Yeah, so this could be fun...

3" Silver Tambourine, Fun Noise Maker - T651 - Logo Corporate Gifts Custom Imprinted, Promotional Products

I made this!

So I made this...

But I Love Them All!

image via zimbio

I have never been one to picture what my wedding would look like. Never even pictured having a wedding. Now that I realized that I want one, and have been getting extremely excited about the possibilities, I cannot even begin to decide about what kind of wedding dress to choose. I haven't been shopping yet, but I have never been one to just sit back and relax. I love and want them all. Pinterest is a godsend, but sensory overload is not my best friend. Here is one of the most beautiful dresses I have ever seen. Maybe I should start here. It's Valentino:)

This Year and the Last

Here's to a new year.

What a year it was. Graduation, grown-up jobs, becoming an aunt, engagements, getting to know my sisters as grown-ups... So many wonderful, wonderful things. Putting it down in words makes me want to cry. It was a truly beautiful year. I'd say one of the best I 've ever had, if not the best. Should I be tough on myself and expect the worst this next year because of all the good that I've received? No. I believe optimism is genetic and/or learned at a young age. I have a short amount of it and work on it everyday. I want to reflect on the good and look ahead to better. Be strong in mind. Here is a list of things I am working on this year to keep the good times rolling.

Be mindful of others.
Complain less.
Be more affectionate.
Work hard.
Be accountable.
Save money. Be ridiculously responsible.
Be healthy, and be an advocate for your loved one's health as well.
Don't be so sensitive.
Save money.
Agree on goals together.
Don't push, compromise.
Share your feelings.
Be transparent.
Read more.
Stay off the computer at home as much as possible.
Know you're not always right.

Be confident.

Record Player Transformed

Here is the before and after of my Grandma's vintage record player. It was our semi-functioning second record player in the house and now it is a beautifully repurposed bright spot in our living room. Success!

Paper Punches YYAAAHHH!!!

Photo via Paper Pastries

I can get a little excited about paper art. This blogger took this paper punch and made tiny envelopes for her engagement invitations! How clever and cute!

O My Stars!

 Image via infmetry

I Need This! I went to a planetarium last night, and I remembered why I wanted  to be an astronaut when I was a kid. This night light takes you there every night!

Pretty Cute Yummy Things

image via *Party Accesories*

image via theBERRY

These baked goods are so pretty and cute. Two things I like very much.

What to Expect Before Your Expecting

Well this is an idea for a book that truly touches my heart and is slightly silly in a way. The famous old book What To Expect When You're Expecting is nice and all, but what about the facts before you take on that responsibility?? For the many people that dream of being a parent, this is not who I am talking to (although it would offer advice for all). Being a parent is so stressful, I would imagine. I come from a brood of five, so I've done a little rearing myself, and I know it's not easy. The picture above is just a fake book jacket. I think it could potentially be handed out to all 6th graders during their sex-ed classes. It would also be printed in every language.

I Love Lamp

Since I always notice the lighting everywhere I go, I plan on making my own little business out of it for a class this fall. Last Summer I got the idea to make a lamp out of a big wine jug I found at a rummage sale. I added a cork light bulb thing and a lampshade. Wahlah! An awesome light! This isn't the one I made, but it is a lot like it. I plan on making the shade a little more spiffed up with my stamps that I intend to make sometime this Summer. Why do I give myself so much work? Oh, well, at least I can pace myself!

photo via here

Je t'aime Paris

Europe! France! Seven Days! OK! Go here to enter!


Photo via Rodney Smith

Go the F#^% To Sleep!

Samuel Jackson narrates this wonderful children's book. It's more an adult children's book. Well, you'll get it:) Have a f#@*^ing listen, OK?

Kelly Kapoor, Kindred Spirit

Mindy Kaling plays my secret, inner-self on The Office and is actually one of the writers for the show. She wrote a new book and an excerpt is available online here. This is one the funniest things I've seen since the Tina Fey book I read a couple weeks ago. That's not very long, but it is still very funny. Go women comedians! Also, see Bridesmaids. Just saying.

Stamps!

This is the most beautiful stamping collection, well, probably ever. Geninne's art blog is so inspiring. Her stamp carving class is something I would absolutely love to take. So, so creative.

beautiful story

Oh my god, this story put up on the Smitten Website is so wonderfully cute and touching...yay for openmindedness is RIGHT!

What you really want to say to mom...

“Sorry, Mom!” is a collection of photos with corresponding text, documenting everything you couldn’t, didn’t want to, or never had the chance to say to your mother. Here's the text that goes along with the picture above.

I’m sorry I made you stand in the snowy, Midwest cold. You’re such a pretty moms and I’ve exploited your early morning face before coffee, which isn’t fair at all. And you’re such a stylish moms and I’ve made a mockery of your bedhead. But you did it all for me without question — and would do it again — because you’re the best mom I could ever ask for in the whole wide world.


So, so great. Sappy, I know, but great.

oh the fabrics!

Which beautiful fabric to choose??

These are some of the beautiful fabrics I found on Etsy whilst looking for upholstery fabric...
Now to decide...life is tough:)
Click on the fabrics for a link to the wonderful stores they are sold at!

For your viewing pleasure...

Two wonderful reality/documentaries that need to be seen by all. Frontier House, the PBS version of a reality show teaches American history in a competition to survive the Montana wilderness Oregon Trail style. Beautiful and captivating. The 7UP documentaries is an amazing look into the lives of people starting from age seven in 1964, and now they are 49. Amazing and Brilliant.

Pixelation!

I love the dorkiness and radness of the look of pixelation in the "real" world. Don't know why, just a strange obsession. I made this necklace for a 3-d class a year or so ago and wondered about what else I could do with it. This girl did it for halloween, but i would love that shirt for everyday....not so much with the face paint. How cool is that?!

Bookbook

i need this...need.