Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Wednesday Inspiration-Russh Photoshoot


landscape

Hello everyone! I'm back again this Wednesday with more inspiration.
Enjoy!
landscape
These photos are clips of an amazing photo shoot done by Russh Magazine. I love the story that is told by this photo shoot, "Somewhere along the way, no matter how much he loved her, he lost her." The setting has such an industrial, stranded feeling to it that goes perfectly with this theme. Plus the woman model looks fantastic!
landscape
landscape
landscape
Follow The Art of Being Cool

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Etsy Shop-Monatao


Old copper leahter necklace, handmade reversible leather necklace made with little  circles which form a mesh . Old copper and black.
Hello everyone! I'm back again with another one of my Etsy Shop Favorites of the Week!
Enjoy!
Old copper leather bracelet. Reversible handmade with little reversible circles. Old copper and brown.
Monatao is a Spanish based jewelry shop that uses materials such as copper, mesh and leather to create wonderful wearable masterpieces! The store specializes in bracelets and necklaces, as well as a few other accessories. 
What caught my eye about this store is the retro yet earthy feel I get from all of her pieces. I can tell that she puts a lot of time and love into each piece crafted.
Silver leather necklace. Handmade reversible leather necklace made with little circles which form a mesh. Silver and dark brown.
Necklace old copper leather . Rectangular reversible necklace. Old copper and beige
Multicolor reversible leather necklace made with little leather circles.

Make sure to visit her shop!
Follow The Art of Being Cool

Monday, August 29, 2011

Music Mondays- Twin Shadow

Twin Shadow is the stage name of American musician George Lewis Jr. Lewis was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Florida. In 2000, Lewis moved to Boston where he started the band Mad Man Films, releasing two records independently. Around 2006, Lewis relocated to Brooklyn, NY and adopted the Twin Shadow moniker. In 2010 he released his debut album Forget, produced by Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear. The album has been described as "steeped in 1980s new wave", "building from streaks of haunting synth textures", having "sophisticated melodies", "R&B intimacy", and "poetic lyrics", and "hazily new wave-tinged pop". Twin Shadow was the Rolling Stone 'Band of the Week' on October 7, 2010.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Star Power....DIY Galaxy Shirt and Picnik Fun.



Hello, everyone! I want to first start out by saying thank you to all of my new followers!!! I can't believe that I already have 245+ followers on GFC and Bloglovin' after only starting this summer! Thank you for all of the support! I also want to apologize for not responding to all of the comments. I pre-posted the post for last week on my blog because I knew that I would be busy (first week of school), and I am so glad that I did because I didn't have internet all week! But I am back on and look forward to reading all of my comments and visiting your blogs!
Anyways, I was so inspired by Lillie's Galaxy Tee that I decided to try it out myself using her instructions; however I cropped mine just like I did my Sunflower tee. I also had a little bit too much fun on Picnik.com and decided to share. I'm such a goofball!
"I feel much more influential with a hefty mustache"- The words of a man with a grand mustache.
"People are friends, NOT food!"- To the angry pelican.




Follow The Art of Being Cool

Featured Friday!- Liz


Happy Friday, Everyone! Today's Featured Friday is Etsy shop owner, Liz. I had the pleasure of talking to Liz a few weeks ago to talk about her shop, Craft to the Radio. In our interview she told me about her inspiration for starting her shop and what crafting materials she likes to work with the most. Let's see what she has to say!

Current Location: Philadelphia, PA

Tell us a little about Craft to the Radio.
Recently I found a big box of buttons, chains and fabrics in my mom's basement. I started making jewelry with some of the interesting pieces. It quickly became a hobby I really enjoyed. I work at a high-stress office job, crafting is a great way for me to be creative and relax after work. 
Etsy Shop
What inspired you to start your Etsy Shop, Craft to the Radio?
 I was wearing a pair of earrings I made one day and a co-worker complimented them and mentioned that he would love to buy a pair for his girlfriend. He then encouraged me to turn my hobby into a business. 

What prints, patterns or materials are inspiring your newest pieces in your collection? 
All things vintage! I have been recently addicted to the show Mad Men (thanks to Netflix Instant Watch). Their 1950's style on the show has been really inspiring.
Turquoise & Gold Ring
If you could make jewelry for any celebrity, who would it be and what would you make?
Zooey Deshanel! I love her retro style with a modern twist.

How do you choose what materials you make your jewelry out of?
I get a lot of the materials at thrift stores. I look for fabrics and buttons that are unique.

I also know that you have a blog! Could you tell us about that?
Yes! I have been blogging for several years. My main topic is music. I post weekly mixes and write about new bands that are worth checking out.  Some other topics I cover are fashion, books and current events. Stop by and say hello! I love the blogosphere and discovering new blogs to follow. 


Want to learn more about Liz? Check her out on her blog!
Follow The Art of Being Cool

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Wednesday Inspiration-RubySnap Cookies


Hello, everyone! It's time for me to brighten your Wednesday with some cool inspiration.
Enjoy!

RubySnap Cookies
I found out about these cookies on another blog and I cannot wait to order some! There is unfortunately not a store close to me, therefore, I will be ordering these bad boys online! She gives the option of mailing the dough or baked & boxed cookies. I will probably order the already baked cookies so that I can get the full effect!
I also love the fact that she gives here cookies names and characters!

The Aubrey

The Susie

The Lily

When I buy these, I plan to make a review =) Which ones do you think I should try?


