pin it.

*all via Pinterest

Seriously, if you haven't heard of or gotten yourself an invite to Pinterest, you need to NOW. I've been 'pinning' for a little while now and JUST.CAN'T.STOP. What is this you might ask? Well, odds are if you like browsing the blog world for pretty images that inspire you, or make your mouth water and what not, then pinning is for you. I've gotten all of my sisters and some friends on board, and all are now addicts. As a designer, I've found it to be an ENDLESS LIBRARY of all things inspiration... and then find myself inspired in a hundred other ways as well. There's so much DIY'ing up in that place, it'd blow your mind. And the RECIPES... don't even get me started. Heavenly resource is what this is. Guaranteed ANY of you can find PLENTY of things you would LOVE to pin.

If you're already on the scene, you can follow my page at pinterest.com/aricamalace
Want in? Leave your email and I'll send you an invite.
You'll thank me for it.

PS. Is that little girl not the cutest human being you've ever seen?

creative collaborative.

This post is for YOU, my fellow.. Utah designers (graphic, interior, fashion), artists (film, technical, traditional, etc), bloggers (lifestyle, design, artistic), photographers, & so on! Basically any of you creative minds...

After a lot of arranging, Melanie of Fifth & Hazel has created a community called Creative Collaborative. A community geared toward collaborating and feeding off of each other's creative juices. Helping each other rather than competing with one another. 2 heads are better than 1, right? Because lets face it, we could all use some input and good ideas! The first meeting is TOMORROW, May 5th at 7pm. We will be hearing from Kirsten Krason, Dave Broberg, and Diana Palmer.

Melanie:
"I think we have so many talented artists in the Utah community, and I feel so importantly that we need to have a stronger artist community."

So come! Andrew and I will be there, and we'd love to see you!

website: http://collaborativecreative.com/

twitter: @createcollab

Can't wait!

Reach & Unite.

My very talented and very inspiring cousin Melanie Burk, of 5th and Hazel is involved in a very cool non profit fundraiser. Reach and Unite is in support of International Women's Day on Saturday March 12th. This service project involves assembling female hygiene kits for the many girls in Africa who drop out of school or suffer urinary tract infections due to lack of hygiene supplies and proper education. The event will include a lecture, lunch, African dancers, music, and art show.

If you would like to attend and live in Utah, simply go to UVU's Activity Center in the Pe Building March 12th. The event will go from 10am to 4pm. You can visit the site here for more information.

Here's to helping those wonderful women who need it!

Bakers Twine.

I've got it wrapped around my right thumb.. To remind me not to text while driving. AAAH! I've been drive-text sober for 4 days now. It sucks. I'm having withdrawals. But I'm doing it. Andrew thinks I have a death wish, so I'm doing it for him. Ironically enough this photo is from the drivers seat, but I was parked, so there.


You should do it too, so I don't feel like the only bored commuter.
And yes, I'm aware that my thumb looks like it was smashed, or chopped off at the top. Gotta love my nubbs! No seriously, I love them... thanks, dad!

PS. The polish is Prince Charming, by Orly.

Pillow Talk.

Seriously, this is in my top 3 favorite movies of all time. I don't know why, but growing up Doris Day has always been one of favorite people. She's definitely a role model of mine. Her movies are classics in my family's home. I have my parents to thank for my love of her. Anyway, this movie now does even more for me because she plays an interior designer and so now I feel like we're soul sisters.

Getting to the point.

I actually wanted to really TALK about PILLOWS.
I've been sleeping SO CRAPPILY (yes) lately, and I think I have my pillow to blame. I get the cheap-o's from Target and they're usually really awesome.... for about 2 months, and then they go down hill. AND FAST. So here's the deal. I'm willing to invest, so long as the thing doesn't flatten out on me (insert note: I HATE DOWN PILLOWS). And here's the predicament. Maybe I should talk to a professional, because I'm an 'in-between' sleeper. I don't sleep on my side, stomach, or back. I sleep on my stomach with a slight twist upward, or practically on my back with a slight lean to the side. Really complicated, I know. So I don't know what pillow is for me! AHHH. Help.

PS. If you haven't seen Pillow Talk, do it. NOW.

Loose Leaf

We currently aren't in need of a doorstop, however, if and when we do.. this one is a definite contender!

{via AT}

Eucalyptus..

..in the bathroom.

Seriously, this is genius. I don't know why I haven't thought of this, or why I didn't learn this while taking my aromatherapy course!
Take some fresh sprigs of eucalyptus and tie them from your shower head. While the shower steams the room, the eucalyptus will do wondrous things for your well being!

