Look What I Made

Best of 2013

What a year – we traveled, we moved, we ate, I crafted. 2013 was a good one. I took a look back through my blog posts from this past year and pulled a few favorites. This does not include all the happy momemnts I captured on Instagram, but this post really doesn't need to be any longer. Thank you for reading my blog and letting me share all my adventures with you. I am so excited for 2014 - no partictular reason, I just love a new year and a fresh start. Happy new year, y'all! 

To take a trip down memory lane, click the photos to link back to the original blog post.

See my 2012 'Best of' Posts here, here & here.

Ten Favorite Things Right Now

I like to do a list like this every 6 months or so. I figured 6 months was enough time to pass between my ever changing interests and obsessions. See my first post here, and my second here.

So, without further ado, here are my latest and greatest favorite things. (It's a very random list.)

1. Cherry Pie Larabars - These are delicious. I love having these as a snack while I'm working from home. Sometimes I just want to eat something, and I feel like this a good, healthy snack to have on hand. I also like to take them with me on my long runs. In fact, I ate one of these during the New York City Marathon, around mile 16 or 17. I was starving! 

2. Central Market - The greatest grocery store in the entire world. If you've been reading for a while and/or know me in real life, you know that I was uhhh-bsessed with Trader Joe's. But this place is amazing. I still hold a special place in my heart for TJ's but I really, really love Central Market. They have everything you could imagine, it's very nice, the prices are alright (TJ's has them beat there), and it's not even a block away from my apartment. Okay, I think I've taken enough of our time professing my love for grocery stores.

3. Uni-ball Gold Gel Pens - I love this pen! It writes super smooth. Much smoother than the white signo pen if you've used that. I've been using it like crazy in my December Daily album. I got mine from the Paper Source but I think these on JetPens.com are a dollar cheaper. They have silver too! It's also great but I have a thing for gold these days.

4. Jigsaw Puzzles - When my parents were here a few weeks ago, I bought a jigsaw puzzle from the Alamo Gift Shop. I had been wanting to get one ever since we bought our dining room table. I really have no idea why, maybe it's all extra surface or the free time I have on my hands. My mom & I breezed through it and I am currently working on another one. This one is not as fun because it's impossible and I'm convinced I'm missing pieces. (It's not, it's just really hard!)

5. Project Life Sunshine Kit - I like a lot of variety in my Project Life spreads (if you couldn't tell!) so I typically buy partial core kits over at Two Peas in a Bucket. I purchased a partial kit (probably about 100 cards) from the Sunshine edition and I love it so much. In person is so much better than on the computer screen. It's so bright and bold, which is so my style. Once I run out of my partial kit I am probably going to buy a full kit.

6. Target Sheets - I finally bucked up and bought some nice (for us) sheets. I always bought the cheap ones from Target and never really understood the point of nice sheets. I get it now. They are so cozy and don't give me rug burn from my sheets! I have learned in my ripe age of 29 that one set of really good sheets is way better than 2 or 3 sets of crappy sheets.

(I can't find a link online. I don't know the brand but they are the organic ones with a gray/black tribal pattern. I want to say they were $50.)

7. Darling Magazine - The photos in this magazine are amazing. They have great, interesting articles and just a really cool style. It's full of good design and tips on being smart & successful. I feel like I'm doing a pretty terrible job explaining the magazine so maybe check out their website. I got mine a couple weeks ago but am saving it for my holiday travels.

8. Our Apartment in Austin - I love it! Billy moved down here 3 weeks before me. At the time he moved, we didn't have an apartment yet and he was staying with a friend. The pressure was on for him to find us a place to live that we could afford and was close to all the fun things in Austin. He hit the jackpot with our place. It's in an awesome location, it's affordable and, compared to our last apartment in Chicago, it's huge! We also made some good decisions with our furniture purchases so it's actually feeling like a home and not an apartment. I work from home so it's really important to me that I like being here. Billy did a good job.

9. Barefoot Contessa - I love this lady! My mom always had her cookbooks around but I never used to cook so I never really looked at them. I started watching the Food Network when we moved down here and found myself actually making things from the Barefoot Contessa recipes. I like her style because she simplifies things for regular people. She's my new Martha Stewart.

