/// TURN UP THE RAD ///

Progress

2011-11-23T04:00:00.002-07:00

Five truckloads, a few bruises, two room dilemmas and one scared kitty later, the fiance and I are officially in the new house. It was a lot of work, but we managed to move all of our possessions in one weekend (Observation: if you want to deter hoarding, make a person pack and move all of their own ish by themselves).

It might be a few more days before I post again since it's super busy around these parts: Unpacking the new place, cleaning the old place, Thanksgiving, Apple Cup, the fiance's parents coming to town, preparing for my cross-country road trip, still no Internet at the new house ... So I wanted to share a glimpse of the early stages of the living room pre boxes and miscellaneous furniture overflow. This picture might be more for my sanity and serve as a reminder it did look semi-normal at one time.

By no means am I a professional interior designer, and the living room and office are proving to be a little challenging. But I like to keep it real around here, so I present to you the unfinished and unstyled living room.

And now it's back to cleaning the old place ... Maid service anyone?!

Sunset from the backyard ... Pardon the leaves.

Five for Friday: Gray all the way

2011-11-18T04:00:00.001-07:00

It's finally here!!! The fiance and I get the keys to our new casa today at 5 p.m., and I'm beyond ready to move into the space. Thank goodness our landlord has great taste and already painted all of the walls gray. After a few conversations, he and I seem to have the same aesthetic when it comes to interior design. So happy he's not the type of landlord who has an affinity for poop-green paint and shag carpet circa 1973.

Gray is such a versatile "neutral." You can pretty much pair it with any color and style, which is ideal for someone like me who tends to change her mind easily and often. What is your go-to wall color? Happy Weekend!

1. Eclectic + warm

[via]

2. Pretty + contemporary 

[via]

3. Fun + bold

[via]

4. Modern + sleek

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5. Feminine + classic

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Check out past Fridays here.

Change of address

2011-11-17T03:00:00.003-07:00

Tomorrow, the fiance and I will say peace out to wannabe-porn star, rhino foot-stomping, dog-barking, chain-smoking, cupboard-slamming, grimy neighbors ... You know, all of the joys that come with attached-space living. And if leaving the Jerry Springer Show rejects wasn't relief enough, we get to call an incredible space with loads of potential home.

I'm beyond stoked to start decorating (expect a few mood boards). Our landlord has good taste and already painted the walls gray, updated the appliances and fixtures, installed a pretty backsplash in the kitchen, put hardwoods throughout and painted the front door a gorgeous red. Other highlights include having a dedicated work space (no more office-slash-guest bedroom for this girl) and a fruit tree in the front yard.

And can we just discuss the effing pool?!?! That basically sold me on the house at first sight. If you've ever been to the AZ, you know a refreshing aquatic source is essential to surviving the sweltering summers.

I feel so blessed that we found a house that met all of our requirements. And did I mention it's in one of the best neighborhoods in Phoenix?! We looked in the area upon arrival to the AZ, but nothing was available. I'm chalking up hitting the house lottery as good karma for dealing with some grade-A next-door asshats over the past 20 months.

Take a mini-tour of the townhouse before we move. Sketched-out neighbors not included.

Guess who's back?!

2011-11-15T05:36:00.001-07:00

So apparently I needed an entire month and a half to recover from the ~~shock~~ kick-assness of turning 30. The truth is my absence from around these parts was a combination of traveling, lack of inspiration, taking over as president for our Arizona/Southern Nevada alumni group and searching for a new place of residence. So there's been plenty of fun ish transpiring.

I'm most stoked about peacing the eff out of the townhouse and moving into our gorgeous HOUSE. Yes, a real grown-up house with a pool!!!! More on that radness tomorrow.

In the meantime, I figured what better way to come back than with a complete blog revamp. I really loved the previous layout, but it was definitely time to freshen up my little corner of the Internet. Practicing on my own blog helps me learn coding and try out ideas for clients while refining my own style. Hopefully you like.

Check out more of my work in my studio portfolio.

30 candles

2011-10-01T04:00:00.002-07:00

A little older; somewhat wiser; always young at heart.

Happy Birthday to me.

[via]

Five for Friday: Twenty-nine was divine

2011-09-30T04:00:00.000-07:00

In a few hours, my Birthday Weekend will commence. The fiance and I will be on a plane to Colorado, ready to kick off my next year. I admit, turning 30 is a little scary. But the plan is to rock it out and embrace the gift of another year.

It's a little hard to leave 29 behind because it was an amazing year. I felt settled in Arizona, started my own business, traveled around the country, saw my family a lot more, started getting healthy and became involved in my college's alumni association.

It's incredible the difference a year makes. Twenty-eight was full of transition and uncertainty, but it built a foundation for how great 29 was. So here's to 30 being even better and another 365 days of growing, loving, experiencing, laughing and learning.

1. Open for business

I really never intended to start my own studio, but it's been such a joy. Using my design skills in a different medium has been an incredible creative experience. The blog also celebrated its first Birthday this past year.

2. Adventure is calling

Working on a newspaper copy desk didn't allow me the opportunity to travel much, so I'm making up for lost time. Exploring the country (and world) is one of the best things a person can do for themselves, and I was blessed to visit California, Colorado, Connecticut, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Texas and Washington this year, crossing off a few more from my 50 states checklist.

3. Family ties

I traveled home to Washington a few times this year, and even though the trips always seem short, I cherish the moments I do have with my family. Celebrating my nephew's first year of life and being home for Christmas for the first time in five years were some of the highlights of 29.

4.  Workin' on my fitness

One of the best decisions I made this year was getting back in the gym and eating better. I'm not big on the 30-before-30 types of things, but I am proud to say I've lost about 30 pounds just in time to turn 30. Continuing to make my health a priority definitely isn't going to stop at 30.

5. School spirit

Anyone who knows me knows I'm a little obsessed with my college. And through the Washington State University Alumni Association, I've had the opportunity to channel that love into organizing events for our local chapter and beyond and meeting fellow alumni. October will see me represent our Arizona group at the fall meeting in Pullman and attend college fairs here in the AZ to recruit out-of-state students to WSU.

Revisit Fridays of the past here.

Fashion to furnishings: Birthday bliss

2011-09-29T04:00:00.003-07:00

It's hard to believe it's time to blow out Birthday candles. What's even harder to fathom is I'm turning the Big 3-0 on Saturday.

It's been a low-key Birthday Week, which has been nice, considering it's about to get outta control this weekend. The fiance and I are heading to Denver on Friday for the Great American Beer Festival. Then we're making the short trip to Boulder to watch our college's football team play the University of Colorado on my Birthday (Cougar Football + my Day of Birth = Meant to be).

It hasn't been all chill, though. I kicked off Birthday Week by completing my first mud run. And I'm happy to report I was 35th out of 183 individual female finishers! Yay! We've also attended two really fun D'backs games, including a 10-inning thriller Tuesday night. Today, I'm getting my hair did and treating myself to a mani/pedi.

In lieu of 108 Birthday Week posts, I put together this fun Fashion to furnishings: Birthday edition. I was completely inspired by this gorgeous dress. And even though I'll be rocking game-day gear and not sparkles, this would be my dream 30th Birthday if I was having a traditional party. But seeing my college play in person on the same weekend as one of the biggest brew festivals in the world is a gift made just for me.

Get your party on: dress / cake / garland / confetti / balloons / invite / candles

Delve into the fashion to furnishings archives.

I heart art: The Summer Project

2011-09-28T04:00:00.000-07:00

Want summer nostalgia without the sunburn and sand in hard-to-reach-places? Then feast your eyes on the dreamy art of Samantha R. Sano. The Dallas-based graphic designer returned to painting this summer and appropriately named her effort The Summer Project. Through the venture, she wanted to "escape the hustle and bustle for a while to take a deep breath, get reinspired before fall, drink lots of iced tea and jump feet first into the deep end."

So if you're not living in Phoenix where it's pretty much summer year-round (Yeah, it's still 100 at the end of September), then you should probably snatch up one of these incredible pieces.

[via]

Check out more lust-worthy art here.

In the studio: The Notebook

2011-09-27T04:00:00.005-07:00

I'm so thrilled to share the latest project from my design studio, a complete revamp for The Notebook. Meaghan, a DC-based interior designer, is inspired by geometric patterns and a color palate consisting of blues, greens and grays, so there were ample jumping off points for a fresh and fun layout. I think we achieved a more cohesive and organized look that will allow readers to navigate the site with ease while incorporating Meaghan's design criteria.

