What to do with Holiday Lights After the Holidays!

If you're anything like me, you only got around to taking your Holiday decorations down a couple of days ago (hey, I love the Holidays!). But maybe you should keep those strings of Holiday lights out for a bit longer. Browsing the web, I've come across ways you can decorate with those pretty strings of lights!

Using white lights and transparent boxes, create a 

night-light headboard

Create a simple border

Dixie cups (or cupcake liners maybe?) create a 

string of lights with shades

Put a twist on the photo string fad by using lights 

instead of string!

Grab a few mason jars and lights to create a homey 

light fixture

By layering strings of lights and placing them in the 

shape of a tree, you can create your own art

With a hula hoop and a string of lights, you can 

make your own chandelier 

What other ideas do you have to put those string of lights to good use?

My New Obsession: Uppercase Magazine

I am completely obsessed with Anthropologie. I love the clothes, accessories, home goods, and the store itself. I always feel so inspired when I walk through the store and see the eclectic mix of merchandise. This weekend when I was browsing the sale section, I came across a couple issues of Uppercase magazine, "a magazine for the creative and curious." The magazine is filled with creative ideas and articles about people who have made their livings off of their creativity. I was very intrigued by the structure of the magazine as it is more of a book than a magazine per se. I bought issues 14 and 15 read both of them cover to cover, something that I never do. You can check out the website at uppercasemagazine.com to read the blog (which I love, love, love!), subscribe, and even make submissions to be published in the magazine.

So what's your current obsession? Comment below!

DIY Color Block Monthly Calendar

If one were to walk into my room, they would see how overly obsessed I am with organization and to do lists. So, when I stumbled across this DIY monthly calendar on Pinterest, I knew I had to try to make my own!

What you'll need:
- frame (it can be any size but I decided to use one that was 24 x 18 because I had it laying around the house!)
- backing (fabric, wrapping paper, poster board, paper, paint, or whatever you want to use as your base)
- paint samples (you'll need 35 blocks plus 7 small strips to go above each column so make sure you pick up enough!)

Step 1: Remember when you would ask your geometry teacher when you would ever use this in "real life"? Well, here's that time! Measure your frame's width and height. Remembering to leave room at the top to write the month name as well as space on all other sides, divide the height by 5 and the width by 7. When figuring out these measurements, make sure you are keeping in mind that you will need to leave space between each of the squares. In my case, I decided to leave .25 inches between each of my blocks. My blocks were 3W x2H.

Step 2: Cut out your blocks! Now that you have figured out all of the measurements, grab your scissors and get going!

Step 3: Putting it all together! After you have cut all of your pieces out and have decided on your background (I used up a roll of silver wrapping paper that I had left over from the Holidays), its time to get everything glued down.  To make sure I had everything straight, I glued down the bottom row first and then worked up each column and measured each space with a ruler. (I didn't want to make any markings with a pencil as they wouldn't erase off very cleanly).

Step 4: Place it in the frame, grab a wipe-board marker and you're set!

Comment below letting me know if you try this projector if you have any helpful hints for those who plan on making their own!

Resolution Time!

First off, welcome to my blog! If you're reading this I am already eternally grateful for the few moments we will share together and do hope that you'll pop by to check out the posts that will be coming in the new year. Speaking of which... It think its time to get my resolutions for 2013 down in writing:

1. BLOG! I've always loved writing but I am at the point in my life where I really don't know what to do with that love other than complain to people that I can't make money off of it. (Those select few who have, I hope you know how truly blessed you are!) But I resolve, if that is the correct terminology, to write and actually create a blog of some sort this year.
2. Foster my creativity! As Kate Spade says, I want to "live colorfully" this year.
3. Be more grateful for those around me! I am truly blessed to be surrounded by some incredible individuals and I think it's high time I start letting them know that.

Fingers crossed that when I look at this blog next year I have to scroll down pages and pages of posts to get back to the beginning! But for now, here we go!