New Years Resolutions 2017

2017 is here (which is really weird since I feel like we just started 2016? How is it the new year already...) so I decided to get started on my New Years Resolutions, since it takes me more than 0.09 seconds to actually put some thought into my resolutions. Here are what I have so far, but I'll probably come up with more later in the week.

1. Blog more often. This year, I really didn't blog much at all- and 2017 is definitely going to be my year as far as blogging goes, and I might try to change up the topics, and go more towards lifestyle and DIYs- but most of all I'll be blogging so much more often than this year.

2. Use less stock photos and more of my own photos in blog posts. I really admire bloggers that have the time and motivation to actually take their own blog photos, like Aspyn Ovard (one of my blogging role models!), because it shows how independent they are as a blogger.

3. Draw, paint and publish my art more often. I have a drawing account on Instagram and I've been wanting to do the daily doodle challenge for forever now, and now is my chance! You can follow my drawing account @savannah_draws_21.

4. Drink more water! We're all made up of water, so lets be cannibals and drink more of it.

5. Get up and move around more often, and sit less.

6. Unplug more often- no phone, no computer, no TV, just something else.

7. Try something new- and not like a new flavor of potato chips.

8. Take time for self care; take baths, go on walks, give yourself a mani-pedi, etc.

9. Keep a journal of things I'm grateful for.

5 Art Journaling Prompts for the New Year

The new year is upon us, and on this blog sometimes I like to write about art journaling prompts because art journaling can be a fun, creative hobby. Think about it- curling up on the couch with your art journal, sipping tea, binge watching LOST on Netflix. It's a good day, if this is what you're doing- so here are 5 prompts if you're stuck on what to do next~

1. If you could have an unlimited, INFINITE amount of ONE thing- what would it be? 99% of people are gonna say money, but you gotta be different. What is it that you're thinking? Try to make a collage of things you would consider. Write the question in big bold letters at the top of the page, then in the bottom right corner, make a little box big enough to write an answer in. If you can't answer it today, then don't- answer it another day of another week of another month. 

2. Make a list of A to Z. This list needs to have a theme, and that theme is up to you! Maybe places you want to go (Australia to Zimbabwe!) or things that inspire you, or maybe even your favorite things to do on a rainy day. There are endless possibilities, and you don't have to pick just one- make a whole chapter of A to Z lists in your book!




3. Grab a heart stencil. If you don't have one, then make one out of card stock by cutting out a heart and using the paper with the heart-shaped hole in it. Tape this piece of paper to a page in your art journal, and then get your watercolors out because now you're gonna paint the inside of this heart! Use all of your favorite colors, and let them bleed, let them run, do whatever you want with them. Now let them dry for a couple of minutes while you get another cuppa because you drank the last one. Finally, get either an ultra fine tipped Sharpie or a fine liner, and fill in the heart with all of the people, things and places that you LOVE! 

4. For this one you're gonna need a cup of coffee. Not for drinking, so no cream and sugar, just plain black coffee, and let it cool because the heat could damage either your brush or your paper. That's right, we're gonna be painting with coffee! Just grab a brush and some watercolor paper in addition to the coffee, and try painting something with it. Don't use any other watercolors, just the coffee. Are there any subtle differences in texture, etc? When you're done, let it dry and go over it with ink, I would use India Ink but a fine liner/Sharpie would work just fine. Now you have a caffeinated masterpiece~

5. This one is another watercolor-stencil thing, but with India ink? Get out a stencil, of anything, it doesn't matter- just pick out your favorite one. Tape the stencil down to the paper. Now, wet your brush heavily and fill a certain part with water, like at the tip of something (if you were doing a cat, the tips of their ears). Now dip your nib/brush in the jar of ink and then touch the very tip to the part of the page with the water. See what happened? Doesn't that look cool? Now experiment with it on other parts of the paper. Have fun!

I can't wait to try a couple of these out for myself, and leave a comment below if you've done one of these! Which one was your favorite? Any suggestions? 

xx Savannah

Friday DIY Roundup #46

HAPPY NEW YEARS!!! It's finally 2016 and I haven't even written a post since last year... I'm really happy that we're starting off the year with a DIY Roundup because these are my favorite kinds of posts and it's awesome that we can start off the new year with DIYs. I'm excited to start my resolutions and possibly begin blogging daily, perhaps starting sometime in March, because I feel like it would be a big step with the blog. It's been a long week filled with bumping into things and eating leftover pie, but now it's time for a fresh start :)

1. DIY Felt Baby Slippers (as shown in photo) by Purlbee

2. Acacia Wood Plant Stand by Sugar & Cloth

3. Kitchen Wall Box for Herbs by Purple ID

4. DIY Clay Platter by Design Sponge

5. Quick DIY Magazine Rack by A Pair and a Spare DIY

6. Handwoven Willow Wreath by Sugar and Charm

7. DIY Brass Swing Lamp by Hello DIY

I love those slippers, they're just adorable and they just look so rustic, although wouldn't your feet just slide right out of them? 

