Rebecca Tollefsen

Five Best From Around The Web

2013-05-23T18:03:00.000-04:00

1. It's Thursday which means it is time for the Five Best items I saw around the web this week. As always some music to listen to while browsing this week's links - click the player above to listen along (email & feed subscribers click into the post for the player). The playlist is featured on grooveshark which is not supported by Safari. You can listen to it on any other browser.

2. I want to go here.

3. I follow the Humans of New York Facebook page and usually the photos are the most interesting thing in my feed everyday. The photographer behind the project, Brandon Stanton, finds interesting subjects on the streets of New York, takes their photos and asks them a question. I love reading the answers to the questions he asks - sometimes they are hilarious. You've probably already checked it out......but if you haven't you should! Just after the bombings Brandon went to Boston and documented life there. He didn't focus on the tragedy that just occurred. He focused on capturing the everyday spirit of Bostonians. It was pretty sweet. Anyways, this week I saw that Brandon did a TED talk last Fall.

4. This week I'm taking a little break from "what I've been watching/listening to". In the spirit of last week's The Office series finale: Bloopers. More here, here and here. I love a good blooper reel don't you?

5. Currently loving: overalls, I want to bring this doll home, dreaming of summer and seriously, how good does this look?

Image: Rebecca Tollefsen

18/52, 19/52 & 20/52

2013-05-19T18:52:00.000-04:00

week 18: building forts

week 19: "mum! I built this house. I sitting in it." // week 20: mister cool.

Getting caught up on sharing my 52 Project photos with the rest of the project participants. Soon after I uploaded week eighteen's photo to my computer I misplaced my camera card so I've been using my iPhone for taking photos for the past two weeks. I am hoping my camera card turns up soon. Week 20's portrait was taken this morning when Sylas was insisting on wearing his dad's hat.

The 52 Project: a portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013. You can see all of my portraits from The 52 Project right here.

Images: Rebecca Tollefsen

Five Best Things From Around The Web

2013-05-02T09:14:00.000-04:00

16/52 and 17/52

2013-04-27T13:47:00.001-04:00

16/52 - Well, we decided to say goodbye to Sylas's mullet last week. The 'party' part of his mullet was growing past his shoulders and the 'business' part of his mullet was starting to look a little bit more 'party' then 'business'. We cut his hair around this time last year and decided to do the same thing this year and just let it grow out again. He's yelling cheese in the photo above (very enthusiastically).

17/52 - Work Zone.

I decided to post last week's and yesterday's portrait in the same post his week to catch up from last weekend. For the week of 16/52 I enjoyed this portrait from a blog called The Bear Hut because when a kid wears sunglasses it is equal parts, cute, silly and badass, right? Especially when they are bubblegum pink.

The 52 Project: a portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013. You can see all of my portraits from The 52 Project right here.

Images: Rebecca Tollefsen

Mother's Day Gifts

2013-04-27T13:04:00.002-04:00

Mother's Day is May 12th! Order your Mother's Day gifts by May 6th for guaranteed delivery just in time for Mother's Day (US based orders only). Each order arrives ready for gift gifting in my beautiful signature gift wrapped jewelry boxes. I can send gifts directly to your mother or grandmother just leave their address at checkout and a note for the complimentary enclosed Mother's Day card.

I've added a new Personalized Bouquet Locket to the shop. This locket features a sterling silver initial pendant and chain, a tiny yellow flower bouquet tied with ribbon and beautiful fully restored and refinished vintage brass locket. You can find the new Bouquet Locket right here. You can find the white baby's breath Personalized Bouquet Locket right here. There's lots of other perfect Mother's Day gifts at The Dedication Company. A big favorite is the Personalized Message Locket with a sterling silver initial pendant and chain, restored and refinished vintage brass locket and a message to your mother left inside. Find it right here.

