tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37517297161598630252024-03-05T11:00:51.140-05:00.:mLe, ink:..:mLe, ink:. aka Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08061205703781979974noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751729716159863025.post-13712589565864518472014-08-19T10:00:00.000-04:002014-08-19T10:00:01.073-04:00Beauty V/Blogger/Guru Spotlight: Post 2Alright, here is numero dos in my series of spotlight posts on the beauty v/blogger/gurus I am just loving these days! For a small intro and to read up on my first spotlight pick, head on over to the <a href="http://mleink.blogspot.com/2014/08/beauty-vbloggerguru-spotlight-post-1.html" target="_blank">first post</a>!<br />
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Spotlight 2: <a href="http://allisonanderson.com/" target="_blank">Allison Anderson</a> (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYSMmZnOy9LEy5jhEgMyddQ" target="_blank">Amarixe</a>)</h3>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://allisonanderson.com/about/" target="_blank">photo cred</a></span></div>
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Allison is a beauty video creator, blogger, and photographer. She puts clear love and care into the photos on her blog and her undergrad studies in communications shine in all her work. She always includes a really nice mix of drugstore and high end products (though she's been leaning more high end lately), and her makeup style tends to be more neutral/natural than anything else. Additionally, she includes content on items beyond just makeup, including beauty things (like skincare and hair products), as well as fashion (just here and there), household wares (like candles), and various other "lifestyle favorites." As I've already pointed out in my first post, I'm not too adventurous when it comes to makeup, so it's nice to have someone discussing products that I am naturally drawn to anyway. Plus, everything else she includes almost always seem to be things I really enjoy or think I might like. We are just very similar, which makes watching her highly enjoyable (at least for me).<br />
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Out of all the beauty peeps I follow, I think Allison is closest to me "looks wise," (and in lots of other ways) though her coloring is warmer than mine (except for the eye department, where she leans cool, and I lean warm. D'oh!). She also used to comment that her skin was pretty dry, but I haven't heard her mention that lately (maybe because it's summer), and my skin definitely leans toward the parched end of the spectrum. Her hair is naturally closer to my color, and texture wise, it is also similar in that it is quite fine (though hers holds styling way better than mine does). I find it really helpful to follow people who are similar to myself in whatever ways I can find so I can get a better sense of how products might look on me, or how my skin may react to them given what I know about the person I am watching. It's like having someone try products out for me without me having to spend money on them. Winning!<br />
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Because of the clear work and effort Allison puts into her videos and posts, she doesn't crank content out like some other people. While I wish she made more videos (yeah...I have a problem), I would rather have fewer posts and videos that include amazing lighting, wonderful editing, gorgeous photos, and professional content than the other way around. I also can't think of a specific time when I remember a video clearly being sponsored, which I really <i>really</i> appreciate, as I lose confidence in opinions quickly when that starts to happen regularly. (Note: it's not that I don't want these ladies to be successful; it's great when this becomes more than a hobby for these guys! It just makes it difficult to know their true opinions on products because, while they always "give their real opinion," it's magical how sponsored products just always seem to be 100% perfectly awesome without a flaw in the world. Just my opinion.)<br />
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Allison is probably my favorite guru and blogger; she is always professional, but relatable, and she comes across as a genuinely caring, kind, and well-educated chick who you'd be friends with in real life. I was devastated to read <a href="http://allisonanderson.com/heart-to-heart-an-unexpected-life-update/" target="_blank">her most recent blog post</a> where she announced her heart breaking personal family situation. My stomach really felt like it dropped to my feet when I read the post. My heart goes out to her, her mother, and her whole family; I just can't imagine what they are going through right now. Please send some good vibes their way.<br />
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Like all my spotlight peeps, I totally recommend you check her out!<br />
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What about you? Who are you crushing on these days beauty v/blogger/guru wise?<br />
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<br />.:mLe, ink:. aka Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08061205703781979974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751729716159863025.post-49823793027885680952014-08-13T11:07:00.001-04:002014-08-13T11:07:14.601-04:00Getting to Know my DSLR<br />
Well, technically it's not mine...it's my boyfriend's. But anywho.<br />
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One of my goals for this year is to improve my photo skillz. Technology has made taking amazing photos more and more possible for the everyday public than ever before. And especially since we're in the digital world, there's no worry of wasting film, so you can screw up as many times as you want with no impact on your film stash or wallet. Score!<br />
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However, despite having potential to do awesome things, DSLR cameras are a bit...overwhelming. And while I usually am a manual girl, flipping through pages upon pages with no glossy photos to help me has proven to be ineffective for this particular venture. So I have been doing some online learnin'. And I thought I would share the most helpful resource I've found...and it may be as surprising for you as it was for me, because it's Ree Drummond. Yeah, like the woman on Food Network.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/about/" target="_blank">photo cred</a></span></div>
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Ironically, she did not take that photo because she is in it. Moving on to her photos and helpful stuff...</div>
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It took me a while to find Ree's photography section on her website because it isn't prominent, which I still don't understand because it's AWESOMESAUCE (unintentional food pun). I'm guessing it's because she doesn't really write about photography too much anymore because she is super busy with her foodie life. However, it's still there, just not easy to find. On her website, if you scroll all the way to the bottom until you get to the tannish/yellow box, there is a column that says "PW Links." Click on "Pioneer Woman Photography," and you're there! Alternatively, you can use the Googlez, which is how I returned to this section repeatedly after finding it on Pinterest or some other blog...can't remember.</div>
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Ree's posts are awesome because they aren't too wordy or overly long, and they include pictures to break it up and demonstrate what she is talking about. Her writing style is easy and silly. The most helpful series I have found is her "<a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/category/basic-photography/what-the-heck/" target="_blank">What the Heck is an Aperture</a>" series, which is a group of 4 blog posts that helped whip my brain back into shape after my high school photography class info turned to mush. I've also really enjoyed her post on <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/2010/06/exposure-compensation-has-changed-my-life/" target="_blank">Exposure Compensation</a>, which I had never ever even heard of until I saw this post. Just these 5 blog posts have helped my photography skills take a ginormous leap forward in only a few days (but I mean...I'm no pro. Let's not get too serious here.) I totally recommend you check them out! Ree is the bomb dot com.</div>
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JUST LOOK AT HER FOOD.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/2011/01/ten-important-things-ive-learned-about-food-photography/" target="_blank">photo cred</a></span></div>
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I'm hungry. Time for breakfast!</div>
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.:mLe, ink:. aka Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08061205703781979974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751729716159863025.post-20151154064491772202014-08-12T10:00:00.000-04:002014-08-12T11:50:15.787-04:00Beauty V/Blogger/Guru Spotlight: Post 1I have a problem. I'm addicted to beauty v/blogger/gurus.<br />
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Guys, it's bad. I know their posting schedules and get annoyed when I have no new vids to watch. I go through withdrawal when any of them go on a rare vacation. My boyfriend knows half of their names because <i>I talk about them in real life</i>. Also, they make me buy stuff.<br />
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When I discovered the beauty YouTube community, it was like eating cream cheese frosting by the bucket and never feeling sick or getting fat. Or like angels were all floating above my head singing Adam Lavigne songs and delivering puppies into my lap. I had no idea it was there, but once I found it, I couldn't stop watching.<br />
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In reality, it was this weird accident where I googled "smokey eye tutorial" and I randomly clicked on a video that led to another video...and another million more and I have been hooked ever since. Growing up in a family of sciency nerdos, my affection for makeup was not exactly...understood (read: my family thinks beauty products are for suckers). So I suddenly found a whole world of people who were into makeup, but were also normal everyday people like me. Like so many people in the YouTube community say, I just felt like I had a connection with these people, like I had found other "mes" out there. It was awesome.<br />
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Since then, I've refined my subscriptions and reading to people I like best. I mostly gravitate toward people who:<br />
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<li>aren't (obviously) over sponsored</li>
<li>post regularly (and often, at least once a week)</li>
<li>often do reviews</li>
<li>provide a mix of everyday makeup with special occasion stuff sprinkled in</li>
<li>focus mostly on drugstore products</li>
<li>put real work and effort into their work</li>
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I'm not adventurous in my personal makeup (neutrals all the way, baby), but I am learning to appreciate more and more looks that are pushing out of my own comfort zone (I tried the orange lip and wore it out of the house for about 30 minutes the other day before wimping out and wiping it off--progress!). I lean more toward those who focus on drugstore products, as I am just not ready to make the plunge into regular high end purchases; however, I don't mind some references to pricy products, especially when compared to similar drugstore items. I also tend to be drawn to people who aren't super young (high schoolers tend to be too immature for my taste, which isn't meant to be insulting...but I mean, they're 10 years younger than I am and just into different things). I have also noticed that I've mostly become pickier with video quality, and I pretty clearly prefer those who film with high quality sound and cameras (from what I can tell, DSLRs), and who carefully edit their footage. Lighting quality is really important to me when I watch videos. In other words, I appreciate those who work hard and take their beauty venture seriously.<br />
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Personality-wise, I notice I'm more drawn to those with calmer, more easy-going, but happy personalities. I find it difficult to watch a lot of people long term who are overly bubbly, too energetic, or create crazy choppy videos, as it tends to be mentally tiring for me...it also usually reads as fake, in my opinion. It's just not my taste. But that's not to say it can't be yours! You should always watch/read/follow who YOU like! :)<br />
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So, without further ado, here is the first in a series of posts about beauty v/bloggers/gurus that I am just hearting so much right now!<br />
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Spotlight 1: <a href="http://www.beautybroadcast.net/p/about-emily.html" target="_blank">Emily Eddington</a> (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/emilynoel83" target="_blank">emilynoel83/Beauty Broadcast</a>)</h3>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.beautybroadcast.net/p/about-emily.html" target="_blank">photo cred</a></span></div>
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Emily's smokey eye tutorial was the original video I found that fateful day back in 2008 when I was googling around for some help. I just love her. She recently(ish) left her news anchor position to be a full time YouTuber and blogger, and she makes. so. many. videos. Seriously guys. She posts a review of a new product every weekday on her <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/beautybroadcastx" target="_blank">Beauty Broadcast Express</a> channel, in addition to tutorials on her <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/emilynoel83" target="_blank">original channel</a> multiple times a week, PLUS <a href="http://www.beautybroadcast.net/" target="_blank">blog posts</a> pretty much every weekday. It's insane!<br />
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My favorite event on Emily's channel/blog is "The Emily Awards" that she does each January where she picks her favorite high end and drug store product in every makeup category you could possible want. I reference this list religiously. She breaks it down into multiple sectors (face, eyes, lips, etc.), and puts so much care and consideration into her picks. She even tracks how often a product has won over time (yeah, she's been doing it that long!). Her dupes are also THE BOMB DOT COM. Unlike most gurus who discuss what I consider to be "dupes" (in quotations because they are somewhat similar, but really not true duplicate products), Emily's choices are spot on. Everything needs to line up in her book: color, texture, wear time--they are true dupes.<br />
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I also really appreciate (and I hope that on the off chance that she <i>ever</i> sees this post that does <i>not</i> take offense to this) that Emily is older than a lot of the hip beautiful gurus in college who often seem to be successful purely based on their painfully good-looks only. Emily is the real deal, and from what I can tell has <i>never</i> accepted a sponsorship (though she often reviews products sent to her for free), so I really trust her opinions. I just love her to pieces! Also, we have the same name, soooo...bonus.<br />
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Like all my spotlight peep posts, I totally recommend you check her out!<br />
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What about you? Who are you crushing on these days beauty v/blogger/guru wise?<br />
<br />.:mLe, ink:. aka Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08061205703781979974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751729716159863025.post-74615052494991405852014-08-09T12:39:00.002-04:002014-08-09T12:53:30.596-04:00Review: Befine Exfoliating CleanserIf you be looking for a serious physical exfoliator, have I found a scrub for you.<br />
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I've been using the Befine Exfoliating Cleanser for about a year on and off now. I ordered it online after doing some research for a new exfoliator that was well suited for dry and sensitive skin.<br />
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First off, let's take a moment to appreciate its simple packaging. The minimalist in me hearts this mucho. I no longer have the box it came in, but you can take my word on that being pretty and minimalist too (and cardboard for easy recycling). Why am I such a sucker for packaging? Marketing peeps must love consumers like me. But I digress.<br />
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Let's talk about this scrub. It comes in a 4 oz tube, which was enough for me to use once or twice a week for roughly a year, as I only used a little bit at a time (more on that in a minute). The smell isn't what I was expecting; I thought it would be sweet and sugary smelling, sort of like the vanilla scented sugar scrubs a la Bath and Body Works. It really doesn't have a sweet smell at all. It's more...earthy. It actually kind of reminds me of mushrooms with some herbs and a hint of lavender. That probably sounds horrendous, but it's really not that bad. Just don't expect sweet, because sweet it is not.<br />
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Now let's talk about texture. This is the. grittiest. scrub. ever. Like ever in the history of ever. When I read some reviews ahead of time and people commented on its scratchiness, I just thought, "Man, none of these people have ever used an exfoliator before. What a bunch of sissy-weenies!" But then I got it and when I smeared the first round on my face and went to work, I actually had to stop mid-wash to figure out what the heck was going on. This feels like sharp sandy bits scraping over your skin if you don't give the water a few seconds to chill everything out. That sounds terrible, I know. The key is getting your face nice and wet ahead of time, putting only a small amount on your face (hence, lasting me a year), and then gently spreading it out slightly. Then wait about 30 seconds. I'm guessing this allows the water to start to break down some of the sugar granules to soften those harsh edges, because it's so much better after a short wait. Depending on how scrubby you want your scrub to be, you can wait more or less time. Thirty seconds seemed just right to to me to still get that "dude I am <i>so</i> cleaning my face right now" feel without worrying I was scraping off a million layers of precious skin cells. Once it starts to get dissolvy (word?), it becomes more of a creamy texture that feels really nice; after about 15 seconds of massaging, the granules disappear altogether and you're left with a milky wash. Because of this wait time, and for the fact that I like to bring it on my neck and chest (scrub <i>all the places!</i>), I only use this bad boy in the shower. 'Cause...mess.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghC6Bv7e8RENMAHv_KR5v9TcabZHMiOvKUViuAVEwh02xHJSO2tcTDkB0nzzYERbd9h0QYjUjxjDO92M5nlaRCWZkc0wcn85BZx_AWzM3ibA4wd5BVBeER0f3h4Dlg94_B9vKbLG7aI0dJ/s1600/IMG_5525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghC6Bv7e8RENMAHv_KR5v9TcabZHMiOvKUViuAVEwh02xHJSO2tcTDkB0nzzYERbd9h0QYjUjxjDO92M5nlaRCWZkc0wcn85BZx_AWzM3ibA4wd5BVBeER0f3h4Dlg94_B9vKbLG7aI0dJ/s1600/IMG_5525.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Overall, I like the way this makes my skin feel...at first. This scrub leaves my face nice and smooth. But despite my search for something really gentle on my dry skin, I still find this to leave my face feeling tight and parched, especially in the winter time. Its harsh texture means I only use it roughly (har har) once a week, though summer time may be closer to two times a week. It definitely doesn't do anything for acne (maybe scrape it off your face?), though keep in mind that it doesn't claim to. I give it props for mentally making me feel like I'm doing some serious cleaning duty.<br />
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All in all, as much as I love the packaging and its mostly natural ingredients, I won't be repurchasing this scrub. There are too many other things to try, and the $13 price tag (at least when I bought it) seems a little too high to me for something that is just average. If you like really scrubby scrubs though, I would give this a go--I've never found anything that comes even close to being so gritty!<br />
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What scrubs are you loving lately? Any recommendations on exfoliators to try next?<br />
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<br />.:mLe, ink:. aka Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08061205703781979974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751729716159863025.post-53195132957184774452014-08-07T19:59:00.000-04:002014-08-07T20:01:38.140-04:00Blog UpgradesWelp, it's two years since my last post and I am back to blogging. I may or may not currently be unemployed, which may or may not be the reason I have time to do this again. Just sayin'.<br />
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Anywho, I wanted to share a video I came across that I found to be uber helpful in terms of understanding and learning how to do some social media icon tinkering on your blog. This video was particularly nice since she has a sweet trick that allows you to not need an outsourced photo host for your little logos. I feel so tricksy.<br />
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I scored my free icons from <a href="http://www.carrieloves.com/2012/12/free-social-media-icons-updated/" target="_blank">Carrie Loves</a>. They are simple, but that is all I wanted for now. She has lots of color options and three size ranges, which is perfect for someone who just wants the basics, like moi. You download them in a zip package all at once and she has every icon under the sun, including things I didn't even know existed (clearly I have some social media catching up to do). I think I will eventually try and make my own icons down the road, but I am feeling so accomplished for even figuring out these icons' placement and linking that I feel I deserve a break. And maybe some chocolate. There was much fist pumping and cabbage patching when this all worked out.<br />
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Here's the vid if you need some help like I did! The girl's name is Emily, so obviously, it's an awesome tutorial.<br />
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Good luck!.:mLe, ink:. aka Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08061205703781979974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751729716159863025.post-26201671639211013642012-10-28T18:39:00.001-04:002012-10-28T18:39:21.840-04:00RVAdventurer!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Oh, snap! It's time for the first RVAdventurer post ever.<br />
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So what is RVAdventurer? (Note: RVAdventurer is not to be confused with RV Adventurer, which is about peeps doin' it up traveling around the good ol' US of A in their RVs...which is cool I guess, but not the same thing. At all.) RVAdventurer is a place for me to document my life in Richmond, VA, or "RVA" for those in the know. If you're a local, you probably recognize my logo, which is a <strike>pimped up</strike> mLeinked version of those bumper stickers that are EVERYWHERE in this city. My boyfriend and I finally got our mitts on our very own personal copies, so our cars are now the proud bumper-displayers of stickers of their very own. We've been trying to get these stickers for months and finally came across them at the Folk Festival. Woot. And that's what got the gears turning for RVAdventurer.<br />
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Jer and I have lived in Richmond for just over a year, although the first 12 months only half count because we were too scared to leave our apartment building half the time to enjoy life in the River City. However, after moving to the coveted Fan/Carytown/Museum District area about 2 months ago, we are ten bazillion times happier (and safer), and are finally seeing what it's like to be able to walk to a market, bar, festival, or restaurant without worrying about getting shot or mugged for the better 99.99999% of the commute. Woot.<br />
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But since we've lived here for a bit, we've discovered some sweet noms, green spaces, awesome annual events, and just unique aspects of Richmond that we love. So while I'll share new things that we find as we go, I figured I'd share what we've already come to love and look forward to in good ol' RVA. After making a mega list that grew and grew, I finally decided to break it down into some categories, including where to eat, shop, play, drink, and visit. And if you know me even a smidgen bit, you know where I'm going to start: with the grub. These aren't exactly listed in any specific order, but they are vaguely reminiscent of the order of my super-all-time-faves to my pretty-sweet-faves, as they're mostly in the order that they came to mind. So without further ado.<br />
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carytown-Sushi/276520330293" target="_blank">Carytown Sushi</a> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal;">Oh Carytown Sushi, how do I love thee?
