sunshine and hourglasses

Just came back from seeing My Sister's Keeper and I must say that I was a tad disappointed. They didn't end it the way that she did in the book!!! I read the book my Junior Year of high school which was-- count em --5 years ago! I guess I was just a little upset that it wasn't really accurate. The movie had a little too much closure. ALTHOUGH i must say that they did a fantastic job in the rest of the movie, just not the end. :] you should totes go see it.


Some other happenings:
New Layout for the Ad This challenge that's up right now. It was a really fun one to make for sure. I got these CUTE new robot stickers today at the ole H.L. haha


new flickr faves! Click here for creds.


new lovlies from the sunshine today:
just tried a little self-exploration in photography today. lots of good light and good ideas.





hope everyone is enjoying THEIR sunshine. There are so many exploration opportunities. Carpe Diem.

new project: join me, won't you?

Welcome to my new project: Explorer in Training. :] I've been immersed in this project for a few weeks now and I'm loving loving the way it makes me feel. :] I encourage everyone to embark on their own Explorer in Training adventure and roll with it. You'll love the way you feel! Please let me know if you decide to do it for yourself. :] link me UP! (maybe i'll make a flickr group... )

EDIT:
the new flickr group where you can join and add any photos is here!



I've been observing more carefully pretty much every aspect of my life: documenting every location, every place i go whether it's to the bookstore or to a place I've never been before... I've been seizing opportunities, loving life, and photographing and drawing everything I can. thank you world.












I'm loving life right now. seriously, you don't even know. I hope that this inspires you to come along with me and experience Explorer in Training.
because we love life.
and documenting it is the LEAST we can do.
we might never understand it fully, but this might be an excellent try.
<3
so let's roll.

as*promised

this is my new word for the summer. Explore my surroundings. explore the unknown. explore the ordinary. explore even when I'm standing still. I think it will help make my mundane workdays more exciting and thrilling.

You guys should head on over to Scrap Outside the Box and check the newest challenge! CLOTHING TAGS! love it. I'm going to say that my DT girls never fail to make me jealous. haha
Here's what I busted out a few days ago! It's a work in progress and not yet bound but I'm loving the creative mood it's put me in lately. So sunny and wonderful.


I also made this little guy this afternoon while listening to Harry Potter book on tape. (I've read it a million times, but Ian has been wanting to listen to it and i love it, so... haha) I just thought this tied in nicely with my new word for the summer. I'm going to tuck it in my moleskine (Drawing Book No. 3) as a reminder I think.


some untraditional materials include cardboard, plastic packaging, confetti, and masking tape)

This is the masking tape I used! I got my happy tape in the mail WEEKS ago and am JUST NOW blogging about it!? what's this about!? It's soooooo amazing. I got it here and am 100% completely positively satisfied and I want more. for sure. I want other color combinations. Mmmmmm


This lifelong book fetish is getting out of hand I think. I bought Along for the Ride and Peter Pan over the past few days. I really need to get a move on reading both of those.

Another new obsession? GOODREADS.COM!

so if you have an account, ADD ME AS A FRIEND!!! yay. love*love

alrighty. well there's the post I promised. <3 i hope you're all inspired and working away on something wonderful. What's inspiring you lately? tell me. :]

a sunlit blanket

Just popped in to say that I'm going to update later tonight while watching some of myvery favorite reality shows. Sharing some quick pics from yesterday afternoon and a magical picnic with boyfriend bear. :]


it was lovely to lay in the sunshine and read books. *sigh*

back later for more paper projects!

be back soon: exploring

Sundae love:

first and foremost, check out this lovely little giveaway gem on 20 STAMPS LATER. You will be delighted to see what its all about!!! ;]

1. new drawing book:





2. new books for me. lovelovelove
one that's changing my outlook on everything and affirming everything i believe in all at once:

found here
and a few more I ordered offline:

here

and here

3. adventures
to the Newport Aquarium in Kentucky.



they even had original Penguin Art. I was in love. :]


