These quotes might seem melancholy, but I promise you they are the most uplifting. These quotes to me represent what it is to have an idea and step out of your comfort zone to see it to fruition. I have had many over the past three years and I have sought out each one and continue to fully. I use to think that you should focus solely on one idea and if it doesn’t “make it”, then you failed. But in the past six months, I would have to argue the complete opposite. We are programmed to believe that an idea is only a success if you bring it to life. I would disagree and say that by believing that, you limit yourself to that one idea and never are able to see the bigger picture or what path(s) that idea can bring you to that you didn’t even know existed. It’s kind of like a resume. You may have not thought that first job would have taught you anything, until you reached the fourth job four years later and had a bit more knowledge in a certain area because of that “one meaningless job” four years before.

My blog was the catalyst to me writing a book. That blog and book idea brought me to to creating an online startup. Even if my startup is not fully complete, that idea connected me to some amazing people that have become dear to me and have taught me so much. It’s important to also not limit your purpose and always keep an open mind so that those pathways can find their way to you. Here’s to a great weekend and hopefully many more inspiring ideas!

{first image via Creme de la Gems}

via Wishful Thinking

via Wolfcub

I was fortunate a year ago to meet one of Elizabeth’s best friends, Heather Fleshman. I love Heather’s sense of humor.  She is always able to brighten my day with her quick wit. Just when I thought Heather couldn’t get any better, I recently found out she is a jewelry designer and a fellow craft enthusiast. Um hello! Her pieces are all hand beaded accessories pulled together with wires of varying gauges rather than typical string. Each piece is one of a kind, just like her. I hope you enjoy her pieces as much as I do!

Visit PennyJules on Etsy and Facebook

You may already be familiar with my obsession for free downloadable printables. I have collected my favorites along with my friend Carolyn Rubenstein on our shared Pinterest Board and every so often I like to share them on 8Balloons too. I hope you enjoy and it adds a bit of fun organization to your week!

{first image via house of design}

via Living Locurto

via Printable Decor

via Paper Coterie

via How Does She?

via Mr. Printables

Ok, so we are already into February but if you are like me, it is never too late to talk about a new planner. Since I have not been around for a month (okay, three) I will recap and show you some of my favorite 2013 planners. Can you figure out which one I am using right now? I’ll give you a hint, it starts with Kate and ends with Spade.

{first image} 2013 Kate Spade Planner via Fred Flare 

2013 Planner with screenprinted cover via Girl In Gear Studio

2013 Laurel Denise Planner via Laurel Denise

Tomorrow Planner via Poketo 

My favorite earlier posts were about paper cut art. It’s been awhile since I scoured the web and the galleries in my area for some fresh paper cut art. I was pleasantly surprised to find that there has been a surgeance of artists and new art. Here are a few of my favorites below. I wish you all a very happy Monday!

Artist Eiko Ojala via Ploom.tv

Artist Benja Harney via Paperform

Artist Sher Christopher

So, I know I may be backpedaling (okay I definitely am), but I can’t be the only one that still has left over Halloween candy… am I?! We bought several bags this year thinking we would get a few trick-or-treaters. My husband and I sat there on Halloween night, he in his Marshmallow Man costume and I buried in candy wrappers, patiently waiting for the doorbell to ring. But alas, we were sorely disappointed. Not one adorable sticky-fingered costumed child reached our doorstep. And so, we are left with oodles of candy. In an attempt to practice self-control I brought most of it to work … but with what I kept I decided to get creative. Thus, the beginning of my candy bracelet. Here’s how you can make your own from whatever you have left over too … talk about “fun size!”

- Elizabeth xo

Step 1: Eat lots of candy and save the wrappers! I wanted mine to be two different colors and they just so happened to be fall colors – red and gold!

Step 2: Fold each side of the wrapper towards the middle making the wrapper thinner as in the picture below.

Step 3: Once each side is folded in towards the middle, fold it in half.  It may be tough to have the wrappers maintain their folded shape. It may help to use a clothes pin to help hold them in this position should you choose to fold many at a time. I chose to fold mine as needed.

Step 4: Once you have repeated the above steps for at least two of the wrappers, take the wrappers and intertwine them. You are “locking” them together.

Step 5: Continue to “lock” the pieces together, alternating colors if you’d like, creating a long row of candy wrappers. You can make this as long or as short as needed to fit your wrist properly.

Step 6: Once you have finished, you will then want to connect the ends. For ease, I used what I had in the house, a safety pin. Please feel free to get much more creative – yarn or even a jewelry clasp.

Step 7: Enjoy what you’ve created! Don’t feel so bad eating all those candies now, do you? Have fun with it!

We’d love to see your creation – please post your pictures on our Facebook page!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I am so thankful for many things this year, especially for all the readers of this blog. I wish you a wonderful day with great food, friends, and family!

image via Belindas Great Ideas

- Elizabeth xo

Step 1: Have your guests write down what they are thankful for on pre-cut pieces of paper.

Step 2: Place the pieces of paper on the dough and roll them into a crescent shape. I used refrigerated dough from the grocery store, but if you are one to make homemade rolls, I’m sure they would do just fine as well!

Step 3: Bake the rolls as the directions indicate.

Step 4: Enjoy a new tradition! I was a little curious at first as to how these would turn out, but as you can see from the pictures, they are just perfect!

Since it has been so long, I have seen a lot of people, places, and things that have been inspiring me. So, instead of typing away, why don’t I just share them with photos. What has been inspiring you lately? I am so glad to be back!

Color Run Miami-Our Team name was Hues Your Daddy? (get it?)

I helped work my big sister’s booth for StitchCraft at Stitch Rock, so much fun this year! More on this to come…

M83 Concert in Miami

I took a quick trip back to Chicago. I adore this city and the many dear friends I have there. I spent my early twenties there and my favorite internship at the Hancock building.

Apartment view.

My friend John and I spent the day walking one of my favorite cities and of course took a picture at The Bean.

My best-friend Stephanie and I in Chicago.

Took my friend John shopping, just kidding!

Great view landing back in Florida.

Came home to this wonderful letterpress calendar by Graven Feather. Each month is different and even more beautiful. I can’t wait to share more from Graven Feather in weeks to come!

Family, friends, food and fall decor – that’s what comes to mind when I think of Thanksgiving Day. It is a day to delight all of my senses! Smelling the amazing food, anticipating its delicious taste, seeing all of my loved ones gather around a beautifully decorated table, hearing all the laughter (and sometimes yelling, come on – it happens in your house too ) and feeling the love among all of us. I’m getting so excited just thinking about it! To help get myself further into the Thanksgiving spirit and to gather some decorating ideas for our own table this year, I have been searching for, and came across, some great holiday place cards  - check out some of my favorites…

- Elizabeth xo

Check out some more great Thanksgiving decor on our Pinterest page!  What special ways do you decorate your table each year?

first image via twig & thistle

via by Stephanie Lynn

via cathie & steve

via splitcoast stampers

via timelesspaper

via dandee-designs

via fiskars

via holidash