why hello, gorgeous new Blog Around the Corner.
It's so nice to meet you.
clearly this blog has been in desperate need of a makeover for the last month. I fiddled around on photoshop, using all sorts of wallpaper and fabric swatches and downloaded fonts, but every time I thought I had something, it would fall apart. It wouldn't look right on the site, or the text would be off, or the color... it was maddening. Enter Mari Fray Foster. How do I even know Mari? I'm not sure when we first met. We had mutual friends in high school through youth group. The last time I saw Mari was when we went on beach week together. It's a little embarrassing to admit, but since we're facebook friends and still have a close mutual friend, I've "kept in touch" w/ Mari through the years. She has the cutest name and the cutest hair and the cutest style and she had the cutest wedding. CLEARLY, the girl's got cute down. I read her blog, Mari Makes, and as I was reading it this morning it occurred to me that maybe I should ask Mari to make a banner for me.
So 8 hours ago, after 6 years of not communicating, I sent her a facebook message. I tried to explain to her my style as best as I could. I sent her a couple images of things I liked (including this playful chevron) and some different fonts I had already played around with. We messaged back and forth, and BAM. She nailed it on the first try. Mari, you made... my day. Haha.
Check out Mari's blog - she makes incredible jewelry and hair pieces, and I can tell that she's the kind of gal that thinks to herself "I bet I could make that" and then actually does. She even has a jewelry blog and an Etsy shop. She's such a sweetheart and I think she's working on my blog behind the scenes as I type.... hello? Mari? can you hear me in there? :)
(one of Mari's posts included a clip from the show "Portlandia." ohhhmygosh. hilarious. the show pokes fun at the granola types that we all think of when we think of Portland... what's so sad about the clip "put a bird on it" is that I'M THE PERSON WHO BUYS THOSE ITEMS. ahhhhh.)
kills me.
what do you think of the new look?
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
farmer's market flowers
I bought these flowers from the market today. They came in the milk jug,
which is funky and charming at the same time. I carried my jug across the street
and up to the newsroom, where they cheered me up all day long. I miss them and
I'm excited that they'll be there waiting for me in the morning.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
i fell in love tonight...
with StoryCorps - a non-profit organization that collects people's stories in an effort to preserve oral history.
Joshua Littman, a 12-year-old boy with Asperger’s syndrome, interviews his mother, Sarah. Joshua’s unique questions and Sarah’s loving, unguarded answers reveal a beautiful relationship that reminds us of the best—and the most challenging—parts of being a parent.
funny stories from Kay Wang, a strong-willed grandmother who was reluctantly taken to a StoryCorps booth by her son and granddaughter (this one prompted an unexpected sob fest because it brought on lots of memories of my grandma, aka granny creeps, who recently passed away):
Joseph Robertson, who was an infantryman in the U.S. Army during World War II, recounts a haunting memory:
"Since 2003, StoryCorps has collected and archived more than 30,000 interviews from more than 60,000 participants."
"We do this to remind one another of our shared humanity, strengthen and build the connections between people, teach the value of listening, and weave into the fabric of our culture the understanding that every life matters. At the same time, we will create an invaluable archive of American voices and wisdom for future generations."
You can listen to interviews on the organization's website (click here), but you can also check out these incredible animations that were inspired by the stories shared at StoryCorps. The first three, "Danny and Annie," "Q&A" and "Miss Devine" are my most favorites, but they're all amazing.
"We do this to remind one another of our shared humanity, strengthen and build the connections between people, teach the value of listening, and weave into the fabric of our culture the understanding that every life matters. At the same time, we will create an invaluable archive of American voices and wisdom for future generations."
You can listen to interviews on the organization's website (click here), but you can also check out these incredible animations that were inspired by the stories shared at StoryCorps. The first three, "Danny and Annie," "Q&A" and "Miss Devine" are my most favorites, but they're all amazing.
