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Tempe Town Lake Part 2

03.11.11
Niether Scott nor I had ever been out on Tempe Town Lake, so we figured the beginning of March when the weather was still cool would be the perfect time to go out onto the lake and try something new.
Scott and I rented a pedal boat for an hour and took off going east on the lake.
Neither of us had ever ridden in a pedal boat before, so it was a lot of fun (and tiring) to pedal our way through the lake. We took turns steering the boat, and took a few breaks to just take in the moment and scenery along the way.
Being out on the lake was really refreshing. I’ve always had this affinity to water, something that I attribute to my mother’s Northwest roots (Washington state), and being able to go out and be surrounded by water was special to me (even if it is a man-made lake). I can’t wait to go back to Washington and take a walk along the Puget sound and take in the cool breeze and the peace of mind that comes along being near water.
There are three bridges that cross over the lake, one for the lightrail, one for trains, and the third for cars. Each of them is beautiful in it’s own way.

Going on the lake was so wonderful, and I can’t wait to go out on it again. Next time Scott and I are thinking about borrowing a kayak from a family friend, or renting one, and paddling it across the lake together. It’s going to be marvelous!

Do you live near a body of water? Do you enjoy being out on the water?
-Chelsea
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River Jones Music Giveaway

03.10.11

Today we have an awesome giveaway from my sponsor River Jones Music.

“River Jones Music is an independent record label based in Phoenix, Arizona. It was founded in 2008 by River Jones. The label is home to Courtney Marie Andrews, Underground Cities, Steff Koeppen and the Articles, Owl & Penny, and many others. Courtney Marie Andrews was the first to sign to the label in 2007. The regional start with the collective has been compared to previous label upstarts such as Sub Pop, Saddle Creek, and Merge Records.”
Today RJM is giving away 10 copies of the new Courtney Marie Andrews record, For One I Knew.
In 2006 Scott and I were at Courtney’s very first show, in fact, she was playing on the same bill as one of Scott’s former bands. The show was on Scott’s birthday, October 28th, four days after Scott and I started dating. What fun memories!
Take a listen to Courtney’s new record and leave a comment letting me know which track is your favorite.
Ten winners will be chosen on Thursday, March 17th! Please be sure and leave your email address so I can contact you if you’re one of the winners!
Have a great day!
-Chelsea
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Oh, Sweet Joy Coffee Cuff Review

03.10.11
It’s no secret that I love coffee. I like to drink it hot, iced, blended, and I’m obsessed with iced coffee (americanos are my true love though). Kim of Oh, Sweet Joy noticed my obsession and offered to send me one of her pretty handmade coffee cuffs. Kim and I both share a love for re-usable sleeves (I hate those pesky cardboard ones), so I was thrilled to sport one of her cuffs at a favorite local coffee shops, Cartel Coffee Lab.
My Oh, Sweet Joy coffee cuff was perfect from keeping my hands safe from my hot cup (non-fat latte inside), and looked extra cute while doing so.
I was extremely impressed by the quality of the coffee cuff. The stitching was nice, the grey fuzzy lining was lovely, and I absolutely adored the pretty yellow pattern and matching button. Oh, and size is wonderful! Perfect for my hot and iced drinks (so much better than using napkins).

Re-usable coffee cuffs are not only good for the environment, but also look super cute around any coffee cup. If you don’t already use re-usable coffee cuffs I urge you to give them a shot!

Check out the Oh, Sweet Joy for a selection of extra cute coffee cuffs.
-Chelsea
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Gammage Auditorium

03.09.11
In Arizona we are lucky enough to have so many wonderful buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Scott is a big fan of his work, and loves to tell me about all the neat FLW buildings and houses in our area. The closest FLW designed building is just a few streets down from where I live, and is situated on corner of the ASU Tempe campus.
Top: Levi’s; Necklace: Gift from Dolly & Boy Jewelry; Skirt: Vintage Pendleton/gift from Scott; Butter wedges: c/o Blowfish Shoes
Sunglasses: Ray Bans; Shirt: Levi’s; Necklace: Dolly & Boy Jewelry; Jeans: Levi’s; Shoes: TOMS
Grady Gammage Auditorium was built in 1964, one of FLW’s last designs, and was named for the famous Arizona State College president that lead a campaign to have ASC changed to Arizona State University. The building was built to be acoustical perfect as possible, and today houses a space for the numerous plays and Broadway acts that come through Arizona every year.
FLW is famous for using items found in the area to create his structures. Gammage is no exception, with it’s copper rods and other naturally found Arizona materials.
Blowfish Shoes was kind enough to send me these beautiful Butter wedges to style up. I’ve never been much of a heel wearer, but this spring I decided that it might be fun to work a few pair of wedges into my wardrobe. Standing at 5 foot 4 and 1/2, a little height is kind of nice sometimes.
I’m really loving these wedges though. They are super comfortable to walk in, and look great with jeans, skirts, and dresses. Can’t wait to style them more!
Scott and I wore these outfits to Phoenix’s monthly First Friday Art Walk. Scott and I have been attending First Fridays for many years now, and just love going out to visit our friends and support/check out the art shows that are going on in the galleries in the area.

Do you have any Frank Lloyd Wright buildings in your area?

-Chelsea

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An interview with Coury of Fancy Treehouse

03.08.11

Today we have a lovely interview with Coury of Fancy Treehouse. Coury is an extra sweet lady with a passion for vintage, good coffee, and her family.

Meet Coury:

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

-I am a fun-loving gal from Los Angeles! I love blogging and buying and styling for my eBay store.

2. What got you interested in blogging, and how long have you been blogging for?

-I have been blogging since LiveJournal in 2001. I love having my life documented.

3. Can you tell us about your style?

-I’d call it sweet and girly with some interesting color and texture thrown in for good measure.

4. You seem to have a great love for all things vintage. What got you interested in vintage, and what is your favorite vintage item you own?

-I love vintage because you will be the only one wearing that item! My closet is rotating because I sell in my store so I don’t get attached to anything.

5. What are your favorite trends for spring?

-Clog sandals and gorgeous pastels.

6. When you’re not busy blogging, what can you be found doing?

-Spending every moment I can with my husband, family, and puppy.

7. With regards to fashion, what do you draw inspiration from?

-A lot of tumblr images!

8. If you had to pick one outfit to wear the rest of your life, what would it look like?

-It would be pink, pink, pink and girly, girly, girly and comfy, comfy, comfy.

9. You talk a lot about your love for coffee on your blog and on Twitter (a girl after my own heart). What is your favorite coffee drink, and where is your favorite coffee shop?

-I am totally addicted. I guess an Americano would be my favorite drink but I don’t discriminate! Intelligentsia is my fave!

10. Do you have any advice for aspiring fashion bloggers? What about someone interested in wearing vintage, but really doesn’t know where to start?

-Just be consistent and be yourself. That’s all that matters. As far as wearing vintage, try a bunch of things on and figure out what flatters your body the most. It takes some work, but it’s worth it to be one of a kind!

Thank you so much for doing this interview Coury! Please don’t forget to check out Coury’s lovely blog for some daily outfit inspiration, and little peeks into her sweet life.

-Chelsea

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Coffee and Stripes

03.07.11
Generally I’m not one for patterns (although my tastes have seem to be shifting a little lately), but I always love a good stripe. Awhile ago I found this awesome striped dress at Levi’s on a killer sale. Once I saw it, I knew it had to be mine.
Striped dress: Levi’s; black belt: thrifted; Cross-body bag: Coach; Tights: c/o We Love Colors; Boots: Cole Haahn
Beanie: Gap; Shirt: Vintage; Jeans: Levi’s; Boots: Fossil
Growing up Scott always had this love for stripes. When Scott and I first started dating (way back in 2006) he could almost always be found wearing a striped shirt. Stripes were kind of his trademark, and could be found in almost everything that he painted around that time.
While in downtown enjoying a nice coffee date at Lola Coffee, Scott and I took a stroll by a few historic buildings in downtown Phoenix. Among my favorites is two story brick building that these photos were taken in front of. I’m not quite sure what the building used to hold, more than likely someone’s home, but today it is a law firm and they have some of the prettiest green grass in town.
The Coach bag that I’m carrying was a present from my parents on my 20th birthday. I just love a good leather cross-body bag, and having something that signifies an exciting time in my life.
The shirt Scott is wearing is one of his favorite, and was in retirement for quite some time because of the blown-out elbows it has. He just couldn’t stay away from it though, and had to bring it back out for one last hooray (although I have a feeling it might be out for longer).

Being in downtown Phoenix always makes me yearn for a beautiful historic home where Scott and I can paint, decorate, and enjoy it the fullest. I honestly can’t wait to own such a pretty home! Scott and I already have a few neighborhoods in mind, and I just know it’s going to be amazing when the time comes.


If you could live anywhere, where would you live? Would it be in a historic home, or a recently built one?
-Chelsea

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Odessa & Tony’s Wedding Part 1

03.06.11
This post is long over due, but I guess better late than never. My cousin Odessa and her now husband Tony’s wedding was absolutely beautiful, and I am so happy that I was able to be a part of it. Their wedding had a vintage carnival theme to it, and all of the decorations were ridiculously cute. Here is peek into T & O’s special day!
All ready!
My handsome date!
Odessa’s two pairs of wedding day shoes.
Bridesmaids and the bride!
I’m the second one in from the right.
A wood-worked ferris wheel that Odessa and I’s great grandpa made with his own two hands.
Clearly the love for ampersands run in the family.
The happy couple!
Next week I will be posting part 2! Please feel free to leave Tony and Odessa a happy wish, as they both check out my blog on a regular basis!
Happy Sunday!
-Chelsea
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Lola Coffee

03.05.11
Recently Scott and I went on a coffee date to Lola Coffee in downtown Phoenix. Last school year I used to go to Lola all the time, but with my new schedule I haven’t much time to make my way down there before or after class. It was nice to go there, though, and relax in such a pretty space.
Scott and I both got iced coffees, and sat on their comfy couch because pretty much every other spot in the shop was taken. It was a busy afternoon at Lola!

If I had to make a choice about best ice coffee, I would have to say Lola takes the cake (with corporate coffee shop The Coffee Bean a second, only because I drink it so much and I’m always able to concentrate in their shops). I’m not positive, but I’m pretty sure they use a cold brew system. Usually, I don’t like iced coffee, or toddy, made this way because of the taste and the smell, but I’m thinking that if they do use this method they don’t let it sit for as long (eliminating the funky taste and smell).

Lola has a few notebooks that they leave on the tables for people to write or draw in. While flipping through the pages of one notebook Scott found a few of his own drawings.
And on the back was the Tea Talk symbol Scott drew for me. Awwh.
Do you like iced coffee? Do you have a prefer method of how it’s made?
-Chelsea
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