Meet Your New Blog Crushes!

4.30.2012

I'm so excited because today is my first ever sponsor highlight post! I've had a wonderful month with my April sponsors and cannot say enough about each and every one of these amazing women. I want to be best friends with them all, and I know you will be as big a fan as I am after just one look. Isn't it fun to peek into someone else's daily life and see how interesting life can be? I hope you'll give each of them a little love and spread the word about their fabulous-ness.

I asked each blogger to tell us a little bit about their blog and also asked two questions. The first question was about their summer plans and the second was to recall their last dream. The summer plans are just for fun but dreams can often lead us to think deeper about life, examine recent events, or just make us laugh. Why not try to balance out the serious and the fun in life, right? It was a lot of fun to read their responses.
Hello! My name is Cara-Mia and I blog over at I Typed for Miles. I blog about life as a newlywed in a new city (San Diego area), decorating our apartment, things I wear, and items I've thrifted. Stop by and say hello! 

What are you most looking forward to this summer?
I'm looking forward to summer in San Diego! Beaching it, baseball games, picnics, going for walks, etc. 

What was the last dream you had?
The last dream I remember was the other day. In it, my brother was moving in with us. Random, but in the dream we were all happy about it.


Hi. My name is Natasha and I am Bamboo Blossom. I live in a beautiful little village in South Africa with my boyfriend and our three dogs. I make handbags and other accessories from upcycled fabrics. I love giving something old a new life and I hate throwing anything away. I'm absolutely addicted to buying big bags with fabric scraps from charity shops. My blog is your glimpse into my life. I post about things I make for my Etsy shop and for myself, recipes I try, places I go and all kinds of other things I get up to. I look forward to your visit.

What are you most looking forward to this summer?
It's the start of winter in South Africa, so I'm looking forward to being able to layer without worrying about being too hot. We also have our first fireplace in our new house and I can't wait to try it out.

In summer I always look forward to not constantly having a cold red nose.

What was the last dream you remember about?
I dreamt I was walking onto the stage of a large theatre filled with people and I saw that I was in a play, but I didn't remember anything before that or know what my lines were.


My Billie features posts on DIY and fashion and I'm also super passionate about promoting other blogs on my blog. I love the community that blogging fosters!

What are you most looking forward to this summer?
This summer I'm most looking forward to completing a lot of big projects that are in the works right now (such as loving how I look in a bikini, raising enough money to buy a camera and launch my vintage e-commerce site and maybe even having enough money saved up by then for a new tattoo!). 

What was the last dream you remember about?
This is actually a bit random but the last dream I remember having was of making out with gay guys. I mean I LOVE gay guys (and I know some pretty hot ones to boot) but I don't think that would really ever happen. Scientifically. You know??


Hi, I'm Ciera and I like to share my adventures as a freelance graphic designer and everything that exhilarates me as an artist on my blog, Ciera Design. My favorite topics are DIY projects, photography, adventure seeking, recipes, inspired living and all things graphic design! I love traveling, the color green, typography, New Orleans, festivals and keyboard shortcuts! Please stop by and say hello!

What are you most looking forward to this summer?
I am looking forward to my parents visiting me! They are heading up to Boston from New Orleans and we will explore the city and road trip to Maine for a weekend! I also can't wait for lots of outdoor time... I love iced tea and lemonade, jean shorts and sun dresses, festivals and beach days, can't wait for it all! 

What was the last dream you remember about?
The last dream I remember was my friends mom trying to convince her to cut her hair short right before she got married. I was telling her to keep it long since she was going to want to curl it for her wedding day! My best friend really is getting married in April, so I think it has been stressing me out a little, haha.


Well hello there, you lovely Secondhand Sundays reader you. My name is Sierra and I blog over at Vienna Waits. As you can see, I am a bespectacled clothes-wearer who is a big fan of black skinny jeans. What you can't see is that I am also a self-deprecating bookworm who shares tales of her daily life while trying way too hard to get a chuckle out of her readers. If you like reading, thrifting and will be able to pick up on my Arrested Development and Parks & Recreationreferences, we could definitely be friends.

What are you most looking forward to this summer?
Back-porch dates with my boyfriend and a cold glass of Summer Shandy.

