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DIY Geometric Heart Business Cards

June 28, 2014

Well, I just attended Alt for the 3rd time (lucky me).  This time a went as an Alt Rep with Sarah and Ellen, so I had a few responsibilities, but it was once again an amazing experience.

I’ve shared before that GREAT business cards are a huge part of the Alt experience.  The first time I attended, I made Lavender Sachet Business Cards and the second time I made Baker’s Twine Business Cards.  This time, I found out I was attending just a few weeks before.  But, my Cricut Explore came to the rescue!

Yes, the Geometric Heart is back, sorry those of you that are sick of it, but it’s kind of my signature now.  I drew up this simple heart in Ai and then uploaded it to Cricut Design Space.  Then I played around with size and placement of the heart and created this sleeve for my new Minted business cards.  You can design, cut, and score with the new Cricut Explore!  I love it.  These were a simple addition, but added one more layer of interest to my card, hopefully making it a little less forgettable.

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Thrifting Thursday – Random finds from Idaho

June 26, 2014

Phew, you guys, if you haven’t noticed via my instagram, I’m on the Road.  In the last week, I’ve been through Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Washington, California, Oregon, British Columbia, Alberta and some of them twice.  I should add up the miles.  
But, while in Idaho, I hit a fun Vintage Market in Boise with my sis-in-law and mother-in-law.  It was at the fair grounds and most of the booths had vintage trailers (right up my alley).  We loaded the truck with a lot of fun treasures.  I wanted to share a couple of my random finds.

The first find is my favorite.  I hit the paint by number jackpot with 2 Jesus paintings.  And the bonus is that the Mother Mary is on the back of each.  I’m pretty excited about owning these.  I do love Jesus.

The next little treasure is this little brass desktop calendar.  The date is changed by rotating the top portion, I’m not sure how it works, but it’s pretty impressive.  As you flip it, the numbers increase by one each rotation. 

And the last of my random purchases was the least expensive at just $3.  This little shoe mold is a perfect paper weight or just a cute little knick knack to sit on top of a stack of books.  I love metal pieces that have some texture and wear and tear to them.

There’s more, bigger pieces, that I’ll share with you later.  These are obviously pieces I didn’t go shopping for, hoping to find.  That’s the joy of thrifting, you never know what you’ll find.  There are some things that I seek out, like vintage lamps (that I can update with new lamp shades), and then there are other things that you just have to happen upon, like random cute junk.

I’m in Canada for the next two week with my parents and the girls (Lon and Dyl are still in Indonesia).   I’m hoping to score some great Canadian junk/treasures.

So, what have you found thrifting lately?  Anything big, or just some really great smalls?  I’d love to hear, so please share.

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Getting Ready for Summer

June 23, 2014

“This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Slimfast, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #14daystoslim  http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV”

Summer is here and I’m wanting to feel a little more confident in my swim suit (is there anyone that doesn’t want to?).  I’m doing the Slimfast 14-day Slimdown, to lose 6 pounds in the first 2 weeks.  I’m replacing breakfast and lunch with a convenient Slimfast shake or bar.  It’s a no brainer, when I’m traveling and on the go, it’s often hard to find healthy meals.  These tasty meal replacements make weight loss just a little easier, they are only 180 calories each.  The new Slimfast bar, Have Your Cake feels like a treat.  It’s a delicious vanilla cake and frosting, combined with fun sprinkles.

While I’m traveling over the next few weeks, I’ve packed my Slimfast and my bike.  I’m making a commitment to ride my bike (pulling Olivia in the bike trailer) everyday.  
Have Your Cake meal bars are available in 5-count boxes and sold at Target and other grocery and drug stores nationwide for about $5.49 a box (that’s just over a dollar per meal). 
For more about Slimfast and the 14-Day Slimdown, check out their Facebook page and follow them on Pinterest. 

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14 Days of Summer LOVE – Shark Rocket Vacuum Giveaway!

June 21, 2014

Remember the amazing 14 Days of Love giveaway that happened just this last Valentine’s Day?  Well, we still love you, so we’ve got another one planned.  Today is the first day of Summer, and we celebrating our amazing readers, YOU, with another 14 days of fabulous giveaways.  This is our way of showing you how much we love and appreciate your support. 

