My Week Through Instagram: Week Six

Has everyone had a nice Saturday so far? Mine was quite lovely: relaxing, reading, designing, playing with my dog...the usual. Well the sixth week in 2012 is behind us now so here is my weekly recap of Instagram pictures.

Sunday: I got to see some gorgeous, billowy, white clouds on my way out of work.

Monday: Packaging for a Valentines Etsy order.

Tuesday: I started a new feature on my blog called Styling Vignettes. This time I cataloged some natural elements from my backyard plus a beautiful feather print from Carolyn Suzuki.

Wednesday: I wasn't feeling super great on Wednesday so I spent extra time in bed resting. I started watching Downton Abbey. I'm all caught up now and must admit I'm pretty hooked. I captured a picture of the talented Maggie Smith. Love her!

Thursday: After a day of clouds and potential rain, the sky cleared up and we had 80 degree SoCal weather. Typical.

Friday: I ran an errand and took Scout with me. She likes sitting in reverse in the back seat of the car. So weird. It looks like I put her in 'car time out.'

Saturday: I worked on some stamping today. I get to share the results on Monday.

So that was my week six. What did yours look like?

Follow me on instagram if you like. My username is laurenelisecrafted. Or see all of my pictures on the computer through Followgram. Happy weekend!

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday lovelies! I'm so sorry for the lack of a post yesterday. I hated not writing but I've been a bit under the weather the last few days and needed some time to rest. Already I'm feeling better today and expect to have some great posts to share next week, like a last minute DIY freebie for Valentine's Day on Monday. Since I don't have any projects to post, I decided to share some personal pictures of my dog Scout. It's been awhile since I did a doggy post and it felt right for Friday. She's awful cute!

How can I resist that face? It's impossible, I can't. She gets away with everything. 

This is her proper pose where she crosses her legs. Oh, so lady-like.

I rediscovered these two pictures on my hard drive and had to share them. Too funny! Scout had torn apart her bedding and the stuffing was everywhere. She actually liked sleeping on it. It looked like she was sleeping in a cloud. She has nice, new replacement bedding now.

So very comfortable. 

She loves sleeping in her kennel. I think she feels safe and secure in there. Check out that bed head!

And for fun, I did an animated gif of Scout so you could get a better idea of her personality. I used Make A Gif which is easy and free.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Beauty Through My iPhone, Part Two

Happy Monday friends! How was everyone's weekend? For me the beginning of the week is looking rainy and dreary. Apparently Southern California finally got the memo about it being winter and decided to switch things up from all the clear skies and warm, sunny days. I'm not complaining. It is actually a nice change especially since I get to spend the day snuggled up indoors and dry (the best way to experience the rain).

I decided I would use this post for some reflection and share some iPhone pictures I captured awhile back. Sometime last year my Mom and I (and Scout) headed to Oak Glen for an afternoon hike. Oak Glen is local apple country for us and it's just a short jaunt away. We walk around our home everyday and sometimes the same old scenery gets boring so we changed things up by walking in Oak Glen. We parked at one of the ranches there and headed off to explore.

For me, Oak Glen completely embodies fall. There are apples and pumpkins and hay rides and pie! Even in the off season it still has that fall feeling which I love. I have to admit that it's a bit of a ghost town except on autumn weekends. But ghost town or not, I like visiting. Do you have any apple country by you? There is something so nostalgic and old-timey about it.

For me, walks in places like this are so inspirational as I take the time to reflect and think about future hopes and dreams. Something about the fresh air and taking in the scenery is such a conducive environment for brainstorming. What about you? Where and how do you do your best daydreaming?

I guess this post today is a bit random. I think I like reminding everyone, including myself, to take in the small things and to devote time to yourself for reflection and daydreaming. It's important. So get inspired this week and take a little walk. You'll feel good afterward and it will clear your mind. And your dog will love you (if you have a dog). 

