M A K E :: cord wrap

Happy Friday! I'm over on Wonder Forest today, sharing how to make this cute little cord wrap - the perfect way to keep your cords together! You can see all the photos and details here! 

xo. melisa

F A V O R I T E A P P S

Since getting an iPad I've discovered a whole new world of apps! Some of these are available for iPhones as well, but I enjoy using them on my iPad. So, in no particular order, these are the apps I'm digging

L E A R N I N G

Lumosity :: this is maybe my favorite app this year! I love learning (that sounded nerdy, oops) and this app makes it fun! Lumosity gives you different games which helps you work on your memory, speed and other fun stuff. You can purchase the full membership for a hefty sum, or enjoy the free games they give you! You can even play this on your desktop!

Duolingo :: I recently discovered this app and now I'm completely hooked! I think I've mentioned before that I used to live in Brazil - so Portuguese was one of my first languages. Since moving back to the states, I have quickly forgotten most of it. womps. I have loved playing with Duolingo though because it's given me a chance to freshen up on it - it's the best if you're trying to get better or learn a new language. I may try french next.

Sudoku :: ever since this became "a thing", I have been crazy for sudoku. Like, I could literally spend hours on this stuff. So naturally I'm smitten with this app.

S O C I A L

Padgram :: this app takes Instagram but lays out all the photos so it's much more appealing. I love it!

Bloglovin :: this is obviously nothing new, but I've grown especially fond of Bloglovin knowing that now I can have all of my need-to-read blogs with me wherever I go! Don't know about Bloglovin? Check it out and follow PS!

G A M E S 

Heads Up :: I have this game on my iPhone and it's a huge favorite for me and my friends. It was created by Ellen and it's so much fun - a mix of catch phrase, buzzword and charades. 

QuizUp :: you can easily waste half your day on this app. It's basically trivia games that allows you to challenge other people. The trivia ranges from everything from Disney to Lost, to Grammys to Hunger Games. You need this!

Sonic Dash :: this is a throwback because it makes me feel like I'm a kid again, sitting in front of my small box set playing sega. Sheesh. So great!

P R A C T I C A L 

Pages :: again, this app is available for your desktop and iPhone, but I especially love it for my iPad because I can have all of my documents with me. I especially love creating to do lists with this - adding photos to my docs always make them more fun!

ifontmaker :: you get to make your own fonts! It's amazing. enough said.

iBooks :: this is honestly why I wanted an iPad in the first place. I love to read, but lugging books around in my already oversized purse, just isn't practical. Now, I can carry my library with me! I'm currently reading Carry On Warrior and Jesus Calling. 

GloBible :: this is a really fun study bible that has a really cool interface. I love that it links to the aversion bible as well, so all of your bookmarks can be saved in both apps!

There's a TON of apps out there and sometimes it's a bit overwhelming to search for the good ones. So tell me, what's your favorite app??

xo. mel

M A K E :: ipad pouch

I was so excited to get an iPad for Christmas! I've been wanting one for quite some time, and I've been using it everyday. I immediately went out and bought a case for it, so it wouldn't get scratched, but I wanted to have an alternative to a big bulky case that's connected to it, so I thought I'd make a little pouch for it! This is a really fun and easy beginners sewing project. And it can be adapted in several ways to make a ton of different sized pouches! I'm thinking i'll make a matching one for my laptop!

S U P P L I E S  :: zipper, fabric/piece of leather, scissors, pins, sewing machine (not pictured), ipad (not necessary for making, but it helps to have handy in case you need to measure

E A S Y    A S   1 , 2 , 3

1. Cut your fabric to the appropriate dimensions of your iPad, with about half an inch extra along each side (for sewing). You'll need an inside and an outside fabric. Gather your fabric pieces and your leather // 2.  Using your sewing machine, stitch along the bottom edge of your fabric and the piece of leather. Make sure that you have the outside of your fabric facedown // 3. Repeat with the other piece of fabric, and stitch to the other end of the leather, so that both pieces are on either side of fabric, then flip over so it looks like the photo above. This will be the bottom/sides of your pouch!

4. If your fabric doesn't lay flat, then use an iron to help press it down. Be sure to layer a thin piece of fabric over the leather, so the iron doesn't directly touch it. It's okay if you have pieces that hang off a little, you can trim them.

5. Flip your stitched pieces back upside down // 6. You will now lay the inside piece of fabric, so that it lines up perfectly // 7. fold the fabric in half, so that the "inside" fabric is now showing on the outside, and pin in place. 

8. Secure your zipper. slightly fold the top part of your fabric, so there aren't any raw edges showing. Then place the zipper between the inside and outside fabric. Use pins to keep it in place  // 9. Use your sewing machine to sew all the edges // 10. Sew the zipper on one side, then unzip and sew the other side. Turn the pouch inside out and place your iPad inside! hooray!

If you'd like a little more protection, you can always add a layer of foam cushioning. 

I can't wait to see how yours turn out! Leave a link below and let us see what you made!


xo. melisa