sayonara

I have to make this one quick because after I hand over the keys to my landlord, I'm off to Maine. I'll be sure to snapsnapsnap lots of pictures while I'm there and hopefully update along the way.

I hope the new month brings great things for everyone!

Always,

my man

Yosemite, 2009

I miss him. <3>

thanks jalene

As I sit here browsing through blogs, finishing up breakfast, and preparing to start packing again, I wanted to share a few things from the lovely Jalene, whose blog I just discovered.

I hope...
this quote,
this request,
this picture,
and this question,
...start your Sunday off on a good note.






Happy almost-September everyone. Dorms, here I come.

cardboard boxes

I spent my morning packing up boxes and preparing to say goodbye to Apartment 24. I'll be moving back into the dorms tomorrow, so I must get things squared away.

After getting a good amount done, I was off to the airport to pick up my parents. Yep, they're visiting! This makes for a very happy Michelle. So, as I type this, the three of us are hanging out in my teeny studio apartment taking turns sitting in the only two chairs I have.

Off to hang with my mom. Have a great night, everyone!

designer spaces: louise campbell

via concrete and honey

Interior design always gets my blood pumping. I knew I loved it when I got more excited about my mom's Better Homes and Gardens and Sunset Magazine being in the mail than my Teen Vogue.

This is the home of Danish designer Louise Campbell. Since my favorite color is white, I'm totally drooling over this. Her mix of styles...flawless. And that attic? Only in my dreams.






Favorite magazine ever: domino. R.I.P.

introductions: nina

I'm proud to introduce Nina, from naturally nina, as our second introductions guest! I first met ("e-meet" as she so charmingly says) Nina a couple weeks back, and from the first time we spoke, she was so warm and inviting. Nina, a writer, yogi, artist, and designer, is all about bringing out the best in her readers through inspiring doses of beauty and meaningful, relatable topics. If you haven't already done so, I encourage you to check out her lovely blog. Enjoy!

dads say the darndest things.

Because it's late, and I can't sleep, I'm going to entertain you (and myself) with some snippets from this awesome guy's Twitter called shitmydadsays. I'm sorry in advance for the profanity, but I just wouldn't be doing it justice by censoring.

"Who is this woman?....Kate Beckinsale? Well, you can tell Kate Beckinsale she sucks."


"Your mother made a batch of meatballs last night. Some are for you, some are for me, but more are for me. Remember that. More. Me."


"Your brother brought his baby over this morning. He told me it could stand. It couldn't stand for shit. Just sat there. Big let down."


"My flight lands at 9:30 on Sunday...You want to watch what? What the fuck is mad men? I'm a mad man if you don't pick me the hell up."


"Tennessee is nice. The first time I vomited was in tennessee, I think."

break the habit

Reading Nina's post about habits prompted me to recall this quote from a movie I watched recently, My Dinner with Andre. On one hand, I can agree that breaking habits is what creates some of the most treasured memories; I, myself, have a hard time doing so and am constantly reminding myself to be brave, just go for it. However, I strongly disagree with this statement in terms of relationships and connections with others. Habit brings me a sense of comfort in my own relationship; in the form of cooking dinner together each night, watching our favorite t.v. shows together, taking trips to the market, daily bike rides, and many long held traditions. For me, habit creates history.

Putting it all together, I'd say habit is all about balance. But heck, isn't everything?

fashion and food

The perfect mix? So says these bloggers. Pop on over to read this Refinery 29 feature on ladies who have mastered the combo.

I do have a favorite on the list: Blushing Ambition. Annabel struck me as a totally cool chick, and I can't wait to read more from her.






By the way, kELLO! featured my 'bucket list' on ROED BOOK. Check it out!

happy 1.5

Today marks 1.5 years since a certain boy spied me across the room in accounting class and asked me out to lunch. It was all in the eyes...

Alex,

In these 1.5 years, you've given me a lifetime of memories and laughter. And we've imprinted that love in so many places; Boston, Montreal, Newport, Yosemite, Austin, Los Angeles, Your Home, My Home. You may not be in Boston anymore, but you're just as much a part of this city as I am. I can't wait to see what the Universe has in store for us. I love you, babe.

Always yours,
Michelle

introductions: michelle

In honor of my 50th post (I know, 50 already?!), I'm here to announce the newest love in details series called 'introductions'. There are so many bloggers who inspire me daily through pictures, writing, colors, creations, and dreams. I want to give those that have impacted me a spotlight on lid. To kick things off, who more fitting than the author herself?






Next up: not telling. You'll have to wait and see. :)

new, fall buys

Around the time summer school ended (i.e. three weeks ago), it had been about two months since I'd bought anything clothes/accessories-related. Nada. Zilch. I wanted to spend my money on creating memories, like taking a trip to Provincetown with my boyfriend, my beloved bike (and most prized purchase), celebration oysters from Legal Sea Foods, and cool vintage posters to be carried on from apartment to apartment.

But, I decided to reward myself with a little retail therapy. After all, I had completed a 6-month internship, summer school classes, and my first half marathon in the midst of all that. I must admit, when I feel like I've earned a little something for myself, these things have more value. I think I'm starting Fall (fashion) on the right note. Do you agree?

steve madden 'Florah' wedges - over 50% off!
h&m gray tank - so simple, so useful
gap cowlneck hoodie - love the color (a muted purple) and so soft
american apparel pocket skirt - i've worn it so much already
h&m checker shirt - a little bit country, a little bit indie
h&m black jean miniskirt - at my height it's not mini, hehe

By the way, the Gap bag was a clear winner. Thanks for your input! You'll just have to wait and see if I end up snagging it...

