OC Family Craft Time with Julie mack

I started a new editorial section at the magazine I work at as an art director! It’s a craft page featuring a simple tutorial of a kid’s project but there’s also a blog component and a video component. It’s sort of a side project that merges my day to day and my crafty obsessions which is pretty awesome. If you would like to watch me be awkward on video, check out our first two videos— Simple Springtime Pinwheel & Cardboard Space Rockets.

bicycles, boots & a cardigan

This dress makes me happy— it’s got such lovely little details and the pattern is fun and the palette is a tish vintage just like the cut of the dress. And there’s pockets! Who can say no to pockets? Not me. Other things that make me happy— patternmashing! The cardigan is a more subtle/low-contrast leopard print in addition to all these crazy bicycles. dress: anthropologie / cardigan: gap / boots: steve madden

it's about the details: pleats, pattern & pockets

simple cuts & quirky colors

I tend to stick to simple cuts (like the pencil skirt—my favorite wardrobe staple) but mix it up by using a less-traditional color. I wouldn’t really call mustard, russet & moss “quirky” but in comparison to the more standard fare of black/gray/navy, I think it’ll work. cardigan: jcrew / tee: forever21 / skirt: jcrew / shoes: MIA

bold black & white stripes

More stripes! ALL OF THE STRIPES! I am addicted to the punchy graphic dash they add to the mix. & I feel like these in black & white are a more polished version of the cream & russet of the previous outfit which helps offset my converse and moto-sweatshirt-jacket. jacket: urban outfitters / top: french connection via rue la la / denim: gap / shoes: converse

Cozy Coffee Cuffs- Merit Badge, Crazy Heart & Sleepy Cat

These are kind of addictive! They’re really easy to make, finish up quickly and have endless possibilities. I’m currently rockin’ Sleepy Cat on all my morning beverages.

To get the printable May 2012 calendar, click on the picture above. Save as to your computer.

To get the printable yellow May 2012 calendar, click on the picture above. Save as to your computer.

To get the full size May 2012 desktop version, click on the image above. Click to zoom in and then right click & save as to your computer.

To get the full size yellow May 2012 desktop version, click on the image above. Click to zoom in and then right click & save as to your computer.

To get the full size black & yellow May 2012 desktop version, click on the image above. Click to zoom in and then right click & save as to your computer.

To get the iPhone version, right click on the image above & save as to your computer.

To get the iPhone version, right click on the image above & save as to your computer.

To get the iPhone version, right click on the image above & save as to your computer.

Into the merry month of May we go! Huzzah!

Mork from Phil Borst on Vimeo.

Created by: Phil Borst
Music by: http://www.dustinohalloran.com/
Software: After Effects
Project File : https://rapidshare.com/files/281844588/MORK_Anim_PhilBorst_folder.zip

Crazy wallpaper at a bridal boutique in Orange County

My friend invited me with her for her wedding dress shopping and I could not stop staring at the crazy wallpaper— I love it! Kind of tacky/loud but still classy in a really odd way?

Oh hey, I cut all my hair off.

23 March 2012

First day of short hair! It was a bit chilly out and I knew my head was going to be unusually cold as well so I layered. I have been in love with this grandpa sweater that I found at Crossroads trading; it’s by Park Vogel (fancypants!) and is made out of a crazy amazing cashmere yarn not to mention the lovely mushroom-mouse color it’s got going on. cardigan: park vogel, via crossroads trading; tee & tank: forever 21; denim: gap; boots: nine west.

28 March 2012

Proof that I don’t always wear jeans. Probably one of the last tight-wearings of the season. Toying around with greys, opacity and stripes (with the pattern of the tank top, the stitching on the sweater and the double-strap of the shoes). The fuller skirt always seems a tish frilly to me, so I try to balance that with sedate colors and otherwise simple items. sweater: express; tank: forever 21; skirt: the limited; shoes: tribeca; tights: aldo.

29 March 2012: jump!

Jumping photos are hard —but I am happy with how this one turned out. Wish my legs were in focus/crisp but that’s what you get when you’re racing a self timer, I suppose. Onto the outfit! More of my wardrobe staples: the pencil skirt, patternmashing (horizontal stripes & blue leopard print this day) and that dash of color. cardigan: gap; tee: old navy; skirt: american apparel; tights: dkny; shoes: steve madden.

02 April 2012: watermelon

This outfit makes me happy because I feel like I am both a watermelon and like I’m imitating Audrey Hepburn because of the ankle length jeans and flats combo with a blousier top. top: old navy; tank & jeans: gap; leopard print flats that are hardly in the photo because Menace came to investigate: journey’s; scarf: a much loved gift from my mother.

03 April 2012

After the super brights of the previous day, I wanted to indulge in some neutral and more sedate color and maybe a little shiny. cardigan with slightly shimmery leopard print: ann taylor loft; top: old navy; denim: hudson, via crossroads trading; my favorite color-blocked t-straps of olive, bone & shiny pewter with the dreamy cone heel: seychelles.

California-weight cowl

Something I’ve struggled with since moving here to sunny Southern California from my beloved windy city is weather-appropriate garb. Coming from Chicago, I am addicted to lots and lots of layering. But holy moly, I overheat easily so this weather has been throwing me for a loop. Figuring out the right fabrics and balancing the garments breath is a pretty high priority for me. I miss my knitted items! Most of the things I’ve knit for myself over the years are of the toasty warm, squishy, cozy genre. I’ve been daydreaming of something I could layer with and still be comfortable temperature-wise.

I think I’ve figured it out finally! This version is a gift for a friend who is also a recent transplant to this warm climate who I thought might be missing these layering pieces just as much as me. This is done in that lovely MadelineTosh Merino light that I just bought a few weeks ago (I was excited to use it!) from the Purl Soho warehouse in Tustin. The fabric turned out nicely airy but not fluffy; it still has enough weight to give a good drape to the finished fabric. I have to knit one for myself now— thinking maybe some sort of coral color, something peppy & springy.

Made with MadelaineTosh Merino Light from Purl Soho

*my husband loves to try to get me to laugh when my automatic timer is counting down. sometimes he succeeds. Today is our third wedding anniversary. We are such lucky, lucky assholes. <3