6.30.2009
I Heart This Headboard
This is a totally random pic of SJP and her new twinsies, but I had to post it because I LOVE the headboard! Swoon!
I'm Bringing Pen Pals Back-Yeah!
You guys, I came up with a fun idea last night: I want to bring back the lost art of having a Pen Pal! Remember those? When you would write to someone and they would write you back, and you would send said letters through a little something called the United States Postal Service?
I know initially it might sound a bit juvenile, but how fun would it be to get a little something in the mail every month? It could be as simple as a cute notecard saying "Hi", to a full blown letter, to a collage you made, to something that is inspiring you that month. Anything goes!
What do you all think? Are you in? If so, email me at nattiecakedesigns(at)hotmail.com with this info:
- Your name and address (duh)
- Your birthday (every good Pen Pal sends a bday card!)
- A few of your interests (so I can match you up accordingly)
- If you are willing to take an international Pen Pal (since postage might be a bit more)
The rule is to send your Pen Pal something in the mail at least once a month.
Please email me by Monday July 6th, so that I can start the matching process. I hope you all join in!
6.29.2009
The Look For Less-Bachelorette Style Part II
Here is another Bachelorette Look For Less for you all. Yes, it is a fall outfit in the middle of summer, but it is never too early to plan ahead right? Sorry for the poor pic quality, it isn't easy finding still images from the show! I really liked this little ensemble she wore last week. You can't tell from the picture, but she has on a sleeveless gray cardigan over her white long sleeved tee. I love the cheetah print scarf because it is a bit more subtle than full on leopard print.
Here is what I came up with:
Here is what I came up with:
I couldn't find an exact match for the scarf so I included a few options that were the closest I could find. What do you all think? Would you sport this outfit come fall? As usual, click the image above to direct you to the product sources.
Check out Jill's post today for another great Bachelorette inspired outfit!
You Oughta Know: Suzanne of Suzanne Made {Giveaway Too!}
Good morning all! Did everyone have a good weekend? I hope so, but if not, I think this mornings "You Oughta Know" interview is sure to cheer you up. This time around I am picking the brain of all-around crafty gal Suzanne of the etsy shop Suzanne Made and the fab blog Suzyville. I ran across Suzanne's blog and shop after she left a comment on a blog post of mine and immediately fell in love with her crafty creations. From jewelry to journaling, this gal pretty much does it all! So sit back and enjoy the interview, and stay tuned at the end for the generous giveaway Suzanne is offering up one lucky reader!
A: I began making jewelry as a young teenager, just as a hobby. I was always thinking up ideas in my head about what I wanted to wear, but could never seem to find anything like it in stores, so I decided I would just try and make it myself. I would often dissemble vintage/antique jewelry (from aunts, grandmas, neighbors) in order to create new pieces with my own personal touch, but once I discovered the craft and bead stores it opened up a whole new world of jewelry making for me! Eventually I started getting "orders" from friends and family. Years later I took a little silversmith course which also broadened my skills a bit further than just beads and chains. It is definitely fun and rewarding-I really enjoy working with my hands and I even find it quite relaxing at times.
Q: Where do you find inspiration for the gorgeous jewelry pieces in your shop?
A: I am inspired by so many things-most of the time it's simply the beautiful materials themselves that inspire me to make something special out of them, other times I'll get inspiration from books, nature, photography, movies, old buildings, music, etc.
Q: You don't limit your craftiness to just jewelry. What are your favorite crafts as of late?
A: Lately I have been breaking out my painting supplies again...with summer upon us now I like to turn on some music, open all the windows, sit in the sunbeams and paint. I have also been doing some sewing, photography, and even trying my hand at art journaling and scrapbooking.
Q: What's a surefire way to get your creative juices flowing?
A: Definitely listening to music, reading or going for a long walk and taking some pictures will get me in a creative/crafty mood.
Q: I'm loving your summer journal pages you have been making. Some tips for an amateur journalist like me?
