Leona Lane

Project Life | Midnight Edition

This story starts with Jenn dragging me to Hobby Lobby... just kidding, I went willingly of course. Amongst other things we ended up getting a Project Life Midnight Edition Kit to split between the two of us. She has past kits she is trying to use up and I am getting the monthly Studio Calico Project Life kits this year - so obviously, we don't really need any more cards. 

... but Hobby Lobby got the best of us and we decided to go halfsies on this one. It seems like it will mix and match really well with the supplies we already have and both of our styles. There are a lot of neutrals - grays, black & white and craft. The only exception is some yellow cards. There are a lot, and I mean a lot, of stripes. There is faux washi tape, hearts, handwritten script, hearts, polka dots, houndstooth, wood-grain, chevron, speech bubbles, ink blots and more stripes.

With the exception of the cards for the first and last pages, there are 10 of each 3x4 card designs, the designs are also different on the front and back of each one. Three of each 4x6 cards, and four of each of the foldable 4x6 cards. The top picture has a bunch of my favorites to give you a better idea what's inside. 

After we got it home, we promptly split it up and had in impromptu scrapbooking session - love those! I just love that kraft heart card above! I cut it into a square and added it to one of my instagram inserts. Also a big fan of the 'right now' card pictured below!

And a few more black & white journaling cards below. Loving how versatile it is and lends itself well to having more white space mixed in.

Hey, it's Jenn here, and I'd like to add a couple photos from my album! Renae and I had so much fun scrapbooking together on Monday! There is only one card from the midnight edition on this spread, it's the "Week in Review" cards. This is one of my favorite, as I write a week in a review card nearly every week.  I love how neutral and versatile this kit is, and easily blends with the several I already have.

This next photo is an in-progress shot. While I often only work on Project Life once a week on Sundays, I sometimes get the chance to find time mid-week. I love that this gives me the chance to write down quick stories that I might forget by Sunday.

Thanks for looking at our Project Life updates! We love sharing our pages on the blog.

Air Plant Ideas

I recently jumped on the air plant bandwagon... I know Renae discovered these babies a long time ago, you can see her success on Instagram with the hashtag #iwillkeeptheseplantsalive. So, being always one or two steps behind everyone else, finally took the plunge and bought a few off Amazon! I didn't even know they sold plants! Ha!

So now I have seven of these little guys... And there's so many options. I'm going to share a few that I found and love. I love the look of indiviual little holders for air plants. You can find these stained glass handmade holders here and that adorable owl idea here. 

This super easy magnet terrarium DIY would be a neat addition to any fridge! I just might have to go make one. 

Another fun way to display your air plants would be vertically, in a tall vase like this. Or if you have leftover wine corks, drill a little hole and add a magnet! So easy!

I think this air plant wall is so rad! And how about that window!? Amazing. 

Flora Grubb Gardens also blogged about this vertical air plant garden. That could be a DIY project for hubby, yes?  :)

And of course, since I recently started my own wedding flower business... I had to include these air plant boutonnieres and wedding favors! dying of cuteness!!!!

I think thats a good dose of air plants for one day. How do you display your air plants?

WALLFLOWER DISPLAY

Today I wanted to share this cute little wallflower display with you guys! Last weekend, I was talking with my friend Aileen about adding 3D items to gallery walls. I think this adds the perfect dose of "3D" to this little wall in my bedroom. Just enough texture and shape to break it up a little bit. 

This was super easy and fun to put together, and even better yet, preserves two different memories - all rolled into one cute little wall display. The mini cardboard boxes I got on Valentine's Day from Joe (they were full of Theo's caramels at the time - does that guy know the way to my heart or what?). The scabiosa pods were in my bouquet from Sarah's wedding last summer. Sarah actually wrote a whole post about scabiosa pods awhile back. They sure are fun little flowers!

Here's the basic directions if you'd like to make your own. Staple two mini boxes together, I offset mine by about an inch. Pick out some acrylic paint colors that look awesome together and paint the inside of the boxes. After the paint is dry, add your scabiosa pods to the inside. Trim the stems down so they fit snugly inside. Secure in place with a dab of glue. For the one sticking out of the top, I just punched a hole in the top of the box with my crop-a-dile and slid the flower into place. If you don't have scabiosa pods on hand, you could also use billy balls. I've even seen tutorials around for making faux billy-balls.

What about you guys, have you saved any memories from the trash in fun ways recently? I'm all good for a good up-cycle every now and then!

