DECORATING TO DO LIST

Ever since moving into my new place, I've had a bit of a "to do list" of things I want to do, but money or time never seems to come into play to getting these things accomplished. 

Here are my top four: 

ONE: Unique ways to display art on the cheap via apartment therapy 

TWO: Using pennants to cheer up a kid's room 

THREE: Rustic wide planked floors 

FOUR: Atomic style planter and plastic shell chair (my dream one is the rocking chair style) and antique rugs 

Do you have any items on your decorating wish list? 

MamaBird & BabyBird Style

Ok, so I know it's a little quirky to dress in matching outfits with your kid...but c'mon this coordinated ensemble is stinking cute! I find myself kind of obsessed with my chambray shirt dress. It's so casual and comfortable with being more than jeans and a t-shirt. I found mine for $7 at a thrift store, but this Target one is only $16! And if I walk away with anything from this style board is that I am grounded in my belief that foxes look appropriately adorable for both little boys and moms.

GRAPHIC WORKOUT

Two free wallpapers! I've recently found some photoshop brushes that I've become obsessed with and wanted to make a few wallpapers. Download and enjoy!

Oh, My Darling |  Forest Fox

A LITTLE Q&A WITH EMILY RICHE

{Matilda B. at Alegria Fashion Show in New Orleans}

Fresh off of showing her newest line at Alegria just this past weekend, Emily Riché (pronounced ree-shay), a New Orleans-based fashion designer of the line Matilda B., sat down with me to answer a few questions about her life's passion for making gorgeous garments. Although she is completely down to earth and sweet as pie, Emily has every reason to brag. She not only won Alegria 2013, and the People's Choice Award for Uncommon Thread 2011, but she's shown at the New Orleans Fashion Week twice.

When and how did you start learning to sew? 

I started learning how to sew about 12 years ago. My mom taught me. She is a beautiful sewer. She lives in Dallas so when we visited each other we would make something together. A skirt, a baby outfit, curtains. After about 5 years of sewing as a hobby I became very passionate about making clothes. The more I learned, the more I wanted to sew. My mom got me started, but much of my education now is self-taught. 

How did you come up with your line's name?

My line is named Matilda B. It was a nickname my dad had for me. When I was a child, my aunt and grandmother joked they were kidnapping my sister and I instead of bringing us to our parents. And they said they were renaming me Matilda Boomerang. I cried and cried ...over the name, not the kidnapping. Anyway, the nickname stuck. My dad passed away after Katrina, before any of my sewing success. So the name is a tribute to him.

Do you have a process for making your collections? 

I spend months researching. Months. I study fashion magazines for trends, I make mood boards, watch movies, make a million sketches, study sewing books. I overload my self with a bunch of inspiration and information, I buy fabrics, then I just dive in and start sewing. I'm always surprised with how a collection turns out. It usually never ends up being what I thought it would be but I see all my research in the finished product.

How has been being a mom of three boys impacted your time for designing? How have you learned to manage all of that? 

Being a working mother of 3 is my biggest challenge. I work out of a studio at home and it's hard to work without interruption with 3 boys in the house. I take it one day at a time and drink a lot of coffee. I don't have the juggling act figured out yet but I know I want both a family and a career, and I'll put up with lack of sleep and gray hair till I do figure it out.

What was the worst disaster to happen when making a project? How did you handle and fix what happened? 

Hmmm. There have been many disasters. Big shout out to hot glue guns and safety pins! The worst was when I made a mistake on a bridesmaid's dress. I don't know how it happened but it came out way too short. You could see her underwear. I had to make an entirely new dress overnight. I check, double check, and triple check hems now.

Do you feel like a pro now that you've done it for a few years or is every time different and nerve-wrecking? 

I am starting to feel like a pro. People recognize me around town and my work is known in the industry, which blows me away. But there is always a time while I'm sewing a collection when I feel like a total loser, that everything sucks, it's all wrong. This time usually comes after very little sleep and too much coffee. But I get over it pretty quick. I think artists have a responsibility to accept that some people won't like your work and to just do what you are inspired to do regardless of anyone else.

If you could name a few influences that help you find your brand's identity what would you name? 

Tough question. I guess I really enjoy the freedom to make whatever the heck I want to. I just finished my Fall 2013 ready-to-wear collection which was heavily influenced by artist Mark Ryden, Tim Burton movies, and the 1950's. Now I'm working on a wearable art garment out of unconventional materials like wire, pillow stuffing and ICE, next week I have some slip covers to make for a client. I'm never bored. I suppose New Orleans is my biggest influence. It's full of eclectic people who love life and appreciate the creative community. I hope my clothes convey that kind of attitude.

WELCOME HOME!

