Tag Archives: art

Jan3

A Very Madea Craft

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A Very Madea Craft

Hello!!! This past Halloween, Johnny and I watched “Boo! A Madea Halloween” for shits and gigs. Little did we know, we would end up LIVING for the Madea franchise and have worked our way through almost the entire collection over our holiday break. What can we say, we love Tyler Perry in a mumu! During one of our viewings, we noticed a welcome sign outside of Madea’s home that says “Hellur” and I decided I wanted to make one for our apartment. So, we went to Walmart, purchased supplies, and went home to watch more Madea movies as I painted away. I’m not the most crafty gal in the world, but I think I nailed it! Check it out:

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It has been a long while since I have crafted anything and it felt really good to make this sign and bask in its awesomeness. I am SO proud of how it turned out and it made me happy to hear Johnny’s raving compliments as I completed my project. I created my own little painting station on the floor with a trash bag as a tarp, prepared my paints and water, and paper towel then painted the base of my sign yellow. My goal was to make this sign as close to the one in the movie as possible. We also plan on making a goth version of it in black, red, and white. Johnny already spray painted the base of his, but I have a feeling I will have to do the painting portion lol.

Once the yellow paint had dried, it was time to get started on the pattern. I started with the leaves going around the sides of the sign, which was most helpful. This allowed me to set up the space for the flowers on the top and bottom and the “Hellur” smack dab in the middle. The leaves were easy peasy, but I definitely ran into some difficulty with the flowers. Despite how simple they look, mine just wasn’t going accordingly to plan. The extra colors in the petals gave me the most trouble and my first attempt ended up looking so muddled that I had to cover it up with yellow paint.

As I waited for my “whoops” coat to dry, I had to figure out what to do next because I knew I wouldn’t be satisfied with my second go at the flowers if I tried again. Rather than another attempt to replicate them, I switched gears and went for roses instead. As the paint dried, I practiced the technique to make watercolor roses. Of course, this is much different with acrylic paint but it was basically the same idea. This was much more like it and I love how it turned out! The roses were a time consuming process and it was well worth it. I loved how it added my own personal touch to the sign!

After the flowers were done, all that was left to do was paint a big, friendly “Hellur” and let the sign dry. This painting costed me less than fifteen dollars in supplies and it is one of my favorite things that I have ever made. I can’t wait to hang it up in the apartment!

What is your favorite Madea movie? Have you made any crafts recently? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov12

Holiday Shopping – It’s A Wrap!

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Holiday Shopping – It’s A Wrap!

Hello!! One thing that I simply pride myself on is getting my holiday shopping done early AF. I have just a handful of prezzies left to buy, but I am pretty much as good as done and I am thrilled about it. To me, there is nothing better than being able to go into December with nothing to do but relax and wrap gifts up in my apartment workshop. And, let’s be honest, who really wants to go into a store as the holidays approach? They’re all madhouses and the selection is always picked over. If you need a bit of inspo to complete your shopping, here are a few of the things I purchased this year:

Art Gifts:

My nieces and nephew have plenty of toys, so I wanted to steer away from that. Other than just a few toys from TT, I bought some sand art and painting kits for the kiddos that are old enough to do them. Both my older niece and nephew love doing crafts and this was a perfect compromise of something fun that isn’t a new toy to add to their collection. Craft kits aren’t just great for children, but for adults too. There are paint by number kits, rhinestone art, or even supplying the goods for a wine and paint night. No matter your age, it’s exciting to make something by yourself so this is an excellent route to go if you’re in need of ideas.

Gift Cards:

To some people, a gift card is considered a “thoughtless” gift and I say FALSE. Gift cards are the bomb and I am totally fine with giving and receiving them. Don’t let the idea of it being a not well thought out gift deter you from using them because I literally don’t know anyone who isn’t happy to get one during the holidays. Gift cards make a wonderful add on or main gift and it is so nice to be able to treat someone to dinner, a movie, or a shopping trip compliments of you.

