Happy Holiday Weekend!

Hello Lovelies!

Happy Memorial Day weekend (or bank holiday if you are across the pond). It’s been rainy and cold here in New York for the past few days, but the sun is looking promising this morning and hopefully we’ll squeeze some nice weather in before the holiday is over. I couldn’t help but have my mind in a sunny, vacation-ready spot this morning and thought I’d share a secret I learned last summer with you all…

I have always been in search of the perfect beach blanket. In Oregon however, that means it needs to work on sand, allow your dog to run all over it, deal with lumpy grass/rocks and clean up easily. In New York, it also needs to be lightweight and packable. Well, I think I’ve found it – the steven alan beach blanket.

Good news is they have it listed again for the year on their site just in time for Memorial day to kick off (it’s a seasonal item each summer). You can grab it in most locations, but if there isn’t a shop near you, they are selling them online this year. Only downside is that you can’t choose your color (although it says you can call if you want a certain color to arrange it).

Made of a super lightweight woven, these blankets are so easy to throw into a tote bag and carry around for the day without feeling like you are a pack-mule. For only $48, I’m definitely heading down to the shop in our neighborhood to get another one for this summer. I bought one in Venice last year and had planned on tossing it after leaving California so I wouldn’t carry the bulk of it, but couldn’t bring myself to do it because I was so attached.

Central Park NYC – August 2012

Venice Beach, California – July 2012

If you are looking for that perfect summer addition that can ride along to the park or throw into a suitcase for a beach vacation, I recommend checking this bad boy out. I couldn’t be more impressed with my newest summer essential. It’s really large (60″ x 84″) so it fits multiple people, or folds in half nicely for a spacious area for one. Did I mention it’s only $48?!

I hope you’re all having a wonderful weekend, and I am over the moon that this Sunday is really more of a Saturday this week. Cheers to the beginning of summer (no matter how grey or sunny it may be where you are)!

xoxo
E

Gold Leaf Everything. But, Really.

Do you ever have a pair of shoes (/bag/necklace/whatever) that you just adore, and they get damaged beyond being able to actually wear them again? I mean, you could wear them… but it may not be the look you are really going for if you know what I mean.

That, lovelies, happened to my brand new black glitter slip-ons. I wore them maaaaaybe three times and the glitter started falling off in masses. The worst is that the base material is this awful dull grey, which just made it look even worse (why couldn’t they have used black?!). But alas, after I got back from NYFW I was really inspired by the shoes that  Eleven Objects used in their presentation, as well as the creative use of Gold Leaf in their Fall 12 collection overall.

Enter my stash of gold leaf I had from an old project. I figured, “What’s the worst that could happen?” and started my Saturday project. To be honest, it was super easy and relatively quick, I highly recommend gold leafing everything you own… I’m about to.

You can find this standard Gold Leaf (it also comes in silver and copper) at any craft store.  Mine had 25 sheets in the one pack, so be ready to see more gold in my future. DOn’t forget the spray adhesive, it’s the best!

Shoes pre-leafing.

Partially through the process. I used a large makeup brush to dust off extra gold, and tweezers for any gentle touch-ups. It’s very brittle, but can be laid on in tiny sheets if needed. I was also going for texture, so I didn’t mind multiple small pieces.

Finsihed product!  I hadn’t sealed it yet at this point (don’t forget to buy sealer, I did!) so it actually ended up looking a tad smoother and shinier than pictured here. After wearing them a few times, they are pretty durable and the bonus is that the sealer is now keeping the glitter on the remainder of the shoe.

I have a feeling this won’t be the last thing I take my gold leaf supplies to, so stay tuned. As always, I post a lot of my home projects on my instagram (@hot_on_a_dime) as I’m working, so pop over there to see things a little quicker than they show up here!

xoxo,
E

That Time I Went To Nashville…

This past weekend I had the amazing experience of joining one of my oldest friends for her Bachelorette party out in Nashville, TN. It was by far, one of the best decisions I have ever made. We had a blast dancing the night away in the evenings at the honky-tonks and explored the city/nearby areas during the day. Everyone was so nice and helpful, and always willing to share some history/stories about whatever you were looking at (even the Men’s restroom!).

I hope to go back someday, and I recommend it to anyone who gets the chance. It was also great to get a little bit of Grants Pass love in there when I met up with the lovely Brianne in between her deadlines! If you haven’t seen her fantastic music blog, check it out here.

1. Tootsies was fantastic, even the one in the airport had live music!
2. Six green hats and one Pink one for the Bride-to-Be.
3. Little Jimmy DIckens opening the show at The Grand Ole Opry.
4. The beautiful Carnton Plantation (there was a wedding happening when we were there!).
5.  The incredible Art Deco Men’s room at the Oak Bar (thanks to Dale for making sure the coast was clear and giving us a tour with all of the history!).
6. Neon in Nashville is one of my favorite things. SOmething about neon cowgirls is so classic.
7. Coyote Ugly. 
8. Bloody Mary’s at the Hard Rock. 

tumblr update!

