Mar 27, 2012

TUESDAY TUNES v.14 | LOVE IS MAKING ITS WAY BACK HOME


What is another cool factor of music? The music videos.
I appreciate the work that goes behind the authentic music industry. The industry that truly focuses on the art and talent of musicians. I respect every position that goes into creating an amazing album from the sound engineer to the artist of the album cover. Music videos has been a drag (primarily if you're watching MTV), but there are still some cool ones out there.

Josh Ritter's "Love Is Making Its Way Home" music video was created with 12,000 pieces of construction paper! Read more about making of the video. Talk about respectable artists. So much kudos thrown your way design team! Plus, this song is fantastic.

I love when you can truly respect the art of art itself.
Construction paper is not so "elementary" any more is it? :)

Mar 22, 2012

Please excuse my dear hiatus

My dearest friends & readers,

Please excuse my hiatus until the next Tuesday Tunes.
I will out of town this weekend and planning my best friend's bridal shower! School has definitely kept me busy these last few weeks and before I tend to the blog, I need to tend to my studies! Hope you understand :) I definitely have a lot of posts in mind for the upcoming weeks, if I could just sit long enough to write them! Trust me, I would love to just blog and read all of yours all day.

Very soon this blog is going to have somewhat of a major makeover. (Details to come soon-ish!) I've thought a lot more about branding myself in the blogging world and think I came up with something that encompasses me as an individual and as a blogger. Hopefully I'll have time to fully work on everything. Hope you'll be patient with me along the way :)

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend ahead! The weather is looking nice over here in the mountains of the Appalachia. [Hopefully] no more snow storms ahead...some times Boone weather can be crazy like that. I already want to pack up all my wool sweaters and wear my sandals + chacos every day.

Also, one of the big campaigns that I am working on for my senior classes is a collaboration between Appalachian Industrial Design Students and Perennial Wood. If you all could be a doll and support our Facebook page, Twitter and blog, that would be fantastic! We've been working hard to promote all our social media (we launched earlier this morning!) and would appreciate your support!

Take care.
Love and other four letter words,

Melissa

*Photo by Melissa Vega.
It was taken on a beautiful spring day in front of my friends apartment in Boone. We had a picnic filled with hummus, potato salad and sun chips. Then we went on a mini hike and met a beautiful butterfly who modeled for us. See the post of the picnic here.

Mar 20, 2012

Tuesday Tunes v.13 | Safe & Sound


So, I don't know if you know but I definitely jumped The Hunger Games bandwagon this past Spring Break.

Yes, I finished all three books.
Yes, I am officially obsessed.

So in honor of finishing the books right in time for the premiere of the film, I thought it would be appropriate to share "Safe & Sound" by The Civil Wars + Taylor Swift. Of course all you Hunger Games folk already know about this song/have played it a million times and probably have shed a tear..or two..or three, but come on, could you really tire of this song?



Aside from the trailer, I think this music video nailed things right on the head of HG. Ah, the little details! I won't say much to not spoil as much as possible, but man! I am so excited. I haven't been obsessed with a book series in at least a couple years (due to my lack of reading anything other than text books) but fiction world, I'm back!

Ps - Any Taylor Swift fans? Well, here's a confession. I am. Did you notice that the Tuesday Tunes post is #13? If you're a fan, you'd know the significance. Honestly, it was not done on purpose. What a fun little added bonus :) Funny how that worked out.

Okay, I'm going to go watch the trailer like 100 times now. Bye.


Mar 19, 2012

Featured Artist + Shop | Lo of Printed Peaks

Do you remember this blog post where I wore that awesome statement necklace? Well, I haven't stopped wearing it since. Actually, I think it would be considered my most worn necklace since my tree/sapphire combo back in high school. Here's a little reminder if you've forgotten/were too lazy to click the old blog post link.


Well, I have greatest honor of welcoming Lo, the artist behind Printed Peaks, where I got this amazing necklace from! I'm thrilled to have her on this little blog of mine. Okay, enough with my chitter chatter. Get to know Lo, she's a lot cooler :)


1. Tell us a little bit about the artist behind Printed Peaks!
I'm Lo and I blog over at Little Somethings by Little Lo Hood. I absolutely love crafting and being outdoors. I also love libraries and soaking up as much knowledge about anything I can.

2. What's your inspiration for your shop?
I had always wanted a shop and still want a physical shop but I thought Etsy was a perfect place to start. I just had really no idea what I wanted to sell. I finally decided that I should make something that represented my home state of Vermont, which I had just moved away from and missed dearly. I decided to collaborate with my father and use wooden pieces cut in ways to abstractly represent Vermont mountains. Many of my original necklaces are named after mountains in Vermont.

3. What's your favorite part about owning your own business?
I love that I can take my time in handcrafting something that I know I can be proud of. It gives you the freedom to create items that you really want to create. You can experiment and see what works and what doesn't.

