Soul Food

I can't quite portray how incredibly perfect this weekend was. 

We spent Saturday morning in downtown, soaking up the unusually warm January sun...

Lunch was to. die. for. When Matt ordered sweet teas for the two of us, and our waiter brought two glasses of unsweet with a bottle of chilled sugar water to use as we please... This Georgia girl fell in love.


We picked up Molly girl and headed to the park to bask in the afternoon rays..

And embrace the wide open spaces...

It was a break from not only the cold, but from the daily grind. 

No agenda, big plans, or special surprises. Just life at its best. 

And it's moments like these that continually encourage my contentedness... My love for my husband and our sweet, simple life. It was good for my soul, y'all. 

Here's to enjoying every last drop, 

Lauren

T-shirt Recycle: Rosettes!

I'm not one to normally post a "tutorial" of one of my projects. There are so many ultra-talented ladies out there, always busy dreaming up the most extraordinary crafts!


Now, this is by no means extraordinary... but it sure is EASY. And basically free! Ah.... my two favorite adjectives.


Supplies: 
-An old t-shirt 
-Fabric elastic (I used 1/4 inch)
-Hot glue 
-Scissors
-Felt (optional)

Cut your t-shirt into (approximately) 2x2 squares. None of this must be precise! You need about 6 to 8 squares, depending on how large you'd like your flower.

Trim the corners of your squares to make circles. This is just the easiest way for me to cut a circle... Maybe you excelled in cutting with scissors in kindergarten... if so,  stop boasting and just skip step one. 

Next, cut your circles in half and cut out two pieces of felt for the base of your flower (you won't see this once it's put on the headband.) If you don't have felt handy, you could also use another scrap from the t-shirt.

Next, use your hot glue to attach the first layer of "petals" to the edge of one of your felt bases. 

Surround the felt with four "petals". (Since your circles won't be exactly the same size, try to use the larger ones for this first layer.)

Now, add a second layer of four "petals" at a 45 degree angle to the first layer. (See? That sounds complicated. Just look at the picture...)

Continue to add the "petals" at a 45 degree angle to the layer below it... 

Like this...

...Until you close the gap in the middle. (The last layer will only use two "petals")

Then I cut another strip of t-shirt and twisted it tightly...

 ...and coiled it into a small circle, securing it with hot glue along the way.  I then placed that piece in the middle of my flower. 

Use the second felt piece to attach the flower to the headband...

Just like so... (PS: hot glue is your friend.)

And there you have it...

I also played around with different types of "rosettes"...


Cut a single strip of  your t-shirt. (Hey, Molly girl)

Twist it tightly like you did for the center of your previous flower...

Coil it into a circle...

Using hot glue to secure it along the way...

Attach it to your felt and headband like before... and voila!

You can also cluster them with coordinating fabrics... Cute! (If you don't mind me saying...)

These are simple as pie. I feel silly walking through it step-by-step. But there you have it. 


Enjoy! :) 


Lauren

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Awkward/Awesome Thursday

Sydney, one of my favorites, created a party called Awkward and Awesome Thursdays that I adore... it's brilliant! I decided to link up this week, and maybe will in the future, too. After all, who doesn't have awkward/awesome moments to share?


If you don't, then you haven't been paying attention.




Awkward:
-Dinner for Schmucks. The entire movie. I was so embarrassed for Darla. Most every scene was cringe-and-avert-your-eyes worthy.
-Chowing down on my breakfast at a stoplight on the way to work, only to glance at the car next to me and see my neighbor trying to say hello... All I could do was flash my most polite, mouth-filled-with-cheerios smile.
-Walking back inside before work to tell my hubby to "be careful on the ice on the sidewalk", only to walk out the door and bust it on the ice on the sidewalk...
-When co-workers heat fish up for lunch in the community microwave. Gag.
-The guy in the lighting aisle at Lowes: "So, are you going to put that up yourself". "No, sir. My husband will."




Awesome:
-The hodge podge pizza that Matt and I put together last night for dinner. (Who knew that quesadilla cheese could be so good on a pizza?)
-Our goal for this weekend. (To move from the couch as few times as possible)
-The fact that I haven't been grocery shopping for weeks, and we've YET to break out the Ramen noodle stash.
-New girlfriends that break the ice and call to pour their hearts out to you.
-The sweet Hispanic guy at the Farmers' Market that knows my order by heart.
-That one time (last night) when my husband called me "dude". (I really couldn't decide on this one... awkward? or awesome?)


Wasn't that fun? Thanks Sydney. You've taught me to take note of all the awkwards and awesomes in my life. And inspired me to wear lipstick. Forever grateful.

-Lauren

Be still and know

There's something magical about snow days. 

Wouldn't you agree?

Waking up to an unadulterated blanket of white... The earth feels insulated; The cold isn't quite so cold. And miraculously, there's nothing in me that wants to crawl back into bed and sleep another few hours.

Instead, I open the blinds, bundle up in my most comfy sweatshirt and enjoy the sweetness of it all. I sit and I watch. 

I watch the snow accumulate ever so quietly, and remember a favorite scripture...

"Be still, and know that I am God!"  Psalm 46:10 (NLT)

"Cease striving and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10 (NASB)

"Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at Me, your High God." (MSG)

Maybe the Lord gives us snow days for just that reason. They are quiet, peaceful. Restful and without distraction. 


On snow days, we have no other choice but to be still. To cease striving. To step out of the traffic.


And know.


Lauren

Living intentionally: Date Nights

In an attempt to live more intentionally, we've decided on a monthly date night for 2011. We're setting aside money each month for this specific purpose, and plan on trying out some of Nashville's local flavor in the process...

 

I think everybody should have a resolution that's easy to keep. Delicious meals and quality time with hubby? 

Yes please!

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures." -Thornton Wilder

Lauren

Resolutions

Resolution 2011: live more intentionally.

____________________________________________________________

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.
-Thornton Wilder

____________________________________________________________

a) Project 365. One photo every day. To remind me that each day contains something special. Something worth recording.

1.1.11

Welcoming the New Year with dear friends!

1.4.11Beautiful sunset over the city.

b) Recycle. I'm ashamed to say that, no, we don't recycle. And no, I have no great excuse. (Is there ever a good excuse, really?) We did for a short time when our neighborhood first started recycle pick-up, but quit because we didn't have a functioning "system" for our house. My only (very poor) excuse is lack of space... (I'm still horribly ashamed, for the record.)

Lucky for us (and my conscience), I've found lots of inspiration! I just know one of these will work for us...

Found here

Found here

I think that "living intentionally" also means taking responsibility for the "treasures" around me... the earth. I hope that we'll become more aware of our footprint this year. 

c) Start an herb garden. I bet there's nothing better than making dinner for hubby, stepping outside to your garden, and snipping a few basil leaves for flavor. I can't wait!

Found here

2011, 

I hope you'll teach me to live intentionally. 

I hope you'll make me more conscious of the treasures around me.

We're off to a good start so far. I can't wait to get to know you a little better.

Lauren