Mini Matchbook Notepads

You know how I feel about lists.

Love 'em.

Pretty much can't live without 'em.

Seriously.

I am totally and completely lost without my lists.

I take great care compiling my lists, and it is these lengthy compilations of to-do's that get me from here to there.

So.

With that being said, this little crafty project was PERFECT for me, not only did it take me literally less than five minutes, but it was super cute, and super practical!

Little mini matchbook notepads!
OMG. The perfect home for random thoughts, lists, and notes to self!

Toooootally adorable.

Now the ones pictured are from the first round I was experimenting with so they are not all that stellar, but you get the idea :)

Craft Projects I WILL Complete...

one day...

I have an ever growing list of saved links to tutorials and craft projects that I simply MUST do.  Yet I never get around to doing them.  This is because I am either missing just one tiny yet completely essential element of the supply list, or an important tool is stealthily hidden in some box somewhere (I am constantly moving so I am never completely unpacked), or I am just plain lazy...one or all of the above is generally the case.

Well I saw this today and yup, added it to the list.  How cool are they?!  I totally gotta make them!  Of course...ummm...I don't have paint swatches, but ya know, one day when I do, I'll totally make them.

image credits: How About Orange, paint swatch boxes

Another thing I HAVE to make is this...for my neice.  She loves pink more than I do, which is saying a lot.  And she loves frills and sparkles and all things fancy.  It's perfect.

image credits: Prudent Baby

Then I also want to make these.  I can use them to compile more lists.  Yay!

image credits: DaisyJanie, mini pocket notebooks

E-zine Eye Candy

Holly over at Decor8 posted this list of GORGEOUS design-related e-zines...I'm in heaven...SUCH eye candy!

I have only just recently started perusing e-zines...they are all the rage in the blogosphere these days.  I find them to be totally inspirational and beautiful and just a completely new way to explore content on the web.  However, I discovered that I totally read them differently from how I read a normal glossy mag.  I tend to just skim through them super fast...I think I get super over-stimulated by all the ideas and gorgeousness that I zip through them to the end just to see what is in the e-zine, what I want to read and pay attention to, and what I can let float away out of my consciousness, just to so I feel less overwhelmed.  Then I go back and read the parts I want to read.  Sometimes the amount of amazingness on the web is overwhelming don't you think??

Anyways, back to the list...I LOVE Utterly Engaged and Sweet Paul...some readers mentioned another wedding e-zine I had never heard of that is also so very charming...Nonpareil Mag...ahhhh *love at first sight*

I read a few crafty online mags as well...Carina Garder's e-zine and of course Ginger Scraps Street Magazine, since I am a writer for it after all ;)  And speaking of, the latest edition is online and it's adorable!  My article is on page 23 and I have two layouts in the mag this month as well...page 26, page 30...

Here is one of them...

 

Have a very happy weekend!  Perhaps grab a cool drink and read a few online glossies...xo.

image credits: Nonpareil

A Few of My Favorite Fonts...

I am currently on the search for new totally fabulous fonts to add to my collection of faves.  I have tons of fonts...like TONS...but I can't seem to get enough!!

Since I have fonts on the brain, I thought I'd share a little sampling of my faves with you...perhaps you'd like to add some great go-to fonts to your collection...

1. Century Gothic is of course a standard option that comes with most applications, but it is totally one of my faves

2. Honey Script is adorable.  Just a fun, light-hearted grily script.

3. Decker is a great sans serif...similar to Century Gothic, but has a bit of character to it.

4. Texas Hero is one of my all time favorite old fashioned script fonts.

5. Blackjack is a fun script with some funk and attitude. Love it.

6. Masterplan is an awesome grungy font...it's all caps just so you know, but it's rad.

7. Riesling is classy and sophisticated and kinda cutesy.

LIFE.

I've seen this floating around on the blogosphere lately and I just really like it. 
I wish that I could do every single item on this list, but some of those things kinda mean taking risks...
I don't do so well with risk...
I am very much risk averse if you will. 
And in order to accomplish other things on the list, it means I can't let daily chores, tasks, obligations, and worries get in the way of what makes me happy.  That's hard for me too.  I over-analyze, get bogged down by "to-do's", and simply run out of time or energy to do the things I love to do most...
I don't really want to live like that so much...
I want to create, live my dream and do what I love.  Everyday.  All the time.  Because this is my life, right now, and I only get one chance to make it totally amazing. 
I hope you are having an amazing day today!  Cuz you are amazing and deserve it.

image credits: unknown...if you happen to know please let me know so I can credit it appropriately

List Love #3

Yes, it's true that we are just a mere baby step away from September but...

Hello???!!

That so does not mean it's time to bring out the pumpkins and Halloween candy for goodness sakes. August is still here for a few more hours which means FYI: summer totally is too.

