Blogher 2014

Hello my friends!

I will be gone here to Blogher 2014 for  few days

But you can follow along my trip via Instagram!

I will be back soon

to share what I've learned!

As always

 I wish you love  and joy

as you style your life!

Discovering LA's Art District

This weekend Jeff and I once again 

made our way to downtown LA

this time on another  buying trip for 

some needed jewelry supplies.

In an attempt to see new things

Jeff drove into the city a new way

and 

that simple decision

led us to discover

LA's Art District!

I didn't even know there was one in LA!

We quickly finished our business

in the downtown jewelry market

and 

drove right back to explore the Art District!

There is so much new building going on
in DTLA's Art District

including this mixed use  apartment complex with
a staggering 493 units

One Santa Fe

As well as a world class art galleries going in!

But it is the old train warehouses

that have this area

so infused with character. 

Much of the Art District is made up of 

redeveloped train warehouses

that used to be the LA work horses

during  an era when train transportation moved the city's goods.

This area was wine vines back in the 1890's
then citrus groves
that needed trains to take the crops across the United States.

The buildings in the background

show just how close the old epicenter of transport

is to LA's newest epicenter of commerce.

First on our exploration agenda …

Finding lunch

at the Americano.

Located in another 

redeveloped train warehouse  building

it was a pure lunching delight!

Speaking of delightful

we found the Pie Hole

which served so many versions

from savory to sweet

including their very own version of pop tarts!

I was ever so happy I brought my colorful pieces for 

my change from 

the basics I wear when sourcing supplies in downtown.

I simply change jacket and shoes from my base of white jeans
nautical stripes, Panama hat and walking flats
this time to my

red silk embroidered jacket from Chinatown 

my Kate Spade silk stripe shoes

paired perfectly with my 

fabulous basket from Madagascar

a most charming gift from

Andrea of 
The French Basketeer.

If you haven't found Andrea yet

go check out her blog

she is currently writing of her time in Beaune France!

My sun parasol

another gift from a dear friend

( Laurie I told you I would find the most perfect use for this beauty!)
fit in  this colorful area!

I have never seen as many permits for upcoming filming dates!

This site had three separate permits for the upcoming week

of national commercials being shot on this site alone!
This is one of the most filmed locations in the world
 and I can see why!

The whole neighborhood 

felt like a film lot

with artful back drops abounding

as well as chic and inventive shops!

We discovered the very chic Guerrilla Atelier

located in anther old warehouse space

with a sales staff with such fabulous personal style

they made my heart giddy!

As stylish as the area is

there are reminders everywhere

that this is still a very urban area

under redevelopment.

Wurstkuche another new concept

where they serve a bounty of hand crafted German sausages

and craft beers,

You wait in line to place your order

then have an opportunity 

to sit at large community tables

laden with mustard assortments,

We were invited into 

Lili Lakich's gallery and working studio

for one of the rare times she opens up for the public.

Lilli is a world renowned artist

whose specialty is working in neon.

Lilli is a forerunner in the neighborhood

she told us she has been in the building for over 30 years

and
 has seen the neighborhood evolve

over the years into what is becoming a world class destination for art

with the coming openings of even more galleries.

We found the Bourbon restaurant

where we had the utmost delight in meeting Kurt Ehrilch

who has actually been the chef for not just 

one president, but two.

He was a presidential chef for both

Nixon and Regan.

We had such an amazing day of new discoveries

all because

we were willing 

to take the road less traveled (for us)

and 

meet the opportunity

with an open heart!

And we even got to bring home pie!

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life

linking up with
Monday Mingle

I'm Going To Another Blogging Conference … Notes to Myself On How Not To Lose My Mind

I will be attending another blogging conference next week

so I wanted to remind myself 

how not to lose my mind while I'm there.

In an arena with not only so much new information

but 

so many accomplished women as well

I have learned

when attending

to go in with specific intent

so as not to come out 

dazed and intimidated

wondering

"What in the world have I done with my life?"

I will

 Remember to respect my own story.

 Life is not a competition.  We all have our own paths in life 

as well as our own peaks and valleys as we travel our journey.

I  will respect how hard I have worked 

to be authentically  me in this moment.

Comparison is always a thief of joy.

I will remember to celebrate the accomplishments of others

without holding my life up to compare.

I will remember

Not to judge my own life movie

to someone else's highlight  reel.

I will not compare my insides

to someone else's outsides.

I will be open to new ways of working.

