The Crimson Owl

happy 4th!

2012-07-04T10:00:00.002-04:00

Music Monday : French Films

2012-03-05T09:00:00.014-05:00

It's so often that I fall for a band based on the deep baritone voice of the singer...such as with The National and Matt Berninger. This is another one of those times.

French Films - Golden Sea

Happy Monday to ya! ♥

Ruffle cake!

2012-03-04T17:51:00.001-05:00

I'm making multiple cakes for my cousin's baby shower in April. So I thought I would do a few test cakes for the big event. I really want to do one of the ruffle cakes that are popping up everywhere. I think they are pretty, different and perfect for showers and girly birthday parties.

Here's my test run on that cake but with whipped icing. I really don't like how the icing is loose and sloppy...too soft. So I'm going to work with buttercream on this one. Probably taste yummy though!!

Yay for cakes and babies!! :)

Music Monday : Cat Power

2012-02-27T09:00:00.003-05:00

Cat Power - Sea of Love

Covering this song is amazing. We played this at our wedding...well the original. But I love this so much more. Have a great day! ♥

so lovely...on pinterest!

2012-02-23T09:00:00.004-05:00

magical. found at greeneyesandlullabyes

tunes on tuesday: Gardens & Villa

2012-02-21T21:00:00.000-05:00

Gardens and Villa - Thorn Castles

We have been busy, busy lately...between normal errands and housework, our new home planning and hanging out with friends, there has been little time left in the days. I am so happy that Spring is on it's way...more daylight is always a good thing. It has been a brighter drive to work in the mornings this week...and that is always a good thing. Lately my creative mind has been filled with ideas for baby shower cakes, wedding such and such and a few crochet projects I'm working on...all with Spring in mind. How about you?

Well here's a song for your Tuesday...have a great day! :)

♥

so lovely...on pinterest!

2012-02-16T09:00:00.007-05:00

I adore this image from millymollymandy on Etsy titled Freedom White...and not just because she's a ginger. ;)

just another day...

2012-02-15T09:43:00.005-05:00

I know today is no longer Valentine's day or Monday...but today is the Wednesday edition of Music Monday...I thought I would share something that both myself and the mister are loving right now. The Black Keys...of course, this is nothing new. I have confessed my love for them before. Although we are both very much infatuated with the new album and both wish that we could see them in concert. Unfortunately Pittsburgh is not on their tour schedule. Sigh...we'll wait.

Last night we had a normal dinner with the addition of an amazing Moscato that I have recently discovered from Target and a night full of music and being silly. Our favorite. Do anything special? ♥ ♥

so lovely...on pinterest!

2012-02-09T09:00:00.012-05:00

My mom and I frequent a few antique/indoor flea markets in a town smack-dab in the middle of our journey to each other. We have recently discovered that I have this obsession with touching things. Like feeling fabrics and ribbons and trinkets. Which is strange because I'm quite a bit of a germaphobe...a little fact for ya...and I carry around hand sanitizer and use it like it's going out of style. She said that I've always been that way though, since I was little. That it used to drive her nuts...but now she just laughs about it.

I can honestly tell you that I want to touch and pick up each one of these jars photographed in this image and see inside. They are so pretty and curious.

Music Monday : Real Estate

2012-02-06T09:00:00.001-05:00

Real Estate - Green Aisles.

What a great user video. I love driving down back roads listening to awesome music.

Hope your Monday is great! ♥

home sweet home...

2012-02-04T17:28:00.000-05:00

We've finally decided on a house plan that we like and found a local builder! We went today to meet with the builder to see what features and colors are available. We were also able to look at a house there by the same company to see the quality of materials and some features that we liked. It's all very exciting!

Here's a picture of the house...they don't have an option on their site to change up the colors and we were trying to decide on 2 shades for both the shingles and siding. So I painted it in Photoshop to help finalize our decision...you get the idea.

