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if you live in or around the chicago area, or can get there to take part in our monday, may 27th video workshop, we’d love to have you! beginner understanding of photoshop is required (meaning you’ve opened and understand the layers palette, and can get around in the program somewhat.) please read our class description here for more info and what you will need to bring.

here’s how to win…

1. “like” blogshop on facebook & then comment below telling us why you want to learn video! (your blog, your business, your family memories?)

$489+ value! (travel & hotel not included) we’ll be choosing one random winner on wednesday, may 22nd at 10am PST. (anyone can enter, as long as you can make it!) good luck, my friends!

how do you think of original ideas? original party ideas or DIYs? unique blog posts or photo shoot concepts? i use a very simple trick i learned back in school when i was learning about how to create logos…

word association!

let’s say i wanted to think about ideas associated with “summer.” then i would start a blank page in my notebook or on my laptop and i would write down every word that reminded me of that season…watermelon, beach, sunburn, sprinklers, popsicles, heart sunglasses, denim shorts. then you break it down even further…each of those words has even more ideas, feelings or memories associated with them. what do heart sunglasses remind me of? lolita. what memory does sunburn spark for me? getting my hair braided on a cruise as a kid and getting sunburned so bad in between each braid. and now all of a sudden i am thinking about braids…and then hair tutorials. see what i’m getting at here?

your mind can take you on a crazy path if you allow it to. if you look for inspiration only on the internet, your mind gets clouded with other people’s ideas. it’s overwhelming. i was talking to a friend last night and she said she likes to spread out a huge piece of paper on her kitchen table and just write whatever comes to mind. she calls it “word vomit.” have you ever tried this? give it a shot! -bri

i have been wearing a lot of sheer dresses lately…and i kept running into the same problem. the slips would get bunchy underneath or show through. i would just retire those dresses to the beach cover-up category. have you had this problem?

but then i found this stretchy, perfect camisole. i was getting ready for my splendid event and you could see my underwear right through my dress…they handed me one of these nude tanks that stretched down long enough to hide my undergarments (and doesn’t ride up.) it’s thin, you can’t feel it, i love it. i have seriously worn it 10 times since. all those dresses that i couldn’t make work in the past are making a comeback. try it out!

here’s how to win….

1. visit the amelia site & comment below telling which item you are most interested in!

one winner will be chosen on wednesday, may 22nd at 10am PST. open to US only. you will win a $250 code to shop on amelia’s site.

ALSO, DLF readers get 15% off when they shop this week using code YAY15. (valid 5/15-5/19)

something i have been very curious about lately is the art of mixology. when the creative council asked me what one of my dream projects would be, i said hosting a backyard mixology party! i’m just like my mother, throwing a good party is one of my greatest joys (even if it’s just a few friends.)

SO! since i am going down the road of talking in my videos now, i asked talmadge from pharmacie to show us how to make two of the drinks that we will be serving at the party we’re hosting (it’s tonight!) seriously, if you are having an event you gotta hire him to come make cocktails…he makes every party fun & delicious!

learn how to make 1 vodka drink + 1 gin drink (which i admit in the video i have no idea how to do!) watch here …thanks modshift for the video!

click below for recipes & more!

THE FLEUR DE LIS

the ingredients…

• 1 oz vodka

• 1/2 oz dry vermouth

• 1/2 oz white sweet vermouth

• 1/2 creme de violette

• 2 dash lemon bitters (Bitter Truth brand)

• lemon peel

• splash of lemon juice

how to make it…

• Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker over ice. Shake (or stir) for about 10 seconds.

• Strain into a cocktail glass. Add bitters.

• To express the lemon oils: Using a peeler to make a lemon peel.

• Hold the lemon pith side up and peel side over the glass, squeeze gently as you move the peel over the glass, then drop into the drink.

FRESH HOT BREEZE OF SUMMER

the ingredients…

• 1 oz gin

• 3/4 oz hot and spicy syrup

• 1/2 fresh lemon juice

• 2-3 drops Absinthe

how to make it…

• Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker over ice. Shake vigorously for about 10 seconds.

• Strain into a cocktail glass.  Add Absinthe drops. Garnish with a dried arbol pepper.

*How to make the hot and spicy syrup: 

• Start with simple syrup (1 cup water, 3/4 cups sugar – heat until sugar dissolves, then let cool).

• Slice 2 jalapeños and 2 chili (or arbol) peppers.

