Journal Idea | Exploring your City

A Journal for Exploring Your City. I stumbled upon this clever idea journal in the sale area at Anthropologie. The categories of the pages steer you right through every nook and cranny of the city.  From must to's, favorite neighborhoods, getting around on foot/ bike/ bus/ train, top eateries, and other fun ideas for bopping around on a stay-cation. The pages are blank to begin with for you, or me, to fill out! I love knowing the city I am in. Being able to tell visiting friends the favorite must see parts is a skill I admire of any city dweller. I think journaling about the city you are in is a great way to get to know it better. And love it more. I bought this journal as a gift for a friend, but before giving it away, I snapped a few photos of the pages so that I could share a bit about my city right here on the blog, for you to see and enjoy as well. Here it goes!

My City: Denver, Colorado.

 

Even if you do not have this specific SIDE WALKS journal, you can turn any blank paged book into this same sort of idea. Title your own pages, tape in photographs, and highlight your must see and favorite experiences in the which city you live. For some more journal DIY ideas, hop on over here, here, and here. (And on the topic of journals, I've always loved this vintage postcard calendar journal, you should go look and see! I have plans to make it, it's just that cute.)

{Guest Post} Beth's Up-Cycled Glass Bottles.

Hi there Triple P readers! My name is Beth and I have a blog called dot in the city, where I share everything from recipes to social media tips to faith. I'm so excited Lauren invited me to guest post; she asked that I share some ideas for DIY-type home decor.

I'm not the kind of person who makes a front door wreath for each month of the year, but I do look for affordable ways to make my home reflect the change of seasons. In the past year, I had fun sprucing up our mantle for fall, Christmas, and spring. Looking to reuse some glass bottles/jars yourself? Check out how to clean and re-purpose glass. Here are three practical ways we have re-used glass bottles in our home and they can be used year-round.

Light Pendandts

Using a tile saw, my husband cut off the bottoms on a pair of wine bottles to create two light pendants. He then used steel wool to smooth the edges a bit. For a while, I considered painting or frosting the bottles, but decided to leave them. 

Vases and Accent Decor

Clean up empty bottles and use them on their own or spray paint them (as I did for several of my mantle decorating adventures). I try to hang on to various shapes and sizes of glass bottles to add interest.

Candle Holder

Use a glass bottle as a candle holder. There are some wine bottles that are so darn pretty I want to keep them around once their wine is gone, so I started using them as a candlestick on our dining room table.

Thank you, Lauren, for having me! Please stop by my blog or connect with me on Facebook. I also love to chat on Twitter and share photos on Instagram!

Hand Painted Vans: Dalmatian Hearts.

The laid back surfer girl shoe style of choice is a classic, yet canvas shoes often take a worse for the wear. With tears, rips, and toe holes over time, they often need some cheering up. These worn in shoes can be easily spruced up with some fabric paint, a patch, magazine cut outs, or even some hand stitching and sewing. I first fell in love with the idea of revamping Vans when my cousin Jenna hand stitched brightly colored thread over the tears and holes in her well loved navy blue Vans slip ons. I would always ask to borrow those shoes when I would visit her. They made me feel ever so thrifty and cool. Just as any young high schooler wanted to feel at the age of 14 and 15. And although I don't need shoes to help me feel this way any longer, they are still thrifty and cool ten + years later. And yes, she still has them (see below).

I'm not the first to hand paint canvas lace ups, and I'm definitely not the last. There are some really cute ideas out there, and I'm sure even more to be blogged about. You can see some other canvas shoe revamps here, here, and here. For my personalized canvas shoes, I decided to go with Dalmatian hearts. Black silhoutted shapes printed on neutral tones has been a trend popping up over the past few seasons. I have loved seeing prints of horses, polkadots, and foxes in black and white prints. One of my favorites is the hand stamped pony print dress over at ABM. To Hand Paint Dalmatian Hearts: 1. Gather your fine tipped paintbrush, matte soft fabric paint, and your canvas shoes. 2. Outline hearts on the front/toe area of your shoe. I used the seam as a border of where I kept my hearts, keeping the area around the laces heart free.  You could also make and use a stencil if you like! 3. Fill in the hearts with more paint,  using your paint brush, adding touch ups and making the hearts a better shape if need be. 4. Allow a few hours for your shoes to dry. 5. Slip in your feet and get ready to be ever so cute in your dalmatian heart shoes. Care Instructions: This is the same fabric paint I've used when painting tea towels for my kitchen. After countless washes, the paint has not come of and it does not spread. Hand wash cold, air dry. (BTW That adorable puppy still needs a name. Suggestions welcomed. And no he is not mine, although I wish! He belongs to my neighbors so at least I can borrow him.)

