Posts

12.31.2009

it's going to be a good year

I don't know if I have ever been so eager to welcome a new year. All in all 2009 was a pretty good year, but this last month has been especially difficult and I am ready to be renewed with a fresh start. I can't really explain it, but I feel like 2010 is going to be a wonderful year.

This is going to be a year of balance for me, and here are my main intentions:

BODY
Regular yoga practice

MIND
Take J. Kaye's Challenge of reading 100 books in 2010
Start or join a book club
Stay on top of grad school work

SOUL
Take more time to relax with mmb (& our kitty boys!)
Strengthen spirituality
Recognize when I need to step away from it all and take a break

BLOGGING
Learn how to truly customize my blog
Continue to be inspired by all of the very creative people in the blogosphere

PHOTOGRAPHY
Improve my photography skills
Learn how to use my DSLR more effectively
Learn photo editing techniques

SCRAPBOOKING
Take Up and Running with Photoshop to learn Photoshop techniques
Take part in challenges and design calls from some of my favorite sites
 Try my hand at digital and hybrid scrapbooking
Try out at least 1 new technique per month
Take online classes to sharpen my skills (currently Inspiration Defined and The Challenge of Me)

I hope the New Year brings you all a time of blessings and the all the good stuff memories are made of. I'm looking forward to reading and sharing in 2010!

12.30.2009

ribbon organizer


No, I am not going for the "most posts in one day" of the year award, but I am really excited about this project and wanted to share :-)

One of my hopes for this year is to get in more scrapbooking time, but in order to do that I need to get everything more organized in an accessible way.

Enter: My ribbon supply.

I have a pretty good sized collection of ribbons, but as of yesterday they were piled into a couple of bins (I suppose serving their purpose as glorified dust collectors...) where I couldn't really access them without getting frustrated by the mess.
Not so good.
I want to be able to use what I have, and I don't want to go trudging through mounds of ribbon to find that one little piece that I need (if I can even remember I have it....) for whichever project I might be working on. That is why I came up with this little idea to store my stash.

I can't take full credit for this idea because I remember seeing the kraft covered cardboard somewhere in my interweb travels over the years, but the rest of it is all me :-)

Repurposed Materials Ribbon Organizer

Materials Needed:
Clementine Box
Kraft Paper
Leftover Boxes or Shoe Boxes
Pins
Tape
Ribbon supply

Instructions:
1. Cut down boxes to 11X6 inch size

2. Cover cut pieces with kraft paper as if you were wrapping a gift

3. Hold covered piece length-wise and tape one end of one ribbon to back of covered piece to hold in place

4.Wrap ribbon around box, securing loose end with a pin.

5. Repeat with other ribbons

6. Put ribbon covered piece into clementine box

**TIPS**
*I sorted by color, but you might want to try by width or material also.
*Make extra kraft colored boards to accommodate new ribbon supplies 
*You could cover the boxes with patterned paper or fabric, but right now I am enjoying teh charm of the clementine box itself. 

And here is my ribbon organizer in its new home. I took two rods from mmb's suit clothes hangers (thanks, love!) and rested them on the sides of the clementines boxes after I strung spools of ribbon on them. Wooden dowels would work also.

Ahhh, I love organization!

If you missed my post earlier today about OLW, you can check it out here.

one little word.


BALANCE
 

Have you joined in on the"one little word" idea with Ali Edwards? It is a very manageable (and creative, of course...) way to throw out that resolution list which never gets adhered to anyhow and focus on one idea for the New Year. 

This is my first year joining in, and after a good deal of thought, I have decided that my word is going to be BALANCE.

I usually have about 10 things going on at once, and am finding that I am missing out on experiences when I am speeding through to get everything done rather than enjoying it wholly.
Not exactly ideal.

So this year, I am going to strive for balance in all areas of my life...home, school, work, crafting, friendships, spirituality, family... so that I may enjoy each experience, no matter how big or small, to the fullest.
While I doubt that it will be a year completely free of late night work sessions to meet deadlines, I hope to reduce those times to a single digit number. (confession: I do secretly love the challenge of deadlines and work quite well when I need to meet them ;-)) 

A life lived well and whole heatedly is something I  strive for, and this year I plan to concentrate on that even more.

Yes, some balance is exactly what I need.

Are you doing one little word? If you are, what is yours?

