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Thursday, September 29, 2011

How to Find Yourself on Pinterest

Maybe you know this already, but it was a fun discovery for me. If you want to see if anyone has pinned something from your blog go to this site:

http://pinterest.com/source/yellowblackbird.blogspot.com/

EXCEPT replace the yellowblackbird address with your own and voila!

Unfortunately you can't do that for Etsy shops. Pinterest doesn't categorize Etsy shops separate. : (

It's really fun! I love seeing what people have pinned from my site. A couple of you have even pinned some of my outfits which is very flattering!

It's also great if you find a blog and want to quickly see what projects or outfits that person has made. I love seeing what's been pinned from Kendi Everyday or Sunday Crossbow. It makes for a great look book!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Sponsor Yellow Blackbird!

Let's consider this a trial run, a "soft opening" if you will.

This is a great opportunity for small blogs/Etsy shops, etc. to get a little more exposure.

Yellow Blackbird is still small but is growing bigger literally every day. I currently have a little over 450 followers (check the side bar for the most current number) and receive between 8,000-10,000 hits per month.

I post at least 3-4 times per week and link to many blog parties, including "What I Wore" at Pleated Poppy which brings a lot of traffic to my blog.

I am going to offer ad space for the rest of 2011 for only $5 per month, or $12 for all three months. At the end of December I will reevaluate my stats and adjust the price accordingly, if needed.

This price also includes 1 blog post about your blog/shop/etc. sometime during the month(s).

Maximum ad space is 185 X 185 pixels. Email me if you are interested! aubreelarsen@gmail.com Your ad will go live Saturday!

I will only be accepting family friendly, G rated ads!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

What I Wore

I am getting so jealous of all the bloggers talking about their cool weather and posting their outfits of boots and cardigans. It’s still in the 80s around here, but like I said before, I am trying to enjoy the warmth while it lasts.

This is a tough time to dress for me. It’s fall, but hot. So I am trying to hurry and wear skirts with bare legs, short sleeves, etc.



Yes, I just wore this dress to church a couple of weeks ago. But I went to another ward (congregation) that day and besides, I styled it differently. So there. ; )


It was too hot for this, but I wore it anyway. I have had this polka-dot shirt for forever. It was a fun, new way to wear it.

When I tried this outfit on the night before, husband said I looked too much like the Joker. So I switched and picked something else. When I put on the other outfit in the morning, it looked terrible so I just threw this back on. I don't think it's too bad.


I wore this a few months ago and knew that I already had a picture so I didn't take a new one. I should have, I forgot that I used to take pics like this.


This week's shopping trip is for a brooch. I am wearing my outfit tomorrow (Wednesday). You?

Monday, September 26, 2011

Video: 25 Ways to Wear a Scarf

Have you guys seen this video yet? It's 25 ways to wear a scarf and it's shorter than 5 minutes!



If you click to the YouTube page there are companion videos that show more details on how to tie each one. I sure wish the cool weather would get here (although I am enjoying the warmth while it lasts)!

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Shop Your Closet


The goal of this week's shopping trip was "neutral with a pop." Admittedly, I didn't get too creative but I hadn't thought to wear this top with these shoes so I learned something new. It was spirit week at school. I am the adviser over the whole thing so I was busy thinking about that and what I could wear for the dress up days so I didn't put a lot of effort into shopping my closet.


These shoes aren't super comfortable but they sure do pop!

And friends.... this is what happens when I try to pose.... scary!

I was SO not meant to be a model! And my shirt is all bunchy and weird. Oh well. At least my legs look long! : )

Wearing: Gap pants, DownEast shirt, and my $5 red heels.

Did you try? Link up below or comment and tell me how it went.

blog 50 dpi


Next shopping trip: Wear a brooch. Or a pin. Whatever you want to call it. I think flower pins and vintage brooches are so cute, but I haven't really learned to wear them yet. I don't know how to just grab one and go. So this week I will go shopping in my closet to find ways to wear my brooches.