What was the last dream you remember about?
I was in high school psychology and everyone in the class had to bring in their dirty laundry as part of a psych evaluation. Everyone just made fun of my granny panties. 


In 2010 my family and I moved 1000 miles away from our family and friends so we could afford to have more children. My step-father had given me his old DSLR, so to encourage myself to learn to use it (and just to keep our family updated on our life), I started my blog. But I've connected so much more with them through it - and made so many unexpected friends from all over the world - that some days it doesn't really feel like we're so far away from everyone after all.

What are you most looking forward to this summer?
I'm definitely looking forward the most to meeting our third little one, who's due at the end of June. Knowing I get to spend all summer getting to know her makes me so giddy! She'll be my first summer baby.

What was the last dream you remember about?
I don't remember all of it, but I remember that I had a bright pink violin and I knew how to play it. Pretty well, too. So I woke up feeling pretty good about myself :)


Hi, I'm Kristin of HelloSweetWorld, a blog about photography, life and random things. I like sunshine, exploring and mustard. I am an east coast girl transplanted to the midwest and dreaming of the southwest. I live with my boyfriend, my papillon named Zorro and a crazy alley cat. I have a major collection of cameras and can't go on a trip without at least 3 of them. My blog captures my journey through this sweet life. 

What are you most looking forward to this summer?
I'm looking forward to warmer weather, yard sales and going to a new favorite swimming hole this summer. 

What was the last dream you remember about? 
As far as dreams go, I've had so many lately that I remember so I'll just pick one. I dreamt that my friend went to see some sort of dinosaur exhibit and had photos of it and I was super jealous of her, because for some reason I have a recent obsession with dinosaurs. How silly! 


Hello! My name is Danielle, but you can call me Danie. I’m a twenty-five-year-old design lover from Texas who graduated with a degree in interior design, but decided to dive into her childhood dream of pursuing art. My top loves are my football/computer geek husband, my snorty Boston Terrier, and comfortable, modern simplicity. When I’m working, you’ll likely find me wearing big, nerdy glasses with a messy bun perched on top of my head while creating digital illustrations, watercolor/acrylic paintings, and marker drawings. One of my favorite aspects of my blog is when I pair my artwork with short stories every Friday. The other days of the week, I’ll post about things I’m inspired by, whether it’s fashion, photography, lifestyle, design, etc. I’m honored to have been a sponsor on Secondhand Sundays, and I’m constantly amazed by the kindness expressed by so many bloggers. Thank you for having me, Bekuh!

What are you most looking forward to this summer?
I cannot WAIT to go to the beaches this summer! My mom is from the Philippines, so I always exclaim that I must belong in the tropics. My tiny family and I will be taking short road trips to Corpus Christi, which is a (pretty) short drive from my new home in San Antonio, and we’ll also be heading to the beaches in California in August. DOUBLE excitement over here!

What was the last dream you remember about?
Well, this is depressing, but I’ve been having nightmares lately…is that a bad sign? Fortunately, I can’t remember the details, so I don’t get soap in my eyes while opening them in the shower to make sure a monster isn’t lurking around the premises. 


I have such a hard time describing my blog! It's definitely a lifestyle blog and I blog about everything- my life as a recent college grad, law school wife, and designer who works from home in Virginia and a lot of time my favorite finds from around the internet. My absolutely favorite thing about blogging is connecting with my readers and with other bloggers. I love taking pictures of food, flowers, houses- you name it! Stop by and say hello!

What are you most looking forward to this summer?
Two words: GRILLED FOOD. We're living with my parents this summer since my husband's internship is in Northern Virginia, and I can't wait to take full advantage of their gas grill.

What was the last dream you remember about?
I haven't been remembering my dreams a ton lately, but I do remember having this dream that one of my best friends turned out to be dating a teacher from our high school. It was awkward.


Hello to all the lovely followers of Secondhand Sundays! I am so So SO excited that I was able to have a space on this most wonderful of blogs. My name is Kelley and I reside on this little blog, A Crooked Trail. I’m an adventure lovin, book readin, train ridin girl that loves to snuggle. My love of culture has led me around the world, and when I’m not traveling my mind is.

