#5Faves: Christmas Wishlist

I've never "done" Black Friday.  The concept sort of horrifies me.  Anticipating a closed, crowded environment, waiting in long lines would ruin the take-it-slow family holiday immediately preceding it.

But Cyber Monday?  Yeah, I can get behind that.  ;)

I like the phrase something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read.  Here's what's on my wish list for Christmas.  Maybe you'll find something you like, too!

-- one --

I adore this poem by William Carlos Williams and have even gotten to teach it to my pupils during my tutoring days.  Poetry + Courier font + tea towel.   Definite WANT.

-- two --

Put a gnome on it!

That they're popular right now makes my folky heart glad.  WANT.

-- three --

I've held off buying a planner for a month or two because it just doesn't make sense to with so little time left in the year.  This 2016 diary from Paperchase is called Nordic Nights, and there's a whole series of this motif with some really useful stuff, such as a glasses case and ear buds.  NEED.

-- four --

Would I like the color combination of gray and mustard yellow if it weren't in right now?  I wonder, but knit mittens from People Tree might be a must any day now if I don't get around to crocheting myself the fingerless gloves I've been planning.  Perfect to WEAR.

-- five --

I had a look into this book at W.H. Smith; it hits the the perfect harmony of humorous and profound.  If I weren't mortified at the idea of taking apart a book (any book), I would frame them for the nonexistent children's room.  As a coffee table book, it's a more than delightful READ.

Linking up with Big White Farmhouse for Five Favorites!

#5Faves: In my makeup bag

I'm not a makeup expert, but I love playing with new products, and there are a few things that I've been dying to tell you about; plus a few that are just my daily staples.  Put them all together and you have . . . my five faves--in my makeup bag!

Clockwise from far left:

Maybelline Fit Me Foundation

Water-based caught my attention, and I've been using it for over two years now.  I like that it's light, and if you look closely at the pic, it's dewy and smooth, which is good for skin with a tendency to get dry, and also if you like a bit of a luminous look.  Which I do.

I also like that once you've got your color picked out, you can coordinate with powder, concealer, etc.

Maybelline Blushed Nudes palette

You guys!  You can get up to 9 different combinations of eyeshadow with this palette--that's one for every day of the week and two evening looks for Friday and Saturday night.  (Let's just pretend I can still get a night out every once in a while.) 15 different looks!  I had to recount.  Dang, that's a fortnight!

There is a regular Nudes palette, but I feel like too much browns and purples give me a dirty-around-the-eyes look, maybe because of my olive complexion.  Anyway, I've not tested this theory, but I think this palette would look good on just about everyone.  The "nudes" part means they're subtle enough that they look great on various colorings and also that you don't have to worry about pinpoint precision when applying it.

If you try this one, let me know how you like it--or better yet, take a picture, and we can compare notes!

Covergirl Lipstick in Eternal

For something fun and bold that isn't red; don't get me wrong, red is fabulous, but even this pink-despising girl feels pretty in this pink-with-blue-undertones.

Ecotools

Affordable but quality makeup application and grooming tools that come in a pretty pouch.  They're pretty pretty themselves.  I do appreciate the "natural" wood look on tools.  It makes less, I don't know, tool-y.

MAC Paint Pot in Bare Study

Going on ten years use of this.  I've tried other colors, but I always come back to this one.  It's light and shimmery on it's own or builds beautiful color with other eyeshadows.  Hint: I also use it as a subtle highlighter.

Linking up with Jenna for Five Favorites!

#5Faves: Pictures I found in unpublished drafts

Count them, one, two, three, four, five.  My sister trying to whistle using a blade of grass.  Could she be any more hippie?

I can get absorbed for hours in looking through unpublished posts and re-discovering photos.  These were from May of several years ago: before Wales, before Roan, before working two jobs and being diagnosed with fibromyalgia.  But I'm not gonna say what you think I'm gonna say: that "everything has changed."  Not on the surface, anyway.  The rhythms and loves and the aspirations are the same as ever.  This sweet, sort of desperate attempt at daily living is still strived for, always not quite finished, always looking forward over the horizon to what tomorrow brings.

But I can definitely say that each day and each year I grow a little bit in peace.  And that's my favorite thing, by far.

Linking up with Jenna for {Five Favorites}.

#5Faves: iPhone apps

I got my first iPhone last fall, and now (to use the colloquialism) I don't know how I ever lived without it.  These are my most-used apps for iPhones.  And yes, they're mostly photo apps!

(If you don't have an iPhone, there are similar or equivalent options for other smart phones.  I had some pretty swell photo editing apps with my Nokia Lumina.)

1 // Afterlight

The possibilities with Afterlight are pretty endless.  Other than the luminous filters I use in, like, all of my phone pics that aren't taken in outdoor light.  And a lot that are.  The wallpapers cost a bit extra, but you can compensate by sending the edited Afterlight photo to A Beautiful Mess app.

2 // Relax Melodies

A white noise/nature sound app that we use pretty much every night.  There are thousands of combinations you can create by layering sounds and volumes.  I like changing things up seasonally.  So, in the winter, I'll use the sounds of crackling fire and windblown snow.  In summer, the singing crickets.  Etc.

