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February 21, 2015

Some of the highlights getting me through the bitter cold over the last few weeks! …

I have a renewed love for thrifting, thanks to a few recent trips that landed me some vintage pumas, brand new grey suede pumps (here are some similar ones if you are looking for some!), and a vintage floor length camel coat that I have only been hunting down for at least 6 months;) And speaking of thrifting, here is a recent article on Verily Mag where I shared my thrifting tips alongside some other gals (who are actually more pro than me!).

My friends Emily and Viviana made their debut as Atlanta Interior Design specialists for Pleat Street Interiors! They had a brilliant Art + Interiors show which paired textile layouts to Fine Art paintings! They have such a knack for what they do, and I can’t wait to see the homes they put their spin on!

Got lost in The Merchant ATL, where charm drips over every table top, wall, and corner. I spent two hours deciding everything was a must buy and walking out with a coffee mug?! I am so good at making decisions…(roll eyes).

Taking a lot of short field trips with the kids in the mornings while Gabriel is at school. It helps to get our daily dose of fresh air. This picture makes me chuckle. We have no idea where Veronica got her sass….

We barely escaped the nationwide snow front somehow. Kind of wish it would have swept through. Better than rain! My little ones were wishing upon wishes for there to be snowflakes falling. Wishing you all a warm weekend!
x, Anna

P.S. I’ll be sharing a peak into my Saturday adventures tomorrow on West Elm Atlanta’s instagram handle if you want to see what’s in store:)

Movie Watch: The Giver

February 20, 2015

There seemed to be a dry spell in good movies to rent over the last few months. All the good flicks come out in theaters over Christmas or the summer, and leaves the you a few months of wait time for redbox options. Since we got hit with some really icy and cold weather here in Atlanta, the schools shut down all week. That means Gabe was off as well, and we kindly obliged to the chance on catching up with a little R&R. I had completely forgot The Giver came out in theaters! It is a strong movie based on the novel by Lois Lowry. An easy watch, but it leaves you with deeper thoughts than you bargained for…

The film starts in black and white in a futuristic country that seems to be man-made or set apart from the rest. It is a contrived world, where from birth, children are taken from their “birthmothers”, and then assigned to a family unit. You are only with your family unit until you are assigned with a task as an adult member of the community. This world is a well oiled machine. Everything runs like clockwork. There is no pain or emotions. Just a smooth running society overseen by the Elders. Jonas, the main character in the film has more perceptive qualities than the rest of the citizens, and when the time comes, he is assigned “Receiver of Memory.” A role which only one receives every blue moon. It embarks him on a training with “The Giver of Memory” played by Jeff Bridges.

The plot is fascinating as The Giver slowly pulls back the red curtain to the reality of the world they live in, and through his instruction, Jonas receives the memories of the world past. Emotions, love, hate, war, peace are all received into his memory in small pieces. Something that is overwhelming and painful at times, but the depth of relationships is something the current society is without. Jonas realized their controlled world is missing the very heart of what makes life worth living, even though sometimes pain must exist with it. The film starts to reveal more color in the scenes as you are drawn into the story. It parallels perfectly with how you experience the movie.

Even though Jonas is supposed to be the keeper of these memories, he starts on a mission to blow them wide open in order to bring back the reasons for truly living. Katie Holmes and Taylor swift have roles in the film, but I would say Meryl Streep plays the most compelling female role as chief Elder. She is the only other person besides The Giver who remembers how it once was. She plays the antagonist role as the only other person who remembers the world as The Giver does. She begins to suspect he is training Jonas to do away with the world they had built, and adds to the suspense of what the outcome of the story will be.

I hope I have you intrigued enough;) When a film comes along that has some depth to it, I think it’s worth a whole blog post because it doesn’t happen often! So, if you are stuck indoors this weekend, here is your flick to watch!

P.S. What recs do you have? Here’s the last movie that got a whole blog post;)

9 Tips for Better Instagram Photos

February 18, 2015

Photography is one thing, and iPhone photography is another ball game. I still feel like I am always learning something new, and I certainly appreciate when other artists or bloggers take the time to share tips. These are hopefully some helpful ones to keep in mind as you shoot with your phone. This would actually be a good prelude to this post on the instagram photo editing process. These tips for better instagram photos are to meant to be helpful whether you are running an instagram account for your business or simply trying to capture good moments of your family.

I will be sharing a few more posts on social media soon, as I prepare to launch an exciting part of The Brand Market!

1. Find a natural light source. Probably the most important factor of a good instagram photo is natural light. No matter how good the phone camera is, without natural light you usually get a grainy or blurry photo. If you are outdoors, I usually shoot in a shaded area, and if I am indoors, I am shooting near a window or in a well lit room. We are naturally drawn to images with good light. It can reflect the mood and time of day, and translate so much more than a flash photo or poorly lit image.

2. Shoot in square mode. Some apps allow you to shoot with a square frame to help conceptualize your image as you are shooting. Since I always post in squares, I like to shoot in square mode. VSCO Cam offers a square shoot mode as well as an optional grid mode to help center and align if you are styling objects.

3. Try 3 angles. Aerial view, eye level, diagonal, etc. There are so many ways to make an image stand out, but it’s worth the extra minute or two to try at least a few angles. You may be surprised what you end up using. Often times, it is the last shot I take that makes the cut:)

4. Experiment with perspective. As a follow up to playing around with angles, try a change in perspective. Change it up from close up shots to atmosphere shots. The full buzz at a coffee shop vs. a coffee mug, you and your friend in the full room vs. just a close up of faces. It will surprisingly capture the moment in a very cool and memorable way!

5. Use a focus tool. I shoot in the VSCO app because the camera option has an adjustable focus and exposure tool integrated in the app that you can tap to adjust as you shoot. It is extremely helpful to making sure your photo doesn’t blur.

6. Choose your background wisely. When I was in design school, we were often reminded of the importance of negative and positive space either supporting, complimenting, or contrasting in an interesting way. Basically, you don’t want your background to take away from the subject of your photo but to either enhance or contribute to it. This will apply differently depending if you have a lifestyle, product, fashion, or personal based stream (and heck who cares if you are just snapping a pic of your friends!). If you are working on a more integrated instagram stream however, your background can be a strong asset to the outcome of your image.

7. Declutter. Eliminate distractions from your photos. I think less is more effective when it comes to instagram. However, everyone has their own style, and often times, you would rather take the candid shot than take the time to declutter!

8. Travel Lens. If you feel like leaving your nice camera behind, try an Olloclip for iPhones that offers 4 in 1 angle options, and makes it easy to snap sharp photos on the go.

9. Edit your instagram photos like a champ. It can make all the difference!

If you have any tips to add to the list fire away!
x, Anna

The Common Knowledge

February 16, 2015

I have a weak spot for modern design, and let out an audible gasp when I saw this bag from The Common Knowledge. They were kind enough to send over a bag for me to style and share the line with all of you. Even though ethically made requires a higher price point, I am happy to at least share support for these companies, and this innovative line is one of them. Edgy design, but with enough practical benefits to help a girl out with comfort and space. Made in New York City with Italian Leather materials, I’d say these are #ConsciousClosets approved.

Gabe and lil’ Gabriel have President’s Day off, and there is snow in the forecast. I am thankful for the extra time with my boys, and the time we got to spend with good friends over the weekend. After one of my posts about ways to Battle the Winter Blues, one of you readers mentioned she looks at winter as an opportunity for togetherness. For some reason, that really made an impact on me. How true it is! What a fantastic way to look at it. Even when the togetherness can start to give you cabin fever;)

x, Anna

{Cape: Leslie Tessler (similar) // Denim: Henry and Belle (similar) // Boots: Sam Edelman (old but Similar) // Tote: The Common Knowledge c/o

Baby announcement .GIF + Recently Said

February 14, 2015

This was going to be our original baby announcement, but we were in sore need of family pictures, so we went with those! I love this little .gif though, because it captures their personalities and scrumptious ages so well. We shot this in one take, with no instructions but to tug on that balloon string and keep walking;) Max obliged with a toothbursh in his mouth.

Happy St. Valentine’s Day from our family to yours!
xoxo

P.S. A few conversations we have had lately about the baby:
Gabriel: How does the baby get food in there?
Me: Well, whenever mommy eats, the baby gets some of the food through a tube in my stomach.
Gabriel: And when the baby comes out, will it eat milk from the bottles on your stomach like Max did?
Me:…..um….yes?

Veronica: When am I gonna have a baby in my belly like you mama?
Me and Gabe swallow our laughs: Not until you are at least 25.

Max: (Continues to bottle feed everything with eyes we have in the house.)

Gabriel: So if you keep eating, your belly will grow and grow mom?
Me: Yep.
Gabriel: Well you better keep eating so that baby can come out!
Me: Don’t worry son, I am really good at eating.

Veronica: Mama you are gonna have lots of babies!
Me: (Wipe sweaty brow) What?! I am only having one baby honey.
Veronica: No, you are having a girl baby for me, and more babies for Gabriel and Max.
Me: Mmmkay. One at a time.

Original baby announcement post here. (Photo by Moe Blake)

Ethically Made Jewelry Favorites

February 13, 2015

To continue the #ConsciousClosets series, I wanted to share the jewelry I have narrowed down my hoard to! I used to be a big and bold accessories girl (all my college pictures involve big earrings…), and I still love to put bold pieces on for special occasions, but I would consider myself a minimal jewelry wearer now. I am not sure what changed, maybe it’s my perspective on style and the belief we don’t need much to reveal authentic beauty. Although it might have to do more with a busy particular toddler.

I used to just pick up jewelry at F21, because you can’t beat $5.80 for a necklace…but then I started to question how all this cheap jewelry was made. Not to mention it would tarnish less than a month later. I really value the designers behind ethically made jewelry, and realize it is a better investment in pieces that will last forever. I wear these pieces with everything. Sometimes solo or sometimes layered. There are SO many good companies, but here are a few favorites. Will update as I go!

Velina Jewelry
Padgett Hoke
Gold and Gray
Mes Petites Etoiles
Kendra Scott
The Shine Project
Crafts and Love
Moorea Seal
Shop Soko (Thanks for the rec Bien Faire!)
Rose and Fitzgerald
31 Bits
Kluster Shop

The jewelry dishes are from The Object Enthusiast. What are some of your favorites?
I’d love to check them out!
Happy Valentine’s Day weekend!
xoxo, Anna

P.S. Building a closet from scratch part one and two.

XOXO Valentine’s Day Doughnut Recipe

February 11, 2015

I totally admit one of my favorite things about Valentine’s Day is the baked goods. (And darn those red gumdrop hearts! Get me every time in the store.) These are actually doughnuts you don’t have to fry! I made these similar to biscuits (just sweeter!) so you could cut out any shapes you like and bake them in the oven. Bake a batch enough to play Tic Tac Toe, winner eats all (wink wink)!

You can make this Valentine’s Day doughnut recipe most likely with ingredients you have on hand. Gift them to a co-worker, sister, friend, or bake them with your little chefs! (Veronica and Gabriel LOVED being able to cut out the shapes for these:)) Head over to Inspired by This for the guest post and recipe!

XOXO,
Anna

*Gold Flatware is from West Elm