talk like lovers

being clever & crafty

2012-02-11T06:30:00.000-08:00

Since moving into our new place, you should see the list of all the little projects I plan to do here! With DIY stuff on the brain, you can imagine how my jaw dropped when I saw this bus bed! Awesome, right?! I'm just trying to keep remembering that my long list of projects is a marathon, not a race, & just do a bit at a time.

Speaking of cleverness & craftiness, "Five Ways Arts & Crafts Ruined My Life" cracked me up & is oh so true!

my art classroom

2012-02-07T19:19:00.000-08:00

Today was the 100th day of the school year! So surreal. I really love coming to this room every morning, putting on some music, & getting ready for the little ones. Being an art teacher is seriously the best job ever & couldn't imagine a job better than playing in paints, clay, scissors, & glue all day :]

pool tables are a lot of work

2012-02-07T19:03:00.000-08:00

But oh so worth it! I've been MIA for no other reason than just being crazzzyyyy busy! Burton & I moved to a new place & have been gradually unpacking & getting settled. Lots of stuff has been going on at my elementary school. I even celebrated my 24th birthday! I've been a busy bumblebee. The most recent task Burton & I undertook is to completely makeover an older pool table!

We hit the ground running with it as soon as we moved in so we could have it ready for a little housewarming/birthday get-together. I don't have a before picture, but trust me it's a huuuuge improvement. We leveled the slate & reapplied the putty, sanded it, refelted it with a beautiful charcoal gray (in replacement of the worn burgundy it had before), & removed the retro fringe tassels from the pockets. SUCH an improvement & it only cost us $85 to do it all on our own. We're proud parents of this new baby :]

Anyway, more updates to come (& more frequently, too!) Hope you've all been well & have had a happy February so far :] Psst...Valentine's Day is just around the corner! <3

costa rica

2012-01-26T18:44:00.001-08:00

After talking to a couple friends who've been, Burton & I are about 80% we'll be honeymooning in Costa Rica! We were interested in a couple other places, including Belgium, but considering we'll be visiting in the winter, Costa Rica seems best. Plus, it's got beaches, volcanoes, zip lines, rain forests, awesome food, adventures, & romantic scenery. Sounds pretty perfect for us :]

the beard song

2012-01-23T18:02:00.000-08:00

So, uh, I am in LOVE with Burton's beard. I could run my fingers through it & let him nuzzle & kiss me all day long. I seriously dig the scruff. So naturally, when I stumbled upon The Beard Song, it became my new anthem for Burton. Just incredibly adorable :] Have a listen & check out their other cute songs!

PS; Manly beard oil. Mmhmm.

our first date

2012-01-22T08:38:00.000-08:00

On Friday, Burton & I went out to celebrate the anniversary of our first date :] We had sushi at the same restaurant & talked about how far we've come since then. A year ago, our waiter even picked up on how smitten we were with each other. He actually asked, "Would you like another round & keep the magic going?" For fun, we've revisited & repeated that phrase throughout our relationship. After our anniversary dinner date, we got some frozen yogurt & watched Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (which obviously wasn't as good as the book, but still shook a few tears out of me).

When we first started dating, it took months for it to sink in that Burton was my boyfriend -- I just felt so lucky! Sometimes being engaged to him feels a little surreal & I'm going to have to get used to calling him my husband pretty soon! I think we'll keep the magic going for many more years to come :]

bridesmaid dresses

2012-01-19T15:26:00.000-08:00

At first, I really loved the idea of gray bridesmaids dresses (& still kind of do!) but after looking around, I became more drawn to off-white neutral colors. I was looking at Modcloth & Anthropology (the sale section!) for inspiration because I didn't really want to pick a David's Bridal dress I didn't think the girls would ever wear again. I stumbled upon this dress from Modcloth & fell in love. I bought it as soon as it came back in stock & it just came in the mail TODAY.

I tried it on & fell in love even more. After I get some feedback from the other bridesmaids, I think I'll give them the go ahead to order it. I can even let one of them borrow mine! I'd even love to sew them some pretty ribbons to add around their waist in the different wedding colors (we haven't got them pegged yet, but this is close to what they might be). Pretttyyyyy :]

can't sleep. hello, pinterest!

2012-01-17T15:30:00.000-08:00

I'm not new to the wonderfulness that is Pinterest. I know of it's addicting & awe-inspiring capabilities. So when I woke up at 2am a few nights ago, I knew where to go. To the pin boards! It wasn't until it was around 6am that I was like, "Okay, I need to pull the plug at some point" & finally fell back asleep. I had quite the inspiration-packed night, so perhaps you can head on over & see what I was up to :] Don't have a Pinterest account yet? Stop reading my blog right now & go get one!

bling bling: wedding rings!

2012-01-17T14:46:00.000-08:00

I bought my wedding ring & it should be coming in this weeeeek!!! So exciting :] I know it's a little early but it was on super sale & couldn't resist. Here it is pictured with the engagement ring Burton got me from the same Etsy seller. It's beautiful, & simple, & AHHH! I LOVE IT.

For Burton, he was interested in getting a meteorite wedding band, similar to this one, & wouldn't you know it, my uncle has one the same size, just laying around from a previous marriage! So not only is my band made out of reclaimed gold, but we're even recycling my uncle's band, which thrills us because the bridal jewelry market just seems like a giant financial sinkhole to me. Plus, we're not flashy or superstitious & we can also engrave it to make it his own.