Ornament Kits:

During my last shopping trip to TJMaxx, I knocked out a lot of the remainder of my shopping. I was most excited to find ornament kits including one for your pet and one for baby’s First Christmas. If you have a proud pet owner in your life, this would be a really sweet gift for someone to be able to commemorate their fur baby with a paw print ornament. The baby’s First Christmas one was also an awesome find because it will be the first Christmas for my new niece. Thoughtful, effective, done and done.

Books:

The world is filled with an infinite number of books so use them! I purchased quite a few books for this holiday season and I know that they will be a hit with my giftees. Even if the person you’re gifting for isn’t a huge reader, coffee table books on one of their favorite things can make for a unique gift. Or maybe your giftee loves to cook? Pick out a new cookbook and a gift card to their local grocery store for ingredients to cook with! Books are a cool gift because you can add another gift that might fit that book’s theme for a really thoughtful surprise.

Food Gifts:

Food gifts always go over well and I was psyched to have found some nice chocolate gift sets at TJs for my clients’ families. A food gift could be a gift set, sure. But, it could also be a home cooked meal, a mason jar with ingredients for soup or cookies, a gift card to a favorite restaurant, or a meal delivery service. Everyone has to eat and I know your giftee would love a gift basket filled with their favorite ingredients, snacks, or candy!

The holidays are fast approaching and it honestly gives me anxiety that a lot of people aren’t done with their shopping yet lol. I hope these tips will better assist you as you continue to check people off of your shopping list!

When do you start holiday shopping? Are you an early or last minute shopper? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep10

Watercolor Weeping Willow Pt. 2

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Watercolor Weeping Willow Pt. 2

Hello! This past Tuesday, I spent a lovely afternoon painting with my mom. I wanted to revisit doing a watercolor weeping willow to see if I could improve upon my last one. Like my last effort, I am not especially pleased with what I came up with. However, I do think there were a lot of things on an individual basis that were good. The big picture was just meh, though. Take a look at my latest watercolor creation and I’ll tell you what I did like about it:

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What bothers me the most about this picture is that I didn’t get full weeping willow vibes from it. I think it’s actually a pretty decent tree, but it wasn’t the tree I wanted lol! I do like the trunk that I made quite a bit and I thought that the color I mixed up for it was great. I also am a fan of the overall color palette that I established. To achieve it, I did a lot of mixing of greens, yellows, blues, and browns. It’s a lot of fun to create your own colors and see what you come up with!

The thing that I am happiest with about this weeping willow is that I think I am getting a more firm grasp on creating the signature “tendrils”. For my other attempt, I did a lot of brush strokes that weren’t blended the best. This time around, I did a really light base coat over the tree and patted it dry. Then, I painted waterlines and applied some paint to the very top of the line. After I had my trail of water, I held the paper up and let the paint run down. This was the closest I got to a tendril and I think that I’ll be onto something if I do smaller waterlines the next time. 😀

As with all of my watercolor paintings, this “weeping willow” is not the best. It doesn’t have to be, though! It’s always nice to spend time painting with my mom and after every sesh, I have new ideas to try. The outcome wasn’t successful, but the fact I tried and am more than willing to try again is a GREAT SUCCESS!!

What is your favorite kind of tree? What should I try painting next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug12

Watercolor Weeping Willow

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Watercolor Weeping Willow

Hello!! Watercolor painting is something my mom and I really enjoy and it has been a minute since our last painting sesh. Flowers are, admittedly, the only thing we have been painting and I decided to try something different when we painted this Tuesday. I wanted to try my hand at a weeping willow! As always when I have just painted something, I am never particularly thrilled with it. However, this was my first go at anything but a flower and I feel pretty good about attempt number one:

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To begin, I assembled my palette with different green, brown, and yellow watercolor paint. Then, I sketched a super rough outline with some assistance from Google Images. I started with the grass and I actually love how that turned out, then moved onto the branches. To do this, I painted the branches with water alone and then added color to the wet paper. I do like the trunk and the placement of the branches, but the upper ones got muddled when I painted the leaves. As always, it was because I was impatient!

