Tsunami Relief

Many of the companies and celebrities are introducing products and new ways to support Japan after the terrible Tsunami. It is so fantastic to see so many people come together from all over the world to help out one country. Personally, I felt so awful because I was having such a fantastic weekend at home and Japan was falling apart. I'd like to show you some of the awesome products and items that I have come across that are supporting Japan!

This ring is absolutely fantastic. My sister actually found it on the Etsy MerCurios' shop a few days ago. Each one costs $35 and ALL of the proceeds from this go to the Red Cross for Japan. You can special order it to your ring size so don't think its not for you! I personally love the sleekness of the design.

One unique way to help out would be to buy the vs. The Earthquake digital download. You can 'name your own price' with the minimum of $5. All of the 22 tracks have been donated by the bands. The collection features bands like The Wonder Years, I Call Fives, and With the Punches.

This $300 piece of artwork from Mike Perry Studio is called "An Odd Looking Crew." I love that they're on skateboards, it makes is so playful and fun. A whopping 100% of the cost will go to Japan Relief! Also, if you don't want to spend $300 Mike Perry Studio also has things priced around $25, but of course my expensive taste has to shine through.

Another awesome Etsy find was on the CocoDelayInc Shop page. This necklace is on leather cord and the pendant is made out of recycled papers from around the world. The little bird on the end tops it all of perfectly! I think it's a great piece to add some POP to a plain white tee this summer. Just like that last piece, 100% of these proceeds go to Japan.

These are just a few of the things that I have found. Let me know if you have heard about anything else!

Summer Concerts

I absolutely love Dave Matthews Band. I have seen him multiple times. I go to his Summer tour concerts in Saratoga Springs, NY every year. When he announced last year that he wasn't going to be doing his Summer 2011 Tour I was nearly heartbroken. I couldn't believe I was going to have a summer without DMB. I even went to 2 of his Fall tour concerts, one in my hometown of Albany, NY and one in Madison Square Garden. He was wonderful in both of these settings, as usual, but it wasn't the same as the outdoor summer fun concerts. Recently, I found out about the DMB Caravan 3-day concert in Atlantic City, NJ in June and was psyched. Pretty much all of my favorite bands will be there and it should be totally awesome. Unfortunately, the tickets cost $200 + fees AND on top of that you have to pay for your hotel room. I'm sure it would be worth it to see O.A.R. and Dr. Dog, but I'm not so sure if I can afford it.

I think that the reason why I am hesitant to spend the $200 on the DMB Caravan is because before I heard about that I committed to going to BONNAROO with my best friend. I am not regretting this decision at all because no matter what Nikki and I will have a fantastic time at Bonnaroo. Also, it is their 10th Anniversary so I am sure that they are going to try and step it up a notch compared to usual. The tickets were crazy expensive, but it's a day longer, there seems to be more bands, and you get a camping spot with the price of your ticket.

One of the other bands I wanted to see this summer was Phish. I was really upset last year when I missed them in Saratoga Springs, NY last summer. I was looking at their dates and places and the closest that they get to my hometown is like 2 hours in Bethel, NY on Memorial Day weekend. I not so sure if I am going to be able to make it because I think thats the same weekend that I have to move out of my dorm. The other tour date that I would possibly drive to is the one in Darien Center, NY. It is far from my house, but I have been to that venue numerous times and I really like it there. Also, they are offering admissions to the amusement park that is attached to the venue with the price of the ticket. Plus, the park is going to be open to ONLY people going to the Phish concert. Unfortunately, it happens to be during one of the days of Bonnaroo so I'm not going to be able to make it, however, you guys should totally take advantage of that deal!

The concert that I loved when I was in high school was Vans Warped Tour. My friends and I drove the five hours to go to the one in Darien Center, NY and camp out there in the Buffalo area. We would also take a day to spend at the amusement park. It was always so much fun. I don't think I am going to attend any of the dates this year, but I would suggest it to anyone. Its so much fun to run from stage to stage all day and hear a bunch of great bands and even meet some of them! I also, would like to say that you should vote for STATE CHAMPS to play Vans Warped Tour at Mansfield, MA. You can do that by clicking here. Support local bands!

Another awesome event that happens in the Spring is Bamboozle. I was contemplating going because it is near NYC and is the week after my Spring Break! The only this is that I feel like for me it wouldn't be too different than Bonnaroo. Two of their biggest names, Lil Wayne and Wiz Khalifa, are also going to Bonnaroo. What they probably get people on is how much cheaper is is. Bamboozle tickets only cost $136. You can also buy one day passes for around $50. For only $136 I would just go to every day, but that's just me. I think what is drawing me to Bamboozle the most is Taking Back Sunday because I think they are fantastic and I hear they put on a show. Somehow, everytime they come around I happen to miss them. I might just have to go to Bamboozle in order to see them.

I know I'm missing a bunch of awesome concerts, but these are just a few of my favorites. Let me know if you know of any awesome things that I am missing out on! 

Are you planning on going to anything?! I'd love to hear about your summer plans.

Ashes and Snow Elephants

I'm sure that it has been made pretty clear at this point that I'm borderline obsessed with elephants. There are elephants on the tapestry hanging in my dorm, I have an elephant piggy bank, and the background of my computer is almost always some sort of elephant picture. One day a couple of weeks ago I was walking to work quite quickly because I was running a little late and stopped right in my tracks when I saw this beautiful piece of artwork of the boy reading to an elephant. I fell in love right then and there. At that specific store it costs $275, which is a little much for my to fork over right now. Everyday I look at it and just wish, but now I think I might be meant to own it because I was walking downtown the other day and saw it AGAIN. After, I got home from seeing it at another store I realized I needed to know more about it. Come to find out, I'm a little behind in the game. There are so many beautiful pieces from the Ashes and Snow photography collection by Gregory Colbert. There was once an exhibit in Mexico City, but it closed back in 2008. "Ashes and Snow is an ongoing project that weaves together photographic works, film, art installations and a novel in letters (Ashes and Snow)." They have way more than just elephant pieces, but since I love elephants thats what you're going to get from me today! 

