Dirtsa Studio

Many of you might know this already,
but both Micah and I work for a Missionary Organization (YWAM).
Because of that we find ourselves all over the place.

When I first saw this chalkboard map by Dirtsa Studio,
I instantly thought of how fun it would be to color
all the countries we have been able to visit
and all the states we constantly find ourselves traveling to.

Micah and I are currently looking at traveling overseas again.
Such an exciting thought for us!

I'll keep you all posted on any definite plans.

From A to Z

I have party planning on my mind.
I already have two parties in the month of June to plan for.

I LOVE IT!

One of the parties is a baby shower
for my dear friend Ruthie...

Which makes me think how cute and perfect
these Magpie paper products would be for a baby shower.

Photo via: Creature Comforts

Jute Bottle DIY

 I have a great DIY to brighten up your Monday!

This DIY is so simple you will want to run straight to Costco,

purchase a case of San Pellegrino, drink the whole case, and begin crafting.

(I don't recommend drinking the whole case unless you want to make yourself sick... I'm just saying).

I first noticed these bottles on the cover of this months Better Homes and Gardens

and I thought to myself: "I can totally do that!"...

So I did... and now I'm sharing it with you.

What do you need and what do you do?

My Week in Instagrams

Have a great weekend!

Paris vs. New York

 Paris vs. New York
... A tally of two cities.

I have been lucky enough to visit Paris once
but I've never been to New York
(I dream of going one day).
Nonetheless, I love this art.

If you have never seen the blog Paris vs.
New York, then you must jump on over and check it out!
It is so so so fun!

The blog is created by Vahram Muratyan,
a graphic artist living between Paris and New York,
and now the author of the blog-then-book
"Paris versus New York"

Did I mention that I love these prints?
Just thought I would say it again.

 

J. Peterman Company

I have always been one to wear dresses.
And not just for special occasions... I'm talking all the time.
In high school, when everyone else was trying to be casual and cool, I was in a dress.
At work, people always commented saying:
"Oh your dressed up today, where are you off to?"
I would reply: "Just my office" or "Just enjoying the day".

Hence the reason these dresses by J. Peterman Company caught my eye.

Yes, you are viewing them correctly!
They are hand illustrated drawings of dresses that J. Peterman Co. offers.
Instead of just taking pictures of their inventory, they get their items illustrated
(doesn't that make it seem all the more romantic). 

I can just see myself now...
strolling down the streets of Paris, Vienna, or Rome,
wearing one of these dresses,
a big sun hat on my head,
and a fabulous satchel purse to match.

Calamari Studio

Here is some beautiful art work by Calamari Studio
to brighten up the mid-week hump
(or hump day, as it is otherwise known).

I love these pieces so much.

Probably because Poppies and Succulent
 are two of my favorite plants.

things i'm afraid to tell you

This has been circulating around the blog-o-sphere for a few weeks now.

I originally saw it over on Creature Comforts and loved the transparency

of the other bloggers so much, that I decided it was time

for me to "get real" on my blog as well.

For so long now (almost 4 years) I have kept at arms length with getting personal on my blog. I don't know why... insecurities, vulnerability, afraid I might scare all my readers away... it could be any one of those. But very recently I have been challenged by friends and other bloggers to begin to show more of myself and who I really am. So, with that said, here is my "Things I'm afraid to tell you" post.

What am I most afraid to tell you?

Micah and I are trying to adopt. 

You might ask: why are you afraid to tell us that? That seems like a great thing!

Yes, it is a great, exciting, and joyous thing to be embarking on! But the thing that I'm afraid to tell you is that the process has been long, hard, and emotional.  Many days it's hard for me to be motivated to do anything... cook, blog, work, get out of bed...and every day that goes by where we don't get the "phone call" telling us we have a baby, is a day that feels like my heart is breaking. 

With that said, I know one thing, which gives me hope (most days)...

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path."
That gives me hope in the hard times.

What are the things that your afraid to tell?

(the basic idea behind the "things I'm afraid to tell you" posts are to show a more realistic look into our lives- instead of the perfected versions that are often portrayed on the internet. The lives where our laundry isn’t always folded and color coordinated, dinners aren’t always spectacular and styled, and where we’re met with real situations that aren’t all rainbows and glitter - via: Courtney Khail)

Bloom Theory Straps

I've been trying to take more photos with my camera.

Recently (aka since the iPhone)
I have relied on my phone
for all my picture taking.

Sad how that happened,
but I just couldn't seem to resist
all the cool camera filter apps
that you could download.

After seeing these
beautiful custom camera straps
from Bloom Theory...

It has inspired me to grab my camera
and start snapping away again!

My Week in Instagrams

Happy Saturday!

What are you plans for the weekend?

I fully intend to take it easy this weekend.

And by that I mean, catching up on some reading

while I soak up some sun,

check out a garage sale or two with friends,

and have a breakfast bbq!

Here are my Instagram photos

from this past week!

This Week

What was your week like?

Here's my week in a nutshell...

I'm playing along with

Lovely Indeed's "This Week" posts.

Feel free to check it out on her blog

to play along as well!

Cadbury Cream Egg Cupcakes

I love Cadbury Cream Eggs.

You know... the delicious cream filled chocolate eggs
that stores begin to carry around Easter time.

I had a pack of mini cream eggs
just sitting on a shelf in my pantry,
begging me to eat them.

But instead of popping them in my mouth one by one
(which was tempting)...

I baked them into cupcakes.

And it was amazing.
So amazing, I had to share the recipe with you.

Cadbury Cream Egg Cupcakes

1 box vanilla cake mix (gasp! yes, I know...but I was in a hurry)

1 pack mini Cadbury Cream Eggs

2 sticks butter, softened

3 cups powder sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2 tbsp heavy cream

pinch of salt

orange food coloring

1. Mix the cake batter according to the package directions.

2. Fill 1/2 of the cupcake liners with the cake batter mix (I used mini cupcakes). Then plop one mini Cadbury Cream Egg in the center of the liner, squishing into the batter.

3. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes for mini cupcakes or 18-20 minutes for larger cupcakes.

4. Cool the cupcakes completely.

5. While cupcakes are cooling, make the frosting.

6. With an electric mixer, beat butter, powder sugar, vanilla, heavy cream, salt, and a drop of orange food coloring together until light and fluffy.

7. When the cupcakes are cooled, pipe the frosting on top.

8. Swoon over the heaven-like flavor in your mouth.

Voz Jewelry

I am totally a bracelet girl.

Out of all the jewelry I have,
my favorite pieces are always bracelets.

So, I am excited to show you
these lovely bracelets
created by Voz.

I am so loving the
triangle trend right now!