featured artist: hello halsted

Every once in a while I come across something on Instagram or Etsy that really just kicks me in the teeth - because of its originality, beauty, uniqueness, or something akin to I wish I was that creative. It's the best kind of shock envy because it both surprises and inspires. I love supporting other artists, and sometimes I find something so spectacular that I just have to share it with others.

This week I stumbled upon Hello Halsted on Instagram through another Instagram account that I love, Poppy and Fern. Both of these ladies create stunning floral jewelry, but in very different ways. I long to have something from each of them; they're perpetually on my wishlists. Rachel of Poppy and Fern hand stitches her jewelry, and it's all amazing. She also has an affinity for poppies (as evidenced by her shop name), and I love everything she makes, especially this necklace.

Stephanie of Hello Halsted, on the other hand, uses real flowers - Queen Anne's Lace - to create her masterpieces. She dries, cuts and dyes them to create these stunning miniature watercolors trapped in resin. She typically makes a variety of necklaces and earrings, with occasional extras like rings. My favorites are the large circle, square or hexagon necklaces. Gorgeous! Did I mention she's only 25? Makes my year's to-do list seem a little underwhelming. She posts new batches of products in her online shop every 8-12 days, which sell out really fast. I love this method, though, because it means that she's constantly preparing fresh and exciting designs for each new batch. Follow her Instagram to feel fragrantly inspired by her sneak peeks and new batch posts, and definitely take a look at her shop - her new batch posts TOMORROW, November 7th, at 11am!

kitchen decisions

source

How gorgeous is that kitchen? I have discovered that I am obsessed with globe pendant lights. I adore them. Just doing a quick Google image search for them has me dreaming new glorious dreams of our future kitchen, with our little island topped with the magical orbs.

Kitchen decisions are often the most difficult, and the most impactful, when imagining the final vision for a new house. The kitchen is where so many important things happen. Namely, the eating of food and the sharing of food. These things are sacred and the space in which they occur is crucial to establishing the central ambiance of the home. 

This past weekend we moved mountains. We went to visit our siblings in California, and their home happens to be full of white cabinetry and grey walls - and my husband finally received that eureka moment when he realized that my pleadings for a white kitchen might actually be brilliant. He just needed to see it in-person to be able to really imagine our kitchen that way. Thus, the mountains were moved. He's on board, and I couldn't be more ecstatic about it!

Our kitchen progress has been slow but sure. All of the tile has been ripped out, we're in the process of purchasing brand new countertops, and our new black granite sink (yay!) is waiting patiently in our garage to be installed along with the countertops. Our entire kitchen and living room is painted a beautiful light grey (with that fantastic blue pantry accent wall), but going that extra mile and picturing this dull kitchen brightened up by white cupboards and some cabinet hardware lights up my life.

I know that people are really strange about painting wooden things of any sort. Everyone cringes at the thought of painting over wood as if it's inherently priceless or holy. I am quite blasphemous in this regard. I wanna paint it all. These cupboards are not particularly beautiful to me. While they're in relatively good shape, they are mediocre color-wise and very plain...I think this space would be enhanced greatly by painting them. I don't think white can ever really go out of style, although I do understand that it's all a matter of personal taste and opinion. It might be a risk, but it's one that I'm more than willing to take. Our first home is bound to have some decisions we end up regretting or redoing later on, but I think that's part of the fun and the freedom. I'm ready to experiment, take on big projects, dream a little, and delight in this new space that's all our own.

More inspiration: 

source

source

style crush: elle fanning

source

source

source

Where did she come from, and how did she get so darn cute?

Elle Fanning. Probably one of the most adorable girls in Hollywood.

She's more than just a pretty face, though, and it runs in the family -- her sister Dakota was one of the most beloved child actors, known for her maturity as well as her raw talent. Now both she and Elle are fashionista powerhouses, as well as Hollywood A-listers.

They've even done some similar modeling work, occasionally even working together (for brands such as Marc Jacobs and the Korean jewelry brand J.Estina). 

source

Elle is definitely paving her own way, creating an energetic image full of color and smiles.

She also started acting at a very young age, often in roles where she played Dakota Fanning's character at a younger age (her first role was in I Am Sam). 

While "adorable" is often the word to describe the starlet, she has been getting a lot of attention for her risk-taking high fashion choices over the last few years, which are aided by her incredibly long legs. Her modeling career is currently getting a lot of buzz due to her upcoming spot in Miu Miu's 2014 spring campaign, one of her favorite brands. She's quite a force to be reckoned with!

source

source

source

source

Sometimes it's hard to believe she's only 15, when she has done so much in both her acting and modeling careers, but she's such a breath of fresh air in both industries. I don't think I've ever seen her without a smile and a giggle.

source

source

source

Her style is a mixture of her youthful innocence and her intensity! As I said, she's often a risk-taker and I have to admit it's one of my favorite things about her. I try to imagine myself at 13, 14, 15...having no idea what to wear and still in the throes of my tomboyiest of years, still learning about makeup and beginning to crush on boys. 

I adore Elle's bold choices and always love seeing her on the red carpet. 

She's the perfect balance of poise and boldness.

source

source

source

I couldn't be more pleased with her upcoming role as the first real-life Aurora in Hollywood. The upcoming Sleeping Beauty remake, Maleficent, will only be improved by her presence as the doomed princess. 

There's something about her that's luminous and sincere, and I hope she continues to do great things! I have no doubt that she will.

In the mean time, I'll continue to be inspired by her and her brilliant style. 

source

source

real style talk

This is currently the background on my desktop at work.
I remember seeing this last year and just thinking, yes. 
Honestly, style is hard to explain. Is there a true definition? I'm not sure. There's fashion, sure. Trends, seasons, the ever-changing currents of the industry. But a person's style is...personal.

