A Thought Is The Blossom

Forestbound + Favorites

2012-02-09T10:26:00.000-06:00

Forestbound has been one of my favorite handmade shops for a long time now. I think it was three years ago that I fell in love with designer Alice's re-worked utilitarian bags, after seeing this video and becoming enchanted with her woodsy aesthetic. I started following her on Instagram recently, and it reminded me of all her beautiful bags and the old wishlists and inspiration folders that I used to store all my favorite designs in. For this post I paired my most favorite Forestbound designs with some of the other things I'd like to wear this spring.

Click the photos to shop the clothing and see more from Forestbound here.

Milu the Cat

2012-02-06T23:51:00.000-06:00

Shirt: Jason Wu for Target
Skirt: Forever 21
Tights: Wal-mart
Shoes: Modcloth
Cardigan: Thrifted
Repurposed Purse: Lauren's moving sale
Bowler Hat: Target

If any of you follow me on Instagram or Facebook you may have already heard that I made it to the Jason Wu for Target opening. I did it! I bought a few things online when the sell started at midnight, and then I woke up bright and early to attend the in-store sale too. In all I bought way more things than I'd like to admit, but I'm sure you'll see over the course of spring.

I wore my Milu the cat tee first because it was a laid back day. I spent it rearranging my bookshelf, making tamales, taking pictures, and doing other things to prepare for the Superbowl. I probably glanced at the TV twice during the whole game, as most of my evening was spent munching on burgers, gyros, tamales, and chocolate chip cookies. It was a culturally diverse meal, and a great night spent with some of our closest friends.

Photos by Corey!

Sponored Post: Maya Brenner Designs

2012-02-06T09:20:00.001-06:00

I've had a few opportunities to do jewelry reviews in the past, but I made the decision to decline most of those offers because the thought of me styling diamonds was too far-fetched for me since my style and budget tend to lean on the thriftier side. On top of that I'm rather simple when it comes to jewelry and can't tolerate anything too fussy on my arms and fingers, so I thought it best to just say no.

When the folks at Maya Brenner contacted me about a jewelry review, the same thoughts went through my head: this stuff is going to be way to fancy and there's no way I'm wearing it. But when I got to Maya Brenner's site, I was pleasantly surprised with the selection of pretty and simple 14k gold and sterling silver charm necklaces––which include states, countries, letters, zodiac signs, and more––that I agreed.

The Arkansas charm was an easy pick for me because it's home. I graduate soon and have been thinking a lot about what I'm going to do once I'm done, and the thought of moving keeps coming up time and time again. It's something I've been anticipating for a while, and though I'll miss home a lot, the thought of new experiences keep pushing me forward. I like my Arkansas necklace a whole lot right now, but I think it'll be even more special once I'm gone.

Inspiration #1: Wood & Blush

2012-02-03T09:27:00.000-06:00

I've had a Pinterest account for ages now, but I only just started using it last week. I've heard from many people that it's an addicting site, and now I can attest that it is in fact very addicting! I'm glad I'm active on it now though because it really is a great tool for organizing all the lovely things I see and want to remember from the internet.

Here's a little inspiration from this past week: pretty wood and crisp white linens, dusty piano keys to match a knit pom pom beanie, paper gems, tiny fawns, suede boots, and Caitlin Shearer illustrations. I'm in love.

You can find more of my inspiration here.

In love with Jason Wu for Target

2012-01-31T10:20:00.000-06:00

I don't usually post about Target's designer collaborations because I feel like they get enough media attention without me adding my two cents, but I like Jason Wu's collection a lot. It fits my style and many of your styles so much with all those high collars and western bowties, the loafers with the simple socks, and the pretty dresses and skirts. I honestly can't pick a favorite.

I've never gone to Target on the opening day of a designer collection release because I've always had the impression that they're crowded and chaotic. I usually try to avoid situations like that, but I'm thinking I might brave the crowd for this one. Have any of you gone to an opening before? What was it like? Are any of you planning to attend the Jason Wu opening? The collection hits stores this coming Sunday, February 5th, so set your alarms.

