{creating myself}

every now & then.

It's not often that I find a blog that is new to me that I truly fall in love with.

but every now & then, there is a gem waiting to be found out there
that really gets me.

and by gets me I mean piques my interest, captures my attention, and has me in a haze for hours on end with a teensy bit of drool on my cheek.

and by gets me I mean understands my exact interests, desires, dreams.

I would consider it a disservice to you, dear readers, to not share such blogs with you.
Like my most recent find.

 
click here for happiness.

 

 



 
all images via cupcakes&cashmere.

I am on inspiration overload.

oh, amy, it's your birthday *

I began this post with the intention of adding to it over time and then publishing it in a few weeks, but I just realized that MY BIRTHDAY IS IN ONE MONTH TWO WEEKS. I'm floored by this fact. I wish I could slow time down, just for a little bit, and just LIVE a little more. and then I remember, oh yeah, this IS you living, Amy. Waking up in the morning and brushing your teeth and slipping into heels and helping people and leaving a path of clothes on the way to the bathtub and meeting a friend for coffee and sliding between the sheets at bedtime, this. is. your. life.

Sometimes it's just necessary to stop and think about this.

I guess I'll get on with the main point of the post (although maybe that was it??)

-----

Here are some lovely things I would like to unwrap on June 8th :

 

apple TV (yesss unlimited Netflix.)

 
 

black TOMS (I fear mine are beyond repair.)

 

smashbox photo finish
 
headboard from Ikea.

 

preeetty watch.

-----

I would also really like to go home and visit my family. I don't know how feasible that one is. But it's at the top of my list ** :]

 

 

* this is a lyric from my favorite childhood birthday song,
tied only with "Jump Jump" by KrisKross.

** edited to add : I just found out that my mom is coming to visit me for my birthday weekend. I'm sorry I ruined the surprise (I know her too well) but wow! I'm so happy! this is the best gift ever! :)

do you have a life list?

I'm working on mine :)

It's a constant goal. One of those lists that lasts for pages&pages and years&years. Do you have one? I think we all do, in the back of our minds somewhere. I have two. One for art and one for the rest of my life. The one for art consists of art-related goals, things I want to create (personally and professionally), ways in which I wish to expand my business, etc. The life list is everything else.

I keep a bookmark with all of the life lists that I find online and on my friend's blogs... I thought it would be nice to share them with you. I am so inspired by people's goals, and I don't think there's anything wrong with sharing and/or copying goals. :)  Here are some people who always share great goal lists... do you have any other links for me to add?

just a titch
art=happy
dirty feet and a wide open mind
enjoy it
run with scissors
just sweet love
delight in life
ruby claire
ilovelife
elle on earth
a beautiful mess
huly seventy

And I'll share mine when it's more organized and extensive... this is consuming a lot of my thought process.


[goal one.]

oooohh I... don't want a lot for christmas...

Okay, maybe I do.
But that's my favorite Christmas song so I'm still going to be singing it nonstop from now until December 24th. Because that's usually when I get sick of Christmas music. weird huh?

Here is my list. Pobrecito Santa.




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iPhone. numero uno.
I waited & waited and I can't live without you anymore.
That's a lie. I just don't want to.

A gift certificate to Blurb so I can turn my blog into a book. How cool! I've been wanting to do this for quite a few years.. such an awesome form of documentation. Also... kind of a necessity.




Fuji Instax... supersized instax mini? Yes please.

Can't forget about my instax mini. Will _________ for film.

Favorite perfume ever.

and hand soap!

and microdelivery wash. :)





Apparently this book is really good, and there are lots & lots more on my Amazon wishlist to choose from. Here is the link :)

is it too personal to share my victoria's secret wish list on here?

and you can never go wrong with a gift card.
* forever 21
* express
* VS
* scrapbook.com
* amazon
* urban outfitters
* anthro
* DSW

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and if I haven't shared enough items, check out my Etsy favorites for stocking stuffer ideas. :)

another necessity... mine just broke! :(

Whew, that was fun! :)
Please don't think I'm insanely egotistical, selfish, and/or crazy. I obviously don't expect to get all of these things. It's just fun to wish. In fact, if you have a wish list, I would like to see it.. please link me :)

Cough, cough, Santa, I've been a good girl this year. ♥

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Guess what I've been doing?

scrapbooking!!!!!