4.inspired by and loving these:

oak leaf fanny pack


Knitty, knitty


floret printed flats


Kim's new scrapbook


most beautiful darling


Els' newest loft pics


(source unknown)

these past few days have been very very good. Right now I'm just trying to regroup before work comes on Wednesday and try and fill myself up with inspiration. Also... I want to read tomorrow. ALL day long. finishing The Golden Compass and continuing Eat, Pray, Love.

hook me up with some magical things. :] i need creative wisdom this week.
love to all
<3

workin*girl

Soooo i think I forgot to share with the world the wonderfulness that is my new job. I was texting Bekah today and realized i HADN"T EVEN BRAGGED about it yet! I recently got a job at a THRIFT STORE in my boyfriend's town called the Attic Window Warehouse, so I've been living at his house off and on while I'm working! Ian works in the back bringing out heavy furniture items and I work on sorting what comes in and the register. I also set things out. I'm thinking I should take some pics of work soon.

BUTTTTT for those of you who always thought it would be awesome to work in a thrift store.... you were absolutely RIGHT! The best part is that employees get 50% off of everything in the store! All clothing items are $1.00 so I can get skirts, dresses, tops, shoes, ANYTHING for .50! I'm in heaven. Today I was in the sorting room, what Debbie calls "the front lines", and I reserved some FANTASTIC things and bought them at the end of the day. Today i got: a cotton dress, a skirt, a tank top, some vintage pins (one of which is a fabulous turquoise bow pin!), a cabochon pendant, a pair of shoes, a sewing pattern, and 2 bags for just $4.00!!! omgomgomg its such a magical job, and totally inspiring.




I have a long list of lovliness I'm going to be searching for this summer and I'm eager to see what other treasures come to me.

ALSO! I've been knitting! I learned to cable knit which is something I never thought I would be able to do. I've been knitting cute little cuffs, a sleeve for my bottled water, and some other little fun surprises. It's such a relaxing, rewarding, hobby. although... i think we all know that i love a hobby where you can wear the end result. :] there's so many possibilities.



kkkk. I'm out! back SOON!
<3

Running*around

What is your current obsession?
oh my my my. KNITTING. seriously. I've gotten books and patterns and I'm wanting to make so many beautiful things. ohhhh how i love. <3




What's for dinner?
taco salad and Coca Cola Classic. <3 Now this:


What's the last thing you bought?
this lovely yarn!
Soft Merino by Caron


What are you listening to right now?
Along Came Polly with the boyfriend bear!


If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?
Brighton, England. it's Ian's favorite place in the world. :]


What's your favorite quote (for now)?
"The world isn't split into good people and Death Eaters. We've all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That's who we really are." -Sirius Black, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

What's your favorite piece of clothing in your own wardrobe?
My new light steel-gray bermudas that my Mom bought me. I'm also loving all the knitted accessories that I've been concocting. :] pictures to come.

What's your dream job?
Owning my own store of handmade accessories. Making everything so cute and wonderful and just...creating for a living. :]


What's your worst habit?
being a control freak...by far... haha

Do you admire anyones style?
I think this speaks for itself:


Describe your personal style?
hmmmmmm interesting. Handmade Eclectic with a twist of 70s, twist of 80s. :]]]


What are your favorite movies?
Breakfast at Tiffany's, Mama Mía, West Side Story, How to Deal, Nick & Nora's Infinite Playlist, JUNO, The Devil Wears Prada

What inspires you?
oh so many things. peep toe shoes, tin foil stars, music, greeting cards, vintage dishes, Elsie*cake, children's shows, patterns and a billion more things in this wonderful inspiring world.

What's your favorite book?
I just fonud a copy of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and realized how FANTASTIC the illustrations are what with all the incredible tumbling typeface. It has my heart.


Do you collect something?
oh yes. :] I collect turtles, vintage cameras, Hello Kitty, bows and magic.

What do you like most about yourself?
i love the constant flow of new ideas rolling around in my brain. It keeps things fantastically interesting.

What's your go-to nail polish color?
lately? Tequila Sunrise. A wonderful summer tangerine color. <3

I do solemnly tag:
Bekah my dear
Mollie darling
Amber my Hoosier friend
and anyone else that wants to play!