Snippets: Happy Summery Bits

A collection of almost forgotten iPhone and DSLR pictures
1 This picture is actually about a month old — from the end of May. We had some cold, rainy, lovely weather for a bit. This was taken at the North End Organic Nursery on my phone on a Saturday trip looking for plants and new pots. A lovely memory and a picture I love a lot for no real reason. // 2 A perfect cantaloupe, my favorite fruit. I've gotten really good at picking good produce. // 3 & 4 Will came home with a tripod for me one day (he found a good deal on one!). These were taken that same night at sunset because we couldn't wait to try it out! // 5 & 6 From a hike on the upper part of Hulls Gulch with my sister. The wildflower is a mariposa lily. And the view of the valley from up there is ridiculously beautiful. // 7 Post inventory nap. Pippin snuggles are the best forever. // 8 Bored, stuck inside due to the heat, selfie. // 9  Another chance, cool, rainy morning. Will went into work late so we could enjoy a slow morning together. Love. // 10 Nighttime park sits. // 11 My mama went on a trip to Montana and came back with gifts for me — this pretty new camera strap and an adorable wire headband. // 12 Weaving something like this for my walls. // 13 & 14 My mom came out for a morning hike with me and then treated Will and I to a breakfast with her at Big City Coffee. She's the best mom, obvi. // 15 This face, forever. Makes me so happy. // 16 A recent morning hike.

Since I didn't share much this month, I thought it'd be fun to go back through some pictures (the end of May to current) that captured some special moments. It sure is a helpful activity for attempting to defeat that summertime sadness — I'm making a real effort to focus on the happier moments instead. But know what really helps? The weather is being kind to me with a break from the heat these next few days. It's currently well into the afternoon and I still have the windows wide and haven't turned on the AC at all! Thank you, clouds. I might even get some rain tomorrow (fingers crossed)!

xx Emorie

Summertime: A Blogger's Mix

LISTEN ON → SPOTIFY
Latrina makes these lovely, collaborative mixtapes every so often by taking suggestions for songs (from other bloggers) for a certain subject. The recent summertime mixtape is just so lovely — I've been listening to it today while doing housework. And hey, I suggested #14! Radiation City is my ultimate, favorite summer jam. It was fun to hear Foreign Bodies among some other favorites! Visit Of Trees and Hues to see who submitted the other songs and be sure to give the playlist a listen!
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01. Hemiplegia — Haerts
02. Geri — Superhumanoids
03. Carried Away — Passion Pit
04. Riptide — Vance Joy
05. Words are Weapons — Birdy
06. Hey Now — London Grammar
07. Gethsemane — Dry the River
08. Radio — Lana Del Rey
09. Electric Twist — A Fine Frenzy
10. Pompeii — Bastille
11. Missing You — DWNTWN
12. Runaround Sue — Dion
13. June — Wild Belle
14. Foreign Bodies — Radiation City
15. The Look — Metronomy
16. Video Games — Lana Del Rey
17. Hoppipolla — Sigur Ros
18. Instant Crush — Daft Punk & Julian Casablancas
19. Ocean Avenue — Yellowcard
20. Money On My Mind — Sam Smith
21. Love Runs Out — One Republic
22. Happy — Pharrell
23. Summer — Calvin Harris
24. Sing — Ed Sheeran
25. F.U.Y.A — C2C
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Created by Of Trees and Hues

What's your favorite artist to listen to in the summertime?
xx Emorie

Little Notes Birthday Card | Free Printable

Will's birthday was about a week ago, and we celebrated it simply (but lovely) as per usual. After making the little booklet 25 Reasons Why I Love You instead of a card for Will's birthday last year, I wanted to do something equally as cute and sentimental. What better day do you have to show the person you love just how much you love them — in a cute way — than on their birthday?! You know, in addition to Valentines and anniversaries and any day you feel like it, of course!

I first thought of making a little booklet again, but full of love notes and memorable pictures, like this Love Notes Photo Book. But then I thought of making little envelopes for each love note and the idea took off from there! I thought the result was super cute! But I kept the design really simple, too. I think you could use this card for several people, not just your significant other (as long as you're cool with calling them darling). You can fill the envelopes with whatever you fancy, not just love notes. Like confetti! Or folded pieces of money! Or a gift card (you'd need a bigger envelope....)! You know, birthday type things :)

Get the link to the free template, and see how I made this card, below!



