A New Me

Instead of the usual Etsy Tuesday post, which I haven't gotten around to doing because I was super busy this week (motocross race, trip to the coast and IKEA, the over 100 degree heat, way too much!) I've been trying to lose weight and be healthy practically all my life with minimal success, and all the while having a thyroid condition that makes it nearly impossible to lose weight. I really want to be proud of that girl in the mirror and am now making this challenge public so people can hold me to it! I really need motivation to get results so im pleased to announce that I have a goal to lose 10 lbs (or a few pant sizes) by the end of the summer. At first it was 40 by the end of the year, but I'd rather take small steps. I hope to do this by eating healthy, cooking often and staying conscious of what I'm doing to my body. Exercising is hugely important and am looking to friends and coworkers to do it with me too. So please give me tips/tricks (I'm not a diet kind of girl, im looking for a lifestyle change) and I will check in on my progress!

Fashion Friday: Street Style

I know there are tons of people out there that just love what The Sartorialist has done to show the world how fashion is really worn: on the streets. I really enjoy browsing his and other street style photographer's pages to see what people young and old wear, and it really is quite a treat to see amazing style at all ages. Hopefully one day I'll actually figure out my own style and collect some nice pieces..but for now forever21 is treating me (and my wallet) very kindly! Here are some looks (including a very close friend of mine!) that caught my eye. Enjoy!

This is one of my best friends, Vicen. Hes a student at Parsons and has transformed into a literal piece of art-I love him! Especially jealous that he can put himself together so well and people photograph him for that!

A very "high" style from Chanel Iman. How crazy are those boots?!

photos from style sightings, lookbook.nu

Friday Faves: Marie Antoinette

earrings by Bionic Unicorn, headband by Miss Ruby Sue, macaron photo by food 4 wibowo, necklace by eighty8clothing

Today's picks are inspired by Marie Antoinette: feminine, frou frou and totally fun. Wouldn't it be nice to sip champagne all day and be given diamonds and gowns? Well, these will make you feel a bit like that. Enjoy!

Its Here!

Today on Design*Sponge is the long (LONG!!) overdue guide to Portland, Oregon! I'm so excited and happy that its finally on D*S for the whole world to see. Portland truly is an amazing city that offers something for everyone. LOVE IT! Go check it out right here

Friday Faves: Vintage Kitchen

Sunbeam mixer and bowls, JaditeKate (she collects Jadite, so cool!); floral drinking glasses, Bettys Kitschen; yellow creamer set, FromMarlo; coral mixing bowl, Brickhouse Vintage

I love seeing vintage kitchen utensils and serveware on Etsy. It all just reminds me of my grandparent's house and their old bread box and canisters with mid-century modern details. There are so many great vintage shops on Etsy that specifically collect and sell vintage items for the kitchen, you might want to rethink that trip to IKEA and pick up some old charm thats sure to brighten up your mealtimes.

Fashion Friday: Summer Sun

I love seeing floral prints and color when it comes to summer. All the girls and boys are out having picnics in super cute frocks and sandals, and boys don light cotton tees and shorts with boaters. Its such a relief to not worry about boots and raincoats and freezing rain, but to just enjoy the perfect weather and sip lemonade and read a book during this season.

Here are some great summer pieces I've found online- you can always scour thrift stores or vintage clothing shops to find pretty cotton or linen printed dresses in retro styles or crazy jewelry to accent your outfit. Go all out in the summer because you never know when fall will come creeping up!

Flower Bib Necklace, $16.80, Forever21

Bib necklaces are definitely the trend for jewelry this season-huge clusters of metal flowers, fabric petals and chunky facets are all the rage. They have super cute bibs at Forever21 that wont break the bank!

Floral Scoop Dress, $68, Urban Outfitters

I just thought this dress was perfect for the east-coast gal who doesn't get to dance around in fields for the summer. Paired with sheer black stockings, go from work to after work drinks by switching your black flats for super high black heels.

Metal Studded Wrap Cuff, $19.99, Urban Outfitters

The perfect accessory for a breezy summer dress is chunky and bold jewelry. Think Nicole Richie with her piles of bangles and her summer dresses. Its all about the balance!

Tribal Print Maxi Dress, $24.80, Forever21

Next to florals, tribal prints are all the rage. This great maxi dress can be worn next to the pool and at a nighttime pool party! Just dress it up with earrings and some bangles to stand out.

