Shutterfly Holiday Cards

Has it really been this long?! Hopefully with my time off coming up, I'll be able to blog a bit more. (Even though I'll be very busy with baby Sadie).
I am excited to share with you about Shutterfly's Holiday card promotion. If you're a blogger, check out this link to get a great deal (like 50 free cards!!) on your Christmas cards!
I'm planning on using my free cards for Christmas cards this year, we may even combine them with our baby announcements! Their designs are great. The cards are modern and there is such a huge selection you won't have a problem finding something you'll love. Their photo cards are a perfect opportunity for us to put Sadie's picture in and customize the message.
Here are a few I'm thinking of, but really it's so hard to pick!!

I love Snowflake Sprinkles, Holly Jolly and Funky Christmas Wishes.

Check out http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards?viewAll=true&sortType=1&DCL=true to pick out your own Christmas cards! :)

Shutterfly is also a great service to print pictures, photo books, calendars...all sorts of custom ideas for Christmas gifts. You can even have canvases printed and wall decals of your kiddos!

Have fun looking around the site and remember to enter their holiday promotion!! :)

Long Time, No See!

Wow! Have I been a slacker when it comes to this blog.
Since becoming pregnant, I've been searching the internet for baby & mama supplies. I found one of my favorite mama supplies today!
Hooter Hiders!
Of course I've seen nursing covers before, but these are adorable, and I must admit the name sold me.

I guess this nursing cover has received several awards and featured on television.
It's on my list of must treat myself.

Check out the Bebe au Lait site for these and they have some super cute burp clothes and more.

I'm also a big fan of car seat canopies. As many of you that know me IRL, I am a germaphobe. I'm cool with germs from animals, people I know, etc...but when it comes to "strangers"...stay back!! I want to politely protect my baby from germy strangers...and I think this is a great solution. While also protecting our wintertime baby from rain & the cold.
(on a side note...I totally am going to freak out when strange people touch my belly...I don't know if I will freeze or bite their head off).
I thought this canopy was really cute from hblackberry on etsy. There are a TON of cute ones on etsy...gotta love it!

Toner + Acetone = Art

I came across the most fantastic method for custom art on Twice Remembered.
You've got to check it out....I'm loving this idea and using letters for the transfer. The steps are easy, but she said it takes some practice.
Find an image you like, print it on a printer that prints with toner (print a mirror image), place face down on your service and use acetone and a cotton ball to transfer the image. It kind of reminds me of how you transfer temporary tattoos...but way cooler!

 Check out her blog for step by step instructions and photos.

I'm going to be trying this method as soon as I get through the pile of decor stuff I have stashed away....frames etc.

I told myself, no more collecting until I get some projects finished.

Enjoy!

love.

and yes, Mr. Brown and I dance every night :)

weekend getaway.

Craig and I took off this weekend to Central Oregon. We were both in need of a mental pick-me-up, and this part of the state always does the trick.

The highlight of our trip was hiking Smith Rock.

{source}
We hiked Misery Ridge {that's right I said "misery" :)} It was tough, it was beautiful and very rewarding. Even though I haven't seen much difference in the scale, this really demonstrated that I'm getting more and more in shape {Thank you Jan Vandahey!}

This isn't a picture I took, but it shows the hike from the top {honestly, the backside of the hike was the most difficult...the descent...little pebbl-y rock and steep...poor Craig had a stage 5 clinger on his hands!}

Smith Rock is known for it's rock climbing...
Craig got in the spirit! :)

View from the top.

Craig running off on his own while I take a break.

{I love this green on this rock}

It was so great to have a mini-vakay, but I'm glad to be home, to my own bed...and my fan {I can't sleep without the fan going...and I forgot to bring it!} So I'm off to bed...goodnight!! :)

reward with cuteness.

I think this amazing headband from ban.do will be my reward for being good on my healthy lifestyle regimine. I'm thinking I've been trying really hard, and if I make it another week, it shall be mine.

Also, considering a hair change. I'm thinking a slight a-line bob, that I can wear curly {and straight}. Kind of like this...{a little messier and curlier too} and definately keeping the brown...loving it.

dutch love.

This idea is speaking right to the dutch girl in me. I am now on a mission. I found this on Lune Vintage Blog {and she found it on Dottie Angel}

How cute would this be for paint brushes!!

love.

