Four days at the beach learning and creating with industry professionals – sounds good, right? And it’s not just me daydreaming, it actually exists in the form of Craftcation! This year the conference is being held April 3-6 in Ventura, CA and I’ll be in attendance speaking on two different panels – Advanced Social Media and Keeping Track. The goal of it all being to ignite your entrepreneurial spirit, strengthen your skills, and build relationships within the handmade community – all things I wholeheartedly support. If this all sounds tailor-made for you, sign up for Craftcation registration right here (if you do so before February 15th you can take advantage of the Early Bird Special). Hope to see you in Ventura this April!
2014 hasn’t wasted any time out of the starting gate, I’ve already been on two trips with a few more looming. I kicked off January with a bouquet of shocking pink posies, in fact they’re only just now dead on my mantle. On a trip home to Pittsburgh my Dad and I made our annual pilgrimage to the original Primanti’s in the Strip District. So good. I was gifted Winter Cocktailsand proceeded to read it like a novel – can’t wait to try them all out! I spent over two hours at Chirps & Cheers one afternoon rolling around on the floor with this handsome furry fellow. I know it’s time to chop my hair when I’m wearing topknots 24/7, so I said sayonara to 6 inches. The day before flying out to Alt Summit I treated myself to a mani-pedi and some fun nail designs. My #365quotes project is still going full steam ahead on Instagram – I haven’t missed a day yet! I attended a fun nature themed party and slapped on these temporary fern tattoos for a little something extra. I can always count on Apartment34 for a fun photo opp! Stay Wild is such a great mantra, no matter what the degree it’s followed to. Snapped this creepy/fun pic with BareMinerals and couldn’t help but make it my new avatar across the board. And I was so happy to be reunited with this extra snuggly guy when I got home from Salt Lake City!
This was the year I attended and spoke at my fifth Alt Summit.
This was the year I attended a sponsored dinner with the lovely Jamie of Furbish Studio at Cafe Niche. And had the coolest dessert of pink grapefruit in a spun sugar bowl.
This was the year with keynotes by Garance Doré, Every Mother Counts, and Ben Silbermann of Pinterest. And met Christy Turlington, who is just as beautiful on the inside as out.
This was the year I moderated and spoke on a panel about Blog Revenue with Mom 101, Say Yes, and Little Green Notebook. And learned more than I spoke about.
This was the year that patterned pants, pixie haircuts and brightly colored hair, black and white outfits, baby bellies, booties and smoking loafers, braids, wide-brimmed hats, bright and bold flowers, more than 10 men in attendance, balloons everywhere, and tulle skirts were definitely trending.
This was the year I discovered the Grand America‘s incredible lattes, and wondered why I’d missing out on them for the past four years. It was also the year that I only attended my own panel and spent the rest of the time making Alt work for me in the best possible way.
This was the year that smoke machines were in.
This was the year where my biggest disappointment was missing out on holding a fox, a skunk, and a parrot.
This was the year that black, gold, triple thick edged, and extra special goodies trended in business cards. And where I gave out a round I’ve Gotta Design Crush sticker instead.
I’m one of those people. The kind who prefers pen and paper to touchscreen and who needs to write down everything in order to remember it. I’ve used a day planner since high school, but 2013 was the year I found The One. The Whitney English Day Designer is so well thought out that I have to refrain from kissing the lady behind it each and every time I see her. From the worksheets in the front for the solo entrepreneur, to the full page allotted for each day, to the schedule and to do columns – I’m smitten. I’ve never felt more organized in my life, which is saying a lot. (Please note the importance of the last item on my Sunday to do list below.)
December was a blur with lots of great things in the process! It started off with some holiday shopping at OKC’s incredible geodesic dome pop-up shops (Pencil Shavings nailed it). Bebe and Rainey have become best friends and their cuddle sessions just about kill me dead with cuteness. It was an extra good Christmas for gift giving, I feel like everything I chose was thoughtfully chosen. This shot of Roxy has to be one of my favorites ever – I think she’s yelling hello to everyone! Rainey helped me wrap gifts by laying on my lap while Bebe assisted with tissue paper. This dish towel from Gingiber is my new winter favorite! My new couch showed up an entire month early and I’m in love – my living room is finally complete. Oklahoma had its usual December ice storm, which was rather beautiful since it didn’t touch the roads too much. Crazy about this vintage cocktail set given to me by the lovely Jojotastic. I’ve always loved sunsets and last week I caught three beauties over Pittsburgh, in Pittsburgh, and over OKC. My favorite Christmas gift was this set of six tasting spoons from Plenty Mercantile. I added this brass banner ring to my collection and have been wearing it daily. Here’s to 2014!
I’ve always wanted to throw a party that’s strictly about appetizers. Think about it, they’re one of the best parts of any special meal and you can typically fill up on them alone. Oh, and my definition of an “appetizer” is basically anything that can be eaten in three bites or less, which leaves plenty of room for interpretation and inspiration. The good news? You’re invited to my imaginary holiday appetizer party! (All links and sources at the end of the post.)
First let’s set the mood with plenty of simple touches. Ice lanterns lining the front walk and a tinseled wreath on the front door. Rustic vases full of berried branches. A festive backdrop for photos and plenty of white paper pendants suspended from the ceiling. Even miniature handmade wreaths for party favors!
