Loving everything about these three looks. So clean + effortless! Click below to find out how to get each look...
Look 1: + BA&SH Top with Piping Detail + Diane von Furstenberg New Boymuda Walking Shorts + Halogen 'Croco' Clutch + Alexander Wang Joan Leather Ankle Strap Pumps << The actual shoes from this look! + ASOS Leather Point Court Shoes with Cross Strap
I have a thing for self-portraits & clouds, I guess. I have about 3 or 4 photos just like this.
Reading:In Zanesville: A Novel. I just started this book so I'm only on page 14 (I actually just put my Kindle down to type up this post), but so far so good, if I can even judge it yet. It was a random book that Amazon recommended to me, and I've had good luck with their recommendations before, so I'm hoping this one follows suit. I think it's something about the summertime, but as soon as May rolls around I always find myself reading more than ever.
Watching: Rosemary's Baby. Again. This movie is in my top three movies of ALL TIME and I watch it often. I love everything about it- the story line, the architecture of the old buildings, the clothing (oh, the clothing!), and of course, Mia. And what I wouldn't give for a first edition copy of the actual novel, from 1967. If you haven't seen this film, rent it tonight! I know you'll love it in all of its creepy glory.
Thinking about: lots 'o blog stuff. I read an amazing post recently and it was everything I needed to hear- it's probably the best post about blogging I've ever read. So seriously, if you have a moment, check it out. It started a whole series of thoughts, especially since I'd already been thinking a lot about how I enjoy it most when I don't care or think about numbers or hits or page views and just write, and that's what I've been doing. I also really loved what Ryan said about negative comments and/or criticism. I used to get so bent out of shape by stuff like that but it doesn't bother me at all anymore. And not even the pretend "it doesn't bother me at all" then go obsess about it for 30 minutes kind of thing I used to do. I've evolved/grown up, whatever you want to call it, and I don't mind the negative stuff at all. If everyone agreed with me or loved me, that would be pretty boring, and I think it was important for me to come to the conclusion that if I put it out there, I am opening myself up to whatever may come, good opinions or bad. I'm happy to just go with the flow and it's awesome to have this sense of peace with it...I am almost 30 after all! Ha.
Loving: hot yoga. I've been going 3-4 times a week for the past few weeks and I am so in love with it. My sister, Mom, and a couple of my girlfriends had been going down in Phoenix for awhile and I'd wanted to try it forever. I attended a class of a friend up here and loved it, then ended up checking out a different studio with another friend of mine and really, really fell in love with it. It's been by far the best thing I've ever done for myself physically, and the benefits extend to my spiritual and emotional self too. I was scared to try it at first- all new things (especially new things in 90+ degree heat) can be a little intimidating, but if your local studio is anything like the one I go to it's absolutely worth giving it a try. And if you do, let me know what you think!
Anticipating: the month of May. There's always so much excitement going on- Mother's Day, Shirley's birthday, my birthday, our anniversary, and Hank's birthday (even though his is June 1st). Lot of love, lots of celebrations!
Listening to: Gaslight Anthem's new song from their album that will be released this summer. They are one of my favorite bands, and although I liked it I wasn't the hugest fan of their most recent album. From the sound of this song they have returned to their roots, and I am really excited to hear the rest of the tracks. This one is great!
Eating: salad. I'm on the biggest salad kick. I have a favorite homemade dressing I make that I've gotten all of my friends obsessed with too, and it makes every salad that much better.
Feeling thankful for: lots. Hank and his ability to snap me out of any bad mood I find myself in. Henry and his new "scaring everyone" game that leaves us laughing so hard we cry. Mexican food (always). The simple but often overlooked things- our home, enough food, etc. And for being able to spend free time exercising...this one is huge and I'm so grateful Hank and I make it a priority for both of us to get in gym/yoga time throughout the week.
How about you? What are you up to today? Feel free to do your own "currently" post on your blog and link back in the comments!
Drooling over Guinevere's embellished Isabel Marant vest + Givenchy shark tooth necklace! Click below to see more, including some AMAZE Balmain embellished pants. Plus find out how to get the look...
Get the look... + Isabel Marant Wolf Embellished Cotton Vest + Givenchy Large Metal Shark Tooth + Girl. by Band of Outsiders Turtleneck Sweater + ASOS Limited Edition Double Spike Earring + Eberjey Allie Beach Glow Bikini Bottoms + A.L.C. Mini Shark Tooth Necklace + Topshop Metallic Snakeskin Leather Jacket + ASOS Long Metal Spike Earrings + Michael Kors Embellished crepe straight-leg pants
Came across the cute line 'Sister Jane' over on ASOS + fell in love with these dresses. Love the sweet lace + tweed accented with edgy metal, leather + studs.
