So Me!

When you find something you love be it jewelry, shoes, clothes, or even a house or a car, odds are you love it because you think it's very "you." How many times have you heard someone exclaim "That is so me!"? I know I'm guilty, and I use that phrasing when shopping for others too ("That is so insert friend's name here"). I consider myself something of a shopping psychologist (believe me, I've done the research) so I know that people love things they believe were especially made for them. However, a good retailer can make more than one of something but make it so well that it feels personal, and that's all that anyone wants: to feel special.

I am beyond blessed to say that my friends have made me feel most special. A lot of my best friendships came out of working at a place that made people feel like dirt. But the more we struggled with where we worked, the more we bonded with each other. True friends are people who will always lift you up; they will always support you and are happy to remind you that you deserve better. Friends are honest and committed to each other's cause. I learned all this and more from my first group of friends in the "real world," at my first "real job." These weren't the people I went to high school with; we were all different ages and came from different places, but they're the people I want to stay friends with for life. They're the people I already feel like I have known forever. 

After leaving that place of work, I have managed to stay close with this group of people. Now that they don't have the negativity of that workspace surrounding them, every single one of them has gone on to do amazing creative things. My friend Michelle, who has always been a fabulous photographer, recently took up sewing and came up with the idea of So:Me, an upscale plush line. If you love fabric, jewelry, and color like I do, then this line will definitely appeal to you. But more so than the eye-catching patterns and bling, these pieces make you feel something. Maybe it's nostalgia for that favorite childhood toy; maybe it's love for the person who gifts you with one; or maybe it's the inspiration to take a chance on making your dreams a reality. When I look at all that Michelle is doing I think about where we both came from and where we are now, and I'm so excited for the future. 

The pictures above are a few of my personal favorite designs. For now there are Frenchies, pigs, and elephants, with more animals to come. She even has an Audrey Hepburn-inspired line called Audrey's Pearls. I wrote this blog post because I really do believe in supporting my friends and their creative endeavors. They have always supported me. If you're interested in supporting Michelle and So:Me Plush, make sure you check out her site and sign up for her mailing list so that you are aware of her Kickstarter campaign and are entered to win a plush. She is giving out two every week for the next month! Also, she is giving away a gorgeous nail polish kit TOMORROW so make sure you are following on all of her social networks to win:

Instagram: @so_me_plush

Facebook: facebook.com/someplush

Twitter: @SoMe_Plush

Pinterest: pinterest.com/someplush

Good luck!

Art of the Matter

It's that weird limbo between Christmas and New Year's. I find myself content with things given and received, and suddenly look forward to the year ahead. There's a great energy that exists in this interim of time. Because of the days off work I finally feel like I can get back to my own art. Seeing all the unique artwork in Napa was such an inspiration, but I could''t find the time to blog about it until now. This interlude may very well be the most (if not only) relaxing time out of the whole year. 

But it struck me as I was writing this that I am most thankful for other people's art. It's because of those brave souls who are always so giving, so determined to make time for what they love to do that I have had the jobs I have been fortunate enough to have. I appreciate people who appreciate someone else's craft. So I was particularly happy with Sterling, Mumm, and Domaine Chandon wineries in Napa, all of whom promote the arts by having collections on their grounds. I saw everything from Ansel Adams photographs to Picasso doodles. 

When my mother gifted me with this beautiful necklace she made using vintage glass beads, it all came full-circle. Where would I be without the artwork of others? It has put food on the table, shoes on my feet, given me plenty to write about, and established such deep connections. It is my sincerest hope that 2015 brings even more artistic inspiration and outpouring for myself and anyone who else who feels the constant need to create and connect.

Shop Birdie

One of the good things that can come out of being in a wedding is the new people you get to meet and bond with over the months of planning. When I met one of the other bridesmaids, Kia, it was evident she had great taste. She had told me early on she was quitting her day job to pursue her dream of opening up her own boutique. In a few short months (among getting pregnant and being a bridesmaid, no less) she whipped this dream into a reality and Birdie Boutique was born.

I drove all the way out to Norco for the grand opening festivities and it was well worth it. This eclectic little shop has it all: decor, clothes, accessories, and gifts. Every piece is so on trend and the displays are artwork on their own. I would definitely say the store is like Anthro meets Pier One, with fun colors and useable items that give your home that sweet extra something. But the prices at this boutique are SO much more affordable. So much in fact, that I went on a tiny shopping spree and picked up a bunch of midi rings, a serving platter, a London-themed scarf, and a chunky, colorful statement necklace. 

My thanks to Kia for making her space inspiring AND affordable and sharing her vision with us all. I have to say, seeing this woman's determination left me wondering what my excuse is. So I am trying to push myself all week to work out a little harder, work a little longer, and write a lot more. 

Go here for for some happy shopping!

Cat Lady

I started considering myself a cat lady only a couple of years ago. We had one cat (my former roommate's) but then we adopted one from Lisa and I absolutely fell in love. (My Instagram is full of pictures of both cats.)

My mom says she isn't surprised I am a cat lady, because growing up, my grandmother (my dad's dear mother) always had cats. I loved seeing those cats and when I was little I really wanted one for our house, but my mom was allergic. My household became a dog-centered one, and while I still love dogs, I want a cat in my house for the rest of my life because they have become so important to me (and maybe because they remind me of my grandma just a little bit).

My parents were into seeing plays, and I remember when they saw "Cats" when I was a young child. I wanted to go really badly, but they didn't take me. It has taken 20 something years and I finally got to see the production last night in La Mirada. I took my boyfriend (very much a dog-person) and we both enjoyed it so much. I want to commit to seeing more theater in the coming years. There's nothing like getting dressed up. I broke out some special pieces like my new cat midi ring from Birdie Boutique,  feathered Elizabeth and James blazer, Charlotte Olympia nail decals  (not my best nail art work because I broke a nail and therefore had to file them all super short), Charlotte Olympia cat shirt , and Gatsby clutch from Kate Spade. 

One of my favorite Andrew Lloyd Webber songs has always been Memory. It is so heartbreakingly beautiful. I used to play it as I would do my writing in college. I suppose that's because doing a lot of nonfiction writing (my concentration) meant relying on my memories. Since my sister is getting married in less than a week (!) I have been combing through many memories to mentally prepare myself for the event and the speech writing. 

As my memories lead me back, I have been thinking of the meaning of happiness. For my sister that means getting married. For me that means shoes, jewelry, writing, my parents, etc. It is always tempting to think if we could just go back to a certain time we would be happier or rather, we would be happiest. It is scary to think of a new day; to imagine a new life. But the song teaches to not give in to that thinking, to not hold onto our memories as the sole definition of happiness. I don't want my memories to ever fade, like my grandmother's did before she passed away, I don't ever want to think that there was a time I was more beautiful, and it stings me a bit to think that there was a time I was a better writer. I make the excuse that I had more time ( when I was in college, when I lived closer to my job), but I was meant to go down this road, to have this be my life. I hope that I can be a better sister, a better writer, in the present and in the future. I have to look forward to the dawn of a new day; a new beginning. 

Birthday Eve

Sometimes I wish I didn't like my birthday so much. It seems selfish and maybe even immature to wait all year for a day (just one) that is truly all about you. While some people as they get older like to forget about their special day, I really do count down the days until mine. It's a day where I don't worry, don't think about the things that are stressing me out, forget about the future, the past, and actually live in the moment. I love hearing from all of my family and friends too; it's a day full of love.

Sometimes I also wish that my birthday were in a different part of the year. Being born in December is tough because all the focus is on Christmas and money and time are tight. But as I reflected today, I find myself pretty content with the timing of my arrival; it really is the happiest time of year for me. I get to share my birthday month with many others in my family and my closest friends. 

In 29 years of living I have learned that while shoes are nice and cupcakes make a good dinner (sometimes), the sparkle in life comes from those closest to you. For my birthday I was happy to spend time with my family (who got me an Audrey book, a handmade necklace, and delicious cake among other things), my boyfriend (who got me a new iPhone) ... and to blog. I actually really wanted to do some writing just for me, in this space that I don't get to go to so often anymore, to reflect and create. My career has revolved so much around art and expression and 364 days of the year I can get pretty jealous of people who get to make their own art full-time. But I had an epiphany recently: I have been creating my art. I have this blog that I have been writing on for almost five years now, amazing and creative freelance opportunities, and jobs where I have learned so much. When a family member asked me at Thanksgiving what I like to do when not working, I almost didn't know what to say. That's because my current job doesn't really feel like work a lot. I get to blog every day and help nail artists tell their stories. I contribute to an industry that infuses beauty. I am so thankful to my family, friends, and coworkers who celebrate my passion for writing and publishing. Every time I publish a new piece I feel like it's my birthday all over again, and then it's right back to working on the next thing, and so the countdown begins again. Minutes, days, and years fly by in this line of work, because we are living so far ahead in the future when it comes to print magazines. So even though it is March in my head, it is definitely December when I look around outside. And for one day, just 24 hours, it is December 4th. 

When I was younger I wanted the 24 hours in this particular day to last forever. Even now, I try to stretch it sometimes by staying up until midnight and staying out late. It's taken 29 years, but I know now that this day is just as long as all the rest, and that's really not very long at all. Nothing lasts forever; time never flows the way you wish it. But there are some moments, some days, some years that you can hold onto extra tightly, that you can truly savor so that they tide you over. But then again, life is what happens while you're waiting for your next birthday. I don't remember all of the past December fourths, but I am determined to savor this year (the last of my 20s), and this night, and what it means to hopefully put another year of blessings and wisdom under my belt. This blog has helped me celebrate so many milestones, but I'm excited to use it as I initially intended: to celebrate good writing, and to grow with each post I create. 