Malini Shoe, $58.95, Chinese Laundry

I love me a gladiator sandal like the next girl, but in moderation. I see way too many gladiators looking like they're taking girls leg's prisoner! These cute jeweled sandals are great dressed up or down.

Spring Floral Strap Dress, $24.80, Forever21

This saccharine sweet frock reminds me of playing tea-time. A perfect dress for a wedding or equally fun party with the girls.

Guide to Blogging

photo by RH photo

Etsy just sent me an email containing fantastic resources and tips for bloggers. Check them out!

Etsy's Guide to Blogging

Etsy Tuesday: Jean Pelle

It is safe to say that I am in love with Jean Pelle's wooden candlestick holders and glass chandeliers and jewelry. Her clean, crisp lines and fresh take on home decor have caught my eye as well as others around the blogosphere. A new line of excruciatingly delicate glass orbs strung together to make a necklace is an entirely new concept for jewelry I have seen, and that glass ball chandelier is to die for! Her gold leafed candlesticks and jewelry can be found in her etsy shop (which is having a sale til July 15th!) as well as her personal website.

I was fortunate enough to have a few questions answered by Jean herself regarding her creativity and inspiration.

What inspires you to create?
Generally, I find inspiration in a wide range of sources – art, film, architecture, fashion and nature. At the moment, I am inspired by the objects I encounter everyday in places that I frequent, such as the hardware store or specialty supply shops. They are usually common and inexpensive materials, but they have appealing qualities such as color, shape or texture. I enjoy combining these findings, in an interesting way, into a new object. 

What is a typical day of work like for you?
I usually leave in the early mornings for my studio in Gowanus, Brooklyn. There, I split my time between filling orders, working in the wood shop, running errands/ordering supplies, and developing and testing out new products and ideas. If I have some spare time, I’ll work on a small painting or two. That is a real treat.

Why do you use Etsy to sell your work?
Etsy has an incredibly strong online presence with an active participant community. It’s allowed for my work to be seen by a much wider audience, plus I enjoy the direct exchange between maker and buyer. I'm also able to list unusual items that I normally would not approach retailers with.

Thanks, Jean!

Fashion Maven: Emma Watson

We (meaning the entire generation of now 20 something year olds) grew up with the Harry Potter series. The books were fantastic, the movies are spectacular, and now that the 6th movie is coming out, we only look forward to the 7th and final movie in a childhood staple that has been with us since we were in elementary school. With that, we've also grown with the characters of the movie. One in particular, Emma Watson, has become a huge style icon and is growing up to be incredibly chic and classy. I love her! There was a great article about her at Style.com, so we must give respect to miss Watson as she most definitely is a fashion maven.


Here she is on the new cover of Elle looking something fierce. Not sure about that seat shes on though.

Watson is now the new face of Burberry. Quite fitting for a brit!

Love this vintage dress at the London Premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Heres Watson with the Kaiser himself, Karl Lagerfeld

images via Style.com, Hot Celebrity Photo Gallery

Uber Fashion!

This week was the start of the haute couture runway shows in magical Paris. I've been searching through the collections and they are a-ma-zing. Sparkly, out of control, totally ridiculous and makes me want to throw my sheets together into something fashiony...maybe not. Here are my faves! Have a lovely day you fashionistas!


Lady Gaga is that you?! Oh no, just a look from Gaultier. Theres something happening with the dramatic hip action thing. Beyonce, Gaga, Gaultier. Either way I'm liking it in a strange, fembot sorta way.

I really liked the entire Dior collection. It was very Dynasty meets Dior's New Look. All the models looked like total bitches who use cigarette holders and stomp around their boudoir and fling pearls and pantyhose. Loved it!




These three looks from Valentino capture the nude and black theme of the entire show. There were tons of really beautiful, wearable looks. That shoe is crazy! Ladies better be careful walking the streets of NY or Paris, the pigeons might think its a mating dance.


This dress from Gaultier is just so freaking hot I can't take it. I love that it transitions from silver to gold. HOT.



Oh Karl. You are ridiculous and may or may not be the father of Lady Gaga, but you are hilarious and create amazing clothes, so you're allowed the eccentricity. The girl is giving good face! Work it honey.To top it all of, Christian Lacroix gave us this final piece. A true Madonna come to life. Weird? Yes. Couture (and also batshit insane)?? Totally, utterly and completely. And thats why I love it.

images via Style.com

Fashion Friday

Today I thought I would put together an outfit for someone on a budget. I always shop at Forever21 for their super cheap but real chic jewelry, and if you can find their shoes in your size before all the other girls have taken them, they are really cute too! I found this basic black dress from Insight at 80spurple.com for $72, and paired it with this bib necklace for $17.80, cocktail ring for $6.80 and black heels for $27.80 from Forever21. Now she looks ready to hit the town!

A Cool Drink of Limoncello!

Heres another great drink recipe I found whilst browsing Tastespotting-you can always find super gorgeous photos of delicious food and amazing recipes (which I write down of course!) This Limoncello and Mint Sorbet is the ultimate in summer refreshment-imagine this on hot summer day in a piazza in Italy. Okay, that may be going too far, but it'd be nice, no? Instead of going through the hassle of actually making sorbet, I'd rather just throw everything together in a big pitcher and start drinking!

Limoncello & Mint Sorbet
Adapted from Cooking Light
Makes 4 cups or 8 ½ cup servings

2 cups water
1 ⅓ cups sugar
½ cup limoncello
1 cup fresh lemon juice (4-6 large lemons)
½ cup chopped fresh mint
Lemon slices or zest strips, extra mint (for garnish, optional)

Combine the water, sugar and limoncello in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir until sugar dissolves and bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Stir in lemon juice and chopped mint.

Cover and chill for 4 hours, or up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

Strain mixture and discard mint pieces and lemon strips. Pour into a large pitcher and serve with a garnish of lemon or mint.

photo via Craving Chronicles (amazing food photography!)

Tastes like summer...

I was browsing Tastespotting when I came across this gorgeous photo of a Watermelon Margarita. Yes, you heard right. Fresh watermelon+alcohol=the ultimate summer refreshment. Heres the recipe courtesy of Food Network, pictures from Martha Stewart

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups seedless (or seeded) watermelon, cut into 1-inch cubes, rind discarded before measuring
• 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
• 4 ounces tequila
• 2 ounces orange flavored liqueur
• 1 1/2 cups ice
• Lime wheel or watermelon wedge, for garnish

Directions

Put cut watermelon in a plastic bag and place in freezer for a minimum of 2 hours. (If time does not permit this step, add a few extra ice cubes when blending, the difference is not that significant.)

Stuff all ingredients into a blender and puree until smooth. Garnish rim of glass with a lime wheel or a watermelon wedge and serve immediately.

What I'm Reading

I went to Powell's the other day to try and find a new book to read. At first I was thinking something along the lines of travel writing (just finished Under the Tuscan Sun so I'm in travel mode), and then I saw Julie and Julia. This book is about one woman's quest to cook her way through Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child, one of the world's most recognized and loved chefs. The book is being turned into a movie starring Amy Adams as Julie and Meryl Streep as Julia Child (seriously, could they have picked a better Julia?). So instead of traveling the world, I'll be reading about Julie's travels through French cooking. Sounds good to me!

Etsy Tuesday: Domestikate

Today's Etsy seller is Domestikate, purveyor of fine vintage goods! She collects treasures of all sorts (she even has a vintage clothing shop, Sophistikate). I love finding vintage items, they are always filled with history and years of wear and tear. You can find her household items here and her clothing here. Great finds!

Loving It: Stacked Rings

I just spotted these stacked feather rings by Iosselliani on Not Couture. They are a bit spendy but the rings are made with cubic zirconia (which actually is a real substance, not just something they use to make cheap jewelry!). They would look fabulous with a hippie dress or wear the big stones alone for a statement. You can purchase them here. Loving it!

Fashion Friday!

Okay, so in order to build up more posts on my blog, I'm going to try and do several posts a day (if im feeling up to it!). Today I went shopping and found some cute dresses at forever21. It was SO hot today and I've been wearing this printed dress all day!
Forever21 has sooo many types of cute summer dresses, and theyre always cheap so you can grab several! I love all the floral and ikat prints-and you can't beat the price when the economy is tight! Here are some others I'm loving...
Have a great weekend!

Friday Faves: Nautical

This week's faves were found searching the Vintage section of Etsy using the term "nautical." The results were sweet and reminiscent of being on the high seas, or kissing a cute sailor. Enjoy!