My very favorite thing that Free People has ever made...

Did any of you happen to see the fantastic short film: Roshambo that Free People released a few months ago?  It was produced as a video accompaniment to the love story featured in their February catalog.  I think I watched it enough for everyone.  The little film even inspired me to include a mini love story in our Ambiance Summer lookbook.  Can you see the influence?

Sooo, Roshambo... The story, chemistry, cinematography, music, the clothes and styling... I loved it so much.  And I loved that it was short- it left me wanting more more more.  Well, I'm happy to say... those crafty Free Peeps heard the outcry and delivered the goods.  They've just released a much-anticipated follow up film, entitled Roshambo Rock; a flashback to Sheila and Chris (Sheila Marquez and Chris Abbott of Girls fame) before their chance reunion in New York (featured in the first film).  In this one, Sheila and Chris have just broken up and her friends whisk her off to Rio to cheer her up.  Enter sun, sand, loads of beach-y summer-y FP duds, and the instantly-smitten Diego (played by real-life Spanish polo player Diego Osorio).  Now watch all kinds of fancy Free People magic happen.

Shop the Roshambo Rock fashion collection here!

L.O.V.E. at AMBIANCE...

I thought it might be fun to share a recent photo session with you guys... 

This one was for (surprise, surprise) VALENTINE'S DAY!!! Yes, I'll be milking it all week.

Kalsee and I had a lot of fun making a big mess at Ambiance.  And I had not even a little bit of fun blowing up gazilllllllions of balloons.  Seriously, I need to just invest in a pump already...

X's + O's by Banter Banner available at Ambiance for $10!  

Everyone needs one of these banners in their life.  Apparently I need 3.   

CONFETTI CRAZINESS!

ROSE PETALS + BALLOONS FOR DAAAAYS!

And how we make the magic...

The aftermath.

*And no, we did not get all that confetti out of the fancy reclaimed barnwood floorboards.  *eeeeek*

Have I mentioned that I love my job so much?  I do.

Tassel love...

Did you know that $6 can transform your favorite old purse into the must-have bag for Spring?

TA DA!!!

TASSELS!  Who knew?!  Wanna see how I'm using them? As evident by my horse in tassels, a better question would be how am I NOT using them...  

Be-tasseled Starbuck!

Be-tasseled keys!

Be-tasseled bag #1.

 Nails to match my tassels!

Be-tasseled bag #2.

Requisite matching nails (see bag #2).

How will YOU be-tassel this Spring?

xoxo,

Natural Life tassels, Butter London Polish, and Cut n Paste bags- available at AMBIANCE

Ambiance Holiday Magic... Are you in the video?

I'm not!  But that's ok... I got to wear my favorite gold party dress and hot pink feathers in my hair, 

and then hide behind a camera all night.  M Y   K I N D A,  P A R T Y ! ! !

It really was a great party- the food was ohmygosh... TOO good.  The Range really outdid themselves.  And Carlos is officially my favorite DJ in town.  Everyone talked about how fun the music was all night.  We had ridiculous machete juggling, over-sized unicycle riding, and yeah- a crazy guy who had to be escorted out.
You KNOW the party's hot when the crazies come a'calling.  

For those of you who missed it, I hope to see you there next time.
And for those of you who partook... let me know if I caught you on camera, k?  

♥,

       

$250 shopping spree... YOU CAN WIN THIS!

Hey you guys, have you entered the AMBIANCE shopping spree contest yet? 

  DO IT!  The contest ends today!  I'm a big believer in contests, and I've won two in the past two years.  That might not seem like a lot... but what if I told you that I've only entered 4 in the past two years?  Seriously!  Anyway... AMBIANCE is giving away a $250 Free People shopping spree 

and it takes about 30 seconds to enter.  30 SECONDS!  

The odds of winning are worth 30 seconds.  

CLICK HERE TO ENTER NOW!

What would you get at AMBIANCE with $250?

I'd snag this pair of wildflower print Current Elliott stilettos - in a heartbeat!

GOOD LUCK!  

I'm not allowed to enter, so I genuinely hope YOU win.

{Jeans photo via Colette Paris}

Free People, and gum wall'ing, and stuff...

I had so much fun today with Anissa.  Remember her from the bikini shoot?

Ambiance is celebrating Fall fashion from Free People this month (really pretty).

I can't believe we're talking about the Fall transition fashion already... wasn't the first day of Summer like, yesterday???  

But it all looks beautiful.  Lots of rich knits and embroidery, mustardy hues, and fun pattern play.  

So we did photos.  Around 700 of em.  I love taking pictures in this big room flooded with light.  

And did you know that there's a secret sliding glass door above the gum wall?  I totally spy on everyone from up there, and giggle at the endless exclamations of "EEEEWW, GROSS" coming from down below as they first encounter the wall.  This is promptly followed by a collective "Whoooa" as they take that first step into the alley.  They pop a piece of gum into their mouth, chew it just to the point of stickiness, and then ever so gingerly attempt to leave their mark- 

without ever making contact with the wall itself.  They also like to remark about the smell.

