Five Sixteenths Blog

Fan Fridays // Shoe Inspiration

2012-01-27T10:56:00.002-05:00

My favorite thing to pin on my boards on Pinterest is shoes. DIY tutorials & shoes that are just plain gorgeous grace my My Style board & my Handmade Inspiration board. I love to pop by the thrift store & see what shoes I may be able to DIY with.

This Fan Friday is all about yummy shoes:

This awesome DIY from Mr. Kate

Pick up some boots from the thrift store & cheapo belts to create this look!

source

for a less crazy look, just wrap some belts in the same color around a pair you already own!

This awesome DIY from A Beautiful Mess will take old boots from Drap to Fab!

I don't have any lace up boots, I got rid of them in high school (they were like combat boots!) & I wish I'd kept them!

source source source

I am still in love with Aztec prints & really want to find another pair of Moccasins to pain or sandals to DIY

I am feeling very DIY-ish this week. I have so many ideas swimming around in my head that I can't wait to get out.

It's raining here today but I hope your Friday is awesome & that your weekend rocks!

What are you plans for the weekend? Any shoe shopping in the works?

My Boyfriend // Better than Yours

2012-01-26T11:00:00.000-05:00

That's a bit of an uptight & snobby title for a post right? My Boyfriend is better than yours? Well friends, I hate to say it...but he is. You wanna know why? I'll share 10 reasons why:

He is a great, awesome, wonderful, fantastic, amazing cook

He knows a little bit about everything & alotta bit about somethings. Usually if I ask him a question he has an answer for it or he can figure it out. He stimulates my mind & we have discussions about important topics & current events all the time. The first time I went to his house I remembered this quote:

source

He has A LOT of books

He asks about my blog & if I've blogged about him. He cares about when I get excited about twitter, he asks about my pinterest, & who's liked my instagram photos...especially when it's of food he's cooked. I am trying to convince him to do a guest post here with some food he's made!!

He wants to go places like DC & Monticello for trips. He likes to learn as much as I do, even about art which he thought he'd hate. We watch the History Chanel 9 times out of 10

He's understanding, he doesn't push, & he genuinely cares. It makes me so happy to know that I have a man that just gets it. He just understands!

He's cute.

His laugh is amazing. For the most part he's a serious dude. He isn't too light hearted & he takes things he does seriously (total opposite of me!). So when he laughs it's like hearing a child laugh for the first time. That is when I know he is the most happy.

He has high expectations for himself & for us. I have to admit the second half of this one is a bit scary. But it's also comforting to know that at this point in life he knows what he wants.

He doesn't embarrass easily. He'll ask a complete stranger a question. He starts the line instead of waiting in it. He's pretty much impermeable to ridicule.

He holds my hand. That's an important one right? He shows me he's there.........

Well, thats it friends. I am sure I've convinced you that my boyfriend is much better than yours right? No? Well tell me about yours why don't you!?!?!

Dorm Dec Wednesday // Dream Home - Closet Space

2012-01-25T11:00:00.000-05:00

Since there has been a lot of change in my life in the past few weeks (days even) I've been thinking a lot about what I'd like to have in another, more permanent, home. Right now where I live doesn't have much storage. There's an attic & a few closets but no real storage space for things for everyday use. For example (and I won't show you a picture) we have a spare room that was supposed to be a craft room but has been turned into a let's just put this crap here room. It's rather frustrating!

I also have too many clothes & shoes for the small standard closets in this place. My Junior year of College, I had a lovely walk in closet with some over head storage, it was wonderful. Every year since though, closet space has just been diminishing. My rack even fell off in my closet in the middle of hanging up clothes! What??

Anyway, if I had it my way, I'd have all of these things in my room:

source source source source

images found through pinterest

On the quest of decorating a small space, it's hard to display things. I love to display my collections of shoes, jewelry, anything really & a lot of space gets cluttered easily. For example, my vanity is just full of bits of things. I am a clutter bug who thirsts for minimalism. I don't think I'll ever make it....

I love to turn to Little Chief Honey Bee & A Beautiful Mess for decor inspiration. I've also been obsessed with thumbing through the hashtags on Instagram. If you're on Instagram, come find me! My username is fivesixteenths. I love finding other crafty & inspirational peeps!

What do would you have in your dream home? Do have a dream home already decorated through Pinterest? (I do!)

Yummy Recipe // Twist on a Salad

2012-01-24T11:07:00.000-05:00

In an attempt to be a bit more real on Five Sixteenths, I am going to be straight with you for a second.

Going Paleo is hard!!!

Recently I've been trying to go Paleo. I love the concept & while I don't really stick to the diet I've used it as inspiration to eat healthier. Branching off of the main mantra (if you will) of the Paleo diet, I've tried to eat only Meat, Veggies, Fruits, & Nuts. Eating well balanced meals like these & eating healthier snacks I hope to gain a healthier lifestyle.

So far I've fallen off a bit & I think it's because I was looking at it as the dreaded D-word: DIET. I should have been looking at is as lifestyle! I need to get into the habit of going to the store weekly to buy fresh foods otherwise I fall victim to whatever is in the fridge. My problem is that I love all foods equally. I don't hate veggies & only eat sweets.....I just eat them equally. By limiting my diet in this way (meat, veggies, fruits, & nuts) I should be gaining back a little balance. I am not quite sure if I am ready to give up cakes just yet but Megan shared this great brownie recipe that I think I am dying to try.

Staying on track, I think, means choosing to eat a good breakfast, lunch, & dinner. It means being aware of what you are eating not just eating it. Considering what your mean is made of is important. While I know I have control of the meals & foods I eat, I feel it is easier to manage breakfasts & lunches. Usually I try to eat an orange or other fruit for breakfast & a yummy salad for lunch. Since eating has become a social gathering I feel that leaving dinners open for interpretation is a good way to balance your social eating life with a healthy one. First, I love to eat & second, I love to eat with friends. So going out to restaurants is not going to be thrown out of my life. The best example I can think of balancing while eating out is ordering something that seems a bit healthier or consciously eating less. For me, I need to remember that this is my project & it's ok to lose some battles but you have to get back up.

Eating a bit of something, like an orange, everyday for breakfast & a salad every day for lunch can get a bit tiring. So since I like different flavors & love all foods equally I decided to throw together an awesome salad (or two) that I could eat on a regular basis & not get tired of!

* my chicken breast was from a can, but you could use leftovers from last nights meal, etc.

I love salads. I honestly could eat a salad everyday & I think I should! New goal: Salad 5 out of the 7 days of the week!

These recipes show how simple it is to add different things to the same old salad. I really like the Kiwi & Celery because the celery added a great crunch & the tart kiwi went great with the balsamic vinegar. These salads were filling & kept with the meat, veggies, fruit, & nuts mantra that I have in my life right now!

How to do you keep your healthy lifestyle from getting too boring? Have you tried the Paleo diet? Do you have any helpful hints?

Make it Monday // Neon Moccasins

2012-01-23T11:30:00.000-05:00

A while back (after Christmas, actually) I went to Target & found these great & comfy moccasins. I am not quite sure if they are slippers or if they are actually for going outside. They have some fur on the inside which leads me to believe they are slippers but the soles are hard which means I can wear them outside right?

I've seen loads of gorgeous moccasins & have been coveting them badly! I had a great pair of Minnetonka Mocs fo ages but unfortunately the soles got all hard & I slipped down the stairs. Whoops! I was going to do this DIY with them but I knew I could't wear them around if I was going to slip!

These were my favorite! I loved the winged part. RIP Moccasins!

What you'll need:
Moccasins you are willing to paint, acrylic paint, brushes, binder clips/clothes pins

My moccasins didn't untie to pull the flap of fringe out of the way so I used a few binder clips/clothes pins to keep it out of the way.

I used a white base coat under the neon green/yellow paint that I had so that it would pop out more. Paint two base coats of white & let dry thoroughly between coats. Paint three coats of the top color. Make sure each layer dries thoroughly between coats. Use a hair dryer to speed it up.

You can add a few designs to the sides too. At first I wanted to put some glitter on these moccasins but then I decided against it. It might work out, it might not. It's all about experiments.

I can't wait to wear these with every casual outfit I put on. Color is really important to the outfits I put together. I love mixing & matching! There are few things I am afraid of & Pattern and Color aren't included!

Do you love neon? How do you style your Mocs?

Sum Up Sunday // Suit Up!

2012-01-22T17:07:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite shows to watch on Netflix & on TV is How I Met Your Mother. Not only is it a darling comedy about a group of friends in the city but Barney has to be my favorite character. Always in a suit & tie, Barney makes it a point to be the classy one & with the most ladies. I find it hilarious all the stunts he pulls in the show. Today, Zach & I went shopping for some real world work clothes for him since he is getting out of the military in April. He's got only two nice shirts & one pair of khakis. Today, after an hour & a half in Penny's (boy's seem to be much easier to shop for than girls) he came away with two pairs of pants, a sport coat, seven shirts, & 4 ties. When he came out of the dressing room in his sport coat, black pants, shirt, & tie.....I fainted a little bit. Now I know why Barney suits up....all the ladies love it!!

I also got my first massage from a student & friend at work. She's just finishing up here training with us at work & is working on her practicals. Instead of relaxing we pretty much talked away which was good because talking & getting massage really helped me work through some stuff. I guess getting a massage & talking with a good friend is what you need! If you haven't gotten a massage I totally encourage you too! See if there is a massage school in your area that offers half price or discounted massages. If you've never had one it's worth a shot!!

On the photo a day front, my happiness is Sunday afternoons with my man & my puppy! This afternoon I am sans a man & am watching Dr. Who with my room mate. The puppy is curled up with his blankie :) Last Monday morning I went home to my parent's house to get an oil change from the place I've gone since I had my first car. I am loyal like that!

My new toothbrush is very girly. I love toothbrushes & I love the dentist. I could fall asleep when they clean my teeth. I'd choose the dentist over any other doctor any day!!! My purchase for January photo a day was this potato chip maker. Alycia bought one & showcased it on her blog & immediately and without question went & purchased it. It is AMAZING. I totally suggest getting it....like for real. You can make apple chips, sweet potato chips, etc. AMAZING. I also bought this sewing kit from the thrift store. Such a sweet deal for $7.25. There is a load of stuff in there. It was like Christmas opening it up!

The person that I love happens to be this little puppy who loves to have his picture taken. He can't get enough & loves my little instax camera because it makes noise. Last night we had a date night at Red Lobster (so not Paleo!) & then headed home to watch more Stargate. It was rainy last night & cold and is super cold today.

What did you do this week? How's the weather where you are?

Fan Fridays // Paint, Pattern, Photography

2012-01-20T11:00:00.000-05:00

This week hasn't been as busy as last week on the work front. While the phones do occasionally ring at the same time & I have no idea how to answer both of them at the same time, I'd say the after Christmas rush may be over....

On the home front, we still have our Christmas tree up. I'm not complaining but I think we should start to think about taking it down. This weekend will be all about cleaning the apartment (mine & helping Zach...). I also have my first ever massage on Saturday! I am so excited to be so relaxed!!

Yesterday I shamefully bought 11 Nail Polishes from Icing & went thrifting over lunch where I found this beauty for $7.25

There are so many amazing things in the bottom of this box that I probably will do a whole post about it!

Things I love from around the web:

These lovely bags with beautiful prints! Love it!

Buy the small pouch here

Catch the Clutch DIY here from Tick Tock Vintage

Check out the website for the bottom image here

All recently pinned on Pinterest

This great watch display. Mine doesn't look this good...I've got too many things on my dresser :(

From Troup Rouge

Elycia shared some great Photog tips on Shrimp Salad Circus

I need to buy a remote for my camera & I've found one on Amazon, I just gotta check out. I love taking pictures & wish I had more good ones of myself.

What are you loving this week? Have you ever had a massage before? How was it?

ps. I found this really cool blog to link all you fave pinterest finds to for the week!! Check it out & link up!

Dorm Dec Wednesday // Nail Polish Display

2012-01-18T10:38:00.000-05:00

Recently I've grown to fall in love with nail polish. I am not quite sure if it's because I've been taking the Nail Tech class through where I work or because I discovered chip resistant nail polish from Claire's & Icing. I used to not paint my nails because I'd just let the polish chip & that doesn't look too good.......

With this new found love of nail polish for every occasion, I decided I'd wear more of it if it was displayed better. Instead of being a jumbled mess sitting on my dresser I found a spice rack at Big Lot's to use as a display. I'd hoped to thrift one but my efforts were fruitless. I found a little display case with a heart on it & something in the shape of a house...but no spice rack. So I headed to the next best place: Big Lot's. If I didn't find one there I would have headed to TJ Maxx or the like.

Since this spice rack was made for a drawer, I had to lean in on the wall in order to make the 'shelves' level to set the polish on. The only other down side is that now I can't buy any more polishes!!

You can see it's leaning on the wall here & it's expandable. Unfortunately, I've expanded it as far as it will go. There was another one at the store so I might go back & pick that one up but I am running out of room for all my other things on my vanity. It's getting pretty full as it is.

I love my train case & I have a bunch of little knick knacks that I just absolutely have to have (yeah right!) so I may have to re-evaluate the lay out.

Being a display lover I love having all of my polishes out in the open. If my room mate wants to borrow any, she can see them easily too. Perhaps this will convince her to display hers!

How do you store your polishes? Do you have a large collection like I do?

p.s. If you haven't already, would you please take my reader survey? I'd appreciate it!

My Blog Planner // How to Stay on Track

2012-01-17T11:00:00.000-05:00

After sharing my 2012 Blog Book on Instagram the other day a cool little follower asked me to elaborate on it. So I thought I'd do a post on what I am doing new in 2012 & what I like to do when I sit down to blog.

Keeping a regular posting schedule is important to maintaining a blogging presence. When thinking about keeping up a blog, think of yourself as a reader first. What would you like to see if you were a regular or a new reader?

A regular posting schedule gives your readers something to look forward to & makes it easy for new readers to figure out your blog. Looking forward to something keeps readers coming back.