Outfit Photos & Food Ramblings

2012-01-30T12:31:00.000-06:00

Sweater: c/o Romwe
Peter Pan Collar: F21
Skirt: American Apparel
Platforms: BCBG from Smart Bargain
Purse: Knockoff Coach from Salvation Army
Harmonica Necklace: Modcloth

I'm trying to recall the last time I posted an outfit on here, but it's been so long I can hardly remember. I'm sure new readers were beginning to think this was model Katy's blog –– the readers who don't read the text, that is –– and that they would be seeing more long blonde locks on here in the future. Well, they're only halfway wrong. I've got more projects with Katy lined up, but I also hope to have weekly photo dates with Corey now that he's settled back into town, which mean more outfit photos for me too. No promises there, but we'll see what we can do.

The weekend was a lazy one, except Saturday night when I worked at the restaurant and received the biggest tip I've ever seen in my life. That was good and refreshing, and hopefully it'll help me afford a few new pieces that I've been stalking and bookmarking on Pinterest.

I guess Sunday wasn't all that lazy either since I got some grocery shopping done and planned a dinner menu for the next few days. Jake made curry chicken chili all day yesterday which was extra yummy, and I plan to make chicken tortilla soup and Thai chicken pizza later this week, too. We're big chicken eaters in this house, but just so we don't tire of it too quickly, on Wednesday I'm planning for black bean-quinoa burgers with vegetable tempura. This whole cooking thing is new to me and Jake, but we realize the importance of learning how to cook good healthy dishes at home, not only to benefit our health but also to benefit our budget. My goal is to cook dinner four nights a week (when I'm not working) and to get it all done for under $100. Here's to trying! If you have any must-try, affordable recipes, do tell because I need all the help I can get.

One last thing that fortunately is more related to fashion: this sweater is my new favorite thing and I can't stop wearing it everyday. My classmates might be calling me the stinky kid, but I don't care because I'm soo in love.

Elkin S/S 2012

2012-01-29T18:00:00.001-06:00

I haven't had time to look at many spring collections yet, but if the rest are anything like Elkin's than I'd say were in for a pretty good season. I came across Elkin's winter collection on my most favorite Portuguese blog, Kiss Me Quick, and soon found myself on their website, dazzled by the photos from their spring lookbook.

Sisters Kara and Brit Smith are the magic behind the label, which combines Brit's love for lingerie, and Kara's love for staying out late and sleeping in her clothes. The clothes are meant to be seen in both the daylight and the after hours, with each collection themed around a particular literary genre.

These days it's seems like all my money goes to books anyway, if not for school than to satisfy my Amazon addiction, so I'm glad to see a label that's combining two of my favorite things. The behind the scenes video of the shoot is pretty cute too with all those farm animals running around!

The end.

2012-01-23T15:22:00.000-06:00

Model: Katy Tipton
Designer: Lauren Kemp
Photographer & Stylist: Starr Crow

I think this should finish out the collection of photos I shot featuring Lauren Kemp's designs. I hope you liked everything you saw and don't mind that I stretched them out over such a long period of time. I've got more projects lined up, so hopefully I'll have some new work to show you soon!

dear diary.

2012-01-18T15:34:00.001-06:00

School started this week and I made egg and ham biscuits twice. I love when I have a break from school, but the truth is, it makes me lazy. I loll around in my pj's for half the day and listen to my belly rumble until noon. With school I'm forced into a plan, and out in time to have lunch with a friend or to take a trip to the thrift store.

Lately my preference has been antique mall over thrift store. It's probably all that camera practice that I get there, and the fact that the booths are arranged so nicely with such a warm, homey atmosphere. Everywhere I turn there's pretty things for me to frame with my camera. Once I get more analog practice I'd like to start selling prints on etsy, and the real reason I'm posting today is to see if any of you have experience with that? I'd love to hear how it worked out for you.

