Stopping to Enjoy the View

Source: flickr.com via kate spade new york on Pinterest

I am a speed walker. I compulsively organize my life with to-do lists always crossing things off, adding things on, rearranging them, making new ones - the lists of my life are never ending. Every day of my life is a list, a schedule, a sequence of events and tasks.

Take today, for example: 9a. SOCY lab. // 10a./11a. Back home to be productive (where productivity time actually turned into sexy time which is almost a waste of time according to my list-making, time-maximizing nature). //1p. AREC discussion and quiz. // 2p. SOCY 411. //Home by 330p. // Other to do:: check Vday plans, SOCY 202 assignment, make pink skirts for Spring line, do other homework, Vday present for Brad, update blogs, check yoga classes. + Rest.

It's too much, but between being a student, working on my spring line, working toward my career ambitions, maintaining my relationship with Brad, having a part-time job and all those other things I want to do in between, there seems to be no other way for me to live right now. I have no time to stop and smell the roses, enjoy the view along my day.

This really hit me today as I was making my way to AREC - speed walking, of course, across our beautiful campus and thinking of what I needed to get done today. My time on this campus is so limited and I've spent it running around and making lists, probably just trying to get the most of everything here, but I really will miss the undergrad life and it's gone by so fast. Less than 100 days to go until it's all over. I'll forever be done being a student (probably). So today I'm adding another bullet to my senior bucket-list: Stop and enjoy the view. -Amina

Inspired. And a Beginning.

Source: joannagoddard.blogspot.com via Amina @ Handmade Habitat on Pinterest

Today I'm feeling a little quirky, a little spunky and very inspired. When I wake up on my own terms, I think I have a genuinely better attitude towards the day. Although I woke up with a headache this morning, I also greeted the day with a dozen ideas that I immediately started drawing out in my idea book.  I put on a cute outfit, went to most of my classes, met up with a friend and also decided that I need to start carrying out some of those New Years Resolutions that I made a while ago and one of them was to write for myself this year.

I've gotten out of the habit of writing, so I decided that perhaps this blog could be more for my words and less for my projects. A space dedicated to me and my thoughts... whatever they may be. And of course, it's also a space for the thousands of pictures I've preserved on Pinterest to illustrate these thoughts. I think writing may be therapeutic for me and an honest way to deal with the stress of these next few months, the last months of my college career.

So today I'm anxious about my business plans. I need to get sewing - turning these pages and pages of my Spring Line plans into a reality. It's started but not finished. And I'd really love to have a complete line this year. A complete story from start to finish. Doable? I really hope. Thanks for listening, world. I'll be back. -Amina

Theophilus

Super Pressed. My pics from Tour de Roses at the 9:30 Club, DC. Ears are still ringing. Last name London, first name Theophilus. <3 Amina

Cats!

Source: catvshuman.com via Amina @ Handmade Habitat on Pinterest

I have two cats and today is their birthday! I didn't get to go home for it but I hope I can see them soon. :( They're street cats so we have no idea what they are. Might be somewhere between Snowshoe and Scottish fold. Whatever they are, it's adorrableeee!

Painted Wooden Spoons

Inspired by: Painted Wooden Spoons by Milk Farm Road >> Reality: hand-painted Ikea wooden kitchen utensils 

From Inspiration to Reality is a series depicting easy DIYs based on super expensive cool stuff. I really liked these $30 wooden spoons that I spotted on Pinterest, but with a 50 cent pack of wooden kitchen utensils from Ikea and some creative mixing of acrylic paints, we have the same effect, but for much less. :) Try it yourself! -Amina

Color Palette: grapefruit, beige, taupe + mint, yummm

A color inspiration board via my Pinterest picks:

1. The Herriot Grace Juicer >> here on Pinterest

2. Rebecca Taylor Pom Pom beaded silk camisole >> here on Pinterest

3. Studio Juju's wooden containers >> here on Pinterest

Mmmm I love these colorss. Follow all of my boards on Pinterest here. -Amina

Celebrate this Lovers' Holiday with Handmade Habitat

Getting ready for Valentine's Day?? My shop is stocked full of lovely goodies for you and your sweetheart for this Lovers' Holiday.

1. For the biggest love of your life - your kitty! A burlap and felt heart organic catnip toy

2. Keep warm on your date with this pink hand-knitted with love cowl

3. Accessorize with this red rosey ring

4. Accessorize some more with a long red beaded necklace

5. Wear: burgundy skirt. Available in S + M!

6. Make the bed with this adorable pink flowering pillow ;)

7. Set the mood with some candles, available in honey almond scent and vanilla

8. Get the home ready or surprise your sweetheart with an everlasting and unique bouquet of pom pom flowers! 

This Lovers' Holiday, Bradley is taking me on an early date to see Theophilus London at the 9:30 Club in DC! We saw him around the same time last year and I've been dying to see him live again! Last time, he was doing a tour for his new EP - Lovers' Holiday. Extremely appropriate. Wouldn't rather do anything else. ;) Hope your Valentine's Day is just as lovely, everyone! -Amina