I always have a hard time with a posting schedule. Sometimes I'd end up posting too late or not at all or I'd just post something to post something & it wasn't a quality post at all. I'd try to be like all the blogs I followed but getting caught up in the game if you will didn't give me quality ideas to share.

Re-evalutating & thinking about what I'd want to see if I were a reader and including quality posts that reflect who I am encouraged me to start this little routine. So here's a glimpse into my blog planning:

Blog Book -

Having a place to jot down ideas is important to coming up with quality over quantity. I picked up this book at TJ Maxx (my favorite place!) & its just small enough to fit in my purse & has enough pages to divide up into weekly features. Dividing up the blog book into the weekly features helps keep track of ideas in specific categories. I find it easier than flipping through pages & pages of things I've jotted down.

I also included one big section for blog ideas, general things that don't really fall into categories or ideas for random personal posts. My dividers are:

Make it Monday, Manicure Ideas, Blog Tutorials,

Blog Topics, Outfits, Quotes, Shop Stuff, Blog Development

I've found this super helpful! Just the other day I was waiting for Zach while he was fixing his friend's TV & I pulled out my book and jotted down some ideas. Whenever you see something or find inspiration you will know the exact place to write it down!

Planner -

Month at a glance & daily planners are the bomb. I forgot how much I loved them in college. I would plan out my whole week, month, year, etc & be a busy little bee. Planning got put to the wayside when I graduated because I didn't really think I needed to plan any thing. I knew when my posts were supposed to go up...I could handle it right?

On the month at a glance page, mark all the regular occurring posts. The only posts I really want to happen every week are the Make it Monday, Dorm Dec Wednesday, Fan Friday, & Sum up Sunday. Thursday & Saturday don't have reoccurring themes & Tempted Tuesdays don't need to happen every week. So Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday are the only days I need to worry about more original content. Planning more than a week ahead for the regular occurring posts is why I have the dividers in my blog book! Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday post ideas can usually be found in the Blog Ideas section.

Once I have all of the regular posts marked, I fill in the details for those posts that I know. Like what the post will be. Now I can see which regular posts haven't been filled in with the idea behind the post. Flipping through my Blog Book I can find ideas that I'd like to use. I do the same thing for the Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday posts. (Saturday usually remains vacant but if there is something I am just dying to share, I'll throw it in.)

Now I head to the weekly planner & fill in the posts that are supposed to go up with their post titles/subjects. Then I plan! I fill in what I need to work on & on what day. Weekends & Mondays are pretty much reserved for DIY projects & photographing things, weeknights I blog infront of the TV, etc. I even fill in things in life like a puppy play date & oil change!

This planner really keeps me on track! It pretty much tells me I have to blog!

Note pad -

I keep a notepad handy so that I can elaborate on ideas. Recently I've been working on making the blog better through a quasi blog workshop I've found online. This note pad is a bigger place to work on the blog ideas jotted down in the blog book. I've also used it to manage sponsors before, though I've never been really good at managing sponsors.....

If there is anything you need to elaborate on or create a time line for (like a blog project or group thing) a notepad offers a bigger space to write. I keep mine near my computer since I blog from all over & sometimes put it in my purse. I think I have to upgrade from my little clutch here shortly!

I hope this post on blog planning has helped you & inspired you! I'd love to know your blog planning methods. Please share with me how you keep up an awesome blog!

If you have any questions, shoot me an email fivesixteenthsblog@gmail.com. I'd love to help!

Helpful Links:
Blog Planner from Love Elycia
Organization from A Beautiful Mess

Planning Blog Posts from Wild Olive

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Hello Monday // Fail Better

2012-01-16T11:30:00.000-05:00

Every few months or so I get the initiative to 'make the blog better.' Then, in a few months time I slack off & resort to just posting stuff that sorta fits into the post templates I've created. I get a bit sad about that.

Each time I resolve to be a bit better & I think I've crept forward but Five Sixteenths is not where I'd like it to be. Which leads me to question: Where do I want Five Sixteenths to be?

I am not ready for blogging & a shop to be my life. I do however want Five Sixteenths to be unique & a part of me. Drawing so much inspiration from other bloggers often leads me to compare Five Sixteenths to the blogs I follow, and not in a good way.

In the past few days I've thought about the top 5 mistakes I made in blogging.

Thinking I have to 'fit in' - Five Sixteenths has a bunch of pre-formatted posts, like Make it Monday & Fan Friday. I saw so many bloggers with weekly features on their blogs that I totally just filled my blog up with all the pre-formated posts I could think of! You don't have to fit in & do what everyone else is doing. Yes, readers like consistency (something to look forward to like blog features) but I try to keep quality posts rather than quantity. Keeping up the integrity of the blog or creating integrity for your blog is rather tricky sometimes.

Giving up & not blogging - Thinking that I had nothing to offer often kept me from blogging. Who am I to be so great to post something that someone will care about? No one eve reads this blog, I'd think. Well, the best piece of advice I ever read was to blog as if you had 3000 readers. Another piece of advice I read just the other day was to make sure even you want to visit your blog. Do you like being kept in the dark? Or left hanging for a post? Readers want to read! Even if it's nothing too great see if you can link up some old posts or just post what you're thinking that day, your plans for the weekend, how much you love your shoes, etc. Sometimes I'd convince myself I had nothing. It's ok to take a break sometimes, believe me, sometimes enjoying things other than blogging is alright!

Not blogging about life - There was a point in this blogs past that I just reposted things I found around the blogsphere. I used this blog as a sort of public inspiration board. This was long before Pinterest & Five Sixteenths was just a reposting board with no uniqueness. Including posts about life, inspiration, creativity, and plain ol day to day activity are the reasons I follow other blogs! So why wasn't I including things that would make you, the reader, like (or hate) me? I have no idea! Seeing other peoples dogs, homes, crafts, and aspirations are the reasons I want to share mine! A big part of blogging I think is realizing that there are others like you, which makes you want to be a part of the community!

Comparing - Sometimes comparing your blog to others is a good thing. Evaluating the design & effectiveness of blogs you love help you create a better looking blog of your own. I usually pull up some interesting blogs or blogs that I think are well designed & incorporate different elements into my own design. My recent blog re-design reflects the inspiration I draw from other blogs that I love. But I often find myself comparing Five Sixteenths on a level of success & failure. Getting jealous of others accomplishments or achievements is common in the blog community I think since we are all exposed to such great bloggers. I personally find myself wondering how these amazing bloggers do it all: have great posts, great pictures, have time to work on their projects, have time for lives, have time for work, for relationships, etc. How do they do it? Am I not as dedicated? What am I not doing? It turns out the thing I am not doing is being them! So, blog for you. What do you want to share...and make sure it's true to you!

This post is the first of my dedication to quality posts. To actually sharing useful information. Tomorrow I hope to post my new planner & blog book with some honest suggestions on how this whole blog planning is supposed to work!

Have you ever had trouble being true to yourself? How do you feel about keeping your blog a part of you? Do you have any tips?

Sum Up Sunday // Photo a Day

2012-01-15T21:22:00.001-05:00

So, this post is going up late....but I'd say this week has been pretty interesting in photos.

It was pretty rainy at the beginning of the week when I went across the bridge to see my sister. The sky picture is really meant to show the large ship that was crossing the tunnel while I was driving. (I know I shouldn't take pictures while driving....but hey...) My daily routine either involves waking up at my house or at Zach's house but the one constant thing is that my hair thinks it belongs to the 11th Doctor each morning. It would make David Tennent's hair oh so jealous.

My childhood picture is the one that was included in my senior year book (along with a picture of baby Moe in the bathtub with a Long Johns Silver hat on.) Close up of my blog book which I've been filling to the binding with ideas! I put tab separators in it just to keep it some what organized. I store it along with my planner, wallet, assorted nail polishes & other cosmetics in this little olive green clutch I found at the Thrift Store for probably between $1-$3, I can't really remember.

Currently I am not reading anything of note except for Zach's resume as he applies for jobs. I consider myself the resume queen & am an advocate of the 2 column resume. I love helping people make resumes & beef up their achievements. What is they key? Word choice! You want to use words that suggest you took charge of any assignment whether you had guidelines or not. Use words that suggest you did the most possible in the position with out outright lying about it. Don't claim you did things you didn't!

I do want to talk about one thing, how for the past two weekends I've posted a picture that involves Zach & I, couch, Law & Order, and homework +/- the dog! I guess this really is a typical Sunday! Zach has been using my old computer, which I thought was broken until he wanted to see if he could fix it. It seems totally fine. So he uses it at my house instead of his tiny netbook. Having an IT boyfriend is the greatest, let me tell you...

So what did you do this week? Do you have a typical weekend routine?

Add this to my thrift list // Silk Shirts

2012-01-14T11:30:00.000-05:00

My mother used to have these two horrendous silk shirts she'd wear all the time. And by horrendous I mean when I was 12 I thought they were so-not-cool & now being 24 I think they are oh-so-awesome.

I remember begging her not to wear them tucked into her jeans with her little pointed toe black clogs. But like everything a mother knows, most of the time she know that things (in this case fashionable things) will come back around. Now, thinking back on that horrendous outfit all I want to do is go back in time, slap some bangles on her wrists with a big chunky watch, throw some awesome sunglasses on her head & call her awesome. Because, on a side note, my mom & sister are the perfect people to dress up and do fashion experiments. Really, I consider them my real life paper dolls.

So I am adding to my thrift list silk shirts with great pops of color like this one:

source found through pinterest

I wonder if my mom still has those shirts.

Fan Fridays // Friday the 13th

2012-01-13T12:03:00.000-05:00

This morning, after much begging to stay in bed, I got up early with Zach to take him to work. He dropped his car off at the mechanic yesterday afternoon because he's been having some trouble with his ignition. They want $300 bucks to fix it & he wants to keep that $300 bucks...so we'll see what happens.

It was just about dawn when we ended up leaving & it was a bit chilly outside. I really don't like the cold, it just freezes me to the bone. While driving back home from taking him to work I realized I had the cold air blasting & not the heat for the past 30 minutes. No wonder I was frozen to the bone.

I also didn't even know it was Friday the 13th until I saw something on twitter (follow me why don't you??). Here's to some good luck & not bad!

There are plenty of things I am loving this week:

this crazy cool reflection in Megan's coffee cup.

Read her Thoughts on a Friday here

Megan has been a really cool bloggy pal & I look up to her going paleo! I can't wait to see the recipes she posts. I've been bad with drinking a Peppermint Mocha every morning from McDonald's & slipping a bit here and there. But, I am proud to say that I've been eating healthier lunches & breakfasts! I eat nuts & oranges often for snacks...but when I am watching Stargate all I want is some ice cream!!

Speaking of Paleo, I bought this great chip maker thing that I saw over on Alycia's blog, The Curious Pug, yesterday. It's pretty much going to rock my life!

check out her review here & buy your own here

no, really, go buy your own....it's $20 bucks....do it...I'll wait...do it!!

Kam from Campfire Chic posted here fave iphone apps. I am always in the market for more apps! I love her explanations too. Seeing how others use their phones is super inspiring.

Check out her post here

The hipstamtic disposable in my new favorite app. It's fun to wait to see the 'roll develop'.

Oh, Analog......

In my life, I am loving my new watch from Charming Charlie's. I always thought that Charming Charlie's was super expensive & didn't go in until right after Christmas. If I had known I would have asked for a gift card from everyone!! I need all the accessories!

My watch is called the Mysterious Times Boyfriend Watch

I also love this perfect multi color glitter polish from Claire's. (I'd never in a million years give up Claire's just because my Charming Charlie's watch is so cool!) I paired it with some black nail polish I got at Target. My nails have two coats of glitter but I think one coat is good enough. On Claires.com it's labeled as Sparks Will Fly but on the bottom of the polish it says Bedazzled...just in case you are looking for it in the store.

I wish I had this set when it was around New Year's! It would have been so festive!

Are you loving anything awesome this Friday? Are you superstitious? I think I am a little bit...I wouldn't dare walk under a ladder!

Also, would you please be a dear & take my reader survey? It will only take a minute & I'd love to hear feedback!

Happy Thursday // Reader Survey

2012-01-12T13:38:00.000-05:00

Hello & welcome to Thursday! How has your week been? Now that the holiday shuffle & the post holiday work week is over (we are now 2 weeks into the new year!) have you gotten back into your routine? I know I have!

I'll get to this in one second but if you'd just like to go on ahead, please click here for the reader survey.

It's been busy on the work front for me. Every day it seems I can't get through one phone call with out the other line ringing. The bad part is our other line doesn't go to voicemail so I have to pick it up! Sometimes the other line will ring while I am trying to call another person to schedule appointments. It's never ending! I find myself getting very frustrated with it as well. Yesterday, I cursed the phone! Customer service & being very cheerful are important to me in general so when I get frustrated I know I am overwhelmed.

Taking messages, taking phone calls, keeping an organized desk, & getting things done promptly are all super important to me in the workforce so when I find it hard to juggle all of these things I get in a panic. When I get overwhelmed I have a hard time with priority & things slip my mind. I'll often forget the task I was doing first & focus on the next task that comes up. Then I get confused & I don't like being confused! Currently there are probably a zillion papers on my desk begging for my attention. I am so thankful that Fridays allow me some down time to sift through things from the beginning of the work week.

Not only do I find myself overwhelmed on the work front but I often find myself overwhelmed in the blog front. Often it's not because I am doing too many things but because I am doing too little. Sometimes I don't know what to blog about, I can't find original ideas, & I rely on my standard blog features during the week to just form a post around. These posts often lack content and don't show too much dedication on my part. I just want to post something so I throw it together.

My new 2012 bloggy notebook that I sat an organized the other day.

It's all ready to be filled with ideas!

This year I am trying to stop that! It is my hope that I can be a better source of information, inspiration, & interaction with the blogging community I love so much. Re-evaluating how Five Sixteenths & myself interact with the blog community is going to be a big focus for this year. Because I want to interact more with readers, followers, and all around bloggy pals, I've created a reader survey! <--- click the link or the image below to be taken to the survey. It shouldn't take more than a few minutes!

