DIY Friday: Love Maegan's Petal Clutch & Sandals

Friday means the end of the work week and more personal time. For me, this means family time &, if I can squeeze it in, crafting time.

What better way to spend the weekend than with the people you love and doing something with your own two hands?

I love DIYs, mainly because I've always been a crafty girl, but also because I'm a big believer that you don't have to have a lot of dough to have nice things.(read: I don't have a trust fund) . You just have to have a little ingenuity, patience and time.

This weekend, instead of shopping for a new bag, you could try doing Love Maegan's Louboutin-inspired clutch & sandals.

Not only will your wallet thank you, but your friends will "Oooh" and "Aaah" over your new accessories and no one will be the wiser. Of course, if you're feeling generous, you could clue them in and share the tutorial with them.

Belated Greetings

Eternal Love by Holding Hands by Frozen Canuck on Flickr

A day late, but I just wanted to greet my Very Special Someone a very special belated happy birthday.

You are my best friend, sounding board, partner-in-crime, midnight-snack-companion, rock, pillar, buddy, private chauffer, sometime cook, handyman and basically, someone I'd like to hold hands with for the rest of my life.

Thank you so much for making my life so much more than I imagined it could be.

PS I thought that the title of this photograph was just perfect.

TEMPTING TUESDAYS: JAMIE'S ASIAN PORK BURGERS

I'm always on the lookout for easy recipes that taste good. And though I haven't tried these yet, the pictures and comments make them look very promising.

The main additional ingredient to the pork burger is water chestnut. Other spices & condiments not usually associated with burgers give it its distinctly Asian flavor (think ginger & soy sauce).

You can see the complete recipe for the burger and Baby Bok Choy on Jamie's Recipes here.

Not another Manic Monday

Smiling by Meredith Lou on Flickr

Doesn't she have a really beautiful smile? That's how I'd like to feel about Monday mornings.

But honestly, my Monday mornings are usually manic (like everyone else)--trying to get everyone dressed and out the door by 7 o'clock, making sure that all the lunchboxes are packed and the homework is not forgotten under the bed, making sure I've got a sandwich & my coffee in a reusable tumbler packed for the road, making sure I don't leave the keys in the keyhole when I lock up the door, etc. etc. etc.

But life is mostly not about what's happening to you as your attitude towards it and so, though a little late, I say, "Welcome Monday!"

I hope to make this a more regular post every Monday to jumpstart my week and hopefully yours, as well!

PS If you have the time, do check out Meredith's Flickr. She has some really beautiful photos!

Creature Comforts Turns Two

image from Kylie Lambert via Flickr

Happy 2nd birthday Creature Comforts! Thanks for being such an inspiration to so many people and always discovering and sharing the most beautiful things.

May you have many many more years to come! Someday, I hope I get to meet you!

P.S. Just in case you've been living under a rock and don't know who or what I'm talking about. Check out the beautiful blog here.

Sophia Chou

I "discovered" Sophia Chou while surfing the web and I have to say that I've fallen in love with her easy style. She's a genius at layering items and I love how she mixes her soft romantic pieces with edgier accessories. Some of which she makes herself (amazing!).

Doesn't she look like a modern day urban Alice in Wonderland in her bow hairband?

Check out her cool style and her blog here.

Print and Cut -- DIY Mushrooms Birthday Kit

Who doesn't love mushrooms and polka dots? I know I do. :)

This has been in my other Etsy shop, Print and Cut, for some time now, but I've only had the chance to post them here now. It's my DIY Birthday Decorating Kit - Pink and Green Polka Dot Mushrooms (Whew! that was a mouthful!)

It's great for birthday parties or scrapbooking, and best of all, it's only $5.00 to print as much as you like! Did I mention that you don't have to wait for it at the post office? The files will be emailed to you and you can stay in your pjs the whole day.