10. Fab.com Poufs - I have always wanted a set of those cool pouf things I see all the time on Pinterest. We don't have a coffee table (it would just be a junk collector for us) so we are always looking for something to put our feet on when we lay on the couch. I bought 2 gray poufs and they are perfect. I also have this Crate & Barrel tray (wedding gift!) that I'll balance on the pouf and hold the remote or my coffee. They are a great addition to our apartment. I did a lot of research and the Fab ones were the best price that I was able to find. I also saw a few at Target for the same price but the color wasn't right for us.

 

So that's my list! Looking back at the other posts, I noticed that many past favorites are still my favorites. For example, Project Life and Moscow Mules. I made a minibook with my last list of favorites but this time I think I'll just include an insert in my Project Life.

Austin Apartment Wish List

Clockwise from the top left: Faux White Taxidermy White & Gold Glitter Deer Head, Joss & Main Marquee Ampersand, Odds & Ends Knit Cactus, West Elm Striped Armchair, Urban Outfitters Gold Hanging Planters, Joss & Main Wood Floor Mirror, Nate Berkus for Target Basket, Joss & Main Yellow Ikat Pillow, IKEA Round Rug, Joss & Main Chevron Rug, IKEA Polka Dot Rug, Fab.com Gray Pouf

I created this mood board/wish list for our new apartment here in Austin. I started pinning things about 2 months ago that I liked and that 'felt like Austin' to me. I realized that it was a lot of wood, black, white, some color and an overall cozy, eclectic look. So I'm rollin' with it.

Let me back up, before Billy & I moved to Austin, we decided it was time to get rid of a lot of the stuff we've been hanging onto and don't really love anymore. I also decided to take this as a chance to change up our style a little bit. We agreed to buy things that will last and avoid our usual 0ne-stop shop to IKEA. Billy and I have spend a lot of time on the weekends strolling through furniture stores, vintage stores and a city-wide garage sale. (I have to say, he's been quite the trooper.)

The thrift stores are awesome here. I'm finding that the prices drop the farther north I go, without sacrificing the quality of the stuff. So, north I go. I'm learning that south Austin is the "Austin" that everyone knows/talks about. North Austin is equally as awesome, with a more local feel. But really, anywhere I can find a bar cart for $55, I'm a happy girl.

Ten (Actually 12) Favorite Things Right Now

I made a note-to-self in my Google Calendar 6 months ago to do a 'Ten Favorite Things' post this month. I made a list back in December and thought it was fun. I re-read it and am happy to report that a lot of my favorites then are still my favorites now. Here are a few of my favorite things right now.

Stitch Fix - It's the best. If you are not familiar, Stitch Fix is a wardrobe styling company. You fill out an online style profile, provide information about your life and where wardrobe fits in, and then they send you a box of clothes! The stylist evaluates your profile and chooses items (clothes + accessories) that they think you will like. It's so much fun. I've had four fixes and have kept 2 items from each box. The prices are right (for me) and the styling has been great so far. I do believe that there's no such thing as too much information when it comes to the style profile. It all helps them narrow down what would work for you and your body. Check out 2 of my fixes here and here. (I'm slacking on posting the 4th... soon!)

Homemade Granola - I tried this homemade granola recipe via recommendation from this blog post. I decided to give it a try because prior to this, I was eating granola cereal from Trader Joe's that was almost $4 a box (for 4-ish bowls). Fairly expensive and it sometimes made my stomach hurt. I thought the granola ingredients sounded great together and figured it would be a good experiment. Turns out, I was right and it's delicious. I have been eating it for breakfast ever since. It's very easy to make and very tasty. I haven't done it yet, but the recipe is very adaptable. I bet it would be really good with some dried fruit in it.

Flair Buttons - I may be late to the party on this one, but I've never officially professed my love for flair buttons. They are the best little detail to add to Project Life and to my newfound love for 12x12" layouts. I really love the selection over at A Flair for Buttons. I usually spend a good amount of time combing though the different sets and then pick and choose the individual flair that I really want.

Kate Spade Scallop Ring - I finished up a big design + lettering project last month (again, slacking on the blogging about it part) and decided to treat myself to this super cute Kate Spade ring. It's my favorite. I wear it on either my pointer finger or my middle finger. I just think it's really unique and it's always better when you feel like you truly earned it, ya know?

Podcasts - I just got into podcasts. I was listening to The Paperclipping Rountable for a while and just recenlty got into Balanced Bites. The time goes by much faster at work when I have something to listen to, plus it's interesting. Most episodes are around an hour so I can get a few in each day. If you have any other podcast recommendations, let me know! I'm looking for more!

