Woodgrain & Instagram

Monday, Monday, how I wish you weren't always so punctual. We're still buddies, don't get me wrong,  Monday's are just my homework days. So really it's not Monday's fault at all and I'm just not in love with homework. Especially when the sun is shinning. 

I feel like I was at work all week. Which is half true. Good thing I favor being there over most other places. When I wasn't at work though, this is what I was up to.

I had a lady party with a couple of my foxy friends.

Fox Kirsten 

Pizza was involved...

Spring continues to be good to us Portlanders

Icon Tattoo

Went to a couple shows

AND AND AND, my friend Jon's band.

Saw Tennis at the Doug Fir

Tried on a dress I couldn't afford. Depressing.

Anthropologie

Discovered my new favorite deli...Jackson was jealous.

East Side Deli

Took my dad to said deli when he came to visit for the day.

East Side Deli again. In the same week. Along with a Kure smoothie. I get the Lush Life.

Took a cat nap with a professional.

Dexter is the best napper I know.

Got a new neighbor. They seem cool.

Kari and I started our new work out scheduele

Followed by an epic feast and Game of Thrones.

I am currently studying. These things are distracting me...

Lyrik Cafe

......

Lyrik Cafe

...and blogging. Blogging is currently distracting me as well. It's a necessary evil.

Hope you all are doing well! See ya tomorrow!!

Friday Favorites

Pairing Long Skirts & Button Ups

Hey guys! This is a little bit of an unconventional set up for Friday Favorites but I was feeling extra passionate about this combo so I decided it was ok.

Seriously, the long skirt and the button up, where have you been all my life? I am in love. The combination is flattering, super comfy, and the perfect mix of masculine and feminine. If you haven't tried this yet I highly suggest it. Add your favorite piece of jewelry like a long gold necklace or a chunky gold watch and you have perfection!

Catch ya later friends! Have a fantastic weekend!

Tattoo Talk.

top left. top right. center. bottom left. bottom right.

With all this sunny weather we have been having there have been a lot of bare arms and bare legs around here. All at once everyone's tattoos are visible- it's awesome.

I am so in love (seriously, so in love) with tattoos. Particularly women with a lot of tattoos. When done right (in my opinion) like the women above, they look so strong and empowered while still maintaining their femininity.

I hope one day to look like this, not covered, not full or filled in sleeves, but with a beautiful collection of tattoos.

I don't know how to explain it. It's hard for me to understand why anyone could be so against them. For me it's partially about expressing myself, less about making a statement, and more about loving my body. I think we can all agree, being a woman and feeling completely comfortable in your skin isn't always easy. I can't explain how incredible it feels to look down at yourself and be proud. To see art instead of imperfections. It's a beautiful thing.

I'm sure some of you have experienced some family disapproval in this area. I by no means come from a family that is very accepting of tattoos. The only one who does is my amazing mother. I know I push her sometimes but she never ceases to amaze me with her willingness to change her opinions on things in support of me. My dad on the other hand has a harder time and just kind of stiffens up when he sees them. Papa no like tattoos. Just how he was raised. With most of the rest of my family I get weird looks or the standard, "Well, what are you going to think of them when you're 80?" or the classic, "What about when you get married?" These are my favorite questions.

When I'm 80 I'll most likely be wearing pants and long sleeves year round like every other 80 year old. But maybe having tattoos when I'm 80 will make me feel like I do now- more confident in my body. I don't believe I will be proud of my natural skin once I get that old. Plus, it has always been my lifelong dream of being a badass grandma.

In terms of my wedding day, it's not about anyone else but me and my husband. If tattoos are a part of me and who I am obviously I will want them on display when I get married. To be honest I hope I have  my arm tattoos to where I want them before I'm married, so I can showcase them. I mean, just look how beautiful and not intimidating they are..

As you've probably guessed from this post I have my fair share of tattoos (very feminine tattoos). And also you've probably guessed that I'm not done getting them. As pro tattoos as I am I have limits. No neck, chest, or hands (and it seems obvious but no face or head). Honestly the hands part of that rule makes me sad since the tattoo I've always wanted since I was little was a hand tattoo. The thing is you have to have limits. No matter how much it sucks when everyone tells you people think of you differently when you have tattoos, it's true. It's definitely not always in a negative light but it's still there.

From the little I've heard, hands, neck, head, and face tattoos were suppose to be reserved for only tattoo artists back in the day. I completely respect that rule. The problem with those tattoos is that you can never really cover them up if need be. Those can easily turn into the "regret" tattoos. I highly advise against them. The only reason I don't want to get my chest tattooed is because it is my favorite part of my body. I have seen some beautiful chest pieces (seriously, gorgeous) but for me it's just not something I want to do.

You have to really consider your career path. For me I go to art school. And I want to live in the Pacific Northwest for the rest of my life. If someone doesn't want to hire me because of my tattoos, it probably isn't a place or client I want to work for. You may have different circumstances than me. Think it out.

In conclusion (this feels a little like an essay to me too, trust me) if you want tattoos, and you are confident in why you want them don't be afraid. And in complete sincerity if you don't like tattoos, that's totally great! It's just about who you are and your control of your own body. Be proud of yourself!

Woodgrain & Instagram

Time for us to play a little catch up! Here's a little taste of what life has been like lately while I've had my phone in hand.

Took (and continue to take) the time to enjoy spring.

SE Hawthorne

Our (Christie and myself) fashion/ interior collaboration vignette got into our school's gallery!

Had some good eats.

Loving carrot juice right now.

boiled bagels.

getting in lots and lots of greens.

Native Bowl on N Mississippi

Muddy's. Also on N Mississippi. I got the green eggs and ham!