Nothing that surrounds us is object, all is subject.

2012-01-13T09:55:00.001-06:00

This was model Katy's favorite outfit from our shoot with Lauren Kemp's collection. She came in town yesterday for a different shoot with me and another photographer, but we had to cancel last minute because the hair/makeup artist never showed. It was a frustrating situation.

I used to get pretty bummed when stuff like that happened, especially because so much thought and planning goes into every detail of a shoot. Some models have to ask off work, others drive in from nearby cities, and you just have to cross your fingers and hope that everyone follows through and shows up like they promised. Most of the time it works out, but sometimes it doesn't. I just try to keep a positive attitude and reschedule as quickly as possible. Yesterday we cured the blues with pizza.

A weekend of Instax

2012-01-10T17:25:00.000-06:00

Bowler Hat & Tights: Target
Blanket: Housewarming gift from Cheyenne

Jake and I went on a small in-state tourist adventure over the weekend. I've been wanting to visit Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art since it opened in the fall, so we planned a mini road trip to northern Arkansas to see it. The museum is about three and a half hours away from us, located in the same city as Wal-Mart's headquarters, and it's a product of Wal-Mart heiress Alice Walton's fortune. Though the museum is the big tourist draw, Bentonville's sort of an unlikely place to vacation, so we opted to stay an hour away in Eureka Springs instead.

We took the scenic route there, straight through the Ozark Mountains, which probably added a ton of time to our trip, but it was fine because our real goal for the day was to have no goal anyway. We packed a picnic of leftovers, but the sky was grey and our stomachs stayed full from breakfast so we never ate it. Jake drove and stopped every time I told him I wanted a picture, which probably happened three or four times along the way. It's the kind of thing I always want to do on a road trip, but their never seems to be any spare time.

We stopped in a small town called Kingston first which consisted of a town square and a strange roundabout which cycled traffic around the square through the middle of the town, and was strange mostly because the square wasn't round, it was square. I read on the gas station door that there was free wi-fi in that square and, in my city ways, thought that was funny for some weird reason. We parked and walked around for a bit, and that's when I photographed the 60s pay phone and the old white building. I had the disguise of a tourist all weekend with my 35mm Canon around my neck and my Instax mini around my wrist.

We spent most of that night drinking in our hotel room, and Sunday morning we woke up bright and early and made our way to the historic district of Eureka Springs. If you haven't been to Eureka Springs, it's definitely a place to add to your list. There's lots of quirky shops there and tons of great history, plus it's nestled up in the hills with spectacular views of purple mountains. Jake bought me a quilt, which I love, and he walked around with me as I took more pictures of Chapel signs and silly sculptures.

That afternoon we drove west to the museum where we saw works by Benjamin West, Georgia O'Keeffe, Andy Warhol and Alexander Calder, to name but a few. Cameras were allowed so long as you didn't use a flash, and so you can imagine my embarrassment when my flash went off as I photographed a Calder mobil. I didn't get in any trouble which was good, but the picture wasn't all that great for such an unintentional renegade moment. Despite that, the trip was great and I was glad that we went.

Girl & Kitten

2012-01-09T09:51:00.000-06:00

Winter break is almost over, and I haven't gotten any better at regular blog updates. Sorry about that. I don't have much of a desire for taking outfit photos anymore, except on certain occasions, and the truth is, I don't read too many blogs anymore either. It's sad in a way, but it's a separation I've been wanting for a while. There's lots of other projects I'd like to do with my house and things I'd like to create in my sew room, and I'd love to pick up drawing again, too. It's all a welcomed change. I still plan to post my work here when I have something to show, whether it's a shoot I've styled or photographed, or a dress that I've sewn. I know there will be outfits scattered throughout too, but for now I really want to focus on other things.

