Back from Portland

I'm back!  My boyfriend and I took a short trip to Portland, Oregon and had a great time.  Most of the places we visited were food related, and unfortunately couldn't stop by all the restaurants we wanted to go to!  The food was delicious and the coffee even better.  Right when we got back I got really sick though.  Must be the horrible LA smog!  Anyway, here is a photo of the gorgeous Japanese Gardens we went to.  It took a long walk; someone at the hotel told us to get off an earlier stop and walk uphill... for quite a while! But we got there and it was totally worth it.  I wish I could be there now, breathing the fresh air...

Calligraphy Samples

  

One thing I've always wanted to learn is calligraphy.  Ever since I learned how to write in cursive in the 3rd grade, I've been practicing on any sheet of paper I could find.  Combine it with my love for stationery and I'm in heaven.

Here are a few samples I whipped up with fake names and addresses.  I'm still practicing, but it gets a little easier each day. (photos: Sara Tso)

More fabric flowers

flowers, originally uploaded by sunshine by sara.

Here's another sneak peek of the flowers I've been working on.  After making about thirty it gets a bit tiring and I start to slow down. 

Thought

"Art and love are the same thing: It’s the process of seeing yourself in things that are not you."

— Chuck Klosterman (Killing Yourself to Live: 85% of a True Story)

Things I Love - October 16

little bits, originally uploaded by simply photo.

// Oh Joy! party at Urbanic Paper last night!  I brought along two of my friends, so it was nice to catch up with them and meet Joy too!  I am a really big fan of all her work, so I was a bit star struck to say the least.  I could hardly get a word out!  But of course she was a total sweetheart and I was so glad to attend her party.

// Rain!  It finally rained in southern california.  Of course everyone forgot how to drive, but the next day the air was nice and clear and traffic miraculously cleared up for a day?!  I love overcast/rainyweather.  As odd as this sounds it makes me really happy; it reminds me of cozying up with tea, a blanket, and a movie!

// I finally caved in and bought a new pair of jeans.  I have been putting it off for over a year now!  I will probably do a separate post on this because the jeans are amazing.  I can't believe I was without them for so long!

// I am going to start on my quilt (!!!) today! It's for a top secret project that I'm really eager to start on.

// Okay, this is one of my most favorite things on my mind as of late--I'm going to Portland, OR next weekend!  My boyfriend and I are taking a small weekend trip up.   It was my goal for the year to finally visit and for my birthday my mom surprised me with tickets!  I am beyond excited.  I have never been, but through the magic of the internet (haha) I've heard so many wonderful things about the place.  I just hope it's not raining too hard when we get there.  My boyfriend is very susceptible to getting sick!

Nostalgia Organics

less waste, more to love!, originally uploaded by nostalgiaorganics.

Handmade the Old-Fashioned Way, originally uploaded by nostalgiaorganics.

Have you heard of Nostalgia Organics? I just learned of them today through a flickr group for pretty packaging.  What's not to love?  First of all, they use natural and organic ingredients such as oatmeal, lavender, coconut, and lemongrass.  Secondly, the beautiful packaging goes above and beyond.   Each label is printed on recycled paper with soy inks and come with a pattern on the other side for a craft project!

I haven't decided which scent I'd like just yet, but what I know for sure is that my bathroom could use something as cute as this to perk things up a bit.  Check out their website, blog, and flickr here for more pretty photos.

Things I Love Thursday

If you follow Galadarling.com, you know she writes something called "Things I Love Thursday" (and if you don't, you definitely need to check it out!). It's about making a list of things you appreciate at the moment.  Here's my list for the week:

// my boyfriend coming over twice this week to cook me lovely dinners.

// Kate helping me figure out my stationery designs, and reassuring me that I'm on the right track.  thanks Kate!

// booking our hotel in Portland OR for a sweet deal!

// being too busy/productive/away from the computer to finish reading my blog reader

// swimming during the last days of summer

// mine and my boyfriend's one year anniversary

// a dozen sprinkles cupcakes for the occasion!

// finding out that the work OK looks like a sideways person

// beautiful sunsets from my bedroom window

(photo: sunshine by sara)

Fabric Flowers

A couple weekends ago I picked up some fabric for a small project I've had on my mind.  The project consists of making several flowers out of fabric.  I chose a cotton voile because it's smooth but a little stiff, and I like how the edges fray a bit.  I've only made 11 so far and I'm guessing I'll need at least 30. They surprisingly took a bit longer to make than I thought, but it's fun and nice to get away from the computer. Can't wait to show off the end result! 

Looking For A Silk Dress

Today I decided that I want to invest in a silk dress.  You know, something I can throw on in the summer but can pair tights and a woolly sweater with for the fall. Something with flirty details like a soft ruffle or a floral print.  The only trouble I come across is finding the right one.  Preferably I'd like it to be made by a small business rather than a mass retailer.  I'd also like it to be relatively affordable, as my budget is around $150 or so.  I remember coming across a dress that fit this criteria, but unfortunately I remembered too late!

The Regine Dress by Vain and Vapid.  I love the piping detail and the soft flutter sleeves.  And the beautiful fabric! If only I came across this earlier... The search continues.

(photos by Alana Davis for Vain and Vapid)

Sneak Peek

Here is a little sneak peek of what I've been working on.  The marshmallow painting is by the wonderful Dawn from handmadelove!  I've been thinking and working really hard on starting up my little stationery line.  Now I'm just waiting for my paper shipment to arrive in the mail!