::when i'm not designing or collecting vintage::

This post is little off my normal topics.

I got chills watching Felix jump off that capsule's ledge. I loved that people from all over the world tuned in to the same live feed to see incredible reality TV, and it's pretty cool to see skydiving get some much publicity. Figured it was a good time to show you guys more of what Jay and I do from time to time.


My company had a talent competition recently, and Jay put together this little video for my entry. The thing I enjoy most about it (and what keeps me jumping) is definitely that I get to fly with him and make memories in the sky. Plus, the view is pretty nice from 13,000 feet.

Have you ever jumped?

::maui // the video::

We jumped off waterfalls, swam with sea turtles, explored black sand beaches and hiked a volcano. Take me back! It's still sorta unbelievable that we made the trip and frolicked around such a beautiful place, and really, we saw most of the island! What makes Jay and I a great pair is that he's the planner and I'm the spontaneous one. He created an itinerary for 5 of our days, we had the wedding and those festivities, and the rest he let me meander and stumble into different events and locations.

I give all the video credit to Jay. He's found a new hobby in video editing and he uses his GoPros to document lots of our outdoor activities: camping, hiking, snorkeling, skydiving, snowboarding...the list goes on. I think he did a wonderful job. When people ask why he films this stuff he says, "I want my kids to see how much fun Mom and Dad had." 

::a favorite // incubus::

This has been my favorite band since middle school. I had a friend that would usually go to their concerts when they were in our area, and she somehow always had an extra ticket. However, my parents didn't think it was wise for two middle school aged girls to go to concerts together. So, 12 years later, Jay surprised me with tickets to my first Incubus show. He took me again last year for my birthday. He really does love me.

Came across this new video of "Nice to Know You" and had to share.

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::an ode to summer // by kinfolk::

This is too good. The simple pleasures of healthful food, bike adventures and shared moments with friends. Andrew and Carissa's videos are always stunning. I just ordered my copy of Vol. 4. Get your Kinfolk Magazine here.

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::artist spotlight // herriott grace::

I remember when I stumbled upon the Herriott Grace shop-- it was one of those jaw-dropping moments. The quality and craftsmanship of the products is stunning. Not only are the items beautiful, so is the product photography. Nikole creates picture perfect settings with her father's woodwork (they also carry handmade linen towels, cookie cutters, and porcelain kitchen ware). I just love these teak spoons.

Take a second to read their story, it's a good one. They shot a short film documenting her father's work, and just released the teaser. It's such a sweet little clip. Makes me miss my amazing dad...



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::artist spotlight // schoolhouse electric & supply co.::

I have a deep appreciation for companies that focus on keeping a certain aesthetic and nostalgia. Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co. really shines through with their attention to history and quality. Inspiring...

 

::DIY clothing rack::

On Saturday, I'm doing my first antique show in Virginia. I'll be showing off much of my collection: restyled furniture, vintage home decor, antique goods, vintage dresses + bags, handmade jewelry and wall art. There's lots of unique stuff that hasn't been listed in the shop (yet).

I've been needing a clothing rack to display the dresses and I found a great idea here to do it myself. Yesterday J and I gathered all the supplies at the hardware store and started building. It's all various metal plumbing/piping supplies. Some pieces we couldn't find in black iron, so we went with galvanized steel. The mix-matched looks pretty cool. We set it up outside and it's just perfect. The industrial look is exactly what I wanted. Plus, it's slim and sturdy. Here's the assembly process...

thanks for the video, J. music by Phish

::handcrafted::

   

A beautiful + artfully well done video with so much attention to detail. It's so motivating to see other young entrepreneurs pursuing a dream. He's got a lotta love for natural ingredients and a high quality product. Oh, and awesome packaging. Kudos, Breuckelen Distilling Company.


found via

::in case::

...you haven't seen this yet. I stumbled upon Miranda July's little video a couple months ago and watched it again yesterday. I don't know if I have the will-power to put my favorite item in such a vulnerable situation. I'm one of those she labels 'easily distracted' (there's so much awesomeness out there). The video is so simply + beautifully done. Don't you just love to 'unplug' sometimes and leave the electronics behind...or trapped?!

There's tons of cool stuff from nowness.com. Go look-- if you have a few hours to kill.

::reuse::

I'm guilt of going to the grocery store (every store, really) without reusable bags. Every time I get home I kick myself for adding more plastic bags to this one large cabinet in the kitchen. It's overflowing + embarrassing. Flô di Pá sure makes it look pretty to go a little greener.

source via Previously Owned

::tipping the scale // DIY::

A while back I picked up this vintage wooden scale. I figured it'd go in the shop, but I realllly liked it. I imagined it holding jewelry on a vanity or fruit + veggies in a kitchen-- tipping the scale each time something was added or removed. Anyway, I kept it, painted it a mustard yellow (not sure why everything's getting coated in yellow?) and roughed it up with sandpaper. Right now it holds handfuls of acorns I found on a recent hiking adventure (see below). These acorns are impressively large, or maybe they just run smaller in Florida.

Preface: J's new hobby is shooting and editing little videos of our adventures. We visited his brother about 3 hours away. That's Katie in the still frame below. I did some vintage hunting while the others jumped off some high platform with a blow up shark, we watched a college soccer game, hung out with his brother's pet pig and hiked in Shenandoah National Park (were I collected acorns). At the end, that's me surprised-- I spotted a deer about 6 feet from me eating. He looked up at me and kept eating, then scattered once he knew he was being filmed...camera shy.

 

::artist spotlight // beatrice valenzuela::

I've posted about Beatrice before (here) and I loved finding this video of her from StyleLikeU. She's equal parts beautiful, resourceful, happy, creative and stylish.  If you want, check out her closet visit.

found here

::360 degrees::

My friend, Jen, hosts a monthly drum circle downtown. She bring a variety of drums and other percussion instruments from her personal collection, lays down a few blankets and gets the community involved through music. My friend Chase of Kanga Marketing has been doing some pretty cool stuff with a camera. He uses a special lens to create these awesome Virtual Reality 360 degree photos that play like a video. Put these two together, and this is what you get...

Pretty cool, huh? I'm jammin' on the djembe drum. The 8 year-olds with Tupperware and wooden spoons have more rhythm than me. Sad, but true.

::jumping out of planes::

I know, completely unrelated to vintage, art, fashion, interior design and other pretty things I post here, but that's what blogs are for. For Christmas I gave J a GoPro Helmet Hero to record our adventures. He jumped out after me-- {he's been chasing me for years ;) }



Crazy, right?! My favorite part is J fixing his bow tie-- keeping it classy in a tuxedo shirt.

video by J, music by RJD2 - Smoke & Mirrors

::born free::

Love Free People.

::a little christmas cheer in november::

Anthropologie has done it again. I love the creativity...

{Click on the image to go to their homepage to see this adorable video of their Christmas ornaments.}