What a neat concept to add a spa like feel and smell to your very own shower.. especially while we begin to endure the winter!



{via AT}

If you do it, tell me how you feel about it!

PS. You would buy eucalyptus from a florist (for fellow Provinians, The Flower Patch would be your best bet, although I wouldn't be surprised to find some at Lowes or the Home Depot or any garden center for that matter). I learned that much while doing floral arrangements with Missy McGrath. They're a very inexpensive succulent, so it makes for a win-win. (:

Post-Challenge

{photo via Flickr}

Well folks.. we made it. We cheated once or twice for school/work and a date for some gelato that was 'going out of business' the next day.. but other than that.. we definitely lived off of food storage. Andrew was joking around and said we probably got a C (I thought more along the lines of a B) but with a standard "BYU curve" in place, that would have bumped us to at least a B+ or A- hahaha. But yes, it was nice to filter through our food I guess, but man oh man am I excited to buy goods and fresh produce... IN SOME SERIOUS BULK. Yes, I think we learned a thing or two.. like what should we really stock up on, and what will we miss when it's gone, and how the poo would we eat if the electricity was out? (yeah.. we're going to have to get some propane burners or something)... so thank you Bishop for the challenge, even if you WERE/ARE on a 2 week cruise in the Bahamas!! (TRUE STORY).. that sly man. So there you have it. So as a word to the wise... basically it's always a good idea to stock up when places like Bath and Body Works do the crazy soap sales (by 10 for a nickle).. and stuff like that. Haha.. because you never know when you might run out and when disaster might STRIKE!

HELLO COSTCO & SMITHS!
I can't wait to greet you tomorrow. I'm going to dress up because it's been so long since we've seen each other.. (:

Pay-LESS

Hey guys, so I thought I'd let you in on a lil' treat.
Oprah, the generous woman that she is, has given EVERYONE the chance to purchase as much as they would like from Payless, with 50% off! Guys, that's huge, especially because Payless is ALREADY having a Breast Cancer awareness sale, so shoes are already cheap! Oh, heavens.. I took advantage yesterday.. and got 4 pairs of shoes (2 for me, 2 for my man, both cuties shown above were part of my purchase), (: 2 pairs of socks.. all for $45! BOOM BABY! You can score too. Just go here and print the coupon, OR just text Oprahshow to 242424 and the coupon will be sent to your phone. Now go get your shop on, because today's the last day, and they have some CUTE SHOES RIGHT NOW (that's the important part)! (:

Have fun, and I wanna know about what you roll out with! (:

Google Give!!

Attention, EVERYONE!
Remember that one time I told you about Andrew's idea he submitted to the Google project 10 to the 100? Google Give?? Well, turns out he got an email from Google saying part of his idea was used and is in the top 16 ideas to vote for!! THIS IS HUGE, FRIENDS! Please, please stop by HERE to vote..

Andrew's input is included under the idea titled:

Create real-time natural crisis tracking system

Please, go and vote!
Not only would this mean the world to my husband and I, it would help the WORLD!!

We love you.. and appreciate your support.
Thanks, and wish him luck! (:

Again, here's the link to vote.

'Clayboy put me on the Toitie'

If you ask me, we ALL deserve to have a throne like this. No, I'm not talking about the whole bathroom (because frankly this isn't my style), I'm simply referring to the literal toilet. Oh what a stylish choice! Guys, I KNOW you might be thinking.. 'What? No. It doesn't even mimic or try to shape to the contours of my behind! That would be awful.. what a terrible idea Arica.' But you are WRONG.. you know why? Because let's face it, toilets don't NEED to be all 'oh let me make you as comfortable as I can for the few moments you hover over my existence' ..no. Instead, let's have something that's stylish, and hides discreetly when you don't want it around.
...just think about it.
I'm sold. (:

{via LivingEtc}

Hey, Baby Makers..

I've got quite a few friends cooking up some kiddos right now, and a couple of you have asked me to keep my eye out. Now, I'm not pregnant, but if I were.. I would head to Old Navy right now because they've got some goods for the fall if you ask me!

Copco Bag Caps

There are wise people that have solved the.. "hey, why do they even package powdered & brown sugar in bags anyway?" question.

Tah Dah! The answer is.. "who cares, their weirdies.. but we've created a solution!"


It wouldn't make much sense to use these on a bag of chips or something that will go quickly, but for these purposes.. genius.