Thank you to anyone who reads this, your eyes on my writing is the best gift of all. 

The Greatest

It's been a long time, and for that I apologize. I mean to catch up with blog networking, honestly, but I actually have been blogging my brains out for work the last few weeks (more on that in an upcoming post).  I will be leaving soon for Orlando (business trip) but I wanted to make sure and get this post out there in case people happen to check in once a month to see if I am still here. 

I meant to write this post a few weeks ago when The Great Gatsby finally came out in theaters, but I think sometimes it is best to really let a piece of writing marinade in your mind for a while before you commit it to paper/blog. 

I had been anticipating this film for so long, and when it was over I was left with an uneasiness.The next day it was like waking up and wondering if the Gatsby film had indeed really happened or if it was some magnificent dream. But perhaps that's the hangover we get when we build something up for so long; when we wait and wait and wait only to realize that one day that thing we have waited for had to end eventually. 

But what the film really made me realize was that we can build people up too. We can waste so much energy on waiting for others to "be the one" or meet certain expectations; we can make someone out to be the greatest, when maybe, they fall short, or worse, they are just a regular human being. When I finished both the Gatsby book and film I wondered if Gatsby was real. We only see the Gatsby Nick believes to be real and it is not until Fitzgerald rudely reminds us of his mortality that we are brought back down to earth. But even so, Nick has already immortalized Gatsby for all of us. And no matter how untrue or exaggerated, we choose to think of Gatsby in a certain way -- beautiful shirts and all. We are all haunted by the greatness that once was such a man and the greatness that could have been, had his life not been cut short.

So what makes a person great? This is a question  have been struggling with a lot since the film. It is so hard to answer because it is so subjective. Other people have been wondering, I'm sure, what makes a story great too. Why has this particular novel been assigned to students over the years and why do companies like Kate Spade and Out of Print immortalize it through clothing and accessories? And I can only answer that from a personal angle as well. I believe we all have our Jay Gatsbys. We all want to believe in something or someone so badly that regardless of how often our Creator tries to remind us that we are all mere mortals, we refuse to believe it. We need those larger than life icons to look up to; to give us a standard with which to measure our wealth and happiness against. But moreover, we need someone else to distract us from looking inward, from focusing on our own issues and problems. It is always easier to write a fiction about someone else than it is to write truthfully about yourself. 

In trying to dissect my anticipation for this film I have realized that Fitzgerald's tale has always been an example of what I considered to be "great writing." It is a story I always measure mine against. And looking at Fitzgerald's life, I often considered his life to be great as well. But the truth is that eternal greatness can flicker. I know Fitzgerald's life was not easy but he consistently wrote. I feel he has earned his greatness and I would hope that people continue to appreciate his work so that his legacy may never burn out. But really these are selfish wants. I want people to continue to read writing because I write. I want people to turn my favorite books into movies because I have read them. And although I am feeling quite burnt out, I want to keep going; I want to not be forgotten. Sometimes the greatest people in our lives are the ones we have never personally met. Sometimes the greatest thing we can do is never forget. Sometimes the greatest thing we can write is the thought we have been avoiding committing to paper. 

I went to visit the Gatsby display at Tiffany & Co. this past weekend. And while the jewelry was remarkable, it all made me so sad. I started to feel like I would never really belong at Tiffany's; like I would never be able to afford anything from its windows. It all seemed so excessive. That's when I realized even the simplest of things can be the greatest. So while I didn't walk out of Tiffany & Co. with pearls or diamonds, I did walk away from the mall with a dark chocolate pop. And that was enough of an indulgence to satisfy my craving. Fitzgerald wrote stories for everyone of all classes to read and enjoy. He wrote so that even the most average of Joes could be transported into Jay Gatsby's world. He wrote to indulge in his own cravings, but also to satisfy ours as well. And that is the greatest gift of all. That is what I am trying to do here by finally committing these thoughts to this page. This post may not be the greatest thing I have written, but it has certainly satisfied a certain craving in my soul. Hoping you have the greatest of days ahead.

*You can read my official review of the film here . 

** Above is The Great Gatsby book clutch by Kate Spade  and nail art inspired by the film done by the talented Jae'tte Burneo of Cosi Fan Tutte nail lounge in Laguna Beach.This Side of Paradise book and bag were given to me by my friend Andrew. I will be reading Paradise on the plane to Florida tomorrow.

Ab Fab

My friends at Made Woman Magazine  introduced me to this great site called JustFab. This site has amazing deals with customized boutiques for every customer. A lot of celebrities sport the same goods seen on the site.

To whet my appetite I received this multi-jeweled necklace and stud ring with a bow. I knew I could layer both, and they are so on trend. I included an Instagram image of me wearing the ring with my other jewelry assortments. The price of this ring was ridiculous: under $10. You have no excuse not to buy. JustFab features clothes, bags, and shoes too! I included a couple of my favorites from their current selection above.

You can read more about JustFab at madewomanmag.com

Happy Shopping!