vmac+cheese

I met Jessica Quirk last month at Alt. She came up to me at the Winter Wonderland party and said something like, “I’m SO glad you’re drinking beer. I thought everyone here would be drinking white wine. I’m having a beer too!” If that wasn’t enough to convince me I liked her, by the time we’d each polished off a porter, I was sure of it. Jessica is the blogger behind What I Wore, and last year, she published a style book by the same name. But despite all her success, she’s as down to earth, kind, and fun as they come. I’m so pleased to be able to give you a peek into her life today. And, once you read about her here, be sure to head over to her blog, where I’m guest posting today. Hello, blog swap!

Credits: Georgia Department of Economic Development (Savannah), Forbes.com (Austin), Michael Foley Photography (DC), PSTOS.org (Portland),

I love exploring right here in the USA!! I’d like to visit Savannah, Georgia; Washington, DC; Portland, Oregon; Burlington, Vermont; and Austin, Texas. (more…)

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I’m lucky enough to have met today’s BTS girl in real life! Shannon and I both attended Alt last month, and trust me, the energy and passion she conveys below? Totally authentic. Yup, she’s equally as genuine and lovable in person. Shannon, who writes the blog I Love Your Crazy, was also one of my “test clients” for Vivaleur late last year, and has been a wonderful friend to have when I need to bounce ideas around, get friendly advice, or just listen. I adore her and I know you will too!

Viceroy; Adirondacks; Giraffe Manor

1. 
The Viceroy Palm Springs – My inner glamour girl is dying to lounge poolside.
2. Adirondacks in the fall … just look at those colors.
3. 
Amalfi Coast – The colors and culture are so inviting.
4. Champagne, France (wine region) to celebrate life.
5. I’ve said this before, but it’s my number one pick! Giraffe Manor in Kenya. I would go tomorrow if I could. (more…)

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Happy Wednesday! Today I’m excited to introduce you to Nikki, the voice behind the lovely lifestyle blog Cupcakes for Breakfast. I don’t know that I’d ever asked Nikki how old she was, so when she sent me back her responses for this post, I was very surprised to learn she was only 24. She’s definitely wise beyond her years! I love checking in on her blog for delicious recipes she’s concocted, and for sage bits of advice too. Nikki’s a real sweetheart, and I know you’ll dig her blog!

sources: one | two | three | four | five

1. Almafi Coast to see the colorful houses along the shore
2. Greek Islands to sail around beautiful clear blue water
3. Barcelona to shop and study architecture
4. Napa to sip wine all day long
5. Surkhet, Nepal to visit the Kopila Valley Children’s Home and School

1. A Moveable Feast – a classic, set in Paris, stories of food and glamour
2. In Defense of Food – contemporary thoughts on food and sustainability
3. Spoon Fed – a memoir about women cooking
4. The Lucky One – guilty pleasure!

sources: one | two | three

1. be in love, having a blast and traveling the world with my best friend;
2. happy at work, surrounded by inspiration and continuously working on creative projects;
3. constantly entertaining and sharing meals with family and friends

1. Getting my studio apartment camera-ready. There are just a few more things I’m looking for before shooting my home tour. I can’t wait to share it!

2. Cooking my food wish list. I’ve bookmarked so many recipes that I haven’t gotten to yet. And why not? No more excuses. I’m trying to cross one thing off this list every week. It’s time to make those chocolate hazelnut macarons already!

source: one | two | three | four

Oh I have too many of these! But one in particular is to open a neighborhood Italian market. A one-stop, family-owned, full-of-love shop where you can get all your favorite things: prosciutto, burrata, perfect by-the-slice pizza, cannoli, sfogliatelle and tri-color cookies. (OK, these are my favorite things!) I’d spend half of my time baking, half of my time marketing the store, and every day eating and enjoying life with our customers.

My senior year of college I wrote the beginnings of a food memoir as a final project for my Journalism major, which I named Cupcakes for Breakfast. One of the stories I told was about when “cupcakeries” began opening in DC in 2008. I would wake up early on Saturday mornings and bring a half-dozen cupcakes back to my roommates before most of them even woke up. Much like how my mom used to go out and bring home bagels on weekend mornings, my friends and I had our own family tradition: eating cupcakes for breakfast. (And not the breakfast-y ones like lemon or carrot!) My blog title is a constant reminder that there is a story and meaning behind every food and meal.

So many people! But if I must name few…
My family – they surround me with love and have provided me with so many amazing food and color memories.
Martha Stewart – her attention to detail in entertaining is so enviable.
The editorial staff at House Beautiful – I interned with them one summer and I fell in love with the process of magazine styling and writing. Reading each issue is so much better because I know (and love) the personalities behind its pages. I wish I had this opportunity at all of my favorite publications and brands!
Bloggers – I am just head over heels with this community of creative and supportive writers. I love how we push each other because we all truly believe in what we’re doing.

It’s hard to define this one, but I think it has to do with independence and self-awareness. Post-college life has tested me in so many ways and I’ve been able to come out of it with a true sense of my character and purpose. I’m ready and excited for what comes next, like when I can answer this question with something more tangible.

source: all images by Nikki

I visit Nantucket Island almost every year with my family and my happy place looks a little like this: playing games in the water during low tide at Jetties Beach, late night walks to the Juice Bar for ice cream in a waffle cone, cobblestones, Madaket sunsets, seersucker, hydrangeas…

I started my blog in June of 2009, right after I graduated from college. Blogging is where I get to constantly bring together all of the things I love: writing, cooking, design, desserts, parties, style. Where else in your life do you get to experience so many great things at once?

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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.

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We interrupt this week’s Mini-Alt programming for some, well, regularly scheduled programming. It wouldn’t be Wednesday without BTS, am I right? This week’s BTS girl is someone I have the pleasure of meeting…today! Chelsea, from the blog Buckets and Bunches, is one of my roommates at Alt. I thought it was perfect timing to feature her here! Chelsea is finishing up wedding planning, so her blog is filled with great ideas for the big day, as well as non-nuptial related posts on design, art, interiors, style and more. She’s also just a super sweet girl. I’m so glad that as of today, I can call her a real life friend!

Oh, I love to travel. I would move to Europe (Italy or Switzerland) in a heartbeat. Five places I haven’t been that I would love to go are (1) Japan, (2) Turkey, (3) Israel, (4) Egypt, (5) the Maldives. I actually have been to Istanbul, but I am dying to go to Cappadocia, an ancient rock city in Turkey.

The Lazarus Project by Aleksandar Hemon (ok, I am actually about a third of the way into it now and loving it), Gay Men Don’t Get Fat by Simon Doonan, Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (yeah, I know it is young adult, so what?).

(1) Michelle and I are planning on turning Buckets and Bunches into a business in the near future. I am so excited and passionate about this project. I love fashion and styling, Michelle loves design and interiors and we dabble in a million creative arenas. Buckets and Bunches will be a styling company for your life.
(2) Babies! David and I are getting married in less than two months so in five years I would love to have started a family.
(3) The suitcase in that image represents a couple of things for me. Travel, for one. Relocating from Houston is another dream. I have made amazing friends here, but I need seasons and a change. I get itchy feet pretty quickly.

(1) Our wedding! It is March 3, 2012 and I am just trying to keep organized. All of the major things are taken care of, so now I am working on the little details to personalize the event. It is SO much fun. Seriously. The best challenge.
(2) I already mentioned it, but building Buckets and Bunches into a business. To get there we are working on all of the little details, registering the business, learning the ins and outs. We are also dreaming about turning my spare room into an office and one of my favorite parts, branding! Hopefully after goal 1, the wedding, is over I will have a lot more time to devote to the biz.

Hosting. We have a house…after living here for almost eight months it is coming together. Yeah, it takes a while. But now that it is presentable I want to have friends over, cook more, arrange fresh flowers, learn how to mix cocktails, organize regular game nights or tv show viewings. That’s right, I am getting domestic!

My friend Lissy always says “love you buckets and bunches.” The blog is all about fashion, beauty, design, people and events that I love. While brainstorming blog names, I found myself stumped trying to find an all encompassing title. Lissy served up the perfect inspiration for my new adventure on the internet.

I am not going to lie, glossies cover about every surface of my house; Vogue, Elle, In Style, House Beautiful…You name it. I read online shelter magazines too, I am loving Rue and Matchbook right now. I actually read Esquire as well, I love the innovative way they have brought their magazine online. Their iPad app is amazing. Aside from my magazine addiction, I find inspiration from my friend and partner, Michelle who just looks at things differently than I do. The back and forth we have drives me to be more creative and think outside my norm. Last, but not least, my mom is incredibly fashionable and follows that up with an incredible house she designed and decorated on her own. I have always borrowed her clothes, jewelry, and style. She also taught me to think globally about design and fashion, which I am so grateful for.

Honestly, my proudest achievement to date is being in recovery from depression, anxiety and an eating disorder. I really didn’t plan on getting down and personal with you, but I want to contribute to eliminating the stigma attached to mental illness and be honest. On top of that, maintaining a loving and caring relationship with my man since I was 18 is pretty awesome in my mind.

Ooh, that is tough. I am going to with lounging on my couch with my computer on my lap and a pup conked out on either side. We call it “the puppy couch.”

I actually started blogging in the summer of 2010. It was fairly short lived for many reasons. But I missed the outlet, the community, and the opportunities so I began blogging again this past July. I stick with blogging because of the people. I love receiving feedback and inspiration from the blogging community, and I also just need the outlet to make sure the creative part of my brain isn’t going stagnant.

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