What are you most looking forward to this summer?
Bekuh has asked us to share what we were looking forward to the most this summer. Well, guess what? Um, did you say, Kelley you must be hiking the Incan Trail, and therefore fulfilling one of your life goals? If you did than you are so right! Machu Pichu here I come!


Elephants and Hot Air Balloons is a blog by two American girls living in Prague. Amy, from Northern California, is a grad student who writes about traveling, fashion, and upcycling. Colleen is a nursery school teacher from Eastern Long Island who writes about crafts, food, and life in Prague. They regularly post photography, links, recipes, and tutorials. Amy and Colleen like to spend their time in Prague picnicking in parks, brunching at favorite spots, and going on adventures around town. They window shop for blue suede shoes and old lady church hats. Armed with a camera, they try to document all the things they hope readers will enjoy.

What are you most looking forward to this summer?
“I have been working so hard to finish my masters degree in June that I cannot wait for summer! I look forward to having my parents visit in July and to going on trips to places in Europe I have never been before,” writes Amy.

What was the last dream you remember about?
Colleen writes, “The most recent dream I can remember was a pretty typical kind of dream for me, wherein I purchased an inflatable, bouncy horse which I used as my primary mode of transportation. I hopped around on it inside and outdoors, somehow using it to replace public transportation on my daily commute. And, of course, no one remarked on my bouncy horse in the entire dream.”

BLOG//PINTEREST (Colleen)//PINTEREST (Amy)

I’m Lena. The rainbow sprinkle enthusiast, mountain loving, and hot tea sipping writer of Musings. My blog is where you’ll find my thoughts, ideas, excitement, and adoration for this little thing called living. You see I’ve been captivated by life’s joy. Whether it’s the bliss of falling in love, dreams of exploring a faraway land, or simply enjoying a spoonful of Nutella.. I believe that delight is everywhere. I intend to celebrate it. And I’m inviting you to come join the celebration.

What are you most looking forward to this summer?
Hiking. Blueberries. Rope swings. Chacos. Blooming wildflowers. Butterflies. Stargazing. Porch sitting. You know.. all things good.

What was the last dream you remember about?
Prepare yourselves.. this might blow your mind. You see, my dream involved popsicles in the shape of sushi and possibly a school bus filled with Serta Mattress sheep eating those popsicles. I don’t even know, friends. Somebody, please explain.


Hi I'm Lauren! I blog over at Calico Skies, where I share the things that I find lovely and inspiring. There you'll find crafty diy's, yummy recipes, and little pieces of my life here in Los Angeles. Come say hello!

What are you most looking forward to this summer?
The thing I'm looking forward to this summer is definitely beach camping and lawn games.

What was the last dream you remember about?
From the last dream I can remember, my cat got outside, and I was chasing her all over an abandoned city like in The Walking Dead. I was very worried because she's my baby.


Show these lovely ladies some love. Happy Monday friends! big kiss, bekuh

Weekly Obsessions: Mixed Drinks to Try

4.29.2012

Since this week has been all about accomplishing goals, making progress and thinking about all I have left to accomplish in my 2012 goals, I thought we'd keep the theme going with this week's Weekly Obsessions. 

One of my sillier goals is to find a new mixed drink that I like. I'm pretty particular about my mixed drinks and 9 times out of 10 I order a bourbon and ginger when we go out for drinks.  I love bourbon and ginger and have no plans of replacing my favorite drink but I'd like to expand my repertoire. I've been collecting interesting drink recipes on Pinterest and today I'm going to share them with you.

1. Italian Greyhound with Rosemary Sugar
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 Anything with rosemary immediately gets 100 cool points with me and the pretty color combination in this drink only makes it cooler. I've never heard of Aperol before but it's worth a shot on looks alone, right? Check out the original post my Family Style Food for the recipe.

2. The Robert Frost
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When Oh So Beautiful Paper started sharing cocktails on Friday I quickly signed up to read each post. She's shared some really interesting drinks, but this Robert Frost is still on the top of my list to try. If you're looking to branch out your own drink choices her cocktail fridays are a good place to start.

