Uncategorized

Sideways House

02.04.13

The Sirrine House is a place that I’ve visited before on this little blog of mine. Being the oldest home in the city, it has a special kind of charm that can only come with age. Built in 1896, this tiny, brick home has a slight slant to it, not so much that you feel like you’re walking sideways when you step onto its wrap around patio, but just enough so that its evident in any picture you might take. The slight slant in every one of these pictures drove me a bit crazy when we were taking them on fairly warm day in Mesa, but I’ve come to realize that the cockeyed view of the home is just how it will be, and has been for over 100 years now (and that’s kind of amazing!). From now on I have a feeling that I’ll be referring to this sweet home as the Sideways house instead of the Sirrine house. I hope Joel Sirrine won’t mind!

If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile (or even if you’re a new reader), you may have noticed my obsessions with bangles. These simple circles are always my go-to accessory, and my collection has grown quite a bit since purchasing my favorite blue, vintage enamel bracelet in Portland a handful of years ago. The top, cream colored bangle I’m wearing here is the newest edition to my collection – it’s the June solid bangle from Stowe Street. Along with the cream, I also have this bangle in ultramarine and I’ve been loving mixing the two together, and with my other bangles as well. In all honesty, I am SO, SO impressed with the quality of these bangles (they’re giving my Kate Spade bangles a run for their money – seriously!). They feel solid, sturdy, and are just classic – just what I’m always looking for in a good bangle! Right now Stowe Street is giving Tea Talk readers 15% off their purchase with the code teatalk15, and these June solid bangles are also on sale right now. Don’t miss out on these gems!

Cardigan: Target
Lipstick: Peony c/o Radiant Cosmetic
Tshirt: Madewell
June solid bangle in cream: c/o Stowe Street
Skirt: Last Chance
Leggings: Nordstroms Rack
Gabby booties: c/o Blowfish Shoes

I’m off for another busy day of class and running around town. I’m also hoping to pick up the new Local Natives album, Hummingbird, and the new Tegan & Sara album as well!

What are you up to today, friends? Have you picked up either of those albums yet? Thoughts?
-Chelsea xo

10 Comments
Uncategorized

Week 5 Wrap-Up

02.03.13

This week has been a real whirl wind! School and everyday life has been keeping me busy, but this week has also been extra special with an amazing meeting (more on that soon) and finally getting to see my feature in the March issue of Glamour Magazine! This weekend has been full of homework, and also a few lady dates with some sweet friends. February is looking really great so far! 
1. I’m featured in the March issue of Glamour Magazine! // 2. The best nuts & berries salad from D’Lish. // 3. A fresh manicure made my day. // 4. I’m having fun playing around with my new Windows phone HTC 8x.
3 Weekly Favorites:
1. Being featured in the March issue of Glamour Magazine!  You can find me on pages 156 & 158!
2. Getting a manicure with Nadia and Caitlin! First time getting one in almost a year.
3. My new Windows Phone 8x! I’ve been having a lot of fun testing it out! Do any of you have this model or use the Windows 8 system?
2  Hopes for the New Week:
1. That we have a great turn out for the Puppy Love Project event (please RSVP)!
2. Get more organized!
1 Last Thought:
I feel so fortunate for all of the amazing opportunities I’ve received lately. February is going to be a great month!
What was your favorite part of the week/weekend? Is there anything you’re looking forward to in the coming week?
-Chelsea xo
Leave a comment
Uncategorized

Mochas & Manicures

02.02.13

Just wanted to stop in to say this week I had one of the best lattes I’ve had in a long, long time at Cartel Coffee (yes, they have great mochas too!). I’m loving their newly remodeled space (they even added a whole extra room since this post last month), and I think it’s safe to say that they have reserved their spot as my favorite coffee shop in Tempe.

Anyways, I’m off to get a manicure with my sweet friend, Nadia, this morning. Yesterday I tweeted that I very rarely want to get a manicure done, but lately I’ve been itching to do so. Soon after Nadia texted me asking me if I would like to join her in getting a manicure tomorrow, and I immediately replied with a big old YES! Thanks for making my day, Nadia, you sweet lady you!

