Going for the goal

It is 2014 and I am ready for some new and exciting experiences!  I am even more excited to share these on this new revamped blog of mine.  The plan is to write to myself, and for myself.  I will be posting often as well as learning with each new post.  

Starting off fresh to me, means making goals, sharing those goals, and being accountable for the actions that result in accomplishing those goals.   So... I hope you enjoy the view as I

GO FOR THE GOAL!  

The red ones.

 We all have/or had a pair of converse sometime in our lives.  

I was 8 years old.

They were the red high tops.

 

 

For the time and effort that is continuously put into the shoots I style, I often feel like people are missing out on all the goodness that happens on set.  With numerous outtakes from a shoot, 1-2 images are actually put to use. Above are a few extras from a Converse shoot.  

Photo genius: Will Miller Photography

http://www.willmillerphotography.com

Goosebumps

Yesterday evening I inspired someone.   Just by inspiring her, I inspired myself.  I needed that.   

I attended a wonderful local seminar/meet up in Seattle that included delicious treats, fabulous cocktails and an array of wonderful, stylish people.   Its always motivating when I attend meet up's that include people who have the same passions as I do.  The "creative" industry can be challenging, lonely, and most of all defeating at times.  Putting myself out there to talk about what I love to do, keeps me pushing through my passion.  

She was a pastry chef.  She was in between working for some really great companies to finding her own place in the culinary world.  It had been months since she has felt that passion that keeps us going forward in a career that often does not pay well, but we get the satisfaction and joy that fills our cup.   After she gloats about the things she has done and the things she wants to do..... she stopped and rubbed her arm viciously back and forth.

"You are making me give myself goosebumps talking about this.  I haven't had that feeling in months. You've inspired me."  

Girl, I get it!  When we are so involved with our daily lives and survival tactics, you can easily get swept away and lose that feeling.  That moment filled my heart.   I inspired her. She bounced that inspiration right back to me.  I needed that.  

A glimpse into the future

A fun outtake I art directed and styled for an upcoming editorial spread.  

Stay tuned, 

unless this image entices you to jump into your convertible and head off to somewhere unknown!  

Jessica Alba's THE HONEST COMPANY

Jessica Alba's The Honest Company for www.zulily.com is a vendor I recently got to be the art director and photo stylist for.  

After days of research and trying out some of the products, I knew that I wanted to represent these products  in a clean, modern, and approachable manner-just like they HONESTLY are.  The beautifully designed, Eco-friendly diapers and essential family products are a breath of fresh air- that's what I wanted these images to reflect.  

The scents for these toxic free household products are unlike anything I have ever smelled before!   

I felt as if I could actually digest them (probably do not recommend)!  HA! 

I fell so in lust with these products I promptly started my shopping list.  First to arrive at my door?   

The Vegetable Wash (not featured in these images) that I have been missing from my juicing routine!  

Recent Work: PASTELS

Working as an Art Director, Stylist and Makeup Artist on this shoot was sooo much fun! Sounds like a lot but collaborating with a great photographer and amazing models made it a breeze.  

 If you know me at all, you know that I LOVE to take on as many projects/tasks as possible.  Since I was a Senior in high school, I worked multiple jobs and took on various extra projects every chance I got.  

It's only gotten worse.... er.... better!?  

 But the result is often rewarding.  

HAPPY SPRING!!

Citrus Blues

Back in late spring, I worked with the talented photographer  David M. Bailey and model Alexis Cristianne to create an editorial for an online magazine publication. 

Our goal was to create two of my favorite passions

(makeup + citrus)

 into an eye catching look for an evening affair. 

I referred to it as the

"Citrus Blues". 

 Yves St. Laurent's Volume Effet Faux Cils Mascara in Deep Night created the perfect flutter of lashes around Alexis' hazel eyes. 

I love bringing the look from the lashes to legs with these orange stilettos.

Alexis is THE MUSE in my life! 

Her character and intelligence inspires me often, and hello..... just look at her, she is stunning!!

*Thank you David M. Bailey and Alexis Cristianne for being such an amazing creative team to work with. 

Playing at the dinner table

I love these shots of Ikea dishware.

I appreciate the cleanliness and sleekness of these images. 

 Makes me want to arrange all of my dishware in a fun,abstract way in my studio!

Behind the Scenes:Child Models

Sometimes, you just don't know what will happen when  you throw a kid out on set.  It can go surprisingly well, or completely the opposite.   I tend to get pretty lucky,  but sometimes I have to bring out all of my magic tricks when things.... well, to say the least.... not go as planned.  

Here are some fun shots my photographers have captured while on set.

Not planned :)

 Drawing a truck on the floor to keep this little 2 year old in one place.

 Sometimes, you just have to pick a kid up and put them where they need to be. 

The "kid" isn't always the only "kid" on set at times.

last-of-the-summer innocense

Came across Babiekins Magazine through the ever-amazing Pinterest site and absolutely fell in L.O.V.E!

www.babiekinsmag.com

 Here is a little last-of-the-summer innocence for your Friday.

