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Monday, May 27, 2013

In the Land of Mushrooms...

I have been staring at this adorable mushroom dress hanging in my closet for weeks now.  I got it a couple of years ago on Etsy and have worn it several times, but never really liked the length on me.  Finally I mustered up the courage yesterday to give it a little snip, pin and hem, and it's like new!!
I have been falling back in love with mushrooms lately.  I think what started it was discovering this colorful little mushroom pin at the shop.
Yes, this mighty little pin was what really gave me the hankering to wear this adorable little mushroom dress again, and I am so glad that I did!
This weekend has been super relaxing for Daniel and I.  We had a hectic past couple of weeks so we have spent a lot of time waking up together and making breakfast, taking walks and watching movies.  Today is Memorial Day, wooo!!  So we'll be heading out for a quick workout and then over to my parents for cookout (that's more like it!) haha.

I was so happy to find this little red polka dot headband yesterday, matches my toadstools perfectly ;)
Headband: Claire's, Cardigan and belt: Forever 21, Dress- vintage, shoes- gift/betsey johnson, tights- WeLoveColors, Pin- vintage, Necklace- Green Eyed Lady

 
I hope you all have a really fun and relaxing Memorial Day with friends or family, or both!  I am so excited to have a long weekend, and will be sure to get some more outfit photos before it comes to a close!

xo, Alyssa

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Cheers to a Colorful (half) of a year!

 Thanks to all of you for the incredibly kind and thoughtful comments on my last post, and also thank you for the loads of support on my new art endeavor!  I really appreciate it :)

I was thinking today that I haven't done a recap of my outfits in a while!  So here is a fun little recap of the past (almost) 6 months (wow, are we really almost half way through 2013??).  Cheers to a colorful half of the year, and you better believe I will keep the color coming! ;)

Happy-almost-Friday! :)

xo, Alyssa

Monday, May 20, 2013

Getting the creative juices flowing!

Happy Monday Everyone! This weekend was a little gloomy so I took some outfit photos under my bright rainbow umbrella :)


     Daniel and I spent our Saturday in Philly, checking out the Mütter Musuem
and browsing through thrift shops and vintage boutiques; with a little stop at our favorite bakery- Sweet Freedom Bakery and a quick lunch at Whole Foods. It was such a wonderfully relaxing and easygoing day for a busy week.  The weather somewhat mimicked this bittersweet week..a mix of rainbows and thunder.   My friend Lydia became a mother on Mother's Day last Sunday (right as I was writing my last post!), I could not be happier for her, and her son Ian is the absolute cutest! Then the world lost a very special woman on Wednesday night.  The mother of one of my dearest friends Diana, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer.   I had a tough time hearing this and feel so heavily for Diana.  Her mother Tina was an absolutely AMAZING woman.  I have never met someone so full of kindness and generosity.  She always extended herself to express warmth and kindness, and she will surely never be forgotten.  What a lovely woman you were, Tina!  Always a rainbow in the rainstorm <3   
My finds this Saturday in Philly- a 60's vintage floral dress, polka dot scarf and fun colorful necklace.
     You may have noticed a little change around the blog recently- my new background! My colorful backdrop is a collection of acrylic moth paintings that I did for my 30 days of art project.  The project really gave me the "push" I needed to make my art dreams happen.  For some time I have had the goal of illustrating insects and then turning them into usable items like fabric, jewelry, gift wrap and stationary.  I am so happy to announce that my vision is now becoming reality!  With the help of spoonflower.com, and my incredible husband (who helped me tons with formatting and the technical workings) my paintings are now becoming items like fabric and gift wrap!  My next goal is to use my textiles to make clutches, coin purses and skirts (and hopefully dresses!).  I am still in the process of ordering swatches and selecting the fabrics so stay tuned and hopefully these items will be available on my (currently empty) Etsy shop sometime soon! 
  My first gift wrapped with my new moth print gift-wrap <3  Daniel's mom got her late Mother's Day gift in this box, and we'd like to think the gift wrap was sort of a gift too ;)
These are my new moth necklaces made from prints of my original paintings.  I collaborated with another artist who has a laser wood cutter and printer for these fun pieces.  I am SO happy with how they turned out.  If you would like one please shoot me an email and let me know!  I am selling them at my shop in Delaware but have not gotten them up on my Etsy shop yet.
I want to dedicate this post to Tina Katherine Linn, a beautiful soul and lovely woman who made an indelible impression on me and inspired so many around her.  What a courageous, strong, and compassionate woman you were!  We will miss you. <3

xo, Alyssa

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Take your camera to work day + A Strawberry Sunday!

 Alas, this quick weekend is coming to a close.  I had to work all day Saturday (you are playing me a violin, I know ;)  so I decided it would be a good day to bring my camera along!  I know that I mention the store that I manage from time to time, but it dawned on me that I have never posted any photos, so here it goes!
I work at a little boutique called "Clothes in the Past Lane".  We are located on Main Street right next to the University of Delaware.  It's a pretty nifty shop- chock full of both vintage and new clothing and accessories.  We are always on the lookout for cool, unique items that no one else will have!  Like this pink hat- rockin'!
I wish hats like these were still everyday attire.  My favorites are ones like this from the 40s and 50s that are covered in fabric flowers, lace, and leaves.  The details are amazing!


