Over the weekend I did a YouTube livestream with Costume Cinemato (on Twitter and on YouTube). Heidi prepared a lineup of my costumes from several genres, and we talked about costume/cosplay inspiration, materials, techniques, the awkwardness of duct taping each other for patterns, and killing curtains. And I didn’t even break out in hives or […]
Geology Basics: For the Casual Observer or Amateur Enthusiast
Twice a year my running partner and I, both of us geoscientists, teach geology for Texas Parks and Wildlife Becoming an Outdoors Woman program. I created the course in 2014 by condensing an entire semester of freshman level physical geology into a 3.5 hour workshop (~1 hour lecture, ~1 hour lab, and ~1 hour spent in the […]
Champagne Jell-O Shots: Pomegranate Moscato Spumante
As much as I try to avoid things overly girly (or mature), I’m still a sucker for sparkles, pink, sweets, and fun food. Champagne Jell-O Shots can encompass all those things depending on recipe, which there are many on Pinterest. So I conducted a bit of a science experiment in my kitchen and played with […]
Champagne Jell-O Shots: Sidecar Cocktail
I rarely drink anything other than wine. I like scotch on occasion, but my go-to cocktail is the sidecar. This brandy/cognac based cocktail originated some time in the 1920s during Prohibition. Rather than just order sidecars at bars, I sometimes ask “can you make a sidecar?” and heavily scrutinize the bartender’s reaction. Most bartenders immediately […]
Why I Blog (Well…Why Not?)
I want to start the new year by reintroducing myself and why I’m here. By the 12 month milestone, my blogging peers have followers in the thousands, fill their calendars with sponsored posts, and hustle like nothing I’ve ever seen. Me? I’m just getting warmed up. I’ve been blogging for about 16 months now. If […]
Personalized Coffee Mugs for My Office Mates
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Christmas Cards Upcycled/Repurposed into Gift Tags (DIY)
Don’t throw away those Christmas cards! Not to hoard or anything (that’s what we tell people, but really, this is a judge-free zone), but those cards with the pretty fronts can be reused next year as gift tags. I saw the idea on Pinterest and was happy to find that I already had all the supplies […]
Wine Label Mache: Stickers for Adults
I hoard the oddest things. Unused wine labels are one of the things I collect and tuck away for some unknown use in the future. Last month at French Country Wines in Houston during National Rose Day, I was inspired by a wine label covered pup in their winery. Finally, something I can use wine […]
Camera Strap Cover (DIY)
Off the rack camera straps are so last year. When I got a new camera and couldn’t find a Coach or Vera Bradley strap cover for the Nikon, I was inspired by Pinterest to make my own moderately fashionable camera strap cover. I have plenty of scrap fabrics from previous projects (GoT dress and dog Derby […]
Painted Rock Magnets (DIY)
What on earth are you going to do with all those silly little pebbles you and your kids pick up on vacation? Might I suggest turning those natural souvenirs into fridge magnets to enjoy daily. Here’s what you’ll need: Rocks (look for at least one flat side) E6000 adhesive High magnetic strength ceramic magnet discs […]