I'd love to have some feed back on why you started reading Five Sixteenths in the first place, what keeps you coming back, what features/posts turn you off, & what you'd like to see more or less of. It is my hope that Five Sixteenths provides not only some inspiration in the blogging world but also shows others that there is someone out there like them! I started blogging because I wanted to find others like me: creative, funny, and outgoing. I've found a lot of you but I'd like to get to know you better!!

In the next few months I'll be attempting to stay on track with this blog & do some all around bloggy improvements. So if you like reading Five Sixteenths or even if you hate it, please take the survey & let me know!!!

I'd appreciate it!

Dorm Dec Wednesday // It's Jess

2012-01-11T20:52:00.000-05:00

Have you seen the new show on Fox called New Girl? I am obsessed! Recently my room mate signed us up for Hulu Plus on the Xbox & I watched all nine or so episodes. I am in love with their loft style apartment & it makes me yearn for my old apartment my last year of college.

Jess (played by Zooey Deschanel) is a quirky school teacher who sings to herself & is a little self conscious about her awkwardness. After breaking up with her boyfriend of six years, Zooey's character moves into an apartment with three guys after seeing an ad for it online. They help her through her break up & get into some shenanigans along the way. Not only is the show hilarious, but her style is oh so cute & their apartment is to die for!

My college apartment was a hodge podge of items with an all over boho feel. My room is still that way (though it is a total mess right now) but I've been told I need to refine my tastes, that I am 'no longer in college'. But I love it! Hopefully I'll be able to add a bit more of myself in the common rooms in our current house. We are only going to be there another six months though, so perhaps not.

My favorite type of decor involves color, pattern, & inspiration. I want to feel cheerful & inspired when in my room (or my whole house for that matter). I dislike things too matchy-matchy & love things with a vintage feel. I am a clutter bug but I try to keep it down to relevant collections or bits & bobs displayed perfectly. Showing off my eclectic, colorful, & sort of childlike tastes is important to me. If you view my room I want you to know it's mine! It should be as loud & colorful as I am!

This is Jess' room in the show:

source

Don't you just love it? It's to die for! I'd like to get back to a little bit of simplicity like this in my decor. To incorporate collections with a bit of a more grown up feel, if you will. A lot of the items in our home are from thrift stores or discount stores like TJ Maxx. In fact, my bedspread in the pictures above is from a thrift store & I got it for like $3. Nearly all of my sheets are thrifted, my bed frame was Katie's before we moved, my dresser was from my child hood, etc. Our living area downstairs has two hand me down couches & coffee tables and the dining set is a hand me down as well.

Passing on perfectly good pieces of furniture is really important to me in friendships and families. All of Zach's furniture is brand new & a bit boxy. I am a very organic person & Zach is pretty technical. There aren't too many sharp corners in my house but I've run into the edge of the coffee table or dresser or something a few times at his house!

I'd really like to try out a lot of the Decor Crafts in both the Big Ass Book of Crafts & the Big Ass Book of Home Decor. Next Monday, I always say Next Monday....Mondays are my day off & I get the whole house to myself (unlike the weekend when everyone is home).

Some inspirational things:

source source source source source source source source

How do you describe your style? Do you find it hard to decorate with room mates?

Sum Up Sunday // A Few Photo Challenges

2012-01-08T19:15:00.001-05:00

Since I am never any good at these things anyway I thought I'd just join in & see how far I get. (Pretty pessimistic, huh?) One of my resolutions this year was to stick with things so I decided to jump on the bandwagon of the January Photo a Day Challenge as well as 52 weeks of Instax

from Fat Mum Slim

Here's the first seven from the list:

Next is 52 Weeks of Instax. This one seems a bit better than the 365 project a lot of people do. I love taking pictures & in fact probably take about a picture a day but there is something about the pressure of a challenge that makes me not complete it. I either feel my 'thing' for that day isn't good enough or just have no motivation to try to make something 'good enough'. Like for example, I've taken the photo for this week, but it's packed somewhere from when I moved the things I got for Xmas around!

Otherwise, this past week was filled with being pretty busy at work. On Saturday I finally resolved to clean my room & do all my laundry. I habitually have a messy room. Clothes everywhere, make up bags open, sheets all ruffled...I just can't keep it straight. I've always been that way but I'd like to change it! Like I said, this year is all about keeping up with things. I always get behind.

This coming week I am heading to see my sister before she heads back to college. We'll probably go shopping & do all the sisterly things we do.

How was your first week back after the holidays? Anything exciting happen?

Everybody's Working for the Weekend

2012-01-06T13:12:00.002-05:00

This week has been super busy at work! Every time I turn around there is another paper on my desk waiting to be filed somewhere else. This has to be the busiest week yet! It's probably because it's the first week after the holidays & people have a bit of motivation!

I just can't wait for the weekend so I can do a little bit of these things:

Play a bit of this fun game called Tiny Tower. I am a bit obsessed!
Do you see I got a devil, a sailor, and Indiana Jones riding in my elevator!

I've been a bit obsessed with painting my nails lately. Usually I never paint them because I get lazy & when they start to chip never take the polish off. I end up looking like a high schooler with chipped nail polish & it's not professional or attractive. I've gotten a new found obsession though since discovering some no-chip polishes & some great top coats. I've also started putting a few too many coats on which is a bad thing -takes too long to dry- and a good thing -decreases chipping & makes em stronger-.

I need to get back to blogging better content. This weekend between the puppy cuddles, I am going to focus on some new things to blog about. Usually I blog from where ever they heck I am & 9 times out of 10 it's in bed. I love being in bed....I hate getting up, I love sleep, & the foam mattress topper I have just makes it so much more comfy!! I am so looking forward to sleeping in on Saturday.

I also can't wait to try out some more paleo recipes with my man this weekend. I am excited to try to change up my lifestyle. Only Veggies, Fruit, Nuts & Meat! You should have seen the yummy, yummy salad I had last night! mmmm-mmmmm!

What are you looking forward to this weekend? Any plans?

2012 Goals // Life, Blog, Work

2012-01-05T11:06:00.000-05:00

Now that 2012 is in full swing, I have thought about some goals I'd like to set for 2012. I've never been good at keeping goals. I always forget or just plain don't do them but I still set them. I still have somethings from 2011 I have to complete & I feel so bad about it. I am not sure if I am lazy or just plain old forgetful. Sometimes I feel like I am missing out on a lot of things because I am such a home body. Sometimes spending the day doing nothing happens a bit too often.

Side note: Now that I am a 'grown up' I see how hard it is to balance job, house work, blogging, dating, hanging out, making, & having fun. Sometimes I don't feel I can do it all! I have so many things I'd like to do but there's alway something I feel in the way. I guess I need to stop making excuses, but it seems that there are loads of bloggers out there making it happen & I want to be one of them!

Buy a better blonde wig - I love my wigs. No one else does, mainly because my blonde one is freaking crazy! I want to buy a better, toned down one to wear.

Gain the confidence to wear my wigs out of the house - I've worn my brown one out shopping before so I think I need to just put them on & go out by myself to gain some confidence. I think wearing things you aren't so sure about at home first is a great way to get comfortable with something. Which leads to my next goal.

Wear red lipstick - I know some people who just look great in red lipstick. Perhaps crimson isn't for me but I'd like to start wearing a fun color lipstick just to spice up my outfit.

Get back to wearing make up - Zach doesn't really like when I wear make up, but I used to be totally into it! I'd go out & find cool stuff at the drug store or catch things on sale. I just like to look done up & to take a bit more care of myself that way.

Make more things/Stick with stuff - this really applies to the shop. I've been wanting to add home stuff, art, maybe even vintage to the shop but I can't seem to get motivated. The motivation comes in waves & then trails off. I need to just stick with things. One day in January I need to just sit & make.

Do the January Instagram Challenge & 52 weeks of Instax - I just need to plain stick with the stuff I say I'll do!!

Let's go Paleo! - At first I was a bit skeptical, but after seeing all the awesome recipes on Pinterest & other websites I think I may like it. I am still in the early stages...but let's see if Zach & I can continue.

These are just some of the vague things I'd like to be better at durring 2012.

Have you set any goals?

Our Trip to DC // My Fave Apps

2012-01-04T10:07:00.000-05:00

I was going to title this post 'My Fave Travel Apps' but I used so many more apps than just ones for travel! having an iPhone has been the best thing to ever happen to me (exaggeration much?). While being totally connected to the internet & social media 24/7 can be a bad thing, a smart phone is great for when you need it the most.

First, I am horrible with directions. I can't even get from my house to work sometimes & I've been working there for over 4 months. (That is a bit of an exaggeration, but I still can't find my way around my home town.......I lived there for 22 years....I am so bad with directions) So when we went to DC, Zach was sort of determined to have me learn to navigate. I will tell you that I didn't really try at all! The most I did was read the route from my phone & find the metro stations! Having some way of finding out where you were in a hurry was great. I referenced loads of things on my phone to supplement not only directions but the research we were doing in the Library of Congress. I love being able to have answers right at my finger tips!

Second, I am no travel expert so these apps are ones I found & downloaded in a hurry or ones that I'd had & got to explore while waiting between metro stops.

Gas Buddy

Since we noticed that gas prices were a bit higher than when we were home, I searched for an app that would find us the cheapest gas possible. This free app was the first one to come up & I hurried to install it. It also helped us to find gas stations if we were on the interstate.
Since the gas station right near my house usually has a fair price for gas I never downloaded an app like this before. If I am ever out, I'd be sure to check this app if I found my self sailing on E.

Google Maps/Maps

The built in Maps app for the iPhone doesn't really do for me what I need it too. On our trip to Roanoke for Thanksgiving I noticed that sometimes it wasn't reliable. I started cross checking the Maps app with Google Maps that I'd added to my home screen. Also, with Google Maps you can avoid tolls. Other mobile map sites like MapQuest probably would work too but I am super picky. (I like using google for everything & I like using apple. I am one of those people!)
Google Maps, for me, sometimes doesn't load which is why I'd turn back to the Maps app. I think I like Google Maps better because it is a lot like the web version & that's where I print directions from. It's one of those visual preference things.

Instagram/Camera+/PictureShow

I love social media! Instagram is an awesome way to share photos, as I am sure you know! Thanks to some people I follow on Instagram, I discovered that crossing camera apps makes really cool effects! I don't know why I never thought of it before. While waiting in line or on the metro (or when Zach was thumbing through his book in the Library of Congress) I'd edit some photos from the day.
Camera+ is a great photo editing app on the phone itself. I'd had Camera+ for ages & never really figured it out. While looking through Instagram I totally discovered people crossing apps, especially Camera+. I decided to give it another go & fell in love. I am pleased with the quality of the camera on the iPhone but Camera+ can help edit photos that didn't come out too great. It can also turn the really horrible ones into cool ones with it's filters.
PictureShow is also a great app because you can keep your pictures relativly the same. You can use the same borders/light leaks/frames easier. You can also save the combinations to come back to if you want to use them again. It keeps consistency. I used a combination of all three of these for pictures in this post!
I'd have to say that when we got back to where we were staying or had some down time, I was on there editing & messing around.

Find a Metro

Zach had been to DC before in the past year so he knew a little of his way around. Unfortunately, we got turned around coming from the base & couldn't find the metro stop we wanted. I pulled out my phone, found the first metro app & downloaded it for .99 cents.
It shows you the five closest metros around you. We used this in the car & when we got turned around at the end of our stay. I probably could have found a free app but this one was first & I needed it right then! I do like the layout & how nice it looks. Aesthetics can go a long way!

Restaurant Finder

At the end of our stay Zach & I wanted Thai food. In the end, we didn't get it because we decided to spend time with the couple we were staying with. We ordered pizza instead. But, we did find Thai restaurants near us while standing on the busy street corner.
This app has a basic & advanced search where you can search by restaurant type & state/zip. It's great if you are in the mood for a specific food but don't know any local restaurants. I used it to search for Thai food, pizza places, & fast food restaurants off the high way. I do wish I'd found it earlier though so we could have eaten more local foods. I've heard Urban Spoon is a great app too...but I just picked the first one I saw!

MEanderthal

I threw this one in for fun! At the Museum of Natural History there was a QR code in the Human Origins exhibit that lead to an app download called MEanderthal. You'd take a picture of yourself or friend, align it, & then be transformed into an early human. You can choose between a few early human species & learn more about them. It's just pretty funny to see the result!

A Real Map

Nothing can beat the app called 'a real damn map that you bought from the store'. It doen not require 3G/WiFi, use batteries, or freeze up....it just opens & allows you to find your way around the city. It has the metro stops, the museums, etc. You'll find even more cool places if you take you head out of the iPhone & just read the map!

Traveling is a load of fun. I am so excited that I've been able to take little trips since graduation. Another place on my list to go is the Natural Bridge here in Virginia. I've been wanting to go back for a while now. Perhaps I'll make it there in 2012.

What apps do you use when you travel? Do you have any travel apps you use on a daily basis?

Tempted Tuesday // Color - Sage & Citron

2012-01-03T11:12:00.000-05:00

It finally started to feel like winter in these parts today. My car wasn't frosted over this morning but boy was it chilly! I went out on New Year's with a one shoulder dress & didn't eve need a coat! I wasn't cold or anything. I've also been able to run errands & do day-to-day going out side & haven't needed a coat at all! Supposedly, it will get cooler here as the week goes on...but secretly I'd wish it would just get to spring/summer already!

Still inspired by the past holiday, I've been drawn to greens. I don't have much olive in my wardrobe, save two olive purses, but I really don't have much citron. I just redid a pair of moccasins to have a bright green/lemon colored part on the toe (which I will share the DIY soon!)

Check out the set & items here

These colors just look so great together. Great to spruce up a neutral pallet. If you were ever afraid to jump into color, something subtle like this is perfect. Perhaps not pairing the bright accessories right away, but a simple ring.

