featured artist: hajin bae

Green art print | Hajin Bae

I recently came across the artwork of Hajin Bae when the photo above was chosen by Hello Giggles to represent my article on individuality. Unfortunately, Hajin Bae was not informed of its usage and HG did not properly credit her work. I woke up on Sunday morning to a lot of outraged tweets directed toward me about the injustice, and I had to explain that I did not choose the artwork (as much as I love it!) and hoped that Hello Giggles would work with Hajin Bae to resolve the issue. The photo in the article has since been replaced by another, and they are (hopefully) working to appropriately make amends.

Having friends that are full-time creatives has exposed me to the frustrations of art theft, and I would never willingly or knowingly participate in it. I love investing in the creations of others, and I have a vision of someday filling an entire wall in my home with work that I love and admire from other artists.

I wanted to take the time to feature some of Hajin Bae's artwork here, because I still adore the green-haired beauty above and feel that it perfectly represents what I wrote. I purchased the art print and cannot wait to hang it on that art room wall someday.

Hajin Bae is from Seoul, Korea, and her artwork has been featured all over the world. Check out her website for full details about her career and for more of her work. You can also purchase prints, clothing, and other accessories of her art over at Society6.com/HajinBae. I especially love her character creations with bright hair and uniquely stunning details. It was very difficult to choose my favorites! I hope you enjoy her work as much as I do.

Hajin Bae:

Official Website | Official Shop

Woman in Blue art print | Hajin Bae

Pink Hair Girl art print | Hajin Bae

Red & Girl art print | Hajin Bae

French Girl clock | Hajin Bae

Red Lips clock | Hajin Bae

Girl art print | Hajin Bae

Spring & Girl art print | Hajin Bae

Girls in Blue phone case | Hajin Bae

Green tote bag | Hajin Bae

Bubble Gum Girl phone case | Hajin Bae

#01 throw pillow | Hajin Bae

Love is Always There art print | Hajin Bae

Night art print | Hajin Bae

ace of patterns

This week I was shamelessly envious of an outfit I saw that featured the above-left skirt. It was worn by the lovely Rebecca of The Clothes Horse. 

I love her blog for many reasons. She loves foxes, she's an artist, she met and is now engaged to an Irishman (which means incredible Ireland posts), she has tried every possible hairstyle (including the pixie cut, and coloring it red, blue, blonde, pink...), she is wonderful at remixing, and she is brave. I don't think she would ever worry over the question, what would people think of this outfit? She has a style very true to herself and I always love being surprised by the things she loves. In one post she'll be clad in a denim jacket and knee-high gladiator sandals, the next in a renaissance painting skirt with pink hair and milkmaid braids. She's fascinating and I find myself wishing I could borrow her clothes. 

Thanks to that post, I am now daydreaming about similar items from Chicwish. They know how to do patterns! I was practically drooling yesterday. Their clothes are so fun and unique. I'm putting every single one of these items on my birthday/life wishlist. 

Update: just found a few of these items for even cheaper over at another Clothes Horse inspired discovery, Sheinside! They have the painting skirt and the amazing dress below, as well as a stupid number of swoonworthy $20 dresses like this and this. You're welcome. 

But mostly this dress: 

It's gorgeous. So gorgeous. I could have my own Reign-themed party. And I can just imagine the Fall leaves swirling around me. Even though I live in Arizona. Which is how inspiring this dress is!

But take a gander at the rest of these beauties. 

Which one is your favorite? I absolutely love the London-inspired skirts. I love anything London, really. They're a bit long for my taste, I usually like knee-length skirts a bit better than midi-length. But their wanderlust hems are delightful. They remind me a little of a dress I tried on in Anthropology once - one of those true non-buyers remorse situations.
The floral/galaxy dress above the London skirts reminds me heartily of Guardians of the Galaxy, which I'm totally fine with! I could go on and on. Needless to say, my Chicwish (and Sheinside!) wishlist is steadily filling up.
I think I feel the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

cruisin' downtown

Yesterday, we headed downtown with my mom and some friends to check out the Saturday farmer's market and a few other shops before stopping for brunch at Market at Main. 

Downtown is one of my favorite places, and I love how bustling it is on the weekends! The market is packed with couples and young families strolling through to grab fresh produce and freshly baked bread. 

The market is extended indoors, where people can buy more produce as well as shop the various stands of handmade clothing, ceramics, art, and other goods. There's also the amazing bakery and crepe shop!

I love the unique shops downtown, and how there always seems to be something you've never seen before.
I'm constantly finding shops and restaurants I didn't know existed, and it feels like such a magical, mysterious place.
Old brick buildings waiting to be restored, ivy creeping up and around each window.
Vintage stores and antique shops filled to the brim with treasures, people window shopping and drinking coffee.
We found a new shop yesterday that I had never been in, and I really hope to go back soon! It was called Studio Eleven, and they have a bunch of unique and handmade furniture and decor.

The best part was the very back, where they had a warehouse-like assortment of furniture in need of repair and update. The store sells a special kind of chalk paint that doesn't require sanding or removing the previous paint. You just paint right on, and then seal with their special wax. It's easy to use, dries quickly, and is specifically designed for the perfect one-day paint project!
You can choose a piece of furniture from the back, and buy the paint you want - or they'll paint it for you!
Such a cool concept, especially for all those DIYers out there.

We had so much fun looking through the shop, and dreaming about what we would do with all the various furniture scattered around the back. I think my mom found a kindred spirit in the shop owner, too!

Dress (shop!)/Necklace (shop!) : Ruche, Cardigan: J. Crew, Purse (shop!): Target

In other news, this is the cutest dress ever. 

Covered in a funky vintage car print, with big black buttons, it's the perfect downtown-stroll attire. 

I snatched it up over at Ruche's Labor Day Sale!!

Don't miss out. This dress was $19.50, and they have $10, $20, and $30 bins full of goodies...PLUS 15% off all regularly priced items!

The sale ends tomorrow at midnight, so hurry over!