Diary

Everything is Changing

03/02/2011

I’ve been working like crazy lately and unable to respond to many of your messages but I am getting them and I will catch up eventually. Everything’s changing from winter to spring now and it’s caused quite an overload of work. I understand wanting to start anew and get new collections out, whew so much to do and so little time to blog!

Speaking of collections I’m collaborating with one of my dearest friends, Chelsea of Paper*Cakes on a new project that will be out soon~

I miss the days when I could sit and produce several visual blog posts in no time. I feel like all of that drive has to be focused on Colette and work right now and I just cannot find that same inspiration for blogging. That explains all the rambling diary posts.

Did I tell you my schedule totally changed? We all have to get up before dawn now due to my husbands new job. I’m still trying to get motivated in the early morning but so far I’ve just been sketching, working and chugging lots of tea and vanilla coffee. I’ll get the hang of this!

Miseducated is also going through some changes.. I’ve been reorganizing and there’s much more to go so stay tuned.

2 Comments

Business Features Self Decoration

Bando: Bows From Your Hair to Your Toes

03/01/2011

I have recently fallen in love with Bando, a shop which has adorable bows for your hair, clothes, toes, allover! They also have these absolutely delicious candy-coated chiffon pompoms for your shoes~ “These adorable silk chiffon pom pom shoe clips were inspired by cotton candy clouds and bon bon pillows.” ~ Bando

The story behind their shop is as cute as the brand itself; they urge you to spurge on yourself once in awhile and I’m going to have to. Better yet they offered us an adorable gift for our next giveaway this Spring so you’ll have a chance to win something beautiful from their shop.

3 Comments

Thankful for Monday

Thankful for Monday: Blossoms and Fondue

02/28/2011

I’m thankful for so many things this crazy week but if I had to choose just five…

♥ Fondue

One of my absolute favorite types of food that I very rarely get to enjoy. For my birthday my best friend took me to a delicious restaurant, The Melting Pot, where we had coffee liqueur and creme brulee fondue for a select time. There were cakes, strawberries and a plate full of sweets for us to plummet into the creamy-crackly, velvety white chocolate bliss. I wish I could share our dessert with each and every one of you, I’ll never forget it.

♥ Tiny Cactus

As you know these are one of my favorite things, I talk about them enough. When I lived in Japan the cactus displays left me permanently obsessed so I always make sure to check supermarket cactuses here. On a late night adventure with Pajamie I spotted a tiny cactus tray and grabbed one with a closed bud on top. Upon bringing it home I repotted it in cactus soil and placed it under a sunlamp. It bloomed immediately and continues to bloom each and every morning. Such a small reminder of the wonderful and beautiful world we live in.

♥ Painting

Lately I’ve taken up painting again to help relax and calm my nerves. I, already anxious, drink a lot of coffee throughout the day as I work then end up in a shaky mess when the day is through.. I’ve been stealing short breaks into my bedroom to paint macarons and rainbows and it’s been making me feel so much better. I missed painting after about a year.. I want to get back into creating art with my hands more, I’ve been getting a little rusty.

♥ Web Design

Many people hear around that I do web design on the side and I find fun little projects to complete during the weeks for new artists and indie businesses. It’s really getting to be a great way to meet new talented artists, even when I don’t have time to be hired for a design job I’m able to find new and interesting designers to feature here at Miseducated. You’ll be excited to hear about some new features coming in the future..

♥ Colette

Of course, the number one thing I’m thankful for in the whole wide world is my princess, Colette. Everyday she learns something new, she’s in such a fun stage. She’s standing, crawling and learning to be mobile.. she’s finding wonder and excitement at every turn. I cannot stop being inspired by her. She changed my life as far as my work and inspiration goes, being pregnant kicked me into gear and being reminded of how special she is daily continues to give me so much to work for. I’m so lucky I get to spend everyday with her!

What made last week magical for you? ♥

1 Comment

Design Your Life

Paper*Cakes: Let’s Get Real

02/27/2011

Short post today because I read the sweetest, most sincere post recently by a dear friend and I just had to share it with you!

The internet makes it easy for us to hide our shortcomings, but it also makes it far easier to connect with people on a level that we can’t always reach in real life.

Let’s Get Real by Paper*Cakes

3 Comments

Design Your Life

Five Ways To Start Having More Fun

02/23/2011

Lately I feel like the only time I genuinely have fun is when I’m playing with Colette. Not only am I challenged at living in the moment but I don’t know how to have fun at home. I’m sure others do it, too.. I get into this state where if I’m doing something “fun” and not working I feel I need to be working.

