What I Wore

Sometimes in real life when people mention my blog I worry that they think I am vain, taking pictures of my clothes and posting them on the Internet and all. But I don't mean to be vain. I just really love getting dressed. It's an art form. It's a way to be creative every day even if I don't have time for crafting, photography, or some other art. I don't have many photos this week but I did love some of the outfits I put together.

I did wear my red pants this week but didn't get a photo : (

If you use Pinterest at all and ever look at "women's apparel" you will recognize this outfit. It's pinned a ton. I completely copied it from her. And probably matched 99 other women that day too. But I did add my own touches. The gray tights, boots, and black belt? All me.

The most creative part of this outfit was the necklace. I wanted something shiny that had dimension. So I wore a necklace backwards. The other side has brightly colored flowers.

I don't know that I will wear something like this again. The tucked in cardi was cute but super uncomfortable. And this skirt is just too short for my liking (what you see giving it length is a slip sticking out from underneath). It got put in the donation pile.

H&M striped top, F21 cardi, Charlotte Russe necklace, Ross belt, hand me down skirt, Forever Young boots, and tights from some little store at Union Station in D.C.

We got home after it was dark this day, but I wanted to take pictures anyway because I really loved this outfit. First time wearing the red tights was interesting. I just loved when people would see my legs, look awkwardly up to my face, then down to my legs again. It's called "red" people.
I have had this dress for ages so it was fun to style it in a new way. I coordinated the red tights with the little beads in my necklace and earlier in the day I had a matching lip color too.

Target dress, Papaya jacket, Walmart tights, Steve Madden boots, necklace from a local boutique courtesy of my mom.

I'll be linking this post up with Momma Go Round and Pleated Poppy!

P.S. If you want to see another outfit I wore this week click here. It was practically the same except I wear pants, not leggings and my boots aren't as tall. It was a Pinterest inspired week for me!

Quilled Christmas Cards

Remember when I got my quilling kit? I have been playing with it and made a few Christmas cards. If you like paper crafts you should really try this art form!

You can find the original instructions and inspiration for these first three designs here.

This little baby was my own design and creation. When I first made Rudolph, his antlers were a lot smaller. Dear husband, who was sitting next to me the entire time I was working on it, asked if it were an alien. I might have thrown it at him. I was so proud that I had designed my own quilling pattern.... and it looked like an alien!!!! I have since added bigger antlers and announced it is Rudolph to anyone I have shown before they can ask or guess.

While slightly time consuming, quilling is super fun. Try it!

Handmade Gift Exchange

Once again I participated in Linda's handmade gift exchange over at Craftaholics Anonymous. My partner this year was Melissa from Sew Cute by Melissa. She sent me these adorable Christmas blocks. Aren't they fantastic? I love the papers and colors she chose. They match the colors of my decor really well. I put them in the window of the dining room... and area that could use a little Christmas love.



I sent Melissa a few accessories to get her holiday party ready: a sparkly green necklace, some red hoop earrings, and some black rose shoe clips.

A big thanks to Linda for hosting and to Melissa for the great gift!! Be sure to hop over to CA to see the other gifts that were made!

30 for 30 Week 3

As you will see, I only got to day 24 but I am calling to quits on the remix. Three weeks was all I really planned on doing (so it isn't a 30 for 30 at all and I should have called it something else) and it served it's purpose. I learned more about my style and found some new ways to wear things.

During the middle of it, I had talked myself into starting a separate blog about style. I think most Yellow Blackbird readers are here for the crafts and DIYs, not the outfit photos. But the quality of the photos below (the look on my face, my posing, the backgrounds, the lack of detail) has really turned me off to the idea. Well, that and the fact that Spencer hates taking my picture everyday. I think for now I will keep doing "What I Wore" each week but I won't be going back to the Shop Your Closet feature. It was extremely unpopular and I don't think you readers want more than one day of my "style" photos. I do like posting on Saturdays instead of Wednesdays so I will continue posting my outfits on Saturdays and focus on crafts and creative inspiration the rest of the week.

I always read on blogs how the mirror isn't telling the true story. Photos are what really show how an outfit looks. But I don't buy it. I don't think the photo captures everything. It can't see how well the garment moves with your body or how it looks in different lights, etc. The photos below freeze just one small moment in time, capturing a slouchy boot, a crooked smile, hair in the face, gloves in the pockets making the vest look too puffy, and awkward hand position, a squinty eye, or a crooked collar, things you may not notice otherwise. They don't really show how the clothes work in real life. I really do think that I look better IRL than I do in most of the pictures. In fact, today while I was shopping at H&M, I was approached by a modeling talent scout and given a business card and instructions to call her. That would not have come if she would have seen the portraits here, but she saw what I look like in life. That really helped to boost my self-confidence. I think I only get asked because I have long legs, but I hadn't been approached in several years since I was in college and it made me feel better that even though my hair is crazy right now and I have gained weight that I can still look good.

But I digress.

SIXTEEN

I have now styled this dress about 5 different ways and this might just be my favorite one. I love the bright sweater and of course the belt and boot combo is signature Aubree.

SEVENTEEN

I am so glad I bought this shirt. I love it. In fact, at H&M today I bought one that is exactly opposite (large white and small dark stripes) and know I will wear it a ton.

EIGHTEEN

These boots are too slouchy. The leg warmers are supposed to just be peeking out of the boots, but they keep falling down. I was inspired by this, but fell quite short of it. Of course, it's hard to see from this side angle and I always think that my outfits look better in real life as I said before... And I like my skirts below my knees unlike the inspiration photo...

NINETEEN

Sort of a feminine Indiana Jones vibe going here. This was the only time I wore this shirt in the remix.

TWENTY

I am sad that this photo didn't turn out because this is my favorite outfit of the remix. It was so cold and windy that we snapped a quick three photos right outside the door and called it good. I love my heart tights and the flower is from my Blooming Sash Belts. This was inspired by Cori, something I have been wanted to wear for awhile. I just loved it. I wore it to work, so I will have to wear it to church sometime.

TWENTY-ONE

I can't get enough of this red vest! The white shirt was technically part of the remix, but I counted it as an undershirt. You can't see the turquoise necklace too well, but I love red and turquoise.

TWENTY TWO

Oh my windy!!! I never would have thought to wear this beige top with gray pants without this remix.

TWENTY THREE

A blazer, stripes, leopard and boots is so 2011, am I right?

TWENTY FOUR

This is what I wore today. I was actually going to end the remix on Friday, but I didn't have much time to get ready on Saturday before Amber picked me up for our H&M excursion and looking through the whole closet was too overwhelming. So I chose another outfit from the remix and used that classic Aubree belt and boots and it became one of my favorites from the remix.

I have several new things to wear this week now that I am done. The whole red pants trauma is over- I finally got a perfect pair and returned the one that didn't fit. I have 2 new puffy vests, a new pair of riding boots, an orange jacket, and two long sleeve tees. My grandma already gave me my Christmas money so I am sort of counting the boots as a gift and may wait until Christmas to wear them. We'll see...

Have a wonderful rest of the weekend!

Photo Letters Again

Have you been dying all week to know what was in the brown paper packages? Today is the day to find out!

Remember the photo letters gift I made for my brother last year? I decided to do the same thing for Spencer's sister's family this year. We had their names for the family gift exchange and I really wanted to make something and have it be personal.

For the mom and dad gift we I did the family name in larger frame.

For each of the kids I made a 5X7 collage of their first names in Photoshop and framed it. I was going to tint the letters to match the colors of their rooms but it only looked good in some of the colors so I left them all black and white.



Unfortunately, the printing turned out a little dark on this one, but it isn't as bad in real life as it is here.

This one is my favorite! I had such a hard time finding the mailbox B last year, that I was worried about finding another B, but it wasn't too bad. Funny, that I drove past the new B everyday last year when I was looking and never noticed it.

This was easy since Tanner and Anne are almost the same! :)

If you are still looking for a unique and personal gift, there is still time to make one! Just keep your eyes constantly peeled for objects that look like letters and soon enough you will find all the letters you need. Actually, finding the 5 opening frame was hardest part. After going to every store in the tri-county area (ha ha) and tons of websites I found this one at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. See my post from last year for a few more tips.

Have fun!!

45+ Ways to Keep Christ in Christmas

It's December and the Christmas season is in full swing. It's so easy to get caught up in all the gifts, parties, shopping, and wrapping and forget the true meaning of Christmas. I recently saw a funny comic on Pinterest that said something to the effect of "I find it ironic that the day after we celebrate being thankful for what we have, we become greedy and go crazy buying more stuff." Too true.

It's important to consciously choose to participate in activities that keep the real spirit of Christmas in our homes and hearts. Below is a list of such activities that I compiled last year for a church activity. Many of them apply to members of the LDS (Mormon) Church, but plenty will work for you if you are of another Christian faith.

Keep Christ in Christmas

· Hold a family testimony meeting.

· Read about prophecies of the Savior’s birth in the Book of Mormon.

· Read the Christmas story from the Bible.

· Memorize The Living Christ.

· Make a list of your blessings.

