Amber Renee

Diary

Reading, Writing and Running Around in Circles

01/22/2011

Lately I’ve gotten even more addicted to reading because my best friend got a Kindle (which I have been putting off, I have some kind of strange obsession with paper) and it makes sharing books a snap.

You can loan out books you’ve bought for a couple of weeks, perfect for an addict like me to munch on books with my hungry eyes. I highly recommend it.

Also — if you’re tight on space you don’t have the ton of books looming in the corner. I like to stack my books but now that I have Colette I’m going to have to .. why are bookshelves so scary? Is that my agoraphobia looming in the background? I love bookshelves, tall ones anchored to the wall.. however with the baby they make my nervous. Perhaps the wall-unit shelves.. but wont things topple off one they’re bumped? I suppose they’ll do. The large IKEA expedit will not fit on any of my walls.. we had to part ways. It was a sad day but luckily a friend found use out of it.

This is a Saturday post.. it’s way too wonky to be a weekday post. Don’t you agree? 😉 Mostly I just enjoy making art for posts sometimes.. would posts with art-journaling only be acceptable?

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Design Your Life

Finding Energy in the Dead of Winter

01/20/2011

Why is it so tough? Why do I feel the need to gulp down glass after glass of coffee all day and night long just to stay awake? Is it me? My medication? The season? The amount of close family and friends experiencing the same this time of the year leads me to believe it’s not just me. Everyone feels exhausted.

One way to instantly feel better is to do something. Anything. It will improve your mood and might just inspire you to continue or to try something else. This is one I hear again and again and it’s almost the hardest one to do… just get up and make myself work? When I feel like sleeping? When I feel like pulling the blinds and hiding in bed all day? Yes, even today.

A great way to naturally produce energy is by exercising. No matter how strange this sounds, exercise actually does give you more energy and produces endorphins. I feel like I preach this to myself all day.. exercise and eat well! I’m pretty bad at going for the sweets and caffeine without hesitation. This is why I feel so great one second and like absolute shit the next. These cause you to crash and then it’s even harder to stay awake and energized.

Take a nap. I know it sounds silly. Even a 30 minute power nap. Tell yourself you’re really exhausted now but when you wake up at (set your alarm now) __:__ you’ll be ready to work on whatever task you’d like to complete.

Don’t make your tasks sound large, break them down. Instead of ‘clean up kitchen’ how about ‘wash dishes’ and later ‘sweep kitchen floor’ and finally ‘clean counters’ ? It makes it a lot easier to get things done when you make them sound manageable. At your MOST LIFELESS you’ll still feel like you can accomplish wiping the counters.

Take in the small things. Light a candle and relax while you breathe the warmly scented aroma it creates. (try mint or eucalyptus scents for energy!) Slowly enjoy and experience a cold, refreshing iced drink. Put an energizing scented lotion on and take in the whole experience as you smooth it into your hands and smell the fresh mint.

One of my absolute favorite ways to find energy is to drink coffee and tea. However be careful because as I said before, caffeine causes a later crash. Have a cup of Earl Grey when you feel like going to bed. Enjoy the tea as you drink it and take in the aroma. You should feel more energized after you’ve had your tea. I know everyone knows this but I feel like we often forget or don’t take time to experience an afternoon tea.

Do you have some more ways to stay energized in the dead winter that don’t involve cold showers? 😉

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Business Features Visual Splendor

Little Oven Bakery and the Magnificent Macarons

01/19/2011

Little Oven Bakery in New York City surprised me with a little package filled with French confections recently. I was really excited because not only was it a chance to photograph and eat one of my favorite things: macarons; but I also had a little case of Sofia Minis chilled just for such an occasion.

I must say they were all delicious. Even after being mailed they were perfectly crispy, chewy and delicious. I felt like I’d just ran away from the bakery with an abundance of sugary love.

I heard they’ve been recently adding new flavors to their lineup like chai tea and peanut butter and jelly. Yum! I can’t wait for my next tasting session.

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DIY Magazine Clips

Fun With Yo-Yos and Japanese Craft-spirations

01/18/2011

I was flipping through some Japanese craft books lately and found a few cute uses for yo-yos that I thought were super cute for the home.

The lampshade is my favorite and I have to try it. What about you? It’s like a yo-yo chandelier.

I’ve always loved yo-yos for some odd reason, a blanket of yo-yos in an array of candy colors and polkadots really makes me drool like no other. These ideas gave me the same reaction!

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Artist & Designer Features Visual Splendor

Meet Goldiloks: Jacktress of All Trades

01/17/2011

Goldiloks and I met awhile ago through this website. She raved about whimsy, color and all of the things we love here at Miseducated and we instantly became pals.

She’s been creating art since she can imagine and has been making her career revolve around it. She’s a prime example of why you have to keep doing what you believe in. Your dreams just may come true!
How long have you been painting?
Painting, all my life but I guess to narrow it down, around 2004 I started taking it seriously. Back then I was more into street art but slowly worked my way into using different mediums.

