Karen Mabon is an artist who designs unconventional silk scarves. They're not Hermés (or priced as such!) but like the iconic brand, they're so unique and beautiful. She runs an etsy shop called redbricknorth from England. I couldn't just share one, here are a handful I would love for myself.
found via howkapow
Every once in awhile, I'll walk into my pink kitchen and this overwhelming fear will hit me- did I do too much pink? Is it too bright? What did I do to my kitchen? Then I realize it's just the small voice of doubt in my head. It usually happens after I viewed an hour of decor pins on Pinterest. Most of the walls are safe- white, or beige (or that awful gray-ige color combining gray and beige). Kitchen cabinets look like a uniformed stale showcase from a warehouse. That's not to say they aren't beautiful, but just not my style. Just like my pink kitchen or my lime green office door, and my navy blue living room isn't your style.
Over the time living in my home, I've felt a sense of fear lifted more and more. If I can begin with one can of paint, it's a stepping stone to so much more. (you can view more of my home here)
Apartment Therapy recently had a great article on the fear of color. I wish I could quote half of it, but I recommend the read. "White is great when it's a color amongst other colors, but when it's meant only to contain, suppress, and keep other colors at bay, you may want to resist its temptation. Our lives aren't "pure" and "perfect," and our homes don't have to be either."
Photography has changed your life, I bet. It may not be a professional series camera you use, but the smartphone you carry that connects you to the world. You're able to share, see, and be inspired by something that fits in your pocket. Can you imagine your life without photography? I know I couldn't. I know how it changed my life, how it inspires my visual creativity, and how I love to connect to people through a simple photo on Instagram.
When 100cameras contacted me, it was something I really wanted to be a part of. I can't imagine my life without photography and when I read their mission to impact children with cameras, this is something I deeply wanted to share. 100cameras started with 4 women in NYC who wanted to give children cameras and capture their community, something a professional photographer won't be able to see. The first camera was sent to Sudan and it grew from there. With the sales of the children's photos, they are able to give back clean water, shelter, education, food and resources to benefit their community. Here are a couple of my favorites and more info-
You can get involved by purchasing a print, sign up for emails for updates, share your story here or here.
I'm deathly afraid of teens. When I worked in the library, I had enough run in's with them to go from dislike to pure fear. When Scott worked in the library, I would hear of death threats and the snotty comments he would always get. Teenagers can make fun of me all they want. My generational movies were Star Wars and E.T, theirs is Twilight, so I can understand their anger. It's when they get violent and threatening that I can't handle.
The other night I had a craving for a donut pretty bad (it's a pregnancy craving, so it doesn't count, right??) so Scott and I walked over to our local donut shop. It was later at night and these teenagers were hanging out inside. They were joking around making fun of everything as usual, and one of them really had too much of a good time ordering donut holes (calling them "BALLS", so much eyerolling at this moment). Once they quickly got bored with it, they were making fun of Scott, his shoes, there was no filter to their thoughts.
However, they quickly stopped laughing after they didn't have enough change to buy their donuts. I don't know if it was the pregnancy hormones, fear, or because I was impatient because I really wanted that donut, but I offered to buy it for them. Along with a dozen donuts, and drinks. For the first time, I saw the fear in them. I live in an area that is divided- one side has beautiful historic homes while the other side is struggling to pay for rent. A good percentage of the kids are living out of hotels or living in overcrowded apartments. This could have been their dinner. I had no idea how they are treated at home, but their reaction was enough to let me know it wasn't good. A part of me felt like hugging them, but also asking them to never egg my house. I had an understanding of them now- hurt people hurt people.
This was completely out of my comfort zone, especially with teenagers. I was encouraged to pay it forward from Jess. It was something that I wanted to do, but I couldn't imagine how it would happen. The moment it happened, you don't question it. Whether it's opening the door for someone, or even a smile, it really makes a difference to them more than it will ever to you.
I feel like I've read almost every baby book and it doesn't matter how many times I read it, and highlight it, I will never be ready. When I first got married, when we bought our first place, and every milestone in life, I was never ready. I looked back and wondered how many times I could have worked out more, ate better, saved more money, or read more books. It's a scary and exciting time right now and despite doing my best, I'm having so much fun prepping for baby's arrival. Right now I have the time so why not!