I am still in love with my clogs (hense why I put a pair into this outfit!). I also just accidentally bought a pair of flared jeans from Forever21 that I think I will pair with them for a 70's vibe. Did you know flare's came back? I totally didn't! I am not sure how I feel about it, I just got into skinny jeans! Flares were all the rage when I was in like middle school/high school....

I can't wait to try to incorporate more sage & citron into my wardrobe.

What colors are you loving this week? Are you a fan of bright colors in the winter?

Make it Monday // Abstract Art

2012-01-02T14:02:00.000-05:00

Alright, it's time to break out all of those craft supplies you got for Christmas or head over to the craft store & spend those gift cards! Create a really cool DIY Abstract piece of wall art for the New Year!

After the Chevron Wall Art DIY a few weeks ago, I was inspired to break out some more canvas & make a piece of really cool abstract art. Inspired by the image below, I took some make up sponges & some of the same colors as the Chevron DIY to make my interpretation:

source

Supplies:

// make up sponges // canvas // assorted paint colors // masking tape //

Steps:

// Tape off edges of the canvas to create a border //

// Dab make up sponges in paint & apply to canvas //

// Continue to apply paint in random order, over lapping, & leaving lighter colors for the top //

// blend or leave sharp edges, just keep going! //

// Use the edges of the make up sponges to make accents & swirls //

To me, abstract art is all about experiencing & experimenting with color. There is a whole study of color theory you can read about but I like to keep it simple. Just play around & find what looks good. Choose colors that compliment your home or a specific room or just choose colors you like. Use sites such as colour lovers to pick out color pallets that appeal to you.

Browse sites like Pinterest or Anthropologie for some great Abstract inspiration. Check out this Dorm Dec Wednesday post with some abstract love & color inspiration that inspired this Make it Monday post.

Do you like abstract art? Do you find it cool & fun to decorate with?

Sum Up Sunday - Part 2 // Welcome 2012

2012-01-01T12:46:00.000-05:00

2011 was a great big year for me.

In January I bought my first car (paid, registered, & insured all by myself), applied for jobs, worried about moving out. Created a Tights Challenge (which I may repeat this February!) & switched to just blogging on Five Sixteenths, & participated in 30 Days of Lists I finally (after 5 years) graduated from college with a BFA, spent a week at home with my parents, then packed a suitcase & headed to sleep on a couch for about a month. I started a job, started a second job, quit my second job, started a new job, quit my first job, had another interview for another job. Experienced my first earth quake Helped plan, make things for, & attend my best friend's wedding. Found a pretty cool guy to hold my hand & do stuff with. And had a pretty banging awesome New Year's Eve!

Happy 2012 everyone, I hope this year you get a step closer to who you want to become! I know I have a whole load of goals I'd like to accomplish.

Have a great rest of the weekend, let me know if you need any ginger ale or gatorade because I stocked up at the grocery this morning!

Sum Up Sunday // The Holidays

2012-01-01T10:30:00.000-05:00

I didn't get a chance to post about Christmas until now. Christmas is my favorite time of year! Sometimes the week between Christmas & New Year's is so long and sometimes it's too short. This year, the week was short, but here is a photo recap:

Hope you enjoyed your Christmas time & rang in the New Year in style! Best wishes for the New Year!

Oh, the best gift I got? My room mate donated to the World Wildlife Foundation in my name & adopted a hippo for me! I even have a fluffy little hippo stuffed animal!

Our DC Trip // May the Best Man Win

2011-12-31T18:58:00.000-05:00

The first night on our trip was spent at a cool place in Maryland called Medieval Times. It is here that we saw men on horse back fighting to save the prince, who'd been captured by the green knight while he (the prince) was set out to sign a peace treaty between two kingdoms. Yeah, sounds kinda weird right? NOPE! It was AWESOME!

I had so much fun cheering on the Black & White Knight who ended up defeating the Green Knight & saving the Prince!

They even gave me a little candle for my apple turnover since it was my birthday! The whole meal consisted of tomato bisque, a half a chicken, two ribs, half a baked potato, & this apple turnover. Oh, plus a traditional medieval drink: Pepsi (or water or tea).

I had the greatest time. At first I was a little bit nervous it wouldn't live up to how excited I was but I was wrong! By the end of the night I was cheering with the best of them! I want to go back again!

Have you ever been to a dinner & a show sorta thing?

Fan Fridays // Do - It - Yourself Books

2011-12-30T13:00:00.000-05:00

Last year for Christmas (2010) I asked for a load of creative & crafty books. I mentioned before flipping through them & flagging some pages but then I just put them back on the self.

Lately I've been super inspired to make somethings & can't wait to get back into the groove. I can't decide if I should clean up the spare room & craft in there or just wait it out & craft all over the house! I thought getting out of my parent's house & into a house of my own (or a place of my own) would help with the creative process. Little did I know that renting from people & not from a college means that things rarely get finished on time and hassles are around every corner.

My room is too small, we still haven't unpacked, we all have too many things, etc, etc. I think Katie & I are looking at moving into a real house. A big house. A house where we can actually store things. One with a garage. One we can actually make in!

My pinterest boards are filled with creative things & my blogger dashboard is just over loaded with DIY inspiration. I want to share what I can make! I want to inspire others to make!

These books are some of the greatest. I also have Big Ass Book of Home Decor that seemed to be MIA while I gathered the books to photograph. Here are some pages I'd flagged last year:

this monoprinting I actually did while in a print class in college. I'd bookmarked it to try at home but then took a class. Being away from college has really made me want to get back into experimenting with printmaking!

You've already seen this image & heard my plans in this Dorm Dec Wednesday Post

My hands are just itching to create! As I sit & write this (at work, shhhh!) I am feeling so inspired. My little notebook of ideas is no where near me though because I haven't been carrying a purse! I need to get back on that otherwise my brain may explode!

I am also inspired by all of this color to get back into opening an art & decor section to the shop. I've been slacking so bad lately.

How do you stay inspired? What motivates you? How do you get out of a rut? Let me know!!

Dorm Dec Wednesday // You Better Swatch Yourself!

2011-12-28T11:50:00.001-05:00

This year I plan on being the super craftiest girl around! I am going to start by reviewing some craft books I have and making a game plan to make some awesome things. Last Christmas I asked for about 1000 craft related books (really, only about 7). I went through them, flagged some things I wanted to do, & just put them on the book shelf. I blame my lack of making things on the fact that my house isn't unpacked (due to the dryer issue earlier this summer), I started dating Zach, & I just plain don't feel like doing!

My whole goal for moving to where I am now was to have my own little space to craft in. Well that space is now filled with boxes because we don't plan on staying longer than a year in our house so why turn a room into a studio when you'll have to turn around & pack it all back up? I hate it. But, since I've been inspired I really, really want to start making again.

The first experiment I want to try was inspired by this photo from the inside of the DIY book I got at the National Gallery:

It reminded me of paint chips at the hardware store or those pantone chips/booklets scattered through out design labs on campus. In the book, these are just spare bits of paper that are test swatches of colors that were mixed. I like how they resemble Pantone color swatches. For Christmas, I got about 5 flat panel canvases that I think I am going to use for these 'test swatches'. Sort of abstract color pallets if you will. I would love to have them displayed in a grouping on a wall.

Inspiration from my pinterest board Color

source source source

On a side note, I find myself making things for the walls & never hanging them because my room mates don't particularly care for my boho decor style. Zach & I have had this conversation as well. He too is pretty 'traditional' when it comes to decor. I guess to each his own but I sorta want a house that I am also living in to reflect a bit of my personality, too. I am probably going to open up an art & home decor shop here in the future since I am going to try to make more & more & more things.

That's another thing I need to get back into; my dream of a sucessful shop! I really want to pick up Kaelah's great Marketing E-Book but haven't done it yet.

Perhaps I'll break out the brushes this weekend before New Year's activities.

How do you use color swatches?

Our Trip to DC // Trilobites

2011-12-28T09:00:00.000-05:00

While at the Museum of Natural History, I discovered that Zach loves Trilobites. These creatures that lived millions of years ago are super creepy, yet really cool, to look at. I also discovered he has a thing for Cuneiform. We spent a bit through an Ancient Egypt exhibit as well. (I'll get back to Egypt later)

Here are some more pictures from the Museum of Natural History:

Pardon the quality, they were taken with my iPhone

Zach has had a thing for ancient Egypt for a while & when he found out I studied ceramics he was immediately interested in doing more research about canopic jars. While we were at the Museum of Natural History he carefully studied the ones on display. When we went to the Library of Congress he'd already researched some books to check out about Canopic Jars & how they were constructed.

Library of Congress - Outside

So after we got our library cards (a big ordeal that sent us back and forth through tunnels between buildings) we set out to check out these books. Unfortunately, the 4 volume set of books that I was to check out was not available but his small book on the dimensions & materials used to make canopic jars was.

ceiling in the Library of Congress

We sat in the giant Main Reading Room for about 45 min while they brought our books up. It was pretty cool. There were a few people in their doing 'scholarly' research & I felt like we were the only ones in there for novelty. Zach was excited though. He thumbed through that book like he was doing doctoral research. Even suggested to me that this could be the start of a thesis for me for an MFA. I laughed (my MFA has a long ways from being decided on).

Like I mentioned in the first post, it's amazing the different things Zach & I take away from each experience.

Our Trip to DC // The Art & Zach & I

2011-12-26T12:44:00.000-05:00

For my birthday this past month Zach & I went to Washington DC to see some museums & hang around with a friend he met when he was deployed. I had a total blast!

Not only did we see some great sites but I taught someone how to crochet! What a great 'thanks for letting us stay in your house for the weekend' gift. Having the opportunity to teach someone to crochet is such a fun thing. I feel like I am passing on some great knowledge!

from the inside of the Library of Congress. Love the architecture!!!

Zach & I are both history/museum/learning enthusiasts. We love learning new things & discovering cool places to got. It's great to be able to share in an interest that can be so diverse! We both have different interests in the same thing (if that makes any sense). We'll take away two totally different amounts or types of information: his is more technical & mine is more creative. This picture is a great example:

I thought the table had great craftsmanship & so did he. He saw it from a totally technical view (how was it put together? What is under it? How was it made?) & I saw a totally creative view (Why did they choose this motif? What is this inspired by? What style is this?).

I was so happy that after we went through the National Gallery of Art he discovered that he liked it. I was super nervous that he wouldn't have any fun. He didn't particularly care for the Modern Art building but he loved (as I knew he would) works from the Renaissance & more traditional work, if you want to call it. He is really into realism. He didn't like any Impressionist work or work that was a bit on the side of abstract. As we went through the museum, every time he found a painting/sculpture he liked we made sure to reference the map to check the time period.

I found a great book called Art Theory for Beginners that I hope I'll be able to relate the theory of art better to him. I also bought a great book with some DIY inspiration that opened recently & want to paint everything in it! Hopefully I'll be able to get back into the groove of making in the new year.

Here are other great art related pictures from our trip:

From the National Gallery

I should have taken pictures of Calder's work there but, like always, I look too much & never snap pictures!

Replicas of cave paintings in the Museum of Natural History. The first time I saw these paintings on the cover of my copy of Garner's Art Through the Ages, my decision to study art made sense: I, like those ancient people, had hands too. I wanted to remember, to be remembered, & to share, to reflect, to show self awareness & represent the world around me. To such a common thing any one could relate. To have a hand & to share it is the first sign of seeing things not as they are but as something more. That is art. These cave paintings have always meant more to me than any other piece of art I've ever viewed.

I'll share more about my Birthday Dinner & the other sights soon!

Do you have a favorite piece of artwork? Have you ever experienced things through the eyes of others? Have you been to DC?

Manicure Monday // Holiday Sparkle

2011-12-26T09:42:00.000-05:00

Earlier in December I painted my nails red & green with some glitter for the season. When that started chipping off, I decided to change it up for the actual Christmas time. I've fallen in love with peach hues & gold glitter. I am pretty sure that my next few manicures will involve glitter & in fact I am only posting this so I can go take this current nail color off! (I got some more for Christmas & am dying to use them!

I am sure that my nail polish collection is nearly half glitter polishes! I want to thrift a spice rack to hang in the bathroom (or somewhere) to hold them all! I've seen that idea floating around on Pinterest!

Lately, all I've been thinking about is nail polish! When I got home to my parent's house, I noticed my sister's nail polish was too cute! She had a shimmery copper base coat & a shimmery gold crackle on top. So subtle & so glamourous. Glitter & peach have been on my mind:

Original images: source source source source

BTW that gorgeous last photo is for sale here in the esty shop joystclaire

I just started a Color board on Pinterest with these as my first pins!

Here were my holiday nails:

The colors used were 14 kt by Claire's & Peach Sangria by Icing. I am pretty sure I got them both on sale ages ago but any polish with big chunks of glitter should be great. Try this one (the only one I could find! Though if you can find them on sale......that would be so much better!)

I also threw on a top coat since the glitter makes your nails all kinds of weird, texture wise. But, like I am sure you know, top coats are important! Maybe one day I'll do a post about a proper manicure since I am supposed to be completing this class!

I've already mentioned that I love Icing's Chip Resistant Nail Polish. It stays on forever! I recently bought acetone polish remover to get it off easier. Acetone polish remover is a bit more harsh but boy does it take off glitter polish & chip resistant stuff!

I used to paint my nails a lot when I was younger. I had the time to actually take care of them. But now I search out polishes & top coats that promise longer wear. I don't have the time to keep painting & painting. When they begin to chip I begin to not care. I'll leave chipping nail polish on forever and it just looks so horrible. By the time this starts to chip, I am ready to change it up.

I hope you had a great Christmas! I look forward to looking at all the Christmas posts in blog land in the coming week as we all prepare to ring in the new year!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T18:57:00.001-05:00

I hope your Christmas was merry & bright! I also hope Santa brought you everything you wanted!