This first giveaway is something I absolutely love and use in my home all the time.  Today, you can enter to win a Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Vacuum.  This sucker (tee hee) works better then any vacuum I’ve ever owned.  It does an amazing job on hard wood floors and carpets, and it’s so super light.  I love how easy the attachments come off and on.  If I see a hard to reach dust bunnies or a cob web up on the ceiling, I can detach the end in just one second and put it back on just as quickly.  You are going to want this for your home.  I’m amazed at the amount of dust and dirt it picks up, I really wonder how clean my house was before I starting using the Shark. 
This is just the beginning.  So, if you haven’t already, be sure to “like” The 14 Days of LOVE Facebook page. You are not going to want to miss any of these amazing giveaways, and here’s what the next 14 days look like.

June 21 Oleander and Palm –  Shark Vacuum

June 23  Design Improvised – $200 Home Decorator’s Gift Card
June 24 Handmade Mood – Instax Camera and Film
June 25 Squirrelly Minds – $150 Wayfair Giftcard 
June 28 Jade and Fern – 2 Simple Peace Bags, The Handwoven Beach Carryall and The Organic Hemp and Cotton Farmer’s Market Bag ($120 value)
June 29 Everyday Reading – $100 Wrenn Jewelry Giveaway
July 1 Poppy Haus – Curated Art Wall from: Emily Jeffords, Clare Elsaesser, and Jennifer Daily (4 pieces valued at $350)
July 2 A Girl Named PJ – Lo & Sons Catalina weekender ($120 value) 
July 3 The Flair Exchange – $100 gift card to Pier One Imports
July 4 Melissa Creates – Prize Package including products from Shop Melissa Creates and a Target Gift Card (total value of $100)
Here’s a little more about this vacuum I love so much:
The Shark Rocket is versatile and designed to swiftly transform between a 7.5 pound upright and a 3 pound handheld vacuum. The slim, easy to use vac delivers Never Loses Suction power and a motorized power heat to deep clean carpets better than a full size Dyson.
It features:
– Enhanced swivel steering and a low profile nozzle deliver “go any were” versatility.
– Dual power settings make it easy to go from bare floors to carpets and rugs.
– Included are: a crevice tool: 12 inches of extended reach for hard to reach spaces, dusting brush and pet/upholstery tool, and a wall mount for convenient storage.
*Based on Dyson DC40 ASTM F608 (Embedded dirt removal on carpet)
****This giveaway is going to run for the next three days, so act fast!  The giveaway will end on June 23rd at midnight PST.  I’ve given you 7 different ways to enter to win.**** 

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Thrifting Thursday – Brightly Colored Weaving

Best $3.50 I’ve spent all month.  I found this super colorful wall hanging in San Diego a couple weeks ago when I spent the day thrifting and craigslisting with my brother Joash.  It was in a big box of 1/2 off items in a thrift store.  So glad I did a little digging.

I know weaving is everywhere right now.  If I had a few extra hours in the day, I’d love to try a little simple weaving myself.  But, until then, I’m happy to have found this inexpensive handmade piece that I can hang in my home.  I’m guessing it’s from Mexico and I appreciate the hand carved wood dowels on either end.  If you want to add color to a space, you can’t do better then this piece.

What have you found thrifting lately?

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The Land of Nod Real Families – The Girl’s Room Reveal

June 16, 2014

I’m so excited for you to see the girl’s whole room today!!! Head over to The Land of Nod’s Blog, Honest to Nod.  If you’ve gotten your June catalogue, then you’ll see our little house and family in it.  My girls are even the cover.

This was such an amazing experience.  Working with Nod is a dream.  Our aesthetics really work together well.  I had so much fun picking out Nod pieces for their room and the Nod team did such a great just of putting our old stuff together with all the new.

This is just a taste of the room, but be sure to go check out all the details today on Honest to Nod.  I’d love to hear what you think.  Come back and leave me a comment if you have a second.  

