The Riot Grrrl Collection

Before I would spend time online reading blogs, my entertainment was a new shiny zine. There wasn't an etsy to order them from, I would walk a few miles to the local record store (does anyone in Orange County remember Bionic Records? R.I.P.) and swap them with a group of girls from my neighborhood. My fingers would be black from the cheap printing. I was just a girl from the suburbs and this was my adolescent escape besides music. 

When I heard about The Riot Grrrl Collection, I instantly  wanted it in my library. I haven't read a zine in years but the nostalgic inside me wanted to take a peek at it. It was published by The Feminist Press at CUNY, which I had no idea existed even when I took a few classes there.  Maybe it was morning sickness, but flipping through the book and reading the preface written by Kathleen Hanna put a fire in my belly I haven't felt in years. 

The cover font looks a little different than what is advertised, but it's filled with xerox copies of handwritten lyrics, show flyers, essays from the most popular zines from Kill Rock Stars label, art and letters from readers.  If you grew up in the baby doll wearing, sassy magazine reading era of riot grrrl, this is something you need for old time's sake. 

You can purchase The Riot Grrrl Collection here on Amazon or Target

SoCal Baby

I'm a huge supporter in all things local (or at least made in the USA with an ethical background). Of course when it comes to baby shopping, it's no different. I already have favorites and shops I'll be frequenting. 

1. Cali Shirt Splendid LA - I've blogged about how amazing Splendid LA is and I was so happy when I found out they made baby clothes. Designed and sold directly from LA, this shirt would rep the Golden State perfectly. 

2. Vans Infant Classic Slip Ons - Vans represent Southern California, all you need is a skateboard and the sun. I grew up with Vans and even blogged them on Danielle's guest blog post here to exhibit Orange County a couple years ago (nothing's changed!) 

3. Bibbitec - I first saw Bibbitec on ABC's Shark Tank and she was turned down because the investors didn't believe moms would spend money on a bib that would be made in the USA, high quality, and made of high tech fabric. She sold out that weekend and is doing great without any investors. 

4. American Apparel Infant Strip Onesie - I'll admit I was a little conflicted on featuring an AA item in an ethical friendly list for babies. It's one of the few sweat free shops with higher quality clothing, made and shipped from LA. They even offer organic cotton at a great price. When I visited the AA store in NYC, the California flag was waving proudly. 

5. Harvey's Diaper Bag  in Tough Love and Treecycle - If you're not familiar with Harvey's and you live in SoCal, where have you been?! It's a staple with women of all ages from the upper South County to the urban areas of Santa Ana. Everyone has a Harvey's bag. It's a company run by OC residents husband and wife from Santa Ana, and they make bags out of recycled, eco-friendly seat belts. They sound funny, but I'll get more people walking up to me asking about it than I do my LV bag. I did pick up the diaper bag in pink before I knew I was having a boy. I'll be the one carrying it, not him, okay?? 

6. California Baby Products - You can't have your baby running around in cool gear without the protection of the sun. Seasons barely exist in Southern California, which means sunblock almost everyday. They carry organic, earth friendly packaging and they make products devoted to babies with sensitive skin to diaper rash creams. 

For shops in the area that carry made in USA, eco-friendly, and/or organic items, these shops deserve honorable mentions- 

+ Rosie Posie Baby (I've actually blogged about the shop here)  

 + Bel-Bambini in Newport Beach. This is a higher end shop filled with furniture to designer baby clothes. 

+ Granola Babies in Costa Mesa. I actually went in with questions about cloth diapering and walked out with cloth diapers for the next 2 years. The staff is so helpful and so encouraging. 

 + Smocking Birds in Costa Mesa. This is a higher end boutique for only baby clothes. The owner hand picks the items herself based on what she loves and they are adorable. 

If you're not in California, don't worry, I always encourage you to support your favorite local/handmade shop. It may be a bit more in pricing but the quality and ethical standard is what I love best about shopping for baby.  

Before Kinfolk

I was going through my archives and I found an old "introduction"- Nathan Williams, editor of Kinfolk magazine. One of the foundations of this blog was introducing my favorite bloggers and photographers a few years back, some have gone on and grew their craft while others moved on. I asked a series of questions and looking back through these interviews, I'm inspired all over again like I first began blogging. 

Reading Nathan's interview is as inspiring as his magazine. I knew he'd do something amazing. Sometimes I get a little down on this blog and wonder if I should even keep doing it, but finding this gem on my blog confirms to keep going. Read it here and I'm sure the magazine needs no introduction but it's interesting to read his aspirations before Kinfolk. 