Check out past projects in my portfolio here or on the blog here.

A healthier me: Mission accomplished

2011-09-26T04:00:00.000-07:00

Sometimes all it takes is getting off the couch. Three months ago, I set a goal of getting healthy. And Saturday, I completed my first mud run, a three-mile course with mud pits, balance beams, hills and a lot of fun.

I felt a great sense of accomplishment, making all those times I forced myself to make a gym appearance worth it. I won't lie. Some days I didn't want to go. And some days I didn't (even though I felt super guilty). But the aches, hours of cardio and pushing myself to the limit culminated in crossing the finish line at the Dirty 6 Mud Run.

It was publicly announced yesterday that former WSU and New Orleans Saints football player Steve Gleason has ALS, a terminal disease that damages the nerves that control voluntary muscle movement. The Times-Picayune ran an incredible story on Gleason and one of his quotes has resonated with me.

By no means am I comparing my fitness journey to Gleason's courageous battle. But what he said is so true. I was fearful of putting all of this on the blog because what if I failed?! I was fearful in signing up for the mud run because what if I couldn't complete the training?! Well, I'm here to say that once you let go, anything is possible.

A childhood spent playing in dirt piles and my natural clumsiness combined to lead up to this defining moment.

Find out more about my journey to a healthier me here.

Five for Friday + A healthier me: The moment of truth

2011-09-23T04:00:00.010-07:00

Well, friends, the time has arrived for my first mud run. Tomorrow morning you can find me at Wild Horse Pass in Chandler getting dirty with a few hundred crazies. This journey to a healthier me is far from finished, but I can't wait to put the hard work of the past few months to the test.

I wanted to share my fave posts from the past few months in this edition of Five for Friday. Future topics will include fun playlists, nutrition and potentially training for a half effin' marathon! Thanks for all of the encouragement I've received via your wonderful comments and emails. They mean so much!

1. Back at the beginning

2. Where the magic happens

3. Sassy support

4. Mileage milestone

5. Thrice as nice

Find out more about my resolve to get fit then delve deeper into the Five for Friday archives.

Said it best: Assignment accepted

2011-09-22T04:00:00.001-07:00

Things are quite busy around these parts, but in a completely good way. I'm gearing up for my first mud run and an alumni event at the D'backs/Giants game Saturday, finishing up a client's blog redesign, working on my letter of intent to take over our Arizona and Nevada alumni chapter group and finalizing plans for my 30th Birthday adventure in Colorado.

So when I came across these beautiful words (and amazing typography treatment), they really hit home. My world is anything but what I expected it to be at this point in my life, but everything I'm throwing myself into.

[via]

More inspirational words await here and here.

In the kitchen: Mediterranean basil salad

2011-09-21T04:00:00.001-07:00

It's been super busy around these parts, hence the reason for my absence the past few days. The fiance and I had a blast in San Diego last weekend, complete with a successful alumni tailgate. We had a few hundred people show up. If only our Cougs would've won ... But staying at a rad beach house, a pub crawl in Gaslamp and making new homies and reconnecting with old ones definitely made up for it.

This week has been spent preparing for my mud run Saturday. And after the not-so-healthy eats and drinks that were consumed in San Diego, we needed a fresh and wholesome dish. Enter the Mediterranean basil pasta salad from our go-to pasta cookbook.

I left the dressing off to make it more low-cal and low-fat. If you decide to omit the dressing, a nice substitute would be skim milk ricotta cheese.

Still hungry? Check out more yummy recipes here.

Five (plus two) for Friday (on a Thursday): Technicolor sky

2011-09-15T04:00:00.002-07:00

I'm peacing out early this week hence the Five for Friday today. But it's with good reason. The fiance and I are road tripping it to San Diego this weekend to cheer on our alma mater at their football game at Qualcomm Stadium.

We're staying in a sick beach house with a bunch of our alumni group homies, and it's going to be one fun-filled weekend. We have a pub crawl in the Gaslamp Quarter on Friday, a huge tailgate before the game Saturday and Sunday will be spent searching for our livers, I'm sure.

In the spirit of travel and because I've been kind of a slacker around these parts (I'm working on a client's blog redesign), I wanted to share a few pictures from my plane ride back to Phoenix from my Montana adventure. (And I totally will post photos from that experience. It was everything I hoped it would be, and I basically want to move there, now).

I always carry my point-and-shoot in my purse because you never know when the opportunity to capture an image will present itself. And if you couldn't tell, I heart taking sky pictures, which is maybe why some of my fave photos ever were taken from an airplane.

I let my imagination take over while editing these. Hope your weekend is just as colorful!

Get your Friday fix here. Or check out more of my travel photography here. Or be rad and do both.

A healthier me: Thrice as nice

2011-09-13T04:00:00.003-07:00

Week 7 of my running program is in the books, fitness friends. And I'm happy to report I hit the three-mile mark. It's still hard to believe only three months ago I could barely run three consecutive minutes. It hasn't been easy (there are still days I have to force myself to make a gym appearance), but when I'm finished running, it's always worth it.

I'm a little less than two weeks away from reaching my goal of competing in my first mud run, and I couldn't be happier with the progress I've made.

Come along with me on my journey to a healthier me.

Happy Day Before Missoni For Target Day

2011-09-12T04:00:00.002-07:00

If anyone needs me, I'll be camped out in front of my local Target tomorrow morning. I was underwhelmed by the Calypso St. Barth collab, but these Missoni goodies are more than making up for that disaster. I'll take one of each, please.

[images]

Happy Labor Day!

2011-09-05T04:00:00.001-07:00

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Five for Friday: Fall into white jeans

2011-09-02T04:00:00.050-07:00

Clearly whoever made up the lame rule about wearing white after Labor Day lived under a fashion rock. With the holiday right around the corner, take those summer staple white jeans into the fall with blazers, bomber jackets, dark accessories and scarfs. Adding heavier layers will help stretch your wardrobe between seasons, making your wallet happy and keeping your closet clutter-free.

Even though the summer temps last through November in the AZ, a girl can still dream of chilly, yet sunny days, right?!

[via]

Get more Friday fun here.

In rotation: Those Darlins + The Weeknd + The Ettes + Little Dragon + Mister Heavenly + Blood Orange

2011-09-01T04:00:00.001-07:00

Sassy rock-country hybrids Those Darlins (who are incredible live), the latest mixtape of R&B up-and-comer The Weeknd, new-to-me rockers The Ettes, the most recent release from Swedish electronic band Little Dragon, Mister Heavenly's doom-wop and Blood Orange's 80s-tinged synth grooves are rolling around in my iPod these days. I hope you enjoy their respective sounds as much as I do, music lovers.

Those Darlins: Screws Get Loose

"Screws Get Loose"

The Weeknd: Thursday

"The Zone"

The Ettes: Wicked Will

"The Pendulum"

Little Dragon: Ritual Union

"Ritual Union"

Mister Heavenly: Out Of Love

"Pineapple Girl"

Blood Orange: Terrible Records 7″ 

"Bad Girls" 

Listen to the other tunes bumping out of my speakers here.

50 states: Big Sky Country for two

2011-08-31T04:00:00.001-07:00

This adventure to Montana has been over a decade in the making, and today I'll be able to check one of my top travel destinations off the list. But it's much more than a check mark. I'm not only going to Big Sky Country for myself, but the journey is for my Dad, too. We made plans to someday visit the area together, but didn't get the chance before he passed away.

So when I see Missoula, Flathead Lake and Glacier National Park during the next week, it'll be that much more special.

What to pack: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 | Picture via

50 states: On island time (Part II)

2011-08-30T04:00:00.001-07:00

Our San Juan Islands adventure was so fun, it had to be broken up into two parts (check out the first half here). The latter portion of the trip was spent at Stuart Island, Orcas Island and a night at the marina in Anacortes.

We enjoyed a spectacular hike to an old schoolhouse and a lighthouse, incredible sunsets, an unexpected but very cool tour of a tugboat, a yummy feast the fiance's mom made for his 30th Birthday, checking out a wedding venue (come back for more on that) and delicious meals at two of our go-to restaurants (Calico Cupboard and Rockfish Grill) in Anacortes.

I already can't wait for next year's boat trip!

Come along with me on my past adventures here and check out more of my photography here.

