January Recap

This has been an amazing first month for us! Honestly, I think we feel like it has been way more successful already than either of us imagined, and we thank every single person who has supported us so far. Looking back, here are some of our favorite posts from the month.
1. We love outfits. So we cheated and made a GIF. I'm excited for warmer weather outfits soon!

2. Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub. I loved this, and will definitely make more when I run out. Sad related story though, when you drop glass jars in tile showers sometimes they shatter.

3. Polka Dot Sweatshirt DIY. This one was just so fun. I loved how these pictures turned out!

4. Glitter is always cute. This DIY accompanied one of my favorite outfit posts as well, so that's an added bonus!
5. I can't leave out our wonderful trip to Wichita the other day either. It was too great of a January day, and got me so excited for summer. No commitments and beautiful weather! How often does that happen?

6. Today is the last day to enter to win this adorable owl necklace, by the way. So you should probably go check it out! Also, note Leah's new glasses. Super cute.

7. We can't wait to move into an apartment this summer again so we can have real reasons to use these embroidered napkins. I guess we could just carry them around as hankies, but I'm not really into that.

These are just a few highlights from this first month, the start of 2013 and e plus l! I'm looking forward to what kinds of things the future holds.

What was your favorite post this month?

-e (plus l)

This has been an amazing first month for us! Honestly, I think we feel like it has been way more successful already than either of us imagined, and we thank every single person who has supported us so far. Looking back, here are some of our favorite posts from the month.
1. We love outfits. So we cheated and made a GIF. I'm excited for warmer weather outfits soon!

2. Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub. I loved this, and will definitely make more when I run out. Sad related story though, when you drop glass jars in tile showers sometimes they shatter.

3. Polka Dot Sweatshirt DIY. This one was just so fun. I loved how these pictures turned out!

4. Glitter is always cute. This DIY accompanied one of my favorite outfit posts as well, so that's an added bonus!
5. I can't leave out our wonderful trip to Wichita the other day either. It was too great of a January day, and got me so excited for summer. No commitments and beautiful weather! How often does that happen?

6. Today is the last day to enter to win this adorable owl necklace, by the way. So you should probably go check it out! Also, note Leah's new glasses. Super cute.

7. We can't wait to move into an apartment this summer again so we can have real reasons to use these embroidered napkins. I guess we could just carry them around as hankies, but I'm not really into that.

These are just a few highlights from this first month, the start of 2013 and e plus l! I'm looking forward to what kinds of things the future holds.

What was your favorite post this month?

-e (plus l)

studded sweater DIY

We both have been loving studs a lot lately. Both the small metal accessory and men (ha). I don't really know quite what it is, but they just make things so much more interesting and fun. And turns out they are super easy to use.

You'll need: An old boring sweater and two bags of studs (we found ours at Hobby Lobby for super cheap)

 

In order to know exactly how many studs you'll need, you will have to decide where on your sweater you want to put them and what design you want to do. I chose to put mine on the shoulders and to do an almost triangle. It took about 48 studs.

 

In order to use your studs you will have to read the directions given for the particular studs you bought. Ours were super easy. I am really glad we bought them. All I had to do was poke them through the sweater where I wanted it and bend the back pieces in and voila! A stud. 

I kept adding studs until my heart was content and ended up with a super awesome sweater! I already love it so much. -l.

Let us know how your sweater, or any of your other crafts, turn out! We'd love to hear from you. You can tweet us, tag us on facebook, post a link in a comment, or you can tag either of us on Instagram! Erin's is twicee and mine is leahfaye3. 

Also don't forget to enter our giveaway! Only a couple days left (please remember to leave a separate comment for each form of entry).

We both have been loving studs a lot lately. Both the small metal accessory and men (ha). I don't really know quite what it is, but they just make things so much more interesting and fun. And turns out they are super easy to use.

You'll need: An old boring sweater and two bags of studs (we found ours at Hobby Lobby for super cheap)

 

In order to know exactly how many studs you'll need, you will have to decide where on your sweater you want to put them and what design you want to do. I chose to put mine on the shoulders and to do an almost triangle. It took about 48 studs.

 

In order to use your studs you will have to read the directions given for the particular studs you bought. Ours were super easy. I am really glad we bought them. All I had to do was poke them through the sweater where I wanted it and bend the back pieces in and voila! A stud. 

