walking around an indie gala...

Last weekend we went to the Strange Folk Festival  that was held at a local park.
I loved it.
It was basically an Etsy convention so I was in heaven.  Really it's an indie arts & crafts festival, but isn't that kinda what Etsy is?!

I saw so many booths that had the most amazing pieces from handmade jewelry, to clothing, cupcakes, art, and some very eccentric, individualized items.

Unfortunately when we got there I had realized I'd left my camera at home.  Bummer.

My friend was lucky enough to have a booth there and he makes some very cool jewelry.  He pretty much takes old silverware and bends it into jewelry, rings specifically.  I love his stuff.  Here is what I bought from him.

These are a few of his other rings that I love.  I just need more fingers so I can wear more.

Serial Bender

Facebook | Etsy

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Below are a couple other artists that I saw and fell in love with their pieces.

Alice Art

- her designs  

I don't know how she creates these beautiful designs, but I love every single one of them.  I wish I had just a tiny amount of her talent.  The way she combines her colors and textures just amazes me.  I want my walls filled with her art.

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Foamy Wader

- Etsy. 

I love this girl's jewelry so much and that fact that her work is inspired by the sea makes me love it even more, since I have such an obsession with the ocean.  

Her style is simple, yet glamorous and fun.  I don't wear as much jewelry as I'd like since I spend my days in scrubs, but I can see my entire collection filled with her stuff.  I only wish she didn't live so far away so I could see her line more often in person.  

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Sparrow Studios

- Etsy

Her jewelry is unbelievably unique because she crochets it.  Yep, crochet.

It was so intriguing that I could not quit looking at all her work when I saw it.  

I don't know how she does it, but it's awesome.

If you're interested in any of their work, click on their links and tell them I sent you.

Like I have said before, I am done buying my jewelry and some other things from big, money hungry chains. I'm all about supporting individuals in their handmade, creative items and you should be too!

{diy} transplanting a plant.

 

Ever since I got my own place I have been obsessed with plants.  It seems like I'm adding a new plant or two every year and I've got quite a few.  A few months back, I cut off a part of a plant at work because I needed a new one to pot.  I really am running out of space for all of them, but they really are such a part of who I am.  My house is filled with greenery of all kinds. I will save details for another post, but I couldn't wait to get this little gem in a cup of water and watch the roots grow.

Basically what you do when you cut off a stem of leaves is throw it in a cup of water for a few weeks or so {I actually left mine in for probably 6} and roots will grow.  You have to be sure to keep adding water every now and then because some will evaporate. Once it has roots that means it is ok to go ahead and plant. 

Below are the steps you take to transplant this from a piece of a plant to your own....then watch it grow!

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This is how your sprout looks in a cup and where it has grown roots for the last few weeks.

Grab any pot that you want.  I don't like the plain boring ones, so mine always have some sort of design or look nice.  This is probably 9" tall and 7" wide, so I would say it's probably medium in size.  

I always like to get mine with drainage built in, meaning it's got holes in the bottom for the water to drain out of.  This one also has a built in tray thing so I don't have to buy a clear plastic one or find one to add.

Some say since it's got built in drainage then you don't need to add any rocks, but I always do that way it's not just dirt in the bottom and the rocks offer their own drainage system.  Any small rocks will do.  

Just place rocks in the bottom of the pot.

I like to use Miracle Grow that comes in these big green bags.  It's filled with nutrients that keep my plant healthy and living.

Begin adding the potting soil on top of the rocks and continue filling until about 2/3 full so there is still room to add the plant.

Now, it's time to place the cute sprout you grew into its new home.  Pull the roots out a bit so they aren't all connected to each other.  This will ensure the roots will grow downwards as it begins to grow.

Keep filling with more soil until it's almost full.  Also, make sure your plant is centered in the middle because you don't want it to grow crooked or be contained to one side of the pot.  I have done that before and although it's not real harmful, it looks weird. {at this point a light bulb went off that told me the cup that held the plant would work nicely for adding the remainder of the dirt, to save time}

After the sprout is planted, dirt is filled in, and it's ready to go...now is the time to water it.  This is a very important step.  Although the roots have been soaking in water for weeks, the soil around needs to be wettened to provide a nice environment.

When you're done with that and you let the excess water drain out, place the pot in your favorite spot because you're all done.  You now have a plant of your own that you grew from a little baby.  

This is such a fun and cheap way to get a new plant.  I have done this several times so I've got several of the same family of plants in my house.
This is a type of philodendron in case you're wondering.
They are very easy to grow, adapt to medium light, and need a good watering about once a week or when the soil becomes pretty dry.

Let me know if you have any questions or anything (:

smooth swap.

I have a friend who is the couponing queen.  I actually saw one of her CVS receipts, and from that store only since the beginning of the year, she had saved over $7000!  I have to admit, I am a bit jealous.  I wish I had the time, patience, and skill to figure couponing out.  I went to a class once, but I left so confused that I didn't really get too into it.  The best deal I've gotten is a free razor because I figured out one deal and I was quite proud.

About a month back I asked her if she would be interested in swapping stuff.  I would give her some of my clothes for some of her stuff.  I gave her about 3 bags of summer clothes and here is what she gave me.

Quite cool, huh?  I thought so.  This is definitely over $100 worth of stuff that I don't have to buy for a while.  Then a couple weeks later she brought me a bag of dish soap, allergy medicine, toothbrushes, gum, and some kleenex. 

I thought this was a pretty good swap.  I have tons of winter clothes that I don't want so I may see if she's up for another swap.

