Fashion Editorial: Superior Online

And here I go again with another quirky fashion editorial from Superior Online fashion magazine, March 2013 issue. It's that mix of patterns and colors that never fail to  amuse me. 

Model : Nele Heiman @ Model Management

Photography : Valeria Mitelman

Styling :  Inga Kusche

Hair & Make Up :  Julie Skok

Featured Handmade Shop: Serejkin Dom

Anastasia Maltseva lives in Kyiv, Ukraine.  She is the designer and owner of the handmade shop Serejkin Dom.  I fell in love with her creations the first time I saw them.  I had featured one of her lovely necklaces here and asked if she wanted to be a featured shop on my blog.  Thankfully, she said yes :) If you are into pretty, whimsical things, you'll surely love this little shop too.  I hope that you will take a moment to read through the whole interview and get to know more about the talented artist behind this handmade shop.

Let's get to know the Entrepreneur:
 
Why the shop name? 
My shop's name, Serejkin Dom, in Russian means House of Earrings.

How old is your shop?
I've started it in 2008 and since then, my shop has been growing and developing.

What inspired you to start your own home business? 

I don't remember properly how it began. It was summer and I was bored and so I made my first super simple beaded earrings. But it wasn't something surprising: I have a very creative family, who taught me to sew, paint, etc. from childhood.

What was the toughest challenge you faced so far and how did you get over it?

The toughest challenge I faced was me and my fear. Fear to try, to start. When I was creating my etsy shop I didn't know, how it would be and if it will work or not. 

What tips would you want to share for aspiring home based entrepreneurs like you? 

Well, never give up! We have great opportunity to see everything around the world through Internet. Just look around, find your muse and create!

Where can we find you online? 
You can find my shop page on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Google+, tumblr, Instagram and Etsy. Am I a geek? :)   We have a Russian language on-line shop and blog as well.

Let's get to know the Artist:

What are your inspirations?

I find my inspiration in things around me: flowers, music, birds songs, nature, buildings. I really like buildings and think all of them have soul. Especially old ones.

Can you give us a peek on the creative process involved in your craft?

Recently I work in the morning, because of the day light. All process of making earrings or necklace can last for a 1-2 days. Everything starts from a sketch. And if I see in my mind something that I couldn't embody right now, then I start searching of supplies, gemstones etc.

What are your personal picks from your shop?

Oh, I'm in love with our new spring collection: it's so fresh and delicate like morning air and dew on grass.

Let's get a bit personal:)

What do you do when you're not busy in your shop? 

On my free time I like to travel and photograph. And I like to drink coffee with macaroons in a little cafe in an old town.

What are your favorite shops? 

I can't pass by shops with all that cute interior stuff! It's obsession! Speaking about etsy shops I can stand out Coriumi, KaroArt and For Strange Women.

What's inside your bag? 

I'm a girl, so in my bag you can find 5 or 6 red lipstick :) Than there are cardholder, documents, wallet, touch phone (I can't live without it) and my notebook for sketches and plans.

What makes you smile? 

I try to smile for everything, every little moment or pretty thing. I smile at morning, when the sun wakes me up. It gives me energy for the whole day. 

What is your message to customers and the people who support you? 
Just notice beauty of the world and give some love to each other.

~*~*~*~

BIG THANKS & HUGS:

 Serejkin Dom

The Beautiful Art of Recycling: Perfume Bottles

Perfume bottles can be used as flower vases; mini perfume bottles can be turned into charm necklaces. These exquisite jars can add a touch whim to a shelf or vanity.   My favorite way to recycle the larger bottles is to use them for displaying /  organizing jewelry (bracelets, necklaces) or other trinkets (ponytails, hair ornaments).  I found these pictures from Pinterest and We Heart It for inspiration.

via

TO DISPLAY JEWELRY:

 

 via: 1, 2

via: 1, 2

TO WEAR WITH YOUR FAVORITE OUTFIT:

 via: 1, 2

TO HOLD FRESH FLOWERS:

via: 1, 2, 3

TO BEAUTIFY A SPACE:

via: 1 , 2

via: 1 , 2 

Do you collect perfume bottles too?
Which one of these ideas do you love?

Interior Design: A Mix of Bold Colors and Patterns

Adore Magazine is Australia's first online home and lifestyle magazine. For its February-March 2013 issue, it features interior stylist Clair Wayman, who, together with her partner Nick Young, owns Curio & Curio, a home interior decorating shop in Melbourne.  Their cushions in bold colors and funpatterns, made from hand printed linen are a joy to the eyes.

My Etsy Picks: Colorful Spring

Happy Monday! This week's Etsy picks celebrates the beautiful colors of spring.  These handmade items by various Etsy sellers exude the fresh, happy vibe of the season  :)

hand painted silk scarf : Silk Scarf Takuyo

floral patchwork sofa : Name Design Studio

linen necklace with amber : Karuba

bluegreen sterling silver earrings : Sun Gallery and Gifts

abstract painting cushion cover : Ebi Emporium

zipper spiral ring : Zipper Design 

honey bee necklace : Jacaranda Designs 

Chibi green apples coin purse : Octopurse

floral clutch : Sassy Stitches by Lori

forest raspberries colar : ZIB textile

tree branches, birds and birdcages print : Illustree

hen kitchen ornament : Bozena Wojtaszek

reversible placemat with milkweed embroidery : sea blossom design

wildflowers hand painted teapot : roootreee

purple rustic wooden serving tray : Beau Miracle

springtime kitchen towel and cloth set : Mama's Baby Love

floursack "The Blue Floor" tea towel : Marley Ungaro 

Daffodils throw pillow cover : hmishke

Fashion Editorial: Star Bright by Rue's Color Issue

I love the first color issue of Ruemag. Have you seen it yet?  Here's a peek at its Fashion Editorial aptly titled "Star Bright".  Oh yes, I'm into whimsical patterns and colorful prints these days.  Remember this? 

"Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast" ~ the White Queen, Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll

 

Currently Loving and Addicted to Instagram

I am currently addicted and loving Instagram.  Are you?

Here are some shots taken yesterday.

Hope you're enjoying blue skies where you're at too:) 

Fashion Inspiration: Maxi Skirt Trend

I do love the maxi skirt trend and found some of my favorite looks from Pinterest, from maxi skirts in bold hues, pleated pastels, and patterned long skirts. Now, this is a style that I think I can carry and one that I would definitely want to wear.

photos: 1; 2; 3; 4

photos: 1; 2; 3; 4 

Add caption

photos: 1; 2; 3; 4 

Which of these would you wear?

My Etsy Picks: Printed Pastels

Hi =) This week's Etsy Picks is all about printed pastels.  Here are pastel goodies in stripes, dots, florals and whimsical patterns.  I hope taking a look at these adorable prints adds cheer to your Monday.  If you have a moment to share which one's your favorite, I'd be delighted love to know:)

green and white pinstripe masking tape : Bahana Splits Boutique 

infinity scarf with pom trim : Gertie Baxter

squirrel and polka dot iPhone case :  The Case of Mr. Pelham

mint and white stripes nautical knit top : Chic Origins

mint and black triangle necklace garland: Petite Deer

1960s retro style dress : Fancy That Vintage

Japanese cotton pinstripe fabric : The Heyday Shop 

mint gingham tape on vintage bobbin :  Worthy Goods Textile

set of four Chevron coffee coasters : Mrs. Amron

vintage pastel print scarf : unVoyage

vintage floral blazer : sussudio nyc

floral cocktail dress : assafpelleg

vintage needlepoint purse : Bambi Apparel

retro teapot skirt : interrobangirl

1970s pink / peach novelty print button down shirt : Asburry Hill

vintage pastel floral skirt : moon and soda

Milly, French 1960s mini dress : dandelion daydreamer

wooden handle, turtle print clutch : DOTTO

1980s sweater : beta vintage casual

1970s powder blue speckled midi dress :  svankmajer

polka dot floral tunic : nbdg

1970s dotted blouse : marjiew

1960s knit dress : retroholic

bubbles polymer clay statement necklace : Alina and T

one piece floral bathing suit :  Tatiana's Threads

baby blue polka dot fabric earrings : Joanna Bizu

Robin's egg adjustable ring : Pickle Dog Design

Goodbye Google Reader and GFC, Hello Bloglovin', Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Etc.

via

Hello.  I hope everyone's had a great weekend.  Last Friday, I found out from Lauren of Style Elixir that Google Reader will be shutting down. Google says that there are two reasons for this.  The first is due to the decline in the number of users and the second is that they want to focus their energy into fewer products.  Well, most of you might have heard or read that it will only be available until July 1, 2013. In line with this, Google Friend Connect (GFC) will most likely end as well.  

It is an unwelcome news for a lot of people and I definitely feel a bit disappointed too.  I am subscribed to a number of blogs through GFC and been using this bookmarking tool for years.  Recently though, I've been keeping myself updated through Bloglovin' and it's cool that Bloglovin' has made it so much easier to import your entire bloglist in just a click of a button.   