photo credit

For more of your peep-toe-problems, cast your woes over Jenna's blog 

for some ideas to keep your toes tappin' and your feet 

from catching a cold (holes can do that to ya).

XO,

Lauren (& Jenna!)

Featured at Hi Sugarplum!

Matryoshka Dolled up Pumpkin.

It is still a bit too early in the season to carve pumpkins. Who wants mold come October 1st? Not me. But it is definitely the perfect time for some pumpkin decor sans jack-o-lantern. For this pumpkin design, I decided to try out a Russian nesting doll (also called a Matryoshka doll). I used the template below as a base for the shape of the doll on my pumpkin, and then added the details on the face and dress by hand. I used left over fabric paint, actually, but acrylic would work too. A thin brush for details, paint, and a pumpkin are all you need for this project. My plans are to get two more pumpkins, so that there is a small, medium, and large. Then I can line them up just as the cute little nesting dolls themselves are typically displayed. For more pumpkin inspiration, you can hop on over here!

{Dot in the City Question of the Week} Community and Blogging.

Today over at Dot in the City, myself and a handful of other bloggers answered the question, What makes you feel most connected to another's blog? Below is my response-- you can read more over here, and join in the conversation at Dot in the City. And on a somewhat related note, imagine sitting around this table below, in an intimate setting, building community, connecting with one another, and enjoying the lovely autumn air. Perfection.

autumn dessert party || building community || let's make our blogs as cozy as this setting, shall we?

What makes you feel most connected to another's blog?

Community and connecting with others is something that is innately in each of us. I think that the blogging world is such a great extension of that everyday community. It is an outlet to express ourselves creatively and reach out to others and make an impact, without even knowing the reader on the other side of the screen. Whether your blogging is focused on the everyday beauty of simplicity, home design, empowerment, delicious meals, the wonder of motherhood, faith, the ever changing fashion world, or outdoor adventure and/or more, in each niche there is the opportunity to engage with another whose passion is kindred to your own. There is a way to meet someone through the mere exchanging of a comment, encouragement in the confines of text, or through a simple photograph. I love how PearlsPoppiesPinkiesUp has connected me with a handful of thought provoking, intentional, sincere, and whole minded women that I would have otherwise never met. With that, what makes me feel most connected is when I actual experience just that, the real character of the person behind the blog. The sincerity, intentionality, and realness of that the blogger. Just as in the non-blogging world, I feel most connected to another when I can relate and there is a two way relationship in a sense. They are engaged with their readers and quality, not quantity, is a priority. I would say that my 'love language' is quality time spent with others, so for me, that "quality" in a blog is important to me. This question is a perfect one to answer here on Dot in the City, because I feel like Beth does just that. She really shows that sincerity for her readers and you can see her desire to connect others in a quality fashion. And when it really comes down to it, if we strip away that desire to blog and post and post some more, community and connecting is at the heart of why we blog, is it not?

{Thoughts for Thursday} Dear future 80 year old me.

photo source

Dear Older Me,

Your years have made you wiser, with a  wise soul that is discerning. Discernment has made your speech sweet like a honeycomb, with gracious words that are sweetness to the soul.. Your words carry like a tune throughout your your family. Your young, their young, and generations after. May it be ever filled with harmonies of kindness.  

Your years have made wear on your face, your hands, your heart. Wrinkles of joy from laughing and being kissed by the sun. Rough hands from the work and love you have poured out through touch, and craft, and thoughtfulness. From a lamp that never goes out. A worn in heart secure in what you know is rock, and what you know is passing like the wind.