Scenes from the weekend

2011-08-29T04:00:00.001-07:00

Because it's always fun ...

Looking up at a pre-monsoon sky;

Spending quality time with your sorority lil sis when she comes to town;

Reaching yet another mileage milestone;

Eating dinner at your favorite Thai restaurant;

Taking in an exciting baseball game;

Seeing the feline use the fiance's clothes as a bed;

And making the best of a heatwave poolside.

Check out more of my photography here.

You can find me at the Small Shop

2011-08-26T05:00:00.003-07:00

It's Erika's Birthday week, and I'm helping her celebrate on her blog today. Head over to Small Shop for my drool-worthy decor inspiration and essentials sure to dress up any party. While you're there, check out her fabulous casa tour and lamp revamp (one of my fave DIY afters).

And now I leave you with the coolest Birthday jam of all time. Nothing says "I'm glad you were born" quite like trick-riding neon jet skis and booty dancing.

Happy Birthday, Erika!!! You rock!

I heart art: black-dicefish

2011-08-25T10:16:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I curse technology. Other days, I don't know what I'd do without it. This is one of those times. Thank goodness for Tumblr. Because of the always-inspiring blog site, I now am obsessed with the artwork of black-dicefish. It can be difficult to find the source of Tumblr content, but thankfully it only took two clicks to get to these beauties. I don't know anything about the artist, but their work is incredible.

[Allure]

[Unicorn]

[The Warmth Of The Sun]

[The River Flows Through Me]

[Sunny]

More heart-worthy art awaits here.

50 states: On island time (Part I)

2011-08-24T04:00:00.014-07:00

The first batch of photos from our annual boat trip to the San Juan Islands are ready for your viewing pleasure. As always, it was an incredible trip. The fiance's parents, the fiance and I visited Matia Island, Stuart Island and Orcas Island.

Camping out on the boats, hiking, crabbing, meeting new people (including fellow WSU alums), checking out two wedding venues (more on that later) and celebrating the fiance's big 3-0 with a fabulous dinner cooked by his mama were a few of the highlights.

I'm so blessed the fiance and his parents have adopted me into their tradition. Not only are the islands amazing, but the quality time we all spent together was a lot of fun.

See more of my quest to visit all 50 states here and go here to check out my photography.

A healthier me: Mileage milestone

2011-08-23T04:00:00.004-07:00

I'm proud to report I reached a major goal in my journey to a healthier me. With the help of my running program, I did a little over two miles and 20 minutes nonstop on Friday! It's still not a full 5K, but considering I was a regular fixture on the couch prior to June, I'm super stoked with my progress and can't wait to put it to the test in September. Go me!

It hasn't been easy, but it's most definitely worth it. Check out my progress towards a healthier me here.

What my weekend looked like

2011-08-22T11:45:00.001-07:00

Watch / Think / Drink / Eat / Clean / Sweat

Five for Friday: The sky's the limit

2011-08-19T04:00:00.001-07:00

Two weeks, hours of fun in the homeland and four loads of laundry later, I'm back in the mutha effin' house. Our boat trip to the San Juans was incredible, and the fiance and I may have found our wedding venue!!! Pictures of it all coming next week. As for this weekend's agenda, we're celebrating our fave AZ brewhouse's 10th birthday Saturday, and I'm trying to convince my better half to see "One Day." Wish me luck.

In the meantime, I can't think of a better way to delve back into blogging than the photography of Eric Cahan. The dude from New York is a genius, and I'm in love with his "Sky Series." Capturing sunrises and sunsets on camera is pretty much an obsession, and I'm completely inspired by his work.

[images / via]

Friday is the best day of the week. See why here.

Five (times two) for Friday: Setting sail

2011-08-05T04:00:00.009-07:00

It's time to kick off my summer/fall adventures with a trip back to the homeland. I'll be spending time with my family by the day's end before heading to the San Juan Islands for our annual Boat Trip. I can't even begin to convey how stoked I am to get back to the San Juans. We didn't make it last year since the fiance didn't have vacation the first year he was at his new job.

Not only are the San Juans absolutely stunning, but they have a special place in our hearts. The fiance and his family vacation there every year and have adopted me in their tradition after we started dating. So it seems fitting to get hitched on our favorite island. We're going to check out two venues in between boating, hiking, camping and wakeboarding.

These are some of the pictures I took from our trip two years ago. If you're ever in Western Washington, do yourself a favor and get yo ace to the San Juans.

Get your Friday fix here. Head over to the studio to check out more of my photography..

Farewell, bad hair year

2011-08-04T13:40:00.001-07:00

Dear hats, bobby pins, headbands, ponytails and dark corners:

It's been a not-so-great run together, and I'm happy to report your services will no longer be needed thanks to the talented women at Ide Mania. They've restored my faith in quality hairstylists and shown there is hope out there for those fearful of follicle follies.

I hope we never have to meet again. Peace out!

P.S. Please excuse the MySpace-esque bathroom pic. :)

Follicle fear be gone

2011-08-03T04:00:00.001-07:00

Can someone please tell me why I'm perfectly ok with jumping off cliffs, hang gliding and rock climbing, but a pair of scissors and a stylist's chair scare the ish out of me?! It's been almost a year since I've had my hair cut (the Bang Incident of 2010 was traumatizing), and today I'm taking the plunge again.

Part of the reason I've waited almost 365 days is because my hair was butchered the last time I had it cut. There was a complete miscommunication between the hairdresser and I, and the end result was anything but pretty. It's also really hard to find a stylist I trust. The lady who I had in California was so great (too bad she couldn't have made the move with us), and I haven't been able to find that again in Arizona. I did some research and came across an Aveda concept salon not too far from the townhouse I'm going to try.

Plus with all of the upcoming fun adventures, it's time for this mop to get cleaned up. The look I'm going for is long and brunette (which I have now) with a little side bang. Here's hoping I won't be scerrrred off into hair hell again.

Lovely locks - Clockwise from top-left: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

Hey now, you're an all-star

2011-08-02T04:00:00.001-07:00

As a lifelong baseball and Seattle Mariners fan, attending the Futures Game, Home Run Derby, FanFest and All-Star Game at Chase Field was a dream come true. Even though the American League lost, it was still fun to be in such an electric atmosphere with baseball fans from around the country.

Five for Friday: Racking up the miles

2011-07-29T04:00:00.001-07:00

The next few months are full of adventure ... Just the way I like it. The first trip takes the fiance and I to the San Juan Islands at the beginning of August. We're going to check out a few more wedding venues (yay) and spend time on the boat with family and friends. If you ever have a chance to visit Washington, try to see the San Juans. You won't be disappointed.

Next on the agenda is a trip to a state I've wanted to visit for a long time: Montana. I'll be spending Labor Day with one of my best homies at Flathead Lake. We're even thinking of going skydiving. My Dad really wanted to see Montana, but didn't get a chance to before he passed away, so I'll be making the journey for both of us.

I can thank my college's football team for the chance to visit San Diego and Colorado. The fiance and I are piling in an RV with some of our alumni group friends for a road trip to watch the Cougs play San Diego State at Qualcomm Stadium in September. And the stars pretty much aligned for the trek to Colorado in October. WSU plays at the University of Colorado on my birthday, which also happens to be the same weekend as the Great American Beer Festival. Oh. Hell. Yes.

Finally, a travel roundup wouldn't be complete without a stop in Vegas. As part of my journey to a healthier me, I've started running again. And I'm a firm believer in the saying "Go big or go home," which is why I'm training for my first half marathon in December with my amazing Lil Sis from my sorority. The race is billed as "the World's largest nighttime running event" and sounds incredible.

Whether it's around the United States or in Arizona, traveling is important and necessary. Do you have any fun trips on the horizon?

[via]

See why else Fridays rock here.

Seen live: Those Darlins

2011-07-28T04:00:00.002-07:00

Those Darlins, a scrappy and sassy quartet from Tennessee, combine the best elements of country, rock, doo-wop and pop to make a sound all their own. A high-energy show from start to finish, Jessi, Nikki and Kelley Darlin and drummer Linwood Regensburg shared vocal and instrument duties, keeping the set fresh and fun. They're definitely a new favorite, and if they come to your town, don't miss out.

Check out what other bands I've seen live here.