Yeeeeah. That's right. The past two two nights, I've taken to my studio and made a few layouts. It's been relaxing. Fun. Creative. Heartwarming. Inspired. And it's hard to put into words, but whenever I scrapbook, it feels like going home again.


I'll photograph my layouts tonight and share them here, but for now, allow me to share some of my favorite scrapbooking inspiration with you.
These are all from my inspiration folder on my desktop... I think it's cool when I can see a layout of someone's and know exactly who made it, immediately. That's the case with all of these lovely people. :)



Kara. Kara is a dear friend, and her layouts covet a good 75% of my inspiration folder. I'm pretty sure I've bookmarked every thing she's ever made. Plus she is a freakin' frackin' sweetheart.


Jeremy seems like such a sweet guy, and has such a great eye for design. I always love what he does for The Dares.


Christina is the queen of minibooks. I love her funky style and bright mix of colors/elements.



Vee. Sprays, mists, sewing machines, great photos... need I say more?



I know I've blogged about my friend Julie before, but her scrapbooks and art journals and quilts are the most creative things in the world.




Kristi has been one of my favorite scrapbookers since the beginning of scrapbook time. You can still see some of her amazing work here.




Last but not least, the amazingly talented Mandi. Does this girl have an eye for vintage design of what?



puh puh PLEaSE link me to some of your favorite layouts or scrapbookers/art journalers!!

xoxo

The. Best. Package. Ever.

eta: this post was originally drafted on may 20th, 2010.
---

I've been sad.

And lonely.

And homesick.


But on this day, I felt loved.

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A participant in a "craft swap" makes a certain amount (in this case, 30) similar crafts and mails them to the craft swap organizer (in this case, Janel.)  Here is what I made.


 
Polaroid Magnets

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The Organizer puts one of each craft in a box and ships it out to all participants, so each participant ends up with 30 different handmade crafts.

I've swapped crafts before, but I've never been so amazed and inspired by the ladies than I was this time. 
Each product was beautiful, creative, and some were even personalized. It was SO cool to see my name on some of the crafts.  I received a lot of polariods, pinks, owls, and granny squares. WOW... do you guys know me or what?!











--------------------------------------------------------------------

This package made me happy, and inspired, but it was so much more than that. This package of priceless, handmade goodies brought a feeling money that can't buy.

I can't begin to thank you enough...

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If you have time and enjoy finding new etsy shops and creative people, check out the list below:

pixies and bears
cut and paste
one artsy mama
potluck designs
no wooden spoons
michabella
paper camera scissor
krummcake
sew graciously blessed
inspired mess
smiley eyes
tjbirdonwire
hoot-n-annie
the foxy robot
that is charming
run with scissors
time after tea
whoopsie daisy
strumpets crumpets
unkamama
lunie bin
awkward unicycle
pretty simple art
arianna's universe

Really exciting feature...

Funky Finds is an amazing website dedicated to the sharing and selling of art and crafts of all mediums. If you love indie, art, and handmade, you will LOVE Funky Finds!

The Funky Finds blog is so inspiring and features wonderful artists and designers from all over the world, and I was lucky enough to be featured this week! Jessica's words were so sweet.. please check it out. :)

***

I've updated the shop with tons of new prints recently, including the "Keep Calm" series! I know you've been looking for a new 8x10 print to dress up that inspo wire... :)






***


Don't forget to check out my upcoming Etsy Workshop and add yourself to my newsletter. Lots of big happenins' around here.

xoxo, amy

My Official Birthday Wish List :)

AKA the most enabling post of all time.

