Fall trends are emerging, and high atop the list is embroidery. Every article of clothing from shoes to shirts is fair game for brightly colored thread and pattern – and I dig it. I also dig that it would easy to DIY something you already own with an appliqué to mimic the look. (Always a bonus.)
1/ The Crafter’s Box
The Crafter’s Box brings together experienced makers who curate a unique box of tools and materials to build something beautiful. One box/project is released each month with delivery to your door and an online workshop to guide you. I’m working on this large-scale stenciled linen throw at the moment.
2/ Soo Ae Charcoal Clay Bubble Mask
Using activated binchotan charcoal, kaolin bentonite clay, and oxygen bubbles this mask puffs up and looks hilarious all while purifying, brightening, and refining your skin. It only takes up about five minutes of your time and will leave your face baby smooth.
3/ Poise Accessory Tray
I’d been looking for a way to organize my most worn earrings, bracelets, and pins when I came across this brass double-decker tray. It’s a great size and I love the minimal look.
4/ Giant Zinnias
My mom and stepdad planted these guys for the first time this year and ended up with a bumper crop! I pillaged what was left last weekend and made a note to add some to my own yard next spring.
5/ The Mac & Gold Truck
If you’re in Pittsburgh, you need to check these guys out – it’s all mac ‘n cheese all the time. I had some with BBQ brisket and fried onions that has me salivating at the memory.
6/ Leona’s Ice Cream Sandwiches
Leona’s is a Pittsburgh legend, small batch ice cream pints and sandwiches using local dairy and ingredients in the most interesting pairings. Oh, and it’s all lactose-free. This one was peanut butter cookie with strawberry ice cream.
7/ Caramel Wallet
I haven’t owned a proper wallet in at least five years, but when I saw Sseko Designs’ minimal caramel wallet in buttery leather I had to have it. It holds the few cards and cash I carry with my daily and helps end the cycle of poverty by educating and empowering women. Win-win.
Truth: I’ve never made a single crepe. But making a bunch for a cake seems as good a way to start as any. Crepe cakes are deliciously decadent French desserts that don’t require baking, which is always a plus in my book. Have a look at these fifteen takes on the classic and tell me – have you ever made one?
Click on each image to go to the recipe. All photos copyright of their respective sites unless otherwise noted.
Amikasa – Design your dream interior by recreating and styling your rooms using furniture and decor from real brands. Then use augmented reality to see how furniture really looks in your room before you buy.
Baby Loggy – A simple and intuitive way to track your baby’s care that helps you track breast feedings, bottle feedings, milk pumping, diaper changes, sleeping times, bath times, growth measurements, medications, milestones, notes, and more.
ROW 2:
Calm – Bring more clarity, joy, and peace to your daily life by experiencing less anxiety and better sleep with guided meditations, breathing programs, and Sleep Stories. Recommended by top psychologists and mental health experts to help you de-stress.
iHandy Level – Use for picture alignment, angle measurements, angles of slope, verticality of a wall or furniture, roof pitch, and much more.
KonMari – Start tidying up your home using the official app for the KonMari Method and create an ideal life that sparks joy.
ROW 3:
magicplan – Lets you create professional floor plans simply by taking pictures to generate complete job estimates, view your space in 3D, plan DIY projects, or furnish your home.
Orai – Be empowered to speak with confidence when on stage, in front of a room, or in everyday life.
OurHome – A simple way to organize your family. Kids will be motivated to do chores and take responsibility while parents can reward them for their effort. There’s a shared grocery list and a family calendar to keep everyone coordinated.
ROW 4:
PRÊTE – The first members only concierge service to access the best blowouts in your city (currently in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Nashville, and Chicago). As a member you’ll get access to the most exclusive salons and stylists to book blowout appointments.
Recycle Coach – Never lose track of collection, set reminders for collections, search the ‘What Goes Where?’ database for detailed disposal instructions specific to your area, and keep track of upcoming events and drop-off dates.
Sephora – Learn how to apply the latest techniques like a pro or customize your look with Sephora’s new color match and virtually try-on recommended products from all the brands you love. Get your daily beauty fix with insider access and exclusive offers.
ROW 5:
SmartyPlants – Add a plant by entering its name and taking its photo, the app will detect if the plant is part of our growing botanical database and suggest a few care reminders for that species. You can also create your own reminders in just a few taps. Once you’ve added your plants, SmartyPlants will notify you when each one needs to be watered, fertilized, pruned, repotted, rotated, weeded, misted, mulched, flushed, propagated, etc.
Sway – An ‘interactive meditation’ experience, Sway uses your phone to track movement and provides feedback to help you gain focus and improve your attention. With six unique levels, you will learn new techniques to be mindful in everyday life situations and subtly practise mindfulness anytime and anywhere.
Think Dirty – The easiest way to learn about the potentially toxic ingredients in your cosmetics and personal care products. It’s an independent source that allows you to compare products as you shop, just scan the product barcode and Think Dirty will give you easy-to-understand info on the product, track dirty ingredients, and shop for cleaner options
Coffee & Crayons is a newer find for me, one full of Jessica’s self-taught journey in food photography. Along with some delicious recipes she also shares bits and pieces of her life as a mother – the good days and the bad.
Cotter Crunch is helmed by Lindsay Cotter, a gluten-free nutrition specialist who focuses on fueling active people with real food. Because so many of her recipes are grain-free, many are adaptable to my type 2 diabetes lifestyles as well. Lindsay is clearly passionate about what she does and that enthusiasm and dedications is 100% contagious.
My Baking Addiction appeals to my gigantic sweet tooth – the one I’m not supposed to have – and baker Jamie clearly relates to my love of sugar. With autumn fast approaching my baking game is about to go up a notch, and I can’t wait to dig into these recipe archives.
Running to the Kitchen offers everything from butter-laden to paleo recipes and everything in between. I love this kind of site because it’s realistic for most of us – a moderate amount of healthy fuel with occasional indulgences. Gina clearly agrees and has a backstory worth reading over as well.
Shutterbean‘s Tracy Benjamin dabbles in a lot of areas – everyday life, organizing tips, the occasional decorating post, photography, and food. I love that she admits that she’s constantly thinking about food, which is probably the #1 reason you should be a food blogger!
