Read the latest etxe newsletter! Includes sun and snow updates, my favorite leather good and the Skimm...
sun, snow, leather + the skimm
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my weekly goals #1
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This is my first Weekly Wishes post! I've been wanting to do something like this for a while, but haven't. I tried out my Sunday Slowdown posts for a while, but I realized what I like most about these posts is the community building aspect. The Nectar Collective started a link up where you have to comment on the person that linked up before you (hello, welcome to the jungle ;) - which I love! So here goes.
MY GOALS LAST WEEK
- Organize my tax documents I was really hung over Sunday thanks to the kalimotxo my sister made for a night out. I also hadn't really eaten dinner because I was so nervous about #2. Point is--I was stuck in bed anyway on Sunday so I just decided to bite the bullet and do my taxes. It was annoying and hard because last year was a combination of W-2s, 1099s, business income in another state, etc. I finally sorted everything out, only to find I am missing a few documents. At least it's ready to go after I get those!
- Photo shoot with Zophia I had a photoshoot planned with Betsy, CEO of Zophia, a badass bespoke pencil skirt company here in DC. I met Betsy at a local fashion designer meet up a few months ago and I was totally excited to work with her. Problem: I was literally out of town for a month, so it was a little hard to plan and I just was generally stressed to work with someone I admire so much! I mean her pencil skirts are amazing and her unique business model is something I am totally into. My sister was modeling and we were working with one of Betsy's photographers. I had only ever done full creative direction/planning on my own photoshoot once before, and that was with just my sister and a good friend (also named Betsy) as photographer, so I was nervous about working with new people. Long story short, we had an amazing time. I haven't seen Dustin's photos yet, but I'm sure he got at least a few good ones (because I did ;) ! Val did really well, especially since we made her stand outside in the cold. My original location didn't work out, but the second one did and afterward Val, Dustin and I bonded over bagel sandwiches and a desire to go winter hiking. I'm totally in my element during a shoot, so it wasn't until after it was over that the adrenaline hit and I was like--ahh I can't believe that all totally worked I hope everyone got what they wanted!!! And this is why I didn't eat dinner. And #1 happened.
- Sign up for German class One of my New Year's resolutions is to get back into German. It's a language I've dabbled in and I really wanted to start classes again and go back to Berlin soon. Luckily, I got picked in the Global Language Network lottery and I am all signed up!
MY GOALS THIS WEEK
- Organize myself By myself I mean my business, my blog, my apartment, my job...yeah. So it's kind of ambitious but I did a lot of work tonight and I feel better already so I'm gonna say CHECK.
- Send out my monthly newsletter In doing #1 I realized I need to send out a monthly newsletter and share the wonders of the etxe wallet and the Skimm. I'm getting faster at writing newsletters so another CHECK! It goes out tomorrow AM.
- Hang out with my friends in DC I am so so so thankful to have friends all over the world. A lot of them are on the west coast right now and I just got back from a long trip during which I got to see most of them. It was amazing -- to spend everyday with a really good friend. They are all just so amazing. Some of them moved from DC to SF, which means I have less friends in DC. I only moved out here a year ago, so it really hasn't been that long to make friends as a late twenty-something-year old ya know? I also am pretty content with having a glass of wine and reading a book, alone, in my house. Or going to an art show, alone. Or spending full weekends in the sewing studio working on designs, alone. But if I'm always busy doin my thang than I can't really complain about not having much of a social life in DC. Thus, I'm going to make more of an effort to hang out with friends IN DC. So, if I keep texting, emailing, facebook messaging you-it's 'cause I think you are super amazing, you inspire me, and I wanna hang out!
What are your goals for the week?
Want to start sharing your weekly wishes? Details at the Nectar Collective!
mid-January update
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Can you believe it's the middle of January? I figured I'd give a quick update - more for the sake of remembering what I need to catch up on as I am way behind on blog posts and a little bit behind on life in general.
Christmas in Arizona was beyond amazing.
NYE+ in Laguna was magical.
San Francisco was perfect.
And now I'm in Los Angeles, sitting in this airbnb loft with one of my best friends who just happens to be in LA at the same time. Making the magic happen. Conjuring friends in places I want to be with my friends. I'm in town for my day job--live blogging a USC event. It's always a little surreal to be back in LA, and even more so to be back USC campus.
I'm almost done with the book Clothes Clothes Clothes Music Music Music Boys Boys Boys by Viv Albertine which absolutely rocks. I just signed up for the newsletter of a crush I have that will probably never see again. A co-worker told me about a sewing training program in Thailand that also helps out independent designers that I need to follow up on. I'm eating carrots and hummus. I'm drinking wine. I need to write and get some serious alone time in before I go nuts. I have to plan a photoshoot, make some mood boards for upcoming collaborations, blog a ton about my past few weeks ('cause they rocked) and apply for some thangs.
