in which we spend all day resizing photos for society 6 #photography #entrepeneur #projects

I started posting work to Society 6 in..2014? Thinking that I’d finally start doing some graphic design in addition to selling my photos. The first year I sold one duvet cover, which was like woo hoo! I don’t bother marketing to people I know, because while that’s a way to build a business it’s also kind of fraudulent since it doesn’t mean anyone liked your work. Getting a stranger to spend money is way cooler. That means they really wanted it and not that they’re trying to make me feel better.

I actually ended up taking down my first page, then trying another, removing that and starting all over again with a new name to match my blog. Then I changed the name again to be more businesslike. It felt kind of flakey, but I figured once I had committed to the page and promoted it, then things would work out. I’ve been spending chunks of hours this summer rifling through folder and resizing images, which is tedious but still…

This summer I’ve finally been updating and adding some images that I love but didn’t have time to look at because I was chasing rainbows and neglecting my work. These rose images have been sitting in a folder on an external hardrive for months! Now they’re finally out for the world to see and purchase, which is fun.  Feel free to check out my flower collection, I have some great images of tulips and these gorgeous dew bedecked roses.

And now I’m a leggings designer, so that’s cool. I actually bought a pair and loved them. Not to mention feeling super cool because I had designed them. I’m a fashion designer, sweetie! Ok, not really,  but still.

My polyvore styling/blog sets are now super cute totebags… (and pillows, snd framed prints). I figured my hard work should have a life if it’s own, otherwise why bother?

Not to mention using the collages that I create by hand for blog posts.

I love the fact that this magical shot that I took while walking across the Manhattan Bridge can be somebody’s shower curtain. Someone told me that was cheesy, but whatever. People need shower curtains that make them feel special. If you can’t make it to Brooklyn Bridge Park, I went for you.

 

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in which we go to Ace Hardware and start a DIY project, finally use my Cree Bulb #kloutperk and Hallmark sends pretty cards

 Bathroom: 

So far, my redecorating project has been building the tower of towel in the bathroom. Since then, I got distracted and then realized that it was MAY and I hadn’t done anything. So I decided that it was time to start my DIY project in the bathroom- a beauty bar out of the two storage tubs that I found in the street I think in January?

I had washed and disinfected the tubs and the loaded all of my beauty products into them. Four drawers of beauty products. I also got a net laundry hamper for 99 cents and put my laundry bag in it. While this was better than the stuff being all over the place, it looked way too basic. My storage needed a come-up.

I had seen an Ace Hardware sign while I was out walking and I decided to go over there and see if they had boards to lay on top of the tubs to make a table. Turns out? There was a whole lumberyard situation attached to the store! I wandered around in the store trying to figure out what to buy, then someone finally rescued me. It was real in there- they had everything that you could possibly need to do pretty much anything.

I was gratified to find out that paint costs the same as a fast-food meal- because now I can lecture people about that. ‘Fix up your place! Just go without that venti caramel machiatto! That’s paint money!’.

I plan my rants and lectures far in advance, thank you. 
I got a tiny paint roller with the tray built into the packaging, a paintbrush, a screwdriver with interchangeable heads (get this!!! it was about $5), and the paint. Then they cut the board to my specifications. All of this cost me $28.50. That was exactly how much I budgeted, and I think it was totally fair; I mean that screwdriver is forever. 

When I got home I put the board on to of the tubs and it was exactly what I was hoping for. I put all of the beauty stuff on top and it was definitely an improvement, so I took the stuff back off and decided to start painting. I guess you have to do a primer or something, but I just went straight to painting. I figured I could call it a rustic look. 

I put the paint in an empty plastic bottle, a trick that I remembered from when my Mom got our house painted. I actually started with the paintbrush, and I was kind of ok with what was happening, which was a veil of color that you could see the wood through? I decided to completely coat one side and if I didn’t like it I could always do the other side with a lighter coating of paint. 

I ended up loving this blue glossy paint and did both sides to build up the shine and the saturation. I mean, I love it. When you pay for the board, even if they cut some off they give you the extra board. I’m going to paint that a contrasting color and I think I’m going to paint the tubs as well. I’m hooked. I do want to see if there’s some kind of sealant for the pain, because I feel like my beauty products are sticking to the paint a little bit.

Otherwise? I love the fact that I got this far with my project. I love the idea that I’m building a table! and I can shove the laundry under the board so it looks way more organized.

Living Room: 
The reason that I got the screwdriver was to change the lightbulb in the livingroom. Weirdly enough, the bulb had burned out and then Klout emailed me that I had earned a perk- and it was a Cree LED lightbulb. I wanted to get this done myself and not ask the super since this is my apartment and I’m responsible for it. It took about ten minutes to get the bulb changed.

 Then I got a cardpack from the Hallmark Signature Collection– which was hot because I love fancy greeting cards as decor (although I did send one of them as a birthday card). I put the sequined floral card on the desk, and the sugar skull cutout card is over by my leopard skin accessories case. I’ve always been into Hallmark, I mean who didn’t know that a Hallmark card meant cash as a kid?, but I drifted towards another card company because they had all the fancy, artsy deigns. Now that they have they Signature collection, I can feel happy buying from them whenever occasions, or decorating opportunities, come up.