Wedding planning so far has just been so much fun & like the rings, everything just seems to be falling into place :] But more on that girly stuff later...

extremely loud & incredibly close

2012-01-16T07:43:00.000-08:00

Please excuse my absence! It's been craaazy here as we prep for our moving day! You should see our place -- it's pretty chaotic. Anyway, I wanted to mention that one of my top four favorite books, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, has been turned into a movie & it's coming out this Friday! I'm obsessed with this book, read it many times, & of course will see the movie. I don't know if I'll like it though.

Yes, I love Tom Hanks & the trailer looks decent, but there is no way it will be able to match the quirkiness & beautiful subtleties the books has. For instance, there's one part when the grandmother is telling her grandson a story about when her grandfather gave her a ruby bracelet that was too big. He had thought that more rubies equals more love, but she couldn't ever wear it. She says, "Here is the point of everything I've been trying to tell you. If I was going to give you a ruby bracelet, I'd measure your wrist twice."

I hope those pretty little moments aren't too overlooked. We'll see!

Portlandia

2012-01-09T18:04:00.000-08:00

Today I became OBSESSED with the show Portlandia!

It's hilarious & has yet to sway Burton & I from our dream of one day moving to Oregon :]

Ch-ch-ch-check it out!

a little random chuckle story

2012-01-09T03:13:00.000-08:00

I wore this outfit to school last week & a 2nd grader asked me, "Why are only your legs sunburned?"

Adorable.

DIY ideas for our new home

2012-01-07T12:07:00.000-08:00

Spray painting a welcoming design on my door mat.

Making a front door wreath to greet you with cuteness.

Sewing my own curtains & hanging them from a tree branch.

Livening up my salt & pepper shakers with some hand-painted designs!

Tacking on these adorable magnets to the fridge.

Framing this pretty print & adding it to my wall of mantras.

I might even sew my own pillows, build a wall vase, & make a mouse hole door to cover my outlets :]

moving on out!

2012-01-07T08:23:00.001-08:00

Burton & I have a HOME!! We move just three weeks from today, only a few days before my birthday! Many people dread moving, but honestly, it feels like a birthday present to me :] For months, I've been aching to get out of the cramped, dated space that is our current townhouse. Not only is it much, much newer, but it's got about 700 more square footage than we're used to! It's also in a pretty adorable, safer, nicer area.

We can't wait to put all of our new furniture in there & decorate, decorate, decorate! Oh, & share all of the photos on here, of course :]

Three weeks to go!

how to: styling long hair short

2012-01-03T18:54:00.000-08:00

I absolutely loved loved LOVED this tutorial from Elsie at A Beautiful Mess! I cut over eight inches off of my hair just over a year ago, regretted it a couple months later, & have been growing it out ever since. I seem to want long hair when it's short & short hair when it's long, & I'm sure many women can agree with this! But now you can enjoy the feel & look of short hair whenever you want to shake up your appearance (& without having to lob off your luscious locks!)

1. Divide your hair into two sections, from one ear to another. 2. Pin up the top section, just to keep it out of the way. 3. Pull the bottom section into a ponytail. 4. Twist the pony tail into a small bun and pin flat against your head. 5. Now unpin the top section, begin dividing it into small strands. 6. Fold the strands in half and pin them up underneath, try your best to hide the bobby pins! 7. Once you've pinned all the strands, carefully use a curling iron to flip the strands out just a little. This will make them look more natural. 8. Add any accessories or pin any loose pieces and you're done!

hello, january!

2012-01-02T18:40:00.001-08:00

For the past few months, I've been making an effort to change my laptop's background each month (it keeps me on my toes)! It also made me feel a little extra festive over the holidays. A quick google search brought me to some pretty backgrounds for the new year here, here, here, here, & here. You've got quite a few choices ;]

ringing in the new year!

2012-01-01T12:33:00.001-08:00

How did your New Year's Eve go?? Burton & I spent it at a costume party dressed as Bob Ross & a landscape :] He gave me quite the kiss at midnight & we talked about the amazing things coming up this next year. We'll be married & I'll have a different name by next New Years! So hard to wrap my mind around! Let's all have an incredible 2012 :]

new painting

2011-12-31T10:39:00.000-08:00

This is my newest painting that I had made for my dad's Christmas present. When I was younger, we were in a father-daughter group called Indian Princesses. It was kind of like boy scouts, but for girls. We learned archery, canoeing, had camp-outs, and played "war games" with the other tribes. The painting is inspired by our "Indian names" -- my dad was Big Feather & I was Little Feather :]

new year's resolutions: revisited & reinvented

2011-12-30T13:16:00.000-08:00

Last year, I had a list of "11 Things to do Before 2012" & was able to meet most of them! I've significantly improved my cooking skills and explored my bamboo tablet. I graduated, landed a job, and decorated an inspirational classroom. I've traveled with Burton out-of-state (not once, but three times!) to Michigan, North Carolina, & Savannah :] I got my hands on a kindle, shook up my appearance (just some minor hair changes), sent more snail mail, & went to some concerts. The only resolutions I didn't meet were to make 10 paintings (I think I made 5) & a linoleum block print. Considering what I did accomplish, I can live with that...not to mention I adopted a puppy & got engaged!! (two things that weren't on my list) ;]

2011 was certainly an AMAZING year & will be hard to beat. Now it's time to reinvent a new list, so here are my *12 THINGS TO DO BEFORE 2013*

Have a wonderful & safe New Year's Eve, everyone!

traditions

2011-12-21T10:21:00.000-08:00

Last night, Burton & I were talking about Christmas traditions we had with our families when we were younger & ones we'd like to keep when we have our own family someday. One of my favorite traditions was leaving out a letter to Santa on Christmas Eve next to some cookies for him & carrots for his reindeer. I loved seeing the half-eaten leftovers & a response letter from Santa (in my mom or dad's handwriting, of course) the next morning.

