Author: Amelia

The thing about Mondays

vinyl decals from the wanderlust

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Believe it or not, it’s Monday and I don’t have a list-related post ready to go. I’m still adding things to my twenty-two list so the ‘big reveal’ for that will have to wait until later this week.

Instead, I’m trying to survive Monday, and feeling like I’m quite needing a break from school today. And it’s only Monday. This might possibly be a case of Monday Blues. But really, a little break from school would be nice so I can finish everything that is not on the school to-do list.

Anyhow, I’ll be back with regular posting as soon as I can, and I hope the rest of the week is more productive than today is.

In the meantime, I’m off to indulge in some matcha Kit Kat to get me through the day.
Here’s to Monday!

the 21 list // the recap

Love!

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Lists are totally my jam.

So when I turned twenty-one, I made a list of twenty-one things to do before I turned twenty-two. Just like I did the year before. And now that that milestone has come and gone, here’s a recap of everything that did (and didn’t) happen.

While this self-professed list-maker panicked and stressed out a little (or a lot) over those things that didn’t get crossed off, I decided to take things easy and let them go. Because hey, it’s supposed to be FUN after all (:

(I didn’t blog about all of them. But you can click through on some of them to read those that I did!)

1. Document my life at 21. (Project Life, here I come!)

2. Make 21 DIY projects. (I made 13 out of 21 projects!)

3. Get onto the dean’s list at school.

4. Try 21 new recipes.

5. SAVE MONEY.

6. Visit a museum.

7. Buy one outfit online.

8. Read at least one book a month. (I read 9 out of 12 books.)

9. Participate in at least 2 runs.

10. Go on a picnic.

11. Spend a day at the park.

12. Cook more Chinese food.

13. Write at least 5 thank you cards.

14. Eat fruit at least once a day for a whole month.

15. Keep a running log of distances I run each month.

16. Wear only glasses every day for a whole week.

17. Take pictures with and develop photos from a disposable camera.

18. Learn 300 new vocabulary words.

19. Not spend money for a month.

20. Have a baking date/tea party.

21. Happy surprise someone.

In all honesty, I think I did much better on the list last year, and could’ve been more diligent with this year’s list. But between trying to keep up with freshman year, making memories + being with family, this list inevitably got pushed to the back some days. And maybe, I might’ve been a little bit ambitious trying to make 21 DIY projects AND cook/bake 21 new recipes.

Anyhow, I had lots of fun working on this – as always. To be sure, I’m going to put some of these things into the next list, since I didn’t get to them this year (:

Check back soon for the twenty-two list!

Right Now // Thursday (birthday edition!)

birthday breakfast surprise!

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Celebrating.

Taking a day off from school to celebrate and relax.

Feeling 22.

So grateful for yet another year.

Excited for what this new year has in store.

Writing a new list for twenty-two.

Praying that “One year older, one year wiser” will be true for me this year.

Realizing that the older you get, the more the little things matter + add up.

Embracing today, and every day.

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I’m gonna make the rest of my life, the best of my life.

Twenty-two, you’re going to be the best one yet.

Lessons learned at twenty-one

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In between twenty and twenty-one, I did some growing up. And between twenty-one and twenty-two, I did some more.

As you get older, the years just kind of seem to all mesh together into one time frame. But twenty-one was pretty swell and I’m so thankful for everything I learned and did.

Really, I didn’t actually count up how many lessons I learned. But as I embark on yet another year, I’m especially choosing to remember these twenty-one lessons that I learned going into adulthood this past year. It’s been such an adventure already.

Some of these lessons I learned last year. And one year later, I’m still learning them. To be sure, I’m getting there – slowly but surely!

  1. Be open + brave.
  2. God’s timing + plans are perfect.
  3. He never shortchanges those who follow + obey Him.
  4. Hold loosely to things.
  5. Choose what is important to you/set priorities.
  6. Little things add up to big things.
  7. Let go and let God do what He will.
  8. Listen to understand, not to answer.
  9. Don’t give up on your dreams.
  10. Persevere.
  11. Some things take time.
  12. Believe that you can.
  13. You can do what you set your mind to.
  14. Be kind. Everyone is fighting their own battles.
  15. Stop overthinking and worrying.
  16. Don’t make comparisons.
  17. You don’t have to fight every battle.
  18. Embrace what God sends.
  19. God is more than enough.
  20. Stay humble.
  21. Whatever you do, always do your best.

You know what they say, One year older, and one year wiser.

I am so grateful for all the lessons God taught me this year and am absolutely ready for everything twenty-two is going to be. Let’s roll!

21 projects // DIY printable post-its

Untitled There’s just something about post-its that make me really happy. They are one of those stationery supplies that I could have endless amounts of. So these neon post-it notes + a cute and easy printable = happiness all around.

Not only were they cute, but also super simple to do. (And you probably know by now, how much I love things that are quick and easy.)

Just download the printable from Living Locurto, lay your post-its on the page, and run it through the printer again. And WA-LAH! You have customized printables for school homework. Although, I think these would work just fine for plenty of other things besides homework. Untitled One thing I neglected to do was to check the size of my post-its against the printable template. It turned out that my post-its were actually a little larger than the template. So the guidelines themselves ended up being printed on my post-it. But the lines were pretty faint and I got to add some cute phrases with my Dear Lizzy phrase stamp, so it’s all good.

I think I’ll take Tater Tots and Jello’s tips for making my own template next time though. I love the idea of getting to add whatever text or graphic you want for some unique sticky notes for whatever you need!

13 down, 8 to go.

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21 DIY projects are part of my 21 list, a list of 21 things I’m working to accomplish during my twenty-first year. Check out my other 21 DIYs here.

21 projects // DIY wrapping paper

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To be honest, I don’t even think there’s tutorial for this.

I was probably inspired by this idea and just went the easy route by stamping on freezer paper with a foam stamp and some neon dye ink. This hardly took any time at all and I was done in less than five minutes. The options are totally endless with these and it’s up to your creativity to come up with whatever designs/patterns you like.

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Supplies:

  • Freezer paper
  • Foam stamp
  • Dye Ink or acrylic paint (your choice!)

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And here’s how it looks all wrapped up and pretty, ready to go to the giveaway winner!

I love the look of this and the way it turned out. The neon pink pops so nicely on the paper. I didn’t get to try this yet with the acrylic paints pictured but I’m planning to use some other shapes with them. I totally can’t wait to see how the gold paint will look!

12 down, 9 to go.

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21 DIY projects are part of my 21 list, a list of 21 things I’m working to accomplish during my twenty-first year. Check out my other 21 DIYs here.

the 21 list // write at least five thank you cards

Truth

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Including the ones I wrote after my twenty-first birthday bash last year, I get to check this one off my list. Really, the idea behind this item was to be more intentional about expressing my gratitude and thanks to the people who have made a difference in my life. Because it’s so easy to take for granted all the things that people do, and overlook the little things you actually do appreciate.

I definitely want to be constantly reminded of all the things I can be grateful for.

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The 21 list is a list of things I made to be completed at twenty-one years old. For more about my 21 list, read this post.

21 projects // DIY office supplies

Although I used the same concept for all these DIYs, I’m going to call the shots here and count them each individually in the list of 21 DIY projects. After all, time is running out, you guys, and I’m still not quite halfway through. But hey, no biggie whether I get everything on the 21 list done or not. I’m totally not going to let myself stress out about this.

And besides, I have too many rolls of washi tape around the house that are meant to be used. Any way to use them up so I get to buy new ones (; Just kidding.

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Inspired by these articles on Buzz feed, Brit + Co, and Sew Much Crafting, I went washi tape crazy and taped all the office supplies that were in sight. That includes some notebooks, wooden pegs, binder clips, paper clips, and pencils.

As with all things washi, I love that the tape doesn’t damage whatever I stick it on, and I can easily peel it off if/when I get bored with

And by the way, just in case you’re wondering (which you’re probably not, ha!), I’m still using my DIY washi tape keyboard and LOVE IT. It makes a statement whenever I use my laptop, and still adds such a burst of color to my workspace.

Really, the sky’s the limit with anything you want to washi tape. Whoever invented washi tape has my serious gratitude.

11 down, 10 to go.

P.S. I’m counting down to my birthday this week so look out for a flurry of 21 list-related posts! (:

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21 DIY projects are part of my 21 list, a list of 21 things I’m working to accomplish during my twenty-first year. Check out my other 21 DIYs here.

Hello, September

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Hello, twenty and two. Hello, celebrating and having fun. Hello to change and new lists. Hello, fall, lots of school, and working hard. Hello, remembering all the things that matter most.

Hello, September. You’re one of my favorite months of the year.
I can’t wait to see what you have in store.

Friday Favorites no. 014 // birthday wishlist

FF birthday wishlist v2

01 / Canon Selphy photo printer
02 / Cell phone lenses
03 / Camera (I haven’t settled on exactly which one I want yet though!)
04 / Letterpress class + bundle + plates
05 / Gypsy bracelet stack (or the everything stack or gold nugget stack)
06 / Curling iron (not pictured)

As you can tell by the title, this week’s Friday Favorites post is really just a list of random favorites I’ve had my eye on for awhile now. One of those nice to have, just for fun lists that you make ever so often (:

I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to my weekend.
I hope you have a fabulous one!

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Life is often full and busy. But I like to take time to enjoy some of my favorite things. So Friday Favorite is a weekly series where I share my favorite(s) for the week. Check out my other Friday Favorites here.