July 31, 2017

July Favorites

1/ Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque
I’ve been using this super affordable, very refreshing face masque a few times a month since seeing Jessica recommend it on her site. Just slather it on, wait 15-20 minutes for it to dry, then wipe off with a warm washcloth. It smells so good and has been key in drying up pesky pimples.

2/ Lady Bell Bell Peppers
This is the first year I’m growing peppers since moving back to PA (they were disastrous in Oklahoma), and the four plants I have in pots are doing great! Each one has about four peppers that should be ready to pick in a few more weeks.

3/ SOO AE My Collagen Hydrogel Lip Patch
Plumping lip glosses have never been my thing, but this slippery little lip mask intrigued me with it’s promises. While I only noticed minimal plumping, what I loved was how it left my lips feeling super smooth.

4/ Duster Kimono
This kimono accidentally “fell” into my cart last weekend at Target. I don’t have a ton of color in my wardrobe and that blue just called out to me to dress up jeans and a tee or a sundress.

5/ Chenille Plant
This chenille plant on my back porch is the best thing I planted this year! I love its personality and unusual fuchsia flowers that resemble a cat’s tail.

6/ Simple Micellar Makeup Remover Wipes
These wipes are my first foray into using micellar water, which is touted as a makeup removing magnet. They’re really gentle and seem to do their job well – exactly what I look for in all of skincare products.

7/ Feya Candles
All of their candles smell amazing (I’m burning the lemongrass sage right now) and their mission is based on giving back. It’s a win-win that I’m happy to take advantage of!

8/ Sseko Rue Ankle Strap Sandals
These sandals are responsibly made, super comfortable, AND give back. I also love that the accent on the toe strap can be switched out with any number of different designs – it’s like owning several pairs of shoes in one. Great if you’re into a capsule wardrobe.

9/ Dove Purely Pampering Coconut Milk with Jasmine Petals Body Wash
My Grandma gave me a bottle of this last month and I’m am in love with the scent as well as the way it makes my skin feel. My home has hard water which can dry my skin out, and this body wash is so moisturizing that even if I forgot to put on lotion after a shower I hardly notice.

Posted In accessories, beauty bag, favorites, food, house and home, living, outdoors, series, shoes, style, wear it
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June 14, 2017

10 Days of Design Crush Anniversary Giveaways: Day 10 Fashionable

 

Ten years ago this month I started Design Crush as a place to gather inspiration for my day job as a graphic designer, and five years ago it became my full-time job. To thank you all, as well as highlight some of my favorite sponsors from over the years, we’ll be hosting ten days of giveaways in celebration of ten years of this little site that could.

 

 

Over the past few years I’ve have the pleasure of working closely with two incredible companies who have business models built on investing in and empowering women in impoverished countries. The first of which was Fashionable, and in 2016 we worked together to create a line of table and kitchen linens.

 

 

Fashionable works with women, both locally and globally, who have overcome challenges ranging from prostitution to addiction to a lack of opportunity. With your help they work to give opportunity to women where there is often little, and then they effect change.

The line has grown from a collection of handwoven scarves to include leather goods from around the world and jewelry made in Nashville, Tennessee. Now just this month Fashionable has added apparel and shoes to their shop!

 

 

Like the rest of their collections, Fashionable‘s apparel and shoes are perfectly pared down versions of everyday styles. I’m aching to get my hands on the Cecilia T-Shirt Dress a pair of Pamela Platform Sandals for the perfect summer outfit. I can see layering some of the other tops in different colors over the dress to mix things up and create new outfits, too.

 

 

With lovely collections of leather, jewelry, apparel, and shoes, you’ll have no trouble spending the $250 gift card Fashionable is gifting one reader for our last day of giveaways! You have 22 ways to enter to win and 48-hours to get crackin’.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Posted In accessories, bags, behind the scenes, jewelry, series, shameless plug, shoes, style, wear it, win it
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April 3, 2017

Sseko Sole Sisters + Giveaway

 

Sseko Designs is an ethical brand that’s using fashion and design to help bright, brave young women in East Africa attend university. To date they’ve enabled 86 women in Uganda go to college to pursue their dreams and become change makers in their communities!

At the beginning of February I first connected with Sseko Designs founder Liz Forkin Bohannon, thanks to a mutual friend we met up and when she reached out about being a 2017 Sseko Sole Sister I was in 500%.

 

 

 

As a Sseko Sole Sister I’ve been connected to one university-bound woman on Sseko’s team in Uganda – meet Shakira! She lives with her mother and three siblings and loves wearing bold prints in simple designs, reading for fun, and spending time with her friends. Shakira seeks out happy moments, loves horror films and chili-flavored snacks, adventure and exploring new places, and hopes to one day get to Switzerland to see the sights and learn more about its neutral and stable history. She looks up to her mother and the strength she has shown in every situation. When things get tough, Shakira likes to remind herself that, “for every successful man, there are very many unsuccessful years.”