My television-self

My life seems to be in a huge transition these days.

Since I have been called "Carrie" quite a bit lately..... I felt as though I would turn to her for inspiration on feeling good about the decisions I am making with my life. 

This is truly fitting, like, scary-fitting....  like, I really did this. ;)

heavenly weekend.

This to me, is a heavenly weekend morning. 

Awwwww........

Happy (last minute) Summer Entertaining!

Today we have decided to throw a small little get together for the 4th of July, tomorrow.  As a well-heeled hostess, I am a panicked because I am so not prepared.  

Taking a step back (and a few deep breaths) I remember "It does not have to be expensive, nor time consuming to plan a party for 6!" 

Here are a few party must haves to bring the quality up a notch when you just don't have the time to say..... create an entire spread.

Pellegrino makes your basic glass of ice water want to jump right back into the faucet.  The experience of a nice bottle pouring out a sparkling water takes it up a notch.  Trader Joes has the best priced bottles.  $1.59 for the larger bottle!  I always pick one or 2 up when I do my shopping there, just to have on hand. 

Gourmet Cheeses are an easy way to get people to think you put a whole lot of time into the planning.  Since the 4th of July is recognizably a true summer holiday, why not barbecue cheese!   Grilled Brie is amazing!   Add a sprig of rosemary and wrap it in foil and toss it on the BBQ! I did this last summer on the campfire and it was so good! Add bread or green apples to dip!  Here are the easy deets on how to barbecue brie!  

 http://www.dairygoodness.ca/recipes/bbq-brie-fondue 

Bread and Dippings always are a hit at a gathering.  My favorite is a Rosemary Sourdough with olive oil & balsamic vinegar.   We always have olive oil and vinegar on hand, so a small loaf of bread will be an easy $5!  Warm bread wrapped in a white cloth napkin makes it feel special and oh-so-fancy!  

Veggie or Meats as mini appetizers are a must.  For tomorrow, I think I may just do some skewers.  An entire skewer of sliced red potatoes is gorgeous and super easy.  Shrimp with pineapple and red peppers are delish too!   One pack of skewers will get you so far for so cheap.  Everyone enjoys finger foods! 

Frozen desserts are easy to make look nice.  I love the bon bons from Trader Joes in the freezer section (12 for $5)! 1-2 of these on small white square dessert plates with a berry and a mint leaf could be so beautiful, and so inexpensive.  The simplicity of this dessert is gratifying enough!

I never use paper napkins for any-sized party.  I have acquired white restaurant style napkins from thrift stores throughout the years that come in handy.   It just feels nicer and people really appreciate the experience of a cloth napkin rather than something that is just trashed after use.   

Now, to not forget adding some fresh florals so it doesn't look like you were not expecting company.  Going with the low-budge entertaining......I think I will just do red and white carnations.  These flowers can look very cliche and tacky so I'll be sure to spruce them up by some fabulous arrangements and vessles. 

Happy 4th of July entertaining! 

I WON!

I totally won the jackpot while I was thrifting the other day!  :) 

With a few plates, glasses, flatware, food and bev's

I have a whole new look to add to my basic all white entertaining pieces. 

 HOW CHIC!  (and how inexpenive!)

 I fell madly in love with this red vinyl ice bucket with a translucent lucite knob on top!

'Mad Men'  Martinis anyone?!

 A set of FOUR yellow linen cocktail napkins are a perfect way to add another fun pop of brightness! 

  I can't believe I found them for $5! 

 A set of 3 various size trays for under $10??!!!

SOLD! 

Ok, so this was a an odd find, I know..... but how charming are these porceline chess pieces!?

Something about them makes me feel very "proper". 

Though they did not come with a chess board and have a few flaws,

any ideas what I should do with them?

Can you believe this was all found in 1 store?  I scored! 

Game On

I can play this game.......

*this was uploaded from Pinterest http://pinterest.com/mietna/. 

MY DAY JOB

Sometimes I cant believe that I get to style as my full time job.  A lot actually goes into one shot.  All of the finessing, cleaning, composition, and of course style. 

 Then it goes off to the photographer where they can make it even better!  

Here are a few shots Ive done in the last couple of months.

 Styled by me.
*photos via www.zulily.com

daytime summer bev

Ever tried a PassionTea Lemonade from Starbucks?

Well this is even better! 

Tazo's Passion Tea steeped in about an inch of hot water for a minute or so

 (may need to squeeze the bag with a spoon to force the tea out)

FILL cup with ice.

Pour tea over ice.

(may need to add more ice once the hot water melts the ice)

Pour SanPellegrino's Limonata into cup.

(as much as preferred)

A shot of vodka may be yummy in it as well! ?

Let me know if you try it! 

a sweet sneak peek

Im getting SO anxious to share a little project I worked on with a couple of the

 most talented and passionate people I know! 

Here is a sweet little taste.

Any ideas or thoughts on what my little project could be? 

Stay tuned.... a big reveal soon.