I was just starting to build up a following through GFC but since it will be retiring real soon, I thank everyone who has followed me through GFC and I do hope that you will continue to follow my blog on Bloglovin'.

However, Bloglovin' isn't the only option we have to subscribe to our favorite blogs.  Of course, there's email subscription, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram- these are the popular alternatives.  Do you know of other bookmarking tools?  Which one do you prefer to use to get updates from your favorite blogs and websites? 

So anyway, I don't normally ask people to follow my blog or offer to follow in exchange for my following simply because I don't want to make it a conditional (follow me- I follow you) thing.  As much I want to build up a bigger audience, it's just so much happier each time you get new followers, knowing that they genuinely like your blog enough to want to stay tuned to your future posts.  Of course, when you join giveaways, becoming a follower is a basic rule, and I've certainly participated in a lot of giveaways but if I don't feel a slightest connection to a blog, then I would rather not join.  I usually follow a blog for the simple reason that I like it and I don't really mind whether or not the blogger follows me back.  Surely if they follow back, that would be wonderful, but that is their choice  :) 

Today, I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to follow my blog through email subscription, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest .  I haven't been super active on these social sites but beginning today, I will be using these platforms to share updates from this blog.  If you do find my blog worthy of your time, if it makes you smile, then it would be great to know that you want to continue reading my posts:)  See you tomorrow!

Fashion Editorial: Dada Meets Marilyn

These are shots from Coco magazine's April 2013 Part 1 issue.

the colors, the prints, Peter Pan collars ~ Love!

ModCloth Love Your Look Contest

Have you heard of the latest contest going on at ModCloth?  Beginning today through 7 AM PST on 3/18, check out the new Style Gallery, upload your own photo wearing your favorite pieces from the shop, love images, and share the looks that inspire you throughout the week of 3/11-3/18.  The outfit that gains the highest community-generated loves will win $100 ModCloth gift card.  Two random lovers of the winning photo will each receive a $50 gift card.  Here are some of the looks I hearted from the ModCloth Style Gallery.

Sale Alert: 10% Off Spring Party Styles at Tea Collection

 It's so nice to see kids looking stylish and yet dressed comfortably. These are Spring outfits for boys and girls at Tea Collection.  I'm loving the happy patterns and the variety of colors!  To see more, visit the website or LIKE  Tea Collection on Facebook.

 Blooming Lily Shift Dress 

Sethunya Floral Dress

Dance Print Shirt 

Two Oceans Sweater Vest 

The Beautiful Art of Recycling: Used Paper and Old Magazines

Recycling projects are something that I personally appreciate and support.  Last time, I compiled ideas on how to re-purpose old window shutters.  Today, I found brilliant ideas on how to recycle or up-cycle used paper and old magazines.  Instead of throwing away unwanted sheets of paper or old magazines in the trash, why not turn them into something decorative and utilitarian?

floating paper butterflies 

via: Pinterest

Why should we consider recycling paper?  According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, about "33 percent of the municipal solid waste stream (MSW) is made up of paper and paperboard products" (Earth911).  In the Philippines, the National Solid Waste Management Commission reports that about 16 percent of the total solid waste is paper (DENR).  We can thus imagine what a big difference it would make if only each household would avoid wasting paper and try to find ways to recycle or up-cycle paper trash to prevent them from ending up in the landfill.  

paper ribbon
via: Pinterest {tutorial}

The nice thing about paper is that it is a versatile material and there are literally hundreds of different crafts, from simple DIY projects to the more complicated art of paper cutting, you can find online.  On this post, I chose DIYs that I think are easy enough for me to do {except for the Hydrangea and Mums bouquet} :)  If you feel like you're not crafty enough, you may want to take a moment to click on the tutorial links and see for yourself.  You might be inspired to create your own version. So, are you ready to give these craft projects a try?

gift wrap ribbons
via: Pinterest

 Origami hearts
 via: Pinterest {tutorial}

 envelopes
via: Pinterest {tutorial}

 paper earrings
via: Pinterest

 

 whimsical wreath
via: Pinterest

 

magazine vases
via: Pinterest

 

paper flowers
via: Pinterest {tutorial}

 paper bouquet
 via: We Heart It {tutorial}

paper cone garland
via: We Heart It via: Casaecose

jar or vase embellishment
via: We Heart It {tutorial}

"hugs & kisses" garland

via: We Heart It {tutorial}

Which of these ideas have you done or like to try?  Do you know of other paper recycling inspirations?  Feel free to share the links with everyone :) Thanks!