1 year blogiversary

I can't believe it's been about a year since I started this blog! Whew! Time sure flies!

I had originally planned on doing something HUGE this month, like giveaways and cool projects I have tucked away in my brain, but alas, life hasn't provided much unused time lately.  Check that, I haven't taken the time.  Between my husband starting a new job (YAY!), me interviewing and accepting a new job (YAY!), house hunting (YAY!), and continuing to live out of boxes in my in-law's basement, trying to make life as normal as possible, it's been hard finding much time for myself that doesn't involve a glass of wine and zoning out on the couch.

But what I will share with you today as I reflect on the past year are the ways in which I was changed by starting this blog!  I have definitely changed my consumption practices and habits when shopping for stuff, and for that, I'm grateful for this place that I can share my thoughts and be inspired.

1.  I have learned that thrifting is so fun if you have time to peruse through the store and shop around! There are deals to be had, not to mention a great way to reuse what's already out there.  Someone else's trash is my treasure!

^^thrifted^^

2.  I can be creative when it comes to my wardrobe.  I have made more items to wear this past year than ever before. If I see something I really like in a catalog or store, I like to think of ways to be able to either create it myself or thrift it.

^^scarf project with Emily (here), and my favorite project of the year (here)^^

3.  It is fun to work for something that you really want.  I don't think I've blogged about this before, but Seth and I have "workout jars" that we add to every time we workout.  It is our spending money, good for anything we may have our eyes on.  This is total motivation to save for something important, rather than just buy on a whim. It helps keep spontaneous shopping at bay. 

4. I love small business.  This may sound totally rediculous, but having a blog has made me appreciate small businesses all the more! I know my blog isn't necessarily a business, but it is something that I pour myself into (even if it's just dribbling right now!), and I appreciate when others comment or visit the blog.  Similarly, small businesses are providing either products or services that they are passionate about and want to be recognized for that and appreciated for that product/service.

^^my sister's wreath business (here), and the local thrift shops^^

5.  We are responsible for the earth and our country is the top consumer of resources in the world! Let's change that by being a little more globally minded.  Buy less, create more, and be mindful of how we use our resources!

Thank you for reading!
 More blog celebrating and fun to come!

the library is a great resource

the forty hour workweek and ten hour weekly commute has been taking up much of my time lately.  which of course is fine because work is a very necessary part of life and i like being a nurse. but because i spend much of my time in the car, the ads of the radio stations and ke$ha on repeat don't always cut it in entertaining and stimulating my mind.  how about some books on CD, i thought to myself.  and instead of going to barnes n' noble and spending money on a book i'll only listen to once, i headed to the library to check out their selection and see what i can listen to for FREE. 

thus far, i've listened to seven books and my commute is much more enjoyable, especially in the company of characters like Lisbeth Salander of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series.  

and today i was thinking about what "gumptious" things i've been doing or thinking about lately that would be worth writing and putting out there. and as simple as it is, the library has been an incredible resource for me during this time in my life of being in the car alone for two hours a day. it doesn't require spending money unnecessarily or consuming any new resources.

so if it's possible for you to utilize a local library for your reading or listening list, go for it! not only is it free, but you may find a book that you have never heard of.  and as an added bonus, libraries and their plastic-covered books always have that awesome aged smell that instantly makes you feel like learning, at least for me it does.

 that is my encouragement for today and my gumptious advice.

 

**be resourceful**

an attempt be more natural

Over the past several years, I have had increasing interest in the presence and influence of chemicals that are in products we use daily, that may (or may not) be doing us harm.  Given that everyday I age, I notice an increasing amount of sunspots, gray hair (posts on that here and here), acne, wrinkles, aches, pains, you name it. And as I have noticed these changes, the amount of products in my arsenal to fight these aging processes grows.  But when reading about what actually goes into each product, the chemical used to keep the product from growing bacteria, or the chemical used to turn your skin a darker hue, I am beginning to get skeptical.  Especially given the increasing rates of cancer and other allergies and diseases that are running wild now.
Disclaimer: I'm not a researcher and I don't believe that household products are solely responsible for cancer, I just have read enough to believe that the food we eat (processed) and the products we use daily do influence the way our body functions as it breaks it down and metabolizes it. 

It is overwhelming to try to cut out chemicals in our everyday life, so I've compiled a little list of the small ways that I have been able to make changes by adding natural habits, that are manageable and have made a difference.

1. Face mask. Ingredients: Organic honey and lemon juice. Honey is a natural anti-inflammatory and antibiotic.  Lemon juice is acidic (great for acne prone skin) and brightens skin tones.  Mix about 2-3 tbsp of honey and the juice from 1/2 lemon.  Leave the mask on for 15-20 minutes and then wash off and moisturize as usual afterwards.  I only use this about once a week.