What are you up to today? What’s your favorite manicure color? I’m thinking of doing either a dark green, a light blue, or maybe a red or pink in honor of Valentine’s Day!
-Chelsea xo

Leave a comment
Uncategorized

Love Is In The Air

02.01.13

Happy February! The month of love is finally here! January seem to go by in a flash, but I am so exciting for February! I have so many fun things planned for the blog, including an amazing, amazing giveaway (one that I almost can’t wrap my head around because it’s SO great), and I can’t wait to share everything with you. Lately I’ve been feeling extra inspired (spring fever, is that you?), and I’m just so excited to work on blog posts, take pictures, plan events (like the Puppy Love Project on the 7th at Co+Hoots), and work on everything I possibly can (online and offline as well). It really is shaping up to be such a wonderful month!

Yesterday I had a once in a lifetime kind of meeting. I went into it having an idea of what we would talk about and how the meeting might go, but after we said goodbye and parted ways I was left feeling blown away at what had just happened (in the most amazing way, of course). I don’t want to go into what the meeting was about just yet (more on it to come), but I just needed to get those words out. That’s what blogging really is about, isn’t it? Sharing those moments that you never want to forget – the excitement, the nervousness, the thankfulness that you feel in your heart, a memory that you never want to fade – preserved here for you to come back to years later and remember exactly how you felt that day. What a special concept blogging is!

On top of feeling over the moon from my meeting yesterday, I received a super exciting tweet that a blog reader had spotted me in the March issue of Glamour Magazine! Did I really just type that? ME in GLAMOUR MAGAZINE? Yes, that really did happen – and I’m still in awe that it did. After reading her tweet Scott and I rushed out the door to find us a copy – three stores later and we finally had it in our hands. There may have been some squealing and giggling on my behalf, but it was just one of those moments where it felt appropriate to do so in the middle of the magazine section at Walmart. I plan writing a full post on the feature, but if you get your hands on a copy of the March issue of Glamour Magazine you can find me on pages 156 and 158! Also, thank you SO much to everyone who has congratulated me on the feature! I instagrammed a photo of the feature and received some of the sweetest comments! Thanks for making my day, friends!

Outfit details:
Scarf: Levi’s
Cardigan: Banana Republic
Dress: Madewell
Sequin heart pin: c/o ban.do
Bracelets: Kate Spade
Purse: Coach
Leggings: Nordstrom Rack
Gaby booties: c/o Blowfish Shoes

What are you most excited for this month? Is there anything that you would love to see on Tea Talk in the month of February?
-Chelsea xo

Leave a comment
Uncategorized

Puppy Love Project

01.29.13

With January almost out the door, I’m looking forward to what February holds. I know that studying and practicing for my Comps Exams is at the top of my to-do list, but I’m also looking forward to all the fun things that are in store for the month of love. February always feels like such a special time, love is in the air and candy hearts are in abundance (I know they’re kind of chalky tasting, but I just love them – anyone else?). This will Scott and I’s  sixth Valentine’s together (WOW!), and I still feel so lucky that I get to call him my valentine.

Usually in February the mornings are pretty icy around here, and winter seems to try and hold onto every inch of the season that it can. Around the middle of the month some warms days start to make their presence, and we’re reminded that spring is almost here! This year I’m hoping that it stays cool enough for me to continue to wear my cardigans, sweaters, and tights well through the month and into the next (dream big), because we know that once March hits Phoenix is going to be hot, hot! February is also an amazing month to give back to your community, which leads me to my next point….

Remember when I tweeted about a benefit that the Phoenix Style Collective would be co-hosting on February 7th? Well, I’m so excited to announce the Puppy Love Project – a shopping event benefitting the Arizona Humane Society! On Thursday, February 7th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the new Co+Hoots (1027 E. Washington) we will be celebrating the month of love by shopping (raffle + selection with some amazing prizes), munching on yummy treats, and making some fun d.i.y.’s, with all proceeds going to the Arizona Humane Society. We are so excited about this event, and hope that so many of you can make it out to Co+Hoots to celebrate such an amazing organization with us!