I kept adding studs until my heart was content and ended up with a super awesome sweater! I already love it so much. -l.

Let us know how your sweater, or any of your other crafts, turn out! We'd love to hear from you. You can tweet us, tag us on facebook, post a link in a comment, or you can tag either of us on Instagram! Erin's is twicee and mine is leahfaye3. 

Also don't forget to enter our giveaway! Only a couple days left (please remember to leave a separate comment for each form of entry).

Spring in January

Monday we had a day off between the end of our January term and the start of Spring classes, so we took advantage. January is getting pretty confused, and it was in the 70s and BEAUTIFUL. We could run around in dresses quite comfortably, except for the Kansas wind trying to blow all of our clothes off. Our winter legs were very happy to see the sun.

After grabbing coffee and our paychecks,we headed up to Wichita for a few things we couldn't find in little old Newton. Our first stop was Tanya's Soup Kitchen, where I had never been before. Leah had talked about how wonderful it is, and I was not disappointed. There's just something so nice about a hearty bowl of soup. We split a Cleopatra Salad - it had feta and apricot chutney, yummm - and two bowls of soup. One was a Spicy Black Bean Chili and the other was Creamy White Bean with Red Pepper and Artichoke Hearts. They were both so wonderful picking between them would be like choosing a favorite child. It was all so filling that not even the two of us could devour all of it, and that's impressive.



With our stomachs full of soup we did a little bit of shopping around Wichita and found some awesome things. We picked up a few necessities at Hobby Lobby for some future projects as well! Leah found an awesome tribal print bag that she had been looking for at Plato's Closet, and literally emptied her things into it the store and sold her old purse back to them. It was overall a wonderful excursion, and such a rare gem of a nice day in the middle of what is supposed to be winter.

Hope everyone else started their week off well!

-e (plus l)

Monday we had a day off between the end of our January term and the start of Spring classes, so we took advantage. January is getting pretty confused, and it was in the 70s and BEAUTIFUL. We could run around in dresses quite comfortably, except for the Kansas wind trying to blow all of our clothes off. Our winter legs were very happy to see the sun.

After grabbing coffee and our paychecks,we headed up to Wichita for a few things we couldn't find in little old Newton. Our first stop was Tanya's Soup Kitchen, where I had never been before. Leah had talked about how wonderful it is, and I was not disappointed. There's just something so nice about a hearty bowl of soup. We split a Cleopatra Salad - it had feta and apricot chutney, yummm - and two bowls of soup. One was a Spicy Black Bean Chili and the other was Creamy White Bean with Red Pepper and Artichoke Hearts. They were both so wonderful picking between them would be like choosing a favorite child. It was all so filling that not even the two of us could devour all of it, and that's impressive.



With our stomachs full of soup we did a little bit of shopping around Wichita and found some awesome things. We picked up a few necessities at Hobby Lobby for some future projects as well! Leah found an awesome tribal print bag that she had been looking for at Plato's Closet, and literally emptied her things into it the store and sold her old purse back to them. It was overall a wonderful excursion, and such a rare gem of a nice day in the middle of what is supposed to be winter.

Hope everyone else started their week off well!

-e (plus l)

embroidered napkin DIY

Boring napkins just aren't as fun as sassy embroidered napkins. Send your friends a message by handing them one of these handmade napkins. Here is the DIY:

You'll need: a bunch of scrap fabric, cardboard, scissors, pins, a pencil, embroidery floss, and a needle & thread (optional-a sewing machine).

First you'll need to make a template out of cardboard. I made all of my napkins 8.5 by 8.5 inches, though you can make them whatever size you like. Measure it on your cardboard and cut it out.

You'll need to decide how many napkins you'd like to make. I made six, but you can decide how many you want however you want. Maybe you want to make enough so each of your roommates can have one or enough for one for each person in your family. Once you have decided, cut out that many squares of plain white fabric and that many squares of fun printed fabric.

Next pick out phrases or words to write on each of your napkins. I chose slob, you're a mess, ew, gross, wipe your face, dirty, and clean yourself up. Write these (or your own) in cursive on each of the white squares in pencil. Then embroidered each of them. I did this while driving around Kansas over winter break. It was the perfect road trip activity.