The Royal Tenenbaums Wall

A few people asked about the prints and paintings on my dining room wall after this post. I'm happy you noticed the great artists and I swear I wasn't ignoring your comments, I just wanted to collect all the artists involved to answer with the right links. Thanks for your patience! 

It's obviously a Royal Tenenbaums film theme. It's one of my favorite movies because it reminds me of my own close family. We're academic and successful in our own ways, but we have dysfunctional painful moments (don't worry, nothing incestuous like Margot and Richie). We've overcome so much together and in the end, just like the movie, we are redeemed by love and not our shortcomings. I may not have family portraits displayed, but the beautiful memories embedded can't be framed. 

+ The Royal Tenenbaums movie poster print was purchased at a local comic book store + The original movie poster that inspiredthe art work is from Claudia Varosio on etsy. Her work has been featured on fab.com but her prices are great if you are impatient like me. + The canvas of my own photo I took in NYC was printed through Photo Canvas Prints.

+ The Royal Tenenbaums movie poster print was purchased at a local comic book store

+ The original movie poster that inspired the art work is from Claudia Varosio on etsy. Her work has been featured on fab.com but her prices are great if you are impatient like me. 

+ The canvas of my own photo I took in NYC was printed through Photo Canvas Prints. 

+ The Japanese movie poster was a gift from my husband but I'm sure with a quick ebay search, there are re-prints available. + The Margot poster was purchased through Danny Brito's etsy shop

+ The Japanese movie poster was a gift from my husband but I'm sure with a quick ebay search, there are re-prints available. 

+ The Margot poster was purchased through Danny Brito's etsy shop

+ Big thank you to Dee for the heads up on the artist! Mab Graves will hopefully have some in stock soon.

+ Big thank you to Dee for the heads up on the artist! Mab Graves will hopefully have some in stock soon. 

+ The top two of Margot and Richie were purchased on Etsy from this awesome artist. + The Nan Lawson double prints to the left were purchased from Community in Anaheim, CA but her shop is full of Wes Anderson inspired art. + The pink framed print is available from Red Panda Designs on etsy

+ The top two of Margot and Richie were purchased on Etsy from this awesome artist. 

+ The Nan Lawson double prints to the left were purchased from Community in Anaheim, CA but her shop is full of Wes Anderson inspired art.

+ The pink framed print is available from Red Panda Designs on etsy

The pink frames are custom made through Michaels with a lighter acrylic to hold the photos on the wall better. I hope this answers all your questions! 

Locals Only; Memphis at the Santora

In the middle of the artsy Santa Ana downtown area, you'll find some of the best restaurants in Orange County. I've slowly visited all of them but one of them I'm happy to start with is Memphis. Known for their brunch menu, they've grown a large crowd from foodies, hipsters to businessmen who wait long lines. It's especially packed during their happy hour, not just for drinks but for their most popular food, too. 

Being 5 months pregnant, comfort food is on the top of list of cravings. Memphis hits the spot, and the bartender was even sweet enough to make a virgin mint julep. I ordered The Cobra sans bacon- a fried chicken sandwich on buttery soft milk bread. The combination with the homemade style mac and cheese on the side topped one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. Ever. 

Virgin Mint Julep

Virgin Mint Julep

+ Memphis brunch, lunch, happy hour and dinner menu. There is public parking, but limited. Be prepared to bring cash to park at the parking structure nearby. 

+ Memphis at the Santora

201 North Broadway

Artists Village

Santa Ana, CA 92701

Locals Only is a series on our.city.lights blog highlighting Anaheim and surrounding areas in the OC. If you're a small business and would like exposure on this blog, I love supporting local business'. Contact me here. 


Unshelved for 2012

Last year, I had this crazy idea to not purchase new books for a year and read only what had on my shelf or Kindle. It was a great idea for a few weeks until I began reading books I hated. Not on purpose of course, but when I purchased these particular books my interest in them quickly went away unless I read it that day. One of the worst things in life is a terrible book, or just a book you don't want to read. One of the beauties of adulthood is reading whatever you want. So after having absolutely no interest in the spies of George Washington (and some school books I saved- WHY?), I gave up this plan. I felt like it was another failed attempt at my projects and I felt even more like a failure because I went public with it, and it involved books I owned. 

Yes, it sucked and I felt crappy but I quickly dusted off my bookish ego and it made me appreciate the books I truly do love. This also made me stop purchasing books, unless I absolutely loved them and wanted to show them off on my shelf. I still pick up books from my own bookshelf from time to time, but there's nothing like a good book, no matter where it came from. After being completely honest with myself, regardless of how critically great, huge or pretentious stories looks in my house, I got rid of items I would never read, and that's okay. I know letting go is part of growing up, and I'm okay with failing as long as the lesson was there for me all along. 

