My search for inspiration

I've been trying to stay on task this last week and making time for my pet project and work and the blog. Yet, I've been feeling blocked. I'm not sure if it is stress or being overwhelmed by what I am trying to accomplish. I find myself getting distracted or putting things off - which is not really me. So, I know I need some inspiration. I always look to the computer, but I want to get out of the habit of always looking at other blogs or pinterest. I want to find things in the world around me that actually spark creative thought.

What do you look at to get yourself out of a creative funk? I search through blogs, flickr and of course Pinterest. But, like I said, I just want to remove myself from that because I feel like I'm regurgitating what other creatives are putting out there. So, I thought it would be great to start a little series called "Mundane Beauty". I'll be sharing all the simple things I run into over the week that I find beautiful and simple and that inspire me. Just regular things that I try to put into creative perspectives with my photography. Of course, I'll be using the Galaxy to capture these things. I'm finding it's been a helfpul tool in that sense.

So, you can follow along on Instagram with me to see things before I post them on the blog. You can also join in on the fun if you are inspired to :) Hashtag #mundanebeauty and share your beautiful simple moments of inspiration. Here is the first installment of the series.

Sophia is constantly growing & her personality is beginning to develop. She is one of my primary inspirations along with her big sister when it comes to the childrenswear line I am working on. 

The colors of spring are all around - the grass is greener, the light is softer and more hazy. Bright colors that pop against neutrals are on my mind lately. The hydrant by my house sparked interest this week. 

Nature is in constant flux this time of year. I'm finding beautiful patterns, colors and shapes everywhere I look. Florals are inspiring me to think about what kind of patterns I can use on the dresses I am working on.

These three inspire me to reach for the stars everyday. Their laughter, love and joy keep me positive even when I feel at my lowest. They keep me going and help me stay driven. 

What inspires your creativity? I challenge you to start searching for inspiration outside of the internet. You'd be surprised at what you find.

-

Jenny 

“Disclosure: I am participating in the Verizon Style Voices program and have been provided with a wireless device and six months of service in exchange for my honest opinions about the product.”

         

Tech Thur - Fave Android Apps

Hey everyone,

Hope the week went well for all of you! I had the chance to get some time in with the girls outdoors and enjoy the lovely weather last weekend before the crazy storms started rolling in this week. Of course, I had my Samsung Galaxy Camera with me.

I'm finding that it's a great tool to have handy whenever I'm just looking to track inspiration and of course to capture the family moments. I also will be using it to showcase behind the scenes tidbits during Halfstack's upcoming photoshoots and at local Chicago fashion events. Yet, this week I used it to work on a little personal creative project. I started photographing my "finding beauty in mundane" series. I'll start to share the simple things in the world around me I find beautiful. So, today - I wanted to share some great apps that I have been using to help me pull together the images in a cohesive visual manner.

As a designer & on the go blogger, I don't always have the time to pull images into photoshop - so having an in camera app is a great option when editing on the run. Whether it is just a fun app that adds interesting overlays or an app that can help me edit, I find these small devices really make my blogging life simpler.  When you're blogging on the go without a computer - it's great to be able to blog on the camera using the blogger app  or just be able to email images directly to myself and finish up a post on my tablet.

So, here are my fave apps to use this week on my Samsung Galaxy camera. 

1. Instagram
2. PhotoWonder
3. Pixlr Express
4. Photo Grid Collage Maker
5. Blogger

-
Jenny

“Disclosure: I am participating in the Verizon Style Voices program and have been provided with a wireless device and six months of service in exchange for my honest opinions about the product.” 

            

Nautical Inspired Looks

There is just something about Nautical stripes that just puts me in a summer mood. If I lived on the East Coast, I could imagine a trip to the Hamptons with a basket lunch and the kiddos in toe. A girl can dream, right? I keep seeing all of these fantastic nautical inspired striped garments every where I look. Here are just a few inspirational images and then a great dress I found Isabella at H&M in their little girls department! This trend is as perfect for mommy as it is the little ladies in your life!

I was so happy I had my Samsung Galaxy camera with me to snap pics of Bells at the park in her outfit. I'm finding that blogging about my kids style is just as fun as blogging about my own. Do I see a new column in the future?? The camera was definitely handy. I'll be honest, I'm still getting used to handling it and not being scared of dropping it, but we were able to snap some fun photos during her visit to a park close to our home.

The camera did great in the glaring sun and I was able to touch up the photo which was a little overexposed directly in the camera. As a graphic designer, I'm used to using photoshop and of course this doesn't have all the power you'd get in Photoshop, but it was a great quick fix. What trends are your little ones rocking this summer?

“Disclosure: I am participating in the Verizon Style Voices program and have been provided with a wireless device and six months of service in exchange for my honest opinions about the product.”

The Gatsby Trend

The Great Gatsby trend is everywhere lately. The film released last night at midnight and it's getting rave reviews. I really keep seeing some great items that are art deco inspired and very much Gatsby. Lightinthebox.com and Kohls.com both had some great on trend items that are incredibly affordable!

The Gatsby trend is all about 1920's inspired looks. A prominent decade for fashion, the 1920s brought us the ‘flapper’ trend: drop waist dresses, flirty fringe, and shiny accessories. The little black dress became popular as women shortened their skirts for the first time while adding pleats and slits to provide more motion. Fringe, beading and ornate detailing drew attention to the female silhoutte. Here are some great options to reinterpret the roaring fashion of the 1920s.

 

Hope you all enjoy the film this weekend!

