Monday, April 29, 2013

Music Monday

Ed Sheeran is another one of those CDs that is on repeat in my car (yes I still have a CD player).  Some of his stuff is a little out there, but he has such an amazing voice and he's a fantastic lyricist.  This video is so creative too!



Now, I'm off to learn.  If I can make it through this week, I think I'll be alright!  Happy Monday everyone!

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Last of Winter Part II

It seems like every fall, I'm dying to pull out my sweaters, and every spring I'm so ready to put them all away.  I am a big fan of all the seasons, particularly the transition ones.  Nature is pretty good at bringing change when we are in need of it.  Without further ado, here is (I hope) my last winter outfit :)



Sweater: My dad's / Necklace: Present / Leggings: Kohl's / Boots: Rocket Dog @ DSW

I think I might become addicted to these leggings.  They are thick enough that you can wear them without worrying about underthings showing, and I love the pattern!  But that also means they're thick enough to be hot in warm weather.  Oh, the conundrums of life!!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Last of Winter Part I

From the looks of this weekend and the forecast, winter has finally left us here in Nebraska.  But not before I could drag Adam outside for one more cold, cold photo shoot.  Even with a thick sweater and leggings, it was too cold to stay out for more than five minutes!  I'm so over the cold!


I made this sweater last year, and I just think it's so adorable!  (I think I have a thing for owls...)

Sweater: Handmade (Ravelry pattern) / Skirt: Modcloth / Leggings: Kohls / Boots: Vintage

If you can't tell in the last photo, I am trying not to shake from cold!  Warmer outfits coming soon :)

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Weekend Snippets

I really wish I was one of those people who could just sit down and crank out what I need to do without procrastinating in a hundred different ways.  Don't get me wrong, sometimes I can put my head to the grindstone and just pop out a ten page papers, but that's usually when it's due within the next 12-24 hours.  Getting work done early has never been my strong suit.  Example: two Christmases ago, I decided to make hats for my brothers and sister-in-laws.  Matt got a half-made hat still on the needles with the skein of yarn in the bag.  I finished it (eventually), but not the greatest present!  Although, I think he did try it on :)

So, in normal Sarah fashion, I am writing this instead of writing my paper.  Which I am going to write, immediately after this.  (Don't yell at me, mom!)


One of my friends got into grad school at Georgetown, so we had drinks to celebrate :)





Completely unrelated to drinks, but how dang cute are these owl salt and pepper shakers?!  They make me so happy :)


You can buy these guys and a kinda matching soap dispenser over at Modcloth!

Monday, April 22, 2013

Music Monday

Have you ever seen a music suggestion on iTunes or by a friend and never taken their advice?  Or seen an album cover a bunch, but just never checked the music out because you thought it was something completely different than it was?  That was me with The Civil Wars.  I mean, with a band name that includes "war," I definitely never thought it would be my cup of tea.  And dear lord, was I missing out!

Their sound is so beautiful, so capturing, I listened to this album on repeat for days!  They have a surprising back story, meeting randomly at a songwriting workshop.  They went on hiatus for a while (so disappointing!) but I think they will be coming back with a vengeance soon.  So check out the stuff they have out now, and stay tuned for more!


Thursday, April 18, 2013

List a Week No. 13 & 14

I could have made List 13 go on forever, but I decided not to put down absolutely everything.  This week was list the things you want to make.  I want to make everything!  I love crafting: I want to sew my own clothes, make everyone sweaters, make my own cookbook.  You name it, I want to do it.  Sadly I don't have the time to do everything I want to do, and I am not independently wealthy (one of my dream jobs listed on the next list), so I have to pick and choose.  Here is a short list of what I want to make, and maybe you will be seeing some of them pop up on the blog soon!!



I alway had really lofty ambitions as a child and as a young adult.  When I was eight, I turned my book collection into a library by putting everything in alphabetical order and adding little checkout cards at the beginning.  When I was ten, I used to go to my dad's office on the weekends to make fake report cards and classroom lists on their printer.  All of high school I loved photography, and I made my mom put me in a college photography class the summer before my senior year.  I even turned a room in my basement into a darkroom!  Now photography is just a passion, and I'm about to become a lawyer instead.  It's kind of weird how life turns out sometimes, huh?



