friday links.

i know this is random... but
lots of things have been preoccupying my thoughts lately.

my career path. where do i want to be in the future? who do i want to be?

family. life is moving along quickly and i can't stop time.

the american dream. working our asses off to not owe anyone money. i'm thankful for my college education, but i'm starting to wonder if the price tag is really worth it.

you know, all the things everybody else thinks about all the time.

now that i've left you deep in thought, here are some links from my week:

cute post about pet photography over on fstop frenzy. really has me thinking about donating my services to a local shelter.

this embroidered portrait is a.ma.zing. via theredthread.

although this isn't exactly my style, i love some of the touches in this kitchen makeover on girls with good taste.

i need to make these bracelets featured on in honor of design.

also, this cake sounds delish. would somebody make it for my birthday? on sweetapolita.

have an amazing weekend!

friday links.

it has been a long week, my friends. though it is ending much better than it started off. i am past ready for a short get-away from crazy clients and children screaming at the top of their lungs (you know, the daycare next door to my office). i am ready for temperatures below 99 and for more wet stuff to fall from the sky (note: photo above was taken a few days after the rain we got last week... more green stuff than i've seen in a while). and i am ready for my husband to actually be next to me when i fall asleep instead of at work.

in the mean time, here are some links.

cotton & curls shares a tutorial on making your own cute, lacy, show-able slip. i will not be afraid of skirts that don't fall below my knees any longer.

i LOVE this diy wrap-turned-scarf that involves no sewing. thanks behind the seams!

this mirror is beautiful. diy? of course. via marcus design.

need cheap/free artwork? how about orange shares some paint chip inspiration.

these korean pancakes sound yummy. now to only convince d. found on dals.

have a fun weekend!

friday links and books.

a few books i've done recently...

sorry for the absence... life has been... busy. and hard sometimes too. not that i'm the only one with difficulties, but it just seems extra trying right now i guess.

it's really making me question a few things... in a good way. it's making me think about where i am right now and where i want to be in the future.

anyway. hopefully i'll be able to post more soon. i've got lots of things i'd like to show you. just doesn't seem i have enough energy to put those together for you. so lets go for something easy...

here are some links:

words of wisdom has a great article on sugar addiction. i think i need to reread that one.

i have quinoa and have only cooked it once... but mint's got a recipe that looks like a great lunch option...

say yes to hoboken shows us how to add pockets to skirts.

uglygreenchair posted about washing her face with oil. i've been trying it out for about three weeks and it's definitely helped. hoping this will be a long term solution...

type on cake? i'm there. thanks twirling betty.

jessicakes answers some questions about cake decorating.


lots of others, but they are mainly recipes and photography-related stuff. don't want to bore you... hope every has a good weekend!

july 1st.

june is over, along with the first half of 2011. what? i have no idea where it all went.

i'm sure no one wants to hear me ramble about how time passes too quickly... so here are some links:

how about orange shares a link to some pretty free printables. as much as i love designing things, sometimes it's nice to already have it done for you.

thanks sweetapolita, now i want to make these cupcakes and eat all of them.

new to me photography blog ground glass has some great suggestions for posing. love the writing style.

this salad recipe sounds amazing. must. try. soon. over on say yes to hoboken!

more good food: these zucchini chips sound awesome too! via 100 days of real food.

i LOVE these baby quilts. need i say more? found on poppytalk.

ok folks, have a good, safe, fun weekend!!

friday links.

hello friends! man, it has been HOT lately. i was ready for some warmer weather, but now i'm reconsidering. we are celebrating my nephew's first birthday this weekend, and i'm excited to get to be a part of everything.

now for some friday links...

great tutorial on a chevron friendship bracelet on one pearl button. these would be great made with some leftover fabric scraps.

i downloaded this free ebook written by scott bourne on vision in photography. haven't gotten to read it yet, but i know it will be good advice (as always!)

this recipe for pan fried tilapia sounds amazing. i know we don't eat enough fish, so this will be a perfect recipe to try out. on always order dessert.

love this idea for remembering your beloved pet after they are gone. via just something i made.

this pull apart orange bread on giverslog sounds perfect for a lazy weekend with family.

i must be on a food-kick. this chickpea salad sounds really yummy too. always looking for a quick (easy!) lunch at work and this would be perfect. over on with style & grace.

have a great weekend!!

friday links.

ahh, it's friday. time for some relaxation? probably some, but i've got a photoshoot with a 2 year old and some wedding books to work on. and next weekend? spending time with my family to celebrate my nephew's first birthday!!

okay, now for some links...

