Breaking out of the mold

Last week while hangin' with my friend Heather Mann, we talked about the fact that we don't wear jewelry all the time cause we don't think it is "exactly" our style. I guess if you had to ask, I like small lockets, trinkets, things with very unique flair, and big hoops for earrings. Anything with a twist.

The thing is, finding exactly the perfect piece isn't easy...I don't even know if alot of the things I determine my style to be are even out there!

We both made a pact to start trying to mix it up and wear more jewelry even if we don't feel it is our style. Often times, I have an outfit on, but I fail miserably at accessorizing cause I don't have "my style" of piece to go with it. So I often end up looking much more boring than I should.

So with our pact in mind, we both purchased the necklace above. It is really sparkly, bold, shiny, and way bigger than I would ever wear. And I wore it with confidence. Just because it isn't my perfect style, doesn't mean I can't have fun with it and rock it!

After all, I think I do have a pretty loud personality, might as well play it up every now and then.

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

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Is technology disengaging you from your life?

The past few days I've been very thoughtful about a lot of things. One of my major issues is the amount of time I spend on the computer/iPhone and the amount of satisfaction I get back from it.

Now, just so you're aware, I spend my 9-5 in front of the computer and some of that time involves social media. This means everything from posting to Facebook and Twitter to writing blog posts and looking up inspirational ideas. I personally find this type of online work very rewarding and see instant feedback from the things I post. In my own personal time, it's a bit different.

I find that a lot of my personal time spent online these days is rather aimless. I check in with my e-mail, Twitter, Facebook, and blog multiple times a day. I have fallen into a behavior pattern and I'm sure a lot of you can relate to. I don't know what it is, but it almost feels empty and draining. It's like I'm searching for that next "feel good" tweet directed at me or an e-mail that will provide me with an uplifting moment in my day. I know this isn't healthy behavior and I need to seriously evaluate my time and how much I devote to my online activities.

Sometimes I think that the amount of time I spend in my aimless meandering of FB and Twitter streams, I could actually be exercising or preparing myself healthier foods or actually be making a craft. I have felt like this for a while and realize I need to take action in some way or another. I think it would be a positive change for the better.

And by no means do I mean I would stop cold turkey, deactivate my accounts, etc. I just think I need to be more of the moment and not in a vegetative state when it comes to technology. I need to use it with purpose to engage, promote, and learn. And then also step away from it for hours at a time too so I can get back to living. Not so long ago, I was "unplugged" and I seemed ok with that...though I have to admit, I would have killed for iphone when I was younger, I remember many boring moments waiting in my dad's truck for him to finish a conversation. Haha.

Can anyone relate to this? Do you guys feel that technology is disengaging you from your life? I'd love to hear your feedback. I know it just can't be me!

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

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My Vintage Sewing Travel Case

I'm not much of a seamstress, but I'd have to be pretty silly not to pass this little 70's number down, don't you think? It's a cute plastic sewing case I got at Yoshi Now a while back in Fresno. I think it's so adorable and the colors make me really happy. I can see Marsha Brady using it, that is when she's not doing her other fave activity...brushing her hair.


Here's the inside. Can you believe I got it for just a buck? SCORE! I love little vintage steals.

Big things really do come in small packages!

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

Playing with type

I love all the quote art I've seen on sites like Pinterest. It's amazing to me the stuff people come up with. Admittedly, I'm usually pretty envious of illustrators abilities to do lettering.

So tonight I needed to snap out of that mode and make my own Type/Quote art. I had drawn this little saying on notebook paper, but it was pretty blah. I decided to cut it out and put it on a masonite board with some of my paint markings. I rarely make marks without thinking about them in my design, so the background is actually a random and fun departure for me cause it is very unintentional!

Anyway, it turned into a fun little personal project. Here's just a bit of my story if you're interested in reading it :)

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

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Yes, my boyfriend is a DIYer too!

Check it out! My boyfriend made me this cool fruit bowl. It is made from a circle base and dowel rods! A couple weeks back we went to the Soma in San Francisco and saw one of these on sale for $38. Instead, William made me one for $5. Cool, huh? I would show you the one it is based on, but I can't find it online!

Yep, he's the best boyfriend ever!

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

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P.S. I added this to the following linky party!

TaterTots and Jello Weekend Wrapup Party!

Free Font Goodness: League Gothic

I love a good solid font that really has something to say, whether it be on a button, poster, or used for a cool attention-grabbing headline. League Gothic is one of those fonts.

Here's how I put it to use! I'm not totally sure about the crop here, how would you position the text? Admittedly, text placement has always miffed me a bit. Also, it didn't upload exactly in the right placement, but I've already tried to fix it 5 times and I can't fiddle with it anymore!



I have a little thing for reds and pinks together if you can't tell!

Read about and download League Gothic here. It's a contribution to the Open Source Type Movement.

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

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Swell inspiration of the Day

How amazing is this armoire? I love bold colors like this for furniture! Via the Decorista! Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

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Do a Dollop of Daisy

I know the title is cheesy as heck, but I think my gerby daisies were just too pretty not to share! Oh, and I can't forget about the French Bull paper they are sitting on! They have a great new collection at Michaels! By the way, I just learned they do houseware stuff...check out these trays, serving sets and collections! LOVE!





