We're moving!

Our new city from above.

I've skipped the last two Weekly Review linkups with Hoho Runs and MissSippiPiddlin because I'm not really training for anything anymore! Why? Well, the title says it all...

We're moving!

Alex got a great job in Bozeman, Montana. At the same time, the company I've worked for the past 11 years (!!) is facing a bit of a slowdown, so the timing was right for me, too. I don't have a job lined up, but I've found a few prospects.

We're not leaving Ohio until the first week of March, but it put a wrench in my training. I can no longer participate in the 5 races on my spring calendar. While I'm bummed, I soothed my soul by signing up for the Missoula Half Marathon on July 9.

I know some of you saw the news on Instagram, but I figured I'd make it blog official. As for training? Right now I'm running for fun because I know I'll have to adjust to elevation in March (~800ft in Ohio to 4,700ft in the Gallatin valley.) I'm also back with my running group on Saturdays so that will make milage fun. I'm off work starting next week so I hope to fit in runs between all the work that needs to be done on our house! Should be interesting...

Have you ever moved out of state?
Have you been to Montana? 

Five Favorites That Make Life Easier

I'm back with another Friday Five with Mar, Courtney, and Cynthia. I messed up the theme two weeks ago and wrote about food/drink instead of fitness, but this time I read the calendar correctly and I'm on-theme (for real) with Five Favorites That Make Life Easier.

Great Underwear
Fruit of the Loom Microfiber Low Rise Hipster
Yup, I'm going to start with undies. I used to wear fancy-ish underwear exclusively. I stocked up at Victoria's Secret and loved my Calvins (among others). VS has certainly lost quality over the past 10 years: my pairs were wildly different sizes and they'd fall apart after a few washes. I stumbled upon a pack of Low Rise Hipsters at Target and I haven't looked back since. I get them on Amazon now when I need to hit a shipping threshold and they're normally between $8.50 and 9.99. They don't ride up when I'm running (or sleeping. I hate night wedgies.) and they look fine under tight pants. The fabric is soft and a little shiny, so they look dressier than they are. Amazon randomizes the (solid) colors, but I've never received a pair I didn't love.

Durable Weekender Bag
Orla Kiely Large Overnighter
Like the underwear situation, I used to have a fancy-schmancy Kate Spade Saturday weekender bag. Over the course of several business trips I realized it wasn't cutting it. Sure it looked ok (it was black. Basic.), but the strap was thin and it dug into my shoulder. Plus, there wasn't a zipper closure so sometimes if I bumped the bag, the clasp would open. Once again, Target to the rescue. I found a waterproof Orla Kiely bag. It holds more than my Kate Space one, has great interior pockets, and came with a packable tote bag. And it was only $49! It's so durable. I love that I don't have to worry about banging it around while traveling.

Running Shorts with Pockets 
Oiselle Distance Shorts or Toolbelt Rogas
I carry several things with me on long runs: keys, credit card/ID, iPhone, and gels. I used to pack some of this stuff in a Nathan handheld water bottle with a phone pocket, but it felt like a lot of junk to carry for 10+ miles. If I didn't take water on a run I'd shove my key or phone in my sports bra and hope for the best. No thanks. In came Oiselle and their pocket situation. If they can put a pocket on something, they usually do (including hats). I love the freedom pockets give me to carry whatever I want on a run. Toolbelt Rogas were my first love, but lately I'm digging Distance Shorts.

More Appealing Drinking Water
Nuun
I'm terrible about drinking water. I routinely come home from work to realize I had coffee (and probably a little beer), but not a single drop of water. Last year I found La Croix, but unfortunately it's kind of pricey if you want more than 3 a day and the waste factor kind of bugs me (even though we recycle). So, seeking alternatives that didn't taste like crap, I decided to try Nuun. I'm still not in love with the new formula (am I alone?), but I was able to stock up on some old tubes for super cheap. I have one or two 24-32oz glasses of Nuun water a night and feel pretty ok with myself. By the way, my favorite flavor is Tri Berry and they sell Nuun at Target now. (I guess I also love Target?)

