couple and not feel as guilty as I would if they were big. I'm pretty sure I just admitted one of my fat kid secrets, shoot.

Something I learned from this batch of cookies: my oven gets overly hot really fast, it took like 4 minutes per sheet to bake these. I burnt two trays before realizing what was happening, that is the downside of multitasking my friends. I shouldn't blog and bake it doesn't end well.

It's a goal of mine to use a cookbook recipe a week and so far I've been able to manage this without a problem. I'll be sharing my 2012 goal progress later this week so definitely check back, I've managed to cover a lot of ground already! Happy Monday all you lovely people. big kiss, bekuh

Weekly Obsessions: Love is Real at Any Age

2012-02-12T11:00:00.000-05:00

This week's Weekly Obsessions center around true love in all it's shapes and ages. I warned you that I'm brimming over with love this month and so let's just keep the ball rolling. I've been really inspired by older couples lately, maybe because Ryan and I are married and so we can't identify with the dating set anymore? Whatever the reason I think older people in love are the sweetest of sweet and they make me so hopeful for a future filled with romance, love, and a deep understanding of the man I married.

1. It Get's Better with Age

Image Sources: Style Me Pretty

Isn't this couple the cutest!? I love when older couples still seem so in love and can laugh at the past together. I'm looking forward to the day when Ryan and I get to share photos like these.

2. Walking Down the Road Together

Image Source: the Berry

There is nothing better than walking arm in arm with the person you love and so it is even sweeter if its after 50 years of doing just that. Love this.

3. Old Love in New Movies

Image Sources: 1, 2

Ok, ok I know UP is fictional but Carl and Ellie are my absolute marriage idols! Their sweet 10 minute marriage montage would put many a marriage to shame. The second couple is from the movie New York, I love You and both of these amazing actors are so crotchety that I just know this is going to be more what Ryan and I are like when we're old, but still adventurous like Carl and Ellie of course.

4. Love Through the Ages

Image Source: 1 (this is what's on pinterest but I'd love the original link if someone has it)

Not everyone has a love story that lasts a life time but for those who do these images may look a little familiar. I think everyone can relate to the stages of love that these represent and hope upon hope that one day it will be them.

5. Silly Old Love

Image Source: Adwriter

The old man in this picture reminds me of my great-grandad. He used to give us kisses, rubbing his scruffy face on our cheeks so we'd squeal. This is a couple that laughs together and a couple like this is a good reminder that laughter can solve all manner of ills.

6. Young Love in Black and White

Image Sources: 1 (unknown), 2, 3

Black and white photos can capture feelings in a way that sometimes even real life can't. All three of these pictures capture love at it's most intimate, a subtle moment between two people in love..

Valentines day is on Tuesday and I'm pretty excited because I've got a little something up my sleeve to surprise Ryan with on the 14th. What are you doing this Valentines day? big kiss, bekuh

See You Soon! (I'm in Atlanta)

2012-02-10T10:00:00.000-05:00

I'm headed to Atlanta in the AM for a big college fair for work. As glamorous as my job may sound at times, you know travelling to exotic places like Birmingham and Chattanooga, it's not always heaps of fun. Most of my days are so packed full of work stuff that I don't get to explore the cities I visit or eat anywhere all that good. This weekend is different though! Atlanta is the stomping grounds of my Aunt Donna (she's secondhand's biggest fan), cousins Ellen and Matthew, and my Uncle Bill. This weekend serves as a little family time, a little work time and a lot of drive time. I'm packed and ready to go. I love a mini road trip every now and again.

Things I'm looking forward to on this trip:

1. Some me time in the car, listening to the radio

2. Eating scrumptious food Uncle Bill picks out (he introduced me to sushi at 12)

3. Talking to my cousin Ellen and probably giggling a little like we used to

4. Drinking Starbucks coffee every morning I'm there

5. The return of the Walking Dead Season II (yes, I am one of those people)

I'll be posting as usual and will hopefully have a highlight or two to share when I'm back. Happy Friday everyone and have a great weekend! big kiss, bekuh

Doing Chores: Scrubbing Toilets

2012-02-09T12:00:00.000-05:00

There is just no pleasant way to share scrubbing toilets, because let's face it toilet cleaning is not a pleasant chore. I know that people say toilet water is cleaner than water from the kitchen sink, mentally I know that. That does not mean, however, that I'm going to grab a glass of cold toilet water to drink! I cannot describe the disgust I feel when I bend over the toilet bowl and start to brush. It reminds me of throwing up...among other things. But sometimes life calls for dirty work by clean hands. So I will pick up my toilet brush and salute my toilet bowl once again. It's need to be clean wins out my will not to clean it every time. big kiss,bekuh

I've Been Obsessing Lately...

2012-02-09T10:00:00.001-05:00

Sounds of the Woods - Nadinoo AW11 Film from WishWishWish on Vimeo.

I saw this video forever ago on WishWishWish and I've been obsessing ever since. I'm pretty sure on days I go wandering alone I think this is what my life looks like, and I'm 99% sure it's not. Carrie is the creative engine behind the Sounds of the Woods video created for Nandino.