I have been quite busy the last few months with a lot of different projects, with little time to write posts on my blog. But to show you some new projects I've been working on; here's a new tattoo for my shoulder galleries. It's a mixed design with Maori elements and Samoan pattern. The images below show the design process in different steps. First I make a basic outline for the shoulder as a template. Then I use my pencil to sketch some flowing koru shapes. Normally I do the whole piece with pencil first and start tracing it when I'm finished. Today I was a bit impatient, and decided to trace parts of the tribal shapes. You see some Polynesian turtle patterns and Samoan spearheads and stylized fish.
Here you see half of the design traced with a black felt tip marker:
And a few pictures of the finished shoulder tattoo design
I also made a youtube movie of this Shoulder tattoo 156:
The tattoo is available for purchase on my website here.
Tomorrow I will be back with another design process!
I can't believe this was a year ago! Henry was so tiny.
Another Friday, another set of links, right? And this is going to sound weird, but I'm going to come right out and say it- I am typing this right now and hearing the Gossip Girl voice in my head. Not even kidding. I'm alllllmost caught up and right at the end of the current season and I'm SO INTO it. No spoilers but I'm right after episode 100 and I just watched three episodes in a row...hence hearing this blog read aloud in the GG voice. Call me crazy, I don't mind.
In other non-television news this week has been a good one. Nothing too notable, just very busy and full of hot yoga which makes me immeasurably happy. And luckily this weekend will be full of family and some pool time. I'm looking forward to seeing the lot where my sister and her husband are building their new house too- I'm so excited for them! I'm going to try to remember to take my camera out and about all weekend so hopefully on Sunday I'll have some fun photos to share. So until then.
oh and p.s., I thought I should tell you all, since I mentioned it in my last links post, that the morning after sharing my "ugh, I hate that my mouth is still swollen and I'm in post-wisdom teeth hell" rant, all pain subsided! It was a wisdom tooth (or lack of) miracle. Hallelujah!
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If you read one thing on this list, read this article, and then tell me what you think. Here's the first line: "TO Elisabeth Badinter, educated women who become stay-at-home moms have lost their minds." There's so much to say about this, but I'm curious to hear what you all think too. Thanks to Jillian for emailing it to me.
Head over to this post to see if you're the winner of the Homegrown giveaway. If you weren't the winner, you can get 15% off your order using code "sweet 15."
30 things every woman should have and know by the time she turns 30. Hmmm. What do you think?
Boston Terriers are the cutest dogs ever. I may be biased, but just look at this. Too adorable.
Some items I'd love to have in my closet, striped edition: one and two!
And finally, this makes you really stop and think...check out this Dad's time lapse video of his daughter growing up- from birth to age 12. What dedication!
Late on this one. While been to NYC my party mate MADEINCHOREA gave me a copy of his "Book Of Haloz Vol.1". Coming in an US postal mini parcel and containing an amazing long hand-printed fanfold drawing. To get a copy contact him her: kidlew@gmail.com
The premise of Literate & Stylish is simple, and the post is short but sweet- every Thursday I'll be showcasing a lovely lady and her favorite book. She'll share a few pretty photos showing off her personal style, along with her book of choice, and tell us why she loves it.
The Hunger Games is a trilogy that snuck up on me even though everyone assured me that I would love it. It's the story of a girl who has to grow up too fast, make decisions one should never have to make and do whatever it takes to ensure her family and friends are safe. You'll have no choice but to fall in love with the characters and cheer on even the worst of them at some point or another. With heroes like the struggling girl next door, the stylist/activist and the pitiful drunk. With villains in the form of a hegemonist, a materialistic society, a man with the power of life or death by button and unique mutations. With unexpected humor, inevitable sadness, real and palpable love instead of fairytale fluff and so much more, this book is one that pulled me in and still won't let go long after my eyes ferociously scanned the last sentence of Mockingjay. Don't let all of the Hollywood hype fool you into overlooking this story because if nothing else, it's an entertaining and easy read that is sure to stir up enough emotion that you just have to finish all three books! May the odds be ever in your favor...
Poppy Delevigne is such a beauty! Love the edge her sneakers give to the look. For a similar take, try this dress with one of these studded sneakers...
+KG by Kurt Geiger Lucciano Studded High Top Sneakers +Ash Vibration Bis Studded Sneakers +Bed Stu Studded Muddy Waters Sneakers
*EDIT* You can get the grey/silver studded version of Poppy’s Gienchi sneakers HERE.
I got Henry out of his crib this morning with a little more gusto than usual; it was his half-birthday after all, and I was ready to start our day! I hummed "Happy half-birthday to you, happy half-birthday to you" as I changed his diaper, picked out my favorite cardigan for him to wear, and got him ready for a day of running around town. His half-birthday was technically on Sunday, but since we already had a birthday party to attend that day followed by a busy Monday night, today was day we had designated to celebrate turning 18 months old.
