Red Velvet Saturday.

Last Saturday I was a little bored and felt the need to get up and do something. I must've been hungry, because I decided baking would be the perfect thing to entertain me [knowing fully well that no one else in my house likes sweets and I would be living on cupcakes for the next week...and that would just be horrible, right?]

I printed off my recipe, did a quick check of ingredients, and ran off to the grocery store [where I proceded to buy lots of other unnecessary items, like grapefruit juice and iced animal crackers. Those are not part of this recipe. But whatever, I told you I was hungry.]

It seemed like I spent hours making my red velvet creations, but perhaps I was just impatient because I really really wanted to try them. They did not turn out nearly as pretty at the cupcakes pictured above [my cooking is rarely pretty], but they sure are yummy. The icing is the best part. It's hard to go wrong when you mix cream cheese, butter, and lots of powdered sugar.

And yes, I have been eating cupcakes as part of every meal.

[image source]


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Rainy Day.

New PDF sheet in my shop inspired by rainy days and cute patterns. Yay! I hope to get some more new designs up soon.

[UPDATE: Heck yes, I got two more new designs finished today! Enchanted and I Heart Shoes are now in the shop.]


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Dear Zappos...

Why must you tempt me like this? Not. Cool. [I want them all.]

[click photos for links]


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Big Clutch.

I am a big fan of the oversized clutch. Loving these two from deciduous.


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Siiso.

Such lovely spring colors in these watercolor prints from siiso.


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Keep On Keepin' On.

I've been browsing through some of my old favorites today and rediscovered goodkarma. This eco-friendly shop features functional pieces made with funky fabrics. The photography is wonderful and there is nothing in the shop I don't like. My favorite are these hand-embroidered mix tape pouches. Adorable, no?

Can't find your perfect mix? Bren will hook you up with a custom mix of your very own.


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Simpli Jessi.

Miga and HenriRoger and OliElka and AmosI adore these dolls from simplijessi. Each one comes with its own story. Can't you just see the little personalities in their faces? And the outfits...oh so cute! I love them all.


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I Heart...

...spring days + sunlight...


[image sources here]


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Sweet Teeth.

At the age of twenty-three, I am finally getting my wisdom teeth removed in a couple weeks. I still don't know the logic behind my dentist's advice to wait, but I got tired of waiting and I'm fully ready to just get it over with. I know it won't be fun, but I plan to keep a positive attitude, at least until I come out with a puffy face I can't feel. [Did I mention how much I hate not being able to feel my face? Well I hate it. A lot.]

I will be in Houston for the week surrounding the appointment, so my mama can take care of me and my dad can bring me smoothies every day. And I'll get to see my cousin and her husband who live in Thailand. And these little teeth stickers from RedVelvetArt make me smile and think it's all gonna be okay. I'm looking on the bright side, folks. Really, I am.

[Random sidenote: Ella - the almost-four-year-old I babysit - calls them 'teef' and it makes me laugh every time. Kid-speak is so cute. I think I'm going to start telling people I'm getting my wisdom teef out.]


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Etsy Terrariums: Life in a Jar.

Confession: I might have the exact opposite of a green thumb. What would that be called? A black thumb, maybe? I'm not sure, but I know I don't trust myself to keep a plant alive for more than a week. [Yeah, I also had a fish last year that didn't make it past nine days. Pathetic.]

BUT, a moss terrarium I think I could handle. Aren't these so cute? From what I've read, they are pretty independent little plants that just require some sun and an occasional sprinkle of water. So I did a little searching on Etsy, and here a some of my favorites + a few extras I just liked too much to leave out. [Mini lime tree? Yes, please! I want one. But I'd probably kill it...]