 

So happy to have my little munchkin back! He had been gone too long for this Mama to handle. He enjoyed meeting our newest family member - Banjo, and has been pretty awesome since he's been back. Words can't express how happy I am to have him home. He has really started to talk and play pretend. It's so amazing to watch him just tick. 

AND THE HURRBAND WINNER IS!

In a lucky hat draw, Rebecca won the Hurrband Giveaway! I will be emailing you shortly to get your information so you may receive your amazing purple and gold double braid Hurrband hairband. 

I will try to get more giveaways going so stay tuned! 

LONG LASTING WING TUTORIAL

Super excited about this tutorial! I go to my twin, Ann, for all of my makeup questions, and I needed help with keeping a wing that wouldn't fly away after a few hours. She was delighted to show me how to create a long lasting, clean, and easy cat eye or winged liner.

STEP ONE:  PRIME THE LID (she uses NYX hd shadow base)

STEP TWO:  APPLY A NUDE SHADE EYE SHADOW (she uses elf eyeshadow)

STEP THREE: APPLY A GEL LINER. KEEP THIN AT CORNER AND THICKEN AT EDGE FOR A WINGED LOOK (she uses MAC carbon black)

STEP FOUR: APPLY A LIQUID EYE LINER. MATCH THE SHAPE OF THE GEL LINER, BUT USE THIS STEP TO CLEAN UP AND INTENSIFY THE COLOR (she uses Physician's Formula eyeliner)

Once finished, you can touch up or add your mascara. 

LESS THAN 2 WEEKS!

My little ham has been in California visiting his grandparents for the summer. The break has been relaxing - time to myself, time to work on projects, time to do nothing, time to clean, but I haven't felt complete while he's been gone. We FaceTime, but standing still isn't his strong suit. I find my solace in the many many pictures I get from his Grandma. He's enjoying his time with them and they love him to bits, but I'm ready for him to come home!

RECENTLY

WOW! Been so busy lately, good change but I am worn out! This weekend I went to a few social gatherings after have been a homebody for a few months - great time spicing my life up and so many lovely faces to see.  I'm starting a lot of new projects and hopefully will get more soon! And I finally got around to dealing with my facebook fanpage (it was really shameful to look at before). 

»––> Want to try this recipe out 

»––> Adding this to my wish list 

»––> Follow this blog - she is super sweet to talk to and oh so talented! 

TUESDAY'S TUNES

Whew! Back to what I love talking about - music. My goal in this blog series is  to always stay current and introduce bands that aren't all over the radio stations. This week I wanted to try something different,  after all it's been a while since I did a Tuesday's Tunes, so I decided to make a little mix tape for you guys. It's a few artists I enjoy listening to. Some old, some new, some popular, some unknown. Take a listen, let me know what you like or wish you heard!

click me!

HURRBAND GIVEAWAY

I'm so excited and thrilled to have my first giveaway. And for this giveaway, I've had the pleasure of working with a lovely lady named Airy, the owner of Hurrband. Her cute little etsy shop hosts oodles of adorable headbands brimming with beautiful color palates and a smidgen of local pride. Up for grabs is a very chic LSU inspired purple and gold double braided hurrband. You can show Tiger Pride and keep those bangs out ya face :)

To enter, like Hurrband's Facebook fan page and leave a comment below telling me so! Don't forget to leave an email address so that I can get in touch with the lucky winner. Giveaway ends MIDNIGHT (central time) 8/12/13. Good Luck!

{Shipping limited to the United States} 

THRIFTY...SATURDAY?

I've been meaning to do a Thrifty Thursday, but alas life likes to get in the way. Today is now, but only temporarily, Thrifty Saturday.

I found these wonderfully 60s bar tumblers and this vintage San Francisco tray at the Denham Springs Antique District. I paid practically nothing for both things - $4.99 for the glasses and $10 for the tray. 

When I picked up the glasses last week I thought the price was $4.99 each glass (expensive, but that's how some antique stores roll), so I almost didn't buy them. I was delighted to find out they were indeed $5 as a set and I strolled out the store beaming. I love the pop of colors and the imperfect sunburst etchings. 

Now this tray holds a dear place in my heart. It was one of those shopping days that nothing was calling to me - until I laid eyes on this turquoise stunner. I lived in (and LOVED) San Francisco for seven years, so seeing the little landmarks on this kitschy souvenir I had to have it. It had no price tag so I timidly asked its price, waiting to hear something beyond my comfort level. Once I was told it was a mere $10 I snatched it up as quickly as I could. 

I love going to this Antique District and just browsing through all the pieces. They hold so much history and when I pick up an object I think about its life and who it's seen. It's a little strange to do so, but it's an heart warming thought for me.