LivyLoveDesigns Sale

I'm always looking for wall art as gifts, for the nursery, and for my home. If there's an empty spot, it needs a photo. Preferably one from Etsy and a handmade artist I love.

Diana Smith is designer behind Livy Love Designs and she's having 50% off all her prints with code SUMMER50. A couple of my favorites...

Did you get anything from it? I'd love to see your posts about it. I'm eyeing this one, too...

A Warby Parker Summer

While everyone is getting their summer dresses on, I'm excited for Warby Parker glasses. I have a few pair already, but glasses are like accessories, and for under $100, they're cheaper than jewelry and still make a great statement. To this day, I have horrible flashbacks every time I take off my glasses and notice the heavy indention I have from the acrylic crushing my nose as a kid. My parents insurance could only afford one pair per year (and paid even more with my legally blind prescription), I had to get the cheapest ones. Instead of turning my ugly duckling glasses into contacts or whatever teen genre makeover movie we remember, I'm turning my less than perfect vision into an accessory, thanks to WP. 

My favorite feature is ordering a box of up to five pair of glasses to try on. They also offer prescription sunglasses. REJOICE. 

Get your pair here!

rgrphotoaday challenge

I usually participate in photo challenges on Instagram but they don't last long. I was really excited for Marissa's photo challenge- literary and book based, rgrphotoaday If you love reading, this is the challenge for you. It's only up to 6 days, you still have time to catch up. Here are some of mine- 

Day 6- Haul. I want to read Agatha Christie this summer.

Day 6- Haul. I want to read Agatha Christie this summer. 

Day 4- While I Read. On Saturday we went to Sprinkles and walked over to the Newport Beach Library Book Sale.

Day 4- While I Read. On Saturday we went to Sprinkles and walked over to the Newport Beach Library Book Sale. 

Day 1- What I'm Reading. Thanks to Ashley for the recommendation on Goodreads, it's a silly book I need right now.

Day 1- What I'm Reading. Thanks to Ashley for  the recommendation on Goodreads, it's a silly book I need right now. 

There's still some great prompts left in the photo challenge, follow along and participate. 

Slow Readers Update!

For new readers- Slow Readers Book Club is a book club based on the slow movement. At the time I began this, I read a few books at the same time and I wasn't able to enjoy what I really read. I need to start being a "slow" reader again. I finished Dewey the Library Cat and a few minutes later picked up Tim Gunn's Fashion Bible. The same night, I dreamt of an orange tabby cat in culottes shopping at Chanel. I knew I needed to take a moment and breathe in the books I read. I would love to actually remember them, my favorite quotes, and why I even picked up the book in the first place. I don't want it to be another number on my Goodreads list (not that it's that big anyway). 

My priorities have changed over the past two years and thankfully Carly has taken over to keep this going. Here are the books you suggested! We choose one fiction and one non-fiction. 

Le Cirque des Rêves,  the circus of dreams, can only be visited at night. Present in the darkness and gone in the light, this mysterious and magical story that both intrigues and leaves you on the edge. Follow Celia and Marc, two illusionists, as their adversarial relationship transforms on stage, at the night circus. Morgenstern's words are carefully woven - strands of love, fantasy, and dream-like wonder complete this tale and leave the reader wanting more. 

Have you ever taken a closer at your personality style? Are you an extrovert or an introvert? Cain's book explores the quietest people in the world - Introverts. Even if you don't consider yourself an introvert, Cain does a great job of helping you to understand yourself and your quieter counterparts. Did you know that 1/3 of the people you know are actually introverts?  Learn and gain insight to the ways in which introverts have shaped our world, from Albert Einstein to Rosa Parks, and realize how we have adopted the "Extrovert ideal". Check out Susan Cain's TED Talk aboutThe Power of Introverts here. 

These are excerpts from our newsletter, sign up! We are also on tumblr, facebook, and twitter. And to those that have been reading as slow as we have since the beginning, thank you! 

Baby Lit

I'm excited for all the baby books I'll be reading. As much as I love digital books for the convenience, there is an appreciation to holding a book in print. We love classic literature in our home (so much Scott even made a Shakespeare app for people to understand the Elizabethan language better). Jennifer Adams and Alison Oliver make great books together. Between the illustrations and the witty writing fit for kids, I want the whole collection. I saw them on sale on Zulily for half off! Most of the items are hit or miss but it's worth signing up, I'm waiting for more books to go on sale. If you don't want to wait for the sale, they're on Amazon. 

The inside of the Moby Dick book

The inside of the Moby Dick book

The inside of Alice in Wonderland

The inside of Alice in Wonderland

I reviewed the digital copies of these here on Gadchick if you want to check it out. 

