-
thirty, flirty and thriving
today i am 30! i know i know, enough birthday talk already — but this one is a big milestone for me. i have been dreading turning 30 for about 3 years now, and my husband (who is 5 years older) has repeatedly told me that 29 is way worse than 30 because all you do is dread 30, so by the time you turn 30 – you’re just used to the idea. and now i totally get it. i think everyone turning 30 just questions all those things like have i accomplished enough, am i where i want to be, what’s gonna happen in the next 5 years, etc. and while i’m doing that – i’m also trying not to. when i see people younger than me that are way more accomplished or successful or famous – i always think hmm… they’re younger than me, boo. but maybe being a legit adult means you kind of get rid of that envy and jealousy and start getting inspired by it instead. had i started this blog sooner, maybe i’d be further along in the game than i am now (instead i had a weird comedy movie blog for about 2 years before this one where i did posts like “the top 10 scenes in movies where people eat lobsters”). despite all the things i haven’t done yet, i’m super lucky to be where i am in my life and that’s what matters. and i am waaaaay nicer, kinder, and wiser than i was at 25. well i think so anyway.
i’m stoked for the future and the next chapter and the babies and the house and all that. so 30 is cool with me. i still am gonna shop at forever 21 and i’m still gonna watch the real world.
so how was it for you?
oh and PS, my birthday celebration last week turned out to be an amazing surprise party with a video of my friends and family along with a day on a boat with lobster rolls. it was perfect. i’m saying bye early this week to celebrate just a little more (along with celebrating gideons birthday on sunday). bye!
-
printable donut favor boxes
been meaning to share these printables i made with you for a few weeks now! and today is the day! my real life friends know that if i’m a guest at a party, often times i will bring a box of donuts — they’re cheap, everyone likes them, and most times there are leftovers (a day old old-fashioned donut is basically the best thing ever). so i decided for those of you who feel the same way, and like to pick up a dozen donuts for guests, here’s an easy way to turn them into a instant party favor as well — put them in a cute box!
-
our wedding video
so excited to share our wedding video with you guys today, i’ve been waiting patiently for 297 days — but my brother came through with the video as my birthday gift. i mentioned during the wedding planning posts that we couldn’t afford a videographer in our budget, so instead we had my brothers co-worker come and shoot footage. my wedding photographer insisted that even if we didn’t do video of the wedding, we’d at least want the ceremony shot. that didn’t work out so well as we forgot to use the microphone for the ceremony, so the audio is pretty bad. but this is the kind of shit that happens when you have a wedding – and i’m just so happy to have this.i’ve since watched it 5 times and cried during each viewing. the video really does bring me right back to those moments that feel like they happened so long ago. hope you guys enjoy it as much as i do!
-
dream house : the bathtub
i’m sure for some of you, a bathtub just sounds like a given, but for someone who hasn’t had one for years — that little corner of a bathroom where you can actually use all those bath soaks you got for christmas sounds so appealing.
we actually have a bathtub in our apartment, but we’ve been using it for storage almost ever since we moved in. right now it’s housing all of our wedding gifts. before that it housed everything we wanted to sell in a yard sale. totally not trying to sound woe is me — we have to use our extra tub for storing nice things! but i’m just excited to maybe take a semi-annual bath ok?! also, we want babies, so i know the importance of bathtubs for real life and not just to use said gifted bath soaks too.
love the modern shape of this tub. [image]
and love every detail of this one. [image]
although i feel like i’d forget to water it, look how warm a little green makes the space. [left image / right image]
i have a real thing for this tub shape that i’m seeing everywhere lately. [image]
double swoon. [top image / bottom image]
like, come on. i feel like i’d be so much more inspired to clean myself if this was where i did it. [image]
i’m not usually a huge fan of dark grout, but i am loving all the contrast in this perfect bathroom. [image]
so, you got a bathtub? do you use it or does it just look pretty?
-
happy weekend
OH HI! sorry for the infrequent posts this week, and there might be some infrequency next week as my dad is coming into town today for MAH 30TH BURFDAY. my birthdays not actually until next week, but we’re celebrating a little early so i am very excited for whatever’s in store (i’ll keep you posted because i actually don’t know!)
we’re also still maybe house hunting this weekend, last weekend we went and saw a bunch of reeeally cute flips (some we really can’t even afford). we’re still kind of in the process of deciding if we want to try to find something that needs a little less work or something cheaper that needs more work and how much we’re gonna want to end up fixing ourselves realistically. the photo above is clearly a very cute and very expensive house that instead i’m just going to steal some design ideas from.
anyway – have a good weekend guys!
⋅ a beautiful DIY that has eeendless possibilities.
⋅ secrets for the haircut we basically all have.
⋅ need to print 52 of these stat.
⋅ this print is so in it’s basically out.
⋅ i hope wes anderson reads a lot or else he’s a real literary poser.
⋅ cute and easy, my kind of project!
⋅ so speaking of houses, this one is my idea of perfect.
⋅ edible flowers make everything look gorgeous. i should try some on my next big mac to see if that theory holds up. -
DIY brass curve necklace
i’ve been hoarding a piece of thin brass from the hardware store for like six months, so finally decided to make something with it! being a minimalist when it comes to jewelry, i wanted to make something super simple, and i don’t think this project gets any simpler. you basically just bend a piece of brass.