{via The Kitchn}

Somebody's Watching Me

It's the money I AM saving with Geico!
YOOHOO!

Like $300 worth of savings! (:
So much goodness right now.

PS. Thanks Ash, for building my love of the Rockwell song (ft. Michael Jackson) loooong ago.
Yep. MJ, sings those very words in case you didn't know.

And yes, it's so easy.. A CAVEMAN COULD DO IT.

Goal

Andrew and I have set a new goal. Goodness knows if we can make it happen, but we'll try. Last night was a success, if you count tossing around in bed for 5 years because I wasn't even tired yet. Let me clue you in..
We want to be in bed by 8 (insane), and each have reading time (old school), and lights out by 9:30 (good luck crazies). Yes, exactness is not important, nor crucial to the plan, just to sort of gives us.. guidelines.
Are we MAD our of our MINDS with school starting.. TODAY!!?! Quite possibly, BUT this could in fact offer us a good structure and make it an easier semester (you know.. early to bed, early to rise, all that jazz?) So we shall see!
Like I said, we tried it last night.. and all was well.. except my body is NOT programed to go down at 9:30. So hello, 11:00. I know you, now it's time to fall asleep.
Better luck tonight! haha.

PS. Our mattress is going to be the death of me. Someday we'll afford to upgrade.. someday..

{photo via Flickr}

You Can't Stop It..

No but honestly, it's like I have this fire under my butt (pardon me), and I just can't stop now that I'm rolling with it. I'm all kinds of domestic these days, it's crazy. My body is aching but I'm sure it's grateful for the good use. What's next on the list you say? Well, first of all I spent all day yesterday painting our coffee table (it turned out fabulous), and today.. well I'm leaving today/tomorrow up to you. Yep, I need your help. I can't decide. My friend Erin put this up for vote, and I want to too. Our bedroom layout. It's almost 2 years old, the way it's been. And I don't know, I feel like it's blocking my Chi or something since it's been so stagnant. I need new movement in here or a way to wake up different. Anyway, so here I have posted my sketch (you get the idea) of our current room. And listed are the re-arranged options. I want you to pick. 1,2, or 3. Now here's the disclaimer. I didn't sketch to scale.. so we've had to rig our way threw the sketches to make it work.. and so it is possible that some of the layouts wont work (although I doubt it, my eye can gauge things pretty well.. I just can't transfer that ability to paper that well)

So give it a go. Tell me what you think. I can't guarantee that the winning layout will be chosen, because I might shift the bed in every which way to for sure know how I like it best.. haha.. but it's worth your input.
PS. Maybe Mindy will let me do an accent wall, and that might change things even more (Mindy.. hint hint! haha)

Alright so without further adieu.. I give you our Bedroom...

Good luck to you and your choice.. if you win, you can come help me take the suitcases/skateboards/Cristmas decor out from under the bed! Horray! Haha.

Cheerio!

Fruity Notes

I use Post-Its on a DAILY basis.
I'm a list maker, it's what I do.. I feel anxious if I don't have things written out (of course, this has mostly been tossed out the window while being on this semi-vacation).
Anyway, I need some of these! They make me so happy and they're MUCH more appealing than a sticky stack of small papers. (:
Although, I'm not really sure how much can be written for a day full of activities. I guess I'll have to try 'em out! ..I'll let you know how that goes as soon as I get around to learning how to order things online in Japanese. Haha.

{via Apartment Therapy}

Graduation

The rumor on Etsy is that these little pendant-ized (yes I rigged that word so it worked out for me) compasses will make charming graduation gifts (my sister Abby is graduating). I'm not sure why they're being told to be a good gift, maybe because they'll help the said grad to find their 'direction' in life. (I could definitely see some school using that sort of analogy).. Regardless of the reason why they were under the 'grad gift' section.. I find them adorable. And would even love one myself. (:

{via Etsy}

Genius!

A chair.. with a drawer! Makes perfect sense! Works perfectly at both a desk, and around a dining table. you can put all the individual place mats and whatnots in it, and paper & supplies when in a office..
..Genius.. pure wisdom being executed right there.

{via Apartment Therapy}

Compost Pail

As you may know, I look forward to growing luscious gardens someday (when I have a yard to garden in of course).. and plan on doing some container gardening when we get back from this lengthy stay. And when I do, I plan on doing my part and making my own compost for the lovely plants. Especially since we use SO much produce, I feel as if all the scraps are going to waste! Anyway, this bamboo composting pail would be very helpful in achieving such results.

I can't wait!
{article at Apartment Therapy}