Owls and Flowers: Begonia

The spiral in begonia leaves are really neat! We see a lot of begonias in gardens here and they are a sweet and easy to take care of plant. This owl is sporting a tiny top hat with a begonia leaf tucked inside.

Aster

- Rachele

OOTD: Blue Stripes

I really like my new haircut. It is a little shorter and "sportier". I think it also looks much better in person. Maybe because it doesn't look as dark as it does in some of these photos? This is one of my favorite tops. It is a sweater material and super cozy when the office gets a little chilly. I got it from Target. In the maternity section. No, I am not pregnant but sometimes the shirts are cute and I like that they are nice and long!

I appreciate all the wonderful comments I got on my hair post. Thanks guys! I love hearing when I have inspired someone to do something that makes them feel beautiful and not what they think they are "allowed" to do.

Eep! It is getting cold around these parts. I think I might pull out my Twinkie Chan strawberry mitts I made last year.

P.S. I have lots of sponsors spots still available. Including the large exclusive spot. Remember, if you purchase December, January is free! Click for rates.

- Rachele

Owls and Flowers: Aster

It is no secret that I love owls. But you may not know that I also love plants and flowers. I used to be a floral designer and appreciate the world of plants still. I have always wanted to do a series of illustrated owls so I decided to combine my two interests and will be drawing an owl with flowers. Pretty simple! Each flower will represent a letter in the alphabet. I am starting with Aster today! My goal is to finish the project by the end of the year. Wish me luck guys, because I am slipping into winter lazy mode. Hopefully, this will keep me inspired and fresh!

- Rachele

Sweet On You Sunday

Enamel flowery canisters.

Glasses, hair, lipstick!

Overlapping kitties.

I would love to have a plate wall one day.

Genius! Toilet paper tube owls.

Charming little illustration.

Vintage pixie haircut and kitties!

I nabbed The Sewing Kit Dress from Red Velvet on Friday, taking advantage of their 50% off sale. I hope they offer even more of their dresses in 3XL.

Diana from Our.City.Lights has started a new tech blog called Gadchick.

Rebecca from We Are LARGE, People cut her hair short! Too cute!

Thanksgiving was delicious and very, very filling because we go to both our parents and have two dinners! My in-laws made me a special meatless chicken marsala with mushroom gravy so I wouldn't feel left out and stuck eating all potatoes.

We got new tires and new pillows and they were much needed! I no longer feel deflated and guilty about putting it off.

The cats will not stop scratching our laundry center so we put cayenne pepper on the heavily scratched spots. They haven't scratched once all day!

- Rachele

What I'm Thankful For

Handsome mister, cuddly kitties, cozy home, this here blog, pretty adventures, word games, thrifting, sweets, crochet, people that love the real me, tattoos, netflix nights, growing old with my best friend and electronic addictions.

Happy Thanksgiving! 

- Rachele

DIY Pixie Haircut

I realized today that I was in desperate need of a haircut! When your hair is super short, it only takes two weeks to grow out a style.

I was starting to rock the mullet and facing struggles in the morning to make it look good. I took to my pinterest board for some inspiration and then I drew myself to work out how it needs to be cut and how it might look. Since I cut my own hair this really helps me to understand the shape and length of the style that I can use as a reference later. I love that I get to be creative and change my hair at a whim.

Cutting my own hair is also very practical. I save a lot of money and am able to maintain short hair. I wanted to dye my hair too so I went to the drugstore tonight and picked up L'Oreal Feria Espresso 40. The color is a little darker than I usually go. But I really like it! I did have to pick up an eyebrow pencil to match my new darker look.

I feel so much better without hair on my neck.

I wish I could show you how I cut my own hair. But I can only do it naked and I am sort of unorganized about it. But I will explain a little bit (Well, actually a quite lengthy explanation) I am not a professional or trained and this is only how I do it. I have been cutting my own hair for at least 12 years, usually short pixie haircuts. 

I first dye my hair, following the directions on the box. Then I towel dry my hair and let it air dry a little so I don't accidentally cut it too short when it is wet. I brush it into the style that I plan on achieving. Then I cut the hairs that aren't supposed to be there! Just kidding! That is what I tell my husband when he asks me how I do it. For this haircut I combed the hair on top forward, separating it from the bottom layer that is supposed to be shorter. I pinned the top to keep it in place. Using a comb, I straightened out the hair in the back, perpendicular to my scalp and pinched it with my fingers. Since I wanted it to be short, I cut below my fingers. Basically I did the same to the whole back and the sides, using my fingers as a guide for length in the areas that I cannot see. It is important not to pull the hair down and cut. You want to pull it out, away from your head.

I cut the hair closest to my neck a little shorter, cutting at an angle gradually. I use a mirror to see the back so I can shape it. I used a razor to shave the wispy neck hairs. Then I took the pins out and trimmed the crown to make it look more gradual and transition to the shorter hair. I trimmed the bangs on the right side only and cut the sideburn-area hair at an angle. A lot of the hair on top was left alone because it already fit the length of the style. I used thinning scissors to thin out the sides and back. I styled it with mouse and texturizer while it is wet, blow dry, straight iron, tease and fuss with, then finish with hairspray.

It is really important to me to also point out that you do not have to be short and tiny like Audrey Tautou to look beautiful with a short pixie hair cut. I am tall, round and have a double chin. But I feel the most comfortable and feminine with my hair short. I don't think you need to hide behind your hair. Even that little roll in the back of your neck deserves a little attention.

Oh, and this was my inspiration! Ginnifer Goodwin :)

Would you ever cut your own hair?

- Rachele

OOTD: Lunch Date

Yesterday was one of those rush-out-the-door days. So a hat it is!

flannel plaid top : target

jeggings : fashion bug

hat : h&m

shoes : payless

But my work day was looking up because the mister picked me up for lunch!

We went to a little Mexican restaurant close by. They have fish tacos, horchata, chili cheese fries and the best tortas in town. They almost burned down one time but we are glad they didn't!

We had a lovely lunch date!

- Rachele

The Many Faces of Sandy

Curious, irritated, shocked, indifferent, impatient, sleepy. Sandy makes the best little faces!

- Rachele

Sweet On You Sunday

These amazing night lights made from non-working vintage cameras. 

Colors in this outfit are perfect.

Bubbles should really have his own show!

Framed mushrooms are really neat! 

Pretty owl feather in watercolor!

Gorgeous Audrey Tautou with a pixie.

Add these to my Christmas wishlist.

Sweet story on Mitten Paws about her blog name, written by her mister.

I updated my Fatty Diary today.

I love that Elycia has leash trained her cats!

Citybirds used woodgrain contact paper and a vintage suitcase to make a neat display for her jewelry.

Not sick anymore! Yay!

I started crocheting some slipper boots. My feet get super cold in the winter.

My honey brought me home a vintage paint by number and a little owl. He is the best!

I had the best pita with zaatar this weekend and need to start making it at home. Mmmm! 

- Rachele