What Ana Does

There's frost on the ground and I just pulled out my puffy Northface coat ... so it must be November. Here's my latest list of what I'm loving right now. I've got the most fantastic print/shipping place just around the corner and I'm so grateful. With all the documents I need for the move, and all the stuff I'm shipping away, they're making my life just a little easier. And the guys there are so helpful and sweet! I used them in September to color print Alice's birthday invitations from this lovely Etsy shop , and it was super easy and not expensive. Don't you just love a small business with great customer service! Outlander: Jamie and Fergus (from EW.com) Guys, Outlander is back and I'm totally in love with it again. I have to say the Paris storyline last season was not my favorite, but this season is completely on fire. I've got a major crush on grown-up Fergus, though Jamie is still my main man. There are not many shows I consid...

Because I'm not that kind of girl who knows a lot about beauty products, when I find something I like that works, I'm super-excited about it. Here's a few things that are working right now ... Bumble & Bumble Surf Foam Wash Shampoo and Conditioner - I have used a lot of shampoos and conditioners. Changing your brand helps control build-up, and that's a fact. But it's not often I find one that makes my hair feel as clean as this does. And it smells great, too! Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum - I have had the SAME bottle for just under a decade, I'm not kidding. I only use a pea or two size of this oil before I blow dry my hair. Works to control those wispies and make my hair shine! I started using it on my kid's hair as a detangler, too. Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Blemish  - Tea tree oil, I've found over time, is too harsh on my skin. But if I dap this oil on a pimple, it will quickly diminish it. And make it go away a lot faster. Chamomile Ma...

The owl wings are done! And I'm more than just a little proud of the work I did on this. Hooray! Leah is an Owl!! Hoot! Hoot!  Here's the breakdown: It took about two weeks (in the evenings, while watching TV) to cut out the "feathers." Most of the fabric is upholstery that I got at Loomcraft. Some was scrap I had left over from other projects -- like the red corduroy. The yellow-y fabric is from a set of napkins Mom found for me a few years ago.  Because I used upholstery fabric, the wings are heavy. So I tacked them to the orange shirt she is wearing.  I also used ribbons to tie the wings to her wrists -- so she can fly! And, more importantly, hold on to her trick-or-treat loot bag.  I could have used the brown base-fabric and fashioned a smock or vest to sew the wings to, but decided against it. Too much work and not much return.  The best time-saving advice from the instructions I used was to sew bias tape around the borders for a quick, clean l...