loving this diy cakestand on rambling renovators. i've actually made one similar to this, but didn't think about painting the base.

giverslog share some tips about grilling the perfect steak. seeing as how we've been afraid to mess up a nice cut of meat, this is perfect timing!

if you need a good laugh, i suggest heading over to dinner: a love story for a witty grown-up report card.

i'm not normally a fan of commercial characters in decorating (not even for kids rooms!) but these diy paintings by bee in our bonnet takes it to a different (and cuter!) level.

i still love you takes on another leather project. these magic braided leather cuffs would be a cute gift for any girl.

have a great weekend!!

friday links and a gratuitous dog photo.

this is the view i see most days when i pull up in the driveway and d has beat me home. lillie peeking her little face out at me from between some fence posts (that need some help!) she can be such a brat sometimes, but that sweet little face always saves her.

this week has really been something else. i know i'm not the only one that hasn't had a great week, so i'm just chalking it up to stress and the full moon.

here are some links from my week...

elle apparel posted some beautiful home facade photos. i love to dream about building a home someday and the outside looking like a well-kept older home.

another easy (& beautiful) way of printing on fabric. from alisaburke.

i love this diy ombre shirt from c&c. now to just dig through my closet for some shirts that need some love...

these fabric pom poms are beautiful!! must. make. some. immediately. on a subtle revelry.

have a great weekend!

friday links.

friday again? i can't complain. ready to get out of the office and head out for the weekend!

since i didn't post any last week, here are some links from my week...

cute handwritten fonts over on kevin & amanda.

an area i need lots of help in: posing. great tips on posing seniors over on mcpactions.

i love this idea! make a rolling pin stamp with alisaburke.

nikon now has a 50mm f/1.8 lens that is compatible with my auto focus (aka: no manual focusing). yes, i am excited about this, but can't justify buying a new lens right now... visit the mansurovs for more info.

these little rolled paper flowers are. so. cute. i want to make a billion of them. tutorial on jones design company.

great article on using reflectors on improve photography. good thing, i just got in my first reflector this week!

have a great weekend!

horses and links.

i really meant to post this last friday as usual, but just never got around to it! i had a great opportunity a few fridays ago to photograph some horses outside of town. it was great to practice on not-so-still subjects. once i'm done editing, i'll definitely post a follow-up with more images.

here are a few links from last week:

a sunburst pillow would look great just about anywhere. another addition to my list of sewing projects! on noodlehead.

this chicken recipe on always order dessert sounds delish.

cute diy fabric-wrapped lampshade on decor8.

more food! mayo-free potato salad on the ugly green chair.

peanut butter cup caramel shortbread bars. need i say more? on our best bites.

another book for (another!) april wedding. this year is moving quickly, my friends! i can't believe how fast time seems to slip by. hopefully i will be sharing some more photos soon. new opportunities are coming up every week, and i am extremely grateful for these chances to get some more practice in.

here are some links from my week:

LOVE this tutorial from gorgeous shiny things. inkjet printer + epoxy = magic.

these almond farmer cookies sound pretty amazing. from always order dessert.

great post on making new wood look old on young house love.

great paper flower diy on a little hut. these would be perfect gift-toppers!

i never would have thought to do this, but it's a great way to add some character to cheap jewelry. on dream & dress.

as someone who has dealt with hypoglycemia since childhood, this article "is sugar toxic" is really interesting. it has certainly made me cut back on all the processed stuff i eat. from word of wisdom.

have an awesome easter weekend!

baby ava and friday links.

wow, three posts in one week! as much as i would like to post daily... life just comes first, you know? here's a pic of little ava, who i took pictures of earlier this week. i'm still editing her photos, but this was a favorite i just had to share. i am looking forward to this weekend... can't believe it's already friday once again.

some links from the week...

i adore these tiny diy polaroid magnets on ambrosia girl. all these baby pics i've been taking... wouldn't they be fun in tiny magnet format?

this inside-out cake is gorgeous! not only is it beautiful, but it seems like it would take less time that fully icing the cake. on sweetapolita.

hello, plastidip silverware! i've got some estate sale serving stuff that would look awesome with a coating like this... on the way we are.

improve photography shares some insights on soft lighting for portraits.

diy straw and shoestring necklace on i spy diy. i could see this made with some brass tubing and a leather cord for a more upscale look...

beautiful diy vintage book frames on ruffled.

friday links.

i've had lots of things on my mind this week... new opportunities (and the fears that come with those opportunities). life seems to be moving along more quickly than i remember and sometimes it's frightening. but most of the time it's fun.

beautiful quilting by anna maria horner.