What are you favorite crafts?  If you could wave a magic wand and have your dream job, what would it be?

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Weekend Snippets

I can't believe I only have two weeks of classes left!  It seems so weird, like I just started yesterday.  This weekend was full of life and studying: my brother and sister-in-law moved into a beautiful new house, so we moved them in Saturday.  Sunday, the weather was nice enough (finally) to grill out, so Adam and I enjoyed a nice relaxing Sunday evening at home.  I should have spent a little more time studying, but it's too late to complain about that now!





Nothing like a shock top and grilled veggies to bring in spring/summer!




My handsome grill-master!




(I'm still playing with my new lens, so indulge me!)



Tattoo peak-a-boo!!


Tuesday, April 16, 2013

List a Week No. 11 & 12

Good news!  Moorea Seal just posted Week 15 of her 52 Lists today, and today I just finished up Lists 11-14!  As of next week, I will be caught up and you will only have to read one list a week!  I'm sure you're all as excited as I am.  I decided I will just post two of the lists together, so here are List 11 and List 12:

List 11 asked for a list of your essentials.  Not the toiletry items you require or what you have in your purse, but what you need in your life in order to feel like yourself.  I can get off-kilter quite easily in life if I don't have my essentials.  One of the most important things for me is to have balance and to make sure I have enough down time from the hectic rush of life.  




List 12 kind of relates to List 11: make a list of things that make you feel at home.  I grew up in two houses.  The house that my mom lives in now was our home.  My parents put a lot of work into it to make it theirs, and we have so many wonderful memories there.  I always remember coming home from road trips, and coming up on the last few blocks before home.  I think that is one of the most comforting feelings, almost being home.

Now that I've grown up and am building a home with my fiancé, my list of what feels like home is expanding and changing.  But home will always be where my family is.



So tell me, what are your essentials?  What makes you feel at home?

Monday, April 15, 2013

Music Monday

I really love when a movie has a good soundtrack.  One of my favorites is the Hunger Games soundtrack.  None of the music on the soundtrack was in the movie, but I read that they picked songs that embodied the district that Katniss (the main character, for those of you who are unaware) was from.  The songs are very earthy and folksy.  If you haven't checked it out, I would definitely recommend it.

One of the bands I discovered on there is The Low Anthem.  They're music is very diverse, ranging from soft melodies to a bit more rock.  But they are quite fantastic to relax to.  Enjoy!



Sunday, April 14, 2013

Almost Spring!

Adam and I decided to go for a walk last night.  Okay, so I decided to go for a walk and dragged Adam along.  It had been a relatively nice day, and the sun was just started to go down, so I thought we were safe, but no!  It was so dang windy!  We got down to the path, took a couple pictures and immediately turned around to get back to the warmth of our home!





Top: Luvbird / Sweater: Lauren Conrad @ Kohls / Jeans: Gap / Shoes: Born

I can't wait until spring is here to stay, instead of just teasing us with good days.  Until then, I will be consoled with the flowers on my table and warm thoughts!



Friday, April 12, 2013

List A Week No. 10

One more today, and some beautiful flowers. 



With law school coming to a close, and the desire to keep my house somewhat in order in all this chaos, it was nice to make a list of all the ways I can cleanse for spring.  I don't know about you, but for me, cleansing is about both my home and my mind.  In order to make it through finals, it is important to keep a clear head and a peaceful mind.  Of course, having a clean home and surrounding doesn't hurt!


Since spring has refused to make a final appearance, I bought us some flowers.  And I thought they were the perfect subject to test out my new lens!  





Isn't bokeh beautiful?  I have always used the lens that came with my camera, and in laymen's terms, it never made such pretty backgrounds for my photos!  I love the blurriness :)


You can see the rest of my lists here.

