etsy explorations: rad rings

One of my jobs at MSW was to search for things to buy to make your wedding day beautiful and unique and blog about them. I became very familiar with Etsy.com and the amazing artist and sellers on there, and wanted to do something similar with my blog, so here it is, the very first...

Etsy Obsession of the Week!

While searching Etsy for a cute new ring, I came across Accestory's adorable shop filled with colorful, quirky and feminine handmade jewelry. Accestory's motto is Accessory with Story, and their whimsical pieces are a true embodiment of that.

Some of my favorites:

Earth Tone with Milky Pink Gold Ring

Blue Daisy Gold Ring

Pink Dog Gold Ring

Relax Emotion Gold Ring

DIY last minute Halloween costumes

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I love to dress up and for the past two years, have thrown Halloween parties. This year for Halloween weekend, I am very excited to say I am going to be at Drew's sister's wedding. So since I won't be able to go out or host a party, I haven't put much thought into my costume.

Amie and I at the Halloween party.

I choose you!

Last Halloween I was Pikachu. I just wore a yellow sweater I found at Goodwill over a dress. To make the ears I bought rabbit ears, painted the headband yellow and sewed yellow and black fabric over the ears. Then I painted my face.

This Sunday my sorority is having a Halloween part with Delta Lambda Phi, a frat on campus, and I am scrambling to put together a quick and cheap costume. Here are some fun DIY costumes and links to instructions I've found.

.....OK some, or most, of these costumes are for children. But what's the fun in dressing up if you don't get to act like a kid on Halloween?

Last year, Travis (left) was a black-eyed pea. He just painted on a black eye and attached a "P" to his shirt. Funny and uncomplicated!

click the gray text under the picture for instructions

Don't get defriended for forgoing a costume!

When my mom was in college she used balloons to make a grape costume. Here's a new spin on dressing up with balloon.

This paper doll costume and this sheep costume are simple and easy to make. And not to mention ADORABLE.

I an in love with this owl costume, which is a little more time consuming, but come on! You've got more than a week.

Here are the grapes!

For more ideas, check out this Glamour post of 5 minute costumes.

Dust off your records: easy to make record bowls

Amie's record bowl work of art.

My record bowl and I.

A few weeks ago, I volunteered at the For Your Ears Only Sale to benefit KU Audio Reader. The sale sold all things musical. At the end of the sale, hundreds of old CDS and records were left over, and volunteers could take what they wanted, so I grabbed a few records to do something I've always wanted to do...make record bowls.

Yes, records are the hipster way to listen to music these days, but let's be real, at least half the old 78s and 45s at places like Good Will are filled with music that will never be listened to again. So for your records that aren't hip enough for a jam sesh, or if you have duplicates, you can use them to make record bowls.

Don't let their bedazzling beauty fool you. They're ridiculously easy to make. (Prep time: 5 min)

Here's how:

1. Find some old records that you're sure you won't ever want to listen to again. Making it into a bowl is irreversible. Tip: records with colorful insides look nifty as record bowls.

2. Pre-heat oven to 200 degrees.

3. Place a glass bowl upside down on a cookie sheet.

4. Place cookie sheet, bowl, record combo in over for 2-3 min, or until you see that it's become soft and droopy.

5. Using oven mitts, remove sheet from over. Keep your mitts on and mold your record around the bowl any way you'd like. Tip: You may need to hold your record in place as it cools, because they tend to unfold.

And there you have it. Super easy to make, fun decorations. I hung the ones Amie and I made in my apartment.

Looking good, girl. Work those record bowls.

Peflectly tasteful personalized weddings

Surviving a zombie attack. How romantic.

Over the summer I learned a thing or two about weddings. I decided that whenever I get married, my highest priority is that wedding is a very personal reflection of my groom and I. It's so easy to get caught up in the usual: big, white gown, fancy meal, stuffy party reception; and weddings tend to become less of a reflection of the bride and groom, but much more of a static order of events. And that's just not me.

Here are some ways couples made their big days really unique to them.

Not only are these Amanda Rynda engagement photos absolutely stunning, but they also allow the couple to express their senses of humor...and love for zombies! Kind of obsessed. Engagement photos are a lot more casual than the pics you take on the big day, so doing something goofy like this is totally acceptable.

Here's another set of fun engagement photos. These were taken at the March Air Field Museum. Yes, the bride and groom do look like super models.

Come fly with me!

I discovered this interesting wedding Etsy featured over the summer. It's hobo themed! They got some bad reviews on the internet about it being an offensive theme, but I think it's pretty adorable. Would I personally do this? Maybe a classed up version. But the couple and their guests look like they're having the time of their lives, and that's what it's all about. I'm sure they saved tons of money, too.

Hobo love.

Ever since I saw one in MSW, I have been dreaming of a backyard wedding. The style is so relaxed and laid back, which really fits me. Here are two lovely backyard wedding inspiration blog posts.

Here's a post from A Realistic Wedding. Love that banner and flower garland combo.

This one's from A Cup of Joe. I require string lights be a part of my wedding.

And last but not least, the zombie cake. Drew's dream groom's cake. Is it classy? Not really. Will your guests judge you? Probably. But who cares. It's your day, and frankly, you're paying for them to be there so they can get over it!

Arrrrrghhhhhh. Brains.

Groom's cakes are a the perfect way to tell your groom, "I'm sorry I planned every single detail of our wedding with out consulting your opinion. Here's your slice of personality." (Get it? Cake? Slice? Haha.)

Here are some equally perfect groom's cakes. Notice how they're all things Drew likes.

Can you say Ewok cupcakes? Making ASAP.