12.29.2009

caramelized onion tart


Ever since I discovered this recipe for Caramelized Onion Tarts in October, I have served it on any occasion that I can. What can I say, I am a sucker for caramelized onions. It is super easy to make, so tasty and pleases both vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike.
The flakiness of the puff pastry and the creaminess of the creme fraiche is delicately balanced by the tartness of crisp granny smith apple slices and the richness of caramelized onions.
So, so, yummy.

Besides the absolute deliciousness of this dish, I also love this one because you can throw it together in a pinch for unexpected guests. Just freeze a batch of caramelized onions and have the other common ingredients on hand and you'll be ready to go.  

*ingredients:
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 medium onions, sliced
  • 2 green apples, thinly sliced
  • kosher salt and black pepper
  • 2 sheets frozen puff pastry (from a 17.3-ounce package), thawed
  • 1/2 cup creme fraiche or sour cream
  • 1/4 c Jameson or Jack Daniels whiskey (optional) 

*directions:

  1. Heat oven to 400º F. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Pour in whiskey if using, continue to cook 5 minutes. Then stir in ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper and cook until just tender, 2 minutes.
  2. Place each sheet of pastry on a parchment-lined baking sheet and prick all over with a fork. Spread with the crème fraîche, leaving a ½-inch border. Place layer of thinly sliced apples on top of creme fraiche layer. Top with the onion mixture and bake until the pastry is crisp and browned, 30 to 35 minutes. Cut into pieces before serving.   *recipe adapted from real simple magazine

HELP!

 
Dear Brilliant Readers,
Can you help? I need some organizational tips, and I need them fast. Last night I began cleaning out my scrapping stash and boy, oh, boy...have I made a mess!
My previous solution had been to utilize lots of covered boxes on bookshelves (think, Ikea), a clip-it-up, some plastic storage bins and some shelving units from Target. This has worked fine for holding everything, but I find that I forget what I have and then it never gets used and just accumulates clutter.
I despise clutter.
Yet, time after time I find myself buried in a mass of it.
Grrr....
Won't you please help a fellow crafter out? Any ideas of how to store things so I can better utilize my abundant stash of papers, ribbons, punches, stamps, embellishments, etc... would be so helpful and very much appreciated!
Pretty Please??
p.s. feel free to link pics of your storage solutions, I'd love to see them :)

12.27.2009

Big Picture Scrapbooking Classes

With the hustle and bustle of Christmas being over and finally getting a few minutes to sit down and reflect, I have begun thinking about my hopes and goals for the New Year. On that list is to find a couple of scrapbooking and photography classes that I love and commit to them.

                                                                                                  image {weheartit}

With so many great ones out there, how do you choose?

One of my personal favorite spots for online learning is Big Picture Scrapbooking. The teachers are amazing, the workload is manageable, the forums are a wealth of support and talent, and best of all, you come away with a new set of skills and fresh perspective on your art.

I have already signed up for the "Get out of Auto Mode" class with Elisha Snow to learn how to use my DSLR more efficiently, but there are a few more I have my eye on...

Inspiration Defined with Elizabeth Dillow

Point of View with Nic Howard

Design Your Life with Cathy Zielske

The Challenge of Me with Lisa Day

I can't possibly take them all with work and school, so I am going to have to make some decisions...any input? Have you taken, or will you be taking any of these?

               If you have never taken a class with BPS, but are hesitant to jump right in, you can give it a try with a free workshop.

Please share if you know of any other great online classes, I'd love to check them out!

12.26.2009

the day after...

Is anyone else still reveling in the Christmas magic by spending the day in their pajamas with someone or something they adore?
Me? Well, I am parked on the couch with mmb and an occasional cat here and there, re-watching the John Adams miniseries on our new bluray player ;-) . I have to get back to it, but wanted to pop in and let you all know that I hope you had a blessed holiday.

A small glimpse of our Christmas day...
 Christmas is forever, not for just one day, for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf. The good you do for others is good you do yourself. ~Norman Wesley Brooks

12.24.2009

happy christmas eve

 

And you asked me what I want this year
and I try to make this kind and clear
just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
'cause I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
and designer love and empty things
just a chance that maybe we'll find better days

So take these words and sing out loud
'cause everyone is forgiven now
'cause tonight's the night the world begins again

I need some place simple where we could live
and something only you can give
and that's faith and trust and peace while we're alive
and the one poor child who saved this world
and there's ten million more who probably could
if we all just stopped and said a prayer for them

So take these words and sing out loud
'cause everyone is forgiven now
'cause tonight's the night the world begins again

I wish everyone was loved tonight
and somehow stop this endless fight
just a chance that maybe we'll find better days

