Link Love

Just some things I thought I would share with you all.


A beautifully written post about breast feading by Jodi from Ché & Fidel.

Homemade Goldfish Crackers - Since soon I'll have little hands to eat them.

Pretty stamped blanket - I love making potato stamps, but never thought about stamping a blanket.

Knit baby coat on Ravelry

Tattoo envy here, here, here, and here. Ever since becoming pregnant I want a new tattoo and I just can't get one right now. I think that's why I want one so bad, because I know I can't.

And Homemade Dryer Sheets! So great!

Hope your week is going well.

DIY: 10 minute valentines

Lets get real for a second if you have to make a bunch of valentines (work, your kids class, etc) then you need them to be fast and easy. Thats where this DIY comes in. It's a pdf version of some valentines I made three years ago because I liked Elsie's so much. I added one new couple group to them, Sam & Suzy from Moonrise Kingdom.

Here is a photo of how I displayed some in my apartment three years ago (I can't believe it was that long ago).  All you need to do is cut out the couples and glue them to some hearts you cut out!

And then here is what the valentines look like! I love all of these couples so so much!

If you click the picture it will take you to a website so you can download the pdf. 

I hope you have the best Valentines Day!

traveling

So last week I went to the Big Central Regional Barista Competition in Kansas City, MO. I was a volunteer and took two of our baristas from Greyhouse. It was a blast. I just love being around people who are so passionate about coffee. We stayed with our friend Sam and ate so much good food it was crazy. Here is a panorama from the WWI memorial that overlooks the city. (it's a little blurry because it was so windy we could barely stand still)

I'm in full planning mode over here. I have some new embroidered jewelry pieces in the works, as well as lots of baby DIYs because lets face it you knew that would happen the second I was having a baby. (Which I'm 16 weeks today only 4 more till we know if it's a boy or a girl!)

We are also planning on going to New Orleans in March with two of our friends who live in Florida. I couldn't be more excited to explore a new city.

I'm also really excited for Valentines day. I don't necessarily get all sappy that day, but I do love the candy and making valentines for my friends. ETSY posted these suckers and I think I might have to make some (but with no food coloring, and natural flavors, and maybe honey instead of corn syrup... haha). 

Have a great day I will be back tomorrow with Friday Feature!

easy DIY

an easy DIY for your saturday afternoon.

When you go to 4-6 weddings a year it can get kind of expensive. So you have to be creative with your presents.

and this is my new favorite present to make for people. (not just weddings)

Get your glasses and a paint marker. I got my glasses at goodwill and cleaned them and prepped the surface i was going to draw on by rubbing it with nail polish remover. 

doodle out your ideas and pick your favorite patterns.

you can even make a set of coasters to match!

this is seriously so easy it's addicting. 

Dry Shampoo DIY

Some people just use Baby Powder, but I'm here to tell you unless you are using organic talc free it has some nasty stuff in it. There are a myriad of different recipes and some people just use cornstarch, but I wanted mine to be a shade closer to my skin tone so my main ingredient is oatmeal flour.

Here is the recipe:
1/2 Cup Oatmeal Flour
1/4 Cup Corn Starch
1/4 Cup Baking Soda

I wanted a shaker, but don't have any of those parmesan cheese ones, and wasn't going to buy something when i'm sure I could modify something I have.... So I used a small Mason Jar.  I made a circular pattern with a nail and tapped small holes into the lid.

If you don't have Oatmeal flour (because I know I didn't) you can make it yourself. Just use your spice grinder and blend some up. This is by far the easiest way to make your own flour (oatmeal & rice). You could also use a food processor, but this is better for the size you are making.

Grind till it's a fine powder.

Stir your ingredients well in a bowl.

Transfer to your jar. If you are going to be traveling just sit a lid with no holes on top and screw both on, this way none spills in your bag. 

I took this with me on Jess and I's road trip to RI. And it worked like a charm. I'm now obsessed, because it gives my hair such great texture I can style it way more than when it is freshly washed.

I want to try this.

Possibly the coolest kite, store bought or homemade ever!

I must make this! It would be perfect for a day at the beach!

DIY Round-up

A round up of cute DIYs i found the web this week.

I Spy DIY shows you how to make the gold bead bracelet and there is a DIY for a heart ring, but I'm going to attempt the heart bracelet.

Two DIYs by a fellow Indiana Blogger.

Will be doing this with prints from our Hawai'i vacation (which is in 15 days BTW).

wishing wednesday

wishing that i could wear nail polish. but sadly i work in food service and this is not allowed but i found a site called 

the beauty department

and they have some fabulous nail DIYs. i seriously used to paint my nails into little things all the time when i was in middle school, so this new trend is just bringing that back to me. 

saturday crafty times

a few ideas to spark your creativity for this easter weekend.

my old mac book could use a touch up like this.

i love knit washcloths

so cute. maybe with a monogram for a wedding gift.

diy screenprint. maybe my favorite version so far.

needlework bag. i just love the pattern.

lollipops with violets in them. so so so cute. 

I don't know what your easter plans are, but enjoy the spring time and renewal this most important holiday brings us.

natural remedies

hello friends.

i did a previous post about natural products that i use and this one is about things you can make yourself. 

salt scrub 

i have one that i use for my feet with peppermint oil and then i just made one with lavender oil to use all over to scrub away the winter skin for spring! 

use a 2:1 ratio of salt to body oil and add an essential oil of your choice. I use sea salt so it's corse enough to do the job and grape seed oil, because i have sensitive skin. here's my recipie

1 cup salt

1/2 cup grape seed oil

4 drops of lavender oil

1 T of dried lavender (an extra touch)

i keep mine stored in a mason jar. 

*this is kind of messy to use so i would get in the tub and apply the scrub then turn on the shower and rinse it off. *

deodorant

my bestie jess found a great recipie. we had been looking online and i had only found beeswax ones that were solid, but she found another one with coconut oil, cornstarch, and baking soda. i use it and love it!

stove top cleaner. 

we have a bad habit of not cleaning up spills on the stove right away. so we sprinkle baking soda on the spill and spray a 1/2 water 1/2 vinegar solution on it. let it sit for a few minutes and then it will wipe right off. 

this website also has lots of great alternatives to use. we love the lime and salt combo to remove rust.

happy spring cleaning!

making chemex, a how to

i thought a coffee DIY was needed since that's what i do all day. and i love a really good cup of coffee.

what you need.

chemex & filters

48g coffee

24oz hot water + extra for presoaking the filter

set your filter into your chemex, pour hot water in to get the glass hot and rinse the paper.

while the water runs through grind your coffee (about the size of sea salt)

pour out the water (leave the filter in, so it keeps the seal it made with the water)

add your coffee

pour only just enough to wet the grounds. a few drips of coffee might come through but don't worry. 

wait about 60 - 90 seconds and then start adding more water. this is called a bloom in coffee jargon.

Only pour the water in the center of the filter, not around the edges. this creates a vacum and pulls the water through to the center. 

once all the water has been poured in wait for it finish dripping (around 4 more minutes total of pour/brew time). then remove your filter and enjoy!

I would suggest using a nice African or light roasted Latin American coffee with this brew method. it makes a clean and bright cup of coffee.