Spring Pastels and Bling Birthday Party

I've been itching to throw a party for the longest time, because of all the inspiration I was getting from Pinterest. My birthday just so happened to be last Friday, so I used it as an excuse to do so.

In my opinion, the decorations are what make a party (besides the company, of course). I managed to spend a little over $20 on mine. Here is the breakdown:

Tissue paper for tassels (tutorial here): $1 for 40 sheets via Dollar Tree

Gold tinsel: $1 via Dollar Tree

Balloons, 6 total: $10 via Party City

Tablecloth: $1 via Dollar Tree

Flowers: $7 via Trader Joe's

Paper + Glitter for diamonds: Free (already had this stuff at my house)

Later in the night, my friends and I enjoyed a taco bar, and chocolate fondue. B also made the most amazing triple lemon cheesecake. I couldn't have asked for a better celebration! A part of me wishes I could do this more often, but I've already run out of excuses to throw a party. Sometimes I think about how fun it would be to be a party planner, or a prop stylist. There's no way I could pick up another hobby with everything I'm doing now, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't consider it for the future.

I've never liked the quote, "You can do anything, but not everything", because as Liz Lemon always said, "I can have it all."

Mermaid Nails

Things have been hectic lately. I mentioned on Twitter yesterday that I added a little bit of freelance work to my schedule, on top my full-time job. Yes, it's a lot, and it keeps me busy, but I absolutely love it. Before I started working, I thought a lot about how I would pursue both my passions (psychology and graphic design/blogging) at the same time. I'm finally doing it, but there are a lot of things I need to change. I'm balancing work and the freelance stuff perfectly, but I need to find a way to fit friends and family into the mix. The good news is that I'm slowly figuring out what I can give up versus what I need to keep, in terms of work. You live and you learn. *sigh*

As for self-care things, if you're following me on Instagram, you'll see that I've been going out for ice cream a lot lately. Ice cream dates are pretty much the highlight of my week, every week... along with the Jasmine Thompson station on Pandora. Is it even possible for every single song to be amazing on one channel?

If you've read this far, you're probably thinking, "What does this post have to do with mermaid nails?" Well, I realized that even though there are a lot of people are on Instagram, not all my readers on here are. Here are a few pictures I posted a while back of my nails painted with 'Charla' by Zoya. I had just watched a documentary on mermaids on the Discovery Channel, and was tempted to have mermaid-esque nails. So, there there you go!

pop can vase: Target $4 SALE

Let's Get Technical // 19

Spruce up your phone with this week's free wallpaper download, inspired by my favorite makeup item: nail polish!

To download this week's free wallpaper, simply save the image below, or click here.
View the previously featured wallpapers here.

Let's Get Technical // 18

This week's free wallpaper was inspired by a permanent marker brush I recently downloaded from deviantART. I couldn't find the exact link to the file, but if it helps, the brush set is called "Grunge Highlights", and it's by Shadowed Force.

Download this week's free phone wallpaper here, or simply save the image above.

View the previously featured wallpapers here!

Wishlist: Home Decor

Ever since I started working at my current job, I've been obsessed with decorating, and searching for bargain items to put in my office. The downside to the second half of that (bargain hunting), is that it takes a lot of work. I decided to go crazy last night, and make a list of things I would buy, if funds were unlimited (a girl can dream, right?). Here are six of those things: 1. Ceramic Bowl (similar concept here) $48 2. Gold and Black Utensils via Diane von Furstenberg (similar, without black handles here) $80 3. Wire Pineapple $60 4. Geometric Cage Lamp via Etsy $88 5. Salt and Pepper Shakers via Nordstrom $23 6. Hanging Ceramic Planters via Etsy $120

Let's Get Technical // 17

This week's free wallpaper was inspired by the start of spring, and my excitement over daylight savings. I can't explain how nice it's been to be able to come home from work at 6:30pm and still have it be light out. I feel like I can do so much more, like take Oliver outside, and snap Instagram photos without them being super grainy.

Download this week's free wallpaper here, or simply save the image in this post. You can also find a second version, where the flowers aren't textured, here!
Check out all the previously featured wallpapers here!

**Curious to know more about the graphic? Here is a fun fact about it:
-- All flowers and letters were hand-drawn and written by me, using a Bamboo Tablet.

Braided Up-Do

When I was a kid, one of the many things I wanted to be when I grew up was a hairstylist. I'd do all the neighbor girls' hair, take pictures of each masterpiece, and put all the photos in an album (which I still have! :)). I sometimes think about where I'd be if I decided to pursue hair, but don't regret the path I did choose to take, because I know that I can always do hair for fun... like I did in these pictures. Thanks for being such an awesome model, E!

This hairstyle was inspired by this tutorial.

beautiful bouquet arranged by Jenn Elliot Blake

Let's Get Technical // 16

This week's free wallpapers were inspired by my latest obsession with watercolors, and the talents of  Eva Black and Breanna Rose, two designers I've been religiously following since I discovered them last month. The text is handwritten by me, and the watercolor brushes, you can find here.

Download this week's free wallpapers here, here, or here, or simply save the images in this post.

Also, don't forget to check out the previously featured wallpapers here!

