Awkward and Awesome v1

Imitation is the highest form of flattery, right? While I'm not trying to carbon copy myself, I have to honest and say that Anna is awesome blogger and I want to be more like her. She's so sweet, open, and her posts are fun to read.

One series of posts in particular of hers has always been a favorite of mine: Awkward & Awesome Thursdays. This is just brilliant! Doing my own Awkward & Awesome posts has been something I've tossed around in my head since I started reading Anna's blog. Well today, I'm going to start my own series of A&A posts. Life is too awesome to not talk about something the fun and crazy things that happens. This will be the place where I talk about those things.

Awkward:
- Walking out the door this morning to go run errands only to find my car not there, it's still at the store. (Aaron and I carpool home often when he stops by after work. We generally remember to grab my car though...)
- Trying on clothes at Penny's and noticing I sweat through my tank in a certain place.


Awesome:
- After weeks of trying to get Rinoa to nap in the super cool cat bed I bought her, she finally did it! Granted, I put here in it, but it had been toasting in the sun for a few hours, so I'm pretty sure that's the only reason why she stayed in it.
- My Mom sold over half of her merchandise at Art In the Park on the FIRST DAY! (Congrats Mom!!!!)

That's about it for now. Thanks Anna for being such an inspiration!!

A Summer Bento

Rediscovery. It is such a wonderful thing. The feeling of "Ah hah! That's right!" is a fantastic feeling.

For the first time (as far as I can recall) since opening the store, I had a few minutes to spare before going into work to make, and not rush, lunch. I used this precious time to prepare myself a bento. Rediscovering how much fun it is to create such a pretty and yummy meal was a real treat.

This bento box was one of my spoils from our trip to Tokyo in February. Sadly, this little guy sat on the shelf unused since the day we got back. No more though! It happily carried a Chinese pork bun, a mixed green salad with a spear of olives and a spear of tomatoes (complete with a flying pig filled with dressing), and cheese to work with me. For refreshment, I made a homemade Very Berry Hibiscus drink complete with frozen berries.

Let me tell you~ I can honestly say this exact meal wouldn't have tasted as good if I ate it from a plate at home. There is something magical about bento's that I cannot explain. If you have never made yourself a bento, I highly highly recommend you take the time to make one. Even if you only do it once, I think you'll enjoy the time making it and eating it. If you have made yourself a bento before, what was your favorite part about it?

Hope you are having a super excellent Wednesday!
[waves]

Embroidery Pattern ~ Bag End

I'll just come right out and say it: I'm in love with embroidery. Seriously, it is such a lovely craft! The beautiful colors of floss, all the lovely fabrics to stitch on, the different types of hoops. I love them all.

A little while ago I did a post about my embroidery adventures, but the fun hasn't stopped there and I would like to take this time to show you my latest endeavor~ an embroidery pattern. It's based off the project I made for my Dad:

Here is Bag End:

I tweaked the pattern just a little bit because I was on a roll drawing. The little lines under his eyes are blushing cheeks. I felt that my Bilbo's face was lacking a bit and I think this would really add to it. *^_^*

Feel free to snag your own copy of the file Here.

I hope everyone is have a super duper great week so far!!!!

P.S. BIG thank you's to Aaron and my sister, Kindra, for helping me this file. Taking a picture from pencil to a sharp .png file wasn't easy for me.

Things I'm Loving ~ My First Moleskin

I'm totally loving it! It's all Star Wars themed. ♥

Isn't it all pretty? It's so perfectly small and handy dandy sized for my purse. I'm using it as a day planner so I can keep track of bills, important store stuffs, my work schedule (I cannot keep this straight in my head for some reason), and all other little bits of fun things I need to remember.

X-Wings. Winners!

Shaak Ti approves. She especially likes how I write down how many days until bills are due, what I'm doing that night, and what I'm going to pick up at Starbucks later.

Do you have a special planner? What does your look like?

Fashion Friday

One thing I haven't thought about when writing or reading blogs is "growing out" of something. Like a blog feature or craft. Have you ever thought about it?

It kinda makes you stop and think, huh?

The concept of this growth, for whatever reason, is just something that never crossed my mind. That is, until I watched a video from Elycia and Chantilly about The Rules of Blogging. These inspirational ladies are absolutely lovely and hearing how Chantilly had grown out of doing outfit posts made me realize that I had done that exact thing.

I started Fashion Fridays as a challenge for myself because I felt like I didn't have lot of cute things to wear, even though I did. Over the last few months, I haven't felt a need to challenge myself because I feel good in my clothes now. Challenge successful, I think. Yay!