To You & Yours // Happy Holidays

2011-12-24T16:04:00.001-05:00

In an hour or so I'll be sitting down to enjoy a yummy home cooked meal made by my aunt and gramma. Each year we have Christmas dinner on Christmas eve and settle in to wait for Santa. Tonight will be filled with yummy desserts, laughter, and excitement for Christmas morning.

To you and yours, I wish a happy holiday. I'll be posting loads of things in the coming week, too!

Happy Christmas!!

Fan Fridays // Holiday Season

2011-12-15T16:53:00.002-05:00

I am so excited the holidays are growing near!! I love Christmas time, it is one of my favorite times of the year. I've mentioned that about 231684 times on this blog this month alone!

Any holiday that involves glitter makes the holiday even better. Glitter goes with any holiday, but Halloween & Christmas take the cake. Any decor, ornaments, wrapping paper, or even gift that has glitter makes me squeal. I am sure if you covered a dollar store something-or-other in glitter & gave it to me as a present, I would cherish it. Glitter = Awesome.

So this Fan Friday I am hearting all the glitter that is this Holiday Season:

this awesome glitter house that reminds me of my Grandparents' home around the holidays

be sure to click through to see the awesome tutorial!

If life ever hands you accidentally broken glass ornaments, turn them into glitter!

Read the story here & check out the great tutorial!

I've always loved this great take on glitter ornaments in non-traditional colors for Christmas.

Peep the tutorial here

Glitter just gets me going! I'd put it on everything if they'd let me. My room mate complained after I showed him his gifts (along with everyone else's) were wrapped in glitter paper. He didn't want to get gold flecks all over his nice boy stuff.

I also had to try to figure out my student loans this morning....talk about a hassle. And I thought the studying & projects were the hardest part about college. I was wrong, it's the fact that one company sells your loans to another company and now you have 203857203 companies you have to pay so they don't take your first born child! Gah! Hopefully I will have a few small ones paid off soon....but I'll be feeding Uncle Same some dough for quite a while.

Hope you enjoy your weekend!

Do you have the glitter bug? Or do you just hate the stuff?

Happy Birthday // Today I am 24

2011-12-15T10:55:00.000-05:00

Twenty four years ago +1 day my mother was in labor, on her birthday (Dec. 14th) delivering me into the world on December 15, 1987. She was 27 years old. I have always thought it was cool that my Mother & I had birthdays only a day apart & how funny it was that I decide to hold out until 1am on Dec 15th so that I could have my own birthday.

My favorite part of having a December birthday is that Christmas is right around the corner. Trees are already up, lights are lit, shopping is being done, & the world is just filled with cheer.

I am not sure what I thought I'd be doing by now when I was little. Hell I am not even sure what I thought I'd be doing here a year ago. It seems so many things have happened so fast: College, graduating, finding a job, moving out, gaining a boyfriend, etc. Spending the 1st six months post grad has been crazy & now, knowing that a year ago today I was probably finishing up finals or something, it is so weird to be out of school.

Anyway, I also like to take my birthday & celebrate the people that made my birthday possible:

top left :: dad top right :: mom

bottom left :: maternal Grandma bottom right :: paternal Grandma & I

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Dorm Dec Wednesdays // Great & Real House Tour

2011-12-14T17:19:00.000-05:00

I am always inspired by people who live in eclectic & totally DIYed/thrifted homes. It's hard living in a place with other people especially when we each have different views on home decor. I may have mentioned it before, but my room mate & I are oh-so-totally different when it comes to home decor. I am totally kitsch/glam/knick-knack/tacky/vintage & she is miss match-the-curtains-to-the-couch-and-the-pillows-too let's-not-have-too-many-colors-going-on-here. My boyfriend is also this way. If we ever end up in a house together (waayyy down the line, I might add) I don't know what I am going to do.

In college, my room mate's loved my eclectic boho-chic kitschy style. I've seen that growing up & moving out doesn't really jive with my home decor choices. My room is a burst of crazy (yet perfectly cohesive & oh-so moe-licious) while in the common rooms of the house I have to sneak in some toned down pieces of mine. Little do they know that the brushed gold 12" gnome I just bought will be gracing the living room's presence shortly!

Also, I think I've made up too many words.

While perusing the oh so lovely YouTube, I came upon this great house tour by Mr. Kate. Not only is she a DIY diva, she just happens to have a totally chic & affordable home. Hell, she has a totally chic & affordable lifestyle!

Peep the video to see how cool she is:

I love how she mentions that she loves cheap clothes because I live off of Thrift stores, Clearance, Forever21, etc. Your life can be so sweet even on the cheap!

What are your fave parts of your home? Do you have trouble decorating your home?

P.S. It's also my mother's birthday today! And mine is tomorrow! I'll be 24.

Would You Rather // Jail or Car

2011-12-14T10:52:00.003-05:00

The lovey blogger behind the Curious Pug has started a great new blog feature called Would You Rather. These games are so fun to play & my friends in college used to pull out the book (I think we had a book) with these questions to ponder on lazy Sunday afternoons.

This week, Alycia asked: Would you rather 1. Go to jail for a year or 2. Live out of your car for a year.

Rules are: You have to pick one & No changing circumstances.

So, my answer is live out of my car for a year.

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Right now I am at a good spot because I still have a sleeping bag & small tent from camping a few months ago in my car! But in all seriousness, I chose this one because of where I am in life right now. Right now I could afford to drop everything for a year and live out of my car.

If right now someone said "You have to choose right now: jail or car" I'd totally be able to choose car.

I came out of college with quite a little bit saved up to start my life & I'd feel totally comfortable walking out of my job today, filling up my tank & driving wherever it would take me. I think I could afford to make at least one trip across the US. Stopping at campgrounds, staying a few weeks in a few places, etc. In fact, my room mate told me of how her father (before she was born) spent a year traveling across the US. He'd hide is money in his boots, hitch rides, and do odd jobs. He relied on the kindness of others when stopping in diners & moving through towns. That was a much safer time of course....and it may be a little idealistic, but I'd like to do it.

I've been inspired by the trip that Elizabeth from Delightfully Tacky took in 2010 and after going to Italy last year I decide that I'd like to see the US before I headed back to Europe.

It's a small feat, but I think it would be something I could do.

So, which would you rather? Play along & link up here!

Make It Monday // Chevron Wall Art

2011-12-12T14:02:00.000-05:00

Since there's been a slack on the Make it Monday portion of Five Sixteenths, I thought I'd bring it back with a chevron inspired DIY!

I've been in love with chevrons for a while now & have been inspired by native print fabric & DIY-ed wall art I've seen on various blogs and through pinterest. It is great to be able to be so inspired to create something awesome. The best part of this project is that you don't have to be super crafty! You just need paint, masking tape, & some time. The lines are made from measuring & some eyeballing with the tape, then you just paint!

Here's how you do it:

Supplies:

// various colors of paint // canvas (mine was 12" square) // masking tape // sharpie //

//brushes or make-up sponges //

Find the center of your canvas & lay a piece of tape right down the middle

Measure & mark every few inches up the middle. Mirror these measurements on both sides.

(I was no good at this, so some of it turned into eyeballing...it worked out alright though)

Make sure each side of the tape is firmly pressed to the canvas.

Use the brushes (or make-up sponges) to fill in the spaces between the masking tape.

I originally started out with sponges to create an abstract pattern with all three colors, but I liked the colors separately in the end.

Peel the tape up from the canvas

This is why you should make sure the tape is secure.

My paint leaked under the taped lines, so I broke out the sharpie & made a few modifications.

Display with pride!

I got a lot done today & am very proud of myself! It took me about 20 minutes to get to the grocery store since I wasn't paying attention and took the wrong exit as if I were going to see Zach. I had to get off the interstate, get back on, etc & finally arrived at Target. That just happens to be the closest grocery to me, but in the time I wasted I could have gone to Wal-Mart or something!

At Target, I spent too much money on random things like wrapping paper & tiny gifts to go with my room mate's gifts. I bought some hangers because I still need to hang up a lot of clothes I have strewn about my room (no judgement!) I did get all the presents wrapped though & the groceries put away.

I've been watching episode after episode of Law & Order on Netflix. It seems to be the only thing I can watch multiple of & not have to pay too much attention. Especially if I've been trying to get things done. I get spoiled at Zach's house since he has cable. Flipping through channels has always been a mindless time waster that Netflix seemed to cure!

Anyway, hope your Monday is going swimmingly!

What is the TV show you put on for background noise? Do you find it helpful to the creative process?

Sum Up Sunday //Just a Normal Week

2011-12-11T10:41:00.001-05:00

Nothing eventful happened this week. Just a bunch of Instagram photos.

Hopefully I'll be able to post a Make it Monday tomorrow. I am itching to make something!

Fan Fridays // It's Christmas Time in the City

2011-12-09T11:00:00.000-05:00

We are all decorated up for Christmas right now & have a few presents under the tree. I got a few in the mail yesterday that I need to wrap for my room mates & boyfriend tonight. Hopefully I'll be able to get them done before anyone gets home from work!

Here are few posts from last Christmas, just in case you want a peek: Here & Here

Christmas time is one of my favorite times of the year. I love the decor, the horrible sweaters, the wrapping paper, the lights, it's all pretty much the most magical thing ever. This weekend I am going to visit my Gramma & hopefully I'll be able to share with you her awesome decorations. Her house always looks like the North Pole around Christmas. & I've always loved it.

Here are some ideas I may try out this holiday season:

try adding a layer of glitter between two layers of solid nail polish.

Does that looks so Christmas-y?

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Check out the rest of my Manicure Must Do pins here

I still don't have a stocking hung by the fire place. I need to either grab one up or make one.

I have a few that I have made but I think they are all packed up & still at my parents house!

Check out the DIY here at the Complete Guide to Imperfect Home Making

I love this glitter shoe DIY from Little Glass Box.

I am looking for a fancy pair to wear for Christmas or New Years.

I don't really do anything fancy, but it would be nice to look fancy!

Just searching Glitter Shoes on Pinterest you get a whole load of inspiration.

What are you loving this week? Any Christmas themed things you are still waiting to do?

Some Vintage Sheet Love

2011-12-08T10:13:00.000-05:00

I haven't been to the thrift store in ages & it really makes me sad! There aren't any good ones in my area & that makes me sad too! Going back to my parents' is the best place for thrifting. There are two main ones that I'd hit every day if I had the chance back in high school/college. My room mate & I used to head over to good will after work all the time just to see what they had, pick up a handful of unnecessary things, & head home. I need to make more time for that!

My favorite things to thrift are vintage sheets. I love the patterns, I love the colors, and they are just plain cuter than the ones out there today! I have quite a collection of colorful sheets & even a great comforter I picked up from a shop in my college town. I would love to craft/sew with them since I might be upgrading to a queen size bed in the future, but I can't bear to part with my full sized sheets! Messing around on Pinterest, I've found some lovely Vintage Sheet Inspiration:

source source source source source source

Wouldn't that dress style make a great wedding dress?? I love it! All of these sheets are so colorful & I can't get enough.

Do you have a favorite item to thrift? Something you always feel is a gem?

Tempted Tuesdays // A Few of my Favorite Rings

2011-12-06T10:35:00.000-05:00

If there is one piece of jewelry I can't get enough of, it's rings. I love gaudy costume & cocktail rings to classic & vintage pieces. New or old, I love 'em! Rings are my jewelry of choice because I can see them while wearing them. They sure are sparkling & great to look at. Its a shame to wast something cute on a place you can't see!

So, if Santa wants to bring me one of these I'd wear it every day!

A few of my Favorite Rings by fivesixteenthsblog featuring gold rings

Clockwise from the left: Amethyst, Blue Topaz (my birthstone), Emerald, Fire Topaz, Citrine, Opal

I already have a Fire Topaz ring, necklace & earring set my mother gave to me a few Christmas' ago. I wear the ring nearly everyday. My new obsession is Opal! My sister is born in October which Opal is the birthstone & I've always loved hers.. It's so pretty the way it reflects the light! This stone is supposed to bring good luck. I don't like my birthstone too much but some rings just make the stone look gorgeous.

I am also fond of the art deco style of the Citrine ring. I had a ring that was lost a while ago that had a sort of art deco feel. I am still on the hunt for a close replacement.

Do you have any favorite gemstones? Are you a fan of a certain type of ring?

Meet the Parents // How to be a Nervous wreck

2011-12-05T21:21:00.001-05:00

This past weekend I did the grand 'meet the boyfriends parents'. Over Thanksgiving, he met mine (and most of my family) so I guess it was time to do the same. All in all it went over well! Both his mom & dad are super nice & fun to be around. We played a few games (a giant game of Settlers of Catan since I bought Zach the expansion for his birthday), ate a yummy home cooked meal, watched a few movies, went out to eat, etc. They ended up going shopping & exploring one day, too. It was a great meet & greet.

what I wore to 'meet the parents' on Friday which gathered a 'wow, you look great!' from the boyfriend

10 points for first impressions!

However, I was super nervous the day I met them! So here are five tips on how to be a nervous wreck on the day you meet your significant other's parents:

1. You're not good enough - on the drive over to his apartment, the restaurant, or his parent's house, make suer you convince yourself you're not good enough. Remind yourself that you can't carry on a conversation, you aren't that smart or that witty, your laugh is a bit annoying and that your just plain not good enough.

2. You are clumsy - continue to think that durring dinner you will either drop the food on your fork, spill your drink, or drop the dish holding the casserole. Remember that you're fingers are made of butter. Because of this clumsy trait, you will also fumble over words.

3. You will have something in your teeth no matter what you do - durring dinner you will acquire something green in your teeth & it will not go away. No one will tell you & durring your speech about your career accomplishments, they will only stare at your dents.

4. They won't like you - right off the bat you should know that they will hate you. You are dating their son & they won't like it.

5. Let your imagination run wild - anything that can happen, will happen.

The key to meeting the parents is to not follow these at all! While parents' opinions are important...if you & your guy are a good match all that matters is that they know you make him happy. It doesn't help to be a bit witty and hold a great conversation...but you are already awesome if you are reading this blog!

