On My Own Blog

Category: Things I love

  • 5 CONSCIOUS CHRISTMAS GIFTS

    This is the time of year when we show the people we love what they truly mean to us.

    Last year’s Christmas was my first without Tim. And I was pretty numb to all the festivities. I had a blast with my family, but I was just ready for Christmas to be over, so that my heartache for Tim wouldn’t be pierced.

    But this year, I’m excited for Christmas and have fully realized the bigger meaning for this time of year, the love I have for my family and friends and that its more important than any object, gift or money. This time is so crazy and busy, we all need to slow down and spend quality time with others.

    Soooo, here’s 5 interesting gifts that are fun, meaningful, conscious and definitely creative:

    1. Foxgram Instagram Photos & Magnets  Here’s a great way to print and share your favorite Instagram memories. Foxgram is a San Diego company and I got my pics in about 2 days. I’m going to create a heart-shaped collage wall with all these photos.

     

     

    2. 31 Bits Jewelry & Bags   I went to the Identity entrepreneur conference in October, and Jessie Simonson, the Director of Sales for 31 Bits gave a heartfelt speech. Beautiful products and mission. They are constantly changing up their designs, so keep them in mind for birthdays, mother’s day, etc.

     

     

    3. Sevenly shirts  Sevenly is a cause and charity shirt company. Every 7 days they create a handcrafted (not computer generated) shirt design for a charity and $7 goes to that charity. You get a one-of-a-kind shirt, and the charity receives much-needed funds AND exposure.

    This company was created by an über talented, heart-centered entrepreneur, Dale Partridge. He’s also the founder of the Identity conference. Follow his twitter account for amazing quotes and daily deep thoughts.

    4. Help Ink printed items  I stumbled on this website somehow. Talented artists that create artwork for posters, mounted prints, notebooks, and stationery. Then, you can choose a cause and Help Ink will make a donation. I’m going to scoop up this Jessica Hische one for myself.

    5. Holiday Cookies  Okay, this gift idea requires baking and cooking. For those that don’t like to do those things, whelp, this one isn’t for you. But check out this site for humorous and tasty recipes. I want to EAT all of these cookies. Anyone want to come over to my place and bake some?!

    How Sweet It is or Two Peas & Their Pod Cookbooks

     

    Merry Christmas and many blessings! xoxo 

  • ALICIA KEYS’ GIRL ON FIRE

    Have you heard the new Alicia Keys song, Girl on Fire (featuring Nicki Minaj)? I love it!! I crank up the sound and rock out. So powerful and deep. Good workout song. Good cruising on the freeway song. The lyrics spoke to me.

    You can check out an exclusive first listen to her whole new album, Girl on Fire, here before it hits stores tomorrow, November 27th. It’s a nice collection of edgy, sassy, and beautiful songs.

    Happy Monday! xoxo

    Photo by  Declan McCullagh, find it here.

     

  • SHARE + INSPIRE + EMPOWER

    Keep Your Head Up

    I went up to LA with my gal Jill to see Ben Howard in concert. If you haven’t heard about Ben, check out this cool “Frame of Mind/ An Open Mind” video Rob Machado did for Dragon Alliance, with Ben’s “The Wolves” song. Ben’s music is really calming but also energetic. He has a way of starting slow and serious, then turning it up and jamming out. He’s got a huge following, the audience was singing every word, and almost to the point that it overpowered his voice. But Ben and his band love to perform and share what they love to do and it was electric and contagious. He’s not religious or gospel, but his lyrics and music are deep, personal and powerful. I left the concert singing his song “Keep Your Head Up” (as the art above shows) over and over in my head.

    Here’s a few photos I took with my iPhone.

    Ben Howard

    Ben Howard

    Another interesting thing I wanted to share, was this cool music and design site called DesignersMX. It’s a fun site filled with various music mixes and cool design. The image above and below are from this site. Go check it out and get inspired.

     

  • JESS & RUSS

    One of my favorite designers, Jessica Hische, is getting married to the creative and talented Russ Maschmeyer. And so of course, their wedding invitation website is filled with beautiful type, witty illustrations, and an interesting timeline. She and her fiancé asked 15 of their amazingly creative peeps to help them tell their love story. Check it out here.

  • I’LL GO IF YOU GO

    Still on my adventure buzz from my last post, I wanted to share a photographer that really inspires me. Her name is Nirrimi Hakansan. She’s only 19 years old. And was signed with a photo agency at 16 years old. She’s one motivated and talented whipper snapper.

    She and her boyfriend Matt are wanderlusting gypsies originally from Oz and have a way with capturing real moments and telling stories through their photos.

    I found this series of photos via Billabong + Foam Magazine’s I’ll Go If You Go online zine. Here are some of my faves Nirrimi shot for the Billabong Spring 2012 European Roadtrip. Makes me giddy for my upcoming Euro trip.

    Billabong European Roadtrip 2012 from alba&boy on Vimeo.

    Ciao, xoxo.