Oh Joy!

happy friday + being present... 3 May 2013

The other night, as we were getting Ruby dressed for bed, I turned my head for one second and she fell off her changing table. Luckily, all her body parts stayed in tact and unbroken. But I held her tightly and cried and felt ashamed that I'd let that happen. While I know that it was an accident and that every parent goes through something similar, it made me realize that I wasn't focused on her completely in that moment. I may have been thinking about the work I needed to do after she went to bed or that I was cold or hungry or that I had to pee. Had I been paying complete attention, I could have prevented our little fall from ever happening.

I've realized that being present in each moment (while working, enjoying time with friends, or being with my family) is something I really need to be better at. Because as great as multitasking can sometimes be, it's not so great when your brain goes somewhere else and you lose sight of what you're doing during that particular moment in time.

...and how could I not soak up moments like this?

a garden bag {giveaway} with apolis... 2 May 2013

I love the mission behind Apolis—a socially motivated lifestyle brand that empowers communities worldwide. While Apolis carries mostly mens' clothing and accessories, I've always loved their bags for myself; I find them to be the perfect mix of casual and polished.

So, in celebration of Mother's Day, I've partnered with the guys at Apolis to give away this Apolis + Kinfolk garden bag (which retails for $78) to one lucky reader. The bags are handcrafted by a women's artisan co-op in Bangladesh and finished in California. While the garden bag was designed for gardening and picnicking, it's been perfect for using as a baby bag for Ruby. The multiple outside pockets come in handy for having quick access to toys, games, snacks, and other toddler necessities. (And I'm all about baby bags that don't look like baby bags.)

To enter, simply visit Apolis' website and then leave a comment here telling me how you'd use the bag. Entries must be posted by this Monday, May 6th, at 8 a.m. PST, and one winner will be chosen at random*. And, you can see more from this fun day shown right here...

P.S. Apolis is offering a special 20% off discount sitewide for Oh Joy readers for Mother's Day. Enter code OHJOY20 at checkout through May 12th, 2013. And, if you're in the United States and want to receive the Garden Bag before Mother's Day use the ADDITIONAL code MOTHERS for free USA "2-Day" shipping through Tuesday, May 7th.

Both codes are exclusively available to Oh Joy readers.

UPDATE: Congrats to Doris R. from Dallas, TX for being our winner this time!

*Sorry, limited to readers in the U.S. only. Please do not leave your email or web address in the body of the comment, only in the allotted boxes. $78 USD total value. Winner will be contacted by email once comments close, and announced at the bottom of this post soon after.

{Photos by Jory Cordy. In the bag: bunny from By3191, Owen & Fred luggage tag, Manimal moccasins, vintage scarf. Ruby's outfit: Thief & Bandit dress, Saltwater sandals. My outfit: StyleMint t-shirt, Madewell tank (past season), A-Thread shorts, hair ties by Mane Message, clogs by Loeffler Randall, and Apolis + Kinfolk garden bag. Special thanks to Broome St. General Store.}

my daily {beauty} routine... 1 May 2013

It's only been in the last year or so, that I've put together more of a daily routine in terms of the products I use to take care of my face and those I apply as daily makeup. Since we're heading into the summer—a time to show our faces even more—I thought I'd share some of my favorite beauty and makeup products that I use on a daily basis with you...

wallpaper for renters... 30 Apr 2013

When I launched my wallpaper collection with Hygge & West a couple years ago, many of you have said that you rent and therefore couldn't commit to wallpaper. Or maybe wallpaper just seems like such a big commitment even if you do own your home. Well, Hygge & West now has removable wallpaper tiles of a few of my patterns as well as a slew of patterns from some of my favorite fellow designers and illustrators! You can see them all right here...

P.S. I know you haven't seen any new designs from me in a while, but hold tight. I'm working on some really exciting new products and patterns launching in 2014. ;)

a sparkly handmade {giveaway}... 30 Apr 2013

The talented and full-of-facts Amy Azzarito (also known as the managing editor of Design*Sponge) has a new book out called Past and Present which includes her 24 favorite moments in decorative arts history and 24 modern DIY projects inspired by them.

