Recently, my amazing friend, Emily, brought me a “get-well-soon” package of fun gifts…. sooooo incredibly nice of her.  It included a sugar-free Starbucks steamed milk (yummy!!!), two super-cute shirts that I can wear now and my preggo belly can comfortably grow into and the most FABULOUS bookmark from artist, Kelly Rae Roberts.  I know, who is seriously lucky enough to have a friend that wonderful?  I ask myself that everyday and am definitely sure I’m not a deserving recipient.

Now, I am a HUGE Kelly Rae Roberts fan.  And let me show you why (as usual, click on the pics to be redirected to the original site)…

Fly Necklace – $17.00

Versatile Art Plaques – $16.00 (don’t you just love the set of 3 in the frame like that?!)

Unleash Your Joy Magnetic Bookmark – $4.00

Believe in Possibility Magnet – $4.00

I love her fun, eclectic style.  I think I love everything she makes.  I love her use of color and combining different art mediums, like paint, pen sketch and print.  Thank you for introducing me to Kelly Rae Roberts, Em!  I’ll forever be grateful (and forever pining for her art).  Isn’t she FABULOUS?!!

Today’s feature has got me sooooooooo excited, I can hardly stand it.  I’m a big admirer of Brittany, the creative chick behind Cottage Road Designs and her blog Whatever & Stuff.  Not only are her sites completely delightful to visit, her creative work is incredibly inspiring.  Brittany’s profile says it all:

“I have always loved to create things. It is part of who I am. From the time I was a young girl into my college years Fine Art has always been my passion. I continue to dabble in anything and everything that catches my {fleeting} attention. I work out of my 200 year old converted barn and love every minute of it!”

Yup, Brittany is exactly the kind of creative chick I LOVE to highlight!

Recently, one of Brittany’s paintings caught my eye; it’s called: “Brave.”

This painting is incredible and her description won my heart:

I recently had twins to make five children. As I drove up to the school to pick up the older kids, the PE teacher wanted to look at the babies and then she looked around at the overly filled car and smiled at me and said, “you’re brave.” I said, “well, I don’t know if it has anything to do with being brave.” and she looked at me and said, “you are doing all this and you still have a smile on your face. That’s being brave.”  I had never thought of it that way! So that’s what inspired this painting.

My husband and I are currently in the process of becoming licensed to become foster/adoptive parents.  We feel that someone is missing from our family that is going to come to us through this way.  When I saw Brittany’s painting, “Brave,” I loved it for how it reminded me of our situation.  I actually want to buy the print to put in the bedroom that our foster/adopted child will be in so that they’ll see it and feel that our home is a safe place, that there’s a “mother bird” watching over them and that they can be brave enough to fly.

Here are some other favorites I have from Brittany’s creative shop (click on pics to be redirected to her store):

Take to the Sky – 11 x 17 print of original mixed media painting – $32.00

Description: I recently had twins and as I was watching them sleep, I found myself wishing things for them in thier lives. they are so pure and perfect right now and I have so many hopes and dreams for them. This painting was inspired by those thoughts. The words under the branch read “your potential is unlimited,little ones” and in the leaves of the tree, there are affirmations that I would hope for them. some of them are: hope, dream, forgive, believe, smooches, accept, choose, love.

—> Yup, I’ll probably need to snag this painting to put with the other one; so beautiful. <—

Presenting Affirmation No. 37 – Set of 5 notecards w/envelopes of original mixed media painting – $10.50

Sunbeams Journal – 6 x 6″ – $25.00

Get your dose of creative inspiration by seeing her other creations at Cottage Road Designs and glean some creative juices by reading her lovely blog, Whatever & Stuff.  Thanks for your creative inspiration, Brittany, and for sharing your talents with the world!  I completely love what you’re doing!

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p.s. If you’re in or near Lehi, Utah today or tomorrow, you’ve GOT to check out Tom & Lucy’s Art Shoppe!  It’s sure to have some phenomenal, creative inspiration and yummy finds!

Awhile ago I was strolling through the library looking for children’s books & this clever book caught my eye: “Frumpy to Foxy in 15 Minutes Flat.”  I tossed it onto my pile & checked it out with the books for my kids.  I enjoyed the book so much at home that when it was time to return it I was a little heart-broken.  So I hopped online, found “Frumpy to Foxy in 15 Minutes Flat” & bought it.

The advice Elycia & Rita give in this book is really invaluable, especially to someone like me who has still never really learned how to properly apply make-up (went through a tom-boy phase when all the other girls were learning in junior highschool – regretting that now).  I used to be completely baffled at how to pull together an easy, every-day make-up look.  After reading “Frumpy to Foxy” I now know the basics & how to do it quickly.

The basis of “Frumpy to Foxy in 15 Minutes Flat” is that it should only take 15 minutes to take yourself from frumpy to FOXY.  They share tips about how you should only have to spend 5 minutes fixing your hair, 5 minutes on make-up & 5 minutes on selecting an outfit & putting it on.  For special events or days when you have more time, you certainly can take more time, but this book is perfect for the everyday run-around.

The book is divided into sections on being foxy at work, in love, during free time, for festivities, on the go & with family.  The family section is where I’ve spent the most time because it discusses how to be foxy during pregnancy and/or as a mom (how I’ve spent most of my time over the past 4 years).  In each section they have an example of frumpy & then what would be foxy for that occasion.  They define a frumpy mom as sporting: stained, old t-shirt, baggy shorts (I’d substitute sweat pants since that’s what I’m always wearing on frumpy days), & dark roots.  The foxy mama, however, wears comfortable, but not too worn jeans; fun, colorful sneakers; & short “wash & go” haircut, among other things.

“Frumpy to Foxy in 15 Minutes Flat” always kicks me out of my frumpy phases & I highly recommend it if you’re feeling even the slightest bit frumpy.  Such a fun, creative book!

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After researching a bit I just found that Tyra featured “Frumpy to Foxy in 15 Minutes Flat” on her show, too.  It MUST be good, right?!

Today we’re featuring the work of the fabulous creative chick behind Awaken Journaling.  I am a big advocate of journaling and feel that the fabulous quotient (how cool and inspiring the journal looks) is a big factor in enhancing your desire to journal and let your emotions out.  When I found Awaken Journaling’s handmade journals, I immediately craved writing in them.  I could buy one for every day of the week, they are so beautiful.

I was really inspired by what this creative chick wrote about herself and her creations:

“I strive to fill my shop with inspired, unique creations that you will cherish. I love the process of turning an idea into tangible form.  The name Awaken Journaling was chosen, because “Awaken” is to realize, to begin, the process of journaling; something I hope to inspire people to do!  I’m a college student, an avid reader, a lover of all things handmade, and an entrepeneur. I believe in supporting small business and wish more people would realize the opportunities the world has to offer.  In my spare time I love to ride horses, hike, take photos, doodle, and of course craft. I love science, chocolate, and good conversations.”

I think this creative chick and I would have a lot of fun getting together, especially enjoying chocolate and a good conversation.  She sounds fabulous!

Here are a few of my favorite designs from the Awaken Journaling shop (click on pic to be redirected to that item on the shop’s site):

Simple Fuschia Leather Journal - with black wrap tie; 3.5″ x 5″ – $32.00

S Sketchbook - dark leather journal with strathmore paper; 5″ x 6″ – $35.00

Crimson Blossom - leather journal in yellow and red, with vintage olive button; 5″ x 6″ – $38.00

Teal Wrap Journal - leather journal with marbled oatmeal cardstock; 3.5″ x 5″ – $40.00

Red Mini Leather Journal - leather journal with marbled oatmeal cardstock; 2.5″ x 2.5″ – $15.00

Now I’m sure you’re itching to snag one of these beauties too!  I’m dreaming of all the many ways I could use these gorgeous journals: sketching, doodling, writing quotes, a quick place to jot down ideas as they come and – of course – journaling.  Thanks for the creative inspiration, Awaken Journaling!