Hello Red!

by Katie on March 20, 2012

I am madly in love with RED right now. I don’t know if it’s because the vintage eras en vogue at the moment often use red in their designs (red-orange in particular), or because it’s often used in nautical themed things which I love, or if it’s just a happy color that I love to look at…who knows. Or cares. It’s just fabulous.

Here are a few very red things that, on their own, make a marvelous statement. I’ve always loved red nails, recently acquired red jeans, and am learning to wear red lips…without getting color everywhere. It’s no wonder I’ve always been a nude/light pink gloss girl….

1. Red Werdie colour block wallet, Marc by Marc Jacobs. [buy]
2. Kookai Slim Fit Jeans in red. [buy] (though I prefer these – cheaper and more accessible)
3. Sailor stripe red silk scarf, Kate Spade. [buy]
4. Essentiel Colly red wrap around dress. [buy]
5. Prim the Name of Love flat. [buy]
6. OPI Nail Lacquer, Big Apple Red. [buy]
7. Vivienne Westwood Anglomania + Melissa Skyscraper II. [buy]
8. Trashy Diva Peony Clip. [buy]
9. NARS Lipstick, Heat Wave. [buy]
10. NARS Lip Gloss, Misbehave. [buy]

How (or where) do YOU love to wear red?

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Shel. Jewelry

by Katie on March 18, 2012

It has been much too long since I last posted. Oh how I have missed you!

I’m so excited to be introducing you to a fabulous jewelry designer I met recently through Kristi. I got to attend one of her trunk shows a few weeks ago (held in her charming home on Coronado) and fell head-over-heels in love with her jewelry. Since I’m still saving my pennies to purchase a piece for myself, I thought I’d try to pick her brain a little (I just love creative people, don’t you?!) and share what I learned with you.

Meet Shelly Mantler of Shel.!

What sparked your interest in jewelry design and when did you decide to make it your full-time gig?
While I was a full time Interior Designer, I was exposed to such amazing products and very high end interiors and fashion. I was often in La Jolla working, and long story short, I started making my own earrings for myself, and it turned into a full time thing. I always loved the idea of working at my home with my dog, and now I’m doing it!

How would you describe your style? Where do you go for inspiration?
My style is full of inspiration & styles… Ha! That narrows it down! ;) I love to feel sexy, beachy, glamorous, centered, and sophisticated. Depends on my mood, an event, and even the weather!

My inspiration comes from all of my feelings triggered by yoga, the beach around us, history, art, travel, interiors, fashion, you name it! Right now I’ve been inspired by a lot of Buddhist & Hindu Gods and meditation practices, as well as the Rosary, oddly enough! ;) I love Egyptian, Victorian, Gothic… There’s too much to say!

What are your favorite materials to work with?
That so depends on the occasion and the client! If I’m working on a night out on the red carpet, I love lots of chain & crystals. If I’m working on a spiritual piece, I’m really into faceted jade, garnet & howlite right now! If I’m working on everyday wear, I need turquoise, MORE TURQUOISE!

AND DON’T FORGET, I ALWAYS USE GOLD. UNLESS A CLIENT WANTS SILVER… THAN I GUESS I’LL DO IT! ;)

What is your favorite part of the business (creating, working with clients, shows, etc.)?
My favorite part is dreaming. I love dreaming about what I want to make. Once I’ve made it, I crave more, it’s very romantic to me!

Where can we find/purchase your fabulous work?
Most of my work is word of mouth, and I have created a huge clientele list from attending the La Jolla Farmer’s Market. I don’t do every weekend, but you can often find shel. jewelry there! ;) I do private trunk shows, and am working on doing a show in Paris. Fingers crossed. I also have sold at several boutiques, spas & galleries over the years. For the past year, I have showcased my work at Tina Marie & Company in La Jolla.

Any parting words?
I love making jewelry because it’s relaxing, creative, and it makes women feel beautiful. Making one of a kind pieces, especially for a wedding, couldn’t be any sweeter! I hope to launch more great new lines, year after year!!!

The jewelry part comes easy, I feel challenged as any entrepreneur does because of something else! I am currently struggling to read an accounting book which anyone could probably breeze through! Guess that isn’t one of my talents… Much work to do there… When you understand your business and the books, you can do so much more, I know this, and I am learning.

