Inspiration Workship - Favorite DIY

Don't you just love Thursdays?

I am really enjoying the Gussy Sews Inspiration Workshop. It's getting me all kinds of inspired!

This week is Favorite DIY 

I don't quite know if it is possible to identify my favorite DIY, my Pinterest and bookmarks folder is FILLED with adorable projects I have completed, and a lot I haven't gotten around to.

So for my favorite ALL TIME DIY

The Prudent Baby Pretty Makeup Bag

This was probably my first project with my sewing machine almost a year ago and I CONSTANTLY refer to this tute for guidance on sewing zippers, lining zippered bags, making gussets in bags...it's sooo versatile!

I mean you cannot resist making something to put something in right?

Okay, now for some DIY eye candy and inspiraition

Source: prudentbaby.com via Cricket on Pinterest

All things DIY and Missoni fabulous!

Source: kevinandamanda.com via Emily on Pinterest

This is one I keep saying, "I'm totally doing that!" But seriously. I'm totally doing it before my move :)

Source: thecsiproject.com via Erin on Pinterest

This is GORG and all the storage you will ever need is right in it. Tell the hubs to get on this ASAP. Lord knows I don't need to be handling power tools...


There is so much amazing DIY inspiration out there. I could easily spend my entire day on Pinterest looking at DIY projects.


There is nothing more fulfilling than making something totally awesome all by yourself :)

Inspiration Workshop - Living Room

Our Living Room...hmm...

Well, I have two toddlers and I lack in home decor sense. Therefore, I have a very uninteresting living room. 

But it gets the job done, it's pretty cozy, and is decluttered and clean.

 Yep, my couch is IN FRONT of the fire place. But really. It's THAT hideous. Me and the hubs also cannot agree on a coffee table or find one to our taste. Thus, the living room is a racetrack.

 I have this little corner for my kiddies toys and books. It's actually kind of cute. Well, to me it is.

 I have pared down all knick knacks to only things I love. This was my grandmother's statuette of Mary and the Baby Jesus. It was always in her house as far back as I can remember.

 The boat was my Grandfather's. He had a small collection. My hubby found the groovy little clock while doing some decluttering this past weekend.

These are in the "dining room" technically but it's all one big room. My husband won these from a local artist and they are just so cool looking.

Okay, so that's pretty much it. My living room says: I have kids, (hence the lack of breakables and white), I am sensible, and I have no coffee table, haha!

Here are some lovely bits of inspiration...notice how everything is white...and there are no TVs...hmm...

Source: ilovevintagestuff.tumblr.com via Erin on Pinterest

Source: theinspiredroom.net via Erin on Pinterest

Source: google.ca via Erin on Pinterest

Inspiration Workshop - Week 14 - Inspiring Books

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of inspiring books is Jane. Just Jane.

Source: google.com via Erin on Pinterest

JANE AUSTEN! (Come on, get with it peeps)

I fell in love with Jane Austen when a dear old British family friend gave me a copy of the movie Sense and Sensibility at age 13. I decided to read the book and I was HOOKED.

Source: google.com via Erin on Pinterest

I love time period, the clothing, the language, the houses, the MANNERS, the courtship...all so completely opposite to...everything! I spent the next few years reading all the usual Austen offerings as well as digging for more obscure works.

Source: google.com via Erin on Pinterest

I don't have a favorite...maybe the typical P&P...seriously, don't you want to frame this?

I then joined the Jane Austen Society in my early 20's. Yep, I was the youngest one, but I really enjoyed digging into the books, hearing different perspectives and being introduced to the world of Jane Austen spinoff novels...seriously some amazing, some horrid, but all a testament to the fact the JANE LIVES...through completely obsessed, young, middle-aged and "slightly older" women.

So let's pretend I'm not a total dork.

Opps...time's up for that one with my next inspiring book(s)

Source: google.com via Erin on Pinterest

Yes. If it begins with "Little House" I read it. Cover to cover. Till the cover came off. My Mom even did a whole homeschool series with us where we made butter like they did back then and stuff.

I enjoyed reading how they built their homes, made their own toys and clothing, how much more simple life was...Wonderful stories of a time that actually wasn't too long ago. I found the stories so inspiring and hope that my children will learn that life can be good and be SIMPLE.

Ok, let me slightly redeem myself with a truly amazing MODERN author.

Jodi Picoult.

Source: jodipicoult.com via Erin on Pinterest

I randomly found one of her books at the library a few years ago. I quickly plowed through nearly every one of her novels in less than 4 months. I think there are only a few of her novels I have not read.

Her books are absolute page-turners. She is an amazing storyteller and has the ability to confront seriously controversial issues in a way that make you really think...in a good way.

