It's a Movement

In addition to her oh-so-cute kid creations, Kathleen, author of the lovely blog Grosgrain, is now doing clothing for grown-ups! I just checked out her blog and one of her latest give-aways is a thrift store revival dress! While perusing her site, I also noticed a link to another blog, Wardrobe Refashion, which is dedicated entirely to recycling old clothes. Apparently this is a movement! I say hooray for refurbished fashion!

Party Banner

We threw a surprise graduation party for my mother-in-law over the weekend. (She just graduated from nursing school- go Anna!) I was in charge of decorations and I used this easy template I found on Martha Stewart to make a pretty party banner. I think it would also be a nice addition to any birthday party, wedding or baby shower. Click here for the template and instructions.

Onward and Upward

Still floating a little bit from yesterday's good news.

(Cute letterpress print by Seesaw Designs via Black Eiffel.)

Poms

I really, really want an excuse to hang these fluffy poms up somewhere.

(Pom Love via Oh Joy!)

Perfect

Today was a perfect day. The weather was a perfect 72 degrees and sunny with just a hint of a cool breeze. My absolute favorite weather conditions, appreciated all the more when proceeded by a long, gray Ohio winter. Today was a picnic in the park kind of day. It was the kind of day that called for car windows being rolled down and the radio being turned up. Today was also the day that after a year filled with classes, late nights studying, applications, more applications, tests, waitlists and lots of prayers that my sweet husband was offered a position in the Marietta College Physician Assistant class of 2011! Today is the day we officially begin another chapter. Today, was a perfect day.

(A calm before the storm if you will... a cold front is bringing rain so tomorrow's weather is going to be less than ideal and living as students is pretty much going to stink...but today, today was perfect.)

Weekend Project

I have been somewhat lacking in the motivation/inspiration department. Hence the reason for my scarce appearance in the blogging world. Lately, I just haven't been feeling so much "hot diggity!"as I have "ho-hum" if you know what I mean. However, I'm happy to report that things are beginning to look up! The first day of spring is this Friday so I thought I'd celebrate early with a little spring project. I finally got my hands on some chalkboard paint and decided that my first project would be these windowsill spice pots. I'm hoping they will actually grow, if not, at least I have some cute containers to admire in my kitchen. :)

Word Book

This word book is so cute and so clever. I'm thinking I'd like to make one of my own.

(Party Perfect via Say Yes to Hoboken)

Happy Birthday Jared!

Happy Birthday to my sweet husband Jared, who, by the way, is MUCH too manly for a silly party hat but (lucky for me) not too manly to humor his silly wife by wearing one.

More Photobooth Fun...

Which means I just crossed number 25 off the list.
(Oh, and if you want to find a photobooth near you, click here.)

Photo Wall Inspiration

I'm thinking about tackling number 27 (create a family photo wall) on my 28 Things list. I think I want an eclectic wall like the one above with a variety of frame sizes and colors. I also like the idea of adding some art in among the pictures. Thoughts?

(via Real Simple, Oct. 2008.)

New Pictures

I recently put some new pictures up on my photo blog: a couple of sweet babies and a wedding from back in December. You can check them out here.

Comfort Food

I say, cold winter days call for warm rice pudding. It's been a favorite treat of mine lately so I thought I'd share the recipe I've been enjoying. I use this one, (minus the raisins and using light brown sugar instead of dark brown sugar the recipe calls for.) (Also, one time I tried to substitute 2% milk for the whole milk and it didn't work that well. Just an FYI.)

Photo Booth Valentine

Remember the photo booth I blogged about awhile back? I got the great idea from my friend Stephanie to use it to make a Valentine for Jared. I had actually handwritten several different sentiments on the white paper but it wasn't really readable when the pics were developed so I ended up scanning it into Photoshop and added the text/shapes that way. I hope you all have a Happy Valentines Day!

Twilight Valentines

Just in time for Valentine's day! The perfect Valentine for the die hard Twilight fan in your life. Download them for free right here, compliments of Ambrosia Girl.

(I was fashionably late getting on the Twilight bandwagon so my nose is currently stuck smack dab in the middle of the second book, New Moon.)

Mini Valentines

I love the idea of mini Valentines so I instantly fell in love with this "little" idea I spotted on Inchmark (a blog definitely worth bookmarking if you haven't already)- Valentines made out of matchboxes. Clever indeed.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah!

Today: 57
Tomorrow: 59
Wednesday: 62!!!

I know it's just a teaser but unseasonably warm temperatures make
for one happy chica. (Insert cartwheel followed by jazz hands HERE.)

Thrift Store Revival: Men's Shirt

I'm telling you, this thrift store revival stuff is a little addicting. Here's my latest creation made from a men's t-shirt I bought for 90 cents. I have had a request for some step-by-step instruction. I have another shirt that is almost complete but the next one I do after that I will try my best to take pictures during the transformation process. I will also try to post coherent instructions so it sounds like I know what I'm talking about. If you do a thrift revival leave me a comment or shoot me an e-mail. (I recently added an e-mail address to my sidebar: hellohotdiggity@gmail.com.) I would love to see your creations!

UPDATE: Many pinteresters have expressed interest in step by step instructions for this shirt. Unfortunately, I did not take pictures during the process and have no plans to recreate this project. Sorry! My best advice is to buy some 90 cents shirts and have fun experimenting! :)

28 Things

Inspired by the lists of Andrea at Hula Seventy, I've compiled a list of 28 things I aim to do before I turn 29. Mostly simple things, but things I might not think of or make the time to do unless they are written down. And here they are in no particular order.

1. Have a picnic
2. Go to a drive-in movie
3. Read a classic novel (Suggestions?)
4. Make a mobile
5. Volunteer
6. Reupholster the chair sitting in my garage
7. Buy a film camera and learn to use it
8. Make chocolate covered strawberries
9. Surprise Jared
10. Surprise myself
11. Learn the dance to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" (in progress)
12. Grow my own herbs
13. Make a quilt (in progress)
14. Star gaze
15. Take a Photoshop class (in progress)
16. Host an outdoor dinner party
17. Start a collection
18. Visit a new city
19. Buy a pair of Converse Chuck Taylors
20. Attend a live music performance
21. Take back my spice cupboard
22. Ride in a convertible with the top down
23. Take my kids to Tuscora Park
24. Watch a classic movie (I'm open to suggestions here too)
25. Take pictures with Jared in a photobooth
26. Eat at a restaurant I've never been to

27. Create a family photo wall
28. Eat breakfast in bed

A Little Slice of Warmth on a Very Cold Day

Seeing this in my mailbox today was almost better than receiving a real bouquet of flowers.

(Thanks again Rachelle for the subscription!)

Groundhog Day

I woke this morning to the news that the groundhog saw his shadow, which means six more weeks of winter. But in Ohio, that really means twelve more weeks of winter. Damn you Punxsatawney Phil. Damn you.