Easy Book Tracking
Goodreads
I don't know if it makes sense to list a website, but whatever. (I do what I want.) I read a lot and I don't write down the books I read in a handy journal like my mom. I rely solely on Goodreads to keep track of what I've finished and my ratings. I read a mix of borrowed books and my own books and if I was asked what I read in the past 6 months without the ability to look at Goodreads, I might remember about three books. I am thankful Goodreads allows me to free up a good chunk of brain space to remember things that really matter. If you're on Goodreads, let's be friends.

Top Five Breweries in Ohio (According to Me)

Rhinegeist

Hello! I'm back with another Friday Five linkup with Courtney, Mar, and Cynthia. This week, I'm staying on theme (food and drink) to bring you my Favorite Breweries in Ohio.

I have to preface this by saying Ohio has an insane number of breweries. While some have the omnipresent industrial lighting/reclaimed wood thing down to a science, their beers are a mess of hops trying to cover a failed attempt at a drinkable beer. I may not have the fanciest palette or rate drinks on Beer Advocate or Untappd, but I have solid favorites in Ohio. In no particular order...

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Rhinegeist, Cincinnati 
Columbus started getting Rhinegeist cans and drafts a few years ago. Their label design is clean and simple, which immediately appealed to me. They had a few standard brews like Panther (Porter) and Franz (Oktoberfest), but it was Peach Dodo (Gose) and the Cidergeist that really won me over. On top of the tasty varieties and clean branding, we visited the brewery last year and it's amazing (see photo at top). The old factory space has a fantastic atmosphere with plenty of seating and games.

Some special bottle releases from Jackie O's

Jackie O's, Athens

Jackie O's Athens roots put them in the heart of the beautiful Ohio University campus. A few years ago they started canning their popular styles and my office was hooked. Eventually, they began to bottle super special brews like Bourbon Barrel Oil of Aphrodite (Stout) and Dark Apparition (rich beer with chocolate and coffee) in collectable batches. Their bottle releases go quickly, but luckily my boss is a big fan and gets his hands on all sorts of goodies. I've had a least a dozen (maybe two dozen?) different styles from Jackie O's and they never disappoint. Their taproom and brewpub are both worth a visit if you're in Athens. This is my favorite non-Columbus brewery.

Some HHB can and bottle releases in the past year

Hoof Hearted Brewing, Marengo and Columbus (2 locations)
Okay first, say the name out loud. Ha. (The first time we tried HHB was at a North Market Microbrew Fest and I didn't get the name until I said it out loud.) I have a special place in my heart for Hoof Hearted because I got to re-skin an arcade cabinet for a beer collaboration between my boss and HHB (Konkey Dong. See cabinet here.) Besides, their beers are fantastic. They have some of the most exciting styles, ridiculous names, and their artwork is bananas. They recently opened a Columbus restaurant/taproom, but it's a bit too sterile for my taste (not enough silly art). Luckily, their beers make up for it. Some of my recent favorites: Rosé Gosé, Koffury, Saizzurp, and of course, Konkey Dong.

Love the bottle art on the Dire Wolf

Wolf's Ridge, Columbus
First off, Wolf's Ridge is the kind of classy place you bring out of town friends. (Or at least I do.) We got a beer flight on our first visit and I remember thinking the beers tasted very fresh and clean, but nothing stood out. Flash forward a year later to the opening of their taproom when a co-worker got us a personal tour with the (newer) brewer. It was night and day. The beers were still fresh and clean, but now they were memorable. They have some standards like Clear Sky (cream ale), but the standout for me is the Dire Wolf (Russian Imperial stout) and it's myriad of combinations. My favorite so far? Dire Wolf Canis Mexicanus. They have a good thing going and I hope they keep pushing the boundaries without losing quality. 