The Pool - Last summer I discovered a little oasis near my work. I belong to a gym and one of the locations has this amazing pool deck just a few blocks from my work. I try to go there on my lunch breaks whenever possible. I just sit by the pool and relax. It's the best part of my day sometimes. It feels really indulgent to sneak away from my desk for an hour and bask in the sun. I Instagram about it almost everytime I go there.

Greek Yogurt + Strawberries + Chocolate Chips - This is a really delicious snack if you ask me. It's healthy (ish) and cures my sweet tooth all at the same time. Sometimes I throw walnuts in there too if I'm feeling really crazy. (Ha!) But, really I am all about being healthy but I'm realistic too. I feel like this is a happy snack medium. Actually, the nut granola above would be really good in this too!

Moscow Mules - I also discovered these last summer (it was a good summer) and am rediscovering them all over again this summer. My sister introduced this cocktail to me when we went to a super fancy dinner at Acadia last July. A Moscow Mule is vodka, ginger beer and lime juice. It's very simple, very summer and very delicious. Sometimes dangereouly delicious because before you know it you've had a few too many... whoops!

Hazelnuts - Random... but hazelnuts are so good! I had never had a real, raw hazelnut (that I know of) before I made the granola mentioned above. If I have had one, it's been hazelnut flavored coffee, or chocolate covered hazelnut - never just a hazelnut. They are one of my favorite snacks now.

Whole Milk Lattes - We switched from coffee to green tea back in February, but I still really love a latte from Starbucks. Whole milk lattes are delicious.

Uni-ball Signo White Pen - This is my favorite white pen. I use it a lot in my Project Life and for products in my shop. It writes very smooth (with a thick stack of paper underneath whatever I'm writing on). I can snag them in the Studio Calico shop to ship with my kits or at Paper Source so it's convienient for me to stock up. I usually have about 3 or 4 on hand at all times.

CrossFit - This is a new one for me but so far, I'm obsessed. I am planning to incorporate CrossFit into my marathon training this year. All the weightlifting and pullups sort of makes me feel like a badass. That is so dorky to say out loud but it's true. There is a box (that's what 'they' call the gym) right next door to my apartment building so convenience is really not a problem. That helps my motivation a lot.

---
Thanks for reading all the way down to the bottom! I really enjoy making these lists. It sort of makes me take a step back and appreciate these little, random details in my life. 

*Check out Part 1 of this series here. I plan to do another one in 6 months. It's so interesting to see what has changed.

Productive Weekend.

Happy Monday! I have to say, I had a super productive weekend. I have been fortunate to have a few, fun opportunities pop up in the past couple weeks. I worked on a couple lettering projects, a layout for my Simple Scrapper team duties, did some behind-the-scenes blog work and went to my first official Crossfit class (I had to do a 2 week training first).

It felt really good to check things off my list and feel like I was getting somewhere. There are, of course, a few things that didn't get checked off, but that's okay! I did a ton this weekend. And that feels good.

I think that my productivity has a little something to do with this adorable, Rifle Paper Co. notepad I picked on Friday. I bought mine at the Paper Source, but you can also get one online here. The custom 'Molly Frances' pencils are from Carbon Crusaders on Etsy.

Stitch Fix Review

I received my third Stitch Fix a couple weeks ago and wanted to share a few pictures. I didn't have time to get photos in the pieces I didn't keep before they were due back. I linked to them at the bottom.

Aztec Print Tank - This is your basic tank, just with a fun pattern! I loved it. It has a pocket in the front and goes with a lot of pants I already own. This was a no brainer for me. I love tank tops.

Aqua Striped Cross-Back Sweater - I would never pick this out for myself. I probably would have looked at the back of it and put it back on the rack. But, I like it! I love the color and, of course, the stripes. The back is fun for summer. It's a super light-weight sweater so it's really going to get a lot of use on summer nights.

Here are links to the pieces I did not keep:

Sanctuary Black Jeggings - Not a good fit for me. The bottom part of the legs was so tight. It made the top part bunchy and everything just looked strange. It didn't do any favors for me. Back they went.

