Etsy Blog Guest Curator!

I'm super stoked to be a guest curator on the Etsy blog today! My post features a massive round up of all things rose gold, a color that's so soft and romantic. You can check out the full post as well as links to all of the pictured items right here.

Handmade Roundups

cafe au lait

bits of gold

hooray for hand lettered type

11 cards you should have in your paper collection

As I'm sure I've mentioned before, I'm a contributing writer over at Papernstitch and I wanted to share with you some of my latest roundups. It's been quite a while since I've updated you on these so some of them do go a ways back but most of the products are still available. Links to the image sources can be found by clicking on the post title under the images above. I hope you'll check them out and enjoy!

Handmade Roundups

As you might know, I'm a contributing writer over at Papernstitch and I've been busy rounding up lots of handmade goodies:

Dipped and Dyed

Pastel Picks for Spring

Handmade Beach Style

Handmade Travel Essentials

For the love of pyrite

That's a lot of round ups and a lot of awesome goodies! Click on the hyperlink under each photo to view the full posts. Who knows, maybe you'll find something to treat yourself too. I hope so! 

Elsewhere...

How's your week going? Since starting my new job a couple of weeks ago, you may have noticed a change in my posting frequency. For the past couple of years, I've managed to hold a full time position while posting (almost) twice daily and I'm coming to realize that it's simply an unreasonable schedule. I am not, nor have I ever been, a full time blogger and I like my job and don't plan on moving to full time blogging so I'm trying to maintain some balance and set some reasonable expectations for myself. That being said, my ultimate goal is to continue posting daily, M-F but I'm also going to calm down and not sweat it so much if I miss a day or two. I adore blogging but I think I'm a happier person overall if I cut myself some slack. I'm ready to stop putting so much damn pressure on myself, know what I mean? 

I haven't been entirely unproductive in the blogging realm though. Here are some roundups I've done elsewhere that I hope you'll enjoy:

...a fall decor round up for Natty Michelle. You can find prices and image sources right here.

... a round up of favorite items for the Lovely Clusters Fall/Winter issue. 

...my latest Papernstitch contributor posts can be found here and here. 

I feel like this is good time to reiterate how much I appreciate your comments, feedback and support. There are a million other blogs you could be visiting and I don't take your readership for granted. xo

New Contributor at Papernstitch

I'm excited to announce that I'm a new contributor over at Papernstitch. I'll be contributing a handmade/art themed column bi-weekly and the first one is up today! I'm still looking for the perfect work bag when I start the new job, so I've rounded up eight handmade options which you can view here...

Inspire Me by Here Comes the sun

1. Untitled, 2. Untitled, 3. Untitled, 4. öronkonfekt., 5. ., 6. Untitled, 7. Untitled, 8. The Owl and The Pussycat Editorial, 9. Untitled

Hello again everyone!

Just thought I would share with you all today a few images that have been inspiring me lately. Over on Here Comes the Sun I try to blog 6 days a week and, to be honest, sometimes that can be a bit of a daunting task to take on! Especially when you're also working full time and busy with other commitments too. But I find that the inspiration always comes and one place I love in particular is visiting flickr and favouriting images for some inspiration. It's amazing how much talent and creativity there is out there!

Hope you enjoy my selection! If you're on flickr as well do leave your link in the comments section so I can come see your work :)

It's been great guest blogging for you Christina!

Amanda Thomas
Guest Blogger
Here Comes the Sun

Guest Post: I ART U

Hello! :) I'm Jennifer from I ART U--so happy to be guest posting for Christina while she is on the move! It's been a while since I've done an art roundup and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity. The following are a few pieces around the web that have caught my eye. Enjoy!

1. Leaf Portraits. The brilliant Justina from Compai created this piece with leaves she found in her yard while raking. What a masterpiece!

2. Gorgeous embroidery work by Jazmin Berakha via Jessica Comingore's Pin/Wolf Eyebrow.

3. Minimal and moving. Print by Brion Nuda Rosch via Christine's Pin.

4. Pencil shaving portraits by Kyle Bean.

5. I always find myself coming back to Stina Persson's art. I love the fluid and almost palpable textures of her watercolor pieces.