When I painted the leaves, I started from the top down and painted the top with water then color and brought it down in thinner strokes. I think that the idea was right, but the execution was wrong. Like the branches, the colors got murky at the top. And, yes, it was because I was impatient! I should have allowed for drying time and I didn’t – especially when I was introducing new colors.

I definitely want to give the weeping willow another shot and next time, I will give myself enough time to give the painting drying time. I like the colors I used so I am not going to change that. I also like that there were areas of white within the painting too, which was a recommendation from a watercolor teacher. I’m excited to see my next painting in comparison to this one because I know there will be at least some improvement. I’m proud of myself for trying something new!

Watercolor painting is a nice reminder of try and try again and I can’t wait to paint again with my mom. I branched out with my weeping willow (See what I did there?) and it’s not the best. But, it’s the best one I have painted yet! 🙂

What is your favorite medium of art? What is your favorite plant? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul6

Watercolor Pansies

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Watercolor Pansies

Hello!! My mom and I really enjoy watercolor painting and it is such a fun and different medium of art to work with. With all of the craziness going on in both of our lives, we haven’t been able to paint as often as we would like. In fact, the last time we painted together was back in March! During that painting session, I tried my hand at pansies and was pretty pleased with the outcome as I had never tried it before.

This past week, we finally got to paint together and I decided to pick up where I left off with pansies. I wasn’t as happy as I was with the ones you’re about to see as the previous effort. However, I hadn’t painted in months and we all have to start (again) somewhere! Check out the image I was trying to pull from and my attempts:

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After sketching out a basic outline for each flower, I began painting the top right pansy. Obviously, it was a bit of a bust and my mistake was being impatient AF. I gave no time for literally anything to sit and the blob flower became a muddled mess. I was feeling frustrated because my previous pansies were not the best but certainly not the worst and this one just sucked lol. So, I had to regroup, take a breath, and remember that patience is a virtue in life and especially with watercolor!

For the following flowers, I tried really hard to take my time and use the paints and water to my advantage. I also channeled the advice from a previous watercolor teacher to use areas of no paint within what you are working on too. The next flower I attempted was the one in the bottom left and I still wasn’t feeling it, but it was getting closer. Then, I had a brain blast and remembered how I did my original pansies!

The first time I painted pansies, I did a rough outline and then started in the middle. I began with the yellow center and line detailing and waited for it to dry. Then, I applied a light wash of paint, blotted it, and moved onto the next color. I used my original method for the middle right pansy and was much happier with how it turned out. There was even some areas of white to accent the red and orange too. That was much more like it and I ended my painting session feeling satisfied with the top left, two middle, and bottom right pansies.

I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t slightly disappointed with how my pansies turned out. But, I reminded myself that it was a great first go after an over three month long hiatus. After I shook away the blahs, I felt motivated to paint more so I never have to restart my progress again. I can’t wait for my next painting session with my mom!

What helps motivate you after a disappointment? Have you tried any new artistic ventures recently? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun8

Musings From A Hospital

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Musings From A Hospital

Hello!!!! My darling best friend/Gemini Twin, Kate, of Live In The Nautical and I have so many similar things about us that it’s honestly insane. We both come from funeral home families, we are both former figure skaters, have the same birth month, and share a passion for fashion, musicals, and movie magic. The one thing that I desperately hoped we would not share twinship in is a loved one being in poor health, but here we are.

From the hospital, we have been texting nonstop about the similarities from the Cleveland Clinic and her stomping grounds in North Conway and I guess we are twinsies in that way too. Obviously, we are both incredibly grateful for the wonderful care our loved ones are receiving, these are just the petty things that make us laugh during a tough time. I am genuinely curious – has anyone noticed some of these things in the hospitals in your neck of the woods or is it just us?