1. Moss Terrarium No. 84 [madebymavis]
2. Mini Moss Terrariums Set of 3 [madebymavis]
3. Large Moss Terrarium 508 [madebymavis]
4. Acorn House Mini Moss Terrarium [BettysLove]
5. Three Sisters Moss Terrarium [Greenbriar]
6. Moss Garden Nest in Onyx Bowl [lisahop]
7. Moss Terrarium No. 86 [madebymavis]
8. Tree Root Succulent Terrarium with Birdhouse [WiltsieBridgeCS]
9. Birds of a Feather Moss Terrariums [Greenbriar]
10. Moss Garden in a Little Copper Pot [lisahop]
11. Day at the Park Moss Terrarium [OnePunkPosy]
12. Apothecary Jar Terrarium No. 31 [blithegardens]
13. Herb Kit with Chalkboard Pot [GardensToGo]
14. Two Moss Pendants [WarmCountryMeadows]
15. Moss Terrarium No. 90 [madebymavis]
16. Wee Giraffe for Your Terrarium [weeshop]
17. Indoor Citrus Tree Kit [SevenAcreWoods]
18. Moss Terrarium No. 107 [madebymavis]
19. Vintage Glass Moss Terrarium with Cottage [dewgardencrafts]
20. The Thoreau Moss Terrarium [Greenbriar]
21. Contemplation Desk Garden No. 8 [madebymavis]

Are you a super gardener? My aunt and uncle have an awesome vegetable garden and grow more fresh tomatoes than they can eat! And my boyfriend's dad farms hundreds [maybe thousands?] of acres of land at age 71. I still think I should stick to moss in a jar.


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Birth Announcement Design Giveaway.

This week's giveaway comes from me! I would love to expand my shop to offer more than just Etsy designs and I need samples. So look for more of these giveaways to come!

If you are pregnant or have a sister or friend who is, this one is just for you, ladies. One lucky winner will receive a custom birth announcement design made specially by moi!

[If you win, and want to give this prize as a gift, I will even make up a little gift certificate for you. The mommy-to-be can redeem her card whenever baby arrives! Wouldn't that be sweet for Mother's Day?]

Comment to enter. Please leave a way to contact you. I will randomly pick a winner May 1st.

Good luck!


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Two in One.

Loving Jess's new double-sided art pendants. Especially those pretty red flowers.

[I think you can even request a custom pendant with some of her other patterns!]


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Melmac Mugs.

Have a grown-up tea party with these fun vintage mugs from jessjamesjake.


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Andwabisabi.

My friend Grace sells the cutest cross stitch patterns in her shop andwabisabi. She recently passed 200 sales and will celebrate her shop's 1 year anniversary tomorrow. Go check out her adorable designs. I'm sure you will find one that would look perfect hanging on your wall.

Congrats on all your sales, Grace! I wish you many more this year.


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Dialogue.

If you haven't already, I highly recommend checking out Erin's Dialogue series on Design for Mankind. I hadn't seen any of them until today, but after watching the most recent one, I found myself sitting through all six, enjoying each one more than the last.

The topics range from balancing work and life to dealing with criticism. I could relate to all of them, and I loved meeting some new artists and hearing how they deal with the issues I think about daily. And they all just seem so likable.

After watching, I wished I could hang out with any of these girls [and guys] in real life and chat about how sucky designer's block can be, how my boyfriend occasionally thinks I love my Macbook more than him, or how I was just up til 2am because I'm a procrastinating fool sometimes.

When I tell people what I do, my friends and family nod and smile. I usually get an "oh, that's cool" or "you're so lucky you can work from home" but few of them actually get it. I guess it just made me happy to hear from a few people who do.


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Happy Weekend.

The winner of this week's giveaway is Sarah Nielsen. Congrats! Thanks again to everyone who participated and especially to BowWowzerZ for offering the great prize.

Wishing you all a happy weekend! I hope we get some sun and warm weather here. Is it finally warming up where you are? I'm taking advantage of every chance I get to wear shorts and flip flops.


[image source]


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The Quiet Revolution.

I really like it. I think it's far beyond nice.

You really must view the larger images on Claire Scully's website. The beautiful details in her illustrations are what make them so special. Simply amazing work.


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