#whereilive-- a new ig linkup

If I had a bit more money I would travel. I think we all say that. But more than just jetting off to the places worthy of a National Geographic cover, I would love to see all of the U.S., every state, small cities and big.

I have this fascination with how and where people live. I want to know how it's different, why it's different. I think this is why I love instagram: it's tiny little snapshots answering those questions.

For awhile I've had this idea rolling around in my head to start a link-up series on instagram where people post bits and pieces of where they live -- whether it's a shot of a kitchen, your backyard, a city skyline -- it's open to interpretation! I'll repost some of my favorites on instagram & hopefully (if enough people play along) over here too.

Tell your friends-- especially friends in foreign places, ha -- I'd love to see tons of people share their homes and hometowns.

happy friday, friends. If it's a weekend coming up for you, enjoy it. Take a bubble bath or go for a long walk. You probably deserve it.

xo, erika

p.s. i'm @rougeandwhimsy on instagram. :)

thankful link-up

 

via blog.korywoodard.com

Before we rush into Christmas and the business of that season, let's take a moment for Thanksgiving.
It may be cliche, but Thanksgiving is such a good time to remember what we're grateful for. I know that I have so much to be thankful for.

Join Julie, Leonora and I for our second annual thankful linkup! Write a post about the blessings in your life next Wednesday, November 27, and link it up here, as well as see what others are grateful for.

Already on my list? I'm grateful that the weekend is fast approaching.

xo, erika

<a href="http://www.rougeandwhimsy.blogspot.com.com" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXS88rQA6L77ge5xmdNGVjURN4IYfIKnYe9yKVplgWxNyf4nXMsrUlH3M4GaNMlxqH4SCeuJUZjXmZBlpO7riZ08ytuqDF5nBx0OSGvC3Y_amNm6I5B85iTWo7wMF9X4v8Bwd2Yzk2SC1/s800/thankful%2520for%2520button.jpg" border="0" alt="Thankful Link Up" /></a>

the list. february

I think we make such grand plans at the beginning of each year, but so few of them stick. I'd rather begin each month fresh-- and that's what this link-up is about: starting each month looking at where we've been and where we want to go. 

>> january was a month of refreshing. I took time from the shop, read a lot of books and let myself be. Even with the shop reopened, I want to be better at taking time for me. I want to be more proactive in spending quiet time-- by myself, time to reflect, time to pray and time to listen.

>> go easy on myself. About once a month I freak out. My house is too messy! My shop isn't doing well! I should be more organized! What am I doing with my life!?! Does anyone else do this? I need to learn to let somethings go... especially my house. It's not going to be perfect, and I need to accept that. 

>> I'm ready to push myself this month. I have more ideas than I ever have before and I want to start preparing for spring and summer craft shows. I am ready to be more organized too.

>> I also want to sew more for me. I say this all the time, but I have some tutorials/patterns that I really really want to try out. This month I'm going to make it happen.

things I loved from January: this outfit // where i find inspiration // my obsession with asian cooking

Share your list! Every first Friday of the month Beth and I  will be sharing our favorite things from the past month and what we're looking forward to in the new month. It doesn't have to be fancy, it doesn't have to be long, it can just be what the link-up is: a list.

When you link up, please link a relevant post and link back to Beth or I somewhere on your blog. And be sure to come see what others are sharing as well. :)

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new link-up: the list

I love lists. I think a lot of people like lists. There's something satisfactory about categorizing items: things to do, things I like, things I want to do, things I wish I knew, things I loved about last week... 

And what better time to share our lists than at the beginning of each month? Consider it a mini New Years-- but without the confetti. (or with the confetti, if you happen to have some lying around.)

Every first Friday of the month we will be sharing our favorite things from the past month and what we're looking forward to in the new month. It doesn't have to be fancy, it doesn't have to be long, it can just be what the link-up is: a list. 

We'd love to see you join us next Friday, February 1st! 

<center> <a href="http://www.bbgoad.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k561/dotinthecity/200x200FFFbuttonsept2012.jpg" /></a></center>

happy friday friends!

xo, erika

friday finds & faves #13

Thank goodness for fridays. Is it just me or are weeks after holidays really long?

but despite the busyness, as I sit here in bed typing, with my two favorite boys next to me, (one furrier than the other), I'm just feeling a sense of grateful for the life I have been blessed with.

this week I also loved

>> this warm salad from Gina over at Acute Designs. It has changed my opinion of brussels sprouts.

>> date night with the husband. dinner and a movie. So simple, but so wonderful

>> the movie Lincoln. It just made me want to learn so much more about American history. Also, can I get an amen for movies between Thanksgiving and Christmas? All the good ones come out now!

>> Mandy's amazing blog post that will make you feel that all can be good in the world.

>> I want to make this and I need to make this

>> and if you're looking for christmas music inspiration, here's a great list from ilene

da rules: share some of your favorite things from the web and real life with the weekly friday finds & favorites link-up hosted by Beth and me. Please link up just your blog post with your faves (not your entire blog) and link back to Beth or me somewhere on the blog. Please, also, make sure that your post is relevant (i.e. no giveaways or that sort of thing.) And, of course, be sure to go visit everyone else who links up! :)

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I'm thankful for -- a link-up party!

 Every year my family has a tradition where we go around the Thanksgiving table and share what we're thankful for this year. To be honest, some certain family members don't love the activity-- but only because we usually dish up our food beforehand and listening to everyone's stories of gratitude is challenging when you're facing steaming piles of potatoes and turkey. ;)

But it's a good practice. And as much as I wish we could all gather around a HUGE Thanksgiving table and share what we're grateful for, I just don't know it's feasible. So instead Julie of Julie Ann Art, Leonora of Yellow Heart Art and I are hosting up a link-up party to share what we're most thankful about this season. Whether you're thankful for your dog, your family, or something way more complex, we want to share ours and read about yours.

Rules: 

The link-up will go live Tuesday, November 20 at midnight Eastern time and your post will show up on all three blogs.

You must link to just  your post, not your entire blog, with what you are thankful for. 

You must link back somewhere in your post to one of the link-up hosts. 

We're so excited to see what you all are thankful for! Be sure to come back here to link up, as well as read all the other posts people share. 

Grab the button below to promote the link-up on your blog.

 

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xo, erika 

p.s. right now I'm still thankful for my leftover Halloween candy. Trick-or-treaters, you missed out by not stopping by :)