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Galentine’s Day Craft Party // DIY Marbled Planter Pot
February 8, 2016

I love February. Both because it’s my birth month, and because I love Valentine’s Day! I had a great friend tell me a couple years ago that she didn’t really care for Valentine’s Day because her husband wasn’t into celebrating, and I thought she should just celebrate with me together as friends instead then. That sentiment seems to have become widely supported as Galentine’s Day parties are popping up all over social media. I was excited to have an excuse to get some girlfriends together to celebrate our friendship with a brunch and craft party. brunch and craft galentines party- One Little Minute Blog-4brunch and craft galentines party- One Little Minute Blog-5I had a ton of fun dreaming up the party, then shopping for supplies and creating a menu and craft workshop idea. Having just met and spent some time with the Minted team at Alt Summit a couple weeks ago, I was excited to partner with them for this celebration. I jumped onto their site to get ideas, and ended up finding every fun detail I needed to pull this party together, starting with their new digital invitations (still in beta and free until the 29th). I didn’t have time to order and send a paper invite, plus I really like the rsvp system of online, so they were perfect.
brunch and craft galentines party- One Little Minute Blog-1brunch and craft galentines party- One Little Minute Blog-15Dave took the kids out of the house about two hours before the party started so I could set up. I loved getting the table all set, food layed out, and everything prepared. That alone time of itself was dreamy! I wanted to keep the menu simple for myself, but still delicious. I bought cinnamon rolls and danishes at Costco, added a bowl of berries and one of cuties, whipped up an overnight asparagus strata to bake in the morning, and served my favorite strawberry poppyseed salad. I set out some San Pellegrino to drink, and called it good.  brunch and craft galentines party- One Little Minute Blog-3It was so easy to dress up the table with this foil pressed kraft paper runner. It instantly added glam and sparkle to the settings, so I didn’t need to think about a table cloth or place mats. Instead, I just added my favorite collected watercolor plates from Anthropologie, some mis-matched cloth napkins, and simple forks and glasses.brunch and craft galentines party- One Little Minute Blog-13These cactus designed classroom valentines made perfect name cards for the table, and a fun introduction to the cactus theme of the party. It was super easy to customize them for ordering, and the backs are all green with cactus spines. So cute!brunch and craft galentines party- One Little Minute Blog-9brunch and craft galentines party- One Little Minute Blog-16brunch and craft galentines party- One Little Minute Blog-23Aren’t the napkins gorgeous? They’re part of the new Minted home line, and I got a few at Alt Summit. The patterns are so beautiful, and the linen washes into such a squishy soft hand, I just love them. My favorites are the watercolor looking designs like this peach marble and this indigo ikat, but I also fell hard for the modern floral. We’re actually regular cloth-napkin users at our house and I’ve amassed quite a collection over the years. These instantly became my favorites, though, and I’m already eyeing these cactus ones, because obviously I’m obsessed. brunch and craft galentines party- One Little Minute Blog-29Since my birthday is so soon (it’s tomorrow!) I added that we’d have a “side of birthday cake” at the party, and my sweet friend offered to bring one for me! It was stunning, and so delicious. She said the recipe includes sour cream and pudding mix, in addition chocolate chips…so of course it was amazing.

After brunching, we headed into the other room where I had set up the craft table. My first inspiration for the party theme had been this cactus print, where I think the paddle looks like a heart, and the colors feel really soft and Valentine-y. I decided to order a bunch of different cactus and succulent prints to use as place settings, and also to send home as party favors with each guest. The art prints come framed and ready to hang, and are such gorgeous quality. I chose 5 different cactus designs, mostly from this same photographer. 
brunch and craft galentines party- One Little Minute Blog-6brunch and craft galentines party- One Little Minute Blog-11I wrote each guest’s name with Sharpie on the glass, which stood out against the prints. Then I had alcohol swabs on hand for them to simply wipe the name off before they took the print home. brunch and craft galentines party- One Little Minute Blog-20For a big welcome sign, I pinned my big piece of chalkboard vinyl to the wall, then drew on a design. It would have worked well with black paper, too, but I had this on hand. I also remembered that the very best way to get a great, clean chalk drawing is to wet the chalk completely before starting. The lines go on faint, but as the chalk dries it ends up bold and gorgeous. My cactus drawings echoed the cactus from the brunch place cards.
brunch and craft galentines party- One Little Minute Blog-24brunch and craft galentines party- One Little Minute Blog-7brunch and craft galentines party- One Little Minute Blog-10Inspired by the cactus theme, my total interest in and love of all things green, and the February project from The Crafter’s Box, which is marbled hanging planters, I decided on making marbled clay planter pots for the craft portion of the party.