She reminded me a lot of myself and so the deal was sealed! (And that dress! Style for days.)

In school Shakira’s favorite subjects are literature and geography, and she hopes to go on to study art at the university level – specifically design. “One thing that makes me love art – I love nature,” she explains. “I love everything about nature. So maybe if I can put it toward design, something can come out of it.”

 

 

 

The fifteen women in this year’s Sole Sister class won’t be making beautiful sandals, bags, and accessories forever – they’re destined for more and deserve the chance to pursue their dreams. The Sseko community wants them to know we’re here, rooting for them and cheering them on the entire way.

And with every single purchase made through mine and Shakira’s link, sales will go towards earning her an additional scholarship towards university!

 

 

 

To kickoff the start of my year as Shakira’s Sole Sister and to get you outfitted for spring in some super stylish ethically made goods, we’re giving away $100! Choose from their incredible selection of handmade sandals, leather bags, and accessories – I’ve already picked up the Brave necklace with a few charms and a pair of camel Rue sandals or myself.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

Posted In accessories, bags, create, do good, jewelry, shoes, style, wear it
27
January 31, 2017

Decked Out for Valentine’s Day

LOVE IS LOVE! Valentine’s Day is a favorite of mine, even though I’m almost always single when it rolls around. To me the day is about love in all its many forms and any reason to celebrate it is a good one, especially lately. Check out these printables, recipes, accessories, and more for a super decked out February 14th!

 

ROW 1: Printable Valentine Stickers // Printable Hot Tea Pyramids   ROW 2: Stripe Shirt with Heart Collar // Sugar Cookie Bars // The Love Spell Cocktail   ROW 3: Valentine’s Day Almond Cake // Valentine’s Day Treat Bags // Woman of Many Hearts Shades   ROW 4: Printable Tags for Valentine’s Day // Marbled Raspberry Dark Chocolate Valentine’s Day Bark // Red and Spotted D’orsay Flat

 

ROW 1: Acrylic Heart Frame // All Around Giant Heart Towel // Always and Forever Bunting   ROW 2: Arrow Cocktail Stirrers // Brass Heart Box // Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Valentine’s Hearts   ROW 3: Chocolate Pots de Crème // Coffee Lover Mug // Conversation Heart Ice Cream   ROW 4: Heart Necklace // DIY Hugs & Kisses Garland // DIY Pompom Heart Wreath

 

ROW 1: Rose Painted Valentine Cake // DIY Rose Petal Bath Salts // DIY Valentine Bouquet Wraps + Printable Love Quotes   ROW 2: DIY Valentine Heart Magnets // DIY Valentine’s Day Wall Hangings // Gold Heart Earrings   ROW 3: Graffiti Painted Clutch // Heart Print Sweatshirt // Heart Shaped Double Wall Glass Mug   ROW 4: Heart-Shaped Rose Tart // Jute Heart Rug // Love Potion #9 Martini

Posted In accessories, bags, beauty bag, cocktails, downloads, entertaining, food, holidays, house and home, jewelry, kitchen, living, make it, recipes, round up, series, shoes, style, valentine's day, wear it
1
September 23, 2016

Modern Minimal Sneakers

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Mascavii Blueberrys

At the end of the day I’m really just a jeans and sneakers kinda gal. Clean jeans (usually) and cool sneakers, but I digress. I usually reach for my white Converse or a canvas slip-on, something comfortable that manages to look like a little bit of effort. Check out these ten pairs of modern minimal sneakers that would no doubt tie together any look.

 

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Superga 2750 Cotu Classic // Converse Chuck Taylor Monochrome High Top //
THEY Circle Low in Black-White

 

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FEIT Hand Sewn Low // Vans Mono Python Old Skool DX // Eytys Mother Suede

 

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Adidas Stan Smith // allbirds Wool Runners // COS Wrap-Over Leather Sneakers

Posted In round up, series, shoes, style, wear it
1
September 21, 2016

Fall 2016 Wish List

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1/Brass Hairpin  2/Brown Leather Backpack
3/Gold Heart Locket  4/Goldie Flat Booties

Fall is my favorite season, but it’s for the crisp air and wardrobe options rather than the pumpkin spice lattes (blech!) and shorter days. And I’m past ready to bring out ankle boots, sweaters, and hats. I wouldn’t mind adding these things to my life either…

 

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5/Letterman Snap Jacket  6/Melting Lip Powder
7/Super Soft High Neck Knit Dress  8/Rose Gold Cuff Earring Set

 

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9/SK-8 Hi Slim High-Top Sneakers  10/Stoneware Ceramic Bangles 
11/Super Pure  12/Sweatshirt with pockets

Posted In accessories, bags, beauty bag, jewelry, round up, series, shoes, style, wear it
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