Really Crappy Art:

Okay, I will be the first to admit that the Cleveland Clinic has some awesome art installations. Having said that, there is some art hanging throughout the hospital that is not the best. I hate to be judgy but some of it looks like my four year old niece could have made it and the art in the outer ICU was arguably the worst. The art in the other areas of the hospital, I get it. BUT, you would think they would show out a bit in the ICU when people are going through the literal worst time of their lives! SMH.

Really Uncomfortable Chairs:

Ah, yes. Hospital chairs – SO uncomfortable!! From the rooms in the hospital to the waiting rooms and family areas scattered throughout the floors, the chairs are not great. Are we expecting a plush armchair? No, even though that would be awesome lol. BUT, the lack of padding on all of them makes it so hard to get settled – especially when you are posted up there for a while. Also, all of the wall length benches tend to have dividers on them, like the evil tactics used to keep homeless people from sleeping. So, long story short, any hope of giving your poor back a break is simply out of the question. SMH.

Really Lackluster Vending Machine Selection:

Lol, okay, I get it. We are in a hospital and junk food isn’t going to be pushed in vending machines. BUT, come on!!! Sometimes, you just need that comforting sugar rush or salty snack and they are nowhere to be found!! The vending machine selection in the family room in the ICU was one of the saddest displays I have ever seen. It was basically trail mix, Almond Joys, York Peppermint Patties, chapstick, and bottled water. Major shout out to my diabetic dad because he now keeps a candy stash on him for that reason and it comes in handy. What can I say, we love a Hershey and Heath bar! SMH.

Really Amazing Staff:

Like I said above, Kate and I were cracking up from the little things that are so similar in the hospitals states away from each other that we are spending a lot of time at. We aren’t Gemini Twins for nothing! BUT, the staff at both of the hospitals are just fantastic and the gratitude we feel is unmatched. Every time I visit the Cleveland Clinic, I joke that I’m the mayor because I can’t walk anywhere without running into someone who has helped my family in some way shape or form. That sense of community puts me at some semblance of ease even at the most stressful times, as does knowing my loved one is in the best hands. The Cleveland Clinic staff has done more for my family than words can say and almost every single one of them holds a very special place in my heart. Not SMH at all! ❤

The next step in mine and Kate’s twinship is for the people we love so much to be in perfect health and we are both eagerly anticipating that day. Until then, her and I will continue to support each other endlessly and, yes, be a bit petty with our musings! 🙂

Can anyone relate to the sentiments above? Do you have an unofficial twin in your life? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb13

How To Encourage Your Child’s Creative Side

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How To Encourage Your Child’s Creative Side

Children’s overall development depends on fostering creativity because it allows them to think critically, express themselves, and learn problem-solving techniques. A child’s imagination can be given a fun and interesting outlet through creativity, which enables them to enjoyably explore new ideas and concepts. Today, we’re going to take a look at some of the ways you can encourage your child’s creative side:

Provide Art Supplies:

Giving kids access to a variety of art supplies is among the simplest ways to encourage their creativity. Items like paints, markers, crayons, paper, and clay can be categorized under this. Children can explore their creativity and think outside of the box by being encouraged to experiment with various materials and methods.

Imaginative Play:

Being able to create their own characters, worlds, and stories allows children to engage in imaginative play, which is a crucial aspect of childhood. You can provide props like dress-up clothes, toy animals, and a designated play area in your home to encourage this kind of play.

Read Books and Tell Stories:

Children’s imaginations can be greatly sparked by reading books and sharing stories with them. While storytelling enables children to develop their own interpretations of the stories they hear, books can introduce them to new concepts and worlds. Books are a great way to stimulate imagination and grow vocabulary. As an added bonus, you can organize crafts and activities based around your child’s favorite book.

Create a Craft Corner:

Give your kids a dedicated area for creative endeavors by designating a space in your home for craft activities. An inviting craft space that kids will enjoy using can be easily made with the help of a small table and chairs and supply storage.