Your years have made you lovelier. The way you sip your tea, relish in frienships, and still wear pearls, just because. More precious than the jewels that adorn you, your beloved trusts in you, and has no lack of gain. Your years have made you independent and strong. Dress yourself with strength and dignity, and laugh at the time to come.

Your years have made you fear the Lord. Love the Lord. Know the Lord.

Your years have made you just the way you are.

Embrace it. And know I am learning how to be more like you.

xo,

A younger you

{With portions from Proverbs 29 & 31, ESV}

Repurposing Frames. Tray Chic.

I am notorious for framing too many photographs and art. I switch out what is on my walls and shelves so frequently, that a stack of unused frames accumulates in a closet.  Problem number one: Clutter. Problem number two: Pretty prints and photographs hidden away. While tackling problem number one this weekend, and decluttering the stacks of items on shelves and in the closet of my second bedroom, I played around with the unused framed pieces. While organizing away I came up with a fun way to incorporate a few framed art and photographs back out of the closet, and into our home, tackling problem number two.  

Typically for coffee tables, desk tops, and other home surfaces I've seen a lot of mirrors transformed, vintage crates repurposed, and other ideas out there for trays in the realm of home decor (even those trays that have slots for you to add photographs, you know the type). I am happy to say that now we can add framed art to the list of makeshift decor trays (and I'm sure I'm not the first to come up with the idea, but its still a refreshing way to use framed art!). Whether you go the mix and match route (like I did above in my desk area) or stick to a color palette where the items complement or go with the feel of what is framed (like below with the shabby beach vibe), it is a way to organize a space where knick knacks and little bits of lovely might otherwise look disheveled and not cohesive. A perfume and jewelry tray? A place to collect letters and stationary? A tray for lightweight jars and tea candles? A place for your fill-in-th-blank collection? Love it.

Fabric & Threads: Paisley, Cords, and Polkadots

If you know my everyday style, you know that I often mix prints. One of my lovely readers asked if I could share a bit on my print and pattern mixing. Being such a visual person myself, I thought that showing you photos every now and again of my daily looks may be of some inspiration to you, especially if they combine prints and colors you may not have thought of before! (HERE you can see the past Fabric & Threads post). This year I feel my personal style has both matured yet also brought back parts of my past. As a teenager, mostly what I wore was thrifted and vintage. I lost that zest for the thrift through my college years, and now with a love for being frugal and finding a bargain, thrifting is back in my life, and also allows for interesting patterns and pieces of the past to be a part of my wardrobe again. I can also say I feel a bit braver in my personal style. Feeling more confident in my own skin and in the layers beneath the fabric and threads has really made me more daring to try bold prints and trends I might not have tried in the past. And when I say layers, what I really mean is that I have grown in my confidence as a woman, in my inner beauty, and have learned to embrace my imperfections and be thankful for the body I have.

Mixing Prints for Fall:

This look incorporates skinny floral corduroys, a polkadot wedge top, grey suede ankle boots, and a top knot. The patterns and tones are subtle, yet compliment each other. The blousey top paired with the skinnies creates a fun sillohuette. Corduroy for fall is perfect, especially in colors like plum, eggplant, mustard yellow, and navy. Let's keep colors in the season, shall we? And of course the booties are in right now, but I would love them regardless of the trend. They're a great boot option while it is still eighty degrees out (no sweaty calves!). I'll have you know ALL of these items were purchased for my work wardrobe revamp. And ALL were purchased on sale! Paired with other items in my closet, a more formal work look can be put together with each piece. But on the weekend, I can wear all three of these elements together and BOOM a playful look for day and night. What is a print combo or look that you are loving for fall?

top ANN TAYLOR | corduroys ANN TAYLOR | booties TARGET 

Vibrant Florals.