Adventures in Downtown Seattle

R and I have made it a goal to try one new restaurant in Seattle each month. So far, we've been to Cafe Champagne and Morsel. As I've said many times, I'm so lucky to have a foodie as a best friend. If it weren't for her, my Instagram and palette wouldn't be nearly as exciting as they are now.

Here are a few photos from our walk down to Cafe Champagne. A separate post about the cafe itself will be posted next week! Stay tuned.

Let's Get Technical // 15

This week's free wallpaper is dedicated to two of my best friends E, and B, who have taught me how to have unconditional positivity and optimism.

"Everything is wonderful." --Everclear

Download this week's free wallpaper here.

View the previously featured wallpapers here.

Be Happy

Camel Trend

If you search the keywords, "camel trend", you'll find articles dating back to 2009 (and possibly before). In the fashion world, that's pretty far back, considering how the life of a trend is usually no longer than a few seasons, with two or three being the maximum. When styles stick around for as long as the camel one has, they become a classic.

Paired with hues of black, white, ivory, and peach, camel can instantly add an effortless, yet sophisticated vibe to any outfit. Here are my recommended items for incorporating camel into your wardrobe, as we transition from winter to spring:

1. Wool Coat via Aritzia $250
2. Suede Boots via H&M $59.95
3. Danielle Nicole Crossbody Bag via Nordstrom $58
4. Oversized Round Glasses via Forever 21 $5.80
5. Suit Pants via H&M $34.95
6. Leopard Print Interior Sunglasses via Nordstrom $22
7. Camden Tote via Madewell $188
8. V-Neck Top via H&M $9.95

Let's Get Technical // 14

Last month, I was presented with an awesome opportunity to design 10 phone wallpapers for The Girls of Lincoln Park. View and download them all here!

Have a great week!

Dusty Lavender Sweater

sweater: Bobeau via Nordstrom Rack (gifted from R) //jeggings: TJ Maxx //necklace: Forever 21 (gifted from K) //eye rings: Charming Charlie (gifted by G's sister, B) and Moorea Seal //bracelet: made it myself //cross-body bag: Michael by Michael Kors //booties: Tildon via Nordstrom

This past Christmas, my stylish BFF, R, gifted me this sweater. Dusty lavender isn't a color I'd usually reach for, but after trying it on, I came to really love it. To complete the look, I piled on my latest obsessions: gold jewelry, black accessories with gold hardware (e.g., the cross-body bag, and booties), and black jeggings.

Let's Get Technical // 13

This past weekend, G and I watched the movie, Amelie. The setting takes place in France and features a 20-something waitress (Amelie) that spends her free time going on adventures to improve the lives of others. Along the way, she even finds love. The plot is basic, but the characters and events are unique enough to capture your attention.

A quote that stuck out to me was, "You can't be a vegetable. Even artichokes have hearts." You'll have to watch the movie to learn about the context of the quote, but all in all, I highly recommend it. The story is quirky, comical, and lighthearted. Perfect for a quiet night in!

Click here to download this week's free wallpaper, or simply save the image below.
Check out the previously featured wallpapers here!

Layering with Chambray

chambray shirt: Urban Outfitters (old) //sweater: Nordstrom B.P. (no longer available)//eye ring: Moorea Seal //thumb ring: Charming Charlie //necklace: Nordstrom (similar here) //sunglasses: Moorea Seal //jeggings: Jolt via Nordstrom B.P.

Confession: I've been terrible at keeping a consistent blogging schedule lately because I've been exhausted with work. I took these outfit photos last weekend, and finally got around to editing them yesterday. Before I started my job, I thought to myself, "Hah, blogging can't be that hard on top of a job. I'm going to work 40 hours, make at least three posts a week, and still be able to 'have it all' (props to those who watched 30 Rock!)" Even though I've been doing it for years, I never really realized how much time it took to plan and execute a post. Being a perfectionist doesn't really help either... buuut as tired as I am at the end of the day, my love for blogging, and designing, and the  kind feedback I get from all of you (especially on here, and Instagram!) are the things that keep me going. So, thanks for the encouragement! Really. :)

I was excited to show you guys this post today because it's of an outfit I've been obsessed with lately. I've had this chambray shirt for a year or two, and haven't ever really styled it with anything besides black jeggings and tall boots, mostly because I was never a fan of the alternative-- layering with sweaters and sweatshirts. I felt like the look was too masculine for me, but recently, decided to give this trend another chance. I got this sweater for Christmas from my mom, and paired with the chambray shirt, and a few of my favorite gold accessories, the outfit suddenly became a million times more feminine. Talk about the impact of jewelry.

What are some of your favorite ways to wear chambray button-ups? And-- how do you balance work and blogging?

teacup: Starbucks 2013 holiday collection

Let's Get Technical // 12

Today's free wallpaper was inspired by President's Day! Abraham Lincoln, to be exact. Download it here, or simply save the above image.
Want to switch things up? Check out the previously featured wallpapers here!

Harry Potter Cards for Charity

Last week, I had the opportunity to design eight Harry Potter-themed cards for an upcoming charity event for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. As embarrassing as it is to admit, I've only read the first book in the series, so I had to do quite a bit of research to find relevant themes and symbols before I started making the cards. Despite the hurdles, in the end, I was more than happy with the outcome. Thank the design gods for friends who love Harry Potter, and the internet!