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Beaded Glass Bubbles

June 8, 2014

I’m really loving air plants.  I was scared that I’d kill them off quickly, but I’ve had my first one for almost 5 months now and he’s still lookin good and growing.  
I decided to give some simple glass bubbles a little color with wooden beads.  I painted a few beads in my new favorite color combo – kelly green, mint and peach, and then strung them on some natural twine.  It’s just a tiny splash of color so that these clear containers don’t get lost against a wall.  
Glass bubbles like these can be found at West Elms, and I picked these ones up at Homegoods for $5.99 each. 

This pair is going in my dining room (which may or may not have a dining room table and chairs anymore). I’m going to hang them above my built in buffet.  

I hope you are having a great weekend.  I’ve made it one week with out the hubby and son (they’re on their Indonesian adventure).  We miss them and it’s hard when you can’t even talk on the phone or text.  Hopefully tomorrow they will be back in civilization (aka wifi access).

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Backpacking – Tropical Travel Essentials

June 3, 2014

I feel like I’m somewhat of an expert in this area.  I grew up in the tropics (Papua New Guinea) and I’ve spent a lot of my life traveling internationally, living out of a backpack.  Yesterday Lonnie (my hubby), Dylan (my almost 11 year old), and Lonnie’s dad left for a 6 week trip to Indonesia.  
Ever since Dyl was a toddler, Lon has promised him this trip.  He used to tell him that when he was fast enough to outrun a Komodo Dragon, he would take him.  Lon’s dad just retired this Summer, so it seemed like the perfect time for this manly adventure.  
So, as a helped them pack, I thought it might be helpful to share some of our go-to, must-have, essentials for traveling in the tropics.  When I say backpacking, I’m referring to staying in accommodations such as tents, hostels and guesthouses of the 3rd world variety, not clean or neat hotels.  These items make my life a little easier when I’m overseas in a hot, humid climate.  

I’m all for a real backpacking backpack, but this North Face Duffel is a great alternative if you aren’t needing to hike with all your gear long distances.  This bag is water proof and perfect for rainy climates.  It even has straps for carrying it on your back.

I love a sheet sleeping bag liner.  They are great for questionable hostel beds.  You can sleep comfortably in the sheet and not worry about touching anything else.  This Cocoon is 100% cotton, but I love 100% ones as well.

If you are traveling for a long period of time, you are going to need to do laundry.  Laundry mats are not easy to find overseas, so I do a lot of sink washing.  A solid laundry detergent won’t spill in your bag and you’ll have not trouble getting it on a plain.

And speaking of laundry, there is no better underwear to travel with then Ex Officio underwear (there are of course ones for woman as well).  You can wash them at night and they will be dry by the morning.

I’m a redhead, so sunscreen is a MUST.  I love solid version like this Neutrogena one.  Again, the less liquids you pack the better, and this one is great for sensitive skin types.

A dry bag is awesome if you are going to be on boats or the rainforest at all.  I carry a small one like this one from REI to put my camera and valuables in.

When you are living out of a backpack, organization is key.  I love ditty bags and sorters like this mesh set from Ikea.  It’s nice to not have to dig through your whole bag to find one specific thing.

Lush is a great source for all toiletries that are solid.  We love their solid lotion bars and this shampoo and conditioner.  

If you are heading to the tropics, I hope that involves tropical reefs.  We love snorkeling and diving, this waterproof digital camera is a fun travel camera.  Not only can you take pictures underwater, but you don’t have to worry about dirt, sweat and dust.

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Book Giveaway – The Plant Recipe Book

May 30, 2014

Last year, The Flower Recipe Book became wildly popular for its clearly illustrated, functional approach to arranging cut flowers.  Now, San Fransisco garden design expert Baylor Chapman has come out with The Plant Recipe Book: 100 Living Arrangements for Any Home in Any Season.  I can’t get enough of this book.  I find myself flipping through the gorgeous pages of this book quite often.

I love the simplicity of each recipe.  The book gives you a list of all the plants and supplies you’ll need for the arrangement and then easy to follow step by step instructions.  I’m feeling more and more confident with potted house plants lately.  I’ve managed to keep quite a few alive, this book is inspiring me to experiment with more plants and create interesting living displays for my home.  

So, don’t you want to get your hands on this book?  Well, you can, I’m giving away a copy of this book to one lucky winner.  Just enter using the rafflecopter below.  You can enter 3 ways to increase your chances.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway