Mojo Stone

On Saturday I had the privilege to hear my brother's band, Mojo Stone, live for the first time.  I was blown away!  I have listened to my brother's music for years now and with each performance, I am even more awed by his talent and dedication as a musician.  Music is his life and his passion for what he does always inspires me.  But the most awesome part is that now he has helped compile this ridiculously brilliant band.  So not only is this kid crazy talented on his own, but he is even better at surrounding himself with other top quality musicians.  I was so impressed by their performance the other night, especially since the group hasn't been together long.  I have heard recordings of their songs before (they have pretty much been on constant repeat on my iTunes the last few days) and unlike many bands who do not sound as good live, Mojo Stone sounded just as good, if not better, than their recordings.  Their lead singer Natalie has one of the best voices I have ever heard and after seeing her Saturday, I can also say she has great stage presence while performing.  I had so much fun seeing them play and I cannot wait for the next performance.  I am so proud of the band, but especially my brother!

I was able to get a few pictures of their performance which took place in Los Angeles at a place called The Joint.  It was a pretty cool venue.  Most of my pictures, including these few I'm going to share, are really blurry because the club was dark.  These were the best ones by far. 

And one of just my amazing brother!!!!

Thank you Mojo Stone for putting on an awesome show!  I loved it and I cannot wait until next time.

Also thank you to my good friends Elysse and Cole for showing up.  I'm so glad you came and hopefully you had a good time and enjoyed the music.   

Want to hear more Mojo Stone?  Find them here:

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What I Want...Friday, April 9th

This post is the first in a series for Fridays called "What I Want Fridays."  Like most people, I have a huge, long list about things I want to experience, places I want to go, and items that I want that will enrich my life.  If money were no object (this is SO far from my reality right now) this list would be much shorter because I would no longer have to wish for these things.  But not everything on my "wish list" is expensive.  Sometimes I want to just spend a day relaxing in a park.  Clearly, I could fulfill this wish on the cheap and go to a local park but more often than not, my true wish is to be relaxing in Paris in the Place des Vosges in Le Marais (the best park in Paris).  Ok, so I cannot fly off to Paris right now so instead, I have to learn to appreciate the things I can do.  But I can still dream.  These posts will document what I would like my weekends to be, in a perfect world.  So this is what my perfect weekend is looking like now:

Where I want to { go } :: The Ace Hotel, Palm Springs

Ok, this hotel is absolutely fantastic.  I've heard of it before but just recently started ogling over the pictures.  The mid-century modern vibe is perfect for Palm Springs and the decor and casual atmosphere is so inviting.  I always feel slightly uncomfortable in hotels, probably because of the hideous floral comforters, but this hotel would make me want to lounge around and relax.  There are branches of the Ace Hotel in Portland, Seattle, and New York (I'll add those to my wish list too) also.  Check out their website for all of the awesome room pictures and the 360 degree video. 

Photo: Ace Hotel 

What I want to { do } :: ride a bicycle with a basket

As long as I'm not pedaling up any wicked, intense hills, I really like bike riding.  It can be kind of peaceful.  Some of my best memories from studying abroad in Italy were the adventures we had while bike riding.  I cannot resist a bike with a basket...you need somewhere to put your stuff.  I have a couple of bikes at home but their tires are in desperate need of some air.  And my bikes don't have baskets.  And my house is surrounded by wicked, intense hills that would kick my butt.  This white bike has to be my favorite, it's beautiful.  Whenever I get some disposable income (eons from now) I would love to have a beauty like this.  

Photo: Fisher Bikes, Simple City 8 model 

What I want to { eat } :: penne + mint + parmesan + peas & mint mojitos

I am craving mint!  Mint mojitos are my favorite cocktail, by far.  They are so refreshing and now that the weather is warming up, it is mojito season (yes, there is a season).  The penne + mint dish was invented by my friend Pat who is a food genius.  I tried the recipe the other night and it is so good.  I don't have any specific quantities but here are some simple directions.  Sautee onions and garlic in olive oil.  Once the onions start to brown, add chopped mint and the peas.  When done, put this on top of your penne pasta and garnish with parmesan cheese.  Yum! 

Photos: Mojito from Buena Vida Comida found via foodgawker

Penne from The Zest found via foodgawker

What I want to { hear } :: Mykonos, Sun Giant EP, Fleet Foxes

I love the Fleet Foxes.  Their music has an old sound to it which I totally appreciate.  Mykonos is probably my favorite song from Sun Giant.  The only downside to this song is that it makes me want to go to Mykonos, Greece.  Add it to the list!

Photo: Fleet Foxes last.fm page

What I want to { buy } :: Blackbird, Fly 35mm Twin-Lens Reflex Camera

I am so intrigued by this camera.  I love the colors although I'd probably buy the white one.  It is a new take on a classic twin-lens reflex and the best part is it takes 35mm film instead of 120mm.  120mm has to be developed at specific camera stores while 35mm can be developed at Target.  It is not an unreasonable price, being only $120.  I could actually save up and buy this sometime soon...and I plan to.  Check out the website for photo examples.

Photo: Blackbird Fly Camera  

What I want to { watch } :: Mad Men, Season 3

Season 3 just came out on DVD which makes me so happy because I was only able to catch a few episodes when they originally aired.  The costumes, the acting, the photography...everything is just so beautiful and sexy and intriguing.  The best part is that I'll be able to watch all the episodes without having to wait each week. 

Photo: AMC Mad Men

Ok, so a few of my wishes could actually be accomplished this weekend.  Bring on the music, Mad Men, penne, and mojitos!

Book Junkie

I think I will always have some of that old-fashioned student in me, the student that wants to learn from books.  I love books and reading has always been a favorite pastime of mine.  And still today, despite the internet and instant-access to information, I enjoy reading as a way to learn a new skill.  Like most people, I usually turn to the internet to answer my questions.  When I started working on some embroidery projects, I quickly Googled a few easy stitch tutorials.  I got my answer, quick and easy, and I was embroidering in no time.  But despite the internet's ease, I love getting information from books, whether from the library or Barnes & Noble (although I enjoy the cheaper route of the library whenever possible).  To me books are the holy scriptures of whatever subject I'm interested in.  They are the experts and I put more trust in them than online sources, especially for important topics.  Of course books can be filled with as much worthless junk as what you would find online but considering someone took the time to get the book published, I feel the book should hold a little more authority.  When a new, serious idea pops into my head I rush out to find the best book on the subject (this is not always the best idea because it leads to impulse purchases which wreck havoc on my bank account).  I get all excited and start reading right away.  This is the research phase and it is an important part of my creative process.  I like to have a little background, know what I'm doing before I dive too deep into something.  Maybe I like learning from books because it forces me to slow down so that I can really process the task at hand.  Online information can begin to overwhelm me because I usually skim text and try to comprehend five different links at once.  But reading forces me to really read the words, comprehend what the author is saying, and when you are trying to learn something, this is the most important thing.

Today I rushed out to buy a few books that I have been wanting to purchase for awhile.  They are about starting your own handmade craft business and selling online.  I am excited to devour them because my brain is wanting to take in as much as it can on these subjects.  I have read really great reviews on these books so I am expecting to be enlightened!

I purchased:

The Handmade Marketplace: How to Sell Your Crafts Locally, Globally, and Online by Kari Chapin

Find the book link here and Kari Chapin's website link here. 

Craft, Inc.: Turn Your Creative Hobby Into a Business by Meg Mateo Ilasco

&

Craft, Inc. Business Planner: The Ultimate Organizer for Turning Your Crafts into Cash by Meg Mateo Ilasco

Find Meg Mateo Ilasco's website here and her awesome blog here.

The Anthropologie Project: Paper Scraps Collage

This is my first post in a new series which I am calling "The Anthropologie Project."  I love Anthropologie and appreciate their mission because I know that when I walk into one of their stores or open their catalog, I am getting more than just a shopping experience.  Along with great clothes and accessories, I am being visually inspired to create.  Few other stores make me want to run home and start making something.  Over the years I have collected ideas from the store displays and catalogs and have always wanted to bring these ideas to life and craft my way into Anthropologie's world.  This blog is now my platform for this endeavor.

