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Stephanie Howell

reading, organizing, shopping, momming too close to the sun. Home is wherever the Army sends us.

Creative Friday | Venice Scrapbook Layout

TGIF, sweet friends! Or as we say here in Italy…Buon Fine Settimana!

 

Today I’d like to share a new scrapbook page with you. An EASY page…and easy doesn’t mean boring!

This layout literally took me 5 minutes.

1. Arrange die cuts around photo. Cut slits in some of the the die cuts so that you can “wrap” them around the photo.

2. Tuck tag (polka dot portion of layout) under photo.

3. Apply title directly to photo.

4. Cut strip of patterned paper and adhere to bottom of cardstock.

5. Add rub-on under title.

6. Add journaling and enamel heart.

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That’s my kind of a layout. No muss, no fuss, no stress.

Love to you all!

xo

S

Wordless (ish?!?!?) Wednesday

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Step 1: Carefully lick around entire cone so to prevent dripping.

Step 2: Take Bite.

Step 3: Get severe brain freeze.

Step 4: Back to business as usual.

Step 5: Repeat daily.

And that, my friends, is how you eat gelato!

Now and Then | She Is + She Isn’t

 

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Sadie at 6 and Sadie at 3…not much has changed.

This kid. She’s the funniest and the most infuriating. I have no doubt that she will rule the world one day. This kid is going to move mountains.

She is:

+ stubborn

+ quick-witted

+ smart as a whip

+ easily frustrated

+ snuggly

+ prickly

+ funny

+ observant

+ logical

+ defiant

+ an instigator

+ thoughtful

+ prone to verbal outburts (she’s loud, she’s proud get used to it)

+ a hand holder

+ strong-willed

+ a gymnast

+loyal

 

 

She is not:

+ easily impressed

+ easily swayed

+ openly emotional

+ good at taking no for an answer

+ patient

+ extroverted

+ quiet

+ interested in hugging you if she doesn’t truly know you

+ a doormat

+ a girlie girl

+ shy to tell you what she thinks

 

She is going to be one hell of a woman. Now if we can just survive to get there. Ha! I love being her mama, but it is not easy. It’s a constant struggle between spunky (cute) and sassy (not cute) and we toe that line every day.

I adore this girl. And oh man…I cannot wait to see what giants+dragons she slays one day.

xo

s

What I’m Reading // What are YOU reading?

whatimreading

 

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Ehhh…a whole bunch of nothing.

I’m still attempting to read, but nothing is holding my interest. Truly. The only book I remember reading lately is Jojo Moyes’ new book.

And it was sweet and lovely…but just okay. I wanted the magic of Me Before You. Sigh.

Other than that I’ve read crap. Crap that I don’t even want to record on Goodreads because it doesn’t matter.

And I’ve been checking out books from the library, but they don’t even interest me enough to read them.

I guess you could say I’m in a reading slump. Or maybe exercise has taken my reading time. And that’s okay, but I would love to read a good book.

So it’s your turn. What have you read lately that you loved? I want something that will grab me and pull me in. I want something that I will immerse myself in. I want something GOOD. I don’t want to struggle. I want to be consumed.

Whoa. That’s quite the laundry list, no?

Go!

xo

s

 

 

Ode to Italy

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I think this is one of my all-time favorite photographs I’ve taken in Italy.

 

It is SO representative of this place I’ve grown to love. How FABULOUS is the granny in the sequins and sunnies? I love her.

 

After a year and 2 months in Italy here’s what I know.

 

1. I now drive with the best (worst??) of them. Yielding? What’s that??? TAKE THE ROTARY!

 

2. I find myself feeling chilly when it’s under 70 degrees. I have,however,fought the urge to put on a puffer jacket.

 

3. I talk with my hands a lot more.

 

4. I end conversations with “si si si si si si si si!”

 

5. I savor the taste of a spritz aperol.

 

6. I don’t find it at all strange that strangers try to hold Cate and Lucy routinely.

 

7. I use the word “allora” on the reg.

 

8. I will never be able to eat tomatoes, pasta, gelato, produce, or cheese when I move home. Or drink wine or coffee. I am ruined for life and destined to be a horrible snob.

 

9. I wear gloves when I handle produce.

 

10. I eat as soon as my food comes to the table. No waiting for everyone else.

 

11. I am used to no central air. I feel like it is going to be COLD all the time when we go back to the US.

 

12. I can fit my van through ridiculously narrow spaces.

 

13. I don’t expect anything to happen the first time I try. I expect to get lost. If I don’t it’s a pleasant surprise.

 

14. I eat dinner a lot later and drink coffee a lot more.

 

15. I am used to the feel of marble under my feet. Carpet…what’s that?

 

16. I still hate the taste of licorice, even though Italians adore it.

 

17. I have grown accustomed to the sound of church bells ringing.

 

18. I have forgotten what the American media is like. No news on the TV here, no 24/7 mentality. No talking heads, no sensationalism. I do not miss it at all and dread having to return to it.

 

19. I consume meat and produce that was on a farm hours before.

 

20. I have discovered la bella vita.

 

Even when it’s infuriating and nonsensical, I love it here. I don’t ever want to leave. I love the sounds, the smells, the views. I love the people and the mentality. I don’t ever want to leave.

Buona giornata,amici miei.

xoxo