Unfortunately I don't have much sway on the corporate giants of America. Baby Gap and Pottery Barn Kids have their kiddie Halloween costumes ready for purchase, Target has aisles lined with Halloween candy, and well...Starbucks began selling their pumpkins products this week...

If Starbucks has declared that it is now Fall, then Fall it shall be.

Now, I have nothing against Fall, no ill will toward it whatsoever; it's just that time is zipping by at an uncomfortably rapid pace. If it's now Fall then that means it's almost winter which means it's almost Christmas and the next thing I know, it'll be an entirely new year altogether!!

But let's regain our focus. Fall, or specifically September, is a lovely time to make a To-Do List. I love lists of all kinds as we know, but I really love To-Do lists. Now being that it's the start of a new season, and a new school year, and a new month, it would make sense to revisit my already revisited summer goals...

however...

we are very much not going to do that.

I peeked at them and I have not accomplished a single one. That's just so awesome of me.
So we are moving on.
New season, new goals...

Fall's To-Do List:
1. Allow my running injuries to heal and sign up for at least one 5K or 10K
2. Take that darn photography class I've been blabbing about (for reals)
3. Bake a yummy dessert for a party/holiday (I want to become a whiz in the kitchen, but I think making one baked good is a good goal for me as I am easily lost in the kitchen)
4. Start figuring out/organizing/researching what I must do to sell my design/photo/illustrative work
5. Make a vision board (I've kinda already started this so this is a good one to put on the list ;)
6. Find an evening yoga class (now that I'm back to work I can no longer go in the mornings)
7. Start looking for a new apartment (also already started this so I'm rocking this list!)

Totally unrelated, but here is a photo I took in Montreal...it's the Notre Dame Basilica (yes, there's one in Montreal too)...I made the photo artsy and vintage looking...I like it.

List Love #2

The ability to not only capture a truly beautiful image, but one that conveys very real human emotion is a talent I really admire.

A lot.

And SO wish I had.

Today's list is a collection of my favorite photographers...I want to be JUST like them one day :)
...or maybe, just buy all their work!

1. Nicole Hill
2. Max Wanger
3. Justin Hackworth
4. Relish Photography
5. Linn Woodard at Peaceliving Blog (one of my bff's)
6. Irene Suchoki
7. Livy at A Field Journal Blog
8. Sixth and Main Photography

P.S. this is the camera I am thinking will make me a fabulous photographer ;) ...there is a newer model out, but it's a bit more pricey and I think this one is just as good and so I think I am gonna get it!

image: Canon Rebel T1i

List Love

Sooooooo...I've injured my foot...I have some kind of running injury that supposedly takes three to six months to heal.

Yes, I did say THREE TO SIX MONTHS. I'm so upset. But I guess that means I will not only have a lot more time to blog, but my whining and complaining about the injury will make for some awesome postings. Get excited.

Ok, just kidding...I don't really whine or complain...that much.

Anyways, I've spent quite a bit of my day today just sitting here with an ice pack on my foot, surfing the interwebs and blog hopping. In my travels I came upon Crazy Sexy Life. Not only is the title of this website the PERFECT descriptor for my own life...ok ok, so maybe it's the perfect descriptor for how I wish my life was...anyways, I fell in love with this blog immediately. One of the gals (Kris Carr) on the blog makes Love Lists each week. These love lists are simply lists of things she finds interesting or beautiful or is appreciative of...she says anyone can make these lists at anytime and they don't always have to be serious but can be fun and whimsical! They are simply a reminder of all that is wonderful in our everyday.

I am a list person myself so I LOVE Kris's love lists. Lists in general, help me maintain organization in my busy life, they help me remember things I am constantly forgetting, they are a place for me to jot down ideas, wishes, dreams, desires...

But what I love love love love most about lists is crossing things off of them. It makes me feel productive. Sometimes I won't cross something off right away just so I can cross two or more things off all at once at a later date. That makes me feel like a SUPER overachiever.

Anyways, I thought today I would make a little love list of my own...right here.

Today's list is going to be all about Stationery Companies that I LOVE. I have a deep fondness for stationery...not only are little papers and notebooks great for writing lists, but I think it is just very special when someone takes time out of his/her busy high tech high speed day to pick out, write, and send a card.

Ok here are a few of my faves...
1. Whimsy Press
2. Orange Beautiful
3. Rock Scissors Paper
4. Field Notes
5. Night Owl Paper Goods
6. Curly Girl Designs
7. Erin Condren
8. Fabulous Stationery
9. Ink Spot Workshop
10. The Wheatfield

I bought this print from Orange Beautiful a while back (mine is white)...I love the sentiment.


image credits: Orange Beautiful, "Laugh Dream Love" print