So take these words and sing out loud
'cause everyone is forgiven now
'cause tonight's the night the world begins again

'cause tonight's the night the world begins again 

Lyrics- Better Days by Goo Goo Dolls 

Enjoy your holiday with your families and friends. Tonight we will be with mmb's family watching movies, having dinner and going to mass-one of my favorite things about this holiday! 
Over the next couple days take time to look around you and take it all in. If you see someone you can help, no matter how big or small, just do it. Smile at someone who looks like they could use some kindness, leave a small gift for someone you know they will find it, feed a stray animal, pray for someone. Remember those not with us and hold your loved ones a little tighter. 
It just might make someone's day.
It is something we should do every day, but seems especially poignant this time of the year. 
Here's to carrying the Christmas spirit into the new year!



Happy Christmas Everyone!  

12.23.2009

what i'm loving wednesdays 12.23

Can you believe that Christmas is in 2 days?! Where did the time go? I'm pretty busy with this day being the last of work before vacation, and tying up loose ends like a good little Santa's helper, so for today's WILW I am going to share you a couple of quick shots of Christmas around here...
Hope all of your preparations are going smoothly and you are ready to spend some fun and relaxing time with those you love, I know I am!


O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...
I decided to try the red and blue theme...it really worked, I love it!


The gorgeous Willow Tree Angels Nativity scene which mmb's parents gave me last year. So beautiful!


The ornament my mom and I made (well mostly her...) when I was 3 years old. A piece of it is missing, so symbolic, but I will treasure it always.



Wrapping Central Station! And yes...I did coordinate the wrapping colors to the tree ;-)

 
This guy. My favorite gift.

May your homes be warm and merry as you are surrounded by love and light.

Off to pajama day with the kids! Have a good one, everybody! 

12.22.2009

facebook status fun




How much fun is this?!
If you are on facebook, there is a fun application that will configure a year's worth of your status updates for you with the click of a couple buttons. A bunch of my friends have given it a try on "the book" and recently I have been seeing it pop up on some of my favorite blogs, like Sharyn's. It is a lot of fun to look back at little things that you updated about, but may have gotten buried in the sea of memories of 2009.

Can't wait to make this into a 2009 wrap-up layout! Speaking of which...would it be wrong of me to bring some scrapping supplies on our New Year's getaway? Hmmm....

12.20.2009

christmas party success!



 

The annual party that Cheryl and I throw together every year can definitely be chalked up to a success, not only for our gathering itself, but for lifting my spirits. It was wonderful to gather together with all of these great people and spend some time just having fun and relaxing. The menu was well enjoyed by all and the company couldn't be beat.

I can't believe Christmas is this week! As the days dwindle down and we try to finish up the last minute details around here I know the time will fly. I am remembering my intention to savor this season and take in all of these moments that are passing too quickly.

I have so much to catch up on here in blogland and now that I am beginning to feel a bit more like myself I will be back to my regular posting soon!

This week's to do's:
finish buying and wrapping last minute gifts.
make gift tags
make funny gift for secret santa
grocery list for christmas dinner
watch miracle on 34th st cuddled up on the couch w/mmb

What do you have left to do?

12.19.2009

the contenders


Only time for a quick post..tonight is our annual holiday shindig! I am looking so forward to spending time with the wonderful people who will be here tonight. 

These are the dresses I have narrowed it down to...any opinions?

*the blog remodel is not complete yet, with everything that happened last week I just haven't been able to work on it.

Thank you all for your nice comments and messages. I will miss my mom and her husband very much and your thoughts are very comforting to me.

Have a wonderful evening, everyone!

12.17.2009

under construction



Holy Blogging Mess!
Please bear with my while changes are being made. 
:)
Thanks so much!

12.16.2009

what i'm loving wednesdays 12.15

This week's "what i'm loving wednesday" is dedicated to mom, and the memories I have.



She loved Key West, Florida. It's no wonder. She was a deeply thoughtful person and I can imagine her staring at the endless ocean for hours, much like I would do. I love to think of her surrounded by such peaceful beauty.
 
 
When I was a little girl and she was waitressing to bring home some extra money, she used to take me to work with her occasionally. She worked in a huge castle and I would run around hiding and playing and imagining until she called to me a table where there was a shirley temple waiting.


  We made the most elaborate dollhouses together. I remember one she made completely out of cardboard, tiny furniture and all. She would get wallpaper and carpet samples and painstakingly make sure that every detail was as realistic and perfect as possible.

