Cuppa Kim Mug Swap

I can't even remember where I heard about the Cuppa Kim Mug Swap.  I obviously read about it on a blog, but can't remember which one.  The rules were simple.  You send Cuppa Kim your contact information then she sends with someone who sends you a mug and vice versa.  You send a mug and get a mug.  Why participate?  Well, it's always nice to get GOOD mail once in a while!  I received this beautiful mug and some vanilla black tea!  So exciting to get a present in the mail.  I drink tea only in cool weather, so I will be enjoying this in the very near future.

You can read about the mug I sent, here.

4 Things.

This short week has really tripped me up.  I clearly didn't realize that today was going to be Friday.  It completely slipped my mind to write a blog post!  But then, when I woke up this morning, I was convinced that it was Saturday.  Ummm....no. 
Has anyone else noticed the signs of Autumn popping up?  I haven't seen any leaves turning yet, but I did spot these pumpkins in front of the grocery store. 

While you could just pick up your fall pumpkin at the grocery store, wouldn't it be more fun to get one at an actual farm?  Check out where you can pick your own (PYO, they call it) here.  My favorite place that's close to Baltimore is Huber's Farm.  

Sticking with the fall theme, doesn't the cooler weather just make you want to cuddle on the couch with your favorite blankie?  Perhaps you'd like to make your own?

I love a good collaboration.  So, I was so excited to see this Method pair up with Orla Kiely to come up with this!  I bought some this week at Target.  Beautiful and useful.  (And a safe cleaning product for those of us are trying to keep toxic chemicals out of our homes.)

Finally, it can be difficult to find really great craft products when our only options are Joann's and Michael's.  Don't get me wrong, those places can have really useful products, but sometimes you want something a little more unique.  Might I recommend a couple of really good flash sale sites specifically for crafting?  Pick Your Plum and The Plaid Barn.  You have to sign up for both of these (both are free) and they email you the deal each day.  They only sell one item every day, only available until it sells out.  The items are very affordable!

Wishing you a great weekend!!

4 Things.

I'm getting ready to participate in my first flea market in a little over a month and have been cleaning out my closets in preparation.  I've been coming across some things that feel like old friends.  The best find was this Matryoshka doll (russian nesting doll) that I received as a Christmas present from a friend in high school.  She will definitely be staying home with me!
And now, for this week's 4 Things.

Travel:  Do you have any fall travel plans?  (I do!!)  Is there anything worse than being stuck on a long flight with nothing decent to eat in for foreseeable future?  (There isn't.)  How about these 5 Plane Picnic suggestions?

Read: I recently read about the Class of 2016 Mindset List, that apparently a little school in Wisconsin-Beloit College, has been putting out since 1998.  This list "provides a look at the cultural touchstones that shape the lives of students entering college this fall."   The class of 2016 was born in 1994 and have never seen an airplane ticket, have never owned a set of encyclopedias and have never eaten a tan M&M.  And they've never know a world without the blue M&M.  Can you imagine?  You can read the complete list here.

Consider:  With the coming of fall, also comes cold and flu season.  I come from a long line of hypochondriacs, grew up fearing any sort of illness and was rushed to the doctor for a runny nose.  (In my parent's defense, I did suffer from chronic asthma.)  I enjoyed this post about convalescence, from SouleMama.  She mentions the expectations of our modern world to pop a pill and magically become well once illness strikes, when in reality, what is often really needed rest and time to heal.  Much to think about.

Eat: I made this recipe for Corn and Crab Cakes from Skinny Taste.  Delish!   Healthy and easy.  And you can make them up and refrigerate ahead of time (sometimes this is a good option).  Pairing them with a simple salad and sweet potato fries made for a perfect dinner.  I would recommend making a simple remoulade or aioli to serve over the cakes.  And adding a liberal sprinkling of Old Bay (at least that's how we do it here in Maryland!)

Have a wonderful holiday weekend!  My office is closing at 2pm today (yea!).  I am planning on laying low and finishing the aforementioned closet clean out. (It is becoming quite the undertaking!)

4 Things.

Good Morning and welcome to the 2nd edition of "4 Things!"  I am very proud of myself for actually doing this two weeks in a row.  Let's hope I can keep it going week to week!