Zauber flight, the bar, and more beer

Zauber Brewing, Columbus

Alex and I started visiting Zauber when they were a teeny tiny growler fill manned by the owner. I was pretty pumped when they opened a full-sized bar and even more excited when they added food and a coffee shop. My co-workers and I go to Zauber about twice a month for lunch. While the food is tasty, I'm in it for the beer. I love German and Belgian beers and their selection is A+. If you love a wheaty hefeweizen you cannot miss with Vertigo. They also do small batches of new styles and combinations. I don't mind spending big beer $ on their small brews. Sometimes I feel a bit boring saying Zauber is my local favorite because it's right around the corner, but they don't make crappy beers. They nail it every time and I'm never disappointed.

Ohioans: Do you agree? Do you have a favorite?
Non-Ohioans: What is your favorite brewery? Winery? Or whatever! 

Influenster I Do Vox Box Review

What's inside:

• SkinnyGirl Nutrition Bar
• Sahale Snacks Almonds
• CoverGirl Outlast Stay Luminous Foundation
• CoverGirl Outlast Longwear Lipcolor
• Indeed Nanoblur
• Neutrogena Hand Cream 
• UrgentRx® Ache & Pain Relief To-Go

What I Thought:

A few days before my trip to Canada, I received the #IDoVoxBox from Influenster. I've been a member of Influenster since May and I was surprised to get a VoxBox so soon into my membership. (Be sure to review lots of products, complete your snaps, and link all social media accounts. Every bit helps!) When I returned from vacation I gave each product a try and I found a few gems. I've collected my thoughts on each product. It was a great mix of items!

Both of these made great mid-afternoon snacks at work.

SkinnyGirl Nutrition Bar

I had the dark chocolate almond with coconut bar and it was very tasty. I'm impressed it's packed with natural ingredients. After I posted the above shot to Instagram with my initial reaction, SkinnyGirl contacted me with a promo code: Use code INFBRIDE15 for 30% off your next order on SkinnygirlDaily.com! 

Sahale Snacks Almonds

Based on the #sahalesnacks tag on Instagram, Voxers received a wide variety of snacks. I'm so happy I ended up with almonds because I eat almonds all the time and my whole natural ones are getting a little boring. I was surprised to see dried fruit and honey, but it made for a perfect mix of sweet and salty. It was a dense treat and would be a perfect hiking/camping snack. Lots of natural ingredients and full of protein. 

CoverGirl Outlast Stay Luminous Foundation 

My least favorite item in the box. :( Unfortunately, this product wasn't for me. When I went to use this foundation I had one patch of dry skin and a post-vacation blemish. The rest of my skin was clear with a touch of redness and freckles. The foundation was much thicker than I expected. It went on smooth, but the coverage was odd: it felt thick and it was kind of hard to blend in at first, then ultimately didn't provide much coverage. I ended up looking like I was wearing makeup, but it didn't cover my imperfections. To me, what's the point of a foundation if it doesn't provide coverage? I've had BB and CC creams that do more. I'd recommend to someone with smooth, non-dry skin with areas of redness, scarring, or flat blemishes they'd like to cover. My freckles and redness disappeared, but my dry skin and blemish were highlighted.  

(I received a response from the CoverGirl team on Amazon saying the foundation probably didn't fit my current needs and they could make it right for me if I called customer service. That was nice.) 

CoverGirl Outlast Longwear Lipcolor

At first I wasn't sure I liked the shade on me, but I think that's because I don't wear bold lip color. After a few minutes I was in love! The lipstick stayed put for a few hours until I ate and drank. Even after dinner there was still a hint of color left on my lips. I would recommend as it didn't feel greasy or too dry. On a side note: I remember using Outlast lip stain and gloss for prom many moons ago, so it's nice to see the product range is still around! I received the shade Red Rouge. 

Neutrogena Hand Cream

I tried this hand cream for five days and noticed my cuticles were softer. I also used it on my elbows and had positive results (my hands aren't particularly dry in the summer, but my elbows are). I think the trust test will come in the winter, but I'm confident it will work. I like the fragrance-free version as I use other scented lotions and perfumes post-shower. It's a bit greasy going on, so I'd recommend using before bed. It's under $5 and a little goes a looooong way, so I see this tube lasting quite a while. 