4. Any other passions and hobbies you have?

I love sewing, crocheting, soccer, biking, hiking, and just enjoying the outdoors.

5. What's up and coming for Printed Peaks?

Printed Peaks has moved more towards leather handcrafted items and I may start making little wallets and such for the shop. The wooden handcrafted pieces will certainly still be there and I think I will be experimenting with some different colors and stains.

6. What advice would you give for someone thinking about opening up their own handmade shop?
I would say that you should keep a notebook with you always. It is so important to brand your store appropriately right down to the packaging. It is also important to sell something that is unique and that you won't grow tired of making or working on. Don't be discouraged if you don't sell out in a day either, there are a lot of sellers on Etsy and out in the world, just keep at it!

I feel like Lo and I would be great friends, in real life. I mean, she makes jewelry inspired by mountains and I love my mountains. Be sure to check out her shop! I've got my eyes on this baby and oooh this one! I'm excited for those leather made goods! Thank you Lo for droppin' by!

EDIT + GOOD NEWS! -- March 20, 2012

Because it's Lo's birthday today, she is offering everyone 44% OFF any item in her shop! Here's the info straight from her blog!
"For the rest of this month I will be offering 44% off in my store, Printed Peaks. I added the date and my years of age if you were wondering about the funny number. Enter "SPRINGBIRTHDAY44" during check out and one of my pretties will be on its way to your front door. The first 3 purchases will get an extra gift as well." 

Mar 16, 2012

COFFEE & COOKIES

A combination you just can't beat!

I love those lemon girl scout cookies. My favorite used to be tagalongs, oh excuse me, "peanut butter patties", but now they're just too sweet. Or am I just getting old? Is there such thing as too sweet? By the way, does anyone know the story behind the name change? Is it a regional thing? (I think that's what I heard)

Well in other news -

+ I have officially jumped on the Hunger Games bandwagon! *applause* *applause* *whoo-hoos* I know, I know, finally right? I've forgotten what's it like to read for fun and get lost in another world. Absolutely brilliant. It's pretty crazy the parallels I've made between District 12 and actual coal company towns in the Appalachia (I'm taking a Sociology course about Appalachian Communities). I sound like such a nerd!

+ I would like to personally thank Spring Break for the ten pounds I gained and I'm not even exaggerating. Oh God, let's hope I'm exaggerating. I can't help but love my mom's Filipino cooking and frozen yogurt dates with my younger sister. Oh, right, and I definitely opened up the Tolberone chocolate in the pantry. Oops. I did take a Zumba class this week! Cancels at least the frozen yogurt...right?

+ I also will be going to Washington DC this weekend to watch my Daddy run a marathon! He is trying to run a marathon in every state...and then in every continent. I wonder where I get my ambition from? ;) I finally get to watch him run one! I've lost track of how many he's ran, but let's just say he's planning to run one in Beijing in May! Very proud daughter over here.

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend up ahead! Mid March already??
SLOW DOWN WORLD.
Well, actually, wait until I graduate in May and then you can slow down again.


Mar 15, 2012

SEVEN THINGS 1 | link-up


I haven't done a link-up in such a long time.
One of my favorite bloggers, and whom I'd like to consider a friend, Gentri has "Seven Things" where you answer seven questions about yourself and provide a silly picture of you each time. I thought, why the heck not! It's definitely a fun way to get to know each blogger and see a different side. Well, here goes nothing!

1. Pick a boyfriend: Edward Cullen, Peeta Mellark, or Harry Potter
Okay, right now I'm in the middle of the second Hunger Games so I am totally into Peeta. Maybe a little bit too into Peeta. I mean, hell-o, he bakes, paints, and his favorite color is orange. Edward is a little too perfect and although I love me some Harry Potter, I was always into Oliver Wood ;)

2. If you HAD to have a crazy hairdo, what hairdo would you choose and why? (mohawk, mullet, etc)
DEFINITELY a pixie cut! I've been growing out my hair for the past two years so I'm a bit attached to it now, but I do miss the sassy-ness and spunk of a short hair cut. Think Emma Watson.
hot diggity dog!

3. If you could be a celebrity what would you like to be celebrated for? (Dance, Singing, Acting, Reality TV [ie no reason], Political Leader, etc)
I can't be a triple threat? Haha kidding. I am probably torn between dancing and singing. Realistically I could maybe get away with dancing with about 234,345,436 hours of training but that's much better than the INFINITE training I would need to be a singer (oh gosh, I am horrible).

4. Be honest- do you brush and floss your teeth daily?
Nope :( Brush, yes. Floss....nope. My dentist and I have a love/hate relationship.

5. What is one fear you are working to overcome?
I've actually been thinking a lot about what my fears are. Right now I'd say my fear is being forgotten. I don't really take being ignored very well.

