small changes can lead to big differences.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

new cardigan

I picked up this gorgeous mustard cardigan. never had one like this before - at first I didn't like it on me, but after being in an ice-cold loft I had no choice but to layer up! Now i can't take it off, i love it


 
this is me taking pics on photo booth haha! I will set up my camera soon. I need one of those remote things.  

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

sweet

Check out this sweet purse I found yesterday at the thrift store! Definitely going to use it for awhile.. then maybe it'll end up in the shop?? We'll see..!! 

Here are my amazing silver glitter TOMS shoes.


And today, much like my outfit, is kind of a blue wednesday..


Trust me, i am not an alcoholic! I am on vacation! 



oregon trail









I had a love/hate relationship with this game. anyone know where i can play it online? 

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

COLOR!

My shop just got a pop of color!! Check it out - these won't last long!

front 

back





I do hope to get better photos of these, but my inventory is so huge I just couldn't wait anymore for models and photoshoots! 

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Cases& Bags

It may be Holiday break right now, but school will be starting back up soon! Do you need a new bag to hold all of those books or, in my case, all of your fabric & sewing supplies?

This gorgeous tapestry bag is perfect for books. in fact, I use it to carry them when I do my vintage shows. It's so sturdy and weather proof, not to mention chic and unique! 

$38

This is the most stunning Samsonite bag I've encountered. It's from their Fashionaire line and even comes with a removable matching clutch! It's also in amazing shape and perfect for books and supplies. 

$52

I love the color combinations on this Verdi bag! A great, simple floral bag that even comes with an unused luggage tag. 

$30

!! this bag is amazing! I love the primary/secondary color combinations. Oh my.. if I didn't already have an abundance of cases this would be in my etsy shopping cart! 

$22

hah! I love this. The sticker was added to the bag and it makes it so cool. I love the bright red, too. 

$40

Who knew there were soo many bags to choose from!? Although they really are all amazing. In other news, I'm not sure why I've taken to blogging so much - I discovered the "add photo" button on blogger and that really makes things so much easier. I used to use HTML and it is so annoying when you can't get codes right! I also think I may be distracting myself from doing other things, such as cleaning.. haha. Anyway, hope you have  a great Saturday night! 



Friday, December 17, 2010

photogenic eye

i love photos. I love looking at pictures and imagining the story, the scene, what people were saying before and after the photos were taken, what the subjects were thinking at the time, everything. There's something so fascinating about capturing expression, feeling and a moment on film.

I don't know much about how cameras work, but I'm hoping to take a photography class soon. In the meantime, here are some of my favorite photos to look at of some of my favorite people. PS click on the photos if you'd like to see a larger size.


This is Jon Brion and I believe this photo was taken by Annie Liebovitz. This is also my desktop and sometimes I just stare at it. Jon Brion is my hero. 

I do apologize as this photo is overused as of late due to Apple advertising the Beatles on Itunes. But this photo is gorgeous, and I love the expression, posture and overall feeling I get from this photo. 

Sondra Lee.. aka Tiger Lily from Mary Martin's Peter Pan. I love this photo. 

Stephen Malkmus of Pavement. Need I say more? 


Here are a few pics of me that I often look at - not because i'm conceited!!! because I love remembering the moment the photo was taken. I didn't know any of these were being taken (save for the elephant one) and I love that you can tell my expression in each one. 

This is during a mini shoot with Juli. 

Juli and I both didn't know this photo was taken until I uploaded my memory card! I love it. I was in the middle of painting my room which is why the wall is different colors.

This was during a trip to Thailand and I kept messing up the photos because the elephant kept moving his trunk! I was a bit nervous haha. 

I may or may not have known this picture was being taken, but it still is so cute and I remember that dress. 




my christmas list

  • this stunning sewing machine.. it's so beautiful! 
  • a new macbook charger because mine is broke, and i'm stuck using this 6 year old PC that has tons of viruses!!! 
  • glitter TOMS shoes! 
  • everything I posted below
  • stash tea and lots of it!!! 
  • starbucks via - caramel, mocha and vanilla pleaseeee! 
  • amtrak tickets to visit my friend colleen in Florida


Wednesday, December 15, 2010

inspiration

i love color so much. combine that with beach towns, the pacific ocean, parks and Toucans and I'm one content girl. I could live here.