Source: jodipicoult.com via Erin on Pinterest

People are probably most familiar with "My Sister's Keeper" which was made into a movie, but seriously. READ THE BOOK. Reading her books makes you feel like you learned something and gained more insight into something you may have known nothing about before.

I don't read as much as I would like anymore (working on that), but I have always been a pretty avid reader and that is something I am proud of. Life can be so different if we take time to look at another perspective, or pursue more knowledge. We can never stop learning and books (I'm still partial to paper ones)make the sometimes difficult pills (cough cough, math and science, cough cough) easier to swallow.

Inspiration Workshop - Week 14 - Vintage

Vintage.

I was so stoked for this week's Inspiration Workshop that I went totally crazy looking up vintage things around my house and online...

My Pinterest followers are quite annoyed by now I'm sure!

I actually have a couple really great vintage clothing stores within walking distance of my house.

But I am really not that brave...must become more brave!

I love vintage things because it is so awesome to think of the stories behind each item, I could literally peruse antique stores for days...

These are my favorite vintage personal items

 This is a card actually. My husband's grandmother sent it for one of the kid's birthdays and I fell in love with it despite the kids messing it up with tape. I am praying she has a box of these somewhere because I plan to frame this. From the print I am guessing mid-60's.

 My Grandmother (who is now with Jesus), gave this to me several years ago because my stepdaughter didn't have a pillow for the trip back home and my Grandmother just would NOT have that! I have kept the pillowcase because I have so few things of her's. I do plan to make an actual pillowcase dress from this. I am hoping my daughter get's to wear it for a VERY long time.

My Mother-in Law sent me this book that she found and I have had so much fun perusing it and trying to figure out some of the great techniques in it. I KNOW this will come in handy for wintertime, because I am clueless for anything with sleeves! Copyright is 1938. Sweet!

Ok, we cannot talk vintage without mentioning MAD MEN. Seriously, it's a vintage lover's dream on the small screen :) Everyone is so beautiful, amazingly coiffed and I LOVE it.

Source: google.com via Erin on Pinterest

What could one do with so much totally groovy wallpaper!

Source: style-files.com via Erin on Pinterest

This is totally vintage I can do!

Source: modcloth.com via Erin on Pinterest

Nothing says "mod vintage" like a green leaf and daisy cream and sugar set. 

Source: modcloth.com via Erin on Pinterest

I hope you have enjoyed the vintage love and find some amazing things at Grandma's or a special shop. I think it's the history that makes these things special, so remember to ask!

Now I am off to muster some bravery for a great vintage dress ;)

Inspiration Workshop - Week 13 - Favorite Color

 I have really been having fun doing these Inspiration Workshop blog posts on Gussy Sews

They are really fun and this week she is doing a giveaway if you link up so check it out!

For the longest time my fave color was pink. It probably still is to an extent, but it would be more accurate to say I love yellow and gray. 

So of course, I really look bad in yellow (it is sooo not my color).

             Source: shabbyapple.com via Erin on Pinterest

I want this dress so bad!

Fortunately, I do have a red headed little girl who looks AMAZING in yellow.

 It will have to be up to my daughter to wear them yellow :) I am happy to make it for her :)

I may not be able to wear yellow...but it sure is going to be showing up in my decor soon ;)

                 Source: google.com via Erin on Pinterest

                   Source: google.com via Erin on Pinterest

              Source: google.com via Erin on Pinterest

 Isn't yellow fun! It just makes me happy. Now off to look at more pretty yellow stuff on Pinterest (hehe!)

 

Inspiration Workshop - Week 12 - The Front Porch

I came across this adorable blog, Gussy Sews, this week while on Twitter and she is having a link party about front porches so I had to join in :)

I actually have a really great front porch, just maybe not the best views? 

Our porch just isn't in the best shape right now. 

I spend more time in my backyard actually, which doesn't have a whole lot going on either, but right now, that works perfectly.

 Here are some much lovelier porches, participating in this is reminding me that my porch REALLY needs some love.

Apartment Therapy

Inspiring Interiors

(Could this be ANY MORE PERFECT! <3

Photographer: Jonicool

Absolutely PERFECT!

So the 5 things on my porch would need to be:

 1) A chaise lounge with a little table for my book and iced coffee...or sweet tea, either would work!

2)LOTS of amazing plants and flowers...I used to have a bunch...then I killed them :-/

3) The hubby and my kids playing quietly nearby with dolls or cars or perusing books and coloring...realistically, it probably wouldn't be so quiet...

4) A large citronella candle (or maybe 3). This is Florida after all...

5) A great breeze.

Porches are great reminders that you don't need to have a lot of gadgets and gizmos to have a really wonderful time with your friends and family.