How do you handle stress? What happened when you 'met the parents' for the first time?

Please Pardon the Mess

2011-12-04T16:50:00.001-05:00

I am revamping the blog for December & have hit a road block of creativity. Don't worry, all the random stuff will end up fixed soon!

Have a great Sunday!

Fan Fridays // Random Assortment

2011-12-02T09:38:00.001-05:00

Happy Friday everyone! Can you believe it's already into December? I have 4 birthdays to celebrate (including my own) & Christmas. That's a lot of gifts to be sharing. I tried hard this year to give things that people really wanted/needed. With Christmas drawing near, I still have a few gifts to pick up/make.

I went to a local radio station's Winter Meltdown concert last night & I am totally worn out. Sleeping has been lacking recently as I've been getting up at around 6 when Zack gets up. Being exhausted today isn't that great because right after work I am heading back to his house to do the 'meet the parents' thing. He's already met part of my family but I am still nervous to meet his!

This Fan Friday is just an assortment of things I've pinned/found over the course of the week with no real theme:

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Yesterday was World AIDS Day & every one is encouraged to wear red.

Epidemics like AIDS are one thing I am passionate about supporting research. Imagine a world free of these diseases. I am constantly looking up articles & checking the news for things related to HIV/AIDS research.

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Again, again, again I am trying to grow my hair out. You may remember that I cut my hair a while ago for Katie's wedding. Well now I wonder how long it would be if I hadn't cut it. Having long hair hasn't crossed my mind until recently. I wanted nothing to do with it in college but now I'd like to have some to put in a ponytail! It doesn't help that Zooey Deschanel's gorgeous locks make me envious! ;)

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Zach & I have been talking about the D word: Diet. I told him never to mention that work but we know the holidays are upon us & we need to not eat everything in sight! This recipe just looks delicious anyway: Nutella + Banana + blender + freezer. I wanna try it because I don't like bananas!

I have a What He Should Make Me for Dinner pin board where loads of other yummy looking recipes are.

:: Web Stuff ::

Kaelah Bee's Loft Tour (Not to mention her iPad 2 giveaway!)

Maryam's Blog Re-Do - Pamplemousse1983

Texts From Bennett - a hilarious website with texts from a teen who thinks he's rather tough.

Hope you have a fantastic Friday!

What are you up to this weekend?

Dorm Dec Wednesday // It's Beginning to Smell a lot like Christmas

2011-12-01T08:23:00.001-05:00

(Whoops!! A little late on the Dorm Dec Wednesday!)

In my house we've got a thing for candles especially beautifully scented ones. The other day my room mate came home with some delicious candles from the big Yankee Candle store in town. We did some re arranging & put out a Mistletoe and Sparkling Snow candle for the season.

While decorating the tree this past weekend, the house just smelled wonderful. Now I can't get enough of it! I light the candles in the morning, when I get home from work, on my lunch break.....any time I have a minute to light a match!

Two of my fave ornaments: A Margarita one given to me by Katie & the Pine Cone Ornaments given to Katie & Jason by his Grandparents.

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care in hopes that St. Nick will soon be there. Visions of sugar plums are dancing in my head. And I hope the mail man comes soon so I can wrap some gifts!

Have you started decorating for the holidays?

p.s. Have you seen Kaelah Bee's loft tour? So freaking great! And check out the greatest blog design I've seen this side of November over at Maryam's blog Pamplemousse1983

Tempted Tuesdays // Around the House

2011-11-28T13:00:00.001-05:00

I don't need anything more for my house! I swear I don't! But if Santa wanted to bring me a few things he could bring me some of these things:

This rad Gnome Bottle opener

A lovely Terra Cotta Blue & White Mug

This lovely teapot

You know, because I need to fill up the already full shelves at my apartment!

Happy Tuesday!

Let the Count Down Begin // Christmas + Birthdays

2011-11-28T10:40:00.001-05:00

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here at the Five Sixteenths household. This past weekend, after we all got done with the Thanksgiving feasts, we put up the Christmas tree. We drank some yummy hot cocoa with peppermint schnaps, listened to Christmas music, watched a few Holiday themed episodes of Futurama, & decorated the mess out of the apartment sized tree. We assembled it with out directions, figuring that we could tell the length of the limbs rather easily. Katie & Jason bought some bright LED lights (I feel like I need sunglasses to look at it!) & some other tinsel type decor. We went at it while Zach sat doing hw, sipping on his drink, on the couch.

Yesterday, I took a trip to see if I could catch some left over Black Friday deals & today will be a day of catching some Cyber Monday deals. I might splurge for myself & pick up some sweet stuff from the Honeybean shop run by miss Kaelah of Little Chief Honey Bee.

Since both mine & Zach's birthdays fall in December (a weird coincidence!) there is some extra shopping going on. I've already gotten him a birthday gift but today I will probably buy him the Christmas part. He wants a new head set with a mic & a black Xbox controller. We'll see what deals Amazon will give me!

There are still a few things left to decorate.

Hope your Thanksgiving was amazing.

Are you ready for the Holidays?

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-23T08:32:00.001-05:00

I hope your tummy gets full & that your dessert is delicious! I also hope that you get to bed early to grab up those deals tomorrow!!

Tempted Tuesday // Minnetonka

2011-11-23T07:39:00.001-05:00

In about 8 hours I will be heading over the river & through the woods to see my mother's side of the family. I can't wait to say hello to my Gramma & then crawl into bed. It's going to be a looooooong long ride. I'll be trying to keep my boyfriend awake for 2 hours & he'll be keeping me awake for 2 hours during the drive. It's gonna be a wonderful 3 days!

I've been thinking a lot lately about some things I'd like to have this holiday season. I really don't need anything crazy, I've already got an apartment full of crazy stuff....but the other day I slipped down the stairs in my favorite pair of moccasins! Thats right! I slipped!

The sole on one of the shoes has lost its traction. I was so sad! So, in addition to an Instax camera, I am asking for some new Minnetonka Moccasins:

One // Two // Three

Hello Monday

2011-11-21T09:23:00.000-05:00

So I haven't done a Hello Monday post in ages. I haven't done a post of any worth in ages either! Sometimes it stinks when life gets in the way of blogging.

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This week is Thanksgiving! I am so excited. On Wednesday night I will literally be going over the mountains & through the woods to see my Grandmother & my Mother's side of the family. This is a tradition we've done ever since I was little. In fact, I only remember one time we didn't go & we had a small Thanksgiving at my parents' house.

I can't wait to eat loads of good food & share the new person in my life with my family. There will be some parade watching, green bean sneaking, Gramma hugging, dinner sitting, pie eating, custard drinking, football watching, Black Friday shopping, left over eating, & all around fun having this Thanksgiving.

So here's to the start of a fun & food filled week.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Fan Friday // the Little Things - Fall Edition

2011-11-18T09:04:00.001-05:00

Happy Friday to you all!! I am so excited that its finally Friday! This weekend, the boy & I are going to take a little day trip & hopefully get to see the rest of the leaves on the trees. Lately it's been super warm here but this morning I woke up to frost on my car! I had to sit in the parking lot for a little while waiting for the car to warm up. I am excited that fall is drawing to a close & Christmas is around the corner.

Speaking of Christmas, I was in some department stores last night & saw the decorations & ornaments! I can not wait. I've been singing Christmas songs loud in the office.

I wanted share with you why Fall is my favorite season this Fan Friday. Every year when Summer comes around I say 'yes, this is my favorite season...there is sun, beaches, tanning, etc. Best. Season!' Then Fall rolls around & I remember that Fall is in fact my favorite season because it gives me little warm & fuzzies on the inside. Here are the little reasons why I love Fall:

Lovely drives along roads surrounded by trees with leaves of every color.

The way leaves tumble across the road when cars drive by. Sometimes I think they look like little people.

When one lone leaf breaks away from the tree & floats gently through the air to land perfectly on the ground.

Drinking hot coco made with milk right out of the Cocomotion. Throw in some whipped cream & sprinkles & you'll have my heart.

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.

Watching the Macy's Thanksgiving day parade on my Gramma's TV every year.

Chocolate Meringue Pie that my Gramma makes.

Seeing kids faces light up knowing that Christmas is around the corner.

Knowing that October kicks off the best three months of the year

I am so excited that November is here & that Thanksgiving is next week! Going to see my big family is going to just make my month!

Do you have any plans for Thanksgiving? Which is your favorite season?

Happy Birthday Cody

2011-11-16T07:39:00.001-05:00

This little puppy is 1 year old today!

Do you see how he lost all his brown fur? He is now blonde! So funny.

Tempted Tuesday // Instax Love

2011-11-15T09:39:00.001-05:00

I am not sure if I blogged about my love for the Instax cameras before, but I thought I'd share something I am lusting after for Xmas. My gramma still does the old fashioned "what do you want from Santa?" thing every year & every year I send her a list.

This year the list wasn't too long as I can't really think of anything I really need. But I have been wanting a little Instax camera to carry around with me. I've seen loads of projects with them & I just want one of my own! I love the idea of photos that are tangible things. Taking photos with a DSLR or my point & shoot or my phone is alright, but I like to have something I can hold. Taking the jump drive to Wal-Mart or printing photos at home just doesn't have the feel of film. After taking my one photo class at school in black & white (you know, the standard class every art major -photo or not- has to take) I really just loved the idea of film actually developing. The prints from places just look like they were printed by a printer. I want the old school stuff!!

I know places like Snapfish print good quality photos (it's the only place I've ever used) but I've always liked Polaroids My parents had a Polaroid camera when I was younger & it was so fun to watch the prints develop!

I also want to do some cool stuff with the pictures!

Like this great photo album!

So many things to document. I still love looking through old photo albums at my gramma's and parents' house. I love memories!

And this cool decor!

I do want to print out some of my Instagram photos too.

Everyone raves about Sticky Gram so I think I'll check that out!

I don't have too many photos floating around my house. Having a photo album on the coffee table or book shelf to just pull out & flip through is my favorite!

What do you want this Xmas?

11/11/11

2011-11-11T09:17:00.001-05:00

I've been on sort of an unexpected blogging hiatus & I want to apologize. I haven't posted since October here and I have to say I am a bit disappointed in myself. By gaining a boyfriend, I've seemed to have lost track of this blog & have been spending a bit too much time hanging around him. Making & blogging is super important to me & I hope that in the coming month I can get back on track.

It's been great getting to know this man of mine:

None the less, I have to say I am super excited for it to be November. I love the fall & all the leaves changing & blowing around. I like to step on them & feel them crunch, to sit outside on a crisp day & listen to the wind, to drink spiked hot cider with a Mr or with a friend, & to have it all summed up with a yummy meal made by my family over Thanksgiving.

Family means a lot to me. I am so thankful for the way I was raised. A great big family with a brother & sister, grandparents, aunts, uncles, & cousins on both sides, and a whole lotta love. I am thankful that they have helped me grow to be who I am. Making them proud to have me in the family is a huge goal of mine. I am also excited to be introducing another person into the family. Zach, my new boo, is coming to Thanksgiving with me this year & I can't wait to have him. I love sharing my family with others & I hope he has a good time.

:: Cody sleeping with his bone during mine & Katie's Glee-a-thon ::

:: Watching The Wizard of Oz with the boy ::

:: Couples game of Settlers of Catan (pretty fun game!!) ::

:: Zach going & getting some yummy donuts for us! ::

I've not been up to making much in this bloggy hiatus. In fact I've kind of taken a down turn. My shop has made no sales, I've not been motivated to do anything, etc. I want to get the life I want off to a start but I feel like I am not dedicated enough. I do just want to keep it as a hobby right now, but I'd love for it to be a successful hobby! I think I am in sort of a quazi-rut & I don't know what to do about it!

Anyway, I hope to be blogging up a storm soon. So thank you for sticking around!!

How have you been?

Are you excited for Thanksgiving?

Sum up Sundays // Lazy Life

2011-10-30T19:37:00.000-04:00

This week I've been super lazy. I've not been blogging, I've not been doing much of anything. I had a small birthday dinner for one of my friends Saturday night & that was a great night for my new man to meet some people in my life. Then today he made me a delicious lunch:

I gave him a few ingredients from a recipe on pinterest I wanted to try & he went at it. He said "I can either follow the recipe or wing it." I let him wing it & it totally came out different yet delicious. A take on this Chicken Marsala recipe. We added linguini to make it more of a pasta type dish since there was a lot of liberal improvisation with the wine/chicken stock. Add some of his wonderful green beans & onions, & our fave crescent rolls!

The only thing I was in charge of was making sure the crescent rolls didn't burn, pouring the milk, & loading the dishwasher. Cooking is not my forte!

I am glad I finally got to (help) make something I've pinned on pinterest. Aided by this man.

Isn't he cute? Knows how to cook & all!

How was your weekend?

Fan Fridays // Unexpected Turn of Events

2011-10-28T11:36:00.000-04:00

I want to apologize for my blogging hiatus this past week or so. You may remember the post about this delicious lunch someone cooked for me on Columbus day. Well I am here to announce that the wonderful gentleman who made that meal for me is now my boyfriend. He & I are now 'going steady'. In fact, it was those words 'Do you want to go steady' that he asked me last Saturday night. No one has ever been that sweet. If it was 1953, I'd be wearing his ring, letter jacket, & we'd be going to prom. Which, thinking about it, would be nice. :)

He makes me dinner, he makes me laugh, he has beautiful silver-blue eyes & dark hair, he is taller than me, he is smart as anything, he is dreamy, he is old school, he loves Pixar & the history channel, he is camera shy, he makes me want to dance to groovy songs. Pretty much I am smitten.

So, to think that three weeks ago I wasn't thinking of anyone else, there was no one in my life. Now this man is here, holding my hand, making me dinner, & taking me to the movies. Talk about an unexpected turn of events. I hope to get a picture to introduce him here.

So, what else am I loving this Friday? I'll let you know:

this graphic is how I've felt forever & what I like to remind people of

These gorgeous bridesmaids dresses. I love the style & the color!

these great boots! I wonder if I can DIY a pair?

