DIY: Up-Cycled Painted Vases

Andy and I have begun the long, stressful, exciting, wonderful task of finding an apartment together. Ever since we began this endeavor, I've really been trying to accomplish as many decor projects as possible. Forget pots and pans; as long as we have cute things, I'm okay. Anyways, Andy found a bunch of these old bottles, and let me use them as nesting vases.

This project requires few supplies and little explanation. Just simply paint your bottles or jars (which you can easily find at any thrift store or flea market) with acrylic paint in the pattern of your choice. These look really cool just painted on the inside, or sprinkled with glitter. I collect old pop(soda?) bottles, so I'm planning on keeping some of them plain and some painted for a display. Preferably in my future breakfast nook, that I'll definitely have in my first apartment, right?

I'm so stoked to share the other projects we're starting soon, and any progress we make in finding our pad. Which will be worth documenting after all the doozies we've seen. Jeez.

Happy crafting!

-Heather

Outfit: I Want To Ride My Bicycle

 

     It has actually(and consistently) been "nice" outside, which means it is time for bike riding. Andy has been kind enough to fix up a bike for me, that he found at one of our local thrift stores. It's a beauty, you guys. Especially since he began the repairs. I'm so stoked to use it as much as possible this season; something I really slacked on last year.

     I'm starting to dig out my warm-weather clothes, and reintroduce them into my wardrobe. One of my favorite ways to do this has been wearing tights and light sweaters with them. Mainly because I'm tired of knit leggings and parkas, but also because I can't seem to be okay with my pale, prickly legs showing before, like, June or July. Personal preference, I suppose, as all the other people who reside in my town were wearing tanks and shorts on the first 60-degree day we had. Clearly all signs of Spring are an Ohioan's paradise.

How are you getting your wardrobe ready for Spring?

-Heather

Oh! Here's a peek at my new whip. Courtesy of a real sweet boy.

Outfit Details:

Sweater/shorts- Thrifted

Tee/sunnies- Gabriel Brothers

Bag/necklace/tights- Target

Boots- T.J. Maxx

Headband/ring- Forever 21

Taking Stock: A Night of No Sleep and an Early Morning Await

Cooking : Nothing. Because I have no time ever, ever, ever. (I'm very salty about this.)

Drinking : Toffee-nut iced coffees with light cream. Please and thanks.
Reading: Just Kids by Patti Smith. It's a beautiful read, and I don't want it to end.
Wanting: to sleep, and craft. But, mostly sleep.
Looking: for apartments with a real cute boy. So exciting!
Watching: Parks and Rec. I am April Ludgate, and April Ludgate is me. 
Playing: the new Manchester Orchestra album on repeat, and as loud as possible.
Wasting: energy on things that won't matter much at all in the end, as per usual.
Sewing: not a thing. Which is a real shame and rarity. I need to get my DIY on!
Wishing: it were warm enough to swim. Or, rather, warm enough to wear my new swimsuit. 
Enjoying: working with my best grrrlfriend more often because we can chat about boys and ice cream and cute undies. While remaining completely productive and dedicated to our jobs...
Liking: my new tattoo. Scabs and all. 
Wondering: when this stuffy nose of mine will subside.
Loving: mine and Andy's new record player (shown above). And, the bike that he's been working on for me. I've got a good one, folks.
Hoping: tomorrow goes really quick, so I can catch up on blog posts/ the infinite pile of laundry that is currently occupying my room.
Marvelling: over the fact that I will actually be seeing Fleetwood Mac in concert this year. STEVIE. And, also over the "Palo Alto" trailer. James Franco and Emma Roberts forever.
Needing: my bangs trimmed again. Already. My hair grows too rapidly to be cute.
Smelling: the instant maple oatmeal that acted as tonight's meal.
Wearing: black, black, and more black. Always and forever. But, also for work.
Following: advice from my sister. She's a gem.
Noticing: my chipped fingernail polish. I don't know why I even bother.
Knowing: the list of things that need attention, but giving zero of that to any of them. Ooops.
Thinking: of projects, and words to write down, and, nostalgically/regrettably, the past. 
Bookmarking: vegan recipes, storage ideas, and the "American Blogger" trailer/discussions. Have any of you seen that? If so, what are your thoughts?
Opening: a new bag of chips. Snacks on snacks on snacks.
Giggling: over the "Magic Moments" videos that Manchester Orchestra has been putting out. Which are basically sketch comedy shows/ pop-culture parodies. They are hilarious, folks.
Listening: to lots of Nana Grizol, The National, Cold War Kids, and Emperor X.
Feeling: okay. Which is really okay with me.

Dreaming Is the State We Shall Keep

Andy and I somehow managed to get off work on a Friday, so we ditched town and had a good day on the run. Our first stop, as per usual, was the Cleveland Art Museum.

