SUNDAY MAY 5th 2013

The Format
Long before Nate Reuss was the lead singer of "fun," he was in a lesser known band called The Format. Like most musicians, he didn't hit it big the first time. Reuss definitely paid his dues and was in a number of bands before he reached star status. I did want to share their music, mainly because it's one of my favorite CDs. I actually listened to this CD while traveling cross-country for the first time. It's funny how your memory can be jogged by a specific album you were obsessed with at the time. I listened to The Format and The Promise Ring (both defunct bands now) the entire way there and it reminds me of how excited I felt to be packing my little Honda Civic and jetting out into the unknown that is California. Now that we have our Ipods, I feel we customize everything, buying each song individually. The wonderful thing about albums is that you tend to enjoy the songs you get to discover, not the songs you bought the album for.     

THURSDAY APRIL 18th 2013

Get Your Creative Juices Flowing:

That's right! No excuses! I know we can all get caught up in our day-to-day and even thinking of making time to be creative can seem like a chore, but when you actually sit down, take time for yourself, it won't seem like work. The easiest way to make this possible is to designate a specific space for it. Now while we would all love to have an entire artists loft, or even an entire room to devote to ourselves and our thoughts, we know this isn't always an option. So take some direction from the images above. Sometimes an old desk or table with a good old fashioned cork board will do the trick. I've been wanting to do some hand sketches for my blog posts....in the near future, I promise!
Top Image: AZ Life and Style
Second Image: Painting by Artist Jim Dine
Third Image: The Paleo Project
Fourth Image: Marcus Design
Last Image: John Derian's Desk

SUNDAY APRIL 14th 2013

Black/White:
So Spring 2013 is definitely kicking it off with a nod to mod! What is especially trending is the whole black/white combo. Designers have done an amazing job at mixing and matching to help move this trend along and what once seemed classic is now refreshed. Blocking, pattern mixing, and stripe variation are just a few examples of updates.
Hint: Take a second look through your closet, you might just find that you don't have to take a trip to the Mall.
Top Image (right): Constance Jablonski photographed by Paola Kudacki

 Top Image (left): Amazing Lace Outlet

Second Image: Zara
Third Image: Society6
Last Image: Harper's Bazaar March 2013

WEDNESDAY APRIL 10th 2013

Adding to my Collection:
I thought it would be nice to share some of my jewelry I've recently added to my collection. Seems I'm gravitating towards pieces that are a bit more edgy even borderline gothic. The cross necklace can really make a basic outfit seem extra ordinary. The emerald costume jewelry piece on the right was given to me as a gift from my cousin who really shares my same taste. Very hard to pick gifts for me, but somehow she always gets it right. I bought the paired brushed metal rings at H&M and the skull bracelet was a trinket I picked up on my shopping trip in L.A. from Brandy Melville. FYI, I don't like to spend a lot on my jewelry because I'm always losing them!

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 24th 2013

Dipped & Dyed:
Love all the color effects that are happening in the fashion world. Especially love that they are encompassing all aspects from head to toe. The beauty industry seems to go hand and hand, complimenting each other as well as challenging each to keep up with the ever changing trends.
Top Image: Art Fire
Second Image: Yes to Fashion
Third Image: What Emma Did
Fourth Image: The Berry
Bottom Image: Herve Leger Dress 

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 20th 2013

City of Colour. What beautiful songs you sing!
This Canadian born singer has been performing since 2005 and has been one of my favorites on the I-pod for the past couple years.  Although he isn't stopping around my area anytime soon, he's on my radar. Please stop somewhere in the Midwest, we can meet in the middle!
Love this song, love how much he loves her.