A Future

So I am indeed a college graduate, although I may not look it above. I graduated from the University of Vermont with a BA in Secondary Education & English and I minored in Special Education. I'm currently trying to get everything settled for this Spring to attend a year long certificate program at a local community college for Graphic Design as well as a graduate program for Speech Pathology at a local University for fall 2012. I am also studying for an exam in November for teacher certification.

I know that I no longer want to be an English teacher. I mean if a job came up I wouldn't refuse it. But it isn't the ideal job for me anymore. I so badly want to pursue a career as a Speech Pathologist because I've always been drawn to helping the students that need the most help. I couldn't imagine a classroom of 30 in which I wouldn't truly be able to spend a lot of one-on-one time with. I've realized that I would love to work one-on-one or in small groups with students. I also am incredibly fascinated with speech and the science and process behind it. (I've taken some prerequisites, that I've loved). I really wish that I had gone into Speech before but hopefully my background in Education will give me a "leg up" on the rest of my competition. It is a really tough program to get into, only 40 of 200 applicants are accepted. Yikes. So I've been trying to read as much as possible. As well as continue to think about my graduate essay and get everything ready for my application. I'm already nervous and it isn't due until February (I'm actually making sure everything is in by January...what a good nerd I am). 

Anywho does anyone have any words of wisdom? I could sure use some in calming my nerves about this whole business. 

Thanks so much for stopping in and seeing what I've been up to lately!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway too, only a few more days to enter!

-Lo

Toast Tuesday: City Birds Nest

If your wondering to yourself did I just warp back through time to Tuesday, no my friends, do not fret it is indeed a Toast Tuesday on a Wednesday. I may have been a bit busy lately. But I did want to share with you a very special Toast Tuesday for City Birds Nest.

Not only is City Birds Nest shop an incredible curated combination of cute meets edgy, owner CB also combines riding bikes and DIY's like no other on her blog of the same name. I love each and every piece in CB's shop. She has a wonderful selection and she is just such a fantastic artist. CB has become a huge supporter of my blog and shop and I couldn't be more happy to have a such a creative friend. I asked CB what inspired her to start a shop and here is what she had to say, hope it warms your heart like it did mine: 

..find "Retro chick" art here..

"What inspired me to start my shop was when I started making my retro chicks. At first I was giving them away as presents to family and friends and they just loved them and I LOVED seeing how happy it made them. I like when people smile, it is so contagious. So that is when someone had told me about Etsy so I thought I would give it a try and now I am totally addicted to making things and making people smile :)"

I've been eyeing a few things from CB's shop and unfortunately haven't bought anything yet. Dang economy! Anyway here are two of my favorites that show you the versatility of City Birds Nest shop. 

..Edgy "Gold Rush Earrings" found here..

..Cute "Owldorable owl necklace" found here..

I hope that you've enjoyed getting to know another member of the Etsy world as well as blog world. I'm sure many of you already know CB in all her fantasticness but if not please check out her blog and shop, you will be so happy you did. 

Find City Birds Nest:

..Shop..Blog..Twitter..

Thanks for stopping in! I appreciate you all so much!

-Lo

Last Week in All Its Glory

...longboarding...

...watching my boyfriend film and rollerblade on saturday...

...currently reading...

...saturday evening...

...may-z needs a haircut...

...i finished it but the armholes gave out a little so i need to go back and reinforce them...

...sparkle city...

...maven by the window...

...two feets...

Some things I have died for this past week/end have been the following:

Sarah of A Lost Feather's Tea Cups (I told her I needed a dress with the print asap)

Elsie of A Beautiful Mess's Heart Jean DIY

Mervi of My Best Friend Jules shared this glitter jewelry DIY from Lemon Jitters.

Hallelu Boutique's Laureen Dress & Ponte Dress all because of this wonderful facebook album.

Thanks for stopping in and hope that you had a great weekend!