7 TIPS ON HOW TO THRIFT WELL

Alternate Title | How to Not Achieve Hoarder Status

I love thrifting, it is one of my all time favorite ways to kill time. Especially by myself. And that is saying something because I generally don't enjoy spending time alone. I love the thrill of the hunt, finding unique interesting items that every other Tom, Dick and Harry won't have. I love retro stuff. I love a good bargain. I love sifting through things and finding that treasure that is waiting for you at the bottom of the pile.

Over the years, I have decided that thrifting is a little bit of an art. And that there is some strategy involved. After all, you want a home full of lovely, useful, curated objects, not a home that feels like a thrift store. I feel like I have finally started to figure out what works for me and what doesn't. I have definitely made my own share of regrettable purchases, and taken bags of things back to be donated. 

So how do you end up with a home full of lovely things and not an intervention? Carefully of course... Here are my tips.

1. Do you need it? Note, I'm using that word "need" a little loosely here, not true survival style in the sense of food, water, shelter and fire. For the average household, you will need some plates and silverware. You need serving utensils, containers for organizing, basic household stuff. That's what I'm talking about here. For example, I recently picked up some ice cube holders - fun? not necessarily. Useful? Definitely.  

2. Are you replacing something? Replacements are fine in my book, as long as the old item is actually getting donated (or maybe even tossed). Something comes in, something goes out. We all have those things - kind of useful, but maybe a bit broken, or out of style. If you find a better fit, the style is better and the price is right, snatch it up. And say good-bye to that falling-apart-silverware-organizer that is driving you crazy! Wait, that's just me? Oh well. (the replacement I found is pictured above - sooo much better!)

3. Would you be willing to pay full price? This a question I ask myself. This one is definitely not a hard and fast rule, but it definitely helps when I'm on the fence about something. Sometimes, we tend to buy things just because they are a good deal - and for me that is never a good idea. Being a good deal should be a bonus. Just because something is a "good deal", is not a reason to buy it - it's not a good deal if you don't need it or love it, that's money you just threw away. I've re-donated way too many clothes because I didn't pay attention to this one...

4. Will you actually use it? Be realistic. You know yourself. Something can be totally darling, just your style but also somewhat unpractical. So the question is will you actually use it? Example, I was at an antique store and saw this little hand cranked ice crusher, just sitting there looking super cute and in my perfect color. Joe and I had already bought a fridge, and specifically decided not to get one with a space hogging ice machine. So when we needed crushed ice, we were literally putting it a plastic bag and smacking it on the counter (and startling our guests I might add). So I knew that I would totally use that thing, but I'm probably the odd one out in that scenario. 

5. Go often and be willing to leave empty handed. If you want to find good stuff, you have to be willing to often. And you also have to be equally willing to leave empty handed. Those days are not fun, but they happen. A houseful of awesome stuff is not found in a day. Its thrifting, it's not predictable - but that's part of the magic.

6. Limit items for the "future". It's definitely tempting to get things that will be perfect for when ___________ (fill in the blank). I have passed up cute toys that I would love for my future kids, perfect decor for the beach house of my dreams. I do have a tiny pair of salt & pepper shakers for my future camper, and a pair of enamelware mugs, but that's it. I don't want to lug around a bunch of stuff for "someday". The thrift stores will still be there, and I'll have a reason to go! 

7. Limit purchases that need a lot of work. Another tempting area is the fixer uppers. Be realistic about how much time, energy and money you have. Nothing is more depressing than a pile of great finds in the garage sitting there rotting away while waiting for some TLC.

If you want so see more of my found treasures, check out my hashtag on instagram #shewentthriftingagain. And with all that said, (whew, that was a mouthful...) happy thrifting!! Hope you find something awesome!

 

lovely little things | february

I know February is almost over, but I wanted to share some things that I've been loving that make me smile, and brighten my day! Since its been blustery outside, I'm thankful for things like OPI's new Brazil nail polish, that adds a little brightness.

1: gallery walls- I recently made my own (I'll share soon) and I'm so thankful for Pinterest inspiration!

2. chevron rug- this steal from Hobby Lobby was the perfect addition to our bedroom!

3. OPI Live.Love.Carnaval- so much fun. add a little sparkle = magic!

4. ampersand pillows 

5. apples with almond butter- I'm trying to eat healthier, and this has been my favorite go-to snack lately.

6. happy mail day stamp- this adorable little guy is now on my wishlist. How fun would it be to open that mail!?

7. air plants!!!!- I just bought some off Amazon, and I'm in love. 

What kind of things have brightened your day recently? I'd love to hear!