When Drew and I started dating, he made me memorize which color goes with which Ninja Turtle.

Ok, Pac-Man may be more for me.

So, folks, when you tie the knot remember, it's your wedding, so go against the norm and do whatever you want to do!

My last day at MSW :(

My fellow Martha Stewart Weddings interns and I gave our staff an Edible Arrangement to say "thanks!" It was the least was could do! My wonderful editors gave me a beautiful carafe I had been OBSESSING over for weeks from ABC Carpet and Home. I miss MSW!

So it had to happen eventually... my last day at MSW was August 5. The summer was absolutely incredible, and I cannot wait until the Fall and Travel issues hit newsstands so I can see all the wonderful things the staff and I worked on during my internship. The fall issue is going to be AMAZING. Look for it in the beginning of September. And be sure to skim the bylines in Travel! ;)

My last day at Martha Stewart was filled with fun heart-felt goodbyes. The day started with a rooftop farewell breakfast of fruit and pastries with the Weddings staff. It was great to have time to talk with my lovely editors. I miss them all so much!

Later that day the interns were treated to a delicious lunch from 'Wichcraft and a phone Q and A with Martha Stewart! She gave us lots of advice on life, creative living and our future careers. All the intern were given signed copies of Martha's new book, Pies and Tarts!

I spent the rest of the day finishing a few things and begging my editors to give me more work. I was also fortunate enough to have an informational interview with our editor-in-cheif! She gave me some of the best advice ever! Seriously.

Then my dad and I spent hours upon hours packing my room; I don't know how we got everything home! Dad's a wizard, obvi. About halfway through the packing marathon, we had a fun, coal oven pizza dinner at Arturo's. There was live jazz and delicious food. It was a blast!

My last few weeks in NYC went by so quickly, and I have a massive of things left to blog about. I cannot believe it's been almost a month since I've posted! Be prepared for upcoming posts on all the exciting things I experienced this summer.

I learned an unbelievable amount at MSW this summer! I got to blog, copy-edit, fact check, research and a million other things that have prepared me to work for a magazine.

Right now I've just moved into my apartment in Lawrence, started copy-editing for the University Daily Kansas (my internship really prepared me for this!) got hired at Bloom Bath and Body on Mass Street, and start classes on Monday. I can already tell that senior year is going to be fantastic!

Mail Monday!

Here's the mail it never fails, it make me wanna wag my tail, when it come I wanna wail MAILLLLLLLLLL! -Steve, Blues Clues

Today I received three packages in the mail! After not receiving any mail all summer, and then maybe complaining about it... I have received more mail than ever in the last two weeks!

Care packages from my family and good friend Crystal! This made my day!

Who doesn't love a surprise? I opened my packages with Chessie on the phone. :)

The damages.

EASY MACCCCC

Some NYC stationary. Also, the Tupperware is filled with Chessie's new favorite snack she had to share with me, Nutella and Oreos!

Crystal sent me gifts from her time abroad in Italy. A lovely bracelet from Firenze (so me, I'm obsessed!) and some Love Therapy, Gnome lip balm. Crystal is one of my very closets and friends, and she knows very well that lips balm, gnomes and love therapy are three of my favorite things!

Goodies!

A letter from Chessie, sneakily hit in an NYC water bottle!

The adorable New York kitchen set my mom found at Target in KANSAS of all places!

All this marvelous mail got me thinking of all the postcards I've been collecting and using as decorations in my NYC dorm room.

The postcard of the old photograph of the couple is from my meal with Drew at Mogador, and the painting of the mailman with the exceptional beard is my very favorite Van Gogh, which I saw at the MoMa.

Girl with a long tongue was found at the Bastille Day Festival, the Brooklyn one and the one below it are actually business cards from a print shop in Park Slope, and the one below those is from a memorable night at a secret club we found on Ludlow St.

I loved seeing Starry night at the MoMa and the Alexander McQueen exhibit at the Met. But most importantly, the holographic Disney princess postcard is from my best friend Amie! She got in while in Florida. And guess what? Amie is coming to visit me this weekend! We have an excellent time planned, I can hardly wait!

Some lovely couples. Forbidden Planet and a print shop.

Here are some well-wishing cards I've received! The top one is from the rents and the bottom two are from Drew's mom, Staci! <3 You guys are the sweetest!

Thanks for all the postal love guys, I can tell this is going to be a wonderful week! Miss you all and love you!

What's the best thing you've received via post?

Life's a beach! weekend adventure July 9-10

Our Long Beach Staycation. I took a beach's worth of sand home with me!

Last weekend, AJ and I decided we needed a break from the hustle and bustle of New York City. So we hopped on a train and traveled to Long Beach. The Long Island Rail Road offers an excellent beach package. For $20 you can get round trip train tickets and beach access. It turned out to be one of the best days we've had in New York. The beach was clean and not too crowded, it was a beautiful day, and the water was perfect temperature. I haven't been to the beach in years, which is sad for a girl who grew up in Florida... enjoy the mix of crummy iPhone pics and camera pics!

I was in Seventh Heaven!

Beach bums. We have the tans to prove it!

Picture of the city at sunset from the train.

Long Beach is the perfect staycation.

On Sunday we met up with Eva went to the Bastille Day festival! Bastille day is France's Independence Day. I tried macaroons from Macaron Cafe for the first time and now I am addicted. Too bad they're so expensive.

Spotted these sandwiches at the beginning of the festival, and at the end they were two for $5. They were a delicious deal!

We also got to go to the bathroom in the Plaza Hotel's basement. People who aren't staying or living there can go to the basement to see the shops. The Eloise store is adorable!

It was another adventurous weekend in NYC!