I'll be 24 in a few short weeks, and instead of wallowing in self-pity and researching different wrinkle prevention methods and gray hair coverage, I'm going to focus on my favorite part of my birthday.



+via




A few of my favorite stocking stuffers, pulled straight from my bookmarks:



banter banner



fancy flours



the happiness project



let it be by kara



the spaces in between


 
spring greetings dress
or anything else from shopruche.com
Everything is gorgeous! Pretty florals, lace, prints, all my favorite things. <3

pretty rug

and this one





happy tape! i like this one and this one.


------------------------------------------------------

Soo cute, right?

I should totally implement a new tradition of birthday stockings...

------------------------------------------------------


We can't always get what we want...

But if we try sometimes, we just must find...

we can pretend.


------------------------------------------------------

And here are the bigger ticket items I dream about...



ATG gun with tape



a sewing machine...
(puh puh please... my little fingers are getting so tired!)



instax film (I'm almost out!)

curling iron

ash canvas classic Toms







-------------------------------------------------

*le sigh*

My friends are insanely talented.

Not just because they're cool & pretty & sweet & encouraging & inspiring.

Cause they are.

And I know you're shaking your head...
no, Amy... my friends are more talented than yours.

But seriously, when I have company, I am constantly asked,

"wow. did you make this?"

Oftentimes, I answer,

"no. my friend made it for me."

People want to know where I find these incredible friends.

And it's right here at this tiny little dot com :)

-------------------------------------------------------------

If I haven't convinced you yet.... check this out.




Gorgeous and unique granny square necklace from Carol.







Incredible embroidery from Jamie.







Gorgeous chunky scarf from Tiffany. (ETA link)





Hand-doodled journal from Janel.





And of course... all of the granny squares I've received from all over the world. You guys are the greatest. PS... I'm still taking grannies....

-------------------------------------------------------------

That's all for today.

Oh, one more thing!

Thank you for telling me that I inspire you.
It's my favorite compliment ever.

♥

Spring Cleaning, Step 1...

I made an important decision last night re: spring cleaning, simplicity, home decor, and organization in general.

I have this tendency to become extremely overwhelmed with tasks, before starting them.

I procrastinate, because I don't know where to start.

I still haven't scrapbooked any photos from when I lived abroad, because there are thousands.

-------------------

Lately, I've been traveling a lot, and not getting much housework done at all. That, and I was really sick last week. And every other day, I've been working. Needless to say, I'm reallyreally behind.

Instead of (attempting ) tackle the entire house today, I made a list starting in the bedroom.

Of course, I'll share it with you.

-------------------

1. clean all laundry and put away
2. clean out closet
3. bring some stuff to plato's
4. and the rest to the women's shelter
5. move dresser #2 into closet
6. dust and pledge all furniture
7. clean out storage boxes under bed and desk drawers
8. organize electronics box
9. purge magazines (i tear out interesting articles and photos and file them for inspiration)
10. dress up bed with my new duvet set (i'm in love)
11. buy/make new curtains
12. vacuum thoroughly; moving furniture

-------------------

I woke up at five o'clock this morning and got to working. I spent the entire morning and night folding and putting away about ten loads of laundry, except for the 12 hour workshift in between. I even had my taxes done. :)  I also did some online shopping, including this great journal and these cool socks.


cheers to spring cleaning.

dear springfield,

please come quickly. i really want to shop, giggle, make crafts, and learn lots+lots about these girls.

 

 
 
 

 
 
we're celebrating this beauty's birthday:


 
click their photos to see their lovely blogs.

i'm not sure who else is coming.. please comment if you are!

springfield girls: what should i pack? warm sweaters and jackets? and what about art supplies? scrapbook stuff? yarn? please help! :)

please propose to me like this.