Gerber daisies are a favorite of mine, what flower is your go-to flower?

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

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Rosette Flip Flop DIY

I was super excited about making this summery project the moment I spotted the super cute striped flip flops at Payless! Yep, for just 3 bucks I bought a pair of these swell kicks! I thought I would add my own DIY spin by adding tie dye rosettes from an old t-shirt I created with a Tulip® One-Step dye kit!



There are tons of tutorials on the net for making these little rosettes. Here's a great tutorial from The Blonde Style to make one. Like her, I used Aleene's® Original Tacky Glue™ to make mine!

Here's a little detail of the rosettes. Aren't they sweet?



I did secure arrange the little rosettes in order before I placed them on and hot glued them to the flip flops.



I think they turned out super cute and summery, don't you?

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

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Swell inspiration of the Day

I love this DIY striped floor created with Vinyl Floor tape. It looks amazing! Via Decor Hacks!

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

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More Cool Stuff from the San Francisco Renegade Craft Fair!

Here's more of the goodies I got at the Renegade Craft Fair this past weekend!

As you can see above, I'm a sucker for candles. Pure Palette had some of the most amazing and clean scents. I am in heaven!



Speaking of scents, I am one never to turn a good pumpkin spice one down. I gotta get ready for fall, y'all! Thank you Orchard Farms!


I've admired Uppercase magazine for awhile, so I finally got my hands on several issues!! It's such a cool artsy/bloggy/illustrative mag. You should check it out!!



I've also had a weakness for wrapping paper the psst couple of weeks. I think this sheet by Viva Greetings isn't going to get used for wrapping, it's totally getting framed!

I also purchased a goodie for Christmas for William, and this shirt for William's niece Sophie from Pinecone and Chickadee.



Oh and I almost forgot...a cute bag like this from Miss Alison! I love vinyl and glitter!



Wendy and I had a great time! I don't need to go to another one for awhile!! I could become obsessed!

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

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Swell inspiration of the Day

Alphabet from Sea Stones from MamaTita's shop. Wonderful and whimsical!!

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

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Swell inspiration of the Day

Loving this Spoon Wreath by the Nesting Place. Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

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Fun at the Renegade Craft Fair

This is my new "helvetica" necklace by Plastique. If you're a graphic design nerd, you may have seen their KE RN rings. I got it yesterday at the San Francisco Renegade Craft Fair. I went there with my friend and co-worker Wendy! It was one of the best craft shows I've been too. There were like 100 vendors...everything from candles and soap to plushies and jewelry.

They also had some fun make-it take it demos. For $10 bucks you could make a cool toy charm bracelet. I chose to make mine out of black, red, and off white charms. I added numbers too. It turned out super cool I think. Their little crafting area was decked out in old board games to craft on. Super cute idea!



Tomorrow I'll show you some of the fun things I saw and other things I bought. I spent way too much money! It's so easy to do when you are there with all the cool stuff and it's one chance to buy it!

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

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Exploratorium Fun

The other day I went to the San Francisco Exploratorium for the first time. It was really cool! I've been to similar hands-on museums in the past, but nothing like this. It's a definite must-see for anyone in the area. And let me forewarn you, it takes a lot of time to go through the exhibits, so you need to plan for a full day. We were only there 3 hours and got to see a smidgen of the stuff!

That's me above in the disproportion room. Ever since I was a little kid, I've wanted to go into one of the rooms and I finally had my chance. Haha, a brother and sister pair kept running around in there while I was taking pictures and at one point she pushed him down and he looked up at me saying, "Help me". Strange, but true.

They also had Colorfest going on, so there were all kinds of amazing attractions all about my favorite thing....color, of course!


Here's me under the RGB light.


And my William silhouetted on these cool colored plexiglass pieces you could move around and layer.


Here's me being stoic amongst the colors.


And William getting into action at one of the exhibits.


Outside was beautiful as well. I'm not sure what these Romanesque structures are called or built for but they were fun to walk around


We also took time to look out over the water near the presidio! I thought the geese were amazing to watch.

We had a great time! I will definitely want to go back in the future!

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

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Swell Inspiration of the Day

I think I'm in lurve! Via A Stylists Life

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

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Swell Inspiration of the Day

What a cool message!

(Via Bang Shot Dead 06)

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

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The Cutest Rings I Ever Did See

I realize my title is really bad grammer, but it seems like I've heard that phrase before.

Anyway, aren't these rings cute and darling? My friend Katie and I went to the Sierra Vista Mall arcade (it was a ghost town in there). Well, we played a little skeeball and twisted the prize guy's arm to give us a prize that was more than our actual ticket count. It wasn't really all that hard to do!

These rings are just so fun and cute and make me smile everytime I see them! I need more stuff in my life like that, don't you?

Other than the prize counter at a random arcade, I'm not sure where you can get these. I'm assuming Oriental Trading might be a good place to start!

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

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Swell Inspiration of the Day

You can't go wrong with bottlecaps. Photo by me :)

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

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