I once had a conversation with a dear friend who was asking me what was so important about makeup and clothes and hairstyles, and why it had to define a woman so much.
She was feeling pressure from people to look a certain way or shop for certain things - to fix her hair and dress more feminine.
It was kind of a soul-searching moment for me, because I love that kind of thing. I enjoy getting my nails done, I love shopping and picking out clothes. I get excited about outfits that just work in my mind, that I really love wearing.

original post

original post

I hadn't begun blogging yet at the time of our conversation, which occurred somewhere around late high school. But I had always enjoyed those girlish activities of getting ready each morning and wearing perfume and wanting to feel pretty each day.
I'm not sure I answered her well, or if I really edified her in that moment. While I can't remember exactly what I said or what "wisdom" I tried to offer, it was probably something along the lines of "I'll take you shopping! I'll show you how fun it is!!!"

This conversation has been something I've thought about often.
I don't think style should be something that's expected or designed to be a certain way, it's just how you express yourself. It's being yourself on purpose. 
I have my own personal thoughts on what that should mean (including a degree of modesty, etc.), but really it's just about being comfortable and free in the way you look. I think the reason why so many women care so much about the way they look is because of the way it makes them feel.
For me, it's a culmination of my creativity. It's an exciting outlet for me. I can attest that many a time people have disagreed heartily with things I choose to wear, certain combinations or prints or what have you. Usually I just go ahead and wear it anyway. Maybe I'll regret it later, but in that moment, it's my work of art and I'll show the world at my own risk.

original post

original post

It has been exciting for me to see my friend find what things she enjoys over time, things that are personal and creative. Things she never knew she could love. Her hair, her clothes. They're not the end all but they do affect you. Material things and things of beauty do not a life make, but they are a part of living, and can mean so many things. Confidence, expression, creativity, delight, comfort, community.
Finding joy in something as small as a beautiful scarf. For me, these things are wrapped into the moments of friendship that come from chatting at the nail salon, knowing someone's favorite color, treating a friend to their favorite kind of jewelry. Having the smell of my junior high perfume bring swift memories to my mind.
Shopping together at a favorite store, picking out things you love and being excited about a necklace you thought was gone but was still there waiting for you. Being with my mom on long shopping days where we just browse and browse and snack and browse -- finding a prom dress for $40. Feeling like a princess.

These things are important the way a special dessert is important -- the way coffee, birthdays, a favorite book, a pretty painting, a road trip, an inside joke, are all important.
It's intentional, and it's worth it. Caring about the way you look in terms of being healthy and choosing life, choosing to be yourself on purpose. 

loving mary margaret

I watch way too much TV.

Dusty and I often find ourselves in the midst of 10+ shows at a time, before we get extremely overwhelmed and end up weeding out some of the lower priority shows. We watch every show together, but the truth is, as a law student, he really should not (and usually cannot) watch so much TV.
Because of study time and date nights and various other activities, we end up getting behind and I'm left twiddling my thumbs until he has time to catch up on our long list of backlogged episodes.
Summers are basically just one giant TV marathon for us.

That being said, I decided I needed a few shows that were mine. 
Thus, my embarrassing binge-watching of shows like Vampire Diaries and Downton Abbey!

One of the shows we began watching together was Once Upon a Time. We watched season 1, but then slowly began getting behind and never really caught up.
I recently began watching it again, claiming it as one of my shows. It's fun and cheesy and I remembered why I loved it so much: Mary Margaret's clothes. 

She's so cute, it's ridiculous.
I've long been a fan of Ginny Goodwin, ever since she played a slightly chubbier cello player that burst into the boy's dorm rooms after hours to get her guy in Mona Lisa Smile. One of my favorite movies!
As soon as I started catching up on season 2 of Once Upon a Time I was totally hooked on her outfits once more. Her character is so classy and chic.
Two of her looks stuck out to me, and I'm totally going to use them as style inspiration this fall/winter!

Belted Red Dress:

Mary Margaret:                                                                                    Similar:

Ruche (shop!)

 Button-up Plaid Skirt:

Mary Margaret:

Similar:

Ruche (shop!)

Ruche (shop!)

LOFT (shop!)

Modcloth (shop!)

Which TV show character's style do you drool over?

pink challenge

Due to my last post involving a monochromatic outfit featuring the brilliant color pink (where I jokingly mentioned needing pink tights to actually complete the look), a friend of mine has challenged me to try and make pink tights work.
It's going to be tricky, I think. I actually have a pair of bright yellow/mustard tights which I've only worn once - I tend to view tights as a neutral warming accessory, rather than a statement color.
I'm currently wearing a dark purple tight and I'm feeling wild. 

But here are some of my ideas.
I'm going to accept the pink tights challenge, because what better week to try them out than Valentine's Week?

Besides. Let's be honest. Anything that Zooey Deschanel does, I'm bound to want to do.

Pink tights have totally been done before. Really badly, most of the time.
What I need to do is avoid this:

And I think we'll all be better for it.

Other pink-tighted celebrities:

No, no, Paris.

I went around and peeked in on some other bloggers, trying to find inspiration. I needed to know if there was a look I could love from the various attempts at climbing the perilous slope of pink stretchy leg covers.

Slanelle Style

What I Wore

Fi and Me

The Sun Was High.
Orange tights, but the spirit remains.

The Styling Dutchman

I gotta say I was pleasantly surprised.
I think #2 is my favorite, because black/white/hot pink is fierce. And always fun to look at.

Overall, I think this research was fruitful. We'll see how this story ends later this week, when my own outfit is revealed to you all.

Wish me luck! (Any advice?)

Until then,
Cait