the newest addition...

...will be added to matthew's arm soon. my man sure loves his tattoos. this will go right below his trees and mountains on his arm - completing his sleeve. isn't it an awesome sketch??

 i never imagined i'd marry a man covered in tattoos. but each one of matt's tattoos tell a story about him and his life. this one fully encompasses his love for urban life, complete with public transportation and government, a church and a park by the water. my outdoorsy man with a passion for good architecture. 

can you tell i love his tattoos? and him??

(although my favorite is the one that we share...)

Do you have a tattoo? Does it mean anything special?? 

random wednesday.

I've had way too much stuff bouncing around in my brain lately...

Like this: I have so much state pride it hurts. I just love michigan. That's why i think i have to purchase these:

Great Lakes Notecards by CrackedDesigns.

The cheesy saying just make them so much better, if you ask me. My favorite is "you turn me on-tario" closely followed by "huron to something good." So awesome. Cracked Designs also made me want to go on a roadtrip... how cool is this little journal??

I've also been busy making my valentines for our little swappy! Check out my constant state of craft-disaster:

That's where the magic happens, I promise... now no more sneak peaks until they get sent off!!

One more thing, I promise. Matt sent me this little video the other day. The e-mail said, "ok we can get a cat." Because I've been wanting a little kitty to cuddle with, and to keep the dog-child busy while we're at work. And I just can't make up my mind if we are brave enough to be a two-pet household, ya know? But this video kinda makes cats hard to resist:

Okay, maybe just one more. I save the best for last. If you love Sigur Ros like I do, or if you've never even hear of them, you MUST listen to this (just the first 6 minutes or so of pure bliss!):

Sorry for stream of thought. Just so many things to share... hope you enjoyed :)

P.S. A HUGE thank you to all who left me bathing suit links. Such great finds! You guys are really the best <3

summer dreaming...

thank god january is almost over. even though it's snowing, i can see light at the end of the tunnel - specifically february and valentine's day and spring thaw.

for some reason, though, i'm dreaming of bathing suits.

me. in front of my sweet sesame street pool. 

i would love to rock out a cute little one-piece this summer. preferably, one that looks EXACTLY like my swimsuit when i was 2. the ruffles. the little tie. the way it flatters my mid-section. 

(i can't believe how ROUND i was back then!! my nicknames was jabba the hut. thanks, dad.)

do you know of any great one-piece swimsuit sites?? i would love suggestions. i think a little summer shopping can chase my january blahs away...

The Art of Listening

It's that time again - time for a new bestie post! I love this next word - so much so that I found some other things to share. 

(If you haven't seen our other posts, you can read about snort and create, and check out Angie's posts here.)

Angie and I both share a superhuman ability to talk. We can run our mouths about most anything, small or large, for what seems like an extreme amount of time. And it's awesome - because I love her stories and her view of things, and I know she appreciates mine.

But we also know when it's time to sit back and just listen. Because this word is so central to friendship - it's hard to have one without strong listening skills. And Angie is always there when I need to vent. We have shared so many experiences that often, she knows what I'll be talking about before I even get going. Yet she always lets me talk until the steam burns off and I've settled down.

Angie is also one of those people I feel comfortable just being with. We've spent countless hours sitting side by side, crafting away on projects, or hiking in the woods on letterboxing missions. It's just so nice to be with someone who understands you and knows you well enough to let you sit and be. Ya know what I mean??

I'm not sure what I'd do without my bestie to call up with good news and bad news. There is just nothing like an amazing girl to share your joys and sorrows - one who laughs and cries with you. One who listens. 

 (weheartit)

"Friends are those rare people who ask how we are and then wait to hear the answer."

-Ed Cunningham-

(image)

"Silences make the real conversations between friends. Not the saying but the never needing to say is what counts."

-Margaret Lee Runbeck-

(weheartit)

"A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere. Before him I may think aloud.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson -

(weheartit)

"I do not wish to treat friendships daintily, but with the roughest courage. When they are real, they are not glass threads or frost-work, but the solidest thing we know." 

-Ralph Waldo Emerson-

Don't forget to check out Angie's side of things. My favorite thing about these little best friend posts (besides getting to brag on my bestie) is seeing just how different our posts about each other turn out. So much fun!! Makes me all the more thankful for a beautiful and fun gal like her to call my very best friend!

his & hers

Looking around our house, there are so many things that are his and hers.

They make up this little place we call ours.