I pinned this outfit from La Vie Petite a long time ago with the intent to copy it, but haven't yet.

I like the unique way that Elaine wears her brooch in this outfit.

And if you are lucky enough to live where it's chilly enough for scarves already you can pin your scarf like the one in this tutorial.

Good luck and have fun!




Thursday, September 22, 2011

Video: More Book Page Crafts



Click here if video isn't displayed above.

I love the vintage dictionary pages and the folded book pillars. I want to make both for my craft room. One day it will be all finished and I can show you... One day...

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

What I Wore

I only have one outfit to show this week, unless you want to click here and see what I wore for Shop Your Closet. It's spirit week at school so my outfits are of no consequence. I am just wearing plain things to show of the slippers, ties, socks, etc.


This is what I wore to church this past Sunday. I was a little nervous about it, but I got a few compliments so I guess it was okay. I love the brown and black and this was the first time I wore this feather necklace that I made.


My bangs are getting pretty long. They are down to about my lips so they are hard to manage. I curled them back away from my face and pinned them back and liked how it looked. Later, I took the pin out and they just stayed. I wore my hair like this on Saturday too. Husband liked it a lot; he said I had "wild hair."


Dress: Walmart, Jacket: Papaya, Shoes: Target, Bracelet: F21, Necklace: Made by me, Shades: Kohls but I don't remember which brand.

I hope you are having a great week!

Monday, September 19, 2011

Ribbon and Drop Pearl Necklace Knock-Off

A couple of weeks ago I was browsing the Pinterest app and found an outfit that featured the Lanvin Ribbon and Drop Pearl Necklace. The stunning color caught my eye so I looked it up and figured I would give making it a try. (Of course it could be made in any color.) Above is my version, below, the original.


Materials:

Chain in desired length
Clasp
Head pins
Pearl beads
Fabric- synthetic that can melt such as a poly satin or organza. You could also use ribbon for a more uniform look and then skip the melting step.

Begin by cutting the chain to your desired length. (Mine is about 19 in)


Put a pearl on a headpin.


Use round-nose pliers to curve the top of the pin.



Attach it to the necklace and trim off extra wire. I find it easiest to start in the center of the chain and work outwards.

Continue these steps until you have the number of desired pearls. After the center pearl, I attached mine in pairs.


Next, cut strips of fabric about 1.5 inches wide (unless you want yours wider or skinnier).

Round the edges.


Melt the edges with a candle to prevent fraying (although the original has some fraying.)


It should look like this.


Now tie the fabric around the necklace. Again, I started with the middle...


...and worked my way up the sides.


Attach the clasp and all done!


I can't wait to wear it!

Let me know if you make one. Have fun!

(I'll be linking up to these parties.)

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Shop Your Closet

Last week I failed miserably to dress up a t-shirt, remember? So I made sure to do it this week, along with the current challenge of a fall transitional outfit.

I wore a t-shirt that I actually wear to exercise in. I made sure it was clean :), then accessorized it with a blazer, and this fabulous necklace. (I bought the necklace because I thought it was leaves, turns out it's actually feathers, but I like it anyway).

Paired with skinnies and heels it made this a perfect outfit for work. I really loved how it turned out.
Blazer: Old, T-shirt: Target, Necklace and Bracelet: F21, Pants: Gap


This week we were supposed to wear an outfit that could transition from summer to fall.
I love this cardigan- it's a perfect transitional piece. It's a lightweight layer and a great color. I paired it with this lace tank top that I have worn all spring and summer. Cuffed pants and flats are great for transitioning too (although I am still wearing a lot of open toes).

Cardi: Ross, Tank: Kohl's, Pants: Old Navy, Shoes: Kohl's, Necklace: gift from my MIL

What kinds of things do you wear to transition between seasons? Link up below.

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NEXT WEEK'S CHALLENGE: Neutral with a pop. I found a blog that ran a 21 day fashion challenge last month. I really loved the example outfits of neutral colors with a pop of bright color I found there so I want to try it myself. Thanks to Freckles in April for the idea. Click here to see all the example on Kayla's blog.