In other news, I'm now on twitter (creepy crawly music commence). I have been very reluctant to join the twitter craze but I felt like it was time for my creative business to get with it, and it pleases my tech-savvy friends who've been encouraging me to take the leap. So you now have yet another way to follow Secondhand Sundays!

Valentines Heart Bracelet DIY

2012-02-08T10:00:00.000-05:00

Thanks to everyone who helped make my sister's birthday extra special yesterday! I'm back with another Valentines day craft for you! I'm pretty excited about this one because ANYONE can do it and it takes less than five minutes to complete the entire project. I love coming up with crafts like that don't you? You're only "required" supply is the raffia wrapped wire strands that can be found in any floral department at your local craft store. So without further adieu...

You make your very own heart bracelet in 5ish easy steps:

Step One: Fold your ends in about a quarter inch so they don't poke you when you wear your bracelet, and fold the wire in half creating a V shape.

Step Two: Fold the left arm of the V across the right arm creating the first hump in the heart

Step 3: Repeat that step with the right arm across the left side of the heart's body to create the second hump in the heart.

Step Four: Carefully twist the arm laying across the left side of the heart around the body shape to secure it.

Step Five: Repeat step for on the right side of the heart and then wrap around your wrist to size it.

Above you can see a front and back view of the completed bracelet, it took me less than a minute to create each of them so it makes a great gift for your girlfriends or a fun project to do if you're hosting a girls night in.

You can decorate the bracelets in a million ways using paint, embroidery floss, glitter, and yarn to totally personalize them for each of your friends and it will still take you less than 30 minutes to do it all. In addition because of the heavy duty gauge of this wire you can easily adjust the size to fit just about anybody's wrist. I'll be wearing mine this Valentines Day, will you? big kiss, bekuh

A Pretty Queen of Hearts Crown DIY

2012-02-07T14:00:00.000-05:00

You may have seen this pretty little crown in the earlier post about my sister's birthday. Now, I thought I'd share a simple DIY so you can make the crown yourself for birthdays, valentines day or just because you feel like being a princess for a day. You'll only need two supplies to complete this project: gold pipe cleaners and a heart charm. I made my heart charm out of oven-bake sculpy but you can buy a heart charm if that's easier for you.

For a crown to fit my average sized head I used 5 gold pipe cleaners, two for the crown and 3 for the points of the crown.

Step 1: Using 2 pipe cleaners, twist together the ends of both on either side to form a circle, see below (so easy, right?)

Step 2: Next push a third pipe cleaner through the hole in your heart charm and center it on the pipe cleaner. Twist the pipe cleaner together at the top and pull it into an upside down V at the back of the heart charm.

You now have the central peak of your crown ready to assemble. It may be a little wobbly at this point but have no fear we'll stabilize it by adding additional points to the sides.

Step 3: Using about a half inch piece at the end of each arm in the V twist it around your already formed circle, the picture above should help.

Step 4: Now using a fourth pipe cleaner you will begin to make the sides of your crown. Form a small upside down V shape (see below) and twist it to the crown at at the point where your first two pipe cleaners met to form the circle (see two pictures down).

Step 5: Next twist the other side of your min-peak around the crown once or twice to form your completed point. With the remainder of the pipe cleaner sticking up you can now create the mid-sized point on your crown.

Step 6: For this point bend your pipe cleaner into a u shape and twist the end around the circle where your highest point begins (see two pictures down).

Step 7: Pinch the top of the u shape to form a point and you've completed one side! Repeat these steps on the other side of your crown to complete the project.

It was so much fun making my sister a crown for her birthday and then making myself one too! I hope you enjoy this project and have a sparkly princess kind of day. big kiss, bekuh

Happy Birthday Sarah!

2012-02-07T10:00:00.000-05:00

Today is my gorgeous sister Sarah's BIRTHDAY!!!! She has always been a guiding force in my life and I would not be the person I am today without her love, support, and adolescent torturing (just kidding). I can not be with her today in person but I most certainly am in spirit. I love you big sis! You are fabulous.

Because I couldn't be with her to celebrate her birthday with balloons, a crown, and confetti, I sent her a party in a box so she could celebrate anyway. I tucked in some pretty floral coasters, two cloth garlands, a crown, and our favorite chocolate muffin mix so she can make it and share it with friends. She will look just gaw-geous I'm sure (that was in a southern accent if you didn't pick up on that).

Leave my sister a sweet comment on my blog so even far away she can feel all the love. She's worth it I promise ;) big kiss,bekuh

Paella with Friends

2012-02-06T10:00:00.000-05:00

Paella is my most favorite Spanish dish, and last weekend Ryan and I hosted a little dinner party, serving a giant pan full of the saffron deliciousness. I was first turned on to paella while I was living in London; a wonderful Spanish friend named David made a group of us paella for dinner one night and I have been a cult follower ever since.The thing I love most about paella is that it is meant to be shared, you won't often find a Spaniard sitting alone to a dish of this. It's a perfect meal for large groups and has an everything plus the kitchen sink kind of quality. I've made many variations of paella but the chicken and seafood paella tends to be my favorite.

