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LOVE All Around

02.03.11
February is here and love is in the air. Well, love is always in the air around these parts, but around this time of year there seems to be in an abundance of love everywhere I go. Valentines day is is in less than two weeks and I’m honestly so excited. I love a holiday that celebrates love, and I also love any excuse to go on a fun date with Scott and give pretty cards that tell people how much I love them.
Sunnies: Ray Bans
Knit sweater: Rubbish
Grey cardigan: Target, maybe?
LOVE t-shirt: c/o Dressing On The Side
pants: Levi’s
Socks: Target
Boots: Steve Madden
The sweet folks at Dressing On The Side sent me this pretty “LOVE” shirt. I just adore the cupcake, and how the whole design looks like it was sketched out with pencil. The gals over at DOTS were extra sweet during our numerous conversations, and I was extremely happy to receive my shirt so quickly. These ladies are certainly on top of things! Oh, and they are also an Arizona based company, which makes them extra near and dear to my heart. I love Arizona, and I love to support people and companies from my home state.


Lately the temperatures in Phoenix have been frigid. Yesterday it was 38 degrees with a major windchill during the afternoon, and 48 degrees with an even greater windchill during the early hours of the evening. I know we are not receiving some of the harsh, snowy weather that other states and areas are, but it certainly has been extra cold in Phoenix.

This week has been pretty hectic. Lots of homework needing to be done, many cups of coffee (which resulting in some much unneeded anxiety), planning outfits and putting finishing touches on details for a long awaited photoshoot that I am doing this Friday (more to come on that later), and receiving some amazing news that just warmed my whole heart.

This weekend is going to be a great one. I am attending my cousins bridal shower and I just can’t wait. If you have any suggestions on funs things to do for the bride I would greatly appreciate them. I’m pretty new to the wedding scene (although almost everyone I graduated high school with is married now), and I would love to hear suggestions on how to make her special party the absolute best!

-Chelsea
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Old Main

02.02.11
Since Scott is now officially a ASU/Tempe campus student, we have been spending loads more time exploring his campus lately. Every Monday I have a meeting for student, and he has class Monday through Friday. Recently when we were out on a bike stroll through campus we decided to stop at Old Main to admire the pretty building.
Cardigan: Gap; Dress: Target; Bag: Gap; Olive tights: c/o We Love Colors; Boots: Steve Madden

Old Main is the oldest building on campus, and by far the prettiest. I am not quite sure what all the do inside of it today, but it sure is pretty to bike ride by and take a nice glimpse at.

Lately I’ve been obsessing over these olive colored tights. They are the perfect color, and a piece that I think can transition into spring well. Since the weather has been so warm in Phoenix lately, I already feel like I’m in spring and just trying to hold onto that winter weather state of mind. If it were up to me, it would be snowing right now and I would be sipping a hot latte inside.



The other day Scott proclaimed that he now has a routine down on his campus. He has a set bike path, a time schedule down, knows where all his classes are, and of other areas he can hang out in. It makes my heart so happy that he is settled, and is well on his way to getting his degree in Industrial Design.

Do you have a set school routine? What about an every day one? I’m big on having a routine and having the day planned out. I love having a schedule to keep me sane!
-Chelsea
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An interview with Emma of From Scratch and The Red Velvet Shoppe

02.01.11

Today we have an amazing interview with Emma of From Scratch and Red Velvet Art. Emma has a wonderful 1970’s inspired, and makes some of the most beautiful food I’ve ever seen. She is a big sweetheart, and seems to have this really amazing vibe to her (kind of like I can do anything i.e. look super fashionable, bake, create, read, and get my MBA all at the same time).

