Musical Monday - the MLK day edition (Up to the Mountain)

Today is MLK day which spurred me to share one of my favorite songs.  It was written by Patti Griffin about Martin Luther King.  There have been many times I have listened to this song when at the point of wanting to give up and it has inspired me.

Photo a day recap (Day 14 - 20)

Day 14

January 14

Something you are reading

I have subscriptions to three magazines - Fitness, Whole Living, and Traveler.  Fitness and Whole Living always seem to arrive on the same day.  It's mailbox healthy day :-)

Day 15

January 15

Happiness

I was listening to my "Happy Running List" playlist while getting ready for work.  I love this playlist.  The music puts a smile on my face and gets me moving.  It is also my favorite running list and contains my all time favorite song.  I know that I have probably shared this video before, but just in case you haven't seen it, here it is again:

("Smilin' so hard my mind looks like a capital U" - love that line!)

Day 16

"Morning"

January 16

It was a rough morning ... getting out of bed was sooooo hard.  I had to rush and missed my morning coffee and bagel, so I stopped at the deli in my building.  They actually have awesome coffee - hazelnut flavored.  This sister needs her caffeine :-)

Day 17

January 17

Water

Just water running from the faucet.  I took this picture at the end of a not very good day.  I was feeling very discouraged after some things that happened in my day.  As I was on the metro coming home, I thought about water and it's cleansing properties.  It washes away dirt and nourishes our body.  I definitely needed to wash away a bad day.  So, I had a glass of wine and took a lavender scented bath :-)

Day 18

January 18

Something you bought

How cool are my new running shoes!!  I was so excited to see them come in the mail.  I bought them in the store a few days earlier, but had to place an order if I wanted the hot pink ones.  And of course I wanted the hot pink ones :-)  They make me smile.  I tried them out today and I love them.  However, after about 3 months of no running, I definitely have a lot of ground to gain back.

Day 19

January 19

Sweet

I was pretty pleased to realize that this was about the sweetest treat in my possession - that was before today when I discovered the chocolate covered espresso beans in the back of the pantry :-)  I actually really love this juice.  I discovered it when I was sick a few weeks back.  It's a great juice for when you are not feeling well - or for when you just want some immune system boosting juice :-)

Day 20

January 20

Someone you love

I love Jesus so much and I have been thinking about grace a lot.  Grace is so amazing.  So many times I feel like a complete screw up.  I feel like I let God down and I let myself down.  But regardless of whatever happens, grace is always there to rebuild and restore me.  I am learning to receive it and I think that this word "grace" is a big theme for me this year.  It's definitely an area that I am growing in.  For someone who is really hard on themselves, grace is like a breath of fresh air - I just need to remember to inhale it.

Musical Monday - Tomorrow is a Chance to Start Over

It has been awhile since I have done a Musical Monday post.  In fact, I forgot that I even used to do Musical Monday posts.  And when I say that I used to do them, what I really mean is that I might have done it a couple of times :-)

Well, I thought that I would bring it back.

I recently discovered that Anthropologie has a station on Spotify.  They posted a New Year's playlist that I absolutely love.  In fact, I love it so much that I went and downloaded all the songs to put on my iPod, so now it is pretty much all that I have been listening to.

Do you remember the song that I posted in my Photo A Day recap last week.  That song was discovered on the Anthropologie New Year's playlist.

I wish that I could embed that playlist with you here, but I am not able to figure out how to post it from Spotify - sorry :-(  You can click the link HERE to reach the playlist.

But in the meantime, check out the video below for another song from the playlist that I am loving:



One morning as I was listening to it, the words began to sink in and brought tears to my eyes.  I have been needing a new start.  Sometimes life is just hard.  People may disappoint you, and you may disappoint yourself, but tomorrow is a new start.  I love that.

