Thursday Words…

As we continue our house hunting, I keep thinking about the type of space I want us to have. A big part of that includes finally having some studio space in the house. Every time I post Thursday words on here I think about how amazing it would be to have a space where I could start to arrange my selections as inspiration as I work on my own projects. Hopefully soon it’ll be a reality!

More and more I am learning the importance of not only doing my own projects outside of work, but in creating a fantastic environment to do it in.  There’s something about that mini sanctuary you create for yourself so that you have somewhere to escape. I can’t wait to build mine… I’ve  been collecting the perfect pieces to fill it with!

xoxo,
E

Tuesday words…

I usually do what I llike to call “Thursday Words” because I am in need of a little boost or inspiration by that point in the week, but given that I missed last Thursday, and the sad event today of Maurice Sendak’s passing, I decided to make an exception.

RIP Mr. Sendak, you inspired our generation to know stories that weren’t just about princesses, and that it was ok.

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

New York in Pictures

Last week I took my first actual personal trip since I started at my job (which will be 5 years next month!). I’ve gone on a weekend somewhere, and as you have seen here I have gone tons of places through my job (I am a very lucky girl in that respect), but never just to go explore for myself. So where did I go? A tropical beach to relax? Maybe ancient ruins to explore? Nope, of course I went back to my beloved New York CIty to see the things I never have the time to while I am there on business!

It was a fantastic trip seeing old friends, exploring new neighborhoods (hello Williamsburg), and doing some of the most touristy things possible. There’s something about wandering around New York by yourself with nowhere pressing to be and not having to worry about dragging people along for the ride that is extremely liberating.

New Buttons!

Hello Lovelies!

I’m fresh back from my trip to New York and feeling as inspired as ever. I immediately woke up Sunday morning and started a new project, and I also decided to tackle some HTML/coding experimentation. It’s been awhile since I dabbled in that side of the blog (more to come soon), but I have added a few buttons to help us stay connected!

Take a look over on the sidebar now where you will find buttons linking you to my twitter, tumblr, and pinterest pages. Please come join me and share some of your own boards as well, I’d love to see you post links to your own pages below so that I can follow you back!

Happy Monday!

xoxo,
E

Thursday Words

Possibly the most re-pinned image I have ever seen on Pinterest… and such sage advice.

The past few weeks I have been taking every opportunity in front of me to learn new skills. A class on the Anatomy of the Foot, Moccasin Making, etc. It has been so wonderful just to be using my hands again! It sounds weird coming from a designer, but I feel like I rarely get my hands dirty anymore, and this has been such a great reminder to keep this trend going.

What new skill would you learn if you could take a class about anything?

I hope you’re all having a fantastic week!
xoxo,
E

Spring Fever!

Shorts BDG from Urban Outfitters $39, Cap Toe Heels from Zara $89.90, Silk top from J Crew $198, Leather Shopper from Zara $79.90, Kate Spade “Meet Your Match” Bangle from katespade.com $58, Necklace from Modcloth $12.99, Floral Top from Modcloth $37.99

With hints of spring showing up in Portland, I can’t help but have a wandering eye at all things Spring. So with that, here is my round up of the things I am lusting over to round out my Spring wardrobe. My absolute favorite jean shorts, the shocking pink silk blouse I have been obsessing over at J Crew,  a great floral, and the perfect mint pumps with a metal cap toe… all on a nice friendly budget.

Happy Friday lovelies, have a fantastic weekend!

xoxo,
E

My kind of collaboration

Well, it finally happened. Just what I had always secretly dreamed of… Pantone has done a collaboration with Sephora inspired by the Color of the Year, Tangerine Tango.

“United by a passion for color, Sephora and Pantone combine their expertise to become beauty’s leading authority on color. Sharing an affection for how color can transform a face, mood, or even an attitude, this breakthrough beauty partnership will change how you wear, feel and think about color. You’ll be introduced to playful shades that will inspire experimentation and exhilarating new products you’ll impulsively want to sweep on. It will reawaken and reinvigorate your own passion for color—or ignite a new found love. Join us in celebrating Color of the Year: Tangerine Tango.”

I’ll be the first one to admit that this year’s color is the perfect chance for a collaboration of this type. Tangerine lips, nails, and anything else imaginable have been showing up everywhere. Perhaps Mimosa wasn’t the best shade for lips (Color of 2011)? Either way, I’m going to have to get something from the collection this weekend, and I’m thinking it’s that lipstick.

Available online here, and also at all Sephora locations (according to the girl I was harassing on the phone yesterday).

xoxo
E

Shoes, Shoes and More Delightful Shoes…

On Wednesday I had the lovely opportunity to go to the Behind Closed Doors VIP party down at Solestruck celebrating their new Spring arrivals and showing off some of the yummy things coming in for next season. With champagne flowing, discounts being handed out and beautiful people trying on some majorly beautiful shoes, it was a recipe for all things wonderful.

They also were playing their fantastic new lookbook On the Road as we all shopped. If you haven’t seen it yet, don’t waste anymore time.



Morgan in shoe lust.

There were so many lovely shoes, but by far my favorite of the night was the United Nude Abstract Rome Hi. What a beauty, right? I clearly wasn’t the only one with an eye for this little diddy either because every time I looked up from my love affair there was a new girl with them slipping onto her foot.

The good news if you didn’t make it to the party? They’re throwing another one! You can always count on these cats to have a fun party, and luckily Spring Break is the perfect excuse.  Details below.

Spring Break party Saturday April 7th, 2012
Solestruck will be kicking of their new pop up with Saltwater Gypsy Vintage & Tnemnroda Jewelry. Expect a DJ, lots of beer, free goodie bags to the first 100 people through the door and wait for it, wait for it… we’ll be giving away 5 pairs of Jeffrey Campbell Litas! Fun will be happening all day but the DJ, giveaways and goodie bags don’t start till 7pm.

Solestruck isn’t the only one getting in on the fun either…
Isaac Hers will be hosting a “Make My Break” sale and party. Get 20% off apparel plus an EXTRA 5% off when you Check-In at their store on Facebook. They’ll be partying from 3-9 pm with drinks starting at 3 pm and a DJ at 6 pm.

The Woodlands and Tanner Goods will be serving up beer from Ninkasi, stayin’ open late, and offering some sale goods.

Dunderdon will have beer and a Sale too!

Moral of the story? Get down there Saturday for fun, goodies, cocktails and shoes!

xoxo,
E

My First Birchbox

Awhile back I found a service called Birchbox via Eva Chen, who is the Beauty Editor for Teen Vogue and one of my favorites to follow on Twitter. They had done a collaboration between Birchbox and Teen Vogue just in time for Prom season. I hadn’t heard of the service before, and instantly became a fan of the simple idea; each month you get a box as part of a subscription, and inside it is a collection of high-end beauty samples handpicked and delivered to your door. It also doesn’t hurt to find a bright pink package in your mailbox after a long day!

I must say, I was a tad bit skeptical about what they could do with the $10 fee you sent them, and I was highly impressed. Not only did it come with a full size Essie polish, that I actually am wearing right now, but other products as well. The box and packaging all felt very special and highly considered as well. All for $10? Sign me up! Oh wait… I already am.

So go check it out for yourself, and sign up for a fun monthly surprise!

xoxo,
E