I used this clay planter tutorial to get an idea of how to begin, then experimented with marbling the clay. (Turns out there is this amazing tutorial that I didn’t see until just now that would have been very helpful! haha.)
brunch and craft galentines party- One Little Minute Blog-21I set out a chunk of white clay for each person (about 1/3 of the bar), and then laid table full of the color options from this clay set to get us started. I also grabbed a couple sets of basic clay tools and some wooden tools as well. The colors are super vibrant, even after being marbled in with the white base, and I loved the different variations people chose. Some mixed in only one color, some two or three. 
brunch and craft galentines party- One Little Minute Blog-8The mini cactus and succulents came from my favorite local cactus nursery, East Austin Succulents. They have the hugest selection and a really knowledgeable staff. Every time I go in I come home with several more things that I planned on…sort of like Target or Costco. It’s a lovely spot, and so fun to share some of their little plant babies with my friends. brunch and craft galentines party- One Little Minute Blog-17brunch and craft galentines party- One Little Minute Blog-12After everyone had made their pots, we baked them for 15 minutes while we ate birthday cake, then got planting. I had created a little planting station with soil (cactus soil + pearlite for drainage), and a couple different finishing sands for the top of the plants. Cactus planters look so much more finished when they are topped off with sand or gravel.DIY Marbled Planter Pot-One Little Minute BlogHere’s a simple tutorial for how to make a marbled planter pot:

  1. Soften the clay by managing it in your hands
  2. Soften even the smaller, colored pieces of clay so they mold together well
  3. Add bits of the colored clay to the outside of the white clay ball
  4. Twist the clay so the colors start to marble together, then form it into a ball
  5. Flatten the clay into a pancake and use your fingers to add additional marbling where you’d like it
  6. Cut off 1/4 the clay and form it into a circle for the base of the pot.
  7. Add a hole for drainage
  8. Form the rest of the clay into a long rectangle long enough to surround the base
  9. Wrap the rectangle around the base as the planter pot walls, and cut off the excess
  10. Roll a worm from the little leftover strip to put around the inside base where the walls meet the bottom, pressing in place to create a good seal
  11. Bake at 275 for 15 minutes
  12. Let cool, then brush with high gloss glaze
  13. Plant with a baby cactus or succulent, then finish with finishing sand

DIY Marbled Planter Pot - One Little Minute Blog-60They turn out gorgeous, interesting, and each totally unique to the person who made it!marbled planter pots-onelittleminuteblogWe used tongs for the prickly varieties, and saved our finger tips.  I prepared some small gift bags with tissue paper to keep the planters and plants upright on their journeys home, and added these cute hanging tags (found in the dollar spot at Target!)
brunch and craft galentines party- One Little Minute Blog-18 brunch and craft galentines party- One Little Minute Blog-19Of course, I added a matching cactus sticker to the Valentine’s card from brunch to tie the brunch and craft party together.  I even have a few leftover I plan to use to deliver some goodies to other friends who couldn’t make the party. They’re really too cute.
brunch and craft galentines party- One Little Minute Blog-22 brunch and craft galentines party- One Little Minute Blog-25It was an amazing morning eating, crafting, and celebrating. I loved every stage of the brunch and craft party, all the way from planning and shopping through to sending friends home with a handmade planter, gorgeous art print gift, and some extra love heading into Valentine’s Day week.

brunchcactusclaycraftgalentine's dayplanterpot
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    Packing up for our 15th anniversary getaway (Costa Packing up for our 15th anniversary getaway (Costa Rica ☀️🌺🌴🥰) and grateful for this past month of relationship-focus. 

All of October the #livefreecreativepodcast episodes centered on ideas for a more intentional, connective marriage, in partnership with our fave all-natural intimate body oil @coconu 🥥 (watch my story highlight for more info!)