Let me count the ways…amazing tea…cozy atmosphere…super cute pink-octopus-drawn-on-the-chalkboard…mini
Connect-Fours on the tables…oh, and </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal;">half-off</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal;">
(most) </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal;">sushi</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal;"> on Tuesdays and
Wednesdays from 5-7. Yes. Half. Everything is delicious, but the more unique
rolls I like that I don’t think I’ve seen elsewhere are the seaweed salad roll
and the sweet potato roll. So. So. Good. And affordable. Even Jeremy approves!
(On a side note, all the wait staff know him as “5-Cucumber-Rolls-Please guy.”
He gets that almost </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal;">almost</i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal;"> every
week. One time he got 4 cucumber rolls and a carrot roll and I thought the
waitress was going to die of shock. However, I encourage being a bit more
adventurous because everything is awesome!)</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://selbarichmond.com/" target="_blank">Selba</a></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal;">This isn’t particularly dude-friendly,
but this is my number one go-to spot when I have girl friends come to town. The
portions are on the small side, but I haven’t eaten </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal;">anything</i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal;"> that caused me to say “Man, I wish I had gotten something
else…” and I’ve tried a LOT. They have a pretty big selection of vegetarian and
vegan options, plus some really interesting cocktails. I believe it’s
characterized as “new American” food, but I think of it as just “really really awesomely
good food.” If you like seafood, the scallops are ree-donk-u-lous. Plus, they
always do fun little extras for special days (Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day,
etc.) that include freebies like champagne and/or roses. Nothin’ like feeling’
extra special.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://www.cancanbrasserie.com/0408_opening.html" target="_blank">Can Can</a></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal;">I finally got to try this place out for
brunch last weekend and it was fantastic. During the wee morning hours of the
workweek, it’s just small pastries and coffee noms, but they also have legit
fancy French food at lunch, dinner, and Sunday Brunch. It’s definitely not an
everyday place (pricey McPricerson for my budget), but during our brunch visit,
Jer was able to find some manly-food options (potato sausage omelet), and I had
both a fig-and-goat-cheese crepe and caprese cocktail that were amazing. Plus,
you get free bread (who doesn’t like free?), and the cherry-almond bread is
stupid good. If you like spicy, you can also give the Devil’s Bloody Mary a
shot, which even Jer said was </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal;">almost too
spicy</i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal;">. I </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal;">know</i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal;">, right?</span></li>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://www.boathouserichmond.com/" target="_blank"><b>The Boathouse</b></a> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal;">This bad boy has multiple locations, but
I’ve only been to the one in Rocket’s Landing, which has an awesome patio space
that overlooks the river. We almost always go on Thursdays for happy hour and
half-off-pizza-night. My faves are the pear-pistachio and the crab-asparagus
versions, but even their plain cheese is quite yummy. Plus, for $6, it’s a
STEAL. If you’re feeling snazzy, lush, and 21+, I also recommend the Blood
Orange Mimosa…I’m pretty sure they send someone to Florida to pick an orange
direct from the tree to squeeze into my glass because it’s the BEST ORANGE
JUICE EVER TO APPEAR IN A COCKTAIL. Seriously. </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://station2richmond.com/" target="_blank">Station 2</a> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal;">This is definitely dude-approved, and is
Jer’s number 1 go-to spot for good beer and even better burgers, especially if
we have friends from out of town that are a mixed-crowd in the gender category
since the food appeals to an array of tastes. It’s an old converted firehouse
on Main Street halfway between downtown and Rocket’s Landing that serves up
gourmet burgers with delicious sides. Some burgers are more expected, while some are…not
(peanut butter and banana burger anyone?) My favorite is the BBQ Barrista, and
I almost always get their soup of the day for my side, which is unfailingly
super yummy, but their salads and fried green beans also top my list if I’m feeling
adventurous. The beer selection is pretty good (and always changing), and they
even have “adult milkshakes” if you actually manage to have room (hah!) at the
end of your meal for something extra scrumptious. (They also serve non-alchy versions
for the dry folks out there, too. Half the time, I prefer the virgin versions,
but it’s nice to have the happy juice option for…“those” days.)</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://www.bottomsuppizza.com/" target="_blank">Bottoms Up</a> </span><i style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Bottoms
up, bottoms up. Let me fill your cup</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal;">…Nope, sorry, this
aint a drinkin’ place. But if you like pizza—and I mean real pizza with big
puffy awesome crust, tons of cheese, and mega-amazing toppings—this place is
for you. Plus, if you like trains (Sheldon Cooper anyone?), it gets bonus points because this puppy sits
right under the RR tracks downtown. (Honestly, it’s always so packed you hardly
even notice a 50-ton passenger train sail over you, but it’s an extra piece
that makes this place different.) The pizza selection runs from simple and
delicious to decadent and amaze-balls. That’s pretty much all there is to say because
it’s just that good. Oh, and if you go, make sure to take note of the indicators
on the wall where the owners marked the height of the river when she flooded
yeeeeeears ago. I was shocked how high it was. Nuts! (Or should I say…Pizza!
Too far?)</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://weezieskitchen.com/" target="_blank">Weezie’s Kitchen</a> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal;">This is a recent discovery of ours since
moving to our new apartment, and we’re smitten/obsessed/going to get fat
because of this place. I only have one word for you: Mac-n-Cheese. (Is that
technically two words? Or even three? I don’t know.) Honestly, I think this may
be the best MNC I’ve ever had. I’ve tried other items on the menu that were
good, but I’ve pretty much just come to the realization that no matter how good
something else is, I always think “I should have just gotten the mac-and-cheese.”
It’s heavy-duty stuff though, so watch out! The dinner-sized portion would
probably feed me for 3 meals. Even as a side to something else—forget it. Too
much food! Luckily, however, it comes as an a-la-cart side—Huzzah! When I go, that’s all I
get. I order a $3 side of mac-n-cheese. And I can barely finish it. On
Saturdays or Sundays, if we go for brunch, I also get either a mimosa or bloody
Mary (both quite strong) for an additional $3. It’s the best $6 you can spend
on brunch. If you’re feeling wealthy, toss in another $3 cocktail and you are
good to go ‘til dinnertime. So. Good. You’re welcome.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/BevsHomemadeIceCream" target="_blank">Bev’s</a> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal;">Ok, ok, teeeechnically this is an ice
cream place, but I consider ice cream/gelato/sorbet to be its own food group on
the new-and-improved mLe Food Pyramid. This is a favorite of mine in the
summer if I’m a good girl and save some room after hitting up Carytown Sushi
(see above) since it’s about 20 feet further up the street (but let’s be real.
That seldom happens because I'm a sushi-pig so I have to make a special trip at a later time instead. Oh darn.) They
have many a permanent flavor, but my faves are the ever-changing rotating
specials, which they post to their Facebook page daily, so you can check ahead
of time if you want. If you’re lucky enough to be there on a day when the have
Basil, Ginger, Pumpkin Cheesecake, or even Sweet Corn (I swear—it’s really
REALLY good), feel free to do a happy dance and order a pint to-go. Their
dairy-deliciousness (and non-dairy versions too!) are so good, heavy, and
creamy, that I always only get a kiddie size and have plenty for my taste, but
you can go all out if you prefer. Plus, they offer free samples, which I pretty
much have to try one-each-of before hand just to make sure, so my belly is
already on its way to satiation. And your could be too…right…now…Nom.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Okeydoke! That sums up the list-makers in the food category so far. Sorry I don't have pictures for each, but a lot of them come out dark and dreary since the lighting in most of these places is a bit on the low side. I'll update any good ones I get in the future (because you know I'm gonna go to each of these numerous times over the next few months). I'll also add any new scrumptious find we come across. Cheers to that!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">What about you all? Any amazing restaurants in the RVA that you're digging lately? After writing this post I really REALLY want a sweet potato roll...</span></span></div>
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</h4>
.:mLe, ink:. aka Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08061205703781979974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751729716159863025.post-39868278120241172432012-06-17T22:20:00.001-04:002012-06-17T22:40:12.474-04:00Insert Punny Napkin Post Title Here<br />
Try as I might, I was lacking on the post title inspiration today. So sorry.<br />
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For my brunch that I had, I decided to give some homemade napkins a go. They're cute, save on paper waste, up the ante fancy-pants-wise, and are a great excuse to learn how to sew mitered corners. In my usual thick-headed and stupid kill-as-many-birdies-with-one-stone-as-possible-even-if-every-time-you-do-it-you-say-next-time-1-new-thing-at-a-time fashion, I added on binding to that equation. I found a tutorial that said it was for beginners, so I figured "Hey...I'm a beginner!" without batting an eye...I recommend learning mitered corners, and <i>then</i> binding, and <i>then</i> combining the two together, but I digress.<br />
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The inspiration for these napkins came from this photo I came upon at <a href="http://www.purlbee.com/" target="_blank">the Purl Bee</a>:<br />
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Cute right? I loved the simple main napkin with the fun border, and they just looked so pretty all together. Now, I certainly wasn't about to go and purchase a "spectrum package," so I took a different route with mismatched-but-matching patterns all tied together with the same binding. Here is what I came up with:</div>
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Now, I know that those don't look much like the inspiration napkins, so here's the story. After reading through the tutorial, I headed to Joann to see what I could find for fabric. Now, let me preface this by saying I'm cheap. Ok, got that out of the way. It just so happened that fat quarters were on sale that week, and since you can only use one coupon at a time, I decided the coupon was going toward the bias tape maker I needed to purchase for nice even binding. Some (extremely cute) high end fabric was on sale, but even at 30% off, it seemed too pricey, especially for a project that involved new sewing adventures (read: could go horribly wrong and end up with a mess of chopped up and sewing-machine-eaten fabric), so I opted to go for the fat quarters. It was more fun that way since I could choose a bunch of different fabrics! It took a while to settle on 6 I liked, but I finally narrowed them all down. Since the napkins were busy, I chose to go with plain edging, and I'm in a gray phase at the moment (especially a love for gray and white, hence the starting fabric with the modern botanic pattern that was the base for my selection), so I found a nice mid-tone gray that went with all 6 fabrics. I originally picked up matching gray thread, but later changed course and opted for a contrasting color since (again, in my dumbness), I decided to add another item to the newness list and try out a new decorative stitch for each napkin. That ended up being Ok, but seriously, I don't know why I keep doing this to myself.</div>
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Next up, I gathered my tools:</div>
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<ul>
<li>1 fat quarter per napkin</li>
<li>2 yards of fabric for the trim (the width is mostly irrelevant; by using 2 yards of fabric, you can create binding that does not need to be pieced together to go around the entirety of your napkin if you keep them to 17" square--finally used my noggin on that one)</li>
<li>1-inch bias tape maker (or whatever you'd like your trim width to measure)</li>
<li>thread of choice</li>
<li>a measuring implement</li>
<li>a cutting implement (and mat)</li>
<li>pins (not pictured, but extremely helpful)</li>
<li>an iron for pressing the binding (possible to do without but...probably really hard)</li>
<li>a sewing machine (unless you prefer to sew by hand, in which case, feel free to show me your napkins next century--I'd love to see)</li>
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For the vast majority of this project, I referenced <a href="http://www.purlbee.com/mollys-handmade-napkins/" target="_blank">this</a> tutorial by Molly at The Purl Bee, which was mentioned above. She has lots of step by step pictures. I'll keep it basic.</div>
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First up, I ironed all my fabric for easier measuring and cutting. (It's recommended to pre-wash, but I was lazy and didn't. My napkins are permanently a little rumply since washing due to uneven shrinking, but I don't mind. If you think you'll mind, toss 'em in the wash, and consider <a href="http://mleink.blogspot.com/2012/03/catching-colorsfo-realz.html" target="_blank">using Shout Color Catchers</a> if mixing different colors, especially brights and whites.) Then, I cut everything to size. It took me a while to figure out that (at least my) fat quarters were not all exactly the same size, cut exactly square, etc. so be careful in your chopping. Then I cut my bias strips.</div>
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In case you don't know what measuring looks like, here is a photo for reference.</div>
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Next, I ran the strips through the little tape maker and pressed 'em as I went. I'll admit, I was a bit intimidated by that little bugger, but it's quite simple once you get the fabric through the little opening. I found that pressing as close to the opening as possible made my strips more even. So then I was left with this nice neat pile-o-napkins-waiting-to-be-born:</div>
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Up next is pinning your border to the napkins. This is where I started to hit some bumps. Pinning along the edges isn't too bad (although, it did take a little practice)...but it was pinning the corners that was hard. Molly sort of skipped right over it in her directions (probably because she can do it with her eyes closed), but I found this to be the most difficult part of the project. I'm not sure if I can offer many words of wisdom as I'm still not a pro after doing 24 of them, but feel free to share if you have any tips.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-movJm4v-n6A/T96G3TF6FTI/AAAAAAAAAh8/aVpQI6eEaqE/s1600/Naokin-Corner-Detail.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-movJm4v-n6A/T96G3TF6FTI/AAAAAAAAAh8/aVpQI6eEaqE/s1600/Naokin-Corner-Detail.gif" /></a></div>
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Next, it's sewin' time. Like I said, I opted for fancy-shmancy decorative stitching, which I think actually helped to cover up my still developing sewing-in-a-straight-line-skillz. However, it was a nice sampler exercise and resulted in some extra cuteness. The more intricate stitches made pivoting at the corners a bit more difficult (because of all the layers of fabric?), so they needed some <strike>yanking/prying</strike> coaxing to start down the new side, but aside from some extra thread buildup, it wasn't a horrible result. Sewing the binding together evenly at the end definitely took some practice and re-re-re-re-reading of Molly's instructions, but once you understand what to do, it's not too bad--just takes some wrapping your head around it. Promise. But consider having a cup of Pomegranate Patience on the side just in case.</div>
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So here they are all finished and ready for face-wiping. I think they came out pretty well! I think these little shark fins are my favorite. But I actually like all of them, and I purposefully matched certain stitches with certain prints by choice. I definitely recommend sewing on a scrap beforehand because there is a lot of variety within each stitch due to height and width adjustment, so make sure you get it right before you start; seam rippers are fun, but I had to use one for plenty of other mistakes on corners and binding finishing that I didn't want to have tooooo much fun. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1Z8nMhBY0iOxMy-drgHdGb4wTKS7eUcRhA-lei9XKhY0JtBhHsG1BHdrglOMtRnXHPEJ-e-2NWs7F1I2Z7FcAsl0bUQkPnjPoQTBCQ8gtmV7Fe4xnve6xVDRfj8s6eezXrrfszCx4o57/s1600/napkin-close-up.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1Z8nMhBY0iOxMy-drgHdGb4wTKS7eUcRhA-lei9XKhY0JtBhHsG1BHdrglOMtRnXHPEJ-e-2NWs7F1I2Z7FcAsl0bUQkPnjPoQTBCQ8gtmV7Fe4xnve6xVDRfj8s6eezXrrfszCx4o57/s1600/napkin-close-up.gif" /></a></div>
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If binding seems (or should I say seams? har) a little intimidating, there are lots of other tutorials out there that just teach you how to finish edges with a simple mitered corner on the main piece of fabric, such as <a href="http://akadesign.ca/?p=7905" target="_blank">this</a> one and <a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/2009/04/20/make-your-own-cloth-napkins/" target="_blank">this</a> one.</div>
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I think I'm starting to get the hang of this whole sewing business. What about you all? Have any beginnerish projects you've tried or recommend? Let me at 'em!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Note: original Purl Bee image found <a href="http://www.purlbee.com/mollys-handmade-napkins/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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<br />.:mLe, ink:. aka Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08061205703781979974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751729716159863025.post-4645715879028278942012-06-15T18:22:00.000-04:002012-06-15T18:22:28.099-04:00Pallet Time<br />
It finally happened. I jumped on the pallet bandwagon.<br />
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The sad part is, I jumped on the pallet bandwagon about 3 months ago. But I got stuck on my project and set it aside for a long time until a light bulb went off in my head that said "Wow, you're dumb. Your original plan will work just fine, just get some longer screws." Der.<br />
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There are a LOT of pallet projects out there, as I'm sure many of you who read a blog like this are aware. Pallets are in vogue right now because being green and upcycling and being natural and using what you've got is all hip and cool. I consider myself to want to be all of those things, so I'm just as much of a bandwagoneer as the next guy (picture me hanging my head in moderate embarrassment, but not caring that much because it's the way I've been for a while.)<br />
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To get your little pallet-y brains churning, here are some of the bazillions of projects floating about on the Internets:<br />
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Is your bike always falling over? (That question is ten times funnier if you read it in Charlie's voice from <i>It's Always Sunny</i> regarding his "kitten mittens.") Do you enjoy wedging tires into vertical slots? Try this bike rack on for size:<br />
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Like plants? Kill them when you grow them inside? Want something that requires zero work except smooshing soil, potting mix, and your plants of choice in between some slats? Give this super simple pallet garden a go:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ILGdpy7KDWA/T9uqQZZPYWI/AAAAAAAAAhM/3KLKqbACt5g/s1600/Pallet-Plants.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ILGdpy7KDWA/T9uqQZZPYWI/AAAAAAAAAhM/3KLKqbACt5g/s1600/Pallet-Plants.gif" /></a></div>
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Prefer to at least look like you did a little DIY action? Use little planters and some plumbing rings for some industrial-natural awesomeness:<br />