3. Strawberry Basil Bourbon Spritzer
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So this cocktail choice may be a little safe considering my favorite drink is two ingredients, the main one being bourbon, but you've gotta start somewhere. The fresh strawberries and basil sound like a really refreshing combination for summer sipping. Check out the recipe here.

4. The June Bug
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I loved the movie, so why not try a drink called the June Bug? This would make a perfect drink for a bridal shower or luncheon as it has orange sorbet in the ingredients. Serve this with a fresh fruit salad, cucumber sandwiches, and petit fours and you've got your party planned.

5. The Marguerite
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I love Design Love Fest, and Bri's recent post on the Marguerite really caught my eye. I want to fix this with my girlfriends and sit out on the porch laughing late into the night.

6. Blackberry Sage Cooler
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This recipe is actually non-alcoholic but you could easily add a splash of vodka or tequila to make it a mixed drink. The simplicity of this recipe is so alluring. You can read the recipe here.

Well that's all I've got my lovelies. I'm off to try a refreshing drink and spend a little time with my loves. big kiss, bekuh

2012 Goals: Bike Progress

4.27.2012

Once again I just wanted to say thank you so much for your support during the first day of our launch of the Button Factory, you guys rock! Getting to cross "Launch the Button Factory online" off my 2012 Goal List has been the highlight of my year so far. It is not, however, my only goal. Recently I've been working hard on another one of my favorite 2012 goals, renovating an old bike. I think you'll like the progress I've been making.
 I've been slowly buying all of the fun accessories I want for the bike like a front basket, new seat and handle bars, and a back rack as well. I decided to install the new seat and handle bars for a temporary sprucing up, while I wait to have a weekend to strip and repaint the bike mint green. 

The basket and back rack are both aluminum so they'll compliment the silver details on the seat, making this ramshackle bike look brand new when all is said and done. Below you see a close up of the new bike seat and handle bars.
I've been practicing my biking on the gravel road behind the house. I literally haven't been on a bike since I was 13, so a refresher course is a must. I'm starting to feel more confident and I can't wait to bike downtown with Ryan later this summer. big kiss, bekuh.

Working at it like it's Our Job

4.26.2012

Last night Katie and I met around 9pm to put the finishing touches on the Button Factory's launch. We had written the descriptions, taken the pictures, and planned out the release down to the second. We just had one final project to tackle, the shipping packets.

It's funny to think how awkward our first craft night was in December, because yesterday was so seamless, and easy, and silly. It was fun cutting out the cards, gluing buttons, and drawing laurel wreaths. It was fun because we were so excited for the launch. I tweeted up a storm while we snipped and clipped and got our pretty little packaging envelopes ready for all of your wonderful purchases. He're a look at what we did, using the almighty instagram (follow me @bekuhdoo).
Already today we feel like all our hard work has paid off because we made two sales in less than an hour, and 5 total so far! I can't wait to see what the first couple of months hold for the store. Thank you all for your support during our amazing adventure into small business-dom. big kiss, bekuh

the Button Factory Launches Today!

It's official the Button Factory has launched on Etsy! All of our hard work and late night meetings have led to the opening of our online boutique. Go and see what all the fuss is about, and while you're at it like us on Facebook too. big kiss, bekuh

Remade: Instax Mini Scrapbook Album

4.25.2012

About two years ago I picked up two mini photo albums from a thrift store for about .25 cents each. They were too small for my regular photos but their inlaid metallic designs were just too irresistible to pass up. I held out for the day a stroke of genius would hit me and I would find the perfect use for these pretties. Finally this Christmas my reason arrived; Instax Mini. The moment I snapped my first instax these albums had a new purpose in life as a scrapbook.
I started by pulling out my stacks of patterned paper and picked out sheets of paper I thought complimented the feel of album covers. I then found other objects, like photo corners, glue, stickers, etc. to pile together to create a supply list. The best part of scrap-booking is you can use whatever you have lying around to create it. It doesn't have to be a kit you buy at the local craft store. If all you have is solid colored paper, use your imagination and sketch some patterns out on them to create some visual interest.
Before cutting anything out I had to remove the clear film from all of the pages as they were stained and cracked. I counted the number of pages I had and quickly calculated the amount of supplies I needed.
I decided to create a page template to use instead of measuring each page out individually. I used a heavy card-stock so it had some weight to it. After creating the template it was easy to cut out the remaining pages and glue them into place with ease and speed.
I liked keeping the pages simple and to the point, with writing all in black ink and some silly lines and squiggles in the same ink. The photo corners were also and easy item to use and a nice design element. You can peek into my pages thus far below.
There are about 20 pages in all and I've only filled up half, so the rest of the summer should be a fun way to fill up scrapbook one of two. Book two being reserved to our fall and winter antics. 2012 is looking up. big kiss, bekuh