The best hostesses always offer a beverage as soon as you’ve walked in the door and they’ve taken your coat! I like to offer a selection of hot and cold, boozy and non-boozy, that way you’re sure to have something for everyone. Most of the beverages above can be made in large batches, making it super easy to use pitchers and allow your guests to refill at their leisure. And of course allowing you to actually enjoy your own party!
When entertaining during the holidays, I like to purchase one or two special pieces for the occasion and rely on everyday pieces for the rest. In this case the purchases are small wooden appetizer forks, napkins and a festive cheese board. Otherwise it’s easy to stick to basics in our white, black, gold, and wood palette.
Last (but definitely not least) are the appetizers themselves. I think the rule of one plate of apps to every two people invited is a good rule to go by. Again, here I like to have a good mix of savory/sweet, soft/crispy, hot/cold, etc. Lots of these recipes can be prepped a day or two ahead of time and popped in the refrigerator until you’re ready to either warm them, assemble them, or set them out for guests. That equals less stress for you and a get together you can not only enjoy, but participate in. Happy Holidays!
All photos copyright of their respective sites unless otherwise noted. This is a sponsored post, thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Design Crush going!
There’s not much better than a super soft, great fitting tee that goes with everything. If you haven’t already, meet Pickwick & Weller. Purveyor of affordable boutique-quality tees for men and women that are made right here in the USA, Los Angeles in fact. Friends Ashton Kutcher, Ryan Donahue, and Matt Rowe created the line in 2012, with a name inspired by Charles Dickens’ first novel – The Pickwick Papers.Pickwick & Weller has tees for him and tees for her, great basics to layer under winter clothes or wear alone.
I picked my favorite tee for girls and guys and chose a few gifts I think would be great go-withs! And get this – a discount of 25% off an order of $50 or more when you visit Pickwick & Weller through this link! You’ll take a brief survey about your shirt preferences, and then receive a discount code to use during checkout.
This is a sponsored post and I was compensated for my participation. The opinions expressed are my own, as always. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Design Crush going!
In a normal year my Christmas tree goes up the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This year it went up the Friday before, I had the itch to decorate and scratched. I blame it on the perfectly chilly day full of sleet that that Friday was, but think it had just as much to do with the abbreviated holiday season we’re experiencing in the U.S. this year.
I love pulling out all of the ornaments I’ve collected over the past ten or so years. All pink, blue, silver, and white for the most part. For 2013 I changed things up a bit by adding silver garland to the mix, a first ever for any tree I’ve ever decorated. (If I’m too crazy for you, I totally understand.)
When I decorate for the holidays I don’t like to disrupt everything, but rather add here and there to enhance. A few ceramic faux bois platters on the cocktail table, a bunch of eucalyptus in a hippo vase, and of course some seasonal candies. A metallic snowflake hanging from a lamp, a few pomanders, and a candle on the credenza… we’re getting there!
The fireplace and mantel were strung with Edison bulbs and a banner begging for snow, as well as a few mercury glass and bottle brush trees. A set of silver finials and some woodland creatures help round it all out.
A few bits on the kitchen cabinets and a bauble on the hall closet door, a favorite card over there in the guest bath, and some gold tinsel hanging around a frame. That’s how we do Christmas at Design Crush!
I feel like I say this every month, but how in the world is it the end of November already?! (Aside from the Earth continuing to rotate on its axis I mean.) I rung in my 34th birthday on the 4th with plenty of flowers and cake. And beers. It only took me 5+ years, but I finally had the pilot light in my fireplace lit. I’ve been using it for a few hours every few days and I’m kicking myself for taking so long! The fluffiest pumpkin spice pancakes happened, as did a new and much needed pair of Warby Parker glasses. I decorated a little for Thanksgiving with pumpkins, foliage, and a strand of edison bulbs. And then a few days later I put up the tree because I had an itch and scratched it. (And because when you’re 34 you can do whatever you want!) The weather has been unseasonable cold, which means the dogs have already been wearing their sweaters. One of them does not appreciate my mothering, obviously. Speaking of animals, my menagerie as expanded by one! Meet Rainey, the last of the kittens I fostered after the Moore tornadoes in May. (I’m well on track to being a Crazy Animal Lady by 35.) I managed to write out my holiday cards and get them in the mail the day before Thanksgiving, a first. This French Apple Cake with homemade caramel sauce and fresh whipped cream is my new go-to. Trust me on this one and make it immediately. We had some sleet, snow, and freezing rain last weekend, and I love any reason to pull out my Sorels! So warm and cozy. I also made some Apple Dumplings that didn’t last long after coming out of the oven. So now we’re in the homestretch of 2013, can you believe it? Let’s make December count.
Sometimes you find that perfect shop – let’s call it the sweet spot – that not only fits your own taste and style, but where you can also find the perfect gift for just about everyone on your list. That’s Baba Souk. Full of color, pattern, and inspiration, all under the online roof of an indie boutique.
And they’re helping to make your holiday shopping that much easier by offering a 15% discount with the code designcrush through November 30th! (Thanks, Baba Souk. You’re definitely on Santa’s Nice List this year!)
This post is sponsored by Baba Souk. All words and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Design Crush going!