· Watch the First Presidency Devotional on the first Sunday in December.

· Watch Music and the Spoken Word Sunday mornings.

· Make thank you notes to use after Christmas.

· Learn a Christmas hymn to sing as a family.

· Read a Christmas story from the Friend or Ensign.

· Make or use a service advent calendar- no one gets the treat until a service has been performed.

· Write down on paper, roll up, and tie with a bow, a gift you are going to give to the Savior.

· Keep track of all the service given by family members in December in a white stocking, gift box, or manger scene. Read the good deeds on Christmas morning.

· Write your testimony in a Book of Mormon and give it away.

· Make Christmas ornaments that focus on Christ.

· Visit Temple Square- especially the nativity scenes and the statue of Christ in the visitor’s center.

· Make a flannel board nativity and leave it out for children to retell the story.

· Use simple costumes to act out the nativity story.

· Write letters and make cards to send to loved ones far away.

· Color, paint, (or purchase) a nativity scene and hang it in your home.

· Watch an uplifting Christmas DVD together such as Joy to the World.

· Have a "white" Christmas--attend the temple.

· Go shopping together for Sub-for-Santa or angel tree gifts.

· Help children clean out toys and donate good used ones to charity.

· Make dinner for a neighbor in need.

· Help children write a story about the manger on Christmas night.

· Write a note to a missionary.

· Have a Bethlehem dinner.

· Have a family Christmas music night with instrumental and vocal performances.

· Attend a live nativity.

· Listen to Handel's Messiah and learn the story behind music. (See Ensign December 2010).

· Make a Christmas advent candle, and read a Christ related scripture each night as candle burns.

· Wrap meaningful and uplifting Christmas books and open one each day and read together.

· Collect uplifting Christmas stories and compile in a binder to read as a family each day.

· Collect or make from paper symbols of Christmas and teach children the meaning. They could draw one from a gift bag and tell how it reminds them of Christ.

· Go for a nighttime winter walk and enjoy the beautiful stars and talk about the special star that appeared at Christ's birth.

· Draw names of family members on Dec 1^st. Secretly serve that person all month. Reveal on Christmas morning.

· Make handprints of children, cut out, and print "I will have helping hands for Jesus."

· Determine a need and perform a service anonymously.

· Forgive and make amends with someone.

· Give family members a “golden gift.” Wrap a Christ centered gift (book, scriptures, CD, etc) in gold paper and open on Christmas morning.

· Purchase nativity play sets for children

· Strive to be more like the Savior each day!

Helpful links:

Christ Centered Traditions Blog
Helps for memorizing the Living Christ at Discover the Scriptures
Nativity Matching game
CHRISTmas at I am Momma- Hear Me Roar

Call for December Sponsors!

This is a great opportunity for small blogs/Etsy shops, etc. to get a little more exposure.

Yellow Blackbird is still small but is growing bigger literally every day. I currently have a little over 470 followers (check the side bar for the most current number) and receive between 8,000-10,000 visitors per month.

I post at least 3-4 times per week and link to many blog parties, including "What I Wore" at Pleated Poppy which brings a lot of traffic to my blog.

I am going to offer ad space for the rest of 2011 for only $5 per month. At the end of December I will reevaluate my stats and adjust the price accordingly, if needed.

This price also includes 1 blog post about your blog/shop/etc. sometime during the month.

Maximum ad space is 185 X 185 pixels. Email me if you are interested! aubreelarsen@gmail.com Your ad will go live as soon as I get it!

I will only be accepting family friendly, G rated ads!

Embellished Brown Paper Packages

Wrapping gifts is not one my talents. Most of the time my presents come out looking horrible. I tend to stick with gift bags (usually ones that someone has already given me, including the tissue paper!). This year I decided to skip all the wrapping paper and bows and go with simple brown "Kraft" paper as my blank canvas. Now I can be creative and have fun!

I had to make these particular gifts flat without much dimension because I was sending them home on a long road trip over Thanksgiving weekend with Spencer's sister's family and I didn't want the wrappings to get squished.

If you want to make your gift all coordinate, consider buying a few sheets of matching scrapbook paper, stickers, and a little bit of ribbon. All the paper I used was from the same line so the gift somewhat go together.

This one turned out to by my favorite. I used a simple strip of paper with the word lyrics, some neat letter stickers, and some holly leaf stickers. So quick and easy, yet personalized and cute!

This one used another strip of the paper and a few strands of ribbon that are each taped to the back of the package. The tag came printed on the paper. After the photos were already taken I filled in the to and from.

The present for Anne is the first one I did, and obviously I was more ambitous at the beginning. I painted the snowflakes on the package using a stencil. I added a ribbon and another tag cut from the paper. I finished it off with letter stickers to spell out the name of the recipient.

This was for a nephew (rather than the other three for nieces) so I figured I could go a little more simple. I punched three circles out of coordinated scrapbook paper and added a simple sticker for a monogram. I love putting monograms on gifts and tags. It's easy and stylish.

For the parents I used the same ideas as above- strips of paper, a tag cut from paper, and monogram stickers. I like it.

I still have some wrapping paper left that I will use this year (probably for Spencer's gifts) but from this point forward I am going to stick with the brown paper. It can be customized for any person on any occasion!

I want to show you what's in these packages, since I made the gifts. I don't think anyone in that family reads my blog, but if you do, be warned that later these week I will be posting photos of the gifts and don't want to spoil your surprise! : )

30 for 30 Remix Week 2

It's week 2 of my 30 for 30 remix. To see week 1 click here, and to see all the clothes I picked click here.

SEVEN

These first two outfits I actually wore week 1 but never got pictures so I recreated them. The photos turned out terrible. I look like I have a huge head so I had to crop it out below. Anywho... layering a cardi over a sweater made for a cozy outfit.

EIGHT

I like the polka dots together. I think they are far enough apart that they don't clash. I have only ever worn this skirt with brown so adding black was kind of fun. However, keeping the sweater tucked in and smooth all day was awful. I think that only works with flowy skirts.

NINE

More dots on dots! I layered this shirt over the dress, which I have never done before. I am wearing the raspberry Blooming Sash Belt (get it for 15% off with code YellowFriday BTW). I am ok with how this turned out.

TEN

Not very exciting, but at least I was shopping my closet and wore something new, right?

ELEVEN

Okay, I might look a little Ronald McDonald but this was so fun to wear! I wore it to school on a "free dress" day and sooo many people (including the kids) complimented me on my boots! I hope they weren't making fun of me. : ) I am loving red and yellow together!

TWELVE

Since this outfit was sort of voluminous on top maybe I should have worn boots on the bottom to better balance it out. I do like the belted blazer, you?

THIRTEEN

This is what I wore to Thanksgiving dinner. I felt like dressing up a little bit, and to be honest I wore this because it allows for a lot of eating! No pants to become too tight and no one can see the food baby, ha ha! (I really hate the term "food baby." Yuck!). I think the cardi would have looked good belted but that would defeat the purpose so I piled on the leaf necklaces instead. I am sporting my Jo Tote camera bag!

FOURTEEN

A lot of occasions are calling for this sweater so I added the black scarf to try to change it a little from how I wore it before.

FIFTEEN

I have worn this outfit before, but took away the belt and added the scarf and yellow shoes to change it up. It really is all about accessories.

Well, I am about half way through the 30 for 30, but remember at the beginning I said I would probably just do 3 weeks instead of the full 30? This is going to be my last week. By then I will be up to about 23 outfits. Holiday parties will be in full swing and I will want to be wearing certain things (aka sparkles and red pants!!!) that aren't included in this remix.

Since I know you all care SO much about my red pants (NOT!) here's an update: I decided that they don't fit very well at all. They are too big and I spent so much time looking for long ones, but in the skinny style I don't need longs. I got back online (New York and Co) and saw that the pants are $10 cheaper than they were when I bought them the first time so I ordered them again in a different size and will just return the first pair to the store. More waiting!

Reminder: You have until Monday night to get 15% off at my Etsy shop with code YELLOWFRIDAY. I thought the code name was so clever, ha ha!

BLACK FRIDAY SALE AND FREE GIFT

It's official! It's Christmastime! And with that comes holiday shopping! I am joining in the madness that is Black Friday weekend by offering 15% off your entire order from my Etsy shop, Yellow Blackbird! Enter code YELLOWFRIDAY to receive the discount.This offer is good through the end of Cyber Monday.

The first 5 customers to mention the Yellow Blackbird blog or Facebook page in the message to seller on Black Friday ONLY will receive a FREE wire bird's nest charm in your choice of red, gold, pink, burgundy, silver, bright blue, turquoise, dark blue, dark purple, or black.

Here are some of the great gifts you can find at Yellow Blackbird:

Rosette Bobby Pin Gift Set

Hot Pink Flower Hair Clip

A Different Kind of Pearl Bracelet. It also comes in a necklace in pearl, pink, black, turquoise, and blue.

The popular Anthro bracelet kit or finished bracelet

And of course my signature Blooming Sash Belt available in a wide variety of colors.

Happy Shopping!