Happy Monday lovelies!

I hope you are all having a great start to the week. It’s sunny and gorgeous here in Portland, and is rumored to hit 79 degrees by the end of the day (!!!) so everyone has been flocking outside. It seems like every meeting you go into there is a set of pink shoulders 9our Portland skin isn’t used to this!).

I wanted to take the chance to do a quick public service announcement that I re-designed my tumblr over at hotonadime.tumblr.com. It’s my visual diary of sorts cataloging some of my favorite inspiration images from around the interwebs, and now it just feels like it captures that intention a little better than it did before.  Check it out if you get a chance, and hopefully you’ll find something fun on there that inspires you too.

I started a few projects this weekend that I can’t wait to finish up and show you on here, but if you are following me over on instagram (@hot_on_a_dime) you may have seen a sneak peek or two, including my little helper. More on that soon!

Good luck this week.

xoxo,
E

Get Sexy, Sing Karaoke

Yet another fun event I’ll be missing while I’m out of town, and if you are here you really have to go! We all know I love myself some Solestruck, and they throw a great party. They are bringing out the big guns in their new arrivals (read: Acne, See by Chloe, Opening Ceremony) and celebrating at their store on W Burnside in Portland.

Solestruck Flagship Store
Friday, February 10th 7-10pm

Did I also mention it’s a pop up with some amazing local jewelry artists? It is. The One Two Three and Product of Play will have their amazing goods there to shop (both amazing ladies that I adore!).

Go check it out if you don’t have plans Friday night, and if you do, reschedule.

xoxo,
E

PDX Collective Sale

I’m so jealous that the PDX Collective sale is happening while I’m gone! This sale shows to be pretty good every time, and is worth getting down there for. I have found quite a few lovely things in the past, not to mention I love any event hosted at The Cleaners because I just love the space.

Get down there this weekend and check it out!

xoxo,
E

Girl’s Night!

Do you ever get to a point where you feel like you have been so crazy busy in your life you can’t even remember the last time you sat down with your girl (or guy) friends and just hung out? Well I got there, and apparently so did my girlfriends. I am lucky enough to have some amazing girls I went to college with that all keep in touch, even though things get so hectic with the day-to-day.

So what, might you ask, did we decide to do? An old-timey slumber party of course!  Only this one had wine. We painted our nails, watched chick flicks and gossiped/caught up (what’s the difference anymore?) until the wee hours of the morning. It was so much fun, and the best idea ever.

We even woke up (all sardined onto our air mattresses) to a little dusting of snow. Thanks again Alisa for having us out to your house, and to her hubby for disappearing for a night so we could take over!

P.S. Did I mention we hit Elmer’s the next morning for pancakes? Oh yes we did…

New lines hit Portland

Portland is stepping up the game on designers that you can now find here in town. I never was a huge Nordstrom girl… well, before now. Lately they have been picking up some new lines, including Proenza Schouler, Rachel Zoe, and more. What’s even better? The fact that they are hosting fun launch events with some of the new lines as they arrive. It’s great to be able to go somewhere local and see a pretty wide selection of one designer’s collection for the season, instead of just a piece or two. Plus, throw in cocktails and those insane cookies they bake on site? Done.

This past Saturday they held a Alexander Wang and Proenza Schouler launch event for the Resort line. I must add, both had some of the best color I’ve seen in awhile. Let’s just say I was having dreams about the little shift dress (and those Chloe heels? Come on!) well after the fact.

 

They are also now carrying some of the fantastic new seasonal Proenza Schouler bags, with a wide range of colors and styles as well.  Even if it isn’t within your budget, it’s great to have somewhere in town to go and fall in love in person!

So if you haven’t been down there in awhile, go check it out. Not to mention that in this weather of snow flurries, downtown Portland is worth it just for the romantic sights!

Happy Holidays!

I know I’m a little late as I have been spending a majority of my break either on the road (went back down to Southern Oregon for a few days!) or on my couch (it’s been so long!) and am not sorry at all about it.

So just to catch you up, here are a few photos since we’ve chatted last. Also, if you haven’t seen yet I caved and joined Instagram. Completely addicted and never going back. You can find me at @hot_on_a_dime !

I hope you’ve all been having a great Holiday season as well, and are ready for the new year… it’s comin’ in hot!

xoxo,
E

Portland Bazaar!

If you haven’t been yet, and live in the Portland area, get down to the Portland Bazaar at Sandbox Studio. It’s going on Saturday and Sunday this weekend and is full to the brim with some of the finest products the design scene in Portland has to offer. Everything from vintage, to screen prints to jewelry are in there; along with bands, food and the best apple cider I’ve had in years.

There are some great vendor spotlights over at their blog portlandbazaar.com that you can check out if you aren’t in the area and want to see more of the fun!