5 things you don't know about me

1. I am 1/2 Japanese, 1/4 Polish, and 1/4 Slovenian.
2. I'm only 5'3, but I embrace it.
3. My favorite musical artist is John Mayer, and I've been to three of his concerts already.
4. I have two older brothers.
5. My favorite color is white.
   

Also take a looksie at my Proust Questionnaire. Care for more?

jones jumble

via the dieline

How awesome are these designs that Superbig Creative brewed up for this Jones Soda Company campaign? Such cute representations of city, wilderness, and beach...

drifting

home, march 2009

totally random: swiffer

Two and a half weeks of living alone and this is what I have to share: I just made an amazing discovery in my attempts at domesticity. If you don't have Swiffer Wet Cloths on hand, go for the more accessible, budget friendly Clorox Wipes (or CVS brand - even cheaper!). Just wrap two of them around it, and swiffer away!

I'm smiling as I think of my boyfriend reading this. You see, he likes cleaning. Yes, that's right. Only one of many reasons why I'm so lucky to be his girlfriend. :)


Babe! I vacuumed, swiffered AND wiped down my bike today!

mads teglers

Currently admiring the work of: Mads Teglers. See more here.

handmade headbands

I came across these cute head bands from Mandizzle awhile back. Which got me thinking...I could buy one for $20, or I could make one for probably a quarter of the price (and of a more understated style).

So, I ask you readers, have you ever forayed into the craft of headband-making? Any tips?

love in liquids

photo credit: the cheshire smile. i can't get enough of her.

In my opinion, kombucha is one of the greatest liquids that ever existed. That along with water, coffee, yerba mate, and orange juice.

This hot and humid Boston weather has me thinking of liquids...






P.S. Job search update: I got a response! I'm in a ridiculously good mood right now. So giddy. :)

designer spaces: jenna lyons

Remember in this post when I said if I could be anyone, real or fiction, I would be Jenna Lyons of J.Crew? Well, here's one reason why, other than the fact that she's the creative director for one of my most beloved clothing brands. Livingetc magazine featured her Brooklyn home in its latest issue. This one is going down in the books...

love and splendor

 

 

I seriously must introduce you all to events of love and splendor, a lovely Southern California wedding and event design firm. I'm mesmerized by the designs brought to life by owner Angel Swanson and her team. I love the timeless, down-to-earth, romantic essence of her creations. Needless to say, I've been very busy flipping through her photos.

And please do check out her blog! She has so much personality, and you really feel like you get to know her and her aesthetic in each post. Above is only a small selection of the incredible weddings she has planned, so visit her blog to see more. I hope you love it as much as I do.

yearbook: my little secret

I miss these girls.

I've been in the mood to create lately. And as I sift through the photos in my Picasa, I'm reminded of my time on my high school yearbook staff. Other than HS soccer, which kind of fizzled out by the end, yearbook was an extracurricular that really got me jazzed. I saw it as my introduction to the publishing industry.

There was a specific time when it was very clear to me that the graphic arts were something I wanted to and would pursue from that point forward. The entire yearbook staff, about 20 students, was required to attend a week-long orientation during the summer where we would choose the theme and design of the yearbook we would slave over for the next 8 or 9 months. Not an easy task. The sessions were long, breaks were short, and brainstorming sessions exhausting.

During breaks, we would all gather outside on the lunch tables to, essentially, vent about the long, boring sessions we had just endured. But as I listened and sympathized with my fellow yearbook staffers about their complaints, I couldn't help but think to myself, "I'm loving this." I probably played along with everyone else so I didn't seem too dorky for loving lectures on layouts, copywriting (I was Copy Editor), cropping, pixels, and the like. But I knew. And it was my little secret.

jonathan adler goes barbie

I present to you the Jonathan Adler Loves Barbie doll, complete with Bel Air Lamp.

"Stylish, adorable, and oh-so-chic." - Toys "R" Us






I don't know how to feel about this.

the biz

biz shoes from Need Supply Co.

Totally freakin' cool for someone who can pull these off. I'm not sure that person is me, but I'd love to try and see...

yosemite, to me

Yosemite Valley, to me, is the essence of a limitless existence.

magazines, we need more from you

I'm pissed at magazines. Yep, I said it. For almost half my life, I've wanted to work for one (and I did - an internship), but I was rather particular. I wanted to work somewhere that told the truth; that displayed fashion as art; that wrote about meaningful issues and current events.

I didn't fully realize before now because I was just too in awe of these illustrious magazine empires. They have such wide reach, a loyal following of young girls, and demand for more, month after month. But as I sit here and look at my Lucky magazine tell me, in it's smart shopper's sourcebook, that I should check a site's shipping rates before I purchase anything, I wonder if those writers give any credit to readers' common. Or an my marie claire scream "Look thinner, younger, richer...on the new GREEN DIET," when the article makes no mention of any of those superficial reasons to go green and proceeds to tell the "Up-and-Coming Greenie" that you should avoid vendors at farmer's markets who don't sell organic. Isn't buying local enough? Can we give people some credit? And hasn't this article been published about 100 times in your magazine already?

Now I must clarify that it's the content, not the design or artistic direction, of the magazines that's starting to get to me. After all, I do find plenty of inspiration there for my own work. But I don't always have to like what I'm reading.

Ok, my rant is over. And it may not even be a completely sound argument, but I'm putting it out there.

Aside from that, happy Saturday. :)






Hopefully, I'll be back with some more upbeat content later.