A: Well, I'm quite the amateur myself, but I highly recommend taking a look through some of the art journal groups on Flickr-scroll through some of the pages there and you'll be inspired with so many ideas you won;t know where to start! (Editor's note: here are a few links for you: visual journals, Just Art Journals, The Art Journal Pool) If you keep a journal already, you may want to just expand on some of your entries with random doodling, drawing little pictures of what you are writing about, print out and tape in a photo you took that day, etc. Or if you tend to keep scraps of pretty paper, ribbon, yarn, or fabric, try adding a few of those bits to your journal pages and see where it goes from there.
Q: I see on your blog that you also enjoy making cupcakes. Do you have a favorite recipe to share?
A: Yes! This recipe for Red Velvet Cake from Smitten Kitchen (my fave food blog)-the cupcake variation is at the bottom of the recipe.
Q: Where are some of your favorite places to shop for crafty supplies?
A: Etsy!!! Or if I'm desperate and have a coupon-Michael's. Although sometimes I find some neat bits at garage sales too.
Q: What are a few of your current inspirations?
A: There is never a shortage of inspiration on Flickr and etsy. And lately I have been working my way through the entire Sex and the City series on DVD-I find that I'm getting a lot of inspiration from the fashion/styling on that show.
Q: What are a few of your favorite things?
A: Handwritten letters, polaroids, retro/vintage stuff, old cameras, tattoos, cupcakes and donuts with sprinkles, birds and owls, squirrels and hedgehogs, acorns and pinecones, leaves and flowers, sea creatures, 70's and 80's music, pretty paper, kitties, iced mochas.
Q: How do you spend a typical Saturday?
A: I don't know if I have a "typical" Saturday...I try to sleep whenever possible. Since I work full time, I try and get as much crafting time in as I can on the weekends. Recently I have been going to garage sales early in the mornings. Sometimes I'll meet a friend for coffee. Maybe go to a movie...but I always try and watch a bit of SNL.
Thank you so much Suzanne for sharing your crafty life with us this morning! And she is sharing even more with one lucky reader who will win a $20 gift certificate to use in her etsy shop!
How to enter:
Go visit Suzanne's etsy shop, then come back and comment on this post what you think you would use the gift certificate for. For example, I would choose her red and turquoise bracelet. It's that easy!
For an additional entry, you can blog or tweet about the giveaway, then come leave an additional comment stating you did so.
Giveaway entries will be accepted through this Sunday, July 5th, and I will announce the winner on Monday July 6th. Good luck!
6.28.2009
6.26.2009
Round 'Em Up Friday
Check it:
Vintage surfing photography at Simple Lovely. What a cool summer vibe.
This chick is a freaking rock star! Via Pretty Young Things
An adorable "Mr. Man" birthday party for two year old triplets at party perfect.Almost, almost, makes me want to try one more time for a boy.
Effortless chic of the day at Pink Monkey.I would have never thought to put this combo together, but I love it!
In other news, this song is really doing it for me lately:
Sex On Fire
I just discovered it last weekend on itunes. Am I behind the curve? I pretty much had it on repeat the entire 12 hours I was painting.
Well, I'm off to the beach for two days with the fam. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
6.25.2009
This Cat Means Business
I just bought this bad boy for my computer desk. It's a coaster, and was only $6 at the etsy shop Robot Candy. They have a ton, and I mean a ton, of awesome designs to choose from over there. You must go check them out! Here are a few of my other favorites:
6.24.2009
New Wall Color & Scrapbook Paper Project #1
I was a busy bee this weekend and busted out a few DIYs around the house.
First up, I used the scrapbook paper I had just bought to cover these baby formula cans:
Before:
After:
This was super easy. All I did was cut the label off the original can and used it as a template to cut the correct size of scrapbook paper. Then I used Modge Podge to adhere the paper to the can. End of story. Now one holds my motley crew of pens and pencils and the other one holds my checkbook and stamps.On Saturday night at around 7pm I decided I wanted to paint my family room wall. I have had it in on my to-do list for months, but kept putting it off because I am not a big fan of painting. I went down to Home Depot, bought the paint and primer, came back home and from 9pm-2am (waaaaay past my bedtime) I slapped the primer up. I could not believe how long that took. On Sunday I started painting at 9am and did not finish until practically 9pm that night. I am not even kidding. I took lunch and dinner breaks though, and with the girls things would come up here and there that would interfere for a few moments. The problem is these horrible textured walls in our house. It sucks up the paint, but leaves all these little pockets and spots where the paint didn't cover.