{or for a little baby's room...putting that one in the nursery decor storage bank}

I think it seems like a perfect weekend to hit some thrift stores and maybe find some trash to make my treasure.

birthday boy!

Happy Birthday to my husband, my best friend and my full time comedian :)

I treated Craig to a surprise trip to the beach {Lincoln City}

It was beautiful...sunny, warm, no wind!

It was lots of fun, but I am ready to go back :)

i am baker.

This gal is awesome. I happened across her blog (i am baker) and I am instantly inspired to start baking! (Sugar Cookies especially!).
She does some great stuff with Royal Icing. Next time I make cookies, I'll make Craig a little bowl of "his icing" and some royal icing so I can do the flooding and polka-dots and all the cute stuff.
Check out her Valentine's Cookies.... Love.

lisa leonard.

ok...so I know i'm supposed to be hawking my Stella & Dot jewelry (which is great)
BUT
I absolutely adore this necklace. It would be such a perfect Valentine's gift.

Lisa Leonard
IS
FABULOUS!

thought of the day.

{source}
OR....maybe it's this :)

{source}

I think combining them is the best bet! :)

Happy Tuesday.

today.

You're never beaten until you admit it. - George S. Patton

It's been an emotionally tough day. Rough, frustrating, defeating.

You see, I have a goal. My larger goals rely upon this goal...which is large in itself.

Really, my dreams depend on my success...at least to acheive my dreams responsibly.

I've been struggling to acheive this said goal nearly my entire life.

Some victories, some defeats.

I had a defeat today. The second one in a week.

I know I can get to where I want to go someday, but today I am at a loss of how. I feel it's out of my control and I don't know what to do.

I have not given up, I have not been beaten, just wounded.

Looking for that positivity...it's somewhere.

Right now, I just want to curl up and take a nap.

Perseverance can wait until tomorrow.

just remember.

anthropologie love.

So the most fabulous store in the world...Anthropologie...has a new line that is 1950s inspired.
I'm loving it...

This dress, shoes, bag is just perfect.
I wish I could dress like this everyday.

(and stay at home and take care of babies and bake macaroons...but that's another story)

I would probably pair it with a lovely little cardi, cute barrette, and the bag & shoes they have in the photo <3.

I could live in this store.

motivation monday.

Monday's are rough! So I've decided to take a minute every Monday, to motivate me to get me excited about the week ahead. Attitude is all in your noodle, I say!

So here are some things that are motivating me today...

I've decided to start Weight Watchers. Medifast works, but is semi-torturous and Atkins, well, doesn't have enough limits on my caloric intake, soo....I gained 3 lbs last week. That ain't happening again sister!

I'm totally motivated and relaxed about my weightloss right now. I know that this is a healthy lifestyle, and honestly, it feels so much more "normal" than other diets. Craig and I want babies, but we want to lose a little more weight (Craig wants to bulk up and be a tough lookin' daddy) :)

I will keep you updated!

This pendant is fabulous. It's from MarKhed on Etsy. They use transparencies to layer their pendants.

Love!
I have a soldering kit, but am never quite sure where to go with it...I now have a little direction.

They have a whole series on different cities around the world.
The Paris ones are to die for {they have pretty transparent red hearts over photographs!}

I got a sewing machine!! <3 Yay!
I made some really quick and easy pillows, which was the most fun EVER!
My goal is to start making quilts. I think they are beautiful, traditional, and if made right could last for generations.
I of course am loving Amy Butler's Fabric {but who isn't!?}

I love art.

I was an art major.

I should create art.

I WANT to create art.

While I was an art major, I never took a painting class....can you believe it!? It wasn't required.

{this is because my focus areas were graphic design and printmaking}

I am thinking of making something simple like this for our bedroom. I found out recently {yesterday} that Craig does not like headboards because he likes to "hug" the mattress when he sleeps. I'm going to have to be creative.

I like this...it's minimal, but cozy and special.

{apartment therapy}

Ahh...I actually do feel motivated. Now if there were only more hours in the day! <3

she's crafty.

Welcome to my fresh & new blog. I thought it would be a good idea, to erase the old and start with a clean slate.

She's Crafty comes from Craig...of course. It's very, um, loosely based on the Beastie Boys song.

I'm looking forward to sharing craftiness :), fashion fun and just daily happenings of the little (and new) Brown family.

Talk to you soon!

{fyi...the photo above is in Yachats, OR after Craig and I hiked Cape Perpetua...that big flippin' hill the distance}