 
 She was an artist. In more ways than one. Even in her struggle with cancer she had a dignity and grace that seems impossible to maintain in such conditions. She never complained once. She made sacrifices for us that one should never have to make. She epitomized selfless love.

It has been so long since I have seen her and the reality of knowing I will never see her again leaves a hole in my heart that will never be filled. I always thought I would.
But I will live my life the way she hoped for me and try to emulate her as much as possible.

Many things will get me through this time including the love of my wonderful friends and the most amazing man that I have ever been blessed to have in my life.

And art.
Our connection.
We will always be connected by the gift she passed on to me.


You'll always be in my heart. 



all images, except the one above, are courtesy of we heart it

12.15.2009

truth & cheer


have been over to visit notebook doodles ? really cute stuff. i feel like today's message was meant just for me. maybe it's meant for you too.

have you seen this video yet? pause the playlist to hear

12.13.2009

its beginning to look a lot like christmas

Thank you to everyone who stopped by and made our first blog hop a successful one! I hope you got lots of good ideas from everyone :)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here. We went and got out tree last night and added a little bit more to the decorations. Thanks Nellie, for the idea with the "polaroids" :-) 

I'll let you know a little bit more about the great time we had picking out our tree at another time, it is a great story (or at least I think it is, haha)!


Remember to let someone you love how much you care about them. Life can change in an instant.

12.12.2009

peppermint topped brownies


Place a tray of theses beautiful and delicious treats on any table and you get instant holiday cheer!
The first time I made these brownies I was wowed by the flavor and texture that could come from such a simple thing to make. The chocloate in the brownie is just sweet enough without overpowering your tastebuds and when you combine it's fudgy texture with the creaminess of the ganache and the light crispness of the peppermint topping, you create a dessert made it heaven.


Ingredients

10 tablespoon butter, plus more for pan
6 ounces good-quality bittersweet chocolate, broken into large chunks
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
80 hard, round, red-and-white peppermint swirl candies (17 oz)
1/2 pound semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 cup whipping cream

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Butter a 9- by 13-in. baking pan. In a medium saucepan, stir butter and bittersweet chocolate over very low heat with a heatproof rubber spatula until just melted (do not let simmer or boil). Remove from heat and let cool slightly, about 5 minutes.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Slowly pour chocolate-butter mixture into egg mixture, whisking constantly. Into a separate bowl, sift flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder, then whisk together. With a clean rubber spatula, gently fold flour mixture into egg mixture until just combined.

3. Spread batter evenly in the baking pan. Bake 20 to 30 minutes, or until brownies are firm, beginning to pull away from sides of pan, and a toothpick inserted in center emerges with only a few crumbs clinging to it. Let brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

4. Reduce oven temperature to 300°. Line a level, rimmed 11 1/2- by 16-in. baking sheet with parchment. With a pencil, draw a grid of 1 3/4-in. squares on parchment (5 rows of 8), leaving about a 1-in. border, and turn parchment over. Place a mint in the center of each square. Bake 15 to 25 minutes, or until completely melted into 1 large sheet, but remove before candy begins to turn yellow. Immediately score peppermint squares with a pizza cutter, using pencil lines as your guide. If scored lines don't hold, rescore quickly. Let candy cool completely. Gently break into squares along score lines. Arrange, bake, and score remaining 40 candies the same way (you'll have extra squares; pick the prettiest).





5. In the top of a double boiler or a metal bowl set over simmering water, combine chopped semisweet chocolate and whipping cream. Cook, stirring often, until melted and blended. Remove from heat and let ganache cool until just warm.


6. Pour ganache over cooled brownies in pan and allow to set until firm, about 2 hours at room temperature or 1 hour in the refrigerator.

7. Place peppermint squares bottom side up on ganache, leaving enough room between squares to cut brownies. Cut brownies into squares along edges of peppermint tops, wiping knife clean between cuts. Remove brownies from pan, discard (or eat) scraps, and return brownies to pan. Cover with plastic wrap, making sure wrap does not touch peppermint, and refrigerate 3 hours (to soften candy a bit). Serve slightly chilled.

                                                          original recipe found {here}

*And a cheat note....if you are short on time or just want an easier way to make these irresistable treats, you can used boxed brownie mix and canned frosting!
Next you'll be visiting Sharyn again for another wonderful project. I am sure you loved her first one, so get ready for this one!

By the way, have you visited the others and seen their wonderful projects today? Wow! What a team! I have had a blast working with Sharyn, Maya, Laura, Carrie and Julie and have come away with so many great ideas to fiull up the rest of the season (and file away for years to come), I hope you have too. A sincere thank you  for allowing us to share our passion for creativity with you.
Thanks for hopping with us! 
Happy Holidays!