I still have more DIY decorating projects coming, so stay tuned!

Next up: We talk about sunscreen.

xoxo, Faith/Sassy Ethnic Bohemian

in which we go to the Kenwerks pressday and meet Allen Stephenson of Southern Tide

Ok, back to the grind, kids!

Last week, after visiting Warby Parker, I got to go to an aw2014 press preview to meet some new brands and see what’s up for the season after the season that we’re about to enjoy.

The first thing I saw was this:

Which floored me, because you don’t usually see that much color in New York. They also had some amazing looking chocolate covered popcorn going on, but a certain person is on a diet thing. But it was a lovely gesture nonetheless.

I circled around and looked at all the other brands, and then came back to this one because my family is Guyanese and there is nothing more colorful than a West Indian household. I was poking around and the president of the company, Allen Stephenson, came up and told me about himself and the brand that he built from scratch.

SEB and Southern Tide President Allen Stephenson.

Basically, this guy woke up one day and decided that medical school was out and clothing manufacturing was in. Instead of following the easier path, Allen decided that he wanted to make clothing that reflected his Southern roots and passion for color and pattern. He and his mother worked together and Southern Tide was born. After 9 years, the brand went from clothing men, women, and children to home decor. Southern Tide’s loyal fan base (79 thousand instagram followers alone) live and breathe this brand.

The skipjack logo, which Allen explained is a blend of cuteness, toughness, and the colors of the summer Southern sky) is the emblem of  a culture that embraces the tradition of dressing appropriately, acting respectably, and keeping your beer ice-cold.

What I loved, besides the color, was the quality of the clothing. beautifully bright gingham shirts made of whisper soft cotton. A fisherman sweater with a gorgeous rope pattern woven into it, and a contrasting button placket that quietly announces an eye for style. I also loved that the sweater was a lightweight option to the usual fisherman sweater, which can be a bit bulky. The Southern Tide version can easily work under a blazer in the colder months. Or it can be worn under this quilted jacket. Don’t you love how the navy goes with these orange pants?

I fell madly in love with these shirts. Why? The color, yes- but also the contrasting darker colr inside. That’s genius. When you roll up your sleeve, it creates a whole new dimension to the look. I told Allen that if I were dating someone who was wearing this shirt, he could kiss it goodbye. It’s the perfect shirt for throwing over a romper or wearing with a tank top and white pants.

When I checked out the Southern Tide website, I started getting even more styling ideas. Like- gingham men’s shirt + ladies cardigan + awesome leather belt = summer fabulous. Just add sandals, ballet flats or sneakers. How easy and fun is that?

I feel like I found the new J. Crew, you guys. Like, I’m not even joking.

There’s also a range of towels, sheets, and blankets to brighten up your everyday life. I mean, on a cold dreary morning- wouldn’t you want to open your eyes to a bright, snappy Southern Tide comforter?

Anyway.

Make sure you check out Southern Tide, ok? It’s totally worth it.

Next up: Kenwerks pressday featuring Koolaburra shoes, Prism Sport and more…

xoxo, Faith/Sassy Ethnic Bohemian

in which i go to the Josie Natori holiday bash and get a free haiku

So after I got my SK-II facial with Steven Jan at Saks, I strolled from 57th Street to Elizabeth Street to attend the Josie Natori Holiday Soiree, hosted by the adorable Olivia from Corporate Catwalk. Cocktails!

photo courtesy of Lividni & Co./Natori Company/Guest of a Guest

Olivia Jeanette and her husband Eric lent their aura to the holiday bash in a sleek black dress. Also attending were Fallon of Sage and Sparkle and Rhea Santos of Sew Stylish Rheaand photos were taken by Guest of a Guest (so, it was pretty exciting).

 I got there and immediately scoped out the lingerie displays. I loved these cute little amuse bouche spoons. The intimate little boutique is jam packed with pretty things for great presents (or an opportunity to #treatyoself). Glasses of prosecco added to the festive spirit as guests mingled, tried on robes and clothing and shopped for holiday gifts, like these red laquered wooden picture frames.

My favorite waiter passed glasses and filled me in on all the flavors of drunky mini-cupcakes supplied by Prohibition Bakery. Did I mention that he was cute? Did I have to? #bloggerperks

Thanks to the Bosco Booth guests were able to win samples of Josie perfume and silky lingerie bags by posting images to social media These were my winning shots, but you can see everyone’s contribution here.

 The Haiku Guys were there, and that was a really cool twist for a blogger event. these two guys, who used to run a startup called Start, started a side hustle making up haikus to draw atttention to the startup- and the haikus took off. They dress is dapper bespoke suits, and use typewriters to create one-of-a-kind artistic statements on the fly using topics from the audience. They’re so cool that CBS This Morning was there covering them.

For some reason everyone picked food as their haiku subjects. Mine was about arepas and superblogger Lorna Solano of the Fabulous Report picked red velvet cake. Gratuitous style comment- I was totally in love with this gold jacket worn by Nikki Dror of Four Eleven. 

Souvenirs! I’m going to make a collage out of my stuff and frame it… except for the perfume sample of course.

Next up: the Paul Drish shoe launch (where we run into Style Society Guy)