spicy

Spices add a little zing to everything!

Living in a tiny space requires a lot more creativity than I first imagined. I have to literally use every nook and cranny to store, hide or display necessary household items without it being cluttered, inconvenient or messy. It's quite a job, but I really enjoy doing it.

To save some of my very limited cabinet space, I picked up some magnetic spice jars to stick on the side of my fridge. Using some white labels and my typewriter, I added a little vintage-inspired charm to these otherwise bland jars.

Not only are they useful and easily at hand when I need them, they look really cool on the side of my fridge!

parlor chair

I wish I actually had a chair like this!

This is the final image from my portfolio. I'm getting ready to put a line of wall art on my etsy shop, so when I put those up you can see some of the rest of my portfolio, but for now... it's a secret!

I've realized that vintage stuff really inspires me, and not just because it's cool and funky and becoming trendy with the whole green movement. I like it because vintage pieces, for the most part, are painstakingly made my hand and crafted for quality. Prior to the days of mass manufacturing, craftsmen and artists made everything. Sure, there are some cool things in I*KEA, but I'd take one finely-crafted vintage chair over an entire room of "some assembly required" composite furniture.

peach muffins

It's like peach cobbler in a muffin!

I have been on a real baking kick lately. Often baking every day, and sometimes two or more new recipes! While my pants feel a little more snug, I get such pleasure from the simple act of baking that I don't want to stop. From muffins to cookies to pies and pizzas, I love exploring new recipes on AllRecipes.com. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy soup recipe or the best way to marinate pork chops, the site has it all! I highly recommend it if you're a fine-tuned foodie or a basic cook. There's something in it for everyone.

Like delicious peach muffins. Yum.

The last of the fresh Farmers Market peaches. Au revoir, mes amis!

portfolio

Vintage faucets

Today is the day! I finally finished my portfolio! I'm too exhausted to think of anything cool to write here, but I just wanted to share that I'm done.

Whew.

self portrait

Shady Lady

Well folks, here it is. My first-ever self portrait. (Carved, of course.) It was an interesting sensation to dig my own face out of a lino block, but I'm pretty pleased with the results. I wasn't sure how well I'd do on my eyes, so I'm saving them for a future endeavor. Hence, my classic aviators, which I absolutely adore!

This is just the first print - I'm still experimenting with the colors, paper, etc. but I think she's going to make a splendid addition to the portfolio I've been working on!

notable quotes

Emerson's always got great things to say!

I love tea, and Eleanor Roosevelt! Great quote.

And yet another quote from the master of motivating words. Ah, Thoreau.

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:: Happy First Day of Fall! ::

courage

it takes courage to grow up and become

who you really are.

e. e. cummings