WHAT YOU'LL NEED

✓ the card template (download to print ➞ here)
✓ the mini envelope stencil (download to print ➞ here)
✓ different colored papers to make the envelopes
✓ a glue stick
✓ masking or washi tape (optional)
✓ scissors
✓ pens, markers, etc. in various colors



WHAT TO DO

1. Print the card template and the envelope stencil
2. Fold the card in half — there is a line down the center on the template to make this easier
3. Cut out the envelope stencil
4. On various colored pieces of paper, trace the envelope stencil
5. Cut out your mini envelopes (6 in total)
6. If desired, draw patterns on some of the envelopes
7. Fold the envelopes and secure the sides — I found it easiest to tape the sides and bottom of the envelopes together (on the inside, so the tape is not seen)
8. Glue the envelopes into place on the card — there are spots designated by rectangles to make this step easier and to get perfect spacing
9. Take your envelope STENCIL and cut the folded bits off (so you have just the rectangle remaining)
10. Use this small rectangle piece as a stencil to cut pieces of paper to slide into the envelopes
11. Fill the envelopes with notes, or whatever you desire
12. If you have difficulty keeping the envelopes closed, use little bits of masking or washi tape to secure them
13. Write a message on the inside of the card, too. and you're good to go!


Happy card making and birthday celebrating!
xx Emorie

Currently | Summertime Sadness

Well hello there. It's been awhile since I've shared in this space and in the last few days I've really missed doing so. I certainly did not plan on taking a 13 day break from posting here, but it would be silly to not admit that I desperately needed it.

Things have been a little hard for me lately. Not for any big reason, I guess I let a lot of little things get to me and those little things started adding up after awhile. I try not to focus on the negative, I've learned to move past that stuff quickly — keeping my anxiety and depression in check requires that kind of action. It's crazy how small moments of negativity can grow and consume you if you let them.

A certain summertime sadness overcame me recently. Summer often leaves me feeling trapped indoors, lethargic, and anxious. I'm sure it has something to do with the heat and lot to do with my mental state during this season. As a result, I've been really neglecting the creative side of me (and my life). At some point, all that energy I was putting in to feeling bad about myself and my circumstances was so overpowering that there was nothing left to put into creating — and other things of enjoyment. But, I'm now trying to make a real effort to find ways through this summer sadness phenomenon. I'm making time for what I love and treating myself as I deserve.

Scroll down to see some pretty summer inspiration I've collected that represents some of my current thoughts, feelings, and desires.

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top right, clockwise: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

⟶ CURRENTLY ⟵
Eating / lots of fresh fruit and veggies, especially avocado and cucumber.
Drinking / water, always, and a chamomile tea blend before bed.
Wearing / my favorite jeans + chambray + reading glasses.
Listening / to Gayngs on repeat today. Also, Radiation City. Good summer jams.
Podcasting / I've been loving 99% Invisible a lot lately — great stories!
Watching / the final season of House.
Feeling / a little sleepy.
Reading / nothing (I know!), but I'm heading to the library this weekend.
Practicing / patience, persistence, and kindness.
Dreaming / of moving to BC or the Washington coast!
Wanting / some mountain adventures ♥︎
Remembering / our first summer together and trips along the St Joe River.
Wishing / I had the money for more tattoos!
Planning / changes to this blog and ways to pretty up my patio.
Making / a woven wall hanging with pretty vintage yarn.
Working / a lot less than I'd like.
Learning / to take things as they come.
Loving / my little family and our lovely apartment ♥︎



I was going to share a DIY post today, but this seemed a little more fitting for jumping back into the rhythm of posting. And it was a great way to share what I've been up to. 

Inspired by Latrina, Of Trees and Hues.

What summery things have you been enjoying lately?
Any advice on how to enjoy the summer (for someone who considers this the worst time of year)?
xx Emorie

Adventures and Roses iPhone Backgrounds | Free Download

I've been really craving an escape to the mountains and/or woods like mad. I'll just have to keep wanting for a bit — we won't have the opportunity to go off on a camping trip until later this summer. I'm trying to remind myself that there are still plenty of escapes and simple adventures near me. I am so lucky to live in a beautiful city like Boise, where the outdoors and indoors tend to bleed into one another more often than not. I created this little reminder for my phone using a phrase I have hanging in my home and using images taken on in-town or just-up-the-hill adventures. I love the summery, escapist result.