What is your favorite piece or set you’ve made?
Hamburger Playland. It’s a Junkyard Window piece I created for my daughter… I love it becuz… I dont know.. It represents everything I think a kid’s imagination should be filled with…. lots of pretty colors, whimsical characters and smiling things.

What inspires you most?
Pretty things. Clever things. Anything that make me feel good. If I see something that makes me smile, or want to be around it, It’s usually something that inspires me. Makes me want to create. which is a huge cycle, becuz of course, once you create something, it inspires you to produce more.

If you were having the worst writer’s block ever what is a sure fire way to help you out of it? What works for you?
HA! When I figure this one out, I’ll let ya know! No, really.. when I get into a blank space, I usually fill it with inspirational stuff like recipes I want to try, Japanese fashion magazine clippings, love notes my husband writes me, or pretty pictures. New ideas always come when I fill my little space with new stuff.

JUST DO IT! And DO YOU! No one ever succeeded in life by just WANTING to be successful.

How would you encourage other artists staring out to get online, in galleries, in craft shows?
JUST DO IT! And DO YOU! No one ever succeeded in life by just WANTING to be successful. Branch out, find people in your niche and dont be shy!! Introduce yourself becuz you never know, that person could be the person to open doors for you, or vice versa. Its all about networking, working towards a goal, but most importantly… DOING YOU.

Are you miseducated and why?
I believe so! I’ve never been the type to be put in a box, and never will. I’m a creative soul, love anything cute and whimsical….so I guess that makes me miseducated!

Goldiloks also made us these collages~

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Day With a Camera Diary

Day With a Camera: Don’t Give Up On Me

01/15/2011

It seems with my leave of absence (pregnancy, new motherhood and loads of work) a lot of the chatters here at the blog from earlier days are quieting down. We discuss that everyone has given up on any chance of an update or response so they’re no longer coming back to check.. well whatever the reason, I’m officially off of maternity leave! I always leave little updates on twitter assuming you get them but why assume? I figured I’d update (on a weekend day!) just to let you know how I feel about the situation.

Our visitor stats ARE back up and we’re glad. I’m happy many more of you are finding our colorful home and reading our splendidly girly articles. I speak for everyone involved when I say we LOVE it.

Hopefully with new content we’ll also be hearing from our other wonderful contributors, huh? You’ll see very soon!

Also — please nominate your favorite artist and handmakers for future features. Who deserves some praise from our whimsical neck of the wonderland woods? It’s one of my new favorite things, featuring artists. There are so many amazing artists out there I cannot wait to tell you about!

Another giveaway is coming up soon so stay tuned.

Do you think this alternate deericorn pendant might impale people unintentionally?

Coco's room is huuuge and filled with love~

I love having the same size feet as a child.

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Crafts DIY

Crafts from Around the Web Vol 2

01/14/2011

Recycle cute containers to make kitschy magnets.
Create a MiuMiu style collar with Audrey.

Create individual cupcake stands with Goldiloks.
Sew bows onto ankle socks for instant cuteness.

Thank you again to each of the authors for your lovely craft tutorials! I’m very interested in featuring other creative blogs as well, there is so much talent on the web that shouldn’t be missed!

Now let’s get creating…

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Self Decoration

Mise En Snap: Skins: A Teenage Wasteland

01/13/2011

I recently overheard another journalist saying that this is the first generation that has no hope that the future will be brighter. It makes me instantly imagine the wreckage this is causing to the beautiful people in our world. It also makes me consider what one would do if they had no hope for the future.. I know by experience that drugs are the easiest ways to leave the scene and to botch up your life. Is that what future generations are doomed to obsess over? Isn’t that what all generations did when they were young?

Are we just doom and gloom because of the poor economy? Are we insisting to each other that things are horrible and that they are not going to improve? Is it hopeless?

So I decided to do a feature on one of my favorite Shows from the UK, skins. Since MTV had ripped it off for an americanized-version I have an idea we’ll be seeing a lot more skins on the screen. Cassie was always my favorite character and not only because my best friends claimed she was me slapped into the UK drama. I love her and her general unapologetic way of dressing cute and kitschy. She doesn’t match and she doesn’t care. That’s my favorite club. She makes me feel like I’m not alone.

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Self Decoration

Play Date with Nylon Magazine

01/11/2011

I had to feature this NYLON photoshoot because it’s so Miseducated I can’t stand it. Rainbows, hearts, plastic jewelry, pigtails, rollerskates and vintage-inspired frocks. Did they raid my closet? Is NYLON following me? Just kidding of course.. but seriously this looks like it was inspired by us. Not like you needed anymore reasons to read NYLON though, huh?

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Crafts DIY

Kawaii Crafts From Around the Web

01/10/2011

Recycle old magazines to make thrifty canvases.
Create a plush, retro deer similar to Ayumi Uyama style.

Create Hello Kitty cake pops with Bakerella.
Make a sugary sweet felt coin purse.

Merci to each of the authors for your lovely craft tutorials! I’m very happy to feature these blogs because they really excel at creating visual, eye-candy heavy tutorials and I know you Miseducated readers will love them as much as I do!

Now let’s get creating…

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