Birthdays this Week

4.24.2012

Today is my Dad's birthday and my Grandma celebrates hers on Saturday so today is officially the birthday day of April! I'm taking a moment to celebrate both of these amazing individuals and share with you just a few reasons why I love them.
Dad, you have always been my Saturday morning buddy. From football games to cheesy old westerns there isn't a happy Saturday memory in my childhood that doesn't involve cuddling next to you in a recliner. Even all grown up I still love sitting with you while you read or play video games while I visit (Yes my Dad plays video games, get over it hehe). Happy Birthday Daddy I love you so much.
Grandma, you are my original style icon and I have looked up to you my whole life. I will always cherish our shopping trips together, sleep overs, and Audrey Hepburn marathons. You are still so cool and one of the most loving people ever. I cherish your love most of all. Happy early Birthday Grandma, I love you.

I'm not trying to be overly corny, but I seriously have the best family in the world. I know every single day they are out there thinking about me and wishing the best and I hope they know I feel the same. big kiss, bekuh


Look what the mail man brought me

A lovely mailman was kind enough to drop by our house and deliver three presents to the door. This makes me a pretty happy lady. I may or may not have purchased these gifts for myself, but regardless they were gifts and exciting.
First we received our CanvasPop picture of our happy little family and I have literally been staring at it everyday that I've come home since. I just love it so much, but have no idea where to hang it. Dilemmas.
The next little present I received came in the prettiest pink box, with so many pretty details no picture can do it justice. I ordered my dream wallet from Kate Spade! They were having their amazing friends and family discount and the wallet I've wanted for about 6 months was coincidentally on sale. A discount, on top of a discount; I swoon.
My last little surprise was a package holding four pairs of earrings, from a partial trade I made for the sale of my remaining lantern stock. I am absolutely smitten with them and was already wearing a red pair minutes after opening the package! They're by a shop called Peace of Kauai. Colleen is getting married next May and already knew she wanted the lanterns for her ceremony, now that's planning!

There is nothing more fun than getting something in the mail, especially if those somethings are pretty, perfect, and lovely. Just thought I'd share my happiness with you today. big kiss, bekuh

The Story Behind the Button Factory

4.23.2012


With the launch of the Button Factory coming up this Thursday, I thought it was high time I shared with you the story behind our little shop and our big dreams for it. We have both loved vintage since childhood (you can read my vintage story here) and the small step we are taking this week towards opening a boutique is a testament of our commitment to achieving our dreams, and a testament to our friendship. Let's start at the beginning though...

It all started about two years ago when Ryan still worked at a coffee shop. While working at said coffee shop he met and befriended a guy named Bentley. Bentley introduced Ryan to his brother Austin, and Austin introduced his girlfriend Katie. We started hanging out around one another a lot because our boyfriends liked each other so much, but both Katie and I are a little socially inept and we were just too shy to actually talk to one another. Surprising I know, but very true.

Enter Randy Newman, sort of. Sometime two winters ago Ryan, Austin, Bentley, and some of our other friends started a now defunct band called Death Newman. Death Newman was a hard rock Randy Newman cover band. They started playing a lot of shows, and Katie and I started spending a lot of time awkwardly sitting next to one another.

Before one of the shows a bunch of people were standing outside talking when Katie and Austin arrived. Katie was wearing the cutest little jumper ever and I suddenly blurted out, "Did you get that Red Velvet!?" And she looked at me with the biggest eyes and said "Yes. Do you read A Beautiful Mess?" That was the moment we instantly became friends; similar taste in blogs and clothes have started many a friendship. We started talking more and more and found a common theme in all of our conversations: vintage, local, art, blogs, and passion.

