My Inspiration for today...

Tonight I went to see Julie & Julia and found it oddly inspirational and relatable (is that a word?). For those who haven't seen it, it's about a woman trying to find something for herself to be passionate about. She doesn't love her job and she feels she never really finishes anything. The one thing she loves to do is to cook. She decides to cook her way through Julia Child's cookbook and blog about it. (Here is the actual blog).

I love this story, I love it so much! I love that this woman decided to write a blog about something she loved and found her inner writer and ended up writing a book once her blog was noticed and now it's a movie. She took something she loved and it became a career for her.

I used to really want to be a writer when I was a kid. I wrote lots of mystery stories, they probably were terrible, but I enjoyed it. (I wonder if my mom still has those...) I also drew house layouts becuase I wanted to be an architect but I believe that desire faded away... but who knows, maybe it's laying dormant somewhere deep down. I am not considered a writer, I have not been trained as a writer, I can't spell all that great and I think I make up words (see first paragraph). Does that mean I can't be a writer? No, I don't think it does.

It makes me think about that big question that arose many times when we were younger, and for some of us maybe even recently... "What do you want to be when you grow up?" By day I am a designer and I actually enjoy pushing pixels around in Photoshop, it's fun, I like to design and make things... But then I also love writing my blogs and working on my UFN website. I love the local designers and boutiques and want to help them anyway I can... However, those last two things fall more into the hobby category as they don't pay the bills. Maybe someday, still trying to figure that one out.

So, what am I rambling on and on about? What is my point? Well, honestly I don't know. How did you figure out what it was you wanted to do with your life? Are you doing it? If not, what would you want to do?

Now here is one way I can relate to Julie... For quite awhile she felt she was just writing to noone, and maybe I am, but if you're out there I really would love to hear what you have to say. (Dad, I know you're out there and THANK YOU for that! And a BIG thanks to those of you who do comment and come back to see what is going on here, you rock!) ;)

Go see the movie, it's cute!

Ok, I'll end this post with a "Bon Appetit".

I Covet Shoes (and Jewelry)

I started a new blog today that I plan to maintain just like this one!

I LOVE shoes!! Please check out the Shoe Coveter, my new shoe blog! I plan to stop people and photograph their shoes and ask some details about where they got them, how much they spent, etc...

What else should I ask?

I have a Jewelry Coveter too but haven't posted anything just yet - stay tuned!!

Yes, I am crazy!! That would be a total of 5 blogs I maintain - WHOA!!! This should be fun! I hope you tag along. :)

Glamour-Tastic

I just got home from an event put on by Darnell Sue, local blogger, DJ, Girl Power Hour and now Glambassador for Glamour!

Apparently, as a Glambassador she hosts events for Glamour in Seattle to introduce new products. Man, I need to get a gig like that, it sounds like a lot of fun!

For this event, several fantastic women met to check out a new mineral-makeup product for Almay via Glamour. I thought we were just going to play around with makeup but what happened was we got free samples from Almay and basically got to network with many women of like minded interestes. The event was even catered and there was red and white wine by Kestrel Vintners. It was a lot of fun!

Several of the attendees I have met at other events but, was of course, happy to see them again! (Darcey, Sara, Jordana, Devon, Sam) Then to top it off I got to meet some new amazing women who also like to blog about fashion or were involed in it somehow (Jess, Summer, Marla, Alix and more). I was so unprepared to network (BAD TARAH!) as I had forgotten my cards. I do that all the time, so bad!! When will I learn? (I'm linking you to their blogs and websites so you too can check out these fantastic ladies. I know I didn't list everyone I met and I'm sorry for that. Please send me your websites and I'll put them up!)

My lovely friends, Melissa and Christine went with me! Thanks for accompanying me chicas!!

Change

Yesterday I was engrossed in the inauguration which was a first for me. I have never watched one nor really cared to. Yesterday, however, I was so excited to watch it. I got a little choked up during President Obama's speech. I felt prideful yesterday and when I looked around me I noticed I wasn't the only one. (Secretly I wished we had gone to DC to be apart of it all... even with ALL those people!)