6. White Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, or Semi-Sweet (isn't that just dark chocolate)??
White. Chocolate. Even though it's technically not chocolate? Milk chocolate comes at a verrrrrry close second. Of course I like the chocolates that aren't the healthiest for you. I am sucker for Kit Kats, Reeses, Tolberone, Lindt .. okay, I'll stop now. I'm drooling.

7. What is one trend you wish you could pull off? 
 Ridiculously sexy heels.
I just can't do it! I've been practicing wearing heels but one, when you're in college in the MOUNTAINS it just does not make sense to wear heels all the time and two I haven't quite mastered the art of walking in heels. Trust me, I'm practicing and maybe, just maybe I'll look as cool as Sydney or Kendi one day. How do they make it look so natural? I really wonder, do they really wear those all day? Who cares, they look great.

Okay, silly picture time.

Oh, come on! Everyone messes around their Photobooth...alone...in their room. Hahah These are from last year some time. Probably around mid-terms or finals because that's when I tend to go a little crazy. Enjoy. Wow, that was thoroughly embarrassing. I give you permission to judge me.

Mar 14, 2012

OUTFIT POST | YELLOW CORDUROYS

 

My perfect yellow pants.
These pants were the perfect va-va-voom to get the day rollin' the right way, which it did! I wore these last week and it was the right kick-butt outfit to make myself be the most productive I've been in awhile. I've been in sort of a lag when it comes to staying focused lately. I just want to do so much in so little time that I can't even focus on one task because I'm thinking of another!

outfit deets
I got these corduroys (yes, I had to google how to spell 'em) from Gap a couple years ago but they still sell this 1969 style (buy 'em here!) Didn't see the same color but they are some of the most comfortable pair of pants and I am super, super picky when it comes to pants. The flannel was borrowed from my Catherine and these brown flats are from Target from years ago! You can't go wrong with flannels and corduroys in the mountain town I live in ;)

Did you notice my watch says 11:11?
The battery is broken so I set it at 11:11 for the time being as a filler, but I think I kind of like the idea of always having it there and not knowing what time it is. I used to be so caught up in what time it was and how much time I was spending on something so it's refreshing not surrounding my life with the idea of time. The bracelet is one of my favorite quotes and bracelet to wear. It's a nice constant reminder.

Told ya I'd bring you more outfit posts.
We'll see how lazy I get this Spring Break ;)

Mar 13, 2012

TUESDAY TUNES v.12 | WAIT IT OUT // IMOGEN HEAP

photo source // text by me
Wait It Out (Non Instrumental) by Imogen Heap on Grooveshark 

I think my love for Imogen Heap's music is running five or six years strong? Ever since her debut of the Speak For Yourself album with my favorites, "Hide and Seek", "Just For Now", "Speeding Cars", and "Goodnight and Go" I've been ridiculous addicted to her music. I'm talking on-every-mix-cd-I-make-everyone addicted to the-number-of-times-I-listen-to-her-music-exceeds-a-thousand type addicted. She is unlike anyone else and her music is insane genius. You can't help but respect her individual sound. I mean, have you seen her live version of "Just for Now"? You need to watch it.

Although "Wait It Out" came out a few years ago, I've been listening to this song a lot, like during my five minute drive to and from school to right before I get to bed. Maybe it's the idea of "waiting" that I've been stuck on and letting my mind wander on about it. Maybe it's because that's all I felt like I've been doing...not necessarily in a bad way, but just waiting.
Waiting to graduate.
Waiting to travel.
Waiting to figure out feelings.
Waiting for tomorrows.
Waiting for weekends.
Waiting to figure out where to go from here.
Waiting for walls to break down.
Is there any harm in just waiting?

I don't think there is. I used to believe waiting it out was just procrastinating and avoiding, but in this moment, I think waiting is the smartest thing I can do right now. I don't need all the answers...no one should be expected to have them all at once. I think time would do me well to really figure out things and wait it out. Then, I think I will figure what exactly what I'm feeling, exactly what I want, and exactly what I want in life. If I chose something right now, I think I would be just "filling" my time with something instead of figuring out exactly what I want.

Are we just going to wait it out?
Yes, Imogen. Right now, this moment, I am going to wait it out.

Mar 12, 2012

LIVE IN NORTH CAROLINA?

