new shop additions

Here are some of the most recent additions to my Etsy shop. 

Title: "Fall"

Title: "Fall Color"

These should be some of the last Fall related photos I share until next year.  But I don't want to make any promises I cannot keep.

Do you have an Etsy shop?

Which one is your favorite?

Linking up with Nicole and Ash today!

park mornings | find beauty friday

Now that 5 year old girlfriend is in Kindergarden until 2:00, I get the morning with 2 year old girlfriend, just the two of us.  One of her favorite places to go is the "big pak" next to the Sewickley YMCA.  Last week, instead of parking next to the park, we parked a little bit farther away so we could hike to get to the park.  With the leaves changing to beautiful vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds, we had to stop a few times to capture nature at her finest along the way.

As much as I was dreading the change in season, I have really enjoyed Fall this year.  For the first time I am really taking in the scenes and doing my best to live in the moment.  Perfect time of the year to rediscover Netflix, crochet, and warm lemon water.  

What are your favorite things about Fall?  What are your favorite Fall activities?

linking up with Aimee and Casey today!

weekly wishes

Since spending a few weekends away, I have gotten off track and out of a good routine.  We have no plans to go anywhere until the weekend before Thanksgiving so I am going utilize my time better and get back on track starting today.  Nothing like the beginning of a new week to get a fresh start. 

ymca. go to the gym 3 times a week. 

xmas. buy one gift this week. 

etsy. update my Etsy shop with some Fall photos. 

What are your goals for the week?

How was your weekend?

Linking up with Melyssa, Meg, and Leeann today!

risky business

I am not much of a Halloween person.  I much prefer the holidays that come after but any excuse to wear a man's white collared shirt with high socks to a party and  I'll take it.  So in case you haven't already figured it out yet, and if you don't follow me on instagram yet (which you should by the way), I was Tom Cruise from Risky Business for Halloween.  I like simple costumes, preferably ones that are free, so that was how the idea to dress up as an 80s Tom Cruise came to be.  I have been Hermione for the past 3 years and I needed a change. 

He was a hippy.  See those jeans?  Yeah, those are mine.  And they are too big for him.  No, not at all depressed by that. 

a blurry action shot

My FIL, a teabag, dancing after way too many.

I was browsing Pinterest while sitting on the couch on Friday and stumbled upon this cute little idea for a veggie tray so I attempted my own to take to the party.  If I don't say so myself, I'd check this off as a Pinterest success.  The little guy was a huge hit.  The only problem was that no one wanted to eat from it. 

  

                              Pinterest                                                                   My take

How was your weekend?

Did you go to a Halloween party?
Did you dress up?

Linking up with Sami,  Kimberly, and Tori today! 



until next time

fall craving

I don't know what it's been like in your neck of the woods, but it has been such a strange October.  Just last week it was still in the 70s and sunny.  But in true Pittsburgh fashion, Fall has finally seemed to arrive in the form of chilly 40 degree temps and rain.

But as the temps drop I have been wanting to do nothing but sit on my couch, watch Harry Potter, and crochet while my Fall scented candles burn.  Of course Etsy has not helped with this new obsession. 

1 // Love of Simple - I love how big, bulky, and comfortable this one looks. 

2 // Tiny Little Memories -  I love the bright blue color of this one.  As much as I love the Fall-like colors, adding a bright pop of color just makes me happy. 

3 // Valkin Threads - a scarf plus a hood?!  Yes, please. 

4 // All Reds Antiques - The soft yellow just screams Fall, don't you think? 

1 // Puik - Even though this is knitted, I still love it.  One of my goals is to learn how to knit. 

2 // The Art of Zen Crochet - I love the button on the side! And the grey pretty much goes with anything. 

3 // Swell Amy - What is there not to love about this one?  And the fluffy ball on the top? Dying.  

I don't understand pattern quite yet but have made that one of my goals this year to learn.  I actually completed my first infinity scarf just the other day but I relied on a YouTube video to get me through it.  I originally I wanted to make it for a Christmas gift for my sister but it didn't turn out quite as well as I had hoped - needs to be a little bit bigger.  Oh well, just means I have a new scarf to add to my collection.  

Which ones are your favorite?

Do you crochet?

What do you crave during the Fall months?

And what's a Friday post without a little music?  And I am pretty sure Whitney will be pretty pleased with my choice today. 

Linking up with Whitney and Krystal today! 

until next time

Sargent

I introduced y'all to this adorable furry friend a little over a month ago.  Sorry I am just now getting around to sharing more.  The holidays and just plain laziness have gotten in the way. 

Anyway, I met up with Sarg at a local park and his "Mom" one of the last weekeneds in September to photograph  Sarg as birthday gift to his "Dad" from Mom.  It was one of those unseasonably warm Fall days and the trees were at their peak.  At first Sarg is a little intimidating but after just a few minutes you see he is a big sweetie.  He loved being out in the open to gallop run around.  He was a great sport posing - with the help of treats of course - and Mom giving him orders.

Without further adieu,  

Hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed photographing them! 

a day late...

Lately I have not been carrying my DSLR around with me like I used to.  That needs to change.  My remedy; start participating in Sunday Scavenger Hunt hosted by Ashley Sisk over at Ramblings & Photos again. Hoping this helps to motivate and inspire me on a weekly basis.  I have been in need of both recently.

Last weeks prompts were:  Nature, Vintage or Retro, Whimsical, Cooking and Week's Best.  Here are my interpretations (a day late)...

1) Cooking.

I do not cook or bake.  And I honestly have no interest in learning.  Luckily I have a husband who does not mind it.  Otherwise I would be most likely still be eating Pierogies and Lima Beans from the can.  However, I do make a mean oatmeal.  That is the extent of my "cooking."  

 2) Nature.

Pittsburgh had fabulous weather this weekend.  Yesterday it got up to 70!  Our last hurrah before Winter finally takes over.  I'll take it though!  Anwayyyyy, on weekends husband and I like to walk to our favorite breakfast joint in Ambridge (a suburb approximately 40 mins NW of Pittsburgh), The Maple.  We go at least once during the weekend for a cheap but delicious breakfast when we don't feel like making our own or we are out of whatever we need.  Over the Summer we got into the habit of walking  there (approximately 2 miles each way) as a way to get exercise and enjoy some fresh air.  Since it was so nice yesterday, we decided to continue with this tradition.  The above was taken on our way back.  I love when nature invades civilization. 

 3) Vintage/Retro

This is a corner shelving unit in our dining room.  It has pretty much been the only thing in my house that I have gotten around to "decorating" even though we have lived here for just over 2 years.  On the top shelf is one of my favorite antique shop finds; an old Kodak Duex and the second to bottom shelf on the right; an old camera my sister found when she was in England she gave to me for Christmas a few years ago.  It has markings on it dating back to July 21, 1896.  Pretty cool, huh?   

4) Week's Best. 

This was taken on our way to The Maple for breakfast.  I love the colors contrasted with the black of the bare trees and blue sky and how the yellow balloon is perfectly illuminated by the shining sun behind it.  

4) Whimsical.  

I love games. Yahtzee, Phase 10, Apples to Apples are some of my favorites.  This, however, may be my new favorite.  It's called Cards Against Humanity.  Similar to Apples to Apples but for a much more raunchy crowd.  Great to play while drinking with friends.  Lots of laughs will be had by all, i promise.  

Hope you have enjoyed my interpretations for the week.  I am excited to get back into SHS again.  If you do not already participate, you should!  It is a great way to share your blog with others and see other people's talent as well.  

Linking up with:

Hope everyone has a great week!  

Fall Foliage

As much as I love warm weather and have a hard time accepting the reality that it gets cold in Pittsburgh I am reminded every year how much I do love the change of seasons.  How couldn't I with sites like this on daily drives and regular walks?  Below are some of my favorite Fall Foliage photos I have taken this year.  

As we quickly approach fall back and the colorful leaves fall to the earth I am grateful I often had my camera in tow.  

The 'burbs of Pittsburgh surprise me every year and remind me of how much I really do love (this may be harder to repeat come January and February) living here.  Continuing to find surprises around the corner even after 15 years is truly humbling.