Good Cheer + Happy New Year!

  Happy New Year to everyone! How can January already be over with and the new year already in full swing?! I took the month of January off from social media to reconnect and refresh my mind and quiet my thoughts. I feel like I have found a jolt of inspiration and energy that I have been missing for quite sometime. One of those things being that I miss connecting with people here on my blog.
  I miss sharing things/ ideas/ people that inspire me and keep me excited to connect with a creative community. So, while I don't think I will be keeping to a regular blogging schedule, I will be checking in and sharing my thoughts and posting creative projects along the way.

I hope you can join me along the way too, cheers friends!!

xo,

Liz

DIY: Photo Booth Roundup

::one: :Giant Paper Flowers  ::two:: Bling Ring   ::three:: Cardboard Heart

::four:: Fabric Strips  ::five:: Lace Fabric  ::six:: Chalkboard  ::seven:: Lilys

With wedding plans on the brain this week, especially since we are taking a tour of The Grove Redfield Estate tomorrow morning (eekk..super excited)!  One of the elements of our wedding that we want to include is a photo booth...naturally!  And since we are doing everything DIY style I created a sweet roundup of fun props and backdrop ideas I'm loving right now.  Have you been to a wedding recently where they had a photo booth?  If yes, what did you think?  

DIY Fabric Covered Potted Plants

To jumpstart the week I wanted to share a simple project I worked on this weekend.  I recently bought a few small potted plants from my local home depot to add some color to our bay window.  And instead of transferring the pots into a better looking pot I decided the quickest way would be to just cover them with materials I already had on hand.  A few pieces of fabric and yarn did just the trick!  I like the way these came out that I'm thinking of incorporating a handful of these fabric covered potted plants  (big and small) into the wedding decor. I'm digging the casual and rustic vibe these will bring to our day. Plus they are super affordable to boot! Wishing you a happy start to your week :)

LOVEly Day

What are you and your lovies doing to celebrate today?  Joe and I are treating ourselves to a special night out on Friday at Boka but tonight we are staying in and making a yummy chicken curry in coconut milk with soba noodles and unwinding with a glass (or 2) of vino! I always like to write a few sentiments in a card too...yes I'm a card person, but I don't really need a holiday to inspire me to pick up a pen.  I just enjoy capturing the moments through words.  After all, words are all we have, right!  To show those we love that they really matter and that they are enough.  And when words aren't enough we can always rely on crafting something sweet like this paper projects above!  How great is that giant pom pom heart!  May your day be a most lovely one indeed!

DIY Hearts/ Crayon Hearts/ Love Pom Pom

True Story: My almost 5 minutes of Fame

This actually happened today, this afternoon to be exact.  I received a email from a producer for The Nate Berkus show asking me if I could submit a few high res before and after furniture shots that I took of my dresser (found via Apartment Therapy) for a segment they were doing on how to revive furniture.  A few minutes after I emailed her back (excitedly)  with the photos she sincerely apologizes and tells me that the segment had been canceled!  Ah, so close! 

DIY: Photo Layouts (via Pugly Pixel)

I love when I get the chance to learn something new and in return get to share my findings with you on this online community! One of my favorite blog design resources Pugly Pixel recently posted how to create your own photo layouts using layer masks in Photoshop. While this may sound a bit intimidating ( I've have this feeling towards them too), Katrina breaks it down step-by-step and makes it super easy and fun to create your own.  I love having the freedom to create new templates to fit how I want my photo story to be organized and laid out. With the help of layer masks you can easily drag and drop your images into your template and then size your photos to your liking. The best part is you can use these over and over and create more whenever your mood or (photo story) strikes! Check out Pugly Pixel to get the full instructions.  Here are a few layouts I've already created and are saving to use in future posts! Can't wait to try em out! Thanks Katrina for demistifing layer masks!

DIY: The Beauty Department

Photos by The Beauty Department

Have you heard of this great online beauty blog known as The Beauty Department?  I spotted it over the weekend as I was browsing through Pintrest.  For someone who is looking to shake up the everyday hair  and to finally know how to pull off a smokey eye, I think I've found the answer.  With great layouts, clean photography, and a DIY attitude, I think this site will be frequented whenever I get in a style rut or just looking to pull off a fun new do... Check it out for yourself!

Inspired by: DIY Wedding Materials

Hanging Decor, Boutonniere, Bunting, Outdoor Love Set

Book Planter, Bouquet, Table Display, Table Numbers

Fabric Garland, Circle Paper Garland, Heart Music Garland

Moss Paint, Planter, Moss Ring Pillow

Food Bites: Butternut Squash with Ricotta Ravioli

Since joining the local CSA, Joe and I have been receiving a bounty of butternut squash.  So much so that they have taken over the top of our microwave for quite a while now. And besides roasting this veggie (I can only eat so much of this seasonal item) we figured we'd roll up our sleeves and dive into- what else- making butternut squash with homemade ricotta ravioli.  It was all quite simple, just time consuming. 


 To make your own batch of these tasty bites you'll need to roast about 2 butternut squashes (cut them in half lengthwise and discard seeds first) in the oven (450 degrees for about 50 mins). Scoop out the insides into a bowl and add a minced sprig of fresh rose merry, crushed pine nuts, and salt and pepper to taste. This will accompany the ricotta as the ravioli filling.  Here's the super easy way to make your own ricotta. Pretty easy, right?!  Next roll out your pasta sheets, we used fresh, uncooked sheets. Cut them to the size you want your Ravioloi to be.  We played around with a mix of sizes. I liked the bigger sized guys. Next spoon in your squash and ricotta into the middle of one piece.  Next brush the edges with a quick egg wash (this is going to help keep all the filling inside your pasta).  Top your half with another pasta piece and use a fork to seal all of the pastas edges (as demonstrated by Joe). Cook your pasta according to your desired tenderness. I like mine al dente, you know with a slight bite to it where as Joe prefers his on the verge of dissolving as soon as it enters his mouth..I tell him at least he's dentures will thank him in the future..hehehe!  Oh and then the best part of all comes the feasting, yum! We still have a few more squashes in the house, I'd love to hear any tasty suggestions on your favorite way to prepare squash!? Cheers!