Thanks so much, Shelly!! Check out more shel. jewelry on Shelly’s website, blog, and etsy shop!

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More Love Letters

by Katie on March 1, 2012

Say hello to Sarah from Inspiration-Driven Life, a fabulous guest blogger that you are going to LOVE! :)

When was the last time you received a letter? Not an email, not a text, not a mass mailing, not a magazine or catalog, but a real, handwritten letter, with an authentic signature and with heart and soul behind it.

Can’t remember? It’s okay. Most of us can’t.

But if you can remember . . . didn’t it make you smile? Didn’t it give you that warm, fuzzy, all-is-well feeling? Didn’t it just lift your spirit?

Given the power of a letter, it’s a wonder we don’t do it more often. It’s a wonder I don’t do it more often. And, friends, I don’t need to repeat the headlines; we all know how much our world could use a bit of sunshine these days. The world needs love now more than ever, yes?

We all stumble. We all fall. We all struggle. No, one letter won’t bring us to world peace. But it may bring a bit more peace to one. And so we owe it to ourselves, to our friends, to our communities, to reach out in love whenever we can.

A letter, in its sweetness and its uniqueness, is a tangible reminder of care and thought. It’s a place to say just what we need to share, to spread a special message and joy.

And when it’s on smashing stationery? Even better!

Today, friends, I’d love to make you aware of a growing organization that has captured my attention recently: More Love Letters.

Its mission: “More than just fueling a handwritten practice with social media, we are on a mission to spread more love letters out into a world that so desperately needs them. Through writing, leaving and mailing love letters, we are learning to turn our words into lanterns to light the paths of others.”

Every month, More Love Letters invites anyone interested to pen words of encouragement to one or two special recipients. And furthermore, the organization encourages anonymous love letters to be left all over, for anyone to find and receive.

I’ve been writing love letters to the monthly More Love Letters recipients for the past few months and the exercise has truly fed my soul. I cherish writing to those I know; to encourage someone I’ve never met through a simple letter is just magical.

Yes, it is a stretch beyond our comfort zones to pen words for someone we have never met and do not know. But it is a rich, powerful and fulfilling stretch. This organization offers a beautiful, powerful and practical way to spread the love that we all desperately need.

And this is love displayed beautifully! More Love Letters encourages its letter writers to dress up the letters creatively and pen them on the prettiest of paper. A creatively and beautifully decorated letter can inspire the recipient and bring a bright smile!

It’s a call to use our colored pens and glitter glue. It’s a call to brights and pastels, to neons and neutrals. It’s a call to good, old-fashioned handwriting. It’s a call to get our pretty cards out of storage and into the mail.

So who better, friends, to guide us towards the most beautiful letters than the wonderful LiveOriginally Katie? Tomorrow, on Inspiration-Driven Life, I am so excited to host Katie as she guides us through creating our own stationery. I’ll be crafting some stationery with her coaching too, using supplies and materials I already have on hand.

No matter what stationery you choose, when you send a letter, you send encouragement. Encouragement means care. Encouragement means a smile. Encouragement means a load lightened. Encouragement can even mean healing.

Sarah is inspired by community and creativity. She’s a young professional in the communications, writing and nonprofit fields and can’t get enough of it. Sarah can rock a good cardigan, cherishes a great cup of coffee and loves painting her nails red. Connect with her on her blog, Inspiration-Driven Life, at http://sarahkocischeilz.wordpress.com and on Twitter @SarahKoci.

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Laundry Helpers

by Katie on February 28, 2012

My Kitchen Helpers post last week seemed to be quite a hit! Thanks to everyone who stopped by to check it out! :)

I figured a few helpers and cheat sheets for the laundry room might also be useful, so here are a few I’ve found and like (though not all of them are as adorable as the sheets made for the kitchen)!

Perhaps the prettiest of my finds, these FABULOUS (and free) printables are to help you figure out what all those little symbols on your tags actually mean. They include specifics for wash cycles, temperatures, bleaching, drying, ironing and dry cleaning. Created and shared by Torie Jayne (a lovely blog you must certainly check out whether or not you need fabric care instructions)!