diy concrete wall on kara paslay designs. could i get away with this in our downstairs bathroom?

thrifty diy sunburst mirror on centsational girl.

tshirt restyle on allyson hill. i have TONS of shirts that are too short for me... maybe i should try this out?

tax tips on design*sponge.

have a great weekend!!

friday link love.

i am having a hard time believing 1) that it's already friday and 2) that it's already april. it must be a result of aging. time goes exponentially faster the older you get!

this week has been a good one - between great projects at work and editing photos when i get home. i am really going to try and focus more of my time on photography. i love taking and editing pictures, and the time spent working on ella's session really reinforced that.

anyway, enough about me! here are some links...

i really adore this 'love' photo print frame from design aglow. i'm thinking i need to put something together like this from some of our wedding pics...

50 tips for baking better cakes from sweetapolita.

diy camera bag on vanilla and lace. love this! i've been wanting something a little smaller for when i don't want to tote everything with me...

a new diy flower pin that is beautiful! if i have some free time this weekend, i'd love to make a few of these. on say yes to hoboken.

love this idea of printing on glass jars. this would be perfect for gifts! featured on mint.

these magnets are awesome. now, to just get ahold of some pantone chips... on how about orange.

this roundup of easy projects with wood pallets is pretty amazing. i never would have thought to use a pallet as a vertical planter! over on you paid more than me.

friday link love.

is it really already friday again? ready as always for the weekend, though they always go by so quickly. since i was such a bad blogger last week, here's my list of links for the past few weeks...

this blazer update is simple and perfect for fitting those thrifted finds. via cotton and curls.

beautiful, modern diy branch light featured on little green notebook.

loving the painted fabric trend. a delightful design makes her own diy version.

i thought this post on fed up with lunch about french school lunches was interesting. could you imagine taking off a few hours for an amazing multi-course lunch instead of scarfing up a burger as quickly as possible? i can.

diy moroccan glass lanterns on design*sponge.

these cardboard guitars would be a fun project for those with little kids. over on make it and love it.

how beautiful is this scallop skirt featured on say yes to hoboken? another reason to get my sewing machine out!

loving this cross stitch mural featured on the red thread. wouldn't this be perfect for a nursery?

have a great weekend!!

friday link love.

aaaand it's friday! i couldn't be happier. not that i mind monday-friday, but this wasn't exactly the best week ever. looking forward to some quality time with friends and maybe some picture-taking. i need to get a few photos of my daffodils. they are finally starting to pop up, and i certainly welcome the fresh yellow addition to our front yard!

i love the look of ghost lamps... here's a great before and after on the wright house.

butcher block countertops in the kitchen? yes, please. great round-up over on apartment therapy.

good information on store-bought bread on word of wisdom living.

who would have thought of bleach for a shirt makeover? c & c shares a great before & after.

two awesome kitchen before & afters on design*sponge.

flowers out of ricrac! cute tutorial on honeybear lane.

awesome coffee table before & after on the painted hive. i never would have imagined the end result!

ever wanted to seriously alter a pair of pants? c & c now has a video tutorial for exactly that.

friday link love.

photo by me, circa 2009

i would like to say maybe this will be a nice, relaxing weekend... but i doubt it. i've got a newborn photoshoot (she will be all of 3 days old!), some cleaning to do and an itch to go thrifting...

i must admit, many of my links i saved this week are from a few new-to-me cooking blogs. is that strange that i don't always like to cook, but i love to read about it? i pretty much want to make everything off of framed cooks, but this ham and egg crepe square recipe was what initially caught my eye! another bonus? many of the recipes feature simple ingredients that i already have. i hate buying a new cookbook and realizing that for most of the recipes, i will need to pick up some special (and often expensive) ingredient.

these fabric party streamers on the city cradle are super-cute for any occasion... and reusable!

house of smiths used a peel & stick vinyl flooring in their bathroom. it looks great! i think this is a good (cheap) option for a temporary fix.

make your own animal print rug? i'm there. via vintage revivals.

kara paslay designs shares how to make your own gray wood stain. cheap, and most of us already have the supplies on hand.

i made this fried egg sammich from all things farmer the other night, and it was amazing. i added avocado and cherry tomatoes, and i'll definitely be making it again!

these watercolor vases are cute, and would be an easy upgrade for all those generic florist vases we all seem to collect. via the city cradle.

i am going to try out this braided hex nut bracelet sometime soon. although i will probably substitute the yarn for a leather strand or something similar. on honestly wtf.

these diy butterfly cupcake decorations are pretty amazing. keeping in the back of my mind for and upcoming showers or parties. found on everything old.