Then you should know about The Vote Against Project


The North Carolina General Assembly passed a state constitutional amendment stating that ” Marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this state" which will ban legal recognition for ALL unmarried couples. Not only does this prohibit same-sex marriage, this will [directly from their website]
  • prohibit North Carolina from ever passing legislation that would grant civil unions;
  • bar the state from instituting domestic partnership rights;
  • strip the domestic partner insurance benefits currently offered to employees by a number of local governments, including Chapel Hill, Durham, Greensboro, and Mecklenburg and Orange Counties.
In addition, courts could interpret the language of the Amendment to ban any rights to state’s hundreds of thousands of unmarried couples—both same and opposite-gender. This would:
  • invalidate domestic violence protections for all unmarried partners;
  • undercut existing child custody and visitation rights that are designed to protect the best interests of children;
  • prevent the state from giving committed couples rights to allow them to order their relationships, including threatening their ability to determine the disposition of their deceased partner’s remains; to make medical decisions if their partner is incapacitated; and to allow second-parent adoptions in order to ensure that both partners have a legal tie to, and financial responsibilities for, the children they are raising.
  • invalidate trusts, wills, and end-of-life directives by one partner in favor of the other.
Raleigh photographer Curtis Brown started this project to eliminate discrimination in our state. Brown and his team of volunteers have been traveling around the state spreading the word about the Amendment and creating a portrait of NC's unity by hosting free photoshoots of individuals in Vote Against t-shirts.

If you're in NC, vote May 8, 2012 and fight against discrimination in our state.
Check out all the photos they have here, follow them on Twitter, Facebook, and help spread the word!

Mar 11, 2012

WANT LIST: RECIPE BOX + CARDS


Holy moly, guacamole!
I have truly fell in love...with a recipe box + cards. You can't tell me you don't find these absolutely adorable! So sad it's out of my budget...like really out of my budget. I'm talking $135 over my budget (Yeah, my budget's at zero). A girl can dream though right? One day, one day these will be in my kitchen! I think having recipes in this cute little box will actually force me to cook more because I wouldn't be able to keep my eyes off the cuteness!

I found all these items on Rifle Paper Co.
All their items are just an overload of cuteness, so be sure to check 'em out and wish your life was as cute as their items.


Anyone want to lend me $135? :)
I'll pay for shipping!

Mar 10, 2012

INTRODUCING:


One of my best friends Catherine decided to adopt a cute little bunny when she moved to Boone and name him (at least we think it's a him), Pancakes! Yes, just like The OC. Isn't he the absolute cutest? Now I wasn't a fan the first time I met him, but I have progressively grown more in love with little furry, feisty bunny since! I'm seriously like his grandmother with all the pictures and videos I take of him. And yes, I do whip them out during social gatherings and "brag" about Pancakes, even if he's not technically my bunny.

Love you Pancakes!

Mar 8, 2012

OUTFIT POST | ROOMMATE EDITION


I haven't done much of outfit posts in like...four months, my apologies. I don't exactly find myself much of a fashion blogger anyway, but I'll throw ya a few outfit posts every now and then :p

Being in college I don't exactly give my closet much love. As you see from the above "bun" I have going on, I don't exactly spend much time on my appearance. For all you fashion bloggers who look so great all the time, kudos to you, but looking good and taking pictures to just too much work! The reason we "dressed" up was because we had a special little date at Ruby Tuesday! Even after working there for seven months, I can't believe I still go there to eat...what can I say, they have some good burgers.

One of my roommates Kaleigh (pictured above) wanted my other roommate Hannah and I to be her "personal stylists" so we picked through her closet and taught her to love belts and pull her skirt a little higher ;) I'd say she's learn a bit so far :) Well, we finally had a reason to get all dolled up since Appalachian's campus could give two craps what you wear, so it was a nice little reason to wear a skirt.

outfit deets:
[melissa] - blouse, banana republic | skirt, forever 21 | oxfords, forever 21 | belt, tj maxx
[kaleigh] - blouse and boots, unknown | skirt, downtown atlanta | butterfly clip, etsy


Hm, more outfit posts?
What else would you recommend I pair with this gorgeous light pink lacy skirt?

PS: I am officially on Spring Break! Weeeeee!

Mar 7, 2012

ATHENS, GA VIA FILM


Dear Athens,

Where did you come from? Where have you been hiding? I didn't know you existed but my goodness, since my first trip in October, you've introduced me to some lovely people and you never cease to host some unforgettable moments. Did you know you're only four hours away from Boone? It was bittersweet leaving you again this weekend. I'm not sure of our next reunion, but just know that everything that happened keeps me smiling at night.

This weekend was filled with late nights, seeing my friend's band Funk You play (everyone needs to check them out...NOW), windows down, running in the rain, rooftop bars, fish tacos, a failed attempt to watch Harry Potter, beautiful mornings, warmth, great company, completely sucking at darts, a very small tour of UGA, Jittery Joe's..twice, porch conversations, new inside jokes, winking, little moments, learning new things, meeting new people, staying out, sleeping in and just overall a new refreshing perspective.

I must say Athens, you threw me off this weekend and yet made everything make sense. I tried to capture some moments with disposable cameras. There's something authentic, wonderful and "road trippy" when using film cameras. Although I may not have much money, or any money at all, I will be investing into film a lot more.

Thank you for a [insert best adjective here] weekend.
I'm still smiling.