this precious life.

In making some of these for fall, I was reminded that I meant to write up this tutorial to share back when we made them for  Valentines Day this year! Oops! Better late than never though!   I've grown up making these with the family and it's such a simple project that can be adapted for any holiday, season or event. So pull out your crayons and iron and lets get melting! Materials: wax paper | your old and broken crayons | a pairing knife or veggie peeler | old towel |  iron | scissors | cookie cutters optional: hole punch and ribbon Step one: Make crayon shavings using your pairing knife or veggie peeler Step two: Lay a sheet of wax paper on your ironing board. Make small groupings of your crayon shavings-- the more sparse your shavings, the more of a see-through effect you'll achieve in the end. Lay a second sheet of wax paper on top of the shavings. Now lay the old towel on top of everything. Step three: Press your iron on top of the t...

Norah Jones songs always run through my head but this time of year... two lines in particular: " Summer days have gone too soon | You shoot the moon and miss completely | Now the fall is here again " and " If I were a painter | I would paint my revery " I can't paint for the life of me. I can't even sketch. But if I were a painter... here are a few {or rather several;)} of the images I've taken recently which I would paint. I'm just so thankful Jesus gave me a camera to capture them. It supplements my missing painting skills.  {all images belong to me, please ask before copying or reusing! thanks much!} see more here

I ran into a quandary a few weeks ago... I needed some stationary! I had cards but... well, frankly, unless I'm being super short and sweet, cards just don't give enough room! I was thinking about hand stamping/designing some stationary of my own {which I probably still will do} when I ran across this photo on pinterest . Instantly I had the idea to make little cards which had more than one page to them! {via Wit and Whistle } Thus, this simple tutorial was born:) Since I was in a hurry, I just brushed a few strokes of paint to the card stock but if you have more time, there are so many ways you could decorate them! {Add a few more pages and you'll have a simple jot book for yourself or as a gift!} Materials: one sheet of 8 x 11 card stock | one sheet of computer paper | pens, markers, stickers...anything you wish to use to decorate outer cover | sewing machine or stapler | scissors Step one: Cut 7 1/2" x 5 3/8" rectangles out of your card...

And if you haven't read parts 1 & 2 yet, click *here* or *here*  I've spoken to so many girls who ask me, "how in the world do you find good stuff at thrift stores?! I never do!!".  The trick? Patience.  I know, I know. And of all people I probably lack patience the most. But it's worth it. Ultimately: don't expect to go thrifting and find a gold mine! Sometimes you do but most times you don't! It's always hit or miss:) And it's totally okay to only walk out of there with one or two finds! Keep your eyes open for the unexpected and don't be afraid to branch out a little from your usual style. And don't necessarily put something back you love just because there is something you don't like about it-- if you know you could change that part. At the same time,  don't fill your closet with things that need a little altering but you'll never get to! I learned that the hard way! Only take it home if you have a pu...

I had beignets {french doughnuts} for the first time ever at Le Dolce Vita Patisserie  back in August . Oh were they scrumptious. It's a very good thing that I live 45 minutes from the pastry shop!! But even then, I still wanted to have them for a treat every once in a while so I was thrilled when I ran across this recipe from Our Best Bites .  I thought they would be pretty complicated to make and I'd never deep fried anything before. But they ended up being quite simple and you can go from first ingredients to melt in your mouth goodness in just an hour! You ask, "why didn't you give me a heads up that you'd be making them and invite me over?" Well I had to see if the recipe would turn out first! {aka. that I wouldn't make 'em flop like I did cream puffs a few years back. pastries aren't usually my friends.} So until my official beignet party (*wink**wink*) here's the recipe so you can make some of these guys for yourself. Oh and since t...

If you didn't see part 1 of this series click *here* :D I have been asked numerous times where I shop, where I find my clothes/accessories and what my favorite store is. Since I have all of my clothes in my closet right now {remember, I've yet to pull the spring/summer stuff out} it made it pretty simple to figure up some percentages. Out of my clothes and shoes   {not including pj's, excersize & dirty-project clothes, underthings, socks, tights) 71% are from thriftstores, consignment shops or garage sales 21.7% I have purchased brand-new {but usually for dirt cheap prices} 7.2% have been gifted to me Out of my scarves, jewelry, hair flowers & misc. accessories 8.9% are from thriftstores, antique/vintage shops consignment shops or garage sales 22.3% I have purchased brand-new {and usually for dirt cheap prices} 55.2% have been gifted to me 13.4% are made by me And if you really wanted to know- I do buy all of my unde...

Lovin' the gorgeous weather today!! Hope you're getting some of it wherever you are!! Here are some of the mixed-pattern outfits I've come up with over the last couple of months. Though most of these outfits were all photographed at once-- it's only because I forgot or was too lazy to photograph them when I *actually* wore them!  I do hope they hold inspiration for you if you've been wanting to mix up your patterned pieces a bit!! {p.s. I'm ashamed of all the wrinkled clothes! sheesh! I should have held a huge ironing session right before snapping all the pics!!} cardigan: thrifted/Old Navy | shirt: thrifted/Gap | skirt: thrifted/Gap | necklace: A&E blouse: Walmart | pink skirt: thrifted/Candie's | polka-dot skirt: thrifted/The Limited | belt: Kohls | shoes: yardsale/Payless  cardigan: thrifted/ | blouse: thrifted/Arizona | skirt: thrifted/vintage | necklace: yardsale | belt: gift | shoes: thrifted/Target cardigan: thrifted/Delia...