Please feel free to use any of the of the images above to give your phone a fresh and colorful new look. Just view my blog on your phone, then click the image above you want to use to view a higher resolution. Then, hold down on the image, select save image, and find it in your camera roll from there. You know the drill :)

What are some adventures you enjoy without leaving town?

xx Emorie

This download is free for personal use only. It may not be used for commercial or promotional purposes without my written consent. Credit me if you share it elsewhere. Thank you.

Summer Wardrobe Staples | Wishlist

I'm sitting in my apartment with the air conditioner blasting, tissues close at hand (woohoo allergies!), and Radiation City's Animals in the Median playing — which is a perfect summer album, in my opinion (listen to 5 tracks from it below). Summer is here to stay, much to my disappointment. I can barely stand the dry heat in Boise already. That just means we are a little bit closer to Fall and being able to wear layers again though, right? I'm trying to stay optimistic about these long hot months ahead by day dreaming of new pieces to add to my summer wardrobe. I've been all about fun but classic patterns, lightweight materials, and pops of bright colors lately. I tried on the first top at Anthropologie the other day and about died because it is so cute and fits so well but is so out of my price range.

1. Antala Peplum Top | Anthropolgie
2. Two-Note Floppy Hat | Anthropologie
3. Rosae Tank | Anthropologie
4. Tow Ropes and Dreams One-Piece Swimsuit | Modcloth
5. Bisou Heart Sunglasses | Urban Outfitters
6. Easy Pleat Lacy Short | Free People
7. Circle-Skirt Dress | H&M
8. Little Closer Wedge in Off White | Modcloth

Is there anything else I should add to my wishlist? What will you be wearing all summer?

Enjoy some summery songs below!
xx Emorie

Goals for June

June, June, June, how are we here already? Summer sure seems to be here in full force and I am definitely feeling it. My allergies and the heat have been keeping me indoors more often than not lately; I'm really missing how often and long I use to be out hiking. We took the camera and Pippin out for an adventure, despite it all, yesterday and June welcomed me with a nasty sunburn. My poor shoulders are relaxing and recuperating in the AC today.

May was a great month for me. Spring stuck around a little longer than usual, Will and I celebrated three years together, and I got a job! I was a little sad to let May go, especially since it means those dreaded long, hot summer months are ahead. But so many things are looking up for me, I can't help but be excited for what's to come!

— GOALS FOR JUNE —
+ I've been talking a lot about changes that are going to take place on this blog, and you probably still have no idea what I mean (or have started to ignore me, haha). But, it's really really coming soon! I promise! I've been holding off on updates here because it's not worth the effort right now — because this blog will be moving completely within a month or two! Along with moving to a new domain (my own domain! finally!), I'll no longer be using blogger, this blog will have a new name, and everything will be completely rebranded and redesigned! There are going to be so many changes and I'm going to do it all at once and it's a little overwhelming that I'm talking in run-on-sentence but I'm so excited!

+ P.S. If you're wanting an update to your own blog, I'm offering super awesome discounted design services all summer long to Blogger users. I'll be offering services on more platforms soon, too. Check out those services and rates here.

+ After months of job hunting, there is nothing quite like finally finding one to really boost your mood! I got a job at Boise's Anthropologie, recently, and it still feels a little unreal. I've only had one day of training so far, but I can't wait to get working! My main goals for this month naturally revolve around my new job: getting more comfortable with the store and job, becoming as familiar as possible with merchandise, getting to know all my awesome new coworkers, and establishing a new routine that involves work every week!

+ Having a more steady form of income of my own again will be glorious. You have no idea how long it has been since I have bought something for myself, especially clothes. I need to go through my wardrobe at some point and get rid of the pieces I've been hanging onto even though they are falling apart. I desperately need to restock my basics, like t-shirts and jeans. Not a high priority goal, but I'd like to have a fresh, easy, classic wardrobe for work for the summer.

+ It's really really hot outside already. Did I mention that yet? At least I think so. Hiking during the day now is a rather unbearable, but I'd still like to remain as active as possible. I'll be biking or walking to work, but I'd love to do some workouts inside — in the air conditioning. I'll probably pick up pilates and yoga a few times a week but what I'd really like to do is lift a bit again. I miss my biceps. I think one day of upper-body and one day of lower-body training a week will be totally doable.

How is June treating you so far? Are you happy for summer (weirdo)?
xx Emorie