3 // A Beautiful Mess

It took me some getting used to at first, but now I know how to manipulate the filters and fonts to get the styles I want.  I love this for Instagram posts, when I want to get across a message rather than a photo.  I can put some pretty font to a clean background in seconds.

4 // Walgreens

For those of us who are parent paparazzi, or who practice the art of printed photos, this is a Godsend. I choose the photos on my phone I want printed and pick them up an hour or so later.  No hassle!

5 // Instagram

Well, obviously.

Runner up:  Kindle.  I really should use this app more.  I wonder why I don't.

What are you favorite iPhone apps?  Anything I should know about that would make my life richer or easier?

Linking up with Call Her Happy for {Five Favorites}!

#5Faves: Free & Pretty Resources

Wonder where I get all the graphics and texts to change my blog header every three days?  I don't shell out money for those beauties, no way!  Here are my five favorite free resources on the internet.

1 // the Ink Nest clipart

{The Ink Nest} provides original clip art for very reasonable prices--not free, you say, but bear with me.  If you follow their blog and subscribe to the newsletter, you'll get free downloadables, like {May's productivity kit}.

2 // design love fest wallpapers

{Design Love Fest} provides weekly, refreshable wallpapers for your computer and your phone with Dress Your Tech.  She hosts different artists' and photographers' work with each set, so you'll never get bored, and you're sure to find something you like.

3 // Blessed Is She wallpapers

{Blessed Is She} also offers weekly, inspirational wallpapers penned by the genius behind {Be a Heart}.  I love her calligraphy, which is highly stylized but still incredibly readable.  And I love the ministerial work being done over at BIS; thank you, ladies!

4 // lollyjane fonts

I adore the fonts gathered and shared by the twin creative geniuses at {lollyjane}.  They've even got some free Mother's Day cards and plenty of DIY projects.  Bookmark this blog or add it to your reading list!

5 // anything from Catholic Icing {www.catholicicing.com}

Joining {Rachel} this week for Five Favorites.

#5Faves: Mother's Day Gifts

Says the girl who wrote a post {wondering if it's a good idea to celebrate Mother's Day}.

I've just grown more sensitive these past years to women who aren't mothers--or aren't even married-- and want to be.  It can be kind of hurtful to them to tout out all the women who were able to spontaneously produce a child through no gift of their own!  On the other hand, it's silly to include all women in a day that celebrates mothers.  That would negate the whole point of calling it "Mother's Day," right?

But since I like categories, and making lists, and making lists of categories, I'll just share my little ideas about what I think are cool gifts for Mother's Day--for people who observe it--or even people who don't.  And though there are kid elements to all of these gifts, they by no means are limited only to ladies who harbor tiny humans.

So here are my five favorite gift ideas for M-Day.  Oh, what would you do without me?  ;)

1 // {Sonnet James} mommy play dress

Breast-feeding friendly, well-made, flattering dresses that can transition from the playground to the dinner date.  I heart it!

2 // {Call Her Happy} mini embroidered necklace

So sweet; Jenna's rosette designs could go old-fashioned tea-and-biscuit or #vintageglam.  Choices!  Okay, so I just want one. . .

3 // Canon Beginner Kids Package from {Borrow Lenses}

Not sure if you're ready to commit to an expensive DSLR?  Want some snaps of the children or pets but don't want to pay for a professional?  Here ya go.

4 // a child-proof necklace

Child-proof jewelry.  I love all of these, and the top two aren't even advertised as nursing necklaces!  From {here} and {here}, respectively.  Gosh, these make me miss crocheting!

5 // Jamberry nail wraps

I've not tried them yet, but I dabbled in nail wraps about two years ago and really liked them!

Hallowe'en nails!

So much fun!  Supposedly, they're supposed to last quite a while.  They can be done at home; and they're less expensive than a trip to the salon.

Has anyone out there tried Jamberry?  How did you find them?

Linking up with Efficient Mama for {Five Favorites}!

#5Faves: Vingettes

Sunday the heat swelled to new heights, and even the fresh breeze couldn't waive the humidity.  Walked around with a friend, Afon in toe, for some practice shooting.  These were my five favorite vignettes from that shoot.

Hope to bring these prints to the shoppe soon(ish).  Go here for a chance to {win two greeting cards of your choice}!  If you've already been, swing by {the shop} and see what we have that's new. Only two days left to enter!

Linking up with Call Her Happy this evening for {Five Favorites}.

#5Faves: Embroidery

Looking and loving and not having the time.  Someday.  I've never done more than a little cross stitch here and there, but this medieval type art has my name all over it.  Brought to my attention by people like {Jenna} and {Molly}.  Here are my five someday favorites:

1 // Dala Horse by {Lovahandmade}

2 // The Little Prince by {WilsonHomecrafts}

3 // Butterfly Girl by {Taetia}

4 // embroidered dolls by {charlottelyons}

5 // Three girls in hats by {LiliPopo}

Linking up with Jenna of Call Her Happy for {Five Favorites}.