I Do Believe In Fairies

Happy Halloween!

I'll admit Halloween is not usually my favorite holiday-- I can never decide what to be -- but this year I loved dressing up as a fairy. It's one of those no-brainer ideas that you fight against because it's not very original, but you agree to because you'd have it no other way. Fairies are the loveliest creatures and I've been fascinated by them since I can remember. This is the closest I'll ever come to actually being one. If only my wings had a little flying magic...
All inspiration goes to Cicely Mark Barker and her Autumn fairies.

I'll leave you with a little fairy-esque DIY.
Dried Flower Treasure Boxes, perfect for organizing:

Materials:

• plastic boxes (mine are from the 99 cent store)
• Mod Podge or Clear drying glue
• tissue paper
• dried flowers
• misc materials to decorate with (buttons, pretty paper, lace, etc)
• scissors (not pictured)

1. Glue or Mod Podge your tissue paper over the lid. Be careful not to use to much because the paper may rip.

2. Trim excess tissue paper.

3. Arrange flowers and other decorations to your liking. You may want to let the Mod Podge or glue from your last layer dry first before going to the next step.

4. Glue down the bigger pieces and spread Mod Podge over the whole thing. Done!

What I Wore: Friday Thoughts

Dress/Fancytreehouse, Collar/c/oSweet Evie, Hat/stolen from former roomie, shoes/UO

This is what I wore to grab some coffee and devour a library book in the late afternoon sunshine. Being unemployed is such a burden sometimes, you know? Mustard color is my continued obsession, but I try not to wear these shoes every day so they can stay a little special. The same with this collar from my internship. Isn't it adorable?
One of the other most wonderful parts of unemployment is all the time you have for thinking. That might scare some people, but I soak it up. There are so many ideas I've been turning over in my heart and in my head and, yes, I started journaling about them like my challenge in the previous post. Maybe I will share one or two soon!
I'll leave you with some Friday food for thought, these words from my pastor:
"Work and wealth do not validate your life, [they] do not justify your existence." This life and every experience in it is a gift, so let's start treating it that way.

DIYs coming up in my next post!

Happy Halloween weekend!

Why Journal?

The first entry in my crafter's devotional involves the importance of journaling. Why Journal? It's not about a perfect piece of writing or expression of thought, it's about capturing the visions and ideas running wild in your mind. It is about self expression and practicing creativity. Journaling does not need to entail the use of a pen, paper, and words. It can be photographs, collages, fabric, whatever medium sets your mind free. My journal is an extension of myself. It's personal, full of dreams and honesty. A visual record of who I am and who I hope to be. I hope one day my children or grandchildren read my journals and understand me from a whole new perspective.

Sometimes the busyness of life makes journaling seem impossible, but it is an important first step in the creative process. At a conference I attended this past weekend, one woman spoke of a 30 day writing challenge. I'm thinking a 30 day journaling challenge. Freeing my mind through any artistic expression every day for 30 days. Anyone with me?

Creative 365

Hello all!

Well, it's been a little quiet over here, but only because my mind has been going in a hundred different directions. I've been enjoying each and every second of this wonderful season and my birthday month! The heart garland in our dining nook came down and leaves and owls went up. Pumpkins are placed and apple cider is stocked in the fridge. I also indulged in pumpkin and salted carmel macarons (best I've tasted this side of the Atlantic) at Bottega Louie today. If you have yet to experience this place, don't waste another second. It is heaven on earth. Maybe I sound a little overdramatic, but I could have sworn I was transported back to a cafe in Italy for a moment. Just a moment. The English speaking gave it away. Sigh.

But my real purpose in this blog is to share my excitement over a book I received for my birthday, The Crafter's Devotional. It is bursting with so much potential inspiration that I can hardly wait to share! I've been looking for some sense of theme for my blog and I think I found it between the covers of this book. So I'm taking you with me for the journey. DIY's and creative insight coming soon!

Coat Envy

Just when I thought we were heading into Autumn, it turned right back into Summer. Hello 80 degrees. That's ok. I'll go right ahead with baking my pumpkin pies and listening to Christmas songs obscenely early. Think of it as my version of a rain dance. 

Some days I wish I lived in a climate that justifies a closet of cute coats. A trench would definitely be included, if only to wear an outfit as lovely as hers: 

and oh, to wear this cozy coat...

I'd like to think I won't be eating my words in a couple months, but a girl's allowed to be fickle, right? I'll enjoy what I've got now and rock the sandals and bare legs!

<3 Taylor

The Great Pumpkin

As we continue head first into Autumn (it finally rained in LA!), I have noticed my love for pumpkins steadily increasing. I always loved my childhood trips to the pumpkin patch, but I don't think I realized the true magic of the pumpkin until recently. Not only is it the most beautiful color, it is also delicious, healthy for the skin, and perfect for craft projects. What more could you wish for? Pumpkin suppliers prepare yourself!

1. Wear

2. Exfoliate

3. Accessorize 

4. Eat

5. Decorate

6. Sip

Sources:

Picture 1. Picture 2. Picture 3. Picture 4. Picture 5. Picture 6.

*Bonus: Pumpkin Cookies. Healthy enough to eat for breakfast (at least I did)! I don't have a pretty picture, but they are quite delicious. 

Here's the recipe I adapted from here:

• 2 cups almond meal
• 1 cup Pumpkin Puree (unsweetened)
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 4 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 teaspoons Truvia (or sweeten to taste with sugar substitute)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lay parchment paper on baking tray. Mix wet ingredients together (egg, pumpkin, vanilla) and fold in dry ingredients. Mix until nice, thick consistency. Spoon out quarter size dollops and bake for 15-18 minutes. Check often with toothpick in the center. If no dough comes up on toothpick, they are done. Don't overdo them! They can get tough. They should be soft and moist.