Indeed Nanoblur - My favorite product in the box!

I wasn't sure what to expect when I received a full size sample. I have sensitive, combination skin and many skin care products make me break out. I was pleased to find that Nanoblur had no such side effect. I haven't been able to take a truly compelling before and after photo, but my skin feels smooth and silky after application. It reminded me of a primer, but not as gooey as some others I've tried. I use it in the morning after moisturizer and before my powder foundation. Over the past week and a half, I've worn less makeup and believe Nanoblur is the reason. I will buy Nanoblur and plan to purchase other Indeed Labs products. 

UrgentRx® Ache & Pain Relief To-Go

I don't have a review for this product yet! Can you believe in the past two weeks I haven't had a single ache or pain? I'm really intrigued by this product. It's an ingestible powder that provides immediate relief. The UrgentRx® website has a buy one get one coupon right now. Maybe after my long run this Saturday I'll need some quick relief. ;)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Have you tried any of the products above? 

I received the complementary samples above in my Influenster I Do Vox Box, but all opinions are my own.

Friday Five: My Favorite Blogs

Welcome back to another Friday Five with Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney! This week's theme: Five Blogs to Read. 

I read a ton of blogs throughout the week, so I thought I'd change it up a bit and suggested some of my favorites across categories. Once upon a time, I'd have to remember to go to each blog a few times a week, but several years ago I started using the now defunct Google Reader. I was so upset when they discontinued the service, but feed.ly is a nice replacement. So, without future ado, I give you My Favorite Blogs in Five Categories:

Craft & Home

This is where my blog love began. I was following too many craft blogs to keep straight and my Google Reader would routinely have over 1,000 posts per week. As with Fashion below, I've carefully curated my collection. My top choice for DIY projects is A Beautiful Mess. When I started reading, it was just Emma and Elsie, but they have a small staff of contributors and crank out the DIYs. I've also become a big fan of enJOY it because I relate to her drive and organization. I'm all about progress vs. perfection and very jealous she is able to work from home (she works very hard). Someday... Finally, I don't have kids, but I enjoy the projects on what used to be called "Book Hour Craft Projects" but is apparently now called bloesem kids. Either way, their projects are simple, but beautiful. I follow a few home blogs, but one of my favorites is the Ohio-based House*Tweaking. When I started following she lived in a McMansion, but soon made the decision to move into a smaller home that needed a lot of work. Dana and her husband are super hands-on and can accomplish a lot on a budget. She had a great eye for interior decorating and it's been fun to watch the new house take shape.

A Beautiful Mess, enJOY it, bloesem kids, House*Tweaking

Fashion

I used to looooove fashion blogs. I also used to spend a lot of money on clothes. I don't do that anymore and I began to grow tired of obviously sponsored posts for brands the ladies would never touch otherwise. (I want bloggers to make $$, but I want to feel like they actually love what they're peddling.) Despite that hiccup, I've stayed loyal to some great fashion bloggers. Gigi has a million clothing and accessory reviews... and a really cool job. Franziska is a medical student with a taste for classics (and fun medical facts). The Budget Babe has the scoop on the hottest new collaborations and scopes out stores like Target and TJMaxx for new arrivals. (I don't really like her contributors, but I stick around because I love the original BB.)

Art & Design

I used to follow a million design blogs (hmmm I'm noticing a theme) but it got to be a bit stressful. It was hard to keep up with the volume of posts and design fatigue set it. Everything was starting to look the same. If I had to suggest one design blog, I'd probably start with Swiss-miss because she does a good job curating other posts around the web. On the art side, I follow a lot of illustrators on feed.ly and tumblr. Some of my favorite art blogs include: Draw Adrian Draw!, Melinda Boyce, Simini Blocker, and Courtney Godbey. I also follow a bajillion illustrators on twitter. I'd recommend Gemma Correll,  Cory Godbey, Jason Caffoe, Teressa Ong.... I have so many more. Two great round-ups of illustrators: Sketch Dailies and Illustrated Ladies.