Haboob = Luggage destroyer

2011-07-25T04:00:00.001-07:00

Flying into a storm is both exhilarating and scary as ish. The fiance and I had the pleasure/displeasure of being on an airplane while a crazy storm called a "haboob" (I couldn't make that ish up) was covering the Phoenix area at the beginning of the month. The lightning show was incredible, but the abbreviated drink service as a result of turbulence sucked (we were in first class, which meant all the "free" delicious alcohol you could consume).

When we landed, the aftermath of the storm was insane. All of the fire alarm lights were going off in Sky Harbor, and the ground was covered in grimy dust. It was a weird scene, but we were happy to be safe. Too bad I couldn't say the same for my luggage. When my suitcase and sleeping bag came around on the carasoul, they were caked in mud. The damage to my suitcase was more than cosmetic. A wheel was busted off and pieces of the frame were breaking (which was totally conducive to dragging a piece of luggage over a dust-covered sidewalk).

So with all of our fall travel adventures coming up, I needs me some new luggage. My requirements include a fun design or color (because I'm tired of owning one of the other 128 black suitcases on any given flight) and the ability to be wheeled. And I think any of the below choices would suit me just fine. Here's hoping future haboobs will be few and far between for my luggage's sake.

Get the goods: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8

Five for Friday: Even more pretty pins

2011-07-22T04:00:00.001-07:00

This weekend is going to be way chill (and most likely devoted to picture editing) considering the past few and upcoming have been and will be non-stop go, go, go.

I'm still in full-fledged love with Pinterest and thought it would be fun to share a few of my fave pins from this past week. I'm thinking of turning this into a series because there are soooooooooo many pretty images out there.

Hopefully your weekend is just as gorgeous.

[via]

Get your Five for Friday fix here.

50 states: Summertime in the Tri and the livin's easy

2011-07-21T04:00:00.002-07:00

I'm so behind on sharing pictures of the fun ish that's transpired lately. As I posted before, the fiance and I spent the 4th of July holiday in his hometown of Kennewick, Washington, which is part of the Tri-Cities. The area has a special place in my heart, too, since it's where I got my first professional newspaper job after graduating college.

We had an amazing six days of wakeboarding, boating and camping on the Columbia River, catching up with family, friends and former coworkers, eating at a few of our fave restaurants and relaxation.

See more of my travel photography here and here.

In the studio: The Bargain Blonde

2011-07-19T04:00:00.001-07:00

I'm sooooo stoked to reveal the blog redesign I did for my homegirl Lindsey. She pretty much gave me free rein, which I really appreciated. Go check out her hilarious posts and get hooked up with bargain tips in beauty, fashion, decor and more.

Need a refreshed blog? Let's work together. Stop by the studio and check out my portfolio.

Five for Friday: Pinterest interest

2011-07-15T04:00:00.001-07:00

Sorry to leave you hangin'. It's been quite the whirlwind week. I was so blessed to partake in Major League Baseball's All-Star Week here in the AZ, hence the reason for my absence. As a lifelong baseball fan, it was a dream come true. Pics to come next week.

In the meantime, I wanted to share some of my latest inspiration courtesy of my Pinterest page. Pretty sure the virtual pinboard has turned into a full-blown obsession (right behind Words With Friends of course). Are you on Pinterest or do you prefer to chronicle the things you love the old-fashioned way? However you choose, here's to an inspiring weekend.

[via]

Visit the Five for Friday archives here.

Five (and a few more) for Friday: Juicy orange

2011-07-08T04:00:00.003-07:00

It's going to be a fairly chill weekend around these parts. There's no shortage of laundry (glamorous, I know) to get caught up on since returning from our amazing vacation to the fiance's hometown for the 4th of July (I can't wait to share the photos).

I figured it might be nice to quit procrastinating on my major project, too. So in the hopes that these images will motivate me to get off my ace and make some progress, I present the color inspiration for said project. I've loved orange since my senior year of high school (which seems like forever ago), and I'm trying to convince the fiance to get on board. And I know this series is only supposed to be five things, but I really couldn't narrow the pictures down. So revel in my indecisiveness and have a fabulous weekend!

Orange goodness: Credenza / Skirt / Art / Console / Drinks / Tray / Jeans / Seats / Nails

Revisit past Fridays here.

I heart art: Kate Kosek

2011-07-07T04:00:00.005-07:00

Get prepared to be seriously inspired by New York screen printer and multi-media artist Kate Kosek. Her layered, geometric and colorful drawings and paintings have my heart going pitter-patter. How amazing would any of these be as a statement piece over a console or hanging in an office?!

[via]

More heart-worthy art awaits here.

In rotation: Bobby + Stone Darling + Xray Eyeballs + Beirut + John Maus

2011-07-05T04:00:00.000-07:00

I've gots some good jams to share with you music lovers. Really digging Bobby. The Massachusetts art-folk group was one of the openers for the Thao and Mirah show a few weeks ago, and even though technical difficulties allowed them to only play three songs, I was hooked.

I came across Stone Darling, all-girl rockers from L.A., while perusing Bandcamp (a great resource to discover new music), and though they only have two songs, they sound promising. Others worth blasting through your speakers are garage lo-fiers Xray Eyeballs, worldy rockers Beirut (their next album is out Aug. 30 so mark your calendars) and synth-pop eccentric John Maus.

Bobby: Self-titled

"Tomb Bloom"

Stone Darling: All I Wanna Do - Single

"All I Wanna Do"

Xray Eyeballs: Not Nothing

"Gotham Low Lifes"

Beirut: East Harlem - Single 

"East Harlem" 

John Maus: We Must Become The Pitiless Censors Of Ourselves

"Believer" 

More iPod-worthy jams await here.

Let freedom ring

2011-07-04T04:00:00.005-07:00

[via]

Five for Friday: Independence inspired

2011-07-01T04:00:00.000-07:00

In continuing with our modern Independence Day theme, check out these inspirational goodies sure to kick off your holiday weekend right. Have a safe and fun-filled next few days!

1. DIY dot confetti

2. Blake Lively

[via]

3. Bottle rocket flag 

[via]

4. Red, white + blue ice pops

5. Sparkle + stars nail art

Friday is the best day of the week. See why here.

Color crush: Patriotic palette

2011-06-30T04:00:00.001-07:00

Get into the 4th of July spirit with a little modern red, white and blue inspiration. Flag t-shirts and checkered tablecloths not included.

Wear your patriotism: Scarf / Necklace / Dress / Wallet / Eye shadow / Watch / Painting / Sunglasses / Tote / Bracelets / Shoes / Lipstick / Nail polish / Jeans

Crush on more colors here.

To the river we go

2011-06-29T04:00:00.001-07:00

A week of wakeboarding, camping on the boat, picnicking on the dock, swimming and catching up with family and friends awaits. We are so stoked to fly into the fiance's hometown today for the 4th of July holiday.

The majority of our vacation will be spent on the Columbia River, which is a special place to us. The fiance taught me to wakeboard and drive a boat there, and we've had our share of laughs while out cruising on the water.

Below are some of the essentials that will accompany me on our aquatic adventure. I probably should've added a sweatshirt to the list considering it'll be about 30 degrees cooler in Washington. Yikes!

Grab the essentials: Sunscreen / Bikini top + bottom / WSU hat / Wakeboard / Sunglasses / Bag / Life vest / Camera / Coverup / Columbia River picture

A healthier me: Sassy support

2011-06-28T04:00:00.006-07:00

Now that I've been working out for about a month, I figured it was time to treat myself to a little fitness gift. I'm the proud owner of new workout pants and two sports bras (including number one in this roundup).

The philosophy I use in choosing gym attire is "function meets fashion." Just because you're getting all sweated out doesn't mean you can't look and feel cute. I've found that wearing materials like polyester and spandex (just say no to cotton) are best for moisture-wicking and breathability in sports bras. And those capabilities are key, especially now that I'm almost halfway through my running program.

Get the gear: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12

Check out more of my journey to a healthier me.

Better late than never

2011-06-27T22:41:00.000-07:00

Time really does fly when you're having fun. I've been super busy getting ready for our upcoming trip home for the 4th of July (so stoked), but wanted to give you a little recap from our great weekend.

Lake Pleasant was a blast. We had an amazing time jet skiing, boating, swimming, cliff jumping, catching up with friends and meeting new people at our homie's birthday party Saturday. I'm so lame and got caught up in the fun and didn't take a single picture. Boooo to me.