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Want to bring the pallet love inside? Spruce it up with some bright paint, throw on some casters, and you've got yourself a brand new coffee table:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gg0qcl9bCYg/T9uqOcFqa2I/AAAAAAAAAg0/wBo0aXWDFeI/s1600/Pallet-Coffee-Table.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gg0qcl9bCYg/T9uqOcFqa2I/AAAAAAAAAg0/wBo0aXWDFeI/s1600/Pallet-Coffee-Table.gif" /></a></div>
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Like pallets so much you want to make sure they can hear your heart beating while you sleep? Consider whipping up a pallet headboard:<br />
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And this may be my all-time fave. Hopefully something similar will be incorporated into my *fingers crossed* not-so-distant-future-new-apartment-studio-space-that-will-not-be-shared-and-will-be-all-mine. How awesome would this be with some plexi-glass for a smooth work surface? It looks awesome and has a ridiculous amount of storage naturally built in. And for $free.99, I don't think you can beat the price (assuming you find someone nice to fork over some pallets free-o-charge):</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwMi9-THoA6NWWUnuCb1-OZMs62SR2V8Zfq1xYCaYGhCro6LD9BK2OGfeTVcUzJgphHd4HOI-Zz15QfGcHdDT_189LTFvHiVg62uUqSNk5tHXjSqq1j758X9T1SL7fKOJkLlBcEvle8Gc/s1600/Pallet-Banquette.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwMi9-THoA6NWWUnuCb1-OZMs62SR2V8Zfq1xYCaYGhCro6LD9BK2OGfeTVcUzJgphHd4HOI-Zz15QfGcHdDT_189LTFvHiVg62uUqSNk5tHXjSqq1j758X9T1SL7fKOJkLlBcEvle8Gc/s1600/Pallet-Banquette.gif" /></a></div>
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So, after some perusing, I decided I wanted to get in on the pallet action, but with something I hadn't seen before. I knew I would probably use the whole pallet because I was hoping to use it as some space filler/art over the couch in our living room since that wall is about 1.5 stories high since it stretches half-way into the loft to create a bannister. Basically, we had a 14 foot fall of nothingness to fill. And I wanted something big.</div>
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I also wanted a clock.</div>
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So what do you get when you put those two things together? Wait for it...a pallet clock. Original right?</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-09gV8Bt5aQQ/T9uqRPx4EzI/AAAAAAAAAhU/cMFZHkPzna8/s1600/Pallet-on-the-Wall" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-09gV8Bt5aQQ/T9uqRPx4EzI/AAAAAAAAAhU/cMFZHkPzna8/s1600/Pallet-on-the-Wall" /></a></div>
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Actually, I think it's pretty cool. I picked up a wall clock kit at Hobby Lobby with a 40% off coup for about $18 to get things started (it comes with vinyl number decals to actually create a clock face, but I bailed on those; I grew up with a number-less clock above my kitchen table and don't mind clocks sans numbers). I decided to up the contrast of the pallet against the wall, so I threw some stain on after a good sanding. Because there are an even number of slats on this particular pallet, I needed something to anchor my clock to in the center, so I picked up a wooden disk (again from HL) for about $1. A couple of screws later, and she was ready to <strike>clock</strike> rock.</div>
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The major snafu I ran into was how to get this baby on the wall. I'm not sure if you've ever picked up a pallet before, but I was suuuuper surprised to feel how heavy this thing was. I'd say at least 25 ell-bees if not more. Clearly, it had to be anchored into some studs, 3 being ideal for the ultimate safety-factor considering I didn't want to spend the rest of my time in my apartment perched on the edge of my couch waiting for a pallet to rip out of the wall and squash me. But how to do this? There are big negative spaces between the "front" and "back" boards of a pallet making screwing through the front into the wall impossible...but the slat spacing of the "front" boards makes it impossible to reach around/through and drill through the "back" pieces directly into the wall. So I used my noggin and picked up one of these steel hoozi-whats-its from Lowe's for around 5 bones. I figured it was perfect since it came with tons of evenly spaced holes all ready for hanging that could easily line up with any stud distances because there's a hole every 1/2 inch or so:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AFegOIfWZ_o/T9uqN0U8S5I/AAAAAAAAAgs/EFL5a7gAf_M/s1600/Pallet-Close-Up.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AFegOIfWZ_o/T9uqN0U8S5I/AAAAAAAAAgs/EFL5a7gAf_M/s1600/Pallet-Close-Up.gif" /></a></div>
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Here is where I hit the snageroo. A 3-foot bar was about 2 inches short to reach cleanly from side to side to be anchored on the same horizontal plane. But a 4 footer stuck way out on the sides and looked super lame. No one at Lowe's or Home Depot could cut it for me and I certainly don't have the tools or know-how to do it myself. So I half-heartedly looked around for varying sizes but knew it was no use. I chalked it up as a fail and pretended there wasn't a pallet leaning against my dining room table in my living room for 3 months.<br />
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And then I realized I was really dumb. Like...really super duper ultra dumb. With 2-inch screws, I could easily span the negative space on the back of the pallet to make sure the steel bar still fell even across the entire back. I would illustrate this with a photo if I had thought to snap one in my excitement for overcoming my stupidity and hurriedly finishing the project and getting this thing on the wall. Womp womp. My bad.<br />
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Long story short, after screwing the bar to the pallet, marking my studs, and putting some nice 2-inch anchor screws in the wall, this project was up on the wall in no time thanks to the ease of hanging because of the numerous holes in the steel rod. They just slipped right over the screw heads. It was glorious.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GA3srwZPjWw/T9uqRiAmO_I/AAAAAAAAAhc/7la7UyI28g0/s1600/Pallet-with-Couch.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GA3srwZPjWw/T9uqRiAmO_I/AAAAAAAAAhc/7la7UyI28g0/s1600/Pallet-with-Couch.gif" /></a></div>
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Anyone else come up with some original pallet art? Link to it in the comments below--I'd love to see!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Note: External pallet project images found <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/five-fabulous-outdoor-pallet-projectsroundup-168738" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://www.dumpaday.com/random-pictures/amazing-uses-for-pallets-part-2-28-pics/attachment/032511_pallet-completed-430x300/" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://kellymoorebag.com/blog/?p=9387" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://www.designfinch.com/2011/05/28/pallet-possibilities/" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://www.twigandthistle.com/blog/2011/05/diy-pallet-headboard/" target="_blank">here</a>, and <a href="http://www.greenme.it/consumare/riciclo-e-riuso/4832-pallet-10-modi-per-riciclare-creativamente-i-bancali" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
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<br />.:mLe, ink:. aka Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08061205703781979974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751729716159863025.post-75802698764312111242012-05-28T18:07:00.002-04:002012-05-28T18:07:50.227-04:00Brunch Invitations<br />
I love the idea of brunch. I pin images on Pinterest related to brunch like it's my job. Brunch is the perfect combo of breakfast foods (fav meal of the day), dessert food (favorite non-officially-recognized meal of the day), and girlie drinks. Honestly, what's not to like about brunch?<br />
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So as my internship dies down, I was trying to come up with a way to thank the people who have helped me the most this year. I've worked with such an amazing group of people who have all helped me mature and better understand not only my profession, but also the world of education and the realities that come along with it. I wanted to thank the people who made the biggest mark on my year, and wanted to do it in a way that was fun, meaningful, genuine, and "very mLe." After throwing around a bunch of ideas with the bf, I settled on a small Sunday brunch. And how could you have a girlie brunch without invitations?<br />
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I had been dying to use some new stamps I got for Christmas, but hadn't found a way to tie into cards since one of the sets I had asked for was very "scrapbooky" and didn't lend itself well to cards. After beeboppin' around on P-ville for a while, I found a few invitations that had the overall look and feel I was going for and then went with it from there. This image was the one I liked the most that helped me design the final product:<br />
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I wanted to try and stamp out the flowers myself using different shades of ink and different "petal" sizes, but unfortunately, the craft paper I was using soaked it up far too much for the effect that I was going for. So I decided to take the leap and make a --GASP--hybrid project.</div>
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I have never made a hybrid project before. It's either been all by hand or all digital--one or the other. No mixies. But I actually really like the way they came out! The flower leaves, large text, and heavy horizontal lines are digital. The rest is stamped or handwritten.</div>
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After making the original invitation (the craft paper part), I decided to draw up some directions since navigating in and around my building can be difficult and kind of confusing. I simply slit a line at the bottom of the invitation and slipped the bottom of the directions sheet through and then let the baker's twine hold the upper portion in place. It's not super sturdy, but I'm not exactly planning on using these to support my weight while skydiving. I liked the 3-dimensional idea so much that I went back in with my craft knife and raised up the flower leaves for more dimension and texture. It only took about a minute per invitation and I think it added a really nice final touch!</div>
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I'm finalizing the menu and definitely utilizing Pinterest to help me. I'll share ideas as I go!<br />
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The stamps I used are from Ali Edwards "Today You" set, and the large vellum flower is from Hero Arts. The butterfly punch is Martha Stewart.<br />
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What about you guys...are you as enamored of brunch as I am? Sigh. I love brunch.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Note: Gray/Black invitation image found <a href="http://www.repinly.com/pin.aspx?pid=10564&p=1&by=repins&t=30&cat&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+repinly-wedding-events+%28Repinly+Wedding+%26+Events+Popular+Pins%29" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
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<br />.:mLe, ink:. aka Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08061205703781979974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751729716159863025.post-66229591579370777572012-05-23T21:23:00.000-04:002012-05-23T21:31:20.317-04:00Stripper Smack Down<br />
No no, not that kind of stripper. Sheesh. Paint stripper. I've been meaning to blog about this for a while but I lost the photos and finally located (most of) them today. Last summer, sitting next to a trash can on garbage night awaiting doom at the dump, I spied a furniture piece friend in need of some help. Not wanting to be totally creepy, I didn't take a photo, but rather sent my boyfriend to fetch it after dark. Not creepy at all. She came with some black knob hardware that was in pretty decent shape, but I forgot to snag a pic before beginning plastic surgery. So here she is partially naked and ready to begin her transformation:<br />
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Being extremely paranoid about bugs and critters, I wiped the entire thing down twice with antibacterial wipes and a strong bathroom antibac spray before even allowing her on the patio. Upon getting a good look at her, I was pleasantly surprised that the dresser was all wood, and though it had a LOT of layers of paint on it, was in pretty good shape. I wasn't feeling the off-white vibe, and since she was all wood, I decided to strip 'er down to see see the grain hiding underneath her layers of color (as it turned out, there were a LOT). I was hoping to end up with something like <a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2009/06/thrift-store-highboy-elegant-updo/" target="_blank">this</a> gorgeous lovely from Kate over at <a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/" target="_blank">Centsational Girl</a>.<br />
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Being the semi-green person that I am, and hearing <a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2010/03/a-tale-of-two-strippers/" target="_blank">good things </a>from Centsational Girl about Citristrip, I decided to be nice to the earth (and my lungs), and strip the paint the green way. (Excuse the blurry photos; my poor little point and shoot was on death's door at this point. She's since gone to camera heaven. May she shoot in peace).<br />
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I laid out all the drawers on a big ol' piece of cardboard to catch any drippings, etc. Note: a 3 inch border is SO not enough to accomplish this. If you try this yourself, go big or go home. Trust me. It beats trying to scrape up stripper drippings off of concrete so you don't get charged/chewed out by your landlord.</div>
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So I painted on a nice thick layer of orange goop (aka: Citristrip) and let it sit for the recommended amount of time. After 30 minutes, I had this.</div>
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Once again, excuse the awful pics. If you could see what was going on there, you'd notice that there was very minimal bubbling. I had never stripped anything before, so wasn't sure if that was normal. So I gave it another 15 minutes. Then I had this:</div>
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That seemed like an improvement. Thinking that was what I was looking for, I gave it a scrape. (Spoiler alert: that is SO not enough bubbling). After scraping off maybe 10% of a single layer of paint and 100% of the stripper, I was left with a pile of orange goop in my tin and whole heck of a lot of paint still stuck on my dresser. Fail.</div>
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I figured it was time to chalk that one up as a failure (both earth-wise and financial-wise), and go for the old school hard-core nasty-bad-for-you-and-the-earth stripper. I'm not sure if it was the kind of paint that was used that was the culprit for the lack of effect; judging by the impact Citristrip had on the above-linked project at Centsational Girl, it may have been since hers was clearly latex paint and peeled off in a nice clean sweep. And mine...well...didn't. Enter chemical-ville stage right:</div>
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Take 2:</div>
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After only 5 minutes, this bubble party was goin' on.<br />
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And after another 20, she was ready to rock.</div>
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Time to scrape. Now, I am not wearing gloves in this photo. Nor did I test for lead paint, so...don't do it my way. However, I DID wear a mask, and since there was no dust (I was stripping, not sanding), I wasn't too worried. However, not wearing gloves was a bad idea and I don't recommend it. I got chemical burns all over my hands and forearms and they HURT. You don't notice when you get it on you, and then all of a sudden you think, "Hmm...my arm hurts. What is that? Ow! OWWWW!!" Then you look down and see a tiny little dot of something on your arm and think, "Was I stung? OW! OWW!!! WTF??" Then you swipe your hand over your arm, and it helps a little bit, but then your hand starts to burn and your arm continues to get worse. After that, you run around your patio like an idiot looking for something to wipe all your skin on, such as a large tarp, grass, or nearby garbage bag. Just sayin'. Wear gloves. And not the latex ones--they don't work for this business. You actually need the chemical hazardous ones. Not that I know from experience or anything...<br />
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Ok, so back to stripping. Paint. Stripping paint. This tool is handy because of all of its shapes and nooks for getting multiple surface types. It's like a torch of awesome.<br />
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For easy paint removal/picking uppage, I just placed my bin at the end and sloughed my pile of goo right off the end and into the bucket. You should really use a metal receptacle, as the stripper can burn through plastic over time, but I had used mine with the lame-o Citristrip and knew I'd need another one later to denature the stripper.<br />
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After round 1, I hadn't reached wood. So I did another...and I uncovered this little gem. There was a different poodle on each drawer, some kind of decal. Cute but...not really. Interesting, but off it went.<br />
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After the last round, I was left with this. It wasn't perfect, but it was a major improvement and I decided to sand the rest off.<br />
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Before sanding, I wanted to deactivate the stripper so that I could handle the piece without that God-awful burning. So I grabbed some odorless turpenoid and a stripper scrubby (that worked GREAT by the way) and gave her a good rub down. It caught some little stripped bits here and there that I missed with the smooth scraper. Plus she was neutralized and ready to go!</div>
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This is where I would show you the after of her all cleaned up and ready. I KNOW I took those pictures, but I can't find them for the life of me...they should be with all the others one taken at the same time. My computer must have gotten hungry and eaten them. It's too bad, because the wood grain was quite pretty...although that's a bit of a giveaway for the fact that she ended up NOT stained or I'd take a pic right now. Oh man, are you totally on the edge of your seat? I know you are. Don't lie.<br />
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<br />.:mLe, ink:. aka Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08061205703781979974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751729716159863025.post-72763467230061318782012-04-22T00:11:00.002-04:002012-04-22T00:11:44.247-04:00A Video Review: The Pippa<br />
I have certainly never done a video review before, but I decided to give it a go. This video is pretty long (about 19 minutes), as I haven't gotten to the point to learn what to cut out and what to leave in (it's much easier when it comes to written stuff...but I've had a lot of practice doing that, so hopefully this will get easier over time). I'm still learning the ropes of iMovie as I go, but I think I managed to come up with something that can answer peoples' questions about the Pippa!<br />
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It's a little nerve-wracking to purchase something that's $250 without getting to see, touch, and hold it in person first. I found a few reviews, both written and video, that were helpful, but they didn't really gather everything into one place. So I decided to have a go at a Vlog review! Like I say on my fashion page, and like I said above, I'm no fashionista and I'm certainly not a video-editing pro. But it was fun, and I'd love to hear feedback on what things to cut out, what people like, etc.<br />
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I do have one disclaimer: my lovely Canon Vixia HFR10 is a great camera, shoots awesome footage (especially in daylight), and is very user friendly for a beginner videographer (if you can call me that) like myself. However, the internal microphone picks up a subtle clicking noise within the camera that I have since learned is the auto focus. So excuse the clickity-clack chatter in the background, but sadly I have no external mic which is the only remedy I have come across!<br />
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Since the video is a bit long, here is a general breakdown of certain parts so you can skip to certain sections if you'd like!<br />
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<li>Intro and Background: 0:00</li>
<li>Purchasing the Pippa in North America and the "Database": 1:25</li>
<li>Packaging: 3:05</li>
<li>Pricing: 4:10</li>
<li>General Overview and Description: 6:15</li>
<li>Sizing Comparisons: 11:05</li>
<li>Leather (Color, Feel, and Texture): 13:00</li>
<li>Some Nice Details: 14:25</li>
<li>Carrying and Storage Options: 15:20</li>
<li>Closing: 18:25</li>
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<i>As a second caveat...after embedding this in my blog, I have no idea what on earth YouTube did to the lighting in my video; before and after each scene it gets really dark. That's certainly not showing in my editing on iMovie--sorry for the techno effects! Live and learn!</i></div>