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I hope these floral prints cheer you up the same way they do for me. This falls in the category of my weekly design crush. Even though autumn and winter are coming up, a bright vibrant spring print is still and will always be a favorite of mine, no matter the season. I love bringing the outdoors in, in any design element. And these prints definitely do that and more. You can almost smell the flowers looking at these prints. What are your thoughts on vibrant florals? (Also, I love that the first photograph is actually a little girls room. How sophisticated! You hardly notice the girly toys in the bottom left, because the floral print is jut THAT STUNNING!)

We have plans of DIY this weekend. I feel like its been ages. So stay tuned! I cannot wait to share with you the things I have been just aching to get to. Have a great weekend!

My Downtown Work Day.

Work work work. So thankful for a job I love. Week two in my new position down for the count! Here are some snapshots of my daily downtown day. If I'm unable to blog, at least you can see I'm alive and well! What's not captured via photo are the moments where I am so busy running all about at the two schools I work at. But you all know what that is like, running about that is. Also not photographed are the moments I spend in the classrooms, with children so curious about their world, exploring and navigating their independence, and teachers so passionate about their work and the children they spend each day with.

my Starbucks wifi use looks like this

my early mornings look like this

What is it that you love about the work you do every day?

xo,Lauren

Color {and taste} Translation: Pumpkins!

You know you have succumbed to the pumpkin obsession when you make a trip to the grocery store with the sole mission to find pumpkin flavored cream cheese and pumpkin bagels. It is only just September and the pumpkin craze is full force. I feel it in my bones, and in the air, as I walk past Starbucks each day and see a many pumpkin spice chai warming up a cup. It's not quite time to carve the guard and make art and decor with this little orange vegetable, but it is quite time to be inspired by pumpkins in the kitchen and home (and on pinterest, yes?).

photo source

I love the pinkish pumpkin colored wall paper in this retro design shot. This room beams fall, yet it is the lightness of the wall paper, white detailing, and decor that make it appropriate year round. Doesn't this print make you feel brave enough to paste some wallpaper in your home? You can check out more patterns and prints in the home on my growing Pinterest board--over here.

marthastuart / tatertots&jello

I absolutely LOVE the idea of using a pumpkin as a vase or bowl. These two ideas are my favorite upcycled pumpkin finds as of late. I had to look twice at the pumpkin flower holders, they are so subtle you almost miss that those are pumpkins! This weekend is going to be kitchen happy as I am going to try many of these delicious pumpkin recipes I have been seeing popping up all over. Here are a few I am super excited about:

Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese - A Beautiful Mess
Pumpkin Pie Protein Shake- 20minutemom
Pumpkin French Toast- Recipes for a Quarterlife
Pumpkin Beer Bars with Streussel Topping - Espresso and Cream
Baked Pumpkin & Butternut Mac n' Cheese- Dot in the City
{As good as Starbucks} Pumpkin Scones- Nancy Creative

Mmmmmm Spicey Pumpkins!

xo, Lauren

{From the Archives} You are lovely, and don't you forget it.

Marilyn Monroe on the beach.

Photographed by Andre De Dienes, 1949

Today I (Lauren) had my makeup done at Ulta for this free event they were putting on. I had a lovely day with my lifetime sister, the beautiful Miranda. We had a great time sitting and getting our eyes smokey, lips glossy, pores minimized, and cheeks blushed. We bought new products, beauty balms, and fun girly things that are even more fun to play with and wear when you are with a handful of girlfriends. Dancing. Wearing bright colored wedges. Sipping a raspberry Sparkeltini. Or twirling in a vintage style dress (for example). But even after all the makeup, priming, and prepping, I feel most myself after face washed and skin fair, stripped of powders, rouges, and liners of sorts. I feel most like me, when every imperfection is free to breathe.

This is something I need to remember, and so do you. You are beautiful when you first wake up in the morning. You are beautiful even when your eyes are puffy after crying during You've got Mail. You are lovely even with chipped nail polish and chapped lips. You are lovely when you have a cold and your favorite slouch sweatshirt on, for maybe 4 days in a row. You are beautiful even when you feel that you aren't. And don't let anyone tell you differently. You are you, and you were made to be just that way.

But, it is okay to play dress up. Because you are beautiful even then, and you will be even more beautiful at the end of the night when the mascara runs into the sink, you pull your hair back with a head band, and stick in your retainers. You, and I, are lovely.

