Art, Sewing, Design, Bookbinding, Photography, Crafts

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Handmade: Pendant Necklace

Last Saturday night I had a few friends over for a low-key crafty night. It’s been quite some time since I’ve gotten together with gal pals to just sit around & chat.

We made pendant necklaces, worked on projects, chatted about babies & husbands and ate delicious food.

I had a great time getting together with my friends. There was no schedule, no twitter and no instagram to distract us from the good time we shared. I love moments like that.

What fun projects have you made lately? I’d love to see!

Posted in homemade Tags: diy, jewelry, necklaces

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Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Altitude Summit this year was insane. There were nearly 500 in attendance! Nearly 500 insanely talented, gorgeous, fashionable, down-to-earth men and women all there to improve upon what they’re already awesome at. To be completely honest, I felt completely unworthy to be in the crowd. So unworthy, in fact, the first day felt like a giant kick in the pants.

(image by Uppercase Magazine)

I had a fantastic time socializing with friends and making new ones! The panels were all fantastic, but a big wake up call at the same time. To sum up my experience at Alt; here are a few things I learned, some good times that I had and the cool people I met.

• THINGS I LEARNED •

Break out the good stuff (but not too much). Keep posts simple, unique & attention-grabbing.
Include personal narrative & personality, but make and keep boundaries of what I’m willing to share.
Be more aware of news (I should probably read drudge, but I never do) and current trends
DON’T SIT ON IDEAS – I can always improve on them later
Facebook is something I need to embrace, not avoid
I need to figure out what I want to achieve from this blog (I’m a little aimless sometimes)
I need to fix my about page
Re-writing my media packet is a must
I need to talk more with my brother (I don’t call him nearly enough & he’s a patent attorney)

While attending the various panels, I started a little to do list of the things I should change & improve on my blog & for you, my dear readers. The list is 3 miles long now. After the first day of sessions I felt completely broken: My blog sucks. My life is a mess. I’m not stylish enough. I’m not creative enough. I don’t have enough time to do any of this.

The second day was a whole new world. Each session was more inspiring than the last. That second day helped me build more confidence that I can do this, and many bloggers that I look up to are also in the same I’m-not-good-enough boat.

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Posted in adventure, design Tags: blogging

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zhing

thanks for sharing the tips you learnt! p.s. i think you’re fab! and your blog (and life) is not a mess in anyway!!

Scissors and Spice

Oh man! It sounds like you had a great time. And no, your blog does not suck! :) I love the photo of you in the cream outfit!

Connie @ Daydream In Color

Sounds so fun! Enjoyed reading your thoughts & takeaways.

M.C. Sommers

I wanted to go so badly but didn’t register in time. Thanks for the info. Of course I think it made me feel even more jealous!

Stephanie

1. i think you are super cool.
2. i love your blog, and the way you blog.
3. i wish i were one of the cool kids at alt. i’ll keep dreaming :)

thanks for sharing with us!

Kayla

I’m still kind of depressed that I didn’t go. Family plans will probably make it so next year isn’t feasible either BUT! The year after that I am totally there. And I’m already excited.

Rachel

Your trip sounds amazing! I’ve been lurking for a long time, but I must tell you I think your blog, personal style, and web designs are all so inspiring. Keep on being awesome! :c)

Kathleen

I had the same tear-me-down and build-me-back-up story arc from Day 1 to Day 2 of Alt. I’m still trying to recover from the emotional roller coaster (and lack of sleep) of it all.

It was really great to meet you, friend. I’m hope we can spend more time together next year! In the meantime, I’ll continue to sport your super cute bracelet – it makes me happy.

XO,
Kathleen

Heidi

I’m sure many, many bloggers felt the same as you! And I’m sure all the attendees thought you rocked!
I, for one, think your blog is pretty awesome! We’re all our own worst critics! (Which can be a good thing since it constantly pushes us to do better.)

Kelsie Rae

LOVE your glasses! where’d you get them?

Aimee

Oh goodness, if you were feeling like that just imagine how us boring bloggers felt! ;) Your blog is amazing, can’t imagine you feeling like it wasn’t. I am sad we didn’t get to see each other though, so hurray for SNAP coming in April.

PS, I’m pretty sure I would have won “least fashionable” had there been an award for that. Your style is awesome.

Eva / Sycamore Street Press

So nice seeing you at Alt, Melissa! Thanks for taking my class, too. :)

Deepa

“my blog sucks. my life is a mess. i’m not stylish enough. i’m not creative enough. i don’t have enough time to do any of this.”

!!! I totally felt this way after going through an online blogging course and discovering so many other bloggers who were I felt were light years ahead of me in every single area. Thanks for sharing this, now I feel a little better!

P.S. Your blog and your creations are awesome. Believe it!

Heidi

You, for me, are one of those blog-superstars, one of the “cool kids.” I suppose if everyone went to Alt and felt like they knew it all and were super-awesome, there’d be no point in going!

Something I’ve always wondered about these get-togethers: What about shy people? Do they get assimilated? I’m super shy, especially when I first meet people, so I’ve never really thought about throwing myself into this.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Thrifty: Stealing from Chris’s Closet

A few years ago I was at Forever 21 looking for a jacket, when I stumbled across the menswear section & spied this ugly sweater. It was $3. And just the right size for Chris’s, then 180lb., frame. He never liked it much, but he did wear it a lot to shovel the snow or do other misc housework. It didn’t make the cut for his wardrobe like I thought it would, but heck, it was so cheap. I was glad to see him get even a little use out of it.