Scout is also very excited for the benefit and felt that he needed to be included in this post as well! He’s growing up so fast (he’s already 9 months old), and is getting SO big! It still feels just like yesterday that we brought him home (he was so tiny back then – remember these?), and now I can’t imagine my life without him.

Outfit details:
Scarf: Levi’s
Cardigan:Madewell
Button-up: Levi’s
Bracelets: Kate Spade
Jeans: Levi’s
Moccasins: Minnetonka Moccasins

Ok, I’m going to finish up this cup of coffee and then I’m off to school! This afternoon I’m off to visit my grandma, get some reading done for class (and a paper too), and then tonight I am so excited to meet up with Sarah of Arrow and Apple for fun shoot out in the desert!

If you can make it to the benefit, please leave me a comment letting me know! I’m seriously so, so excited for this event, and love that it’s going to benefiting a cause that is so close to my heart!

Have a great day, sweet friends!

-Chelsea xo

Leave a comment
Uncategorized

Mill Avenue Bridge

01.28.13

This weird, rainy weather that we’ve been having in Phoenix seems to be sticky around, and left us with a rather soggy weekend and Monday morning. On the upside, during the in-between moments of no rain and complete down pour, the sky looks heavenly and the city feels so quiet and peaceful. During one of these moments yesterday I had a sudden urge to go down to the beach side of our local lake, because I just knew that everything would feel that much more magical down there. Standing near the shoreline, in front of one of my favorite bridges that was built in 1931, the city of Tempe was seriously pulling on my heartstrings.

During a moment of absolute down pour that left me caught running through a huge parking lot to my car, I realized that sitting at home, tucked away under a pile of sweaters, was a long forgotten trench coat that I bought years ago and was saving for a rainy day. An hour later I found myself pulling it out of the closet and putting it right on, in hopes that it would keep me dry the next time I headed out the door. Don’t you love that, when realize that you have the most perfect coat, blouse, dress, etc., that would work perfectly and it’s already sitting at home for you? Such a good feeling!

Yesterday’s rain also left me feeling crazy nostalgic and in the mood to listen to Something Corporate’s beloved song Konstantine. Growing up, this was the song that every knew and loved more than you can imagine. Apparently this was just at my high school, however, because before Scott and I got together (6+ years ago!) he had never heard it before, as metal and hardcore music was more the scene at his high school (I may have jokingly asked him to sing me a Dimmu Borgir song as I serenaded him with Konstantine, bahaha).

Outfit details:

Trench coat: Target
Sweater: Madewell
Watch: Fossil
Booties: c/o Blowfish Shoes

Today I have more readings to catch up on (I’m a seriously slow reader when it comes to textbooks), a few errands to run, a drive to make to visit my grandma (who’s doing well by the way – thank you for all of the well wishes, sweet friends!), and a class to attend this evening. I’m also thinking that a run up to a nearby coffee shop for a hot coffee is in order asap, as it is chilly right now (even inside my house!).

What’s your favorite thing to do on a rainy day? What’s your favorite hot beverage?
-Chelsea xo

Leave a comment
Uncategorized

Week 4 Wrap-Up

01.27.13

This weekend was mostly spent catching up on rest, neglected school readings, loads of emails, and trying to get a better grasp on what I see for Tea Talk in the coming months (no big changes, just wanting to refine a few things). Thursday afternoon Scott and I went to the Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium with an old family friend, and later on that evening we attended an art opening for Britteny Young at our local Free People. Sometime between Thursday evening and Friday morning Scott came down with a nasty virus (we’re thinking the Norovirus, according to urgent care), so most of our Friday and Saturday was spent resting at home. This morning I met up with my fellow Phoenix Style Collective founders to work on our plans for the benefit we’re hosting on February 7th at Co-Hoots (more details to come – but make sure you save the date if you’re local), and now I’m sitting here with a large iced coffee from Carmel’s, sorting out my schedule for the rest of the day.

1. A very sleepy puppy Scout. // 2. Loving on my Stowe Street bracelets. // 3. A very rare, dreary day in Phoenix. // 4. Making a new friend at the wildlife zoo.