Originally posted at my personal blog, on February 25th, 2012-- over here.
For more on true beauty, head on over to thoughts by natalie-- over here.

How to Camp the Rockies.

One of the things I love most about camping is the build up to a meal. Unlike the convenience of a kitchen, cooking over an open stove takes time and patience.  Everyone takes their part in meal prep, and it is one big moment of togetherness, especially once you sit and eat around the fire. On this last camping trip the men won in the cooking department. Obviously our diet was not lacking in meat. Not one bit. For our hearty yet simple meals, we brought along brats, potatoes, and beans for dinner, then eggs, bacon, and sausage for breakfast. Snacks included apples, cherries and sunflower seeds. The other crucial element in camping (and breaking through that morning just as the sun starts to warm up your hands and feet again), COFFEE. Starbucks VIA breakfast blend was delicious. And for some other campers, adding crushed almonds and m&m's to their brew made it even sweeter. 

Happy Camper Thrift Store Buys: Like you, I hate to wear and tear my nice kitchenware. That is why thrifting pots, pans, knives, and camping dinnerware is the best thing for a campout. All of our cookware was found at the Goodwill. And I cannot tell you how nice it is/was to not worry about the condition of these things as they knock about in our offroading ventures and sit on top of homemade  open fire grill. Affordable, up-cycled, and perfect for the outdoor adventure. I highly recommend scoping out your thrift store before your next campout. You may even find the perfect board game to bring along!

Our neighbor Chris was brilliant in creating a grill in our fire pit. Using the grate from his grill back home, he used rocks on the side of the fire-pit to create a little run off grill from the main fire where the brats were cooked. It was so clever because then the fire was open for the big pan to be cooking up something, while the grill kept our meat cooking. Also, another brilliant moment was when a few other campers took warm rocks into their tents for extra heat as the night slipped to 30 degrees.  Do you have any DIY camping favorites? We are going again possibly in two weeks, so share away, I'd love to know some ideas for next time!

Clothing hanger art display.

There is a tiny little strip of wall between the bedrooms in our home. Sometimes the tiniest strip of wall is the hardest to decorate. I never could decide on what to hang.  Leave it blank? Add some flare? A cluster of photographs? A mirror? A strip of polaroids? One single geometric piece of art? Or two? Or three? After much thought, and after cleaning out my closet and happening upon a wooden hanger, I played around with this unconventional art display. I love that there is the option to change out the print at my liking. And I also love the mix of wood and silver with the vintage print. I think this is a great way to display children's art. Especially if at their level, they can change it out themselves! {You may have seen this photo awhile back on instagram. Yes, you can follow me there!}

'Round the Campfire Necessities.

photo source

Camping here we come! This weekend, sitting around the fire, the smell of toasty s'mores, a dip in the lake, and star gazing are all a part of the agenda. And of course, being in camping mode, I cannot help but post about it. Aside from the big items like the necessary tent and sleeping bag, and the items for survival like food, water, and ways to tie them high and far away from the bears (yes, bears!) here are five more items to check off the camping gear list.

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1. The Camping Chair A place to rest your camping soul and the necessity for 'round the campire sitting. If you are wanting a project and a bit of homemade, here is a DIY  for a folding tripod camping stool over at woodandfaulk. 2. Let there be light Say no more to being afraid of the dark. Grab your lantern or flashlight, and practice making your shadow puppets. 3. Dinnerware Those beans, hotdogs, and cup of jo aren't going to hold themselves. I love this set from REI, and actually picked up some mugs just like this for $3 during their big sale that is going on right now. 4. Worn in Flannel Whether it is a vintage, thrifted, or hand me down (or even new) you can never go wrong with flannel while camping out. You can see more of this flannel look over at Happily Grey. 5. Picnic Blanket A place to sit and play cards, take lake side, spread out your grub for mealtime, and stand barefoot without getting dirty and dusty. For a few more tips for camping, you can visit Beth's post over at Dot in the city-- over here. Have a happy Friday!