Then. . . Chris gained over 30lbs. It seemed like it was over night. I was sad to see his wardrobe go. This was about the time when I was pregnant with Felix, so I stole a few of his awesome too-small-for-mr-muscles sweaters & put them in my wardrobe. This sweater was perfect for sporting the baby bump. Now that I no longer have the bump, I just zipped along the sides with my sewing machine & took in the sweater about 3 inches on each side. Now I have a comfy, sort of ugly, sort of cool sweater to wear when it’s just a bit nippy in the studio. For practically free.

I’ve been avoiding thrift shops lately (no energy to do grocery shopping, let alone thrift), so I ask you. . . What have you scored on the cheap lately? Do you steal from your significant other’s closet? Share in the comments below!

Outfit Details:

earrings: Miss Malaprop (from Alt)
top: Forever 21, refashioned
bracelet: handmade
skinnies: Forever 21
shoes: Seychelles, Amazon

Posted in fashion, thrifty & chic Tags: Amazon, Forever 21, handmade, Miss Malaprop, Seychelles

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Elaine

I actually like the sweater! I’ll take it!

Connie @ Daydream In Color

I think the sweater is adorable! A little different, which is always good in my book.

Trice

Dollar a yard silky rayon print fabric.

Stacey

I love it! I think it’s a key piece not just a fall back! It looks especially cute with those jeans, I really need to try out some coloured jeans! xx

Kristin

I can’t steal my hubby’s clothes – we are almost the same height, so nothing is really big on me, and my tig ol bitties don’t fit in anything he owns. If I do steal some of his sweatshirts, I hear about how I stretched them out for months :)

My best steal lately was a 97 cent mustard yellow cardi from Old Navy. It wasn’t even a dollar! I wear it all the time.

Chelsea C.

Totally was wearing Ryan’s white button-up shirt at the white party at Alt! I sort of adopted it and he gave up the fight. :) Have a great weekend!

meredith

i went thrifting for the first time since I’ve been allowed to today. i wanted jeans and i got some gap skinnies for 6 bucks that i love. hallelujah.

Louise, Raspberries In Winter

I actually think that this jumper looks really nice on you! I don’t think it looks ugly at all. :)

Emily

Great idea- and love the last picture of you. :)

Laura Chavous

You amaze me Melissa! And oh how I love it when you ask that question….
1. $3 vintage carebears suitcase http://youaremynewdream.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2012-01-13T20:44:00-08:00&max-results=6
2. $1 “you are my sunshine” picture from Target http://youaremynewdream.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2012-01-13T20:44:00-08:00&max-results=6
3.$2 cross body bag http://youaremynewdream.blogspot.com/2012/01/book-for-your-pocket.html

Particularly psyched about that little bag.

CoraD

I’m so glad you asked!!!! Cute sweater, BTW.

For under $9 each, I got 2 pairs of pants, 3 tops and a pair of purple patent leather flats – less than $35 total. Clearance racks at Target and Old Navy. So very proud of myself.

Mrs D

Great post. We have so many things around the house sometimes we forget we can just revamp them and give them a new lease of life.

I did go thrifting this week and found a really tacky good Bob Mackie wearable art western style shirt, for £3.00.
You can see it here:
http://hellothemushroom.blogspot.com/2012/01/charity-shop-finds_28.html

Hope you’re having a good weekend xx

linda

His closet is safe from me. He’s a foot taller and 50 lbs heavier, so I am on my own. Besides, boys have cooties. :)

Valerie

I go shopping in my husband’s closet frequently as well! He always buys sweaters that he never wears, so I just wait a year to take them in a little and steal them for myself! This sweater looks great on you :)

Deepa

Oh the sweater looks cute! Once a year I fly back home to the Philippines and go shopping in my mom’s closet. This year’s haul was awesome: dainty espresso cups and tablecloths from Portugal and Belgium, all vintage! http://currystrumpet.blogspot.com/2011/12/vintage-treasures-from-mom.html

Mallory

I’m so glad you liked the earrings! Hope you had fun at Alt!!

maria

I actually just wear my husbands shirts the way they are. We’ve been living with one income. So I dont get new clothes very often. THe last time I got new clothes was when I was pregnant. I got maternity clothes. I’ve just started sewing, and I’m looking to change up a few clothes I already have. But honestly there still weren’t that many. So my point being, this is an awesome idea! He’s got a few shirts that he doesn’t like and wouldn’t mind me stealing I think. THanks for posting this!

maria

I also wanted to add that I love this sweater. I’m going to follow your blog.

Olivia Thompson

Yesterday I went thrifting and got 5 items for $12! I think my favorite was this prom dress that I’m going to refurbish. I’m a sophomore in high school and I’m hoping to major in costume design (growing up I always wanted to be a fashion designer, but now, I feel like costume design is better suited for me). Most of the schools I want to apply to require a portfolio. The first thing I imagined when I saw this $4 dress was Cinderella. Really close color and long with tulle. I am going to add Cinderella sleves and turn it into a Cinderella costume! It will hopefully go in my future portfolio :) p.s. I love the sweater!

Bellesme

I actually like that sweater! The chains are nice
Bellesme

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