DIY: "Lace" Ribbon

I look forward to wrapping my gifts tonight, especially getting to use some of this lace ribbon to complete some special gifts!  Although this does take some time to complete (I did mine while vegging in front of the tv) it's totally re useable and because  the color choice is not very holiday specific,  it would be great to use for a birthday, house warming, or hostess gift too!  I'm loving the results and I hope you get a chance to paint a spool or two yourself :)  Happy wrapping!

Handmade Holiday: Vanilla Extract

A perfectly simple gift for those who love to express themselves in the form of baked goods.  Joe and I whipped up a small batch of these bottles for a few of our family members (sshhh.. don't tell).  They are already turning a yummy carmel color but they won't reach full potency until the end of next month, hey something that our family will HAVE to wait to use!  Feel free to get creative and create your own label or download one of mine here.  Anyway you make it, this is sure to be a gift that will continue to give all year long :)

DIY Advent Calendar

Enjoy this little DIY I put together for you to countdown the 25 days of Christmas! I got this idea when I found out that these plastic sleeves were going to be thrown out at work.  I thought they would be the perfect size for a project like an advent calendar.  And since I don't have a mantel, I pinned these to the garland going up the stairs instead.  They just add a nice pop of holiday color to the staircase, I think. Have fun making one for yourself!  Let me know how yours turns out :)

DIY- Binder Cover Tutorial

As I mentioned earlier last week I signed up for Holly's Blogging Your Way e-course and one of the things I knew I wanted to have in place was a pretty binder where I can collect all my paperwork and store other creative findings.  And since I'm trying to reuse materials that I already own, I decided to cover a plain 3 ring binder that I wasn't using. The paper I used for the outside was a role of pretty paper I found at the dollar store.  I really like the contrast of lacy paper paired with the shipping brown paper on the inside. Pretty meets functional, what a great combo! I was so excited by the way it turned out that I put together this DIY tutorial so you can cover your own!  I had fun putting together these illustrations (straight from my sketchbook) and photographic tutorial.  I think it would be great to cover a few binders, that way you'll always have a place to store your many inspirations! I keep one in the kitchen to keep all my magazine recipes handy. Have a lovely weekend :)

Photo template & tape: Pugly Pixel 

Friday Fancies: Weddings

My Style Foodie friend invited me to partake in Cornflake Dreams Friday Fancies theme for the week.  And little did I know that it would be about a subject I've been dreaming about for the past few months.... weddings!!  I've always seen myself having a wedding close to home so I could invite all my
closest friends and family.  And so I could plan and really have my hands in all the DIY details I have in mind for my special day.  I've been collecting these images on my gmail photos link and I'm sorry to say that I don't have links to share for them but I got most of them by scrolling through sites like Grey Likes weddings, 100 Layer Cake, and Style Me Pretty- all really great places to find wedding inspiration galore!  Be sure to check out the other Friday Fancies entries too!  Happy Weekend to you :)

Post Details:  Ric Rak provided by Pugly Pixel, white tags with red ribbon by me.

There's still time....

I've been spotting quite a few fall posts invading the sunny summer blogland air.  I don't know about you, but I'm holding on to the very last bloom of summer.  I can't get enough of the heat and warm breezes.  If you feel like summer has come and gone and you feel like you have yet to partake in summertime fun, here are a few things that are awaiting your company. 

 

Like these DIY picnic invites found over at Eat Drink Chic. Something so sweet and simple to hand out to your closet friends.  Joe and I have been enjoying picnics at our local park nearby and at Ravinia this past weekend.

Create a celebratory pinata!  I thought this would be fun to make and not just numbers too! Drop by Oh Happy Day to get the full DIY scoop!

And last but not least take a popcicle break and sit back and enjoy the dog days that only summer can bring. Find the complete recipes over at Chez Beepers blog.  What is still on your to do list this summer?

Feature on Apartment Therapy!

Read the full story over at Apartment Therapy of this before and after!  Thanks Jason for taking the time to come over for a house tour. 

Photo Strip of Spring

 

Until Spring decides to show it's face, I've created a quick photo strip inspired by spring.  Wouldn't these be great to send to help brighten someones day! Create your own by heading over to Paislee Press to download a free photo booth strip (just like the real thing- minus the wait time).  Even though we are so so close to experiencing warmer days to come, it's nice to know that I can check out lots of Spring inspiration via blogland ;)

Printable Valentines

Remember when you used to hand out Valentines to everyone in your class? These cute Valentines by One Charming Party kind of remind me of those early years when every one of your classmates was your friend. These are prefect and ready to just download and print! I think my niece and nephew will really get a kick outta them :)

Loving: Hand drawn Valentines

Today I'm loving these super cute and personal hand drawn Valentines by Two Brunettes.  Aren't they so adorable! How great would it be to send these out!  But if it's not in the budget they also have a printable download that you can print for free!  To download click here.  Ahhh love...it's in the air and soon to be on paper :)

Images by Two Brunettes

Guest Blogging Today...

Come check out this quick and crafty DIY I put together for blogger gal Courtney over at You Will Won't You? For those of you who don't know Courtney and I go way back. We went to the same grade school and even had a class together at Columbia College in Chicago...yep! Head on over to her blog to start crafting your own paper doily snowflakes!