Meet Emma:


1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

-I’m from Springfield, MO. Born and raised. On the playground in where I spent most of my days… Just kidding. I majored in Philosophy in college, and am currently working toward my MBA. I own the Red Velvet Sweet Shoppe, which serves up cupcakes, other sweet treats and bubble tea everyday inside the Red Velvet boutique. I love eating, and cooking and looking at food online, thus I started food blogging a while back. I also love: pugs, the colors green and blue, blonde hair, mac & cheese, science fiction and fantasy novels and red wine. 🙂

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

-I’ve been blogging for a year and half. I started blogging to chronicle a local eating project I was doing at the time, but once I finished that I found I stilled loved cooking, taking pictures of food and posting it online. So I keep doing it.

3. Can you tell us about your style?

-I try keep in step with a 1970s vibe. I sometimes default to a lot of black when I don’t know what to wear. I like to leave my hair down and feather curl it, like Farrah Fawcett if she had been really bad at doing her own hair. I love to wear gold tone make up and boots!

4. This past year you opened the Red Velvet Sweet Shoppe! What inspired you to start your own business, and what has been the most challenging part of opening your shop?

-I work with a few other inspiring ladies at Red Velvet and we just thought it would be grand to offer cupcakes and bubble tea in our new store location (we got a bigger shop this last year). And I thought, “I can do that,” so I did. I would say the most challenging part is keeping up with orders and ingredients, it feels like I am always out of something no matter how many grocery lists I make.

5. What are your favorite trends for winter?

-I am REALLY into Ponchos right now. The cool ones, like super 1970s. Not so much Ugly Betty, not that she isn’t a doll. 🙂

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

-Reading and playing with my pug. I totally adore curling up with a good novel and my sweet little doggie before bed. It’s my evening ritual.

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

-The Virgin Suicides, girls in bands and old photographs of my mom in high school. She was a super cute stylish lady, she was totally into sewing her own clothes so my hat is off to her.

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

-Boy, that’s a big commitment. Does it mean I’m really girly that I totally felt a little sad when I read this? One outfit. So no more shopping, huh? Bummer. I guess I would choose my gold glitter TOMs, dark skinny jeans, my black Blondie t-shirt, a black cardigan with metallic gold designs in it, and dark fedora.

9. What are your some of your favorite things to cook and bake, and where do you usually find your recipes?

-I love to cook and bake a lot of things. Mostly because I love to eat a lot of things. Probably my favorite thing to make is mac & cheese and brownies. I could eat nothing but those two for… forever. I find recipes from other food blogs, cook books and I make stuff up a lot. I cook for my family a lot too, so I take requests. 🙂

10. Do you have any advice for aspiring bloggers? What about someone that is interested in learning how to cook and bake, but doesn’t know where to begin?

-If you want to blog or bake or cook, then do it. Everyone starts somewhere. For cooking there are tons of great online resources to consult, or if you have a good cook in your family (be it mom, dad or grandma) then you should totally make something with them when you get the chance. Brownies are great, but brownies AND quality time with my mom is divine.

Thank you so much Emma for doing this interview with me! Don’t forget to check out Emma’s blog From Scratch for some daily fashion, and foodie inspiration!

-Chelsea

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Copper Star Coffee

01.31.11
The weather in Phoenix has continued to be amazing lately, perfect for sitting outside sipping iced coffee. Recently Scott and I made a trip to Copper Star Coffee, a coffee shop in Phoenix that is set-up in an old gas station.
Cardigan: Banana Republic
Shirt w/lace bottom: Last Chance
Necklace: Gift from Marie of The Blue Balloon
Jeans: Levi’s
Boots: Steve Madden
Shirt: Thrifted/vintage
Jeans: Levi’s
Shoes: Bass

The inside of the shop is fairly small, but is very cozy. I love all the exposed brick, and the coffee bean bags on the ceilings (you can barely see them).

Copper Star also has the cutest signs outside their shop. I would love to have this giant coffee cup painting in my home!

I’m not sure If I’ve mentioned it before, but Scott has two younger brothers. In the above photo Scott looks so much his youngest brother Dylan that it’s not even funny. Their family truly has some strong genes!

MMM iced coffee!


Lately my days have consisted of: class, homework, reading (a ton!), making plans for Valentines Day, listening to Caged the Elephant, lots of meals at home, making new friends, blogging loads (for myself and ASU), learning to use my camera in manual mode, and dreaming of a summer trip to Seattle.