...but only for so long before I'd venture out into a new destination.

Location: Pavones, Costa Rica






Valerie Barad

After I wrote my previous post  I got so inspired by those Valerie Barad purses. I have one that I use frequently that I found in a Santa Cruz thrift store, and I also found one a few months ago that I sold on Etsy. I am now regretting this. However, up until now I thought it said "Malerie Barad" - the V looks like an M!

So I did a search on etsy and I am convinced this is one amazing designer, and now I want to start collecting!! (I love to collect things for some reason)

Here are the amazing purses I have found so far:

This one is amazing! I love the wide array of colors. The interior is identical to mine, just with a different pattern. 
$32

talk about life changing! this purse from the 80s is a must-have. It will always be in-style.. especially now. 
$36

This is the one I found and sold. I love the geo pattern, and it was so roomy! 

I do love the two zippers on this purse. It adds a bit more functionality than the rest of the purses in this type of design. 
$20

Amazing! I love how versatile she is/was. Violet/blue/white cloth clutch with tassle. 
$26


Well that's all! I found a few more purses on ebay and around the web, but the cutest ones were of course, on etsy. We just know best!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

just a few things...

Ah! I have been browsing etsy lately because I don't want to work on my homework.. this is always a dangerous thing! But with Christmas and my birthday approaching, I have been sending things to my mom as gift ideas.



OMG! I need these. although I already have so many mason jars.. can you really ever have enough? 


I want these to add to my packages I ship out!! The owners of this shop, Orange Beautiful, are friends with my friends and are also in a band that is friends with my friends bands... confused? basically, I don't know them but I do, but we have never met.

I kind of totally want these! They're a little too big, but I am sure I can make them fit!

 
YES PLEASE!!! I want these so bad! I would live in them I'm pretty sure. Especially since my new diet is already shedding the pounds off! Well, in my mind it is.

 I have a bag or two by this designer (Valerie Barad) and I love the detail, compartments and style of this one! AND it's only $12! Might have to send this link to my party posse and tell them to buy it for me. And by posse I mean parents and dogs. 


On a side note, here is some worldly advice for you: if you are a lover of Starbucks Flavored Via (like me) I highly recommend using Milk.. it's super easy! Measure a cup and pour it in a small pot and steam it on the stove (but watch it carefully because you don't want it to burn) HOWEVER: I decided to go to Starbucks today and ask them to make it for me using milk. I knew they'd charge me, but I had no idea it'd be $2.75!!! I can buy an entire GALLON of milk for that. I was kinda pissed and from now on will be making it at home, I can't justify spending that much money on 8 ounces of milk, you know? Plus on top of the via itself - too much money! Learn from my mistakes!!!!


Sunday, December 12, 2010

definition

I don't know what you think of me. I am not sure if you think I am cool, sometimes rude, outspoken, blunt (or honest), nice, mean, etc. Sometimes I don't know what I think of myself and everyday is a struggle in trying to figure out what I am meant to do with my life.

I am in school for fashion design, something you probably already know. Do I see myself as a high-profile fashion designer? No way. While I do enjoy the industry, I know that I don't think I will get fulfillment out of fashion. I love expressing myself and helping others do the same, but there is so much more to me than that.

My brain is constantly going and thinking about what I can do to make this world a better place. I am always trying to think things through- if I started this organization then I'd have to do that and if I did that then I'd have to worry about this and so on. I'm also trying to figure out who I want to help. People? Animals? Dogs? Children? Which country, which continent? Where will my degree fall into place?

I have so much drive, though. I love to help people, teach, learn, and work with animals. However, I have a strong gut feeling that what I want to do doesn't require a degree in something like international studies or politics. I just feel something in my soul and my heart that is telling me to keep trying to figure it out, keep traveling, and keep believing in myself.