As I taught and implemented some simple tips, I noticed a measurable difference in my own partnership with Dave, and we’re so excited to continue building on that with this next week away together. 

Some of my favorite takeaways from the episodes are these: 

• Take care of yourself so you can take care of your relationship! (Ep 155)
• “Foreplay is everything that happens in between sexual encounters.” -@kristinbhodson (Ep 156)
• Have more fun simply playing together! (Ep 157)
• Learning to love one another is an ongoing process. (Ep 158)

The biggest takeaway is that great, loving, balanced marriages don’t happen on autopilot. They require an investment of intentional time, emotional energy, and commitment and can be so worth the effort!

Use LIVEFREE for 15% off your order of @coconu (it’s a perfect sexy stocking stuffer 🎁😉) and tune into the show for all of these tips and more.
    Slip-sliding into the holiday season this weekend. Slip-sliding into the holiday season this weekend. 🎃🦃🎁
Here’s a quick reminder that the most meaningful gifts of the year might not be under the tree (or on a cargo ship in the ocean. 😜🚢)

#lessstuffmoreadventure
    How well do you know your partner, TODAY? Do you How well do you know your partner, TODAY? 

Do you know their current stressors? Dreams? What they love to spend time doing and what they wish they could set down?

The Gottman Institute has found that one of the foundations of a solid, long-lasting relationship is what they call “marital friendship”. 

Marital friendship looks like getting to know your partner and then CONTINUING to get to know each other as life changes, circumstances shift, and your own core identities and understandings progress. 

This week on the #livefreecreativepodcast I share some ideas for building and updating your personal “Love Map” and even include a free, printable PDF to get the conversation started! 

Tune in on your favorite listening app. 💕
    Hi there! It’s been a little while since I intro Hi there! It’s been a little while since I introduced myself and thought I’d take a minute to share: 

1. I’m an RN patient educator turned online educator and intentional living specialist. I’m applying right now for a Master’s Degree program in Applied Positive Psychology, and look forward to adding new research and understanding to what I share in my podcast, online courses, and retreats! (🤞 I get in!)

2. I have been married 15 years, have 3 kids, 2 cats, 6 chickens, 1 dog, and love the mild chaos of our small and quite full house, #ourrichmondfixerupper.

3. I teach and share principles for wellbeing and living life on purpose in four main ways: 
• my free weekly podcast #livefreecreativepodcast
• one-on-one monthly creative mentorship
• 2x annual group online masterclass, opening again in January 2022
• small group work retreats #livefreecreativecamp and #lfcgrownupsummercamp, 2022 dates coming soon

4. I’m the author of More Than Enough, a non-fiction book about the lessons I learned during a year of not shopping. The experience and book were pivotal in my relationship to stuff and to myself.

5. I love reading, nature, tacos, running, diy projects, kitchen dance parties, loaded French fries, traveling, sleeping, teaching, making lists, trying new things, and the feeling I get when I still my thoughts for long enough to settle into the wholeness of the present moment.

6. I’ve been sharing online for over 14 years (first blogging, then Instagram…) and sometimes feel more disconnected because of the perpetual nature of these platforms. I crave the true connections we can make as humans in the real world and love using IG as a jumping off point to meet and gather, teach and learn with women in other, longer-lasting ways. 

7. I’m an Aquarius , enneagram 7, Generator, and a nuanced, unorthodox Mormon who truly believes we are all meant to walk our own pathways in this life, discovering our truest selves and finding alignment with her wholeness. ✨

Okay, that’s enough about me. Did you learn something new? 

Now, tell me something about you!! 

(Headshot by @heathermildenstein at Fall 2021 #livefreecreativecamp)
    Spending the weekend in a little corner of heaven Spending the weekend in a little corner of heaven called Idaho. 💛

I read a great article last week about how experiencing “moments of awe” and creating space to feel all of the perspective that feeling brings, can increase our overall wellbeing. 

Just stepping outside here feels like entering a wonderland— add in having fun with good friends (redesigning and styling @3in30podcast main floor ✨) and I feel pretty great. 