-Jennifer from I Art U

Guest Post: Modish

I'm feeling a little blue this summer... a dusty denim blue, to be specific! I'm not normally drawn to wearing blue of any sort really (I'm a very warm-toned gal), but we're painting my office a light blue right now and I love it! And I've found myself suddenly gravitating towards blue clothes and accessories now too, it's strange! But it's a specific dusty sort of blue that I like right now, a light blue with a bit of grey mystery, like the color of a summer thunderstorm slowly rolling in... Here are some of the things fueling my dusty denim colored desires!

slingbacks in flat denim by marais ($85)
vintage rayon tank from young captive ($23)
pixie goes sailing dress from nadinoo (£145)
jasper sunglass in marine slate from Warby Parker ($95)
house by the sea rock collection by Cori Kindred ($32)
butter london nail polish in lady muck ($14)

-Jena from Modish

Guest Post: Bright.Bazaar

Hello! I'm Will and I blog daily over at Bright.Bazaar about all things colourful in interiors and lifestyle, and I'm delighted to be guest posting here on Down and Out Chic while Christina is moving. I thought it would be fun to do a mini version of one of my regular features on the blog where I post three of my recent inspirations. I felt inspired by the rustic textures and hues of this farmhouse kitchen (one); the yellow and blue colour combination of the formal living room spoke to my love of all things bright (two); and the dream-like shot of the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs has me dreaming of a summer vacation (three). What's inspiring you today?

If you're new I'd love for you to pop by my blog, twitter or facebook to say 'hello!' Thanks for having me, Christina!

Image credits: 1 | 2 | 3

Guest Post: Pennyweight

I have been so drawn to all things natural, neutral and earthy lately. Rich worn leathers, cozy rustic wood and soft nude colors... I just can't get enough. - Elise from Pennyweight

Kinfolk Magazine / Bronze Floor Fan / Two-Toned Ballet Flat / Vanessa Bruno Cut-Out Dress / Penny Loafer iPad Case / Concolor Strepto Air Plant / Tasting Spoon Set / Lavender Bangle

Guest Post: For the Easily Distracted

Hi Down and Out Chic readers! It's Rhianne here from For the easily distracted... I'm so excited Christina asked me to do a guest post, especially when she asked for it to be about toy cameras - if any of you read my blog then you know I love film photography so I jumped at the chance. I've had my diana mini for over a year now and it's still a camera that I'm learning more about everytime I use it and recently I've discovered an amazing combination which I just love and can't stop using. Diana mini with Ilford XP2 black and white film. I've used 4 films already since trying it and here are some of my favourites!
I was never 100% sold on taking black and white photos before, I loved looking at other peoples photos but I was always convinced that I loved colour too much to use a black and white film, until I tried this film. The soft tones of the film compliment the Diana’s use of light and the contrast looks amazing when you do double or triple exposures. It is definitely a film that you can build on. Perhaps my favourite part of this film is that it isn’t a true black and white film and if your lab accidentally scans it in colour then your photos actually have a slight purple tone to them which I’ve never seen before. Thanks for having me and I hope you like my photos. Rhianne

Guest Post: Color Collective

1) mini arrow satchel $130 via need supply co.

2) saltwater sweater top $98 via madewell

3) fortescue shirt £49 via aubin & wills

4) pendleton bath towel $48 via uo

5) rgb nailpolish $14 via frances may

6) silk and gemstone earrings £18.00 via the vamoose

A fall wish list by by Lauren from Color Collective.

Analogue Life by Here Comes the Sun

taken with the LC-A+

Taken with the Holga 135BC

Taken with the Diana Mini

Hello everyone, my name is Amanda and I write a blog called Here Comes the Sun and I'm so delighted to be guest posting here! I thought I would begin today with a few of my favourite Lomography snaps I've taken over the last year.

