Indian Summer

This beautiful photo reminded me of our current Indian Summer. I'm pretty sure this weekend will be the last of warm weather streak before the bitter cold arrives! I must admit, I love the snow, but it's equally hard to say goodbye to the warm sunshine.

If you're experiencing your Indian Summer, ENJOY IT!

have a good weekend--

25 List: Black Coffee

If you all remember, I created a "25 List" on my 25th birthday a few months ago. So far, I'd say I have accomplished a few things, but not as many as I'd hoped thus far. I still have 7 months to go. To be honest, I didn't think I'd REALLY try one of the listed items, which is, "drinking black coffee."

I know this is hard to believe, but ... it really happened, & I'm still proud of myself (maybe I need to get a hobby?)

Yep, real deal.

& even better news: I Loved it!

Okay, that might be an exaggeration--I Liked it. I didn't like how my breath smelled.

Now, to be fair, it was flavored coffee... but the goal here is to drink coffee with No Cream or Sugar. NONE. Zilch. & I did that. 

Feels good to cross something off the list that was weighing so heavily on the mind.

Hope you get to cross something off your list today--it's refreshing!

alphabet "moon glow" dinnerware

The embossment to this dinnerware collection is so simple & beautiful it's unfair.

I read the description to this product on this Etsy shop, & the designer, May Luk, "designed a special glaze called, "Moon Glow" for the embossed wares." This special glaze was inspired by the "Hunters Moon" that May once saw in the Roman countryside. I love seeing what comes of others' travel inspirations! & these definitely have a sort of Roman aesthetic to them--very classic, yet eclectic.

I searched for this "moon glow" technique, & found that it is just a simple glaze that adds a simple touch of vibrancy to the piece. It was definitely an appropriate choice for May's pieces--it adds just enough loveliness, wouldn't you say?

They're just so typographically chic, I can't take it! Best of both worlds.

I Love the dinnerware stamp underneath the pieces--makes for a more authentic touch!

I'd definitely recommend checking out May's website & blog. She even has a wedding registry available for you soon-to-be newlyweds!

calligraphy-a charming art

I have the calligraphy bug, again. I love everything Jenna has done--check our her blog here.

I'm currently working on some projects (I feel like I say that a lot & have nothing to show for it! I promise in the next few weeks I will have this all together! This stuff just takes more time than I anticipated!) that sort of revolve around calligraphy, more hand lettering I suppose. Which, when you think about it there's not much difference between the two--you use your hands to write pretty letters! Probably my favorite craft.

Calligraphy makes everything seem so much more personal & customized...& pretty. Which is partly why it's so unique, in my opinion, even though it's been around for years & years. I guess you could say it's been quite the charmer of art techniques-- for it to continue being such an appealing art form.

Just think--this is how EVERYONE used to write way back when. There was art in every letter, document, announcement--sigh! & now, when we see it, it's such a rarity. I'd be curious to see what our world would be like if we were to refer back to writing in this beautiful way. There would probably be a lot of angry people because it's such a slow, careful process...which is kind of sad we've become such a convenient society. Good news is we can still appreciate it where it's found!

here are some more of my favorite calligraphists thus far:

Primele

Emilie Friday

Little Flower Etsy Shop

Hello Handmade

Tart Workshop

--these are obviously just a few I've noticed out of the many more wonderful calligraphists out there! If you have a favorite not listing, feel free to add to the list!

recycled license plates

How neat is this idea? I've seen the USA map done with recycled license plate before, but I like the other ideas that branch from it! It's probably not the easiest thing in the world to have to cut a license plate in the shape of a moose!

& I was also super excited to see they thought of making a Bee....

of course:)

Over the Rhine

I have been avoiding the Over the Rhine neighborhood in Cincinnati for some time, now. It's slightly because I'd fear my life if I ever decided to step foot on its grounds--I mean, it was named the #1 highest-crime rated neighborhood within a city by Forbes last year! HELLO? Forbes is right about everything. Supposedly.