-
f21 faves
another batch of favorites, clearly i’m feeling a little monochromatic right now. i’m stoked on literally all of these picks, and seriously about to buy that perfectly simple LBD — but my absolute favorite is the purse. i bought it for our trip to paris because my bucket bag gets super heavy and i knew i wouldn’t want to walk around with it all day. so i got this simple little bag and i am obsessed. not only is it the perfect size, but it doesn’t get heavy feeling and it’s also so cute and really doesn’t look at all cheap. i bought it like three weeks ago and have had a dozen compliments followed by “that’s from forever 21?! i want” so go buy it right now if you trust me.
CURRENT FAVES
purse / crop top / skirt / loafers / anorak / shift dress / bra / necklace
-
happy weekend
yay – another week down! i’m finishing up a boat load of items to sell tomorrow at a pop up shop i’m participating in! if you live in LA, you should definitely swing by because the lineup and inventory is reeeal good. here’s all the info. i’ll be selling dreamcatchers and ring cones! i hope to see you there but if not, i still love you and i still want to share some good linkage with you.
⋅ remind me later to get myself a pet owl.
⋅ in love with this DIY bowl
⋅ because i’m in full on house hunt mode, can’t stop swooning over pretty makeovers
⋅ so helpful + informative, now i just have to go shopping
⋅ i put herbs de provence on almost everything, so naturally, gimme that
⋅ another real cute hand written font
⋅ GTA5 + full house – this is perfect (maybe even if you didnt play gta??)
⋅ some good reminders about making new friends -
maker spotlight : susan connor new york
i have been a long time fan of susan connor new york, so i am so excited to share her story and her gorgeous shop with you guys today. you can see right away that susan has such a perfect shop, with a meticulous collection of pillows, throws, and brass wall hangings. take a look at her shop below and meet this girl!
TELL US ABOUT YOU + YOUR SHOP!
i’m an artist and self-taught pattern designer, and i live in new york city. i design and sell artfully made homewares and accessories. my line launched just over 1 year ago. my vision for the shop was to create a space online that would share the care that goes into my work, so that people could see the quality and detail of the items, in a calm and creative studio-style setting.WHEN DID YOU FIRST START CREATING?
i’ve been creating since i can remember. it’s a key part of who i am, and i can’t imagine life without making things, it’s that vital, and that much of an impulse for me. i’ve always made being creative a priority in life. i’ve been blessed with really supportive family and friends who have encouraged and supported me along the way.
HOW DID YOU DECIDE TO START YOUR SHOP AND START SELLING YOUR GOODS?
i began working with the ideas for what would become my business a year before i launched; collecting images of inspirations, writing about my intentions, sourcing the right materials, researching the marketplace, slowly creating a set of first designs. i also developed the process by which the textiles are printed, which took a while to perfect. when the whole picture started coming together, it was something i hadn’t seen before. i saw that my work was going to add to the conversation, and i knew it was time to share what i had been building.WHAT’S THE HARDEST PART ABOUT RUNNING YOUR OWN SHOP?
the most challenging thing about running susan connor new york has been staying focused on where i want things to go. often, this means i’ll have an idea, or something i really want to make – but it doesn’t fit with my brand, or it won’t work with some other aspect of the business. i have had to learn to be more selective and to say no and maybe later, more often.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST OR TV SHOW TO WORK TO?
i love TCM, i love old movies, and they play so many good ones. after a long day of work, i love to grab popcorn and watch a movie from the days of the silver screen.WHO IS YOUR CELEBRITY HUSBAND?
let me preface by saying i’m very happy with my current boyfriend of 8 plus years, kurt, i love you! but… i have a well-known weakness for viggo mortensen.
HOW DO YOU GET INSPIRED WHEN YOU’RE IN A TOTAL RUT?
i tune out, go and do something else for a couple of days. maybe run errands, go on a trip, go downtown, get pizza, see a bunch of friends, exercise, swim, you name it, *anything* but sit there staring at what i was trying to work on.WHAT’S ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’D SHARE WITH OTHER ARTISTS TRYING TO GO PRO?
be clear on who your audience is, make sure that you offer them a great experience, and top-notch customer service. think of how you would want to be treated, and do everything possible to create that experience for your customers.
and, as the bearer of good news, susan is offering 20% OFF all items in her shop until july 15th!
USE CODE PERFECT20
-
DIY fresh herb bouquets
if you’re growing a big crop of fresh herbs this year, chances are you won’t end up finishing them before they’re gone. so i came up with a way to use them up that also makes you look like a real sweetie.
my stepdad grows a huge assortment of herbs every year, so we foraged them to make cute little DIY fresh herb bouquets! these are the perfect free hostess gifts (because she’ll actually use them) or a perfect free favor for your dinner guests. free!
materials
- fresh herbs
- (i used purple sage, purple and green basil,
- thai basil, chives, thyme, orange thyme,
- african blue basil and french tarragon)
- palo santo sticks
- string
- (you could also use jute twine
- for a more natural look)
we love gifting palo santo sticks, because you can buy them in pretty huge batches (don’t be fooled into buying them per stick), so i thought they’d make the perfect little addition to the bouquet.
SO, cut your herbs to around the same lengths, and bunch them together. place the palo santo stick in front, and tie a string around the whole thing. that’s it!