 
+via

 
or this.

 
this story


or this (the overnight proposal, the parisian proposal, the spell it out proposal (oldie but goodie).



and here is the ring.

as stated in yesterday's post, i'm single as a dollar bill. but i want this someday.
sometimes boys need it spelled out for them.

you asked for it: a little Q + A.

what are your favorite go to movies? (thanks vee)

this question always throws me for a loop (where does "throws me for a loop" come from, anyway?)
i have so many favorite movies. here are some that always make me laugh, cry, or hopeful.








i haven't actually seen this yet. but i know it will be my favorite when i do. i bought it, and i'm almost afraid to watch it for fear that i will either love it too much or it won't meet my expectations.

What is your favorite outfit at the moment?

another superhard question. i'm going to share some outfits that totally inspire me at the moment... and you can check me here each friday where i share outfit and fashion ideas.





i have thousands of photos on my computer similar to these, sorry the sources are lost on me.


who inspires you?

sooo many people. here are a few:


kara


ruby claire


vanessa


vee


janel (who by the way is having an amazing giveaway!)


what annoys you?

mean people, liars, people who deny their feelings, when i can't find parking spot at school, people who laugh at art or don't "get it", izzie stevens, hangnails, bad tippers, when class goes over time, fatigue, when time runs out (at the end of the day), weird unsexy accents, when you call customer service and talk to a recording for thirty minutes before you get disconnecte and have to call again, when you call maintenance to fix the smoke detector and they don't come until you threaten the manager four days later.

are you single?

not sure why, but this question made me giggle. yes, i'm single as a dollar bill. i'm currently accepting applicants. musts: honest, motivated, art lover. wants: tattoos, kind eyes, reads books.

---------------------------------------------------------------

there are more questions, but this is taking longer than anticipated and i've decided to spread them out over the course of a couple weeks. feel free to ask me anything you like here.

today, i'm tired.

soo, mom was never able to fly out yesterday... something about flights being delayed from mexico (more on that later). i think it was the flight gods who heard my secret wish for more time with my mama. anyway, i took her to the airport at six o'clock this morning, which honestly feels like three days ago at this point (1:30 pm, same day.)

so i'm tired.

luckily, work today has been semi-lax. i've been watching a movie with most classes and reading with others. if you guys are fans of house, which i am (there should be a verb for "am" meaning 'very, very much so", instead i'll just say "i am a fan of house, very, very much so." see.. tired...) you should totally watch stuart little. watching hugh laurie in this movie is hilarious! he is so soft-spoken and clean-shaven and it is just funny.

 

and he is so sexy as house, no?

  

i hate needles and doctors, but i surely wouldn't mind being pricked by him. (...?)


if i haven't scared you enough with my randomness today, or even if i have, i suggest you check out a couple (semi) newly discovered blog friends of mine. they are both quite lovely.

 
elizabeth with whom i have an insane amount in common.


 
rose with whom i would like to meet + create with for a million hours straight.


inspiration? yes, please.


one more thing. on reader:
if you are like me, you have an ungodly amount of inspirational blogs filling up your reader and NO time to get to all of them. here's what i've done: separate blogs into three folders. one for everyday reads (my "blog friends" and my top, let's say, five favorite blogs i like to hit each day.) one for when i am in need of serious inspiration (famous fashion and home blogs). and one for mostly art related blogs... allllll the rest of them. for when i have time. which is never. another cool thing about reader is that instead of clicking each blog, click on the folder name and scroll down. this will automatically lower the number of unread posts (yes! almost as good as crossing things off the to-do list!) and you can "star" the posts that you really like, to come back to later when you have time (or never.) i hope this advice is helpful.

playing dress*up: home.

i've spent much of this past week redesigning/redecorating my home. i can't wait to share some of the changes i've made... so simple and (mostly) quick, but such grand changes. i *love* that! what are some of your favorite sites for home inspiration? here are some of mine:


apartment therapy


rachel denbow


decofabulous


decomyplace




weheartit (duh)


mandi johnson



and of course of course of COURSE, my very favorite.

what are some of your favorites??