Jen

 

Last minute Mother's Day gifts

I know some of you out there are going shopping today or tomorrow. I ain't judging. I'm here to help friends! I figured what better thing for a mom to do than to help others figure out what to get their special lady. So, here is a fun round up of some great ideas for your mom that I am kind of lusting after.

Love, love the Curvy Couture brand - well because I'm not a super model and I need enough lingerie to cover my behind, but still look sexy. Kiss my face is such a great brand of beauty products that are perfect for the mom who needs pampering. For the tech lover - pick up a BasAcc iPad cover fro, Overstock.com. For the ethnic momma - pick up some awesome mixed chicks hair product from Target (this latina loves this brand & what they stand for). For the fashionista - Nautica has some great colored denim basics and awesome accessories that are perfect for spring. For the mom who loves to look good and smell good - hand over some Julie G polishes with a set of Tru Blooms fragrances.

Now, Let me tell you a bit about Tru Bloom and why I think it's perfect for the Chicago based mommy!! Tru Blooms was developed by Tru Fragrance, a leading boutique fragrance development company released. This fragrance is all Chicago - First Harvest Eau de Parfum, a first-of-its-kind limited edition perfume infused with the unique aromas of flowers grown throughout the city.
This perfume is not just inspired by the city, it is the by product of Tru Blooms Chicago, a groundbreaking community initiative led by Chicago-based Tru Fragrance, in cooperation with the City of Chicago.

Tru Blooms Chicago transformed public and neighborhood green spaces citywide, including Grant Park, Chicago Botanic Garden and Water Tower Place, into growing spaces for roses, lavender and violets whose distinctive, fragrant notes have been captured in this limited edition perfume. Tru Blooms Chicago is the first-ever municipal initiative to locally “grow” a fine fragrance. Now, how awesome is that?

 

 

 

Regardless of what you give mom, this Mother's Day. Just remember this - the time you spend with her will be what she yearns for the most. Even if you just make her breakfast in bed and let her sleep in on Sunday, the idea that you kept her well being in mind will make her the happiest of all!

 

Happy Weekend!

Jen

 

SAIC - The Future of Fashion in Chicago & VZW

As an educator in Chicago, it is always exciting to see what other schools are producing in terms of talent in the fashion industries. I'm not competitive, rather supportive (I also teach at more than one school) and therefore like to see what other students at other schools are doing. This past Friday I was able to join the Verizon Wireless Voices of Style team at the SAIC's (School of the Art Institute Chicago) annual student fashion show. It was a great day that involved Chicago, fashion and some really innovative technology.

As some of you already know via facebook, I had the opportunity to join a great group of bloggers as one of the Verizon Wireless Voices of Style. It's a great opportunity for me to share my experiences with a VZW Device and free service in return for my honest opinions! As a current Verizon Wireless customer - I was more than willing to team up with an already great and innovative company that has been good to me over the years.

So, what device do I get to enjoy for the next 6 months, you ask?? Well, none other than the Samsung Galaxy Camera! This is one handy device that any blogger could get a lot of use out of. It's a camera combined with a mini tablet of sorts. I can take photos with the strong camera device and directly upload them from the device to facebook, instagram, twitter and even use the blogger app through Android.

I haven't done direct blogging yet, but it looks like it would be easy enough with the crisp full pane and smooth digital keyboard. It's almost like a better digital camera and my ipad rolled into one handy device. I'm pretty much in love. There is only one tiny draw back - It's a bit heavy for this butterfinger, but the wrist strap helps with that. I also probably won't let Bella play around with it as it doesn't feel like it might be able to handle a drop, but lucky for her she gets my old camera now and maybe she can start a kiddie blog and follow in momma's footsteps!

So, like I said, I had the chance to attend the SAIC show and get some use of out of my new Samsung Galaxy camera. I was really blown away by the level of work shown on the runway. The show highlighted lines that were directly inspired by socio-economic issues, war, politics and yes the well known vintage/retro vibe. The lines were intricate and creative and definitely attest the type of designer emerging from the city of Chicago. I was definitely excited that I get to be a part of this second coming. Take some time to review some of the shots I took from the show last week and put up on my instagram (forgive the amatuerness - I'm still learning how to use and play with the settings). I definitely hope to become a better photographer now that I have something to actually photograph with!

Disclosure: I am participating in the Verizon Style Voices program and have been provided with a wireless device and six months of service in exchange for my honest opinions about the product.

Momma's Day - Are You Ready?

Momma's Day is just around the corner... Hope all you poppas and kiddos are ready :) It's a time to tell that super woman in your life how much you cherish her. Most moms do a lot of work and mother's day is a great opportunity to give them a break and some much needed pampering. 

I'm a mom on a budget and rather frugal. So, I don't typically expect or want extravagant gifts. I know there are other moms out there like this. So, I thought I'd give some suggestions starting today and leading into next week for gift ideas. 

Today's theme is pampering. Skin care, massages or great beauty products can make a mom feel zen. So, why not pick up some products from OLEHENRIKSEN? This is a fantastic skincare line! I absolutely love their "Truth to Go" facial wipes. I wear cat eye makeup almost everyday with a touch of blush and a ton of mascara (It's my signature look) - BUT I have a tendency to forget to wash my face. 

My poor pillows and face in the am don't look so pretty. The wipes are a great option for someone like me who wants to get their makeup off in a jiffy and not put too much effort in and they smell so tasty with soft vanilla scent. The line also carries some great rejuvenating creams! There is the youth activating oil (helps to strengthen elasticity & heal sun damage) and the Truth Serum Colagen Booster (for all those fine lines).