I am a big collector of film cameras and love nothing more than heading out with my husband to take pictures of our adventures. The above shots are some of my favourite images we have captured on film and I love how each camera produces such a different look! I love them all but I have to say the LC-A+ camera is my favourite. If you like you can check out a more detailed post on my blog HERE with why I think it's so amazing.
Thanks for having me here! I'll be back next week with one more post :)

Amanda Thomas
Guest Blogger
Here Comes the Sun

Guest Post: Pugly Pixel

Hi, my name is Katrina and I blog at Pugly Pixel. Christina asked me to write a post while she's moving and I'm happy to contribute. 

I only have 4 things on my wish list. I have 3 attainable items and I have one that is beyond my budget -- but it doesn't hurt to wish, right? ;)

Things I really want but don't need:

1. The Brooklyn Camera Satchel by Ona
2. Western Bow Tie by Kissy Face
3. Mint Clover Planner from Poketo
4. Small Italian Paper Clips from Paper Pastries

What's on your wish list?
--
I've asked some of my favorite bloggers to help me out around here while I pack and get ready for the move. I'll be popping in over the next week to check in and I hope you enjoy the awesome group of bloggers that will be keeping things up and running while I'm gone. I definitely suggest adding them to you reader if they aren't there already, starting with Pugly Pixel. xoxo

Wishful Thinking

I'm pleased to say I think I've written my most honest post ever (honesty is great and all, but its a little scary, isn't it?). You can't find it here though. You'll have to visit Reverie Daydream to read about what it is I wish for most in life. I'm warning you now that its not light hearted stuff, but it is real. And did I mention honest?

image: marina kochetyga

When I Get Sad

Starting off the week on a positive note from one of my very favorite actors. Hope your Monday is awesome.

(via pinterest anyone know the source?)

p.s. I'm guest posting over at Thrifty Solutions for An Urban Gal today. Hope you'll check it out!

Holiday Dressing, feature on iVillage

Last week, D&OC and several other bloggers were featured in an iVillage piece regarding holiday dressing.  We were given events and had to pick the perfect outfit to match the event.  My event was holiday brunch and you can see my (casual) outfit, and the other outfit choices here.  Thanks iVillage!

Thanks also for your kind words this past weekend regarding my mysterious illness.  My fever finally broke this morning after four days of misery and I'm feeling much better.  B is feeling better as well and no longer has his swollen lymph node induced double chin.  Yay! 

Guest Post: Homemade Grits

 Homemade Grits is the first blog I ever followed, no joke.  Lesley is a dear friend of mine and is a talented writer, pop culture guru, seamstress, mother, wife and all around talented blogger.  Enjoy!

on my wishlist: campy edition

first up: these
boots for traipsing around in search for the perfect campfire
logs. bonus...these buy a kid in need a pair of shoes. yes, they're
toms.


these darling knee
highs would certainly help you blend right in.


i tend to dress from the shoes up. note my priorities. what would be
cozier than this perfect-for-early-fall sweatshirt
dress?


last but not least, i don't believe in not accessorizing.
camping=plaid. enter this adorable headband.


all you need now is the perfect
tent and a warm beverage.*best wishes to my dear friend christina and her b! i'm so happy to be a guest on down and out chic.  in keeping with the spirit...all of these items are under $100!

Homemade Grits' links: Blog / Shop / Twitter

Guest Post: From the Right Bank

Ally with From the Right Bank has an incredible eye for gorgeous interiors and is someone that I have collaborated with in the past and hope to do so with again.  With a down to earth sensibility and a penchant towards modern, clean design, Ally's blog is a must for anyone who loves interior design and decor.

 

  Hi, I'm Ally of From the Right Bank blog and some of you may know me from my collaboration with Christina called Orange Crush, where we celebrate our love of the color orange.  For my very first installment of Orange Crush, I share some favorite orange seating.  Since then, my collection of orange chairs has grown so much, I thought it was a good time for another post.

In all of these photos, I think the orange chairs are what make the room.  What do you think?

Thank you, Christina, for having me as a guest today!  I wish the new Mr. and Mrs. all the best!

xoxo,

Ally

From the Right Bank's links:  Blog / Twitter / Facebook

images:  1) New York Times 2) Marie Claire Maison 3-5) Desire to Inspire