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This post is part of a weekly feature called "Playing Dress*Up". Each Friday, I post fashion-related ideas and photos.  Some topics include handmade clothes, accessories, shoes, body art, makeup, hair, home, and jewelry.  If there is anything you would like to see, please e-mail me at [email protected]. See past archives of Playing Dress*Up here.

update week: i have not yet shared...

Now, I have shared how wonderful the people over at Color Inc are, from their product to their staff and customer service.  What I haven't yet shared is a lovely gift from them: an 11x20 gallery wrapped canvas.  The quality is incredible, and it is so different than any product out there.  It is so professional and the clarity is amazing! I can't say enough good things about this company.  I had a PERFECT spot in my kitchen that was just waiting for a long painting, so I had the coffee cup printed on the gallery wrap:









Cool, huh?  If you would like any of my designs on one of these amazing gallery wrapped professional canvases, email me and the folks at Color Inc along with myself would love to work something out! :)

I would also like to add that I'd had some request for button paintings after my first one sold out in minutes (so grateful!)  If you're interested in one of these, I'll be taking some custom orders for a while! :)



thank you for stopping by! i love yoU!

owl love you forever...

my dear owl collection. :)

i'm very picky when it comes to my owl collection. there are so many owls and so little perfect, cute, chubby ones that i instantly fall in love with. these are them. (some found at vintage/thrift stores, urban outfitters, anthropologie, and some gifted, mostly by my mom and my best friend megan.)
















and here are some of my favorite etsy finds (2010: Year of the Handmade)


owl canvas


owl print


pin cushion




ipod case


wall decal


bobby pins (omg!)

loves.
what is your favorite play on the word owl? (whooo do you love, owl love you forever...)

you asked for it: granny square help.

here is an email i wrote lindsay when she asked for some help/pointers to learn grannies.
i wanted to share it with you all, because after someone explained the correct method to me, i was *enlightened!*
this is a great opportunity to cross "learn to crochet a granny sq" off of your 2010 list, and your first one will probably take less than an hour.

again, to clarify: the SIZE for Operation GS does not matter. i will fit them together appropriately when i receive them.

anyway, here's the email:


here is a good written tutorial for grannies.

the thing about grannies is that they are really hard the first one or two times you try.
after that, they are easy as pie. you just have to be patient and practice. i am honestly convinced that if i can do this, anyone can. my first granny looked like a stop sign.

some more good links:
video one: solid granny
video two: two color granny
there are plenty of other videos as well , just search youtube for "granny square."

love, amy


more beauties:


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artist inspiration: anne taintor

lots of comments/questions re: the postcard i used in my fall album. the artist is anne taintor; i've mentioned her here before (i love her). she is one of my favorite artists. she mixes my love for vintage ladies and my obsession with sarcastic wit. she makes gifts, like notepads, magnets, and calendars (i buy one every year). you can find some of her goods for purchase here.

here is a photo of the wall in my bathroom. most of these images are postcards, and pages ripped out of some books i purchased on ebay. i used masking tape to hang them.



sorry i couldn't get a better angle; it's an awkward wall.

and here are some more of my favorite prints of hers:

 
 



 

 

 
 

i hope you love her as much as i do! :)

Operation Granny Square

so. i want to make a granny square quilt. but i need lots+lots of help.
i'm not sure if you remember this photo or not, but this is a fair interpretation of what my granny squares look like:

 

i know that an experienced granny square maker can complete a beautiful granny square in just a few short minutes. and i know that many of you are reading right now.

i am asking, no begging, for your help, dear readers. if you could send me a granny square (or two, three, ten), i would be eternally grateful. my plan is to evenutally end up with one of these:



+both via


+via

now. in return. at first i contemplated sending each crafter a print from my shop, but as a student brought some blankets/towels into my classroom to donate them, i thought of a better idea. let's help out haiti.

for each granny square that i receive, i will donate $.50 to the haiti earthquake relief fund. don't worry about the color, thickness, or anything like that. just crochet. and please, please pass this project along. i'm really, really excited to help haiti in any way possible, and i'm really excited to make this quilt.