The Dedication Company's dainty, everyday personalized necklaces like the Sideways Teardrop Necklace and Sideways Initial Necklace in Brass/Sterling and All Sterling are a great option for Mother's Day gifts! Add initial pendants to represent each child or grandchild right here.

I hope you are having a wonderful Spring weekend!

Images: via The Dedication Company by Rebecca Tollefsen

14/52 & 15/52

2013-04-20T21:59:00.003-04:00

The 52 Project: a portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013.

I'm a little behind on posting for the The 52 Project because of my recent break from blogging. Despite not posting the portraits I took I have managed to keep up with the project. Here are photos from week fourteen (top) and fifteen (bottom). In the top photo Sylas is excited about his new headlight. The bottom photo shows Sylas watching his dad doing Spring clean up in the yard. I'll be posting 16/52 later this week. Hope you are having a great weekend!

You can see all of my portraits from The 52 Project right here.

Images: Rebecca Tollefsen

My Workspace

2013-04-17T11:36:00.000-04:00

In the last week I've taken an impromptu break from my blog and social media channels to put focus on a new product line that I've had in design and development stages for the past six months. I feel like I made some good progress and look forward to sharing that work with you soon. I've been continuing to create and ship orders for my jewelry line as well. Above are some shots from around my studio in the last couple of months or so. Hope all is well with you and I look forward to my return here in the coming days and weeks!

Images: Rebecca Tollefsen

13/52

2013-04-05T19:08:00.000-04:00

The 52 Project: a portrait of someone I love (usually my son), once a week, every week, in 2013.

Sylas received some mail from his grandparents last week - an Easter card with two one dollar bills. He carried the card and bills around with him all night telling us he was going shopping to buy a whole chicken. We eventually tucked the bills into his piggy bank but the card hasn't lost its luster throughout the week. He continues to carry it around the house and when he can't find it we have to search around until we do.

My favorite from last week's (12/52) group of portraits: I loved the portrait found here from a blog called This is Tie. I love the soft tones of the photo but the little one is very sweet too.......

You can see all of my portraits from The 52 Project right here.

<< Previous Post: Five Best From Around The Web

Five Best From Around The Web

2013-04-04T11:13:00.003-04:00

Interior Design Love: Round Mirrors

2013-04-01T11:43:00.000-04:00

I've been collecting some design inspiration for our home over on Pinterest and I noticed a recurring theme: round mirrors. I particularly love the ones with the leather strap and buckles. It seems like the design collaboration between Jacques Adnet and Hermes over at Artilleriet has this whole mirror with leather & buckle strap thing on lockdown (see the whole collection here). I love that collection and the styling of the product photography as well. Unfortunately, those mirrors are a little bit out of my price range so I've been looking around for something similar but haven't had any luck yet.

Images: top :: second left :: second right :: third left :: third right :: bottom left :: bottom right

12/52

2013-03-25T11:13:00.000-04:00

The 52 Project: a portrait of someone I love (usually my son), once a week, every week, in 2013.

I actually took this photo during the week of 11/52 on that Friday when Sylas was home with me. (3/15?) But I had already sorted out my photo for that week (11/52) earlier that same morning and had the draft ready to go for posting the next day. I saved this one for 12/52 which I suppose was in few days anyway. Sylas was struggling to get himself down for his nap that afternoon. I laid with him for a while and he was really fighting it. He was talking to himself, doing gym moves all over the bed and really having trouble settling in. I was just about to give up on the possibility of a nap altogether when I looked over and saw this: Sylas out cold. Tiny win. I know I've mentioned this before but when Sylas is sleeping I often catch myself staring at him. I've heard lots of other parents say they do the same thing which helps to make me feel a little less creepy. ;) I couldn't help but snap a photo with my phone because he looked so peaceful (and his position slightly resembled a dance move).

My favorite from last week's (11/52) group of portraits: I loved the portrait found here from a blog called Mama Case - What a sweet little moment to capture and I love that sweet little face!

