Spring Friends | Holly Marie

Spring is in full swing! Welcome Holly Marie as our first warm weather friend on the blog!

With us (finally) full-fledged into the spring season, I thought I would compile a little collage of his + her spring essentials. For her, the pieces I chose make a bit more of a statement and can really add that extra pop she may be looking for. A bright bag, floppy hat, fun sunnies, and sparkly sandals are perfect for a day at the beach or experiencing the summer music festivals. What's great about all of the spring items that I chose is that they work really well for transitioning into those hot summers. And for him, I picked out an awesome graphic t paired with some colored shorts, comfy tennis shoes, and Ray Ban aviators - very calm, cool, and collected. With the warm and even warmer months fast approaching, have fun shopping and updating your wardrobe, feel free to shop the items listed via the links below:

HERS:
bag / sunnies / hat / sandals

HIS:
graphic t / shoes / sunnies / shorts

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Holly Marie is a graphic designer residing in the midwest with her husband.  She designs fresh and modern branding, print work, and has a knack for art direction. Her lovely blog serves as one of her main creative outlets where she hopes to inspire and help others. Holly would say she is a food fanatic, Hallmark movie lover, outdoor adventurer, and fashion admirer.

Visit Holly. She would love it!
Blog / Pinterest / Instagram / Twitter / Facebook
 

So This Is What I Wore // Get To Know

I recently reconnected with a high school friend, Kathryn Morrison, who has just joined the vast blogging community. She has just started her own fashion blog focusing on woman's wearable fashion. Check it out // here // and get to know her a little better below! Its a fun read!

What was the first thing you did this morning?
I got up and worked out. That was the start of my morning. Jillian Michaels… on mute with my Pandora blasted because I find her annoying sometimes. ;)

What do you wish to accomplish?
I want to accomplish being successful in whatever I do. Whether that is fashion someday or having a family. I just want to be great at whatever I set my hand to.

Describe one thing you have learned?
I get to choose how I feel about situations and how I respond to things. There are times when I'm like… “Wait I get to choose how this affects me and how I react.” I can choose to live and move on. Its great! Its empowering. It just hit me the other day.

When did you realize you were a fashionista?
It started a few years ago and I didn't really realize it till my mom and sister brought it up. People started commenting on things that were just natural to me and what I did. Whether it was my hair or nails of cloths. I realized maybe I did have knack for this kinda of thing.

Who or what inspires your current fashion?
Pinterest is a huge help! I’ve always been a fan of Audry Hepburn, so any time I can keep it classy like her I do. Carrie Bradshaw (aka Sara Jessica Parker from Sex in the City) is a big inspiration as well because she can do crazy fashion but also pulls it together to make it work. And its not cookie cutter fashion. Its unique. Any time I have the mindset of Carrie Bradshaw, someone comments that I look like her and I'm like “NAILED IT!”

What fashion trend are you embarrassed to have been a part of?
Lets see… Ok here is the list: -The feathers and the hair. I spent way to much money on that.
-My mom used to mach all us girls… that was embarrassing.
-I used to have a dress cover in neon fish… awkward.
-Stirrup pants. Nuf said.
-I also used to have a baby blue velour pant suit that was pretty hideous.

What is your go-to piece in your closet?
Men's button down lately. I like to try and class it up and make it feminine. All you ladies should try it.

When will we see your line of clothing? Because I know you sew like BAMF!
Ya know I haven't been sewing as much lately. It may be a while. After I get into the whole boutique thing and figure it out… but who knows. All the designing I’ve been doing lately has been wedding dresses. I think if I started a brand now it would be wedding dresses. Actually I would love to conquer the Mother of the bride dress. They are all the same awful dress, with the awful jacket and I hate it! Its horrible.

If your style was a beverage what would it be?
I would say an amaretto sour, because its a little classy and a has a little kick to it!

Check her out!
Blog - So This Is What I Wore
Instagram - @kittykatmeowmor

Photography by Nicole Song and Kate Morrison.
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Instagram & Twitter family follow me at: @Jonthegingbeard

VERONICA MAE // A Heritage Christmas

How has your family affected you as a creative individual?    Having been brought up in a creative family, my interest to pursue design as a career was never stifled.  I have family members that are photographers, fine artists, landscape architects, graphic designers and musicians, which always enhanced and encouraged my creative passions. My family has given me a very broad scope of ways to express myself as a creative individual because I have experienced art and design in so many different mediums. I was also never limited to something in a box. My family was always creating art through our family life in things like music and cooking as a family. It wasn't just about art in general, but a creative family experience.

How have you developed your own identity as a creative in a creative family?    I think that not being afraid to highlight things that I feel I may have a unique perspective on has helped. It’s easy for people to disregard what they process and experience every day and not consider it as something unique because it’s their life and they experience it. For me, I like to notice the things that are unique to my life and experiences every day. I also am in love with textures and layers. Let me explain–I love to embrace life on a microscopic level, and appreciate parts of my life that aren’t meant to be on display and use them in my art to develop my personal identity and unique lifestyle.
// Here's more on Veronica as a creative individual //

How does your heritage influence your design?   So, I am Swedish from my mom and Scotts-Irish from my dad. Because of my last name being so noticeably Irish, my heritage was something I was always aware and proud of. It wasn't until I was studying as an undergrad that I started to appreciate where design/art comes from and how, by instinct, I am drawn to different styles because of my heritage. I find that I not only look to the cultural designs from the past, but also to the current cultural designs. The rugged, rustic, and bold aspects of my designs are definitely inspired by my heritage, especially my Irish heritage, which tends to be naturally more creatively expressive. I have a creative personality that says “run to the hills” & “break all the rules” which is because of both my love for nature and my heritage.