So many people are quick to tell me that I will never be able to do something or that it would be so much work & money to start an organization in another country. So many risks would have to be taken and I'd be leaving so much behind. However, I know that when I find what I'm looking for, when I discover which direction I'm going to take, I won't look back. So much of me wants to leave this place and this city.. even this country..right now. I just don't feel ready yet, I'm not ready to leave my family, friends and dogs (children).  I would like to finish school, but if I don't and I feel strongly enough about my life-direction, I won't. Life is too short to worry about certain things, and in my eyes, if I came across the perfect opportunity to do something I knew I would love, I wouldn't think twice about leaving school. (However, I am trying to finish a bit quicker than before! I'm taking more classes this quarter)

My plea to you, dear reader, is that if someone expresses to you their dream, their potential path in life, please don't let the first thing out of your mouth be a negative thing. Ask that person questions, see where they're going and what they want to do. Don't tell someone "oh, that costs so much money" "oh, you have to do so much school" etc. because no one wants their potential dreams shot down within 5 seconds.

I have had so many degree changes, and every time I would change it & tell my dad or certain friends, I would always get a negative response. Either that career didn't pay enough, the school would be to expensive and so on. Obviously, if I'm changing degrees so fast I am not trying to settle, I'm just researching different careers and possibilities and paths. This was a few years back and these days I am 100% confident in my chosen field. I also am 100% confident in myself that I will find what I want to do, but it still is so unnecessary and it really sucks to tell someone something I think is exciting (such as where I want to go or what I want to do WITH my degree) and still have them tell me "ohhh that's gonna be SO much work".. seriously!! Just be happy for me. I'm not asking you to fund my ideas or dedicate any time.. I'm just TELLING you because I'm excited for myself and I wanted to share. That's it, That's all.

And so, this is my rant. I hope that maybe there will be a little bit more positive in this world, because we really, really need it.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Resolutions + some pictures.

I never make new years resolutions because they are so incredibly hard to follow, and it's basically setting myself up for disappointment. I also don't think it is effective to pressure yourself to lose 15 pounds or exercise more - you really have to want to change your lifestyle or want to eat better. Losing 15 pounds means nothing if you continue your eating habits that got you to where you are in the first place. Therefore, people who make these resolutions without actually thinking them through - what would they have to change in their lifestyle - usually don't end up completing the resolution.

However! I really feel like this year is the year for me. I have been thinking a lot about cutting out many bad food and drink items from my life. No, not alcohol - I love beer (good beer, that is) - but soda, sugary juices, milk with chemicals and hormones pumped into them, and so on. I know it will be a gradual thing, but I am sort of anxious to start... except I don't know when or how to go about this. Do I cut soda out first? If I cut it out so abruptly, will it have a negative effect and will I give up? Should I switch to something healthier in place of soda, such as tea or coffee?

Surprisingly, I really don't drink that much soda - it's usually when I am at school and that's only twice a week. I rarely drink out of a can or bottle, too - I usually crave the fountain drinks and they're only a dollar at McDonald's, so it's hard to pass up! But recently I've started realizing I don't really like how I feel after drinking it, not to mention the effects it has on my teeth and body. I am not very fond of fake sugar and chemicals and dyes, yet I continue to eat them so... yea.

Some of my other resolutions are to be a better friend, do my hair more, drink more water and don't be an idiot about money. I also am hoping that next quarter I can bring my own food, eat healthier breakfasts and cut spending money on food out altogether while I'm there. These are all resolutions I think I can follow, especially since I have been thinking about them for a few weeks now. I just would like to be a healthier person, inside and out, and hopefully once I stop eating processed and packaged foods, drinking sugary and diet sodas, I'll feel healthier, be more productive and that all my acne will go away.

Now, here are some photos from a few weeks ago - my friend's 30th bday party - we had a surprise party for him and everyone dressed up as nintendo characters.

always good to have a doctor in the house

some spillage... sorry Chris

Fan of wonder!

Mike in a furry hat...as it should be!

Most epic photo!

I am an angry Princess Peach!!

I have some awesome people in my life!