-Lo

*Don't forget to enter my giveaway!*

Falling for Fall

  

                      
Admittedly so, my closet is no longer interesting me. I've come to understand that many women from time to time are so sick of their outfits and begin to browse stores for new merchandise and this is indeed the stage I am currently at. I've collected a few pieces for a fall look in which I would gladly sport. Most of the items are from Need Supply because I have a huge crush on all of their clothing. I also think this outfit could use a pop of color with possibly a teal pendant of sorts. Click on the picture to bring you to polyvore. Any fall items you're in love with? Thanks for stopping in! -Lo

Little Things

A couple nights ago we took our longboards to the newly paved parking lot near our house and rode around. I'm still learning how to longboard and even bought my own which is smaller and somewhat more of a skateboard. I suggest if you're interested at all try a super long and fairly wide longboard to start out on. It is a lot of fun especially when I'm with my sweet boy.

Please don't forget to enter my giveaway! I really want to have a second giveaway once I reach 100..so tell you're friends too! :) Also thanks for the shout out from DecoyBetty! So sweet! Have a great day!

 -Lo

Daily Outfit: Fall Around the Corner

I've been looking at my closet and wishing I had a totally different wardrobe. I'm sure you've been there. But then I put this outfit on and kind of felt so super cute. So I thought I would share with you. 

shirt..goodwill

belt/skirt/tights..urban outfitters

boots..zappos

 My sweet boy took these photos with my canon rebel t2i and his 50mm lens. I'm not the most comfortable human being in front of a camera. oops. :)

Thanks so much for stopping in! I keep trying to remind myself to take pictures of items I've made but then it just never works out, but I promise one day you will see all my creations! Also don't forget to enter my giveaway! -Lo

Going Green

                                    G. O . I . N . G.    G. R. E. E. N.   

After reading this article from the Etsy blog I began to see "green" in a whole new way. I decided that my blog should not only be a place where I talk about crafting and creating but to put a purpose to those hobbies. I have been lucky enough to work with some fantastic ladies. We all have different and varying views on being green as well as in our general approach to blogging. These ladies include: CB of City Bird's Nest, Sarah of A Lost Feather and Shannon of Shannon Bear. We have been talking for a long while about this project and we hope that you will want to become a little more green along the way. 

I am really excited about this project because as many of you know I have moved from Vermont. The landscape really propels me to be more green. I am sure that there are many of you who have special places and landscapes that would make you want to be more "green". I've been so excited to share this project with all you lovely readers. We will be coming up with super fun and amazing DIY's as well as finding new purposes for old items and clothing. Here is a sneak peek of a dress I made, can't wait to share it with you! I cannot wait to see what my lovely friends are making up for you too. They are so talented and have great ideas so you should be oh so excited! 

We all wanted to share with you what we thought green meant and what we are looking forward to with this project. Here are what these ladies had to say:

Hello! I'm Sarah and I blog about art, travel and adventures over at A Lost Feather. I spend as much time as possible outside hiking, bike riding and walking my little fluffball, Boo Radley. Among my favorite places to explore are the Hudson River Valley, near my home in New York, and Yosemite National Park. The great outdoors has given me so much happiness and I think it's time to return the favor. I hope that by participating in this awesome project I'll learn a lot more about different ways to be green. I'm also super excited to share fun and pretty green-friendly diys.. I hope you'll stay tuned and get ready to be more green! 

Hi, I'm CB from citybirds nest, a place where I share my bike riding adventures, outfits and my crafty treasures. As an everyday bike rider I am already on the right path but I know there are other ways that I can help by making better decisions. It is all about the little things we do each day that can help improve the way we live and help the planet that we love oh so much. What if we broke down that idea to something much smaller or tangible, like say the redwoods or my front yard? What can I do to help preserve them and keep them here for generations to enjoy? Several ladies are participating in this new little venture and you can to! From fashion diy's & helpful green tips, we are here to make it fun and hopefully make a habit of making greener choices for everyday living. hope you can come and play!

Hiya! I’m Shannon and I run the little blog shannon*bear. It’s all about my life, adventures, handmade lovelies and photography. Most of my adventures are in the woods. I grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains where things move slowly and the trees talk. My very first memories are rich with the forests of my area, of my woods. I've always loved nature; it lends me the inspiration I need to create pretty things! My Mr. & I are always looking for ways to go green so we can add to the growing movement to preserve Mother Earth - and even closer to home, our mountains. I’m really excited to share with you a few of the ways that we put our green foot forward! So come on over, check things out, and leave inspired!