But it's Friday night. So I'm gonna throw on my favorite dress and go meet an old friend at Pattern Bar in LA. 2015 is off to a great start.
xoxo,
Stephanie
Memories and Milestones of 2014
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It's almost the end of 2014. I'm sitting here with Mr. Bailey, my friend's adorable pup, sipping an almond milk cappuccino while I write in my friend's pink apartment in Laguna beach. This kind of sums up my year: comfy, inspiring and wandering in a new place.
This month's Travel Tuesday theme with A Compass Rose is 'favorite travel memories of 2014'. Below are my favorite travel memories and other milestones in my life. It's been an interesting year and I can't wait for 2015! Look out for some new collaborations, travel posts and another etxe collection.
Moving to DC
The first milestone for me is moving to DC. Earlier this year I moved across the country with no job, no house, no nothing. I had been living in San Francisco for 4 years, which was awesome, but wanted a change of scenery and to be closer to my sister. I had been working at Betabrand for a while and learned a ton in fashion design and local clothing production. I needed a fresh start to get back to my creative roots, grow in my own style and get to work. With a lot of cold calls, internet research and good old persistence, I found a job in DC where I could work on my digital marketing skills and a communal sewing studio where I could work on designing my own womenswear pieces. I found a fantastic photographer to work with and convinced my sister to model for our Flor Silvestre collection.
Designing + Photographing Flor Silvestre
I have to admit -- having been at Betabrand for so long, I had crazy expectations for how quickly I could create a mini collection. It took about 10 times longer than I thought. When you are doing everything yourself, it's totally totally different, especially when you are used to working with a huge team, lots of experts and a pretty unlimited budget. I am currently trying to figure out how to pay for the sample fabric for my FW15 collection, so yeah, it's different. But I love it and I'm so proud of the work it took to get our Flor Silvestre done. I loved working with Betsy (photographer) and Val (model) on the shoot -- they were both totally inspiring and committed to the project.
Easter Brunch in Malcolm X Park
The first party my sister and I threw together in DC was an Easter brunch in Malcom X park. We had her friends and my new friends and all drank and ate our homemade brunch goodies. We made cascarones and hid the in the trees. A super fun time and totally validated my decision to move to DC so I could do such things with my sister.
Wandering in Tallinn
I spent some time in Tallinn, Estonia to visit a friend and explore a new place. It was fantastic.
Shopping in Copenhagen
I also got to visit Copenhagen and fell in love. I now wear a lot more black, red lipstick and frequently rock my nikes. I loved the fashion, the food, the museums and the people. I'll be posting more about this trip soon!
Cherry Blossoms in DC
During cherry blossom season I bugged everyone asking is this a cherry blossom? is this a cherry blossom? When we finally went to visit the actual cherry blossoms I finally understood: nothing else compares.
Beach Camping in Assateague
Camping on an island with new friends and wild ponies? uh, yeah I did that and it was the best thing ever.
Paddle Boarding in Belmont Shores
My family and I spent a week in July in Belmont Shores paddle boarding, bonfire makin' and sipping wine with a million cousins. The cops came we had such an awesome party.
Family time in Gilbert, AZ
My favorite memory this of this past year just happened -- spending Christmas with my family in Gilbert, AZ where I was born and raised. I miss them all terribly, but am happy I can share so many adventures with my younger sisters, parents, grandparents and cousins.
Happy New Year!
Here's to a fabulous 2014 and an even better 2015 to come! I'll be toasting in the new year in Laguna with some good friends. Hope you do the same!
What were your favorite memories of 2014? Where did you travel to that was unforgettable?
practice gratitude everyday
We hope you have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving with family and friends!
We'll be celebrating in DC and skypeing our family in Arizona.
Here's a look at our sistersgiving last year. We have so much to be thankful for!
create: paper crane garland
Ever wonder how to make paper crane garlands?
Last night Analog hosted a Pretty Paper Party with Amina of Handmade Habitat. I was happy to escape the cold dark night for some origami fun in the cozy shop.
It's pretty simple to make paper crane garlands.
Paper Matters
First, find some cool paper. You can create the cranes out of any type of paper. Amina had book pages and maps cut in squares that we could use. I loved the way my cranes came out when I used these pages from a Jane Austen book--nice and vintage looking.
Origami Fun
Second, make the crane. This youtube video will show you how if you don't already know. Nice thing about this video - you can pause if you get lost. We just kept asking Amina what to do next. I didn't really memorize the steps until my fourth crane.
Next, make more cranes! I made about five for my garland.
String it on like popcorn
Now, get some string (I loved this striped white and red one) and thread it with a needle through the center of the crane.
You did it!
And, voila, you have a paper crane garland! Cranes symbolize many things, including longevity, balance, wisdom, and good fortune -- so hang some up in your room if you're into that. I put mine up in my kitchen for no good reason except it looks awesome.
Here's my step-by-step:
