MAGICAL

Philadelphia's Magical Gardens. Another location for some of the shots for the Volcom shoot. The most amazing thing happened during this shoot. I saw the cutest man and his dog walking down the alley. He had the hugest smile on his face. One of those smiles so natural and meaningful, you know that it comes deep deep down from within. I took his picture because the scene was too perfect. Then I asked him if I could take his picture in front of one of the cool painted garage doors in the alley. He turned to me with that same smile and twinkle in his eye, and said "I would, but it's not my work." That is when it all clicked in my head and I was in disbelief. All I could do was laugh. It's freaking Isaiah Zagar . . . the man . . . the artist . . . behind the beautiful, hand-crafted collages that is is known as the Magical Gardens. I said back to him, "Well then, I'll have to photograph you in front of your work." His artistic collages can be found all over the city, in random jewels of places, such as a storefront or someone's personal home front. Every time I come across the work of Zagar, I can't help but stop in my tracks and lean in to inspect it a little closer. Come up and touch it. It really does look and feels magical.

H&M Fashion Against Aids // MAKE OUT FOR A GOOD CAUSE

Hey everyone! Happy Friday!

I am super stoked to let you know that I am partnering with  

H&M's Fashion Against Aids 

campaign to spread the awareness of the Aids virus and how we can all help. This issue is very important to me, and I hope it is to you, too. There will be a lot going on in the next few weeks on the blog leading up to the launch of H&M's Fashion Against Aids campaign and collection, and I am excited to see you guys all get involved.

I want to start off by offering 40 of you guys “early bird” VIP-invites to the FAA micro-site Make Out for a Good Cause. The first 40 readers to comment on this blog post will receive one of the VIP-invites, and you will be able to access the site and take part in a fun and interactive way that helps the cause. The site will become a growing collection of what I like to call "make out session" pictures . . . for a good cause, of course. Upload your own make out pictures, ones of your friends, or whoever. For each uploaded picture on the micro-site, H&M will donate $1 to the fight against HIV and AIDS (you can view a full list of the charities H&M has partnered with by clicking here. These invites will be good until April 4. 

Later on, you guys will be able to get special sneak peaks of the collection, as well as the chance to win your own outfit from the Fashion Against Aids Collection!

It's always important to lend a hand and help out when it comes to a cause you really care about, and I love that my blog allows me to do this and to spread the word. Even if it feels like just one hand can't do much all on it's own, knowing that it is joined by many makes all the difference.

Come join me and get involved in H&M's Fashion Against Aids campaign today :)

THE GREAT ESCAPE

Dress - Elle and the Sea, Hat - Urban Outfitters

Just hanging out on the fire escape. You know, just a typical day. Always trying to find a way to soak up the sun. I all about bringing back the little dresses this spring. Now if only the weather would get warm again so I can go bare-legged like I did a week ago.

***

Winter Is All Over You by First Aid Kit

MADEWELL SPRING 2012

 

The Madewell Spring 2012 catalog was like love at first sight for me. Delicately muted pastels. Perfectly worn in denim. Timeless silhouettes played up with subtle masculine lines. Lots of ways to wear pink. Shot in Paris. What more do you need? Not much else in my opinion. It all looks and feels so fresh and brand new. It's everything I dream about when it comes to spring. What do you guys think? 

RED HOT

Just wanted to share with you guys some pictures I took of my friend Cheryl. Isn't her red hair gorgeous? Seriously, it just screams to be photographed. These pictures were taken way back in late November, in a dried up corn field in the suburbs of Pennsylvania. I am dying over how all the reds totally jump out at you against the neutrality of the corn field. Cheryl is looking music festival ready, which makes sense since this girl did just come back from SXSW in Austin and is THE music blogger in Philly, I'd like to say. Check out her blog, mylifeinsound.

I want to start showcasing more of my photography here on my blog since it is something I am deeply passionate about. Ever since I first picked up a camera without an ounce of knowledge of how it worked way back when I first started blogging around 3 1/2 years ago, I've been in love. And I've learned so much about how to use a camera since that very first day. Being able to capture a moment through a lens so that it is readily available forever is such an intriguing concept to me. I love working with colors, angles, backdrops, the actual person or object I am photographing. Molding all of this together to create one bad-ass picture is priceless. I'm always going to keep working at it with the camera, and hopefully I'll start to do more with it in the near future. I feel like I've already made some good progress. But there is still so much more to be made.

** Photography by me

SLOWLY BUT SURELY

Blouse - CALICO, Coat - borrowed, Necklace - Bottica, Jeans - Urban Outfitters, Shoes - Wanted, Bracelet - vintage

Just came back from a long weekend in NYC with the parents. It was lovely being able to see them and enjoy the city, even though the cold weather came back and we all ended up getting colds yesterday. I can't stop coughing and my body is aching like no other. Cough drops are my best friend at the moment. Yucky but true. Hopefully this passes because there are too many things I have to accomplish this week. I ain't letting anything hold me back!

So sad I had to miss Youth Lagoon play last night at Union Transfer! I heard the show was epic. But that's alright. I've already seen them twice, and I am sure they will be coming back to Philly soon, or maybe I'll check them out in NYC next time. My friend has a bunch of good shows on her list for the upcoming weeks, and I'm looking forward to tagging along.

***

Weights & Measures by Dry the River

Free People + Chictopia SPRING BLOOM CONTEST

Hey everyone! I am super excited to kick off this Monday with an awesome contest for you guys, in collaboration with Free People and Chictopia!

Now, not only do you get 20% off all of the Chictopia Shop "In Bloom" selections, but you also have the chance to win some awesome Free People prizes! What's on your mind for the new spring season when it comes to fashion?? Let us know by showing us your favorite outfit inspired by a spring 2012 trend that you love the most! Whether it be pastels, floral on floral, neon surf-inspired wear, or tribal prints, come up with your best look and tell us why you can't stop wearing it.

PRIZES:

The 1st place winner will receive $500 worth of Free People clothing and will be featured on Color Me Nana! The first runner-up will win a $100 gift card to use at Free People. The second runner-up will also win a $100 gift card to use at Free People. Pretty sweet, right?

THIS IS HOW TO ENTER:

1. Post an outfit photo of yourself on Chictopia wearing your best, "Spring Bloom" outfit. Be sure to check that you're entering the Spring Bloom Contest upon posting.

2. Tell us why your spring 2012 trend is a wardrobe essential in your post.

3. Encourage people to vote, favorite and share your entry - the most voted, favorited and shared entries will be finalists!

What are you waiting for? Your dream Free People wardrobe is basically at your fingertips. Get your styling gears moving and show me your best spring look! I'll be the final judge of who the winners are. I can't wait to see all your looks :)

Check out the official rules page here.

Good luck guys :)

Come check out what’s new at Free People right now:

 Maxi Dresses, Jeffrey Campbell Shoes, Lisa Maree, Ash Shoes, Party Dresses, Bodycon Dresses, Bralettes, Maxi Skirts, Jeffrey Campbell Boots, Gladiator Sandals

BATMAN ROCKS

Little Nat Nat. Baby girl. I don't know what I would do without you. Sister luuuurv. Oh, and yes, Batman does indeed rock. And especially so when he's on a metal garage door. How radical is that?? Too rad.

FRIV AND CHILL // BRUNCH & ST. PATTY'S

My friend Kristina and are I collaborating on a little FRIV AND CHILL series on both our blogs . . . showcasing bits and pieces of our lives here in Philly each and every time. We spend so much time together both at work and outside of work, and we always have an epic time, so we decided that we needed a way to document the best parts of it all. We recently had one of those perfect, spot on weekends spent with food and good friends. Weekends in Philly most definitely are not complete without a full brunch to start the day off with. We headed over to One Shot in Northern Liberties with our friend C.J. who also works with us at Free People. I had a savory Vietnamese tofu baguette with sweet potato fries on the side. Kristina went for some smoked salmon on a bagel. And C.J. went for the good old eggs and grits, a dish that was named after her college town of Savannah, Georgia. The day before it was St. Patty's Day and it was spent day drinking like college students and laughing all along our bar hopping trail. I can confidently say that I am still recovering from that weekend. Don't judge me. Also, we were blasting Girl Talk this entire weekend. Girl Talk's first album brings out my best hip hop moves. Inappropriate for sure, but so good. Check out Kristina's tumblr here. It really is addicting.