I also love the boots/tights combo. Man I am a sucker for Fall!

Other Faves:

My She & Him Pandora Radio station that also plays the Weepies,

the Flaming Lips (which actually came to my home town recently), & other awesomeness!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dancing to songs that just sound a little bit better now that I am holding someones hand.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The fact that Halloween is just around the corner & next is Thanksgiving

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

My What He Should Make Me For Dinner pinboard

I also have a wonderful movie + dinner date planned for tonight if he doesn't have to work too late. We've got some weird schedules going on. It's also weird to date as an adult. When discussing our horrible schedules & that we don't see each other that much right now, he mentioned that 'seeing each other for only a few hours a night is not like going to the movies or loitering at the mall when you are 15.'

What are you loving this Friday?

Any plans for the weekend?

Dorm Dec Wednesday // Back Yard Theatre

2011-10-19T13:50:00.000-04:00

When I went to college my parents bought a big projector for the living room. Lame, right? I went off to college & now they can watch movies on a big screen? Any way, since they got it I've always wanted to set it up in the back yard, pop some pop-corn, & settle in to watch a movie.

I've only ever been to one drive in theater & I loved it! I love the idea of making a great big family movie night with blankets & lanterns in the back yard. The weather has been perfect at night the past few weeks for this. Perhaps I can convince them to let me borrow it for a little while & throw my own movie party!

I've been seeing a lot of these backyard movie ideas floating around on pinterest & I thought I'd share a few of my fave ideas!

source

I love the lantern idea in this one! Lights up the space just enough to see around but not too much to distract from the movie. If you had a pretty flat house you wouldn't even need a sheet! My parents have a movie screen, but I think I'd get a sheet anyway...I like my movies big!

source

This one just screams lovely party. Gathering up your friends to watch an old movie, perhaps even a double feature! I love the popcorn bowls & lounging cushions. This would be a great birthday party, anniversary celebration, or family get together. I remember ages ago when my grandfather brought out the old slide projector & we all gathered to look at slides from when my grandparents were stationed in Paris, France. It was super cool to see my dad & aunts as kids...and even greater to realize how much I indeed look like my grandma! This is one of my favorite memories!

source

When I saw this one I instantly thought of a wedding! How awesome would it be to have a little part of the reception where you & your guests watched video from loved one's weddings, childhood memories caught on film by proud parents, or even a slide show of how you & husband or wife grew up and grew to love each other. Pair it with a romantic soundtrack & you will have everyone in tears! I think this is the perfect idea for a small, down home wedding!

Have you ever been to a drive in movie?

Any late night double features?

Photo of the day // Camping

2011-10-17T14:32:00.000-04:00

Another photo from our camping trip two weeks ago. I really loved the view we had:

Also, I love the iPhone update & am playing around with some new features. I thought I'd take a break and mess around with photos in my camera roll too.

Make it Monday // Fun Picnik

2011-10-17T09:53:00.000-04:00

I love using picnik to edit photos. Sometimes you can do more harm that good & I really used to think all it was good for was putting hearts & dates over pictures of you and your boyfriend on facebook. While picnik can be used for evil, it can also be used for good. With great power comes great responsibility.

Recently I've been playing with the posterize effect on the site. It really turns your image into a cool design. I first tried out this tutorial for making your own watercolor painting from pinterest. While I couldn't get it to work right, I did have fun turning photos into blobs of color. Here's some of the end results:

This last one is from camping two weekends ago. I love this effect because you can adjust the amount of colors used, how it fades, if it's really crisp, etc. It's a great one to play around with. I would love to print & frame some of these. They just look too cool!

How do you experiment on Picnik?

What have you discovered?

Fan Fridays: From Our Sponsors

2011-10-14T09:44:00.002-04:00

So I realized that it was the middle of the month already & I meant to do a better introduction of the lovely bloggers to the right there! I can't believe October has slipped by me!

Any way, all of these bloggers are absolutely wonderful!

Lacey blogs about some amazing things like an awesome book paper bow, her (totally recent) fill in the blank, & her all around adorable life!

one two three

Shop // Blog

LDC from LDC Designs is currently a creative college student. I love that she blogs about her hipstamtic adventures, her photography, & her lovely Hair Week!

Find all the DIY's on her DIY page here!

Blog // Pinterest

Maryam from Pamplemousse1983 is a doll. She blogs about amazing recipes (1, 2, 3), her beautiful little babe (labeled 'the baby files'), & what she honestly wore. She gives me inspiration to be oh so true to myself.

One Two Three

Shop // Blog // Twitter

So, I hope you have a happy Friday! Have a great weekend!

Columbus Day & Last Week Wrap Up

2011-10-12T10:20:00.000-04:00

This past Columbus Day I spent in a Naval History Museum. It was pretty cool, kinda weird to be in an 'Age of Exploration' exhibit on Columbus Day. We watched a little film about the recovery of the turret from the USS Monitor after it sank outside of the Outer Banks during the Civil War. We saw a lot of maritime history things, what the inside of cabins looked like on the Monitor, learned more about the Titanic, etc. A neat place to go.

I've also embarked on an endeavor that I don't want to mention just yet for fear of a jinx. But it involved eating a delicious meal:

Do you see this lunch here?

baked potato, green beans & onions, chicken & pasta. Epic Lunch time! It was so delicious but so large. I didn't eat it all. Oh, for the record...someone made this for me. They. Made. This. I was impressed.

Over the weekend before Columbus Day, we went camping. It was really nice even though I think it stirred up my allergies which may or may not lead to a cold. I've been taking Airborne, but we'll see what happens.

We headed out Saturday night & built a great campfire. We cooked some weenies & some smores & played with the puppy. He liked camping because he realized he could pee any where pretty much. We made sure that #2 was done elsewhere though.

My room mate told me that the puppy dog didn't really get the concept that just cuz they were sleeping on the floor didn't mean the whole floor was the bed. It was a bit chilly & I had one of those mummy sleeping bags which was great except I like to sleep sprawled everywhere. That was not possible with that sleeping bag! Our other friend who moved away was visiting so it was a great catch up with her. We talked about dating, jobs, life, etc. Commented on the fact that my room mates have been married for about two months. It was a good friend session!

We improvised with pancakes (maybe I'll tell the story later) & then headed out that morning. It was nice to get away for a little while.

What did you do this past weekend?

Hope you are having a wonderful Wednesday!

Saturday Morning Post

2011-10-08T09:50:00.000-04:00

I am going camping this weekend, so I will see you lovely people on Monday with a horrendous amount of pictures (hopefully). But I'll leave you with this:

If I were cool & a great home maker, this is how I would serve my biscuits. If I were a real southern belle, I'd know how to make biscuits.

Happy Weekend!

Fan Friday // Mani-Pedi

2011-10-07T11:00:00.000-04:00

So if you've been following me on twitter or instagram you might have seen some pictures/tweets about the nail class I am currently taking. In fact, take a look at this one & how funny nail shapes are. Shortly, in addition to my BFA in ceramics I will be a licensed Nail Tech. That sounds really cool, right? To be able to manicures/pedicures all day long? (Well maybe the mani part, still very undecided about feet.....)

I did my first 'professional' manicure on my room mate who chose a great mud brick red color. The whole process from start to finish is not as intense as I thought it would be. There is a lot more than just painting your nails. That's only part of it. Massage is another big part (which as a person who types all day, I can appreciate). While doing the manicure on my room mate I had a tough time with the massage part. Not enough pressure is my deal. But I have about 1 zillion more practicals to do, so the only thing to do is get better!

Since starting this class I've been thinking a lot about fun manicures I'd like to do. Since it is my sisters birthday over the weekend, I am hoping she'll be able to come visit so I can practice & giver her something really cool. Looking around on Pinterest I found some great Mani-Pedi inspiration. I've added these to my Manicure Pin Board:

source // source // source // source

The one on the upper right was popular in the 1930s where a rosy red polish came on the market (so says my book).

By the beginning of the 1930s, the US has over 85 factories manufacturing millions of gallons of lacquer for the automotive industry. This development in quick drying lacquers & pigments carved the way for today's nail polishes. Max Faktor (the name sake of Max Factor) developed a cream to buff into the nail creating a rosy hue. Nail enamel was later developed by Charles Revson (behind the name Revlon), his brother, & a chemist. This was the first opaque nail enamel that was produced in a variety of shades. And by variety, I mean shades of red: red, dark red, crimson, & vermilion. Max Factor followed closely behind with his nail enamel.
Excerpt adapted from Salon Fundamentals: Nails

My room mate just got a plain ol manicure but I am hoping to see if my sister is up for a glitter looking one because I really want to try it out.

My Current manicure: OPI & Apple pie & Lighten up, You're Two Pence!

Nail Technology was something I was totally interested in when I was in high school, but was taking too many classes to be able to go to the vocational school. I really am excited to be able to have a skill that is fun & could be a fall back if I needed one.

Do you get your nails done regularly?

Do you try to manicure at home? Have any tips?

Thursday

2011-10-06T16:50:00.001-04:00

I took my second ever nail class today: I took three quizzes (to catch up!), did an acrylic nail on a clothes pin, & did a polish (horribly because my powder & liquid didn't bond!). This class is turning out to be super fun. I don't know if I mentioned this, but I've been wanting to do this type of class since High School! Who wants their nails done? :)

Also, a friend brought me these for taking her home yesterday after her car key stopped working.

then I ate two!

It was a wonderful Thursday?

How have you been?

Dorm Dec Wednesday // Halloween Haunt

2011-10-05T12:44:00.000-04:00

I love to decorate for halloween on October 1st & I thought I'd share with you our Bone Yard!

All of these things wer bought at Wal-Mart & Dollar tree. It all cost about $22 bucks. The tombstones were from the $$ store. They are styrofoam & painted gray. You could totally DIY it by recycling old packing foam or even foam core. Carve it away or add to it, then paint in black, gray, & white.

If you have a little flower bed like we do, then that is the perfect place to make a little 'excavated' grave. The fence around the flower bed was about $3 from Wal-Mart & the bones were about $10 from Wal-Mart as well. This has to be the best Halloween Decor I've ever arranged. I love it!

Since this picture I've arranged the fence better so it curves around.

It's preeeeettttyyyyyyy ssssccceeeeeeeeeeaaaaaarrrryyyy!!

How do you decorate for Halloween?

What I Wore // 10-03-11

2011-10-04T10:42:00.000-04:00

For the life of me I can not take outfit photos! They all stink! I think sometimes they come out slightly better on my iPhone than my DSLR. I feel like an idiot when it comes to taking outfit photos because any other shot is gorgeous with my DSLR but self portraits? No way!

Anyway, here is the most adorable dress I've thrifted so far:

I mean look at that collar! The bottom corner shot are some pillow cases I thrifted for my October Bed

(which I haven't put together since some of the sheets are still hanging up to dry! Hopefully I'll get it made up soon!)

Details

Smock Dress :: Thrifted

Cardigan & Belt :: JCP Clearance

Tights :: I don't remember (whoops!)

Scarf :: Thrifted

Not seen :: My new fave & thrifted clogs!

(check out Susannabean's tutorial. Sponsor Maryam from Pamplemousse1983 styled her's on Instagram!)

It is a plain ol' denim jumper looking thing. A cute little smock dress with the most lovely collar. I fell in love when I found it at Good Will. I am so happy that I am able to add functional pieces to my wardrobe. I've always said I wanted a wardrobe that was 50% or higher thrifted items.

This was the first real day of Fall here in my little place. I even wore a jacket this morning! I can't believe how chilly it's gotten & am so happy that it has because now I can bust out the slippers & hot cocoa.

It's the beginning of the three best months of the year!

What do you do to celebrate the coming of cooler months?

Any little dances or decor you get excited to break out?

Sum Up Sunday // Week in Review

2011-10-02T14:44:00.000-04:00

I really like doing these week in review posts. I like to see what I accomplished this week & it's a little bookmark for me!!! September was a good month. A load of things happend over here on Five Sixteenths including that it's now it's own .com. Isn't that pretty cool? www.fivesixteenthsblog.com I am very proud of this.

Many of the September goals were met & October goals were posted. This weekend was supposed to be about sewing by it got really cool (yay fall!) so I spent the weekend curled up in handmade blankets & sipping hot chocolate trying to watch Felicity.

- Thrifted some awesome leather shoes 'handmade' in Italy that are a half size too small for $4. they are a 39.5 & my big ol feet need at 40. But I can still wear them....a bit. I wish they were bigger to wear with socks during the winter. Who knows, perhaps they'll go in shop my closet sometime.
- Had some lovely puppy cuddle time before the weekend. He has to go to the vet because he got cherry eye (?) I've never seen a dog have it before.
- Spruced up the bar for the fall with a great little tray. Read about my love of home bars here.
- Broke out a little bit of fall with mocassin booties & new (& fave) thrifted bag.

Other things:
- DIY fabric spine notebook on Make it Monday
- Welcoming October Sponsors
- October Blog goals.

Today I am doing laundry in a home with no dryer. We haven't had a dryer since we moved in & our landlord's keep giving us the run around because they are getting it too (apparently). So my house looks like this:

There is no more room to hang on door ways & door knobs, etc. I have like 7 loads of laundry (gross right) because of this. I refuse to spend money on a damn laundry mat since I signed a lease saying I'd have a dryer. So, we shall see.

What did you do this week?

Welcome Sponsors!

2011-10-01T13:03:00.002-04:00

Welcome October! I have some lovely sponsors this month who have oh so graciously swapped a button with me!! I love meeting some lovely bloggers & sharing them with you. So if you have a chance...go check 'em out!

Check 'em out in the side bar there!!!

October Blog Goals

2011-09-30T16:48:00.000-04:00

Last month I posted my September Blog Goals & for the most part stuck to them! I am so proud of myself! This October I hoping to continue on with some September goals (like tagging, linking within posts, commenting, etc) but to add a few more.

