weekend update: laundry and music

after a failed attempt at getting these suckers installed on wednesday they were finally installed on saturday.  this is the first time ive had a working washer and dryer since i moved into my townhouse a few years ago (yes i did laundry at my moms place like a poor college kid....but it also gave me really great family time).  needless to say i think i did about 6 loads of laundry this weekend...sheets, towels, clothes, anything that i could throw in there for the heck of it!



sorry for the bad iphone pics

i also got to go to an amazing show with some of my favorite people!!  The band Sucré came into town (see this post for their album review) and played with my friends in the band Finnegan and the Ton Tons (didnt get a pic of the Ton Tons sorry - but they are great check them out).

i also got to me Mrs. Elsie Larson from A Beautiful Mess.  I didnt take a pic with her because i already felt like a duffus for being really excited to meet/chat with her (she was my gateway blog).  she was just as sweet in person as she seems on her blog as was Jeremy.

The show was awesome.  I got to hang out with my hubs and friends and enjoy some great music...what more could a girl ask for?

link lovin

cant remember if ive ever done one of these posts....if i have its been a while.

here are a few things that i have found and like/want/inspire me as of late:

1. this ridiculously cute cat iphone cover that can be found here for about $10. i saw this in one of Kaylah's outfit posts and about died of cute.

(pic source-The Dainty Squid)

2. this quick and easy screen print diy from Calico Skies - great for not so detailed stuff that you may not want to break out the big guns (screen, photo emulsion fluid, etc) for

(pic source - Calico Skies)

3. these really great nebula and galaxy printed fabric available on Spoonflower - check out the fabrics from Corseceng and Tingish shops.  They charge more than i'd like to pay, but you cant find this kind of print just anywhere

(pic source)

4. these really fun and easy painted feathers turned into a necklace by artist Alisa Burke

(pic source - Alisa Burke)

5. these really bright and happy crochet dish towels from Cozy Made Things.  i grew up using knitted cotton dish rags, which can be used for anything really, but not quite big enough for hands and spills.  i love the ripple and chevron crochet pattern and i dont know why i didnt think of doing this sooner....arent they awesome?

(pic source - Cozy Made Things)

usually i would just post a description and a link, but everything i wanted to share was to cool not to post a picture with.  the source for everything is in the caption....spread the love and go visit the blogs i linked (perhaps i should start doing a weekly blog link series? i follow over 100...surely there are some y'all havent heard of)

anything cool you think i should check out?

 



now playing:tuesday - Sucré

from my instagram @ezzimcgee

Today's now playing feature is the debut album, A Minor Bird, from

Sucré

This band is made up of Stacy King (from Eisley), Darren King (Mute Math), and Jeremy Larson (Husband to Else from A Beautiful Mess)...talk about an a crazy talented group. 

The album just dropped today and I will admit i pushed the 'buy' button at 12:05a this morning so that it would be ready for me to listen to when i woke up this morning. 

The name of the band describes itself....sweet.  Stacy has a such a pure and angelic voice you cant help wanting to listen to.  The songs are well written, melodic but still catchy.  You can tell that it's Darren on the drums, although he has a certain technique for drums almost like a unique signiture, he keeps it soft and very fitting to the music.  Jeremy, the multi instrument wonder, is amazing as always.

The best way for me to describe this album....had this been out when the movie Garden State was made it would have most certainly been on the soundtrack.  If you are a fan of Eisley, Imogen Heap, Frou Frou, Lia Ices, or perhaps Feist you will love this album.

You can purchase the full album now on the iTunes for only $7.99.  For 11 amazing songs thats a pretty good deal.

Perhaps the things that excites me most about this band is that they are coming to Houston on April 22nd and playing with some of my good friends - Finnegan (also available on iTunes).  To add to the excitement Elsie (from A Beautiful Mess Blog) will be traveling with her husband (Jeremy) for this short tour, and unless she is completely bombarded, I might be able to stop by and say hello.  Elsie has a special place in my heart because she was the very first blog i ever read before i realized just how big the blog world was.  She is a great source of inspiration for anyone looking to follow their creative dreams.  Enough gushing....go check out the album and let me know what you think.

weekend update....i need to live in a bubble

im still alive.  happy belated st. patricks day! 

its usually my favorite holiday, but i spent my day at home and sick....same goes for the rest of the weekend.  if i haven't already mentioned it i am allergic to pretty much everything outdoors and quite a few things indoors.  springtime has come, painted houston yellow and assaulted my sinuses, thus causing the worst hay-fever ive had in a while.  anyone else get painful vision altering sinus pressure? when it gets really bad i get dizzy, nauseated , shaky and of course crazy headaches.  all around awful. 

when allergy meds dont cut it here are a few of my tricks for coping.

• my neti pot - it closely resembles Aladdin's lamp, but instead of a genie its filled with distilled water and sterile saline (salt).  you pour it in one nostril and it comes out the other along with all the junk clogging your sinus'.  this really helps relieve my sinus pressure.  this is not the solution for everyone, do your research and talk to your doctor.
• "gin-gins" or ginger chews - my mom introduced me to these.  they are exactly what they sound like, chewy nuggets of ginger candy.  ginger is known for its stomach soothing abilities.  its a very strong flavor...it took me a while to get use to it, but its my go-to when my stomach is upset because of my allergies
• peppermint oil - this is my go-to for just about anytime im not feeling great.  peppermint oil is inexpensive and can be found in your local health foods store (whole foods) in a tiny bottle.  dont be fooled by the size....a little goes along way (ive been using the same bottle for over a year and its not even halfway gone).  it releases this wonderful and powerful tingling sensation.  i usually rub it behind my ears and along the back of my neck.  STAY AWAY FROM YOUR EYES!! if you even get the fumes near your eyes they will burn and turn you into a crying baby.
• the good 'ole ice/heat pack - i have quite a few homemade rice packs that i keep in the freezer (they can also be thrown in the microwave if you want heat).  see this post on how to make one.  i usually put one on the back of my neck and on my face.  i know i look crazy and im sure my husband rolls his eyes at me, but hey whatever works
• otc pain killers - i wont share the brands or dosage but im sure you know your body and what your body can handle.  again it goes without saying consult your doctor before taking anything new.
• sleep - sounds like a no brainer, but when all else fails i go to bed.  whether your body is being assaulted by pollen or germs a little extra sleep never goes awry.  it gives your body a chance to rest and restore.

enough of my allergy talk.  sorry for the long silence.  the next few weeks are shaping up to be busy as usual.  hope your weekend went well!

paint by numbers collection

this morning over on Kaylah's blog, The Dainty Squid, she shared her vintage paint-by-number collection so i thought i would post up a pic (not a great one...sorry) so y'all could see my collection.  I've been collecting for a couple of years via thrifting, gifts and ebay.  i have them all hung on one big section of wall in my living/dinning room from floor to ceiling.  every time i add a new one the arrangement has to change.  its like playing a giant game of tetris.  i love all of them!  each one has its own bit of character or story.  ill get some better pictures taken one of these days.

do you have a vintage paint-by-number collection or another kind of collection you want to share? leave me a link and ill pop over and check it out.