...and p.s. the "Blogover" is coming soon, I hope you'll come back and visit to see what I have been up to!

crayon rollups




When I was a little girl, I never went anywhere without my crayons. I would stuff them into my pockets, my backpack, or even just carry them in my hands. I can only imagine my mother would have appreciated having something like this crayon rollup for me (just thinking of all the melted crayons that ended up in the laundry still makes me feel guilty!). That memory led me to believe that my girlfriends who are already parents might like to have one of these crayon organizers for their children. They are great for trips on the go, just throw it in your purse and you have hours of creativity for your little ones at your fingertips.

This year, all the children on my list are getting one of these fantastic portable and easily accessible rollups. This one in particular is for our friend's super adorable daughter, Chandrea.

Perhaps you have a child in your life that might enjoy one, too.

This project is inspired by a tutorial I found on the Fiskars website. I have adapted it to make it feasible for "non-sewers" like myself.


Materials needed:
1/4 yard of fabric one (my floral print)
1/4 yard of fabric two (my polka dot print)
1 yard ribbon
coordinating thread
crayons
*there are many really good etsy stores that sell fabric that would be great for this, just do a search for fabric under the "supplies" section
 
1. Cut two 6x21 inch pieces from fabric one and one 7x21 piece of fabric two.

2. Set fabric one aside.  Fold fabric two in half lengthwise (it should now measure 3.5 x 21) and iron to crease.

3. Use your sewing machine to topstitch a ¼ inch inseam along the long 21 inch edge next to the folded crease.

4. Lay one piece of fabric one (right side up) and line up the fabric two piece on top (right side up also, so that the bottom edges line up)  Pin to secure.


5. Machine stitch along bottom to secure.

6. Place piece from step #5 right side up on top of other piece.  Cut ribbon into two 18 inch pieces and pin about 2 inches in from right side.








7. Stitch 1/2 inch around all edges, leaving the left side open.  


8. Flip right-side out. Iron.

9. Fold edges of left side in, pin and stitch to secure.

10. Mark at 1 inch intervals on fabric two, using a fabric marker or pins.



11. Stitch at the marked or pinned interval points (only on fabric two).

12. Trim threads.

13.  Fill with crayons.

14. Watch recipients eyes light up when they receive the customized gift they can take anywhere with them!

This crayon rollup is a really fun project that can be used not only as a holiday gift, but also for birthdays and other special occasions.
It it great for parents and caregivers because it provides convenient entertainment for the kids.
It is great for you because you get to make a meaningful gift you know will be helpful.
It is great for the kids because you are encouraging their creativity.
And I cannot think of a better gift than that.

Next up you're heading to Sharyn's blog where you will no doubt find a fabulous idea you will want to give a try. Enjoy yourself!

Let the blog hop begin!

 Good Morning. The big day is here!


 Are you ready for 12 hours of homemade holiday loveliness?
The 12.12.12 Holiday Blog Hop has finally arrived and we have been working as hard as a bunch of little elves on projects to bring you on this much anticipated day.  It is our hope that the compilation of holiday gifts and recipes that will be coming your way every hour for the next twelve hours will bring you some inspiration for those last minute projects, or ideas you can file away for the next holiday season.


It has been an honor to work with these incredibly talented and imaginative ladies. I have no doubt that you too, will find their creativity refreshing and motivating. Please join us by visiting each link while we make the holiday a little more inspired, one project at a time.

Enjoy!

The schedule is as follows:
(all times are CST)
 
9am: Laura at Cameron Crazy

10am: yours truly at sunlight & simplicity

11am: Sharyn at living artfully

12pm: Carrie at Through the Camera Lens

1pm: Maya at Basement Chronicles

2pm: Julie at just our story

            then we begin it all again with 6 brand new posts....


3pm: Laura at Cameron Crazy

  4pm: Yours truly at  sunlight & simplicity

5pm: Sharyn at living artfully

6pm: Carrie at Through the Camera Lens

7pm: Maya at Basement Chronicles

8pm: Julie at just our story

Here's to filling our holidays with gifts from the heart! 