3 Weekly Favorites:
1. My Gabby booties from Blowfish shoes – perfect for running around, rain or shine.
2. Trader Joe’s Winter Blend coffee.
3. Watching The Pioneer Woman!

2  Hopes for the New Week:
1. I finally start planning out my Comps Exams questions.
2. Scott kicks this virus in the butt and is better ASAP!

1 Last Thought:
I feel so blessed to have such an amazing group of friends!

What was your favorite part of the week/weekend?
-Chelsea xo

Leave a comment
Uncategorized

Winter Love

01.27.13

I feel like winter is the season that gets the least amount of love. It’s chilly, damp, and a cold or two is usually flying around the city (like right now, yuck). However, the unconventional Phoenix winters that I’m so used to usually have me spellbound. Chilly mornings, loads of hot coffee, and extra layers that I usually never get to pull out captivate me, and for the few, short weeks where it actually feels like winter in Phoenix, I am thankful. What also captivates me is how other people are affected by different seasons. Nat the Fat Rat recently blogged on how the cold is affecting her, and the sincerity and realness of her thoughts hit close to home (because face it, even in Phoenix the winter blues hit us occasionally). Although I don’t live somewhere that has a typical winter, I still feel like I can relate to and appreciate her thoughts (and maybe even wished a little that it was colder here and snowed once and awhile so I can fully soak in the season).

How do the winter months affect you? What do you do to beat the winter blues? Do you have any wintertime traditions?
-Chelsea xo

Leave a comment
Uncategorized

Tick Tock

01.25.13

Wow, is it really Friday already? This week has gone by SO fast! I  had all intentions of blogging more the past two days, but life has just kept me busy, busy and exhausted at the end of the night (where is that late night energy I once had as an undergraduate?!). As I mentioned earlier this week, my grandma has been in the hospital and now has been moved to a rehab facility to get her strength back and ready to go home (which is great!). Along with that, attending classes an hour away, and other odds and ends that comes with everyday life (plus a  trip to a local Wildlife zoo!) it really has been a busy week!

Outfit details:
Sweater: Banana Republic
Peplum Blouse c/o LuLu*s
Jeans: Levi’s
Call It Spring Satchel: c/o Jcpenney
Watch: Fossil
Boots: Vince Camuto

Today I’m looking forward to catching up on emails, school work, blog posts, etc., and also hopefully attending a local latte throwdown (competition starts at 8 at the Crepe Bar in Tempe!).  Oh, and BIG NEWS – The Phoenix Style Collective is hosting a benefit mixer with Co-Hoots on Thursday, Feb. 7th at 6:30pm! Full details and a flyer are to come, but think love, animals, crafts, and shopping! So save the date and I hope to see many of you there! It’s sure to be an amazing evening!

What do you have planned for today? How was your week?
-Chelsea xo

Leave a comment
Uncategorized

Cartel Coffee Lab Tempe

01.23.13

Cartel Coffee Lab is one of my those local coffee shops that I go back and forth with. Since all of the Cartel locations (there are four) are a bit out of my way, I usually find myself stopping by other local coffee shops more frequently. However, I do have a fondness for Cartel in my heart and always enjoy stopping in there for a hot coffee and delicious treat (locally made by my friend Tyler at their downtown Phoenix location!).

Scott and I are big fans of their pour-overs, and usually get those when we go there. If you’re unfamiliar with the pour-over method, you can learn a little about it here.

Not too long ago Cartel added a bar/micro brewery to their setup, as well as a much needed extra sitting space. When these photos were taken a few weeks ago, Cartel only consisted of two rooms, but when I went in there just a few hours ago to meet up with Mandy, they had knocked down a wall and added yet another sitting space (where the old comic store used to be if you’re familiar with the area). Over the four plus years that Scott and I have been going to Cartel the progress that we’ve seen the shop make is amazing, and I feel so blessed to have such a unique coffee shop like Cartel in our area!

Also, I’m still in awe of the January issue of Emma Magazine. I feel truly honored to be featured in this month’s issue, and can’t wait to finally get my hands on a hardcopy! Have you checked out this months issue yet?

Leave a comment