I have been in my house for 10 years this year and I still am not able to enjoy my yard. It's a bit of a jungle being that neither my DH or I are really outdoorsy types.

Well no more. I have declared war on the yard. I am very determined to make it enjoyable for my family and friends by the fall.

I try to be very environmentally conscious in everything I do. And in the past this has meant only using organic methods in the yard. The Yard has been winning under that philosophy. I have decided to embrace my scientist background and come to terms with the fact that not all chemicals are bad. Obviously they are necessary in this case and will be employed responsibly.

With such a huge task (both the entire front and back yards) I'm taking the "small project" approach: addressing small areas of the yard one at a time. I successfully grew a few herbs in pots last year and really want to garden. The only area in our entire yard to get remotely enough sun is smack in the middle of the front yard. As to not be "that" neighbor with a crazy garden in the front yard I decided to go with two raised beds closer to the house. I don't think they get 8 full hours of sun but I'm willing to see what I can grow. The plan is for one to be herbs and the other tomatoes and peppers. I know I'm fighting the clock starting this late in the season but I'm gonna try.

Small is a relative term.  This area in front of the house seemed much smaller before I started trying to get the layer of dead grass & weeds up.

Its super slow going and the rain we've had over the past few days isn't making it any easier. But regardless, it is "small" project #1.

I'll be updating the blog with my progress over the summer and fall. So the competition begins... 

Me, 0. The Yard, 10.

Kick off the long holiday weekend right by coming out to Gallery 5 tonight for RVyAy!

The event will run from 7 - 10 pm tonight then again tomorrow from 12 noon - 6 pm. Pop Culture Rehab will be hanging out with Sew Ono Eco Apparel upstairs so stop by and say hi!
 

I have to admit I've been a bit of a creative slump since the holidays. I'm going to chalk it up to sheer burn-out after a banner holiday season for Lark Studio. But the siren song of the studio called this week and I decided to start the attack on the growing stack of unusable vinyl hiding in the corner. Since Record Album Notebooks have become a staple for the shop I wanted to see if I could use the vinyl for a new style or two.

Introducing our new Vinyl Cover notebooks! These notebooks have a 3-ring closure to make them easily refillable so you can reuse the covers over and over again. Style 1 has the vinyl as the cover, has one section of plain recycled paper and a back pocket.

Style 2 uses the record album cover as the front cover and section divider, has a front pocket, both a lined paper and plain paper section, and uses the vinyl as the back cover.

Both styles measure 6 inches x 8.5 inches. The size was dictated by the pockets. A new, unopened pack of 12 pockets was a recent dumpster diving score! As I come across more reclaimed paper I'll offer refills for this style on the website.

Any other ideas of what I can do with all this vinyl?

I often tweet about my thrifting finds around Richmond. Last month a few friends who are also into thrifting had had it with me. They wanted in on the places so we made a plan to have a big thrifting extravaganza on yesterday. Unfortunately cold & flu season, a sprained ankle and some fabulous international travel dwiddled the group down to just three of us - but we still had a blast!

The Loot - photo by Dawn Anderson

Kelly, Nicole and I hit my favorite spots on the Southside and I scored some great supplies for Lark Studio. Then we had the best fish & chips and luxe desserts for lunch, then hit Kelly's hot spots in Lakeside. It was really fun shopping with the girls and I vow to do it more often!

Chocolate pudding courtesy of Sine Irish Pub

Apple Cobbler courtesy of Sine Irish Pub