Pedro and Ellie

Just wanted to share a pic of Pedro and his gal-pal with you. Hope the weekend is treating you well :)

Coming up: Coachella wrap up,  and the start of 10-things Tuesday.

Things I Learned at 3/11 Day

3/11 Day falls every year on March 11 but it's officially celebrated bi-annually by the band (three-eleven)  and their thousands of fans with three days of festivities and a 5 hour concert. It's usually in New Orleans, but it's been derailed twice. Once, by Katrina and this year, by a doctors convention that booked ALL of New Orlean's hotels. It took a month to process and share with you all of the things I learned this year. Enjoy. 

1. As much as I love my boyfriend... it's always more fun to stay with my girls. For the first two I attended, we implemented a "no boys" rule where we kept our room girls only and all stayed in the room all 3 nights. Those trips and memories are priceless. The last trip got messy, and this one we were spread out and the girl time seriously lacked. No impromptu shopping trips, sharing clothes, doing each others hair and make up, going to random dance clubs, closing out the bars, and then laying in bed watching "COPS: Bad Girls."

I missed my ladies. I guess a good compromise that I tried to set up is to stay closeby everyone. It's a bummer to be so secluded at different hotels. Next time, adjoining rooms!

2. Gotta learn to take it easy... as excited as we all are to see each other, there is no reason to buy shot after shot after shot! And if we're going to do that... do not wear heels. Note to one of my buddies... slow down before the show! It IS called 3/11 day. You don't want to get sick or sleep through it. The point of partying is not to miss out on all of the fun.

There's always next...next year. 

3. Maximize your time... don't sleep in all day, don't waste time waiting around for people, take initiative, eat early and make the most of your time. Charge your phone and your camera and be ready for the day and the adventures that will unfold.

And don't dwell when things doesn't work out. Overreacting doesn't help ;)

4. Make sure your electronics are on your side... you're going to want to see so many people and there are going to be lots of people who want to see you... but that doesn't mean anything if your phone dies at 9pm and the night's barely started. It was kind of a bummer after the fact to see pictures of things people did and wonder, wtf, where was I? Also a bummer was getting home and realizing your camera was on a ridiculous setting that made all your pictures basically unusable. 

It's a vacation you've been waiting 2 years for... it can be a bummer to not see people and not get the high-quality pictures you wanted. Be prepared, then make the most of it!

5. Truly make the most of every moment. It's a gift to be surrounded by good friends. Not to be too sentimental, but this group and these friendships are a gift. I got goosebumps several times. This bond is so deep... some people are so treasured they will be carried forever. Shannon and I saw Mark Holt shirts during the show and had a moment where we had to choke back tears. His presence was felt as well as Mike Hardman's. Running and Beyond the Grey Sky  were emotional tributes.

It's beautiful to know that through this love, they will be carried in peoples hearts forever.

6. Let go... no reason to hold on to a grudge or bring old feuds with you. I really should have let some things go to make the most of my trip. I have to admit, I did avoid bars and situations because people I had no desire to be around would be in the vicinity. I definitely missed out. And I know that others did the same thing. Kind of a bummer because that's not the place for it.

Next time, bury the hattchet and just grin and bear it. No need to be friends with everyone, but not worth it to keep enemies. Leave the attitude at home!

7. Plan better! Save more! Do more! Shoulda, woulda, coulda... my hotel was awesome but it could have fit 10 more. We definitely did not budget for the trip. I missed out on buy ANY merch! I'm glad I've been to Vegas countless times but I didn't walk the strip or go to any of my usual favorite spots and I missed out on many a photo op. 

Next time, the shoe box piggy bank is making a return... as well as a to-do list. 

All in all, I don't want it to sound like I had an awful trip. I just mismanaged a lot... waited around, excluded myself and planned poorly. But I did get to see (mostly) everyone I wanted to, spent at least an hour or so, shared a drink or two, snapped a pic, dropped a knee... you name it. 

The show itself was unforgettable. No matter what, the entire group was together, the love was felt, the place was rocked... It made everything else worthwhile. I really truly love being a fan of this band and grateful for everyone that has come into my life because of this journey. I appreciate those relationships, above anything else.

Much love to my friends :) 

I've got a clique that's more like a family... 

Memphis 2006

New Orleans 2008

Vegas 2010

(sorry if the formatting is all messed up, I switched over to the new blogger format and it won't work with me, AT ALL! HELP)

Tonight...

...I met my hero, Kelly Cutrone! She was so nice. Which was a total shocker, right? haha. It was a instore signing for her book and she took the time to write a personalized message for everyone. Life advice, business advice, contact info for people in the business. If you watch her show, it was the ultimate event. She did Q&A for a bit, which was awesome because she is such a strong woman and a powerful, positive influence for young girls. 

I was very excited to say the least :D

Greetings from Salem

Way too excited to be here :)

Life notes from a plane ride

Life has been a bit all over the place lately and I've had to deal with some intense criticism. I wrote some notes, liner notes I guess about what I am all about. Just wanted to share.

I am someone who believes that you are born with what you need in life. Influence didn't make you. I despise ignorance and hate, yet I've dealt with a lot of drama my entire life for not biting my tongue. I will not. I'm an honest and true person. I am hated for being a selfish and uncaring person yet I am nothing but overwhelmingly friendly to strangers. You don't deserve respect, you earn it. And you get what you give.


I've been cutting ads out of magazines since I was really young. This all clicked with me. I worked with children for a long time maybe because I just couldn't deal with adults and I didn't want to be one. To be honest, I still don't. So its funny I fell into exactly what I want to do. But I do believe that everything happens for a reason, so I'm not surprised.


I want to make things beautiful. I take inspiration from everything. I want to go to Coachella and people watch and photograph and let the desert inspire me. Its magical there. And then almost clear across the country I want to go to Lollapalooza and do the same, in the middle of the metropolitan city amidst the skyline. I dream to design. I stare at the gorgeous girls in both places with their golden skin, in their summer attire and it's better than NYC fashion week. THAT is my fashion week. I could die after that, taking it all in. The hair, the hats, the headbands and headgear, the dresses, the beautiful bodies, the tans, the colors, the SHOES! No wonder when I went to Coachella for so many years and I only paid mind to what I would pack versus who I would see.


I think its all relative. Music, art, the color palate, my musical appetite.... Its all encompassed.


I think to make art one must know art. What a shame to just do what's selling to make you the most money. I'd like to make something classic. Be known for more. Its so exciting to go from step one, two, three, seeing everything in between. Molding myself as much as I molded my own projects out of wax back in school. You have to know texture, color, metals, heating, soldering, casting...its crazy and intense but beautiful and exciting. Something out of nothing. You know nothing until you have something you can call your own, with your conscience clear. Then pride is your own.


I am inspired by life. By the songstress with the rocker. By the beating drums and the ballads and the music and the moments at dusk you will never forget.


I'm ready for this life to start.

Sweet.

Did a mall tour for work and found this cute little bar. They also had a chocolate fountain station for dipping. I practiced extreme self control, I only snapped pics! Looked like a real life Wonka Bar! Loved it.