2. Coconut oil for EVERYTHING! Coconut oil (unpressed and organic) is an amazing moisturizer, whether used on skin or hair! I tried a natural shampoo and conditioner regimen that my hair protested to greatly, but I continue to occasionally use a coconut oil spray (1 tsp. coconut oil mixed with water in a spray bottle) in the shower for a little boost of moisture.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar.  This is one that I have such a love/hate relationship with.  When we first moved here, Seth and I read an article about the benefits of ACV on your digestive tract first thing in the morning.  We started drinking little "shots" before we even had coffee, and it is the most bitter way to wake up, hence the "hate".  ACV has antibiotic properties, is great for the intestinal tract, plus it contains pectin, which soothes intestinal spasms, fighting indigestion, and can even alleviate hiccups.  It can also boost energy acting as an antidote against the buildup of lactic acid caused by exercise or extreme stress.  (One article with more on that here).

4. Essential Oils.  The only one that I've been head over heels for is eucalyptus oil. I've been sick with respiratory infections so much this past year (thanks to working in an ER), that I keep a little bottle of this in my purse for times when I am congested and can't breath.  Rubbing this oil below your nose or on your chest provides immediate relief for congestion and also smells pretty nice!

Anyone else trying some new ways to live more naturally?

**happy thursday**

"drumroll...." (visualize clark griswald)

My hubby helped pick the winner from a number in a hat and the winner is.....

EMILY!! 

Congratulations!!! 

I'll be in touch with you about a product of your choice from Lulu's Mimi!!!

Thank you for participating and supporting local and small business!

lulu's mimi and a giveaway

Hello from snowy Pennsylvania! We got yet another snow storm yesterday- but it's gorgeous and after spending an afternoon this weekend reigniting my ski love, I am thankful that it's still winter.

Today I am happy to be writing about another small business from a friend of mine, Lindsay Gaines, from Juniata College.  We were basketball teammates there and after college both happened to moved to the great state of North Carolina, where she now resides.  Lindsay is a fellow blogger, new mom to a precious little boy, and starter of a business called Lulu's Mimi, an out-of-home business that features things "homemade with love". 

Part of my intention to introducing a small business is not only to feature great products, but also to capture a bit about the person behind it.  By getting to know these people a little better, the item bought from that business is a little more meaningful, and in our culture, isn't it great to put a face behind a product? 

^^Lindsay sporting one of her most popular items, a chevron scarf^^

So, here's a bit of the email interview:

1. What inspired you to start making items to sell?

My inspiration actually stemmed from blogging.  I started reading blogs consistently and noticed that many of the blogs I was reading were primarily sewing/tutorial type posts.  Once I started navigating Pinterest, I decided I could do those things. So, on Black Friday two years ago my mother talked me into buying a sewing machine and here I am.  I have to add that I sewed with my grandmother as a child/teen so I had some experience with it prior to this, but hadn't done anything in over a decade before becoming inspired by what I saw out there.  Coincidentally, this also inspired my blog.

2. What has been your most popular item(s)?

My most popular items are definitely baby items: car seat covers, burp cloths, bibs, and diaper clutches. Many people like to give them as gifts and everyone loves receiving them.  My scarves are really popular as well, particularly the chevron pattern.  My favorite thing though is when people contact me asking me if I can make something.  That's how I started making car seat covers!

3. Do you sell at local craft fairs or just out of your home?

 I do sell at local craft fairs.  I even had my crafts in a store front here in town for a little over a year.  I sell a lot through my Facebook page.  I really enjoy doing craft fairs because it allows me to connect with other vendors and I've always been a small business/craft fair junkie so I love the atmosphere.

4. What has been the hardest thing about having a small business?

Right now the hardest thing about having a small business is finding the time to sew with a little one in the house.  However, I also have the hardest time getting to the post office.  I don't know what it is about that place!

5. What other thoughts do you have on buying locally/small businesses? 

I try very hard to buy local/small as often as I can.  If I can't do that, I at least try to purchase goods made in America.  At one point in my life I had a hard time paying the extra you might pay for locally made goods, but then I started making my own things and realized the time, effort, and love that goes into creating.  That's the best part of shopping small; each item is unique and created with someone's hands quite possibly while they were balancing life with a new baby or raising money for a dream vacation...  I love that everything has a story.

6. Where did the name "Lulu's Mimi" come from?

My grandmother is the one that taught me the basics of sewing.  Growing up she and I made aprons, duffel bags, blankets, even prom dresses together.  She is a very talented woman who happens to be my grandmother and, more importantly, one of my very best friends.  It is really important to me that I keep this legacy alive in my family (I'm extremely sentimental) so I'm so proud to carry on the tradition of creating clothing and gifts.  One of my nicknames is Lulu and I call my grandmother Mimi hence the name: Lulu's Mimi.  I'm considering changing my blog to the same name so that everything flows cohesively in the event that this small business could become more than a hobby at some point in my life.

So, without further ado, there are a couple different ways to see Lindsay's products:

Blog: Here

Blog FB page: Here

Lulu's Mimi FB page: Here

She does take custom orders through her facebook page, and also said that she has some things already made, ready to send out. So check it out!

Annnnd one of you lucky readers 

will win any item of your choice from Lulu's Mimi (free shipping too!). 

So, if you have a baby, an upcoming baby shower, or need a stylish scarf, just enter a comment below listing a small business that you patron and why you go there.  Enter by next Monday, February 17, where the winner will be chosen at random.

**Good luck and thanks for supporting small businesses!!**

thoughts on pinterest

This is the third day I've woken up feeling the fresh beating of a head cold, combined with fever, the occassional aches and chills, and the dread of just being awake today. It. is. miserable.

Since I can sleep no longer, and I sound like a bulldog when I breath, I am confined to the couch today, checking email and hopefully getting into a Twilight movie marathon later....(fingers crossed!)

On my web roaming this morning, I've found myself over on Pinterest (surprise, surprise) and started to wonder why my page of home ideas and style ideas differs so much from my actual closet and home? 

(or what I imagine our future home to be, since we are in this state of transition).  

I found myself wondering:

Is it that Pinterest is this "safe place" for me to pin things that I like, but in reality would never actually wear/display/show off?

Does this mean that my digital personality is different from the real life me?

Or is it just a place that we put things we like, but can't afford in real life, so that's why my real clothing and home don't look that way?

Probably a good combination of all of these questions.  I am not rich.  And I don't intend to spend unnecessary boatloads of money on myself or my home.  And of course I probably pin things that look great on a skinny model, but on me, maybe not so great. 

But, I do know that I pin things that I am attracted to.  I pin "my style" for sure. And while these may be bolder looks that I wear or different looks that I would normally have in the home, they are all pictures of things that I do, in fact, like looking at and enjoy.  They do describe me in some way.

And my guess is that maybe I'm a little reserved when it comes to wearing those fake glasses that I pinned, just because I don't need glasses and I'm embarrassed to purchase them and then tell people they are fake (truth be told, I already own fake glasses!), but good riddence to being reserved- I'm about to enter my fourth decade in this world (30?!), isn't it time I stop worrying about feeling embarrassed?

Life is too short to not express yourself, or to be too concerned with what others think, or even caging yourself into what you think you should be. 

 

Cheers to YOU!

*have a great week*

 

 

it's christmas in january!

This past December, my sister-in-law got me a thrifted sweater, with the intent that I would be able to create whatever I could out of it's cable-knitted goodness. So with a good friend's 30th coming up in a couple of days, I felt inspired to repurpose this sweater into a warm scarf for her.  And so commences the cutting and hemming....pressure is on since this is a gift for someone else!

 

 ^^not only do I hate my appearance in this picture, but the sweater has GOT to go...^^

^^a blue sweater project deserves a blue moon^^

 ^^the bottom was cut off in one straight line, leaving one edge already "hemmed" and the other needing a good hemming, of which the sewing machine was used to do.^^

 ^^I cut one cuff off the sleeve of the sweater to add a little character to the otherwise simple infinity scarf.  A flower from the clearance section at Michaels was added for more pizzazz! It was just hand sewn into the cuff piece and the scarf itself to hold it all in place.^^

^^once again, don't mind the makeup-less me here, but I am glad the scarf can be doubled for more warmth!^^

A few notes on sewing a hem in a sweater:

- I did have a hard time keeping the lines straight with the cable-knit texture, so I was thankful to have thread that matched perfectly to the color of the scarf, for those times when my "line" was not exactly even.

-I would have planned to double over the hem.  Originally, I had only folded it once, meaning that the "raw" edge was still exposed, spewing little bits of blue sweater everywhere....so I had to double fold the hem...should have done that from the start.  

-pay close attention when using a sewing machine on cable-knit material...the foot gets tripped often.

Overall, this was a very quick and easy project, created and enjoyed over a beer and is now being sent through the post to a friend on the other side of the state.

**have a great weekend all**