xx Savannah

Friday DIY Roundup #46

HAPPY NEW YEARS!!! It's finally 2016 and I haven't even written a post since last year... I'm really happy that we're starting off the year with a DIY Roundup because these are my favorite kinds of posts and it's awesome that we can start off the new year with DIYs. I'm excited to start my resolutions and possibly begin blogging daily, perhaps starting sometime in March, because I feel like it would be a big step with the blog. It's been a long week filled with bumping into things and eating leftover pie, but now it's time for a fresh start :)

1. DIY Felt Baby Slippers (as shown in photo) by Purlbee

2. Acacia Wood Plant Stand by Sugar & Cloth

3. Kitchen Wall Box for Herbs by Purple ID

4. DIY Clay Platter by Design Sponge

5. Quick DIY Magazine Rack by A Pair and a Spare DIY

6. Handwoven Willow Wreath by Sugar and Charm

7. DIY Brass Swing Lamp by Hello DIY

I love those slippers, they're just adorable and they just look so rustic, although wouldn't your feet just slide right out of them? 

xx Savannah

My New Years Resolutions for 2016

2016 is just around the corner! Just think- 9 hours from now, it's be a whole new year, and 2015 will merely be a thing of the past. I can't wait to have a new start and finally celebrate! I can remember last New Years Eve just like it was yesterday, every moment of it. The freezing temperatures as we stood outside on the lawn, barefoot with puffy coats and sparklers, counting down until the new year was upon us, and then screaming at the top of our lungs as we lit our sparklers and took our first deep breath of 2015 air. Here are my resolutions for 2016, and I'm positive I'll be able to accomplish them this year. 

-Write 3 times a week. 
-Blog every day. 
-Do an exercise routine 2-3 times a week.
-Brush teeth more often.
-Drink more water. 
-Try going to sleep earlier. 
-Walk/hike more often.  
-Clean out inbox (!)
-Get a 30+ day streak on Duolingo.

-Clean and organize more .
-Advertise on Pinterest + Facebook more often.
-Take some time for myself and just listen to music and relax.

Those are my 2016 New Years Resolutions, and I want to finish at least 2/3 of them because I feel like I don't complete what I set out to complete enough. Happy New Years Eve, I hope you have a great night and I'll see you NEXT YEAR! 

xx Savannah

DIY New Years Eve Party Decor & Treats

So when did people start calling New Years Eve "NYE"? Because every time I see/hear that all I can think of is him.. BILL NYE THE SCIENCE GUY! Anyone else? Just me? Okay. Most people like to have a nice little party on New Years Eve to celebrate the new year, and maybe if you're hosting one this year I thought you'd like some ideas. But first, just think about how in two days, it'll be 2016 and you'll just be thinking about how 2015 was the past. Let's leave some trends in 2015- for example, the thought that sitting in bed and watching Netflix is trendy and cool. I'm like, "Nope! Imma work out instead..".


PARTY DECOR 

-DIY Sparkly NYE Photo Backdrop (as shown in photo) by Sad to Happy Project

-Sparkly New Years Eve Backdrop by Project Nursery

-Ball Drop Cupcake Toppers by Oleander and Palm

-Glitter Dipped Cups by Evite Ideas

-DIY Moon Shaped Pinata by Oh Happy Day!

TREATS

-Champagne Cake Balls by My Recipe Magic

-New Years Crescent Dippers by Pillsburys

-Sparkly Oreo Cookie Balls by Kenarry

-Party In a Glass Parfait by The Cozy Apron

-Coconut Champagne Cupcakes by Living Better Together

Combine these awesome ideas to make the best New Years Party EVER! I can't wait for tomorrow~

xx Savannah

What You Should Do This Year Instead of Making Resolutions

Do you ever make New Years resolutions, but not keep them? Exactly. Resolutions can be boring. Traditional, yes, but not creative enough for the artist inside you. Which is why I'm making an achievement jar.

They are super easy to make, you don't need a foreign yak or thousand dollar bills, or an Australian koala fur scarf. All you need is a jar and some craft supplies, that's it. If you want, print out some motivational pictures, if it suits you. 

 Just decorate the jar with whatever you please (You can also choose whether or not to use a lid). Then, whenever you accomplish something, whether it be big or small, write it down on a piece of paper and stick it in the jar. By the end of 2015, it'll be full, and you can go through and read all of the pieces of paper in there, remembering all that you did. This art project is much more creative than New Years resolutions, in my opinion. Have fun!! xoxo

Fish in a Jar Drawing

8 of My New Years Resolutions

I may have made many more New Years resolutions than last year, but that just means I have more that I'd like to accomplish. Writing a book is my biggest goal so far, I just have to finish the manuscript. Comment below whether or not you'd read a book I wrote.

1. Finish writing manuscript

2. Teach an art class

3. Fill up skectchbooks

4. Donate LOTS of stuff t Goodwill c:

5. Bring up page views on blog to 1000+ per month (readers, tell your friends!)

6. Improve drawing skills by 110%

7. Save up $500+

8. Be more fit (hiking)

What are your New Years resolutions? Comment below :D