Big thank you to Scott for taking such lovely photos. I am so lucky to have such a great photographer!

-Chelsea

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Smoothie Adventure V 2.0

01.30.11
Smoothies have become an every other day occurrence around here. Our most recent endeavor included grapefruit, blueberries, bananas, ice and OJ.


The grapefruit was a big hit, and even better because it came from a tree close to my home.
Do you have smoothie mix-in suggestions for Scott and I?
-Chelsea
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Giant Coffee, Take 2

01.29.11
Recently Scott and I went Giant Coffee in Phoenix to try their much talked about honey vanilla latte.

To me, Giant is so aesthetically appeasing. I really dig the modern/raw style they have going on in the shop. I also really enjoy the vibe, and enjoy going there for the occasional latte or pour-over.

Scott got a pour-over coffee, and I got a iced, non-fat honey vanilla latte.
The iced honey vanilla latte was very sweet, but oh so tasty. I’m usually not a person that is into sweet coffee drinks, but for this one I can make an exception.

See all the honey at the bottom?

When we go out for coffee, Scott and I usually share. I’m generally an iced coffee person, and he is usually a hot coffee person, so we like to share and get the best of both worlds. I am so thankful to have him to share coffees with (and kisses, hugs, and life of course).

What do you usually order at coffee shops? Are you an iced, or hot person?
-Chelsea

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An interview with Jill of Spill Art, and “Inspired by We Love Colors”

01.28.11

Last week I had the opportunity to have lunch with Jill Fressinier of Spill Art. Fressinier, who was accompanied by her daughter Juliette, invited my boyfriend Scott and I to lunch at Engrained, a restaurant on the Arizona State University campus that is focused on sustainable dining and serves locally grown food. Fressinier’s husband, Jerome, is the executive chef at Engrained. For two hours we all chatted about Fressinier’s art, her collaboration with We Love Colors, her family, and the amazing food that Jerome was bringing out for us to try. To say that Scott and I were more than impressed with the lunch and our chat with Fressinier would be an understatement. Here is what I learned during our lunch meeting.

(Jill, Juilette, and myself)

Fressinier teamed up with WLC in 2009 to create an “Inspired by We Love Colors” line. Soon after she said was sent loads of WLC tights of various colors, and was given full reign of what she wanted to paint on them.

Fressinier said she was drawn to WLC because of all the bright colors that they offer.

“No one else offers those colors,” Fressinier said.

With this line, Fressinier said she decided to create one-of-a-kind, hand painted patches that she could attach to each pair of tights (or the socks and arm warmers she offers). Fressinier, who prefers to paint with acrylic paints, said she enjoyed having the tights, along with the other items, as a platform to put her art on.

“All of their products are fabulous,” she said.

Fressinier pointed out that since the patches are only lightly attached, they can be taken off once the tights, or whatever item the patch happens to be on, have ripped, and can be sewn onto another item from WLC (or wherever someone wanted it to be).

When asked about WLC as a company, Fressinier responded with how on top of things they are, and what a great company they are.

“I love the way they operate,” she said.

Fressinier also mentioned how great it has been to work with Cara Chronis of WLC. There was numerous times throughout our lunch where we wished she could have been there to talk more about WLC, and also the inspired line with us.

When asked about Fressinier’s future with WLC, she said she hopes to continue their work relationship for many years to come.

“I hope to work with them for a long time,” Fressinier said.

Fressinier has been a self-proclaimed artist since 1988, painting away with all kinds of media since then. She is also a wife, and a mother of two. Fressinier and her family spent the greater part of the 90’s and early 2000’s living in Florida, and California where they owned and operated two different coffee shops/art gallery venues. Today she lives with her family in Scottsdale, Ariz., where she continues to create for herself and for her own “Inspired by We Love Colors” line.