It was rainy and windy and wonderful. We ordered our usual's at Tommy's: A CeeBee falafel, BBQ Seitan, and a plate of fries; all to be split with one another. We also got coffee at another local favorite, and the only place I've ever found my beloved Mate Lattes.

Big Fun forever. Oh, and I finally found a hard-copy of Manchester Orchestra's latest, Cope, with the help of a few fellow music enthusiasts. 

We saw The Grand Budapest Hotel, which made me laugh, cry, cringe, and cry some more.

Our final stop was for frozen yogurt, of course. Picca Dilly is the cutest little shop I ever did see. After we had our fill of frozen treats and sugary toppings, we headed back to prepare for another early morning of work. I know I've talked about the importance of traveling or getting away, but this day was even more than that. It was just taking a break, not worrying about what time it was, letting the day play out based on preference rather than schedule, and actually getting to enjoy the company of someone I admire immensely. I can't tell you the last time I did something unscheduled/planned. My life lately has been done according to a strict book, directing me to and from jobs 1 and 2. I've only had time for snacks and small talk, rather than any actual substance. To finally give myself some time to just wonder and wander was rewarding and, frankly, well-deserved. 

I hope your weekends were just as well spent!

-Heather

Outfit: Gold Hair in the Sunlight, My Light in the Dawn

Spring has sprung, doods. April 1st brought lots of sunshine, warmth, and most importantly, THE NEW MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA ALBUM. Is anyone else freaking out over this? Because I think it's safe to say I'm obsessed. I have plans to see them live in May, and I could not be happier about it. Unless my dear, Ashley, could tag along. My best friend and author of Fancy That will be leaving the confines of our humble town to begin her permanent residence in Georgia, alongside her husband. Pretty selfish, huh? Abandoning your best friend for the person you've vowed to spend forever with, and all. UGH. I'm obvz just kidding, and am so happy to see her begin this new adventure. But, I am very salty/sad/full of feels about being so far away from one of the only chicks who I can listen to rock n roll, drink coffee, and gab with. SAD FACE, SAD FACE, SAD FACE. 

Anyways, I'll leave you with a little snapshot of my new favorite arm decoration. 

-Heather

Outfit Details:

Hat/belt/necklace- Target

Sweater/boots/sunnies- T.J. Maxx

Dress- Gabriel Brothers

Rings- Forever 21

Recipe: Fried Pickles

Fried food is amazing. Like, can we just take a moment to truly appreciate things dipped in batter and cooked in hot oil? Yes, please. Fried food, to me, is super reminiscent of my town's annual Oktoberfest. The one weekend I have absolutely no self-control whatsoever, and indulge in things like deep fried Oreos, veggies, and cheese. It's probs good that I limit my extreme eating habits to one this weekend out of the year, but also a but of a downer. Because, ya know, delicious food. So, I'm here today with a snack to put all other snacks to shame: fried pickles.

Set up a "station" for yourself, with three separate dishes of flour, pickle juice, and Italian bread crumbs. Just use your best estimating skills, based on how many pickle slices you want to end up with, when "measuring" your ingredients. This is not an exact recipe by any means. Sprinkle a few dashes of cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and all-purpose seasoning into the flour, and mix around with a fork. 

Begin breading your pickles; starting with the flour, then the pickle juice, and finishing in the bread crumbs. Here's a tip: delegate one hand for handling the dry portion of the breading process, and the other for the wet portion. This will make things less messy. 

Once you have all your pickles breaded, pour just enough oil into a pan to cover the bottom and set on medium heat. Use an oil with a mild flavor, like vegetable or canola. Sprinkle a small amount of bread crumbs into the oil to see if it's hot enough. If the crumbs bubble, go ahead and carefully add your pickles into the oil. 

These little guys only take about a minute and a half per side. When they are golden brown on both sides, remove them from the pan and let them drain on a plate over some paper towels. Sprinkle with a little sea salt, and enjoy!

There you have it, folks; fair food at home. I like to serve mine with a mixture of ranch dressing and hot sauce. Fair warning: these things are dangerous. I could literally take out an entire jar fried up all by myself. Enjoy them today, and work them off later. Or not. It's your call.

-Heather

Playlist: Monday, Monday

Sunday nights are the best and worst. I'm off of work by 7:30, which allows me time to make dinner, throw in some laundry, catch up on my shows, get lost in a book, etc. But, they also are SUCH a teaser for what's soon to come...Monday. Ugh. I'm already counting down the minutes to the end of the week, when my dear, Andy, and I will get to spend my (first...) day off (...in nineteen days) together. Only one-hundred and twenty hours to go. In the meantime, I'll be listening to the tunes below whenever I can, and enjoying every coffee break I get. What are you looking forward to this week?

-Heather