things I like

1. I'm so obsessed with the 365 Lucky Days project. I've never embroidered anything or even held an embroidery hoop in my hand but her stunning designs have compelled me to go to the craft store as soon as I'm settled in my new home and create some of my own!

2. Ben Blood has done it again! This shoot captured my heart. Everything about it is perfect. 

3. I just want to fill my closet with super duper girly dresses and vintage-inspired accessories. These are a few of my favorites. (via ModCloth)

4. Just in time for the dog days of summer (whatever that means) Elsie shared some yummy looking Agua Fresca recipes. MMM!

5. You guys know how glitter is my favorite color and I love tape? I'll just leave this here for right now.

6. How could you not think that this giant synthesizer pillow is the coolest thing ever? It might be a necessity for my new studio. Possibly? 

7. I'm going to end up having like 30 cake toppers on my wedding cake because I keep finding more and more that I love! These from Skunkboy Creatures are too cute! They might beat all in the cake topper war.

8. I love lady ties! I want them in every single color. These are all so precious!

9. I've never been much of a brooch girl but this one is really cute and I wouldn't mind rockin' it.

10. Diana's tattoos are majestic. I've had the tattoo itch for quite some time now, but frugality and saving up for my studio/store has been winning. Sigh... someday! At this point in my life, I'm far too young and indecisive anyway! In the mean time, I'm content to swoon over the ink of others.

Hope you're having a great weekend! Mine will be full of unpacking and hopefully followed by a long period of sleep!

xo, e.m.

moving out

Yesterday was WILD and I'm sorry for the lack of fun bloggery! It took us alllll day to move out and then of course after it was done, we were all too pooped to do anything but make one last trek to Whole Foods Marlton and grab some dinner to inhale as soon as we got to our hotel room. It was fun being surrounded by family friends yesterday. It was a much-needed sense of comfort in a strange situation. There was a lot of picking up heavy objects happening but there was also a lot of laughter. We dubbed my mom the "keeper of the Sharpies." We kept losing them so she took the initiative to make sure that she was the only one who could get to them. Ah, memories! Tomorrow we're moving in to our new house so don't be expecting an update until later this weekend! 

xo, e.m.

holga love

I love film and I will always support it but sometimes it's just fun to play around with Holga photos and digital photography. When I saw this Holga lens for my Nikon, I freaked out a little. Try it out, it's so much fun! Here is is for Nikon and for Canon. 

xo, e.m.

summer snacks

Summers are for poolside lunches, beach picnics, and jubilant get-togethers. With constantly being active, snacks are a must! There is nothing worse than feeling bloated from salty and sugary foods with empty calories, imagine feeling like that in humidity and 90 degree weather! No fun. You can still be healthy even with a crazy on-the-go schedule, and it doesn't even take too much!

1. Swap fruit + sparkling water drinks for soda: Italian sodas made with fruit juice make a delicious alternative to sugary soft drinks. They quench the soda craving but are just a much better choice! Side note? Another one of my summer favorites is Raspberry Ginger Beer. SO good!

2. Swap blue corn tortillas and fresh salsa for Tostitos and store-bought salsa: Blue corn has 20% more protein than regular corn and has more overall "substance." Basically, you'll be filled up and not wanting to eat an entire bag! As for fresh salsa... what can compare?

3. When all else fails, berries, berries, berries: Berries are the PERFECT summer food. They are full of antioxidants and can even be a natural defense for your body against the sun if they're a part of your daily diet. 

Stay healthy, stay happy!

xo, e.m.

the calm before the storm

I've said it before and at the risk of sounding like a broken record, I'll say it again: I love Sundays. Sundays are made for family and relaxation. With the exception of Eisley waking me up at 5:00 in the morning, it's been lovely here! Went to church, got some lunch, gonna play some music and then CJ and I are going to go see Prometheus in Imax 3D. He's leaving again tomorrow for three weeks so a date night is definitely in order! Today is definitely the calm before the storm. Hope all of you had a great weekend!

xo, e.m.

i love lyrics

Sometimes you just gotta play around with some song lyrics and make some fun art, am I right? This is how I relax and blow off some steam. I've been listening to music all day long and I decided to make some art to maybe even hang on the walls of my new room. Maybe?

xo, e.m.

p.s. Most of these fun design'y things are from the precious Pugly Pixel. Grab 'em and go make some art of your own!

this week in instagrams

Just a normal Saturday in the Ricchini household as of lately. Packing, peeking on the NHL Draft, packing, more peeking, packing, blogging, packing, packing, hopefully thrifting a little later and then packing more. It's okay though, by this time next week, I'll be sharing my week in Instagrams from a new home in a new state! How is the weekend treating all of you? I woke up this morning and there were over 9,000 views on the blog. You guys ROCK so much. Oh, also, I don't know if I've ever shared this but if you enjoy these Instagram updates, you can follow me on Instagram, my user name is owlrika.

xo, e.m.

p.s. The second picture down is one of me as a baby. Wasn't I the absolute cutest?