I will listen well

take notes
learn

but not expect I can immediately

put new ideas into practice

no matter how great they sound at the time.

I will engage intently to new ideas

while still knowing

they will still need time 

to manifest and digest

before they can turn into actions.

I will remain open to the experience of the conference

this moment in time

ready to gather all the good I can find.

I will be looking for the sacred 

that can come from shared life experiences.

I will remember

when I feel nervous, scared

or

 just uncomfortable

to show up

and 

be a blessing

not a bitch.

I will not in my discomfort
fall prey
to gossiping
or
 finding fault with others.

I intend to use my energy
only to learn
connect
and
 empower myself
and
others.

I will never try to build myself up
by bringing others down.

I will  remind myself

although I am at a conference to gain new knowledge

in my field

I am really here

for the human connections

especially with the friends I love

and 

want to celebrate and support!

I will recognize

that sometimes

when I get uncomfortable

I have a tendency

to slip into

critical judgement

whether it be of myself or others.

I will at those times remind myself

I have grown past 

my first reactions

of judgement

and

 now

will dig deep during those times

to go outside of myself

to find the beauty and truth

in the moment .

I will remember

the best

most sacred moments in life

aren't about me

but rather

in the true connecting with others.

The sharing of stories

the true connecting of souls.

I will not let my ego

drown out potential

sacred moments

but rather 

I will travel with the intent

of what good can I do 

in any given moment.

Lastly

I will remember

to respect the alone time I do need

to recharge

and 

refocus

in order to be able

be do the most good I can.

I will remember to pack

grace for self

so I will have plenty to share with others.

My intent for my trip

is to not only be open

to sacred moments

but

to actually seek them out.

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life

A Simple Vintage Statement Necklace DIY

I made a vintage statement necklace 

for my darling daughter for her college graduation.

I used some keepsake pieces 

that she had had since she was little.

Pieces that otherwise would never be worn again.

Ellis also prefers her jewelry

much less bold than my self

so this statement necklace was a perfect opportunity 

to try a new technique in it's creation.

I was also able  to use many vintage earrings

instead of just brooches

as I wanted the necklace to finish much simpler.

I have found vintage earrings to be even easier

and less expensive to find 

at vintage and flea markets.

This necklace is also the perfect way to make use of

single earrings

giving them a new life 

and purpose.

This simple version of my 

vintage statement  necklace

begins just the same as my larger necklace

with a beaded woven base.

This type of base to begin with is the secret to 

this much easier necklace process.

Just like last time

have all of your pieces gathered

and lay them out in 

your desired pattern.

For the earrings I simply

removed the back clips

with my wire cutters.

For the collectable pins

I also just removed the back findings.

The trick to making this necklace

so easily

all the pieces are simply 

hot glued on!

Because of the beaded base

that acts as a mesh 

the pieces adhere wonderfully!

Ellis has worn her necklace often

with no casualties!

Another trick to be sure

is to make sure there is enough glue

used so that it really attaches to the beads

pressing the piece down hard

and hold it in place for 20-30 seconds 

for the best adherence.

Because of the weave of the base

the glue doesn't even seep through

resulting in not only

a much quicker process

then wiring each piece on

but the back look clean and finished as well!

I am ever so happy 

how this 

Simple Vintage Statement Necklace 

turned out!

Not only beautiful

but full of sentiment as well!

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life

An Easy Breezy Picnic Look

On Friday's I really enjoy getting dressed for our date night.

but come Saturday

it's usually all about comfort and ease.

I packed my basket with drinks and a blanket

and 

Jeff and I stopped at a little iconic

beach deli  in Corona Del Mar for sandwiches

then

headed to China Cove

for a sunset picnic.

I was ever so happy with this outfit.

It was  so comfortable

but still pulled together

and 

with my trusty Birkenstock sandals

I could  even walk for miles

as well as sit comfortably at our picnic.

My sweatshirt top is from Target this spring season

as are my skirts.

And yes I do mean skirts

as I bought two in neighboring sizes

and 

used the smaller as a slip underneath.

This gave the skirt a beautiful movement and drape.

My skirts were also from Target this spring season

so buying one as a slip

was no problem.

Finishing off the outfit

with perfect summer ease

my Montecristo Panama I bought in Napa.

Jeff and I are lucky enough to go to some really great

bars and restaurants

but our little simple picnic

on the beach

 in the harbor

watching the boats as the sky gave a show

rivaled the best of them.

I think we might just have a new 

Saturday night tradition.

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life

Linking up with

The Pleated Poppy