12.11.2009

can you feel the excitement?? (& some explanations)

We'll start with the explanations first...you may have noticed that things are looking a little strange over here at sunlight & simplicity lately. Things are changing, moving, being added, removed, etc... Well that is all for good reason. When I started this blog is was going to be a tester to see if I was going to be able to "get into" blogging. Turns out, I did. Got hooked in fact. I have "met" so many wonderfully talented and inspiring bloggers and I can't turn back now! So now, since I have decided to keep s&s going, I have been tweaking it a bit. Big changes coming soon, I hope you'll enjoy the new look of my "blogover". I don't want to give too much away, but if you're patient, I'll see to it that you get on the "nice list" this year. Thanks for bearing with me during these changes!

And while I am on the subject of thank you's, I just want to say thank you to everyone who stops by to visit and check out what is going on over here at sunlight & simplicity. I truly appreciate all of the kind comments you have made and enjoy visiting all of your blogs as well.
You have been so kind. I hope you will continue to visit often.

And now, on to the excitement!
It's almost here! Only one more day until the...

Saturday 12/12
12 hours
12 posts
6 Lovely ladies

Start time: 8:00am CT

That's right; on the hour, every hour, for 12 hours there will be a holiday spirited post coming your way in the form of a blog hop between myself and 5 very talented ladies. Be prepared for inspiration to bust out your aprons and scissors and glue guns and so much more. It promises to be a day filled with inspirational ideas to put the homemade back into the holiday season. 
 
I do hope you'll join us.
Check back later today for details!

And to all who are celebrating today, Happy Hannukah!

12.10.2009

camera bag cuteness

If you cherish your camera, but also value some style, then you are probably with me in the quest to find a cute camera bag...One doesn't make you look like you're rolling into your local elementary school on school picture day to work the crowd.

You would think that this would not be that difficult of a task, but let me tell you, I have been searching the ends of the internet hoping and praying that something...ANYTHING, would pop up in my little google search engine that would cry out to me "buy me!, I am the perfect home for your beloved memory encapsulator!" But alas, nothing. I've come across a couple of teases, but nothing was ever "just right" for what I am looking for.

Enter: the Epihpanie...




{Epiphanie Bags}

Just when I was about to give up on finding the right one, I get news of this wonderful new addition to the camera bag world.
Functional? Check.
Cute? Check. (check out that darling little metal camera tag!)
Could this be the end of wrapping my camera in a handkerchief to protect it when I throw it into my handbag? Could it be that I have finally found "the one"?
I'm not willing to commit just yet, but it is a definite possiblity...

Of the three different styles, the Belle is my favorite. Though the Ginger and the Lola are definitely contenders.
The good news: The designs that have already been created are adorable, and there are more in production right now! You can also contact the designer if you have a specific design in mind and they will work with you to create your dream camera carrier.
The maybe not so great news: They won't be ready for release until the some time in the beginning of the New Year (but gift certificates are available).
Patience is a virtue.
And good, functional style is worth waiting for.

What do you all use for camera bags? Links are welcome!

12.09.2009

what i'm loving wednesdays 12.9 (& some exciting news!)

Well, in the interest of being honest, the first thing I am loving this Wednesday (drumroll, please...) is that it is a snow day! One of the things that I love about my job is that (most of the time) the superintendent makes a good decision about calling the day off. I do not like to drive in bad weather so I am fortunate in this sense.

But on to the good stuff...

Have you visited the lovely site, We Heart It?
It is a collection of gorgeous photos that some extremely talented photographers upload some of their  favorite shots to, and you can either browse them, or search by keyword. It is perfect if you are looking for a little inspiration or just want to check out some really well taken photos. It is way too easy to get wrapped up in all of the gorgeousness and lose track of time perusing all of the lovely eye candy it offers for your viewing pleasure, so use caution when entering the site ;-).
Especially if you are a daydreamer.
Not that I know anyone like that...

I am loving this site, and in honor of all of the inspiration I have found on it, I am dedicating this "what i'm loving wednesday" to their impressive collection of beautiful photographs.
My 5 choices today are in honor of the New England winter weather that has finally arrived! Pour yourself a hot cup of tea (I recommend vanilla almond) and prepare to see some frosty beauty.
Enjoy :-)


 Yup, pretty much looks like this out here. 


Yup, feel like this right now. I love snow.
{pic}


Sigh.

 
Love this!
 {pic}


Thinking of my kiddos enjoying their snow day and remembering the magic of those days from when I was young!
{pic}
And speaking of the snow day, I plan on using it to get a few projects done. I can't tell you what they are right now, but be sure to check back for more information about an event I am a part of which is taking place this Saturday, 12/12. You'll want to see what some very talented ladies and I have been up to...

It promises to be filled with lots of holiday cheer & inspiration. More details soon!