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If you have any specific questions about the bag, I'd be more than happy to help if I can--feel free to leave a comment :)</div>
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<i><br /></i></div>.:mLe, ink:. aka Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08061205703781979974noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751729716159863025.post-19268348306026872912012-04-21T19:55:00.001-04:002012-04-21T23:35:28.297-04:00Channeling Pippa Middleton<br />
Hey guys!<br />
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Ok, I totally admit it's been a long time since my last post. Working full time while still in graduate school on top of job hunting is a wee bit on the time consuming side.<br />
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However, given the above stressors, that also means that my graduation is coming up rather soon (22 days, but who's counting?). Given that I've become one of those handbag-and-shoe people (honestly, I never thought I'd be one of <i>those</i> girls, but hey, I like my girlie items...especially handbags and shoes...and nail polish...and glitter...and puppies. I like puppies a lot) I decided to invest in a big girl handbag. But being extremely picky and annoyingly logical, this was no easy decision. However, after months (yes, you read that right--months) of research and hemming and hawing and stressing and research and more stressing, I finally settled on a winner: the Modalu Pippa Medium Grab in Shark.<br />
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Why did I settle on this bag? Though it's true, this bag has become wildly popular thanks to Pippa Middleton's love affair with it in many a color, I actually didn't choose this bag because it is favored by the infamous Miss P; however, had the company not garnered so much attention because of her preference for their handbags, I probably would never have found it. Here are the reasons I eventually opted for this particular handbag.<br />
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<span style="color: #e69138;">Reasons I Chose the Pippa</span><br />
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<li><b>The price point. </b>While my research turned up many a gorgeous bag when typing in terms such as "best investment handbags" or "most loved handbags of all time" into Google, the G-Man often yielded Louis Vuittons, Chanels, and (*snort*) Hermes lovelies that were way <i>way</i> beyond my means. Kate Spade and even Coach were getting closer to a price range where I felt a little more comfortable, but I'm pretty picky about every angle, silhouette, color, texture, and smell associated with my handbags and I just wasn't finding the perfect match; I couldn't settle on one I was totally satisfied with, and if I was going to shell out $350+ for a bag I wanted to last at least a decade, I wanted to make sure I was 350%+ satisfied. There was a Coach bag I had seen at an outlet 2 years ago that I tried pretty hard to find, but not knowing every detail about the bag, it was impossible to track down, and I was getting sick of the snobby Coach store people practically rolling their eyes in my face as they tried to help such a noob locate a bag that was so 2 years ago. So I set a max budget of $300 and hunkered down to flush out something a little different. I resigned myself to the fact that I could, indeed, find a bag I loved that didn't cost a month's rent or a year's worth of gas (or should I say "petrol?" I <i>did</i> buy a British bag, after all).</li>
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<li><b>The color. </b>Finding a color that I felt would compliment just about any outfit at any time of year was difficult. White was really the only option that covered all the possible bases, but...well, knowing me, white was a bad idea for cleanliness purposes, as well as scratch resistance. Black mixed with brown is a huge pet peeve of mine, and I tend to gravitate much more toward browns instead of blacks when wearing dark colors since I'm so damn pale and black washes me out; so black was out. I loved the idea of red or yellow, but wasn't ready to drop a few Benjamins on such a bold statement piece that would likely be soon out of vogue. Gray was the next best solution I could come up with since it could really compliment just about any color (even brown if you're careful). Once I arrived at this conclusion, I fell in love with the idea of a gray bag. Trouble was, locating a gray handbag was <b>hard</b>. Surprisingly so. (I hope that's not a sign I have poor taste...I must just be ahead of the fashion world?) So when I found this bad boy, I was stoked (for more reasons than just the color, as pointed out in these bullets). And since this gray is just barely leaning toward the warm end of the spectrum, it seems like it will jive with just about anything (that was simply a lucky break--I was expecting a cooler gray--huzzah!). However, it comes in a slew of other colors that I also love, in case gray isn't really calling your name. Here are the nude, toffee, and black from <a href="http://streetprincess.blogspot.com/2012/04/its-modalu-affair.html#comment-form" target="_blank">Street Princess</a>:</li>
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If I had money to burn, I'd also consider it in Mint, which I love now, but know will be out of </div>
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style quickly:</div>
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<li><b>The material. </b>Despite one of my greener friends pointing out the fact that leather isn't exactly eco-friendly (and obviously not fur-baby friendly either), I decided that leather would be the best option in the long run since, if well-taken care of, leather would most likely outlast many other materials helping to even out the pro-con scale in terms of lives lost and energy spent. Additionally, most higher end handbags are leather, which provides more style options so that I could find a bag I really loved in a style I felt would last forever (*fingers crossed*). Quality over quantity in this case; I'd rather buy 1 handbag, even if it's leather, that will last 10+ years than buy 3 or 4 "greener" items that lost their luster, fall apart, or are in a less timeless style since there are far fewer items to choose from in the non-leather category.</li>
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<li><b>The style. </b>As already mentioned, I wanted this bag to hold up for years (if not decades) to come. That meant finding a timeless silhouette, size, and color that could surpass the test of time, fads, trends, and even minor abuse. I felt that the silhouette of this bag was elegant and classic and lent itself to both casual and chic needs; while the black detailing around the zippers isn't so timeless as I would like, it provides some nice contrast to bring interest to the bag. I prefer magnetic closures on my bags to zippers, but wasn't sure how a magnet would hold up over time, nor what it might do to various technological devices that would spend time in my bag such as a phone, credit card, and (hopefully sometime soon) an iPad. While zippers can break, they can often be repaired...magnets require taking the bag apart to replace, which made me nervous. If I'm gentle, these bad boys should last a while. I also liked the fact that the overall style of the bag could be dressed up or down depending on the use of the cross-body strap and outfit with which it's paired. So overall style gets an A!</li>
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<li><b>The carrying options.</b> I'm not usually a crook-of-the-arm kind of girl, which was a possibility with this bag due to the short handles. I took a chance that I might be able to fit the small rolled handles (love me some rolled handles--obsessed!) over my shoulder (if necessary) with this bag. I was much more hyped about the cross-body strap offered with the Shark color that has some adjustability options. Being an average height girl (well, a bit over at just shy of 5"6"), I'm lucky that this strap can be used for a shoulder or cross body carrying style. The rolled handles do barely fit on my shoulder, but it is one tight squeeze. Honestly, I wish the Pippa offered both the long handles <i>and</i> the cross body strap, but I could only get this color with the short handles and cross body strap; all other colors have longer handles and no strap. Decisions, decisions. I figured I'd take a chance on the short handles to get the color I loved and could fall back on the strap if needed (even doubling it over if I wanted to in order to make for a shorter shoulder-style bag). Plus, Pippa does look cute and stylish simply holding it by the handles in hand as well, and I admit, that does give it some nice sophistication. Or I could even--gasp!--become a crook of the arm girl. I became a handbag girl, so who knows? It does look cute on Pippa:</li>
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<li><b>The multiple pockets. </b>I'm an organizational Freak. Capital F. I very <i>very</i> much prefer (pretty much require) to have at least 1 pocket on the outside of my bag for my phone, and love 2 even more so that my phone can live in one, and my keys can live in the other without the danger of scratching up my precious iPhone. Given the precious cargo in these pockets, I prefer to have at least a magnet closer if not a zip. Check and Check for the Pippa. I also like more than one main pocket, but really dislike a skinny middle zip compartment that can't hold squat. This bag has a zip middle compartment, but it's the widest (though the shallowest as it's tucked down below, but that's Ok with me), so I've avoided the stupid what-the-heck-is-this-lame-thing-here-for-anyway middle zipper divider while gaining the luxury of not 2 large interior pockets, but 3. Woo to the hoo! Check, check, AND check. I was worried that, with the 3 compartments, there may not be any smaller organization pockets for travel purposes and/or further organization, but fear not! There is a small zip compartment (fully lined), and 2 slip pockets (1 x-small and 1 small) in the third large compartment. It's odd that they're in the third rather than the first (I'd prefer the one more outer to my carrying style on my right arm for easier access), but perhaps your items are more protected here. Or if you're a lefty (maybe there are more lefties over in the UK? They <i>do</i> drive on the other side of the road...), it works out great! So...check (and check again if you're a lefty or carry bags on your left arm). Plus, there's a nice zip pocket on the outside of the bag for flat items--I can see this being handy for a boarding pass, for example. Organization galore!</li>
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<li><b>The liner. </b>I know--this may seem like a weird one to some people, but I am uber picky about liners. One of the main reasons I ended up not getting my original top-choice bag (from the Dooney and Bourke Dillen II line), was because the liner was trendy, ugly, and a heavy-weight material that felt...just...not good to me. Cheap or something. This liner isn't as smooth and silky as I prefer (I like satiny liners best), but it's got 2 great things going for it: a subtle but sophisticated pattern and a light color. While light colors can show dirt more than dark ones, I'm a pretty clean person, so I'm not too worried about that. The big motivator for the light color is that it makes your life ten times easier when searching for an item in the depths of your bag because light liners = contrast. Contrast = visible items. Visible items = finding what you want quickly. Let's face it: we promise to pare down and be more organized when it comes to our handbags, but sometimes our carryalls become carry everythings that are bottomless abysses where the thing you need most is nowhere to be found and you feel like an idiot when you're standing in front of the security guy at the airport with a bazillion people sighing behind you as you dig for your license that you took out of your wallet 2 minutes earlier so you'd have it ready but is now lost in the dark depths of the black hole that is your purse. (No? Just me? Fine...you just wait until it happens to you when you take that next flight.) The subtle design with the Modalu shell emblem is a nice final touch that provides subtle contrast that, in my opinion, elevates a liner from "meh" to "me likey."</li>
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<li><b>The general size. </b>I like handbags that aren't too big or too small. Too small results in a bag stuffed to the gills that ends up looking bloated and is uncomfortable to carry because of all the weird lumps and bumps. Not to mention, the stress from the stuffing can weaken the material, pop zippers, and cause misshaping over time. However, bags that are too big can make an outfit look sloppy, cause you to look like the nanny carrying all the kiddies' items to the beach, or (most annoyingly) end up targeting you as the "carrier": the one everyone asks to hold their stuff 'cause "you've got room in there, right?" An everyday handbag is not a weekender bag, and shouldn't be the size of one either. But it has to be big enough to hold what you need. So this bag fell just right along the spectrum at around 13 x 10 x 6. As I haven't used it out and about yet, I can't comment to my fullest extent on the size:daily use ratio, but from a visual standpoint, it looks like it can hold the essentials plus a bit more without looking like a chipmunk hoarding noms for the entirety of winter. I will say, however, that the bag <b>does not fit my 13" Macbook Pro</b>, and I can likely assume it would not fit the larger Macbook Air either, as it's a width, not depth, issue when it comes to fitting in the bag. 15+ inchers are never even going to be a remote possibility. I'm guessing both the mini Macbook Air, a Netbook, and any of the tablets/e-readers out there would fit just fine most certainly in the outer taller pockets, and likely the middle pocket as well. Considering this is not a work bag, and I intend on becoming the proud Mama to an iPad sometime in the near future, not fitting my laptop isn't a major concern for me. But it's certainly something to keep in mind if it's important to you. </li>
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<li><b>The company's reputation.</b> $250 dollars is nothing to sniff at when it comes to a handbag (though I'm sure there are plenty of people who are snorting right now as they read that). Thankfully, companies who put a lot of effort, thought, and care into their designs (which results in a higher price tag) understand that their customers have high expectations for their products. Modalu has a great reputation when it comes to the stand of their products over time, both from a design and function standpoint. While I obviously haven't had to contact them for an issue with the bag yet, I can assume that this wonderful reputation would follow through should something arise with my bag that becomes a problem. I know that Modalu not only willingly replaced a batch of Shark Pippas known to discolor over time, but they willingly put out a recall for the handbags on their Facebook page encouraging customers to e-mail a photograph of the bag for verification so that the bag could be replaced. Companies that own up to mistakes and work hard for a stellar reputation are worth the extra money in my opinion. I'm quite confidant that Modalu will be more than happy to handle any issues with my bag, should they ever arise (though I don't expect that for a while due to their careful craftsmanship). </li>
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However, everything about this bag isn't ponies and rainbows (i.e. perfect in my opinion). But honestly, what is? So far (I haven't had it very long at all) there are a few cons to keep in mind, and these may not even be cons in your book, as they are more about personal preference. I don't want these to tarnish my glowing notes above, as I am very happy with this bag--these are just some little things to keep in mind!<br />
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<span style="color: #e69138;">A Few Cons About the Pippa</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><b> Leather texture. </b>I really <i>really</i> like my leathers to be super soft and very textured (hence, why I mentioned I was considering the Dillen II line from Dooney and Bourke--which does not come in gray, incidentally). The leather on the Pippa is barely textured and has a slight sheen to it. I totally understand that this is the type of leather most people prefer (hence, its popularity and widespread availability). The sheen may also help to hide minor blemishes that are sure to accrue over time. Textured leathers also tend to be quite heavy, which is a con. Personally, I just wish the bag was more textured; however, I like the fact that the bag itself is not overly heavy, which most likely would be the case were it more pebbled, as that requires a thicker leather, and hence, more weight. The leather is also not as soft as the pebbled leathers tend to be, which gives the bag a bit more structure so it's not too saggy, even when empty.</li>
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<li><b>Zippers. </b>While I like zippers on my outside pockets, I'm not a fan of zippers for main compartments. Yes, they are safer for keeping items contained because they run from one side to the other, but they are often bothersome in my opinion, as compared to a hidden magnet such as in the B. Makowski bags. However, magnets can also have their drawbacks, as mentioned above. These particular zippers on the Pippa worry me a little because of their dark contrast (black); they provide nice visual appeal, but I'm not sure how the style will fare over time (as in 5+ years--that may not be an issue for those who are far more trendy than myself, and will likely not have this bag for that long).</li>
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<li><b>Smell. </b>I'm headache prone beyond the beyond, and smells can be a trigger. My bag has an odd smell at this point (about a week after un-packaging) and it's not a nice leather smell...it's more of a packaging-slight-chemical smell. But I have the feeling this will dissipate over time...fingers crossed!</li>
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<li><b>Handles. </b>While I love the look of the rolled handles, they are a tad bit too short to go over your shoulder; they fit on me, but it's not exactly a comfortable resting place...hence, (I'm guessing), the redesigned bag with the longer handles, but no cross body strap. Like I mentioned above, maybe I will eventually evolve into a crook-of-the-arm girl, but for now, this bag is hard to carry comfortably on my shoulder, which is my go-to style.</li>
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<li><b>Cross body strap. </b>I know--confusing! I told you I loved the cross body strap. And I do! It's the actual design and how it attaches to the bag that's detracting from my original enamored state. The width of the strap, while nice a feminine because it's not too wide, is a bit too narrow if you plan on carrying a loaded bag over an extended period of time. There's no wider shoulder part to help dispense the weight of the bag over a larger area, which can make the strap dig into your shoulder if you're carrying the bag for a while, especially if it's heavy. However, it looks great, because it doesn't have any manly functionality, such as a wide shoulder rest. I'm also not a fan of how the strap attaches to the handbag itself. It's easy to clip on and take off, but because it hooks to the rings where the handles attach to the bag, it's awkward to find a way to get the handles to either lay flat or stay out of the way because the rings need to fold down for the handles to lay flush against the bag. Trouble is, when you attach the strap, the rings want to stand up, because gravity wants to pull the rest of the bag down (that sounds confusing--just trust me on this one). There are no other locations to attach the strap, so I'm constantly shifting things around to get this to lay flat, and that stay flush, and this to lead straight, etc.</li>
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<li><b>Footies. </b>Yep, the bag's got 'em on the bottom to help protect the bottom of the bag. But it only has 4. This bag is long enough and wide enough that it needs an additional pair in the middle. Not many people will see the bottom of the bag, but over time, I'm not sure if the wear and tear will start to damage the middle of the bottom of the bag.</li>
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<li><b>Noise.</b> This bag is...squeaky. Not a lot, but enough that you can certainly hear it. I'm not sure if it's because it's new and needs to be broken in, or if it will make little rubbing and creaking noises for the entirety of its life. This is probably my number one issue, and I hope it goes away! Given that you hardly ever have a bag in a noiseless vacuum, most other people probably wouldn't notice such a minor issue. But for some reason, it bothers me...probably more than it should. Here's to hoping she breaks in nice and soft and quiet!</li>
