Modus Operandi

My method of operation, my manner of working, my M.O.

I am not a religious person, not in the slightest.  While I'm still 'trying to figure it out', at the moment I would say I believe more in the universe and mother nature than a god.  It may come as a surprise that I went to a Franciscan college (Siena Saints wootwoot!), where my favorite class was the one required religion course, Reading the Bible 101.  It was more of a literature course than anything, and the professor never revealed his own theological beliefs to us (I loved that about him).  The Bible is a funny book of tales told in such a different time than the present, that most of it is near impossible to relate to, even in the most metaphorical sense (in my opinion).  There is one passage though, that I happened upon while riffling through those amazingly thin pages, that spoke to me.  

   
This passage, 1 John 3:18, has become my Modus Operandi.  I think about it daily. It's written in every journal I keep, on a post-it next to my bed, and I'm working up the courage to tattoo it on my bod, just so I never forget it.  Regardless of the actual story this statement comes from, it is an ultimate truth to me.  Living your life with love, and love through action, is all there is to it. 

     
Relationships of any kind need nourishment and attention; we need to 'do the little things'.  I'm no Dr. Love, but I'm pretty sure what 1 John 3:18 says is a solid guideline for success.

But I won't get preachy. I do recommend dusting off your Bible, merely to read a good tale. Who knows, maybe you'll find a new M.O yourself.  Or just steal mine for awhile...it's a good one.

*The picture above was handwritten by me, following "The King and Queen" font.  Find it here.

Crafty Kait: Mounting Instagram Pictures

   I love being crafty.  In fact, I really don't do enough DIY projects (my Pinterest is overflowing with ideas though).  Here's one of my favorite recent projects, which I created out of a dire need to frame Instagram pictures. The Engineer and I go on a lot of adventures and I wanted to capture that in a not-too-cheesy-or-girly way with our photos.  The man's apartment needed some non-sports decor.

   I chose 4 pictures of different scenery and ordered them through PostalPix on my phone.  Then, after having no luck finding square frames, I settled on canvases meant for painting.  When deciding what backing to use on the square canvas, I debated paint, tissue paper, or scrap book paper.  I ended up finding a vintage dictionary at Brattle Book Shop and tearing out about 20 pages to use instead.  This is the corny part: I chose pages with definitions of words pertaining to love, happiness, and our relationship, and underlined them in black ink.

(I have a weakness for vintage books)

What You'll Need:

• 4 square pictures
• 4 canvases measuring an inch or 2 larger than the pictures
• vintage book paper (or any backing of your choosing) 
• glue, to paste paper
• foam paint brush
• hot glue gun, to paste pictures

Steps to Create: 
(Apologies for not having step by step pictures!  Next time...)

Step 1: Choose your background and lay it out.
Make sure you have everything set up just the way you want.  Once you glue, it's stuck!  I made sure that the words I chose from the dictionary would show through once I placed the picture in the middle. (This was the most time consuming part of the process for me because of the word placement!) 

Step 2:  Cover the canvas.
Using regular white glue, in decoupage fashion, cover the entire canvas in the paper of your choosing.  Don't forget the sides! If you have vintage book paper like me, be careful.  It rips easily.
   Tip: If you happen to be a painter, (or nutty craft collector, like me) you might have some Golden Polymer in your craft box.  I used the gloss to cover the dictionary pages after they were glued on, for added shine! 

Step 3:  Mount the picture.
Carefully measure out the middle of your canvas for your picture placement.  Using hot glue, trace along the edges of the picture and mount it on to the canvas.

Step 4: Ta da! Hang up your art.
Congratulations, you just made a custom "frame" for your fancy Instagram pictures.

  Obviously this craft can be reworked to fit any kind of idea you have.  The guidelines are pretty simple, pick something and glue it to something else.  I love this alternative frame because it looks like art, rather than just a photo. I can't wait to make more!

Mood Board

   I have yet to really indulge in Polyvore, but I really enjoyed using the platform as a place to make a mood board today. This is where my head and heart are at this moment. Allow me to explain:

-Up, is where I feel I'm headed.

-Dreaming of a journey far away.

-It's almost long-sleeve-mini-dress weather. My favorite.

-Obsessing over blooms.

-Cannot wait for bike riding season.

-Dying for a home of my own to decorate with fun, useless, pillows

-Filling my schedule with more.

-Yoga. Always. 

-Spotting border collies all over the city, dreaming of befriending one.

-Thinking of the beach, teal, waves, and bubbles. 

Putting thoughts into pictures makes me smile. You should give it a try.

Getaway

   In our last big hurrah for the winter season, The Engineer and I went on a five day getaway to Sugarbush Mountain.  We planned this trip months ago, when a Google Offer popped up for discounted lift tickets at the Vermont resort.  I am so glad we finally got around to taking the time off to go!
   For a solid three days we did nothing but ski, sleep, and relax with hot chocolate and beer.  We treated ourselves to one fancy dinner date at Timbers Restaurant at the base of the mountain on Monday.  It was a fantastic meal and I fell in love with the candlelight, rustic colors, and sky-high ceiling.  While sitting by the fireplace for some apres ski cocktails on Tuesday, we started chatting with a woman who frequents the area.  She suggested we check out a favorite spot of the locals, The Hyde Away Inn.  Although we didn't feel quite cool enough to hang out in the pub, it happened to be Taco Tuesday, so we ate like kings for about $45!
   I highly recommend Sugarbush to any level skier.  It was more relaxed and cozy than a lot of NE ski resorts we've been too.  Or maybe that's just the blessing of mid-week skiing...

I'd rather leave in one piece, please...

We found a secret hut in the woods! Scattered with beers, of course

Peppermint Patty is my new favorite drink

Moose spotting!

Hello mountains and mountains and mountains! [So nerdy in my gear]

   I thought this was my last ski post, I swear. But, a storm is currently dumping 10+ inches on Boston...

Time

Writing on the ground. In Boston's Faneuil Hall.

Age is just a number.

  
   I turned 25 last month on the 18th.  Each year I expect to feel something on my birthday; a full body tingle, perhaps, that magically matures you a year.  Alas, the big day past feeling like any other (besides the extra attention and gifts of course).
  The Engineer is eight years older than me (technically, right now the numbers would make it 7, as he likes to point out).  We both live by the philosophy in the second photo above... you are only as old as you feel, so depending on the day we're either about 18 or 26.  At times it is hard to just live without the burden of the ticking clock and societal pressures.  You should have a better job by now, where is your savings, why are you still renting not buying, must have kids by 30...
   Mostly, I'm just trying to spend my time wisely these days. Invest more minutes in the hobbies and people I love, while weeding out the, well, weeds.  Twenty five is going to be wonderful; I am anxiously excited for this 'next chapter' of my life.

It's funny, Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland are two of my favorite stories, even as an adult.  It just occurred to me, while posting these two pictures, that they both involve manipulation of time. Maybe I want to stay young and limitless forever...