Child’s Play

Ever since I can remember I had always loved coloring books. Even as I “out grew” these toddler deemed entities I continued to enjoy coloring between the lines. I mean they tell you color outside the lines, think outside the box, but my OCD tendencies told me otherwise…upon penalty of wasting a perfectly outlined Princess Ariel you will color inside the marked boundaries of said published book’s pages!  

Which was perhaps why I was more than elated to stumble across the one (and only that I know of) Color Your Own Dress. Complete with its own special set of markers this concept is not only one-of-a-kind but genius. Originating from a factory in the Netherlands, of course it would be some super random place, you can actually purchase the dress online for a mere $341.00.

That’s one expensive coloring book, but still, totally worth it!

xo CpFashionista

Dear Santa

Not that I have written a letter to Santa in quite some time, but the premise of doing so still maintains the same magical quality it did when I was six. It’s the one time of year you actually get to list out the things you have collaboratively hoped for over the duration of the year.

And when you wake up on Christmas morning some elusive man in a red suit will have carefully selected the items on your list and lovingly wrapped and placed them under your tree.  Interesting concept if you really stop and think about it.

While making lists still entertains me to no end, the actual content has continued to change over the years. From “What I Want For Christmas” to ” What to Get Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister, Boyfriend, Grandma, etc., etc,” it would seem that what we hold important to us steadily changes as well.

No longer is the most exciting part of Christmas waking up at 6 am and opening stockings (ok, it’s still one of the most exciting parts), but even more so is simply arriving home Christmas Eve and seeing my dad waiting in the terminal at the end of the escalator. I find more joy in the little things. Watching my little sister’s excitement as she opens presents is way more fun than actually opening presents, snuggling by the fire, sipping hot cocoa and eating cinnamon rolls around the Christmas tree, the piles of wrapping paper and ribbon that threaten to take over the living room, the Christmas music playing in the background.

 

Nothing compares to the warmth of being surrounded by my family and those I love most.

Happy happy Christmas! Enjoy the little things!

XoXo CPfashionista

Count ‘em

This time of year always has a way of making you appreciate things you don’t generally stop to recognize any other month of the year. A new found excitement takes root in the very soul of December and makes people merry simply because they are alive.

With tomorrow being Thanksgiving and being that I am just so very thankful for so many things, I would like to take a minute to count my blessings.

I am thankful for a wonderful family I able to road trip home to for the holidays!

I am thankful for way too much yummy food and lots and lots of apple pie!

I am thankful for having a job I absolutely love! (And for good fitting jeans!)

I am thankful for the amazing man in my life who I so adore!

I am thankful for four-day weekends!

I am thankful for love and life!

I am thankful for health and happiness!

I am thankful for faith!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone,

XoXo cp

Piece of Mind

At the end of the day when my brain has had just about all it can possibly take, the only thing I really want is a little piece of my mind back. I’m not asking for the whole thing, I will gladly leave most of the multi-tasking overloaded stressed out part on my desk to pick up tomorrow, I just need a couple clear-headed thoughts of my own to take home with me and use at my discretion.  

If I could manage the above master-of-yoga pose perhaps I could release a little energy through “healing” positions, but unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) I would rather not fold myself into a pretzel in an attempt to relax. I much prefer a leisurely walk at sunset, which today in particular I cannot wait to get home to do.

Enjoy your evening hours….

XoXo cpFashionista

Dreaming Tree

I am perhaps more fascinated than most with the extremely simple things around me. In part because everything can be seen in terms of its artistic composition; what it can be, instead of what it actually is. Have you ever admired, I mean really studied and thought about, graffiti on freeway overpasses as you are sitting in 5 o’clock rush hour traffic? I know most of the time I’m too busy planning my next snack or anxiously anticipating the  5:26  ”que to call” to win concert tickets. But there’s more to it than just a rebellious display of stolen spray paint.

Art is everywhere and I love how easily this expression translates to such complacent characteristics of every day life. Most obviously fashion and design and all elements in between. It’s amazing how boho chic #1 can see a cute Urban Outfitter’s piece as a pull on skirt and citygirl #2 will pull it off just as flawlessly as a tube top…creativity and versatility, two landmark traits every fashionista should possess.

Well, sometimes I like to pretend to be this creative and play “interior designer” (insert laughter). This past weekend, with the help of my real artist boyfriend, we pulled out our paint brushes and played with Kelly Moore for the day. Needless to say…we now have quite the impressive artistic tree taking over an entire bedroom wall in what can only be described as a beautiful conception of color. So now I have my very own dreaming tree!

What do your walls say to you??

XoXo CpFashionista

Moving On Up

One of the great, generally overlooked and under-appreciated, perks of moving (yes, I said benefits of moving!) is that you get to clean out your closet in the most thorough way possible. Piece…by piece….by piece. Now I’m not saying I particularly enjoy the act of moving, in fact I can think of about a million things I would rather be doing than moving. However, if there is one thing I have gotten out of the whole thing other than a heightened level of stress and severe dust inhalation, is that I am optimally organized to my own satisfactory standards….finally!

And the best part of all…I found my most favorite black summer sweater that had been missing for over ONE whole YEAR! I had finally come to terms with the realization that it was in fact gone forever. And then on a sunny Saturday as I stood knee deep in jeans, dresses, and far too many hoodies there it was.  Precariously hanging by a thread (literally) among a sea of tanks and tops at the very back of my closet….my beloved cardigan! I shrieked with excited as my packing partners looked at me in what can only be described as skeptical amusement, for I was more excited about this one sweater than I was about any other belonging in my entire bedroom.

Needless to say this little discovery made my day…and hours of sorting and packing…nearly worthwhile. 

I give to you some packing/ moving/ sanity-saving tips for your next relocation:

• Do not panic! Think in terms of one project at a time and it won’t seem so unattainably anxiety provoking. I proceeded to pack ONE room at a time, and magically the ”stuff” turned into neatly organized (and labeled!!) boxes.
• In an effort to eliminate as you go, designate Keep, Give Away, and Throw-away. Note: If you have to debate between give-it-away and throw-it-away, it should probably be laid to rest in the garbage…just a thought. Also, if you wore in high-school, no one wants to see that anymore…get rid of it!
• Outlining detailed lists on the outside of your perfectly packed boxes makes unpacking and finding things much easier…if you have a super artistic boyfriend around lists can be substituted for hilarious pictures, i.e. think Sharpie drawn dancing iron, DVDs wearing sunglasses, etc.

Now get a move on…

XoXo cpFashionista