::Craft Post:: DIY Goals

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Hello friends!!! 

I've got a fun post for you today! I've been feeling hella crafty lately, and I've been getting that crazy itch to make stuff. Recently, I've been scouring Pinterest like a damn fiend trying to find cute stuff to either make or blog about. And, trust me friends, I have found a lot! There's only a few for today, but I didn't want to overwhelm you guys and be all like "oh my god you guys, I've spend wayyyy too many hours on this crazy pinterest app and here's all the awesome stuff I've found, and oh my god you guys need to make these things with me!!! who want to have a craft date?!"......yea so there's like only 5 excellent things for you today. 

A few of them are things that I've found on other sites, that aren't necessarily DIY's, but can totally be done. I like simple things, and I've really been gravitating towards minimalist bohemian gypsy nonsense. So, sit back, and imagine yourself making these awesome-sauce projects on your back porch. And then, maybe when it gets a little warmer we can actually accomplish these goals!! So yea, those gold glitter dipped feathers?? I'm dying. I don't know what I would use them for, or in. But, they're so gorgeous, and I need to find something to do with them. 

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This is going to sound a little weird, don't judge me. But, occasionally I pick up pieces of wood off the side of the road. Yea. I can feel your judging....hahaha anyway, I found a nice big stump a few months ago, and it's been sitting on our back porch ever since. I've been racking my brain trying to figure out what to do with it, and then I saw this. 

It's actually a planter from Anthropology, which I believe is relatively expensive. And, all I'd have to do to recreate it is go hollow out that stump. And. you guys thought I was weird for picking up wood from the side of the road. HA! 

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I am, and always have been a major fan of beaded, or clothed doorways. The hippie in me lost her mind when I saw this DIY. I had neon rainbow peace sign beads over my bedroom door my whole childhood. It's still there when I go back to my dad's house. This is a little more classy, and grownup. But, I still totally dig my rainbow peace sign bead curtain. Definitely on my to-do list. 

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When the harem pant craze popped up, I must admit I was not into it. The longer it's sticking around, and the more photos I see of rad outfits featuring them; the more I like them. But, they're relatively expensive in store and online, and I'm cheap. I'd just rather make my own. 

Thou, admittedly I am not the best at reading patterns when it comes to sewing. So, I'm going to have to enlist the help of my sister. She's a much better seamstress than I am. And! Spoiler, she's starting a blog soon! Eeep! 

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This is another one from Anthropology that is totally doable as a DIY. Again, hella expensive on their site, but with a simple organizer from The Dollar Store, and a can of gold spray paint this could be super cheap. OR! You could even just grab a few different size cans, or bowls- glue them to a slab of wood and spray the crap out of them. This is a definite one that we'll be doing on here later. I love the look of this,and gold is really appealing to me this year. Stay tuned for this to be a thing later on! 

I hope you guys enjoyed these, and that they've got your brain working! Get inspired, and do some cheap shit to make your home look cooler. Make a new pair of pants, or throw glitter on something random! Got a DIY that you've done recently? Share it with me, I'd love to see what you guys are working on!!!! 

xo. 

holly erinn

Happiness Brand items on Etsy

The Mystic

The White Witch

Hello friends!!! 

Today, I'm here doing a little shameless self-promotion! My shop on Etsy is such a big part of my life lately, and is growing bigger every day. I'm starting to realize that this is were my passions lie! It's becoming something that I'm very proud of, and really have come to love working on. This is just a small peek at what I've got going on right now. These are the necklaces that I've created most recently, and are really special. I've been collecting these stones all year, and finally started making something out of them. The prices are all reasonable, and most are under $20. 

I've also been expanding into shirts, and vintage jewelry from my own collection. I'm running out of room, so these beauties need new homes! The poison ring is probably my favorite. So if you guys are looking for something a little unique, something on the cheap, and something that no one else is going to have....you should totally check out my shop. I make everything with love, and by hand. These items are filled with positive energy, and so much love and devotion- you can feel it! 

I hope you guys take a second to check it out, and thank you for taking the time to look around! 

xoxo. 

holly erinn 

The Rain Goddess

The Mountain Goddess

Desert Gypsy Vintage Jeans (on sale!)

Peach Blossom Dreams halter top

The Salem Crown

The Blue Dream Crown

Vintage Poison Ring

Cat Lady Wall Hanging

The River Maiden hemp necklace

Shipwrecked shell & stone necklace

The Juke Box: Brandi Carlile

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Hello friends! 

Today I'm here with another installment of The Juke Box with one of my favorite folk/country artist of the past decade. Brandi Carlile is such an amazing musician. Her voice just makes me want to go on a long hike. Her style is very reminiscent of the likes of Willie Nelson and Patsy Cline. The song I've chosen to share with you today is one that's been stuck in my head for quite a while now. It's catchy and the message behind it is pretty excellent. Give it a listen! 

xo. holly erinn

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Favorite Things Friday #4: Pinterest Round-Up

Selina Lake

Hello Friends! <3

Today, I'm here with another round up of favorite interneting. Yes, I am totally one of those goes that sits in the corner ignoring her friends, staring at her phone, and pinning shit to imaginary boards on Pinterest all day. And, I love it. Don't judge. You do it too! 