Today I'm sharing another set of Katy modeling Lauren Kemp's collection. It was all shot in what was Lauren's apartment (she's off to Portland now), and my kitten, Hank, who's now much bigger than he is in these photos (they were shot in October) made an appearance too. I think I have two more outfits to share from this shoot before I'm done (it was a long day), but the funny part is, I have another just-for-fun shoot with Katy later this week. She's just so fun to work with, and such a beautiful model!

Photos shot with vintage Canon TLB.

Wednesday

2011-12-28T12:08:00.002-06:00

Hope everyone had a great Christmas! I got a few things from my wishlist and a few cool things that I wasn't expecting, and Jake approved of all his gifts too. I'd venture to say this year's gift exchange was a success. I meant to stop back by the blog last week to announce the winner of the Romwe giveaway, but the excitement around Christmas kept me away. So congratulations to MARILYN. You're the winner of the Romwe giveaway! Someone will be in touch with you very soon about collecting your prize.

I've still got a few photos left of model Katy wearing Lauren Kemp's designs which I'll try to share over the next few weeks. This photo is the only good one I got of that cozy outfit. Doesn't Katy look beautiful?

Jake's Christmas Wishlist

2011-12-22T11:16:00.003-06:00

Like I said last week, I'm a little behind on Christmas shopping, but I've been catching up all week. I showed you my wishlist earlier this week, and I thought I'd share some of Jake's wishlist too. Unfortunately Jake is one of those Christmas babies whose birthday falls on December 29, right when I'm fresh out of money and expected to pay rent again. To top it off, my sisters birthday is January 2, and if there were two people in this world that I would want to splurge on for their birthdays it would be these two. Kristi and I have agreed to push our Christmas and her birthday back until January 25, after another pay period has cycled around again, which is a relief because now I can focus on Jake.

He didn't ask for everything on this list (he'd never ask for clothes or shoes), and I didn't buy all this stuff for him (c'mon now, what if he looks at my blog), but for the most part, this is the stuff I've been looking at.

1) Band/movie tees. When Jake's not in his work clothes, he's usually in a t-shirt, and since he loves T-Rex and the Electric Warrior design, I thought this was a good choice. I also sneakily got his approval on this A Clockwork Orange shirt, too.

2) I don't drink coffee, but Jake does and he hasn't had a good coffee pot in years. Plus, the one he's got doesn't allow for brewing only one cup, which is usually all he drinks anyway. This Hamilton Beach coffee maker had great reviews at Amazon.

3) Jake is a Lego fanatic. When he got the graphic design job at Dillard's the first thing on his desk was a Lego Winnebago! This guy is a little pricey, but it's a great way to sort and store Lego's as it separates the different sizes and keeps them very organized.

4) A man can always use an extra pair of Levi's. Enough said.

5) He's not typically one for wrestling games, but he won't quit talking about this one. He almost bought it for himself the other day, but I insisted that he should refrain from buying self-gifts during the holidays, especially when he has the item on his wishlist!

6) My favorite gift of all. A 2012 subscription to Numero Group. Numero Group is an archival record label out of Chicago that releases several great recordings, films, and photographs each year. They work hard to research and re-master forgotten gems, and every year they offer a package of their releases. Jake and I are madly in love with this label, and the yearly subscription is awesome because Christmas presents keep showing up on our doorstep all year long.

7) Jake needs new work shoes, and this stylish pair of Clark's will be great for work and for play.

Primary Colors

2011-12-21T11:42:00.000-06:00

Sweater & Shoes: Saver's
Hat & Blouse: c/o Romwe
Skirt: Lauren's sale
Brooch: Vintage Socialite
Tights: Gap

My fashion designer friend Lauren is moving to Portland after Christmas. I'm sending her off with a long list of Portland bloggers to fall in love with, including my favorites Clever Nettle, The Friendly Fox, Rachel Red Lips, and soon The Velvet Bird! As sad as am to see her go, I'm glad she's moving to a city full of such creative people. She's talented, and it's hard to make much of yourself here, unless you land a spot on Project Runway like Korto.