It became a bit of a habit to come to work in the morning and immediately snap pictures of my outfits before I opened the store. Even though I don't feel a huge desire to do outfit posts every day like I used to, I've taken a few pictures here and there.

This isn't going to be my last FF post, but I definitely won't be doing them as frequently as I used to.

Probably.

I'm kinda at that point where I feel like I don't have many summer clothes, but I think I might just need to do laundry...

Is there a part of your blog that you grew out of? Did you replace it with something you grew into? I'd love to hear your thoughts on growing in your blog.

Things I'm Loving ~ Sunshine

Would it surprise you if I told you that I live in Washington State and in a desert? Yeah the Evergreen State state isn't all covered in trees. In fact, this is what my area looks like:

via Wikipedia
Beautiful isn't it?

It's a high elevation desert so we have extreme winters and summers. This summer is no exception. Blue skies, 100*+, and low humidity weather has been the norm for the last few weeks.

I just love the sunshine we get here (even though it gets face melting hot)! Since the hot weather came to town I switched up my makeup routine for the summer. Who likes their makeup sliding down their face?! Not me! So I made a video this morning about the lighter makeup I use. Check it out:



Do you change up your routine in the summer? Do you have one particular cosmetic you just can't survive summer without?

Distractions

Remember that "raccoon" discussion we had a week or so go? Well to be honest, sparkly things aren't the only things that distract me.

Books.

Books have been keeping my mind in the wonderful land of imagination and out of the land of blogging. I was surprised to find that I have read 14 books this year alone! Can you believe it? No wonder I feel like I don't have time for crafting, video games, and blogging!

The book that currently has all my attention is this:

It's the 5th book in the "Sword of Truth" series that I am just in love with. If you haven't heard of the series before, I suggest checking it out. There's lots of intense action, adventure, and a love story that makes me weak in the knees. (Seriously. Book 2 - Stone of Tears. Oh my gosh. I reread the last few chapters twice because it was so good!) If you like this sort of thing, I highly highly highly recommend this series!

Also, if you are on Goodreads I'd love to be friends! I'm knittedfox.

What books are you reading? Anything just super amazingly incredible? I'd love to hear!!

Our Trip To Stonehenge

Once upon a time

Sarah, Aaron, and two friends where on the long journey home from Portland.

Across the river to their left, they saw the most fantastical structure nicely settle up the hillside. Curious, the four friends journeyed over the bridge from Oregon to Washington and up the hill. What they found was Stonehenge.

Not the original (obviously) but an accurate replica.

It was erected as a memorial for soldiers from Klikitat county, Washington who fought and died in World War I.

The adventurers wandered the grounds and marveled at the place.

The area surrounding Stonehenge was full of windmills (much to Sarah's delight).

What a happy trip is was!

The End.

DIY Sparkly Nail Polish

There are days, and then there are days.

You know which ones I'm talking about? The one where the first customer is on the phone and almost has you in tears, the second customer's child is trying to buy a $14.99 movie on your Xbox Live account, and the third customer's youngest child is very vocally on it's way to throwing a tantrum. Maybe you haven't had a day like today, but you can empathize with me, right?

These three customers are hours behind me, and I've had time to chill out think back on today. In all honesty, it hasn't been a bad day at all. Trying, sure, but not bad. I realized this is the sort of day I would normally take goofy pictures of myself in the back and post them on IG. Instead I'm going to to share a secret. (And then share a tutorial with you).

I'm totally a raccoon. Easily distracted by sparkly things.

Now I'm not talking jewelry. No no. I'm talking about fancy ipod cases, bright summer city shoes, and flashy nail polish.

These things are so bright and happy! Love them!

The reason I'm sharing this tidbit with you is because the reason behind why today wasn't a bad day. My eyes kept catching my super pretty DIY sparkly nails.

Tuesday morning, my two sisters and I got together and made our own DIY sparkly nail polish and watched "Mirror Mirror". It was a such a fun day!

First we dumped out some of the clear polish so there was room inside for the sparkles:

Then we added sparkles from Hobby Lobby:

Once you mix it up, you're good to start painting. The clear polish itself will turn colors depending on what sparkles you use. That first picture up there was mine and the clear polish turned a grape color. While the green one turned dark lime colored, and the pink turned red.

(We couldn't get any good pictures of my polish so I'll retake them later)

My sisters and I had a blast making these and painting our nails. Thinking back on that, I can't be sad about my day today. So, I encourage you to go make your own sparkly nail polish. If you're getting together with your sisters or gal pals, lounging and relaxing in the sun, or if you just feel like making something~ do it!