Sunday was low-key (aka spent recovering from said fun). We saw Bad Teacher (it was decently funny), had yummy dinner at one of our fave Pho joints and hit up Target for last-minute vacation supplies. Hope your weekend was lovely.

[via]

Five for Friday: A (not so tropical) heatwave

2011-06-24T04:00:00.002-07:00

A hardcore heatwave has taken over Phoenix, so you best believe I'm counting down the minutes until the fiance and I head to Lake Pleasant for our friend and fellow WSU alum's (yay Danna!) birthday celebration. We're going directly to the H2O after I pick up the fiance from the airport. He's been gone all week on business, and I've missed him an ish ton!

The fiance has been cursing the humidity where he is in the South and longing for the dry Phoenix air. The funny (or crazy) thing is that it really didn't feel like 111 the other day. Maybe I'm acclimating to the AZ or my internal temperature sensor is fried. Either way, the time on the lake will be a nice tune-up for our trip back home for the 4th of July! Think lots of wakeboarding, swimming, sun bathing and laughter.

Before you head out to the fun times, behold the goodness from this week. Happy Weekend, party people!

1. Camping at Lake Pleasant

[via]

2. Ariel Gordon Jewelry

3. Klay Thompson getting drafted

4. The Couch to 5k iPhone app

5. Coppertone tanning lotion 

The goodness of Friday's past awaits here.

From hippie to high fashion

2011-06-23T04:00:00.006-07:00

For whatever reason, I have a bit of a fascination with tie dye. Maybe it's the abstracty patterns? Or the pretty colors? The modern and fresh take on the '60s and '70s staple is fun without being tacky. Do you wish this trend would go back to the original decades or is it here to stay?

Get the goodies: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

Seen live: Thao & Mirah + Bobby + Led To Sea

2011-06-22T04:00:00.001-07:00

Seeing Monday night's show featuring Thao and Mirah was about four years in the making. Their respective solo albums got me through many a stressful night working on deadline when I was in newspapers.

So you can imagine my happiness when I read they were doing an album together. And I about passed out when I saw their tour would bring them right down the road from the townhouse to my fave Phoenix venue, The Rhythm Room.

Seattle violist/violinist Led To Sea and Massachusetts indie rockers Bobby opened the show. Unfortunately Bobby's set was cut short because of technical difficulites. But the three songs they played had me hooked.

Thao and Mirah's set was a mix of their solo songs and tunes from their collaborative effort. I'm convinced there isn't an instrument that Thao doesn't play. The woman is a musical genius. And Mirah's sweet vocals floated effortlessly through the air.

I met Led To Sea's L. Alex Guy (who is a fellow Washingtontian) and Thao after the show. Thao was super down to Earth. I thanked her for playing Arizona. In a time when many bands are boycotting for political reasons, it was refreshing to see an artist who cares and wants to make a difference. Thao and Mirah are also donating some of the proceeds from their tour to a charity in each city they play (such a cool idea).

Check out my past concert-going adventures here.

Hooray for summer weekends

2011-06-21T13:20:00.000-07:00

Lots of fun ish going on around these parts. Summer is definitely in full effect here in the AZ, and the fiance and I are taking advantage. Hiking, delish eats, swimming and baseball were all essential ingredients to our great weekend.

Hike / Pad Thai / Workout clothes / Pool / Baseball game / Feline

Five for Friday: Escape the heat

2011-06-17T15:31:00.000-07:00

The fiance and I will be spending as much time together as possible this weekend since he's headed to Kentucky and Tennessee for business next week. We're catching a Diamondbacks game tonight and have talked about taking a little day trip somewhere up north Saturday. Even though it's blazing here in Phoenix, the weather in the high country is perfect right now.

One of the things I love about residing in Arizona is that when it hits triple digits in the city, a cooler (and beautiful) reprieve awaits two hours north. If you ever visit the AZ, be sure to check out any (and all) of these places. Wherever you end up this weekend, may it be full of fun times.

1. Sedona/Oak Creek 

2. Grand Canyon 

3. Fossil Creek 

4. Flagstaff 

5. Prescott 

See more of my Arizona adventures here and the Five for Friday archives here.

Fashion to furnishings: To-die-for tie dye

2011-06-16T04:00:00.000-07:00

It hit 110 here yesterday (it really only felt like 92), so that means the summer uniform of fab dresses is here to stay. I'm digging all of the tie-dyed ish I've been seeing everywhere. We're not talking the hippie or 80s hypercolor crap. It's modern and oh so pretty. So when I came across this beauty that combines both, I was super inspired.

Get the goodies: Dress / Poster / Lamp / Rug / Tumbler / Console / Pillow

More outfits-turned-cool ish can be found here.

In the kitchen: Asian chicken noodle broth

2011-06-14T04:00:00.002-07:00

It seems like Gwyneth Paltrow is everywhere these days: Singing on Glee, starring in movies, helping me in the kitchen. I discovered her lifestyle newsletter GOOP and was really impressed by the yummy recipes she features. In the name of my lifestyle change, I'm eating better (the fiance is along for the ride).

Looking for a nutritious yet tasty meal, I turned to Gwyneth. And she came through in her newsletter about Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. Pretty sure his Asian chicken noodle broth created a revolution in our tummies. It was delicious, filling and super easy to make (and this is coming from somebody who has like zero culinary skills). Happy cooking!

Serves 2

1 tablespoon mixed seeds (pumpkin, poppy, sun flower)

a small handful of raw cashew nuts

1 quart chicken broth, preferably organic

2 skinless chicken breast fillets, preferably free-range or organic

2 teaspoons five-spice powder

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

olive oil

a thumb-sized piece of fresh root ginger

½ to 1 fresh red chili, to your taste

4 ounces rice sticks or vermicelli

a handful of snow peas

6 thin asparagus spears or 4 regular-sized spears

6 fresh baby corn or 1/2 cup fresh corn kernels

soy sauce

juice of 1 lime

a small handful of spinach leaves

Check out my past cooking adventures here.

A healthier me: Where the magic happens

2011-06-13T04:00:00.001-07:00

As a way to chronicle the journey to a healthier me, I'll write about different aspects of the process. It's mostly to keep me accountable, but it'll also be cool to reflect on when I reach my goal.

This week, I wanted to share where the ~~pain~~ magic happens. I'm lucky to have a nice gym in my complex. The "fitness center" in other places I've resided usually consisted of a busted treadmill and rickety '80s Bowflex equipment even the Goodwill would reject.

Sometimes there are nasty people who don't wipe down the machines (ewwwwwwwwwww) or those who are just plain psycho (the dude who tried to duct tape a laptop to the treadmill). But it's still better than nothing.

And I'm happy to report that I dropped seven pounds and successfully completed the first stage of my running program this past week. Go me!

[Top: The motivating view of the pool from the treadmill / Second: The cardio area where I spend the majority of my workouts / Third: The trusty stairclimber / Bottom: Gettin' swoll on the weight machines]

Happy Birthday, Mama!

2011-06-11T16:08:00.000-07:00

Even though the distance separates us, you are always with me, Mom. I wish you nothing but the best in the upcoming year. Without you, there would be no me. I love you.

Five for Friday: Fun in progress

2011-06-10T15:30:00.003-07:00

There's lots of fun (to me) ish going down this weekend. Getting started on another design project, finishing up my first week of working out and making progress on my latest furniture revamp are all on the agenda. I'm trying to convince the fiance to check out The Hangover Part II, but he's totally anti. I've heard it's pretty much the same storyline, but I laughed my ace off (and still do) at the first movie.

Here's to a non-sucky weekend!

1. Danika's gorgeous overlays 

2. Kate Spade's expanded tabletop collection 

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

3. Kelly's Skinny blog

4. Megan's boob paintings for breast cancer

5. Google's Les Paul Doodle 

[My guitar solo]

More Five for Friday awaits here.

Take me out to the ballgame

2011-06-08T04:11:00.000-07:00

Even though I live in Arizona now and have free season tickets to the Diamondbacks (who's gonna turn down free ish, especially free baseball?!), I'll be a Washington sports fan forever. The Seattle Mariners, in particular, will always be my team. They've had quite the turnaround and are second in their division after a dismal start.

My Mom and I had a mother/daughter day at a game when I was home in April, and it was a lot of fun. I get my love of baseball from her, so it's nice to share the experience. And it helped they won and it was Felix Hernandez bobblehead night.