My first project was inspired by the "Carried Away" section of the March 2010 catalog (pages 56-62).  Paper collages were used to depict scenes of animals, insects, and nature and highlight the newest necklaces and jewelry.  There is an amazing three dimensional quality to the work because the jewelry becomes a part of the scene.  Whoever put together these paper collages had such an eye for detail and this section of the catalog is a work of art.  Inspired by the idea, I found some paper scraps and old jewelry and put together some collages of my own.  As examples, I made table numbers but the same idea could be used in many different ways (escort cards, labels, or favors).  This project is a great way to incorporate family heirlooms and make them a part of your party decor but cheaper fashion jewelry works just as well.

Here are a few pictures of what inspired me:



And my interpretation:

What you'll need:

- old jewelry: necklaces, brooches, earrings, bracelets, etc.

- 4-ply Mat board

- sheets of textured cardstock

- paper scraps, varying colors & patterns

- double-stick tape

- tacky glue

- foam mounting tape

- metal brads

- x-acto knife

- black paint, or any color you decide to use

Instructions:

1. Gather up some old jewelry.  It will not get damaged so you can borrow interesting pieces from friends and family if need be.  Most types of jewelry can be incorporated in some way.  I used a necklace, a couple of brooches, an earring, and my grandfather's old pocket watch.

2. Determine what size you want your table numbers to be.  The examples I made are 5x7.  Cut out the shape, whatever size you decide, from the mat board.  Cut out the same shape from the textured cardstock.  Double-stick tape or glue the cardstock onto the mat board.

3. Cut out whatever shapes you want from the scrap paper.  As examples, I created flora and fauna scenes so I cut the paper in the shapes of blades of grass, tree branches, hummingbirds, and butterflies.  I found images online to help create a hummingbird and butterfly template because I was not comfortable drawing freehand.  Use paper with different colors and patterns to create different layers for your collage.

4. Arrange your shapes on the cardstock.  Once you have determined exactly where things are going, glue down the shapes.  You do not need much, just a light dab of tacky glue.  For a more 3D effect, do not glue down all of the edges.  I let the ends of the grass stick up slightly to look more realistic.

5. Incorporate your old jewelry into the collage.  I used foam-mounting tape to adhere the necklace, brooches, and earring to the cardstock.  This tape has a thickness to it so your jewelry will stick up from the paper and have more of that 3D effect.  For the pocket watch, I hung it from a metal brad that I had pinned into the cardstock/mat board.

6. Using a template, write out the numbers on the mat board and then cut them out with an x-acto.  I painted my numbers black so that they would stand out but you could over them with paper.  Glue the numbers to the cardstock.

7. Incorporate your cute table numbers into your table decor.

And more of the finished product:

So this concludes the first in the series "The Anthropologie Project."  Other projects are in the works so check back for more.

Pink Mason Jar Photoshoot

Ok, so I have been promising to post the rest of this photoshoot for over a week now...yes, I am late but here it is in all its glory!  I styled this table out in my backyard and despite a few minor challenges (the ground is uneven so the table wouldn't sit level), I am happy with the results.  This was the first thing I had ever styled on a larger scale and I had a lot of fun collecting the right odds and ends to create the desired look I wanted.  Although this small table is set for two, I could easily imagine this theme being enlarged to accommodate any size party.  All of the decor was stuff I had around the house, mostly antique pieces that I got for cheap, so the look could be achieved without a huge price tag.  One of my favorite pieces used in the shoot was the quilt covering the table and ironically enough, it wasn't originally supposed to be there.  I had wanted to use a plain white tablecloth that I knew we had but as I was lugging everything outside, I discovered that the white tablecloth was really a bunch of white napkins.  I got frustrated, assuming that I would have to bring everything back inside, find another tablecloth alternative, and do the shoot the next day.  I frantically searched my house to see if there was anything else I could use that would work.  My  Mom pointed out the quilt and I realized it was the only thing that would come close.  But since it wasn't my original intention it was hard to shake the old idea from my head.  But as I set up the table with the quilt, I realized that this mistake was a good one and that I loved the new look.  The quilt also has special significance within my family because it was handmade by my great grandmother.  

Another great find, of the edible variety, was the French macaroons that I got at Trader Joe's.  I wanted to use macaroons in the shoot because they are adorable  and delicious but I am not aware of any bakeries in my area that sell them.  After a little internet searching I discovered that Trader Joe's carries them.  Run to your nearest store to get them because they are amazing!  In my opinion, the vanilla are better than the chocolate.  They are not as good as the ones in Paris but until my return to France, these will do just fine.

And finally the pictures: