Alt For Everyone + Design Crush

Alt For Everyone-Design Crush

You all know how I feel about Alt Design Summit. It’s through this yearly conference that I’ve met some of my best friends, grown as a business, and networked my butt off. It’s given me a lot. But the masterminds behind it all realize that you might not be able to get to Salt Lake City every January, or to their one-day conferences in NYC or San Francisco. And that’s why they’ve created an amazing 3-day online conference – Alt For Everyone! I attended the first one a few months ago (virtually, of course) and have to say that I took away TONS of great information. Maybe even more than when I’m in SLC because I was much more focused with it being just me and my laptop.

The first iteration of Alt For Everyone did so well that another one is taking place at the end of September, and I’m happy to share that I’ll be teaching a case study on Design Crush! My class will be taking place Friday, September 27th at 10:45am PST. You can see the full September 2013 schedule and register with a few clicks.

In my class I’ll be sharing what I did to take Design Crush to the next level. The easy action steps you can take that add up, as well as the failures I’ve experienced on this six year journey. If there’s anything you’re extra curious about I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!

Hope to see you there!

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DIY Color Washed Glasses

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I love a tall glass tumbler more than just about any other glassware, really I do. But sometimes those guys are just sitting there like a blank canvas in the cabinet, waiting for a makeover. These Color Washed Glasses are a breeze to make and can look as fancified or casual as you want!

 

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All you need:
• a set of straight-sided glasses (I used tall tumblers, but you can use whatever)
ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape
• acrylic paint in the color(s) of your choice
• 3/4″ acrylic paint brush
• paint palette (i.e. paper plate)

 

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The first thing I did was wash and dry the glasses thoroughly, and then I taped them off. Because they’re going to be used primarily for beverages I wanted to make sure the paint was nowhere near the lip, so I simply used the width of the ScotchBlue Painter’s Tape as a measuring guide. You can opt to paint all the way down to the base of the glass, but I wanted to balance out the spacing at the top with a second strip of tape at the bottom. Since the glasses aren’t exactly straight up and down there will be a small amount of gapping with the ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape, simply smooth it down using your fingernail by pushing down and towards the edge.

 

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Next, squeeze a quarter-sized dollop of paint onto your palette surface (I always use a small paper plate) and load up your brush. Get to work sweeping and swashing over the exposed part of each glass, making sure to overlap the ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape slightly. You want a random look, so go crazy swooping and swashing!

 

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These glasses only required one layer of paint because we aren’t going for a solid opaque look. I set them aside to dry for about half an hour before removing the ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape.

 

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The edges came out very clean, and in the few spots that bled through I used my nail to scrape off the excess before the pain set completely.

 

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Huzzah! Time to sit back with an icy drink and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Because these are hand-painted you’ll need to hand wash these guys after using, or risk all of the paint coming off in the dishwasher – but you totally knew that already, right? I also plan on using these as small vases this fall, I think some brightly colored mums would look incredible with both the gold and white!
scotchblue, scotchblue painter's tape, painter's tape, tape

This post is a collaboration with ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape Brand. Join the community at Facebook.com/scotchblue or visit scotchblue.com to learn more.

ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape | ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape Facebook Page | ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape Twitter Page | ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape YouTube Page | ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape Pinterest Page

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Still Indoor Activities vs Sparkling Outdoor Soirees (And a Sweepstakes!)




This post is brought to you by the new Samsung 4-Door Sparkling Water Refrigerator. Still or sparkling? Now get both straight from your refrigerator door! Store up to 31 bags of groceries with 31 cu. ft. capacity and keep fruits and vegetable fresher longer with Twin Cooling Plus®.
Click here to learn more about the Samsung 4-Door Sparkling Water Refrigerator.