Although it hasn't been easy rooting for my home state's sports teams the past few years, I couldn't imagine cheering for anyone else.

[Spending the day at the ballpark with my Mom during my trip home in April]

This makes me happy

2011-06-08T04:00:00.000-07:00

[via]

Sentiment + typography + colors = Me likey.

A healthier me: Back at the beginning

2011-06-07T04:00:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I don't know how personal to get in the blogosphere, but here it goes. I need to make a lifestyle change. And I need to write about it here to hold myself accountable. Weight is something I've struggled with, and I'm tired of feeling like ish.

It's easy to forgo fitness and grab whatever premade crap is available sitting at a desk or couch blogging and graphic designing. But the excuses stop today. Last fall, I lost 20 pounds, so I know it can be done. But my problem is sustaining the motivation to hit the gym and eat better once I've achieved my goal.

My 30th birthday is in October (yikes) and I want to slim down to commemorate the milestone. But mostly I just want to feel good about myself. Fitting in those skinny jeans wouldn't hurt, either. I'm far from the shape I was in when I was at the gym five days a week and running 5Ks, but I'm determined to get back there.

Dirty 6 Mud Run 2 / Saturday, Sept. 24 2011

Get the essentials: 1. SparkRecipes + Couch-To-5K apps / 2. WSU T-shirt / 3. Moisture-wicking pants / 4. Journal / 5. Water bottle / 6. iPod nano / 7. Supportive shoes

Color crush: Sunny yellow

2011-06-06T04:00:00.003-07:00

With the blazing sun in full effect here in the AZ, bright yellow seems appropriate (gnarly sweat and heat stroke not included)! The citrustry hue makes me happy and has been a long-time fave. It was the primary color in my dorm room decor freshman year of college and is currently featured in the townhouse living room. What colors are you digging lately?

Get the goodies: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8

Love color? Me, too. Check out the other hues I adore here.

Five for Friday: Tantalizing transformations

2011-06-03T04:00:00.004-07:00

In honor of the aceload of painting and sanding that will commence this weekend in our garage, I give you some of my favorite revamps. The fiance and I will be taking a break in between all of the DIY-ing to hang out with some of my college homies at an Irish pub in Tempe. Hooray for good friends and Home Depot. Happy Weekend!

1. Bri's chairs-turned-stools

2. Cassie & Co.'s campaign dresser 

3. Cupcakes and Cashmere's chairs 

4. High Street Market's bamboo dresser

5. Isabella & Max Room's console 

Get your Five for Friday fix here.

Go here to peep my past befores + afters.

I heart art: Jonas Gerard

2011-06-02T14:21:00.000-07:00

My latest art crush is courtesy of Jonas Gerard. The North Carolina-based artist is self-taught (there's hope for us amateur painters yet) and creates visually arresting abstract pieces using amazing color combos and pretty detailing.

As if it isn't enough that his painting skills are off-the-charts-crazy good, he also works in mixed media and sculpture. Watch this interview where he explains his process and how he loves to paint to music (me, too). Now, to begin saving my pennies for one of his small pieces. A girl can dream, right?

[via]

Check out Jonas getting down during a live paint at Artizen Fine Arts Gallery in Dallas. He looks so happy!

Find more heart-worthy art here.

Exploring Arizona: Prescott

2011-06-01T04:00:00.000-07:00

The fiance and I headed north to Prescott for Memorial Day weekend. We had wanted to check it out for quite some time, and it was really pretty. It's crazy because four miles separate the wilderness and the city, which has Targets, Home Depots and a charming downtown.

We camped out at Watson Lake for a night, but had to cut our trip short because of the outta control wind. I was pretty sure the tent was going to come unstaked and fly away in the middle of the night courtesy of the 30-40 mile-an-hour gusts.

After braving the psycho weather and having to cancel our plans to kayak and hike around the lake (booooooo), we drove into downtown and had lunch at Prescott Brewing Company. If you get a chance, stop by for their yummy chocolate-infused porter Achocolypse. It was like drinking a candy bar.

The next stop was a short walk to Whiskey Row, which we were told was a must-see ... A must-see if you like white-trashy bikers and cowboys. Needless to say, I wasn't all that impressed.

We are planning a return-trip to go hiking and kayaking around Watson sometime this summer. Let's hope the weather cooperates next time.

Check out more of my Arizona adventures here.

Fashion to furnishings: Hello, summer

2011-05-31T04:00:00.002-07:00

So even though it's not officially summer, it sure feels like it's arrived here in the AZ. With temps inching toward the triple digits, a pretty dress is essential to beating the heat. The bright colors and flirty lines of the sun-dress were really inspiring.

See more inspiring dresses-turned-interiors here.

Happy Memorial Day!

2011-05-30T04:00:00.000-07:00

[via]

Into the wild

2011-05-29T04:00:00.002-07:00

Now that you know what to pack ... Find a destination! Hope you're having a fabulous and fun Memorial Day weekend!

[all images via]

Five for Friday: Camping, Craig and color amongst other things

2011-05-27T04:00:00.003-07:00

Keeping it short and sweet today friends since I gots to get packing for our fun weekend ~~escaping the heat~~ camping up north. Hope you dig what I'm digging from this past week! And may your Memorial Day weekend be filled with tons of good times!

1. Fun Craigslist transactions

The fiance and I met the nicest mother and son during a really great Craig experience on Sunday. They even delivered the pieces we bought for free, which was super helpful since they wouldn't have fit in my car.

It was our first time getting ish off Craig, and I can only hope our future transactions are as good.

Stay tuned for a major project reveal in the coming weeks. Have you scored anything off Craig lately or had good/bad dealings? Please, do tell.

2. Linds' DIY monogram stool

The queen of modern monograms is back with another DIY goody. Be sure to check out Linds' other projects on her rad blog.

3. Death Cab's new album leaking

After months of fake leaks floating around the Internet, a legit one finally arrived the other day. I listened to the album in its entirety four times while I re-painted the master, and although it's good, I love their previous efforts way more.

They're still one of my fave bands in the whole world, and hopefully this offering will grow on me. You can listen to the full album here.

4. Erika's magenta + blue roundup

Erika is always serving up kick-ass inspiration on her blog, and this roundup really caught my eye. Blue is my favorite color (my car is even blue), but for whatever reason, I haven't incorporated it into the townhouse much. Her curated mood board of pretty is definitely making me think twice. There's something really amazing about the blending of masculine and feminine colors.

5. The League of Moveable Type

FREE. MODERN. FONTS. HELL. TO. THE. YES!!!!! As a designer and typeography geek, I'm always searching for new fonts and this open-source type foundry's manifesto is really cool. My faves are League Gothic and Blackout.

Get more Five for Friday in your life here.

Comfy camping

2011-05-26T04:30:00.004-07:00

The fiance and I are heading up north to do a little camping this weekend in honor of Memorial Day. I love, love, love the outdoors. But just because you're out in Mother Nature doesn't mean you have to completely rough it. These essential surviving-the-wild goodies will definitely be making the trip.

Pack these: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7

Design crush: White bedding

2011-05-25T04:00:00.001-07:00

In a world of design overload, it's good to get back to the basics. I'm a girl who loves the ish out of bold color and print, but sometimes a space can look like the designer vomited patterns and hues everywhere. Enter white bedding. A plain duvet cover or comforter provides a foundation to showcase yet ground pops of color and pattern.

It's a look most everyone can pull off. And if you get tired of certain pillows and throws, switch them out for an overhaul that doesn't break the bank (hell to the yes for saving dolla dolla bills y'all). The basic but pretty look is serving as inspiration in my own bedroom makeover, which I started yesterday. Stay tuned, friends!

[via]

[via - left / via - right]

[via]

See what else is stealing my design heart here.

Weekend snaps on a Tuesday

2011-05-24T09:00:00.001-07:00

The ingredients to a way rad weekend include ...

A fun photoshoot with my favorite feline.

A most successful trip to Ikea.

A picturesque late-afternoon Arizona sky.

Experiencing the delicious beer and chill atmosphere of Sleepy Dog Brewery.

Tasty breakfast burritos and fresh-squeezed lemonade at Luci's Market.

Ending the weekend with highly-competitive games of Yahtzee.

Design crush: Beauty in the beauty

2011-05-23T04:00:00.003-07:00

Who says the ish that helps you feel pretty can't be pretty itself? Spice up your beauty routine with well-designed products bursting with fun patterns, colors and details. Your bathroom counter and medicine cabinet will thank you.

