This Work Space...

is happening. I love it--the cluttered yet clean look of the space is just what I like.

For me, it's important to have color and inspiration surrounding you, but at the

same time I hate when I feel over-cluttered, mainly with junk. 

I recently moved into a new office (new job--more on that to come!) and 

I've spent the past few days gettind rid of any old files, boxes, etc. 

The space not only looks better, but I feel better working there. 

It still has photos, plants, posters for that creative inspiration and the homey feel, 

but all the unnecessary items are now gone. 

I'm also on the look-out for the perfect print to hang in my office--

this one is pretty great, looks like I'll be searcing Etsy for this quote!

Birchbox

How did it take me so long to discover this site? Birchbox is your one-stop shop for all things beauty. It’s filled with the best products around and some you may have never heard of. But the best part about Birchbox are the monthly beauty samples. 

For just $10 a month, Birchbox will send you a box filled with new samples of beauty products. Unfortunately it’s currently sold out, but my name is on the waiting list and as soon as I get that email I will be anxiously awaiting my little package filled with beauty surprises. You can choose from being a yearly member, a monthly member, or to send a gift Birchbox. The gift idea is super cool. For 12, 6, or 3 months you can send a friend, bridesmaid, sister, etc. a Birchbox in the mail! How cool is that?! Something so different and you know she’ll enjoy it. I’ll keep you updated on my waiting list status.

Do any of you subscribe to Birchbox? 

Jeffrey Foucault

This talented artist was recently featured in Pittsburgh’s City Paper. He is described as “a man born into the wrong era.” Um, hello… sounds like someone else I know. Me. Until reading this article, I’ve never heard of Mr. Foucault; but man am I glad I can now add him to my list of new favorites. I spent hours listening to his songs and fell in love with his lyrics. He has a folk-rock sound and love and loneliness are found in his voice and in his words. The kind of love and loneliness that everyone knows, and the kind that inspires you in ways you can’t explain.

I’m pretty bummed I missed his show this past Friday. But don’t you worry Mr. Foucault; you better believe I’ll be on the look-out for you and your next stop in Pittsburgh. I’m crossing my fingers that it’s soon.

Until then, here’s something to pass the time:

One of my favorite parts of traveling was 

seeing the different styles of houses throughout

the United States. Oregon, New Mexico, Florida

all represent a different climate and culture--

ending up in different styles of homes.

When I visited Portland I fell in love with this type of home. 

I love the big windows, bright colors and cozy porches.

Houses in the small neighborhoods throughout 

Pittsburgh are actually very similar, 

but are usually made out of all brick instead.

These pictures are definitely on file in my

"dream" folder. Hopefully they come true!

Blogger Swap

I could not be more excited--I am taking part in my first "blogger swap!"

A blogger swap is usually held by the creator of one or a few blogs, they advertise, you register and within a few weeks get assigned a blogger to befriend and swap goodies with!

The package is usually within $10-15 and is filled with 

the bloggers favorite things to share with their new blogger friend! 

After you receive your package, you blog about your new friend 

and the gifts she shared with you! 

I should be finding out soon who my new friends are!

Here are the two swaps I'm taking part in--be sure to sign up too!

This swap with Casey, Danielle and Alycia.

And this Valentine's Day swap with Celia, Meg and Tara!

Crayon Art

So this is ALL over Pinterest, but I just had to try it out for myself. I love all the colors & it was so simple to make. I used a variety of colors, but I think it would look nice to do all the same as well. I first took the wrapper off all the crayons and cut them into thirds. You can really do any shape you'd like, I thought a heart would be cute! I aranged them how I wanted and hot glued them on the canvas.

 Set your blow dryer on hot and start melting the crayons! I did a section at a time--that way I could rotate the canvas and have the wax melting around the sides.

 Here is the finished product! I love it! I definitely want to try some other shapes--have you tried this yet? I'd love to see your ideas!

A Welcome Home Breakfast

Last night was my grandma's first night in her home in about a month. 

She needed to have surgery which resulted in her being in the hospital for a while 

& spent the first part of her recovery at my aunt's house.

Christmas morning I made this delicious monkey bread recipe, 

and when we went to visit her in the hospital I showed her a picture and 

told her I'd make it for her as soon as she got home. 

Well, she's home! We all couldn't be more happy with her progress,

 so I think a "welcome home" breakfast is definitely in order. 

I made a version of monkey bread--it may have been the easiest thing I've ever made!

Here's the recipe:

1 tub Grands biscuits

3 Tbsp butter

1/2 cup maple syrup

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 cup nuts (I used pecans)

Preheat oven at 375 degrees. Melt the butter and syrup in a small bowl.

Combine the brown sugar and cinnamon.

Chop the pecans--I used a little more than 1/4 cup.

Spray a bundt pay with Pam and pour in half of the butter/syrup mixture & half of the brown sugar/cinnamon mixture and nuts.

Layer the Grands biscuits--you can cut these and roll them in smaller balls to make it more of a pull-apart bread--I chose to leave them as is.

Pour the remaining of both mixtures & the nuts over top.

It should look just like this before you bake it in the oven. Bake for 20 minutes.

Let it cool & reverse it onto a plate.

Ta-da! Here is the finished product:

See how easy that was! Enjoy!