I think traditions in general are very important for any couple. Every night before bed, Burton & I say, "My reason for loving you today is..." & share something that meant a lot to us with each other. They could be silly or sentimental, but it's just one of our little traditions that I love :]

Like Crazy

2011-12-20T04:57:00.000-08:00

Burton & I watched Like Crazy last night & I loved it so much I just had to mention it on here. If you loved Blue Valentine, you should definitely check it out. I actually liked it a bit more because not only is it beautifully shot, as seen in the trailer, but I feel like you had a greater chance to know & like the characters than with Blue Valentine. You spend a longer time seeing them as a couple when things are good & it makes you want to root for them a little bit more. The ending is a little ambiguous & sad, & somewhat reminiscent of the ending to The Graduate, but the more I think about it, I love it more & more.

Needless to say, Like Crazy is a great movie, especially if you're looking to have your heartstrings pulled a little :]

embroidery hoops: slightly obsessed

2011-12-19T11:03:00.001-08:00

After making this hoop for a wedding decoration, I've traveled down a slippery embroidery slope. I had a couple hoops laying around & couldn't resist making some extra decorations :] I even made one or two for Christmas gifts. This is what I do: I find a new craft, whether it's felt plushies or yarn wreaths, & then become obsessed. For now, it's embroidery hoops. They're cheap, fun, & just look at how many adorable things you can do with them!

how-to: easy peezy eraser stamps!

2011-12-19T10:50:00.000-08:00

This is probably one of the simplest & cutest little DIY projects I've ever done! All you need is a pencil, x-acto knife, & one of those pink erasers from your elementary school days. Draw out a simple design in pencil and trace around it with the x-acto knife. Then bit by bit, cut away at the rest of the eraser. Bonus tip: you can even use both sides of the eraser to make two designs! It's so easy! This heart design took me about 10 minutes to do. Now I'm just an inkpad away from prettying up all of my stationary :]

striped paper straws

2011-12-18T17:50:00.000-08:00

I stumbled upon these adorable striped straws on Eat Drink Chic (one of my newest obsessions) & couldn't resist buying a bunch for the wedding :] I'm sure they'll make sipping on beverages at least 10x more fun & bonus, they're biodegradable! Check out that blog if you have a moment as well because it's fabulous.

Can you believe that Christmas is only a week away? Eeep!

found!

2011-12-13T17:49:00.000-08:00

Pretty sure we found our wedding photographer :]

how to: yarn holiday wreaths

2011-12-12T09:09:00.000-08:00

To me, wreaths are definitely one of the must haves in holiday decor. & they're incredibly easy to make! Grab a styrofoam wreath in whichever size you prefer & grab some yarn. Wrap wrap wrap that yarn around & around until the entire wreath is covered nice & neatly. Run some extra yarn or ribbon through some of the wrapped yarn to make a fancy bow. To make a bow with the yarn, just grab small chunks and tie them as if you were tying your shoelace :]

You can add mini ornaments or a large one in the middle, or even hot glue some buttons on. There are so many ways to customize! If you want to make your own ornament, like I did with the candy cane, just bunch & bind together some pipe cleaners, and mold it to form your shape. Wrap wrap wrap red & white yarn around the pipe cleaners until they're covered. You could do the same thing with other holiday symbols, such as a stocking or Santa's hat :]

Some older Holiday How To's you might've missed:
+ A felt lightbulb garland.
+ Handmade gift tags.
+ And yarn Christmas trees.

photos: our savannah trip!

2011-12-12T05:14:00.000-08:00

What a fun vacation! Many more photos can be seen on my flickr :]

15 stylish bun tutorials

2011-12-12T04:30:00.000-08:00

SO adorable & (more importantly) SO easy! Check out 14 other fun ideas that will make you want to kick the same ol' ponytail routine to the curb :]

2011-12-10T11:46:00.000-08:00

So far, Burton & I have decided to have our wedding at the Winter Park Farmers Market building on November 24, 2012!! Here's a really cute DIY wedding that was held there recently. We are also having 4River Smokehouse cater our event! When I first had their barbecue, I half jokingly said, "Oh, my gosh. They're going to cater my wedding." & now they really are!

I also picked out my dress but can't post it on here for obvious reasons. I can assure you it's gorgeous. Instead, I will post some of my favorite wedding inspirations via Pinterest :]

That last picture is of the bride & groom nailing shut a box with love notes & a bottle of wine inside :] we're definitely borrowing this great idea! Anyhoo, have a lovely weekend!

guess what?!

2011-11-27T09:14:00.000-08:00

WE'RE ENGAGED!!!!!!!
Burton asked me by the river in Savannah.
It was simple, sweet, & perfect :]
Many pictures from the trip will be posted soon.

& yes, this blog is about to become wedding-themed ;]

make your hands to moving

2011-11-12T04:15:00.000-08:00

I've been in a constant state of inspiration! I've been sewing, painting, altering, etc. Recently, I made this cloud & raindrop mobile & a shadowbox with cute pencils. Burton & I have many more things on our "To DIY" list, involving ceramics and chalkboard paint. Hopefully we can tackle some of those this weekend before we go to Savannah next week! Have a lovely Saturday :]

this is just crazy

2011-11-06T15:23:00.000-08:00

Burton's best friend & my best friend are both in the middle of planning their weddings, so the topic has been on our brains lately. This illustration is especially relevant after I went with Rebecca to a hoity toity wedding venue recently that costs a minimum of $15K just to be there. I knew weddings were expensive, but jeez, I didn't know the averages were that high! Crazy...

have yourself an etsy little christmas...