Here I am with our mannequin, Bertha.  Yes, we name our mannequins (hey, it helps us keep them straight!)  This is little Bertha, we also have big bertha (so named for her voluptuous shoulders and rear) and wire bertha (made of wire).

This is a curated collection of some of our vintage jewelry- we all take turns decorating the displays.  You can probably guess I had a ton of fun with the rainbow case on the left.  Our other themes right now are spring pastels, and black and white!

A pair of floral jeans that I should own by now!
A little corner of the shop for my little jewelry line "The Lemon Moth" with a small collection of moth and butterfly necklaces and jewelry.

A lovely collection of vintage animal pins that I set out on Saturday.   Hope you enjoyed the little tour! 

And Sunday....what a crazy day!  Since it was my one day of the weekend where I could actually get things done I sort of went into overdrive.  My checklist for today was waaaaay too long, but somehow I squeezed most everything in.  Getting to the gym, getting last minute gifts and groceries, making cupcakes, cleaning up my closet (didn't get done, haha) visiting Daniel's mom and mine, taking photos and updating the blog!  Whew!  Bedtime is next on that checklist! ;)  I hope you all had a lovely Mother's Day, though!  I had a great time seeing my Mom and spending time with the family.  I have a friend out in Washington who is hoping to be a mom very soon- (she is still in labor) and I am so anxious to hear of the announcement for her baby boy!!  Hang in there, Lydia! <3
It was beautiful outside today!  Just that picture perfect weather, you know?  Unfortunately, most of the sun had gone before we were able to get photos, but just enough that we could capture some good ones.  I had to take advantage of the beautiful bright pink flowers that were sitting all sprawled out on the grass here.  My parents have HUGE azaleas in the yard in all different pinks, purples, and white.  It made for a pretty backdrop and great grass shots!

I LOVE the pattern on this 1960's dress.  What could be better than monochromatic strawberries, right?  If it looks familiar, you're not crazy.  This dress inspired a strawberry painting I did a few years ago- and it sits on my living room wall and has made an appearance or two on the blog!  I have to give high kudos to my husband Daniel because he hemmed this for me today while I was baking cupcakes.  Amazing, yes?  This man is more handy with a sewing machine than I am, I need to work on that.  
Necklace and dress- vintage, cardigan- Kate Spade, Shoes- Urban Outfitters, tights- Forever 21, Headband- Claire's

I hope you all had a fabulous day and a wonderful weekend, I can't believe it's already ending! Hope you all have a super Monday tomorrow filled with strawberries and sunshine ;)

xo, Alyssa

Monday, May 6, 2013

Rainbow Ombre and an Art Show!

Happy Monday!  Sorry I've been MIA for a little while.  My "Fun A Day" project got a little too busy, so I wasn't able to fit everything in last week.  The weather has been absolutely GORGEOUS lately.  We had near perfect temperatures all weekend (although just a little bit too cold to wear this rainbow outfit ALL day) and the sunshine was well needed.  This morning it's a little gloomy out there, but I am hoping it's just a phase ;)
Aaaa rainbow colors.  My favorite, of course.  I got these shorts from the shop I work at and had been looking for a way to style them- I figured I'd go ahead and extend the ombre look by pairing it with my Motel rainbow gradient tunic/mini dress.  I really like all of the ombre looks coming out now- especially rainbow ombre, it's such a fun take on my favorite fashion staple!

It was another busy weekend for Daniel and I- we stuffed a whole lot in!  It started with Friday night and my gallery show for my "Insect A Day" project (you'll see photos down below) then Saturday was lots of errands and Daniel's electrician's apprenticeship graduation dinner with his family, my parents, and a few friends, we went out for a drink afterwards with my friend Diana.  Then Sunday was a trip up to West Chester to go vintage shopping, and a stop back at my family's for chicken tortilla soup, salsa and guacamole, yum!  
Oh yea, and a few nice walks at the park, like this one.  Where we off the path a bit :)
Outfit Details: Tunic/mini dress: Motel, Modcloth.com, shorts: Clothes in the Past Lane, Headband, earrings and feather hair clip-in- Claire's, necklace: Kohl's, bracelet- Saks Thrift Avenue, shoes: Forever 21
This clutch has been sitting at the shop where I work, Clothes in the Past Lane staring at me for months.  I finally decided to take the plunge and buy it- it's perfect, and an authentic 60s piece!  It even still had the box with it!

My friend Sandra at the Gallery Opening Friday night!

My collection!  One insect a day for 30 days :0)  Although I did get a little bit behind and play catchup when I got that icky cold. shhhhh.

Goofin off with Allie in the Fun-A-Day "Foto Forest"

The hubby :)
My friend Steph (who did Dance A Day) and her mom Sandi (also my boss at work)!
My vintage finds in West Chester <3

I hope you are all having a wonderful start to your week and I will be sure to check back at your blogs soon, thanks for reading! :)  

xo, Alyssa