Oh the temptation...

Of course right when I make a goal to cut down on spending I find my dream rocker via Pottery Barn Kids "Designed by You" baby rockers. They have over 50 fabrics you can choose from-all of them gorgeous. Atticus has given me a test run for what I want in a rocker and I now know that a lot of sleeping (or half sleeping) takes place in the nursery so I want something comfortable yet still attractive. If only PB wasn't so spendy.

recipe journal

How cool would this recipe journal from Williams-Sonoma be fore my 30 new recipes I'm learning this year?

Lovely Artist: Cassandra Barney

Friend and artist, Cassandra Barney, whose work and and career inspire me, paid me the sweetest compliment on my Tuesday Mourning blog. I wanted to return the favor by introducing you all to her fabulous work (if you don't already know of it). Most of you have seen the limited edition print of Etta (in the above white frame) I have hanging in my home. I love it and am inspired every day I walk by it. You can find more of her work here. Thanks again Cass!

a darlin' apron for D-lyn

So here it is in all it's glory..my first apron and one of the first completely successful sewing projects I've done all on my own. My sisters and I have an apron exchange going on and I drew my sister D-lyn's name. She's an English Country Cottage/Romantic Vintage kind of gal so I think she'll really like it. I'm proud of myself for sticking in through and re-doing a lot of things just so they were right (however I did finally figure out what a narrow hem was after I'd done most of them incorrectly...oh well...D-lyn can change them if she likes :)). I'm especially fond of the little birdie on the pocket.

Recipe's 1&2: an afternoon of cupcake making

I now have 2 of my 30 recipes completed. This afternoon I decided to get into the Valentine's spirit by making Magnolia Bakery cupcakes with butter cream frosting. So yummy! (although the frosting doesn't look as good as I'd like. I think I could have added more powdered sugar). If you are coming to craft night tonight you will be able to enjoy these with me.

Loving the Hair and the Menswear

I've been trying to re-create this tossled, casual curl look on my own hair. I haven't gotten it perfected yet but I will prevail. Love the menswear look too.

Today I am: Wired Inspired

Loving all things wired inspired particularly Bertoia chairs and vintage 70's gym locker baskets.

The Aries

I find it funny that out of all astrological descriptions out there my husband gets super excited and begs me to come and look at this one:

ARIES - The Daredevil (Mar 21 - April 19 )

Energetic. Adventurous and spontaneous. Confident and enthusiastic. Fun. Loves a challenge. EXTREMELY impatient. Sometimes selfish. Short fuse. (easily angered.) Lively, passionate, and sharp wit. Outgoing. Lose interest quickly - easily bored. Egotistical. courageous and assertive. Tends to be physical and athletic.

Hmm, does anyone else think this is exactly me? Wow, if only I'd known that I could blame it all on my astrological sign all this time ;).

30 things I want to do the year I turn 30

1. create a daily schedule for Atticus and myself
2. create a weekly and monthly cleaning schedule
3. learn 30 new recipes (I know…sounds ambitious but I’m thinking that these can be simple to elaborate)
4. start a themed meal schedule (like Friday is taco night, Monday chicken, etc.)
5. get food storage/emergency preparedness in order and up to date
6. learn how to cook meals from food storage (can go along with my 30 recipes)
7. go to the gym at least once a week ☺
8. do sit-ups and arm curls every day
9. sew on Sundays
10. enjoy the outdoors more (go outside with Atticus at least once a day. I know…it’s sad that I even have to have this goal…but hey, I’m a rainy day artist, ok ☺)
11. learn one new song on the piano
12. plant something and watch it grow
13. paint more
14. write a children’s story
15. build something with wood
16. visit flea markets
17. trust my instincts
18. spend more focused time teaching Atticus new things
19. hold Family Home Evening regularly
20. create a budget that I can realistically stick to ☺
21. laugh more
22. be a glass half full kind of gal
23. create prints of my artwork to sell
24. sew clothing and toys for Atticus
25. always be in the middle of a good book
26. research and pursue new and creative outlets for my art
27. live closer to the spirit
28. be at peace with myself and others
29. early to bed, early to rise
30. give birth to a second child ☺

Reduce. Reuse. Renew. Recycle. Relax.

This year instead of New Years resolutions I've decided to have a theme, or slogan, for the year 2008. Reduce. Reuse. Renew. Recycle. Relax. This article from Home Companion really seems to go along with my theme. A general breakdown of the 5 "R's" goes as follows:

Reduce: spending; the need for material abundance; time spent on frivolity; screen sucking (i.e. countless hours on the computer/internet and watching TV)

Reuse, Renew, Recycle: things found around the house, in thrift stores and in flea markets instead of purchasing "new" items. Focus on renewing and reviving things of the past that have a history.

Relax: work on spending more time relaxing and playing with my son; taking time out to enjoy my surroundings and the life I'm living.

On Style!

Yesterday on Style, (a style show on Knoxville, TN local WBIR/Channel 10 news station) my segment aired and I couldn't be happier (although I will say that the camera does indeed add 10 pounds ;)). April Lamb came over to the house a few days ago and interviewed me for this and we had a great time. You can take a look at the video and story here.