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Tempe Town Lake

03.04.11
On the Tuesday Scott and I decided to celebrate the first day of March, and the unseasonably warm weather, with a trip to Tempe Town Lake to go on our first ever pedal boat ride. Before we hit the water though we walked along the water, admiring all the great bridges that go over the lake.
Hat: Target; Sunglasses: Ray Bans; Cardigan: Banana Republic; Top: UO; Whiskey and brass necklace: gift from The Blue Balloon; Jeans: Levi’s; Jeno Booties: c/o Blowfish Shoes
Since I knew we would be out in the sun for awhile, I threw on one of my trusty straw hats that doesn’t get used too often (I usually try to stay out of the sun because my skin burns so easily). I also decided to wear a cardigan to protect my arms, as I knew the sun would burn those babies right up if I left them exposed (yes, I could have used sunscreen, but felt more like wearing a cardigan that day).

The sweet team at Blowfish Shoes sent me these amazing Jeno booties to style up. I really love the rough canvas that the booties are made out of, and also all the little details, including the cute buckles, pretty floral lining, and rough edges on the top. The Jeno’s are also the perfect height for any spring/summer outfit, but I can see them working as a great transition piece into any fall/winter wardrobe as well (winter if you live in any Southern state that is!).

Lately I’ve been carrying around the bag that Scott made for me last summer. At the time I was obsessed with finding a good school bag that could be worn on my shoulder, or as a cross-body. So after seeing pictures of a bag that I had in mind, Scott went to work and made this amazing bag for me. The outside is brown, durable canvas, and the inside is a pretty floral pattern (made out of a vintage sheet). I really adore this bag, and it means so much to me that Scott would put so much time and effort into it. He truly is my soulmate.

I’m really excited about how well the Jeno’s work with almost everything in my wardrobe. I feel like you can style them with so many different looks and color schemes. This time I styled them with jeans, but next time I want to style them with a skirt or dress. I think they would look so cute with a floral dress, and a jean vest, or with a flowy skirt and a colorful top. They are seriously so many options that I can’t wait to try out!

Now that you’ve seen what I wore, I promise to share photos from out on the lake very soon. Scott and I had so much fun pedaling away together, and definitely have plans to go out onto the lake again in the future.

What’s your favorite lake activity?
-Chelsea
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Vine Wall

03.03.11
The other day I was feeling a casual vibe and found myself gravitating toward vintage shirt that was once my mom’s. Scott and I were spending the afternoon in Phoenix, and I thought it would be nice to pair it with my signature denim skinny jeans, and Minnetonka moccasins.
Vintage blouse: my mom’s in the 70’s or 80’s; Jeans: Levi’s; Moccasins: Minnetonkas

This top was in a pile of pretty vintage pieces that once belonged to my mom, and I instantly felt a connection to the lilac color and the embroidery detail on the top half.

Down the street from my school in downtown Phoenix is this lovely building that houses an art community. The front side is made of brick and metal, and the right side is completely covered in vines. To me, this wall just seems picture esque and I couldn’t help but want to take photos next to it.


This week has been super busy with school. Spring break is in just a few shorts weeks (really!?) and my teachers have decided that we should start midterms early. So far I’ve had a 10 page English Lit. paper, a “Super Quiz” in my Business and Future of Journalism class, and also have a book report and magazine article that are in the works. I will be happy when things calm down here a bit.

The weather has been nice and I’m digging all the warm sun on my face moments happening lately.
What has been making you happy lately?
-Chelsea
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Le Mode Accessories Giveaway

03.03.11

Tonight I have an awesome giveaway for all of my lovely readers! Le Mode Accessories is offering one Tea Talk reader their Love Potion No. 9 necklace. This is the same necklace that I wore in their recent lookbook, which also includes my Meet and Greet feature that they currently have up on their website. I had so much fun taking these photos with the owner of Le Mode, Adrianna, and I am so happy with how everything turned out!

All you had to do to enter is visit Le Mode’s website, and tell me which of their items is your favorite. Don’t forget to leave your email address so that I can contact you if you’re the winner.
The winner will be chosen next Monday, March 7th via random.org
Good luck to everyone!
-Chelsea
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Mesa Arts Center

03.02.11
The Mesa Arts Center has been an amazing addition to my hometown of Mesa, Arizona and has really helped grow the arts community in the area since it was built five or so years ago. So when I was thinking about pretty places to venture around in and take photos, the Mesa Arts Center immediately came to mind.
Scarf: Target; Cardigan: Banana Republic; Top: Vintage/was my mom’s; Jeans: Levi’s; Flats: Ann Taylor Loft
The Mesa Arts Center has some really amazing, and unique art throughout the entire grounds. One of my favorite areas is this little high-rise spot that you can only get to by walking up rows of stairs with pretty glass block in them. This spot offers a great view of the arts center, and is a nice place to hang out. I’ve been thinking about having an urban picnic up there with Scott sometime soon.

