This evening I arrived in Vail, Colorado. It was a long 10 or so hours here from Phoenix, but it feels good to finally be out of the car and in a warm hotel room that has a great view of snow covered hillsides.
Zooming by Vail, Colorado
12.14.10
Flannel Mornings
12.13.10The weather in Phoenix has been so up and down lately. One day I am able to wear flannel, scarves, and boots, and the next day I’m wearing a t-shirt with no cardigan necessary. However, a handful of mornings ago I was able to pull out one of my favorite flannel shirts and pair it was some extra cute accessories.
Cowl: c/o Spotted Moth
Flannel: Rubbish
Bow belt: Darlingtonia Moccasins
Jeggings: Levi’s
Boots: Steve Madden
Sunglasses: Ray Bans
Jacket: Banana Republic
Shirt: Target
Jeans: Quicksilver
Shoes: TOMS
Yesterday I started the journey (longgg drive) from Arizona to Colorado with my parents. We are headed to Vail so my dad can have surgery on his back at a world-wide known hospital that has some of the best doctors. We’ll be there for about a week, and I have a feeling that I will be freezing the whole time I’m there.
I am very excited about the thought of snow though. I’ve packed some cozy dresses, tights, warm layers, my camera, macbook pro, and my tripod, and plan on taking an outfit photo every day that I’m there. I’m really excited to take photos with some pretty snow, and to show you all around Vail of course.
(I really do enjoy having hair that is as bright as the sun!)
While I’m away I also have plans to finish up/send out Scott and I’s Christmas cards, read a book, blog a lot, attempt to Christmas shop, Skype with my love, and drinks lot of hot coffee (I’m going to need it).
What are your plans for the week?
-Chelsea
Holiday Shopping Ideas
12.12.10Lately I’ve seen quite a few things online that I think would make perfect Christmas gifts for family and friends. Here are just a few things that I’ve spotted:
From the top left:
What do you have your eye on this year for Christmas? Ideas for family and friends?
-Chelsea
Rainy Day Story Giveaway
12.11.10Today we have a wonderful giveaway from my sponsor Rainy Day Story.
They are offering a lovely terrarium ornament for the holidays! Not too long ago I saw one of these in person and I have to say, they are quite adorable.
Wait, there’s more! Rainy Day Story is also offering a set of three block printed note cards (winners choice) to a second lucky winner.
All you have to do to enter is visit their shop and let us know what your favorite item is! You can also earn a bonus entry by tweeting about this giveaway, but don’t forget to leave a separate comment letting us know you did so.
The two winners will be announced on Wednesday, December 15.
Happy Saturday!
-Chelsea
December Sponsor Highlight Post
12.10.10This month I was honored to start accepting sponsors. I thought long and hard about this, and whether sponsorship was right for my blog. I am happy to say that I know now that I definitely made the right choice, and feel overwhelmed with the amazing response and support that I have received. With this said, I would like to introduce you, my wonderful readers, to the December sponsors of Tea Talk.
1. Spotted Moth – “Spotted Moth is a stylish online store featuring unique clothing and accessories for women. Since launching in the spring of 2010, we have been very hands-on. Everything in our store is hand-made or hand-picked. We make and sell the items that we, our friends and new friends (you!) would want to wear. You’ll find our catalog to be a mix of chic and sweet. We know (from experience) that staying stylish can sometimes be costly, so we make sure that our items are reasonably priced.”
2. The Blue Balloon Etsy shop – “First, I am mama bee (Marie) to a beautiful baby boy, born New Year’s Day 2010. Shortly prior to his birth, I discovered a new found love for creating jewelry and other pretty wearables. I can’t confine myself to just one medium when it comes to my jewelry- I find myself creating pieces using anything from my own tiny photographs to scraps of brass tubing, to natural specimens to pretty beads. A common recurring adjective I hear regarding my pieces and my shop is nostalgic; I love that, and take it as a compliment. In addition to trinket making, I also enjoy dabbling a bit in the world of papery goods, using original photographs, stamps and my gocco press.”
3. Our City Lights – “Hello. Welcome to my blog. My name is Diana, if you didn’t know already, and this is my virtual home–a place I spend more time at than my real home–I’m not entirely sure how that is possible, but it is. (…) I take photos for the joy of it, I have a digital scrapbook of sorts, you can like me on Facebook if you do, sometimes I have terrible taste in music, I love Twitter, and I’m still (wishfully) waiting for Oceanic Flight 815 to return. I like photography. I like clothes. I like cats. I love libraries. I like crafts. I like tattoos. These are my favorite tangible assets in my life, but these do not define who I am. And I like you, whoever you are.”
4. & Everything Nice – “My name is Kristine and I run the blog & Everything Nice. I’d like to think of myself as a glass half full kind of girl, unless what’s in the glass is disgusting, the I’d like to think of it as half empty. I’m 22 years young and am halfway through my senior year at Indiana University. I’m majoring in Spanish and Ethnomusicology (world music & culture). (…) I’ve been interested in blogging since I discovered the internet. I’m still amazed with the fact that people can share their thoughts and express themselves through this medium.”
5. Anonymous was a woman – ” (Sarah Hunt) I am 27 years old. I live in Salt Lake City, Utah, in a tiny apartment with my fluffy, former alley cat. I was born and raised here, but I did spend a year in Santa Fe, New Mexico. My immediate family lives there now. I am mostly single and holding out for a boy who listens, teaches me new things, and makes me laugh. (…) I have a Bachelor’s degree in English and a Master’s in education. I am a junior high English teacher, but long for a job that allows me more freedom and creativity. I love baking and cooking because I love eating good food.”
“Welcome! Take a seat and browse around. You’ve found a great little vintage shop run buy a Daughter and a Pop’s. New items will be added weekly, so keep your eye’s peeled for the trinkets of your dreams! Richelle will also slowly be adding her handmade stud earrings.”
7. Wishfulness Etsy shop – “Wishfulness is for the girl who has big dreams; who finds inspiration in everyday life. You’ll find this shop filled with cute accessories and the occasional vintage find!”
8. Seablanket – “Hi, I’m Chelsea, also known as Seablanket. I like to make things by hand and share those things with you. What I love: deer, thrift shopping, tattoos, creating things by hand, sunglasses, vegan baking, nature, apple computers, espresso soda and vinyl.”
9. We Love Colors – “We Love Colors is a unique clothing company founded in 2003 as a family-run business. We offer the best selection of colors in tights, leggings, fishnets, socks and dancewear, and more! Everything is hand dyed in Miami, FL and shipped all over the world! We have items for women, children, and men from kids to plus sizes. We Love Colors is currently offering over 50 solid colors and 13 hand dyed splash colors. We hope you enjoy our colors and find your own unique expression with We Love Colors apparel.”
10. A Fashionista’s Guide to Technology – “Hello, I’m Spencer, sit down, relax, and repeat after me: technology is fun. It’s gonna make your life easier, greener and above all make you more independent. (…) What can you expect to find here? Everything from guides showing how to easily incorporate tech into your life, to demos on how to use products and services, Reviews of applications and devices, and a good dose of fashion. “
11. Rainy Day Story – “Here at Rainy Day Story our shop is filled with handmade, recycled and vintage items. We work hard to create unique, great quality handmade art that we would want to buy ourselves. Within the next couple years we have lots of plans for our online shop & our own brick and mortar shop. Soon look for new artists in our online shop, we’re going to carry our local friends work that we admire because we proudly support independent artists, music & businesses.”
I hope you all will spend the time to look at all of my sponsors’ wonderful shops and blogs! They all certainly deserve your support!
-Chelsea
Simple Shades & Layering
12.09.10Before Crafeteria last Friday night, Scott and I took a few photos near the new Pita Jungle building. I’m kind of obsessed with the exposed brick that surrounds the building, and thought that it was a good spot to get a few city outfit photos in (it was almost dark as well, so it was kind of our last chance really).
Cardigan: Banana Republic
Dress: Target
Navy tights: c/o We Love Colors
Bag: Orla Kiely
Oxfords: Steve Madden
Hot toddy scarf: c/o Spotted Moth
Jacket: Banana Republic
Shirt: Eddie Bauer
Shoes: Bass
It was a little chilly out this evening, but I decided to man the cold with only a cardigan on. Later in the evening, as the temperature dropped, I threw on a black hooded jacket just to give myself a little extra warmth.
For awhile now I’ve been lusting over these navy tights from We Love Colors. I don’t have much navy in my wardrobe, but thought these tights would work great with some basic colors, and would add a pop of color to any outfit.
(you can see my vintage ring, and owl necklace from here!)
It’s safe to say that simple shades, and layering were the theme of Scott and I’s ensembles for the evening. I really wanted to be comfy while romping around the craft fair, and was happy with what I chose to wear. My oversized school bag was perfect for throwing flyers, and handmade purchases that we bought throughout the night in, and was also a good spot for my heavy camera.
I’ve had this shirt dress for a few years now and absolutely love it. I have found that it’s a great layering piece, and goes with just about everything that I own. They do say that every girl should have a little black dress. Well, this is mine.