Spawning

I hated doing outfit posts because I always felt uncomfortable. It didn't feel natural posing for the camera, and I wasn't crazy about anything I wore enough to share it with the world. Now that my body is changing with pregnancy, I could be wearing a potato sack and I'll love it. I'm finding out pregnancy really changes you- I love my body more than ever. What I don't love? Maternity shopping. I'm taking advantage of fast fashion but just like the cravings I'm having, it's not going to last long. 

a little over 4 months!

a little over 4 months! 

Is this the part bloggers have outfit details? GAP Jacket, F21 Lace Dress, Dr. Martens 1461, Moorea Seal necklace, Tumbleweeds glasses, Scott's baby. 

Win $1,000 Splendid Gift Card!

If you've been reading this blog for awhile, you know my love for Splendid. They always have something fun going on with contests and giveaways. I'm so excited to enter this one but I'm not sure if I want to share this with you because I want to win, too! ;) 

Splendid is doing a Coast to Coast photo contest- show off what represents your love for East Coast or West Coast. Of course I had to represent West Coast with my outfit. The photo requires Facebook, "like" Splendid's page, and you can enter through your own personal profile (I tried on my blog page, but no luck). The winner gets $1,000 worth of Splendid digs, plus a one on one styling consultation, and you'll be featured on their popular blog.

So help me win? If you want to enter, that's okay, too!  Good luck and may the best coast win! (West Coast, obviously). 

At Home with A Beautiful Mess

I'm sharing my kitchen and dining room on A Beautiful Mess today. Thank you so much to the team at ABM for having me!

excuse the messy hair and the baby bump trying to make an appearance.

excuse the messy hair and the baby bump trying to make an appearance. 

A big loving thank you to my husband for being my model. If you're curious how he's able to agree with so much pink, I've written about it here.

Cure the KIDS // P.S. I Adore You

If you're not familiar with P.S. I Adore You, let me introduce you. It's non-profit sale site devoted to raising money and awareness to a personal battle for them, children with cancer. Vendors donate their product at a discounted price and the money raised for awareness and charity. Today 100% of the profits will go to CureSearch thanks to Lunch Pails and Lipsticks with Shelly Bee Originals. They're making the best selling skirts available for charity and here's your chance to grab one! There's sizes from adult to babies with exclusive designs. Check out more on their blog and I hope you pick up a skirt. You'll look great and feel better knowing these are for a great cause. 

Instagram + Splendid LA Giveaway

I'm so excited to announce Splendid LA and our.city.lights teaming up on Instagram to give away $150 Splendid gift card! I still don't know what I'll be spending mine on (I'm waiting for baby's gender so I can go crazy on their baby clothes). This is one of the few companies I truly love and support and I think you should, too. All details are now on my Instagram feed. (sorry for those few readers who don't have an Instagram account, I promise the next giveaway won't be strictly to one outlet!) 

New 40mm Lens

I got a new lens for my birthday, a 40mm Canon "Pancake" lens and it's become one of my favorite lenses already. After reading about it in Elsie favorite camera gear, I added it to my wish list and so happy I got it. I took some Easter inspired photos from a popular franchised donut shop (sadly, the donuts didn't taste anything as good as they looked- this is why I always do local!). The lens is so light, it has replaced my Canon S95 and 50mm lens. The lens is sharp, great in low light, and unlike a 50mm, you can do wider shots with bokeh and focus. It's inspired me to take photos of what I love- the mundane. Yes it sounds boring, but I get to discover beauty in the everyday things. 

The Before

I was a guest post on Moorea Seal's blog, sharing my bedroom. Sometimes it's a little messy if I get too busy but this is one room I try to keep clear of clutter at all times. I remember when I was in college, my bed was made for not just sleeping, but it was my breakfast/lunch/dinner table, my desk, my reading nook, and a place to just hang out. I had a really hard time sleeping back then- I think it was the psychology that a bed was made for sleep and I barely used it for that. Now that I have something more than a tiny twin bed, I wanted to devout a bedroom to some of the best sleep I've had (mainly because it's not full of crumbs, books and papers). This is the before pic below when we first began working on it. Click here to see the after. Thanks for having me, Moorea! 

Reading Playlist

Some readers prefer the silence, but I like music in the background. It can't be something new I've been looking forward to listen to- I'll be distracted by the lyrics and lose attention to my book. Over the years, I've found my niche in what works for me- mostly instrumental but beautiful written music. I've compiled some music that hopefully you'll enjoy on your reading adventure as well. (If you can't see the playlist, you can listen here)

What do you like to do during reading? If you love music, I'd love to hear your favorites.