inspire me // hearts

valentines day is just around the corner,

so i'm sharing some pretty lovey-dovey hearts

that are inspiring me today!

heart gift wrap // wood heart necklace // corner bookmarks

arrow heart tee // washi tape // heart + keys stamp

washi + doilies = love!

{picked up these rolls at Target last week!}

I'm definitely in love with the washi tape trend,

& I've seen some really adorable packaging & wrapping ideas lately.

love this eclectic mix of tapes + text! {found here}

glassine bags + doilies + washi {found here}

my friend Elizabeth @ Sew Chatty used washi to dress up this baby gift - adorable!

Do you love washi? What is your favorite way to use it?

Happy Monday!

{don't worry}

pinned here

such a great reminder...worrying won't get you anywhere!

get organized {a guest post from gussy.}

Hello, everyone!
While I'm off enjoying newly-married life, I've asked a few of my blog friends to share with you.
I hope you enjoy their posts, and please be sure to leave some comment love! :)


*****

For weeks now {probably even months},

I've been writing little notes here & there with ideas, projects, tips, goals and dreams for me and the biz. More recently I decided it's time to stop creating lists and to-do's that scatter a half dozen journals and sticky notes >> I need them to be in one place. My first idea was to search Etsy for a shop that could make me a cute 3-ring binder to serve as my Gussy Folder -- I need to be able to re-arrange the pages so a bound book just wouldn't work. Sadly, I couldn't find what I was looking for, but hooray! I decided to make my Gussy Folder myself. I found this cute binder at Target (can also be bought online at www.russellandhazel.com {super cute biz name, by the way}) along with hole-punched pages & divider folders. Yippeeeee :] Three categories I'm constantly using: * goals * blog ideas * to-do These three are the top most important categories for my folder. Having goals is SO, SO important -- it's the only way I was able to quit my day job back in May. Plus, goals are really great ways to grow my business and add motivation to my day. Another category that keeps my blog running {the second biz I have} is a blog ideas list. Usually in the morning is when I come up with the best post/blog ideas, and writing them down is a super easy way for me to come up with a topic/remember ideas. The last category in my Gussy Folder is a to-do list. Having this list in a 3-ring binder lets me add pages to my to-do list without messing up the order of everything else in my book. Each divider page also has a pocket -- Lined paper inserts, perfect :] My Gussy Folder was super fun to make and it cost me less than $20 to create [binder was $7.69, paper was $4.84 and divider folders were $5.17]. On each divider page, I wrote the name of the category on a small piece of fabric {pulled from my scrap bin}. I then used the zig-zag stitch to sew the smaller piece to a bigger piece of fabric. I finished by sewing the fabric directly onto the paper using a top stitch. These folders are card stock-weight so it will hold the stitch well ♥.
One thing that will be super great about this Gussy Folder is I can look back at the goals/topics/to-do's I accomplished and be proud of myself. When I'm having a downer day I like to take a minute and focus on the praises in my life. Then I pray for some help *wink* Materials used -- * 3-ring binder * divider pages * lined paper {graph would be cute, too} * thread * fabric * fabric marker * embellishments to decorate the front of your binder {stickers, photos, marker, fabric, glitter glue, etc.}
 

Share with us -- do you have a special book to help you organize your business? If so, did you buy it or make it?

inspiring balloons {a guest post from mandie.}

Hello, everyone!
While I'm off enjoying newly-married life, I've asked a few of my blog friends to share with you.
I hope you enjoy their posts, and please be sure to leave some comment love! :)


*****


Hi! I'm Mandie from moxiemandie (blog - shop) and I wanted to share a little something while Jacky is busy getting married and honeymooning with her guy. I moved to Albuquerque, NM over 5 years ago to live with my handsome husband, and in doing so, was introduced to a very cool part of the culture here- hot air balloons. Now, I realize that more than likely, you know what a hot air balloon is regardless of where you live, but here in Albuquerque, ballooning is big because every year in October, our city hosts the International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, and it's a sort of magical 9 days.

There are more car accidents during the week of balloon fiesta due to people paying more attention to the pretty baubles bobbing in the air than the roads they're driving on.

Source: etsy.com via Mandie on Pinterest

The balloon fiesta probably hosts more photographers, professional AND amateur, than any other event, and has been called the most photographed event in the world. To say that I have a blast with my iPhone (using my fave photo apps, instagram and hipstamatic) is an understatement.

Source: etsy.com via Mandie on Pinterest

So, that's the little something I wanted to share about our city. It's so fun to be a (teensy) part of something that can be so dreamy & inspiring. Thanks for having me Jacky. I hope that you and your mister are having a blast adjusting to married life! Best of wishes to you my friend.

{think about such things}

found here

{diy ideas} washi tape!

I've seen washi tape popping up all over the place lately!

I'm probably the last to know {that's usually me when it comes to trends...},

but I think there are so many cute patterns & designs

And it's so versatile!

So, I just wanted to share some fun projects

I've found that you can do with washi tape.