Good luck!

On Monday I will have a knock-off necklace tutorial. Come back then!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

What I Wore

I have been trying to take photos in the morning because I teach PE last period and I always change into my PE clothes. I often don't want to change back just to drive home. I only have about 2 second to take the photo and as you can see below, it didn't really work well. At all. A big thanks to husband for taking the first photo which is the only good one.

I LOVE THIS DRESS! It's the first time I have worn it. It was one of my most favorite back to school purchases. I can think of a ton of ways to style it and will probably add it to my fall 30 for 30, assuming Kendi will be doing that in October.

I am really not angry to be wearing this. I bought this top at H & M when I was in Virginia this summer. Also first time wearing it was this week.

All of these clothes are new. This shirt is also from H&M. I just barely bought the pants at Gap over the weekend. I bought the longs, and don't know how if I love the bunching. I hate when the regulars are too short and the longs too long.

Last Friday was dress up day in honor of September 11. I wore this dress from my brother's wedding with an after Labor Day white blazer : ).
Another go at remixing the hot pink blazer. Thanks Kendi.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Mirror Lake

On Labor Day our family went to Mirror Lake in the Uintah Mountains. These are just a few of my favorite photos. I'll let them speak for themselves.










I'll be back later this week with a knock-off necklace tutorial.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Shop Your Closet

You guys, I failed this week. The challenge was to dress up a t-shirt. I procrastinated doing laundry so I planned to wear my outfit Friday. But I forgot that in honor of 9/11 it was best dress day at school. Oops. Maybe I will try again next week.

So instead of showing my outfit this week, I thought I would highlight a few that have been linked up in the past.


The shop Best Bib and Tucker links up outfits they create from items in their store. This is a beautiful example of the monochromatic challenge.

DaenelT, from Living Outside the Stacks says she rarely wears this skirt! What?!? It's fabulous! And she did a great job styling it!



Samantha broke out this darling dress for a challenge a couple of week ago. Super cute!

Thanks ladies for participating!

Did anyone dress up a t-shirt this week? Link up below and grab a button if you feel so inclined.

blog 50 dpi


NEXT CHALLENGE: SUMMER TO FALL. This week, Momma Go Round has featured several bloggers showing how they take their summer wardrobes into fall. There were great articles from women living in different climates so you are bound to find some inspiration over there. Wear a transitional outfit that maybe uses both summer and fall pieces, and is appropriate for both the time of year and the temperature.

Good luck!



Thursday, September 8, 2011

End of Summer Food

I love eating this time of year. All of the fresh vegetables available make for some good eats! A couple of weeks ago we had some yummy pizzas using fresh veggies out of our garden (and some canned ones too).


We make our pizzas on pita bread with some bottled pizza sauce, and a few kind of cheese.

We put fresh squash and tomatoes from our garden on our pizzas, along with mushrooms, artichoke hearts, and pepperoni for husband.


This is an easy meal to cook because you don't have to turn on the oven if you have a toaster oven. We heat it to 400 degrees and bake until the cheese is melted.


My pizza.... delish!


Husband's pizza.. slightly less healthy looking but great nonetheless!


Our pizzas were also served with a wide variety of fresh fruits and veggies. Nothing makes my heart sing more than a fridge full of healthy food. Sometimes we have a really hard time resisting the treats so it's gratifying to know that husband and I ate all that healthy food, and that I have refilled the tray several time since.

Last night I made the first soup of the season! I used the garden tomatoes that I bottled with my mom last weekend, garden squash, pasta, white beans, spices and it was AMAZING. Bottling the tomatoes was so much fun. I felt so domestic... so 1940s victory garden. : )

My parents have an orchard behind their backyard. I have been enjoying the freshly picked strawberries and raspberries. Yum yum!

What's your favorite thing to eat this time of year?
 

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