Tutorials

5.9.13

When I first started blogging, I had no clue what I was doing. I mean, hard core clueless. And on some scales, I’m still clueless. I just hide it better now.

But! If someone had handed me this list when I was a fledgling blogger, I probably wouldn’t cringe so hard when I go back now and look at my early posts. I mean, my Photoshop files were a mess, my photography was dismal — I could go on. But I won’t. Because now I get to tell you guys about these awesome resources in case you need them. Today’s all about tutorials and how-to resources. I still reference these sites so often they’re all bookmarked, because each one is so valuable in its own way. So here we go!

Fifth & Hazel. Melanie is a designer extraordinaire, and she has a whole FAQ column about design. It covers a little bit of everything, from fonts to design theory.

Nubby Twiglet. Shauna has a great column about the logistics, theory, and thought behind blogging. It’s a great place to go if you have a nagging question.

Pugley Pixel. This is everyone’s favorite! If you ask me, Katrina is one of the raddest girls in blogland (I totally have a blog crush on her). She’s the best of both worlds — an eye for amazing design and the coding smarts to back it up. Her tutorials cover lots of fun photoshop techniques, and ways to pretty up your blog with a little simple coding.

Nicole’s Classes. I’ve taken a few courses through Nicole’s Classes now, and they’re all so informative and well-done. They have everything from Illustrator to Photography to Retouching, and you work at your own pace. If you don’t have a ton of dough to lay down for a class, you can search through their giant library of free tutorials.

Lynda.com. While it’s not as blogger-friendly (read: pretty) as the other sites, you can literally find a class for anything on Lynda.com. You purchase a monthly pass starting at $25 and you can learn to your heart’s content.

Hope some of these help! And as always, I’d love to hear your resources for how-tos and tutorials in the comments. xoxo

A Beautiful Cause

5.8.13

Have you come across iSanctuary yet? It’s short for International Sanctuary — it’s a jewelry company that helps survivors of human trafficking. That’s really a nutshell version of what they do. The company employs people who have made it out of the human trafficking system with the goal of helping them reintegrate and find community. Everything, from making the jewelry, to packaging, shipping, inventory, and beyond — it’s all done by survivors.

It’s hard to talk about the actual accessories while there’s so much to share about the cause behind them, but suffice to to say that they make gorgeous pieces and you should definitely take some time to explore them all. The new Spring and Summer line is full of pieces that I’m loving! They recently sent me this chevron necklace, and I wear it with everything.

Also, if you have a minute, read through their about page, too. It’s incredible what they’re accomplishing — employing women in India and the U.S., creating education and advocacy programs, and spreading the word about how to help. And by the way, if you’re interested in getting involved, there’s info here! Check it out. xoxo

Mother’s Day Ideas

5.7.13

Are you all set to celebrate your mom this weekend? If you’re still stuck, I’ve got a list of ideas for you over on The Neighborhood. Head over to read ‘em all! xoxo

Photobooth Factory // Post-It Pixels

5.7.13

As soon as this one started taking shape, Mr. Lovely said it looked like a 1980′s video game. And I couldn’t really disagree. But I’m deciding that I like it. Perfect for an 80′s-themed party? Or a high school reunion? You could even leave pens by the photobooth and let people write notes on the Post-its! However you want to rock it, here’s what you’ll need.

Materials

Post-its (I used this six pack and it was enough for a 5′ x 4′ area)
level
blank wall

Make Time: 2 hours

Start by getting one even row of Post-its. Use a level for each Post-it, ensuring that it each one is straight and aligned directly next to the neighboring Post-it.

Once you have a straight and level row, use it as a guide to add rows above and beneath, until you are satisfied with the size of your backdrop.

Done! The technique for this one is beyond easy, but because there are so many pieces it’s a little more time-consuming than some of our other backdrops. And I’m not really sure why, but I feel like this one goes really well with some big ol’ headphones. xoxo

DIY Mother’s Day Friendship Bracelets

5.6.13

Heads up, guys — Mother’s Day is Sunday! Moms rock, and mine is particularly awesome if you ask me. And now that my sister is a mom, too, I wanted to do something to celebrate all of the ladies in our family. So obviously I made friendship bracelets. Duh.

But not just any friendship bracelets — fancy ones with hearts! My nine-year-old self’s heart is exploding with the awesomeness of a heart friendship bracelet. If you want to make some matching ones for yourself and your mom, here’s the full how-to.

Get two colors of embroidery thread, and cut four lengths of each color, 36″ each. Tie together in a knot about 2″ from the ends. Tape or pin the ends down on a flat surface. Arrange the colors so that like colors are on the outsides, and the colors alternate inward.