Hubby even said he got choked up several times and almost cried a bit. Don't tell him I told you that though. ;)

I know not everyone is excited for our new President but I hope those of you who aren't can find the pride that a lot of us are feeling. It feels great to feel so united to people. I am proud to be an American. :)

Ok, moving on as this isn't a political blog... So my fabulous friend from FL, Michelle, is disappointed in me at my lack of updating my blog. So this is for her! Sorry, I must claim a bit of laziness. The weather in Seattle is really effecting me this year. I've grown accustomed to the grey and drizzle in the years before but this year it's really getting to me. It's been so foggy and cold - I just want to lay on my couch, eat hummus and pita and watch TV. Sad, I know!! I love to workout too but HAVEN'T in quite sometime. Thankfully I haven't gained any weight but I haven't lost any either... ughhhh... I need some sun!!!

My day job is moving to Seattle Feb 2nd and we have a nice new gym that is free to us 24/7 so I have no excuse now. I must begin working out the day we move in. Hold me to it, I have to do it!! I have to get out of hibernation mode...

I haven't been to any recent fashion events as January tends to be pretty low key in that area. Things will begin to pick up for UFN soon. I am looking forward to fashion shows, craft fairs and the local scene. The next big event coming up though is Project Red Dress, if you're in Seattle I suggest you check it out!!

Have a great day. Don't worry Michelle, I will update more. I promise!

UFN on the PI

It's official, I am now a "reader blogger" for the Seattle PI - I am so stoked!!

I will still be updating this blog but I will also be updating this blog too!

I'll be "profiling regional designers, boutiques and fashion related events, with the Seattle Metro area as its main focus". Let me know who/what you want to know about. :)

Beauty Revolution Magazine is coming!!

Guess what people, a new online magazine, Beauty Revolution, is coming and I can't wait!! I'm going to be building their website and hopefully working with them on talking about up and coming designers, blogging about fashion and events, etc.. I can't wait!

They will begin blogging about their site progress soon, so once they do I will link to their blog so you can keep track of their progress!

Come on, get excited!!

UPDATE: We have 2 blogs created sofar: Susan's and mine.

Need some inspiration today?

I was reading one of the many blogs I go to, i am a greedy girl, and she had a few pictures of this amazing dress. (Oh how I wish I could have my wedding all over again, THIS would be the dress I would pick, it's beautiful! I love the colored tulle!).

So anyways, the pictures directed me to another blog called Muse, which has some of the most beautiful imagery I have seen in quite sometime. It's definitely a great site for inspiration... Guess that is the point of the site, hence the name!

If you need some inspiration check it out!!

Portland on my mind... (sorry Georgia)

The other day I suggested to my husband that we possibly consider moving to Portland. He went on and on about how there are tons of street kids and how he read some article recently about how they seem to multiplying, etc, etc... Ok, my reasoning for wanting to move there had nothing to do with street kids, it was all about Portland's fashion scene... and what a scene it is!

I am constantly looking for events in Seattle and Portland and it seems everyday I find more and more desirable fashion events in Portland. They really seem to be stepping it up. We started UFN August 22 of last year so I wasn't really searching for Portland events prior to that... But everyday I am amazed at all the cool events I find. The events I am finding are full on runway shows (I love a good runway show!). Keep an eye on our calendar b/c I keep listing more and more...

Plus I seem to be meeting more and more designers (Emily Baker, Emily Katz, Erin Macleod... the list goes on)from that area and they are super cool, edgy and most are eco friendly.

I ran across this blog that I keep going back to. It's through the Portland Mercury and it's all about... you guessed it... fashion!

I think another road trip to Portland needs to happen soon!

P.S. Don't get me wrong, Seattle has tons of great fashion events!! I just like to keep up with all of them. :)

MySpace + UFN

Well folks, UFN officially has a MySpace page... Not sure what that will accomplish, but my goal is to reach out to people and spread the word of what it is we do. Plus meeting new designers and making friends is always a plus.

Check out our new page and add us as a friend!

It's gonna take a lot of work to update the site, update the blog and update the MySpace page (not to mention spend time with hubby, work full time, make jewelry, attend events and maintain some sort of social life)... I think I can do it though! ;) Wish me luck!!

PayPerPost...

I just signed up for this service called PayPerPost where I get to write reviews on many things and get paid for it. Since UFN is a new company and we are doing it completely on our own I'm trying to find all sorts of clever ways to make money for the business. This seemed like a good opportunity. Plus then I can just put the money right back into the business!!

I came across the opportunity while searching for advertising opportunities and it seems like a pretty cool setup. I haven't met any folks who use to just yet but hopefully we can find some good contacts this way as well...

If you're a blogger you might want to check it out - maybe it can help you make a little extra cash as well!! I'll keep you posted on how I feel about it... Let's hope this also helps me drive traffic to my blog!!