2011-11-04T12:27:00.000-07:00

I know November just started, but I'm trying this new thing out where I don't procrastinate, so...I'm thrilled to say I'm about halfway done with my Christmas shopping! Not only that, but all of my gifts have either been purchased on Etsy or handmade by me :] I've always loved handmade gifts and supporting local artists, but this is the first holiday season where 0% of my gifts are store-bought. I wish I could post some of the adorable things I've snatched up, but I don't want ruin any of the receivers' surprises since some of them are readers here.

That being said, I stumbled upon One Up Designs and their clever pencil sets. They even make awesome wall decals and pocket books as well. If you want to make a purchase with them, click here & use the promo code to get 30% off! Enjoy & happy shopping :]

gone for the weekend

2011-11-03T04:25:00.000-07:00

I'm leaving to Tampa for a few days for the Florida Art Educators Association annual conference. I'm nervous but excited about my first conference as a teacher. Hopefully I'll learn lots & I'll have another DIY project to show off upon my return :] Have a lovely weekend!

people as paintings

2011-10-30T15:57:00.000-07:00

Alexa Meade is an artist who paints on people instead of canvases. GENIUS! Her artwork is beautiful & impressive. Not to mention, turning yourself into a painting would be AN AWESOME idea for a Halloween costume. Just sayin' ;]

dresser makeover!

2011-10-23T12:53:00.000-07:00

In keeping up with the biweekly DIY projects, Burton & I revamped his childhood dresser today. It was relatively easy & inexpensive. We stripped the wood finishing, sanded the wood, & painted it Antique Tin gray. We bought new hardware from Anthropologie when they were having a 75% off sale (you can see the ugly old handle on the bottom drawers in the first picture) . We love it so much more now & would love to use it in a guest room in the future :] What do you think?

day trip to Tampa

2011-10-23T12:07:00.000-07:00

Burton & I went to Tampa this weekend to tour the Yeungling & Cigar City breweries. It was perfect weather & we got some free beer & pint glasses. In the evening, we went to a cooking class that my mom treated us to for Burton's birthday. We had a four-course Italian meal and tried a variety of different wines. It was SUCH an amazing day :]

biweekly DIY

2011-10-16T14:55:00.001-07:00

To keep creative juices flowing, I'm making it a point to complete a DIY project every two weeks. After seeing this picture on Pinterest, I turned my ugly $8 fushia & purple tray into this! The only requirements are spray paint & bottle caps & now I'm finally in love with this tray :] Up next, Burton & I are making over his dresser!

2011-10-10T17:33:00.000-07:00

Anyone else obsessed? Every time I log on, I'm like, "Goodbye for an hour!"

paint-by-numbers mural

2011-10-09T15:28:00.001-07:00

I must do this.
(from the beautiful mind of Katie Stratton)

I can't wait to be a homeowner

2011-10-09T10:12:00.000-07:00

For years, I've been obsessed with home customizations and DIY projects. Even before I moved out of my parents' house. Looking back now, I suppose it might've been a little weird for a 19-year-old to be thinking such thoughts, but now that I have a salary & being a homeowner is becoming probable, I want it more than ever. Burton & I spent a good chunk of our weekend oggling over Pinterest pictures & blogs such as Young House Love. I'm lucky to have a guy who's just as DIY passionate as I am & I'm sure our someday house will be the coolest one on the block :]

I'm officially an art teacher!

2011-09-10T07:51:00.000-07:00

I was able to land a job at a nearby elementary school and I couldn't be happier. My classroom's coming together, my lessons are fun, and I'm finally doing what I've been waiting to do my whole life :]

What makes all this even better is that Burton is also teaching now, too! He's a biology & physics teacher at a high school, so we're on the same schedule which has been fabulous. Not to mention we can also share our stresses and excitements about being first year teachers. It's so great starting this new chapter, especially with him by my side. Sorry to gush, but I have to, you know ;]

where have I been?

2011-09-04T04:31:00.000-07:00

A huge update soon.
Life's become pretty noteworthy since my last post.
In a good way, of course :]

leaving on a jet plane

2011-05-25T06:21:00.000-07:00

My bags are packed & I'm ready to go! My AMAZING boyfriend even made me a mix CD for my travels with such songs as "Baby Come Back" by Player & "Right Here Waiting" by Richard Marx on it :] I'm not gonna lie & say I didn't cry when I said goodbye to him. Two weeks feels like a LONG time to be away from him (how do long-distance couples do it?!)

While I'm in Europe, I won't be able to blog, so take care of yourselves until June 7th, lovelies! Miss you :]

pretty new ring!

2011-05-23T12:59:00.000-07:00

As a little graduation present to myself, I wanted to get myself a pretty new ring :] I'm not a HUGE jewelry person & a couple of the prettier pieces I've had have broken or been misplaced. So newly on the market, I immediately went to Rachel Pfeffer, the lovely lady who made my bow earrings (which I get TONS of compliments on).

My heart ring just arrived in the mail a few days ago & I am completely smitten with it :] It's hands down my favorite piece of jewelry I've ever owned, so if you're on the lookout for something sweet for yourself or a loved one, definitely check out Rachel's shop! Her jewelry is beautiful & unique, & she is super sweet :]

hot cocoa cupcakes

2011-05-22T14:49:00.000-07:00

How AWESOME are these in cognito cupcakes by Ladybird?!
Not gonna lie, I was definitely fooled for a second :]

as promised...

2011-05-20T08:56:00.000-07:00

Pretty retro kitchen, I know :]

Stairway/Mini gallery of priceless Nicole Jolys ;]

View from my bedroom doorway.