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Blueberry-Strawberry Jicama Salsa // Brass Tic Tac Toe Game // Moon Dominoes // Melted Chocolate Fleur de Sel Bruschetta // Ceramic Speakers // Foosball // BLT Pizza with Grilled Corn + Crumbled Feta // 4 Ingredient Strawberry Lemonade // Backgammon & Checkers Box Set // Handmade Ceramic Growler

Sometimes a good old fashioned game night is just what the doctor ordered. It’s the perfect still activity for every age, and it’s also one of the easiest to pull together at a moment’s notice. Grab a few games out of your closet and ask guests to bring along their favorites from home. The games I chose above have simple designs that are super appealing to the eye even when not in use, and the growler and speaker follow suit with their clean lines. Whip up a few easy things to nosh while playing – simple flavor combinations that are equal parts childhood and summer. Then put together a playlist full of warm weather classics to set the mood for fun, and you’re all set!

 

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Porcelain Ice Cream Pint Holder // Walnut Serving Trays and Platters // Matte Ceramic Cups // Geo Bowls // Ice Cream Cake Ball Bombes // Brown Sugar Bacon Ice Cream Sandwiches // Gold Dipped Porcelain Spoon Set // Black and White Peanut Bar Ice Cream Cake // Sorbet Watermelon Wedges

Nothing says summer like an ice cream social! Kick up this low-key activity a notch by showcasing ice cream outside of the carton in mouthwatering cakes, sandwiches, etc. Display your cool creations on pretty platters like these walnut pieces and set out your toppings in fun containers. Use eye-catching dinnerware and utensils to serve guests, then grab a seat on the couch and dive into all of that juicy neighborhood gossip as you relax the night away.

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Playa Throw // Italian Cherry Doughnuts // Peak Decorative Pillow // Chipotle Popcorn Chicken // Linen Handtack Cushions // DIY Outdoor Bar Cart // Watermelon-Fontina Melts with Dill // Lavender + Cucumber Soda // Safari Chair

A backyard movie night is pretty much the be-all-end-all of sparkling outdoor summer entertaining – can you say Hollywood?! Hang a white sheet on the fence and load up your backyard with lots of blankets and pillows to settle down and cozy up on. An upgraded “concession stand” full of sweet and savory bite-sized finger foods will be sure to make it a delicious evening to remember. Adding an outdoor bar cart to the mix makes guests feel welcome to help themselves and frees up some time for you to enjoy the film yourself.

 

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Peach Cornbread Cake // Goat Cheese and Heirloom Tomato Tart // Glitz Lunch Plates // Overseas Connection Market Basket // Rustic Linen Blanket // Grilled Zucchini Ribbon and Kale Salad // BROMMO Chaise Lounge // Lock Bottle Opener // White Peach Maple Soda

There’s something to be said about taking advantage of the afternoon. Voyaging to a park or hidden spot for a fancy picnic can feel like a mini getaway if you do it right. Prep the food you’ll be taking along that morning, dishes that can be put on ice and eaten cold or at room temperature are best. Grab a pretty basket, a luxe blanket, and a few chairs if you want to go all out! Splurge even further by packing real dishes and classes instead of paper and plastic. A tip for the wise: a few beers or a bottle of bubbly could be the icing on the cake for your sparkling picnic soiree!

Summer was made for entertaining, wouldn’t you agree? Here’s where the fun comes in for you – do you prefer a “sparkling” over the top event or a low-key “still” activity? Submit an Instagram photo showing us and tag it with either #SamsungStill or #SamsungSparkling to let us know your style and be entered to win a new Samsung 4-door Sparkling Water Refrigerator! See complete rules here.



Click here to learn more about the Samsung 4-Door Sparkling Water Refrigerator.

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InstaJuly

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July has been, hands down, the most trying month of 2013 for me. But among all of the late nights and long days there were plenty of good moments. Nursing this little foster guy back to health after a series of seizures is near the top of that list. School supplies are out! Every year I allow myself one or two things, I wish I were a perpetual student! I made the best berry galette ever (just added blueberries to this recipe). Experienced my first ever blowout from the lovely ladies at blo and got some beachy waves. Bebe turned 2 years old and Peanut turned 13! I spent an afternoon exploring OKC, which resulted in us celebrating Oklahoma City Week here on Design Crush. I received the best print from Read Between the Lines, it makes me smile each time I walk by. My kitchen has been getting the best golden hour sun. One afternoon I pilfered a bunch of crepe myrtle from my neighbor (except not really because it hangs over onto my property). A few afternoons afforded me some quality time with the pets, generally in the form of a nap. Loving my advance copy of The Art of I Love You!

You can follow me on Instagram at designcrush.

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Euro Edge

Euro Edge-Design Crush

Euro Style Lighting’s Euro Edge is a new online resource that helps you find modern interior inspiration with the assistance of some of the most reknowned design bloggers trolling the web. And I’m humbled and honored to be considered among their ranks! That’s right, you can shop Design Crush’s mid-century modern with a twist style over on Euro Edge. And if my taste isn’t your cup of tea you can check out the picks of six other talented ladies – Say Yes To Hoboken, Simply Grove, La La Lovely, Sacramento Street, vmac+cheese, and Justina Blakeney. (Psst… here’s the scone above!)

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Jason Pawley

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To wrap up this first edition of Oklahoma City Week we’re going out with an artist instead of a shop. Meet Jason Pawley, the brilliant mind behind these neoned, patterned, exciting works of art that I can’t stare at long enough. ( If you’re the observant type you probably noticed his handiwork on the back wall of DNA Galleries yesterday.) I like Jason’s patterns on their own, but am completely blown away by the pieces that include subjects tattooed with those same lines and angles. And I’ve just convinced us all that he would design great tattoos as well, right?

 

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DNA Galleries

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PHOTO: DNA Galleries

DNA Galleries is a small contemporary art gallery and artist-made retail space that is a key part of the burgeoning art scene here in OKC. They showcase artists who like to work in non-traditional styles, host artist openings the second Friday of every month, and have several works for sale under $50 for collectors who are just starting out. Also a whopping 95% of their goods are locally made! DNA recently moved into a new shop that’s nearly double the size of their old location and are making great use of the space, I’ll be sharing more on that killer wall mural later this week!

 

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1709 NW 16th  OKC, OK  73106
405.525.3499

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Pie Junkie

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Eat more pie! I think that’s a pretty good mantra to live life by, and so does Pie Junkie. This small shop is run by two moms with a passion for classic baking with a modern twist, who both grew up by their grandmas’ sides in the kitchen. Pie Junkie offers a mean menu full of both sweet and savory crust-encased goodies, along with the occasional spur of the moment addition. (So far) I’ve tried their southwestern quiche and coconut cream pie, both of which made me close my eyes and emit mmmm sounds of delight. I’m already deciding what to order next!

 

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1711 NW 16th Street  OKC, OK  73106
405.605.8767

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Olive & Co.

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The second stop for Oklahoma City Week is Olive & Co, a shop full of 20+ premium olive oils and 16+ balsamic vinegars. One of my favorite appetizers in the world is a simple dish of olive oil with a (sizable) dollop of balsamic and all the crusty bread I can get my hands on, so Olive & Co is a veritable mecca for me. The moment you walk in you’re encouraged to try as many of both as you’d like, little plastic cups and bread are located on the tables. Each cistern has a description of its contents similar to that of a wine which is vastly helpful, and oils and vinegars are available in four sizes that they decant directly from the cisterns you see here . Turns out the vinegars were so delicious I didn’t even need the bread and just tasted from the cup after the first! Both the traditional balsamics and white balsamics were so layered in flavor and depth that they were seriously life changing to the palette. I picked up bottles of strawberry balsamic and grapefruit white balsamic and have a little something up my sleeve to share with you all later today – stay tuned!

 

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7602 North May Avenue  Oklahoma City, OK  73116
405.242.6457

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