It has a loft upstairs with an unfinished bedroom, bathroom and walk-in closet (my fav!!). We plan on finishing it and moving upstairs and making the downstairs bedroom a guest room and office. It's small-ish and modest...just right for us.

Now to pick out options and upgrades!! We decided on this fabulous worn cabinet color for the kitchen:

And this darker hickory color laminate flooring throughout the house.

We are SO ready for this. We've officially been in the camper now for 2 winters. Hopefully we won't have to weather another one. *Big grins from us both*

♥

so lovely...on pinterest!

2012-02-02T09:00:00.019-05:00

So I have this folder on Pinterest....it's called So Lovely. I put things in there that I love because they are pretty or because I think they would be lovely somewhere in my space. This is one of those pins...

I spotted these images over at BurdaStyle of 1950's circus costumes. Magical. It really reminded me of Water for Elephants...which I thought was a dazzling and beautiful story. Have you seen it or read the book? Not only were the costumes and sets spectacular but the story and actors were perfect.

So much inspiration. ♥

pinterest.

2012-01-31T09:00:00.000-05:00

It's my new addiction. It's like being able to organize everything in your mind all in one place. I have folders for my cousin's baby shower, house decorating, food and cake ideas, a bucket list, a list of things I want to do this summer, and a newly added folder for my sister-in-law who just got engaged and I am going to be the maid of honor (!!!!). So you might say that Pinterest saved my life...and sanity. ;) thank you whoever created this simple little tool. Because I heart you. Really, I do.

Follow me for tons of found, amazing ideas all over the internets! Are you on Pinterest? ...let me know so that I can follow you!

♥ ♥

Music Monday : Fun.

2012-01-30T09:00:00.005-05:00

Fun. We are Young

Discovered recently on Sirius XMU.

Have a great Monday! ♥

p.s. I've made a few changes to the blog layout. Yay for vintage fabric.

under the weather.

2012-01-29T11:40:00.000-05:00

blah. Let's get a pity party for Stephanie going...I think I have been sick for like 4 weeks now. It started off with a fever...turned into the flu...then I might have been better for about 2 days and picked up a head cold. Now I've been battling it since this past Thursday. I hate being sick. The weather has been so wierd here...hot, cold, mild, rainy and even snow mixed in. A strange winter indeed. This morning I finally broke down and made a smoothie for breakfast with echinacea tea leaves mixed in. This is the best cold-busting smoothie recipe I've come up with and it usually seems to help a little...though maybe that's the Dayquil talking. ;)

Here's what I add to my cold busting smoothie:

frozen peaches (from last summer)...about a whole peach (if they are fresh then add a few ice cubes to the mix)

1 banana

a squirt of agave (or honey) about 1 tbsp

1 tea bag of echinacea tea leaves (open the tea bag and dump the leaves right in)

about 3/4 C OJ (fresh or bottled)

I add them in that order so that the heaver peaches will fall onto everything when I flip it onto the Magic Bullet...if you are using a blender I would recommend reversing the order. Always add the heaviest item the furthest away from the blades so that it pushes the lighter items into the blades...make sense? And please tell you have a Magic Bullet...because it's the best. Did you know that they make a Baby Bullet for baby food?? Genius!

Any special cold-busting remedies that you have up your sleeves? I do have some ear candles that I'm planning on doing tonight.

Thanks for listening to me whine...hey, at least I shared a recipe in the mix! =)

be well.

weekend project take 3

2012-01-11T11:29:00.001-05:00

I've been toying around with writing a pattern for fingerless gloves for quite a while. I have made some for myself and given them as gifts...but never been happy enough with a pattern to share with the rest of the world...until now. I'll be sending off a handful of these dears with my next shipment to my friend's shop.