Before:
After:
What do you think? I'm enjoying it so far. The color opens the space up and actually helps make the room seem cooler in the afternoon when the sun is beating through the windows. I was never really happy with the color I had before, so I am relieved to have finally switched it up.
6.23.2009
"Secret" Giveaway Winner!!
I almost forgot about my secret giveaway of a year subscription to Sunset magazine!
The lucky winner is:
Maggie of Magchunk! Yay! Email me your address and I will send in the form for you.
*If you have no idea what I am talking about, you didn't read this whole post.
Interior Infatuation: Mix & Match
This home's mix of modern and traditional pieces is really inspiring me today. It's exactly what I picture for my future dream home in the Sonoma wine country, when my husband is retired and the girls are off in college!
I've always been a fan of placing two Ikea LACK side tables together to form a coffee table.
Love the Lucite table between the two oversize arm chairs. The fireplace wall in this home is exactly how mine is (protruding forward) and I like how the owner painted a square in a lighter shade to add a bit more interest to above the mantle.
*Drooling*
Open kitchen shelving: yay or nay? I like the look in photos, but in my own home I feel like it would look messy.
Check out that yummy armoire. And my favorite dining set-up: farmhouse table with mismatched chairs.
Little yellow bathrooms make me smile.
If you are interested in a little Christmas in June, you can see this home decorated for the holidays here.
6.22.2009
The Look For Less-Bachelorette Style
Any readers out there watch The Bachelorette? I must admit that I am watching this season, and mainly because I can't wait to see what Jillian Harris (the bachelorette) will be wearing! I think she has great style, so I decided to create a "Look for Less" Bachelorette style! Here is my wardrobe inspiration:
Now, we all know that I am a bit swinmsuit phobic, so I like how she has a cute, thin little yellow sweater to cover herself up a bit. I also like white swimsuits, which really highlight a nice tan. Here is what I came up with for the look for less:
This whole look comes in at under $95! Click on the picture above for all the product deets.
One person who I thought might watch The Bachelorette was Jill, and sure enough-she does! We started talking about it, and Jill came up with a post today too highlighting her favorite Bachelorette look. Check it out here.
Anyone else care to play along?
6.21.2009
The Good LOOK For Less Giveaway Winner!!
Happy Monday folks! How was your weekend? Mine was actually pretty productive, which you will hear more about later this week. As for now, it is time to reveal the winner of Jill's good LOOK for less consultation! To refresh your memory, the winner will receive a mini summer wardrobe inspiration board of about 5-6 outfits! Okay, enough with the gabbing. The winner is:
Lucky #31, which was Meghann! Congrats!
And get this, it was Meghann's second entry that she got for posting about the giveaway on her blog that scored her this win. See, it counts to help spread the word!
Meghann said:
"This was such an inspiring interview. My favorite part was reading about how she dresses to suit her current lifestyle...being a mom but still finding ways to express her unique personality through fashion, yet keeping it suitable to her daily life. I just had a baby almost 3 months ago and am so frustrated with this "transition" body of mine, as nothing fits. Perhaps I'm just having unrealistic expectations and need to simply accessorize more to feel better about my wardrobe. Or, perhaps I need to lovingly embrace the body (with all of its new quirks) that God gave me which allowed me to have my precious daughter."
I feel ya Meghann, as I have been in that exact situation before -and twice! So excited to see what Jill comes up with for you! Please email me so I can get you in touch with Jill.
Thank you so much to all who entered! I'm so happy you all enjoyed the interview and are in love with Jill's style as much as I am! For those of you who didn't win, don't forget that you can still have Jill whip your wardrobe into shape! For all the details, click here or email Jill at goodlifeforless(at)gmail.com for more info.
Thank you so much to all who entered! I'm so happy you all enjoyed the interview and are in love with Jill's style as much as I am! For those of you who didn't win, don't forget that you can still have Jill whip your wardrobe into shape! For all the details, click here or email Jill at goodlifeforless(at)gmail.com for more info.
6.19.2009
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