Visit:  Summer is coming to a close, but there is still time to visit your local farmer's market.  This week's pictures are from the farmer's market that's held in the parking lot of the Baltimore Museum of Industry.  It's open every Saturday from 9:00 to 1:00.  I encourage you to visit your local farmer's markets!  I have always looked forward to going, even when I was a child.  I think it really fosters a community as well as supports small, local businesses.  Not to mention, offers produce and other foods that far surpass the quality and taste that you'll find in the grocery store.  You can find the farmer's market closest to where you live (well, if you are lucky enough to live in the great state of Maryland) here.

Make:  I came across this tutorial for rope covered planters from Craftberry Bush.  Like the author of this tutorial, I also don't have a dedicated craft room.  And my craft area is usually a bit of a mess.  So any creative and pretty containers I can come up with are definitely put to good use!  I'll be saving a few cans out of my recycling to give this a try soon.

Attempt: I am not very adventurous with my hair.  It's down right boring.  My only real concern for it everyday is that it's clean.  (This I can manage.)  I may try to spice things up with this tutorial for a side braid., from Say Yes to Hoboken.

Buy: Target's Fall 2012 Curiosity Shoppe Collection, arriving in stores September 9th.  I can't wait until September 9th when Target releases an exclusive collection from Curiosity Shoppe.  It looks amazing!  Here's a link to their look book.

Have a great weekend!!

4 Things.

I love the internet. I'm a constant browser.  Some might call this a time suck, and sometimes it is.  But it can also be educational and often inspiring.  I often find lots and lots of really amazing things.  Things that I want to share with you!
So, I'm starting a new thing on my little blog called "4 Things."  Look for "4 Things" each and every Friday.
I'll be listing things that fall into one of the following categories (that are subject to change): 
-Make
-Cook
-Read
-Think
-Visit
-Watch
-Buy
-Download

I also hope to include an interesting picture that I have recently taken.  Perhaps from the previous week.  

With that said, let's begin!

-Eat:  Superfood Salad from Iowa Girl Eats.  I realize that the end of summer is upon us (at least it feels that way, although the 1st day of Autumn is technically September 22-so we have a good 5 weeks to go), but it isn't too late to eat this salad.  I try to eat a low processed diet (allergies) and also have recently developed an aversion to deli meat.  So I end up cooking quite a bit.  This superfood salad is super healthy and super adaptable (super in oh so many ways!).  The recipe calls for Quinoa, but I had this big bag of Bulgar that I have been using and I've also tried it with Millet. I think just about any grain would work.

-Read:  The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.   I just started reading this on Wednesday and am only into the 2nd chapter, but so far it is really good.  I'm not an unhappy person, but couldn't we all be happier?  It's a book that makes you think, if a book doesn't make you think why bother?  You can also follow The Happiness Project Blog. 

-Think:  While on the subject of happiness, you might also like to check out "10 Simple Things That Make You Happier at Home" on Apartment Therapy.  I've been focusing on #5 this week (If you can't get out of it, get into it!) and it's made a big difference.  Nobody likes doing the dishes, but it's much easier when let yourself watch the newest episode of RHONY at the same time.  And let's be honest, having a clean kitchen can be really satisfying.

Download:  Since I might as well stick to this little "happy" theme, consider downloading this "Joy" wallpaper for your computer or iphone.  It's free on Lil Blue Boo (very well written blog, written by a young cancer survivor, artist and fashion designer, whose motto is Choose Joy).  I downloaded this to my iphone, it's cheerful and a welcome reminder!

Have a great weekend!!

Mug Swap

So here we are, at the middle of August (nearly).  Where has the summer gone?  Evidently, I have not spent my summer on crafts or blogging.  But I do want to so badly be a part of the blogging community.  When I heard about the A Cuppa Kim Mug Swap, I decided to participate.  Why not?  Pick up a cute mug, receive a cute mug in return.  Good surprises are always welcome!  So here's the mug I purchased....

It's from Crate and Barrel.  I thought it was fun.  Let's hope my recipient thinks so too.
I also included a quick note about myself and another little gift.  Just a little notebook, chap stick and a couple pieces of candy.  Who wouldn't like that?

Looking forward to seeing what I receive in return!

Rise Above the Little Things

“One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: to rise above the little things.”
- John Burroughs

I love great quotes.  I have notebooks full of them. A whole pinterest board dedicated to them.  And spout them off to people whenever I see fit.  This one is pretty simple, but meaningful enough to me, stitch down and frame. I had embroidered this little saying a few months ago and finally got around to adding the little bunting across the top.  (I just cut out triangles and sewed them on with my sewing machine.  Nothing fancy.)  I hung this in my workspace this week.   A simple embroidery project, serves as a great reminder.