P.S. Thanks to all who joined the Valentine Swap!

P.P.S. Happy Friday

tonight

tonight, i'm scrubbing the floorboards - the cracks and corners that my broom never reaches.

some dude our landlord hired is coming to put in baseboards around the kitchen and bathroom, and i'm embarrassed by the mess. i'm not the housekeeper i wish i was...

while tidying the house in unpleasant places, i'm blasting this song. on repeat. thank you, jay-z, for making my cleaning experience a happy one...

i also wanted to thank you for making all of your recent videos black and white. they give you a little class. as does mr. hudson.  they also make me feel less bad about abandoning my favorite folk artists to just get down and dirty with my floorboards.

(image from here)

Chili Cook-Off

Can I tell you a little something about me? 

I am passionate about my food. I like to cook it and eat it - and i like to know where it comes from and what went into it's production. I've been a veggie for seven years. I've been attempting to eat local and seasonal food for a couple of years.

How awesome is it that such a cool event is going on in my little city?? I'm particularly happy for the 'Just Eating USA: Making a Difference in Your Town' portion of the event. I'm all about the fact that the choices I make when eating can have a direct effect on those around me - and hopefully bring change to the way that people look at food. And in a state with a seriously hurting economy, I think that I can best support our survival by keeping my funds in my neighborhood and the surrounding farms.

Matthew is especially excited about the Vegan Chili Cook-off. He wants me to register, because being the sweet and oh-so-biased hubby he is, he LOVES my chili. Being the slightly self-concious and

not-vegan self I am, I am afraid to register! He thinks I should grow a pair. I think he just wants to eat lots of chili :)

A break in the clouds

As I drove home today, feeling thoroughly stressed, exhausted, and down in the dumps, all I could think about was my headache. And then I realized my eyes were squinting closed - and not because of my stress. 

The sun was out! Just a few rays - pushing through the clouds.

It's amazing the way a simple ray of light can lift a burden off my shoulders and bring a smile to my face. The streets are still filled with dirty snow, and the light is weak at best, yet I feel so much better.

You know what else makes me feel better??

Yesterday was hubby and my 6th month anniversary.

I can't believe our great adventure started 6 months ago already. Time flies when you're having fun, right? We're just a couple of old married folks now...

But seriously - I am so blessed to be married to such a thoughtful, caring guy - I get to spend the rest of my life next to my best friend. It's a privilege I just can't get over.

(Want to see more of our wedding?? It was pretty awesome... although I'm biased:) We were featured on the Bride's Cafe and seen here and here)

Also, there is still time left to join my bestie and I for our first ever swap! Come on, you know you are dying to make some kick-butt valentines!! More info here.

Little Things

I am a trinket girl at heart. I love little doo-dads and paper creations, and am a sucker for anything knick-knacky. I have little collections all over the house, and this weekend was particularly profitable in the 'little things' department.

Like this: I found some little milk glass items at the thrift store. Can't wait to find a place for them. (Also, spent a wonderful saturday with the equally wonderful Ally - a much needed girly day of adventures)

Adding a little color to the apartment, one felted rock at a time.

  (I made a few of these last summer, and came home one day to little rocks sitting all over the floor. Thank you, puppy, for chewing the felt off my things.) 

My padding compound came in the mail on Friday. I've been a little obsessed with this project over at The Small Object , as well as everything else there, ever since falling in love with the site last week. (see?? i'm a sucker for all things little - even blogs and shops!)

I got to experiment today - and I love the results. Look at this little notepad I made:

I can't wait to make more little things. I'm thinking shopping lists, menu planning, to-read notes, honey-do lists... the possibilities are endless!

On a not so little note, I also thrifted this pretty sweet deer picture for a buck! I know - you are all sooooo jealous of my find. (I'm going to use the frame for a little chalkboard number for the kitchen.)

This too shall pass

Did anyone else have a tough week? Between the disaster in Haiti, the bleak grey that is Michigan in January, and stress at work, it was all I could do to resist curling up in bed and not getting out.

This video by Ok Go was exactly what I needed to see to bring a smile to my face. Follow the link. I promise it's worth it - we all need a reminder that this too shall pass. And there is a drum line.

And this song came on during my drive home. I sang along at the top of my lungs.

I also danced around to a little Bad Romance by Lady Gaga. Guilty pleasure - and i didn't actually know who lady gaga was before this song, and now i'm a bit addicted!  Oh, and the video FREAKS me out, but I can't stop watching it!

