vmac+cheese

1.27.12

Posted on January 27, 2012 by vmacandcheese

Happy Friday, friends! Before we dive in to this week’s links, I wanted to take a second to say hi and welcome to all the new vmac+cheese readers who are here because of referrals from Mini-Alt Week or Alt itself! Thanks for stopping by!

I have to be honest with you: this week was a total doozy. You come back from something like Alt and your mind is swirling with so many thoughts, ideas, and questions. I’ve also had lots going on in my personal life (engagement yes, and some other particularly juicy points of interest that I’ll discuss soon, promise) that have made things a little crazy around these parts. I’m so happy to see the weekend and hopefully sleep in as much as possible. Do you ever find that when you’re extra busy, you can’t sleep in because your mental to-do list wakes you up? Dear brain, let’s try and shut it down this weekend, mmkay?

If you’re new to vmac+cheese, each Friday I like to post a list of my favorite links from the week. Be sure to check these out if you find yourself with some quiet time and a cup of tea!

+ The food posts from the last few weeks were out of control good! First, check out Jaclyn’s homemade oreo cookies. So pretty and a million times less processed than the store bought version.
+ Similarly, Lara attempted my favorite Girl Scout cookie of all time, the caramel delite, also known as the Samoa in virtually every part of the country except for Texas.
+ Sarah shared her gorgeous photos from homemade chocolate and sea salt peanut butter cups. PS, they’re vegan!
+ So now that you’ve indulged in all the sweets, did you notice your skin flared up? Yeah, it’s not a coincidence. Dairy, refined carbs, and zinc deficiency are often the culprit, and I personally have noticed a difference when I cut these things out. I’m glad The Beauty Department is reporting on this too!
+ On to my first ever mentions of wedding planning. Or lack thereof. I really have done nothing, you guys. But I was happy to meet Sara at Alt, and to subscribe to her wedding blog Marry This! I need to balance all of the pretty, aspirational wedding goodness that’s out there with the more realistic yet equally as inspiring.
+ Similarly, if and when we ever put up a wedding website, I hope our guest book is 1/10th as hilarious as Bridget and Chris’s, friends of fellow Texan Jenn. I mean, a honey badger reference? These people are awesome.
+ I totally enjoyed Erica’s article on the value of LinkedIn. Not on it? Maybe think about it.
+ Rachel, from the blog Southern Exposure, is one of those people that always finds amazing fixer pieces, with final results that are nothing short of fantastic. Her latest is no exception!
+ Finally, wondering who else went to Alt Summit? Need a few new blogs to check out? Don’t miss Meg’s roundup of Alt-goers. Links for days, people. And if you look close in the photo, you might even see a little business card from yours truly. Enjoy!

{Image Credit: Nastia Vesna via Margaret Jacobson Pinterest}

Filed under: Friday Link Love | 19 Comments »

Design Impact: The Rug

Posted on January 26, 2012 by vmacandcheese

We were in the car the other day and Joe was letting me ramble on about decorating ideas I have, including those that could be accomplished in a rented space. I mentioned how I wished it was easier to replace light fixtures in a rental, then wondered aloud whether a great light fixture had the biggest impact on taking a room from okay to WOW.

Joe patiently listened and said “Uh huh” in all the right places, but when I thought about it a little more (welcome to the inner wanderings of my mind), I realized that I should stop worrying about lighting because honestly? I think rugs have the biggest design impact.

Take the above. I adore the living room on the right. I mean, the floors are gorgeous. It feels fresh, clean, and oh-so-simple. But the room on the left has a similar aesthetic and color scheme, but with the use of (two!) rugs, the feel of the space is totally different. Cozy. Warm. Textured.

Then there are these two photos, which Naomi posted a while back but which illustrate the point perfectly:

Room on the top — no rug. Exact same room WITH rug below. Crazy, right?

Are you with me? Do you think rugs are the quickest way to impact the design of the room? Paint is obviously up there too — though it’s not so quick or easy! What are your tips for making a room feel totally different when you’re on a budget or in a rental?

{Image Credits: French by Design via Savvy Home, photograph by Jean Marc Palisse; Flourish Design + Style via This is Glamorous; Laura Resen Photography via Design Manifest}

Filed under: Design | Tagged: decorating, design tips, Interior Design, interiors, rugs | 25 Comments »

Brighten up…

Posted on January 26, 2012 by vmacandcheese

…with a bit of yellow! I’ve always heard that listening to certain songs, smelling certain aromas, and seeing particular colors can help lift you up and brighten your mood. In case you’re stuck in the midst of the Thursday doldrums (and let’s assume with limited access to your favorite song, or a delicious smell — whatever leftovers your co-workers will microwave notwithstanding), here’s hoping this dash of yellow will cheer you up. It’s almost Friday, after all!

{Image Credits: Lemon Bars created and photographed by Treats, Street Style via Easy Fashion, Bike ride via Olivia Compulsive Disorder (originally in Vogue China)}

Filed under: Beautiful Things, Style Files | Tagged: retail, shirt, spring, sweater, yellow | 26 Comments »

Behind the Scenes with Makeunder My Life

Posted on January 25, 2012 by vmacandcheese

I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am to feature today’s BTS girl. Jess Constable, author of the blog Makeunder My Life and also the owner of the accessories company Jess LC, has been an inspiration to me for quite a while now. Confession: there have been times in the not too distant past where I felt total and utter despair when it came to my career path and figuring out what I wanted in my life. Jess’ posts absolutely helped me get direction and made me realize I wasn’t on my own (her worry flashcards were the best idea ever! You can see some of her best life advice posts here). Her business has taken off in the last few years, and I can’t wait to see where this girl goes next. I could totally see talk show. Take it away, Jess!

Jess Constable, 27

Chicago

(photo credits, Paris, Rome, London, Australia, and Thailand)

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (again), Bossypants, The Four Hour Workweek, a portion of A Course in Miracles

(photo credits, ring, San Fran, kitchen)

I’d like to be married, living near San Francisco, and have a home with white marble in the kitchen.

The first intention I have is to spend more time reflecting and practicing my spirituality. To do this, my goal is to get out of bed each morning and spend time on the small loveseat in my bedroom (below) and reflect, read, or write each weekday morning.

The second intention is to read more after work. For this, I want to get Bossypants to start getting in the habit of reading with something that I think I’ll really enjoy.

(photo credit, Emily Anderson for Rue)

Having my own home with my husband – though that involves getting engaged, married, and saving for a house!

The blog got it’s name from the idea that in order to be the best version of ourselves, we don’t need to makeover our lives, but to makeunder them. By peeling back the layers of “stuff” that is hiding this best self, we can become who we’ve wanted to be all along.

I am inspired by Oprah Winfrey and her impact on women and people across the world. I’m also inspired by spiritual and business leaders like Joyce Meyer, Ben Franklin, and Gary Vaynerchuk. They all have done tremendous things while staying completely unique.

(photo credit, Danielle Moss)

I’m proud of the fact that I launched my business full-time right out of college and have made it not only succeed, but to use it to help others design a life with intention as well.

My bed! Other than that, “Fluffy Cloud Island,” which is my couch topped with a giant goose down feather comforter is pretty great too.

January 19th, 2009. It helps me fulfill my purpose: to help people design lives with intention.

Filed under: Behind the Scenes Series | 20 Comments »

New finds from the summit

Posted on January 24, 2012 by vmacandcheese

Alt was full of inspiring bloggers, to be sure. But you can’t IMAGINE how many unbelievably talented artists you’ll come across while you’re there. Lucky for us, most all of them offer gorgeous products that you can call your own. I love supporting these savvy, creative business people, so be sure to check out the following:

1. Sycamore Street Press. I got to meet Eva during an intimate Wednesday night dinner at Lugano. She is sweet as pie and her letterpress cards are adorable. So adorable, in fact, that I’ve seen them in my local Paper Source!

2. The Lugano dinner was sponsored by Joel and Greg from Visual Supply Co. VSCO film is a new software that allows you to give digital photos that highly coveted “shot with film” look. For not a lot of money, you can one-click your way to stunning, Pinterest worthy photos. See what all the fuss is about here.

3. I was delighted to meet Meg Biram from the blog Mimi+Meg. Have you guys ever checked out her artwork? Girlfriend’s got talent! I’m loving the colors she uses — they’d brighten up any room!

4. Via Tobe, I was lucky enough to meet the Kansas City ladies behind Ampersand Design Studio. Check out this bright pink ampersand print. I’m pretty sure you’re digging it.

5. On Thursday, Cargoh sponsored our lunch and was kind enough to work with their sellers to leave a little gift on every single seat in the banquet hall. Each gift was different. Mine was from Meeralee Illustration & Design, and I couldn’t have been happier. Meera Lee even hand wrote notes to go into all her gift boxes. Love it.

6. Friday evening before I flew back home, I met Jessica, the jewelry designer behind the gorgeous pieces at Dahlia Lynn. You’re going to be hearing more about this girl for SURE.

7. Also at Lugano, I met Karina, an artist and the founder of Cluster, an online resource that allows you to group your favorite pieces of art together into a single, unique piece. You can use patterns and graphics from Cluster’s gallery, or upload your own photos.

8. These hand painted beauties are the work of Courtney Khail, who I ran into over and over again throughout the conference! Based out of Georgia, Courtney spent hours handpainting hundreds of her gorgeous cards to be included in the Alt welcome boxes. A true labor of love — and it shows!

PS — Today I’m filling in for Irene over on designstILes, while she galavants about Central and South America. Pop on over to see what travel essentials I can’t fly without!

Filed under: Beautiful Things, Design | 16 Comments »

Because if you don’t bet on yourself…

Posted on January 24, 2012 by vmacandcheese

You asked for it, so here it is! A snapshot from my whirlwind few days at the Altitude Design Summit.

It’s honestly kind of hard to describe the experience. Maybe it’s better to describe what it’s like after the conference. I’ve been dubbing it my “Alt hangover.” Symptoms include fatigue, feelings of excitement, a to-do list that’s a mile long, pining for blogging friends, wishing I still had room service and a steam shower, and more than anything, being unable to sleep because I have so many ideas floating around in my head. Fellow Alt-goers: sound familiar?

Beyond all the learning, my favorite part was getting to spend time with ladies that I’d previously only known online. My roommates Molly and Chelsea? Insta-connection. These girls were so fun, so sweet, and the best roommates I could’ve ever asked for. I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done without them! Chelsea even bought me a bridal magazine when she got to the airport, before flying in to Salt Lake. I mean, how cute is that? We had a blast getting ready for all the events and staying up late gabbing about our lives. Hello, multi-day sleepover.

Melissa | Megan | Jeanne | Erin | Visual Supply Co.

The sessions I attended included The Business of Blogging, Building Relationships With Ad Networks and Sponsors, From Blog to Book, Growing a Readership, and How to Make Yourself Press Worthy (you can see what all the sessions were here). Also of note was Ben Silberman’s keynote talk. Who’s Ben Silberman? Oh, you know. Just the co-founder of this little thing called Pinterest. Here are some notes I took that I thought you mind find useful (after the jump). Read more »

Filed under: Blogging, Mini Alt Week | 60 Comments »

Some other little things

Posted on January 23, 2012 by vmacandcheese

A few other little things to tell you about and loose ends to tie up:

+ With Mini-Alt Week and everything else, I never got to announce the winner of the Andalou Naturals giveaway! Congratulations are in order to #61, Tabitha. I’ll be emailing you shortly.
+ Speaking of Mini-Alt Week, I’m so, so, SO happy you guys enjoyed it so much. I won’t lie to you — about 4pm last Monday, while worrying that I hadn’t done laundry or packed or taken care of a myriad of other things, I was up to my eyeballs in Photoshop layouts and stressing, big time. But hearing how much it helped you all made it 110% worth it. Thank you.
+ Now, after getting home from the real Alt, I do have some new things I’ve learned. Are you interested in me sharing them on the blog? Or are you Alt-ed out? Please let me know in the comments! I don’t want to bore you guys with more blogging talk than is necessary. I can also email you notes too. Seriously, tell me what you prefer.
+ So YES I’m engaged. Craziness. As of right now, I do have a date in mind, but I’m keeping it a bit mum (well, I can’t keep my big mouth shut so a few people know). However, we have NO idea what kind of wedding we’re going to be doing. I’m still up in the air as to whether I’ll do any wedding related posts, but if I do, I promise to put a unique spin on them. I’m brainstorming. Is there anything you would want to hear about?

Tomorrow, I promise promise promise we’ll be back to regular posts. Though furniture and shoes aren’t NEARLY as exciting as the last week and a half has been!

{Image Credit: Siera Josephine Photography, via Bippity Boppity Boo. So cute, I couldn’t not share.}

Filed under: Just thinking... | 47 Comments »

A little love story

Posted on January 23, 2012 by vmacandcheese

There’s a winery just outside the small town of Yountville in Napa called Domaine Chandon. You’ve probably heard of it, if only because you can find their sparkling wines all over the country. Unsurprisingly, their tasting room is always packed, filled with visitors seeking to enjoy a glass of bubbly while seated on a patio shaded by a beautiful oak tree that’s probably a century old. Even more surprising, however, is that this particular winery is one of Joe’s and my favorite places to visit when we’re in the area. Because if you walk just beyond that patio filled with the birthday and bachelorette parties, up a small hill, and over a crest, you’re greeted to a green lawn that’s dotted with large boulders and a gorgeous prospect: the valley’s mountains in the distance; the property’s vines just below.

Over the years, one boulder in particular has become “our rock.” We escape the hoards in the tasting room and perch ourselves on this rock, which has always seemed like it was made and placed just so to fit the two of us. With countless bottles of wine, we’d sit and talk about our dreams for the future, our goals, our fears, our hopes, but above all, how all of these things involved the other person. Two Saturdays ago, on January 14, I was pleased as punch to sit atop our rock and discuss our future as a married couple. You see, the day before, Joe had proposed.

Years earlier, before we were even able to legally purchase a bottle of Domaine Chandon wine, Joe and I met while walking to a college football game. It was Labor Day weekend, 2002, and we had both started college just a few weeks prior. I won’t lie: it was not immediately apparent that this would be my future husband. But after seeing each other around the dorm which we both lived in, sitting next to each other in business classes, and eventually, going on our first date in November of that year (lunch, and it was at a Subway), we were smitten.

Nine years, two months, and nine days later, he asked me to marry him, at home, in our sun-filled living room, with no one else around. It was private, and perfect. Simple. Heartfelt. He’d spent the last month working with a Manhattan-based jeweler to personally design my engagement ring. I don’t think I can really describe how much this means to me.

Immediately after he proposed and I dried my eyes and we made a few phone calls, he whisked me off to Yountville, to beautiful dinners and champagne breakfasts, to lots of wine and walks down memory lane, and to our rock.

Which is perfect, because he is mine.

Filed under: Joe, Just thinking..., Photography, SF/Bay Area | 55 Comments »

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1.27.12

Design Impact: The Rug

Brighten up…

Behind the Scenes with Makeunder My Life

New finds from the summit

Because if you don’t bet on yourself…

Some other little things

A little love story

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