The one advantage of her leaving is that her closet's packed with lots of great vintage clothes, and she can't carry them all with her. She opened up her home to an indoor "yard" sale last week, and I left with a heaping pile of vintage, and lots of money still in my pocket. It was great. I got this skirt while I was there, and though it's a lot more color than I usually wear (my wardrobe has slowly faded into earthtones lately), I love it. It was the perfect match for my new Romwe bowler.

I took these photos in my kitchen one night over the weekend. The fun part about taking photos in my house at night is the potential for lots of visitors! Say hello to Louie, Hank, and Jake.

2011 Christmas Wishlist

2011-12-20T11:42:00.001-06:00

I'm really awesome at making wishlists, but really awful at getting them in an organized post. Every Christmas I make a wishlist on Kaboodle for my mom and my sister to reference, but I always forget to share them on the blog. Not this year, my friends.

My wishlist starts with the letters I used to create the words "wish". They're made of cardboard, cotton, and old maps and are available at Urban Outfitters for $12 per letter. I was trying to come up with something to spell out on my wall (something short so I could get away with buying fewer letters), but Jake convinced me that I could make them just as well. So, I guess that has moved to my DIY wishlist.

For my real wishlist. . .

1) You bloggers are killing me with all your cute Instax photos. I've already made up my mind; if I don't get an Instax Mini for Christmas, I'm buying my own. Merry Christmas to me.

2) This rug isn't for sale, but I sure wish it were. It was made by a Navajo weaver sometime in the 20s, and I found it and fell in love with it while writing my paper last month. I've shown Jake some Pendleton blankets that I might be interested in, but none have my heart like this one.

3) I'd take a million things from Madewell, but I've been loving this pair of boots for more than a year and would seriously love to cross them off my wishlist.

4) PASSPORT! This is one thing that I know for certain I'm getting. Because I have so many brothers and sisters we all get a spending limit with our parents, and this is what I chose this year. I've never traveled outside of the country, but this summer I plan to attend a study abroad trip with the art history department. We'll be going to the Yucatán to study ancient Maya art and architecture, and I'm verrry excited.

5) It's my goal to learn how to play the guitar this year. I'm bummed I don't know how already! I don't want to be a rockstar or even play any live shows, I just want to be able to sit by myself and write a song if I choose to.

6) I saw this book at my friends house a few weeks ago and wasted no time flipping through the entire thing. Things are so different in Little Rock now. I would love to do a photo series where I recreate each photo just to show how drastic the changes have been.

7) A good set of watercolors is another thing that's been high on my wishlist for awhile now. I have a vision of a little sketchbook I'd like to start in 2012, and a set of Winsor & Newton watercolors would be the perfect way to kick it off.

Fall in Winter

2011-12-19T09:29:00.001-06:00

Dress: Estate Sale
Shoes & Necklace: Saver's
Coat: Magpie & Birdie (via Midtown Antique Mall)
Purse: Forever 21
Ring: c/o Jewel Mint
Tights: Gap

Jake and I got a Christmas tree over the weekend! We put it up yesterday and our dog Louie instantly peed on it and our kitten Hank climbed it twice. I was hesitant to put any lights or decorations on since both pets are still so young and rambunctious, but in the end I went with lights. Just lights. I listened to She & Him's Christmas album twice and got especially glad every time I heard the Beach Boys cover!

With Christmas less than a week away it's odd to be posting colorful photos from fall, but these were left on my camera since then. I'm wearing one of my favorite estate sale dresses which I got at the beginning of the summer. The print reminds me of the serrated Saltillo-inspired designs that the Navajos used on their blankets in the 1800s. I wrote an art history paper about their weaving and the outside cultures that influenced it, and so, I can't help but think about all that stuff when I wear this dress.

I paired it with a vintage military coat, my favorite Forever 21 mini satchel, a vintage Southwestern-style necklace, a badass armor ring from Jewel Mint, and a pair of platform sandals from Saver's. I must've fallen three times in those shoes that day. I think the buckles were too loose with the tights, and my feet kept sliding out and I kept falling. I even feel in the middle of the road when a car was coming at one point! My sister laughed hysterically once she knew I was safe.

