This weekend, Jesse and I got together with his family to do their annual tradition of pumpkin painting. I was channeling Nightmare Before Christmas... everyone's pumpkins turned out great! 

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Then last night, my mom took me, my lil sister Mari and our cousin Jessica [who was visiting SLC from Oregon for work] out to dinner. We ate the top of the Joseph Smith building in the Garden restaurant [?] Their food is nothing to rave about...but it is fun to be up there to see the view of the Salt Lake City Temple [pictured behind us] and then last night around 2 am in the morning I came down with a mini case of food poisoning that didn't go away till just a couple hours ago. :/  But if asked to do it all over again...I would. It was a lot of fun seeing Jessica and being around her bubbly personality! We hadn't seen her in about 20 years...so it was a fun little reunion! :)

[me, Jessica, my sister Mari, and my mom]

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So yesterday when my mom came over before going to meet up with Jessica and Mari, she pulled out a book that she found for me which she said reminded her a lot of me and my paintings and love for prints.  I had never heard of this illustrator but I am in looove with this book's illustrations! You can easily find it HERE ON AMAZON starting at just $2.38! 

Don't you just love her cloak!? I am going to make my own little version of this once I get a couple projects out of the way....

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Here is another book that I want to share with you all. I recently found this book at one of my favorite thrift stores.  It is always so exciting when you come upon an amazing score. This, book and a few others are definitely my scores for the month! You can also find it over at Amazon just starting at $3.59! 

What I love so much about this book Ilenka, is the color palette and the limited use of color. I am attracted to vintage children's book's for this reason. 

Isn't this page so cute. The animal head masks have me wanting to make my own!

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Lastly, with the little amount of energy I had today...I made these two little hanging items from my painted paper.  I love making things like this because it just proves that one does not need a lot of money to be creative. A lot of my friends [AND JESSE] often here me say that if I ever have to go to Jail [I actually had a freak out 2 winters ago thinking Sallie Mae was literally going to take me to jail] then all I need is a lot of paper, my muji pens, and hopefully some paint if they allow. I would really be content. :-p

* This craft seems pretty straight forward [to me] on how to make...but I will have an upcoming tutorial in a day or two on how to make your own version of these. :)

Have you seen this video of the surprise these parent's did for their daughter Lily? It's moments like these that get me soooo excited to have kids someday.

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on another note... how fantastic is this dress, this sold out dress... 

found at Silent Sundays

and this top....found at 212 ::: I love the side stripes running down

the sleeves, along with the enlarged keyhole detail on the right.

I honestly cannot remember the last time I had a "real" shopping experience...where money wasn't an issue, and I could buy what I wanted right then. This excludes thrift stores of course, because out here anyone can afford to shop at the thrift store. For example, I got thee cutest leather purse last week for only 25 cents! 

Anyways...the other day I came across this girl's blog [sadly I can't remember the name] that is solely dedicated to her yearly $600 clothing budget. Totally inspiring. 

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& a really cool tip I learned from my sister-in-law Megan's makeup night she had recently:

Baking soda is great to use for cleansing the face, not too abrasive...and truly leaves your skin feeling squeeky clean. I used it yesterday morning and was astounded at how it made my skin feel. Just mix it with your face wash...it's so affordable, you almost cannot afford to not try it. Cornmeal also works amazing for both face and body...best to use it in the shower though.

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I want this mobile...NOW! You don't need a behbeh to appreciate this cuteness! & One could definitely make this using femo clay if they didn't have access to a pottery clay and a kiln....like moi.

Found at Artisani Europe

and lastly...if you have a blouse or blazer that needs a little extra something something...what about a broach from this cute little seller in Paris? Found at Hello Possum  Plus, it's a good way to show your autumn pride..no?

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"Something Good Can Work" by Two Door Cinema Club is a great song to start your weekend:

Something Good Can Work

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Check out these gold fill empire stacking rings from Redwood Trees - classic with an edge = love!

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23 Happy Birthday shout out's to my cute sister in law Heather, this little bunny reminded me of you.

found via run lucas run via corduroy.

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My darling friend Vivi has some recent photos posted on her blog of her work space at school [in London], I loved this image of her's especially...old photos/images of mountains are always neat, especially when put next to a painted mountain. <3

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Have a great weekend friends. And when Sunday evening rolls around, and you want something to help wind down the last hours....put a little Nightmares of Wax in the air with their song "You Wish".  Click HERE if you 

want it for free.  

