Thoughts on a rainy Sunday

views from our new porch on a rainy Sunday

It's a rainy Sunday here in Raleigh, here in our new home. We've been here for a few days now but I still feel slightly disoriented and out of place. The boxes lining the rooms of our home don't help the feeling of disorientation but we're working on creating a space all our own beginning with painting, hopefully this week. I've finally decided on a color palette so the most difficult part is over.

The move went well if you don't count the locked gas pump on our moving truck which the rental truck company had no explanation for. Luckily we were only delayed a couple of hours and I'd like to think I handled the situation with grace. I'm sure the woman who answered my roadside assistance call for help would beg to differ though.

We arrived on Thursday after a four day move back and forth from Athens and spent Friday and Saturday celebrating the nuptials of two of our friends. Friends from Athens actually stayed with us last night serving as a sort of helpful bridge to our new life here. We've had house guests all weekend and will have another friend of B's staying with us tonight. The great thing about about having guests when you yourself have just arrived in your home means you don't have to apologize for the lack of food, or the mess, or the fact that you have to weave around boxes to get anywhere. After all, you've just moved in so who's going to judge?

I wanted to thank all the amazing bright stars in the blogging world that helped keep the blog running while we moved: Pugly Pixel, Here Comes the Sun, Color Collective, For the easily distracted..., Pennyweight, Bright.Bazaar, Modish, and I Art U. I am so thankful for their help and their fantastic posts.

Thanks for all of your support and kind words as we make our way through this transition. Sometimes when I get discouraged or anxious, I read your kind words and I feel better. Maybe the rain is making me feel extra sappy, but I do believe you are the loveliest readers around. xoxo

Inspire Me by Here Comes the sun

1. Untitled, 2. Untitled, 3. Untitled, 4. öronkonfekt., 5. ., 6. Untitled, 7. Untitled, 8. The Owl and The Pussycat Editorial, 9. Untitled

Hello again everyone!

Just thought I would share with you all today a few images that have been inspiring me lately. Over on Here Comes the Sun I try to blog 6 days a week and, to be honest, sometimes that can be a bit of a daunting task to take on! Especially when you're also working full time and busy with other commitments too. But I find that the inspiration always comes and one place I love in particular is visiting flickr and favouriting images for some inspiration. It's amazing how much talent and creativity there is out there!

Hope you enjoy my selection! If you're on flickr as well do leave your link in the comments section so I can come see your work :)

It's been great guest blogging for you Christina!

Amanda Thomas
Guest Blogger
Here Comes the Sun

Guest Post: I ART U

Hello! :) I'm Jennifer from I ART U--so happy to be guest posting for Christina while she is on the move! It's been a while since I've done an art roundup and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity. The following are a few pieces around the web that have caught my eye. Enjoy!

1. Leaf Portraits. The brilliant Justina from Compai created this piece with leaves she found in her yard while raking. What a masterpiece!

2. Gorgeous embroidery work by Jazmin Berakha via Jessica Comingore's Pin/Wolf Eyebrow.

3. Minimal and moving. Print by Brion Nuda Rosch via Christine's Pin.

4. Pencil shaving portraits by Kyle Bean.

5. I always find myself coming back to Stina Persson's art. I love the fluid and almost palpable textures of her watercolor pieces.

-Jennifer from I Art U

Guest Post: Modish

I'm feeling a little blue this summer... a dusty denim blue, to be specific! I'm not normally drawn to wearing blue of any sort really (I'm a very warm-toned gal), but we're painting my office a light blue right now and I love it! And I've found myself suddenly gravitating towards blue clothes and accessories now too, it's strange! But it's a specific dusty sort of blue that I like right now, a light blue with a bit of grey mystery, like the color of a summer thunderstorm slowly rolling in... Here are some of the things fueling my dusty denim colored desires!

slingbacks in flat denim by marais ($85)
vintage rayon tank from young captive ($23)
pixie goes sailing dress from nadinoo (£145)
jasper sunglass in marine slate from Warby Parker ($95)
house by the sea rock collection by Cori Kindred ($32)
butter london nail polish in lady muck ($14)

-Jena from Modish

Guest Post: Bright.Bazaar

Hello! I'm Will and I blog daily over at Bright.Bazaar about all things colourful in interiors and lifestyle, and I'm delighted to be guest posting here on Down and Out Chic while Christina is moving. I thought it would be fun to do a mini version of one of my regular features on the blog where I post three of my recent inspirations. I felt inspired by the rustic textures and hues of this farmhouse kitchen (one); the yellow and blue colour combination of the formal living room spoke to my love of all things bright (two); and the dream-like shot of the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs has me dreaming of a summer vacation (three). What's inspiring you today?