Do you have a go-to, little black dress? What is your favorite thing to pair it with? Have you found it to be versatile with layering?
-Chelsea
Busy day layers
12.08.10This week marks my very last week of school for the fall semester. Lately I’ve been spending my days, studying, drinking coffee and/or tea, stressing over finals, and finishing up projects. I’ve been so busy, and literally running off to school every morning that I haven’t had time to plan out pretty winter outfits (I know I should do this ahead of time), so I been going with wearing my go-to items almost every day, just to keep to my stress level down and keep me sane.
Scarf: Forever 21
Peace jacket: Lucky Brand
Cardigan: Banana Republic
T-shirt: Frenchi
Jeans: Levi’s
Moccs: Minnetonkas
I can honestly say that I am so excited for school to be over, and to be on holiday break. This will be my last fall semester as an undergrad, and I am very thankful for that.
Lately I’ve been trying not to stress too much about school, but that really hasn’t been happening for me. I’m not the type of person to just go with the flow, unfortunately, and stress about anything, and everything all at once. Scott is always telling me to just take one day at a time, but for me that always seems impossible.
I bought this headband earlier this year at a local boutique. I’m not sure who made it, but I certainly adore it.
This week I am most looking forward to being done with classes for the semester (almost there), making Scott and I’s holiday cards and sending them out, and enjoying some down time after all the mess of finals is over.
What are you looking forward to this week?
-Chelsea
An Interview with Kyla of kylaroma.com
12.07.10Today I have a lovely interview with Kyla of kylaroma.com, and A Little Thistle Etsy shop. Kyla is an amazing designer, who will be starting full time with Freckled Nest in January, and is a pretty lady with great passion. She blogs around her daily life in the Canadian prairies, inspiring things, and other tidbits that are bound to make you smile. She is an absolute lovely person, and I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that she is the kind of person that you just wish you could be best friends with.
Meet Kyla:
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
-Hello! I’m Kyla Roma, a twenty something, day dreamy & crafty lady living in the middle of the Canadian Prairies. I’m vegetarian, tattooed, married to a very sweet man and have two terrible puppies. I knit and make jewelry, design blogs and write, and starting in January I’m going to be doing those things full time as half of Freckled Nest with Leigh-Ann Keffer!
2. What got you interested in blogging, and how long have you been blogging for?
-I’ve been blogging since I knew what it was! I’ve had journal style blogs off and on since I was in junior high, but I really found my voice and focused on my passions three years ago. I love the idea of finding inspiring normal people and being able to follow them through their daily journeys. Pretty much everything about it appeals to me, it’s the perfect creative outlet for me.
-My style is all about play and balancing my two sides: minimalist & masculine with layered & feminine. One day I’ll love streamlined basics, skinny jeans and boots, and the next I want to wear super short floral dresses and my oxfords. Almost all my clothes are vintage or thrifted, and I like off beat pieces that make me feel a little like I’m playing dress up.
4. You recently announced that you will be starting as a full time designer and blogger in January! Congratulations! How will this new position affect your every day life, and what are you looking forward to most about your new career?
-I can’t imagine a part of my life that this won’t effect! It’s going to be amazing to work on my passions full time instead of cramming them into the evenings and late nights. I’m most looking forward to working with Leigh-Ann every day, she’s so positive and an incredible mentor and entrepreneur. I feel incredibly lucky tand excited to learn from her.
5. What are your favorite trends for winter?
-I love giant chunky knits, raw crystal and worn metal jewelry, and the perfect pair of basic boots paired with skinny jeans. It’s extremely cold in my part of Canada already, so pretty much everything I wear right now is about layers- and about putting my black mukluks on top of all my outfits so I don’t freeze!
6. When you’re not busy designing, blogging, and working at a cute shop, what can you be found doing?
-My creative life takes up a big chunk of my time and between blogging, designing, etsy and work I put in lots of early mornings and late nights. It doesn’t leave a lot of time for hobbies- but I love to bake, thrift shop, and watch old movies. I’m a hot yoga addict, and I read constantly. I have an inspiration journal that I work on every week, I spend time goofing around with my friends, husband and dogs, and right now I’m planning my tattoos because I’m working on two 3/4 sleeves over the next year!
(from Kyla’s shop)
7. With regards to fashion, what do you draw inspiration from?
-My little sister is a huge inspiration to me, she’s gorgeous and extremely talented at finding and altering vintage, and she always makes me want to try harder. I really adore European street fashion, and Hel Looks is one of my favorite places to get inspired to take risks and be more playful.