Encourage Exploration and Experimentation:

In order to foster creativity, it’s crucial to let kids experiment and explore with a variety of tools and methods. This can entail experimenting with new art materials, trying out various techniques, or discovering fresh approaches to creating.

Attend Art Classes or Workshops:

Children can benefit from structured opportunities to explore their creativity in a safe environment through art classes or workshops. Their confidence can be boosted and their artistic abilities can be encouraged by working with other kids and learning from qualified teachers. These kinds of activities might take place at daycares near you too.

Take Nature Walks:

Children who spend time in nature can be more creative because they can experience the sights, sounds, and textures of the natural world. Go on a nature walk or scavenger hunt together and encourage them to observe their surroundings, which can help them come up with new ideas and engage their imagination.

Foster creativity in your children with the tips above and watch their imagination soar to new heights!

Featured Image By: PXHere

Dec9

How To Integrate Art & Culture Into Your Life

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How To Integrate Art & Culture Into Your Life

It’s no secret that art and culture can have a profound impact on our lives. But what does it mean to integrate art and culture into your life? And why is it important? In this blog post, we’ll explore the importance of art and culture in our lives and offer some practical tips on how to integrate them into your everyday life. So whether you’re a die-hard museum-goer or just looking to add a little more creativity to your life, then let’s get to it:

The Importance of Art and Culture:

Art and culture play an important role in our lives – they can enrich our experience of the world, help us to understand other cultures, and give us a sense of identity and belonging. There are many ways in which we can integrate art and culture into our lives. Some of the benefits of doing so include:

  1. Enhancing our creativity and imagination.
  2. Broadening our perspective and understanding of different cultures.
  3. Nurturing our emotional well-being.
  4. Connecting us with our community.

Making Time for Art and Culture:

In our fast-paced, ever-connected world, it can be difficult to find time to slow down and appreciate the arts. But making time for art and culture is important not only for our own enjoyment but also for the health of our communities. Set aside a little time each week specifically for enjoying art and culture. Whether it’s an hour at the museum or thirty minutes of listening to local bands, pencil it into your calendar. If you have trouble making time for art and culture on a regular basis, try turning it into a habit. Pick one day each week or month to visit a gallery or attend a performance. After a while, it will become second nature. Check out the Frederica Wald blog to find new ideas and info on exhibits.

Your home can also be a reflection of your favorite art through your decor. Showcase beautiful prints and paintings on your walls and swap them out as often as you would like. It can be like your own personal gallery! To find inspiration for the next art installation in your home you can browse sites like aboriginal-art-australia.com for unique pieces that will instantly transform your space. 

Finding Art and Culture in Everyday Life:

You don’t have to go out of your way to enjoy art and culture – sometimes, it can be found right in your everyday life. Here are a few examples:

  • Take a different route: When you’re running errands or heading to work, take a different route than usual and see what new sights you can find. You may stumble upon a hidden mural or an interesting storefront that you never would have noticed before.
  • Talk to your neighbors: Get to know the people who live near you and ask about their favorite places to see art or experience culture in your city or town.
  • Check out local events: Most cities and towns have regular events that showcase local artists and performers. Keep an eye out for flyers or check online calendars to see what’s happening near you. Why not look into more about your local art and culture scene from those who know it best like Scott Lieberman? You might just find some fascinating new experiences.

Art and culture are important aspects of our lives that can have a positive impact on our well-being. By making the most of the tips above, you can enrich your life and experience the world in new and meaningful ways!

Featured Image By: Pxhere

Dec9

Where To Look For Artistic Inspiration

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Where To Look For Artistic Inspiration

If you’re feeling blocked creatively, it can be helpful to seek out inspiration from other artists. But where do you find it? And once you’ve found it, how do you use it to create your own art? Let’s explore some of the best places to look for artistic inspiration and offer some tips on how to make the most of it:

Art Galleries:

Art galleries are a great place to start your search for artistic inspiration. There are usually several different artists featured in each gallery, giving you a wide range of styles and mediums to choose from. You can also ask the gallery attendant about the artist’s process and what inspired them to create their work. Check out the best exhibits from women chosen by Frederica Wald.