Do you coupon? Do you ever swap stuff like this with others?

It's fun.

tag: if i were....

I saw this cute tag over at Niina's blog and thought it would be fun to do.

If I were a gemstone, I'd be a diamond.

If I were a scent, I'd be patchouli.

If I were a pair of shoes, I'd be a pair of birkenstocks.

If I were the weather, I'd be a sunny, 85 degree, summer afternoon.

If I were a facial expression, I'd be a wink.

If I were a car, I'd be a black Mustang. 

If I were a time of day, I'd be 9a.

If I were a month, I'd be May.

If I were a place, I'd be Key West.

If I were a liquid, I'd be hot tea.

If I were a taste, I'd be chocolate. 

If I were a sea animal, I'd be a starfish.

If I were a food, I'd be a toasted ravioli.

If I were a colour, I'd be turquoise.

If I were a musical instrument, I'd be a piano.

If I were a flower, I'd be a sunflower.

If I were a planet, I'd be Earth. 

If I were an object, I'd be a radio. 

If I were a fruit, I'd be a strawberry.

If I were a sound, I'd be crashing waves. 

If I were a day of the week, I'd be a Saturday.

I tag you all.

Follow along and if you post on your blog, give me the link so I can read yours (:

home sweetness.

I am such a family girl, so when I moved 45 minutes away this summer, I didn't really know what it would be like.  I am fairing well and doing fine.  No homesickness here, or at least like I thought I may have.

The good thing is I can go home when I want and I do at least once a week.  Sometimes we will go for a weekend visit and other times I'll ride in with Eric when he goes to work and then hang out with my family for the day.  It's quite nice.

This past week when I went, nothing was new or different, but I decided to take a few pics.  It was basically a day filled with fantasy football for the guys, bbq, kindles, eating, and tea.

{recipe} creamy autumn trifle

Yum.

Here is a great dessert for fall.  I actually made this for Labor Day even though it wasn't yet really in season, but I could not help myself. 

The recipe was staring at me and so was my trifle bowl.

You can really make this any time, for any occasion, but do not expect there to be leftovers. 
It goes rather quickly because it is so scrumptious.

Ingredients 

1 box yellow cake mix
3.4 oz pkg instant vanilla pudding
2 cups milk
15 oz can pumpkin
1/2 tsp cinnamon
16 oz container of cool whip
2 heath candy bars, crushed

Directions

Prepare and bake the cake mix according to package directions.  Cool then tear cake into large chunks and set aside.  Whisk together dry pudding mix and milk for 2 minutes, until thickened; gently stir in pumpkin and cinnamon.  In the trifle bowl, layer half each of the cake, pudding mixture, and cool whip.  Repeat layers, ending with the topping.  Top with crushed candy bars.  Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving. 

life this week.

one. i can't believe they already have christmas decorations out, but they do.  so not ready.
two. i got another piercing this week!  i think this is probably the last in my ears because that makes 9 and i'm running out of space while it still looks classy.
three. pool time. 

four.  my everyday, simple, eye look. tutorial coming soon, i hope.
five. olga's blueberry bread pudding. heavenly.
six. dutch is such a sleepy boy.
seven. outside our condo. the grass is finally a bit greener and i love to watch the fountain in the lake. such a pretty setting.

wed. pins.

i don't know why i haven't linked up in so long, but i'm glad to be returning today to showcase all my latest favorite pins.

Source: nauticalandnice.tumblr.com via Lesley on Pinterest

Source: theyummylife.com via Lesley on Pinterest

Source: gingerleaf.tumblr.com via Lesley on Pinterest

Source: tanwhorez.tumblr.com via Lesley on Pinterest

Source: streetartutopia.com via Lesley on Pinterest

Source: sugarpaper.com via Lesley on Pinterest

the new look.

HAPPY MONDAY!

I love it that I have the day off today, but what I love even more is my new blog design.

What do you think of it?

A couple weeks back I entered to win a free makeover, courtesy of the lovely Kristin, and I ended up winning.  I was elated when I got the email.

I just want to stare at it all day long.  It's beautiful and I think it represents me so well with the flowy letters in the header, the sparkles here and there, and the way it has life in it now.

If you have never been to Kristin's blog, please stop by and say hello, or if you're wanting a fresh update for your blog, she is your girl. 

I am so happy I won because I got a new look, but I have a new friend, as well!  

i'm not giving in to fall just yet.

So Labor Day has come and gone, meaning that summer is moving out and fall is moving in, but I'm not ready!  Where did my summer go?  I'm not ready to give in to fall just yet. 

I still have a beach vacation to go on next month, the temps are still in the 90s, I still have white pants to wear, and my tan is nowhere near where I want it yet.  Summer hours are still in effect, I still like smelling of sunblock, and I haven't done everything I've wanted to...yet.

Secretly, I can't wait for cooler temps and the first frost because that means my allergies will go away; I can wear jeans, boots, and sweaters; it means time for bonfires and roasting marshmallows; and the beautiful changing of the leaves and colors - it sure makes a perfect time for pictures, too.

Summer is a time of positivity for me because the temps are warm, the sun shines, there are places to go and things to see, and it is the best season in my opinion.  Fall is a bit depressing.  Yes, it can be a fun and pretty time, but I know around the corner is a time of deep cold, ice, having to be cooped up in the house, being sick, and dreary, ugly weather.

So for now, I'm boycotting fall until I am ready.

I am not ready to give up on:

But, I cannot wait to for things to come:

All pics via.