I've been making them with homespun yarns and alpaca blends. I hope that everyone else loves them as much as I do. :)

weekend project take 2

2012-01-09T16:21:00.000-05:00

Yes, I'm jumping on the bandwagon of elbow patches and grandpa sweaters. But seriously...I picked up this sweater at a resale shop in Pittsburgh for $10 and it had holes worn into both elbows! Good thing I was already planning on adding patches.

A horrible pic I know...I need a better camera phone.

weekend project take 1

2012-01-08T11:36:00.001-05:00

I'm feeling so creative and inspired lately since I've been crocheting again. I found this cardigan at a local consignment shop for $8 Friday and as soon as I spotted it I knew what I wanted to do.

I picked up a bag of vintage velvet ribbon scraps a few weekends ago at a place near Pittsburgh. They worked perfectly with my vision. This project turned out exactly how I had planned. So pretty. More pics soon

warm your ears.

2012-01-02T11:31:00.000-05:00

Hey! So Merry Christmas AND Happy New Year! We had a lovely holiday spent with family and friends here in town. It was different than our normal yearly traditions...but I think this year we created some new ones. Which I love!

I have to admit that the week I was off for vacation I also took a week off from crochetting. I tend to over-produce sometimes...having high-hopes that all of my goodes will sell out quickly. So I didn't crochet all week and now I am kicking myself!! I found out after the holiday that just about everything (except a few hats) I sent to my friend's shop did in fact sell out...and I was left empty handed with no goodes waiting to ship her. All weekend I worked on more hats, cowls and earwarmers to send.

I thought you might like to see the earwarmer that I've been making...

I've been whipping them up in homespun yarns and alpaca blends. They are soft and cozy to wear around outside...and even look cute with your hair pulled up.

I am excited because although I am so limited on space in this camper, crochet doesn't take up much. And while I might have a pile of goodes sitting around for a day or two, they are shipped off before you know it. In short...I'm thinking that this is my salvation from the winter blues and lack of crafty inspiration this year. Maybe you'll even see some free patterns coming soon!!

How was your holiday? What crafty endeavors have you taken on lately? ♥ ♥

you're just somebody that I used to know.

2011-12-21T14:22:00.000-05:00

I can honestly say that I have no idea where this month went. I feel this in daily life too. I haven't been able to get nearly as much completed this month as I set out to do. And now I've been on vacation for a few days and still haven't checked but a few simple things from my list. Ah well...that's life...and that's December.

Last weekend we celebrated the holiday with the mister's family from out of town. We all gathered at a japanese steakhouse and then we went back to his grandma's for wine and gifts. It's funny how things have changed this year from last. I always notice that when it comes to giving and receiving. This year consisted of lots of running gear...last year definitely did not.

On another note I joined the gym near my work a few weeks ago. I've only gone 3 times. See what I mean when I say this month has escaped me?

Anywho...what have you been up to this month? How is your holiday planning going so far? I can't wait to have room again for a tree and decorating doesn't clutter the place up. Looking forward to that.

Here's a great new song I just heard yesterday. <3

makeups.

2011-12-08T09:00:00.001-05:00

I've been on a makeup kick lately. I have seriously purchased more new makeup in the last 2 weeks than I have in the past year. I went into Sephora searching for something new...something to replace my current natural tinted moisturizer. Something to minimize my morning routine. Something to brighten me up this winter and make me feel better about my skin. Every time I visit Sephora I leave empty handed and frustrated. I went in determined to not let that happen this time around and after a lap around the store determination was not enough but luckily I was saved by a sweet girl who spotted the lost look on my face! She sat me down in a chair and went to work. I walked out with 4 new products and a handful of samples. Yay me!

I am always hesitant to try new products because of the price. So I thought that I would share my thoughts with you on the products that I did purchase in hopes that I can help if you are also searching for something new to brighten up your life.