This video was inspired by interviews with Danny Perasa and his wife, Annie, as they recounted their twenty-seven-year romance -from their first date to Danny’s final days with terminal cancer (if like me, you're dying for the transcript- read it here):
Q&A from StoryCorps on Vimeo.
Cousins James Ransom and Cherie Johnson recall their formidable Sunday school teacher, Miss Lizzie Devine, the only woman who scared them more than their grandmother.
funny stories from Kay Wang, a strong-willed grandmother who was reluctantly taken to a StoryCorps booth by her son and granddaughter (this one prompted an unexpected sob fest because it brought on lots of memories of my grandma, aka granny creeps, who recently passed away):
This interview between Blanca Alvarez and her daughter Connie reveals how much children can really see of their parents' lives—and the inspiration they draw from their struggles:
The Human Voice from StoryCorps on Vimeo.
and lastly, a sad yet hopeful story shared on the website:
and lastly, a sad yet hopeful story shared on the website:
Friday, August 26, 2011
take your tee to work day
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
wardrobe essentials
I've recently been asked some advice on how to go from a cotton t-shirt and workout pants/jeans uniform to a more updated look. It's hard to know where to start! While I am no expert, I'm confident my advice will help anyone who needs a little "boost" in the fashion department.
1- painted nails will put you on the fast track to feel more stylish. check out OPI's website and look at their blues and greens. the bottom 3 rows (minus the two marbled ones) are all great fall colors - normally I head straight for purples and grays, but I'm really loving "Ski Teal We Drop" and "Here Today...Aragon Tomorrow." If bold colors aren't for you, a pale pink (or clear!) works any time of year.
2- try EVERYTHING on - in front of a mirror - before you take off the price tag. sounds obvious, but it really makes a difference. don't purchase anything that's super sheer or looks funky over your bras. wear a nude colored bra and seamless panties when you go shopping if you can remember - and I also recommend wearing your favorite jeans and a shirt that is easy to take off and put back on. also, wear your hair like you normally wear it. I HATE it when I can't really tell how things will look at home b/c I'm not wearing the right things underneath and my hair is in a messy ponytail.
3- I recommend having several soft, solid tees (scooped or v-neck) in your closet. You can never go wrong with white and black, but the top I get the most compliments on is a slate gray one from Loft. For this fall, look for a dark teal or a feminine, light purple. I almost bought this top in weathered blue and light lavender, but I decided I don't really need them. Look for materials that are dressy enough for work but casual enough to wear with jeans. Pair the top with your favorite jewelry, and you're good to go.
4- Don't be afraid to try on something that you're not sure about - last year I gave dolman-sleeved tops a chance and they are my FAVORITE. They're everywhere now, so I'm glad I jumped on board!
5- Invest in at least one black and one brown belt - skinny or wide, braided or snakeskin - find something that suits your personality AND works with one more than outfit.
6- Every girl should own a quality pair of dark wash jeans (they go with everything, they're slimming and they instantly dress up a simple top). And a white and black camisole/tank that is long enough to be tucked in under a blouse. AND a pair of black shoes. I'm a flats girl myself.
7. Try to add a little color to your outfit, whether it's through your shoes, purse, cardigan, wherever.
8. Get your jewelry on! I've always feel more put together when I wear earrings. If you don't have your ears pierced, think about purchasing a necklace that you can wear with a variety of your clothes. While it's fun to get crazy with jewelry, it never hurts to have a few simple pieces that you can rely on.
9. Toss (or better, donate) everything in your closet that you either never wear, or you do wear but you hate wearing it. Then take inventory of what you're missing and get shopping! (In my case, I was missing a couple of comfy button-down shirts, so I got on that right away.)
10. If skinny jeans or dolman sleeves or chunky cardigans or whatever don't look good on you - don't fret. You will look LESS fashionable if you wear something that doesn't fit your body type or your personality. Wear clothes that make you feel comfortable and happy.
and one bonus tip - don't buy a fashion magazine if you're not super into fashion. just google fashion trends or browse through an InStyle at a bookstore, and try to incorporate at least one new trend into your wardrobe.
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