mom jeans + puff sleeves – est. 2008
today i am excited to announce my latest giveaway courtesy of natalie joy jewelry. i actually connected with this portland-based jewelry designer through the magic of instagram. i caught sight of a pair of earrings and it was love at first sight. so i am especially pleased to be able to offer you the chance to win any one in-stock item of your choice. today i’m showing off the dreamcatcher necklace, but there are so many more lovely pieces on her site to choose from.
one of my favorite shops, the austin-based olive boutique has just released their early spring 2015 lookbook in collaboration with photographer arden wray. ah yes, there is nothing that i love more than seeing my favorite talented people teaming up to make great things. shop owner laura uhlir has impeccable taste, so of course i want to wear all of the clothes. that blue gingham jumpsuit by atelier delphine is very high on my springtime wishlist, as is a trip to the desert to check out all of these cool southwestern shops that i’ve been falling in love with lately!
photography: arden wray
styling: laura uhlir
model: avalon mckenzie
we’re currently experiencing a bit of a heatwave out here in southern california. i like the heat, but it’s hard to enjoy it knowing that we’re in the midst of a pretty terrifying drought. so for once, i’m gonna have to say i wish were were experiencing some rainy days. but since that doesn’t appear to be in the cards for us at the moment, i’ve been playing with some warm weather outfits. i got this cotton and linen pinafore dress in the mail the other day, and decided to try a completely monochrome look. it was so very tempting to add that “pop of color” that fashion magazines and blogs are always raving about, but i’m glad i held back. even though i suppose i do look a bit like i’m getting ready to drink the kool aid….
wearing:
pleat pinafore courtesy of the whitepepper
vintage raw silk shirt
elizabeth suzann scarf
vintage boots
fieldguided tote
i am currently having a bit of a love affair with tuscon-based shop desert vintage. i first came across them a couple of months ago when they released this cool lookbook in collaboration with bon boutique. their entire aesthetic is exactly the style that i would love to wear this summer. i’ve been getting a lot more into vintage lately, and these images remind me of some of the dreamy vintage photographs in my own family archives. pictures of great aunts and grandmothers wearing beautiful vintage dresses and big sombreros.
my mom actually lives in tucson, so when i told her about my newfound love, she laughed and said she’s been a customer for years. i suppose i really should make a trip out in her direction to check out all of the vintage goods.
photo credit: krysta jabczenski for bon boutique x desert vintage
today i am pleased to announce my latest giveaway courtesy of shop aro. this new austin-based jewelry shop has quickly become one of my favorite online destinations for browsing unique, indie jewelry designs. every item in the shop has been thoughtfully selected for quality craftsmanship and interesting design. i’m wearing some of my favorite new arrivals from the shop, but there are tons more to choose from!
there are two ways to enter for up to two entries per person:
this giveaway is open to international readers, so anyone can enter. up to two entries per person. winner will be chosen randomly and contacted via email or instagram direct message after monday, march 16 at midnight p.s.t.
above: the gillian steinhard right hand single joint necklace and right hand charm bracelet
palo marie smokey quartz matchstick earrings
hey murphy half circle white acrylic necklace
gillian steinhard right hand charm bracelet
palo marie turquoise seer necklace
UPDATE: congratulations to our winner, alena!
if you’ve been following me on instagram, then you may already know that my little family recently started the process of hunting for a house. for nearly 10 years now, brendan and i have always lived in relatively small apartments in urban areas, and never even dreamed of owning a home. but since having a baby, moving to redlands, and falling in love with the community here, we’ve gotten more serious about finding a place to call our own. we currently live in a cute little rental, but we don’t have much of a yard, and it was never our intention to stay here for very long. we live in the historic district, surrounded by darling craftsman-style bungalows, cookie cutter victorians, and charming spanish-style villas. it is just about impossible to keep myself from daydreaming about living in some cute little vintage house as i go on walks with adam around the neighborhood. (i even started posting to instagram with the hashtag #housesofredlands.)
so after casually looking at the real estate listings for several months, i finally laid my eyes on this charming 1920s beauty. the house is on a ridiculously idyllic tree-lined street only a short walk from the historic downtown. when i saw the listing, my heart began to pitter-patter and i did my best not to get my hopes up too high. but if you’ve ever been on the hunt for a house, then you know how quickly you begin to imagine yourself living there forever. it was the perfect house. tons of vintage charm with the original bathroom mostly intact. the kitchen was redone in the ’70s, but it was nothing that a few coats of paint and a new countertop couldn’t fix. and beneath all of that dirty old carpeting was the original hardwood flooring, just waiting to be revealed. just the type of fixer-upper that can easily be restored to it’s original charm by someone with the vision to do it!
but alas, it really was too good to be true. we were outbid without a chance to counteroffer and the house is now pending. i can’t help but find myself hoping that the sale will somehow fall through and we’ll get that call. but i know that it’s been long enough that i need to let go and continue searching for “the one.” but the whole process is much more emotionally draining that i ever thought possible. there are so many factors out of our control. we need to be patient since those barely untouched gems don’t pop up often, and even then, there may always be someone willing to put in a higher bid.
do any of you have tales to tell about your search for the perfect home?
the new lauren winter spring 2015 collection is out, and i want it all! i’ve followed lauren winter since her blogging days many years ago, so i really don’t know how i hadn’t written about her excellent designs until now. she really has a wonderful talent, and has been releasing beautiful handmade collections for quite a few seasons now. and i have to say, this latest is my favorite yet! i was first drawn in by the cool, handprinted shapes top and shorts, and immediately started counting my pennies. then, of course, i laid my eyes on the easy hourglass caftan. but of course she had to go and make the perfect jumpsuit ever. so basically, i’ll be emptying out my rainy day fund so i can walk around all summer in this dreamy collection. am i laying it on too thick? i can’t help myself! i am so ready for hot weather and cool linen clothes. you can shop the collection now.
photography: lydia bittner-baird
model: megan scott
back when i was living in los feliz, i couldn’t resist stopping by the punchbowl a few times a week for their delicious greeÁ±a coladas. needless to say, i was pretty sad when we moved away because i no longer had quick access to my smoothie fix. their menu says it’s made with coconut meat, kale, pineapple, avocado, coconut water, and coconut nectar. so i went about my way sourcing the ingredients in an attempt to recreate it. i had a bit of a rough time finding the coconut meat, but finally found it in the freezer section of my local health food store. i don’t even know what coconut nectar is, and i still haven’t been able to find it, so i had to skip out on that one! then it was just a matter of tweaking the ratio of ingredients to taste. there’s really no right or wrong when it comes to this, but here’s the way i’ve been preparing it.
greeÁ±a colada
8 – 10 chunks of frozen pineapple
half an avocado
2 – 3 frozen kale leaves
1 large piece of coconut meat
coconut water varies, usually around 1.5 cups
simply toss all of the ingredients into a commercial blender or food processor and add coconut water to desired consistency. because i like my smoothies to be icy cold, i usually put the pineapple and kale into the freezer before blending, but you can also just throw them in fresh. i’ve also noticed that i prefer the drink to be heavy on pineapple so i can taste the tartness through the creamy avocado and bitter kale. then just grab a nice big straw and enjoy!
the new need supply spring 2015 lookbook has got me dreaming of a complete wardrobe overhaul. for spring, they took “a crisp, clean, and natural approach to dressing for the new season. with a focus on balancing volume and shape, each piece is allowed to stand on its own. the look is brought alive by the wearer, rather than defining them.” i love the classic styles and interesting silhouettes punctuated by statement jewelry. and i have been lusting after that current/elliot quilted denim coat since last year. i thought it had gotten away from me, but seeing it pop up this spring is making me think that perhaps it’s meant to be! you can shop the entire collection here.
photo credit: need supply
the new heinui spring 2015 look book is out, and i’m falling all over myself over here. last season, i was lucky enough to get my hands on one of her wrap dresses, and it quickly became a favorite. i was so impressed by the quality and workmanship, and the fit was just perfect. it is not every day that you find such a combination, so you’d better believe that i took note!
this season, i’m especially loving the whimsical blue prints and playful tropical motif! a perfect resort feel, but in practical and elegant designs that can be worn day to day. i think my favorite piece is that stunning kimono-style wrap dress up top with the all over water babe print. i want to wear it right now with a straw hat and sandals!
photo credit: heinui