Romwe Haute Couture Giveaway

2011-12-16T11:36:00.001-06:00

I've expressed my love for Romwe in the past, and so today I'm pleased to be offering one of my lucky readers a piece from their shop. The winner will get to choose from six different coat designs included in their Haute Couture line, all of which are 100% woolen and exquisitely tailored.

The selections include:

• a brick red cape

• a raccoon hair khaki cape

• a color-blocked cream and black cape

• a contrast collar belted khaki coat

• a belted coffee-colored military coat

• an orange cape

Because these coats are sellin' like hot cakes, be sure to select your top three favorites so Romwe will know what to send in case you favorite is sold out. To enter, leave a comment on this post letting me know that you joined Romwe.com, and be sure to leave your email address so I'll know how to get a hold of you if you win.

Also--

Congratulations to Jamie Rose from Petite Panoply for winning The Parader's $40 giveaway. The Parader's will be contacting you shortly with information about your prize.

Catching Up

2011-12-15T11:30:00.000-06:00

Sweater & Shoes: Goodwill
Vintage Fedora: Estate Sale
Skirt: American Apparel
Tote: Modcloth
Necklace: Saver's
Nude Heart Tights: Forever 21

Things have been pretty busy around here despite the fact that finals have been over for more than a week now. I still don't have a Christmas tree up or anything remotely festive around the house, and I haven't even thought about buying a single present yet. I'll be scrambling to get all that together this weekend (wish me luck).

The good news is that I have a couple of new outfits to post! I haven't found much time to edit photos until now, so there were a couple of sets just hanging out on my camera waiting for me. This one is pretty recent. Kristi and I met for lunch and a trip to a few local boutiques, and she was sweet enough to take some photos for me. I've been carrying this Moby Dick tote around non-stop for the past month, and the sweater pretty much carried me through the second half of the semester.

I fell in love because it reminded me of a combination of two shirts I wanted from Urban Outfitters in 2007 or 2008. I never bought either one of them, but I did cut them out of the catalog and glue them into my sketchbook. I was ecstatic when I finally found something similar at Goodwill, and it's cropped too which is perfect because I can wear it over most of my dresses.

Leigh Lorraine

2011-12-14T11:07:00.000-06:00

I took a month off from writing my fashion column for Sync during the busiest part of the semester, but I'm back this week with a feature on the most precious vintage shop manager in town, Leigh Lorraine Bondurant. I've been trying out this new article where I select a stylish person who works at either a creative or interesting job, and I interview them about how it has influenced their style. I ask them to bring a few of there most favorite things to the shoot, and they tell me about where they came from and why they love them. Most of the time they're family heirlooms, and that was no different with Leigh Lorraine. I've attached a few photos below of her favorite things which include two necklaces, one from her grandma and the other a gift from her mom, a fur coat which she got from the vintage shop she runs, and a pair of boots and a bag which were both hand-me-downs from her mom.

You can read the article here if you'd like.

Leigh Lorraine and I hit it off so well that collaborations are now in the talks. Collaborations with a vintage shop manager = fun times ahead.

Celebrations

2011-12-12T12:08:00.000-06:00

Tee & Tights: Gap
Skirt: Goodwill
Cardigan: Gift from Paden
Shoes: c/o Wanted Shoes
Purse: Forever 21
Chain Headpiece: c/o Moorea Seal

My last day of school was on Thursday, and I celebrated by doing nothing but fun things all day. I started with two lunch dates, one with mom and another with a friend, though I really only went to the second one for the company. I was trying hard to be unproductive. I was supposed to meet Corey for photos, but for some reason he never showed so my pal Annie filled in his place. It was cold, but she still managed to do such a great job.