Since that day we've shared a lot of our dreams and goals and found that they are so similar it's scary. Our backgrounds and passions compliment one another and we've both been inspired by a lot of the same people. We individually came to the conclusion that owning a small business was our goal in life, and we came together understanding the importance of this partnership in achieving those goals. Reading about the success of others through blogs only helped to keep our dreams alive while we waited for the day our shop could become a reality.

Now the time has come for us to launch the first chapter of our dreams online. Each sale will immediately go to making the next chapters possible, not to our immediate personal gain. We are determined, focused, and ready to act. You can get a sneak peek of what we'll be listing on Thursday by liking us on Facebook right now! I hope you'll join us on this journey. big kiss, bekuh

Weekly Obsessions: Happy Earth Day!

4.22.2012

I was definitely one of those kids who really got behind Earth Day growing up; you know hugging trees, planting trees, and saving the rain forest one penny at a time. Not much has changed now that I'm an adult, though my tactics for celebrating earth day are a little different. Ryan and I try to live a lifestyle that is very much based on the old "waste not want not," mentality. From recycling our ends and scraps from veggies, to the big things like purchasing mostly used items, and buying local when we can. We are no where near where we'd like to be, but each step we take towards sustainable living is a step closer to saving the planet. I guess in a way we try to celebrate the earth everyday. 

Now that I've gone off on an extreme tangent, let's refocus. Today I thought I'd share with you some resources I've been collecting as Ryan and I phase out of our chemical cleaners to natural homemade options. To say I'm obsessed with this project is an extreme understatement.

1. Grapefruit to clean your tub?
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Apparently cleaning your bathtub is as easy as grapefruit and salt, at least according to Apartment Therapy. I'm definitely trying this the next time I give my bathtub a scrub. The best part for me is that it's two ingredients and four steps. Now that's my kind of clean.

2. A gallon on hand soap for the price of a regular bottle
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I don't know a single person who doesn't love Meyer's, well, anything. The idea that I could make a whole gallon of hand soap for the price of a regular sized bottle screams try me. This you've got to see, check out the post here.

3. Don't throw out your old candles, yet
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After reading this tutorial I thought back to all the ends of candles I've thrown out in my life and almost threw up. What an easy and delicious smelling way to use the leftover wax when the wick has burnt out. Upcycling at it's freshest.

4. Non-toxic Gunk Remover
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Before reading Michelle's post on this Gunk Remover, I had no idea that Goo Gone was so terrible for the environment. I probably should have but I didn't and alas I've killed countless rivers for no reason. I will hence forth be purchasing coconut oil to remove sticky messes.

5. This one tip literally changed my life
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Say goodbye to arm pit stains, all thanks to a little tip by Jillee. I tried this on a vintage dress with yellow age spots on it and it took the yellow right out, without harming the color. I highly recommend this.

6. My number one homemade cleaning site
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Young House Love has an amazing homemade cleaning supply roundup that has just about every recipe you need to clean every room of the house without the harsh chemicals. Do not walk to this site, run.

That's all I've got for you today my lovelies, I hope you enjoyed this week's earth friendly obsessions. See you tomorrow. big kiss, bekuh

Links for your Saturday

4.21.2012

Things you'll find in my passenger seat
Hello my lovelies. I know it seems like I'm popping in a lot on the weekends, but I just have so much I want to share with you always! You make it so hard to stay away. But seriously...

If you haven't checked out My Billie, now is the perfect time to start and you can click on this little link and see her sponsor highlight post featuring yours truly. Melanie rocks.

Are your blog images in need of a little something extra? Why not try these arrow brushes on Creature Comforts.

I was reminded of this quote from a long time ago on the blog thanks to Pinterest. I really needed to reread that today.

Vanilla and Lace released her new line of dresses this week and I'm swooning over this one.

I'm so tempted to try out this gradient tutorial by Ruche on some images this weekend. So feminine and sweet.

Lindsay Overbey (Daily Doily) has an amazing tattoo board on Pinterest I'm obsessed with. I love them all...on other people.

I think that's all I've got for you today. Promise me you'll click on ever link and be amazed. big kiss, bekuh