please e-mail me at [email protected] if you would like to help! :)

this is my very favorite new website.

or "my new very favorite website." (?)
either one.

it is freaking amazing.

here are some of my faves for your inspirational pleasure:

















if you do visit the site, be sure you have hours to spend. and don't say i didn't warn you.
xo

happy december!

ever since i was little, i would wish my mom a "happy first of the month". i love the beginning of a new month. it's so.. promising. i also love making a list of goals for the month, and seeing how many i could get through. often times, they carry over to the next month... that's okay too.

here was my november list:

• make a granny square
  
  i left it in new york and i didn't take a picture. but picture a mis-shapen octagon. in purple.
  these are not them.
  
  
  via
  
   
  via
  
  
  i didn't say make a "correct" granny square! thanks to aunt delle who showed me how to do it, even though i couldn't pull it off. yet.
  
  
• finish my gloves
  
  
  
  
  it's actually one glove, and it's actually more like a sad, demented potholder-type thing. but it was my first solo project and i taught myself the stitch and the pattern, no help from the internet or youtube. i'm abandoning this project because it sucks so far and it's ugly. and i don't remember what kind of stitch i even used, because i made it up as i went along.
  
  
• save $400
  i did make an excess of this amount, but it's not in my savings account because i'll probably need it over the holidays. i'm crossing it off anyway, because i worked extra hard for it.
  
  
  
  
• get a short haircut.
  i still haven't found the time, or the cajones, to get this done. i want something along these lines, though. i should find one of those sites where i can photoshop my face + the haircut so i can see how it will look first. also, i'm a little scared because the last time i donated it i asked for ten inches off and she cut eighteen.
  
  
  
  i'm smiling but i'm actually crying on the inside.
  
  
• take one photo a day.
  i'm crossing this off, because although i'm not sure if i took one EVERY single day, i definitely took hundreds of photos in november. and did a really good job documenting some crafty adventures + my thanksgiving vacation, and blogging almost every day.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• start a recycling program at work.
  i work at a bar, and we throw away an unsightly amount of bottles every night. i haven't had the time yet (i've been away the past week) but hopefully before my next shift (thursday) i can call up the recycling people and get some bins to distribute. even a few bins full of bottles is better than none, right? i mean, without recycling, the following projects may not have been possible:
  
  
  via
  
  
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  via
  
  
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tomorrow i will share my december list. :)

you asked, i answer.

does that seem like a strange name for a wish*list post? it's a running joke in my family that i create a massive wish list each christmas, and it's usually finished weeks in advance. it's not a serious list, it usually has a ton of items, most of which i don't expect to receive. this year, i didn't send a list to anyone because my mom santa is buying me a package at the salon where i will promptly have all body hair removed, beginning 11 a.m. tomorrow morning. also, i have so many blessings, most of which could never be an item on any wishlist, and all of which i am grateful for.

however, in the spirit of a fun post, planning for the holiday season, + entertaining myself, my family, and my readers, here it is. christmas wish*list, amy-style.

a supercool bed frame for my plain ole' matress + frame.

and while we're at it, we might as well decorate the bed with a purty one of these. (promise i won't paint on it, mom.)

and some stuff from this shop too. (wow.)

this dress, or anything ruche. (i've mentioned this dress + site before. there are always coupon codes to save 10 or 15%. google "ruche coupon codes".

i've been eyeing this sweater for a very long time. :)

this poster, i've been wanting for QUITE a while!

a  subscription to this tiny kit club.

this kit and lots more from rva. i love it all! :)

this print from my favorite etsy shop.