Avocado on the daily

Didn't share said good eats with Jackson.

Headed to Breitenbush (hot springs in eastern Oregon) with the girls.

Dairy Queen

Didn't make it due to cracked radiator.

Got stranded in Stayton for a good chunk of our day. Best "worst" adventure of my life.

Still loving my amazing job.

Especially when Alena buys juice that looks and tastes like lake water and still forces herself to drink it.

AND when we have family Easter.

Enjoying school. Mostly when I sit outside of the Anthropologie downstairs and dream. 

Met Mei cat. We shared my water (and when I say share I mean I took a sip and then she took over).

Went back to brunette! I miss the red but still so happy about it.

And in short, there you have it! We have had some pretty amazing weather here in Portland and I have made a pact with myself to enjoy it to the fullest this summer. Soak in as much of that good ol' vitamin d to last for the rest of the year. Hope you all have the opportunity to do the same!

Happy Tuesday!

Hey There!

I've missed you guys so much! I've had a lot of personal stuff going on lately that needed my full attention so blogging needed to be put on the back burner. We all go through struggles and unexpected events. You have to know when to take some time for yourself, and when to pick yourself up and keep moving. I wanted to announce with 100% confidence that I am back. Are you ready for some awesome catching up we have in store? I sure am.

The first order of business I wanted to talk to you about is that the amazing Sara over at Chalk White Arrow is hosting another fantastic giveaway for me!  Take a look...

 

This beautiful necklace is from our shop! As many of you know I am smack dab in the middle of launching our new business Velvet Empire with my buddies Melanie and Kari. For as many entries as possible you can follow Woodgrain & Gold, Velvet Empire, and Chalk White Arrow! Best of luck to all you! The necklace is so simple and stunning. One of my favorite combinations. 

I'm starting a new feature on my blog that many of you have seen before. Oh yes, I'm doing a "my life lately according to instagram" bit. Yes everyone does them, but come on, instagram is awesome. SO AWESOME. 

I am off to Breitenbush Hot Springs for the night with three of my favorite girlfriends. That is my advice to you all. Cherish your friends. Make steady relationships with the people closest to you that support every aspect in your life in a positive way. So excited for a mini vacation with these girls! Seriously, they are awesome. I knew for sure they were keepers when they stuck by my side while I was going through a mild case of Bieber Fever. It was a rocky time but we got through it! ;)

See you all Tuesday when I get back for my new instagram feature!

Countdown

5 weeks until Sasquatch!

6 weeks until Coley (who is one of my best friends ever/ the sister I never had) is moving home from Alaska!

I had something else planned for today but the excitement of these two things have overtaken me today! We'll just have to wait until tomorrow!! See you then friends!

Wash.

Take it as you will. Even in the midst of being a Portlander I don't necessarily just think of rain when I look at this. It does however make me feel hopeful and optimistic on a day where I didn't start out feeling either of those two feelings. I hope if you're in the same boat that it does the same for you ♥

Incase it doesn't and in the off chance you haven't seen it yet, HERE you go. You're welcome.

Making History

Everyone today is the day. The day that I got INSTAGRAM. Here is my first one...

Now my excitement may seem silly, especially to you fancy iphone users, but my little old droid is so happy to be a part of this cool club. Honestly I don't know why I like it so much, I just get weirdly excited about the little things.

The story behind my first instagram is that a month or so ago when Nick's parents were in town we went to an antique show. We got to a taxidermy booth and I kind of freaked out. I love the look of all  of it even though it slightly gives me the creeps. When I showed interest in this stuff Nick's family nonchalantly said they probably had a skull at home that I could just have. I tried to act cool but was so excited because I've shopped around for something similar and it is crazy what people are selling them for. Not in the college budget. When we went to Nick's family's house for Easter yesterday his dad got the skull onto a piece of pretty reclaimed wood and sent it home with me. Nick's brother in law joked to his five year old twins that I was taking it home to use for my witchcraft. They responded with "oh, cool". I love kids. And no I don't practice any sort of witchcraft.

Here's a little taste of what the rest of our Easter looked like..

I also got to see this little gem. Nick's favorite coat from when he was just a tiny guy (seriously this coat was so small and so precious)

I so badly want to frame it but Nick says we have to wait until we don't live in a cramped apartment, which I can respect and agree with.

Hope you guys had a lovely Monday! See you all tomorrow.

It's Saturday Night

Technically it is Sunday morning but I probably won't see you guys later today since Nick and I are going home for Easter. I was going to post this earlier but things happen and you get the chance to go see the Hunger Games again and you just go and don't think twice. 

Anyways. I'm not sure how you guys feel about SNL. I personally don't watch much but every once in a while I do. I think we can all agree some of it's pretty good and some of it's pretty bad. 

One redeeming quality to SNL that never seems to fail me though are their amazing host photos between commercial breaks. I have always swooned over them and wished I could a) have someone make them of me all day and b) knew how to edit photos like that myself. I'm not sure what prompted me, but I looked into tutorials that explained how to do it the other day. 

Now, I know my fair share when it comes to computers but the problem is I don't really speak computer  so all the things I found just scared me more than anything. After I practice a couple more times I want to create a tutorial that is more user friendly. In the meantime I wanted to share my first attempt with you guys and explain what I can!

Basically what you have to do is make your photo black and white and then edit it enough to lose some of the detail. For that process I used Lightroom 2 and I didn't edit the the contrast at all, just the lights/darks/blacks/brightness. Then with photoshop (I have CS4) I went in and repainted the picture layer by layer. Sound time consuming? It is. However I think it's worth it.

I would love to know what you guys think! And like I said after a couple more practice rounds I hope to become an expert enough to post my own tutorial!

Happy Easter everyone!