Five on Friday

I'm switching it up a bit for this week's Five on Friday. Today I'm sharing my top 5 of my favorite blogs to turn to for paper-crafting inspiration. It was actually really hard for me to narrow this list down to just 5. I literally have hundreds of blogs in my RSS reader (I use Feedly). But these are the 5 I visit most often. These are the 5 from whom I anxiously await new posts. Maybe you already know them; maybe they're entirely new to you. Either way I hope you glean some bit of inspiration from them today.

In no particular order:

1. The Scrappy Jedi - Melissa Stinson

Melissa consistently provides her readers with ample inspiration for Project Life spreads, traditional layouts, and craft room organization. I love watching her process videos and am a little sad that she has stopped making them. She's also self-proclaimed geek girl, so she automatically get my approval. :)

2. Enjoy It - Elise Blaha Cripe

I've been reading Elise's blog for longer than any other on this list, about 7 years. In that time, I have never been disappointed when I click on a new post. She is one of the most innovative and inspiring bloggers out there in my opinion. I love her amateur photography, her ever-changing shop, her mini-books, and her home decor sense. Her blog continues to be a constant source of inspiration for me, and I can't wait to see what she does next!

3. Amy Tangerine - Amy Tan

If you know me at all, then you know that Amy Tan had to make this list. Who doesn't love Amy?! Each time she creates a new collection for American Crafts, it's immediately my new favorite. (I may or may not being hoarding several of them.) I love seeing her Project Life spreads; she definitely has a very unique style and always inspires me to include more ephemera from our lives. I love that I can look at a layout or spread and know immediately that it was created by her. She has a very clear sense of style, and she's pretty much a fountain of creativity - it just spews out of her! So yeah, I kinda love her blog.

(Print by Lisa Congdon, source)

4. Hello Forever - Marcy Penner

Marcy's projects always feel like a breath of fresh air to me. I admire how light and sparse her style can be, while at the same time incorporating lots of photos and embellishments. Even after watching every video she's made, I'm not sure how she does it. She is the originator of the "Workspace Wednesday" posts, which I enjoy immensely and hope to participate in once I have an actual workspace. Her Project Life spreads have inspired me to add white borders to my photos...well, at least I'm attempting to.

5. Dear Lizzy - Elizabeth Kartchner

I started reading Dear Lizzy after falling in love with the Dear Lizzy collections from American Crafts. Then I somehow forgot about it, and only recently added it to my RSS reader. All I can say is there is so much beauty on this blog! It's definitely more than a paper crafting blog, though there is plenty of crafty inspiration. I find myself turning to Dear Lizzy for the artful way she presents her creations.

What are your favorite blogs for all things paper-related? I'd love to hear where you go for inspiration!

Five on Friday

1. I could really use some more of this type of therapy in my life!

2. I've been keeping a steady supply of Reed's Ginger Ale on hand. I tend to get nauseated fairly often, and this stuff is a lifesaver! They apparently also have a drink specifically for treating nausea, but I've yet to find it anywhere locally. Has anyone tried it?

3. This shop makes some of the cutest handmade mini wreath ornaments I have ever seen.

4. I am in love with this beautiful mug!

5. Do you decant your wine? Here's why you really should.

Have a lovely weekend, all! Don't forget to check back later for my weekly What I'm Drinking post!

Five on Friday

1. Yesterday was Love Your Pet Day. I suggest you follow the above advice and hug 'em if you got 'em.

2. This post by Vicki of Joyful Whimsy cracked me up. I feel the same way!

3.  This kitchen has been making me rethink my all-white-walls decision in the kitchen. At the very least, there may be some jadeite purchases in my future. (via Lisa Truesdell)

4. I've been trolling the internets recently in search of the perfect typewriter. I almost had one a couple weeks ago, but I got sick & missed the final bidding. My favorite place to search? Goodwill - yep, you can shop goodwill online right here.

5. I think I might be addicted to Belly Flops. A local store has had the small bags for $1.00 a piece, and I've been nearly buying them out. It's a problem.

Don't forget! I'll be back at 5:00pm today with a delicious cocktail to help get you through the weekend.

Happy weekend, all!

Five on Friday

As I mentioned before, J and I aren't big on V-day celebrations, so I'll be rocking my Valentine's Leslie Knope style. That's right, tonight is Galentine's Day! I'll be spending the evening with one of my best gal friends (who I don't see nearly often enough). I'm sooo looking forward to our evening of Margaritas, shopping, and general shenanigans.

Now, onto today's Valentine's-inspired Five on Friday...

1. Speaking of Galentine's Day, I wish I'd have seen this post earlier - I would have loved to put together cute boxes for my best gal friends! Why didn't I think of this?!

2. When it comes to V-day cards, I'm a big fan of ones that will make my recipient giggle. This one is a current favorite (although these are a close second).

3. There are always a ton of free printable Valentines offered this time of year. So far these are definitely at the top of my list.

4. Despite the fact that I'm not particularly fond of Valentine's Day, I can't help but feel all warm and fuzzy when I see these adorable felt envelopes! I want to make them just to make them.

5. And finally, I am swooning over this hot pink mini album, obviously appropriate for documenting life beyond February 14th.

Be sure to check back later for another Valentine's Day inspired What I'm Drinking post - this one is seriously so yummy, you don't want to miss it!

Happy Valentine's Day, lovelies! Hope you have plans to do something that will make your heart happy!

Five on Friday

Somehow I managed to go an entire week without posting on this blog. What?! How did that happen?

So for today's Five on Friday, I'm sharing 5 things that I didn't blog about this week (in no particular order).

1. I got sick. My age-old nemesis Mr. Sinus Infection struck again and knocked me out for nearly half the week. So I spent most of Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday curled up in bed watching Netflix (mostly this and this).

2. Since I was sick, J was in charge of food prep...and he did a pretty damn good job! He even made us these delicious enchiladas verdes Wednesday night (with only a little help from me).

3. One of the things I'm trying to be better about this year is taking care of myself, because I am a better girlfriend, a better friend, and a better person when I am happy and confident with myself, inside and out. So no more begrudging myself something because I feel like I don't deserve it. I do, damnit! :) So on Thursday I actually went to the touch-up hair appointment I made back in December. This is the first time I have maintained a style, with the same stylist at the same salon...ever. I usually talk myself out of it and put off going for 6 months to a year (yeah, not pretty). But not anymore! And let me tell ya, it feels so good!

4. TJ Maxx is quickly becoming my new fave store. This week I found J this Fossil watch for just $69 - originally $185! Oh, how I love a good deal!

5. I'm super bummed that I'll be missing two awesome shows in Indianapolis tonight (I'm not feeling up to a night on the town just yet). Our good friend Chris Weller will be playing the Vogue tonight with Brandon Whyde. They are seriously awesome, and if you're local and you haven't seen them yet, you need to go. And Dark Star Orchestra is at the Murat. Damn this stupid infection!

That was my week. Be sure to check back in a little bit. I've got a Valentine's-inspired What I'm Drinking post lined up that you don't want to miss!

Five on Friday

1. I'm kinda in love with this shirt.

2. Along with the rest of the scrapbooking world, I was sad to hear that Archiver's is going out of business. But I was also kind of excited to shop their going-out-of-business sale. I finally went today, Now that everything is 50% off (cuz if I'm gonna get a deal, then I'm gonna get a deal, ya know what I'm sayin'?). It was pretty well picked over, but I did manage to spend a whole $14 on some Project Life goodies and a few papers.

3. To pacify myself after spending so little, I promptly came home and ordered these two Carta Bella collections on sale at Blitsy.

4. I also really want this.

And finally...

5. This may be the best engagement photo ever.

Have a lovely weekend, all!

Five on Friday

1. Lately, I've been inspired by this Oprah Winfrey quote and the beautiful calligraphy version of it found here.

2. I am in love with this industrial-style shelf DIY from Tatertots & Jello (love that blog name!). I've been trying to figure out a place to make it happen in my house, but no luck so far. :(

3. These Atomic Buffalo Turds (seriously, can't stop laughing at that name!) are on the top of my list of Super Bowl snacks to make. 

4. J and I started watching (well, I'm technically re-watching) this show on Netflix, and I have to admit that I have a strange love for this short-lived series. I think I secretly want to be an alcoholic mean girl.

5. On a more serious note, this CreativeMornings talk by Jessi Arrington really struck a nerve with me (found via Kelly Purkey). I am definitely a chronic worrier, and her message was an excellent reminder of the many, many reasons to let go.

Five on Friday

If you are anywhere near as paper-obsessed as I am, then you probably know that CHA Winter 2014 just finished up a couple of days ago. I was not one of the lucky ones who got the chance to be there in person, but my Feedly & Pinterest feeds have been blowing up with posts from those who were. And let me tell you, they are full of drool-worthy new products!

So for this Five on Friday, I thought I'd share a few of my favorites. I seriously can't wait for these products to hit the virtual shelves! We may be eating ramen for a while to support my paper-buying habits. (Just kidding, J :) )

1. Let's Go Collection by ChicTags

ChicTags is a pretty new-to-me company. I only recently picked up a couple packages of tags from their previous lines Happy Place and Everyday Life II, and I am pretty excited to put them to use. But I am head-over-heels for this travel-themed line! I love the Captured and Missing You papers, and those wood veneers...are you kidding me?! And even though I'm not exactly a word traveller, I can see tons of ways to use these products to capture my everyday comings and goings. 

2. Mon Ami by Kelly Purkey for BasicGrey

I'm always a huge fan of anything by Kelly Purkey, and this collection is no exception. I love the somewhat subdued color palette, and that grey ombre skyline print has got to be one of my all-time favorites. I see some major paper hoarding in my future.

3. Mini Placemats by Jillibean Soup

I used to be a big Jillibean Soup fan (I still have a rather large stash of their older products), but recently their collections haven't really jived with my style of scrapbooking (yeah, I really just used the word "jived" and no, I'm not taking it back). These Mini Placemats, however? I can see them becoming a Project Life staple.  The camera from the Smile set is definitely my favorite. I only wish they'd release them as silhouette cut files, so I didn't have to buy the whole package to get the 52 cameras I'm gonna want to use. 

4. Plus One by Amy Tangerine for American Crafts

The Plus One collection by Amy Tangerine has been all over the internets lately. It is definitely a crowd favorite. I love the Kal Barteski-designed bits and the black and white papers too, but the real reason it made my top five is because of the die set. I love, love, love that American Crafts has started adding dies to their collections! As much as I love my Silhouette, sometimes you just can't beat the fun of using a manual die-cutting machine. So excited to get my hands on these! 

5. Inked Rose by We R Memory Keepers

We R has really been upping their game lately! Their Albums Made Easy line is totally Project Life compatible...which means I won't have to buy all new page protectors to make this set work with my existing album. Score! 

So that's what's been occupying my extra brain space lately. Now back to using the products I already have to do some much-needed Project Life 2013 catch-up. Happy Friday all!