Like...

these sweet little washi flowers

makeover a plain notebook

cute clothespin magnets

more washi magnets

easy can makeover

and a favorite of mine, washi bunting.

I'm pretty certain that I need to get some of this tape SOON so I can start creating!

I've seen cute washi tape here & here...

If you have a washi tape source, do share!

Happy Monday, everyone!

take one...

{source}

Make someone smile today.

Pass along a compliment...after all, they're free. ;)

{inspiration workshop} perfect bathroom

Joining Gussy today for the Inspiration Workshop...

Today Gussy's prompt is about the perfect bathroom.

Currently, my bathroom is very small, with...interesting...pink tile.

BUT, since I'll be moving out of my parent's house when I get married in October,

I've been thinking a lot about what our home will look/feel like, including the bathroom.

This is the concept I'm going for...

{source}

A bold, graphic shower curtain {the Sweetheart & I added this one to our registry}

paired with a pop of color on the walls {probably a pretty shade of yellow!}.

I love it!

What would your perfect bathroom look like?

You can see more of my home inspiration right here.

this.

found here

The time to read,

to smell the flowers,

to paint your dreams,

to have coffee with a friend,

to learn a new craft,

to write a letter,

to bake a surprise cake,

to go somewhere special,

to REALLY be with the person you love,

or even to do nothing for awhile...

What will you find the time for today?

handmade {inspiration}



source

I love the potential of handmade.

I walk through the aisles of my local craft store,

exploring, dreaming, inventing, enjoying the possibilities.

I pick up fabric, yarn, buttons, and spools of thread as I go,

excited to get home and start creating.

{I hate that all my fabric needs to be washed

before I use it...I'm not patient enough!}

I love the feeling of completion when I finish a project.

I love giving away my creations, and seeing how they are enjoyed.

I love being complemented and telling people, "Oh, thanks, I made it!"

I just love handmade.

*****

How about you?

{pinned.}

found here via pinterest

Hello, and happy Monday!
I hope your weekend was lovely...

Have you gotten into Pinterest yet?
I'll admit, I was a little skeptical,  but I got an invitation...
and it's easy to get addicted to it!
I love gorgeous inspiration photos,
so I think I might just love it. :)

You can follow my boards & pins here.

march first

The first day of March....

via

via

via

Are you ready for Spring?

Here in Florida, we don't have regular seasons,

but these pictures are so sweet & dreamy.

Have a lovely day...

a veil and a confession {wedding inspiration}

I have a confession to make...

I don't think I'm a very traditional bride.

I think it's ridiculous, the things that are expected at a wedding.

Things that aren't necessary and are, often, quite expensive.

I have a small budget to work with.

I want to enjoy my wedding day, not go into debt over it.

I want to make it special, and lovely, but not because it's something that everyone always does.

I'm just hoping I can pull it off. :)

*****

As to veils,

I really love the vintage-y birdcage veils.

I think they're just lovely, and more my style than the traditional veils.

I tried on this blusher at David's Bridal,

and I loved it a lot.

The price? Not so much...

So I started searching for DIY options,

and I'm definitely going to try it!

I especially like this tutorial:

What do you think?

I'd rather spend the money on the supplies, than $70 for something so simple...

I love being able to create things on my own. :)

*****

Have a lovely Monday!

from the archives :: {easy as pie}

You may have had your fill of pies this Thanksgiving, but I thought I'd share this with you anyway. Enjoy!

*****

Apple Pie, that is!

Today I thought I'd share my "famous" apple pie recipe with y'all. It may only be famous with the people at my church, but I think it's still pretty good. And it's easy. Which makes it all the better!

When I first started baking pies, I jumped around to several different recipes. They were all pretty simple...but I kept losing the one I had used before and having to find a new one. Pretty pathetic, huh? This recipe (that I've actually hung on to) is kind of a revised version of one I found in the 12th edition Fannie Farmer cookbook. If you cared to know.

Moving on now...

The main thing I do when I make pies is cheat:

Yep, I use the pre-made stuff. And I haven't ever noticed a difference, so it must be pretty good. I've also started pre-baking the bottom crust, because I found that otherwise, it could be pretty raw underneath all the apple goodness. So, to start off, preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Roll out the pie crust in your pie pan (8 or 9 inches), and pop it in the oven for about 10 minutes. Be sure to check on it fairly frequently to prevent burning. When it's lightly browned, take it out and leave it to cool while you move on to the filling.

Even though you pricked holes in the crust, they still might get a little bubbly. Don't worry, it's pretty easy to push the air out with a fork/spoon. Just be careful not to tear a hole in the crust! It doesn't have to be too pretty, cause it will be hidden by the filling.

Next, take 7 or 8 large, tart apples and peel, core and slice them. You can use and apple peeler/corer gadget, or just a good old fashioned knife. Whatever you have handy.

Now for the sugar and spice mixture. You'll need:

• 3/4 - 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. flour

Use a seperate, smallish bowl and mix all of that together.

Then pour that mixture over the apples, mixing as you go. You may not need all of the sugar/spice mixture, depending on how you like it.

Now pour the apple mixture into the pre-baked pie crust. If you like, you can also soften 2 Tbsp. of butter to dot all over it (before you put the top crust on).

How you do the top crust is perfectly up to you. You can just unroll it, place it over the apples, pinch the edges, cut some holes (decorative, perhaps?), and bake it that way. For apple pies, I usually do a woven top.

If you prefer a woven top, unroll the crust onto a large plate and cut it into similarly sized strips. Then lay over the top of the pie in different directions to give it that woven look.

Trim the edges and pinch it together.

Now all you have to do is bake! Bake it at 425 degrees for 10 minutes, then lower the temperature to 350 degrees and continue baking for 30-40 minutes. Be sure to keep an eye on it; it's done when the apples are tender and the crust lightly browned. The edges of the crust sometimes tend to burn, so be careful!

You know the only thing I forgot? To take a picture of the finished pie. Whoops!

But it's as easy as that. If you have any questions, let me know!

Now it's your turn; do you have any easy recipes you love to make? It doesn't have to be a dessert. Tell me about it, I'd love to hear it!

*****

originally posted September 2009

{community}

Lately, the word community has been on my mind.

It's the thing that I appreciate the most about blogging, I think.

When I started blogging {2 years ago this November!}, I didn't have any readers.

And I really didn't expect any! Somehow along the way, I gained readers, and it's a great feeling.

I'd like to say that I don't blog for comments {because I don't really},

 but each comment left was such an encouragement.

Each person who left kind words pushed me to keep going, even when I didn't feel like it.

Community.

No, I don't know any of you in real life.

And I may never get the chance to meet you {although I'd love to!}.

But I appreciate each and every one of you so much.

What do you appreciate the most in your blogging experience?

How can I encourage you in your endeavors?

{photo source}

{encourage one another}

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up..." {1 Thessalonians 5:11}

Today is a National Day of Encouragement.

Encouragement is important. Sometimes you may never guess just how important it is in someone's life. But I know from experience that a kind word, a card sent, or a gift just to say "I'm thinking of you." can make a big difference.

At our church, we have a Secret Sister program. Names are given to all the participants, and for one year, you encourage that person secretly, mostly with small gifts and cards.

I won't lie...the woman I have this year is someone that I don't really get along with. God must have given me her name specifically because He wants me to love her as He does. My goal is to encourage her, and it's hard to do that without love. God is working on my heart.

This week, I sent her a card in the mail {anonymously, of course}. I had the privilege of receiving a Hope & Encouragement card pack from DaySpring, and the cards are all beautiful. My hope is that she opened the card just when she needed it, and that it made her feel God's love even more. To me, that's what encouragement is all about.

Who will you encourage today?

To encourage others and be encouraged yourself, check out (in)courage.

{september, already?}

Yesterday was the first day of September!

{as I'm sure you all knew}

Wow.

Sometimes it seems like life moves so fast...

Anyway, thinking about the fact that it's September made me realize that my favorite season ever, Fall, is right around the corner. Yay!

Living in Florida, Fall really doesn't look like this...

{source}

But I still love it. I'd love to visit somewhere that the leaves change.

And it will {hopefully} be getting cooler!

Florida is a hot place.

I look forward to the first cold snap every year.

Mainly because I love wearing things like this...

{source}

And as soon as it does get cooler, I'm taking myself to Starbucks for one of these...

{source}

Yum!

What are you looking forward to this Fall?

*****

be sure to enter for your chance to win a lovely journal from Journal Junky!

{the gift}

thank you to all of you who commented over the past week or so!

i read every. single. comment, and they mean SO much to me.

i'm working on visiting YOUR blogs this week...

*****

I find that men {generally} are hard to shop for.

Mine is, at least. :)

I always seem to find something, but it's tough sometimes.

Usually a new tee/polo is a good choice.

When I found this browsing Etsy several months ago, I knew I wanted to get it for the sweetheart's birthday.

{I ordered the 8x10 print in Grass Green instead of Lime}

He really loves his chihuahuas. :)

And I threw in some shirts for good measure.

What is your go-to gift for the men in your life?

{what's in a name?}

{source}

Have you ever wondered, what's in a name?

Before I started this blog, I spent a looong time thinking about it.

I needed a name.

Something fun and kinda cute, but not like a little kid.

Something the could reflect my personality without actually being my name.

The Sweetheart's mom had once christened me "his petunia" {after watching a Veggie Tales introducing Sweet Petunia!}, and it's kind of stuck. The Sweetheart doesn't necessarily call me that on a regular basis, but it is a part of my 'identity'. I don't mind. At least his mom thinks I'm sweet! :)

Anyway, as I wracked my brain for the perfect name for my new blog, it came to me.

The Sweetest Petunia

It seemed to just fit.

And one of my goals now is capturing sweetness in everyday life.

I like it. I hope everyone else does, too!

Tell me,

What is the name of your blog?

Why, and what does it mean to you?

How does it inspire you?

I'd love to hear about it!

*****

Be sure to stop by and enter the CSN giveaway, if you haven't already.

I'll be {randomly} choosing a winner tomorrow morning!