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<li><b>Availability.</b> Now that I have the bag, this is obviously not an issue for me anymore. However, this bag was not easy to track down, especially in this color. And as its demand goes up, so too does the price. Shipping internationally is expensive, especially if you need to pony up for currency-exchange fees, customs fees, etc. I happened to find a company in Canada (Town Shoes) that carries the bag in this color (though it will likely sell out quickly), but ordering was confusing, customer service was horrible, and they limit the number of bags you can purchase (you can't order the same color for another 12 months after purchase, and you can't order a second color for 6 months after your most recent purchase). They are also considering eliminating international shipping, which was a flat $20ish for me to go from Canada to the US. So purchasing this bag from Town Shoes may soon not even be an option outside of Canada anyway--sad face. That leaves Modalu as the only option I'm aware of (where the Shark color sells out within hours of coming into stock, as I found out not once, but twice). I have no idea what their international shipping rates are--sorry!</li>
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So that about sums it up. If you have any questions about the bag, I'd be more than happy to answer them! I'll be back soon with a detailed video review for you visual peeps out there, as well as a discussion of other bags I considered in case you're drawn to similar styles but, would rather grab a bag in stores.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Note: Photos/Original Images (in order) from <a href="http://pippa-middleton.co.uk/" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://www.louisvuitton.com/front/#/eng_US/Collections/Women/Handbags/products/Speedy-40-MONOGRAM-M41522" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://fashionista.com/2010/08/5-classic-handbags-that-are-worth-the-investment/2/" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://www.hermesbirkinca.com/hermes-birkin-bags-42cm-c-6.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://streetprincess.blogspot.com/2012/04/its-modalu-affair.html#comment-form" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://www.modalu.com/pippa-19.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://inofashion.com/pippa-middleton-handbag-luxe-look-in-affordable-handbag/" target="_blank">here</a>, and <a href="http://www.modalu.com/designs/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
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<br />.:mLe, ink:. aka Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08061205703781979974noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751729716159863025.post-41085303247238615992012-04-09T16:31:00.000-04:002014-08-12T23:03:29.824-04:00Bloglovin'<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/12709567/?claim=r4pqaungmkq">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a><br />
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I'm on Bloglovin'!.:mLe, ink:. aka Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08061205703781979974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751729716159863025.post-56080399452776564442012-03-26T22:54:00.000-04:002012-03-26T22:54:15.341-04:00Spicin' Things Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Space in our kitchen is tight. Like...super tight. That counter space you see below? That's it. There's about 4 more inches to the right beyond this picture, and that be the end o' the counter. While we can't create more counter space, my bf and I decided to try and free up a bit of cupboard space. And we've learned pretty fast that walls are the key to freeing up space, even if it takes some creativity. Here is our prep area/stove before:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ipTUazJICw4/T3D89IRapSI/AAAAAAAAAa0/dNWrXnk7Fiw/s1600/IMG_0357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ipTUazJICw4/T3D89IRapSI/AAAAAAAAAa0/dNWrXnk7Fiw/s400/IMG_0357.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And here is our teeny tiny little skinny minnie cupboard to the left of the microwave. Few things fit in there, but spices are one of them. However, with so many jars and canisters in there, it was next to impossible to get what you needed without unloading the entire thing. Because let's face it--the thing you want is always in the back.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GfXKF0ZeHkg/T3D7WwqIJ0I/AAAAAAAAAac/QHHlwC5iHwQ/s1600/spice+rack+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GfXKF0ZeHkg/T3D7WwqIJ0I/AAAAAAAAAac/QHHlwC5iHwQ/s400/spice+rack+7.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On our last trip to Ikea, I hunted all over for that little wooden spice rack I had seen in the past. It was just unfinished wood, and I remembered it being Cheapie-McCheaperson. But after some serious searching, we couldn't find the little guy. We grabbed a bunch of other items while on the pilgrimage, including some picture shelves for a little setup in the living area. But after some planning, I decided I only wanted to use 2 of the 3 since the upper spot was going to be occupied by another item (soon to come!). That left us with a little Ribba shelf all by his lonesome.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And then, the lightbulb flicked on. This little guy would make a perfect spice rack! While it didn't have any ends to keep items from scooting off sideways, it was a nice shallow depth with a lip in the front. And it just so happened it was about 1 inch narrower than our little baby stove/cooktop/oven. Here she blows:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvcB2JODfQBcTWHKb2SQPMqbN4uZz3L-YNCdm_ieMwJPX_xGq_c3Rirzi6PYp5vXOPyikpc8DZl78WdsqMn8sxzK33BL154tiOXfLDbTAtTLAgkDI-qOhTn1LiEKvwpvdvsb4l95CHIKg/s1600/spice+rack+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvcB2JODfQBcTWHKb2SQPMqbN4uZz3L-YNCdm_ieMwJPX_xGq_c3Rirzi6PYp5vXOPyikpc8DZl78WdsqMn8sxzK33BL154tiOXfLDbTAtTLAgkDI-qOhTn1LiEKvwpvdvsb4l95CHIKg/s400/spice+rack+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After some very basic planning, I gathered some tools to get 'er done. It took me a pathetically long time to figure out what the picture in the nonverbal Ikea directions were referring to with these little disks, but then I finally figured out it was two little white circle stickers to place over your screws to hide the color and blend everything with the back of the shelf (labeled below as the official "sticky screw cover thingies).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tXo1sAKBtTw/T3D6-hE2SiI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/sdbtdi7Kfsc/s1600/spice+rack+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tXo1sAKBtTw/T3D6-hE2SiI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/sdbtdi7Kfsc/s400/spice+rack+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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I simply centered the shelf over the stove above the little "splatter zone" we've created since moving in (wouldn't want to dirty up our nice white spice rack!), leveled it out (shelves are super easy to level since they're...well, shelves for your level to sit upon), and screwed my two screws in lickity split. I even did the whole thing all by my lonesome.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjVKnPRLVsIbw7CRM1GCREA1RYkQZMJOE1uZRMXwEU9Ps8ChdCFhVTqttKekZwW23m-YYrcm9JXoAVt32KNuhMUmSZRjOXP9quG9f5YTGF-oUhab_t4Cbgd-igN9V1WLBAEl3PPZkSkfB/s1600/spice+rack+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjVKnPRLVsIbw7CRM1GCREA1RYkQZMJOE1uZRMXwEU9Ps8ChdCFhVTqttKekZwW23m-YYrcm9JXoAVt32KNuhMUmSZRjOXP9quG9f5YTGF-oUhab_t4Cbgd-igN9V1WLBAEl3PPZkSkfB/s400/spice+rack+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then I grabbed my little sticky screw cover thingies...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0O6RofmIkyFWe_D6bZyv8cFIAZ5jNx07ClGPjz2ud9iRfbswu2mEoCFc6P_LRdnhopUIuMu8e5KgludjoDQNZeios5NTL_PZGHsyXaSdEDdjQW2Rya6u3BqePn4ZIX77ArdzjQOuU2HE/s1600/spice+rack+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0O6RofmIkyFWe_D6bZyv8cFIAZ5jNx07ClGPjz2ud9iRfbswu2mEoCFc6P_LRdnhopUIuMu8e5KgludjoDQNZeios5NTL_PZGHsyXaSdEDdjQW2Rya6u3BqePn4ZIX77ArdzjQOuU2HE/s400/spice+rack+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...and placed them over the screw heads.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SsV1SiKC4Ro/T3D7NFu8SAI/AAAAAAAAAaM/9t7mFnNcPIY/s1600/spice+rack+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SsV1SiKC4Ro/T3D7NFu8SAI/AAAAAAAAAaM/9t7mFnNcPIY/s400/spice+rack+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Easy peasy. Not perfect but they'll do the job considering this is very temporary and will be stocked with spice jars.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4eWSW3-TjrFDPPCRi8IHHv-WeaXErZdfFu21Q5xWQoa1YFWB__B0Kim9WRA4Qg6b_caK-vQEtQb0KZxK-0yWz6Cj90eDSALffj9yhszvXAkxtC-xxYZpToNjbsvJ4l1Yme4K6iMAArmIm/s1600/spice+rack+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4eWSW3-TjrFDPPCRi8IHHv-WeaXErZdfFu21Q5xWQoa1YFWB__B0Kim9WRA4Qg6b_caK-vQEtQb0KZxK-0yWz6Cj90eDSALffj9yhszvXAkxtC-xxYZpToNjbsvJ4l1Yme4K6iMAArmIm/s400/spice+rack+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It freed up some space in the spice "closet..."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bguQX1Yk66M/T3D7aEI8doI/AAAAAAAAAak/em4ji5E6ysQ/s1600/spice+rack+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bguQX1Yk66M/T3D7aEI8doI/AAAAAAAAAak/em4ji5E6ysQ/s400/spice+rack+8.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And looks pretty cute over our stove. Not bad for a 5 minute project considering so many -hey-this-will-be-easy "simple projects" turn into nightmares that are anything but simple.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t4inhN2uZ6M/T3D7rlnnK-I/AAAAAAAAAas/QXcKKGJnQ7U/s1600/after+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t4inhN2uZ6M/T3D7rlnnK-I/AAAAAAAAAas/QXcKKGJnQ7U/s400/after+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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As my sister's boyfriend would say: "Approve!"<br />
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How about you guys? Installed any spice racks lately? Hacked something from Ikea to use as something else? Have a teeny tiny cabinet that can't even fit a dinner plate inside? Do tell!.:mLe, ink:. aka Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08061205703781979974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751729716159863025.post-25801519061560733172012-03-25T14:09:00.000-04:002012-03-25T14:09:07.002-04:00Roasted Asparagus & Balsamic Butter PastaThe title says it all. This dish is super yummy and pretty easy...though I can't say it's particularly healthy. But that's Ok every once in a while right?<br />
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Behold:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fb73f44IBXg/T29ZSpQyMeI/AAAAAAAAAZk/ZxW_-z3-BvI/s1600/IMG_0351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fb73f44IBXg/T29ZSpQyMeI/AAAAAAAAAZk/ZxW_-z3-BvI/s400/IMG_0351.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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I got the idea from <a href="http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/penne-with-roasted-asparagus-and-balsamic-butter" target="_blank">this</a> website that I found via Pinterest. I did make a few minor changes to the original recipe to try and cut back on the butter in my version and dirty fewer dishes/simplify the process; I haven't tried it with all of the butter recommended, but my version still tastes really really yummy, and I cut the butter by half! Feel free to make the original version (complete ingredients list and directions on the link above), but to try my lighter version, look below. I don't have step by step pictures, but I think you'll be Ok without them :)<br />
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<span style="color: #bf9000;"><b>Roasted Asparagus & Balsamic Butter Pasta</b></span><br />
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For this recipe you'll need:<br />
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<ul><li>12-16 ounces of Asparagus (I buy it frozen and don't even bother to thaw it!)</li>
<li>Olive Oil for tossin'</li>
<li>Salt and Pepper for seasoning</li>
<li>2 Tbsp of Parmesan Cheese</li>
<li>About a 1/2 cup of Balsamic Vinegar</li>
<li>1 tsp of Brown Sugar</li>
<li>12-16 ounces of Pasta of your choosing (I like Penne or any other smaller pasta with nooks and crannies)</li>
<li>1/2 a stick of Butter (1/8 pound)</li>
<li>1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese </li>
</ul><br />
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Directions:<br />
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<ol><li>Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. While it's preheating, prep your asparagus by snapping off the ends if needed and chopping into pieces about an inch in length. (Note: it's <i>way</i> easier to chop before you roast it...not that I've learned from experience or anything). Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper and then spread out on a baking sheet or roasting pan. Sprinkle Parm cheese over the top. Roast in the oven for about 10 minutes, but start to check it around 8. When it's done, the cheese it toasty brown and the asparagus is tender and just starting to get some color. </li>
<li>While that's a roastin' boil some water and cook your pasta according to the instructions on the box/bag. Drain well.</li>
<li>On the stove, heat the Balsamic Vinegar in a saucepan until it starts to bubble. Simmer until it reduces considerably, about 10 minutes. I like it when it becomes almost syrupy, so that when you tilt the pan, it leaves a coating behind. Do <i>NOT</i> smell it; it will burn your nostrils/eyes/face off. Before turning off the heat, add the brown sugar and dissolve; season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and swirl the butter in until it melts. Take your roasted asparagus and add it to the saucepan, coating the asparagus well.</li>
<li>Toss the vinegar/asparagus mixture and the pasta in a large serving bowl. Add the Parm cheese to your liking. </li>
<li>Eat.</li>
</ol><br />
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Even by using only half a stick of butter for my version, I still think it tastes great. I'm sure the whole stick makes it better. Considering it's for a pound of pasta, I guess it's not that bad...if it were some type of cream or cheese sauce, you'd be eating a LOT of cream or butter too, so I console myself with that.<br />
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This is also really good the next day cold; I bring leftovers in my lunch (if there are any) and eat it without reheating. Yum!<br />
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Let me know what you think! And if you have recipes to share, feel free to link in the comments :).:mLe, ink:. aka Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08061205703781979974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751729716159863025.post-55966296834264896332012-03-21T17:54:00.000-04:002012-03-21T17:54:28.723-04:00Ditching (Carpet) DimplesIf you're like me, you move your furniture around...a lot. And if you're like me, you live in a house/apartment/condo/cave/shelter that has carpeting, even if you dream about hardwood floors. (Well, I shouldn't complain too much...our new apartment has hardwoods in the kitchen/living area, so it's a step up from our last place). While carpet can be nice underfoot, dampen sound, and provide a soft place for pets or babies to play, it can result in some leftover three-dimensional blemishes after simple rearranging. Case in point:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4CHUaplzF8Y/T2pJim3oMWI/AAAAAAAAAYs/XWFmbNtDJMk/s1600/DSCF0474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4CHUaplzF8Y/T2pJim3oMWI/AAAAAAAAAYs/XWFmbNtDJMk/s400/DSCF0474.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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This little lovely was left behind after moving our couch. Since we had divided the large living space in half (using the couch as a divider), these lovely foot marks were literally right in the middle of the room. And there were four of them.<br />
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Yuck.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gVViwkFd_a8/T2pJnEfQskI/AAAAAAAAAY0/ZTgF5RT1AiE/s1600/DSCF0475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gVViwkFd_a8/T2pJnEfQskI/AAAAAAAAAY0/ZTgF5RT1AiE/s400/DSCF0475.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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So after a little hunting around on the fabulousness that is the Interwebular, I came across a little quick tip to steam these babies out. I thought it sounded like a long shot, but if all it took was some water, a cloth, an iron, and about 30 seconds, I was down to give it a go.<br />
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Here is my victim waiting to be fluffed into submission.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LuATzph_WD0/T2pJqgK7D0I/AAAAAAAAAY8/nQKhNiO-9lE/s1600/DSCF0476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LuATzph_WD0/T2pJqgK7D0I/AAAAAAAAAY8/nQKhNiO-9lE/s400/DSCF0476.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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I simply took a little spray bottle and sprayed it 4 or 5 times with water--enough to get it damp, but certainly not soaked.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s4gKkr4pVEc/T2pJtYVjvHI/AAAAAAAAAZE/VPiAyDzBsBo/s1600/DSCF0477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s4gKkr4pVEc/T2pJtYVjvHI/AAAAAAAAAZE/VPiAyDzBsBo/s400/DSCF0477.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Then I took a simple washcloth and laid it on top. I suppose if you had a large area to cover (maybe from a big bookshelf or something), you could try a larger towel. This worked just fine for my footprints.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JHEIWJiet1k/T2pJxCU4usI/AAAAAAAAAZM/hdycbe_AbxU/s1600/DSCF0478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JHEIWJiet1k/T2pJxCU4usI/AAAAAAAAAZM/hdycbe_AbxU/s400/DSCF0478.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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I already had my iron heated up and ready to go, and thanks to an extension cord I had no issues reaching the middle of the room. I chose a low setting ("synthetic") to be on the safe side after plugging that puppy in. Lots of carpeting is made out of synthetic fibers, and they can melt at surprisingly low temperatures so <b>use caution </b>when implementing this step. You can always steam it a bit longer or try again at a higher temp if your first pass doesn't work--but you certainly can't un-melt your carpet. And a nasty patch of crusty meltie carpet would look WAY worse than a carpet dimple.<br />
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Simply press...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuBOAvgvMu10dthTjvFAOgmsw5DH0Z7HI2oEAN5xK2wDdk_-6zHtHztiqyAx3KHJsHrf6FDxgE2O-wWw6IajjmBMMr4Y0UzMNcCrk2qQiYaqJ1a0h9v58-uZLAWOFNKmSttD4C9ZDyS0_/s1600/DSCF0479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuBOAvgvMu10dthTjvFAOgmsw5DH0Z7HI2oEAN5xK2wDdk_-6zHtHztiqyAx3KHJsHrf6FDxgE2O-wWw6IajjmBMMr4Y0UzMNcCrk2qQiYaqJ1a0h9v58-uZLAWOFNKmSttD4C9ZDyS0_/s400/DSCF0479.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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And lift! Voila! A nice, smooth, dimple-free carpet. The heat from the iron steams the water you spritzed earlier and fluffs the damp carpet fibers right up!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1EvjnnxQ4vI/T2pJ5ZUJF5I/AAAAAAAAAZc/lIolLTyPv8s/s1600/DSCF0480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1EvjnnxQ4vI/T2pJ5ZUJF5I/AAAAAAAAAZc/lIolLTyPv8s/s400/DSCF0480.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Feel free to rub it a bit with your hand or even take a hairbrush to it to help things along if necessary. I didn't have to do a thing with mine. Quick, simple, painless (assuming your ironing skills surpass those of a kindergartner), and free! Woohoo!<br />
