More

I'm so very thankful for all that has happened in my charmed 30 years of life. If there's one thing many of the women I know have taught me, it's that it's OK to always want more. I don't mean that in an insatiable, greedy way; I mean wanting more from life. 

I admire people who have a vision and work really hard to make it a reality. But what seldom gets talked about is what happens after you achieve a goal; what happens when things get too real. For me that can sometimes mean being caught up in a routine or getting too comfortable. Routines and comfortability aren't bad on their own, but for someone like me they can be. I rely on the unknown to push me further. 

Sometimes wanting more comes with guilt. It's easy to feel guilty when you're already so blessed, but you can't help but wonder what's next. Achieving the vision you have for your life might call for changing things up; for letting go; for making a sacrifice. I have had to be very honest with myself lately about what I am willing to give up to take the next step, because I am not someone who will always be happy standing in the same spot, watching the world go by. 

My desire for more was fueled recently after meeting Rachel Zoe at a Business Chicks event. Meeting one of my heroes and hearing her story firsthand reminded me that ambition pays off, and  I was in a room full of other women who felt the same way.  One such woman whose creativity and quest for more that has always kept me going is my friend Virginia. Not only is she a mom and an artist, but she is a true boss lady. We met seven years ago working at a magazine where we always dreamed of more, and now we've both come so far. 

Today we toured the offices of Orange Coast Magazine together and I couldn't help but remember us as a newly minted graphic designer and assistant editor starting out and learning the ropes. We both know what it's like to be rejected, to not be able to see beyond a cubicle wall, but we are both proof that more is possible, so long as you want it bad enough. 

Scribbles & Scrawls

There are certain things I love about a routine. A daily routine is really a healthy obsession. Sometimes I get a little disgusted with newfound habits like checking Instagram before getting out of bed. I miss blogging every day. Running too. And the discipline that came with those regimens. Breaking from a routine never makes me feel free, only guilty. But life is just a series of routine changes.

A couple of months ago I broke up my routine and headed to Long Beach with Virginia to see our friend John and his new project, The Written Word, Long Beach's first traveling bookstore. If you're like me and love the smell of an old book more than any scent, you must check it out. John tirelessly scours for books and resells them. He keeps that old routine of turning an actual page alive.

In part collaboration, in part inspired by his store, Virginia organized the Fullerton Artwork in September around books. It was called Scribbles and Scrawls and it featured writing activities, famous authors as works of art, zines, and even paper decor. I know I am late in writing this and perhaps even later to tell my friends, but the whole experience reminded me of the days when reading and writing were all I did and all I had time for. It seems so much has gotten in the way since then.

A good routine should be like an old friend. Always make time for it. Never neglect it completely. Nurture those familiar things that tug at your memory, those habits that die hard. Sometimes a routine isn't just a repetitive motion, it's part of who you are. That's why I am scrawling this here tonight. 

A World of Interiors

A couple of weeks ago I was invited to toast the new Charlotte Olympia collection, A World of Interiors, at South Coast Plaza. The new fall line is full of art to wear. So many of the pieces are museum-ready with sculptural heels and bold, classic prints. The leopard dots were my favorite, and the striped/rose cake pops were the perfect touch. Below are my picks from the collection:

Thank you South Coast Charlotte Olympia for dressing up my Wednesday night! Click here to see the full Fall 2015 collection. 

Cheers to a World of Interiors! 

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!

What Happens in Vegas...

What happens in this magical city rarely stays there, especially when it comes to shopping. My mom and I were in Vegas last week for a bit of relaxation and shopcation before I attended a trade show for work. Here are a few of my recommendations:

1. Bauman Rare Books. Most people won't be able to actually shop in here (see prices above), but I highly recommend going in and browsing. They even let you take pics! If I ever win it big while gambling this will probably be my first stop. They have first editions of classics, rare memorabilia from famous authors, and the place looks like Belle's library in Beauty and the Beast.

2. Kate Spade. Kate Spade is everywhere in Las Vegas. There's a store in the Grand Canal Shops, Fashion Show Mall, and in The Forum Shops. The outlet (off the strip) is where you can find some amazing rarities like their partnership collection with Swarovski.

3. Charlotte Olympia. I made my poor mother race over to this new store in the Forum Shops our first night in Vegas. I loved the exclusive Vegas merchandise like the showgirl shoes and kitty poker face flats. I ended up buying the black velvet kitty flats, pretty much a timeless staple and worth the investment. The experience of shopping in this store was like none other. Talk about truly wonderful salespeople who love their job and love making customers feel happy! Definitely go for the experience, and of course, for the cute shopping bags!

4. Ted Baker Outlet. Ted Baker is already an affordable brand, so you can image how great the deals are at the outlets. I walked away with 3 dresses, a top, and am now regretting not buying a wallet for under $60. 

Happy Shopping (no matter where your vacation may take you)!