Open Hostess & Home section of With Love Crochet :: I am hope to launch about mid October with some aprons, hot pads, painted wooden bowls, decorated ceramics, & other nice necessities. I have a few works in progress & will probably spend a lot of this weekend working on a few things. (Mainly aprons, I only have one done!)

Do a Hostess & Home Giveaway :: A short little giveaway featuring products from my Hostess & Home section. Perhaps a great little half apron.

Add more sections of my new home :: I am loving parts of our home decor & want to share those with you. Pretty much we need to decide if we are going to be here for another year or not. Right now it's not looking good since the dryer doesn't work (with no luck of fixing it for the past 3 months) & that the roof leaked during hurricane Irene (which hasn't been fixed yet either).

Get back into sponsoring :: I am always on the fence with this. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Button swapping is the way I like to do it! Money gets too complicated.

Take steps toward a business :: As part of my 20 before 24 goals, I want to move more towards a business. I am afraid it may get too complicated & perhaps just want to keep it as a hobby for a little while longer. the extra money is really great to go towards my student loans!

Keep up with 20 Before 24 :: I've done a lot actually, but just haven't had time to go through & cross it out! I've taken a class, started vintage/thrifted collections, etc. But haven't had a chance to photograph!

What are you doing this October?

Fan Fridays // Weekend Goals & Doo Dads

2011-09-30T11:00:00.000-04:00

I can not believe it's Friday already. I can't believe it's the end of September either. Lately, I've been doing the thing I did in college where I sleep until the absolute last minute then I get up, run around, & then out the door to work. It's not fun. I miss getting up early & hanging out with my roomie before she leaves. Since her husband (I live with a married couple....maybe I'll tell the story later) got switched to the later shift right now, she tends to do the same thing. So the only time we see each other in the morning is when we are trading spaces in the bathroom while brushing teeth. Then its a quick goodbye & we are off to our respective jobs while he stays home with the puppy until he goes into work. So this next week I am setting myself a bedtime! Lame!

Also, this weekend I want to get a few things kicked out for the Hostess & Home section of With Love Crochet. Mainly I will be working on some aprons with my trusty old sewing machine! I hope to get about 4 in the shop next week so I'll be working on 3 this weekend since I have one already made. I made three over the course of last semester; one for me, one for a friend, & one for the shop. One in the shop will probably be a full apron while the other 3 are half aprons. Those & so much cuter!

Anyway, here's what I am loving this week:

This high fashion apron!

These cool place mats! Who woulda thunk?

These great chandeliers. Ever since my room mate got married I've had wedding fever.

Maybe it's just wedding decor fever?

My new leather shoes from Itlay that I thrifted for $4.

This is probably something I didn't really need since they are a 39.5 & from my personal trip to Italy, I know I have King Kong feet & need a 40. I am going to suck it up though because I love them!

Hopefully my feet won't turn blue & then fall off.

So I think tonight maybe me getting the craft room a bit more set up. There are still boxes everywhere, but I think I am going to move some stuff into my actual room because of this. A little negativity: I am so frustrated because I want a place to work but since our apartment is having like too many troubles to mention, we probably aren't going to be there longer than a year. We still don't have a dryer so I think I am going to do loads tonight & just hang them around to dry. First world problems, I know.

What are you loving this week?

Any goals for the weekend?

October Blog Goals will be up this afternoon!

Dorm Dec Wednesday :: Raising the Bar

2011-09-28T11:00:00.000-04:00

A part of a home I've always wanted is a bar. I always thought it was really classy (or really trashy, depending) when I saw either on TV or in real life homes with bars. It just seemed really neat to be able to offer a guest something to drink right from your living room! I especially fell in love with little bar carts. Those are more feminine than the little cabinet we have now but I figured with a boy room mate there are somethings that Katie & I should make more manly. So when he sits down with Jack & Coke he doesn't feel like he has to raise his pinky!!

This cabinet is actually something his mother made with her own two hands. It originally held a fish tank before he moved east. It fits perfect in the corner by the couch & has a large cabinet for liquor bottles and margarita/wine/champagne glasses & a top compartment for shot glasses, coasters, & other barware type glasses.

I picked some of the really nice bottles of liquor & a few glasses to put on the top of the cabinet along with a bamboo cutting board so that glasses won't get set on the wood. I chose this instead of coasters because it would be easy to move coasters around & there might not always be one when someone needs it. This way the cutting board stays there all the time. There is no reason to move it so it will be always there to set a glass on. It will also hold at least three cups so if many people need a place to set a drink that is an option. Currently there is a pint glass & a coffee cup on it!

To give a bit more of a feminine look (I mean really, 2 women & 1 man live here...something has to be pretty) I got a glass plate/tray thing to go under the bottles & glasses I liked. I wanted to create a cute little vignette if you will. I chose the coolest looking bottles & two of their wedding gift glasses to make it look fancy! I guess I could have taken the stickers off, right?

This is one of my favorite parts of our home. Next is the fireplace with flameless candles & the mantle. Perhaps that will be featured in the next Dorm Dec Wednesday post.

What is your fave part of your home?

Have you done something decor chic lately?

Tempted Tuesday // Let's Talk Fall - Wrap Up

2011-09-27T15:32:00.002-04:00

Click here for all the Let's Talk Fall goodness in past posts

The first day of fall was on Friday & you know I donned a great fall inspired outfit. I can not wait for layers to be needed. This is my fave time of year!

Scarves, cardigans, boots, clogs, tights, socks, hats, large bags, & pretty much everything about fall makes me fall (lol) in love. I hope that this fall is filled with lovely camping trips, beautiful bonfires, candle lit pumpkins, apple pie, coffee treats, crunchy leaves, & comfy clothes.

In preparation for fall I've been busting out all of my fall essentials including something I didn't share on the other Let's Talk Fall posts: the color Olive. This color always reminds me of fall. Olive on bags, tights, shoes, etc just brings a bit of left over summer warmth to an outfit. Staying away from too dark of color during fall is really important to my style. Here are two bags (among many) that I love during the fall:

Where I Got Them

Thrifted with DIY chain :: Icing by Claire's ages ago

View more of my bag collection over on est. 1839

Here is a Let's Talk Fall wrap up for you:

Let's Talk Fall Recap by fivesixteenthsblog featuring pleated palazzo pants

I can't wait to translate all of these looks into fall fashion!

What are some fall staples in your wardrobe?

What are you trying that is new this season?

Do you have a piece you wear over & over again?

Let me know!

Make it Monday // DIY Fabric Spine Notebook

2011-09-26T12:22:00.001-04:00

The other day I decided to buy a notebook from Big Lots in order to try to keep track of bloggy ideas. I want to be better at being consistant & keeping track of my ideas.

When I bought this notebook I thought the design was cool but I really didn't like the spiral spine. I realized that I have a whole bunch of little bitties of fabric that would be perfect for something like this. So I broke out the needle & thread (and the E6000) & went to work.

Supplies:

notebook :: fabric :: embroidery thread :: E6000 (or hot glue gun) :: scissors

measuring tape :: needle

Step 1 :: Measure around the spine of the book & the length (add about an inch or so allowance)

Step 2 :: Cut! Mine was about 6 x 9 inches

Step 3 :: fold over the edges a bit & sew. Make sure you keep checking that it will be long enough & wide enough to fit!

Step 4 :: Sew around until you are done. Tie a knot!

Step 5 :: Mark where the edge of the fabric will go on either side.

Step 6 :: Glue! Put a line of E6000 on the fabric & lay across the marks.

Step 7 :: Let the front side dry & repeat on the other side. You might have to stretch it a little bit.

Ta-Dah! You're done!

Now write away to you heart's content!

Some goals for today:

Photograph & list some new things in the shop

Get some more posts going for this week.

What are your goals for this week?

How do you keep track?

Sum Up Sunday // Blogger Meet

2011-09-25T11:06:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I met the sweetest girl ever. Her name is Megan (of Freckled Italian) & she rocks. Also, I have no pictures of this because we just had so much fun.

Megan & I talked about the perfect blog formula, our lives, how fun blogging is, how we both sometimes feel like we don't know what we are doing, cha-weenies & their cuteness, etc. It was a great dinner. I meant to tell her I loved her boots! But it got lost while I was stuffing my face!

perhaps these boots Megan? Check out how she found some awesome stuff in this post

Being able to put a blog to a face is so great. I was totally nervous but it was great because we already had so much to talk about since we read each other's blogs! In fact when we sat down & she said they called the police last night, I blurted out 'I know, I read that this morning!' How weird is it to have a friend yet you've never met them?

I didn't know how to explain it to people, 'it's like I know her but haven't met her.....it's not weird at all' I'd say as they looked suspiciously at me.

I'd meet another blogger again! Who wants to hang out? :)

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Other notable happenings:

visited my sister :: room mate Chinese food outing

Cody put his bone on my knee :: And got a new hat

Ceramics class overalls :: Gnome Love

It was a great freaking week!

How was yours?

Fan Fridays // First Day of Fall

2011-09-23T14:38:00.003-04:00

I am so stoked for the first day of Fall! This means cardigans, blazers, jeans, & tights are creeping their way back into wardrobes. This also means that Halloween & Thanksgiving are right around the corner (which ultimately means Xmas is on it's way too!). Its time for pumpkin patches, cozy porch swings, campfires, coffee with friends, football, food, & warmth.

Here are some things I am loving about fall:

What do you love?

Any plans this weekend?

A Moment From my Sister

2011-09-22T12:56:00.001-04:00

This was on my Facebook wall today:

these were on my feet again today:

It's nice to know my sister reads my blog & dislikes my clogs. :)

Sponsor Time // Button Swap Style

2011-09-22T12:32:00.001-04:00

It's that time again & I've been horrible at it before.....but I am opening up for sponsors! And much like the last time it's free!

You wanna know what the catch is? It's button swap style.

So if you are interested in having a button over there on the side bar, send me an email fivesixteenthsblog@gmail.com!

More info here

On another note, tonight some of my friends from college are making a treck down here to go shopping & to hang out with me! We are going to get some delish mexican food & have a grande ol' time!

What are you up to today?

What I Wore 9.21.2011

2011-09-21T16:17:00.000-04:00

Today at the office was filled with pulses of busy & not so busy. At one point I had a desk full of fifty things (it was more like 3) then nothing.

Have I mentioned before I love my job? Have I also mentioned before that I am an office manager? I feel like I am playing office all day. Which is fun until it gets stressful. But I get to work & have fun & not worry about too many things related to it over the weekend. Which leaves loads of time to work on le shop.

Speaking of le shop, With Love Crochet has some great items for fall! Great necklaces, earrings, bracelets, hats for your man, & all around cool goodies. Why don't you pop on over?

Anyway here is what I wore today:

dress :: Khol's clearance ($18)

Shirt (under the dress) :: JCP clearance

Cardigan :: TJ Maxx

Tights :: Icing Clearance (bought them yesterday! $7)

Ring :: JCP Clearance & gift from Mom from Consignment Shop

Clogs :: Thrifted ($4)

Watch :: Target ($12)

I don't pay full price for anything any more. Well, when it comes to clothes and such. I feel there is no point. I think I may have a new goal of only buying one full price thing a month, if any (now when I say this, I mean if something is like $10 as full price. Because, well, c'mon!). Not that I go shopping at retail places every month but if I do end up doing so, I am going to try to only buy from the clearance.

I wore this same exact dress yesterday with a different frilly shirt under it & different cardigan. Too much? Perhaps, but I freaking love it! I didn't think I would see any of the same people today but our director came in...I dunno if he noticed it was the same. whoops!

I am so psyched for the fall. I can't wait for the first official day this week. I really feel like these clogs are going to be a staple. Do you think they are too outrageous?

I am totally & eternally in love with them! Perhaps I've been watching too much Felicity. Who knows.

Tonight I have to go home & get the house ready for Kitchen Band. A local group of friends of ours who sit around in each other's kitchens/living rooms & play instruments. I am learning to play the guitar for the second time. Music & I don't really get along. The first kitchen band I went to I played the tambourine. Talented right?

Have you ever been so enamored with an outfit you wore it twice in a row?

Has anyone ever caught you?

Tempted Tuesday // Let's Talk Fall - Clog Mania

2011-09-20T16:59:00.001-04:00

Last Let's Talk Fall post since fall is right around the corner!

Fall means the weather is getting colder, cardigans are getting thicker, jackets are slowly creeping into wardrobes, tights are covering bare legs, & feet are getting chilly. For that past few years, fall to me meant seeing the leaves change on campus & finally donning socks!

I may be the only person in the world this happens to but around this early fall time, my feet can't decide if they are chilly or hot. I can't stand it when my feet are hot & really concentrate on them if they are. I get so distracted. Clogs are the perfect solution to this because I can slip my feet in & out of them at the moments when my feet decide to freak out.

I am not sure if clogs are really 'in' right now but I sure do love them for fall weather. I got a great platform pair from Arizona (above) at the thrift store the other day. Platforms are not my first choice of shoes as I am already about 300 feet tall, but I thought they were interesting, in my size, & around $4. How do you pass that up? I ventured to wear them to work today & I have to say that I can't believe I never did this before! These have to be the best fall purchase I've made in a while. I can't wait to see what these puppies look like with tights.

My first encounter with clogs: My mother grew up in the 70's & looking through her old photos I wish I were as tiny as she is because she had some style. She had perfectly coiffed hair & a wonderful 70's vibe. She also had a great pair of blue (suede-ish maybe) clogs. She saved these all through high school, college, marriage & kids and one day she let me wear them. They were a size 7 or so. Guess what size shoe I wear? 9 - 10. Guess what great I was in when I wore these shoes? 5th. Guess how sad I am that I have King Kong feet? a lot. Anyway, I wore those clogs like they were going out of style. They were sort of stiff, so I got a huge blister...but I loved them. I wish I could still squeeze my King Kong feet in them. But my new little pair rocks.

Here's some fall clog inspiration:

clog mania by fivesixteenthsblog featuring platform shoes

Do you love any particular style of shoe for fall?