As fun as my day was, the post-finals celebrations that I had planned for that evening were the most exciting. A local etsy seller, Christie Turk from Roll & Tumble Press, brought in a guest from Portland who runs a moveable type truck. Her name is Kyle Durrie and she's been traveling all over the country in a delivery van turned letterpress studio selling her work and letting visitors come in and try it out for themselves. Etsy did a great feature with her on their blog which is definitely worthy of checking out sometime. I loved getting to make my own print and getting to see Kyle's living space, and I've decided that she pretty much has my dream job––making money on wheels.

Lauren Kemp + Katy (Part 4)

2011-12-07T15:28:00.000-06:00

Photographer: Starr Crow w/ Vintage Canon TLb
Model: Katy Tipton
Designer: Lauren Kemp
Art Director: Heather Canterbury & Starr Crow

Just a few more shots of Katy to show from our shoot with Lauren's collection. If I had to pick one outfit that I was most looking forward to it was this one. A cutout dress with a boater and a bike, and a basket just big enough for a furry muffin to play in. Maybe my excitement was a distraction when it came to loading the film because I certainly failed at that. My friend Heather helped me with the first set, but she took my training wheels off for this one and my lack of experience showed. Improper installation coupled with the exact opposite ISO settings required = a waste of film. I preserved my most favorites so you guys could at least see the dress; notice the criss-crossed neckline and the cutout detail at the waist. Perrrfection.

P.S. -- one more test before school's out for the semester, andddd Corey's back in Little Rock for good. Hope you're ready to see my face again.

Library Visits

2011-11-16T15:22:00.001-06:00

Photographer: Starr Crow w/ Vintage Canon TLb
Model: Katy Tipton
Designer: Lauren Kemp
Art Director: Heather Canterbury & Starr Crow

I'm sorry I've been gone all week. I got sidetracked with an art history presentation that I was incredibly ill-prepared for. I've still got quite a few photos of Lauren Kemp's collection to share, but these seemed like the best segue from my life lately. Lots of books and long library visits. . . I'm counting down the days until I'm out of school for winter break and I can finally start hanging out and having fun again.

UPDATE: Lauren's got a new blog! She's got some close up shots of her designs and lots of photos from the runway show, and I've got my fingers crossed that she'll do some awesome DIY's real soon. I've been wanting her to start a blog for ages, so I'm incredibly excited about this news. Pretty please go show her some love and welcome her to the wonderful world of blogging.

Giveaway: The Paraders

2011-11-10T11:21:00.001-06:00

I'm sorry it's been so long since I've been able to bring any giveaways to the blog. To make up for it, this month I've lined up a handful of really great prizes from a few of my sponsors. To kick it all off, Rachel from The Paraders is offering a $40 giftcard to her etsy shop. To enter, you must be a follower of The Paraders blog, and for additional entries you can follow The Paraders on Facebook and Twitter. And, this isn't required but if you just need a little reason to smile today, listen to her latest playlist on 8tracks titled Get Your Beehives Ready. It's guaranteed to put you in a good mood!

My favorite thing in her shop right now is hands down this 50s yellow coat with the perfect western arrow details. I'd like to say that it was influenced by all the hype around what would have been Roy Rogers 100th birthday, but I can't lie. I'd wear subtle cowboy details even if I didn't have a good excuse.

Lauren Kemp Fall 2011 + Katy (part 2)

2011-11-06T08:48:00.001-06:00

Photographer: Starr Crow w/ Vintage Canon TLb
Model: Katy Tipton
Designer: Lauren Kemp
Stylist: Lauren Kemp & Starr Crow
Art Director: Heather Canterbury & Starr Crow

Continuing on with more photos from the shoot I did with Lauren's designs and Katy's pretty face. . .

I've got more photos from this indoor set that I love and will probably show you soon, but I couldn't resist the way these four matched up together. The mood and colors (especially in the bottom three) make perfect sense together. It's kind of annoying, but I tend to be a perfectionist when it comes to the cohesiveness of those sorts of things. These photos have me itching to do another shoot in Lauren's expertly curated home as soon as possible.