You can see all of my portraits from The 52 Project right here.

<< Previous Post: Warming Up With a Hot Coffee Liquor Recipe

Warming Up With a Hot Coffee Liquor Recipe

2013-03-21T09:53:00.001-04:00

Last month we went to an outdoor winter festival where I tried a warm coffee beverage with chocolate and coffee liquors. It was a welcome treat on a cold afternoon and it got me thinking about the many variations that could be used with my grandmother's coffee liquor recipe. Yesterday might have been the first day of Spring but we just had another big snowstorm in New England. We're still covered in snow so this nice warm coffee recipe doesn't sound so bad right now. I bet this would be a great iced beverage in the warmer weather too!

1 part irish whiskey
1 part condensed milk
2 parts homemade coffee liquor
3 parts hot coffee
whipped cream (optional)
cinnamon (optional)

Combine ingredients, mix well and garnish with whipped cream and sprinkled cinnamon.

Image: Rebecca Tollefsen

11/52

2013-03-16T13:09:00.000-04:00

The 52 Project: a portrait of someone I love (usually my son), once a week, every week, in 2013.

This week Sylas snatched up a big box that housed beer making supplies and an empty box from my shipping supplies to make "tastles". He also made his very own table (as seen here) and asked us if he could color it. When he tired of coloring the outside of the boxes he moved to the inside with strict instructions to "only color on the box. Don't color on the floor, the couch or the walls." I definitely caught him trying to color his play kitchen but when I walked into the room he quickly moved the marker away and acted like he wasn't actually making moves to color on something other than the box. Nice one.

From last week's (10/52) group of portraits: I loved the portrait found here from a blog called Ambrose Press - it doesn't get much sweeter than that photo does it?

You can see all of my portraits from The 52 Project right here.

<< Previous Post: Detailing in the Back

Detailing In The Back

2013-03-12T21:39:00.000-04:00

I have a serious case of Spring fever happening. Do you? The only thing that seems to help is browsing around online for new Spring and Summer clothes. To gather some inspiration I took a look through my good style board to see if I could find any pretty clothes for warmer weather. I noticed that my board includes a growing collection of tops with gorgeous detailed backs. Whether it is pretty laced detailing, a structured modern cut or a simple, slouchy drape - I really like the idea of showing off a little bit of back this Spring and Summer.

*I wanted to incorporate a pun using 'baby's got back' but I couldn't bring myself to do it.

top photo :: bibbed lace :: black mod top :: white detailing :: white boho vest :: gray silk tank :: black open back cutout

10/52

2013-03-12T00:12:00.001-04:00

The 52 Project: a portrait of someone I love (usually my son), once a week, every week, in 2013.

Sylas daydreaming intensely as he waits to head out the door. It is rare to see Sylas so still and reflective - I wonder what he was thinking about. He is usually chatting almost continuously to us or himself in conjunction with fiddling with some sort of item around the house. Just after I took this photo he snapped out of his thought and ran after Wizard to rough house with her.

From last week's group of portraits: I loved the portrait found here from a blog called Lamb Loves Fox - such a beautiful portrait!

You can see all of my portraits from The 52 Project right here.

<< Previous Post: Five Best

Image: Rebecca Tollefsen

Five Best

2013-03-06T22:01:00.002-05:00

1. As always some music to listen to while browsing this week's links - click the player above to listen (email & feed subscribers click into the post for the player). The playlist is featured on grooveshark which is not supported by Safari. It can be viewed on any other browser. I like Chrome. Bonus: I even use Chrome on my iPhone & iPad.

2. I love the mission behind this project (via Create Likes Crazy). Empowering children, giving them a voice through documenting their lives and having a chance to spread change through their communities? Yes to all of it. The prints are so good too.

3. Disney Baby featured an article on Jodi's The 52 Project - (I was excited to see one of my photos was included in the article). The 52 Project has been quite a community builder here on the web. I've met tons of great women through the series and I look forward to the growing momentum of the project throughout the year.

