Yoga for the mind.

Some days my mind will move faster than I ever could physically. Thoughts distracting thoughts in every direction. I have a hard time focusing, and nothing gets accomplished. It's times like these that I need to stop, breathe for a second, and just create. Take the energy and put it somewhere else. Pull out a sketchbook and take it all out on the paper, or on a blank canvas...mixing the paints and letting colors get muddy if they want to. I forget how relaxing and unwinding the process of creating can be for my mind. Thoughts get stretched out, my anxiety melts away. I need to do it more often. 

Justice

Some things I'd worked on while designing in Cut-N-Sew at Justice from the past couple seasons. It's fun to see my work online and in catalogs. It's even more amazing when I see someone wearing my work in person. 

 

 

 

XOXO, 

Your Friend Nicole

Wine and Blossom

Over the weekend my good friend Laura and I took a road trip to Cleveland, Ohio for the Lady Antebellum show at Blossom Music Center. The weather was absolutely perfect for an outdoor concert. People were dressed in high-waist shorts and cowboy boots everywhere you looked. It was such a good time! 

Prior to the show we stopped at Sarah's Vineyard for some wine tasting. I remember my favorites being Golden Solstice (a fragrant sweet Ohio white wine made from Niagara grapes grown in Ohio near Lake Erie) and Sweet Elisa (a “not-too-sweet” blend of Ohio Concord and Niagara that is fragrant and refreshing).

We sat out on the back patio facing the vineyard. The winery was a perfect little spot to relax and enjoy the sunshine. 

The vineyard was to good to not run through. Instant happiness!

 

 

 

Definitely a perfect weekend to start the summer!

XOXO, 

Your Friend Nicole

June!!!

I know I'm a few days late on this, but happy June! It's my birthday month, and favorite month for all the summer activities. I plan to be at the pool with friends at least once a week this month. This weekend if you're in Columbus, Ohio be sure to check out the Columbus Art Festival and later this month Comfest!

A friend of mine noticed I still had a May calender as my desktop background here at work, so I changed it right away. Thought I'd share two of my faves: 

You can get the downloadable version from Geninne's Art Blog here.

For those who know me personally know I am obsessed with Free People, so I had to include their calender! Find it here.

XOXO, 

Your Friend Nicole

Currently in love with...

Each season I go through these phases where I become fixated on a specific item or trend. At the moment I'm falling in love with the natural waist culotte shorts I'm seeing everywhere! It's mixing two elements I go for in summer outfits: femmy + comfort. Absolutely perfect right? 

culotte style bottoms for a petite hourglass

ASOS High Waist Culotte Shorts

I'm loving the variety of ways I'm seeing culottes worn, too. Flowy crop tops, mixed prints, matching prints, oversized boxy tops, etc. 

Short skirt . 1980s cotton ikat skirt

Natural Waist Culotte Shorts

Hollister High Rise Culotte Shorts

It's such a simple silhouette, I've been itching to pull out my sewing machine lately. I think this will become a weekend craft day project soon! A blog I follow ever so splendid did a post on some cute summer pattern projects, I just might need to get my hands on this vintage pattern!

 1950's Vogue Bathing Suit Pattern from Redcurlzs  /  Navy & White Whale Cotton Poplin from Fabricmade

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

XOXO, 

Your Friend Nicole

Truth.

Moving Forward

Just a week away.

I've had so much motivation to create recently. A few nights ago it was as if I had TOO MUCH motivation. I couldn't focus...I didn't know what to start on, or how to start on it. My art room is currently a tornado of oil painting supplies, fabric swatches, sewing supplies. It's like a craft store got sick all over the place. I have my easel in one corner, and my dress form standing in the middle of the room... scaring me every time I open the door to peak in. 

 I'm just trying to find ways to keep my nerves calm this week. I've been insanely anxious. I'm so close to something I want so bad... I can reach out and touch it. 

Trying to keep calm. Trying to breath.

Xoxo, Your friend Nicole.

Give Me Spring.

This past winter has been a long one. Insanely cold, and feeling like it might never end. Even thought the official first day of Spring has come and gone it doesn't quite feel like we're there yet. It's been easy to become unmotivated and just want to hibernate. I've had to push myself to find inspiration, to keep thinking warm thoughts. I've been listening to old cd's for feel good music, painting, and surrounding myself with positive outgoing people to pull me out of the winter funk. The snow's gradually disappearing. The birds have been making all kinds of noises. I can feel the warmth and change coming, it's just around the corner.

All leather cuff bracelets made by me. 

Xoxo,

Your friend Nicole

Crossing my fingers.

I've had a lot going on recently. A lot of changes...some ups, some downs. So thankful for the people that stood by for support when going through it all. And the ones that didn't...well you learn who really cares when you're at your lowest. 

Even though a lot has happened over the last six months or so, I really am trying to make this year a good one. I have some life changing events coming up this next month, maybe. I'm crossing my fingers God hears my prayers. 

Wish me luck. 

XOXO, Your friend Nicole.

On the other blog...

On the my other blog (Thift Style Me) I have my first guest blogger for my "Thifting Coast to Coast" project. It was something I intended to start this past fall, however things happen...speed bumps and what not. Either way, I've started it back up again and am super excited with the written tour of California given by Rhiannon! She did such a great job with it! I'm now getting insanely anxious for all the thrifting, yard sales, and flea markets I have coming up this year!

Free People Horoscopes. Week Of February 17–23. Gemini.

Hmm...

GEMINI

May 21–June 20

Much of your energy will go toward achieving goals and building up your professional standing after the sun crosses your ambition angle this week and proceeds to hover at the top of your chart for the following month. Your ruling planet Mercury is backtracking in your education sector and being tested by taskmaster Saturn in your competence house. Now’s the time to polish your skills; brush up on a subject you need to know inside and out if you’re going to succeed; rethink your methods; and put your nose to the grindstone to gain confidence in your ability. As the sun falls under the spell of murky Neptune at the end of the week, try to combine your push to accomplish something with your dreams of creative fulfillment or your yearning to pursue a higher calling. Aim for a middle ground between fired-up-to-conquer-the-world-right-this-second and if-it’s-meant-to-be-it’ll-happen-eventually.

Source: Bldg 25 Blog – The Free People Clothing Blog http://blog.freepeople.com/#ixzz2tb8e2j6a

Today.

Florals

I've been insanely over the snow and cold weather... So have been searching for ways to make each day brighter and happier. 

I put a little plant in my bathroom to see each morning while getting ready...

I've been dressing in bright colors and pretty patterns, rediscovering clothes I had packed away.

I've been playing with pretty colors and paints, something about it is like yoga to me. Gives me time to just be.

The other night when flipping through some recent Free People catalogs I came  across this amazing image! 

I was immediately inspired! Over the past week I've started a "Florals" board on Pinterest...here are some faves. 

It made me want to paint!!! So last night at our girls night craft night I did this. :)

Oh and this...to use up the paint on my palette. Enjoy!

Xoxo, 

Your friend Nicole