“So get to it!”

Cheers to P&G for their brilliant Olympics 2012 campaign. If this doesn’t tug at your heart, I don’t know what will.

We’ve only got one. #earthday #WFMEarth (Taken with instagram)

All photos courtesy of Refinery29.

Board: Move Me

This image of the Olsen twins is, of course, fabulous but it also reminds me of the love I have for my own siblings. Although I adore both of my brothers, this particular photo overwhelms me with thoughts of my younger brother, Jordan. The Mary-Kate to my Ashley, he is my right hand, best friend and if we’re ever so lucky, my future business partner.

See more pins to this board here.

There is literally nothing I love more than well executed marketing.

It’s DIY Friday again and this week, I sourced inspiration from the current craze, Pintrest. Since this is all most people have been talking about, I decided to conform and check out this latest obsession. Upon creating my account, I was greeted with a website of pictures. Pictures of well dressed men and women, not so well dressed men and women, cats, culinary treats, words of encouragement, rock-hard bodies (people find this aspect inspiring, it makes me want a snack), and lots and lots of DIY. So much so, that I have created an entire board dedicated to the topic. A picture of melted crayon “art”, is what I found and recreated this week. The original is posted below, along with steps on my process.

Original Photo

Supplies

You won’t need much but you will need: a blank canvas, crayons (I opted for one large box and one small so I could double up on the colors I loved), hot glue + gun, a blow dryer, and some newspaper.

Step One

Separate your crayons into color groups and discard any colors you don’t want to use. I got rid of my browns, whites, and metallics. The wrappers didn’t match.

Step 2

Line up your crayons in the desired order. I stuck with the (really original) ROYGBIV order from left to right. Then hot glue the crayons to the canvas along the top. Before you move to the next step, make sure to lay newspaper on the ground/table/workspace as well as up the wall, or whatever your canvas is leaning on.

Step 3

Melt the crayons! Use your blow dryer to heat the crayons well enough that they begin to drip. It didn’t take long to see a result. Don’t be afraid of a little splatter. That’s what the newspaper is for. If it splatters on your canvas, just cover it up with new wax or work with it.

Finished Project

Super simple and so cheerful! Happy creating!

See more of my pins here.

• I work in retail
• I studied Fashion Merchandising and Marketing at FIDM
• I don’t know how many pairs of shoes I own
• I should be in sunglasses/coats addicts anonymous
• I firmly believe that “retail therapy” is the most effective form of therapy

I hope that helps.

However, what most people don’t know about my shopping, is that I rarely enjoy feeding this (completely normal) obsession at the mall. Instead, I’m in love with searching for one-of-a-kinds from independent designers and local boutiques, thrift stores, and flea markets (I should also note that most of my basic wardrobe comes from the Gap, where I work).

Today I went to the local Flea Market here in San Diego at the Sports Arena and found some absolutely brilliant items:

Vintage, wooden 7-Up Crate: $10.00

The Complete Sherlock Holmes ©1930: $4.00 and Poe’s Tales of Mystery and Imagination ©1935: $2.00

Issues of Life Magazine from the years 1961, 1967, 1968, 1969: $5.00 per issue

Winston Cigarette ad on the back cover of Life 1961: Being a marketing student, I adore all of the old advertisements. Mad Men any one?

I didn’t realize my cat was such a big fan: Abbey Road on vinyl – The Beatles: $10.00

 This beaded necklace is probably my favorite find of the day. It cost me a whole ¢.50, and I think it was totally worth it.

Moral of the story: shop local. Look at all the fun things you’ll find.

xoxo

Photography by Brooke Courtney | Dress by Janell Berté | Wedding 2008

In the spirit of Valentines Day, I felt moved to do something for my valentine/husband/best friend since we are unable to be together this year. I thought about a few options, but they all seemed cheesy and not very “me”. Since I live by the phrase, “keep it simple”, I have compiled a short and sweet list of 14 things I adore about him:

1. His admiration and respect for his parents – He loves them, the rest of his family, as well as his best friend, Carl in the most inspiring way.

2. His love for my family – We are crazy, passionate, talk A LOT, laugh just as much and he totally digs it.

3. How he can sacrifice himself for the good of our country and he’d be the last one to tell you that he has.

4. His incredible sense of humor – I’m the analytical one…he keeps me balanced and laughing at all times.

5. His inability to say “no” to helping someone.

6. He supports me in all of my wild endevors…every last one.

7. He accepted my best friend (my younger brother) as his own immediately, without a second thought.

8. He never puts limitations on me - He celebrates and encourages my career choices and independence.

9. He understands my many obsessions including: dance, fashion, cats, and music and loves me more because of them.

10. He doesn’t know how to give up.

11. He is “really, really, ridiculously good-looking”. – Zoolander

12. He isn’t afraid of an argument or confrontation especially if it about the Phillies, Eagles, or to help another. Refer to number 5.

13. He is absolutely one of the smartest, most intuitive people I know.

14. He loves me unconditionally, openly, and will happily stand by me for the rest of forever. And I, him.

San Diego 2012

Happy Valentines Day.

xoxo