Top Tips for Preserving Your Art and Keepsakes

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It’s been a whirlwind week in the studio! I’ve been busy creating new art totes and getting them listed in my shop. This was no small feat—I designed and uploaded three brand-new totes, which I’ll be showcasing on the blog this coming Tuesday. So if you love interesting art with pops of color, stay tuned for that reveal!

But today I thought I’d answer a question I’m often asked: How do you store watercolor paintings safely? Even if you’re not an artist yourself, you might have special papers, prints, or even keepsakes you’d like to preserve—and my solution works beautifully for all of those, too.

My go-to storage favorite is the Itoya Original Art ProFolio. This week, I treated myself to two new ones for my smaller paintings, and I’m in love with them all over again.

Here’s why: they’re completely acid-free and archivally safe, which means my artwork will stay in beautiful condition for years to come. The covers are PVC-free polypropylene (no off-gassing, no hidden paper damage!), and each page has an acid-free black mounting paper insert that makes my watercolors look gallery-ready even while in storage.

Whether it’s for finished paintings waiting to be framed, prints you’ve collected, or even your own treasured mementos, these portfolios keep everything flat, dust-free, and protected. I also love that they’re designed like a book—so they slide neatly onto a shelf and make it easy to flip through and enjoy the contents without worrying about fingerprints or accidental bends.

For fellow artists, they’re a professional-grade staple. For collectors or memory-keepers, they’re a simple way to protect what you love. Either way, they’re worth every penny in peace of mind.

Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing a bit of your day with me. Wishing you a colorful, joy-filled weekend ahead!

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Why a Vitamix Blender is Worth the Investment

I use my blender every single day—mostly for smoothies, but occasionally for soups too. Because of how much I relied on it, I found myself replacing my blenders every 12 to 15 months. Each time, I’d upgrade to a slightly more expensive model, thinking it would last longer. But no matter how much I spent, they always broke down.

Then came the moment when I told my husband I wanted to invest in a Vitamix. He thought I was crazy—after all, it was way more expensive than the others I had bought. But unlike those cheaper blenders with a flimsy one-year warranty (if that), the Vitamix came with an optional upgrade to a 10-year warranty. That alone made me think, this must be built to last.

Well, fast forward 12 years, and I’m still using my Vitamix Pro Series Blender—and I wouldn’t trade it for anything!

If you love blending up smoothies, soups, or sauces, the Vitamix is a game-changer. Its powerful motor and durable design handle everything from frozen fruit to tough greens, creating silky-smooth blends every time.

But what really sets it apart is its versatility. It’s not just for smoothies—you can whip up nut butters, hot soups (it heats through friction!), and even dough. And the best part? The self-cleaning function makes cleanup effortless.

Yes, it’s an investment, but after going through so many blenders in the past, I can say with confidence—it’s worth every penny. If you’re serious about blending, this is the one to get!

Are you a fellow Vitamix fan? Share your favorite recipes or tell me what you’d love to try—let’s chat in the comments! 🍓🥑🥣✨

Thanks for stopping by!

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Exclusive Discount Inside: Celebrating My Feature in Art Journaling Magazine! Surprise

I recently received a delightful surprise on Instagram from @stampington—a special discount code to say thank you for my contribution to their Art Journaling Magazine!

Not only do I love Art Journaling Magazine, but I’m also a big fan of several other Stampington publications. Somerset Studio is a treasure trove for mixed media enthusiasts, full of creative projects, fun worksheets and more. In Her Studio takes you behind the scenes into the inspiring spaces of female artists. Willow and Sage offers unique recipes for homemade bath and body products, perfect for some self-care time. And my absolute favorite, Bella Grace, is packed with touching stories, inspirational quotes, and stunning photography. There are so many more amazing publications to explore—definitely check out their site to find your favorites!

As a token of appreciation, I’m excited to share this special discount code with you: PUBLISHED15. Use it to get 15% off everything in their store! Just head over to Stampington.com to start shopping. ✨

I’m so grateful for this kind gesture—thank you, Stampington!💖😊

Happy shopping, everyone!

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Thoughtful Thursday Outward Hound Slow Feeder Bowl Review

Chanel (brown), Rosie (black)

As most of you know I’m the mom of two precious little girls, Chanel and Rosie. These two are angels most of the time, well Chanel is all of the time. But Rosie loves to get into mischief every now and then.

Chanel is 11 years old and has been completely blind since she was 3. Rosie the 1+ year old baby, a quick learner, figured out Chanel’s handicap and would sometimes steal her food. As a result, Chanel started gobbling her food and would end up getting sick.

It took some training but Rosie rarely snatches Chanel’s food anymore. However, Chanel isn’t taking any chances and continues to gobble. So I came across this “Slo Bowl” by Outward Hound. The idea is that it makes your pet slow down their eating and take smaller bites. This in turn helps with their digestion and can also help prevent obesity and bloating.

We’ve used this bowl it for about 2 weeks and it’s works great! Chanel is doing much better and is noticeably eating a lot slower and not getting sick.

There are many different types of slow feeder bowls on the market. Some have a more complex design making your pet slow down their eating even more. But I opted for this one and I’m so glad I did. It’s a breeze to clean and is also dishwasher safe. Plus it has a non-slip base, holds 2 cups of dry or wet food and is made from food safe materials (Free From: BPA, PVC, Lead and Phthalate). It also comes in 2 sizes, Large/Regular and Medium/Mini depending on the size of your pet.

Some pet owners reported that using a slow feeder bowl made their pet frustrated. Chanel has been absolutely fine and isn’t showing any signs of frustration eating from this particular bowl. For some pets it make take a little time to retrain their minds but overall this is a great invention and helps to improve your pet’s health. These bowls are available in most local pet stores and online: Chewy, Amazon, Target, Walmart.

I would recommend this product for your pet, but always talk with your vet first if you have any concerns.

Hope you enjoyed this product review, thanks for stopping by!!!

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🐾Thought you’d enjoy a few cute photos of the girls when they were pups 🐾