simply jolleen

Happy May! I would like to introduce, my friend, Jolleen of Simply Jolleen! This lovely lady is a D.C. area event planner/designer and a dancing queen. In-between spontaneous dancing and putting together special occasions to remember, she whips up easy DIYs, yummy recipes and stylish outfit ideas to inspire fêtes of your own. I'm excited to be collaborating with Jolleen to showcase more of her fun style!

Visit Simply Jolleen for more!

from across the table

1. Lavender Moon Cupcakery - Alexandria, VA
2. Extra Perks Coffee Shop & Cafe - Alexandria, VA
3. PAUL Georgetown - Washington, DC

a daily something

I am very excited to be collaborating with my talented friend, Rebecca of A Daily Something for her new style series! Rebecca is a Northern Virginia based prop stylist, wedding designer, mama-to-be and an all-around inspiration!

Visit A Daily Something for more!

while i was away

While I was away...

1. I hid in a bush of lights at the National Zoo's Zoo Lights display.
2. I had a failed crafty Christmas. This necklace was the only thing I made. { tutorial }
3. I went to Philadelphia for coffee, food and live music.
4. the sky was fire.
5. layers and cat sweaters happened.
6. I jumped into a frozen lake. For the children!
7. I befriended a furry friend.
8. I reduced, reused, recycled.

Follow along on Instagram - @heylisachiu

yell like hell to the heavens

2012 was the bully that pushed me around, stole my lunch money and made me feel the absolute worst. Within this whirlwind of a year were incredible moments worth remembering, including: getting a taste of the mid-western rural lifestyle, getting to nanny for the best family ever, seeing a handful of amazing bands in concert, laughing the loudest with friends, a foot fracture resulting from having too much fun, etc.

Thank you to 2012 for shaping me, for testing my strengths, my heart, my bones. I'm ready to leave this year behind. I'm ready for the adventures and the challenges in the new year. To 2013, I just want to say, "Come at me, bro!"

To the rest, you are wonderful. There is nowhere to go but forward. There is no place to grow but up. There is no time to love but now. There is no one like you but you.

And now this...

You may have seen Japandroids' album, Celebration Rock, on various Best Albums of 2012 lists. Celebration Rock is the perfect album to listen to to close out the year. It's energetic, powerful, fun, hopeful, complete with fireworks- exactly how a year should end and for a new one to begin. Have a listen, and have a wonderful new year!

very merry

Celebrate love, laughter and good company. Happy Holidays!

xo

fractures

top: kirna zabete for target / jacket: old navy / high-waisted denim shorts: bdg- urban outfitters
tights: cynthia rowley / bag: urban outfitters / lace-up boot: dolce vita for target
monstrous velcro fashion boot: your neighborhood orthopedic doctor

Hello there! I spent the past two and a half months hobbling around with a clunky, orthopedic boot with fashionable velcro straps to keep some bones in place. You guys, I know the Gangnam Style is super fun and addictive and all you want to do is dance the Gangnam Style everywhere, but please, make sure your dancing area is clear of curbs or things that may obstruct your dancing and potentially fracture your foot, dooming you to crutches and orthopedic footwear for weeks. But, hey, at least you'll get handicap parking (but never at Walmart)!

Earlier this week, I was cleared to resume regular activities involving two feet sans orthopedic fashion footwear. The moral of this story is: the Gangnam Style is a dangerous dance, and ironically, my foot injury was called a "dancer's fracture."

crafty bastards

Crafty Bastards was last weekend! It was my first time going to this huge arts and crafts fair and it was awesome! Many thanks to Morgan for the tickets! It was so much fun and inspiring peeking at the 140+ vendors. But I must say that it was a bit overwhelming trying to navigate through the large crowds - the reason why there aren't pictures of any of the vendors. I picked up some gifts for friends and a few things for myself, including a large print by the amazing El Jefe. Transporting the poster home on the metro can be summed up by me exclaiming, "I need a poster tube!" every 10 minutes.