Shades of Jade + Playlist

Every few months, new trends pop up. Usually, I shy away from anything too trendy, finding them gimmicky and bound to fall of of style pretty quickly. I tend to embrace trends that can easily be considered "classic."

This fall, I adore dark burgundy lips, oversized sweaters, and the color Jade.

Think of jade as an autumnal version of spring's mint. Like a dusty, moody mint. I love it. If I could find an oversized, thick knit sweater in a muted jade, I would be so so happy.

{Illustration by Coby Whitmore. I love the how the lace is done!}

Source: vggallery.com via Hannah on Pinterest

{The source says Vincent Van Gogh, but it doesn't really look like his work to me. Regardless, it's beautiful!}
{Image by Limonada on Flickr}

Source: blog.freepeople.com via Hannah on Pinterest

Recently I stumbled upon the music of band Clairy Browne & the Bangin' Rackettes. It's like the perfect mix of raunchy jazz/blues, 1950's pop, catchy rhythms, and girl power. Makes me tap my foot every time! I can imagine seeing them perform in a smoky, slightly seedy, red-velvet and leather underground bar/lounge. I would be sipping some classy cocktail, being all mysterious. Tell me what you think!

I also threw in some other similar music. This playlist symbolizes how I want to feel for the rest of my time here in Paris, like every weekend is a party, being young and having fun!

How to Pack Part UN - Consistent Color Palette

This is PART UN of my how to pack series! This one is all about packing clothing that is versatile and easy to wear.



I think I have found my Paris color palette! I was organizing my closet yesterday, and suddenly realized a common color theme. Black and dark gray items with corals, pinks, salmons, and rusty medium brown leather or bronze accessories. After seeing this packing guide on Pinterest, I've been mulling over what accent color to choose. I will be in Paris for 5 months, bringing only one checked bag and one carry-on! For me, that is a really frightening prospect. I figure that If I keep everything I bring within the same color family, focusing mostly on neutrals (like black), I can mix-and-match almost anything.

I've really been wanting an iphone lately, but since I'm going to be abroad, buying and committing to it now wouldn't make any sense, so I borrowed my mom's iphone (my Mother is cooler than me), created an Instagram account, and quickly took these photos! It saved me OODLES of time. Using my Nikon, I'd have to take the picture, plug in the camera, upload the picture, edit the picture, export, and then upload once more. Instagram just took twenty minutes off of my normal routine. I think the time it takes me to take and edit photos for this blog have been a major factor in my posting less and less often. Or maybe this simply bears testament to my laziness. One day, when I have my own iphone, I will use the crap outta Instagram!

I bought two new pairs of shoes that I'm super happy about. The only problem is I can't wear them yet because it's usually too hot outside, or I have nowhere appropriate to wear them! I'm all about flip flops and sandals in this desert heat (In case you didn't know, I moved back home to the California desert recently for the summer).

I thought I'd also share with you my favorite perfume: Marc Jacobs Daisy. Also here is my favorite waist belt, which I thrifted at a Goodwill for $2.


Check out Part DEUX of the How to Pack series here!

Color Palette - Sea Breeze

Color Palette time! I love these soft blues, browns, and taupes, so serene. I actually have this image for sale in a set of two in my Etsy shop! I thought it would make a great color palette.


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Doesn't that turquoise dress look really fuzzy and comfortable?! And that Anthropologie throw is calling my name.

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Clothing/Sandals from ASOS
Blanket from Anthropologie

DIY: Paint Swatch Art

Don't you love all those paint swatch DIY projects you see on Pinterest? Well, I've decided to make one of my own! Introducing Darla Dear's paint swatch art. It's super easy, and there are a million variations in color, composition, size, and shape, that no one will ever be identical.


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First off, I dug out my old paint swatches from an art class I took a while back. I painted these swatches using gouache paint, a highly pigmented watercolor, but if you don't have paint, or don't have the energy to paint your own (it takes a while), you most certainly can use the paint swatches you get from hardware and home improvement stores if you like.

Next, I cut each of my paint squares into irregularly-shaped ovals, which remind me of smooth pebbles in a river.


I then played around with composition until I found something I liked. I had to cut down my paper size to match the amount of color swatches I had. You don't want too much negative space, unless that's what you're going for.


Once I found an arrangement I liked, I glued each piece down, starting from the bottom and working my way up, so that each piece layered on top of one another like scales. I like art that has dimension.

I thought it looked a bit empty just with the color swatches, so I drew in some lines.


And, that's it! Have fun with this, and if you do any sort of art project, add a link to your blog post about it in the comments! I'd love to see your creativity! Happy DIYing! (as a side note, check out my nail! I painted them all fancy)



This is my first diy tutorial, and I'm afraid I may have accidentally left an important step out. If you have any questions, please comment!

(arrow in top image from hello vanny)

Color Palette - Diaphanous Rose

I've been seeing color palette images all over the place, especially in Pinterest. They're pleasing to the eye, they satisfy the visual artist in me, and they make for really good interior design color inspiration!

In accordance with this new craze, I've decided to make my own, using one of my photographs and some help from Pugly Pixel (Check out this site if you have photoshop, she's got lots of free downloads!)

I also included some items from Urban Outfitters for us to fantasize about.


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