friday link love.

we've gotten some beautiful weather this week, and i'm hoping it will stick. i keep waiting for my daffodils to poke their pretty heads out of the ground, but so far... nothing. i think d is finally motivated to get things into gear as far as updating the house goes. we've got plans to put some flooring in the attic and change the landscaping (in a major way) in the front yard. plus some other stuff, but we want to take it one project at a time!

and... i still haven't caught up with my photo project. life keeps getting in the way! illness and car problems seem to be the main culprit. hopefully i can do some catching-up this weekend and will post those soon...

i've decided this year i will learn to create beautiful, modern-looking calligraphy. this inspiration (kate forrester) via design work life certainly makes me ready order my supplies!

since 'paint kitchen cabinets' is on our list of house to-dos, this post from centsational girl caught my eye. apparently rustoleum has come out with a line of cabinet and countertop transformation kits... at pretty reasonable prices!

this grilled cheese sandwich recipe on navy bean has me drooling on my keyboard. however, i don't think my arteries could handle it...

this baby quilt is adorable. enough said. on newly woodwards.

more amazing and beautiful wedding cakes over on my sweet and saucy.

we really should eat more fish, i just don't know how to cook it. filing away this mediterranean fish recipe from words to eat by for future reference.

i love a good biscuit for breakfast (or, anytime really). this flaky biscuit recipe sounds easy enough, and i have all the ingredients! over on everybody likes sandwiches.

yet another good reason to dust off my sewing machine. cute pleated tank on crafterhours.

have a lovely weekend!

friday link love.

have i ever been more happy to see friday roll around? probably not. after the chaos of last weekend + allergies/sinus infection + lots of design work all week = one tired girl. i am hoping this weekend will be a little more relaxing...

valentine's cupcakes for two over on the cupcake project.

homemade microwave popcorn. i've been meaning to try this for awhile, just never gotten around to buying kernels in bulk... over on full house.

these wedding cakes make me want to get married again. or start decorating cakes. i can't decide. on sweet & saucy.

more wedding news: anthropologie has a wedding line! these are not for the traditional bride, though. read more on ruffled.

i love this roundup of valentine's gift ideas from stylizimo, some of which look pretty diy-able.

finally! a ruffle shower curtain tutorial. now i just need to be brave (and buy a ruffle foot, apparently). via elle apparel.

this vertical layer cake tutorial has an amazing end result. plus, you end up with two cakes! this would be so sweet for a party! over on i am baker. you should also check out their rose frosting tutorial...

this alphabet art is so sweet, and would be a perfect baby shower gift. i promise, it's on my list of things to make someday! not to mention, it would be a super easy setup with my silhouette. over on design mom.

this project restyle before and after is pretty sweet. i really need to dust off my sewing machine and hit the thrift shops... featured on a beautiful mess.

have a great weekend!

friday link love.

man, am i glad it's friday. it seems like my whole little world is sick right now, and i'm just trying to stay in the game. i made progress on organizing last weekend, and hopefully i can continue the process in the next few days. in other news? i'm trying to stifle my lust for a new camera...

here are some links from the week:

i love starburst mirrors. the price... not so much. love this great diy from modhomeec.

this doily lamp makes me smile. via that's happy.

great sewing tips over on make it and love it.

everything LEB shared this idea to dye fabric lamp shades. love it. considering i have no idea what to do with a lamp in our bedroom... this just may work.

this sour cream brunch cake sounds delish. via little birdie secrets.

these pompom shoe clips are a.dor.a.ble. thanks grosgrain for making me want to make dozens of these.

loving this diy picture ledge on chez larsson. i've considered building something similar, but don't know where i'd put it...

amazing stenciled floor over on ashleyann. d would never (ever) let me do something like this, but i think it's fantastic.

okay friends... stay well!

friday link love.

wow, another week come and gone. i realized that my lack of posting might not entirely be my fault. you see, by the time i get home after work, there is only so much sunshine left in the day. hence, it's the sun's fault i don't have more to show you right now. you believe that, right? i've got some thoughts for posts and diy projects... hopefully i can figure some of that out this weekend while it's bright outside.

make it and love it shares a great post on freezer paper. i plan to get some of this to run through my silhouette!

i've been making a few of these felted wool roses this week... they are kind of addicting. via pretty handy girl.

i've been hearing about the wonders that are kale chips. luckily, door sixteen posted about them and reminded me to give them a try! will have to remember this at the grocery store this weekend...

loving this loft featured on desiretoinspire.

this diy bow belt is another to go on my list of things to make. via say yes to hoboken.

have a wonderful weekend!