I've been sharing on Instagram- be sure to follow along for baby spam.
I began blogging 10+ years ago on Live Journal. It was fun but I wanted to be taken more a serious blogger (ha!) so I moved to Blogger. At the time, Blogger was just starting out and it was easier to navigate. Fast forward a few years later, there were bloggers who had issues with Blogger- blogs were disappearing, being hacked, and the new (at the time) dashboard was confusing.
There were a lot of changes I didn’t like with Blogger so I moved to Wordpress. Wordpress is a professional blogging site for the coding pros, and I quickly realized I am not a pro. Thankfully, I work with a great designer, Sophie. I wanted to change over to Squarespace to make it easier on myself. I work with a group of 6+ tech enthusiasts on Gadchick and even with their experience with coding, they were frustrated.
I don’t want this to be an anti-Wordpress post, it really isn’t. Wordpress is a learning curve, something I didn’t have time for. If you really want to learn it, I suggest taking Allie’s Wordpress online class, and just like any topic, keep learning and reading about it.
I love Squarespace because it’s easy. There is no separate hosting, backups needed, ftp issues, and I rely on flickr so much for photo hosting, it’s another small worry something may happen on flickr (like The Paper Mama’s recent fiasco- even when she’s a paid pro member, half her photos were gone, which means half her blog posts were gone). Coding is easy- a pro can do some major design work on any level as well as a noob. Or you can just use their easy HTML format, which is reminiscent of old LJ days. I use Squarespace for Gadchick, and I can have multiple users at once.
Another benefit is Squarespace Commerce. I gave up selling on Etsy but if I ever decide to sell prints, Squarespace is a great option. It also has an iPhone and iPad app, one of the many reasons I stopped blogging as often because I’m more mobile than ever. This is a huge benefit for me.
So there it is. If you guys have more questions, please comment below and I’ll be happy to help out as much as I can. I hope this answers some questions! Sign up for Squarespace here and there’s even a coupon for sign up!
We are so excited starting a new story in our lives! We found out New Years day, so Happy New Year to us! This is my first successful pregnancy and I'm praying everything goes well. To get this stage was hard but worth it after I was threatened with infertility due to my weight. While everyone at the gym and Pure Barre classes squeezed into their skinny jeans, I wanted to squeeze into maternity jeans. 8 sizes down, one beat up Eat to Live book to go by, I've never felt healthier. I'm just hoping my pregnancy is just as healthy. I've gained a couple pounds since I'm at 10 weeks, but I've never loved and appreciated my body more than right now.
I never imagined a craft to be so fun. My idea of crafting is usually a big mess and involves a lot of glue and most of my hair on accident. Karen Kimmel has brought a level of sophistication to crafts and I'm so honored to be a part of it. I was gifted this beautiful dream catcher, naturally I chose pink, but there are so many different colors to choose from in her Etsy shop. The dream catcher is worth $100+ and you can have your own. They are handmade, and the details impressed me. The entry is easy- "like" Karen Kimmel Studios on Facebook (link provided below in Rafflecopter entry) and stay up to date on KKS news. Thank you to Karen Kimmel Studios for supporting my readers! I think you guys will love this. You can check out more photos on Flickr.
photo from Karen Kimmel Studios
Most bloggers I know have hit their late 20's/early 30's and Nicole from Rose Runs Wild has a great feature appropriately titled, The Growing. Going into a new decade is an exciting part of our life and reading Nicole's feature makes me feel right at home. She covers all the bases when it comes to aging gracefully. I have the opportunity to guest post what I've learned through social media- it's pushed me to levels of creativity I never imagined, and opened the doors to people I love. However, there is also a dark side I wish I was warned about, like the internet mistaking kindness for weakness. I shared some insights on Nicole's feature here. I'd love to hear your thoughts over there and see what other advice you may have for others. Thanks for letting me share, Nicole!
There really is no glamour for storage. When I think of my old camera storage, I think of broken and lost equipment. I read Elsie and Emma's camera gear list, and before I add more fun items to my collection (I'm wishing for the 40mm lens), I needed to organize what I had. I did sell some items in my Instagram shop (and the valuable items through eBay), but I kept a lot of items I don't use as often. I've minimized so much in my life, this is one area I'm struggling to loosen the belt on. Here's what it looked like before. YEESH.