It may sound silly, but it's always been important to us to make fun little family traditions like this. I had them growing up, and I love the idea of having something to look forward to every year...and in this case, every half year! So I went out and bought us two special cupcakes from our favorite local bakery- a coconut flavored one for Henry and a root beer float version for Hank and me to split.
When we got home I started typing up a little blog post too- "Henry: 18 months," and couldn't help but to wax a bit poetic yet again at how quickly time is going by. 18 months. Somehow this half of a year felt shorter than ever, if that was even possible. I took a break from blogging for a moment to upload a photo of the delicious-looking cupcakes to Instagram (Why yes! That is a root beer float cupcake with a mini straw!) and set my phone back down to type some more. A few notification dings later I picked it back up and saw a lot of "Henry was born in October like me! Yay!" and realized that yes, time had gone by very quickly. So quickly in fact, that I had skipped an entire month and was not two days late to celebrate Henry's half-birthday, but actually an entire month early! Oh, Mommy brain.
1.Céline Metal Heel Sandals >> I had been searching for the shorter version of these sandals forever + finally found them at Cahier d'Exercices! The store is a DREAM filled with sooo many goodies- Plus, they are offering free shipping to the US until the end of the month!
2. ASOS ID Plaque Bracelet >> Really into simple chunky chains lately. This one's Céline-inspired without breaking the bank + comes in silver as well.
3. ASOS Ear Cuffs >> Yes, yes, yes! I am obsessed with ear cuffs + these are my best find yet.
Name: Delane Lyn Age: 31 Occupation: SAHM/Aspiring Photographer/Aspiring Hair Stylist/ Mom Blogger. Also be sure to check out her family's tattoo shop - Timeless Tattoo in Menifee, CA. Age of first tattoo: 21 Favorite tattoo: Panther Head Featured tattoo/location: On My right knee cap Artist/shop/location of feature tattoo: Jay Chastain 13 Roses Tattoo in Georgia but, he is currently work at Rock Of Ages Tattoo in Texas.
1) Tell us about your featured tattoo- is there a background story about why you chose it, or maybe a special meaning?
Honestly no background on it. I just got it because I thought it would be a perfect tattoo. I fully dislike knees and think they are pretty ugly. What better way to make it pretty then to tattoo it!
2) Do you have any other tattoos? If so, what do you have and where?
I do have quite a few more tattoos. My legs, feet, toes, hands, neck, face, fingers, arms, chest, back, elbow. It is pretty safe to say I am heavily tattooed.
3) Do you plan on getting more?
I definitely plan to get more; I'm actually shooting for a full bodysuit! It's a work in progress.
4) How do your family and friends feel about your tattoos? Have you run into any adversity or negativity because of them? Do you have a significant other? Does he/she have tattoos?
At first my family didn't like the idea of me being tattooed. I remember them saying I would go to hell because of them. Now I think they are just used to them and realize they aren't going anywhere. My friends love my tattoos because most of my friends are tattooed and if they're not, they appreciate them. I have run into some negativity over how tattooed I am, at times it can be really annoying especially when I am with my kids. My 4 year old has started to notice people staring and will actually say "what are you looking at?"
People shake their heads and scowl at me all the time, although I know it comes with being as heavily tattooed as I am. The thing that makes up for having to deal with the judgement though, is when you have those little old ladies come up to you and want to tell you they love your "artwork" and then they show you there hidden tattoos that you would never think they had. My significant other is tattooed and tattoos for a living. The funny thing is, as a tattooer you would think he would be more tattooed then me but, sadly I hold the award for most tattooed in our household. LOL. He has sleeves and a few tattoos on his legs and one on his neck.
5) What's the most interesting experience you've ever had in regards to your tattoos?
The most interesting experience has got to be going to Disneyland. I know you are asking why...well my lower left leg is a work in progress and is all Yo Gabba Gabba.. Yes I just said Yo Gabba Gabba. ;) Every time we go and my legs are exposed, I get so many parents and kids loving the leg. The most memorable experience for me was a few days after going to Disneyland a friend named Parker posted a link on my Facebook wall to a blog post. This blogger was Toodee from Yo Gabba Gabba and there were photos of me and my leg. It was pretty cool to see it but, wished she would have said who she was because that would have been pretty amazing too. :)
6) Any advice for those interested in getting tattooed but haven't gotten one yet?
Research, Research, Research! Take your time to pick out what your going to get and don't settle for some garage tattooer or someone who is cheaper. You get what you pay for.
I just started this book so I'm only on page 14 (I actually just put my Kindle down to type up this post), but so far so good, if I can even judge it yet. It was a random book that Amazon recommended to me, and I've had good luck with their recommendations before, so I'm hoping this one follows suit. I think it's something about the summertime, but as soon as May rolls around I always find myself reading more than ever.
by Suzanne Collins 