Fornash Elephant Bangle (Aqua) - Cute, but I really don't need it. I love bracelets but just didn't love this one, especially for $38. If I saw this at Forever 21 (read: for 2 dollars), I probably would have bought it, but this one went back. I'd rather get something else for $38.

Tart Geo Print Maxi Dress - I reeeeaaalllyyyy wanted to love this dress. I do love this dress, just not on me. It was very tight and I just didn't feel super comfortable wearing it. I don't really like tight things on my stomach so I think I would have felt a little self-conscious wearing it. I know that it might be totally in my head, but for $138 I want to feel like a million bucks in it. Ya know? But the dress was really wonderful. I loved the fabric and the pattern, just not the fit. (The dress linked is $168, but the Stitch Fix price was $138. I wonder if the store marked it up or Stitch Fix marked it down... hmmm.)

So, there you have it. My first Stitch Fix review is posted here. I really want a nice maxi skirt or dress for the summer so I already have another Fix scheduled for the 11th. Yay!

Here is a link to Stitch Fix using my referral code. If you choose to sign up for Stitch Fix using my code, I will get a credit in my account. :)

Stitch Fix!

I got my second Stitch Fix last week and am addicted. I love it and have kept 2 things from each of my boxes.

I don't normally have a problem styling the clothes that I have, or finding things I like at the store, but I decided to try Stitch Fix because I always buy the same thing. So when I'm not in the mood for my clothes, I have nothing to wear because basically everything is the same in different colors. I also wanted to find a few new pieces to add into my wardrobe that are a little more grown up than my usual.

So, here we go. Please excuse the awkwardness and try not to be jealous of my professional modeling skillz.

Polka-dot Sleeveless Blouse – I really wanted to like this, but it just wasn't very flattering on me. Maybe if I kept my hands on my hips all day, you could see that I have a waist, but on me it just looked too much like a big polka-dot bag. The back was really long too and covered my whole butt. I think this would probably look super cute tucked into a pencil skirt, but that is not my style. I sent this one back but might go hunt on my own for a sleeveless blouse.

Navy Butterfly Shirt – I saw this and thought 'no' immediately. But I tried it on anyway because that's what you are supposed to do. It actually fit really well! The neckline was flattering and the bottom had elastic so it didn't look like I had no shape. I thought really hard about this one but decided to send it back. I don't really love the butterfly wing sleeves and the fabric had a little shine to it. I do not like shiny fabrics.

Cantaloupe Skinny Jeans – LOVE. THEM. I love colored denim. I was glad they sent these because I was always under the impression that cantaloupe wasn't my color. They fit super well and I have a bunch of shirts that will match them. Really happy with these. Obviously, kept them.

Navy & White Striped Sweater Blazer - Hmmm... this one. It was so cute when I pulled it out of the box. It just didn't fit right. The collar would not lay right (you can see it in this picture). It only had 2 buttons, I think it needed 3 to hold it together more.

I sound like I'm being picky because I am. It was $88 and if it fit well, I'd have no problem spending that. But it's got to be perfect for me to spend that. I sent it back but I appreciated that the stylist put it in my box. It really does fit all the criteria of my wish list, just didn't fit right.

Chevron Dress - Yay! I was really excited to see this one. I kept it. It's really cute and flattering (more flattering in person than in these photos). Plus, it has pockets! The fabric is kind of polyester-y but I don't really care. This is a dress I'll wear for the fun of it and won't keep for years and years. I kept it. It's adorbs. 

---
So, in the end, I was very happy with this fix. I haven't scheduled my next one yet. I'd like to figure out what I 'need' and then give them some good direction. I think that lots of information is the most important piece of this process. These stylist don't actually know you, so you have to be very specific with your likes/dislikes. I shared exactly why I did or didn't like the pieces in my 1st fix. I updated my style Pinterest board and shared it with them. And also, I tried not to be too hard on myself if something didn't fit right. Just send it back. If you're on the fence, I think you should do it! The worst possible thing that could happen is you lose $20 in the styling fee. 

* I have linked above to Stitch Fix using my referral link. If you choose to sign up using my code, I will get a credit to my account. :)

Half Marathon Training Wish List

Clockwise, starting with the tank top – Lululemon Free To Be Tank, Nuun Tri-Berry Hydration Tablets, Lululemon What the Fluff Jacket, The North Face Ear Fleece, Lululemon Brisk Neck Warmer, Nike+ Fuel Band, Nike LunarGlide 4+ Running Shoes

I start training for my half marathon next week. I've done a few half marathons and a few full marathons, but the training really never gets any easier.