Get the goodies: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7

Need more cool design? Go here.

Five for Friday: Paint, shoutouts and Cheerios

2011-05-20T04:00:00.012-07:00

This weekend will be devoted to switching up the paint in our bedroom. I'm so over the purple accent wall we did (what was I thinking?!) when we first moved into the townhouse last March. And even though the fiance isn't thrilled about painting again, the purple ickiness just gots to go. Are you working on any projects this weekend?

In the meantime, here's what I'm loving (not purple paint) this week.

1. Rad blog homies

I can't even begin to accurately convey how much all of your kind words have meant this week during the launch of my design studio. I truly appreciate the support. It's amazing what you can do with a little encouragement and a big dream.

A special thanks to the fabulous and stylish Louise over at Table Tonic for the Twitter shoutout ... Head over to her shop for some global goodies; my super talented client Amber of Amber Interiors and my next client and Texas' finest Lindsey Lee.

2. Bri's incredible lamp revamp

Seriously check out Bri's blog. She is the most hilarious blogger out there, and her DIY skills are outta control! She's the ish for sure!

3. Caress Scarlet Blossom body wash

I bought this body wash last week, and it smells so yummy! The red lychee and patchouli oil scent lasts all day, but isn't overwhelming.

4. Collected

Have you seen Collected? The new kid on the block of online shelter mags is holding its own in the debut issue. The clean and minimalist layout is a graphic designer's dream. And Chad Peterson's bed is basically how I'm feeling about bedding right now. Hello, inspiration!

5. Cheerios

I have a crazy obsession with cereal. I could eat it for every meal, and lately I've been taking my breakfast old-school with Cheerios. I loved, loved, loved them as a child and for some reason they've found their way back into my bowl.

Get your Five for Friday fix here.

In rotation: Soars + Thao & Mirah + Bon Iver + Hooray For Earth + She Keeps Bees + Led To Sea + Yarn Owl + Ennui

2011-05-19T08:00:00.002-07:00

It's been a little while since my last In Rotation, and this batch of artists are rocking my world and speakers, while providing a perfect return to the series.

Worthy of your ears are Pennsylvania shoegazers Soars, Indie rock queens Thao + Mirah, the latest from Bon Iver, synthed-out rockers Hooray For Earth, gritty Brooklyn duo She Keeps Bees, folk dudes and fellow WSU alum Yarn Owl (GO COUGS!), Seattle classical/folkie Alex Guy's solo project Led To Sea and ambient pop group Ennui.

Soars: Self-titled

"Throw Yourself Apart"

Thao & Mirah: Self-titled

"Spaced Out Orbit"

Bon Iver: Self-titled

"Minnesota, WI"

Hooray For Earth: True Loves

"True Loves"

She Keeps Bees: SKB​-​005

"Make It Easy"

Yarn Owl: Montaña Y Caballo

"Go"

Led To Sea: Into the Darkening Sky

"Is This The Last Time"

Ennui: Formation Of Tides

"Coconino"

See what other artists found a permanent home in my iTunes library here.

In the studio: Amber Interiors

2011-05-19T04:00:00.007-07:00

As you know, I officially launched my design studio Tuesday, and I'm so stoked to show you the project I just completed for Amber Lewis of Amber Interiors.

This is one chick you want to check out. She's sooooooooooo talented and hilarious! We share a love of clean design with pops of color, which is reflected in her revamped blog. Speaking of design, hit her up for an e-design consultation.

Open for business

2011-05-17T04:00:00.001-07:00

It started with a few e-mails, phone calls and kind words. The compliments on my blog design and the inquiries into creating a birthday invite or putting my logos on T-shirts started coming in. And out of a leap of faith, Turn Up The Rad Creative was born.

You see I've always adored design in pretty much every form and that passion led me to the newspaper industry as a sports page designer and copy editor. Growing up, all I ever wanted to be was a professional journalist. I was lucky to live my dream for 11 years. But sometimes you have to walk away from the thing you love the most.

With the decline in print readership and growing recession, I survived three rounds of layoffs while watching many of my talented colleagues get shown the door. It was not an easy time and opened my eyes to the reality of print journalism's future.

My fiance was then recruited for an amazing opportunity to become the engineering manager of a company in Phoenix, Arizona. We were both so stoked at the chance for him to realize his dream. But it meant mine would probably end as most newspaper companies had instituted a hiring freeze or were paring down their staffs. The instability of the industry, regardless of my qualifications, also was scary.

Not really sure what to do, I took a risk. A leap of faith. And it's most definitely paid off because today I'm embarking on a new adventure and launching my own design studio. It's been difficult keeping this a secret, but now I can shout it from the blogosphere rooftops.

Currently, I'm accepting orders for Blogger revamps, invitations, logos, design project consultations and editing projects. The next step is to set up the store for my T-shirts and photography. So head over to the studio and make yourself at home.

Design crush: Mad for marbled

2011-05-16T04:00:00.001-07:00

My obsession with all things marbled has reached a boiling point. The abstract design is beautiful, modern and versatile. Pretty sure if the fiance would let me, I'd fill our place of residence with the geologically-approved goodness. What patterns are you digging lately?

Get your shop on: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

Want more design crush? Ask and you shall receive.

8,766 hours and counting

2011-05-11T04:30:00.001-07:00

They say time flies when you're having fun, and it couldn't be truer. It's hard to believe, but a year (8,766 hours to be exact) ago today I set up shop in my little corner of the Internet. And what an adventure it's been.

I've learned a lot about myself thanks to blogging and couldn't imagine life without it. I started Turn Up The Rad to get back into writing and in the process fell in love with graphic and interior design and connected with amazing people near and far.

In the coming year, I look forward to bringing you more Color Crush, Fashion to Furnishings, In Rotation, Five for Friday, 50 States and Design Crush. If there's anything you want to see around these parts, please let me know.

And as always, thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your comments, emails and encouraging words. They really do make a difference.

In honor of the bloggy turning one (and because I have the worst time keeping a fun secret), stay tuned for a big reveal in the coming weeks.

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Happy Birthday on a budget

2011-05-10T04:00:00.000-07:00

So in my effort to play catch up, I wanted to share how I decorated my nephew's first birthday party. My brother and sister-in-law gave me free rein and in keeping with the invitations and plan I designed, we went with a Mickey Mouse theme.

With a little help from Michaels, the Dollar Tree, Jo-Anns and my family, Liam's party was cute, but didn't break the bank. Coming in under $115, it goes to show you can have a fabulous celebration without spending ace loads of cash. And even though the guest of honor won't remember it, the day was filled with love and I can't wait to show him the pictures when he's older.

Bathing beauties

2011-05-09T04:00:00.002-07:00

In honor of the soaring temps here in Phoenix (hello, mid-90s), I thought it only fitting to round up some rad bathing suits. But you won't any ace floss or skanked-out tube tops here.

The one-piece has come a long way from the days of your grandma thanks to designers such as Diane von Furstenberg, Mara Hoffman and Missoni, who also prove you don't have to bare it all to be sexy. The modern prints and cuts are adorable and forgiving if you're taking a little longer to get ready for the pool.

Go shopping: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9

Five for Friday: Eff things that break

2011-05-06T04:45:00.007-07:00

So that notion about time moving faster as you get older ... It's sooooooooooo true. And it seemed even more evident this week. I'm still in shock that it's Friday. I guess that's what I get for immersing myself in playing catch up after the Great Technology Fail of 2011. And did I mention the dishwasher had a minor leak and the AC started to crap out? When it rains, it pours, people. (Thank goodness our townhouse maintenance dude was able to fix each issue.)

I don't have any solid plans this weekend other than ripping the idiots at NAPA a new one. I got my car back from the dealership after taking it in for a fourth time. Come to find out, the so-called NAPA professionals forgot to plug some hoses back in, sold me a gas cap that didn't fit and didn't even fix the real problem, which ended up costing a pretty penny. The moral of this automotive story, is take your ride to the dealership if you can.

The good ish below is quickly making me forget about the trouble that comes with being a grownup, though. Here's to a weekend where nothing breaks!

1. The launch of Cocoa & Hearts

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2. lemlem's Adama Gauze dress

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3. Erika's amazing office progress

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4. Me Oh My's wood-stained painting DIY

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5. Waylande Gregory For Flair

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Have some Five-for-Friday-worthy goodness you want to share? Drop me a note.