-It would be a pair of Jeffrey Campbell boots, black tights and a skirt, an airy top with a cute cardigan, and a big scarf for the winter. This is pretty much my uniform when push comes to shove- only the boots aren’t Jeffrey Campbell until I finish my tattoos and can diversify my investments!
9. I’ve read that you deal with anxiety in your daily life. Being a person in a similar situation myself, what kind of advice would you give to me, or other bloggers/readers that battle with anxiety, on how to get through the emotional states that can come and go every day?
-For anyone struggling with anxiety I would recommend living moderately first and foremost- get lots of sleep, don’t have too much caffeine, and don’t drink too much. Try to figure out what helps you cope- I’m married to my day planner, I make lists and write everything down, and I make time for pockets of relaxation every day. My anxiety causes fatigue, so I’ve learned to work in three hour bursts and then take breaks so I don’t get frustrated with myself or over tired. Breathe through the mood swings, and know that they’re not your fault and they’ll pass. Be kind to yourself in small ways you can look forward to every day.
Most of all, talk to someone. Having someone who knows that you struggle with anxiety, and who you can vent to is amazing- and if it’s interfering with your daily life, speak to a doctor. Worrying and being stressed all the time isn’t normal and it’s something you can get help with, you don’t have to tough it out alone.
-For new bloggers, the best advice I can give is keep writing and exploring! Make friends with other bloggers, reach out, and have fun finding your voice and your niche. Know that building your blog is a long term thing, so your enjoyment of it is extremely important. For new designers, keep learning! Take classes, experiment with your blog, and read as many textbooks as you can.
I think that if you keep trying things that excite you, follow their passions, and are kind and encouraging to others, you’ll find your people in no time flat. It’s a big internet out there 🙂
Thank you so much Kyla for doing this interview with me!
Don’t forget to check out Kyla’s blog, and Etsy shop!
-Chelsea
Frances presents, Crafeteria
12.06.10This past Friday Scott and I attended the 5th annual Frances Crafeteria with our friend Gina. Crafeteria is an amazing handmade craft show that featured over 40 local artists. There was everything there from amazing original paintings (that were made by Danielle Hacche, who is a blog friend of mine, Celine, sister (pretty sure I got one for Christmas)), super cute flower headbands (my purchase of the evening), pretty paper goods, and also edible treats including cupcakes, cookies, and pumpkin soup.
One of my sponsors, Rainy Day Story, also had a booth there with her pretty gocco prints, cute charms, and amazing terrariums (I wish I would have bought one now!).
Here is the booth where I bought my lovely rose headband. I know it’s a little hard to see, but I promise to share my purchase from there very soon.
SeeSaw Designs was also at the fair. I’ve heard about them so much online, and it was so great to finally see their paper goods in person. They really had some lovely things.
Ashley of Merry May Handmade also had a lovely booth. She was selling reconstructed grandpa sweaters, as well as reconstructed vintage fur collars and a few other cute things.
Press Coffee was also at the fair. They had a lovely booth with free samples, and the neatest coffee brewing system on display. I really want to check out their new location over break.
My favorite Urban Cookies was also there! If I wasn’t so full from my dinner at the new Pita Jungle (more to come on that later), then I would have for sure tried one of their new cupcake flavors.
While at Crafeteria Scott and I also ran into a few friends. It really felt like almost everybody we knew showed up to support that night, and it was great to see so many familiar faces.
(Scott, Courtney, Kingsley, Gina, and I (somehow I didn’t end up with a picture of Sanford! sorry!).
Lastly, the night wouldn’t have been complete without a trip to Smeeks as well.
All in all, Crafeteria was so much fun, and I am so happy that we have so many great artists, crafters, and all around good people in Phoenix. I truly love my city, and I’m so happy to call it home.
Do you have a annual craft fair in your town? What’s it like?
-Chelsea
GROWop & my guy
12.04.10Last night I spent a fun filled evening in downtown Phoenix. I had dinner at Pita Jungle (a Valley favorite), shopped, talked, and took pictures at the Frances Crafeteria, and also stopped by the GROWop to show Gina all the loveliness.
Scott is still selling a few of his handmade items at the GROWop, and it was exciting to go there and see his stuff up all of the walls. There was so many people in there that night, and it was awesome to know that Scott stuff was being seen by so many.
(Scott’s Ampersand wood burnings)
(Scott’s penguin wood burnings)
(Scott’s connected jar lamps)
I am very proud of Scott for having his handmade things on display, and on sell somewhere. The GROWop is a creative place that is being supported by wonderful artists, and the community that surrounds it. I’m am truly so proud of Scott for being a part of it.
-Chelsea