It's usually something like... "It smells so nasty!  But in a good way."

Hilarious, I tell ya...  ANYWAY.  Yes, photos...  Fun.  Super good day.  :)  

Isn't Anissa the cutest?  I love working with her.  And how great is that reclaimed wood wall?!

Ohmygosh.  I feel like I need one in my house.   

Behind-the-scenes... (thanks, Grant)

Romantic Crown Braid... tutorial!

The lovely Leah was kind enough to collaborate with me on a GREAT hair tutorial earlier this week!  I'm really excited about this because it went so well, that we're already talking about the next one!  Personally, I can barely manage a decent ponytail- but Leah made this look like a breeze!  She and her friend Andi did such a beautiful job.  I really hope you enjoy!  ♥
*note - Ok, apparently I don't know how to count, since I have more steps than Leah. Aaand I guess I don't like the #8?!  Whaaat? It still works.

Leah's step-by-step guide:

You'll Need - A comb, bobby pins, 2 clear elastic bands, styling product (like a pomade or paste) + hairspray!

1. Comb hair  and part on side. You choose how deep you want the side part to go.

2. Create a diagonal part using a comb, ending the part just below the ear on the opposite side.

3. Begin an inverse braid. This is an upside down french braid. Taking the hair under instead of over allows the braid to "stand up". If this is too difficult, do a traditional french braid in it's place.

4. Taking hair only from the crown to incorporate into the braid continue the braid all the way down.

5. Secure with a clear elastic band.

6. Do the same thing on the opposite side.

7. Once braids are finished and secure, gently tug them apart, creating separation and a larger, more imperfect braid. You can be subtle about this or you can go big and really pull the braid apart.

8. Pull the braid around the back of the head just above the nape and secure with bobby pins just above the ear.

9 . Take braid from the opposite side and cross over the first braid, securing with bobby pins as you go. Remember to tuck in the loose ends of the tail of the braid!

10. Spray with hairspray.

YOU'RE DONE!  :)

Leah's bracelets/Andi's necklaces: Heather Gardner 

Denim Jacket: FREE PEOPLE 

Andi's floral top: FREE PEOPLE 

Leah's nail polish: Butter London "Trout Pout"
{all of the above available at AMBIANCE}

Loving the ride...

I've been having so much fun taking pictures.  Stephanie and Kalsee let me play paparazzi last week...  Super fun!  :)   And you guys... someone contacted me to shoot a wedding!  I was like, what-whaaat?  SO incredibly flattering.  I was happy to recommend a photographer friend with actual wedding experience, but it felt super awesome to be asked.  Isn't it funny how opportunities present themselves when you least expect it?  I love that.

Not your traditional tattoo...

One of the Ambiance girls just had this tattoo done, based on the Lily Collection by Isabella Fiore.  Phew!  Talk about devotion to a brand... 

{Tattoo by Niko Raterman, Traditional Tattoo}

GUM! GUM! GETCHA GUM, RIGHT HEA!

Daaaaaang, you guys...  Look at this thing!  

I finally found the perfect gumball machine.  Being on the gum wall, it only made sense that Ambiance should have their own gum machine, right?  So I scoured through hundreds of them - all over the country, in every size, shape, and color.  After many months of searching, I saw this one and thought: EUREKA!  It's certainly a statement-maker...  It doesn't wait around patiently for the inevitable question: "Hi, do you sell gum?"  No, sir - you won't find any subtlety here.  This baby blows a fat bubble right in your face, smacks its jaw, and shouts: "GUM! GUM! GETCHA GUM, RIGHT HEA!'  

It's ridiculous.  It's obnoxious.  It's taller than I am!  It's freakin' awesome.

She'll go through a little makeover before she's up and running...  we're leaning towards a nice, rich, turquoise, what do you think?  But soon enough she'll be looking gorgeous, with a big belly-full of gumballs.

I'll keep you updated.  :)

And life gets in the way...

Posting has been a bit light this past week or so, and there are two particular reasons why...  

1. Work, work, and more work.  Not that I could complain about it, because I really do enjoy my work- but wow, has it been non-stop lately.  Remember this video of Elliott?  Well, it inspired a similar short movie for Ambiance, downtown.  If you're curious, you can see it here.  It was a lot of fun, but a LOT more work than my little home movie.

I'm also really excited to share that an image from this photo shoot was chosen to run as a full page ad in the recent "Best of SLO" insert.  It's only my fourth ad photo, but I'm just tickled about it.

2.  Ok, last but nowhere near least: Awful, horrendous, the worst...  Allergies.  Are you suffering too?  I'm going on my second week of the worst attack I've had all year, and my brain has been reduced to a worthless fuzzball- something resembling Pascal's tail.

So there it is...  the good and the bad, and the delicate balance of both.  C'est la vie, friends.  ♥

P.S.

Speaking of "Best of SLO"... I am SO very proud of my darling dearest who won Best Visual Artist for the 3rd year running.  I can tell you in all honesty- that I don't know anyone more deserving and more committed to his craft than Jeffrey.  Though yes, I am completely biased.  ♥