In Bloom

Winter is no joke. It takes a strong sort of person to come out of it  unscathed by all the gray dreary days and bone chilling nights. Seasonal affect disorder can definitely start taking a toll on anyone with all the monochromatic scenery every which way any one would look. One way I have found to beet the winter blues is an easy and affordable and very fresh smelling way. Bye some flowers. Flowers instantly add pops of color to your home and fill the hallways with fresh scents you have been missing since September. You don't have to go all out and spend mucho bucks on them either. A few simple carnations in pretty pinks and yellows, some mellow greenery with bamboo shoots by a window, and if your feeling fancy a couple of roses. Which ever you pick from you can't go wrong. Little splashes of color can go a long way when the weather doesn't show signs of stopping.

Blank Slate

photo courtesy cupcakes and cashmere

Its no secret I have been MIA for the past couple weeks. Needless to say a lot has been going on in my non digital life. Most recent of note would be that I got married. (We eloped!) So along with moving all of my stuff from my parents house in to my new home with my amazing husband, we have been trying to get all of the remodeling done that we can, while we can. The house still has a along ways to go but right now its working out just fine. Not only have I been moving my life around but I have also been trying to make up as many booties and hats (and possibly blankets) for a Mom2Mom sale my Junior League is hosting on February 19th. None of this seems to have left me any time for much needed updates. Since its still technically the new year, I thought I would start this post off with a few things I find inspiring. We can all use a few jolts of energy and enthusiasm and now I couldn't think of a more perfect time.

photo courtesy of the love collage

                                                                   ~Missoni prints~

Pale Rose Dress RiverofRomansk

                                                            ~A pretty pale pink dress~

Grey Shells Sweater

~One of my favorite sweaters I have made~

Blue Skies Braided Infinity Scarf

I love accomplishing a project that I have been thinking about for quite some time. Seeing what you have been dreaming about in your head manifest into something real is totally awesome. Such is the case with the newest scarf I have made. I seen something similar to this and thought to myself, "I can totally do that!" And I did. To be honest it has been about a year since the idea first came to me and the results are great. I love how the different shades of blue all compliment each other with out being too loud or over the top. I'm also most definitly going to create a few more of these in other colors as well and know they will look just as fabulous. Check this one and more out for yourself over in my shop @ Kacia;s Premo Crochet.

Winter Beauty Essentials

In the winter there are just some things you need more in your beauty routine than you do in the summer. That light weight moisturizer just will not hold up against the powerful drying effects of constantly going back and forth between what seems like a frozen tundra outside to a warm oasis of drying heat inside your home and other public buildings. A girl needs a deep, skin layer penetrating, rich body butter to slather on to keep her skin looking fresh and moisturized. Heaven forbid she ever get that cracked scaly ash thing going on. Yeck. And, the buck doesn't stop just their either. Make up shades need to be changed as our once warm glowing bronzed skin has now become a bit more pale and a lighter shade of foundation is needed to match our new color. (Unless of course you fake bake which is highly not recommended) Also, a humidifier is a key essential. The air is just so dry that, along with moisturizers and drinking plenty of water, you need an extra boost wherever you can get it. Keeping one by your bedside or the room you spend the most time in is great idea. Try to keep one in your office if you work space allows it. These just so happen to be my best kept secret;)

1. Humidifier- Target- $30.09
2. Bottled Water
3. Rosa Mosquita Rose Hip Moisturizing Cream- Aubrey Organics- $13.54
4. Matte SPF15 Beige Foundation-Bare Minerals- $28.00
5. Coconut Cream Lip Balm-Alba- $.2.99
6. Peppermint Foot Creme-Kiss My Face- $8.99
7. Shea Butter Hand Wash- One With Nature- $7.99
8.Hand Alert- Kiss My Face- $8.99

Out of Season

If you haven't noticed lately, ever since the first day either after Christmas or New Years, stores have been shipping in all of their spring items and getting rid at an alarmingly fast rate of their winter items. This is not just happening in clothing stores but in grocery and craft stores as well. Clothing stores already have all of their winter items marked 75% off and making plenty of room for short skirts, flowery prints and strapy sandals.  Grocery stores are stocking spring time beers and Valentine's day candies. Craft stores have out door spring decor with flower pots and garden utensils along with plenty of Valentine's and St Patrick's Day to boot. It makes me a little sad because I feel I haven't even begun to enjoy all that winter has to offer. Haven't gone sledding, skiing, snowboarding, fort making, snow angel making, snow ball fighting, ice skating or even just had the chance to freeze my patooty off properly. So sorry retailers, I am holding on to winter until at least the end of February. So you might be showing off all your spring gear right now but I'm throughing winter back into your face:)

*All photos courtesy of Google

L.A.M.B. Spring/Summer 2011

Forever inspiring. Gwen Stefanie is, in a word, amazing. I have been a fan of hers ever since  the "Don't Speak" days and am constantly impressed with everything she touches. I have a purse and wallet of hers that I have just started collecting over the past year and can't wait to get my hands on more of her stuff. I fore see a pair of her shoes in my future and as soon as I can find a store close enough to me her clothes as well. Loving all she does.

Well Read

 It is safe to say I am an avid reader. I love everything about it. So much so that when my fiance asked if I would like a Nook or Kindle for Christmas I said no because those just aren't the same as a good book. Don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with them in and of themselves, I just like to feel the weight of the book in my hand, the feel of the cover and pages and to be able to actually turn the pages and not just press a button. It;s all part of the experience for me. Not to mention I like to collect them and like how they look on my bookshelf.  Mostly I like learning from what I am reading so I tend to stay on the non-fiction path, but I also love a good novel every once in a while. (hello Twilight) Over the past year it seems, though, my books have fallen to the wayside. With all the new things happening (starting my etsy shop, getting engaged, and all other friends and family activities) I just haven't had that much time to read. So here is my current list waiting for me on my desk. Some I have started and not finished, others I have just not even managed to open. Hopefully, by this time next year these will have been devoured and a new stack will await me.