Well, on my day off yesterday, I decided to go against my inhibitions & check it out...during the daylight hours. Not by driving, no--that would be a wuss move. I walked (mom, don't read this). I parked my car & walked around the 'hood. My heart pounding, nerves numb to the bad possibilities that could go down (oh gosh, Lindsey, what are you doing with your life. You're so young! Don't end it in OTR! Bad things happen here! What would your parents think if they found out you walked in OTR By yourself! Crazy Lady!), I start my little, possibly short-lived journey (in my dramatic head, of course). I turn a corner & find a street covered in colorful chalk (maybe paint?) art. Like, amazing, creative, cool drawings. Art! In Over the Rhine! Who knew? I immediately pull out my camera & stand in the middle of the street like I belonged to it--MOVE cars! I'm Workin' here! I'm talking to myself, "this is the coolest thing ever"... just lookin' around, in my own little world (mind you that this is the same freaked out young lady who feared for her life 5 seconds prior to the sight of the colorful street art...). I think I had a few odd stares from passer-byers, & all I could think was, "what are you lookin' at? Gotta problem?" Colorful Street Art makes me invincible!

Check it out:

So, the story ends like this: OTR was actually Very cool & held such an urban appeal that it helped me enjoy my little exploration that much more. I'm not saying I'd go out to these streets at night, but I'd recommend checking all of the cool shops, restaurants, & YES--Street art! The people I did run into were really nice & I'm glad I decided to venture out & see for myself what this place was really all about, instead of only referring to its bad aura. It now has a cool aura. Isn't that the case for many places? Where you only hear the bad things, but when you see for yourself, you realize it's actually a really interesting place... as long as you go in with an open mind, or get lucky & find street art to help you lower your guard. Sure, you be careful of those "iffy" places, but you can still enjoy them for the good they have to offer.

This was definitely fun experiencing the hidden gems of OTR--I recommend you all explore something similar--it's no fun only living by what you hear!

scaredy cats

I came across some hilariously terrified pictures of my 2 cats this weekend, & I couldn't wait for next Halloween to share them, so here is an "end on a good (or, scary?) note" from the festive Halloween weekend:

Poor Mo, I don't know why she looks so petrified. It may have been one of those times when I had to round them up to be put in their cage for yet another road trip. In that case, it would make sense that she is saying, "No.. NO! Not...the Cage! Please! I did nothing wrong! Don't make me go in there..No!"

Izze has also been known to be a wuss. I'd imagine she's scared out of her mind & hiding from the under-the-bed monsters, aka dogs next door. & yes she is hiding inside my pillow case (she's a clever one, I tell ya), fearing for her life, as usual.

Hope everyone had a fun Halloween! See any creative costumes worth sharing? I saw a kid wearing the candy, Smarties, on his pants.......... so he, therefore, went as, "Smarty Pants." Kids are getting more & more clever these days!

Christmas Wish...

 

I understand this is a lot to ask for Christmas (& I also understand I'm celebrating Christmas early, but that's how I roll. I have already started watching my Christmas cartoons. It's my internal Christmas clock & I really can't help it). So I'm not going to specifically ask for this. However, I wouldn't mind having a bike that I could fix-up to look like this that maybe costs this price X 90% off. I mean, it's... just bee-u-tiful. Not to mention I have excellent timing in wanting a bicycle, considering winter is just around the corner.

It would be a nice reminder of spring next year... I guess I could still attempt to ride it in the snow... there may be cases where I would get from point A to point B quicker by bike rather than be stuck in snowy-crappy traffic in my warm & cozy car. I would have awesome snot-sicles & that would be funny.

Maybe I won't ride it in the winter. But I will ride it in the spring.

Yea, this is all I'm asking for this year. Christmas' can become too abundant of gifts & miss the point of it all. Let's all keep it simple.

I might need some socks, though.

Anyone have their Christmas shopping complete?

Sigma Alpha Tau: 100 Years

This past weekend I was a part of the Sigma Alpha Tau 100th year celebration, so a special shout out goes to my fellow Owl Sisters:) (the owl was our mascot, by the way). I thought this little illustration was very fitting to this recognition.

It's not only amazing being a part of something that's been around for this long, but also continuing its traditions to stay connected to its beginning. Owls from all ages, from all parts of the globe came together to meet & celebrate our sisterhood. The oldest Owl graduated in 1947, so that was especially impressive that this organization has continued to have such an impact on all its members...sisters, if you will.

I was lucky enough to make the logo, which I think whoever thought of making a logo was a nice touch to the whole idea just because it created a visual to better remember the weekend's festivities. & it was fun to make!

Now that I've graduated, it seems over the past few years owl-like things are Booming! I can remember a few years ago when it felt like pulling teeth trying to find anything owl related. Guess I should have stayed in college an extra year so I could enjoy the owl-ness going on.

Anyone else celebrate a 100-year shindig?

anthropologie fall window displays

SPEECHLESS over Anthropologie's window displays this season... look through more on their facebook page...

Would be nice if they made a pit-stop to my apartment when they were done!