• some great training sneakers- i really don't know which ones to get but mine either fall apart with each step or are murderous to the foot.
• any one of these beautiful etsy finds here at one of my favorite shops. petal pushers,
• a massive registry at amazon, because "books, film + movies" are the new "toys".
• art supplies, yarn, paints, lace, paintbrushes.
• more time in a day.
• and i would be ridiculously happy with a gift card to anthropologie, urban outfitters, forever 21, aldo, amazon, massage envy, paper source.... you get the idea.

wow. that was fun. and time-consuming. but really fun.

i hope you got some good gift ideas for yourself. :)

xo, A

tuesday thankful.

i've loved reading everyone's "thirty thankful" over the past few weeks. i wish i had jumped on earlier, but i've really been trying to think lately- really appreciate, and take in the season. it's been really beautiful here. :)

which is a great transition into my first tuesday thankful.

• the beautiful, breezy florida weather
• this week home with my family to kick off the holiday season- starting tonight!
• the readers who have been commenting these past couple of days. i really appreciate it, and i love reading each and every comment and chatting with all of you! thank you so much.
• friends like kara. not only is kara a huge sweetheart and one of the most inspiring people i have ever known, but she is reallyreally helpful. you can thank her for the fact that i've posted my new blog banner, which i've been attempting for approximately two months now. look for some other changes, coming soon.
• bridesmaid dress shopping on saturday with megan + the other girls
• etsy and typepad. two veryveryvery cool sites that have changed my life.
• my family. they are so incredible, and make my visits home ridiculously exciting every single time.
• pencil + paper.

i'll be back with way more of these...
i am blessed beyond measure.

here are some other blogger's thankful thirties that i love:

• elise
• jamie
• janel
• vee (she's having a week full of giveaways, too!) you may see something from peace, love, + cupcakes over there. :)

if you've been participating in this project, please link your site in the comments so i can check it out!

wow. *eta* highly enabling.

usually, i am not an impulse buyer. for example, i have several online shopping carts full of products that i fill and go back to and delete things from and fill again and delete again... you get the idea.

when i found this site, my heart did a slight pitterpatter. followed by this nervous shaky sensation i get followed by the need to pee. when i get really excited about something. that was when i saw that their first actual store opened and it's in... where else... NYC! i can't WAIT to visit there over the holidays.

anyway, the point is, it took me all of 20 minutes to fill my cart and click "place order". especially after i saw that the ENTIRE site is 30% off this week. THANK YOU, SHOPPING GODS!!

i bought a $5 hello kitty shirt (just in time it seems because it said there was 5 mediums a few minutes ago... and now they are sold out!), a staple-less stapler,

this...

this camera (OMG!!!! i've wanted this for so long... 30% off! still better than amazon!)

and this...

 

(sooo cool.)

this is going to be one mightyfine mail week!!!

i can't forget to share this site that i also found while browsing....

o
m
g.

is there seriously a tab for an "owl shoppe"?

i'm fairly certain i need both of these things:



 

xo,

very super news.

there is someone (a wonderful someone) in our dreamy artsy industry who needs help. someone who's family member is either hurt, sick, or both (i don't know the story because it's a private, personal, family matter.) but i have donated an original painting to the etsy shop created for this family, and i would love for you to check it out! all proceeds from the items will go to this lovely family in need of a little generosity :)...




please click here to visit the shop!

in other news, the lovely folks at colorinc have just about the most amazing customer service i've ever experienced. i wanted to order a trial set of FIVE 5x7 prints (for FREE... including shipping...) and three subsequent things occured:

1. i tweeted them to ask why i couldn't upload my photos (turns out you upload folders as opposed to individual photos) and they answered so quickly and efficiently.
2. i received some of the nicest photos i've ever seen.
3. i received a postcard from ben thanking me and personally acknowledging this blog and my artwork.

pretty.
darn.
cool.

and that my friends, is what i call customer service. and here i thought the art was lost.

xo, A

some stuff i really need. or want, whatever.

WARNING: lots of enabling! :)

these boots



these flats




this dress



this sweater

this belt



this chiffon top

and every other piece from that site. i'm honestly obsessed and it is my very favorite online shopping site. besides amazon, where i am desperate for this:

this is a must-have.


finally, these:




so bad.

let's chat.

i've mentioned rollip.com before, but i think it is soso awesome. and creative. and inspiring. and FREE. so cool.