List a Week No. 9

I'm so close to being caught up!  I promise, about five more lists and you will only be seeing these once a week!  In the meantime, here's List Nine from Moorea Seal's 52 Lists, a list of places I want to go.  this is by far not an exhaustive list, because if it were up to me, I would go everywhere in the world.  

You know how people always ask you what your super power would be if you had one?  Well I always choose being able to speak in every language and understand everyone.  I am fascinated with foreign languages and idioms, and love immersing myself in the culture of other places.  I think it's one of the greatest things our diverse world has to offer us.



I got a new lens this week, and I am in love!  It's the Canon 50mm f 1/4, so it's not very good at self portraits, but I tried!  I can't wait to show you more.  


Have a wonderful day!  You can see the rest of my lists here!

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

List a Week No. 8

Week eight of Moorea Seal's 52 Lists was definitely easier than the last ones, but man, did my wrist hurt after!  I have a very eclectic music collection, but I (obviously) think I have very good taste!  Going through my iTunes and Spotify accounts reminded me of a bunch of stuff I haven't listened to lately. Do I see a weekend cleaning/jam session in my future?!

What do you think?  Are there any important albums I'm missing?


You can see the rest of my lists here!

List a Week No. 7

Week Seven of Moorea Seal's 52 Lists is List Things that Make You Feel Healthy, Mind, Body & Soul.  This list touched close to my heart, because I try my best to feel healthy in all these manners.  My New Year's Resolution this year was to work out more days than I don't, and so far I've been doing well.  I know that it's different for everyone, but working out and being active makes me feel great.  Maybe it's the endorphins, maybe it's working towards a better me, but I really love it.  Don't get me wrong, I usually hate it while I'm doing it!  But afterwards, I always get that great post-workout rush.

Feeling healthy is one of the most important things to me.  It is a big motivator.  Do what you can to feel good about yourself, and it will be reflected in the world around you.  It sounds cliche, but it's true. Your friends and family will notice. 

Here are some of the many things I do to stay happy, healthy and alert.  


What makes you feel healthy, mind, body and spirit?

Monday, April 8, 2013

Music Monday

Happy Monday!  You know, when April started a week ago, I had illusions of grandeur about how much I was going to get done this month, and I was finally going to be really prepared for all my finals and I was not going to be stressed!  That, of course, is not my style.  I am a massive procrastinator, and one week in I am already stressing about how little I've done and how much I still have to do!  Oh, jeez.  At least this is (hopefully) the last time I will be putting myself through this school stress.  In one month, I will be graduating from law school!

For today's Music Monday, I bring you the greatness that is Ben Gibbard.  I'm sure you've heard some of his stuff with Death Cab for Cutie, but he also had a lesser known band called The Postal Service.  Both are wonderful in their own rite, so I decided to provide you with both today.




Grapevine Fires was written about the terrible fires that so much of California experienced a few years back.  I think the song is so beautiful with the message that it portrays as well as the tune it carries.  There is beauty in everything, if only we look for it.

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Rainy Day Outfit


Do you ever have those projects that you are so close to being done with, but then you put it on the shelf for months?  Like, a good book or a sewing project?  Well, this sweater is mine.  I am (usually) an avid knitter, and I love to make sweaters.  I made this particular sweater a few years ago, but I made it a size too small, and never wore it.  

Last summer I decided to tear it apart and remake it in the right size.  This was the first big thing I tore apart, and that in and of itself was a very time-consuming task.  For lack of a better word, it sucked.  But I loved tbe yarn, which had been discontinued, so I was bound and determined to redo it.  Then, after I had finished it and sewn in what I thought were all the ends, I put it on to wear to school and discovered two un-threaded strands.  So I put it on the shelf to finish when I had time, and there it sat...for six months.  So sad!

Now that the weather is getting nicer, and this sweater will be unwearable for six more months, I decided to take it down and finish it.  Guess how long it took me?  Three minutes.  Five, if you count finding my tapering needle and bringing it downstairs.  Adam just laughed at me.  Then I made him take my picture!

 


 


 

Hope you guys had a wonderful weekend!