4. What I've been watching and listening to this week while working.

Watching:
- Remember this post? Particularly the part where I ask myself if I am missing something about Downton Abbey because, to me, it was only 'so-so' and it hadn't grabbed me yet? Turns out I was missing something - something called patience. If I just waited a little longer and gave myself a little bit more time with the characters then it would have been a different story. Now I am all "Downton Abbey? Yes please, party of one." I knew I had to be missing something because so many people rave about this show (now I get why).
-I guess I missed the memo that the season finale of Parenthood aired about a month ago. I thought it was on break as so many shows go on 'haitus' for a couple of weeks these days. So I guess lately I only get excited for The Mindy Project, Smash and Girls. I watch all of these shows on my computer the day after they air on the web while I work.

Listening:
-I listened to this podcast about Whitey Bulger. Which reminds me I need to email that to my dad because he will love it.
-I listened to this TED talk by Marc Bittman. Whenever I read, watch or listen to this type of stuff I find it super interesting but it also overwhelms me a little bit. I get saddened and overwhelmed by how greedy the food industry is and how the media wrangles so many minds to eat certain ways (my mind included as it has been very wrangled). I feel like it is all such a huge problem that might not ever be solved due to the complexity of it all.......But I love Marc Bittman - who doesn't? He's the bomb. And he does a good job explaining a very real set of problems here.

5. Currently loving: this outfit, this photo, these for Sylas, this DIY and this awesome stretch move.

What are you doing this weekend? Whatever it is I hope it is great!

<< Previous Post: 8/52 & 9/52

Image: Rebecca Tollefsen via instagram

8/52 & 9/52

2013-03-02T12:03:00.002-05:00

The 52 Project: a portrait of someone I love (usually my son), once a week, every week, in 2013.

I didn't get the chance to post the 8/52 portrait last weekend so I thought I would post it here with 9/52. Last week's photo is of Sylas using a tupperware to take a photo of me. He's pointing at me saying "I take your pitcha momma."

This week's photo is from the two of us baking on our day off together. He is concentrating on rolling out his dough with flour, chocolate and a tiny hint of a smile on his face - love that. He kept saying, "Wizard! I'm cooking, Wiz!" and "I'm the pancake man!" He was pretending to roll out pancakes with the cookie batter. You can see more photos from our baking session here and here.

For the week of 8/52 I loved the portraits found here from a blog called Milk Please Mum.

You can see all of my portraits from The 52 Project right here.

<< Previous Post: February Playlist

Images: Rebecca Tollefsen

February Playlist

2013-02-28T12:46:00.000-05:00

Sneaking in this month's playlist at the very last minute. I took the first eight songs from the shuffle setting on my player which included The Black Keys, Digable Planets, Mama Kin, Beastie Boys, Alt-J, Pixies, Bibio, Monsters of Folk and Bruce Springsteen. You can listen along on 8tracks right here.

Image: Rebecca Tollefsen

Well, Geez.

2013-02-27T10:45:00.002-05:00

Well, geez. It's been awhile. How are you? I hope well! This was supposed to be a Document the Day post but when I went through my camera of photos I took over the weekend there was only a couple of shots there. Instead, I grabbed a few instagram photos that I recently posted in my feed.