BEFORE. Ugh, just look away.
When we had our bookcases installed, camera gear was the first to be organized. Here's what I did;
I have a Kelly Moore camera bag (no more diaper bags!) and I carry just what I need for the day. There's also a pocket for SD cards so I don't have an excuse to lose those.
-Organize by lens and usage. What do you reach for more? The fisheye or the 50mm? I've rarely used my telephoto, so that's hidden in the back. Convenience is key.
- Try to keep the original boxes. When every lens is black and you're in a hurry, can you imagine grabbing your novelty lens over a professional lens especially if it's for work?!
-Keep your favorites together. I constantly have one novelty camera, my 50mm (I call it my foodie lens), a batter pack, and my camera body.
Always keep your film in a wine fridge, unless you're going to use it that day (like I did with this 120 film). The condensation in a regular fridge adds moisture to the chemicals in film and it may not perform as well.
After. WHERE is it? Tucked it away nicely in the cabinets below.
And there it is. During this cleaning process I had to ask myself a few times- does having more camera equipment make you a better photographer? No, it just makes you a different kind of hoarder. I need to remember this next time I question the purging I'm about to do.
What tips can you share for organizing camera equipment?
I love LEGO. One of my favorite cameras is a LEGO (in pink!) Scott and I challenged ourselves with building the Volkswagen T1 Camper Van. It took a few months to build unlike the couple of weeks we overachieved. As soon as we had opportunities, of course we were too tired, or our space was too messy. We finally finished it and it's glorious! It was worth taking the time- the details are amazing. Here are a few photos of our before, during and after. Ahhh!
There are so many more details, and I don't want to flood my post but you can check out more on my flickr set.
You can buy the LEGO Camper here. Our next project? We hope to tackle this baby sometime soon! It's been sitting in our extra room since summer.
What ended up being a trip to run an errand, turned into a visit to Sprinkles, a hike to Pirates Cove, and then enjoying the beach and sun. Spontaneity is not my best asset, but this makes it worth it. Cupcakes and the beach sound ideal, but I only photographed the pretty side of the cupcake- the other side is a melted hot mess dripping down my hand. It was equally delicious and sandy!
I've mentioned how much I love Eva's work here after showing off a custom necklace she made for me. I was thrilled when she offered to make me a custom brooch for our.city.lights readers. It is beautiful and if it's anything like my necklace, one grateful winner will love it, too. I've set up Rafflecopter Giveaway. Giveaway ends next week. A big thank you to Eva!
The only mandatory entry is to leave your name and email to be contacted if you win. For a better chance to win, favorite Eva's shop on etsy and "like" her product page. Each post is more delightful as she grows as a jeweler.
On our last day of 2012, we wanted to try Animated Cupcakes on Kam's recommendation (thanks, Kam!) We arrived before Animated Cupcakes opened, but it was inside a cafe, Genki Living. We were already in love with the place as soon as we walked in, there were cool vintage suitcases turned seats! We grabbed lunch while we were waiting for our New Years Eve cupcakes, and the food was as delicious as the decor was charming.
Udon
Turkey crepe
Taiyaki. A Japanese waffle shaped like a fish. This one is stuffed with Nutella!
How were the actual cupcakes? Well, one of them had a hidden Oreo inside it. You can't get better surprise than that for cupcakes. The red velvet was soft and the frosting was rich, but a lot lighter than Sprinkle's famous red velvet. If you're in the area and don't want to make the drive to Sprinkles, Animated Cupcakes is a great alternative.
Animated Cupcakes // Genki Living
10130 Garden Grove Blvd.
Garden Grove, CA 92844
Sun - Thurs: 11AM - 11PM Fri & Sat: 11AM - MIDNIGHT
I've been putting away my Christmas decor s l o w l y. My home is a little empty, it's like my kid went away to college or something way too dramatic. Instead, I'll just stare at these beauties. They're so ridiculous, I can take Christmas with me all year long. Charlotte Olympia can do no wrong in my closet.
I never in my life thought "fear" + "blogging" would go together. My posts lately have been sloppy, vague and disconnecting. I can't seem to jump from heart to keyboard like I used to. There were a lot of life changes in 2012 that happen too fast to share, or just too personal to post. Sometimes we confuse change with sadness and I think 2012 was the year I needed to realize this. Change is good, but if you're not aware of it, the shifting can be masked in the veil of depression. Don't let that happen to you.