Teressa Ong and Simini Blocker

Running

Running blogs are a new thing for me. Besides Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney, I follow a handful of runners on feed.ly and twitter. I enjoy reading about people (mainly ladies) in a similar pace-range. Even though I've never signed up for a Disney race, I really enjoy Fairytales and Fitness and We Run Disney. I think it's fun getting two perspective on one blog. I also enjoy Run Away With Me because Kristen frequently posts about interesting topics/challenges and Alaska looks amazing.

Miscellaneous

I know, "miscellaneous" is so sloppy, but there are some blogs I follow that I can't categorize. 9Eyes contains weird and wonderful images from Google Street View (he seems to be on a bit of a crime kick lately. Yikes.). To keep things light and fluffy, I follow Pleated Jeans and Tastefully Offensive GIFs on tumblr to stay up-to-date on my memes and cat GIFs. And finally, to stay in touch with nature while on a computer, I love Sanborn Canoe Company and the tiny houses and cabins on Cabinology.

9eyes, Cabinology, Sanborn Canoe Company

That concludes this week's Friday Five! A little wordy, but I stand by my recommendations. Thanks for joining me and go visit the hosts to see who they recommend! :)

Five Things I Love About London

I’m going to try something new today: the Friday Five Link up with Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney. I’ve been lurking on the Friday Five posts for a few weeks (mainly via Courtney’s blog, Run Away with Me, We Run Disney, and John via Twitter.) and thought I’d give it a go. Organizers, let me know if I’m messing up. ;)

I love a lot of places (like Molokai, Hawaii or most of Colorado), but my favorite city is London, England. I’ve been there twice: in 2004 I lived there as part of a study abroad program and again in 2010 with my mom. The second visit was much too short, but it was enough for my mom to fall in love with London, too. So, without further ado, Five Things I Love About London 

Tate Britain in 2010

1. Museums: My study abroad program was through the Art History Department. (I was an unofficial AH major. The trip gave me enough credit hours to graduate an entire year early, so I never finished my entire AH program. Officially, it’s my “specialization.”) Included in our tuition were museum entry fees for those that required them, but most museums in London take donations. I gave what I could (a pound here and there), but for all intents and purposes the main museums were free. My absolute favorite museum is the Tate Britain. It has a distinct smell. And seeing my mom excitedly standing in front of the ’The Lady of Shalott’ was pretty awesome.

I don't have a photo of public transit... so here's the Millennium Bridge.

2. Public Transportation: You can get anywhere with your weekly / monthly Oyster Card. I only road a bus once (along Oxford Street and it was absolutely insane), but used the tube every day. I became very familiar with the central lines. It’s the best underground system I’ve used. Amsterdam has nicer trains (above ground), but London is less confusing. Probably because Dutch is ridiculous, but that’s another story…

I was really proud of this photo at the time.

3. London Eye: Both times I’ve been on the London Eye I’ve gotten lucky. The first time was with my school group. There were at least two dozen of us so we had the car to ourselves and the sky was clear. The second time, I was with my mom’s high school group (mainly teachers and their spouses) and somehow a group of 6 of us got a car completely to ourselves! I would recommend the Eye to anyone visiting London for the first time. I would also recommend riding it on your first day. You will learn how to use the tube to get there and get a valuable lesson on the spacial relationships between famous landmarks.

View from the Tate to Tate boat

Another travel tip: take the boat between the Tate Modern and Tate Britain. It was £6 last time I went, but it is worth it. Kind of like the London Eye, it gives you another perspective on spacial relationships! And you get an amazing view of Parliament.

Arch-y building probably has an official name... 

4. This arch-y building: I have no idea why, but I love love love walking under this building. Maybe because it’s between Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square. Plus, it’s super cool looking.