I feel much much better now. Isn't it awesome how music does that?

(and a hubby who did all the dishes and errands while i was at work. that helps, too!)

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Finally saw the Fantastic Mr. Fox. I've been patiently waiting for MONTHS to see it. And it was so worth the wait.

Look at the little details! I love the little notes on the wall:

And Mrs. Fox's paintbrushes:

Every little bit of the movie is filled with Wes Anderson's creative genius. So good.

And who doesn't love some Bill Murray??

Makes me want to go back and reread the book. All of Dahl's books, for that matter. I loved his stuff as a kid. I always felt a little dangerous and grown-up when reading his books. He wasn't afraid to write about children in difficult situations and scary adults - before it was cool to write about such things.

(Don't forget to sign up for our little v-day swap! It's going to be awesome!)

(all images from here)

Rural Michigan

I do a lot of driving for my job. I have home visits for my little ones in 4 school districts throughout the county. Usually, such drives are pretty dull. Just me and good ol' NPR.

But look what I drove by yesterday:

Don't worry - I was stopped at a stoplight, not reckless driving, I promise. I thought it was a missile. Matt says it's probably a model rocket. Either way, it was pretty freaky. Glad I was next to it and not behind.

Only in rural Michigan would I be the only one gawking at such a sight. Farmland and cornfields and cow manure. The occasional tractor. And... a missile??

What's this?? A Valentine's Swap??

Don't you just have a love/hate relationship with Valentine's day??

I know I do.

You know what always sways my feelings towards love around Valentine's day?

Homemade Valentine's Cards!!!

 There's nothing quite like a little white paste, heart shaped doilies, and glitter to get my heart pumping. I love making little cheesy sayings out of do-dads around the house for all my closest friends. In fact, last year I hosted a Valentine's making party. Hours after all the other guests had left, Angie and I were still elbow deep in ribbon and paper scraps, working away on our handmade masterpieces of LOVE.

In honor of our extreme passion for such activities, we are hosting a

So, you want in??? I sure hope so!

This swap requires you to dust off your best grade school art class moves and get down and dirty making something sweet for 5 new friends. Nothing big and fancy, just a little snail-mail love. In return, you will receive 5 cards from fellow swappers.

If you want in, please e-mail me: helloauburnst@gmail.com by January 23rd. Leave me your address and your blog address, and whether you're willing to send a card internationally.

We'll e-mail you back with the names of the people who will be receiving your love notes that week. Then you'll have till the 14th to get them to everyone!

We hope you'll join... can't wait to hear from you!

(Creative) Genius Loves Company

best friends: they listen, comfort, laugh and love.

i believe that the best of friends also spurn you on to be more than you thought you could be and do more than you ever thought you could do.

i'm not lying when i say that angie helped me reinvent my life.

quick!! if you haven't read the first part of our bestie love series, run and do it now! my story. her story.

so basically, before angie i was wandering around this gigantic state school searching for ANYONE i could connect with. there were so many people, and yet, none seemed to share much in common with me. i didn't drink. i didn't go to the football games. i wasn't a slave to my studies or super involved in on-campus activities. i liked crafting and listening to music and reading (the un-required kind) and all things vintage.

and i made it through an entire year and a half being this lonely outgoing person waiting to find friendship like i had in high school.

and then i met angie. and over the course of the class, she invited me to something called a 'shirt party' - where you get together and eat pizza and listen to ben folds live and stencil tee-shirts. and she was patient as she taught me the joys of freezer paper and textile medium.

we quickly realized we were much more dedicated than the other stencilers. and so we split off and began regularly crafting together - and the crafting was this catalyst for deep conversation about everything.

when i say angie helped me reinvent my life, i mean it. you see, she is the most genuine person i know. so comfortable in her own skin and with all that she is. and our time together slowly taught me that i could hold out for the people who were genuine. i could keep all my interests and wear them on my sleeve, as unconventional (okay, nerdy??) as they were. because they made me, me. and sometimes, having one person who really gets you is better than having a sea of people who want you to be who they think you are.

don't forget to pop over to angie's wonderful blog and see her side of the story! 

and...while we're on the topic of creativity... we have a little valentine's related fun for you tomorrow!

imagine

some days i wish i could be four again. and wear a cape and escape with picture books as big as my lap.

doesn't this look like a magical place? 


(photo from my favorite preschool inspiration. a place i visit when my job is ever so depressing)