Nightmares on Wax - You Wish

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Oh my gosh I just laughed sooo hard and instantly thought "I have to share this!"

One my family friends Libbie [Riel] Fairchild from where I grew up [in Washington state] has such a funny blog! She is sooo hilarious in person along with the rest of her siblings and doesn't take herself too seriously, which I adore! I was just reading Libbie's blog and came across this picture of her with her youngest girl, who is known as "toots" <- soo cute! Libbie, husband, and 3 adorable girls currently live in Hawaii....

[ Libbie and Toots are on the porch barbecuing steaks and shrimp]

In Libbie's words "Toots was there to supervise and provide conversation. It went something like this . . . ."

Me: Toots, go put some clothes on.
Toots: I don't eat my boogers anymore. I flick them. Or I wipe them on my baby because she can't talk.
Me: Awesome. Go inside and get some clothes on. You're in my bubble.
Toots: (Ignores me and continues to be mostly naked and suck on her sucker).

My very beautiful and super sweet sister in law Megan, is having her first "make-up night" tonight. Megan worked for Bobbi Brown cosmetics and freelances on the side now for them.  Learning new or correct ways to apply one's make up is always fun, ESPECIALLY when it is shown by someone who clearly knows how to apply it, and looks good. Megan will probably kill me for posting these photos of her...but I just waned to show you al,l that she practices what she preaches. Her makeup is gorgeous huh! Well she will be having another makeup night again in a month or so, and when that happens...any locals who are interested in coming just let me know. :)

Tonight will be focused on simple beauty tricks, beauty do's & don'ts. Megan taught me how to do the classic "cat eye" liner with a brush. Since then, I wear it often. I currently use cream liner by H.I.P but am anxious to try the gel-liner  by Bobbi Brown that  she suggests.

 What I also love about the cat eye look is that there are so many variations...like in the photos below.

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along those same lines....

The ladies over at Ban.do are so cute, and their styling is so happy. Looooove happy styling and happy people!

Ban.do

and if you have two minutes and forty eight seconds...watch this cute interview of them. 

Ban.do Interview from The Girls With Glasses on Vimeo.

I now have an intern! WHOOOAAAA....really?! Ya, I do! 

You know my "Tilly" plates that I have in my shop right now? 

Well, that little character is named after my darling Friend Tilly [a.k.a Jenntille] who is now officially my intern. She hasn't "officially" started yet, I need to compile my Holiday "Make Me" list tomorrow for she and I to get started on.  I never thought I would have an intern...or at least right now, but it seems the opportunity has fallen right into my lap. Tilly actually approached me weeks ago about helping her with her end of the year interior design project for school.  Well since that began last week, she started joking about she was my intern and I her baby mama [?] :-[) lol...Well, if I am going to be someone's baby mama right now, then it definitely needs to be to someone who is so funny, darling, and truly endearing! Last night while I was helping her create a "mock" website for this project she cutely said to me that she says mini little prayers for me before coming over that I wouldn't get frustrated with her [? <- THAT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN!] and that we would have fun together.  No matter the work load with this lady, it is always the finest pleasure to be in her presence.  So last night while tucking myself into bed I thought "why don't I ask Tilly to intern for me?" So I did, she accepted...and I am nothing but excited.  

One of the things Tilly needed help with this past weekend was a "professional" portrait to go with her school project. So we set out for Liberty Park, with props in hand and I clicked away on my little camera.  Mind you, I am NOT a photographer. I do however consider myself a documenter.  The first two photos of Tilly below are without any photoshop work...the rest are, and the bottom was done by my husband. :) 

Anyways, I can't wait to tell you all my tales of Tilly. She is a hoot, if you couldn't tell from the photos.

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Back when I was 17, I chopped my long hair off right after entering beauty school. Well then soon after I decided that I could just cut my own hair. Most of those short haircuts I did myself were down right ugly! And then on top of that I dyed my bangs hot pink! lol Obviously not some of my better days in hair styles. :-[) Well not long after moving to NY I was able to find an amazing stylist. Her name was Izumi and she spoiled me rotten! Her haircuts always took two hours, they always washed the hair TWICE before cutting and I always got a scalp massage...then years later she and husband moved to Singapore...I decided to then just let the hair grow.  Now I am in Utah and one would think that for all the beauty schools and hair salons there are here that it would be easy to find a great stylist, especially in Salt Lake...but for me, that has not been the case. I had received haircuts from Salon O, Landis Salon, and Studio Nine...all of which round brushed my crazy thick hair after I had SPECIFICALLY told them not to. Just doing that means you have automatically disqualified yourself from ever seeing me again. Seriously. Then, all three salons also booked someone an hour after me when I had asked them not too. Remeber, I have thick hair and the texture is a lot like horse hair,not making that up..... lastly, their receptionists were pretty rude...the Landis [Aveda Concept] Salon being the worst.  