This top was giving to me by my mom when we recently went through a cleaning spree of all things old and vintage. It had shoulder pads in it, which I immediately cut out, but I really adore the mustard collar, and the pretty collar line.


All of these photos were taken by myself using my tripod and remote. I felt really proud to have gone out take photos all by myself. Scott is a really great photographer, and always knows exactly the shots I would want, but it was nice to try and take some shots all on my own. It was also the first time I took my own photos since my trip to snowy Colorado back in December, so I was a little rusty and it did take me a little bit to get the hang of things.


Do you like wearing your parents’ old clothing? Do you take your own photos, or does someone take them for you?
-Chelsea
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Feature in 944 Magazine, Phoenix edition

03.01.11
I am so excited to announce that I’m featured in the Phoenix edition of 944 Magazine this month! The article is about Phoenix bloggers that are influencing the local fashion scene! I feel overwhelmingly honored to be featured in such a great magazine, and alongside such wonderful Phoenix bloggers.

I was approached by a sweet lady name Julie about doing this article, and felt incredibly honored when she told me that I had been chosen as one of the bloggers that is most influencing the fashion scene in Phoenix. Julie was a wonderful person to talk with, and I just know she has a bright future ahead of herself!

Among the people mentioned alongside me is Dustin Hoyman of Phxnoir , and Celine Hache of The Wardrobe Diaries. Two of my favorite Phoenix bloggers!
I can’t even explain what an honor it is to be featured in such a prestigious magazine. I am so pleased with how the article turned out, and I honestly couldn’t have ask for anything nicer. My heart is full and I am so over the moon happy about it.

The magazine will be on newsstands in Phoenix within the week (you can find a copy closest to you right here), and for those of you who can’t pick up a copy, but would still like to check out my feature (and the whole magazine), you can find the digital copy right here (you can find me on pages 50-51, and 64-65).

LOVE,
Chelsea
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An interview with Michelle of Oh, Mishka

03.01.11

Happy March! Today we have a lovely interview with Michelle of Oh, Mishka. Michelle runs a super sweet personal/lifestyle blog about her life in Wyoming, her date nights with her boyfriend, and all the small things that make her happy in life (my favorite posts).

Meet Michelle:

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m Michelle, I’m 24, and I write Oh, Mishka. I’m currently living in Wyoming with my boyfriend and my cat, and I just started classes at the college here this semester. I’m a really huge believer in enjoying the little things in life, which I try to reflect on my blog each day.

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

When I first started my blog, which was 2 1/2 years ago, I was working for a local clothing design company. Fashion was my main focus, so I wanted a creative outlet to talk about fashion and design. As I’ve continued, my blog has evolved into more of a personal/lifestyle blog and I absolutely adore it now.

3. Can you tell us about your style?

I’d say my style is natural and understated; I love muted tones and quality pieces. I’d much rather wear my gray skinny cords with a quietly gorgeous top and black ballet flats than a flashy, look-at-me outfit. And really, I think that my style reflects my personality 100%. I also enjoy beautiful statement rings and pendant necklaces with a clean design.

4. You seem to have a great love for the little things in life. What are some of the little things that make you most happy?

Oh, this list could go on for days! Right now the things that make me happiest are sunny days, Mumford & Sons, making time to get coffee before class in the morning, phone calls with my family, nail polish that hasn’t chipped yet, date night with my boyfriend, classes that encourage self-discovery, a good bar of chocolate, catching up on my favorite tv shows, cuddles with my cat in the morning, improving my running distance, new friends, real mail, and good hair days.

5. What are your favorite trends for spring?

Sunshine! Ha ha, but really, I’m excited for stripes and cropped pants. I found a pair of cropped pants at The Gap a few weeks ago that I’m kicking myself for not buying (which means I’ll probably own them by next weekend). And flowy tees are my absolute favorite, so I’m looking forward to finding some striped ones soon.

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

It depends on the day, but most of my time is spent in class, studying, cooking, napping, browsing Etsy, or chatting with friends back home. Oh, and I spend way too much time on Twitter, too!

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

Usually blogs, although I feel like the ones I read are less inspiring than they used to be. I think it’s partially because the same clothing companies want exposure, so they’re sending free product to all the same bloggers, which kind of decreases the field of creativity. There are a few blogs that I absolutely adore though, because the girls are original and true to their own asthetic. Some of those blogs are yours (obviously!), Atlantic-Pacific, Selective Potential, and Postcards From.

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

Dark wash skinny jeans, a flowy tee, a bulky knit cardigan, and ballet flats. It’s cute, it’s comfortable, it’s classic, and it’s very me.

9. Date nights with your guy seem to be a fun part of your life that you enjoy sharing on your blog. What would your perfect date night include?

Well, it would definitely have to include good food! We have a few favorite restaurants back home that are fantastic about using only local ingredients, so it would probably be at one of those. And then we’d go to a concert, like Mumford & Sons or Zac Brown Band. And then we would get dessert, and I’d get to eat Jordan’s since he doesn’t really care for sweets, which would make me love him even more!

10. Do you have any advice for aspiring bloggers? What about someone searching for their niche in the blogging world, but don’t really know where to start?

Be positive and genuine. People are drawn to good, nice, genuine people, so let your blog reflect what a wonderful person you are. And I don’t think it’s necessary to fit into any one blogging niche. I mean, I talk about my life, food, fashion, design, and tons more on my blog and it all works out without having a defined niche. Just be true to who you are and express that in the best way you know how.

Thank you so much Michelle for doing this interview! Please don’t forget to check out Michelle’s sweet blog for a neat looking into her every day life.

-Chelsea

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Modified Arts

02.28.11
Last week Scott and I spent a good amount of time in downtown Phoenix. With the way our schedules are this semester we haven’t had much time to come and hang out there. Well, since Scott had an errand to run, and I had class that morning, we decided to make an afternoon out of it and visited some of our most favorite spots in downtown.
Cardigan: J Crew; Morning Hour Dress: c/o Modcloth; Tan mircrofiber tights: c/o We Love Colors; Mary Janes: Dansko
While on our walk Scott and I stopped in front of Modified Arts. In high school and early college Modified was the place to be, and Scott and I have so many good memories of evenings spent enjoying amazing shows. Scott even played there once! Some of my favorite shows there were The Early November, and countless local shows where Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World, and Sam Means and Nate Ruess, both formerly of The Format, would show up and either hang out or play along. Man, those were the days.

Modcloth was kind enough to send me this pretty dress. I felt the cut was just perfect, and I really adore the detail on the top half, and also the pretty bow around the waist. Oh, and it’s made out of a jean material, which is always a bonus in my book. I just love anything jean!

Today Modified Arts is more centered on art gallery showings. Occasionally they still have small shows, but nothing compared to the “Big Indie Shows” they used to be famous for. When they stopped having those types of shows that we all came to know and love, the community seem to dive into a time of despair. Today we are still hoping that a new, and equally lovely, music venue will open up in the area and allow us to have more shows in Phoenix once again.

Phoenix truly is a city full of love, and I am so thankful to be a part of it.
What do you love about your city?
-Chelsea
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Orange Picking

02.27.11
While out in downtown Mesa the other day Scott and I saw an orange tree that was calling our names. Since it was on the side of the street, and not in someone’s yard, I felt it completely appropriate to pick a few oranges for a future smoothie.
Much to our dismay there were sharp sticks/thorns on the tree branches, and we definitely both got poked (Scott more than me). Scott was a real trooper though and pulled two oranges down for us.
See the pretty bird’s nest that we spotted in the tree? Promise we didn’t disturb it!

Yesterday we used the oranges to make a smoothie (which ended up being a bit of a dud, unfortunately). I really wish we had more fruit trees in the area. Apple trees would be lovely!

Have a wonderful Sunday everyone! Anyone have any fun plans?
-Chelsea
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Chandler Adventure

02.26.11

Last month I recieved this amazingly cute shirt from Spotted Moth and immediately took photos with it. Well, with the craziness of school, keeping up with daily posts, working for State Press, etc., I plum forgot to share the photos I took with it styled.

Photosynthesis Blouse: c/o Spotted Moth; Jeans: Levi’s; Shoes: Sperry’s

Scott and I took these photos next to the abandoned house we visited in Chandler, Arizona. The house was a bit spooky for me (and full of bees) so we figured taking photos away from it would be our best bet. No bee stings for us!
This weekend I am up to my neck in homework, and have to finish so much reading before the weekend is out. I also have a few blog posts to work on, and will (hopefully) be shooting an Arizona State University baseball game on Sunday for my photojournalism class. I am really hoping I can stay focused through this whole weekend, and will come out a less stressed out person on Monday.
Hope everyone has a wonderful, stress-free weekend!
-Chelsea
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To Write Love On Her Arms

02.25.11

Today I want to talk to you, all my wonderful blog readers about an organization that is so near and dear to my heart, To Write Love On Her Arms.

I would like to begin by telling you a bit of a personal story. When I was in high school a very close friend of mine dealt with bouts of depression, cutting, and attempts at taking their own life. Until the end of our friendship (for reasons completely unrelated) I was right by my friend’s side, trying to help them as best as I possibly could. In 2006, during my first semester in college, my friend who had gone through so much, introduced me to To Write Love On Her Arms. I perfectly remember being in their bathroom one afternoon, watching this video that introduced myself to the organization and Renee’s story. This video was the start of something great for my friend and I, and was exactly the spark of hope they and I needed and had been searching for. Tears of hope streamed from our eyes that day. To know that there were others, so many others, out there dealing with similar situations mades us not feel so alone. To say that Renee’s story has been an inspiration in my life would be an understatement.
Sunnies: Ray Bans; TWLOHA t-shirt: c/o TWLOHA; Skirt: Banana Republic; Black microfiber tights: c/o We Love Colors; Boots: Steve Madden
Today I would like to not only tell you about my outfit, but also about TWLOHA as an organization, and what they are doing to make this world a better place.
TWLOHA’s mission statement is: “To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire, and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery.”

Since 2006 TWLOHA has answered well over 150,000 messages worldwide, and has also donated over $850,000 to treatment and recovery, and has hopes of breaking $1 million in 2011. TWLOHA is able to do this in part by donations and contest winnings, but mostly by the sale of their merchandise, which can be found in their online store, and also regularly in Hot Topic, Zumies, small boutiques, etc.
The orginial TWLOHA t-shirt was printed to fund Renee Yohe’s recovery. Jamie Tworkowski, found of TWLOHA, met Renee when she was taken in by close friends after a treatment center was unable to support her during her detox. Renee eventually returned to an inpatient facility, and Jamie got to know her and learned more about the topics she was struggling with. In order to pay for her treatment, Jamie and other close friends sold t-shirts. Soon after Renee entered treatment, and Jamie wrote her story and gave it a home on Myspace. From here people sent messages and left comments that showed that they too understood her struggle. Months later TWLOHA was formed.
Today TWLOHA works as a non-profit as travels the world with their dedicated employees and volunteers to events, tours, concerts, conferences, and special invitations. TWLOHA is well known for having a strong connection to the music world, and will be participating in their fifth consecutive Warped Tour this summer.

Personal story: When I was in high school and early college I used to come to the Women’s Club of Mesa for local shows (Dear and the Headlights, Awake & Alert, etc.). It’s a historical building that was built in 1931 as a place for the women involved in the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Arizona to come together and work as one to better the lives of their families and others. The mission of the Women’s Club reminds me a lot of TWLOHA, and their little building is a place that I now cherish for many reasons.
TWLOHA not also travels around the world promoting treatment and recovery, but also works closely with licensed mental health counselors who train the TWLOHA staff and interns in the area in which they all work in, “presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide.”


Kaitlyn Suveg, Director of MOVE Community Conferences/Copy editor, who I worked with closely to present this special post to you, said “The metaphor we like to use is that TWLOHA is a bridge between a person struggling alone and their help, whether it be a parent, friend, pastor, mentor, or ultimately (and hopefully) a counselor. We value the concepts of vulnerability, honesty, and a trusted community. We try to validate the pain of people who struggle and point them to places of hope and healing, and walk alongside them as they journey toward that help.”

For more information on TWLOHA please check out their FAQ page, and also all their online presence: Website, Blog, News, MySpace, Facebook, Behind the Scenes blog, Here We Collide, MOVE Community Conference, Street Team, and Twitter.

TWLOHA is an organization that is so incredibly important, and is doing so much good in the world. Please show them your support so they can continue to spread love to millions of people around the world.

Sincerely,
Chelsea
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