The poster child of great design philosophy

2011-05-05T04:15:00.001-07:00

Good design isn't just about making ish pretty. Good design should have a purpose. And Frank Chimero's fun and inspirational posters are both. I wholeheartedly believe in the message of each and hope my work conveys passion, courage and intent.

With that being said, sorry for my lack of in-depth posting and commenting lately. I promise there's a legit reason and I can't wait to show you what I've been up to. Keeping secrets is lame. These posters aren't.

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Design crush: Baggu wallpapers

2011-05-03T04:00:00.005-07:00

I love good design. In any form. So when it's done right in multiple mediums, my creative heart beats a little faster. The folks at Baggu, who craft stylish and Earth-friendly bags I featured last week, also are making computers, iPhones and iPads a little prettier via some seriously sick wallpapers. Hooray for bold colors, fun patterns and freebies.

This one is currently my desktop background. Loving the pink, purple and blue combo.

Check out my other design crushes.

Royally inspired

2011-05-02T04:00:00.005-07:00

By now you've seen like 83,000 Royal Wedding posts, 80,591 of which were about the hats, so I'll spare you on that front. At first, I was annoyed by all of the coverage and swore off watching it. But where was I come 2 a.m. Friday? Tuned in to the effin' BBC. Apparently my romantical and curious sides are stronger than my cynical one.

I still believe there are more important issues and stories deserving of the type of attention given to the union, regardless of who was standing at the alter. But since I'm in the process of planning my own nuptials and can't resist the opportunity to crank out a mood board, here is some yummy wedding goodness straight from my inspiration files.

The fiance and I are planning to check out more wedding venues in the San Juan Islands in August. The vibe we're going for is casual, yet pretty. The Royal Wedding had a little too much pomp and circumstance for my taste.

Reception site // Lights // Hairstyle // Tablescape // Bridesmaids' dresses

Five for Friday: Back to our regularly scheduled programming

2011-04-29T05:00:00.001-07:00

It's been a while since the last Five for Friday and I'm happy to return with another crop of stuff I've been digging lately. This weekend will be devoted to playing catchup with projects and restoring the laptop to pre-hard drive crapping out form. The fiance and I may also check out the Body Worlds & The Brain exhibit at the Arizona Science Center. Happy Weekend!

1. Reconnecting with friends

My Texas homegirl Lindsey came to the AZ for a friend's wedding and we caught up at the end of her trip. Even though our reunion was short, we packed in a lot of stories, laughs and delicious beer. I can't wait for her to come back to Phoenix and for my next adventure to the Lone Star State. Miss you, Linds!

2. Words With Friends

Fancy a game? My screen name = CougChick00.

3. Nicole Cohen's "Splash" series

1 / 2 / 3 / 4

4. Blow Faux Dry - Dry Shampoo

5. BAGGU reusable totes

Get your Five for Friday fix here.

Technology: A love/hate relationship

2011-04-28T15:56:00.000-07:00

My frenemy technology decided to bitch slap me three ways to Sunday in the past few weeks (Hence my absence from around these parts). Literally, three ways. The laptop hard drive, DRV hard drive and my car's tires and something in the engine crapped out within about 14 days of each other. Not so convenient for someone who blogs every day and is trying to launch a design business.

That saying about ~~good~~ shatty things happening in threes ... Yeah, it's pretty much true. Long story short: We were able to recover all of our precious data (Always, always, always back up your work in the cloud or on an external hard drive) and actually save the laptop's life via a new hard drive; the cable dude switched out the defective DVR for a shiny new one and my car got new shoes and is in the shop as I type hopefully getting the check engine light ish repaired.

There were a few moments during this ordeal when I thought about selling all of my stuff and heading to the hills just to spite technology. Then I came to the realization that I love Words With Friends (hello, new obsession), cold milk, driving with the sun roof open, America's Next Top Model marathons and receiving picture messages of my nephew on the iPhone ... All of which are possible thanks to that ho technology ... too much.

This mini-break from all of the gadgets in my life was really an exercise in appreciation of the wonderful things they allow me to experience and a reminder not to depend on them too much, which is super easy to do given their convenience and possibilities.

But most of all, it's reaffirmed how much blogging has played an important role in my life during the past year. I've "met" people from around the world I otherwise wouldn't have if it weren't for the power of technology.

Now, to catch up on my projects, reinstall 43 gigs of musical goodness and rebuild my bookmarks folders. Oh, technology, I ~~hate~~ lurve you.

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Color crush: Navy + coral

2011-04-20T04:15:00.001-07:00

I promise to post my vacation recap soon. I have a love/hate relationship with the 300-plus pictures I took during my adventure AKA I relish pouring over them and reliving all of the amazing things I experienced, but dislike the tedious editing process and only choosing a handful to share.

In the meantime, I had to share my latest color crush. The punchy combo comes from a project I'm working on. I love being inspired by the creative process and it's been a fun one thus far.

But the collection of lovelies below is all you get right now, friends. Stay tuned. I can tell you how completely blessed I feel in my life right now. Everything has changed in the past year, and I'm doing things I've only dreamed of. It really does pay to take that leap.

Get the goods: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7

I heart art: Anna Kunz

2011-04-19T04:00:00.003-07:00

You know I'm a sucker for some abstract goodness, and Chicago artist Anna Kunz is bringing the heat via her works on paper, sculptures and installations. So inspiring.

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More heart-worthy art can be found right here.

Call it a comeback

2011-04-13T10:49:00.000-07:00

The past two and a half weeks have been quite the whirlwind adventure hence my absence from the blogosphere.

After an amazing week in New York, I extended my vacation and spent last week in Washington with my family. This week, my friend and former coworker is in town and we're heading to Sedona for a few days. Then, on Friday, my college's baseball team comes to town for a weekend series at Arizona State.

I didn't intend to step away for so long, but the mini-break has helped me refocus. As much as I love blogging, I sometimes have trouble separating living life from posting. Does anyone else find it difficult to strike the balance between blogging and realizing not everything has to be documented?

I promise we'll return to the regularly scheduled programming next week. I can't wait to share the images and stories from my time in New York, Boston (yay for East Coast day trips), Washington and Arizona.

Me + Coug flag + Central Park = DREAM COME TRUE.

The It List

2011-04-01T04:00:00.001-07:00

It's hard to believe that April is already here... That means that for many of you spring has arrived or is very, very close! Take some time to be inspired by these amazing blogs today to celebrate!

good clean fun whips up the yummy looking sweet potato and black bean empanadas. These look like they would make a delicious spring meal with a fresh salad! (find good clean fun on twitter!)
mama loves papa looks spring chic with this gorgeous pink coat! It's perfect to help you look and feel like spring is here even if it's a little chilly still! (find mama loves papa on twitter!)
turn up the rad is crushing on melamine plates and platters and I am too - these once 'old school' style serving pieces are definitely trending right now! (find turn up the rad on twitter!)
rose a la mode rounds up her favorite spring and summer shoes from Target - the prices and styles are definitely right on here ladies! (find rose a la mode on twitter!)
walking around {where the sidewalk begins} is blog-crushing. And I can see why, pop on over to see who her inspiration is! (find walking around on twitter!)
shen dove style is looking absolutely gorgeous in sequins and some snazzy shoes - I just adore this outfit! (find shen dove style on twitter!)
strong sense of style is loving the tribal trend right now, ohhhh - so am I! I love that she chose simple items that you can add to your current wardrobe!
thought and musing looks fabulous in this road-trip outfit! I love that her simple floral top dressed the whole thing up (and what about that hat?!?! LOVE!).
sweetie pie style is inspired by shopbop's recent 'road trip' lookbook. See how she recreates the looks for less! Score! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
keep collected seriously rocks daytime sequins and stripes. I want/need a sequined skirt after seeing this outfit!
a spot of whimsy has some fun with Pantone's colors - always a good time! Pop on over to see oodles of color inspiration! (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
capital barbie has an assortment of drawstring bags featured that I love. These are a little retro and I like that they are coming back! (find capital barbie on twitter!)
a spoonful of dish takes one simple black dress and dresses it up in four fun outfits - there is something for everyone here. I just love these outfits!
good life for less brings you three stylish workout ensembles to freshen up your workout routine. Be sure to check these out! (find good life for less on twitter!)

the IT list is put together by jill of good life for less - click here for information on how you can be involved!