LYRICS: 

Lie down on your pillowIn the shadows, close your eyes Turn out the old lamplight and sing goodnight lullabyes 
You are another day older Soon you'll be through the dark Tomorrow is a chance to start over Start over again 
Like the setting sun dear As it lingers, falls to rust I'll see you in my dreams love, let the long day turn to dust 
You are another day older Soon you'll be through the dark Tomorrow is a chance to start over Start over again 
You are another day older Soon you'll be through the dark Tomorrow is a chance to start over You re-ignite the spark Tonight you can like here on my shoulder Soon you'll be through the dark Tomorrow is a chance to start over Start over again

Photo a Day recap (Days 7 - 13)

Day 7

January 7, 2013

"Favorite"

I like to watch sports - especially football - especially SEC football.  Any guesses on my favorite team ... only the best college football team there is.  And it was proven Monday night when Alabama blew Notre Dame off the field.  It was good for Bama - bad for Notre Dame.  Roll Tide!!  Go Amabala.  I mean Go Alabama - I took the pic in the mirror, thus the backwards lettering :-)

Day 8

January 8, 2013

"Your Sky"

This is the view that I saw when I stepped off the bus Tuesday morning.  Completely perfect for the photo prompt :-)  My friend Dianne wrote a blog post that pretty much sums up the wonders of a pretty sky.  Check it out HERE.

Day 9

January 9, 2013

"Daily Routine"

I wake up  open my eyes,  roll out of bed, shower, start coffee, and drink coffee while I put on make up.  And then I am awake enough to function :-)

Day 10

January 10, 2013

"Childhood"

Do you remember these glasses?  They are from Pizza Hut.  These are not the ones from my childhood, but I have been collecting them over the years and it makes me happy to see them in my pantry.  The most recent addition is the Funshine Bear glass that I found at Goodwill a few weeks ago for $1 - thrift store score!!

Day 11

January 11, 2013

"Where you sleep"

I sleep on a bed that has these really cool ruffle pillow shams.  I happen to have designed and created those awesome ruffle pillow shams all by myself :-)  I actually took a bunch of pictures to post a tutorial. Hmmm, maybe I should write that tutorial someday :-)

Day 12

January 12, 2013

"Close - up"

I pulled out my colored pencils to start my current work in progress project.  I am making a planner because I can't find the design that I like anywhere.  I was inspired by this post by Alisa Burke and set about making my own.  It's about half way done.  Here's a little sneak peak :-)

Day 13

January 13, 2013

"In your bag"

I carry lots of stuff and these are the things that I always have with me:

1.  Kindle:  I love that I can have tons of books with me at all times.  Before my Kindle, I would always carry at least one (usually more) book in my bag.  I love love love that I can have multiple books on one device and it saves my back from carrying around all the weight of a book.  I do miss actual pages sometimes, so I tend to have my Kindle that I read during my commute and a book on my bed stand that I read at night.  Reading is fun :-)

2. Watercolor field kit:  I love this thing.  One of the best buys that I have made.  It has vibrant shades and the brush has a water reservoir that it attaches to, so you don't have to have a cup of water in your possession.  The paint dries pretty quickly too.  I love that I have the option to paint whenever I want to. 

3. Make up bag: pretty self explanatory :-)

4.  iPod:  I like to always have some tunes with me.

5.  Journal:  My journal is not just a place where I write down thoughts.  I paint in my journal and stick random things (like the sticker I got for voting and post its where a cute 4 year old wrote his name for me) in my journal.  I like my journal to be think from paper crinkled with paint and bulk from random items.  So, there is also a rubber band that holds my journal shut tight :-)

Photo a Day challenge recap (Days 2-6)

I am doing a photo a day challenge that I found on Pinterest:

Source: instagr.am via Melany on Pinterest

I thought that I would do a recap of each week here on my blog.  So here it goes:

Day two (because that is when I actually started)

January 2, 2013

"New"

This is a new bowl that I bought at Anthropologie (My favorite store.  I love you Anthro!).  They have had all their clearance marked an additional 30% off.  That sale ended today (sad face).  

Day 3

January 3, 2013

"Something I adore"

I had a lot of difficulty with this photo prompt.  I struggled because "adore" is such a strong word and seems a little much to describe a thing.  So, I went with something that I really enjoy and I do really love the display that I have on my bedside table.  I like decor with an antique/vintage feel to it.  The lamp is something that I found at a thrift store and you can tell it is vintage just by looking at the plug.  The photo is one of my favorites of my Mama Doris and Papa.  I just love old photos!!  

The photo sits on top of a stack of books one of which is a very old copy of "Kim" by Rudyard Kipling.  It caught my eye when I was at my grandmother's house.  I just loved the old vintage binding, so she gave it to me.  

The crystal votive holder is the first gift that I ever received from Tiffanys.  There is actually a cool story behind it.  

One year for Christmas my mom started this thing called a "theme gift".  Basically it is a bunch of gifts in a bag that all have a common theme leading to the last "big gift".  For this gift, first I opened a pair of really long black opera gloves and thought perhaps there would be tickets to a show at the end.  Then I opened a tiara and thought, "Um, ok."  The next gift was the movie "Breakfast at Tiffanys" and I thought I had reached the end.  "Oh, I get it - Breakfast at Tiffanys.  The gloves and tiara like what is on the cover of the movie.  Cool."  But my mom told to keep going - there was one more.  And then I saw it - the blue box with white ribbon.  At that point, I did not even care what was inside the box :-)  I just exclaimed "Is this really from Tiffanys?"  To which my dad replied, "It better be." I think he was thinking of the price tag :-)  I opened the box to reveal the crystal votive with a Tiffany scented candle.  The candle is long gone, but that little votive holder is pretty special to me.  I love how it looks with my pearls sticking out of it.  I like pretty things especially when they come from Tiffanys :-)

Day 4

January 4, 2013

"Letterbox"

This box is my most treasured possession and I will probably get a little teary eyed just writing about it. This box holds notes and letters from very special people.  Each piece of paper in this box has words of encouragement written on it.  When I am feeling really down about myself, this box helps to remind me of who I really am and what people think of me.

This box got started on my 21st birthday and I am going to tell another story about my mom that is going to make you wish she was your mom :-)

For my 21st birthday my parents took me to a fancy restaurant to celebrate.  It was a very special evening.  I received this gift containing a box of notecards and it made me cry right there in the middle of that fancy restaurant.  

My mom had contacted all my friends and family and asked them write "My favorite Melany memory".  That is what each note card said:  

She made all these cards, embossed the word "Memories" on the front of each one, sent them out to people with a return envelope, and put them all in this box for me.  The first note that I opened was the following:

That's when the waterworks started :-)  I was so overwhelmed as I sorted through the many cards inside.  There were too many to read sitting there in the restaurant so I finished them when I got home - and got no sleep that night :-)

It is by far the best gift that I have ever received.  Over the years I have added to this box.  In fact it is so full that I need a new box :-)  It is one of my most treasured possessions and I will tell you about my other most treasured possession in a little bit :-)

Day 5

January 5, 2013

"Something you wore"

A smile.  It's the world's greatest accessory.  It looks good on everyone and makes the world a brighter place.  I was listening to the following song when I took this picture:

Give it a listen.  It will make you smile :-)  And while we are speaking of smiling ...

Day 6

January 6, 2013

"Makes you smile"

This is my other most treasured possession - my journals.  I am a huge advocate for journaling.  More on my journaling journey here.  These notebooks tell my story - and what a story it is.  I love reading through my journals.  It reminds me of where I have been and how God has always come through for me.  There are lots of smiles and lots of tears poured out in these journals.  There is lots of triumph and lots of heartache.  Each story ends with God's faithfulness shining through and when times are tough I like to look through them and be reminded of how my Father in heaven will never leave or forsake me.  He has been and always will be good. 

There is week one of the Photo a Day Challenge.  I think that when all is said and done, I am really going to love having this to look back on.  Fun times :-)

Wrap it up - washi style

I love wrapping presents .  It's one of my favorite holiday activities.  It's actually even possible that I dream of someday working at the gift wrapping center in a department store (sigh).

I have a definite process that I go about in wrapping my gifts (more on that here).  The paper must always meet on an edge - none of this tape down the middle business.  Every crease has to be perfect.  And watch out if I have paper with lines - I will spend the extra time making sure that the lines are perfectly straight and all line up.  I might have a slight problem :-)

I always do something a little different with my gifts each year.  Last year it was yarn pom poms in lieu of bows.  This year it was washi tape and embroidery thread.  My friend Karisse and I got some cute Christmas washi tape at Michaels for wrapping - cause we looooove it and we neeeeeded it :-)

Washi tape is pretty paper tape  - think masking tape, only CUTE :-)

Here is a pic of my wrapped presents:

See the cute red tape with deers and herringbone.  That's washi tape.  I love how it gave me so many options for placement.  A great thing about washi tape is it can also be easily removed and replaced.  

If you are wondering about the gift tags, they are made out of clay.  Yes, I roll out clay, bake it, and decorate it.  Crazy me can't just slap a sticker on a present.  Nope, I have to spend an hour creating gift tags.  That's just how I roll :-)

This year for my gift tags, I gathered inspiration from Anthropologie - of course :-)

Source: anthropologie.com via Melany on Pinterest

The fact that I have to ship my presents home means that I need to do simple wrapping - no big pretty bows that will get smooshed in a box.  So the washi tape works well.  

If you want to find your own washi tape, there are many options on Etsy.  I love the birds on a wire tape below:

Source: etsy.com via Melany on Pinterest

Now all my presents are wrapped and at their destinations far away.  I was sitting here earlier feeling sad about not having anything else to wrap.  I might start searching for empty boxes.  See, if I had a job wrapping presents at a big department store this would not be a problem :-)

DIY - Mason jar snow globe

I love mason jars.  They are just so functional.  

There is their primary function - canning (which is something I want to try).  

You can use them to store food (I love the way they look in my pantry).  

You can drink out of them (a friend of mine got me the cutest mason jar mug for Christmas).  

There is also a world of crafting possibility offered by the little mason jar.  This past week I made a mason jar snow globe.  I love it!!!

This is an Anthropologie inspired craft - because Anthropologie is amazing.  It's my inspiration place.

I did not want to spend money on one of these when I knew I could make one.  This is a super easy craft and does not take a lot of time.

Here's what you need (all my supplies were bought at Michaels):

Mason jar:  Mine was about $2

Glue gun:  This was given to me by a friend

Itty bitty Christmas tree:  These can be found with the accessories for Christmas Village figures.  My tree was about $7, but I had a 40% off coupon.  I rarely buy anything full price at Michaels.

Fake snow:  This was also found in the Christmas Village section.  It was $3.50.

A word about the fake snow:  This stuff is messy.  I think there are other fake snow products (I have even seen some at Target) that are not as messy.  However, I have to say that I do recommend the one that I used (picture below).  It is almost like shredded styrofoam.  You probably can't tell by the pictures, but it has a slight sheen to it like real snow.  I also like the way that it sticks to the side of the mason jar.  So, the mess is definitely worth it.

I tested my tree to make sure it would fit in the jar before I pulled out the glue gun.  I realized that I wanted my tree to be a little bit taller to provide more room for snow.  So I began searching for things to put a little height to my tree.  I tried a tea light candle, but that was too tall.  Then I realized that I had a cardboard box in my closet so I pulled it out and cut out some circles.

Two cardboard circles made the tree to tall, so I just glued one to the lid of the mason jar:

Then I glued the tree to the cardboard circle:

I forgot to take a picture of the next step - sorry.  I poured snow into the mason jar.  Then (after making sure the glue is dry), I turned the lid with the tree upside down and screwed the lid onto the jar.  

After assembling the snow globe, just turn it up right and shake the snow into place.  You might also need to tap the side of the jar to sift things into place.  If you find that you need more or less snow, you can take the lid back off and adjust the snow.  (Note: if you need to take the lid off, do it over a trash can.  Like I said, the snow is messy)

And there you have it.  One super fabulous - I made it myself - little piece of handmade Anthro inspired goodness - mason jar snow globe.

I love mine so much that I had to take it to work so I can enjoy it all day long.  I put it with "Anthro the seal" a little desk mascot that I bought at Anthropologie a few weeks ago.  You can get your own here. I love her and I am sure that she feels more at home now that she has a snow covered tree nearby :-)