If you're new I'd love for you to pop by my blog, twitter or facebook to say 'hello!' Thanks for having me, Christina!

Image credits: 1 | 2 | 3

Guest Post: Pennyweight

I have been so drawn to all things natural, neutral and earthy lately. Rich worn leathers, cozy rustic wood and soft nude colors... I just can't get enough. - Elise from Pennyweight

Kinfolk Magazine / Bronze Floor Fan / Two-Toned Ballet Flat / Vanessa Bruno Cut-Out Dress / Penny Loafer iPad Case / Concolor Strepto Air Plant / Tasting Spoon Set / Lavender Bangle

Guest Post: For the Easily Distracted

Hi Down and Out Chic readers! It's Rhianne here from For the easily distracted... I'm so excited Christina asked me to do a guest post, especially when she asked for it to be about toy cameras - if any of you read my blog then you know I love film photography so I jumped at the chance. I've had my diana mini for over a year now and it's still a camera that I'm learning more about everytime I use it and recently I've discovered an amazing combination which I just love and can't stop using. Diana mini with Ilford XP2 black and white film. I've used 4 films already since trying it and here are some of my favourites!
I was never 100% sold on taking black and white photos before, I loved looking at other peoples photos but I was always convinced that I loved colour too much to use a black and white film, until I tried this film. The soft tones of the film compliment the Diana’s use of light and the contrast looks amazing when you do double or triple exposures. It is definitely a film that you can build on. Perhaps my favourite part of this film is that it isn’t a true black and white film and if your lab accidentally scans it in colour then your photos actually have a slight purple tone to them which I’ve never seen before. Thanks for having me and I hope you like my photos. Rhianne

Guest Post: Color Collective

1) mini arrow satchel $130 via need supply co.

2) saltwater sweater top $98 via madewell

3) fortescue shirt £49 via aubin & wills

4) pendleton bath towel $48 via uo

5) rgb nailpolish $14 via frances may

6) silk and gemstone earrings £18.00 via the vamoose

A fall wish list by by Lauren from Color Collective.

Happy Weekend

via LE MEMÉ

Happy weekend friends! Have you had a good week? Today is my last day of work with my current job and I'm sad and a bit afraid of what lies ahead but mostly I'm excited. Our material life is in boxes and cellophane (yes, cellophane, best packing tool ever) and I think I'm functioning on pure adrenaline and nerves, but other than the obvious, I'm feeling good. We're having a going away happy hour in Athens today so we can see our friends before we set off on our moving adventure. Let's hope I don't make a blabbering fool of myself and cry into my whiskey. It certainly wouldn't be the first time.

We're scheduled to have our internet set up at our new home this time next week, so I'll be out of touch until then. Luckily for me (and you, I hope) we have an amazing line up of guest bloggers that I know you're going to adore (if you don't already). I trust you'll pop in and check out their blogs and make some new friends, ok?
Until then, I wish you a restful weekend and an adventurous new week. xoxo

Down and Out Beauty: 24 hour miracle cream

As an aesthetician, I have pretty high standards for skin care products. I've been in serious "like" with many moisturizers but never really in love.

I've had my eye on a French line called Embryolisse for a while. European skin care therapists and makeup artists rave about it but until recently it hasn't been available in the US. When I found out Camera Ready Cosmetics started carrying Embryolisse I jumped on it and bought Lait-Crème Concentré 24 hour Miracle Cream". Finally I'm in love!

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré $14-$25

This rich lotion is so versatile. It can be used as a makeup remover, moisturizer, and a foundation primer, which makes it ideal for traveling. Since it sets to a matte finish its suitable for combo, normal, dry, and sensitive skin types. The French tend toward a "less is more" strategy so the product has just one paragraph of ingredients with the main being shea butter, soy protein, and aloe. I love that its paraben and mineral oil free and isn't tested on animals. The old fashioned aluminum tube its packaged in allows me to use every drop of product and the tube is completely recyclable.

The best part is how it makes my skin feel, like perfectly functioning skin. Not dry skin slathered in oil. It reduces the redness in my skin and the ever present dry patches on the tip of my nose are no more. While it does make a beautiful canvas for foundation, I've found myself mixing my Chanel Pro Lumiere foundation with it and applying it with my fingers. It makes an amazing tinted moisturizer with a beautiful natural finish.

I really can't get over the price at $25 for the 2.6oz tube. What a steal! Give this multi tasker a try and tell me what you think.

