rules of a creator’s life

19 July 2013

Today’s edition of Friday Favorites is short and sweet – The Rules of a Creator’s Life + The NEW Rules of a Creator’s Life.

Creating is one of my favorite things. And these rules are a good reminder to keep creating.
And maybe this time, these rules aren’t meant to be broken (;

Happy Friday – time to put these rules to the test!

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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.

Right Now // Thursday

18 July 2013

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Really needing to get back to running.

Thankful for rest.

Feeling my best today so far this week.

Loving alone-time once in awhile.

Enjoying thunderstorms and rainy weather when we get them.

Still plodding along with school before the weekend arrives.

Working on staying focused.

Making grand plans for DIYs I hope to get done.

Hoping those plans don’t just stay in my head.

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You must master a new way to think before you can master a new way to be.
– Marianne Williamson

Only one more day until the weekend!

xx.

Wednesday Words // no . 009

17 July 2013

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YES.

This week’s been a little rough: feeling a bit under the weather but still working on a long to-do list that needs to get done regardless.

So I’m thoroughly embracing this quote, doing the best I can, making the most of it, and reminding myself that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).

I hope your mid-week is pretty swell.

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Every Wednesday, I share a quote + some thoughts that have been especially relevant in my life during the week. Read more Wednesday Words here.

Adelia Makes no. 008 // crispy potato roast

16 July 2013

Crispy Potato Roast by Martha Stewart

I love this crispy potato roast dish so much I don’t even know where to begin. I haven’t tried my hand at this yet, but from what I hear from the chef, it’s not hard to make at all. So it’s definitely one for my books.

The mandoline was certainly helpful in getting the potatoes sliced evenly and quickly. And Adelia just used whatever herbs we had on hand, namely rosemary and basil. A couple of tips: to get everything nicely seasoned, rub salt all over the sliced potatoes before arranging them in the tray. Also, instead of putting the shallots right from the beginning, maybe put them in around the last ten minutes so they don’t get burnt to a crisp.

We’ve had this at least three times already and loved it every single time. This is definitely one of our go-to potato favorites now.

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Adelia Makes is a blog series featuring my very own little sister and all the fun things she makes. Read more about Adelia Makes here.

21 recipes // baked french toast sticks

15 July 2013

Baked French Toast Sticks by A Beautiful Mess

One Saturday, we had homemade all-day breakfast and baked french toast sticks as part of the menu. This recipe was a breeze to put together and I loved that it all went into the oven. I used homemade brioche for the bread and combined brown sugar and cinnamon to make my own cinnamon sugar. I baked mine for a little longer than stated in the original recipe. But really, every oven is different so you pretty much just have to keep an eye on how it goes.

The yummiest pieces are those with lots of cinnamon sugar, mmm!

18 down, 3 to go.

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The 21 recipes 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 recipes here.

Friday favorite no. 008 // inspiring websites

12 July 2013

Don’t you love it when you stumble across websites that are both fun to read and inspiring at the same time?

This week, I came across Brit + Co. and At Home in Love. These two websites are full of ideas for lifestyle, home decor, DIYs, and everything in between. I’d come across Brit + Co. before but just didn’t have the time to explore much. So this week, I found myself clicking on link after link at Brit + Co.’s fun and colorful website – super informative and inspirational. You can even download their app for Android, iPhone, or Windows! Aileen from At Home in Love also has really great ideas that are a lovely mix of happy and whimsical. Her posts are easy to read, and she has tons of inspiring images over on her blog; I’m looking forward to perusing through the archives sometime. And having such a cute website is definitely a PLUS!

Both websites have very different vibes but are extremely inspirational + fun to read nonetheless. These new (to me) websites are definitely going to be good reads for the weekend. Then it’s time to bring some of those inspiring ideas to life!

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Right now // Thursday

11 July 2013

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Wishing for more hours in a day.

Wanting to work on my 21 list (before time runs out!) and make more DIYs.

Almost halfway through summer school.

Embracing July + change.

Learning to be open.

Thankful for friends that God brings.

Hoping for a productive + fruitful day.

Panicking a little with all the work that still needs to get done before the weekend.

Working hard (or trying to) so I don’t have to study over the weekend this week.

Getting fat on yummy nutella and sea salt stuffed cookies (recipe coming soon!)

Feeling grateful that I decided not to be a business major in the end because math is neither my thing nor my favorite.

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Happy Thursday!
xx.

Wednesday words // no. 008

10 July 2013

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(I couldn’t find the original link, so if anyone knows, please let me know!)

I don’t know how this is for you. But I realize how easy it is for me to get caught up with what everyone else thinks, and fall into the trap of letting their opinions become more important than they should be. It’s too easy to over-think things, to let the opinions of others intimidate and influence my life more than is good for me.

So this is a constant reminder, my Note to Self: Live for an Audience of One.
And be done with the rest.

Here’s to a good Wednesday!

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Every Wednesday, I share a quote + some thoughts that have been especially relevant in my life during the week. Read more Wednesday Words here.

Adelia Makes no. 007 // sugar donut muffins

9 July 2013

Sugar donut muffins by Stylish Cuisine

I was planning to make these myself but I ended up being too busy the day I wanted to. So my awesome little sister tried them out instead. These muffins are pretty + simple + yummy all at the same time. I love how the sugar makes them glisten – too good.

I’d definitely love to try making these myself sometime!

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Adelia Makes is a blog series featuring my very own little sister and all the fun things she makes. Read more about Adelia Makes here.

21 recipes // chocolate cupcakes with creamy nutella frosting

8 July 2013

Chocolate Cupcakes with Creamy Nutella Frosting by Sally’s Baking Addiction

This recipe was part of the search for the perfect Father’s Day recipe. But it seems like I’ve been a little out of my element for baking lately, because the Nutella frosting for this batch of cupcakes didn’t quite turn out and hold together like how I’d expected it to.

Since I’m writing this about two weeks after Father’s Day, I don’t quite remember what I did wrong that turned this frosting upside down. (I should’ve written it down, I know.) It might’ve been me sticking the frosting in the refrigerator and coming back to frost the cupcakes later. Or maybe I added too much icing sugar in an attempt to fix it, but it didn’t end up quite as smooth as I would’ve liked in the end.

In any case, I eventually settled for a good ol’ brownie recipe for Father’s Day, instead of stressing myself out with trying to master a new recipe within the week. Looks like I haven’t had too much success with cupcake recipes lately. But to be sure, I’m going to keep trying them until I nail at least a couple of pretty (and edible) ones! (;

17 down, 4 to go.

P.S. If you try this recipe and have better luck with it than I did, let me know how it turns out!

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The 21 recipes 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 recipes here.