friday finds & favorites: guest editor carina

This week I asked my friend Carina to curate friday frinds. I love saying "friend" because not only do I love Carina's cheerful, inspiring blog (and cute shop), we've actually hung out-- like more than twice. And she has great taste... as you can see below:

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Hello friends! Carina here from Lovely Little Whimsy.

When Erika asked me to share with you this week, I was more than happy to oblige...

I am currently obsessed with making my Christmas wish list. Technically I am way too old

to be doing such a thing, but my husband and I came to an understanding a few years ago after

he got me an electric toothbrush.

I have about a million things I'm currently loving on etsy, but lemme share a few of my faves.

cups   print   pillow   colander 

cuff   earrings    boot cuffs   necklace   bangles  

Other things I'm loving:

 >> this salt dough ornament tutorial from irocksowhat

>> my friend's gorgeous new baby - swoon.

>> also, these words. seriously needed this week.

Can't wait to hear what you all are loving this week. So happy to be here. Happy Friday!

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I told you she had great taste... I think I need to add her list to my list. (those teacups-- like I need more, but seriously!) Oh- you all should say hi to Carina on her blog, on twitter and of course, check out her shop lovely little whimsy.

I'd love to see what you guys love this week-- share below!

xo, erika

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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lilyemme jewelry giveaway

I really love to buy jewelry on etsy-- dainty bracelets, chunky necklaces, stud earrings... you name it. And I think I really love it because it's the one "creative" thing that I haven't mastered. Sure, I made beaded bracelets in junior high, but I don't think I could ever come close to the gorgeous things you can find today.

I am so excited to introduce you to a gorgeous jewelry shop lilyemme and the designer behind the shop. Valerie lives in Seattle (yay for a local lady) and she makes stunning rings, necklaces, bracelets-- you name it.  (I'm particularly obsessed with these stacking rings)

I asked her a few questions about her shop & design process:

describe your shop:

I make modern, casual, and comfortable jewelry. I like variety; I have designs for those who like gemstones and designs for those that prefer sleek metal. When you visit my shop, I hope to make the impression that I love doing this because I really do.

 silver stacking rings

 gold disc necklace

how did you start making jewelry?

5 years ago when I was in college I had some free time (imagine that!) and would visit the local bead store so often that they said I should apply for a job there.  Exposure to beading led to more simpler jewelry forms using wire (which I still love and use), but I craved more.  I took a course at one of the local arts centers and once you learn metalworking, it opens so many new doors. I still take courses from different instructors to keep my knowledge fresh and learn new techniques.

"bow" earrings

favorite items in the shop?

My favorite is a pair of sterling silver "bow" earrings, named that way because the silver slightly arches like a bow and arrow kind of bow.  They are so simple and understated, but look FABULOUS for a fancy night out. The light always hits them just right. I also love my encompassed gemstone rings.  The contrasting metal colors are very cool.

what are excited for this time of year?
 I'm newly engaged and get to spend time with both of my families, which means DOUBLE HOLIDAYS! And double the food, too. It also means twice as much traveling so I will very much be looking forward to restful, relaxing times in between, which I will spend trying to read a good book with my Good Earth Spice Tea and one of my cats laying on top of said book.

Congrats Valerie on your engagement!
And even though we should be showering Valerie with gifts, she's thoughtfully sharing gifts with us. Not only does she have an exclusive discount for rouge & whimsy readers she also is giving away $40 shop credit. That could buy this, this or this! 

(oh and by the way-- everything in her shop is pretty much free shipping-- so with the discount code, you have yourself a pretty sweet deal.) 

say hi to valerie on her blog // twitter // facebook 
 

good luck! xo, erika

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

closet challenge: the unworn dress

There are things in my closet that I never wear. Usually there's no good reason to shun a particular sweater or dress, but still, they stay ignored. When Jen of the Arizona Russums posted that she was embarking on a closet challenge to wear all her clothes, I was intrigued. Lately I'm trying to edit what I buy and where I buy it and making the most of what's on my closet hangers feels like a good place to start.

So this week I tackled a dress I haven't worn in years. Years. In fact I think the dress came from a store that went out of business.

My mom bought it for me-- at this point I'm not even sure what the occasion was -- and I wore it a few times to a couple of weddings in college. Then I stopped wearing it. The dress is really well-made and it still fits well but for whatever reason, it's always felt hard to style. It took a few tries, and several trips down to the full-length mirror, but I think I finally came up with something I liked.

cardigan: old navy // dress: no idea // belt: thrifted // tights: nordstrom rack // shoes: macys

Secretly this is a challenge I really enjoy--but I'm nerdy like that. :)

If you did participate this time around with Jen & I, you can link your post up below! I'd love to see it!

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 :)

easy crockpot applesauce

I'd like to take credit for making this applesauce, but honestly I didn't do much. Most of the hard wok was done by my crockpot -- all 6 hours of work.

Good job crockpot.

Usually my crockpot is reserved for stews and meatier, dinner-y type dishes, and I was excited to use it for something a little sweeter.

My dad handed off nearly 10 pounds of apples to me (from my parents' tree) this weekend and making applesauce seemed like the perfect way to use some of them up.

Crockpot applesauce (or the best way to make your house smell amazing.)

8-10 peeled & cored apples
1/2 cup water
3-4 tbs brown sugar (less if your apples are on the sweet side, like Fuji apples)


So the worst part of it all? Peeling 10 apples. But honestly it is so worth it for the applesauce that comes warm out of the crockpot a few hours later.


Just peel, remove the cores and throw the apples in the crockpot (no need to dice or really chop up the apples at all.)

Add the sugar and water and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.


Once cooked through, mashed it all with a large spoon or fork. I liked mine a little more chunky, but if you like your applesauce smooth, I'm sure you could shuttle it to the blender. But you should definitely try it while it's warm... it's awesome.




enjoy!

xo, erika

p.s. I feel like this would be amazing with ice cream. Kind of like an apple pie without the crust.