Museums:

Museums are another excellent source of inspiration, especially if you’re interested in historical art or want to learn more about a specific artist or movement. Many museums offer tours led by knowledgeable staff who can provide insights into the artwork on display.

Photography:

Photography can be a great way to get inspired, especially if you’re looking for ideas for a new project or want to explore a different style of art. There are many different types of photography, from landscape and portraiture to still life and abstract, so you’re sure to find something that catches your eye.

Film:

Film is another medium that can be very inspiring, particularly if you’re interested in storytelling or visual effects. Watching films from different genres and eras can give you a new perspective on your own work, and you may even find yourself borrowing some of the techniques used by your favorite directors.

Nature:

Nature is one of the most popular sources of inspiration for artists, as it provides an endless array of colors, textures, and forms to explore. Whether you’re taking a walk in the park or exploring a new city, keep your eyes open for interesting patterns and shapes that could be incorporated into your work.

How to Use Inspiration:

Experimentation:

When you find something that inspires you, it’s important to experiment with it and see what you can create. Don’t be afraid to try new things or to fail. The more you experiment, the more likely you are to find something that works for you.

Be Open-Minded:

It’s also important to be open-minded when looking for inspiration. You never know where you’ll find it, so it’s important to keep an open mind. Who knows? Maybe your next great idea will come from something completely unexpected.

Take Your Time:

Finally, don’t rush the process. Inspiration can strike at any time, but it’s often not something that can be forced. If you’re feeling stuck, take a break and come back later with fresh eyes. Sometimes all it takes is a little bit of time and patience.

For an artist, there can be inspiration everywhere you look. However, sometimes people can get stuck. Take the time to explore art hubs in your area and you might have an aha moment for your next great work!

Featured Image By: Pxhere

Nov10

Sweet Surprises: Husband’s Haul Edition

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Sweet Surprises: Husband’s Haul Edition

Hello! This past weekend, Johnny and my brother visited a Comicon event that was happening right down the street from us at a banquet center. Like the last time that they went to a similar event this past summer, both guys walked away with a ton of awesome purchases from the vendors that were set up. By the time I returned home after their outing, Johnny was already out for the evening. But, he told me the amount of goodies he set up throughout the apartment and it was like a scavenger hunt to find them all! Check it out:

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As I wandered around the apartment trying to find all of Johnny’s purchases, I couldn’t quite believe it – everything was just so cool! I also loved that he knew exactly what I would have bought for myself if I had been able to come because I would have been all over that Sam Minifig from Trick ‘R Treat. The Link Minifig that Johnny got for himself also looks fantastic next to our collection of Legend Of Zelda amiibos. And, of course, our Funko Pop collection continues to grow with figures from our favorite holiday flick, Jingle All The Way. Now, I just need to get my hands on a Turbo Man Funko! 😀

What really blew my mind from Johnny’s haul was the perler bead art of R2D2 and Duck Hunt. Perler beads were something that I constantly played with when I was little and I hadn’t really thought about them until seeing our new wall art. The Duck Hunt one is so clever and I wish that I came up with the idea myself! In fact, I kind of want to try some perler bead kits in my free time – although it might be kind of difficult with my talon nails lol smh.

The most noticeable change in our apartment’s decor is, obviously, the huge horror movie icon prints that Johnny got from the hosts of Transylvania Tonight. All of these were painted by “Drac” and both him and “Countess Carita” signed the print of one of their advertisement shots. From what Johnny told me, they both definitely seem like our kind of people and I can’t get over how spectacular each print is. As soon as I saw them hanging up thanks to Johnny’s handiwork, I literally clutched my pearls!

I am so proud of my Johnny’s Comicon haul and I wish that I could have joined in the fun with him and my brother. However, it’s probably a good thing that I had other plans because our whole apartment would be overrun with purchases!

Have you ever been to a Comicon before? What is your favorite horror movie? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah