unconventional everything

2010-02-23T15:08:00.000-08:00

Kyle Porter is my favorite person for many reasons. Not only is he a godly leader and great best friend, but he gets me free junk. And I'm not talking Thunder T-shirts.

We found this old door in an alley one snowy day, and rather than steal it or let it lie, Kyle got out and asked the abnormally long-winded man-o-the-house if he would let us have it. The guy turned out to be only a renter, and after 2 minutes of loading the door and 15 minutes of talking to Kyle about his broken shower, the door is mine.

It will become a table with some new wooden legs and a custom piece of glass to top it off. Hello new table, welcome to my home.

Subscriptions

2010-02-17T10:02:00.000-08:00

My current magazine subscriptions:

Real Simple
Better Homes & Gardens
Martha Stewart Living

In order to avoid too many hours wasted reading magazines (and the inevitable piles of clutter they eventually create) I limit myself to 3 magazine subscriptions at a time. I loved Domino magazine so much, I would have subscribed 3 times just to have a current issue at work, home, and in my car. I'm still cursing Conde Naste. These are my 3 next best.

I'm pretty much over Real Simple. Their covers are always enticing, but their content has failed to impress me for the last 6 months. I'm trying to find a replacement for when my subscription expires. Any suggestions? I'm thinking about Ready Made- it's so hippie, but I love it.

Also, if you haven't yet, check out Lonny Magazine. It's entirely online so I don't count it as a subscription. An easy way to cheat my own system.

Homemade Granola

2010-02-10T08:42:00.000-08:00

Over the last year, I've been really into saving money on anything I can. Last night, Kyle made homemade granola. It's a really cost-effective alternative to store-bought granola. Here's the recipe:

4 cups oats
1/2 cup honey
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup canola oil

Mix liquids and solids separately and then mix together.
You're supposed to bake on a cookie sheet at 300 for 10 minutes, then stir/flip and bake 10 minutes on the other side. (We ended up baking for about 15 minutes each side.)

After it came out of the oven, we scraped it off the pan onto aluminum foil to let it dry out. It was wonderful! Here's an approximate price comparison:

Bear Naked Granola sells for $4.84 on their online store.

The cost of supplies for our granola:
Oats- $4
Honey- $4
Vanilla- $3.50
Canola Oil- $3

I won't bore you with the math, but we'll get a lot of granola from what we bought.
Here's the comparison:

Bear Naked Granola ~$1.76 per cup
Homemade Granola ~75 cents per cup

If you're already a fan of the price, you should try the granola.

On Inspiration

2010-02-09T07:02:00.000-08:00

I created my own inspiration board about a year ago, but I've recently been reminded of how much I love it. In the spirit of spring fever, I've started adding and taking away from my board, only to add and take away some more. Here's the current product. Tomorrow, it will most likely look different.

Here are some more amazing ideas via Ribbons of Red. http://www.ribbonsofred.com/blog/inspriation-walls/

2009-09-08T06:29:00.000-07:00

I just read a book set in Nantucket and I'm dying to take a vacation there. I've been looking at vacation rentals and airline tickets. Here's why:

Wishing I could make it in time for the Harvest Fair on October 3rd. Maybe I'll get there by April for the Daffodil Festival.

Ceramics Class

2009-09-02T12:35:00.000-07:00

I've signed up for a pottery class which starts September 15th at the Multi Arts Center here in Stillwater and I'm so ready for it to be here. We get to make 12 different projects and I'm really hoping mine turn out like this, though I'm trying to be realistic.

Crossing my fingers.

New Eyes for Old Surroundings

2009-09-01T05:46:00.001-07:00

I saw a post recently with a list of advice for a new college freshman. My heart started beating wildly at the thought of being in college again, no work tying me down, all the opportunity in the world at my doorstep. And then I realized my doorstep has hardly changed.

While a few had no application to my life, (I have no desire to kiss random boys even if they are cute) I forget how much opportunity lies a few blocks from my home. My apologies, Stillwater. Here are a few of my favorites from her list.

1.Go to all the free lectures and activities they offer, even if you are busy and tired.
8. Watch lots of foreign films and go to lots of concerts even if you don't have the money. That is what college is for.
11. If you can't get in a class you want because it is full--don't take no for an answer.
15. Find the girls that dress cool, make friends with them and ask them to help dress you. (speaking from experience here)
18. Get a Vespa.
20.Take art classes even if you aren't an art major. (This one might be me projecting my own regret.)

Today I research. Tomorrow I conquer. Foreign films, here I come.

2009-07-06T08:57:00.001-07:00

So in love with these little fabric buttons.

And these little ones made into earrings- from Etsy... ah.

Twinkle Nights

2009-07-01T13:05:00.001-07:00

Planning a dinner party. Really hoping it turns out even remotely as wonderful as this one.

I. Love. Summer.

Oh Baby

2009-06-30T14:14:00.000-07:00

Iron-on onesies, anyone? Love this idea. Might make one for new baby Jovie.

From the Nesting blog.

Do Re Mi

2009-05-22T16:00:00.000-07:00

I laughed so much while watching this. Plus I love Julie A. Makes me want to spontaneously combust into a musical number.

New eye for color

2009-05-21T16:30:00.000-07:00

I used to adore black & white photographs, but now I find myself obsessed with color. Can't help it even a little.

Baggies

2009-05-20T16:30:00.000-07:00

I thought these were so cute: reusable bags which you can flip into a little ball when not in use. Cute cute. From flip & tumble.

Island Fever

2009-05-19T18:58:00.000-07:00

In stinking love with this kitchen island. I'll take four please.

Oh Jackie

2009-05-08T15:15:00.000-07:00

Debate in my soul: Need or want? Need or want?

Expertise

2009-05-07T16:14:00.000-07:00

Something I read today: If you read just 3 books on a subject, you will be an expert on that topic. Love, love, love this. Now pick something.

2009-05-06T18:00:00.000-07:00

"The feeling of being hurried is not usually the result of living a full life and having no time. It is, on the contrary, born of a vague fear that we are wasting our life. When we do not do the one thing we ought to do, we have no time for anything else. We are the busiest people in the world." - Eric Hoffer

Reason to Shop

2009-05-05T17:13:00.000-07:00

Check out the350project.net

Shed Chic

2009-05-05T04:07:00.000-07:00

Crazy about this book right now...

I've wanted a shed studio for so long! Maybe someday...

Global what?

2009-04-12T06:08:00.000-07:00

Very interesting article. Worth reading:

Click here.

Thief

2009-04-11T18:20:00.000-07:00

"All I can do is trust you, tied as I am beside you"

-Michael Dennis Brown, "Thief"

"Pater, dimitte illis; non enim sciunt quid faciunt"

Today

2009-04-10T19:03:00.000-07:00

Today, I dream of getting my Masters of Fine Arts in Writing from Sarah Lawrence.

Tomorrow, onto the next.

Inner Beauty

2009-04-05T21:17:00.000-07:00

"Women should dress in such a way that brings attention to their beautiful face and their warm soul."

-Matt Chandler paraphrase from the book of Timothy

Be beautiful today.

Hello Spring

2009-04-04T17:37:00.001-07:00

All of this I love.

From ElleMoss

Simplify

2009-03-26T17:41:00.000-07:00

Read: Excerpt from Real Simple, March 2009.

5. Do look a gift horse in the mouth. My decorating tastes may change over time, but I am fairly certain I will never enjoy a home filled with a series of rhinestone-accented paintings of scary clowns. Yet I had hoarded these and other unattractive presents because I thought that was the decent thing to do. I also wasn’t sure what I would say if someone noticed his gift missing and asked why. Well, you know what? No one has. Not even the bestower of the scary clowns.

Enough said.

2009-03-09T10:21:00.000-07:00

Don’t get me wrong, every person is worthy of your kindness.
But not every person is worthy of your strategic ongoing investment.
You are a limited supply of seed.
Be selective about who you sow into.

-Steven Furtick

2009-02-27T00:05:00.000-08:00

First of all, if you haven't been to Cuppies & Joe, go.

If you have, you just might be inspired enough to try something like this cupcake book from Elinor Klivans.

I love these cupcake liners that come with it! I haven't bought the book, but it looks like so much fun...

To Amy

2009-02-25T19:46:00.000-08:00

Here's to Amy Winehouse for making rehab super sexy. How does she do it?

Rosey Posey

2009-02-24T17:38:00.000-08:00

Wonderful little paper flowers. Hello new project idea:

From Jen Elisebeth

The Book By Its Cover

2009-02-23T18:09:00.000-08:00

Currently Reading:

And I think you know why...

I can't keep from reading books with the prettiest little covers. What are you reading?

Oh Derby

2009-02-20T10:35:00.000-08:00

From The Hat Shop, NYC
I'm headed to Louisville Monday for a week. Wishing it was derby season. I'd be all over this.

Happy Weekend!

Soli Deo Gloria

2009-02-19T16:03:00.000-08:00

Some of my new favorite things come from this website. This guy has a knack for capturing absolutely beautiful people, places, and things. Check it out.

Austin Mann's website- click here.

Hello, love.

2009-02-18T18:59:00.000-08:00

Wow. If I had $1,395 set aside for a sofa fund, I would buy this in a heartbeat.

From Plaisirs de la Vie.

The Way I See It #76

2009-02-16T18:01:00.000-08:00

Thanks God for inspiring me in crazy ways... I needed this so much today.

Keep looking for inspiration always and everywhere. You never know where you'll find it.

"The irony of commitment is that it's deeply liberating. In work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your inner critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life."

-Anne Morris
Starbucks customer from New York City, she describes herself as an organization builder, restless American citizen, optimist.

All You Need is Love

2009-02-14T07:50:00.000-08:00

A coworker sent me this in an email yesterday. Thought I would share on this day of love... Happy V day everyone. =)

Drips of Inspiration

2009-02-06T19:52:00.000-08:00

I'm in the middle of creating an inspiration board in my apartment. This one was created by Darcy Miller of Martha Stewart Weddings, and is just dripping with creativity. Please God- don't ever let magazines go out of style. I need tangible print and pretty pretty pictures.

Pretty little things. Big statement.

2009-02-02T20:46:00.001-08:00

One of my favorite design elements is wallpaper. Check out these funky designs from Walnut Wallpaper.

These would make a great accent wall in your home. More designs here.

Her Morning Elegance

2009-01-28T18:43:00.000-08:00

Check out this video by Oren Lavie. Kinda beautiful. =)