Gardening in High Heels

cultivate a beautiful life

Five things to prepare for 30 Days of Lists success

I have a shocking confession: I planned ahead.  The past two times I participated in 30 Days of Lists, I had no idea what vessel would store my magnificent lists.  In September, I pretty much stored them on Post It Notes until the end of the month when I decided to write them on Project Life cards and hold them together with binder rings.  And in December, I bound my own book again with PL cards, but I didn’t have it ready in time.

Five things to prep for 30 Days of Lists success. Get your PL cards and rukristin stamps!

So this time, I’m planning ahead.  As I mentioned before, I ordered the perfect little notebook from rukristin and I’m excited to fill it up with lists throughout March.  If you’ve never listed before, or you have but are looking for inspiration, here are five things to gather before you start listing.

A notebook / paper

If you register early for #30Lists, you will get a digital scrapbook kit.  While it’s so cute, I love the tactile element to crafting.  Cutting things out, finding the right layout, adding embellishments.  So I need a good base for my work.

Like I said, I’ve used all sorts of bases, from plain PL cards to Post Its.  Whatever you want, make sure that you have it handy when March starts so you can jump right in and start sharing your lists with the world.
30 Days of Lists prep. Notebook from American Crafts DIY Shop

Something to write with

I write my lists with Sharpie pens and my list titles/prompts with a regular Sharpie marker.  love Sharpie pens.  Any Sharpie product pretty much is steak sauce in my book, but the pens are great.  They’re bold, they glide nicely, last for ages, and super thin so you can doodle in the margins.

I like to grab a few colors that coordinate.  In September, I stuck with a black/white theme with pops of purple and pink.  So I grabbed Sharpies in various shades that would work together.

But you may want a plain black pen, colored pencils, ink and feather…whatever.

Washi tape

I’m a little late to the washi party, but I’m all in now.  Thank the lawd I have a Pat Catan’s close to me so I don’t have to fork out $5 per roll.  I’m also a fan of the Target dollar section for finding things like that.  They have (had?) surprisingly cute washi tape for a buck.  Yessir.

You can't scrapbook or makes 30 Days of Lists books without washi tape.

In December, I didn’t have to add many embellishments because of the paper, but I did add in some stamping and some washi tape elements.  In September, my lists were all embellished with washi tape.  I like the pop that washi tape gives my books without having to sacrifice writing space.

Fancy scissors

Someone help me with the proper name for these things.  I love them for adding a pretty boarder around my scrapbook pages or cutting washi tape instead of tearing it for a more elegant feel.

Other stuff

Embellish away!  Ribbons, decorative tape, stickers, stamps, patterned paper…these are your memories and your book, so make it how you want it to look.

Studio Calico and American Crafts DIY Shop scrapbook embellishments from rukristin papercrafts

Arrow rubber stamp from rukristin papercrafts

I can’t wait to start the March 30 Days of Lists and for once, I will be ready for it!  Are you going to join the the list making?

What essentials do you have on hand for scrapbooking?

[disclaim]The link to register for 30 Days of Lists is an affiliate link.  I’ve been listing with them in 2014 and I know you’ll love it too.  Thank you for supporting gals that support Gardening in High Heels![/disclaim]

Creative Closet: Polka Dotted Polka Dots

Polka dots are amazing.  That said, I don’t have many items with polka dots.  I usually gravitate towards things that are a little more plain (blah) and add lots of accessories on top.  Or I add fun tights (and here I do both).

This past weekend, I needed something that would keep me warm but would also be theatre-appropriate.  I joined Jonathan on an outing to the ballet with some of his trivia friends.

Old Navy Polka Dot sweater dressChloe and Isabel Heirloom Chain + Pavé Convertible Necklace

When I saw this dress, I was instantly drawn to it.  First, it’s gray.  We all know how much I love me some gray things.  Second, it’s a sweater-dress.  Perfect for winter.  Third, it was a cool pattern!  Usually, polka dots are smaller and closer together.  I love that this is a little more “graphic” with it’s dottiness and less like a repeating pattern.

Polka dot sweater dress for winter

Dress: Old Navy | Sweater: one of a kind made for me! | Tights: Target | Boots: Michael Kors | Necklace: Chloe and Isabel

Of course, I had to add on a fun necklace.  I love the orbs of sparkle in here and they reflect the dots in the outfit.

I was going to wear booties so you could see more of the pattern in the tights, but it was cold, so I was going for as much body coverage as possible.  For that purpose, I love these boots.  I found them for a mad steal at an end-of-season sale.

My favorite part of this outfit is the sweater.  My mom made this for me and it fits perfectly without her measuring it against my body while she was making it.

Make a statement with polka dots and Chloe and IsabelLet me emphasize her talents.. She lives in Virginia.  I live in Pennsylvania.  And she knit a sweater that fits just based upon knowing my shoulder span.  Insane.

It was freezing when I was taking pictures, so that’s why we only have a couple of shots.  Props to Jonathan for standing outside with me and taking pictures.  He was wearing a coat, gloves, hat, ear wraps, scarf and still complaining that he was cold, though!  Men… (Thanks, sweetie!)

Side note: where does “polka dot” come from?  Also, does it start to look wrong the more you write/say it?  Because I’m over here like “polka dots…poka dots…poke-a dots…wait what’s right anymore?”
Linking up with:

The Creative Closet
[disclaim]The Chloe and Isabel link isn’t a referral link, but Carly is a friend of mine and I want to support friends where I can.  So go check out her boutique![/disclaim]

Try this, not that: Revlon Lip Stains

Ever since I started drinking mass quantities of coffee and wearing lipstick, I have been on the search for a lip stain that was low-maintenance.  The need really hit hard during college when I would apply makeup (so after Freshman year) and leave my room for hours with little time to stop in a bathroom to check my face.

I needed something that would last for hours without touch ups because in the 15 minutes I had to walk across campus, I had the choice to stop in a restroom or eat.  Guess which one I picked.

I also need something that won’t get stuck to my lips on windy State College / Pittsburgh days.  Something that wouldn’t smear all over face would also be nice, too.

Try This, Not That: Revlon Lip StainsWhile I am not above buying high-end products, when it comes to having a variety of colors, I don’t have the budget.  I love Revlon products because they are quality drugstore finds.

But I have discovered that not all Revlon lip stains are made equal.

Anything with a marker-like tip always does great on the first application, but in my experience, it’s always downhill from there.  The Revlon Stain + Balm has that effect.  I purchased this when it first came out, used it once, and lost it.  I thought that it was good stuff (because of the first-try placebo effect) and I purchased a second one.

Revlon Just Bitten marker-tip stain isn't the best Revlon stain. Try the Color Stay Balm Stain or the Colorburst Balm instead.

I had this one for longer and it was..meh.  Not impressed.  I thought it was because I had just a normal marker-pen-stain thing, not the same product with the separate balm.

So I bought another one.  Naturally.  Then I found another shade at Big Lots and of course it wasn’t impressive either.

Try this

And then the Revlon crayon-like came out and I have at least one in each variety.  I love them.

Revlon Colorburst Balm has gread buildable coverage and feels fantastic on your lips.

Some of them aren’t powerful stains, like the Revlon ColorBurst Balms, but they are greatly moisturizing.  Some of the shades do stain a little bit.

And then there’s the Revlon Color Stay Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain.

Game. Changer.  I found this through LeighannSays on YouTube.

It doesn’t feel sticky, it lasts, and the color is buildable.  I have the color Honey and it is a fantastic nude with a hint of pink that really pulls your look together but also adds moisture to your lips.

I think Revlon still sells the separate stain and balm product in stores, but it isn’t available online.  The crayon product is a great reboot.  I prefer the format of crayon-like products because they are easy to carry and apply.  I just wish the cap stayed on a little bit better.  It’s taken me a long time to remember that I really have to make sure it’s closed before I put it in my purse.

Revlon ColorBurst Balm and Color Stay Lip Stains are moisturizing and have great color pay off!

What lip stains do you prefer?  Have you found any lines that have similar products but one is vastly superior than another?

Sunday Lately, 7

If you missed it on Friday, I’ve been in particularly snarky mood this week.  I’ve been trying to keep to myself and not let it explode all over others too much.  The prompts this week will definitely help to drag me out of this.  A little appreciation goes a long way.  Just ask Britt Reints!

Sunday Lately 7Doing

Taxes!  It’s about that time.  I get so anxious when it comes to that.  I’m always worried I’m doing it wrong.  I probably wouldn’t have a problem doing it for myself if I was just doing personal taxes, but since I also have side income, I just ship off a big ol’ pile of receipts and paper to the accountant and I am happy to let him deal with it.

There are certain things that I don’t mind paying for convenience and that’s one of them.

Appreciating

Planning ahead.  I usually have social posts planned out week-by-week for some businesses that I manage, but somehow Past Angelica knew two weeks ago that Future Angelica would need a break and scheduled further in advance than normal.  Sometimes I’m my own best lifesaver.

I’m also so appreciating the support from Jonathan while I was going nutso and the time spent with friends from out of town last weekend.

Designing

My #30Lists book!  I bought a small notebook with some foil letter stickers and a cute mini-arrow stamp from rukristin on Cyber Monday (after much agonizing over what not to include in my cart because it was about $100 after discounts and I couldn’t justify that.  My stash is ridic as it is).

I can’t wait to share it with you all.  Side note: I’m a sponsor of #30Lists for March 2015 and I’m so excited!  Scrapbook nerds, unite!  You can register here for March 2015 here!

Humming

Nothing exciting.  I have been listening to my iPod in my car because I’m so sick of everything on the radio.  The songs I’m hearing now I heard on satellite radio in August when I was borrowing my father’s car and was already over them.  I haven’t updated my iPod since I purchased my new computer (4 years ago) and lost the majority of my downloaded music collection in the switch, so that’s getting a little dull, too.

I have been loving Anberlin’s Devotion album, though.  If you have recommendations for new music, please let me know!

Expecting

To have a relaxing week, hopefully.  I can’t believe it’s already the 3rd week of the month.  I feel so jypped that February only has 28 days and I’m losing 10% of the time I’d otherwise have to accomplish things.

I’ve been doing a 21 Day Affirmation Challenge with Propelle so I’m expecting that I’ll have a blog post written about that soon.  I’m also expecting that it’ll work out positively!

What have you been up to lately?

[disclaim]The link to register for 30 Days of Lists is an affiliate link.  I’ve been listing with them in 2014 and I know you’ll love it too.  Thank you for supporting gals that support Gardening in High Heels![/disclaim]

Five things that need to stop

Man it feels like it’s been a long week.  I blame the standing desk that I’ve been using at work.  It’s exhausting to be on your feet for the better part of the day.  It also makes me so hungry.  I eat something good for breakfast like chia pudding and a glass of Instant Breakfast mixed with almond milk and I’m ravenous at 10a.

I get unusually snarky when I’m in a mood, so let me entertain you with my list of things that need to stop this week.

Five things that just need to stop this week

Ridiculous drivers

During my lunch break the other day, I had to drop off documents for taxes and I had to drive there.  On my way back, I witnessed so much bad driving in the space of 10 minutes.

I was sitting in the left-turn lane at the “Stop here” line.  Some jaggo in an Audi decided he didn’t want to wait in line (or he just changed his mind) and he used the right-turn lane to cut in front of me and turn left.  It wasn’t like I wasn’t paying attention or being jerk, I was stopped legally!

Then a bus decided that he didn’t want to wait for the light to turn green before proceeding across the intersection and just went for it when no cars were coming.

This is seriously one of my biggest pet peeves, so I’ve written about it before.

Nasty people

As an introvert, I can only handle so many interactions per day.  When someone is nasty, that depletes my stores of patience at a very rapid rate.  People who think they are the shiz or they are entitled to have everything their way..ugh.

There is no reason for me to help you if you’re mean to me, make snide comments, or assume you’re entitled.

Self-centered people

This is a special group of nasty people.  Much like drivers who are just menaces on the road, most of them assume wherever they are going is the most important and everyone else can wait behind them.

There’s nothing like the person who cut in front of me to make a left-hand turn.  Yes, sir, you are more important than me.  I’m glad you missed that day in kindergarten when we were taught to wait our turn.

Also, my name is Angelica, not Angela, Angelina, Ange-mumble-mumble.  Nothing smacks of being self-centered like calling me by the wrong name for our entire interaction.

Cold

Ugh.  I’m sure we’re all sick of hearing everyone complain about the cold, but really.  I’m fine with snow (because usually that means it’s about 32 degrees), but the negative 10 degree nonsense just needs to stop.

Talking about 50 Shades of Grey

Yep, I read the books.  I will fully admit that I got sucked in.  Everyone at work was reading it (and then we all jumped off a bridge together!) so I borrowed the first book from a co-worker and it was just a train-wreck.  I couldn’t stop!

But that doesn’t meant I want to sit through a 90 minute live-action version of it.  Call me crazy, but a watered-down-R-rated version of soccer mom porn just doesn’t sound like something I want to spend my money on.

What’s on your list of things that just need to stop?

Let’s Play

           

People Really Dug These

We Belong in the Garden Together