I had been wanting to go really short again for sometime but have been righteously freaked out about getting it cut here in Utah because of my last 3 experiences... Haircuts can be downright traumatic! Anyways..so then 4 weeks ago I was having a mini meltdown and I started chopping at the back of my hair....Jesse "casually" freaked out...and then tried to help me cut it. It was no good..I messed it up...and cried. Waa waa <- ya, just like that. :) Well, Jesse googled salons here in Salt Lake and found Malstrom to be the best choice based off of their reviews...I asked if he would come with me this time to for some added intimidation. Which he gladly did. But I didn't end up needing to play the "intimidation" card there. My stylist Amber was soooo gracious and warm to me as well as the rest of the staff that I instantly felt comfortable and my guard quickly went away. Literally my tense shoulders loosened right up. I showed her a couple pictures of what I wanted and we talked for about 10 mins as to how she would create that look for me. I fell in love! The best part of all...after she was done, and Jesse saw it...I could tell by his reaction that he too was in love... :) It made me so happy inside and I really felt good about myself. I don't say that to get compliments on past haircuts...but you know what I mean..if YOU don't feel good about your hair, makeup, weight..whatever it might be...it does not matter what other people say to you..YOU have to believe it. And that day I did. Sound cheesy?  Well I don't know any other way to explain it. The husband/boyfriend expression does not lie. Jesse, is so sweet and the last 3 haircuts before this one I could tell he wasn't diggin it, even though his words were "you look cute...you really do" but this last time his words were different they were this: "OH MY GOSH I THIS IS MY MOST FAVORITE HAIRCUT!!!! And he hasn't stopped saying it. :) If you're in need of stylist....I highly recommend Amber! And below is the sideview.

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And one more shout out! These recent photos above were from our friend Charlsie and Warner's wedding reception last night. Owners Berton & Lori Holt are by far one of THEE COOLEST COUPLES ever and are the owners of Strike a Pose Pix, photobooth company. Rent them for 4 hours at $500 and get unlimited photos. Your friends will go crazy over it...and it really is the best sort of entertainment one could have....aside from dancing of course! Jesse and I are so glad we hired Berton & Lori to be at our reception. The line was always at least 20 feet long...it was crazy! And when the photos print out, they come in duplicates...so one set for the friends and another for the couple [or whomever] to go in a book provided by Strike a Pose, where then your guests write a little message. Here are just some of the photos from our reception...over 8 months ago!!! Time flies when you're having fun! :-[)

Don't you just love this song? Perfect for a cold rainy day like today...

 Two of my dear girlfriend's Charlsie and Angela are getting married here soon. I had the privilege of designing their announcements for them. If you are in need of a unique design for an announcement, thank you card, business card...whatever it may be...email me, my rates are affordable..but, if you don't have the funds...I am always open to a trade. :)

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This past weekend was the 181st General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Which is the church I belong to. General Conference happens twice a year, in the spring and fall and is always an enriching experience for me. I consistently leave feeling so inspired to be a better person, to serve more, to be a better wife, daughter, sister, aunt etc.  I love to take notes during this joyful weekend and as always I love to share them with you. You do not have to be religious to appreciate the messages that are given at General Conference. They pertain to everyone. And I know that whether we are aware of it or not, I believe most everyone in this world tries to be better than their yesterday self! :)

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The message in this rough draft painting I recently did was from the latest spring General Conference. I love this sweet message...and thought it best to work it into a painting. :) 

 

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some of my notes:

Malene Birger Bibbian Belt Bag! Totally perfect for the ladies who ride...
Not only am I in love with that bag, but this photo/styling is so fantastic!
From the hat, to the makeup, pulled back hair, cuffs, outfit, her stance, THE CHAIR & linen backdrop. I can't stop looking at this photo... :)

Totally getting one of these book straps! Found via Design Milk