First and foremost is the tinted moisturizer. My only request was that it was natural and moisturizing. I walked away with Tarte Smooth Operator SPF 20. This product is one of those overachiever kids. Not only is it natural and moisturizing but it is SPF 20, spreads quickly and with ease with my fingers, leaves an almost dewy finish and a little goes a long way. I don't need to add powder over top. Plus if I need a little more to cover a blemish or a red area, I can pat it on with my finger to provide just a bit more coverage without being obvious. Since it is taking the place of both the tinted moisturizer I was using and the powder...I believe that I'm breaking even and can justify the $36 price tag.

Next up was an under eye concealer with good coverage. My skin is so fair that I have dark circles under my eyes that make me look aged and tired. I have always fought them and even apply a concealer when I apply nothing else. I was using Lancome 'Effacernes' Waterproof Protective Undereye Concealer until I ran out after we moved. I hesitated to purchase more because of the price. So I have been cycling through brand after brand from the drugstore and have not found anything that works to date. During my trip to Sephora I walked away with Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Waterproof Concealer. I have to honestly tell you that I hate this product. When the consultant applied it won me over. It looked great for the rest of the evening. But when I apply it looks terrible, pools in the creases and almost seems to get splotchy towards the inner part of my eye. Not good. On top of that, the coverage is not nearly as good as the Lancome. I have tried a brush and my finger with no difference in either. Due to the difficulty of blending, price and coverage I will not be purchasing it again.

I was not searching for a brow pencil. I have never found one that works for me and I have a fear of applying them thinking that I would look too much like a cartoon character. But the consultant used Anastastia Perfect Brow Pencil in Strawburn and I was in love at first site. Strawburn is a reddish blonde that blends perfectly with my brows and hair color. It applies easily, without effort and the brush pulls the color through your brows for a perfect blend. I highly recommend this pencil!

I also purchased Boscia Amino-AG Eye Treatment, which I love, and sampled a (non-natural) cream blush and a lip tint, which broke me out (no surprise there). So there you have it. A few products that I either love or hate...have you tried any new products lately? What is your favorite under eye concealer? ♥

This ship will carry our bodies safe to the shore.

2011-12-07T08:07:00.000-05:00

I wrote this song down a few weeks ago when I first heard and fell in love with it. But I must have forgotten about it but now I can't get it out of my head. It reminds me a little of Home from Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros.

Of Monsters and Men - Little Talks

It's going to be the next big thing. ♥

Wowza

2011-12-05T22:21:00.000-05:00

I've been busy...swamped actually. Between the normal evening and weekend chores I've been crocheting my fingers to the bone to send some goodies to my friend's shop for the holidays. This is the first package. 2 large hooded cowls, 2 medium cowls, 3 hats and 2 headband/earwarmers. More pics to come!

What have you been up to? <3

I got a love that keeps me waiting.

2011-12-01T17:25:00.000-05:00

I tried hard at first to reject this song from my daily listen. It's not that I didn't like it...it's just so catchy that I figured I would be over it as soon as I started liking it. I figured it would be played out on my 2 favorite indie stations, t.v. commercials and on mainstream radio stations. I figured that I wouldn't be able to get it out of my head and it would drive me insane all day long. It would be one of those songs that I wake up with in the morning and try hard to remember the lyrics to while I'm getting ready for work in hopes that I could quit humming it.

But then I saw the video which makes it really hard not to love.

p.s. I did hear it on the way home on the same station twice...within 15 minutes. I couldn't believe it.

So thankful...

2011-11-26T15:04:00.000-05:00

to have these beautiful, inspiring women in my life.

This was our pre-race picture.

and our post-race picture. Still excited...I would say even more so.

We couldn't have asked for a better day to run a 5k. We all left feeling amazing and proud of our accomplished selves. I ran my first 5k in 32.07 and placed 23/56 in my age group! There was 700 people at the race, which is amazing. And all of the proceeds went to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters in Frederick County, VA. The course was tough and sometimes muddy and slippery but we all finished! Yay for us. =)

I hope all of you lovelies are having a great weekend and holiday break. <3