Once all of your napkins are carefully embroidered, lay one face up and lay a printed square face down on top of it. Then sew around the edges leaving a small space on one edge to turn it right side out. Do this for all of your napkins.

Then turn each of them right side out and sew the gap closed.

For a special touch, I turned them inside out and embroidered around the edge to make it just a little cuter. You don't have to do this though. Then use and enjoy! They work great for little picnics outside, plus they are reusable so they are better for the earth, and we like that.

Boring napkins just aren't as fun as sassy embroidered napkins. Send your friends a message by handing them one of these handmade napkins. Here is the DIY:

You'll need: a bunch of scrap fabric, cardboard, scissors, pins, a pencil, embroidery floss, and a needle & thread (optional-a sewing machine).

First you'll need to make a template out of cardboard. I made all of my napkins 8.5 by 8.5 inches, though you can make them whatever size you like. Measure it on your cardboard and cut it out.

You'll need to decide how many napkins you'd like to make. I made six, but you can decide how many you want however you want. Maybe you want to make enough so each of your roommates can have one or enough for one for each person in your family. Once you have decided, cut out that many squares of plain white fabric and that many squares of fun printed fabric.

Next pick out phrases or words to write on each of your napkins. I chose slob, you're a mess, ew, gross, wipe your face, dirty, and clean yourself up. Write these (or your own) in cursive on each of the white squares in pencil. Then embroidered each of them. I did this while driving around Kansas over winter break. It was the perfect road trip activity.

Once all of your napkins are carefully embroidered, lay one face up and lay a printed square face down on top of it. Then sew around the edges leaving a small space on one edge to turn it right side out. Do this for all of your napkins.

Then turn each of them right side out and sew the gap closed.

For a special touch, I turned them inside out and embroidered around the edge to make it just a little cuter. You don't have to do this though. Then use and enjoy! They work great for little picnics outside, plus they are reusable so they are better for the earth, and we like that.

links leah loves

Just like I love succulents.. I also love all of these links! (Here are some of the links I have gathered that I love this week).

 This is a new blog I found and I love called paper n' stitch. She does a lot of adorable DIY's that will of course be fun to try.

 Speaking of Paper n' Stitch, she posted this adorable DIY for a reusable vegetable bag to take to the grocery store. Hurrah for being earth friendly!

 And to keep on the same theme, paper n' stitch also has an awesome website that features handmade artists!

 Scrappy Happiness is an awesome online community that is similar to my new love Chictopia but for crafters!

 I love these chairs that Andrea Mihalik of Wild Chairy makes. I found her through this post on apartment therapy.

 This song by The Head and the Heart made me cry today. It is just that beautiful.

 My roommates and I have been giggling and laughing watching these Bad Lip Reading videos. You should watch them. One, two, three.

Have you found anything inspiring or funny on the internet lately?

-l.

Just like I love succulents.. I also love all of these links! (Here are some of the links I have gathered that I love this week).

 This is a new blog I found and I love called paper n' stitch. She does a lot of adorable DIY's that will of course be fun to try.

 Speaking of Paper n' Stitch, she posted this adorable DIY for a reusable vegetable bag to take to the grocery store. Hurrah for being earth friendly!

 And to keep on the same theme, paper n' stitch also has an awesome website that features handmade artists!

 Scrappy Happiness is an awesome online community that is similar to my new love Chictopia but for crafters!

 I love these chairs that Andrea Mihalik of Wild Chairy makes. I found her through this post on apartment therapy.

 This song by The Head and the Heart made me cry today. It is just that beautiful.

 My roommates and I have been giggling and laughing watching these Bad Lip Reading videos. You should watch them. One, two, three.

Have you found anything inspiring or funny on the internet lately?

-l.

DIY hanging bird sculpture

If you are like us and love birds and decorating, you will definitely want to make this sweet little hanging bird sculpture. I have seen little sculptures like this made out of elephants and other things-I just love them! The best part about this DIY is it is super easy.

You'll need: Scrap Fabric, cotton balls, embroidery floss, beads, scissors, and a needle & thread.

 

Start by cutting out as many little birds as you'd like for your sculpture. I traced my bird on paper first so that all of my birds would be the same. Cut out only as many birds as you would like to take the time to sew and however many birds you would need to make it the length you want (I did 5).