I like running but really like cute new workout gear. I have my own little reward system worked out – if I set a running goal and achieve it, I treat myself to something from Lululemon. It keeps me from buying the entire store & motivates me to run. 

On my wish list is lots of Lulu & lots of Nike. I am loyal to my brands. Those Nuun Hydration Tablets are really good too. It looks like an Alka Seltzer tablet but tastes super good without being too sweet.

Ten Favorite Things Right Now

In no specific order, these are some of the things I'm enjoying right now. 

Spinning – I never really liked it before, but these days, I love it. I think it might be the teacher, or else it's the fact that I've totally lost interest in running right now. I for sure miss it, just don't feel like it. I love that when I'm done with an hour long spin class I feel like I just went for a long run. It's doing wonderful things for my legs too.

Washi Tape – Not a new concept whatsoever... I know... it's been around for a while. But I recently reorganized my crafty crap and realized just how much I actually have. I had enough to designate a 'washi tape' box and keep it in plain sight these days. I have been adding a little strip to almost everything in an attempt to actually use it up. Realizing how much I have has not stopped me from buying more. I just picked up a few more rolls from the Freckled Fawn Black Friday sale. $2 a roll is a steal. This one is by far my absolute favorite.

Sundays – On Sundays, we drink coffee, stay in our pajamas as late as possible and I cook brunch. Recently, Billy and I are back to opposite work schedules so I love our lazy Sunday mornings together.  

Project Life – I love that it's a constant project. I love that I can go crazy with the embellishments. Or not. I love that in the future we'll be able to look at it if we're ever wondering what we were doing this time last year, or 2 years ago, or 20 years ago. We actually wonder that a lot. (see all my Project Life updates here)

Phrase Pencils – I bought these 'Mean Girls' phrase pencils from Etsy and realized there's a whole mini-industry out there dedicated to phrase pencils. These are on my wish list. I'm also so glad we're already married because if I had discovered these 6 months ago everyone would've gotten phrase pencils as a wedding favor. (Which is actually awesome but so not necessary)

Blogging – More specifically, brainstorming, making stuff, thinking of ideas & having a place to share them. I've always loved making crafty things, but it's so fun to share them with people.

Candy Cane Joe Joe's – Trader Joe's really knows the way into my heart. They just "get" me, ya know?

American Crafts Precision Pen – Finally, a pen that I actually like. 

Pumpkin Coffee – I think I'm over Pumpkin Spice Lattes, but I do love pumpkin flavored coffee these days. Billy does not love pumpkin coffee (or any other flavored coffee) so it's only on a rare occasion that I make it at home. I think that's what makes it special. Right now, Billy is home in ATL visiting his family so that means I'm drinking pumpkin coffee everyday. 

David's Tea – Duh. It's all I've been drinking and talking about since I found it a few weeks ago. I drink at least a cup a day. Sometimes 2. I think this tea craze is here to stay for a while. I seriously can't get enough and want to try every flavor. 

Each of these things makes me very happy for different reasons. And I think that you can imply from this roundup that I love food and craft projects. I try to always appreciate the little things. It would be fun to do this in another 6 months or a year and see how my list has changed.

My Recent Online Shopping Spree

Clockwise from the pencils  // 1  Mean Girls Phrase Pencils from Carbon Crusader  //  2 Gold 'Love' Word Ring from LaQuinst  //  3  Red Skinny Jeans from Madewell  // 4  Gold Arrow Ring from Bauble Bar // 5  Hello Forever Holiday Word Flair  by Marcy Penner (for December Daily)  //  6   Marc Jacobs for Native Boots – They're a little combat boot meets Crocs but I love them. They are waterproof and super light weight. I was thinking about getting another pair of Hunter boots but am glad I decided on something different. 

I mentioned that I've been shopping online almost exclusively these days. It's true, but only if there is free (or really cheap) shipping available. Paying for shipping kind of feels like paying to check a bag on the airplane. I hate it.

I love each of these items listed above and really might start shopping online more often. I love the instant gratification of real-life shopping but it's like a surprise gift when something shows up a few days after you buy it online. I'm still torn. But for now, I'm shifting my focus to finding the perfect gifts for my family & friends. Christmas is going to be here in like, 2 seconds.