This week is such a mismatch of random shit. From the sparkly cupcakes all the way down to the beautiful goth outfits by an awesome blogger I just came across! Enjoy, friends. 

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Anybody wanna come over an bake some time?!

DIYnCrafts

How awesome do these two office must haves are. I really need to make myself one of those hanging paper rolls. The to-do lists that are lost in my house because they're one tiny tiny pieces of paper....this could solve sooo much. And I've really been enjoying chalk markers recently. I hate. hate. hate chalk and all things chalky, but the look of chalk on a black board always looks good. In come chalk markers and my world is changed! I would highly suggest grabbing yourself a sweet set, they come in all kinds of colors!

design milk

anthropologie

Check out this gorgeous pencil holder from Anthropologie. Yea, and you can bet your buns it's probably a pretty penny. But I figure with a good can of spray paint and a cheap one of these from the dollar store (or better yet some old tin cans) could make a knock off one just as well. Maybe we've got a DIY on our hands for the near future. Whatcha think, folks?

living traditionally

With the holidays fast approaching, everyone wants to look their best. I found this tutorial for a black head removal mask, and it looks pretty simple. I love simple. If it has more that only a few ingredients, I don't want to play. But this looks totally doable. Maybe I'll try it in the near future and tell you guys how it went. And speaking of the holidays, look how cute this little pictorial is! Again, simple is where it's at! I know everyone's got a few products in their bag that are comparable to these, and could totally pull this off. This may be my Christmas look this year! 

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faiiint

 Last but not least, Stephanie Brown of Faiiint is quickly becoming my new fashion obsession. Her style is so spot on to what I've been into lately and she been quite an inspiration. Give her a second and check out her awesome blog! 

And if you're in the mood for some more awesome Pinterest pinning, pop on over and give my boards a look. Don't forget to follow and like, let's be pals! 

xo. holly erinn 

Textiles and Threads:: Glitter, Gold, Grunge

Hello friends, 

Today I've got an outfit that's a bit of blast from the past. I know grunge is super popular right now, but I must say (in my most hipstery voice), I've been rocking this look the whole time. And, yes I know more that one Nirvana song. Hahah! But let's get serious here, I love this outfit. It's hella comfy, and pretty warm. Thank god for The Salvation Army, without them I would be without this awesome glittery grandpa sweater. And, of course I'm rocking my favorite Minnetonka moccasin booties. 

I wore this outfit to work the other day, and it worked out pretty well. Other than the elderly folks in the building asking what my shirt was about. That was rather interesting. I really enjoyed this outfit though, it kind of took me back to my youth. Growing up in the 90's with the coolest Nickelodeon radio was probably the best thing that could have happened to me, culturally. I still have,actually. I may have to dig it out, and dust it off. That would be rad. 

I didn't realize how dark my hair still is, until I took these photos. Hahah! I can't complain. I'm pretty happy with the length too, and I've recently been putting dreads in the underneath of my hair. I'll write more about that later, it's a journey and I'm taking it slowly. My dreads are very important to me, and each one has purpose behind it. They're my babies, and I love them already. But, they're not ready to come out to play just yet. So, I really wanted these photos to have that 90's bleached out Polaroid feel, I think I accomplished that. The lighting is really harsh, and it makes everything look old. It amuses me,and really reminds me of all those terrible 35mm's I took with my dad's camera before I knew how to actually use it. Warm, snuggly feelings.

xo. holly erinn

Life Post: Finding Peace with Depression Pt.1

Hello friends! 

Today, I'd like to touch on the subject of anxiety and depression. I've talked about it before in this post, when I finally came clean about how I was actually feeling. Well, it's been a few months since then, and since I started taking medications to counteract those feelings. I can't say everything is sunshine and rainbows all day, everyday, because it's just not. That's not realistic, and that's just not how life works. But, I will tell you that I'm feeling a thousand times better than I did. Lately, I feel like I'm starting to figure out what I want, and starting to dream up ways to achieve those goals. But, my first and foremost goal is always to be happy. 

Being happy, above all else, is what pushes me forward in life. I need to find that happiness in whatever form it wants to present itself. I've made it a goal of mine to actively search that out. Though, dealing with depression and on top of that anxiety, it some times becomes quite the task. There are days when I just don't want to get out of bed, and then there are day when I actually just don't. It's a tricky thing, this depression. Life is much more interesting than my bed...most days. And then there are other days that a comfy chair, a good sketch book, and a snuggling cat is all I could ever ask for. It's much of a coin toss for me most days. But that really doesn't sit well with the "real world"....I'm sure you've all heard that old line "life goes on"! I know I've said it myself a hundred times in a hundred different situations. It truly does though, and unless you've got a better idea, you've got to get out of bed and go to work! Some days that feel impossible though, and it seems like the world is literally going to crush your shoulders with all the weigh of your anxiety pressing down on you. I get it. But, you've got to get up. How?

I'm not saying the next few things I'm about to share are going to work for everyone, but they work for me. Maybe they'll work for you too. I'm in no way a doctor, or a licensed therapist. I'm just a woman dealing with her own depression in her own way. 

1. Indulge a litle.

    This is a tricky one. If you indulge too much things of course can get out of hand very quickly, but something small here and there as a pick-me-up is perfectly fine. Just don't break the bank! Like for example, one of the things that really comforts me in the mornings on my long, traffic filled commutes is a nice warm cup of coffee. Even if I made it from home, the warmth and sweetness is just enough to lift my spirits a little each morning. 

2. Keep a journal.

   This is an oldie, but a goodie for good cause. I don't know why, but this really seems to help me. If I'm having a particularly difficult time, I'll find a quite corner and write it all out. It feels like a great release, like a river rushing over giant falls. Dramatic, I know, but it totally works for me. I also like to keep a journal, specifically because I generally never write about positive things. I like to look back a year or two from when I had written it, and see how things have changed. It's nice to have a concrete record of things to prove to yourself that things have gotten better. 

3. Get in touch with nature.

    This one is a great one! Though, at the moment in Pittsburgh it's pretty cold out. Nature is a great way to loose yourself for a moment and focus on something much greater than yourself. A lot of the time, anxiety and depression can spiral out of control and your thoughts can really start to consume you. Taking a walk through the woods, taking a moment to gaze out a window, or taking a slow ride in the car can really get you out of that moment so you can even out. There's really something relaxing and spiritual about a moment with mother nature.

4. Find a yoga class.

    I'm sure you've got a least one friends that has come to you flipping out about how awesome yoga is, and how you totally need to go! She's right. I never thought stretching in a dark room with a bunch of strangers could be a spiritually rewarding as it was. But, it was. Seriously. I can't really afford one of those excellent, fancy, paid-for yoga classes. So, I actually found one at my local library for free. Yes, my dearest friends, FREE! The city of Pittsburgh, especially, has several opportunities for a spectacular activity that won't cost you a penny! The Carnegie Library system is a great one. They have tons of events, classes, and resources. Get out there and do something different. A yoga class is a great, stress free activity that you can do without the pressure of intense social interaction. 

5. Make a nest.

   Some people call it their sacred space, quiet space, or just a corner in the room that you find peaceful. For me, it's my office. It's in a whole separate room from mine and Bryan's bedroom, and it's a place I can go to chill out when things get too crazy. It has all my favorite things in there, photos of my loved ones, and things to keep me occupied and entertained. It's a calm place that I've found myself going to when I need a moment or just some tranquility. Find a place in your home that you can place things that you find comforting, a place that you can go to decompress. Some times the best medicine is a moment of quiet.





I hope this was helpful, even just a little. Again, these are just things that I do to comfort myself when I'm having a moment. They may not work for you, you may find them silly, and that's ok! Everyone copes differently, and heals at their own pace. I'm taking one day at a time, and doing my best to focus on what's good in life. And, that's a big one! I'll be writing more about this later. I didn't want to overwhelm you guys with information, and ramblings so I figured I would break it up. If you guys have any little tricks you do, let me know! Let's start a positive conversation about this. Comment down below and let's connect!
xo. holly erinn

The Juke Box: Elle King

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Hello friends! 

Oh man, I have a treat for you guys today! This lovely lady is quite the gem, and the version of this song that I found really showcases that. Her gravely vocals and rough, rhythm guitar take you back to the days of Blondie and Cindy Lauper. She's been all over the airwaves lately, and radio can't seem to get enough of this song. You guys are gonna love it. Turn up the volume to 10! 

xo. holly erinn 

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I Heart the Internet: Tumblr

positive doodles

Hello friends! 

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past five years or so, Tumblr is a fucking radical site! Microblogging and the ease of just reposting cute pictures is pretty addicting. Love it! And, the emmence amount of different folks that are on there is just fabulous. You can find anyone with any sort of hobby or interest you can think of! Check it out if you haven't already. Like seriously, why are you not on there yet?! Below is a little taste of the cute things to find over there. I tried my best to find the original sources but I'm sure they're not all correct. So if you see something and recognize it as sourced incorrectly, let me know and I'll fix it promptly. But, enjoy the awesome! Hopefully some of it brightens your day!! 

happy little hippy

hatemmme

girls by daylight

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The above is a really cool mini self help tutorial with some really good tips! Taking care of yourself and your mental health is where success in the rest of your life starts. You can't have a great life, if you don't feel good in the first place. Check it out, it's really well written and the illustrations are adorable. Below, is one of the best posters I've seen in a while. I'm so tired of hearing about folks hating on selfies. It's even been on the news! Wild stuff! I've heard people say that selfies are narcissistic and self absorbent, but I feel differently. Give it a read and see what you think! 

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lifemaniac91

piercings by AJ

ivy and twine

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Not to offend anyone, but I think this last one is just hysterical. 

Have a great weekend everyone! 

xo. holly erinn