Turn each bird so that the right side of the fabric is facing in. Then sew, turn inside out, and stuff with cotton balls! Super easy. Next sew the each bird closed at the bottom.

 

Once all of your little birds are made you'll need to prepare your string. I cut out a piece of embroidery the length of my arms width times three. I then folded this in half and created a loop at the folded edge. This loop is how you will hang your sculpture.

Begin putting on your birds and beads. You can do it however you want really, I did the pattern, bird bead bird bead, and tied knots before and after each item to make sure they stayed in place. Make sure the birds are right side up when you thread them on!

 

Once all of your birds and all of your beads are tied onto your sculpture make a small tassel with any extra embroidery floss and tie it on the bottom of your sculpture.

 

And voila! Your own beautiful hanging bird sculpture to make your room prettier. Hang up and enjoy.

-l.

If you are like us and love birds and decorating, you will definitely want to make this sweet little hanging bird sculpture. I have seen little sculptures like this made out of elephants and other things-I just love them! The best part about this DIY is it is super easy.

You'll need: Scrap Fabric, cotton balls, embroidery floss, beads, scissors, and a needle & thread.

 

Start by cutting out as many little birds as you'd like for your sculpture. I traced my bird on paper first so that all of my birds would be the same. Cut out only as many birds as you would like to take the time to sew and however many birds you would need to make it the length you want (I did 5).

Turn each bird so that the right side of the fabric is facing in. Then sew, turn inside out, and stuff with cotton balls! Super easy. Next sew the each bird closed at the bottom.

 

Once all of your little birds are made you'll need to prepare your string. I cut out a piece of embroidery the length of my arms width times three. I then folded this in half and created a loop at the folded edge. This loop is how you will hang your sculpture.

Begin putting on your birds and beads. You can do it however you want really, I did the pattern, bird bead bird bead, and tied knots before and after each item to make sure they stayed in place. Make sure the birds are right side up when you thread them on!

 

Once all of your birds and all of your beads are tied onto your sculpture make a small tassel with any extra embroidery floss and tie it on the bottom of your sculpture.

 

And voila! Your own beautiful hanging bird sculpture to make your room prettier. Hang up and enjoy.

-l.

we love: moccasins

It all started in high school. Leah began finding moccasins in thrift stores around the area and it all went down hill from there (perhaps you could say up hill because she loves them, but her stuffed-full shoe rack and empty wallet says otherwise). Since then Moccasins have been showing up everywhere, in pictures on Pinterest, on loved blogger's feet, and on other friends and she fell in love. Erin joined her on the moccasin a little while later. Moccasins seriously come in so many styles and colors. You can find moccasin sandals, lace up boots, fringe boots, flats, studded flats, beaded flats, booties, moccasins in different colors, the list goes on.  Our favorites are typically from Minnetonka Moccasins (We each have a pair of the brown kilty suede moccasins, Leah owns the yellow pair, a black pair & we both have little brown booties). They seriously are such great quality, are adorable, and last for freaking ever. Though when we spot some that aren't Minnetonka for real cheap in a thrift store we just can't say no. Do you have a style of shoes you own way too many of? -e + l

As a side note, we would love for you to follow us on Twitter @epluslblog, or on Instagram - Erin @twicee and Leah @leahfaye3

It all started in high school. Leah began finding moccasins in thrift stores around the area and it all went down hill from there (perhaps you could say up hill because she loves them, but her stuffed-full shoe rack and empty wallet says otherwise). Since then Moccasins have been showing up everywhere, in pictures on Pinterest, on loved blogger's feet, and on other friends and she fell in love. Erin joined her on the moccasin a little while later. Moccasins seriously come in so many styles and colors. You can find moccasin sandals, lace up boots, fringe boots, flats, studded flats, beaded flats, booties, moccasins in different colors, the list goes on.  Our favorites are typically from Minnetonka Moccasins (We each have a pair of the brown kilty suede moccasins, Leah owns the yellow pair, a black pair & we both have little brown booties). They seriously are such great quality, are adorable, and last for freaking ever. Though when we spot some that aren't Minnetonka for real cheap in a thrift store we just can't say no. Do you have a style of shoes you own way too many of? -e + l

As a side note, we would love for you to follow us on Twitter @epluslblog, or on Instagram - Erin @twicee and Leah @leahfaye3