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Hello! I'm Suzannah, a serious DIYer and mom of two little ones. Follow along with my DIY fixer upper house renovations, sewing and crafty projects, real food recipes, and de-stressing goals.
I believe you can love your home just the way it is, AND have the power to design and make big changes to make it better.
I'm also the author of DIY Wardrobe Makeovers!

weekend inspiration
Showing posts with label weekend inspiration. Show all posts

10.09.2015

Seize this early fall weekend! 3 crafty & creative ideas

It's not cold, rainy fall yet. Another weekend of mild weather is probably coming your way like it is mine! I'm planning to take advantage of it with a few early fall ideas!

I'm not one for putting up a bunch of seasonal decorations around our home, actually... I find other ways to celebrate the change in weather and foods, like picking apples last weekend (we might go again this weekend, it was so fun and they're so good), putting pumpkin pie spice in my blended coffee, and squeezing in another hike while it's still nice enough!

3 early fall crafty ideas


Here are a few ideas if you're feeling like getting creative to express your excitement for fall!

1. Pick your plaids.

I don't know about you... I'm not sure yet what I want to make, but plaid is not going anywhere this season and I want to go to the fabric store and find another one I love!! Here's one I used last year for this DIY blanket scarf.

2. Go to the farmers' market and buy some unfamiliar vegetables. 

This is the season for pumpkin everything, but I've been really into butternut squash (it goes in everything) and thinking of new uses for beets. Getting creative with foods is SO fun for me. Know what I mean?

A farmers' market is like a challenge course.

3. Make this cozy yarn fringe pillow.

JoAnn has this new "Buttercream Collection" with several lines of fabrics, trims, yarns, stencils, and more... this project is from the Elizabeth Collection but check out all of them. SO many pretty new things! The lookbooks don't even begin to cover it. This pillow tutorial is super simple (but so creative!) and on Kollabora.

What'd I miss?? What are you doing this weekend?!

Thanks to Kollabora for sponsoring this post!

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10.31.2014

Real food pumpkin recipes - Weekend Inspiration

It's rainy and getting cold, and it's been officially fall for more than a month now, so I'm finally ready to let summer go and get excited about fall flavors and celebrations. (Plus, we are getting tons of squash in our CSA box every week and I've been playing with fall squash recipes and toasted seeds!) I have cooking with/for friends planned this weekend, and it will involve a lot of squash and pumpkin!

Plus, Happy Halloween! Here are some wholesome real food (unprocessed, low-irritant) pumpkin treat recipes that are perfect for the weekend.



Totally intrigued when I saw this recipe for a pumpkin spice latte--with actual pumpkin in it!
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For a festive spin on some basic favorites, this pumpkin chocolate chip cookie recipe looks perfect (and is grain-free and nut-free). Coconut flour is kind of hard to bake with, but I bet the moist-ness of the pumpkin would help. And coconut butter, mmmmm! (I have an easy DIY post about how to make your own coconut butter.)
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Oh, and an even more decadent pumpkin-ey cookie idea also from that blog: chocolate hazelnut pumpkin peanut butter cookie sandwiches. Wow!
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I also found this very cute grain-free version of Pumpkin Delights - cute faces and all! Fill with apple butter or pumpkin butter. Can be made nut-free as well.
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Cookies aside, you could get real ambitious and practice for Thanksgiving with this Eggnog Pumpkin Pie with Gingerbread Crust. The crust sounds easy and delicious and is made with almond meal.
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Inspired yet? Happy holiday baking season, it's started already!

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Weekend Inspiration: Birthday Inspiration

9.05.2014

Weekend Inspiration: Birthday Inspiration

I have an exciting weekend coming up. It's supposed to be above 90 and sunny, but I'm determined to get out anyway and do something fun. My birthday is on Monday!

Last year I had a great birthday, on a Sunday: brunch with several of my friends at a favorite restaurant with great local ingredients, pedicures with friends, then some downtime before grilling with family (both mine and in-laws). I remember feeling totally happy and birthday-satiated after. The year before that, my dear friend Jenni threw me a lovely party here at our house, but with personalized decor and games. So fun. But this year I'm feeling more low-key, and I think I'd like to celebrate on Sunday but just with husband, and stay close to home. That, and I've been too busy to plan anything!

But I'd still like to celebrate in my own way without doing anything huge. So this time around, my Weekend Inspiration post is a few ideas I've had for making my (almost birthday) weekend special.

Fun activity?


I'm not always a birthday procrastinator, but this year I've put so little thought into it until now and since my birthday is on a Monday anyway, I don't have a lot of choices for camping or overnight trips. I found some shorter trip ideas from Travel Oregon, and found they have a cool search feature for whatever activity and region you're looking for, so I've been looking at a few local activity ideas like the Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary at Forest Park or a bike ride on the Banks-Vernonia Trail.

But, maybe I'll lean toward less adventurous and just find a nice spot in town for a picnic or something. If I get really crazy I might make myself a fresh flower crown, just because, you know, birthday. (My friend Sam just blogged about hers - so simple and pretty!) I've always been intimidated, but I'm sure it's not that hard, right? I can see from tutorials like this DIY fresh flower crown that apparently you mostly just need floral tape and wire, and a mix of fresh flowers and some pretty ribbon. Anyone tried this at home and have any tips for me?

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Birthday treat?


I'm also brainstorming desserts. It may just be for me and family, but I'd like to make something special and delicious, from my favorite whole ingredients. Last year I made myself this decadent Paleo-friendly Boston cream pie. It was incredible!!, but so sweet. I've done two 21 Day Sugar Detoxes since then and I honestly don't want something covered in melted dark chocolate chips. No, I think something with milder sweetness would be good this year.

Just looked through my Real Food Dessert Recipes pinboard and found some ideas! I think something like this caramelized banana hazelnut dairy-free ice cream or this panna cotta with strawberry balsamic compote would be perfect since they both have a few more steps than I usually put into a simple weekend special treat.
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Day trips, frivolous and pretty accessories, and special sweets. Sounds like a good birthday weekend combination!

I'm not feeling too festive yet, though - but have a couple more days to get into the birthday mood!

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7.03.2014

Weekend Inspiration, and some goals for a balanced holiday

I love some good Weekend Inspiration!

And this round of Weekend Inspiration comes a day early, because, well, I don't know about you, but I'm super excited for this upcoming summery 3-day weekend!

I have a lot of things to look forward to this weekend (starting early with casual Thursday at work; husband's birthday on the 4th and hanging with the family and going to the university gym when it's closed; then having two whole days with nothing planned - first 4th of July weekend that's been the case ever since I was a kid, since we usually do a big camping trip but are not this year!; maybe throw in some berry picking)... BUT, I have some goals and ideas to share, too!

My goals this weekend are simple. May they inspire you if you're looking for something to celebrate with this weekend! Hoping to:

1. Wear the perfect festive outfit that's not too American flag-ey, but still get some great white and blue action.


Some ideas.
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2. Eat delicious, fresh, summery, 4th of July food (but not sacrifice how I feel by eating processed or overly sweetened junk!)


(I'm not alone - here's a roundup of 50 awesome real food 4th of July recipes. Wow! Also love this list of 30 great real food potluck recipes, by category!)

Anything grilled is festive, right?

Chunky Pineapple Guacamole with Grilled Sweet Potato Chips - Source

3. Maybe - and only if I really feel like it - get crafty around the house and do something new.


Maybe even a trip to Home Depot or Lowe's! If we get brave.

Husband casually mentioned the other day that he thought it would be cool to incoroprate some cinderblock furniture into our house.

Um.

I was appalled until I saw some ideas on Apartment Therapy that actually looked okay!
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(Don't think I'm brave enough for that one yet, although I have been wishing for new night stands! ;))

Also totally impressed by this versatile sit/stand office.
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Whew! Now I'm feeling tired!

What do you do with a 3-day weekend with not too much planned?

Happy holiday, if you have it off!
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4.04.2014

Weekend Inspiration: Dresses, grey couches, and an ode to flourless chocolate cake

It's been... a week! My book manuscript was due to my publisher on Tuesday so I had a couple of high-stress days there for a while, and I'm SO ready to relax and do fun things I love over the weekend! Here are a few!

Flourless chocolate amazingness


We're having several friends over for a dinner party tomorrow, and I'm super excited to make this flourless chocolate cake. I've made it twice now (Christmas and family trip the other week) and it's sooooooo delicious, plus easy and made of basic, pretty wholesome ingredients! (I substitute butter for the coconut oil, and omit the maple syrup and water.) 

Seriously, I highly recommend you try this at home. It's basically chocolate, butter, EGGS!, and vanilla! Perfect for gluten-free eaters and so impressive for anyone else who likes chocolate - better than any dry, scratchy chocolate cake like the ones I remember! Plus, it looks so impressive because it bakes in a springform pan and you can add pretty toppings (I've been doing fruit or homemade fruit compote/syrup), but it's really super easy.
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The darling British cooking show I've been into features a flourless chocolate cake, too, in the "Celebratory" episode! Seriously, watch this sweet show with Sophie's perfect accent and it'll inspire you to do whatever she's doing, too. I think I'll top my next flourless chocolate cake with about 5 pounds of fresh berries, too! ;)


Flowers, couches, you know--spring.


It's springtime for real now, so I've been admiring flowers on desks and tables all week (both online and in the office!). So nice to see perky tulips cheering up an otherwise sort of seasonless space again (at my work, at least). 
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Spring cleaning, spring re-arranging... I got a little carried away pinning last night while I was supposed to be in bed. :/ Oh, well. Catching up on inspiration! I also absolutely love this entire home tour and am thinking about re-arranging our living room this weekend. Probably after the party! Wonder if we could fit both of our (grey) couches in our living room...
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Dresses! And a chair.


I also have some serious sewing goals this weekend!! I have a very cool black and white print maxi dress cut out, and I really need to finish a chair slipcover I started, um, more than a year ago. Oops.

And on a totally different note, I'm also starting to get excited for the summer wedding season, and thinking about what I'll make for my dear friend's wedding since I saw her last weekend and got to hear some of the details! It's at a venue that has peacocks walking around, and her colors have some peacock-inspired blues and greens. I have a lovely shimmery periwinkle-ey purple-ey lightweight poly that would be great with some gathering on the bodice. Maybe I'll draft/modify a pattern to create something a little like Lupita Nyong'o's lovely pale blue Oscars dress!! But less low-cut! And shorter for daytime!
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Looks like a fun DIY challenge!

Well, that was all over the place! Such is the way with sudden flashes of inspiration, eh??
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3.07.2014

Weekend Inspiration: Pre-early spring home decor, treats, and trends

It is currently pre-early spring. To me, that means it's the money when spring starts, but it's still technically winter and it's pouring rain out and there are no leaves on the trees and it's a little depressing. And it's not like it's fun to be cold and drink pumpkin spice lattes or wear festive tartan plaid, like we do earlier in winter. I've never liked this time of year much, always had a hard time getting dressed after too many months of Oregon fall and winter... it won't be sunny and springy for quite a while!

I think of this awkward time of year as almost seasonless, actually. No huge holidays that influence my wardrobe for the month leading up to them. Not much local food in season (nothing new, anyway, same root veggies and greens in our winter CSA) to inspire me to make a seasonal treat. Same ol, same ol. At least it's staying light out longer these days! If we get lucky, it may stop raining soon and we may be able to pull out some preppy, springy things!

So, in this season of neutrality in colors, flavors, and attitudes, it's especially cool when I can feel inspired for a weekend or day of craftiness, home decorating, dressing myself for a day out, or making a special dish.

Not-quite-early spring inspirations


Here are a few images I've found recently that have made me want to try something new this weekend!

Neutral corner with mismatch gallery wall and a little shimmer in the decor...
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Where can I find fabric like this?! It reminds me of a 70's sofa, but in a good way. I love the colors, too! (And like she says in The Devil Wears Prada, "Florals? for spring? Groundbreaking." - but hey, there's a reason for that. I'm excited for some florals.)
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Or stripes with a huge, amazing, colorful tribal-ey necklace! Why have I never thought of that?
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And since I'm stuck inside more than usual these rainy days, I think I'll try to get creative in the kitchen. I've made simple coconut chia seed pudding before (seen here) but now I want to try something fancier.

(At least we've been making it to kettlebell class regularly this time of year. Unfortunately on Tuesday I made a super dumb mistake in a weighted medicine ball squat and threw/bounced a 10 lb ball into the underside of my chin. Bit my tongue really hard and jammed my jaw. I've been chewing on ice and hanging out with an ice pack on my face whenever I can. And eating soft foods and not talking much. So especially with my jaw and tongue injury... chewing hurts!! Pudding sounds great!!)

I think I'll get my act together and try one of these beautiful, whole ingredient recipes...

Coconut Chia Pudding with Roasted Butternut and Honey (this blogger is so cool--he's only 18 but does the most amazing photos and recipes!)
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Or Salted Caramel Chocolate Raspberry Chia Pudding!
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Oh, one more thing that I'm inspired for this weekend: trying out my new camera, if I get a chance to take pictures of much. Just bought it this week!!!, and already I can tell it's so wonderful to use. Upgraded to a used original Canon 5D, and already it's been a charm with my old 50mm lens. It's so good, in fact, that even this picture of the first picture we took with it is good. Husband took this pic on auto, I think, with no preparation, and even so, it looks pretty good!!

Must do some crafty things to take pictures of! And maybe I'll get a chance to take pics with it at the 20's speakeasy-themed company winter party we have this weekend!

I guess I shouldn't complain about this time of year. I appreciate the quieter evenings and weekends, more time to get things done around the house, nice in-between temperature so the heaters don't have to work so hard and we don't need fans. *Counting my blessings.*

Know what I mean about this awkward pre-spring time? What are you doing to get through it?! ;)
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12.20.2013

Weekend Inspiration: My top 7 fave holiday crafts!

What better weekend for a Weekend Inspiration post than the last weekend before Christmas?!? December weekends are always so busy but yet aren't we so inspired for crafty projects, for gifts and decor and coziness?! I did this inspiration post early this holiday season, and I stand by my recommendations (I just made those cookies this week! IG'd here!) But here are seven of my fave DIYs and crafty project ideas for this year!!


Ornament garland. This has to be like the easiest Christmas decor DIY. And nowadays the plastic ball ornaments are everywhere (already 70% off at JoAnn!), you could do this safely!
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My easy DIY bunting flags from last year. These babies are hanging on the mantel again this year!!
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Sparkly holiday throw pillows. (I'd do a sewn version, but this is "no-sew.")
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Been super into fair isle print and red and white this year! This photo inspires me to make some DIY sweater pillows!
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And, having wrapped quite a few presents already this year, I can totally vouch for the simple glue gun felt present tie-ons I made and blogged here. I've made a second batch already with some more ribbon and may need to make more! I'm happy to give them away along with the gifts!
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(We all know I love gold spray paint.) Spray paint old accessories like nutcrackers gold--or white, or any festive color to match your decor.

And, more garlands... how about these huge pompoms and bells?
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OMG. Christmas crafts are so fun!!

Are you doing any craft projects or gifts this weekend? What should I try if I get a chance after baking, felt gluing, and playing with glitter?!

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11.08.2013

Weekend Inspiration: Early holiday season resistance, decorating, and DIYs

Happy Friday! This week's Weekend Inspiration is a bit resistant, because somehow it's mid-November already and the holiday season is approaching. I have mixed feelings about this.

I guess time flies when you have a warm, dry late summer and early fall for the most part. I feel like I blinked and summer was over at head turned to this grey, rainy weather and Christmas commercials on Hulu already. It's a little unsettling. (Aren't we supposed to wait for Thanksgiving first?)

But, I know from previous years' experience that I love the Christmas season, and will probably want it to last as long as possible. So I thought I kick off the weekend with a little bit of early holiday season inspiration. Get you into the good stuff about the holidays – soft, warm things; gold and sparkly and candles; doing projects indoors. =)

Weekend inspiration for the pre-holiday season


So, what to do this weekend to welcome the dark days and rain, but not go overboard with holiday commercialism and candy canes??

I'm willing to bet Christmas ideas are already FILLING your Pinterest boards, like they are mine. Here are a couple home feed views if you haven't visited yours recently. ;) And then, some of my fave pins!

Some of my favorite [early] holiday season pins!! This weekend I'm inspired to...


DIY...
Make some naturally wonderful-smelling firestarters. Try them out in your fireplace and maybe make some more as gifts!
Source: Henry Happened via my Pinterest
Wear BRIGHT red, but no green or gold. (I wore a tomato orange-red J.Crew wool pencil skirt yesterday with tights and boots, and it was awesome. Bright is good!)
Source: The Shine Project via my Pinterest

Think about snowflakes, but only the modern black/white edgy kind. 
Source: Etsy via my Pinterest

Try these peppermint chocolate macaroons made with only a few simple, real food ingredients. And tell me how they are, k?? I've got to try this sometime!
Source: Against All Grain via my Pinterest

Spray paint something gold (in your garage, maybe. Where it's not freeeezing already!). Like these paper mâché letters I spray painted ages ago and have hung in our bedroom and office. A little gold never hurt anyone (year-round), but will make your home feel a little more bright and festive for winter!
Source: My home tour

My actual weekend plans ;)


Those are my inspiration images this time of year. I may not actually do more than wear bright red and think about snowflakes. ;) But, I do have some pretty fun plans with friends, one of which may involve some crafting for Christmas gifts. ;)

I'm super excited to try out this DIY deodorant recipe (can you call it a recipe? or is that gross?) with a friend of mine who has experience with homemade lip balms and lotions and things. I ordered the beeswax pellets and vegetable glycerin and essential oil on Amazon and everything! I feel so prepared, but intimidated because I've never done this kind of thing before! Any tips?

What are you looking forward to this weekend? Are you fighting the holiday joy that's creeping in on us, or are you doing holiday shopping already??
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10.11.2013

Weekend Inspiration: Full-on fall, and pumpkin time! Plus favorite painted pumpkins

I can't deny it any more. Summer is over and it's truly fall now, and time to get into the spirit! So for this Weekend Inspiration...

Let's talk pumpkins. Alternatives to pumpkin carving, since there are so many fun ideas out there, plus the pros and cons of getting creative with your pumpkins. Since despite all these great ideas (my 9 faves below), I'm still on the fence about the idea. (Terrible pun not intended. Pumpkins on fence. Ha.)

My 9 favorite painted pumpkin ideas!

1. Gold triangle/chalkboard paint pumpkins
2. Mod painted pumpkins
3 Chalkboard word find pumpkins
4. Bright ombre pumpkins
5. Chalkboard paint jack-o-lanterns
6. Zigzag and polka dot pumpkins
7. Tribal triangle painted pumpkins
8. Gold herringbone painted pumpkins
9. Welcome message pumpkin/printable

Now, I've thought a lot about the non-carved pumpkin for Halloween, and obvs there are a lot of cute ideas out there, but I'm honestly not sure I'd ever do it!! I've been thinking about the pros and cons...

Painted Pumpkins Pros:


  • They're cute! They can go with your trendy home decor more than a traditional jack-o-lantern
  • They're new and different, which I'm always into!
  • They're probably different than your neighbors' pumpkins
  • If you do chalkboard ones, or if you keep your paint cans out, you can change the message/pattern on them all you want
  • You could repaint them and reuse them for Thanksgiving decor, if they don't go bad!
  • Decorating them is slightly less messy than carving, but not necessarily less fun!

There are some cons, too.

Painted Pumpkin Cons:


  • You can't make roasted pumpkin seeds when you're done
  • You probably have to wash the pumpkin really well, right??
  • Your husband might be really confused and bummed he doesn't get to carve pumpkins this year (this is a real risk for my tradition-loving hubby)!
  • They don't light up! Unless you could get really creative with some Christmas lights or something? But that sounds messy.

Clearly, I'm undecided. I am getting in the holiday mood, though, and ready to get some pumpkins to decorate at least our porch. So how about you weight in. What are your fave pumpkin decorating ideas? Will you always be a carving traditionalist? Have you put as much thought into this as me? ;)

But one thing's for sure for this weekend...BRING ON THE PUMPKIN PATCHES!
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Weekend Inspiration: Summer colors! And, some not-so-inspiring stuff about blog reading

6.28.2013

Weekend Inspiration: Summer colors! And, some not-so-inspiring stuff about blog reading

This week's Weekend Inspiration post is summer-themed, since it's officially summer now and getting HOT--and 4th of July weekend is coming up. In Oregon, summer doesn't truly start (consistent summer weather, that is) until after the 4th of July weekend. Sometimes it rains on the 4th of July, but never after! Not until fall. It's crept up on me this year but soon it will be hot weather all the time!

But, I must confess, this post is in disguise... I do want to share some summery inspirations I've had of late, but also, tried to make this post exciting... to cover up some boring stuff and bad news.

Pretty pictures first, then the trick... ;)

This weekend's inspiration for me: Neon. Black/white. Turquoise. I'm itching to get crafty (or shopping?) to get a few of these into my life!! How about you, what's on your mind this weekend??

Neon





Black and white






Turquoise


Source: honestlywtf.com via Suzannah, on Pinterest




Amirite?!

So those were the pretty pictures. Now to business. As a blogger I'm a little annoyed about the loss of Google Reader (It DIES July 1!) That means, if you follow this or any of your fave blogs with Google Reader, you'll no longer get updates when there are new posts. Lame.

So, to minimize the negative impacts, you'll probably want to switch to another subscription service and use that instead. I follow my fave blogs on Bloglovin. Super easy, you can sign up with you Facebook if you don't already have an account, and you can easily follow blogs and organize them however you like. Pick your notification settings, all that.

I'm no pro at all the tech stuff, but there are some simple tutorial posts out there about how you can even IMPORT your Google Reader blogs to Bloglovin'!


There are other services you can use, too, like Feedly is a newer one--apparently a lot like Google Reader.

Anyway, there's some ideas for you. Take 3-5 minutes and switch your Google Reader feeds to Bloglovin' so you don't miss anything from your favorite blogs! We bloggers will miss you otherwise! And, are you inspired for brights, maxi dresses, and a vintage-ey summer feel? ;)

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