wedding | diy scratch off save the dates

save the date collage

y’all
the time is drawing dangerously near
for the next few weeks
i will be posting some crafts,
specifically diy things that
i worked on for the last 6 months
believe me when i tell you that:
it’s easy
it’s affordable
and most importantly
it’s personal

for the photograph used –
a tripod
camera – we used my dslr, but honestly, a p/s would work fine

how-to:
we chose a sunny day to snap the shot,
it may have taken us 30 minutes
the cellphones were blank, although we
did snap pictures of each other on them

choose a background that is neutral,
in our case, we opted for the brick wall of the condo building next door
and we’re standing on the fire escape
between the two buildings
the sun is at around 2:30pm so it’s not too harsh and not behind us
i stood dw in front of the camera
and had him raise his arm with cell in hand
i focused on the cell
set the timer
ran to stand next to him
10 seconds later, snap
repeat about 10x, or until bored

editting:
dw used photoshop to add the pic
of each of us onto the cellphone screen
i decided to go black/white with the photo we used
i used a random postcard making company,
i won’t tell you who, cus i ended up
cussing them out for bad service
you can google it or use a vendor you trust

diy save the date collage

scratch off supplies/how-to:
adapted from soda pop design who got it from martha stewart

packing or clear tape
paint, color of choice
paint brush
dish soap
black felt pen, i used faber-castell PITT artist pen in BLACK, size XS

on the back of the postcard, write up what you want
in my case, i decided to get fancy & do it up in calligraphy
i searched on youtube for tutorials
and then proceeded to doodle all the long day
to practice
stick the tape over the doodles,
make it as smooth as possible,
cus you’re painting over it

to paint, mix the dish soap + paint
(1:2 ratio, dish soap:paint)
paint over the tape,
a few coats will do
make sure the writing is not visible
allow to dry between coats

for postcards it’s difficult
to convey to the receiver that it’s a scratch off
but it was fun to hear from people who
couldn’t figure it out
and those who knew instantly what to do
in a card, a penny or coin can be included
in the envelope and most will know what is up

either way, it was a fun crafty project

august | remember

rochester in august

there’s a line in
500 days of summer
that has stayed with me:
(ok, fine there are plenty of
lines from that movie that i still recall)
i just woke up one day and i knew.
(that was out of context, but
bear with me)
all i know is,
finally,
where i am right now,
right this second,
i’m fine with it
things that used to bug me,
things that i used to hide,

Pickled Mustard Seeds

things like …

being anti-social:
i used to say i’m just shy
(i think that’s only part of it)
but what it boils down to is:
i don’t like people
it gets messy,
complicated
having an online identity is
not really like in Real Life identity
how i behave and talk is similar
but the similarity ends when i get
annoyed/tired/disenchanted/whatever adjective
at someone, i can easily turn off
my computer,
cite bad internet connection
use emoticons to ease a sting
whereas in person
my eyes usually glaze over,
my internal turmoil is written all over my face
and i have been known to get up,
mid-sentence, and leave,
awkwardness be damned
i’m ok that i’m odd like that,
for being introverted
big up to INTJ ISTJ peeps!

veggie bibimbap

resting bitch face:
i have a natural resting bitch face
i don’t say that to make excuses,
or even to boast
i used to get reprimanded for looking mean
which would then turn my face
to astonishment
and predictably to Real Bitch Face
(no one wants that)
i’m ok that that is how my face is
if anyone else is not ok with it,
i’m ok with that too

hummus cakes with asparagus ribbons & coconut yogurt

trashy novels:
i like the stuff
i also like other stuff too
science fiction
action/thriller
young adult
adventure
i fall back on the fluff,
especially after a stressful book
or when i’m trying to not think
currently reading this awesomely awful ridiculousness
next: the fall of five (just one more week!)
i’m ok that i’m not big on
jane eyre
sylvia plath
reza aslan

Sour Chicken + Rice Soup

and so, i let it go
like an ocean current
carrying away the sand
from my open palm

in the weeks of this summer
i’ve haunted the internet
for randoms, inspiration
most made their way onto pinterest
here are a few …

asparagus + poached eggs + fried capers

|| just loverly
|| naked cake
|| beautiful, raw iceland
|| a s’mores picnic!
|| these remind me of my beloved gpa
|| truth

photo captions:
pickled mustard seeds – i’ve slathered this in sandwiches, it’s been added to salad dressings. i won’t lie, i’ve had spoonfuls of the stuff as is, it’s that good. i used regular white vinegar, added 5 whole cloves & 3 star anises.
quinoa veggie bibimbap – this has been made a few times, depending on what vegs we picked from the csa, so it varies each time. the sauce though, that’s the key. i adapted this recipe, minus the ground meat & corn syrup, switching out the asian pear for an apple once, and the most recent time, radishes.
hummus cake & asparagus ribbons with coconut yogurt – i veganized this recipe.
sour chicken + rice soup – i don’t remember, i think dw was sick and i made him eat this.
asparagus + poached eggs + fried capers – an adaptation of honestly yum’s recipe. my bff and kindergarten teacher have made this dish multiple times this summer. the fried capers were a revelation.

august | 10 hours

it’s Saturday, not a usual publishing day
i actually kinda avoid blogs and
anything related to it on
the Weekend
but i wanted to participate
in the 10 on 10 project
all photos were done on a samsung s3 phone
next month,
if i haven’t gone mad with
wedding dementia
i’ll see about using an actual camera
to play along, go here

august | 10 hours

bike | this is a usual sight in the neighborhood

august | 10 hours

painting | i’m not sure why the shirts were put on backwards

august | 10 hours

drumline | it was like the movie, only live, in the park across the street

august | 10 hours

funnel cake | my day was complete

august | 10 hours

hooker | i need to finish this project before the end of the month

august | 10 hours

innards | the poultry csa has been stretching our cooking imagination this summer

august | 10 hours

purslane | the regular csa though, well, it just means the loveliest of salads for the week

august | 10 hours

dinner | homemade pizza made by my love

august | 10 hours

sunset | in the city, it’s always a wonder

august | 10 hours

dessert | butter pecan ice cream

tiny, beautiful things

tiny beautiful things

i recently finished
this book
she writes with such
compassion & conviction.
now i’m reading her
other book.
i’m not much for non-fiction
but this,
i can deal.

fave

from all around pinterest:

still looking for a reason to wear this dress :: lawd, i’d love to dine al fresco like this :: this ink is so beautiful :: i have kim chi on my mind :: finally. this country gets it right. One Love :: still dreaming about the shorter locks ::

there was a jaunt to a
free range, naturally fed
livestock ranch
some gathering
some laughing
some water play
some swooning
this is my life.
and i love it.
(you can follow along here)

other things:
a son of a holocaust buys german
oh, my alma mater … no words
i’m not excusing her, but you know, get over it people
no lie, matt nathanson can do no wrong.
bff has an official fb page, she’s making our wedding cakes
as a former yearbook editor, i would not have caught this
saw World War Z, so far, best summer movie
i’m hoping to bust this out soonish

have a wonderful week friends,
enjoy the holiday,
be safe,
be good.