six tidbits.

So, I am a horrible blogger... the j-o-b has been N-U-T-S... but that's no excuse, right? I guess I have not had very blog-worthy updates to share, either... so here is the random amalgamation of fun tidbits that are floating around in my noggin:

1) These little lovies look divine. I know most of you read her blog, but these are next up on the baking list... lovely, simple, fluffy brookies. mmm mmm.

2) It was the amazing Mr. Valentino's birthday this week. I tell you this only because I have a mild obsession with him. Have you seen the documentary on him? It's absolutely beautiful. I got to admire him from afar when he came to visit our offices one day a few years back... I think I drooled a couple of times.

3) I have been following this awesome blog... it is one of the sweetest, most inspiring stories of love, loyalty, & motherhood that I have ever read... and a reminder that life can look look a little different for everyone else, and it can still be so very sweet.

4) Have you seen this post on pillows? Yes, pillows. Random I know, but pretty legit- slash- humorous.

5) I am sure you are all aware that Martin+Osa is going out of business... they announced it a few months back... but just an FYI you can get some pretty sweet deals right now... the hubs & I were pretty shocked. They always have great, chic, casual classics... Why are they so under rated?

6) Isn't this piece of art cool?

Well, look closer, its made out of buttons. Stunning, absolutely stunning. Artist: Ann Carrington. {Check out her other work... very intriguing.}

That's all for now... my brain is scattered, so I have a feeling my posts might be following suit over the next few weeks. xoxo. Happy Friday's Eve! {right Lin?}

book release.

Joy Deangdeelert Cho from the popular, Oh Joy! blog, is coming out with a book on July 14th, called Creative, Inc. Its geared towards trying to strat your own creative business at home & gives you practical advice and tips for how to succeed. I think this would be great for anyone trying to earn a little extra moola on the side. Joy is so talented & inspiring... always seems to be dabbling in something new. I can't wait for the release date!

etsy.

I decided to just set up an etsy shop about a week & a half ago & dabble around in it a bit. I mean, isn't it just the greatest little source for inspiration and 'a way of means' to materialize your creativity? I am still working on the site, but last week made my first sale on an invitation! wahoo. It wasn't for much, but it got me more enthused.

I decided a few months ago, that while I still have a whole lot to learn, I want to expound, dive in, & try to tackle improving & selling some of my graphic designs. I have gotten to create, play with, & design for friends, and I love it too much... so I thought, golly, why not?

Right now, I am focusing on becoming more proficient in Illustrator. I feel like I have a pretty full understanding of photoshop & dreamweaver, but was sorely lacking in the good 'ol vector field. I am not fully comfortable in it yet & am slowing working through tutorials when I have a free moment at home... I purchased a little classroom book to chug through, as well. Growing in a new subject makes me miss school & learning more than I thought...

So in the mean time, sorry if this blog has been & will be a tad bit neglected... I feel like I have just been "blog acting" lately. {What is blog acting? My definition: re-posting things you find that, yes, are inspirational & interesting, but are not my own to claim. I can make up that verb, right?} My apologies for that.

So, all this to say, I'm excited to maybe earn some extra ice cream money on the side & have fun while doing it. I'll put the link up to my shop later when I get a few more items up.

Happy Monday!

PS - Don't get me wrong, there is NOTHING wrong with sharing ideas and reposting, heck I do it alot, will continue to & LOVE it, its just ALL I have been doing. Again, sorry folks. I am a firm believer in sharing concepts & images.. there really is no such thing as an original idea, its a give & take of creativity. :)

genius.

Smitten Kitchen posted a recipe for homemade poptarts. So clever and cheeky... These are now on my line-up of 'have to try' recipes. mmm mmmm... Divine.

Jen on Op.

uhhh, yes please.
A day in the life of Jenna Lyons, on Oprah. {click to view video.}

gosh, she is great.

{ This post is dedicated to my dear friend Sara Stephens Stroupe.}

L. Woods.

hello people,
meet my hot & talented friend, Lauren Woods.
she has a voice that will knock your socks off. {literally.}
she is in law school & plays in a latin band. {cool, huh?}
you should book her for your next event.
she is really cool & will make you laugh till you cry.
You will want to be her.
xoxo.
-mrs. frazier {the girl who uses the word, "cool" too often}

Photography by my other really cool talented bestie, Lauren Larsen & Woodsy asked me to design this postcard for her & the band. such fun.

Book her, she will not disappoint. She sang at my wedding ceremony & stole the show. :) trust me on this one.

Loved this... click here to enlarge. Very humorous & useful... enjoy!

{image via here.}

canNOT wait.

I absolutely, positively, without-a-doubt, please keep me from squealing, you better-believe-it, smack me upside the head, canNOT wait for SATC2. Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the floor & go try to steal SJP's gold glitter Loubys that I have been eyeing for incredibly too long. This post just fuels my love for SJP even more & takes it to an unhealthy level. mark. my. words... I am counting down the days. {I confess, I do love the story line, but I more so go to drool over the fashion statements & gorgeous apparel.} sigh.

Habitually Chic did an awesome post on Carrie & Big's decor in their apartment.

lemony fresh weekend...

Nothing says fresh to me like the taste & smell of lemons... we have some huge, sweet lemons from California that I want to consume this weekend that were generously given to us by a co-worker. I am thinking the cookies above look delightful, from Real Simple... I've have them flagged for a while, & I think this weekend is the perfect time to give them a whirl. mmm mmmm.

We have been eagerly awaiting our Meyer Lemon Tree to bloom {hoping it will turn out looking like the one above with my black thumb...}My sweet parents gave it to us as our 2 year anniversary gift... how perfect is that? I have been wanting one for quite some time now... I cannot wait to just be be able to walk in the backyard to pluck one up for a treat on a whim.

This weekend also equals spring cleaning at the Frazier household & I cannot wait... weird? yes. My wonderful mother-in law gave me this all- purpose beeswax cleaning polish {above}in my Easter basket... it really is awesome & I can't wait to abuse it to its fullest this weekend. Give it a try, it will not disappoint.

Here's to a lemony, fresh weekend & hopefully some sun...

charts.

It comes as not surprise to me that I love this site... anything that feeds my anal need to organize, label, plan, & chart out life pretty much fits my fancy.

Cook on.

I recently made this poster {above} for our kitchen... {more like, replicated the popular "Keep Calm & Carry On" Poster, & changed it to my liking.:) } I went ahead and made it 8.5" x 11", 300dpi, & uploaded it to my docstoc. If anyone wants a copy for themselves, you can follow the link & download it with nicer print quality or enlarge... I created a darker grey version option, as well. It should look nice with a white matte around it, maybe... free art? :)

If you feel inclined & want to make your own version, I just downloaded the "London tube" font from fontspace.com, which resembled the original font and created a corresponding image up top.

Happy Cooking & Enjoy!

shelf.

Before:

After:

About a year ago, our neighbor across the street was throwing out this shelving unit, so Ry plucked it up for the back deck & I finally got around to finishing it out. I reinforced it with some nails to make it sturdier & used up some {free} old gray paint from another project. {I know, I know, more gray...} I then distressed it back down to the red a bit with a putty knife & painted chalkboard labels. Finally, no more clutter on the back porch. :)

who doesn't love Pixar...

This is one of those incredible graphics that you must see fullsize... {click on link & scroll to the right.} Its a size comparison of all of the Pixar characters and its pretty legit... Nemo is so tiny compared to Sulley... I want this blown up in poster size. I can't help but smile looking at the individual silhouettes, I love each and everyone of them, from Woody to Ellie...

{via firstshowing.}

SP10 / SUM10 Inspriation

{I am horrible & have been saving these images for a while... I failed to save their credited source. I sincerely apologize... }

Flirty, fun, feminine, graceful Spring/ Summer inspiration for your presual & editorial needs. I love that its all about layering, detail, & feminine touches this season. Girls can be girls... and own it well.

On another note, hurrray! for getting to finally bust out the white shoes, pants, & frocks to welcome Spring. Yes, I do still follow this rule... shamlessly & proudly. :)

summer frocks.

I go back & forth on my love for H&M, sometimes I love what they are doing, sometimes their solids bore me... but right now they have my heart with these dresses priced from $19.99-$29.99. They just launched a line of eco-friendly clothing... talk about saving the earth, and money! Now if they would only open one in the Big D.... the rumor has been floating around for far too long.

April Fool's

Free People is very comical...

{via Milk.}