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How about you guys? Come across any handy household tips and tricks? Tried this one out before? Live in a gorgeous abode with all hardwood floors and have other problems to worry about? Share away!.:mLe, ink:. aka Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08061205703781979974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751729716159863025.post-24003325518198651052012-03-20T20:37:00.001-04:002012-03-20T20:41:10.133-04:00Office Bid'ness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm a school psychologist. That means I spend lots of time one-on-one with kiddies in my office doing looooots of intelligence testing, sprinkled with some counseling in between. Considering my internship status (read: temporary) and the fact that most of my testing is done off-site (i.e. not in my office), I hadn't taken much time to uh...put some homey touches onto my office. While testing a kid the other day, I noticed his eyes roaming around the room. I asked him what he was looking at. He kindly told me: "Nothing. You don't have anything in here <i>to</i> look at."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well isn't that sweet?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And at the same time...accurate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I decided it was time to decorate. But it had to be kid-appropriate, cheap, portable/temporary, and fun. And if possible, educational. Cue my <a href="http://pinterest.com/mleink/great-quotes/" target="_blank">"Great Quotes" pinboard</a> on the heavenly awesomeness that is <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>. After selecting a few favs that fit all the criteria above, I hit up Photoshop to create some 5x5 text art that I matted onto navy blue card stock cut to 6x6. Voila:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YFOdMKGWspM/T2fNg6bS8iI/AAAAAAAAAXM/oxwRsWkhN0k/s1600/IMG_0322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YFOdMKGWspM/T2fNg6bS8iI/AAAAAAAAAXM/oxwRsWkhN0k/s400/IMG_0322.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cheap, pretty, educational, motivational art. Woot. But just some matted little text art pieces wouldn't be nearly enough to make any impact on such a vastly open and blank space that is my office wall. So to open things up and match the elementary vibe (I'm based at an elementary school), I hopped on over to Michael's to gather up some bright and fun 12x12 carstock that went nicely together and also fit into the color scheme I had used while creating my lovely text art. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f1EAhxieu4s/T2fNXc3QStI/AAAAAAAAAXE/g9kZ8IJqqoU/s1600/IMG_0320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f1EAhxieu4s/T2fNXc3QStI/AAAAAAAAAXE/g9kZ8IJqqoU/s400/IMG_0320.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Excuse my awful iPhone night photos. These are all Bazzill Basics colors. I even took an artsy photo to show you the exact colors I used below:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vDsCOVT7sxw/T2fOA0UQiUI/AAAAAAAAAX0/dG_zGPQ1jIA/s1600/IMG_0332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vDsCOVT7sxw/T2fOA0UQiUI/AAAAAAAAAX0/dG_zGPQ1jIA/s400/IMG_0332.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Why did I cut these strips you ask? Won't my cardstock now be 12x12-minus-a-quarter-of-an-inch? Depending on what brand of cardstock you buy, a 12x12 sheet may or may not be a true 12 inch square. Bazzill factors in these little detail strips with the cardstock info which are an additional 1/4 inch. So double check (measure!) your cardstock before givin' it the slice. Once it's gone, it's gone! Measure twice, cut once. Mine were an extra 1/4 inch so they got chopped...just like the show. Only...not.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ueW4qHtAV_k/T2fN5G9z8wI/AAAAAAAAAXs/aV4YKex0sNo/s1600/IMG_0331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ueW4qHtAV_k/T2fN5G9z8wI/AAAAAAAAAXs/aV4YKex0sNo/s400/IMG_0331.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After a LOT of shuffling around to pair word art with cardstock and then be happy with the overall orientation and balance (I laid everything out on the floor), I decided a little something was missing. Since 8 12x12 frames were definitely not in my budget, I went with a way cheaper and more subtle effect. To get a bit more dimension on the cardstock, I decided to use foam adhesive to attach the matted word art to the colored paper. I was short on what I needed, hence the ever increasingly smaller pieces. Hey, ya work with what you've got, right? Here's the shuffle in progress:</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3oYep977Rrg/T2fNONku93I/AAAAAAAAAW8/tIWGWYBLMaA/s1600/IMG_0316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3oYep977Rrg/T2fNONku93I/AAAAAAAAAW8/tIWGWYBLMaA/s400/IMG_0316.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And you can see how I spaced the adhesive here:</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ctj1Xy1NfQ/T2fM_yrq9rI/AAAAAAAAAWs/U4r2NYrkQGA/s1600/IMG_0312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ctj1Xy1NfQ/T2fM_yrq9rI/AAAAAAAAAWs/U4r2NYrkQGA/s400/IMG_0312.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Because there won't be anything pressing against the front of the cardstock (such as glass) and since paper is light, this spacing worked out just fine. If you're worried about sagging or any other effects of such spaced foam adhesive, you can always add more. Assuming you have it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6000EXtCnRo3YpUx5fR5WrtTalanOXBrL48DVpJZoMRueR1X0I196G5O5sTPx23tynY6jwwIw2i61sWgBNKEIo02jpsMIaSA5DJUH-L5sMzo4Jbfa-Vfxvlt_iOfW8XR9UJXz1gU_eNoC/s1600/IMG_0313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6000EXtCnRo3YpUx5fR5WrtTalanOXBrL48DVpJZoMRueR1X0I196G5O5sTPx23tynY6jwwIw2i61sWgBNKEIo02jpsMIaSA5DJUH-L5sMzo4Jbfa-Vfxvlt_iOfW8XR9UJXz1gU_eNoC/s400/IMG_0313.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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Just peel...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqWOtwj5kr1jZQWCh5iuNuu0z3yEwiGiADqmuj5O2UvP_Hd7Y_C2daFCLAzRMyxuYWVnTt1E0BekunNfrDT1Mm1_kJr6VxAY2RTCTPH_PoIK_zoJxapp-C7idOuC03oZZCHt-gXkKWTYEN/s1600/IMG_0326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqWOtwj5kr1jZQWCh5iuNuu0z3yEwiGiADqmuj5O2UvP_Hd7Y_C2daFCLAzRMyxuYWVnTt1E0BekunNfrDT1Mm1_kJr6VxAY2RTCTPH_PoIK_zoJxapp-C7idOuC03oZZCHt-gXkKWTYEN/s400/IMG_0326.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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And--poof! Instant dimension!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoa3T0bpvbpb2If3q0csP3xLYrST_acU5B2wzQVqIfg4ssf3vhT_uE8F486outEOaaVtpL7ed_AHpZKaxJrE-pOaEpS4Op6K6ZkpPtyXUd-YFfkx3r_kqF78h4IxZ5-Y028zY5glrdSUL/s1600/IMG_0327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoa3T0bpvbpb2If3q0csP3xLYrST_acU5B2wzQVqIfg4ssf3vhT_uE8F486outEOaaVtpL7ed_AHpZKaxJrE-pOaEpS4Op6K6ZkpPtyXUd-YFfkx3r_kqF78h4IxZ5-Y028zY5glrdSUL/s400/IMG_0327.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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So here is my boring office wall before my art. I am aware it is very. very. boring. And I prefer to think of this as a more neutral sandy olive color than the lovely "booger" and "puke" likenesses my lovely examinees have compared it to. Oh, kids.<br />
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Before...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xzx4rWGEZ6g/T2fOF1mTBoI/AAAAAAAAAX8/hHR3GAN9wFk/s1600/IMG_0335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xzx4rWGEZ6g/T2fOF1mTBoI/AAAAAAAAAX8/hHR3GAN9wFk/s400/IMG_0335.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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After!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w8YkDmJ-CsY/T2fOMzIZdNI/AAAAAAAAAYE/KyRrng2m4vY/s1600/IMG_0336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w8YkDmJ-CsY/T2fOMzIZdNI/AAAAAAAAAYE/KyRrng2m4vY/s400/IMG_0336.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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It's a nice temporary touch that I feel can catch kids' attention and even instill some good advice or ideals. It also serves as a handy reference for kids' reading ability, or even as ice-breakers for particularly shy or reticent kids.<br />
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These would look a million times better in those sweet Ribba 12x12 frames from Ikea. Someday. Here they are looking a little sparse, but once I add some other fun stuff (I'm thinking twinkle lights, some faux flowers, some photos, and maybe some kiddie art), it will begin to look like home. Just in time for my internship to be over! At least I'll have a head start on next year :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHpQqn3c3qejDnK9A0cRt5JEYdBvomQ0qnR21z4nIpSUZfoMBbMjRn1_5__G8heUIob6JLl8HL30NQQOwEm__Id-Ncm4nj8n17p3dMFt5B7zhyphenhyphenDu-c37YTX9cJWdC_pNei3L2egBmgvPz/s1600/IMG_0339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHpQqn3c3qejDnK9A0cRt5JEYdBvomQ0qnR21z4nIpSUZfoMBbMjRn1_5__G8heUIob6JLl8HL30NQQOwEm__Id-Ncm4nj8n17p3dMFt5B7zhyphenhyphenDu-c37YTX9cJWdC_pNei3L2egBmgvPz/s400/IMG_0339.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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What about any of you guys? Make any word art? Think of a great quote I should add? Have any extra 12x12 frames you wanna give me fo' $free.99? Or...GASP!...are you a school psychologist? Do tell!.:mLe, ink:. aka Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08061205703781979974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751729716159863025.post-78969873064541701932012-03-07T19:01:00.000-05:002012-03-07T19:01:31.230-05:00Catching Colors...fo' Realz<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So a few weeks ago, I finally decided I really <i>really</i> needed to wash my duvet cover. Full disclosure...I had never washed it. Since I got it. Which was...oh...5 years ago.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know, so gross right!? Yes, I wash my sheets and towels once every 2 weeks (ish), so I'm not a total scummer. But I was SUPER paranoid about washing my comforter cover because it was the dreaded red and white color combo (along with some blue, yellow, and green). I LOVE this comforter. Like, I love it more than I probably should, which is why I avoided washing it. It was out of love. Honest. I was terrified that it would come out of the wash with a pink tint. Don't get me wrong--I love me some pink. But there's a time and a place for that, and it was NOT on my duvet. No way Jose. (You like that rhyme? You know you did).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then magically, as if in answer to my endless worrying about the impending day of doom when I would have no option but to wash my duvet due to a horrific stain (ok...exaggeration. I really didn't worry about it that much...or really much at all. But it's more dramatic this way) I saw a commercial. It was like the clouds opened up, rays of awesomeness shone from the heavens, and the wonderful product known as Shout Color Catcher emerged from the fluffy beauty up above. Cue the heavenly angel music.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Go6AUMLF9M/T1f1Zeef-QI/AAAAAAAAAUw/J6cDT-LYPQg/s1600/shout-color-catcher.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Go6AUMLF9M/T1f1Zeef-QI/AAAAAAAAAUw/J6cDT-LYPQg/s320/shout-color-catcher.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I will be the first to admit that I was super skeptical. In the commercial, this soccer mom lady throws her red dress (scandalous) along with her husband's white work short (oh snap) into the wash and--POOF!--they both emerge unscathed, the red dress a nice deep sanguine and the shirt a crispy starchy white fabric fit for the gods. And I saw that commercial and thought to myself: "What a load of crap." (That laundry pun was SO not intended, but now that I typed it I am definitely NOT deleting it).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But then, one day, on a <strike>waste of my time and money</strike> very important and needed shopping trip to Target, I happened upon the duvet cover I had been lusting over for months...on clearance. And not regular Target clearance where they knock off less than 10% and type it on a red tag and say "clearance." Real clearance--like more than 50% off. I have no idea why. I have no idea how. But I couldn't resist. I had been looking for a new duvet cover under $40 for about 3 months since we moved to our new apartment and my pretty, but loud, current duvet cover just did not fit in our new pad. After snatching that perfectly pretty white damask floral parcel, I promptly realized the day had come where I had no choice but to wash my other duvet cover if it was going to be put into storage for use another day. I hemmed and hawed and finally grabbed some Shout Color Catcher on my way to the register, got home, threw a catcher in the wash along with my precious duvet cover, and prayed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And lo and behold--it worked!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IXNV6bh4c58/T1a8n-iZhEI/AAAAAAAAAUg/H0jQPCUs6I0/s1600/IMG_0077_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IXNV6bh4c58/T1a8n-iZhEI/AAAAAAAAAUg/H0jQPCUs6I0/s400/IMG_0077_2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Admittedly, I threw in 4 catchers to be safe, but those crisp little white sachets came out a nice soft to medium pink. I couldn't believe it. They actually worked. Take a look at those bright, clean, white flowers below. White never looked so good!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDPZZGUqLzoipAJ8bpEw3ORHsywZdZ8CgnyjgTdCafzT1Mo09VIysMs2QZv9YHlExdLs-AL5hIOVWKSPmADUw8MsTNtG0fFKKTOLobfR-TQ0Lp55Ga7oJyKSuvwvG5g_YrKif2VfmmsY3/s1600/IMG_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDPZZGUqLzoipAJ8bpEw3ORHsywZdZ8CgnyjgTdCafzT1Mo09VIysMs2QZv9YHlExdLs-AL5hIOVWKSPmADUw8MsTNtG0fFKKTOLobfR-TQ0Lp55Ga7oJyKSuvwvG5g_YrKif2VfmmsY3/s640/IMG_0078.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So if you're in the mindset that these color guards are a waste of precious moolah I say to you--NO SIR! I mean, I wouldn't throw them into every load so I didn't need to separate my laundry, but for special items like this they are a STEAL. They pay for themselves ten times over on a single important item this. I couldn't be happier with the result. It's like it was magically cleaned by the laundry fairy with no water at all.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In conclusion: Shout Color Catcher = Awesome.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Me Likey.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Note: I was not paid or perked by SC Johnson (a family company!) to promote this product. (Pfft--I wish they knew who I was--hah!) I just legit like this product and think it actually works the way it's advertised.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Double Note: Shout Color Catcher image from <a href="http://www.southernsavers.com/2012/01/freebies-shout-color-catcher-aromatheraphy-oil-crystal-light-more/shout-color-catcher/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
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</span></div>.:mLe, ink:. aka Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08061205703781979974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751729716159863025.post-49988211490910515622012-03-05T18:17:00.001-05:002012-03-05T18:18:26.116-05:00Revamping...Ok, long time no see. I've been trying to figure out some stuff like how to making blogging easier for myself as far as pictures/images go. I do tons of projects, take tons of pictures, and then don't get any further because I find editing, uploading, and physically writing around images SO tedious. So I'm researching new methods to see what I can do to get around this block! A quick search shows that there are third-party apps that may be able to help me with this...?<br />
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In the meantime, the blog is getting a makeover. I love my new logo and I'm a huge fan of the new colors and look in general. However...I somehow disabled my tab box and you can't toggle from one to another now, so...I've been trying to figure that out and it's FRUSTRATING. Computer, why don't you speak English? Oy!<br />
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To sum up, I'll hopefully be up and running soon. My certification exam is this weekend, so after that's done, I can breath a sigh of relief before freaking out in about a month while I look for jobs that aren't there yet :)<br />
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Happy creating :).:mLe, ink:. aka Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08061205703781979974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751729716159863025.post-36082899627408105532011-11-26T20:42:00.005-05:002011-11-26T20:48:07.338-05:00A Time for Thanks<div><br />
<div>Hi all. Sorry for the ridiculous absence. I don't have much of an excuse except that I have been busy busy busy! Between moving, starting my internship, studying for my certification exam, and beginning the job hunt process, I have been way pressed for blog time. But the good news is that I have been crafting--so fear not! I have some things to share.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Being Thanksgiving weekend and being amidst all the I'm-thankful-for-you business, I decided to give out some "thankful" cards at work to people with whom I work the closest at the three schools that I cover--and trust me, I am VERY thankful for ALL of them! I got the idea from the peeps at Young House Love, as seen <a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/2011/11/thanksgiving-traditions-one-old-one-new/" target="_blank">here</a>, but I wasn't feeling their style as far as the printout they offered. However, I loved their idea! So I put my own spin on the "thankful for you" card with some help from Photoshop, and created something a little more me.</div><div><br />
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</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://localhost:60952/7718b25cf194467de82c6339f51429fe/image/32e9a7937312eb82.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://localhost:60952/7718b25cf194467de82c6339f51429fe/image/32e9a7937312eb82.jpg?size=320" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(^ sorry this is all grainy and weird...if you click on it, it IS clear, and should print just fine. All the blog fixes I've tried won't make this smaller image crisp though--if you know how to fix it PLEASE share!)</span></div><br />
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I'm super happy with the way it turned out. I just printed them, chopped them down the middle, and then sliced 'em horizontally just above the text in the middle. After filling out the top card to the recipient, I then used some removable adhesive (Tombow) and stuck the smaller card to the larger card. I punched out a little butterfly from some cute fallish patterned paper, and placed him in the lower right hand corner with some dimensional adhesive for a final touch and a little punch of 3-dimensional goodness. I don't have any pictures of the final product, as I need to protect the privacy of those I work with--sorry! But I promise they were cute :)<br />
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Please feel free to download the above file and share, share, share!!!!<br />
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<i>Note: after handing out a few cards, it became apparent that I hadn't made it obvious enough that there was a card underneath for the recipient to pass on, so I started folding the butterfly corner back a bit to make it extra clear. Half of the "thankful for you" idea is paying it forward, so I wanted people to have no excuse about not seeing the second card!</i><br />
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It was such a simple thing to do, but I really think people appreciated it mucho, especially because this time of year is very stressful in our school system (long story short, we expect a major influx of work and the related stress that comes with it right after report cards go home, which was about a week ago). Giving people the pick-me-up they deserve is especially nice when things get a little rough! This is a great idea for any time of the year, and these cards can certainly be altered to fit any occasion. After all, we're thankful at other times of year than Thanksgiving!<br />
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How about any of you out there? Did you do anything special to let others know how thankful you are? How about some traditions in your family/workplace/social circles? I know there must me some interesting ones out there!</div><div><br />
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</div>.:mLe, ink:. aka Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08061205703781979974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751729716159863025.post-15259113627589584082011-07-16T08:00:00.004-04:002011-07-16T12:08:11.962-04:00Fabbie FindsWoo to the hoo - it's Saturday. I've got another round of fun, less-than-25-dollar stuff for ya. This week's theme is multiples; all items come with at least 2 pieces! 'Cause more bang for your buck is always better, right?<br />
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Up first...<br />
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<a href="http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/life-strategies/problem-solvers-00000000046223/index.html">1. Muffin/Cupcake Pan Scrubby</a><br />
<i>Casa Bella </i>via<i> Real Simple</i><br />
<i>$7.99 (for a set of 3)</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhON4b8tQNp0uuk0t9CvzV6RRB741IOTeOy6ElMCP5IZgRYAyeAPbxfFzRZjR2njNht6kP40XH_9vIQ0u_dBE_1L4NQYj5AnOO-WHsyGKeqsSTUztRrmplNmTagcYwstbfsxKg4JXGLcOSL/s1600/Muffin+Pan+Scrubby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhON4b8tQNp0uuk0t9CvzV6RRB741IOTeOy6ElMCP5IZgRYAyeAPbxfFzRZjR2njNht6kP40XH_9vIQ0u_dBE_1L4NQYj5AnOO-WHsyGKeqsSTUztRrmplNmTagcYwstbfsxKg4JXGLcOSL/s400/Muffin+Pan+Scrubby.jpg" /></a></div>I bake a fair amount of muffins - especially corn muffins. My boyfriend actually likes them too, which is both a good and a bad thing. However, while I love <i>eating</i> muffins, I despise <i>cleaning</i> the pan that's left after the corn muffin feast. I've got a non-stick Wilton pan, but no matter what, I end up cleaning the little bugger at least twice; I think I get all the little nitty-gritty crumbies and oil slicks the first time around, and then I take it out of the dishdrainer only to feel that tell-tale slickness, or see some little browned bits. I've often wondered if there was something that would make life easier when it came to cleanup duty, and then I happened upon this little guy. Not only is he cute, but he also looks like he'd do a great job during pan-scrubbing thanks to his unique shape and size. With two sides to choose from, how can you go wrong?<br />
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<a href="http://www.darlybird.com/world20.html">2. Vinyl Lace Placemat</a><br />
<i>Darlybird</i><br />