How will you take a moment to feel awed today? A walk outside? A quiet corner with a good book? Delighting in a lovely bite of delicious food? Remembering how lovely life can be invited even more of that loveliness into our experience.
    How much effort and intention do you put into your How much effort and intention do you put into your marriage every day? Week? Month? 

Did you know that some super simple (fun and easy) practices can keep your relationship running smoothly and help reduce the uncomfortable friction that comes when we work against— rather than in alignment with— our partner. 

Tune in to episode 157 of the #livefreecreativepodcast to hear more about these 5 practices! 

Which one jumps out to you as something you could implement easily today?
    Simple, beautiful, functional storage for the win! Simple, beautiful, functional storage for the win! ✨

In our little home (1400 sq ft) I am always on the lookout for forgotten spaces we could maximize with easy and affordable design solutions.

This over-the-keyboard nook is a perfect example of a little-used wall that transformed into an efficient family command center with about $150 of shelving supplies and 2 hours of effort.

 As soon as I finished I thought “Why on earth hadn’t I done that earlier! It’s MEANT to be like this!” 

Sending you a bit of confidence and creativity to use your own home to its fullest most meaningful potential! ✌️

#ourrichmondfixerupper
    “As long as you’re dancing, you can break the “As long as you’re dancing, you can break the rules. 

Sometimes breaking the rules is just extending the rules.

Sometimes there are no rules.”

— Three Things To Remember, Mary Oliver ✨

This whole week of #livefreecreativecamp was a gift— stepping outside of the passing of time to pause, reflect, gather, and connect.

Sometimes, even over a dozen years into this hobby-turned-business-turned-career, I wonder what I am even doing. If I’m doing it right or well. 

And then I remember: we’re all just sort of making it up as we go and doing the best we can with what we have. 

Dancing along to the beat of our own heart, and hopefully spreading joy along the way. 💛
    It’s impossible to put the experience of Creativ It’s impossible to put the experience of Creative Camp adequately into words. One part incredible community of supportive women meets one part deep solo work time, mixed with a beautiful location, thoughtful meals, inspired masterminds, and the kind of synergy that fills your heart to the brim. 💛

I am honored by the women who chose to step into the space I create for them, and fill it with such generosity and love.

I’m headed home with an added dose of gratitude, confidence, and friendship in my pocket. (Plus a solid first draft on an exciting new essay.✌️)

#livefreecreativecamp

Beautiful photos by @heathermildenstein
    In this week’s podcast, I sat down for a chat wi In this week’s podcast, I sat down for a chat with my friend and sex therapist @kristinbhodson to answer some community questions about sex. 💛

Our chat feels like and approachable, candid conversation with a friend, and I hope you’ll tune in and learn a little something new to increase the connection, desire, and pleasure in your own most intimate relationship.

For most of my own childhood I thought “sex” was a swear word 😂 so needless do say, there has been lots of learning, growing up, developing myself not only so my own personal relationship flourishes. Also because I know as I model a healthy, whole understanding of sex, my kids will grow up with so much more of that perspective. 

Tune in, save, share, and let me know your favorite takeaways! ☺️

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    Last week we hosted our first annual #Coopstock ba Last week we hosted our first annual #Coopstock backyard bash! 🐓🎉

Celebrating our cute backyard chickens as a #HenUpOrganicsPartner was a great excuse to bring family, friends, and neighbors together to eat, chat, and enjoy live music (isn’t Luna amazing?🎶). 

I wanted a backyard flock for years before we finally made it happen, and these past three years have been a dream come true. We love taking care of our girls and @henuporganics ingredient list reads like our own grocery list: ancient grains, fruits, and vegetables. 💛

The whole night was magical, and I’m already looking forward to next year. 

Follow along to learn more about Hen Up® Organic Chicken Food by visiting https://clvr.li/HenUpCoopstock (also linked in my IG story and profile!)
    Four years ago, during our first fall living in Vi Four years ago, during our first fall living in Virginia, I rented a convertible for a day to take the kids on a leaf peeping drive through Shenandoah National Park. 🍂🍁😍

Tonight I finally spent 30 minutes compiling the video I took that day into a short montage, and remembered the fun and whimsy of that little adventure. (The kids have grown so much!! ❤️) 

I think it’s time for a repeat this year! ✌️

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