When I get asked what I do for a living, I usually say they pay me to surf. That’s half-kidding and half-truth. When I’m not writing, editing, or uploading stories, I’m usually online surfing for story ideas or for interesting stuff to feature on the website. Then there is that blackhole that is YouTube. I surf different channels for entertainment news or tutorials. But sometimes, I get sidetracked and end up clicking related videos until I find a gem like this video:

I love Ed Sheeran (and not just because he write songs for One Direction, heh) and was pleasantly surprised at this cover of Blackstreet’s “No Diggity.” I also really liked the version they did on Pitch Perfect. Aca-awesome! It’s one of those songs that reminds me of high school (oh no, I’m old. Hahaha!).

What YouTube discoveries have you had lately? Share them with me in the comments below so I can point my browser that way!

Love,
Macy

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Over the weekend, I got my watercolor out and made this print with lyrics from John Mayer’s song “Daughters.” I didn’t really plan on what it would look like, but I did go through two sheets before finally settling on this one. After attending different crafternoons to learn new skills, I realize that you can’t magically be an expert at things unless you practice.

So I took out the last block of rubber eraser from my rubber-cut stamp kit and sketched a pattern based on a gift I got last Christmas. I carefully cut the pattern with an X-acto knife on my new pretty in pink cutting mat (got it in Saizen for just P88!) and slowly carved away until I managed to make this:

I haven’t gotten myself ink pads so I just paint on the stamps with watercolor. I figure I could use this to make gift wrapping paper or cards. I like the color on the one on the upper right best. (: What do you think?

I haven’t had time to practice calligraphy, but I sat down with one of my random notebooks the other night and just wrote random lyrics. This one’s from a song by Psapp used on Grey’s Anatomy. Far from perfect but I’ll keep practicing till I’m better!

What about you? Do you find that doing things over and over again help you become better at them? How do you improve your skills?

Love,
Macy

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I’m always excited about making things with my hands. From cookies to friendship bracelets to nail art, I’ve always been drawn to crafty things.

Last year, I joined a watercolor crafternoon with Life After Breakfast‘s Alessa Lanot. It was tons of fun so I was looking forward to joining another one. Luckily, last weekend, Alessa together with Hey Kessy‘s Mansy Abesamis had a rubbercut crafternoon at Fully Booked. Was so thrilled when Alessa signed me up (I kept forgetting to do it myself, haha!).

We each got a kit that included carving tools, rubber blocks, and paper.

We drew our designs on tracing paper so we could transfer it easily onto our rubber blocks.

Of course I had to make a cupcake. I didn’t realize how difficult it would be to carve out those swirls for the frosting! Here was my first cut—I could barely breathe while carving!

I managed to finish it just in time.

And lookie! I also made one of my “brand” to put on my baked goodies. What do you think? I love that it looks a little rough and imperfect.

Here are two of my seatmates getting tips from Alessa.

And here’s my other seatmate who won with her awesome 3-layer friendship bracelet stamp. She’s the bracelet master behind Berry Books’ The Friendship Bracelet Book (do you have a copy?).

I had so much fun that I tried making another stamp while waiting for the coding window the other day. One of my favorite furry fashionistas (okay, my only favorite furry fashionista) in V-Day mode. So excited to make more!

What about you? What have you tried making lately? (: If you’re interested in joining crafternoons too, sign up here!

Love,
Macy

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“When there’s nuthin’ left to burn you have to set yo’self on fiiire.” A++ on the creepiness, Creepy Old Man.

There are songs you play in the morning when you’re getting dressed, songs that always remind you of that sweet boy and his summertime smile, songs you work out to, songs you fall asleep to, songs you’ve mastered singing along to, songs you have to have on your iPod when you’re about to go on an adventure. And then there are songs that change your life. Several years ago, “Your Ex-Lover Is Dead” got me through one of my worst heartbreaks, reassuring me over and over, as many times as I wanted it to, that all I have to do is “live through this and you won’t look back.” I know there may have been other things, too—good things such as family and friends and books and breathing space—but when I remember that time in my life I always think about this song and feel the lightness that has already settled so comfortably in my heart. It’s been a while, and my heart no longer knows how to be that heavy.

The main point: Stars is in town, and as if the universe hasn’t given me enough Valentine presents, they’re playing this song live tonight (tonight!), along with my other favorites, “One More Night” and “Dead Hearts.” It’s going to be intimate and powerful and there will be feelings floating around, recognizing the joys and truths in one another. See you there?

xx,
Marla

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Does it ever happen to you? You’re intently concentrating on an episode of your favorite TV show and the perfect song comes on. You try desperately to listen to the lyrics, hoping to Google it later on or Shazam it. One of my favorite TV series before was Grey’s Anatomy, maybe mostly because of their song choices. I’ve given it up two seasons ago, but I still find myself listening to a lot of the tracks they’ve played on the show.

Here’s a short mix of some songs I’ve “collected” from shows I’ve been watching, some from The Vampire Diaries and Chuck, but a lot from Grey‘s. What about you? What TV show have you been getting awesome music from? Let’s swap tunes!

Heard You On TV from conversationbreak on 8tracks Radio.

Love,
Macy

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