I typically blog in the evenings but lately I've been using that time to unwind by myself. A true introvert at heart, I've always valued time to myself. For years John worked on Friday nights and that was my built in "becca time". Also, if he goes away without me I usually don't make plans. I use that opportunity to spend time with myself. It helps me maintain balance (if that is such a thing?), helps me to reboot and I enjoy it. Now that Sylas is here I don't get those types of opportunities as much as I once did so I've been trying to find spots in my week to spend time on my own. I am usually able to do so at night after the boys have gone to bed. I am a night owl and John is more of a morning person. I put Sylas to bed and when I am done John has usually fallen asleep as well. I spend the rest of the night putting around, tying up loose ends for work. Instead of working in the evenings (blogging, returning emails, sending out shipping confirmations, editing photos, etc.) I have been listening to new music, watching movies and reading (mostly getting caught up on my blog reader - no books yet!). Taking this little bit of time to myself at night has been nice. I feel recharged and I think I might regularly schedule in nights where I don't work after the boys go to bed. Even though I love working into the evening (working is just as fun for me as listening to music, watching movies and reading) it is nice to 'shut work off' for a couple of hours before bed. I was thinking I might designate nights during the week where I purposefully don't do work type things. I'll see how it goes. I am not crazy about scheduling my nights. When the inspiration/motivation strikes to write a post, work on marketing, edit photos, etc. I want to be able to just roll with that and not feel bound by any rules/schedules. So that is where I've been - enjoying a little bit of 'me' time. What have you been up to? What do you do to unwind at the end of the day?

Images above:
-putting together marketing materials
-a print of a photo I took in November during a trip to Vermont
-Sylas enjoying an after school snack and "georgie"
-The Wizard. She's the best.

Images: Rebecca Tollefsen via instagram

7/52

2013-02-17T16:52:00.004-05:00

The 52 Project: A portrait of someone I love (usually my son), once a week, every week, in 2013.

Sylas playing outside over this wintry weekend. His new thing is to say "It's free-zing Mum".

You can take a look at all of my portraits from The 52 Project right here.

<<Previous Post: Five Best

Image: Rebecca Tollefsen

Five Best

2013-02-14T10:56:00.000-05:00

1. Happy Valentine's Day! As always some music to listen to while browsing this week's links - click the player above to listen (email & feed subscribers click into the post for the player). The playlist is featured on grooveshark which is not supported by Safari. It can be viewed on any other browser. I like Chrome. Bonus: I even use Chrome on my iPhone & iPad. If you want some more music you can head over to the Valentine's Day Music Mix I made last year.

2. I kind of like this this handwritten collection of what love is.

3. A time lapse video of a fashion shoot.

4. What I've been listening to and watching this week while working:

Watching:
-I'm still not watching that much while working. Whomp whomp. Same old story the last couple of weeks, boring, I know.

Listening:
As I mentioned above I have been in the mood for music lately. I haven't listened to any podcasts. Actually, that is not true. I did listen to After the Jump this week. Aside from that I have been listening to music the the rest of the time. Last Spring I began compiling all of the music I've used in my Five Best posts over the years so I have been listening to those compilations. I've also been listening to the new Jim James album and some Top 40 stuff - hello Alicia Keys and Justin Timberlake. I even downloaded a little bit of Rihanna to add to my growing collection. Variety is the spice of life right?

5. Currently loving: these tights, this slinky one piece, the detailing on this top, this beautiful pantry arranged by color and this seems fitting after last weekend's storm.

>> Previous Post: Accessorized for an Outdoor Summer Event

Image: Rebecca Tollefsen

Accessorized: Outdoor Summer Event

2013-02-11T10:05:00.000-05:00

What better way to combat the Winter doldrums then to dream about pretty Summer clothing options? This simple color block dress is perfect for an outdoor summer event. The neutral gray and white provide a blank canvas to allow accessories to be the focal point of the outfit. Here is how I accessorized this dress: I kept the shoes and belt in the same neutral color palette as the dress to allow the red clutch to be the centerpiece of the outfit. A simple, dainty necklace completes the look without overpowering the other accessories. How would you accessorize this dress for Summer? What accessories would you choose to warm it up for a Winter look?

outfit to accessorize
gray belt (similar one found here)
grey cutout booties
simple mixed metal necklace
oxblood clutch

<< Previous Post: 6/52 - Portrait Project

6/52

2013-02-09T12:46:00.001-05:00

The 52 Project: A portrait of someone I love (usually my son), once a week, every week, in 2013.