<i>$12 (for a set of 6) </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7YxPwr-UNKM/TiDuY7mSAvI/AAAAAAAAASg/laU6c7MY5Cg/s1600/Vinyl%2BLace%2BPlacemats.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7YxPwr-UNKM/TiDuY7mSAvI/AAAAAAAAASg/laU6c7MY5Cg/s400/Vinyl%2BLace%2BPlacemats.jpg" /></a></div>Yes, you read that right; these lovelies are only $2 a piece! But despite their tiny price-tag, they certainly don't <i>look</i> cheap by any means! Lace is definitely an "in" item right now, from clothing to light fixtures, and these are no exception. (Check out these super cute over-your-bathing-suit shorts <a href="http://www.cameonouveau.com/PhotoGallery.asp?ProductCode=N_LETAR_003&PhotoNumber=4">here</a>, and this amazing idea for a light shade <a href="http://www.moredesignplease.com/moredesignplease/2011/3/4/diy-doily-lamp.html">here</a>. Plus, if you really wanna get your dining area lacy and racy, you can DIY a lace doily table runner, like the one seen <a href="http://ashleyannphotography.com/blog/2009/12/16/diy-doily-table-runner/">here</a>). The color above is "stone gray," but they also come in other classic colors (like black or white), in addition to fun colors (like lime or turquoise). You can see all the colors <a href="http://www.darlybird.com/platters.html">here</a>. I personally like the organic, soft tones of the stone gray (I guess I like the classic off-white look of antique doilies), but could certainly see these adding a great pop of color to some fun tablescapes. And honestly, at 6 for $12, even <i>I</i> would consider buying more than one set to mix things up. The chosen material (a nice pliable vinyl) makes clean-up a snap so that you don't have to worry about dainty fabric, while the delicate cutting gives a nice air of sophistication - a perfect balance!<br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62209399/sf-ocean-beach-bobby-pins-set-free">3. Sea Glass Toned Nature Bobby Pins</a><br />
<i>Liz Hutnick's Etsy Shop</i><br />
<i>$15.85 (for 4 pins)</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKjHAHyDcA1aLKuAOvhFvaRZud0pszzCbhVoJMZOq_eeheVz-j7aLLqM0hl3f45cBPdgHVikxQu6jCukeZutCu0Pa0_hX-4tExIMqY4F0roUO1WMQ7qlI8YdlFlJXN501RAtO8lSnDfSa/s1600/Perty+Hair+Pins.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKjHAHyDcA1aLKuAOvhFvaRZud0pszzCbhVoJMZOq_eeheVz-j7aLLqM0hl3f45cBPdgHVikxQu6jCukeZutCu0Pa0_hX-4tExIMqY4F0roUO1WMQ7qlI8YdlFlJXN501RAtO8lSnDfSa/s400/Perty+Hair+Pins.jpg" /></a></div><i> </i><br />
When I saw these, I just about died and went to heaven. Yes, they contain a bird (my weakness...*sigh*), but they're also in sea-glass tones, which was like super sweet icing on the cake. The other organic motifs (in addition to the aviary creature) are so chic that these guys could be paired with a work outfit in a neat French twist, a date night with sexy waves, or even just a quick updo for hanging around the house. At nearly $16, they're not particularly inexpensive, but I think they qualify for a little splurge, or a cute gift for a sister, girlfriend, cousin, coworker...mom......aunt......<br />
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<a href="http://www.modcloth.com/Apartment/-The-Kind-Kitchen-Tea-Cup">4. Mug-Sized Teacup and Saucer</a><br />
<i>$19.99</i><br />
<i>ModCloth</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u6VR8H3QdMI/TiDuZdlijRI/AAAAAAAAASw/2E7IP9MC_9k/s1600/Giant%2BTea%2BCup.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u6VR8H3QdMI/TiDuZdlijRI/AAAAAAAAASw/2E7IP9MC_9k/s400/Giant%2BTea%2BCup.jpg" /></a></div>Ok, you're probably wondering why this counts as a multiple. While it <i>is</i> technically 2 items (a cup <i>and</i> saucer), the thing I liked about this little guy is that it comes with a snazzy box that many reviewers said they saved for reuse.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i0tbS6uE-tI/TiD1nA6-9TI/AAAAAAAAATA/0ysnAj-HDJU/s1600/Teacup%2BBox.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i0tbS6uE-tI/TiD1nA6-9TI/AAAAAAAAATA/0ysnAj-HDJU/s400/Teacup%2BBox.jpg" /></a></div><br />
So it's a two for one! Plus, the size of the "cup" is actually a bit deceiving in the image; most reviews liken it to the size of a coffee mug. Ergo (yes, I said "ergo"), you could use this little guy for many different purposes: a very large spot of tea that doesn't require refills from the pot; a nice big cup-o-Joe that allows you to stay put at your desk without fiddling with your sugar and creamer proportions once you get it right for the whole shebang; a nice mug of steaming soup (especially chicken-noodle if you're sick - eating from this little gem would instantly make anyone feel better)...It's really so much more than <i>just</i> a tea-cup. So in addition to a cute storage box, you actually get a very versatile item, ergo (yep, did it again), making this item count for a multiple. You just got lawyered (HIMYM reference, in case you were confused).<br />
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<a href="http://www.modcloth.com/Apartment/-Snooze-Button-Coaster-Set">5. Beddy-bye Coasters</a><br />
<i>ModCloth</i><br />
<i>$23.99 (for a set of 4)</i><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>*Note: this is a sale price, down from $39.99; not sure how temporary this may be!</i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lxGnPGAHfrs/TiDuZ4fEZxI/AAAAAAAAAS4/l3Nwc6hfFMs/s1600/Bed%2BCoasters.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lxGnPGAHfrs/TiDuZ4fEZxI/AAAAAAAAAS4/l3Nwc6hfFMs/s400/Bed%2BCoasters.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;">I've gotta admit - I've never seen anything like these coasters! What an original idea! I think the bed frame adds an air of unique interest, and could even give height to an artfully arranged coffee table, side table, or living-area bookshelf. Despite its delicate-looking nature, reviewers commented that these little guys are actually quite sturdy. They even appear to have mystical powers over the y-chromosome when it comes to using a coaster (at least according to one reviewer). Plus - they're white. White looks nice everywhere...especially under a glass when it's saving your precious woodware. (But let's face it: it would still look nice no matter what. You know it's true). </span><br />
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<div style="clear: both;">So there we have it! Another week of Fabbie Finds! I've made it <b>5 whole weeks</b> <b>in a row</b>. I know - insanity.<br />
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Are you guys as smitten with those vinyl placemats as I am? Can you think of any other uses for the giant tea cup? Curious to see if the bed coasters will have mystical powers over certain male household members in terms of swaying them to...err...use protection? (Let's not get too greedy here. Get your mind out of the gutter and start with your <i>coffee table</i>. And yes, I realize there are an insane amount of inappropriate jokes that could be made to go along with this double entendre. But my mom reads this blog, so we'll keep it PG). (Hi, Mom).<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: Times; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Trebuchet,sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">*Note: All images via the linked webpage for the featured item.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span">**Double Note: I was not paid or perked by any of these sellers or companies (pft, I wish they knew who I was--hah!). I just found these items myself and thought I would share them!</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: Times; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Trebuchet,sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: Times; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Trebuchet,sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"></span></span></span></span></div>.:mLe, ink:. aka Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08061205703781979974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751729716159863025.post-85014559243234824442011-07-14T17:34:00.000-04:002011-07-14T17:34:27.656-04:00Maintaining my Vanity<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</div> So, a while back, a came across this little lovely on Craig's List for a mere $20:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DLwEFhcNrfg/Th9UsVNK3RI/AAAAAAAAARg/9Xy5K2aIcLA/s1600/DSCF0592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DLwEFhcNrfg/Th9UsVNK3RI/AAAAAAAAARg/9Xy5K2aIcLA/s400/DSCF0592.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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It wasn't even in bad shape. The family was just cleaning out their little girl's room, and decided they didn't need it anymore. The mirror inside the flip-up top was damaged and discolored, but that was something I could work around, and certainly wasn't a deal-breaker for only 20 bones.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cyV8S9ojTbs/Th9UsimC-mI/AAAAAAAAARo/gFwQZ1UObGQ/s1600/DSCF0593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cyV8S9ojTbs/Th9UsimC-mI/AAAAAAAAARo/gFwQZ1UObGQ/s400/DSCF0593.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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Like I said, this little guy (gal?) wasn't screaming "I NEED TO BE FIXED UP!!!!" but the current paint job just wasn't my style; it seemed to be a little frouffy for my taste (very technical term). The original coloring looked to be a DIY job; the white spray-painted coat was done very well and looked practically flawless, but the gold detailing was pretty sloppy in some places (no pictures - sorry!) and just gave the piece a very childish feel. Being a perfectionist, those gold details <i>were</i> screaming "messy Messy MESSY!" in addition to likening the piece to something that should be in Kate Middleton's foyer or dressing room. After finding <a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2010/11/a-perfect-gray-blue/">this</a> piece over at <a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/">Centsational Girl</a>, I was itching to grey-ify something of my own, and thought that the feminine lines of this piece would lend itself well to a more masculine and rainy-day color.<br />
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While the color I ended up picking is a bit more blue than I had originally intended (I'm a newbie at choosing paint colors that match what I want, despite the fact that I was a good student and taped up tons of different swatches to look at in different lights at different times of the day), I still like the juxtaposition of the baby bluish tones (read: boyish) on such a curvy piece (read: girlish). I had originally wanted to paint the inside of the flip-top a bright and complementary color, like coral, or a deep contrasting hue, like midnight blue, but ended up leaving that part alone for now. It just wasn't in the cards yet, as I wasn't sure of how to handle the damaged mirror, and I couldn't make a final decision regarding the color (I'm leaning more toward coral...). As it turns out, we're not even currently using the flip top at all, so it doesn't matter; it's <i>very</i> difficult not to put stuff on top of a flat surface...and once it's there, you can't open it anymore. Sigh. I wouldn't mind if it magically turned into a drawer, but maybe after our move, I'll start actually using the little guy as a vanity. Here's the little bugger in all it's (currently) finished glory!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y1LD_5f4jT8/Th9UtLPBHWI/AAAAAAAAARw/DjNBuJe2w3o/s1600/DSCI0380.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y1LD_5f4jT8/Th9UtLPBHWI/AAAAAAAAARw/DjNBuJe2w3o/s400/DSCI0380.JPG" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The color I ended up going with is Valspar's "Rising Tide" color-matched to Olympic Premium No VOC latex paint. I just bought a little sample size for around $3.50, and it was more than enough for a single coat after a nice coat of Kilz primer. Interestingly, when I hold the color swatch up to the vanity, the color on the card <i>does</i> read a little more gray and less blue, but oh well! I'm still happy with the end result. We're currently using it as a little buffet-type-piece in our dining area, and it blends nicely under our wall collage, as we have a lot of photos or paintings that involve blues, from water, sky, and even backgrounds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Tb3ttjjPL0RFH4qJlpvvhrur7jZgt-WLNM7aKHLKHLv6twg4qr6FIUsQ-bVPGl-U1wMQN4csooyAk3dbBaUsgQ3ee-uNZpwnx6YHz1k1d0IqGIjop5-vJ5w5szal44Ruk3IszAhA2C1P/s1600/DSCI0382.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Tb3ttjjPL0RFH4qJlpvvhrur7jZgt-WLNM7aKHLKHLv6twg4qr6FIUsQ-bVPGl-U1wMQN4csooyAk3dbBaUsgQ3ee-uNZpwnx6YHz1k1d0IqGIjop5-vJ5w5szal44Ruk3IszAhA2C1P/s400/DSCI0382.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While I had originally planned on altering the color of the drawer pulls, I actually didn't think they were too bad once I was all finished. They look a little tarnished or well-worn, which I like better than pristine, so for now, they stay. I'm thinkin' they'll look even better once I choose some fun fabric for drawer liners that picks up some of the goldish and cream tones. I got the idea from <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGAIAQ6uV2OWspFx_acaOlAvLq563FCJCr-6sGRT-fL7B-gzqMXjkVFppOccnhVcXzGnMLq3tZLSnyYVw30McDyuK5DowS_WN_SrGG8_j2P0xueTtzjMyeQqjzh01Y5aNRU-iXhOjjC8/s1600/DSCN2837.JPG">this</a> image that I came across on Pinterest - been looking for something similar ever since!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jQ9Xg-Ld9_k/Th9Utq10-zI/AAAAAAAAASA/QsOASC5XJzk/s1600/DSCI0384.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jQ9Xg-Ld9_k/Th9Utq10-zI/AAAAAAAAASA/QsOASC5XJzk/s400/DSCI0384.JPG" /></a></div><div style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>So to save your fingers from scrolling back to the top (life's tough, I know), here is a comparison image of the before and after. I like the much more subtle single-tone color that hints to the detailing in the wood with shadows, rather than that cheap-looking gold acrylic paint that might call your attention to the details...but not in a good way.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwaqazjnfjua7y_6XdwZ-zJ1gLNZj5uQxE9-1soxwUkU6T7-rfKw3SeWv9jTt9d1mS5NDvXyLA19b4ByyqhXJotuQhi1qU5xLijAkWu3bNQK7AnG4owJpop6xfQGXvPjHySNLlaiFsvqE/s1600/Vanity.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwaqazjnfjua7y_6XdwZ-zJ1gLNZj5uQxE9-1soxwUkU6T7-rfKw3SeWv9jTt9d1mS5NDvXyLA19b4ByyqhXJotuQhi1qU5xLijAkWu3bNQK7AnG4owJpop6xfQGXvPjHySNLlaiFsvqE/s400/Vanity.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Have any of you guys redone any interesting pieces lately? Do you have as much trouble choosing a paint color that actually looks the way you pictured it in your head when you're done? Found any steals on Craig's recently? Do tell!<br />
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</div>.:mLe, ink:. aka Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08061205703781979974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751729716159863025.post-85987737138155114212011-07-09T08:00:00.009-04:002011-07-10T00:49:11.862-04:00Fabbie FindsIt's that magical time again: the Saturday you all love and look forward to so you can read a blog post! Woot. This week's fabbie finds are themed around food...the first 4 products I found seemed to have a culinary flair, so I made sure to find a 5th that fit into the trend.<br />
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Onward!<br />
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<a href="http://www.perpetualkid.com/shark-fin-ice-cube-tray.aspx">1. Shark Fin Ice Cubes</a><br />
<i>Perpetual Kid</i><br />
<i>$</i>9.99<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6O9QbGs5mzo/ThZxxVL-3II/AAAAAAAAAQg/XkbI-mQ6QPg/s1600/Shark%2BFin%2BIce%2BCubes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6O9QbGs5mzo/ThZxxVL-3II/AAAAAAAAAQg/XkbI-mQ6QPg/s400/Shark%2BFin%2BIce%2BCubes.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Are these not the funniest slash cutest things ever? The mold creates a nice big base that sits just deep enough in your beverage to be hidden, but also keep those fins upright and sinister looking. I think they would look particularly cute in a really big punch bowl or other large vessel with a lot of surface area so it looked like a giant feeding frenzy or something. You could get really graphic and float some raspberries or strawberries too for a gory effect...play some <i>Jaws</i> music...use some sort of hidden device to create a current so they looked like they were swimming...too much? Sorry.<br />
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<a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/supplies/e7a5/?cpg=froogle">2. Pen Cap Utensils</a><br />
<i>Dine Ink via ThinkGeek.com</i><br />
<i>$5.99</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pHfNFUcfzaU/ThaBRSd5PFI/AAAAAAAAARQ/JBwj3VBOVmE/s1600/Pen%2BCap%2BUtensils%2B2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pHfNFUcfzaU/ThaBRSd5PFI/AAAAAAAAARQ/JBwj3VBOVmE/s400/Pen%2BCap%2BUtensils%2B2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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We've all been there. You're on the run, at work, at your sibling's soccer game, chillin' on the subway, lounging on the beach...and you open your bag to grab that yummy lunch you worked so hard to prepare. Mmmm, it's a chickpea, black bean, and edamame salad, some Moroccan couscous, and a little slice of home-made mocha ice-box cake. (What? I seriously pack lunches like this. Don't judge). You're starving and have been looking forward to this all day...that yummy vinaigrette...those little pearls of exotic deliciousness...that creamy-chocolaty-coffee-y awesomeness...You dig around in your bag for your fork, salivating at the thought of digging into your little feast. And to your horror, you realize you left that simple, yet necessary, utensil sitting on the kitchen counter that morning in your rush to get out the door. You stare at your lunch, tummy grumbling, cursing the fact that you packed NOTHING you can eat with your hands. Why oh <i>why </i>did you forget that fork? You could risk it, and tip the containers and attempt to dump the food into your mouth, losing half of it on the floor/ground and making a total idiot out of yourself while you're at it...or, you could reach for your trusty never-go-anywhere-without-them pen cap utensils! You pop one onto one of your ho-hum Bics, and it magically transforms into a transportation vessel, allowing food to travel from your container to your mouth. Life is good. Bon Appétit.<span style="font-size: small;"><span id="taw" style="font-family: inherit; margin-right: 0pt;"></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.modcloth.com/Apartment/-Short-and-Spout-Funnel">3. Pink Elephant Funnel</a><br />
<i>ModCloth</i><br />
<i>$7.99</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yFAtMv0ldKU/ThZxx3ppIZI/AAAAAAAAAQw/b4JmmJtMmL0/s1600/Funnel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yFAtMv0ldKU/ThZxx3ppIZI/AAAAAAAAAQw/b4JmmJtMmL0/s400/Funnel.jpg" /></a></div>What a cute, yet practical, kitchen gadget! This little creature puts the fun in functional, with a trunk used as a funnel spout. If you've ever tried to transfer liquids from large-mouthed bowls to itty-bitty-opening vessels, you know just how useful a kitchen funnel can be. Spare the grossness of contemplating using your DIY/around-the-house/nasty job funnel you keep in the garage (you know, the one you use when you change your oil? No?) and invest in this little bugger instead. Cuter, cleaner, and awesome...er. <br />
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<a href="http://www.modcloth.com/Apartment/Kitchen+Bath/-Seasoned-with-Sweetness-Shaker-Set">4. Little Birdie Salt'n'Pepper Shakers</a><br />
<i>ModCloth</i><br />
<i>$15.99</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4uKe6EJWZ2g/ThZxyIK9fbI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/6dE_gyvJCzA/s1600/Salt%2Band%2BPepper%2BShakers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4uKe6EJWZ2g/ThZxyIK9fbI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/6dE_gyvJCzA/s400/Salt%2Band%2BPepper%2BShakers.jpg" /></a></div>Another ModCloth find, I just couldn't pass these little guys up (c'mon...they're birds. Enough said). I love how they're in two different poses, and snuggled on/into a little nest of sorts. These will always make a nice centerpiece on the table, regardless of whether it's set for dinner, or cleared from a meal and just sittin' and looking pretty. You can't ever go wrong with white (and as far as I'm concerned, it's difficult to go wrong with aviary accessories, although it <i>is</i> possible. I'm not THAT crazy).<br />
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<a href="http://www.preserveproducts.com/large-plastic-cutting-board.html">5. Recycled Plastic Cutting Boards</a><br />
<i>Preserve</i><br />
<i>$14.99</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-42w-3DYqhPI/ThZxyuqvspI/AAAAAAAAARA/Wr9RT7C6fX0/s1600/Cutting%2BBoard.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-42w-3DYqhPI/ThZxyuqvspI/AAAAAAAAARA/Wr9RT7C6fX0/s400/Cutting%2BBoard.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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If you're like me, you always feel bad when you have to toss those plastic containers that certain items come in, despite the fact that you've looked <i>everywhere</i> for an eco-friendly alternative in a number 1 or 2 plastic so that it can be recycled (my local recycling program only takes numbers 1 and 2. Boo). There are some food items that you just have to buy in number 5 plastic if you want them at all, such as yogurt, hummus, cottage cheese...and so many places won't recycle these containers. Behold! Preserve's <i>Gimme 5 Program</i>. You can read more about it <a href="http://www.preserveproducts.com/recycling/gimme5.html">here</a>, but the long story short is that this program actually takes your number 5 plastic containers <i>for free</i> and recycles them into all sorts of products, such as cutting boards like the one featured above. Not only is this a great way to recycle, but these products are BPA free, dishwasher safe, and still 100% recyclable after years of use (just melt 'em and mold 'em again! It's like play-dough for big kids!) You can drop off your number 5 plastics at your local participating Whole Foods Markets (check <a href="http://www.preserveproducts.com/recycling/gimme5locations.html">here</a> for a list of participating stores), or you can mail your plastics in (at this point, you have to pay for shipping, but <i>Gimme 5</i> is working hard to create more drop-off locations. You can find more info <a href="http://www.preserveproducts.com/recycling/mail.html">here</a>.) They even take your Brita filters! Plus, <i>Preserve</i>'s products all seem to have great reviews; for example, the curve on this cutting board doubles as a handle and a retaining wall to help slide you hard-earned choppings into pots. Perfect!<br />
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<a href="http://www.nodaya-net.com/11438.htm">Bonus! Revolver Hair Dryer</a><br />
<i>Nodaya</i><br />
<i>$40?</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W-e-hcK2qHw/ThZxy6EjTYI/AAAAAAAAARI/m3tHk9jtHfo/s1600/Hair%2BDryer%2BRevolver.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W-e-hcK2qHw/ThZxy6EjTYI/AAAAAAAAARI/m3tHk9jtHfo/s400/Hair%2BDryer%2BRevolver.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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The only place I can actually find one of these puppies for sale is on some Asian website I can't understand (there are some in Etsy shops, but they are all sold). According to Google Chrome's translation of the website, this bad boy retails for around $40, but I'm not exactly sure how accurate that translation and conversion is. However, if I can find one of these guys, I'll be totally down to purchase it as a splurge. I'm not a gun fanatic by any means (quite the opposite actually), but I just think this product is so clever and cute (the Tiffany blue color is particularly appealing to me...the juxtaposition of the shape and color are so ironic!) Just think of all the witticisms you could say if you owned one of these...you could blow your 'do out...pull the trigger on those split ends...you get my drift. Plus, if a certain male figure in your life has longer locks, the blue version of this little gadget just might be manly enough to encourage some masculine dryer-time. However, I would totally <i>not</i> recommend traveling with this bad boy if your trip involves a plane; if you thought security was a pain when they wanted to take a look at your regular hair dryer, imagine the scene when this little guy goes through the X-ray machine. Not pretty. Unless you arrive for your flight about 10 hours early and are looking to kill some time (no pun intended). In that case, go for it. It's your trip.<br />
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What about you guys? Find anything awesome this week? Think of any other witticisms to go along with this blowdryer? Have a local recycling program that actually takes number 5 plastic (jealous!!)? Leave a comment and chat!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">*Note: All images via the linked webpage for the featured item.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span">**Double Note: I was not paid or perked by any of these sellers or companies (pft, I wish they knew who I was--hah!). I just found these items myself and thought I would share them!</span></span> <br />
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</div>.:mLe, ink:. aka Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08061205703781979974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751729716159863025.post-60836280596783110122011-07-04T18:06:00.001-04:002011-07-05T18:21:41.371-04:00Be Vehwee Quiet...I'm Hunting fow Apawtments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So I figured if apartment hunting was taking over my life and preventing me from doing projects that I would otherwise blog about, I should blog about this instead. So this post is about the method my boyfriend and I came up with to find a new pad.<br />
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My boyfriend and I decided to move to Richmond since it will be a mid-ish point for his job and my upcoming internship. Neither of us has really lived in a city per se, and we thought that, being a city, there would be oodles of apartments to be had in a neighborhood that was safe and not undergraduate (VCU students are EVERYWHERE) or roach-infested. So. Not. So.<br />
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At first, we turned to <a href="http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites">Craig's List</a>, who had served me well in the past. However, perusing The List quickly became annoying for a few reasons. Reason 1: the filters it uses. We needed at least a 2 bedroom, but there was no way to search for 2+ (we certainly wouldn't mind having another room if it was in our budget). Additionally, being very unfamiliar with Richmond, the main streets, and all the neighborhood names, we soon became tired of Google mapping everything separately.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Cue: <a href="http://www.padmapper.com/">PadMapper</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ceh1mYiOJxA/ThItHqm04II/AAAAAAAAAQQ/eheeID0YqxM/s1600/Padmapper.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ceh1mYiOJxA/ThItHqm04II/AAAAAAAAAQQ/eheeID0YqxM/s400/Padmapper.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Now, I had never heard of PadMapper until very recently. Now that I'm using it, I do remember my sister mentioning it a while back, but at that time, it was too early to start scouting (sorry, Sis). However, now that I've "discovered" it, I will never EVER go back to Craig's. Here's why.<br />
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PadMapper reminds me of Kayak.com. It searches different popular apartment listing sites (which you can customize), and pulls up all of your possible apartment matches on a Google Map. The customization capabilities are super duper awesome; you can put a high and a low on SO many different filters: rent, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, how old the posting is, pets that are allowed, sublets, if there is a picture in the ad, etc. Being a very visual person, I LOVE the Google map that gets pulled up. And if you create an account (it's free and super fast), you can favorite different places to save for another time (the pins turn green). PLUS, when you click on a pin, you can click a link that takes you to the original ad, allows you to do Google Street View right within the window (creepy, but also awesome), and it even creates a "walk score" for you, taking into account how close different places of interest are, like coffee shops, laundry mats, bars, restaurants, gyms, and grocery stores. It's GREAT.<br />
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Once we found PadMapper, it suddenly became a lot easier to to find apartments that looked promising, and we needed to come up with a system to make appointments that didn't overlap, and allowed us enough time to get from point A to point B. We came up with a very basic schedule type thing with 30-minute time slots. After the first day where we overbooked ourselves, we decided to allot 1 hour per showing (regardless of whether or not the same agent showed us multiple apartments). This has worked out pretty well for the most part, though 1 hour 15 minutes is sometimes necessary if the apartments are really far from one another. I just write out the times on the left hand side of a piece of scrap after we decide when the first and last appointments are going to be for that day. Then, as we make appointments via e-mail or phone, we fill in the address, name of the agent, and their phone number. It looks like this as it starts to get filled in (blurred out for privacy - don't want any stalkers because I have SO many people that read my blog):<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-32uqj3OtD7Y/ThItHFJ_W8I/AAAAAAAAAQA/wGcCK52AQ4s/s1600/Timeline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-32uqj3OtD7Y/ThItHFJ_W8I/AAAAAAAAAQA/wGcCK52AQ4s/s400/Timeline.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Once the list is finalized (some things get canceled if the apartment is rented before we can see it, or we need to move things around), I type up an itinerary for the full day that we take in a portfolio when we make the trip.<br />
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Since we started viewing so many apartments (about 10 per trip to Richmond...yeah, we're picky), we needed to come up with a system to keep track of which apartment being which, what we liked about it, what didn't work, etc. We came up with a ratings and check-list form that we customized to things that are important to us for each room. Some things are rated (counter space in the kitchen, for example), and other things are just a check box system (for instance, whether or not there is a washer/dryer that comes with the apartment). We made some adjustments after the first day (it was far too detailed and it was taking us too long to fill it out), so we streamlined it to suit what we needed it for, and then incorporated space at the bottom to make notes about unique things that caught our eye (whether good or bad).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfKwz15ICET-uvvUG9kQqkjCagCOD58fhJDUeu9Mue1dIc3twCc_TDc-e7YyRxU9UaZF5F2TwcIx-TbPP5gbQVeaztcflwuo3TwKTyHjaPHnhGWE-Ju7L2YilDGcSeI-5-DTxnH7ttNun/s1600/Apartment+Rating+Form.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfKwz15ICET-uvvUG9kQqkjCagCOD58fhJDUeu9Mue1dIc3twCc_TDc-e7YyRxU9UaZF5F2TwcIx-TbPP5gbQVeaztcflwuo3TwKTyHjaPHnhGWE-Ju7L2YilDGcSeI-5-DTxnH7ttNun/s400/Apartment+Rating+Form.jpg" /></a></div><br />
So far this system has been working pretty well. We learned the hard way that we max out at around 8 or 9 apartment showings per day (day 1 was a total crank-fest at around 14 apartments. Not good). We also learned that you should call and confirm your showing that <i>that morning</i>, (time slot, where to meet the person, and the quoted rent in addition to what it includes). Otherwise, you show up and wait only to find out the apartment has already been rented, the agent is sick and no one took over her showings, etc. Always a bummer, especially since it's about 95 degrees outside, and you've driven all over creation for nothing. It became a necessity for us to confirm rent quotes because we ended up being quoted one thing the week before on the phone, and then we'd show up at the apartment, and all of a sudden the rent was $200 more, which they wouldn't tell us until the end of the appointment. This became a major annoyance for us; not only was it a huge waste of our time because the apartment would suddenly be out of our range and we wasted the time slot, but we would fall in love with a place only to find out we couldn't afford it. Not cool. This seemed to be a trick used by multiple property management companies, so we just started double checking every single one.<br />
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It was interesting to see the different reactions we'd get from different people when we'd show up with our clipboards and ratings scales. Some people thought it was a great idea, others obviously privately deemed us insane. But the system works for us, especially since my boyfriend and I each rate the apartment on our own and compare later, so we get to make unbiased reviews, for the most part.<br />
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So far, we are still apartmentless. We're both pretty picky regarding very different things (my boyfriend is much more concerned about location and ceiling height for his easel, I'm much more concerned about feeling safe and at home inside the apartment, which usually means sunny windows, somewhat updated appliances, and enough space to not feel like I'm trapped in a closet). So far...no dice. We've been pretty disappointed to find out that our budget places us at the low end of where undergraduates tend to live, which isn't really where young professionals in their mid 20s see themselves. Hopefully this Wednesday will be the winner!<br />
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How about you guys? Any advice on apartment hunting? Have any "system" you employ? Think we're crazy for designing and using a rating system? Live in Richmond yourself and have some words of wisdom? Do share!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">*Note: All images are mine, EXCEPT for the PadMapper image via <a href="http://www.padmapper.com/">here</a>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span">**Double Note: I was not paid or perked by any of these sites or companies (pft, I wish they knew who I was--hah!). I just found these sites myself and thought I would share them!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span> </div>.:mLe, ink:. aka Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08061205703781979974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751729716159863025.post-62186243130924408022011-07-02T08:00:00.002-04:002011-07-02T13:50:01.491-04:00Fabbie Finds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> Another week has flown by! Yikes! Sorry for only a single blog post. Apartment hunting has taken over my life. But at least it's a holiday weekend! I don't have any major plans for the 4th, but seeing as how Colonial Williamsburg is in my backyard, I think some local resources might just take care of all the planning for me! Kudos to little work with a major payoff. Heh.<br />
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Anyway, it's time for another round of fabbie finds. It's a colorful week for the most part!<br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/76415639/free-shipping-8-cotton-cloth-napkins?ref=sr_list_26&ga_search_query=dinner+napkin&ga_order=date_desc&ga_view_type=list&ga_ship_to=US&ga_min=&ga_max=25&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade">1. Floral Napkins</a><br />
<i>Charlotte Handmade's Etsy Shop </i><br />
<i>$24</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQZRIRe0zOs3uxaQjBPvhYVjGFutWbELhffZexgGqV1dEOTAWguAMM9yShExFAQw0Nt5gn-Rm3lCDsvc4cB6jC6h_JMtXzG8-TvgSxxkbyLiIhzcxiKMkfhbWUKYC3EMR2vlAiTw_C9dB/s1600/Cloth+Napkins.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQZRIRe0zOs3uxaQjBPvhYVjGFutWbELhffZexgGqV1dEOTAWguAMM9yShExFAQw0Nt5gn-Rm3lCDsvc4cB6jC6h_JMtXzG8-TvgSxxkbyLiIhzcxiKMkfhbWUKYC3EMR2vlAiTw_C9dB/s400/Cloth+Napkins.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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How pretty are these? This set of 8 napkins is so sweet; the colors are soft enough for any season, by perky enough to help brighten any day. I love the little hints of gray mixed in - it gives these guys a nice modern twist while still allowing them to be feminine and traditional. Plus, if 8 is too many, Charlotte Handmade also sells in sets of 4 so you can mix and match, or just go with a half order!<br />
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<a href="http://www.envirosax.com/graphic-series/oasis-series/oasis-bag-1.html">2. Reusable Tote Bag</a><br />
<i>Envirosax</i><br />
<i>$8.95</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KMFkelqQrLY/Tg5p_jTm6XI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/tT46qmPVXZM/s1600/Envirosax%2BBag.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KMFkelqQrLY/Tg5p_jTm6XI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/tT46qmPVXZM/s400/Envirosax%2BBag.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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I actually own 2 of these bags and use them religiously. They're light, strong as an ox, and fold up into teeny tiny little roll-ups. Plus, they're deceptively HUGE when open. I can almost always fit all my groceries for a week into a single bag, and I never worry about them ripping; I've lugged around some seriously heavy loads before with absolutely no issue (the website states a weight capacity of 44 lbs. I don't think too many people carry 50 lbs worth of anything in a single bag anyway). They come in SO many different colors, and you can even buy coordinating sets that all slide into a handy little pouch. The color above is "Bag 1" from the Oasis line, but there are all sorts of colors, patterns, and motifs to suit anything you could possibly want - even an organic line!<br />
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<a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/supplies/e5f5/?cpg=cj&ref=&CJURL=">3. Facebook Stamps</a><br />
<i>ThinkGeek.com</i><br />
<i>$12.99</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tRgtprGkh_g/Tg5p__zYHDI/AAAAAAAAAPY/_Pw6yNu-e88/s1600/Like%2BStamp.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tRgtprGkh_g/Tg5p__zYHDI/AAAAAAAAAPY/_Pw6yNu-e88/s400/Like%2BStamp.jpg" /></a></div>I don't even remember how I found these, but I think they're hilarious. Quite honestly, I'm not a fan of the Dislike button (does that even exist?), but the Like button is hysterical. I'm not really sure when you'd actually use these, but where there's a will, there's a way. Maybe if I were a high school teacher, I would totally employ these bad boys on graded work...well, at least the Like one, anyway. I'm not THAT mean.<br />
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<a href="http://www.japanesegiftmarket.com/Decole-Squirrel-TapeDispenser.aspx">4. Squirrel Tape Dispenser</a><br />
<i>Japanese Gift Market</i><br />
<i>$14.00</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ghPdkWwqzzI/Tg5qAcrQSsI/AAAAAAAAAPg/kXxE3l2vIZs/s1600/Squirrel%2BTape%2BDispenser.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ghPdkWwqzzI/Tg5qAcrQSsI/AAAAAAAAAPg/kXxE3l2vIZs/s400/Squirrel%2BTape%2BDispenser.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I also don't remember how I found this little guy, but is he not the cutest tape dispenser you've ever seen? I admit, I have a thing for squirrels (how can you go wrong with fuzzy wuzzy fur and HUGE eyes?), but regardless, this little bugger is still pretty endearing. He's so much better than a boring black sand-weighted dispenser. I just wish he dispensed from the front...at least your desk visitors can look at his sweet little face.<br />
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<a href="http://toolbar.google.com/gmail-helper/notifier_mac.html">5. Google Notifier</a><br />
<i>Google</i><br />
<i>Free (yes, free!)</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cZSWfk0bITY/Tg6DJBwby6I/AAAAAAAAAPw/CmABz0uqQOw/s1600/Google%2BNotifier.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cZSWfk0bITY/Tg6DJBwby6I/AAAAAAAAAPw/CmABz0uqQOw/s400/Google%2BNotifier.jpg" /></a></div> When I first got my Mac, I was all about MacMail. However, not wanting to pony up and pay for a MobileMe account, MacMail suddenly became annoying when I had more than one device that I used to access my e-mail. While I loved Gmail, I was sad I couldn't have a desktop notifier to let me know when I had new messages, which was one of my favorite aspects of MacMail. Behold! Google Notifier! This little guy IS a desktop notification system that not only tells me when I have new messages; it also says how many I have, and even shows little blurbs from each one (sender, subject, and first 10 words or so) without me ever needing to leave my desktop. Now all my e-mail is accessed directly within Gmail, meaning it's the same on every computer. But I don't have to leave my desktop to do the basics (you need to open your browser to read full e-mails and compose, but that's just fine with me). I love it mucho, and installation was easy-peasy!<br />
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<a href="http://society6.com/product/Mr-Pavo-Real_iPhone-Case">BONUS! Peacock iPhone Case</a><br />
<i>Society6</i><br />
<i>$35</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgoX2iHNbi48-YT_vpWCQUTPcSk7dR-kM43gqnByftqOXtpz9VyPtsmGdi-mNrmER2Kl3uO4eePqL_HgFoWEjy_ptDDib22RZoU0Is25GFSNdI9thAZswqdvY6Fv8VENxpbXiXfQm6jKw/s1600/Peacock+iPhone+Case.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgoX2iHNbi48-YT_vpWCQUTPcSk7dR-kM43gqnByftqOXtpz9VyPtsmGdi-mNrmER2Kl3uO4eePqL_HgFoWEjy_ptDDib22RZoU0Is25GFSNdI9thAZswqdvY6Fv8VENxpbXiXfQm6jKw/s400/Peacock+iPhone+Case.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Holy WOW is this not the most amazing iPhone case you've ever seen? Society6 has TONS of super cool designs for all sorts of tastes, but I just loved the colors on this one. (Plus...it's a bird. And I have a thing for birds). In addition to iPhone cases, Society6 also offers stretched canvases, art prints, and skins for laptops and iPads in their designs, in case you love the decor but don't own an iPhone. You can search within tons of different categories, from nature to typography, and even browse for certain artists (this design is by Valentina Ramos). Talk about some sweet tech or wall upgrades!<br />
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Ok, that sums it up for this week! What about you guys? Found any amazing products lately that you think I should feature? Are you as obsessed with this peacock as I am? Do you have any woodland creatures on your desktop? Spill it!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">*Note: All images via the linked webpage for the featured item EXCEPT for the Google Notifier image via <a href="http://digital-sushi.org/entry/2007/10/">here</a>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">**Double Note: I was not paid or perked by any of these sellers or companies (pft, I wish they knew who I was--hah!). I just found these items myself and thought I would share them!</span></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div>.:mLe, ink:. aka Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08061205703781979974noreply@blogger.com0