Birthday!

Hey guys!! I promise I am keeping up my pledge to be a better blogger! It was my 23rd birthday last wednesday (the 12th) and I had a terrific time! I woke up to the cutest happy birthday poster my sister made hanging on my door, and my parents got me some terrific gifts I really wanted (thanks to my little sister stalking my blog). I got the cutest cameo bracelet I have been eyeing, a gorgeous set of pearl earrings (I am wearing in the first picture), my What's new Cupcake book (I can not wait to use), and I even got my set of Sherlock Holmes DVDs I have been wanting forever!! My best friend also got me THEE cutest owl mug ever and the first two seasons of How I Met Your Mother. Seriously, everyone was too sweet!! Me and my sister also made multi color cupcakes with pastel frosting and sprinkles! They really came so stinkin cute! Not only did I have a great day but I got out of my first day of school and even off work! We had a little bit of a snow day here (or should I say a snow week) I did not get to leave the house for 3 whole days!! But let me tell you I loved every minute of it. After working 50 hours each week over the holidays I needed some major rest time.

An Official Blog Tour

Part of my New Years resolutions for this year are to be a better blogger. I plan on starting here with an introduction of the official features I have decided to include in this new year of better blogging. These main features are where most of my passions lie, and some are just for fun. I will implement these posts in with my regular posts from day to day. There may not be one of each of these every week, but they will definitely be around. Hope you enjoy!!

"Want It" posts will be about something wonderful I find throughout my week and would love to have but most likely do not have the funds for at the moment. The price tag will usually be hefty and the cuteness level off the charts. Look here for some beautiful and unique items that I find in my everyday travels and can not resist sharing. While I do not typically wind up purchasing these items I like to keep in mind the words of a little striped shirt wearing pregnant girl who once said "dream big." Previous "Want It" posts can be found by clicking on the "Want It" button on the side of the page or the tag at the bottom of the post.

"Seen It" posts are about the best films ever created... classic movies!! I am absolutely in love with these dreamy black and white films! The outfits, the actors, the mystery, the cars... I love it all!! Hitchcock's are of course some of my favorites, but I also love many of the other classic "Film Noirs" and even some of the great comedies. Gene Tierney, Gregory Peck, Cary Grant, Jack Lemmon, Ingrid Bergman, Audrey Hepburn, Jimmy Stewart, and Lauren Bacall are just some of the actors that will show up in "Seen It" posts. Every post will include a short summary of the main plot and the original trailer (if it is available). Next time you want to cuddle up on the couch for a peaceful night in make sure to check previous "Seen It" posts for a movie you are sure to enjoy. Previous "Seent It" posts can be found by clicking on the "Seen It" button on the side of the page or the tag at the bottom of the post.

"Design It" posts are a new feature inspired by my last couple of semesters in school. I have really learned to look for design EVERYWHERE. Almost every aspect of our lives is impacted by good and bad design. Whether it is a giant billboard over the highway, the logo of a gas station, or even the typeface used for the ingredients on the back of your Motrin bottle, design is there. A design can evoke an emotion or feeling that is felt in one split second, no words needed. Design helps you make decisions on what to buy, where to eat, and why you do what you do. This being said I love finding designs that are worthy of great praise. There is a lot of mediocre out there and I would like to applaud those who step outside the mold and come up with truly beautiful design work. "Design It" posts will be all about the world of design. Whether it is a beautiful new design shop or a well designed sticker I find on the bottom of my chair it will be shared here. Previous "Design It" posts can be found by clicking on the "Design It" button on the side of the page or the tag at the bottom of the post.

"Wear It" posts are all about the clothes! I would like to say that clothing is somewhat of a passion for me, and I mean that in the least cheesy way possible. Now please shake that image of a bleach blonde, pink nailed, Chihuahua toting California girl out of your head. I like to look at clothes as the ultimate form of expression. Let's face it, whether you like it or not clothing is essential, there is no getting around it (unless you live in one of those special colonies but we won't go there). So why not have fun with it?! I absolutely love mixing colors and textures and coming up with color pallets I would have never normally thought of. Which is why "Wear It" posts will focus on those who do a great job of this. I am constantly inspired by other's clothing choices and I think it's great to celebrate this fantastic form of art! This may be in the form of other bloggers, snatched off the runways, or even people I meet on the street. Inspiration really is everywhere!! Previous "Wear It" posts can be found by clicking on the "Wear It" button on the side of the page or the tag at the bottom of the post.

An Official Introduction

I have come to realize I never really introduced myself appropriately on this little blog of mine, and I thought now would be a terrific time to do so. If you have been faithfully following the blog from the beginning you will notice I have changed the layout a bit. I thought this was a little more me, and a little more organized and easy to read. You may have also noticed that I have not been able to blog as much as I would like to, and thankfully that is about to change too!

OK, so here is a little about myself... My name is Nicole, and I am a 22 year old Graphic Design student. I currently work at Starbucks and Anthropologie. I just recently started at Anthropologie over the holidays, and I love it!! They have decided to keep me on and I couldn't be more happy. I have to admit I really enjoy smelling more like Volcano candles than mocha and steamed milk, but don't tell Starbucks that... I also do a little of my own work on the side. I have two Etsy shops. One is full of handmade headbands and hair accessories, and the other vintage clothes. I truly love them both and wish I had more time in my day to devote to them. I know once I finish up school I will have more time to concentrate on all of my projects, especially my shops. Which brings me back to school. While I am absolutely in love with Graphic Design, I also love Photography. I often struggle deciding which of the two to pursue more. I wish I could do both at once, but with my schedule I would not last very long. After much deliberation, prayers, and hours of talking with my Mom I have decided to put my whole heart into Graphic Design, get my degree, and then focus on my photography. It was a hard decision but I really do feel a peace about it.

Other than that I am pretty much a regular old girl. I love old movies, especially ones by Alfred Hitchcock or with Gene Tiereny (Laura is my favorite movie ever). I love to go thrifting, antiquing, and vintage clothes shopping. I have a compulsion to buy any clothing that is frilly, lacy, or pastel. I can never pass up a cute owl figurine to add to my collection, and I spend more time at Hobby Lobby then my own home. I am obsessed with old printing presses and typewriters (that's the design geek in me). My favorite typeface is Helvetica (I don't want to hear it...) and I secretly wish for a Pantone book every Christmas.

I guess that is enough about me for now, stay tuned I will be explaining all of the new features I plan on doing on the blog very soon. There will be more design/art posts, so if that is up your alley get excited!!