To learn more about Fressinier and her “Inspired by We Love Colors line,” as well as to purchase a pair of her one-of-a-kind creations, check out the line’s Cartel shop at: http://inspiredby.welovecolors.com/

Jill and our sporting our We Love Colors:

And here is a peek at our amazing lunch:
Vegan apple carrot soup.


Teriyaki chicken sushi.

Sushi + bread basket + iced tea + crab cake of sorts

Brownie and madeline dessert.

Pear plus cream sauce and other fruits.
A big thank you goes out to Jill, Jerome, and Juliette for treating Scott and I to such a wonderful lunch, and for also talking with us for so long.
Another big thank you goes out to Cara from We Love Colors for putting Jill and I in contact.
Hope you enjoy the article! Don’t forget to check out Jill’s shop, and We Love Color’s site of course.
-Chelsea
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Winter Fun Video

01.27.11

Earlier this month Scott and I took a day trip to Flagstaff, Arizona. We decided to bring along Scott’s new Flip camera so we could take a little video while we were out in the snow. Here is what we shot:


This was so fun to shoot! Hope you enjoyed!
-Chelsea
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Liberty Market Breakfast Date V 2.0

01.27.11
On MLK Day Scott and I went to Liberty Market, one of our most favorite breakfast spots.
Since this was our last day before we went back to school, we figured we needed to celebrate with a little breakfast date (something we may not get to do much while we are in school).

Liberty Market has been one of our favorite restaurants for awhile now. They have amazing breakfast dishes, great coffee, yummy sandwich and pizza, and an overall awesome atmosphere. They are always playing great music in there i.e. death cab, postal service, etc., and all the staff is very friendly.


For breakfast Scott and I both decide to get yogurt with dried fruit and granola. I also got a berry scone, and he got a side of wheat toast.
The scones at Liberty Market are my favorite. They are always so moist, filled with berries, and served with the yummiest cream and jelly.
Scott and I both really liked our food, and were completely stuffed when we left. There were so many people at Liberty Market this morning, but it still felt like one of the coziest places. If I could, I would spend every morning sipping coffee and having a little breakfast at LB. If only I lived closer!

Have I mentioned that they have really great house coffee? Well, they do. I usually have two or three cups when I’m there (oh my!).


Having a yummy breakfast date is one of my most favorite things. When I eat a good breakfast I always feel great throughout the rest of the day. I know I’ve said this before, but I am truly a breakfast/early morning person. I just adore getting up early, having a cup of coffee, and eating a good meal in the morning.
Are you a morning person?
-Chelsea
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Hot Coffee Mural

01.26.11
One of the things I love about Phoenix is that there is always something new to discover. After Scott and I’s coffee date at Giant Coffee the other day we decided to scour the area for a nice place to take photos. Well, we didn’t end up having to look too far, as we found this wonderful mural on the backside of the building.
Sunglasses: Ray Bans; Cardigan: Frenchi; Long tank top: AA; Necklace: gift from my mom; Jeans: Levi’s; rings; from my grandmother and Scott; Boat shoes: leopard Sperrys; Bag: Coach


Finding this cute mural was like a little blessing for the day. I absolutely adore it, and have plans to come back in the future for more cute photos.
My outfit this day was pretty comfy and casual. Scott and I were running errands, and the weather was warm. It was so nice to have a iced, non-fat honey vanilla latte to cool me down though.

Lately Scott and I have been cutting back on our coffee dates. However, with the semester in full swing, I see many more in our near future.


Since Scott and I have opposite schedules, I do see many solo coffee dates in my future as well. Every other day, in the middle of the day, I have over an hour and a half break that leaves much time to get sleepy before my next and last class. I’m pretty lucky though because I have three coffee shops directly surrounding my school, so my options are pretty open. If you’re wondering what they are, we have two local shops, Fair Trade at Civic Space Park, and Royal at the Market, and then we have a Starbucks that is connected to the campus’s dorm rooms.

Do you have any neat coffee related murals in your area? I absolutely love antique coffee murals and signs!

What is on your to-do list today? Coffee perhaps?
-Chelsea
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