• Add sliced peppers, seeds and all, and a really tiny pinch of salt to the simple syrup immediately after removing from heat.

• Let cool and steep overnight.

• Strain peppers.

so what do you think? do you think you’ll give one of these drink recipes a shot? stay tuned for how we put together the actual event soon! -bri

video by: modshift
drinks by: pharmacie
cocktail glasses by: casa de perrin
makeup by: kelly shew
top photo by: designlovefest

this post is a collaboration with the creative council by UGG Australia.

i am all about the all over patterned dresses lately. this one is vintage diane von furstenberg…it’s lightweight, colorful and perfect for a date night or event. in this case the pattern becomes the accessory, so all you need is a single bright cocktail ring (i am wearing this one from kendra scott) or a pair of earrings and that’s about it. don’t over think it.

i mentioned the other day that i would love to start gardening. my backyard is completely unfinished but has a pretty incredible view. i can picture myself up there being very happy as i take care of our new plants & flowers. it seems like a pretty good stress reliever, huh? right now all we have is an aloe vera plant and i swear arian gets sunburned just so he can use it. ha.

it does all seem a little overwhelming…where do i start? do i do pots or in the soil? everyone usually says to start with succulents because they are so hard to kill. i would love to get some fresh herbs & peppers going up there!

photos by: julia stotz

more style posts: right here

I’ve been drawn to watercolors lately. So airy and soft. This yellow color tone is full of sunshine and we hope it makes you happy! –Stephanie

the popsicle project is a fun hashtag to follow along with on instagram. i love simple projects like this…seeing different people’s creativity & diversity is just fun. i might have to add a shot into the mix.

will i ever tire of teaching in this city? not as long as i keep meeting so many excited, talented and just all around awesome students. this video class was no exception and i love watching our students apply their knowledge right in class. are you ready to take the next step in your photoshop skills? we have another video class coming up in chicago this month.

these dip-dyed pouches and passport holders  by matine were all made by hand. they have some great clutches in their shop as well.

maptote makes these awesome oversized mapnotes cards. i like to use them as wall art.

i don’t know how they make these perfectly carved wooden rings over there at acorn and archer. we also gave a couple lucky students these necklaces as a prize.

these delicious macarons were courtesy of  hilary freeman of the sugar studio.

each student got a pack of numbered edition coasters from heather lins home. i’m really into coasters right now and love how these mix in with bright colors and patterns.

jennifer edmon of something blue created some really cool custom florals that we got to enjoy the whole weekend.

it’s so entertaining to watch everyone creating something unique. they all come up with ideas for videos they could shoot for their blogs and businesses & collaborate with their classmates. and the best part about editing video in photoshop is that it’s not as hard as you’d think. you can add custom text, colors, handwriting…trust me, it’s cool.

join us in may & june!
PHILLY  (almost sold out!) |  NY (email for waitlist!) | CHICAGO  (email for waitlist!) | CHICAGO VIDEO | weekend LA (sold out) | weekday LA (half full!)

want to be an intern in one of the cities listed above? apply here!

(see previous blogshop posts & all of our goodie bag items used here!)

it’s been a little dull and rainy here in LA lately (which i love), and i’ve been seeing lots of umbrellas around. i think they are one seriously underrated accessory. today we thought it’d be fun to show you how to make a stylish one of your own using wax paper, some tape, and a little paint…

what you’ll need:

• umbrellas
• craft paint that  is listed for fabric (we like martha stewart’s)
• blue painter’s tape
• wax paper
• paint brush
• circle cutter or circle punch (we like this circle cutter kit)

CONTINUE READING FOR FULL DIY INSTRUCTIONS…

how to make it:

• tape a section of blue tape on wax paper.

• punch or cut a hole in the wax paper to create a circular stencil.

• pull tape off of wax paper and transfer onto umbrella in desired place and smooth down.

• paint stencil. we recommend applying two coats.

• let dry completely, then peel off tape. voila!

we used slightly larger dots for the black umbrella and just painted the inside so that the polka dots had more of a fun reveal when opened. the little pink heart we just painted by hand…it doesn’t have to be perfect!

something that is perfect…that bunch of poms on tara’s jacket!

project by: natalie shriver &  kamryn stimpson for designlovefest
pink wall photos by: kimberly genevieve
special thanks to our ban.do models ali & tara!
more DIY projects here