AND THE WINNER IS...

CONGRATULATIONS to The Knapps for winning the $20 gift certificate to CSN stores!

Thank you so much to everyone for participating. I hope that I will be able to offer more giveaways to you in the future. So stick around and keep reading!

As to The Knapps, check your e-mail for the information.

Just to keep you updated, The Knapps purchased bright green antimicrobial cutting boards!

http://www.csnstores.com/GasWatch-TVL-502S-GWS1003.html

Sunglasses Collection

I've always loved sunglasses. I used to have a million cheap pairs, but I finally decided to upgrade and only purchase solid pairs that I find randomly. You almost always need them when you're driving. Even in the winter the sun shining on the snow is super bright! Not only that if you're looking a little tired throw on a pair of sunglasses and no one will know. In my opinion they work wonders! On top of that, you can take some awesome reflection pictures, like that one that I took on Easter last year.

My best friend Jeslyn is the one who lead me to the decision that everyone needs a solid pair. She bought her Ray Ban Aviators the summer before senior year, I think. Hers are gold with rose gradient and they just so happen to look fantastic with her olive skin tone. Style number RB3025. (Note: this picture is four year old & we are inside!)

That is the first pair that I got my senior year of high school at the Sunglass Hut. Classic Ray Ban Wayfarer, white on the front and black on the sides. Practical, but funky. Just the way I like it. Oh and that's me in Hawaii during my senior year of high school. What I would do to go back there.

I purchased this purple and red pair of Ray Ban Wayfarers at Century 21 right before Thanksgiving for only $65. Even when it's not prime sunglasses season you can still find some awesome pairs out there. You have to make sure you keep your eyes peeled.

Last weekend I went to the garage thrift store here in NYC (23rd between 6th and 7th) and stumbled upon this fabulous army green pair of Alexander McQueen sunglasses. They are style number 4133 and I found them online for $220, but I only paid $75. Of course, the woman wanted $125 for them, which I refused to pay for them because they didn't even come with a case and all I would do is scratch them up.

Only a few days ago I came across this adorable pair of vintage Gucci sunglasses at Buffalo Exchange. I honestly was a little skeptical about them at first. After trying them on for like the third time I ended up falling in love. They're almost like a grey with a hint of mauve. They are from the early 90s and after I did some research I learned that they start out as regular glasses. Whoever owned them before me must have swapped out the frames to make them sunglasses, which is fine by me! Perfect addition to my soon to be collection, if you ask me!

Not only do I want a million solid pairs of sunglasses, but I have also become a firm believer in the fact that everyone needs at least one solid pair. For Christmas 2010 I bought my sister this gorgeous pair of Ray Ban Aviators (Style #3044). She has a pretty small face and so I got her the slim fit, small frames so they didn't take over her face. I think she was a little hesitant at first, but she texts me whenever she wears them and it sounds like she is enjoying them for than she expected she would. Plus, she really does look great in them AND that's her awesome Banana Republic jacket that I posted about previously.

One day I got to walk around Central Park wearing these adorable House of Harlow sunglasses. My boss and I were using them for a photo shoot and whenever they weren't on a model I would snag them and pretend they were my one. I keep saying I'm going to break down and buy them, except I keep finding the rare pairs instead and holding off on this specific pair.

One quick shot of my friend Rob wearing his limited edition Oakleys. You can't really see them that well in this photo, but they're white with purple lenses. I absolutely love them. On the inside of the frames it says "Greg Lutzka" and "Good Livin"

My Inspiration:

I think it's safe to say there will be more sunglasses post in the future because there are way more styles that I would love to share with all of you!

Today (Sunday, March 6th) is that LAST day to enter my GIVEAWAY!

Uses of Shutters, Just Not on a Window

For a really long time now I have wanted to grab some cool shutters sitting out on the edge of a road with a sign that says FREE. I'm not totally sure what is with my attraction to them, but I feel that they could have so many different uses. First off you could paint them a million different colors to match any decor. Second, they work for a plethora of items such as pictures, jewelry, and calendars.

If you don't see any sitting on the side of the road with a sign that says 'FREE' these ones are stained a light wood color and cost $30. Also, for all of you who don't want to do the color/staining work yourself. Unfortunately, it says you should only order them if you live in Southern California, which I don't.

I love the idea of using the shutters as a jewelry 'box.' I think that it might be my favorite use of the shutter. I don't love the one with the mesh over it from Etsy, but I do really like the idea of putting the hooks on the side to hang other things. I would much rather put my earrings around the shutters like what they do for the teal one.

The one above is from Candy Calamity blogspot. She gives you some directions as to how to make them. I thought that hers turned out really well. All of this is inspiring me to make my own over the summer, when I'm not so busy with school and work.

They also make a great display for a store!

Using a shutter as an organizer in your kitchen or craft room is also a great idea. They give off such a cozy feeling and you can stuff so many different invitations and notecards in them. Along the same lines as an organizer you could find cute papers and pictures to put together a collage that will turn the shutter into a beautiful piece of art!

Looking for a cute way to store the magazine that you get in the mail every month? Hang them on a shutter! (Image from Miyspirit on Flickr)

Add the perfect country or beachy feel to your bedroom by using shutters as your headboard.

Below are the rest of the adorable ways that you can throw shutters into your home!

Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY!