great idea: make your own sprinkles

Spotted this idea over on pinterest and couldn't resist sharing because it's such a good idea. Good because you know what ingredients are in them and just think of all the colors you could make to match any event.

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ruffled ribbon headband (+ giveaway)

If you've been reading for a while you might remember that one of my goals for the new year is to make/craft/create something at least once a month (you can see last months projects here and here). For February's project, my cute 20 year old niece Ashley commissioned me to make her some headbands. Ashley didn't give me any direction on what she wanted so I had to create something that I thought she'd like. I made a couple headbands but the one that I wanted to share today was this ruffled ribbon headband.

And! since I had extra materials, I thought I would make one to give away!

If you'd like to win this ruffled ribbon headband simply leave a comment. Perhaps telling me about your latest crafty project or if you haven't done one in a while, tell me what you'd like your next project to be.

I will randomly select a winner on Tuesday, March 1st!

Good luck and have a great weekend!

Cherine's...

1. I am doing stripes like this to my downstairs over Spring Break. I have always been a striped kind of gal.

2. Those are children whom we are working with in Guatemala. They just received the school supplies we sent. LOVE THEM!

3. I am a collector of SHOES. I want these and these. I think everyone needs a good red casual shoe plus it goes to a good cause. I love me a good cause. ;)

4. Stripes (there we go again) and blazers.

Hooray for stripes, shoes and good causes! Thanks for sharing your list with us Cherine. Please go and take a look at the cause Cherine is passionate about!

If you are interested in sharing your list, we'd love to read it! Go here for details.

spring in a can

A splendid way to welcome spring into your home!

psst...enter to win one here.

colorful country home

There was no holding back on color - anywhere - when they decorated this home. I have to say that bold black and white striped hallway with its gallery walls is my favorite. I like stripes...

favorite things

Hello friends! Did you have a lovely weekend? We spent yesterday afternoon having a picnic with some friends at our local botanic gardens. It is one of our favorite way to spend a leisurely Sunday afternoon.

I don't have much by way of post, Olivia woke up sick in the middle of the night. But if you feel so inclined, I can send you over to My Favorite Things where I shared my list of favorite things.

Happy {President's Day} Monday!

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have a sweet weekend

From the Ruche Spring '11 Look Book

Leslie's...

Today Miss Leslie of fresh out of lemons is sharing her list of things she is currently loving...

1. The Colbert Report. I know this isn't a new show, and my husband and I have DVR'ed the nightly episodes for years, but I've really gotten into watching lately. I enjoy Colbert's way of attacking political (and other) absurdity. He's funny and smart, and I'm a fan.

2. Sarah Addison Allen. My book club chose Garden Spells last year, and I've loved every work by this "magical realism" writer since then. I've just finished The Girl Who Chased the Moon, which was beautifully written. As a Southerner, I also appreciate that her stories are always set in North Carolina because I think that we do have a bit of magic and myth in our small towns and people.

3. Spring Look Books. Everything that I've seen looks classic and fun, with beautiful prints, colors, and accessories. I'm loving all the ideas that Talbots, J. Crew, and Loft have shared with those of us who are sick of winter layers and are dreaming of warm weather.

4. Nude shoes. I never-ever-ever thought that nude shoes would catch my eye. I always thought of them as "Aunt Bee-ish." And then the above mentioned Talbot's Spring Look Book came out. Suddenly I'm obsessed and on the market for a pair.

5. Blogs. I love the idea of having a "space" for creative people to share our lives, projects, tips, and adventures. I'm fascinated by the idea that my stories can be captured in this unique way for whoever comes across my little url. Some of my favorite fellow bloggers (besides olive & a) are Cardigan Junkie, Mackin Ink, Shutterly Lovely, and You Stir Me. All ladies with whom I'd want to be friends in "real life."
 

Great list! Thanks for sharing with us Leslie! I love learning about new books so I'll definitely have to check out Sarah Addison Allen.  Please stop by Leslie's blog and say hello.

 

If you are interested in sharing your list, we'd love to read it! Go here for details.

favorite room of the moment

Tia Zoldan's dining room from the premeir issue of High Gloss Magazine

why thank you

It seems we've got some new readers around here lately thanks to a couple sweet girls who've mentioned olive & a, so a big welcome to you if you've found us recently!

The lovely Barb over at The Mom Blog kindly awarded me the versatile blogger award. One of the responsibilities of accepting the award is to share 7 things about myself….so here goes!

7 things that you might not know about me:

1. I played the violin from 4th to 7th grade. I didn't enjoy it and never practiced. When I told my parents I wanted to quit they said I'd regret it. I haven't. Is that sad?

2. I am left handed.

3. I am currently working on getting my bachelors in family life studies and am tttttttttttttthhhhhhhhhhhhiiiiiiiiissssssssss close to graduating. When I finish, I'd like to study interior design.

4. I LOVE to read but haven't picked up a "fun" book for about 2 1/2 years. The last book(s) I read was the Twilight series. Not a good note to end on. I'll soon be done with my textbooks and back to the fun books.

5. When I was little I won a Crayola Crayon color naming contest. The winning crayon name? Bedazzled Blue.

6. I am the wife of a medical student.

7. If I could eat one thing, and only one thing it would be potatoes (hashbrowns, french fries, mashed potatoes...you get the idea).

a study in styling

I suppose my attention was supposed to be focused on the blue accessories in this Target ad but what really caught my eye was the bookcase (and that ladder). While I am sure it was professionally styled, what I really like about it is how effortless it appears. Like accessories and books collected over time that have been read and then shelved wherever there was room for them.

I have a couple bookcases that are in dire need of some styling and I could use some lessons on how to do it effortlessly. Jamie's bookcase of the day could be my 'textbook' in which to study from. I'll have to get on that...maybe when my real school work is over with.

Do tell : Have any tips on how you've got your bookcase to look stylin'?

Tori's...

braids

braids

and more braids

I thought it was only apropos to share someones currently loving list on Valentines Day so here is Tori's. She says that she is currently loving (and has always loved) braids! All kinds of them. And who wouldn't after viewing these pictures? So pretty! Please stop by her blog and say hello!

If you are interested in sharing your list, we'd love to read it! Go here for details.

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HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!

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overhaulin'

I am in the midst of a post-pregnancy wardrobe overhaul and am trying to pin down a few things.  1. Just what my style is and 2. What really works for me and my body type. My clothes from high school just aren't cutting it after having two babies. I may have developed some hips. Just sayin'.

lands end canvas

j.crew

banana republic

To help with my closet overhaul, it has been really useful to read Kendi's posts on creating a working closet. I have purged my closet and written a shopping list, now I just need to do the actual shopping (and try remixing). My goal is to create a solid wardrobe with basic but classic pieces that I can build upon.

For me, the price tag has always carried more weight rather than the article of clothing so I usually end up buying clothes because they were cheap/on sale. There is nothing wrong with getting a good deal, I'm all for it but there is getting a good deal and then there is getting a good deal on a not so good product. This brings me to goal #2: buy more quality items that will last me through more than three to five washes. I have a feeling it is going to take some patience on my part to not do any impulse buying but if I persist, I know I will be a happy girl with a closet full of clothes I'm in love with.

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I hope that ya'll have a lovely weekend! Rumor has it the weather is supposed to get better this weekend. Maybe spring is on her way? I certainly hope so! Also, if you didn't get a chance to fill out my survey, I'd appreciate if you'd take a minute to do so. Pretty please? K. Thanks! See you Monday friends!

Jillian's...

Our first currently loving participant is the lovely Jillian of cornflake dreams. Such a pretty little list of things she is loving. Oh, and how cute is that little guy? Please stop by her blog and say hello.

If you are interested in sharing your list, we'd love to read it! Go here for details.

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a few things

:: I am now a pinner. Do you use pinterest? Let me know, I'd love to follow you!

:: It has been a while since I updated my blog roll but I finally got around to it. Go check it out.

:: If you have a couple of minutes to spare, I have created a short reader survey. Only 5 questions! I would love it if you'd fill it out so that I can get your feedback on how I can make olive & a better.  Thanks in advance! (If you can't see the survery embedded, you'll need to just click over to olive & a's website.)

all dressed up

I am sure I'm not alone in this but I tend to be fickle with the styles of interiors I am attracted to. They tend to change more than I would like. That being said, I've never been big on the more traditional, dare I say stuffy, interiors. Every once in a while I will see something that might convince me I could like a little more formality. This Alabama home designed by Tracery Interiors certainly did. A space I definetely could not describe as stuffy but glamourous.

Is it okay to drool over a kitchen because I think I just did? Those tile walls are gorgeous!

what are you currently loving?

Most weeks you read about what I am currently loving, but now I want to know what you are loving!

I did this feature last spring (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) and thought it would be fun to do it again. I love discovering new things by reading about what other people are currently loving. Whether it be a book, blog, movie, shop, article of clothing, person, etc.

If you'd like to participate (don't be shy), please send me an email [oliveanda@gmail.com] with Currently Loving in the subject line. Tell me 3-5 things you are currently loving with a brief description as to why you are loving these each of these items and a link if applicable. Please also include a little bit about your self and a link to your blog. I will email you back and let you know when your list will be posted.

Excited to see what you are loving!

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be jeweled

would you look at all that color.

these gorgeous jewel tones have me craving spring bad!

Oh spring, please come soon!

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EmersonMade.

Wowsers! Have you seen the goods coming out of EmersonMade. lately? That girl Emerson is on fire designing some very, very pretty clothes.



We've got a winner for the CSN Stores giveaway!

Lucky #13.

who is...

Congrats! I'll be in touch.

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I hope that you all have a wonderfully warm and safe weekend!!!

h is for...

a happy print. a very happy print indeed!

How fun are Rachel's new colorful prints? You can't help but be happy when looking at them!

I am seriously eyeing the orange slice for Olivia's room.

Find them here!

PSST!...last chance to enter the CSN stores giveaway.

in good fashion - Reese Witherspoon

There isn't a lot that I admire in Hollywood but there are a few stylish ladies whom closets I'd love to raid. Reese Witherspoon is one of them. I think her everyday look is a good example of how you can still look polished and classic while wearing casual attire.

Any leading ladies have a closet you'd love to raid?

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go bold or play it safe

I have been thinking a lot about my style lately in regards to interiors. Do I gravitate towards color or do I like to keep things neutral and a little bit more safe. Looking around my home it seems that I usually tend to use color in the bedrooms and keep things more neutral in the public areas of my home. I am in love with the use of color in this living room but don't know if I could ever commit to that much color or white!

Do tell : Is it color or neutrals for you?

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