Thanks so much for stopping in! I hope that you visit each lady because we have all posted about "going green". Also each of these blogs is just a darn right good read. I hope that you will be excited to learn more and see some great DIY's. I know I am really excited to start and I hope you are too! 

-Lo

*Also don't forget to check out my giveaway!*

His & Hers Camera: Weekend Photos

..His..

&

..Hers..

This weekend we went for a hike with our little May-z lets just say she didn't make it all the way and we stopped many times. She has such itty bitty little legs. Aww. I wanted to start a new feature in which I showcase photos from my sweet boy and I. Sometimes we use different cameras and the different angles are really interesting and cool. In this one above we both took it with our iphones. 

..May-z relaxing : His..

..Run by the beach : Hers..

..Climbing a tree : His..

..I am clumsy so I was scared : His..

 ..Canopy : Hers..

..We kind of celebrated our 2 year 1st kiss anniversary. Mushy. Mushy. : Hers..

..I have some awfully cute friends : Hers..

Thanks for stopping in! Don't forget to enter the giveaway! 

-Lo

Giveaway! (Now Closed)

Hi lovely readers! After doing giveaways on both Lune Vintage and City Bird's Nest (which I was honored because I love both blogs so much!) I finally found it fitting to do a giveaway on my own blog! But first I really wanted to thank all of my readers, whether you are new or have been with me from the beginning I think you're all fantastic. I appreciate your comments and views. I'm looking to make it to 100 followers and hope that this giveaway is the ticket! After I reach 100 I will then have another giveaway as a thank you! So a double whammy if you will. Here is the first necklace that I will be giving away from my Printed Peaks collection:

It is simple and goes with everything. It is such a great touch to any outfit. Here is how to enter:

• Follow via Google Friend Connect (GFC) leaving a comment with the name of a favorite blog (I love finding new and wonderful reads) along with your email address. 

Additional entries are after you followed via GFC or if you already follow via GFC(must post separate comments for each or it will not count):

• Follow via Bloglovin' 
• Follow via Twitter
• Tweet about the giveaway (link to post)
• Blog about the giveaway
• Add Printed Peaks to your Etsy circle

Remember that the more entries the more likely you have a second chance at winning a necklace if you aren't so lucky the first time. Tell your friends and family! The winner will be picked randomly on October 1st. Thank you so much for participating and entering! You're support is so greatly appreciated here! :) -Lo

Blog Changes

Hi lovely readers! My blog has changed a lot since February when I began and more recently it has gotten a more streamlined and simple construction. I am obsessed with organization and I really like how good this layout feels now. I'm sure it will go through more changes but this should stay a while.

If you are having trouble navigating my site here are the changes:
To follow via Google Friend connect or Bloglovin' is now located at the bottom of the blog after my posts. There you can also find my features and my blog archive. I've used a lot of Pugly Pixel freebies and owe a lot to Katrina for her great tips.

I've located my "About Little Lo Hood" under pages, which is currently under construction and I am having a very talented lady sketch something up for me! I feel like I'm always working on my about page. 

Find Me Here page is obviously all of the fun places you can find me! Like twitter, pinterest, flickr.

      Bloggers to Adore is now where I house all of the lovely reads out there. There are so many lovely people out there it is really hard not to put everyones button there. But remember I'm organized. I used to list them all on the left sidebar but that got too cluttered for me. 

Things of Interest page are all things that I have been involved in or continue to be involved in or support. 

Shop: Printed Peaks page is now totally dedicated to my shop. I really love this page. You can see how Printed Peaks came to be. You can catch up on sneak peek posts. And see different lovely ladies who have styled Printed Peaks necklaces.

Wed Me Wednesday: A Collection of Ideas page is where I have compiled a lot of great wedding ideas organized from save the date to seating charts. This is where I got my idea to start the feature: Wed Me Wednesdays. I can't wait to look back on all of the ideas once I get engaged. 

I hope that you will have some fun navigating through some of these pages now that I have made some new and fun changes. Look for information about a giveaway later on today! Thanks for stopping in! 

-Lo