Follow The Art of Being Cool

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Etsy Shop-Janelle Haskin Handcrafted Creations


The Peacock Headband in Mod Green, Merlot and Tea Rose
Hello, everyone! I'm back with another one of my Etsy Shop Favorite of the Week!
Enjoy!
The Scalloped Collar in Cream and Linen

Janelle Haskin offers some of the most unique accersories I've ever seen or even dreamed of! This Pennsylvania based Etsy Shop specializes in knit headbands, scarfs, neck warmers and many other accessories to keep you fashionably cozy.
What caught my eye about her shop is how unique each piece is! This woman makes me want to pick up the knitting needles!
April Flowers Necklace in Linen with Merlot and Pink
Pretty Kitty Headband in Cream Cotton
Scallop Neckwarmer in Plum
Make sure to check out her shop here!
Follow The Art of Being Cool

Monday, August 22, 2011

Music Mondays- Young the Giant


Hello everyone! I'm here with Music Monday! I know that today's artist pick is probably more mainstream than some of my other picks, but I love Young the Giant and more specifically, I love their song "Apartment" seeing as today starts the first week of me being moved in to my college year apartment!!! My mom surprised me last week with a lease form and a set of keys! This isn't the apartment that I will be sharing with Alex yet, but I am still very excited about it! Anyways, enough blabber! Here's today's pick:

I chose the live version because they are one of the few bands that I prefer live rather than recorded


Follow The Art of Being Cool

Friday, August 19, 2011

Featured Friday!-Lillie



Hello everyone! I'm here with another Featured Friday! I had the pleasure of interviewing the DIY princess, Lillie of Threads N Ends and also go permission to share one of her cool DIY T-shirts on my blog! Let's see what she has to say!
Current Location:City, State, Country or just State or Country
I live in a town in South London and have done all my life. I love living in the city and being so close to everything!

Tell us a little about yourself: (This could be your age, your University, a few hobbies, etc.)
My name is Lillie and I'm twenty years old, soon to be the big ol' two - one! In October I'll be starting my third year at drama school in London. I study at Central School of Speech and Drama in North London. The work load can be a mother f at points (if you'll excuse my foul language!) and doesn't leave me much time to do much else. I told myself that when I had a bit of time in the summer I would start a fashion blog because I'd actually have time to sit and write what I want instead of worry about dealines for university projects. Writing is a brilliant thing and something I really enjoy doing anyway, I think you can tell a lot about a person by how they write! I love shopping, like most girls I'm sure, but just don't have the storage space for all of my bloody clothes! If someone would like to extend my house and fit in a walk in wardrobe I'd be most obliged! I also love music and going and seeing bands, a few of my favourites are Alkaline Trio, Vampire Weekend, and Animal Collective.

Tell us about your blog: (purpose/mission statement of your blog)
I've only just recently started my blog but when I thought about what I'd originally like to write about I thought about the things that I like to read on other people's blogs first. I love seeing tutorials and DIY creations and seeing the process of making things for very little money but a lot of creativity. I also wanted to use my blog as a way of documenting what I'm doing on a purely personal level. I suppose this thought came about last week when I thought back to some of the months earlier this year and literally couldn't remember a single thing that happened in some of them.  This worried me so much and I thought that perhaps by writing a blog I'd be documenting what I'm up to as a visual reminder for myself that events did happen so they are not forgotten! Through my blog I suppose I want to highlight the importance of dressing how you like and it doesn't have to cost the world, you can make things yourself, there are charity shops and some of the best looks out there, I think, are ones that are just thrown together or look like you've just raided your Grandma's wardrobe for her vintage dresses and shoes ! Not that I'm encouraging theft in the family. Always ask your Granny first.

What is your definition of cool?
I think having your own identity and not caring what other people think or caring about how other people see you is being cool. Oh and maybe more importantly- having manners and respecting other people makes you cool.

How do you fit this definition?
Haha, I like to think I'm well mannered and respectful as much as possible. Please and thank you's cost nothing but go a long way. I'm working on not caring about what other people think, but you have to have some thick-ass skin for something like that!
Anything else?
You can find my blog at http://threadsnends.blogspot.com/ . I would encourage anyone who wants to start writing a blog to do one, it's a great way to connect with other like minded people and to get tips and be inspired all from the comfort of your computer chair!

Lillie also has a cool tutorial on how to make this cool Galaxy shirt! 
Check it out here!


Follow The Art of Being Cool

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Flower Girl...DIY Sunflower Shirt

Hello Everyone! My creative juices have been flowing so I've decided to share a t-shirt that I made over the we can. I call it "He Loves Me" because I was inspired by a vintage teenager sitting on the edge of her window sill repeating to herself "he loves me, he loves me not" while plucking flower petals. Plus, sunflowers are my favorite flowers =)

Step 1:
Cut the collar off of a white t-shirt. Start a 1/2 inch to 1 inch away from the top of the collar, then go around the collar to the other side for an "off the shoulder" look. Also, if desired, cut off a few inches from the bottom of the shirt using a straight edge, to give it a cropped look.



Step 2:
Draw your flower in pencil. I use a big can or jar for the middle of the flower and then free hand the rest.
  

Step 3:
Using acrylic paint, or another fabric paint of your choice (I use acrylic because it dries fast and gives a matte look) and a black sponge brush, outline the petals that you drew in pencil. This will help you stay within the lines and keep it looking neat. After this, fill the insides.

Step 4:
 Use a fine tip paint bottle to write the words that you want on your petal, and voila!!! Enjoy your t-shirt ;)




Follow The Art of Being Cool