To celebrate her new book, we've partnered with Amy and one of her featured artists, ConfettiSystem, to give away this amazing Art Deco mobile that ConfettiSystem designed and made for the book. It's pretty awesome to have on hand for a party—or really, to have for any day of the week! It can also be used a piñata if you fill each shape with candy! One lucky winner will win this one-of-a-kind piece and also receive a copy of Amy's book (which includes even more beautiful how-to projects like the ones below)!

To enter, simply leave a comment us how or where you'd use this gorgeous mobile. Entries must be posted by this Thursday, May 2nd, at 8 a.m. PST, and one winner will be chosen at random*. Good luck!

UPDATE: Congrats to Linda L. from Arlington, VA for being the winner this time!

*Sorry, limited to U.S. readers only. Please do not leave your email or web address in the body of the comment, only in the allotted boxes. Winner will be contacted by email once comments close, and announced at the bottom of this post soon after.

feeling everyday... 29 Apr 2013

I don't know about you, but there are some weeks where I find myself wearing the same things over and over again—those easy, comfortable pieces that go with everything. Plus, it's nice to have some basic, neutral clothes and accessories to pair with all the color I usually wear. Here are a few of my favorite everyday pieces right now...

{01. Maya Brenner bracelet (special 20% off reader discount, enter JOY20 at checkout), 02. Steven Alan bralette, 03. Madewell sweatshirt dress, 04. Madewell chambray shirt, 05. Apolis garden bag (special 20% off discount sitewide for Oh Joy readers. Enter code OHJOY20 at checkout through May 12th, 2013. And, get free shipping on orders over $150 with code JOYBAG), 06. Madewell sunglasses case, 07. Kate Spade for Keds shoes.}

this moment... 26 Apr 2013

We take so many photos around here, that every so often there is one that just makes you smile over and over again. This one is it for me. I have no description for it and no story behind it. It just is what it is, and it just makes me happy to be right where I am right now.

Have a great weekend guys!

{Photo by Bob Cho}

hey, seattle... 25 Apr 2013

Last year, I was honored and thrilled to be a part of the launch of the Petites collection at Anthropologie. So, we're celebrating petite style with another party...this time in Seattle! I'm super excited to visit as I've never been before.

So Seattle, I'll be coming your way in a couple weeks to co-host the launch of the Petites Shop at the Seattle (Fifth Avenue) Anthropologie store on Thursday, May 9th from 6-8pm. I'd love to meet you guys, so come by, try on some clothes, and say hello! I look forward to meeting you guys! Click here to RSVP...

{Photo by Bonnie Tsang}

what's your favorite thing to eat? 25 Apr 2013

Someone recently asked me what's my favorite thing to eat. I find that to be a really hard question to answer. Do I pick savory? (A great eggs benedict). Do I pick sweet? (I'd say ice cream or a chocolate croissant). Do I pick type of cuisine? (Thai, hands down).

What would you say? What's your one favorite food?

(It's hard to pick just one, right?)

{Photo Sources: donuts by Joseph De Leo, avocado toast via Melting Pot, summer rolls via Lily, smoked salmon via Kwestia Smaku...and more right here.} 

Make Someone Happy - No. 08: Leave a Little Thanks 24 Apr 2013

When I was little, my mom always told me to tell my school bus driver "thank you" when I exited the bus. I didn't realize why it was so important at the time, but over the years, I've realized how many people make our lives better as part of their jobs and rarely receive a thank you. And for me, it's fun and easy to stick thank-you notes wherever I go! So I encourage you to take a moment to not only thank the people you see face-to-face in your everyday life, but also those you rarely get to see or thank personally. It's so easy and can mean so much.

P.S. You can follow along with all the Oh Joy videos by subscribing to my YouTube channel right here!

{Credits: Video: Modshift. Music: "Empty Handed" by Teemster, licensed from With Etiquette. Production assistants: Julia Sir and Michelle Tu. Special thanks: Michelle Tu. My outfit: dress by Steven Alan from Broome St. General Store, shoes by Shoemint.}