Welcome to my creative space

Desk.
What can you find out about a person by simply looking at their desk?
You tell me...

DISCLAIMER: my desk is rarely this organized. 

Let's start from the beginning. I bought this desk for ten doll hairs at a garage sale. It was originally for my boyfriend, however, when I moved into a house, I needed a desk. He so kindly gave it back to me. I jazzed it up a bit by adding new knobs to the drawers; sunflower, bird, sunflower. 

These things all tell something about me. To the left is my sewing machine. I use this puppy fairly often. The notebook indicates that I study here as well. (When I am not studying in my bed) I also sit at this desk in the morning to apply my mascara. Of course, I cannot do anything at my desk without lighting my Cinnamon scented candle! Candles make everything better, especially a late night of studying. 

Decorations left to right: Post it notes from my downstairs neighbor who has very lovely handwriting. Also, post it notes telling me not to forget things. (this is what I call "The old lady way to remember things) Picture of old forms of the scissor from an Anthropologie magazine. A picture of Cameron in 4th grade. What a nerd! A picture of Cameron and I, taken for a photo project by one of our friends. TOMS flag that came with my first pair of TOMS. Race for the cure 5K bib. Half Marathon bib- so proud of that piece of paper. 

I love that this desk has a shelf on top, because I have a lot of stuff to store and display. 

Books: The Holy Bible. Fashion from the decades, "Seriously, I'm kidding" by Ellen Degeneres, "The Reason for God" by Timothy Keller, Book of Atlases, Vogue compilations. 

Decorations left to right: Bicycle journal from London. Hand carved elephant from Jamaica. Bird in a birdcage from my childhood. Elephant candle. Elephant incense holder. Colorful, stitched cat from Mexico. Hand painted owl from a market at Chichen Itza. Flowers from random crafts. 

What did you learn about me from looking at my desk?

DIY Frames

A few years ago, when I was going into my freshman year of college, I wanted some new picture frames to decorate my dorm room with. I , of course, didn't want to spend very much money on them so I decided to make some. I have made more and more throughout the years. And it's great because you can truly make just what you want. With all the patterned scrapbook paper and fabric out there, you are bound to find something that speaks to you.

This is the display of frames above my bed in my current 100 year old home on East Campus.

I love updating the pictures in these frames from semester to semester. It makes me realize how blessed I am to have such swell people in my life. 

If you are wondering how to make one of these frames, it's pretty self explanatory. 

You need:

-a picture frame (I used the $1 wooden ones from Michaels Craft store) 

-fabric or scrapbook paper

-hot glue gun

-scissors 

Basically, you just cover the frame with the paper or fabric. I laid the frame down on the wrong side of the paper or fabric, traced it, and then added some allowance to fold over the edges onto the insides and outsides of the frame. You may have to cut a diagonal slit at the four corners on the inside in order to get the paper/fabric to wrap around. Then glue everything down and you are good to go! Happy Crafting! 

Equestrian

Growing up, I was never a big fan of horses. I now regret this after being told a couple of years ago that if I wanted to have my own horse/pony, I could have. My grandpa owned a farm for many years, and he was willing to invite horses to his farm, but no one requested one, not even my 8 year old self. I thought it was every girl's dream to own a pony?

After seeing this painting by George Stubbs at the National Gallery in London, I fell in love with horses. They are simply beautiful animals. Don't worry, I am not going to start sketching them all over my notebooks or anything. 

I call these pants my jodhpurs (riding pants). They are not truly jodhpurs, but as close as I will ever get for under $100. (okay, maybe $50- but if you know me, that's still too expensive.) 

Floral button-up: Target

Jodhpur inspired pants: Old Navy? 

Belt: downtown Columbia

Earrings: flea market

Walnut necklace: my sweet grandmother

These earrings have been a go-to pair of earrings since the day I got them, which was probably 3 or 4 years ago. The walnut necklace is from my grandmother's 6 drawer jewelry box! It was one of many items that she graciously let me have. The boots you have all seen before, because I wear them constantly. They literally don't come off of my feet. I sleep, eat and shower in them. Great, now I am a weird horse girl and I have a boot fetish. 

Lastly, the road I am standing on in the last picture is a road in Columbia, Missouri on the beloved, yet loathed, East Campus. At one point, all of the streets on East Campus were brick, and instead of redoing them completely and laying asphalt, they just decided to put asphalt over the brick. Now, I don't mean to dog on Columbia, but sometimes they don't make the wisest decisions. Good thing "Road Making" is no longer offered as a major on campus. 

Big thanks to Amanda Joy Wiele for letting me use her super fancy camera that she paid for with her big girl money! I left this gift on her camera as a token of my gratitude. 

Doors and Windows

I am a big fan of windows and doors. But not ordinary windows and doors. While on my adventure in London and Dublin, I came across some swell windows and doors.

A mixture of windows from sites in London and in Dublin. 

In Dublin, there is actually a reason why the doors are all painted a different color. Many years ago, the women in Dublin were tired of their husbands going in the wrong doors when they were drunk and going up the wrong stairs, into the wrong bedroom, and sleeping with the wrong woman so they painted the doors different colors to help the men distinguish between them. I think this story goes to show how dumb men can truly be. ;) 

Old School Aztec

Today was one of those days where the first priority in my outfit was comfort. But I also didn't want to look like a slob. Cue Old School Aztec sweatshirt. 

Old School Aztec Sweatshirt: thrifted

Corduroys: who remembers!

Boots: Urban Outfitters (sale!)

Average looking hair tie: borrowed 

I really enjoy the colors in this old school print. If I had to guess I would say this was worn late 80's, early 90's. Therefore, it is probably older than me! 

Boots, Boots, Boots. I love these little booties. I found them at a great discount price in the wonderful city of Lawrence, Kansas. Yes, I got to Mizzou. And yes, I still love Lawrence. 

London Bridges Falling Down

I went to London this past Christmas break with my mate and his family. It was a wonderful trip that I will be blogging a lot about. In between all the site seeing and educational museums, we took an afternoon to do some shopping. We went to a lot of amazing shops! I wanted to wear something that would keep me warm enough when we were outside, but I had to layer so I wouldn't bake once we got in a store. This is what I came up with. 

     Jacket: GAP outlet

      Sweater: T.J. Maxx

          Scarf: vendor in Bath

Corduroys: GAP

            Boots: Urban Outfitters

                                 Bag: Zara (purchased in London!)

                          Bow: handmade by yours truly

This scarf is more than just an ordinary scarf. I got this when we went to Bath one day over our trip. After seeing the Roman Baths, we did some light shopping and I picked up this floral beauty at a local vendor outside. I had to run to the closest Barclays Bank to get some cash out, this goes to show how badly I wanted this scarf. 

                                                               Side note: I love toggles! 

I now call these boots my London boots. Not because I got them there, but because I wore them for 7 days straight and they were extremely good to me. My mate actually got them for me for Christmas last year all on his own! This brings me to the bag, we decided to do Christmas presents in London and he convinced me to let him buy this bag for me as his present to me. I am so glad he did because I love it! 

Lastly, this is my mate, Cameron,  ecstatic after finding a fantastic pair of Yuketen boots! What a nerd.

The most overrated holiday has arrived.

Now, I realize my title makes me seem like I dislike New Year's Eve. I don't. I just think it's a little overrated. However, this year I am going to a small get together and then I fly to London on New Year's day with my boyfriend and his family. Best. New Year's Day. Ever. Lots of pictures to come. But for now... 

Last New Year's Eve, rockin my long crotchet sweater that I thrifted.