Clay Your Way

Spring break is starting to be a lot of "break"... so this afternoon we decided to get out of the house and get crafty. We drove to a pottery place called Clay Your Way and got to work on our masterpieces. I haven't done anything like this since I was very young and it was so much fun to get my creative juices flowing. 

Picking out colors.

My beautiful best friend and roomie. 

So much concentration. 

And we brought along Rachel's mini me...I've adopted her as my little sister too. 

You can never have too many monograms. 

I always end up with red, white and blue. 

And elephants! Oh my. 

I guess they're cute. 

Rachel's artwork. 

Did my bowtie make you look twice?

We have a thing for mugs, okay?

I had a great time creating something super personal and it was refreshing to get out and do something totally out of the ordinary. These should be done in about a week and I can't wait to enjoy my morning coffee in something I made myself. 

Have you ever been to a shop like this? What are some other ways you like to channel your creative genius?

Hooked On...

This kitchen: House of Cards has a way of drawing you in and not letting you go. Especially for the politically wired viewers like myself, the show is the perfect balance of suspense, scandal and senators. But regardless of the perfection of the show, can we talk about the interior design that is the Underwood's home?! I am obsessed. From the sleek appliances to the subtle lighting, Claire really knows how to plan out a kitchen. 
This water bottle: My bottle is actually the brand Contigo not Camelbak, because that's all Target had but it's literally the same thing except mine has markers on it that signify the ounces. I love the color because it is bright and cheerful and color is important. I have been infusing my water with lemons, grapefruit and strawberries and I've noticed that I drink so much more during the day when there is a hint of flavor. The labeled ounces make it easy to track how much water I am consuming and I've been taking a full bottle with me wherever I go. 
This graphic: Two of my favorite things, GOP and Lilly Pulitzer. Yes please. I have this set as my desktop image and I am completely obsessed. 
This journal: I recently decided that I need to start journaling again. Blogging is a wonderful outlet for me, but as I have made it public and the more it grows, I have to be careful about the more personal aspects of my life. I am a writer by nature, so having a place where I can jot down my private thoughts, fears and plane is key and having the right journal can make all the difference. I wanted one with spirals so I can write on a completely flat surface regardless of which page I'm on and I wanted one that preferably had quotes throughout it as I find a lot of inspiration in other's words. This one fit all my criteria and was under $10 at Barnes & Noble. 
This wallpaper: Are you noticing a theme here? Lilly Pulitzer prints are my favorite and anything with the American Flag is totally happening. This one is the lock screen on my iPhone. I'm really patriotic, okay?
This quote: What else is there to say? This quote speaks volumes. 
This mug: I'm on spring break and my best friend, her boyfriend, and I are spending the week at her house in Fargo. (We are so blessed that her gracious parents let us stay here, they are always so welcoming). Coming here is like coming to a second home and I'm so happy that I have a place that makes being so hard away from my own family a little bit easier. Anyway, I digress. Rachel's little sister has this Lilly Pulitzer mug that I steal every time we come home, and I'm pretty sure I'll have to get one of my own this summer, but in the meantime, we'll just pretend. 
This nail polish: I accumulated Ulta points (however that works) and had a $17 credit, so Rachel and I headed over the other day and I picked three new nail polishes because I mean, duh. We got a light, almost periwinkle blue, a bright red and a navy blue. We painted our nails with the navy as soon as we got home and so far, so good! It's such a rich, unique color and Revlon polishes generally have a good staying power so win win. 
This show: Spring break means sleeping, eating way too much, and binge watching SVU on Netflix. I'm not sure how many episodes we've watched since Friday, but it's upwards of fifteen for sure. It's just so good. 
Anything new you're hooked on?

Weekly Grateful Heart

I made it to spring break! I sacrificed watching Season 3 of House of Cards the night it was released on Netflix and I didn't blog for about a week, but I made it through my midterms week (at least somewhat) alive and now I'm enjoying a very low-key spring break at my best friend's house in good old Fargo. I have so many things to be grateful for these past few weeks; God is so good. 
1. My uncle's successful open heart surgery that was performed early this morning 2. A place that I can call a second home 3. Redeemable points at Ulta  4. Multiple cups of coffee per day 5. Phone calls from my little siblings 6. Being a reporter for my school newspaper (absolutely love it...you should check us out here) 7. Navy blue and red nail polish (because I'm patriotic, obviously)  8. Finding Lilly Pulitzer on sale 9. Seeing so many babies at Mass 10. Snapchat (no real reason, I just don't know what I'd do without it)

What are you thankful for this week? What has been keeping you positive?

Sperry Wishlist

While it may not feel like spring just yet here in North Dakota, I know that it will before I know it. As crazy as it may sound, I have not yet worn a pair of winter boots this year, even in -16 temperatures. I honestly haven't found the need. My feet haven't gotten cold and the snow hasn't been too much for my Sperrys. Of course, experiencing so many different climates, they have worn through and while they are always my first choice, I have begun looking to expand my collection. I currently have the Bluefish 2-Eye Boat Shoe in Linen Oat and Tan. I compiled a list that is rearing more towards spring and summer, but really, Sperrys are my go-to year round. I should probably give away the rest of my shoes because besides my riding boots, I don't wear any of them...

Rainbow Laceless Boat Shoe in Red

Bluefish Critter Print 2-Eye Boat Shoe in Washed Red/Whale Print

Authentic Original Anchor Embossed 2-Eye Boat Shoe in Sahara

Bluefish Mariner Stripe 2-Eye Boat Shoe in Navy

Calla Core Sandal in Ivory

Leslie Tassel Flat (similar) in Navy

What are some of your all time favorites?