- Layne
Layne is a licensed aesthetician and makeup artist working at Urban Sanctuary in Athens, GA. She writes the bi-weekly column, Down and Out Beauty.

Analogue Life by Here Comes the Sun

taken with the LC-A+

Taken with the Holga 135BC

Taken with the Diana Mini

Hello everyone, my name is Amanda and I write a blog called Here Comes the Sun and I'm so delighted to be guest posting here! I thought I would begin today with a few of my favourite Lomography snaps I've taken over the last year.

I am a big collector of film cameras and love nothing more than heading out with my husband to take pictures of our adventures. The above shots are some of my favourite images we have captured on film and I love how each camera produces such a different look! I love them all but I have to say the LC-A+ camera is my favourite. If you like you can check out a more detailed post on my blog HERE with why I think it's so amazing.
Thanks for having me here! I'll be back next week with one more post :)

Amanda Thomas
Guest Blogger
Here Comes the Sun

Guest Post: Pugly Pixel

Hi, my name is Katrina and I blog at Pugly Pixel. Christina asked me to write a post while she's moving and I'm happy to contribute. 

I only have 4 things on my wish list. I have 3 attainable items and I have one that is beyond my budget -- but it doesn't hurt to wish, right? ;)

Things I really want but don't need:

1. The Brooklyn Camera Satchel by Ona
2. Western Bow Tie by Kissy Face
3. Mint Clover Planner from Poketo
4. Small Italian Paper Clips from Paper Pastries

What's on your wish list?
--
I've asked some of my favorite bloggers to help me out around here while I pack and get ready for the move. I'll be popping in over the next week to check in and I hope you enjoy the awesome group of bloggers that will be keeping things up and running while I'm gone. I definitely suggest adding them to you reader if they aren't there already, starting with Pugly Pixel. xoxo

6 things

1) rimma $120 via tush tush

2) set of two tea towels in parade $26.31 via helen rawlinson

3) recuerdos bracelet $24 via under a new light

4) vintage open weave net dress $59 via santoki vintage

5) vintage lady dress $45 via strawberry koi vintage

6) blue heron limited ed large print $45 via see change design

Six of my recent faves on Etsy. My house might be a mess with all of my belongings in boxes and I might be more stressed out that I can ever remember feeling (perhaps working up until the day before we move wasn't the best idea?), but I still have time to drool over some handmade and vintage faves. That, my friends, is what we call dedication. Hope you like the picks. xo

Vintage: Red + White

peppermint stripe cotton mini ($27) via dear golden

1950's strawberry rose cotton sun dress ($59) via clever nettle

60's red stripe sailor blouse $75 via heart city vintage

Just some recent vintage favorites in red and white. Apparently, I need some red in my life, starting with that sailor blouse. So cute it hurts.

Art: Kaye Blegvad

and an amazing fox necklace...

Illustrations and necklace by London based artist Kaye Blegvad. Check out her shop here. Isn't that necklace amazing? I want.
(found via where the lovely things are)

Foster Care Visitation Room: Before & After

The foster care visitation room is finally complete! B and I put the finishing touches on it this weekend, but it has been being used by families for a few weeks now. In case you have no idea what I'm talking about, I encourage you to read this post. Basically, I was given $150 to redesign a local foster care visitation room. After receiving material donations from artists, blog readers, small business, and friends, we now have a fully functional, kid-friendly room for foster children to visit with their birth parents. This was undoubtedly a labor love and could not have been completed without so many people's generosity (and B's talent with a drill and hammer). Read more about the process that got us to this point here, here, here, and here.

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

A huge thanks to these awesome folks that donated good for the project:

1) wall & chalkboard paint- Sherwin Williams (thank you Melinda for setting this up!)

2) bloom & love will save the day prints- Field Trip

3) love candy print- MadeByGirl

4) photographic prints- Our City Lights

5) flapperdoodle prints- Flapperdoodle

6) dandelion wall decal- Cut it Out

7) love bunting- White House Black Cat

8) crate & barrel indoor/outdoor rug- Ike & Jane Cafe and Bakery

9) ferm living fox pillow- Ana from on dressing up

10) scandinavian geese mobile - Lauren from Pegeen 

11) doily framed art- Robayre 

12) hand painted light switch plate- Idillard

13) Ikea storage, mirrors, and extras- my awesome mother-in-law

So, what do you think about the transformation? 
p.s. Check out my flickr page for more photos.
p.p.s who knew taking photos under fluorescent light could be so stinking difficult? Ugh.