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I used to have a solid picture in my head of how I would end up as an adult. This image keeps resurfacing, because currently I feel like I'm floundering. I'm not sure if the unsteadiness is a result of being a stranger in a new city, or if I'm just having one of those notorious quarter-life-crises. The constructed vision of my future-self first came to me when I was in middle school. It wasn't just a "this is what I want to be when I grow up" kind of thing, but an actual image of my twenty-something-year old self. I saw myself sitting on the top of my car (don't have one of those), wearing an orange dress (I'm not sure I even own a dress anymore), listening to a musical number (meh), with bright blue hair.

Yeah. None of that is happening up in here.

I also had this secondary image of myself living in New York City with my cat, working as a novelist. I'm not entirely sure where these images came from. I think as a pre-teen I just pictured the coolest person I could, & aimed for that.

While my hair is naturally boring-brown & I'm not living in New York, I am trying to strive for those plans I made long ago. Not visually as much, but more so I'm striving for the intent behind those visual conclusions. I saw having a car as an accomplishment, something very "adult." I like to think that I've got a little bit of that "adultiness" going on in my life right now, what with moving to pursue a career, being in a long-term relationship, & having complete independence. I wanted to be a writer/novelist. While I don't write in my career, I am working in a field (video editing) that pertains to not only my college degree, but also my interests. Between work & blogging, I'm doing what I enjoy. Dying your hair blue means you don't care about what others think of you. This one I struggle with, but the older I get the easier it is to be true to myself & to stand up for myself. The orange dress throws me for a loop. Any insight on that one is appreciated.

TL;DR - I'm panicking about getting older, but it's okay. It's okay because I've got a plan, albeit a rough one. And it's okay because while I'm panicking, I'm not scared. There are so many good things in my life right now. Being an adult is weird/difficult/stressful, but I'm totally going to nail it.

Anyway, happy weekend! Yay Friday, right?

This week's links:

• Why you should totally be eating avocados & a delicious way to drink them
• Or, you know, go the other way completely & make espresso-glazed cinnamon rolls (ohmygoodness yes please)
• The Senate totally Leslie Knope-d it after the D.C. snowstorm
• A look back on a bunch of other influential women who just did not give one
• I can't get over these party-having dinosaurs (+ tutorial!)
• Many sleepless nights come to an end as we discover the reason there's a teeny tiny pocket in your jeans

xoxo,
-m.e.

P.S. Stay warm all winter with a knitted ombre scarf.

out & about // ice capades

I never thought I'd get to a point in my life where I would pull up my weather app and say: "Wow! It's going to be 30º this weekend! We should get outside while it's so warm out!" But that's exactly what happened last week. I'm totally at that point. And while it was so "warm" out, we did get outdoors a bit. Here are some snapshots of what we found on our adventure. 

In retrospect, it probably wasn't the best idea to explore a frozen waterfall on the warmest day this winter. Also I slipped on the ice at least six times. Totally worth it though. 

xoxo,

-m.e.

P.S. More snowy snapshots.

simple dog jacket

UPDATE: See how I improved this jacket by heading over to this newer post!

Heather & Doria (our dog) share some common ground: they're both Florida born & raised. Heather's been pretty cold as we struggle through the Florida-to-Minnesota transition, & while she can't tell us one way or the other, we're pretty sure Doria is cold too. Just theorizing here based on the facts. Woof woof.

life | links

Instagram @wecanmakeanything | Twitter @wcmanything

I think it's time for a second winter break, don't you? Let's just do round two of Christmas & New Years. I'm craving another three-day weekend, but I guess I'll settle for two. This Saturday & Sunday I'm planning on making the most of my time. I've got my list of things to accomplish, & I'm going to enjoy the heck out of completing every task on it.

This week's links:

• The most adorable little wood block calendar DIY
• If you haven't seen this carpool karaoke vid of Adele yet, now is the time (p.s. she busts some mad rhymes!)
• Adorable: Syrian refugees go sledding for the first time ever
• I'm so upset there's no more Making a Murderer, so I'm going to watch ALL OF THESE
• If your resolution was to get organized, here's some tips on purging your wardrobe
• IN LOVE with this tote tutorial
• Totally wanting to add making these apple pie cinnamon buns to my weekend to-do list

xoxo, 

-m.e.

P.S. You can see a peek of this tutorial in today's Instagram pic!

how to stay sane in the winter

The midwest winter is real. Negative temperatures, frozen fingers & toes, no sunlight - make no mistake, I still love it here, but BRR! I think what's keeping my attitude afloat is my newbie mentality, but I know the winter blues are no joke. As a kid growing up in Pennsylvania, I'd usually start to feel the dreariness of winter set in mid-January. With those past experiences in mind, I've been thinking of ways to keep my mind content & my body happy in preparation for what will surely be a long winter.

• Keep Moving | I know. It's cold outside, the bed is so tempting - but don't give in! Schedule game nights with friends, go on dates, hit the gym. Try to say "yes" more to activities that require you to leave your house, & chase away that cabin fever!
• Visit With Sunshine | With the mornings arriving late & the nights showing up uninvited at, like, 4:30pm (what is that even), it's important to soak up the sun when you can (sunlight = vitamin D!). Recharge your batteries by taking walks on your lunch break, or at least spending them near a window. If you can't get any daylight, bump up your vitamin D intake by consuming more salmon, eggs, & of course, milk.
• Embrace Your Inner Gamer | Whether it's board games, video games, or crossword puzzles, now's the time to break 'em out. As tempting as it may be to curl up on the couch & marathon Friends re-runs, having fun & keeping your mind active will help stave away the seasonal depression. 
• Don't Forget Fido | If you're feeling the effects of cabin fever, chances are your dog is too. Since it's too cold for regular walks, schedule more frequent, shorter walks with your pup to keep her healthy (bonus: it's an excuse for you to get out of the house!).

How do you practice self-care in the colder months?

xoxo,

-m.e.

P.S. Don't let the few hours of sunlight get away from you! Why you should be waking up earlier.

diy pot holders

I didn't know I was making pot holders when I bought this fabric. I had to reach into the far corners of my brain to come up with a sensible reason to purchase this fabric, & even then it was mostly just an excuse to get it. BUT I LOVE THIS FABRIC. GAH.

reusable coffee cup sleeve (+ template!)

I love coffee. I always have, & I image I always will. I love coffee so much I use Pinterest to save pictures of coffee. I love coffee so much I go to sleep at night excited about the coffee I'll drink in the morning. I love coffee so much I will walk in -25º weather just to go get some (#truths). It's a problem.

I try not to get crazy with it, but it's harder to curb the cravings now that I'm walking to work. You guys, there are like 10 coffee shops on my way to work alone. The temptation is real, & I usually give in. To cut down on creating too much garbage, I felt like it was high time for some reusable coffee sleeves.

To make this energized coffee sleeve, you'll need:

• Cup sleeve template
• Felt in two colors
• Marker & scissors
• Needle & embroidery thread

Cut out the template pieces & place them right side down on the wrong side of the felt (the letters should read backwards, & the wrong-side of the felt is the scratchier side). Trace shapes with a marker, then cut the shapes out.

With a needle & matching embroidery thread, stitch the letters/shape on the right side of the cuff. There will be about 1/4" of overlap where the two ends of the cuff meet to form a loop, so center your letters 1/4" off from the center (side note, if you've never sew before, felt is like the easiest thing to sew, so don't fret!).

Overlap the ends of the cuff by about 1/4" & stitch the ends together. This step is easier if you have a cup on hand to wrap the sleeve around before you start stitching (plus it's also a great excuse to go get coffee).

Now go get your caffeine on!

xoxo,
-m.e.

P.S. I love coffee SO MUCH I'm still drinking cold brew after my morning cup o' joe. 

life | links

Instagram @wecanmakeanything | Twitter @wcmanything

We're one week deep in 2016 - how's everyone doing with their resolutions? I'm rooting for ya! You can do it! If my resolution had been to binge-watch Making a Murderer then I'd be so winning at this game. Is it too late to change my goals? Ugh.

This week's links:

• Ahhh I'm so excited - Minneapolis is getting a vegan butcher shop (you heard that right!)
• Get the junk out of your life for a fresh start to the new year
• Or just get rid of everything (this is the funniest thing I've read yet this year)
• WARNING SAD DOG STORY but it's okay he's fine in the end!
• The cutest little leather cup sleeve DIY
• Dolce & Gabbana is now making some super sweet & stylish hijab
• My fave new Instagram account of the angriest cat ever

xoxo, 

-m.e.

P.S. If you're in the mood for personal organization - thoughts on keeping your home's tidiness on track.

diy decoupaged earrings

The start of a new year always get me in the mood for some serious cleaning. I'm purging my craft supplies with these super quick, super funky earrings.

life | links

Instagram @wecanmakeanything | Twitter @wcmanything

Blankets of snow currently cover every rooftop & railing, making the city feel clean & bright. 2015 is behind us, & 2016 is bursting with potential. Don't you just love a fresh start? Even though today can just mean it's time to get a new calendar, the new year always makes me feel energized. More expectant, organized - like anything can happen. A beginning for chances, possibilities, options, adventures. A brand new chapter in our lives - it's going to rock.

This week's links:

• I'm loving this adorable photo-flip calendar DIY!
• Oooh, & this minimalistic printable calendar (maybe I need to get a calendar...)
• All the warm & toasty drinks you'll need for your next snow day
• Speaking of alcohol, did you know you can actually bake & cook with champagne?
• You have to watch this video of a mini-horse & his new outfit
• Hiemal, Psychrophilic, Skijoring - these words that were made for winter
• New Year's resolutions for the introverted

xoxo, 

-m.e.

P.S. Tackle your resolution list with a little help from these motivational iPhone wallpapers.