That's not to say 2012 wasn't amazing, it was, even with incidents that changed our lives. I travelled to Paris, New York, Chicago, and went on a train trip across country. It was also a year of success for our family. My husband's company turned into a corporation, my job took me to my first conference representing them, and my freelance opportunities grew. It was a year of letting go of people who broke my heart, a year of rekindling friendships I've known for decades, and appreciating the people I had in my life.
It was a year of health. After struggling with weight for a few years, I finally found what works for me. It was a year of inspiration and the blogging community couldn't have been a bigger part of it. It was also the year of Instagram. How in the forth did I grow to 5k followers in a year?!
I think 2013 is going to be amazing, even with a little bit of fear, but that's okay. What fun would it be if it didn't have any? As Melly says, "Fell for one too many inspiring-quotes-turned-into-pretty-typography-posters. Now it’s up to me."
Happy New Year
I loved the idea of having a fireplace when I moved into our place, but just not a very 80's looking one (apologies if you love that look, but seriously, WHY). We wanted something to look as old as the house, so we hired a tile contractor who designs historical homes. It was perfect what he picked out (he did our kitchen, and he also did our guest bathroom, which I'd love to share later). The neutral colors go with our dark space and highlight Kate Gabrielle's print. It's the perfect print to inspire our library nook, it's my favorite spot in the house right now. It's so COZY.
We are really happy with Tim. If you're in the area, give him a call! (714) 272-6386. He seriously does a great job with a better price. I'll be sharing more before and after pics of our space. Whether you own a home, a fancy loft, a tiny cabin, or a cozy apartment spot, doing what works best for you is exciting.
Well, except me. and Ritual Wellness. I'm a believer in the power of juicing and what it can do to transform your life. I'm also a firm believer in the power of convenience. Depending on what you're making, sometimes it takes a little bit more than just throwing produce in the blender and call it a juice. If you're in a hurry, Ritual Cleanse is a great alternative.
The holidays were fun, but I'm sure the food tasted better. Now it's time to detox those cookies, cakes, and greasy meats. Fruit cake doesn't count, either.
A detox is in order and if you're tight on time, rarely carry a Vitamix in your purse, Ritual Wellness is amazing. I was a little shocked by the prices but by the time I added up the organic veggies I would buy, and my time, Ritual Cleanse was the same price. They also don't use a regular blender. I had no idea how a non-pulp juice would fill me up, but it did. The way the juice their produce will have a shelf life of 3 days, and the packages are bio-degradable. Ritual Wellness uses the abundant organic produce California has to offer, and you can taste it.
For you sweets lovers, if you think a detox is too much, there's also a chocolate flavored one with organic cacao. It was amazing but my personal favorite was the pineapple mint lemonade. It's Summer bottled up.
Visit them at The CAMP or order online nationwide
(714) 337-4298
Suite C100b
2937 Bristol Street Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Let’s get the Blogger FTC disclosure out of the way- this is a sponsored post from Ritual Wellness and I was asked to review juices of my choosing.
Today is Moving Day for my blog. I moved from Live Journal to Blogger to Wordpress and I think my permanent home will be Squarespace. Wordpress has been a great learning tool, but I mostly learned I didn't like it :P
After much research, Squarespace is where I originally wanted to move but my little blog couldn't afford it. Thanks to you, dear readers, for clicking on my affiliate links, it's able to house my new home for my blog. I mean, it's not enough to quit my job, but just enough to pay for what I truly love to do, blog.
Thank you and here's to 2013.
I ordered two of these cozy pullovers from Hello Merch a few weeks ago for myself and one for Scott. I kept it from Scott to open on Christmas. The next few days, all I heard was "Let me borrow it". That wasn't going to happen because my uniform the past few days have been warm leggings out of the dryer and this incredibly cozy sweater. It's become one of his favorites already. It's 100% cotton (win for me because synthetic fibers and I don't get along), and extra soft. It's the perfect California Winter sweater or great with layered for extra warmth. You can order other colors here. He was a trooper for modeling, too. Thanks, Scotty <3