As you can see, it's still a work in progress. Many of the paintings on the walls are still unfinished even! But I'd say we've come a long way in the last three months. Next, I'll bring you pictures of our pretty little patio :] Have a lovely Friday!

countdown to europe

2011-05-19T15:52:00.000-07:00

This is a photo of the swank hotel I'll be staying at in Krakow! Eeep! I can't believe I leave for Germany & Poland in less than a week!! I finally started making a checklist and packing some of my warmer clothes. This trip is going to be so incredible; I can feel it :]

FINALLY! new home pictures :]

2011-05-19T14:10:00.000-07:00

I moved in three months ago to the day, & I'm just now getting around to showcasing my humble abode :] Today, I bring you photos of my bedroom & bathroom, & tomorrow, I'll upload pictures of the rest of the townhouse. It's still a work in progress, but let me know what you think!

view from the doorway

My little balcony...which faces my roomate's ;]

My wall of mantras :]

Pictures that make me smile every morning :]

christina perri

2011-05-19T11:21:00.000-07:00

She's my latest musical obsession :]

for Burton's mama

2011-05-18T07:22:00.000-07:00

For Mother's Day, Burton's mom & my mom met for the first time :] My mom & grandma were already in town for my graduation weekend, so we had Burton's mama meet up with us at my townhouse for a Mother's Day brunch. It was so exciting! For his mom, I recreated her favorite picture of her baby boys on my tablet & framed it. I also did something very similar for my mom & grandma. Came out good, don't you think? :]

anthropologie

2011-05-18T06:52:00.000-07:00

Woohooo, do I love Anthropologie!! Even during my internship, I created a lesson plan based around Anthropologie catalogs. My high school students looked through the catalogs for inspiration, which they were going to use for their own photography project. They loved it :]

Yesterday, I dropped by the store because they had a huge sale, starting an hour before the mall opened. There was even a little set-up where they were serving croissants, cream puffs, and fresh squeezed OJ. How adorable is that? Anyway, I was able to snag this cute bedding set which was marked down OVER THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS. I also got a couple other small trinkets, but the bed set really made me feel like a winner :]

hi, again!

2011-05-17T10:13:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I haven't written in here in a month! Sorry, folks! My life has been a little hectic, what with graduating college & all, but my life has finally slowed down a bit -- hopefully enough to get back into blogging :]

So since graduating a couple weeks ago, I've been basking in my newfound freedom. I started a whole slew of paintings, delved into a couple DIY projects, & have been enjoying time with my boyfriend like mad. Things with Burton & I couldn't be better -- when we're not at work, we're attached at the hip :] We actually haven't spent a day apart since we started dating, which is actually why it's going to be so tough to be apart for two weeks WHEN I GO TO EUROPE!

That's right, my dad's graduation present to me was a trip to Germany & Poland, to visit some relatives, see some historical sites, become experts at sightseeing, and learn a bit more about my heritage. I leave in less than two weeks, so I'll definitely have much to blog about :] Two days after I come back, Burton & I are going camping in North Carolina with some friends & then we're going to my aunt's cabin in Michigan for a family reunion. Not gonna lie, this summer is going to be pretty phenomenal.

So enough, about the future, let's talk about the past. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the last month, but many, many more can be found on my flickr :]

Talk to you soon, lovelies! :]

can't blow bubbles down there!

2011-04-17T10:22:00.000-07:00

Isn't this fake swimming pool FASCINATING?
In this hot Florida weather, it is such a tease :]

ashley ann

2011-04-13T14:28:00.000-07:00

My best friend is so, so BEAUTIFUL. I love these photos of her & her pup, Cam, so much that I wanted to make a painting of one of them! Which should I choose?

home sweet home

2011-04-05T16:13:00.000-07:00

My new place is coming together well :] It's fun finding beautiful & inspiring objects to surround yourself with. My room is cozy & our stairwell is full of paintings. I even added this cute little felt heart garland above my bathroom mirror. It cheers me up every time I look at it. Our living room needs some work & a few more things need to be hung up, but it's a work in progress. More pictures by the end of the week :] Happy Tuesday, everyone!

new books

2011-04-02T05:11:00.000-07:00

I've finished reading "Great House" & I'm almost done with "An Object of Beauty" (both are fantastic by the way!), so when I heard that Jonathan Safran Foer, my 2nd favorite author, had two new books out, I ordered them immediately. I'm especially excited to read "Tree of Codes" which is supposedly unlike any other book ever published, but I'm trying not to research too much before I actually start reading/deciphering the book, but you can learn a little bit more about it here. Have you read any good books lately? I've been speeding through mine & I might need some more recommendations soon :]

a good mantra

2011-03-31T16:10:00.000-07:00

"Every passing minute is another chance to turn it all around."

starting now

2011-03-29T23:18:00.000-07:00

My life has drastically changed in the last three months. As such, I've been a slacking blogger. & because of some of the changes in my life, I had to delete many photos that were previously used on this blog. So reading older entries might not be as photographic as it once was, unfortunately. Things aren't as simple as they used to be, but I am happier now & more sure of myself than ever.

Here are just a few things in my life that are different now:

I've got the most incredible new boyfriend, Burton (photographed above) & he makes me feel like a million bucks!
I moved to a new townhouse & it's coming together beautifully (pictures soon, I promise!)
My roommate is so awesome & fun :]
I'm painting TOMS shoes again & this time, I work part-time & am paid hourly
I turned 23!
I was the only artist at the art educators exhibition to sell any artwork (huge ego boost!)
My internship is going swell, but it's already only 5 weeks until graduation! Eeep!

So that's just a quick rundown of what you missed. I just posted a truckload of photos to my flickr, in case you wanted to check out a photographic montage of what I've been doing during my leave of absence ;] It's good to be back, lovelies!

terry border's bent objects

2011-03-29T20:51:00.000-07:00

lovelovelove!

yes, please

2011-02-10T20:56:00.000-08:00

My life is hectic & messy right now, but I feel so unbelievably at peace with everything.
Things are heading in a good direction for me. I can feel it :]

time to be a bookworm

2011-01-30T11:20:00.001-08:00

"The cause of depression is being too self-involved. & the cure is to read." I heard that in a movie once. Recently, I haven't spent as much time reading as I used to & with how bananas my life's been lately, what better time than now to get involved in some new books? So I went to a bookstore last night to see if I could find something I could really delve into & I audibly gasped when I saw a new book by Nicole Krauss sitting on the shelves. Despite only writing two books, she's my favorite author of all time. For years, I would always check her name in the fiction section every time I entered a bookstore just to make sure she didn't churn something out without me knowing. Seeing her new book on the shelf, five years since her last publication, felt like fate. & right next to it was a new book of Steve Martin's that is sure to be fantastic. I feel like I won the lottery :]

deer kisses

2011-01-30T07:59:00.000-08:00

uh-freaking-dorable!

it's been a while

2011-01-30T07:48:00.001-08:00

I'm single again for the first time in four years.

"before sunset"

2011-01-18T17:28:00.000-08:00

It's a wine & movie night. & this is my choice :]

oh, scarlett

2011-01-15T11:08:00.000-08:00

These are photos from Scarlett Johansson's most recent ad campaign. Seriously, screw her. She makes everyone else on the planet, male or female, look like a cave man. Ugh.

wedding dress

2011-01-14T15:27:00.000-08:00

I totally contemplated buying this dress today. I'm so ashamed, hahah! It's super cute, available only online, & is only $215. But, I decided against it because a.) I'm not even engaged & that would be completely crazy, b.) I should be saving my money, & c.) I'd miss out on picking out a dress with my maid of honor someday. All this business reminded me of that amazing episode of Friends though :]

birthday party

2011-01-14T14:54:00.000-08:00

So my birthday is right around the corner (January 31st!) & a couple dear friends & I are trying to put together a party for me. This is definitely the first time I'm actually having a party that my parents didn't put together, so I feel a little lost. I know I'm a college student, so most of my friends won't care as long as there is alcohol there, but I want to make it really special, you know? I've been brainstorming recently & trying to think of ideas for food, decorations, & entertainment.

I think I've got food all sorted out. I wanted to put together a little mini dessert stand with cupcakes, chocolates, chocolate-dipped pretzels, & a tiny cake for blowing the candles out ;] Very doable. I also wanted some snacks there as well, like chips & dip or pigs in a blanket. As for decorations, I don't really care that much. I'd be thrilled with a banner & maybe a balloon or two, but I have a feeling Becki is going to go above & beyond ;]

As for entertainment, I'm completely clueless. I've been to countless parties & I know we don't really need anything besides conversation for entertainment, but I still feel like my party will be missing *something*. Any ideas? I've even googled "college student birthday parties" & couldn't find a darn thing. Seems like the only simple parties to throw are for children or after a wedding. I don't want to do anything trashy like beer pong, & don't want to sit down to watch a movie. Becki suggested poker which could be fun, but I also totally wouldn't mind doing something nostalgic like pin the tail on the donkey. Ugh, help me out here!

it's been too long

2011-01-13T18:03:00.000-08:00

Today, I read a little & wrote a letter to someone. It's been entirely too long since I have done either of these things. It made me feel at peace. Sort of how petting a cat is supposed to make you feel. I need to make more room in my schedule for these sorts of activities. Also, I've started writing down lists & thoughts on a steno pad & that makes me happy as well :]

final internship

2011-01-11T09:37:00.000-08:00

I got my top pick & was placed at Celebration High School for my final internship! Today I met my supervising teacher & some of my students, & I'm pretty excited :] It seems like a laid back environment & I think I'll really get along with the teacher! The 14-week internship starts next week & then...GRADUATION!

new smyrna weekend

2011-01-11T09:14:00.000-08:00

Many more pictures can be found on my flickr. The exhibition opening was a huge success! This past weekend was insanely surreal to me & is definitely the most proud moment of my life. Many thanks & love go out to all the people who've supported me along the way. Hopefully this will not be my last exhibition, but I will never forget my first :]

despicable me

2011-01-08T08:28:00.000-08:00

My favorite animated short ever :]

exhibition

2011-01-06T18:33:00.000-08:00

The opening reception for the art educator exhibit is this Saturday! I'm so nervous & excited :] It's my first time being selected for an exhibit, rather than openly participating, & I'm hoping it's far from my last. My dad, grandma, mom, & her best friend since high school are driving up to New Smyrna to support me :] Enjoy your lovely weekend (& there will be many pictures posted after it!)

more tablet fun

2011-01-06T18:21:00.000-08:00

A couple pictures of friends & I even threw in an incomplete Enid from "Ghost World".
I think I might be addicted to my tablet :]

playing with my tablet

2011-01-01T18:17:00.000-08:00

For Christmas, I got that Bamboo Craft tablet I so desperately wanted (eeep!) so I spent some time last night playing around with it, while waiting for the New Year's Eve fireworks to die down :] This little device is so amazing! I've only scratched the surface of its endless amount of possibilities, but here's a little bit more experimenting:

happy new year!

2010-12-31T15:49:00.001-08:00

-- from stating the obvious --

Sorry for my absence, lovelies. It's been a hectic few weeks! Once classes ended, I studied diligently for one of my Florida Teacher Certification exams (& passed it with flying colors!) & have been working nonstop ever since. On top of working at Universal Studios, I started painting TOMS shoes again on my days off! It's fun, but quite exhausting. & I could really use the money. Other than that, nothing new to report really. The holidays were nice, but overshadowed by all the working. I hope yours were fantastic!

Well, I'm back to blogging now & I'll be making an effort to blog every day, no matter how busy my schedule is :] & since it's New Year's Eve, I figured my return post can be a list of *11 THINGS TO DO BEFORE 2012*

New Year's resolutions are cheesy, but fun little goals aren't. What are some of yours?

graduaton party

2010-12-11T20:50:00.001-08:00

I just got back from my dear friend Becki's graduation party in Jacksonville :] So proud of the professional little lady! I wanted to share some of the graduation photos I took of her around campus. Many more can be seen on my flickr. Congrats, girl!

college is practically over!

2010-12-10T13:40:00.001-08:00

I just walked out of my final college class ever! I'm still a semester away from graduation, but I will be interning the whole time. Can't wait. I will actually be teaching full-time, without worrying about my job or other classes. To celebrate, I'm sharing with you some cute pictures of my kitties :]

Do they look like brothers orrrr do they look like brothers? I love how they differ in sleeping style, though :] Anyway, I'm off now to celebrate my milestone by studying for my Florida teacher certification exam (which I'm taking in only four days!) Happy Friday, everyone!

new paintings

2010-12-10T07:27:00.000-08:00

I started a small series called "Revamping the Classics" in which I'll use famous paintings to address current issues in society. These two mimic Van Gogh's "Starry Night" & Edvard Munch's "The Scream". The first one, "Starry Vandalism", is acrylic on canvas, & the second, "The Art Teacher's Scream", is acrylic on three layers of plexiglass, on a drawing board. I've submitted these for the exhibition in January :]

james franco kisses

2010-12-09T14:22:00.000-08:00

I always thought James Franco was a cutie.
Check out this awkward/adorable video of him kissing James Franco.

mid-week etsy mania!

2010-12-08T13:39:00.000-08:00

For this week's Etsy Mania roundup, I picked out a few things I'd buy if I was holiday shopping for me :] 1. Bradens Grace makes these super awesome chalkboard vinyl labels, which are a dream come true for organizational fools like me ;] 2. How beautifully feminine are handcrafted obsessions' embroidered coasters? & there are tons more pretty things in her shop! 3. Natalya's Studio makes all sorts of crocheted goodies, including these adorable baby booties (not that I'll be needing these anytime soon)! 4. I just love Penelope's Porch's quirky necklaces. So sweet & they really would make the perfect gift :]

I hope you love their shops! (& you can check out my very own here) More to come next week ;]

fundraising update

2010-12-07T12:36:00.000-08:00

I am making my way up that thermometer slowly but surely! Thanks to donations & a couple of sales in my etsy shop, I am inching closer & closer to my Starving Art Teacher Fund's goal :] I also registered for one of two of my teacher certification exams which I will be taking December 14th so wish me luck!

I still have a couple of holiday items on sale in my etsy shop, if you're looking for some cute decorations & wanna show me some love & support ;] I'll be sure to have them to you in time for Christmas.

Raising a total of $622 has really knocked my socks off!! I'm beyond excited & grateful to all of those who've helped & supported me so far. Again, any support I receive will not go unrecognized, whether it's buying a cute item from my etsy shop or clicking the little "donate" button in the upper right corner of my blog.

You're the best :]

xoxo

photomobile project

2010-12-07T12:22:00.000-08:00

I just registered to participate in Art House Co-op's A Million Little Pictures Photomobile Project! You pick a theme (I chose "pictures of people I know"), they send you a disposable camera, & your photos join many others on a traveling exhibition across the country. Fun! I love Art House for their many different projects, one of which my pal Fee is currently working on! Art House provides current & would-be artists with inspiration & art awareness & is definitely an organization I'll be telling my students about once I'm in the classroom. I'm so excited to start my first project with them & it certainly won't be my last :]

how to: yarn christmas trees

2010-12-07T09:40:00.000-08:00

Check out this relatively simple & very adorable tutorial over at Pretty Ditty! Happy decorating :]

new celebrity crush!

2010-12-06T01:13:00.000-08:00

Colin Hanks has been making my heart flutter :] Swoon!
& how insanely cool would it be to have Tom Hanks as your father-in-law??

bamboo craft

2010-12-04T03:51:00.000-08:00

Originally, the only thing on my wishlist for Santa was some much needed money. But after stumbling upon this amazing little tablet, I now have to have one. Who wouldn't want to be able to create amazing photos like these?

Le sigh.

how to: handmade gift tags

2010-12-03T11:52:00.000-08:00

You will need: several sheets of cardstock in various colors, pen, pencil, scissors, x-acto knife, glue

Cut out 2 gift tag shapes of the same color. I used a gridded cutting mat to make my shapes, but you could also use a template
Set one aside to be the back. This piece will not need to be cut again
On the other tag, use the pencil to draw a holiday design, such as a Christmas tree or candy cane
Use the x-acto knife to cut out the entire outline of your shape
Layer different colors of cardstock underneath the tag to complete the design. This is your time to experiment! For example, with the snowman, I placed a white piece of cardstock underneath the blue tag (with a triangle cut out for the nose), and then placed orange cardstock under the white.
Once you've got the colors of your design in place, glue them down to the underside of the tag
Use a pen to add any other small details. For example, the snowman's arms and buttons
Glue the top of the tag to the back piece of the tag, which was set aside earlier
Use the pen to add a sweet "To/From" design on the back of the tag. Be creative!
Punch a hole through the top of the tag to run some ribbon through. I've misplaced my hole puncher so I haven't done this step yet ;]
Oooh & ahhh & decorate your cute holiday packages!

beautiful oops!

2010-12-03T06:55:00.000-08:00

I love LOVE this book! How clever to teach kids that mistakes can be turned into possibilities :]

you wish you went to school here

2010-12-01T22:36:00.001-08:00

The Teaching Palette is one of my many new inspirations in the online community of art educators. I had previously tried to find cool pictures of art classrooms & after a few failed attempts, I stumbled on The Teaching Palette & discovered their whole slew of flickr photos. These are a few of my favorites :]

kittttiiiiezzzz

2010-12-01T17:37:00.000-08:00

Watching this was the highlight of my day. Hope that's not pathetic ;]

lucky in love wedding

2010-11-30T14:53:00.000-08:00

Speaking of weddings, I thought I'd share photos from Glenn Howerton's wedding. I'm a huge fan of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" so a peek into his own wedding was pretty neat :] You can see more photos from their Lucky in Love wedding here.

Blue Valentine

2010-11-29T20:14:00.000-08:00

I will cancel all plans. I will be there opening day.

wedding fever

2010-11-29T19:56:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but I heard about countless proposal stories that happened over the Thanksgiving break :] How sweet! Even though I'm quite a ways away from my own wedding planning extravaganza, I've been coming down with some serious wedding fever. My recent fix is photos of Stacy & Paul's Anthropologie-inspired wedding. You can drool over some more photos here.

I am also currently drooling over this sweet little dress.

How about this customizable tree stump necklace? Yes, please.

& I can't help but check out my favorite blogger's new wedding blog, Le Wedding Party, every single day :]

goodbye, thanksgiving & hellooooo, christmas!

2010-11-29T19:42:00.000-08:00

Was your Thanksgiving amazing? I know mine was. There's nothing like family & great food. I'm missing both already ;] But one holiday is over & the next will be here before we know it! Tomorrow is already the last day of November, oy vey! Over the weekend I added a couple new decorations here & there around the apartment :]

How do you like the new tree skirt? & I'm loving my new gift packaging shelf display more than the books & knick knacks that were there before! I think next I'll be using white & blue glass markers to draw snowflakes on my windows. You gotta be imaginative in Florida ;] Are you doing anything special to decorate?

what's your personality?

2010-11-27T03:46:00.000-08:00

I recently took a personality test based on the Myers-Briggs personality theory & I was quite pleased with the results :] It was also fun to have my boyfriend, Frank, take the test & then see how our results meshed. What's your personality like?

happy thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T06:53:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone has a wonderful day today with those they love & with yummy food!
ps, how cute is that paper turkey project? I just love their little pilgrim hats :]

oh, emma

2010-11-24T15:57:00.000-08:00

I recently stumbled across this photo, the most perfect photo ever, of Emma Watson. Not that she doesn't already take completely gorgeous photos. But this one makes me want to either go shopping for cute new hats, or knock all of my neatly arranged books off the bookshelf & tower them around me. Sigh, amazing.

mid-week etsy mania!

2010-11-24T15:38:00.000-08:00

For this week's Etsy Mania roundup, I thought I'd share some cute Christmasy things :] I just love handmade holiday decor! 1. rak designs makes these GORGEOUS felt tree sets, as well as cute holiday aprons & stockings! 2. How adorable are angel dog design's wool felted acorn ornaments?? 3. Mr. Button's felt stockings are just so freaking cute. & there's so many styles to choose from, it's impossible to pick a favorite! 4. I just love Deep South Creation's naughty or nice gift tags. So clever!

I hope you love their shops! (& you can check out my very own here) More to come next week ;]

turkey week!

2010-11-22T09:11:00.003-08:00

It's Thanksgiving week, which means my elementary school is closed & I get to relax :] My dad will be visiting on Wednesday & I'm taking him to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Then my mom & grandma will be visiting Thursday through Saturday to help cook a delicious turkey dinner & to spend some quality girl-time with me :] Can't wait! What are your plans for the holidays?

Well, Thanksgiving week is a good time to start decorating for Christmas, because it will be here sooner than you think! So I thought I'd share with you a fun little tutorial :]

HOW TO: FELT LIGHTBULB GARLAND

You'll need: 4 sheets of felt (I used green, red, white, & gray), scissors, gray thread, sewing needles (one should have a wide enough eye to fit yarn through), & gray yarn

Cut 33 small squares out of the gray felt. This will be the tops of the bulbs
Cut out 33 lightbulb shapes (11 each of red, white, & green)
Use an overcast stitch to sew the gray squares to the bulbs. This is the most tedious part of the process
Thread the larger needle with the gray yarn
Use a running stitch along the gray tops of the bulbs to string them together
Use a repetitive pattern for the different colors of lightbulbs
Hang up & admire!

This project only took me about an hour & a half, while working at a leisurely pace. Like I said, step #3 was the most time-consuming part, but it's well worth it. But I am in love with the end result! I just love Christmas decorating :] What are some of your favorite holiday decorations or crafts?

boo-yah!

2010-11-19T09:24:00.000-08:00

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

In honor of the INCREDIBLE new Harry Potter movie, I share with you this adorable video of our favorite Hogwarts students attempting to speak with the unexciting American accent :] Enjoy! & go see part one if you haven't yet!