I can’t just relax and let go.
I always feel there are things to be done.. as there are.
What an anxious twit I must sound like!

So now I’m on a mission to have more fun at all times.

1. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Let go of all of your hangups, You’re not too cool to have fun, you can always find fun to be had.

2. Take up new activities that you’re interested in. Always wanted to learn to knit? To sew? To surf? There’s no time like the present to master any skill you’re intrigued by.

3. Writing time. Grab your journal or a piece of paper and list at least 30 things you like, or would like, to do. If you feel like it, add 30 more. Check this list when you’re feeling bored, uninspired or just stuck!

4. Laugh more. Allow yourself to laugh more at everything, it will make you feel better instantly.

5. Take time out for fun. Schedule time out from work and the daily grind to do something you’d like to do. Give everyone a rain check and take it all in. This is your time, have fun doing what you want. You deserve it!

The Eight Principles of Fun (this is cute)

1 Comment

Diary

We Each Have Our Flaws

02/22/2011

She got so banged up in the move..

I’m currently in the process of obsessing about my window garden. I’m going to make window boxes to line my balcony and I’ve got the strawberries already growing in my AeroGarden.

I’m also working like crazy on the next Tokyolux line which I already want in my closet.

Colette is squealing in the background, this actually inspires me more than anything else.

Outside I can hear the geese squawking.. we live on the water now. This is a completely new thing for me and I like it. I’ve settled down quite well in this place with the huge, arched windows and sidewalk right to my best friend’s house. How could I not?

Yet still I cannot seem to shake that horrible feeling that permeates my entire body.

… and it’s tough. It’s tough getting help. Tough relinquishing this hold you have on your past. Tough getting through all of the small talk so you can get to the good stuff. I’m getting there and I can feel it.. but because of everything I have blocked out is holding me back. Someday I will have to accept the past and move on.

I just love being embarrassingly honest with you because I know in some ways it pays off. I would rather help you by sharing my own story; together we can conquer anything.

2 Comments

Diary

Don’t Live in the Past

02/18/2011

My birthday cake.

Package from Audrey.

Birthday gift from Ben.

This chocolate covered cherry Peep is the best thing I've ever eaten.. today!

Valentine tastiness.

Today I spent a little time roaming around my parent’s home. Isn’t it strange when you’re reminded so vividly of a past that was both horrifying and magical?

I remember laying in my comfortable cloud bed knowing that it would be my last night staying at my parent’s home.. I would be getting married the very next day and then we would be off to Japan to celebrate.

We discussed in group therapy yesterday that really rings true.. it was about being present; forgetting about yesterday and tomorrow. There is only today. Don’t waste it.

A sign at the cemetery where I used to roam and have chats with my deceased grandmother reads, “LOVE.” It’s the best advice I’ve had all day.

0 Comments

Visual Splendor

We Call Them Chicago Weekends

02/17/2011

I live in a small city I like to call OZ. It’s cute, sweet and colorful with bright blue skies, yellow meadows and green grass. Living here is nice, you get small-city life but there’s not so much hustle bustle that you can’t get around easily. I love Indianapolis, I’ve tried to move several times and I keep coming back here to roost (the people here are rad).

One way we Indy folk like to have fun is to go to Chicago over the weekend. Our neighbor is a major city, has delicious deep dish pizza, and has an abundance of sky scrapers, shops, events and food to enjoy.

Exploring.

Foklorique fashion show

Deep dish at Gino’s East.

The pizza was delicious and quite different from my usual favorite. It was refreshing to try something new but, as you can imagine, very messy. This baby was not so much a hands-on pizza slice.

It was also here that Benjamin and I met and had pizza with Jamie of Japan L.A. and Stephie of Dollybeast — both were visiting Chicago and couldn’t stop raving about it. It surely is a special place and it will always have a special place in my heart.

Stay tuned for features on two of my favorite places in Chicago, Chinatown and Rotofugi.

0 Comments

Design Your Life

Spring Cleaning Isn’t That Far Away

02/16/2011

I keep looking around my apartment and sighing. My husband doesn’t see it. This place is an absolute wreck and it’s just screaming at me to clean it.

I can’t stand living in a messy home. I can’t work in a messy home. I can’t get inspired in a messy home.

When I look around at what needs to be done.. I get so overwhelmed. I can’t stand to clean much anything at all and organizing seems such an impossible feat.

I let things get a little too cluttered this winter. Looks like it’s time to donate.

To get inspired I’m looking at images of lovely rooms, doesn’t that inspire you?