guest interview: funk on a string

9.30.10

I’m so excited to bring you Lovely Indeed’s first guest interview, featuring Amy Gesler from Funk on a String! Amy is a beyond-talented jewelry designer, and recently opened Funk on a String’s Etsy shop. We recently chatted with her about everything from her design style, to tools, to what it’s like going into business for yourself.

Read the post and see more gorgeous jewelry after the jump. And be sure to read all the way to the bottom – Miss Amy has a very special offer, just for you Lovely Indeed readers!

CLICK HERE to read all about it!

in other news…

9.29.10

I have something reeeeeally exciting coming up in tomorrow’s post — my first guest interview! Check back tomorrow to find out who it is, what they do, and to reap the benefits of Lovely Indeed’s first special offer, just for readers!

P.S. I dove in. xoxo

diy striped photo booth props

9.29.10

Another entry in Ruffled‘s DIY contest! I’ve been looking forward to making these puppies ever since we started planning the wedding. Our idea is to have a photo booth at the reception, so all of our family and pals can jump in and take fun photos of themselves! I’m so excited about the idea, and I’m hoping people will get into it. To assist in the photo festivities, I decided to make some props for folks to use, to spice up their photos a bit.

I got some felt and cut out shapes that I drew (moustaches, glasses, lips, etc.), decorated some BBQ skewers, and glued it all together. I added some wooden beads to the bottom of the skewers to add a little weight and some decoration, and there ya go! (Naturally, we had to test them out in the mirror a bit… Mr. Lovely is always a willing participant for a photo shoot!)

I really love this project! Here’s hoping the folks at Ruffled like it too! xoxo

headband conundrum

9.28.10

So here’s the deal. I have been eyeing this headband at Anthropologie for months. (Okay, maybe months is a little dramatic… But a long time.) Here it is.

I didn’t get it, because according to the budget of this currently job-seeking actor, it’s a little pricey. BUT! After much perserverance, I found a gorgeous substitute at the home of the fashionable job-seeking actor’s friend: Forever 21. (Yeah, I said it. I shop there.)

So, Chelsea, what’s the problem? Conundrum solved, right? WRONG. The fact that I found it leads me to an even larger conundrum. How much larger can we really get than finding the perfect headband? To this question, I answer: how to wear said headband. I know, I just blew your minds.

See, the deal is, I really wanna wear it like this:

{image via Stylehog}

Get it yet? My conundrum is that I know that in about 3-5 years, I’ll look back and judge myself for ever giving in to the forehead-headband trend, but right now, I kind of want to dive right in. I know, crisis, right? These are the things I have to keep myself occupied with as I’m waiting in line to sing at an audition or waiting for the A train.

Advise me, my lovelies! To trend or not to trend? What would you do? xoxo

Market Finds: IndieShop

9.27.10

After Sunday brunch with some friends, Ryan and I stopped by the Madison Square Market to toodle around the booths and see what the local designers had to offer — you know I can’t resist an outdoor market! As soon as we walked in, we passed by IndieShop‘s booth, and I was asked to give an interview for their upcoming TV show. I was super stoked, because indie and local design is something that I’m passionate about, and I love to meet new folks in the biz!

After I gave the interview, we shopped around a bit and saw some gorgeous finds; there was everything from jewelry to spices to pet toys. I came right home, got on IndieShop’s website, and did a little more window shopping. Check out these lovelies!

1. Fell in love with these seasonal tea towels from Claudia Pearson! She’s also got some amazing art prints. 2. Loving Jessica Hollander‘s chic and refined tie-dye pieces. 3. Remember my obsession with wallpaper? Add this one from Jill Malek to the list. 4. Nicole Gagne‘s silver horseshoe necklace is so beautiful and simple, you can’t help but want to wear it with everything! 5. This two-finger knuckle duster ring is simultaneously sweet and edgy — like so many of the goodies at FancySexyMe. 6. This laptop bag is impossibly chic. Arzadesign carries it in more colors, but the white is my absolute fave. 7. Couldn’t leave our doggie friends out — BowhausNYC has all kinds of canine-friendly design! 8. How cute is this elephant belt from Devon Baer?! Her designs were some of my faves.

This is just the tip of the iceberg! See more lovely things on IndieShop’s website, or, if you’re in NYC, head to Madison Square Market. Open for the next few weeks, 11-8 daily. xoxo

diy bride’s getaway flip flops

9.25.10

Here’s my next submission for the DIY contest over at Ruffled! I have this vision of myself and everyone I love dancing the night away at my wedding reception — but the thought of that also makes my feet hurt in anticipation of whatever fabulous heels I might be wearing! So I came up with these little guys — flip flops for making a comfy getaway after a dazzling party.

I had some ribbon lying around the house, and some jewelry that I never wear any more. So I got a cheapie little pair of white flip flops, pulled out some thread and a glue gun, and repurposed the jewelry and ribbon. Here’s what happened.

The flip flops and I took a little outing to Central Park, just to see how they might look in action.

At first I wasn’t positive I was going to like them, but they’re sort of growing on me! I kind of want to try something similar with ballet flats and see what happens… We’ll save that one for another day. (And by the way, for those of you who have the burning question: “What is that nail polish color?!” It’s Dulce de Leche, by OPI. My new fave neutral.)

xoxo

james and the giant peach

9.24.10

When I was little, I read James and the Giant Peach over, and over, and over. I was fascinated by it. I can remember sitting and reading it aloud to my mom, who would laugh and cackle hysterically at the Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker parts. We loved it. Recently, my roommate was cast in a musical adaptation of the book, and it prompted me to want to read it again. So I put it on my 30 by 30 list, borrowed his copy, and went to town.

Reading through it, there were parts that I could almost close my eyes and recite by heart, it was so ingrained in my memory! But my favorite parts to revisit were the illustrations — originally by Nancy Ekholm Burkert. I had forgotten how familiar they are, and how much I love them. Here are a few to brighten your day. Aren’t these just gorgeous? (My favorite is a toss-up between the seagulls rescuing the peach, and the kids climbing up it in the ticker-tape parade!) xoxo