{ Polaroid frames courtesy of Fuzzimo }

My Week Through Instagram: Week Three

Here is what my third week in Instagram pictures looked like...

Sunday: Pretty pomegranates on our dining room table.

Monday: Practicing my watercoloring skills, something I haven't done in years. It was super fun and relaxing.

Tuesday: Took a jaunt to the local library to scout out some business books.

Wednesday: My blog went on strike to protest American censorship bills PIPA and SOPA.

Thursday: A pretty sunset from my front door.

Friday: Pages and pages of notes from Alt Summit. I wasn't able to attend but by watching the twitter feed religiously for two days, I picked up all kinds of tips.

Saturday: I made a breakfast of pancakes and eggs. Scout felt a bit left out. A few tidbits may have dropped her way.

So that concludes week three. Follow me on instagram if you like. My username is laurenelisecrafted. Or see all of my pictures on the computer through Followgram. Happy weekend! 

My Lovely Christmas

Hi friends! I am afraid it has been quite awhile since my last post. Far too long in fact but this month has been a busy one for me as I'm sure it has been for all of you. The holidays are sure a bustling time. For me it has mostly consisted of my part time job at Anthropologie which, at times, has felt like a full time job. In my spare time I got in some Christmas shopping and found some great presents for my family and friends. My brother has been home on winter break from college and so we have spent a lot of time together which I love and cherish. I have also been relaxing when I can, reading a lot of good books and watching a bunch of old movies. Although I haven't officially declared a vacation for myself, I guess I have built it into my schedule a bit, hence the silence here in blogland. Forgive me. But I am so excited about 2012 and have a lot of exciting things planned so I guess I'm gearing up for the new year by allowing myself a break.

Today I wanted to share some of my pictures of our home leading up to the holiday and some shots on Christmas Day. Christmas is a simple affair for our family but I wouldn't have it any other way. It is about surrounding yourself with loved ones and enjoying your time in their company. And we managed just that quite successfully I think. 

A favorite Santa since I was little.

You may remember some of my mantle decorations from last year. We spruced it up a bit differently this year including this awesome silver owl that my Mom found. Now the Santa on the right is truly my favorite. He has adorned the top of our Christmas trees since I was a baby. He might be a bit unconventional, usually you see stars or angels up there, but I find him quite perfect. He is showing his age though and we actually have to rubber band him to the tree.

This festive garland is a recent addition to our holiday decor thanks to my Mom. She put it together using vintage Christmas postcards she found while antiquing. Sadly I haven't had much time to be crafty lately but I was super excited to see her creation. 

Christmas booties!

My stocking on the right and my brother's bear stocking. I want my brother and I to be in our 70s and still using these two guys. 

This is one of Scout's stockings. Yes, her toys actually overflowed into a second stocking this year. She is quite spoiled. Again, I think she got the most presents out of everyone. 

Our mantle. I have actually never had a mantle before. The houses that we lived in previously did not have fireplaces so seeing all the stockings actually hung up is still quite a novelty for me.

Here is Scout with one of her new toys. She was so excited that she tuckered herself out and eventually had to nap away the afternoon. And David experimenting with one of the new cameras I got him. It's called the Lomokino and it actually shots little videos with 35mm film. David has been talking about shooting some videos so I cannot wait to see what he creates with this.

And finally David and I wearing our new Christmas scarves and holding the two cameras that I bought him. I'm holding a vintage one, an old Kodak Brownie, that I got for $10. We think it is in working order though and hopefully we can get a chance to test it out. But for $10, you can't really go wrong, even if it is just a decor piece. 

So that was a peek into my holiday. How was your Christmas?! I wish all of my readers a merry holiday time and the happiest of new years. I am so thankful to have my blog, a place where I can come and be creative and open. And I cannot thank you all enough for visiting and sharing and commenting. It all means so much to me, words cannot really describe. So continue to enjoy your holidays and time with loved ones. I know I will which probably means that my posting will be sporadic this week but I'll get back on track in the new year. Take care dear readers!