How does your family celebrate Christmas?    With Swedish dishes and Irish drinks!!! Honest! And instead of focusing on purchasing gifts for others and receiving gifts from them, we draw names in August and create handmade presents for the person who we picked. This makes the gift giving completely thought out and original. It also makes the gift giving really exciting, and adds a sense of mystery to Christmas because people are scoping out what you may need and are trying to be sneaky about the gift they are making for you. It can be challenging to think up the perfect gift, but its so much fun! Especially when you get someone like John (brother-in-law) because he likes guitars, Star Wars and fishing lures and that’s about it ;)

What did you give/get last year?    This last year, my dad drew my name and I drew my dads name so it was that much more special. I gave my dad his present first. I made and rebranded a game of Yatzee. This means I developed a new logo, score sheets, box, dice, the works. Our family calls all the categories by wrong names like: deuces for 2’s, full hours for full house, and crap for chances. I used these names on the scorecard so it was extra special to us. The dice I made of zebrawood. I cut them in the garage with a handsaw so they aren't quite a perfect cube, but they work ;) haha! It was a fun, family oriented gift and I was able to use my skills as a designer and knowledge of materials to make the game, which made it that much better!

My dad made me a Sporran, which is a bag Scottish men wear so they have a “pocket” (because they wear kilts). He did the hunting, killed the deer, used the hide, and made me the bag. He used the antlers as charms on the bag and for the clasp as well. This bag was especially precious to me because it came from my father and included aspects of my heritage.

Favorite Holiday food/drink?
Food: Ummm, I would say that anything ginger is the best, like gingerbread cookies! Yum.
Drink: Probably just anything warm that has Irish Baileys in it, just to bring the heritage thing full circle ;) could be peppermint Baileys too. That stuff is good!

Photography Thanks to
Veronica Mae // brittany obee // Marie McCracken McKowen of LightSmile Photography

Follow on @Instagram
@_veronicamae // @brittanyobee // @jonthegingbeard
 

Veronica Mae // "Qualitarian"

Veronica Mae // a multidisciplinary designer, model, entrepreneur,  interior and fashion stylist based in St. Paul MN. She is a lifelong friend and this interview was so much fun to do! Please enjoy! Also make sure to check out our collaborative work on her new logo here!

What is the first thing you did this morning?   I opened my Bible. Then looked up at the draped fabric above my bed, which reminded me of sails on a ship. Then I wanted to be a pirate. I don't think I will ever grow up. It was like a hybrid Peter Pan moment.

What is a challenge that you have faced?   Perfectionism: being ok with being human, and knowing that I can’t do everything that my brain thinks of. I realize I need to do as much as I can with the time that I have. I wish I could do it all since I am inspired by everything all the time, but it just isn’t possible. In overcoming aspects of desiring perfection I’ve learned I need to embrace the parts of a process that aren't what I originally planned them to be, but are still essential to the final result.

Describe an accomplishment that you have achieved?   Immediately I thought of an accomplishment as something that the rest of world would view as an accomplishment. Like graduating from college, getting a degree in something that I have felt was part of my identity since I was little, or following through and starting a career in that field. BUT I think that the true accomplishment is less about the diploma I received and more about maintaining passion in my talents, which then translates into what is brought to the creative world, and what I can bring to the world creatively. Many can earn degrees but unless you have that passion, and a humble confidence, I don't think you can take as impactful of strides in the endeavors you pursue.

What do you wish to accomplish?   I strive to continue bringing things into the world that it has never seen. Whatever that means. Things that make people look twice and make them think about their perspective in life or lead them to perceive life in a different way.

Describe one thing you have learned?   Exploring as many ideas as possible and embracing variety in what you are seeking, is best. Don't limit your brain or your options based on what you know, or what is typically done. Results are always better when you get as much down as you can, and then refine from that.

You are a fiend at networking. How do you network, and why are you so successful?   The most impactful networking never takes place in the venues that I think it will. I try to keep an open mind and be aware of opportunities at all times. It’s not just at specific events, showrooms, galleries, or a design conference that I am seeking out new relationships. I explore and am open to meeting people while I'm at a coffee shop or waiting for the rail or in line at target. Being curious about other peoples’ stories gives me this edge because everyone knows someone, who knows someone, who knows the world.

If your creative work was edible what would it taste like?   I immediately thought of a mojito. I just had to include that. That’s what I immediately thought of even though that’s not food. ;)

I am a “qualitarian” when it comes to food so it would probably taste like what a fresh garden would. Everyone’s favorite in-season veggie and fruit is different, so my work should taste different to different viewers. That’s why it would be the whole garden.

…Or maybe it would just taste like garden mint. Why? Because mojitos.

Images Thanks to
Veronica Mae // brittany obee photography // Faith Lord Photograhy // Taylor Hall Obrien