Me in London in 2010.

5. Odds and Ends: I love the feeling I get when I’m in London. Anything is possible (!). I love the history. I love seeing extremely famous works of art close up. I love the mash up of different cultures. I love Pret a Mange (which is also in New York City these days). I love Marble Arch. I loved the University of London dorm, even though my room was ridiculously small and we had one shared shower that could not fit a large person. I love tea. I love the squares (parks). I love the H&M sale section. I love the omnibus editions of soap operas on Sunday (they play all of the episodes in a row).

I love London. What's your favorite city? Check out the other link up participants here.

Random things I want

I've been shopping for myself a bit, and as the holiday season approaches (relax, I'm talking about my birthday, not Christmas) it's that time of year where I add lots of little things to my Pinterest or Amazon wishlist. Here are a few interesting things:

1. Hooray Sports tank top Look Human - $27
2. Forest Friends Book of Stickers Amazon - $5.39
3. Southwestern-Patterned Fringed Scarf Forever 21 - $12.80
4. KittenTexting Gloves Kohl's - $6.00
5. Unicorns are Jerks coloring book Amazon - $6.96

Real Gift Guide: Pampering

And finally, a gift guide full of items to pamper your friends (/self). Under $25!

A quick note: A guy Alex works with had a travel size Orange Ginger spray that he used on his beard. Alex sprayed his own beard and the scent lasted a looonng time and it was glorious. So, yes, I recommend #3 as a beard spray.

1. Remixed Plaid Scarf - Forever 21 $12.80
2. Olivine Eau De Parfum Sample Set - Anthropologie $16.00
3. Aromatherapy Body Mist Energy: Orange Ginger - Bath & Body Works $15.00 (check for coupon codes!)
4. Kate Spade New York Apple Trouser/Bow Trouser (3 pack) - 6PM.com $23.99
5. Polar Bear Trouser Socks - J.Crew $14.50 (check for coupon codes!)

Real Gift Guide: Desk Goodies

Well, looky here. More gifts for the last minute shopper! $15 and under.

1. Fox in the Snow Card Set - Moorea Seal $15
2. Porcelain Typography Tray - Nordstrom $10
3. Tattly Premier Set - Tattly $15
4. Classic Stripe Notepads - Kate Spade $14 (I bought this set and divided amongst a few ladies last year)
5. Fox Journal by boygirlparty - $11 (I've seen them at Barnes & Nobel, too)

Real Gift Guide: Animals

Welcome to Part 2 of the "Real Gift Guide," featuring items under $20. These aren't stocking stuffers, these are legit gifts (at least I'd be happy to get any of them!).

1. Whale Sandwich Print - CactusClub (Etsy) $20 (I got this last year for Christmas)
2. Narwhal Screwdriver - Urban Outfitters $16.00
3. Carved Wood Alpaca Ornaments - Crate & Barrel $2.96  (I bought one for me)
4. Wooly Penguin Ornaments - Crate & Barrel $3.71
5. Animal Mug - H&M $5.95
6. Owl Ceramic Plate - H&M $3.95

Real Gift Guide: Jewelry

You know what I hate? Those crazy gift guides "normal" bloggers post with items ranging from $100-1,000. Who buys their friend a $679 calf hair purse or a pair of $100 shoes? If you do, then you can call this list "stocking stuffers" (what these bloggers call "cheap" gifts).

1. Plum & Bow Lady Legs Ring Holder - Urban Outfitters $14
2. Elysian Bib Necklace In Coral - Ruche $16.99
3. Pendant Necklace - Urban Outfitters $20
4. Glam Faceted Stone Bib Necklace - Forever 21 $8.80
5. Delicate Branch Ring - Moorea Seal $10
6. Antler Jewelry Stand - World Market $16.99
7. Factory Flower Fringe Necklace - J.Crew Factory $29.50


Also -- elephant in the room -- I know I don't post much here. Looking to change that in the new year. Blogging in and of itself is a strange beast as lately many of the ones I follow are blatantly advertising. (I do not mind sampling products or monetizing links... but posting Instagrams as if they are "real" recommendations for products is strange.) Anywho, I'm going to try to "keep it real."

Thanks for reading. More non-stocking stuffer lists to come!

pinterest

Hello again!

While this blog's been woefully neglected, I've been on Pinterest. It's really one of the easiest ways to bookmark and categorizes all the DIY and fashion links I come across on a daily basis. It's also great when you have a specific project in mind, but can't remember where you saw it.

(My boards) 

If you're a member, send me your link and I'll follow back. If you need an invite, let me know and I can send one along.

my wish list 2011

Today, I take my inspiration from a few of my favorite fashion blogs and share my Holiday Wish List.

1. Golden Pinnate Necklace (but, in silver!) - $28.00
2. German Military Surplus Utensil set (they snap together!) - $12.00
3. Latte Bowls in Mint - 4 for $20
4. Porcelain Dish in Zigzag - $6.00
5. Architectural Difusion Bracelet - $16.00
6. Amazing Everything: the art of Scott C. - $16.49
7. Lost at Sea T-shirt - $36.00
8. Keyboard Memopad - $10.00
9. Simply Ponytail Holders - $12.00
10. Bronze Tentacle Necklace (a lustworthy item) - $180.00

Are there any gifts you're hoping for this year?

Etsy treasury: Angular

Since I'm not really making much in the way of crafty things, I thought I'd share an Etsy Treasurey I put together this morning. This is my first Treasury and it was fun to find a theme and run with it.

Check out the included items by clicking the image above or right here.

DIY inspiration: craft + design

Craft meets design with this cool project by Corey Holms. Read more about it at Kitsune Noir.

You could create a template for something similar in Photoshop/Gimp/Paint. Start with a stencil and fill it with a diagonal or wavy stripe pattern. Something like this:

 (I did a quick google search for "free stencil" and came across this dragonfly. I created my own diagonal line pattern in Photoshop a few years ago, but there are some free ones here.)

Print and use your newly created template to trace the pattern onto your fabric. Stich over your guide lines, erase remaining lines (or wash out), and there you have it! I think a project like this would be pretty relaxing on a fall/winter night with a good movie...

i like this: john derian for target

I've been looking forward to the September 5 release date of the John Derian for Target collection for quite some time. Locally, I've seen John Derian at my favorite Short North store, Collier West. Alex and I own a few things (ok, maybe 1... maybe 2) and they've held up really well over the past 2 years. Target's line will be amazing because not only are they using some of the famous prints, they will also be extremely affordable!

I recently had my first glance at all of the items during Gilt's sample sale of the new Target lines last Friday (the link is closed now). Luckily there are quite a few blogs with the inside scoop, including the Lost Angeles Time's blog.

 Be sure to visit the official John Derian for Target lookbook website for prices and more items.

I love this site!

I am catching up on my Google Reader and came across this amazing site linked on CRAFT a while back: New Dress a Day.

I can't believe how dedicated she is and how creative her outcomes are. Here are some of my favorite. Please check this site out for instant inspiration.

Before

After

 Before

 After

Before

After

I could post so many more favorites, but you should just check out the site. I also love that most after pictures are of her at a party or bar.

This is really pointless.

 

I don't normally do this, but I really really want to buy a new swimsuit, some summery clothes, and go to a beach! 

This winter has been less depressing than normal, mainly due to the constant snow. (I'm only okay with cold weather if there is constant snow cover). However, today was the first sunny and spring-smelling day in a while. I am tired of being cold all the time (we conserve energy here with a loooow furnace temp). I want some sun and sand! 

This desire brought me to the Victoria's Secret website, where I found more than a few choice bathing suits... and some enviable locales.  

I am a terrible blogstress!

I thought I had updated recently! In fact, I have a whole folder of bookmarked DIY projects.

I'm so sorry!

To hold you over, these are a few of my new favorite image finds. See more on my imgfave or my tumblr.