This week I'm switching it up to share a portrait of The Wizard. She's been with us for almost five years and she's the bomb. Like any loyal dog owner, I love her in a ridiculous way - don't even get me started. John named her Wizard but when I was pregnant I started calling her Mama and it has kind of stuck. While I was pregnant she trailed me around the house and wouldn't let me out of her sight. She handled me with extreme care as if she was protecting me and the baby inside of me (hence the name Mama). Despite her rambunctious and outgoing nature I've seen her act really gentle around other pregnant women as well. She's a mama at heart. She's a nurturing caretaker when someone is sad or sick. She is a protector, a busybody, a fierce cuddler, a human food hunting, playful, intuitive love that watches over us. And she makes a badass coworker, keeping me company while I work everyday.

You can take a look at all of my portraits from The 52 Project right here.

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

Valentine's Day Shipping Deadlines

2013-02-06T09:56:00.002-05:00

Valentine's Day is next Thursday so get your love on! Just sit back, relax and let The Dedication Company take care of the rest. Have your Valentine's Day gifts shipped right to your loved ones door. All jewelry arrives prettily packaged and ready for gift giving. If you'd like your gift shipped directly to your recipient leave their address at checkout with a love note for a gift card included on the house.

Order by February 7th for Valentine's Delivery within the US. Ordering after February 7th? The Dedication Company's got your covered with various rush shipping options. Contact me here for more information.

The deadline for orders shipping to destinations based outside of the US has passed.

Handmade Perfume Oils

2013-02-04T10:38:00.001-05:00

When it comes to perfume I am not a one scent kind of girl. I like to switch it up and try new things rather than wear one scent all the time. I typically go for essential oils which I think stems from my high school Body Shop White Musk Oil days. I do wear some spray perfumes like the D&G 10 scent my mom gave me. I typically go for musky, tobacco based scents but I've learned that I like florals as well. I usually buy samples, decide which ones I like and then never buy the full vial of perfume because I move onto trying another sample. In the last couple of years I've found some really great handmade perfume oils. As I look through my perfume collection it mostly consists of those handmade perfume oils. This year for my birthday and Christmas I was gifted some handmade perfume samples and I have fallen for a couple of them so I though I'd share.

John gave me a 'choose your own' sampler pack from Sweet Anthem. The perfumes all go by female/male names and they happened to have a Rebecca scent so naturally that one came in the pack. Rebecca is a scent that I would choose by the description. It has notes of ginger, amber and Moroccan fig. It is the type of scent I would wear often which I have since the holidays. He also chose Anita and Annabelle. The scent I have really fallen for is Annabelle. I would have never chosen this scent by the description of sea salt, jasmine and osmanthus. But every time I put it on I can't stop smelling my wrists. I've been wearing Annabelle almost daily lately. I plan to buy the larger version of this perfume and also try some other similarly scented oils by Sweet Anthem.

I also tried out two samples from Phoenix Botanicals. I had my eye on the scent Amber and Blue for quite some time because the description sounded like something I might like. When I was poking around in Phoenix Botanicals I also found Bonfire Rose. The name sold me right away but then I read the description: "Sweet wild roses, green meadows, gentle trails of bonfire smoke. Beloved scents of Summer carried by a warm wind, settling into a smooth smoky rose, followed by golden myrrh and incense." Ding, ding - sold! Bonfire Rose is light with a smoky rose scent as described. I like that is isn't too overpowering like some rose scents can be. I haven't tried Amber and Blues yet. I have smelled the vial but haven't tried it on my skin yet. I'm looking forward to giving it a try.

There is something kind of fun about reading descriptions of perfume online and ordering without testing them out first. I've noticed that most online perfumers offer affordable samples. It is exciting to wait for the package to come in the mail. It is always fun to receive non-bill mail, right? What kind of perfume do you love? Do you have a favorite, everyday scent or do you switch it up often?

<< Previous Post: 5/52