Starting with the left outer string (pink), cross it over the neighboring string (green), creating a shape like the number 4. Loop the pink around the back of the green and through. Pull toward the top until you’ve created a snug knot. Repeat this knot with the same two threads (you’ll always make the same knot twice on each string).

Once you’ve knotted twice around the green string, knot twice around the following pink string, and then the next green. Your original pink string that you’ve been knotting with should now be in the center.

Now take the pink string on the far right and mirror the process. Make a backwards 4 by crossing it over the next green string, loop around, pull through, and knot twice. Repeat this on the pink, then green strings.

When the right pink string reaches the center, knot it twice around the other pink string in the center. This will complete your first row. To make your second row, start with the green strings on the outsides and repeat the process.

The third and fourth rows will have slightly different steps. Begin the third row by taking the second string in from either side and making double knots around the outer strings. In this case, the green strings will knot over the pink strings.

Next, take the pink string on the left side and make regular double knots (starting with a 4 shape) around the pink one next to it, then the green.

Repeat the process using the rightmost pink string, and mirror the knots you made on the left side (start with backwards 4 shape). When you get to the center, knot it around the other pink string.

You’ve completed row three; now repeat that row for your fourth.

Start the process over and knot rows 1 and 2. You should start to see a heart pattern emerging.

Continue with rows 3 and 4, and just keep repeating the process until your bracelet is long enough.

Finally, knot the bracelet at the end and snip the extra thread, leaving enough to tie around your wrist.

I loved these things so much I made a whole bunch! (I even made a mini one for my niece.) Then I made my mom and sister have a photo shoot with me to model them all. Aren’t they adorable? I love that my sister’s baby bump is in the photos also.

Have fun experimenting with colors, and give these to all the moms in your life with lots of love. If you end up making them, be sure to Instagram a photo so we can all see. Happy Mother’s Day! xoxo

These May Sponsors Rock

5.4.13

I feel so fancy this month, because I have this crazy group of powerhouse girls on my sidebar! I don’t know, the stars must have aligned because so many wonderful, inspiring, creative women contacted me this month about sponsorship, and I’m proud to be reppin’ every one of them. Be sure to take some time to click around and see what they’re all about. xoxo

At Tech Love Design, Alyssa rounds up some super cool designey finds from around the web. She’s got a great eye and shares things that I’ve often never seen before, which is a feat in and of itself. (Not to mention, she posts the most drool-worthy recipes. Hello, Nutella French Toast?)

I met Amy of This Heart of Mine this year at Alt! She’s pretty rad, and I love the blog title and concept — a collection of all of the things that fill up her heart. Also, her love of guacamole makes us soul sisters (she has a special secret ingredient in hers!).

Nat just keeps bringing her A game over at The Folding Chair. She’s been with us for a few months now, and I’m always so happy to have this bright, cheery blog on the sidebar! This month I’m loving her DIY faux leather passport holder – this girl knows how to travel in style.

Sweet Lavender Bake Shoppe is a gorgeous little blog stuffed full of recipes, DIYs, and colorful finds. It just got a new look, which I love, and it’s so fun to scroll through the archives. And these popsicles will be making frequent appearances in my kitchen for sure.

When Maddie of Madalynne recently contacted me to introduce herself and her blog, I was floored that I had never seen it before. It’s a gorgeous collection of her sewing adventures, and bits and pieces of her life. It’s got this dreamy quality that I just can’t get enough of! Also, she’s hilarious and blogs for one of my favorite shops (cough ::Anthro:: cough).

Likes to Smile has been with us for two months now, and Stacey never fails to make me, well, smile! I’m still in love with her lists, and her writing style is so sweet. It feels just like talking to your favorite friend.

And Jazzmin is back! The makers of my favorite scarf just released their Summer line and it’s gorgeous. It’s easy-breezy and wonderful and I want it all. How gorgeous is this lacey tank? I would wear it with everything.

Desktop Designers // Amy Zhang

5.3.13

This week’s Desktop Designer download from Amy Zhang is currently brightening up my desktop, and I’m loving it! Amy’s got a gorgeous design site (how beautiful is her homepage?) and a blog I never want to stop scrolling through. I just love how clean and simple her aesthetic is, because it makes you really see the colors she chooses. Check out her moodboards and you’ll get what I mean.

Amy, tell us what’s up!

By the way, the rest of that Emerson quote goes, “Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.” And that, friends, is how I would like to live my life.