This was the first ever couples dinner party that Ryan and I had ever hosted. Normally we invite everybody and anybody who can make it out for a good meal but we'd finally made it to that place in adulthood where more friends than not are in couples. Sadly a bunch of people couldn't make it due to other commitments but the eight of us who could enjoyed a hearty meal with sangria and good beer to share. Martin graced us with a couple of bottles of his incredible home brew and the hard to get your hands on Bell's Hopslam.

After dinner we played a fun game of "Would You Rather..." There was a lot of laughter and the realization that among our living room knick-knacks there were all the props one needed to play Sherlock Holmes for a night (thanks Lewis and Christine). Having so many loved ones in one place made me super grateful for the friendships Ryan and I have been building together in Roanoke. I can't wait to get everybody together again soon big kiss, bekuh

Weekly Obsessions: Valentines DIYs

2012-02-05T11:00:00.000-05:00

Valentines Day is just a week and a half away and it is one of my favorite DIY holidays. Girls all over the world are home right now perfecting a handmade gift of love for their special someone. For those of you who are a little last minute like me I thought I'd compile an awesome list of Valentines projects that you can make at home in a jiffy before February 14th. It's never to late for crafty ones.

1. Dottie Angel's Heart Garland

Image Source: Dottie Angels

I love this idea and it's more than a little easy, who doesn't have a book or newspaper they can destroy for the sake of art? If you don't have a sewing machine to sew the hearts together, you can always tape string to the heart. This is a great project idea for a romantic dinner for two at home.

2. Valentines Cards on Purl Bee

Image Source: The Purl Bee

This project takes a little more practice with the sewing machine but is quick and easy to do if you've got the skills. How fun would it be to mail all of your friends a card like this?

3. Homemade Conversation Hearts

Image Source: Make Monthly

I loved conversation hearts when I was a kid, now not so so much, but seeing how to make them homemade kinda makes me want to give them a second chance. This would be great for gifts!

4. Cross-stitched Heart Hand Warmers

Image Source: Wild Olive

I secretly love the cheese factor behind giving some one a heart embroidery hand warmer, it's like saying "you warm my heart," or "for when I can't be their to hold your hand, my heart still can." Oh so cheesy.

5. Clay Heart Bracelet

Image Source: Oh Happy Day!

This is super precious and something moms can do with kids or girlfriends can do together (like Katie & I). I would definitely heart this as a bracelet or a necklace for Valentines day.

6. Super Hero Heart Cuffs

Image Source: The Sewing Loft Blog

I couldn't resist this last project, it was just too sticking adorable. As a bonus these cuffs could serve double duty, as a silly bracelet for valentines day and a love themed super hero for Halloween.

That's my DIY resource guide for you this month, do try all of these at home, and click their links to show some love. Do any of you lovely readers have a Valentines DIY project up your sleeve and want to share it? Link it up in the comments. I love seeing what you are all up to. big kiss, bekuh

Look and See!

2012-02-04T11:00:00.000-05:00

So one of my goals for the blog in 2012 is to advertise on at least one bigger blog a month. I have been advertising on other blogs for the last three months and continue to meet new readers and new bloggers thanks to this exposure, but I'd like to try and pay it forward a little and share the blogs I'm advertising on so you can show them some love for showing me some :) This month you will see my ad on:

My Girl Thursday

Chantilly is a super funny, awesome wonder mom who shares life in a way that makes me giggle every time. She's just started a new vlog series with Elycia answering questions about blogging and creative business. She's a super star, you've been warned.

Lemons, Avocados and the Bay

Tammy is a super sweet California girl who loves her home and her life and has no problem sharing it! I love her super peppy attitude and her silly faces in pretty much every post :)

A is for Ampersand

Amy is a woman on a mission and this month truly showcases that, for the entire month of February she is promoting self-love with her start a Revolution campaign. You should join up, I did!

the Dainty Squid

Oh Miss Kayla how I love your hair, and thrifting abilities and love of fungi. If you've never been over to The Dainty Squid you owe it to yourself to go NOW!

Please visit all of these blogs and love on them a little; they are all amazing women doing amazing things and I have inspired by them during the course of my own blog journey.

Monthly Recap: January 2012

2012-02-03T10:00:00.000-05:00

I can not believe January is already over; my parents always told me that the years get shorter as you grow older but I didn't know they would fly! Oh the places we've been together this month, from the last of the holiday hurrah to revealing frustrations that are just part of real life we've seen a lot together. Some highlights for me have certainly been sharing my 2012 goals, revealing our finished bedroom, polka dot days, and Ryan's first loaf of bread.

1. Our Bedroom 2. Polka Dot Days 3. A Hike With Friends

4. Chinese New Year 5. Dainty Hangers 6. Car Trouble

I'm looking forward to all February has in store for life and for the blog. Lots planned to share with you and more crafts than ever before. Let the month of love begin! big kiss, bekuh