guest posting / DIY geometric print scarf

Today I'm thrilled to be guest posting at one of my all time favorites... small shop studio sharing how I upgraded a simple cream scarf with a fun geometric print. Head on over to check it out. 

And a little sneak peak of the latest DIY to take over my house... I'll share the full reveal tomorrow!

life gets in the way

via

Don't you feel like you don't have enough time to be creative? Life always seems to get in the way. I've wanted to make a fall wreath for our porch and caramel apples for a month now, but haven't gotten around to it. A couple of weeks ago I guest posted at pve design about how I (try to) stay creative, and I realized I haven't been taking my own advice... I'm ready for that to change.

1. Unplug. Every single day.
In the busyness of life, its easy to feel guilty for turning off your cell phone. "what if someone needs me?" But I've found that when I stay constantly connected to my Ical and to-do lists, I can't be creative. We have 'no tv' nights where we just listen to pandora and sit on our porch and talk.

2. Walk it out
Besides the fresh air and sunshine being good for you, notice what you are drawn to and document it. Photograph your point of view, try the new bar down the street, play with texture. I constantly find myself picking up rocks and leaves, and what I'm drawn to shows me what I'm craving more of.

3. Bed Time
Some of my best ideas and projects have come to me when I get in bed before I'm tired. Just let your mind race.

4. Work with your Hands
This was huge for me when I was in college for architecture and we were constantly expected to be developing different designs and ideas. Some days I would have NO inspiration and no idea what I wanted to do. So I would come into studio and just start working with different materials with my hands, shaping and seeing what forms would come. You'll be surprised how much you can create without trying to.

5. Something new
I always find something new, no matter how little, refreshes my creativity. As simple as a  new notebook or pen, fresh flowers or a gold paperweight on my desk sparks my interest.

6. Wine.
enough said. 

7. Others
This blogging world is pretty special and I'm constantly inspired by the creativity of my 'bloggy' friends. Whenever I'm stuck in a rut, I stalk my favorite designer or blogger, look through pinterest. Don't let it overwhelm you, get excited for those who just went for it and get inspired.


What do you do to stay creative? Maybe I can get around to the wreath this weekend...


 

New girl on the block

lulu and georgia

All these things should be mine. Lulu and Georgia is the new girl on the block and I'm loving the affordability and high end look of the new line... and Erika did a awesome job with branding don't you agree? 

I'm still in weekend mode and wishing really hard for Saturday again. Our little getaway was complete with a three hour picnic and nap in the sun, goodies from Jcrew and a really long brunch. Sunday afternoon I styled and DIY'd to my hearts content, and I can't wait to show you what I've been working on. 

How was your weekend? Not long enough?

where i've been

1. outtake from head-shot shoot
2. concert and wine before dinner
3. pumpkin spice eggos are making me super happy
4. puppy kisses are the best
5. love seeing this tree change outside my window every day 
6. loving my lands end mocs and some flannel
7. alma mater. Go tigers!
8. Holiday party maxi dress 
9. Anniversary flowers
instagram: acreativedayblog

I feel like I've been so absent this week, and I miss you all. First I didn't feel great, then the hubs didn't feel great. Now we are both on the mend and hoping for a quiet weekend with a quick anniversary trip complete with a picnic with wine and cheese. I don't think the weather could be any more perfect...

1. Thinking of making one of these for my kitchen to hold my new red microwave. Did I mention we haven't had a microwave for 2 years? I know right.  

2. Loved Chassity's post on Joe Fresh... and still wish I had one down the street from me like we did in Canada this spring...

3.  What's your favorite way to blow up prints? I want to supersize this one...

4. I want one of every one of Gaby's new additions...

5. I know its not summer but I still think I need this...

6. Love Liz's easy style...

7. I'm totally on board with the tutu...

Happy Friday!

Flannel + Bow

Flannel + Bow + 30% extra off sale? Get in my closet.

rest

 image

I didn't feel great yesterday so I'm taking the day to rest up, drinking more hot tea then I should and trying to squeeze in an afternoon nap. Are fall allergies killing anyone else?

christmas is coming

and after finding a monogrammed clutch for $30, I think everyone on my gift list might be getting this for christmas. don't look mom. 

jelly

 

We went to the zoo this weekend and my favorite part, as always, was the aquarium. I have always loved being in the water more than I like being on land. I have been stung by jelly fish more times than I can count (I hold the family record) but this picture I took at the zoo almost makes me forgive them as a species. 

You remember Abbey Nova's apartment and the gorgeous deer bed photo she has framed over her mantle? The oversized quality of the photograph totally makes the room. I'm having jelly above printed and framed and he will eventually live in a room filled with navy, cream, light pink and coral.

instagram: acreativedayblog

some layering action

 via liz's pinterest

 aritzia via pinterest

pinterest

I've been majorly getting some fall layering action, so if you see me around town in a straight rip-off of these looks, I apologize in advance.

TGIF, for real. 

Succulents I can't kill? Sign me up.  

Am I the only one who didn't take advantage of the shopbop sale? Cause I'm kinda feeling like I am.

Really craving some of these. Like right now. 

Loving this outfit by kendi, of course. The girl can do no wrong. 

Yesterday was my third anniversary of this :-) And we are currently planning a little mini getaway to Ashville, any pointers?

So excited for av... congrats on closing girl!

Around here...
Had a great time breaking down how I stay creative for pve design...(6. wine is my favorite) still loving my simple gold leaf leopard DIY and having sweet Katie over.    

staying creative is hard

Today I'm over at pve design breaking down how I stay creative through the busyness of life. Patricia is such an amazing inspiration and I'm thrilled to be guesting for her. Check it out here...

Dining Room Style: Katie Gavigan Interiors

I found sweet Katie when she commented on my blog and fell in love with her dining room, and I'm thrilled she is here today to break it down. You will definitely want to bookmark her blog, the girl has serious style....

Hello! I'm Katie from Katie Gavigan Interiors and I'm thrilled and honored that Eileen asked me to share my dining room with you lovely readers today.

My husband and I have been in our house for three years and our dining room has undergone several transformations during that time. This year, it's really started to take shape into something I'm especially excited about, and it's all happened on a bargain budget.

In January we painted the walls, ceiling and trim a stark white. I love the crisp backdrop and knew we would bring in color with textiles and art.  

Next step was replacing the table. The previous table was a large, dark wood and seated 8-10 people which was so fun! But, it really was too big for the room and this kind of drove me crazy. (We still have it and I plan to seal it to use on our deck, which I'm excited about!) I knew I wanted to move in a more modern direction and go with something classic and versatile. After searching Craigslist for a few weeks I landed on Ikea's version of the tulip table and found one in great shape for $80. 

(more after the jump!)

DIY leopard print gold leaf tray

 This is what happens when you walk around the house with your beloved gold leaf pen looking for something else to gold leaf, and its actually one of my favorite DIY's to date. 

Jenny's post about Caitlin's DIY sharpie les touches chairs reminded me how much I love this fabric and I just looked at a picture and got to work. In total it took about 10 minutes and cost $3, the price of a clearance TJmaxx tray. It looked pretty for about 5 minutes before it got filled with keys, papers, earrings and notes.

pom pom

As if I wasn't already in love with pom pom trim enough, enter these. Probably the coolest thing I've ever seen. DIY version from Honestly WTF  

And if I didn't already have pom pom trim on my drapes, I would totally buy this bedskirt or DIY a version with hot glue. 

 

And now I want to completely cover my dining room ikea fixture in white, orange and red pom pom trim. 

diy from crafty nest

Somebody stop me already. 

girl time

So my bff is Riley. And I miss her because our husbands meanly wouldn't find jobs in the same city, (I know right?) So I'm ditching you guys for some seriously needed girl time this weekend. If you need me, I'll be drinking lots of pumpkin spice lattes, watching friends, and catching up with my bff. 

 At her wedding. And yes, we've know we look alike. Our professors used to get us mixed up, true story.

graduation

We all have this friend, right? 

 via

Poll time:

Do you use primer? I've been thinking about getting some and this post made me think its a good idea. 

Gaby posted this link a couple of weeks ago. I keep coming back to it.

DIY party, anyone?

Anyone want to take this alt class with me? Psst. Its free

 Crystalin is really making me want to buy this skirt. 

Natalie and I both got this decanter and love it!  What can I say, great minds think alike.

what i've been wearing

now that the weather has decided to act like fall. 

and I'm over at sadie + stella today sharing my favorite room. I adore my girl Lindsay, so make sure you head over and check it out... 
 

 favorite new jacket

cable knit, 1 and 2

fringe is always a good idea. 

instagram: acreativedayblog

blog inc.

I downloaded blog inc on Anna's recommendation and I'm loving it. An awesome read with lots of practical advice on everything from finding your voice as a blogger, being authentic and what to post. I'm taking notes the whole way through! Have any of you read it?

boots weather

emma watson photographed by Harry Crowder / via Anna's pinterest

It dropped 20 degrees last night and now it officially feels like fall. I'm thinking of making this for breakfast and I'm pretty excited to pull out my boots and scarves today because its back up to 80 degrees by the end of the week hah! I know its Monday but lets make a great week ok?

say hello

to my new barware. Me likey.



I ordered it here... and it finally came in. I've been loving them on my dining room table while my bar is being finished...more on that later :-)

dirty hair

I've never washed my hair every day. At best, I wash it 3 times a week. Dry Shampoo is my best friend, and this tip I saw at a cup of jo rocked my world. She suggested using dry shampoo before bed, not in the morning so the dry shampoo soaks into your hair all night. Totally genius. Try it tonight.

boy talk

 

via Liz's pinterest

 One of my favorite blogging series right now is Victoria's man behind the blog. If you haven't read it, you are totally missing out. Such a great idea for a series and I can't wait for the next one!  It turns out, Luke isn't alone in complaining in not being able to eat our food before I instagram it and 'why do I have to take 10000 pictures of you for your profile picture?' Maybe they can start a blogging men's club and talk about all of us. 


Luke's thoughts:
-  I get scared when Eileen says " honey, I saw my bloggy friend post about this (insert anything here) and I totally want to try it now." Exception: I am totally on board with trying any of the recipes that you find floating around the blogosphere.
-  Chevron pumpkin, really?
-  How many pictures do we have to take before I can eat this?  

So round of discussion, what does your significant other think of your blog?
Comment with your answers and I'll post a roundup next week!

Mountain Weekend

 instagram: acreativedayblog

 1. Kayaks packed up and ready to go

2. love road trips with the hubby, talking about life and the future

3. Campfire complete with smores

4. Where we camped. I know right? Gorgeous

5. Starbucks

6. Driving through the Alma Mater, go tigers!

After a weekend like that, waking up to a rainy Monday was a big let down. Anybody else feel me?