Or perhaps you’re looking for something a little less frilly and all on one page? Check out this option from FlyingNeedle.ca (a great resource for machine embroidery, if that happens to be your thing)!

But what to do if you spill wine on your new shirt or a baby projectile vomits on your favorite pants (hopefully these things do not happen at or around the same time!)? Let us turn to stain removal cheat sheets!

Here is a quick reference guide that’s nice and simple. I found it via Pinterest and thanks to Jenna, know that it was crated by the lovely Live Laugh Love!

Here is another, more intense chart from Martha Stewart. View and download it here (instead of printing this image – it will look much better!)

Good Housekeeping published a similar chart which can be viewed and downloaded here. They also have a more in-depth stain removal resource that is only online. Find the Stain Buster guide right here!

Do you have any other laundry/stain cheat sheets you’d recommend? Please share with us!!

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crochet baby hats

by Katie on February 22, 2012

Disclaimer: I do not have baby fever. I am learning to crochet and have started obsessing over all of the projects I might be able to do one day. :D

If you follow any females on Pinterest, chances are they have a board or two that have to do with babies and kids (some actually have kids, and many of us don’t…not yet anyway!). And, if they like cute little things and adorable photography, chances are they have pinned a picture of a tiny baby wearing an even tinier (and in some cases, larger) hat! Since many of those hats can be knitted or croched, I have taken quite an interest. ;)

Check out some of these charming little finds! They aaaaaalmost make me want to have babies…..in like, 73 years.

Credits :)
1. Boutique Pink Petals Hat for Newborns by My Sweet Potato 3 – buy it here.
2. Baby Boy Earflap Hat by Classy Colors Boutique – buy it here!
3. Green Monster Newborn Baby Hat by Fashion Touch – buy it here.
4. Soft Shells Baby Ear Flap Hat Crochet Pattern (428) by Sunset Crochet Patterns and Projects – buy it here!
5. Shell Stitch Beanie from The Dainty Daisy – find the pattern here!
6. Baby Bear Hat by Maybe Matilda – buy the pattern here!
7. Rainbow Pom Elf Hat by Kriner Creations – buy it here!

{ 3 comments }

Exposed!

by Katie on February 21, 2012

Exposed shelves that is. They are my new home obsession. And since there is no way on EARTH I could trade in our cabinets for some (we rent), I will just have to drool over pictures of other people’s shelves.

This all started on a La Jolla homes tour – one of the cottages we had the pleasure of touring had a small but fabulous kitchen with exposed shelving. The owner’s plates and serviceware pieces and other miscellaneous gadgets almost looked like art so perfectly arranged them. *sigh* T’was a dream.

Check out these great examples!

1|2|3|4|5*

Any [other] kitchen trends that you’re loving right now?

*Please excuse the craziness of my images recently – I’ve been having a little toooo much fun with Photoshop and I just can’t settle on a look I love…or once I decide, I try something new and I like that too. #bloggerproblems…?

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Kitchen Helpers

February 20, 2012

I found these helpful charts last week and just had to share! Both of these beauties are from Chasing Delicious (aka one of the most fab foodie blogs out there)! Aren’t they faaaaabulous?! Buy them here. (Note: There are lots of little charts like this online, but these are my favorites). I love tea, but [...]

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words to live by – do

February 19, 2012

One of the favorite quotes in our household is “Good things come to those who wait, but only the things left behind by those who hustle.” This is another version and I must say, I rather like it. Some days we don’t have a lot of hustle in us, but that shouldn’t stop us from [...]

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Art Deco Fonts

February 15, 2012

I love a good typeface. And since all things 20s-30s are so en vogue at the moment, I thought I’d collect a few that reflect the era. Not that I have any use for them…I just like seeing them in my FontBook. Download || Batho || Riesling || Fantaisie Artistique || Campanile || Hill House [...]

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Watercolors!

February 13, 2012

I loveeee watercolors. Always have. Always will. Something about the translucent colors bleeding into each other…such perfection. *sigh* Thankfully, many creative minds out there go beyond landscapes with their pigments and water! Check out these lovely pieces. Artsy chic. J’adore! Note: I can’t find the artists for all of these. If you know, please tell [...]

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