The Year of Life \\ Sponsor Spotlight

Today I am here to introduce to you lovely people the lady that has been hanging out on the top of my sidebar over there this month! Everyone meet Jenna from the lovely blog The Year of Life! Being on top of the sidebar means that she gets her own special post so you guys can get to know her a little better and make a new friend! Everyone likes making new friends, right? Without further ado, everyone I introduce you to Jenna!

Describe The Year of Life to us. 
~A the start of the year I decided that I really wanted to make some changes for 2014. This year is about being present in my life and saying YES to new things! The blog is sort of my online journal for this - a place to document moments and to talk about whatever has my attention! I have also created a 28 by 28 list which is a list of things i want to do/achieve by the time I turn 28 next January so that is something that will be heavily featured on the blog.

Where do you find your inspiration?
~Everywhere! I am constantly inspired by the world around me,  by other bloggers and also by the people in my life. 

I see you have a 28 by 28 list but what are some items on your bucket list?

~So many things! At the moment they are all travel related. Here are a few:

See the Northern Lights from Norway or Iceland, do an African Safari, backpack around Europe with my Husband for 3-6 months, swim with Beluga whales in Canada. There are so many things I want to see and experience all around the world!

You can also find her on Instagram and Twitter. Go say hi!

Thanks Jenna for hanging out with me this month!

Do you want a whole post dedicated to you and your blog or shop? All you have to do is purchase a large ad here! Simple and cheap. GREAT way to get your blog noticed to new readers. You can also purchase the medium ad and be featured in a group spotlight post if having the whole spotlight isn't your thing. :)

Meet the Lovely Alex & Paige of Whimsy Darling

I have got another wonderful blog for you guys to LOVE! Whimsy Darling written by two lovely ladies, Paige & Alex. I love reading every single one of their posts, from the outfit posts to the DIY's. Take at look at their interview below, then wander on over to Whimsy Darling and say hello!

If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?

Paige - For a romantic (and maybe less personality based) answer I would say a willow tree. Not that I think I’m a “weeping willow”, but I love the beauty of the willow tree. I have also always loved “The Wind in the Willows”, so there’s a bit of bookish nostalgia involved in my choice.

Alex - I would be a cedar tree! At first I wanted to say evergreen because I am obsessed with the Christmas season, but I had to go with a cedar just because they are all over our neighbourhood in Toronto and I just think they are so pretty. I also just love the way they smell! 

Which Disney Princess would you want to be for a day?

Paige - I would love to be Belle! Obviously if it was just for a day I would prefer not be Belle at the beginning of the story where she is chased by creepy men or locked in a semi-prison. If there was choice involved, I’d love to be Belle on the day she’s gifted an entire library! It’d feel pretty wonderful living in a semi-gothic enchanted castle too.

Alex - Does Pocahontas count? I’m going to say yes. This was an obvious choice for me because she was always my favourite as a child. I would always play “Pocahontas” outside and force my dog to follow me around so I could pretend that she was Meeko. My poor dog.

Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall?

Paige - Fall! I really wanted to cop out and say I love all the seasons, but if I had to choose, it’d be Autumn. I love this time of year because of the beautiful changing colours on the trees, and the amazing hiking weather it provides. I’ve always associated Fall with back to school, which makes me view it as the start of a new year. Probably for this reason, Fall usually involves some sort of drastic change in my style.

Alex - Spring! Hands down. There are so many things I love about spring. The smells, the melting snow, blooming flowers, the temperature… It’s just the perfect season.

If you were to design a clothing line, what would your inspiration be?

Paige - So many things come to mind! At first I wanted to say Jess from New Girl, or Zooey Deschanel in general, but that might run the risk of just copying her style completely. I think I have to go with the artist Gustav Klimt. Hopefully my clothing line would abstain from the nudity that Klimt seems somewhat drawn to, but I love the rich colour palette and tones he uses. For me, colour is everything and I love clothes that have that richness in colour or design that make it a little bit different.

Alex - Salvation Mountain in Palm Springs. I have never been before but it is at the top of my “to-go” list. It’s such an inspirational place for me. I love the bright bold colours that are used but mainly I just love the fact that someone who normally wouldn’t be considered an “artist” was able to create something so beautiful while throwing all the rules of art out the window. I would love to do something similar with a clothing line. Be inspired by the colours but also create things that don’t necessarily follow trends or fashion rules, just create whatever makes me happy.

You're hosting a dinner party, where would it be and whats on the menu?

Paige - Weather dependent I’d love to have a dinner party on my back deck/gazebo surrounded by twinkle lights. As for food, I’m really not a great cook, so I’d probably stick to a relatively raw menu (and probably ask someone to help me bbq up some meat). I’m really a salad gal so I’d have 2 or 3 salad options. I’d also probably make a few pies to satisfy my dessert fetish. Other than the food, drinks are so important! I love having a drink that fits the occasion and is a little bit creative.

Alex - It would definitely take place at my apartment. Does that sound lame? I am just such a homebody and love hosting guests at our place. As for the menu I don’t think I would have any big meal items but instead would stick to appetizers and cocktails. I absolutely hate cooking large meals, but love creating cheese trays and simple hors d’oeuvres to share with everyone. And of course there would be lots of cocktails. They are my favourite thing to come up with before a party.

Meet the Lovely Carly of A Walk in the Park

Next up is Carly of A Walk in the Park! She is a Florida girl that takes the most lovely pictures ever and her style is the greatest! ...Think vintage...

Without further ado, everyone meet Carly!

1. If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?   

If I were a tree, I think I would be a Weeping Willow. I don't really know why, but I guess I'm only saying that because they're my favorite kind of tree. I think they're so elegant and beautiful! 

2. Which Disney princess would you want to be for a day? 

 Ariel. She's always been my favorite, she's just so happy and colorful! When I was little, I can remember saying I always wanted to be a mermaid when I grew up also...so to be Ariel for a day would be awesome! Haha! 

3. Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall? 

 Fall, because I love the colors, patterns and of course layering! Everything is at its best during fall in my opinion....fashion, food, weather, all so good! 

 

4. If you were to design a clothing line, what would your inspiration be?

 I would be most inspired by Audrey Hepburn and Zooey Deschanel's styles. Many classic pieces, kitten heels and A-line dresses would be in my clothing line! 

5. You're hosting a dinner party, where would it be and what's on the menu?

Hm...that's a tough one. I would probably have it on a roof top in NYC, and I would probably serve French food, but I would have more pastries and coffee than actual dinner food. But I'd probably have some pizza and sushi being served also....yum.

Meet the Lovely Courtney of 114º West

Today I am starting a new series where I feature some of my favorite bloggers and introduce them to you! (in case you havent already found them yourself) First on the list is Courtney of 114º West! She is another northwest girl residing in the gorgeous state of Montana. I asked her some questions to get to know her better, so without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, I introduce you to Courtney!

If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?

 If I were a tree I would be a Tamarack Tree. This is a type of tree that is found in my local area of Montana. During the warm summer months it looks a lot like a pine tree with green needles. But as fall starts to come the needles turn a beautiful shade of mustard yellow creating a vibrant fall backdrop for the mountains.

Which Disney princess would you want to be for a day?

I grew up in the princess generation. Watching either the Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin almost every day. So I would have to say Belle from Beauty and the Beast. Especially when she wears the yellow dress, I think that dress is my dream outfit! 

Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall?

I was always that nerdy girl who looked forward to the first day of school and buying new folders and pencils. I love how fall has a feeling of excitement and newness to it. Montana is beautiful during the fall, the leaves changing color and the weather turning colder always brings a joy to my heart. Also being able to wear boots, flannels and scarfs are a huge plus! :)

If you were to design a clothing line, what would your inspiration be?

My inspiration would be my town and the area I live in. I truly believe that Whitefish is one of the most beautiful places in the country and love the relaxed natural vibe that comes from this place. From skiing to hiking I would want to capture our ability to look unique and creative yet totally functional.  I love oranges, browns, turquoise and very earthy natural colors. Also the prints of the west would be my largest inspirations. We are surrounded by native and western prints which are some of my favorites. 

You're hosting a dinner party, where would it be and whats on the menu?

Lately I have wanted to host a champagne and s'mores party! I know right? So much fun, so it would be held in a wooded area with a fire pit, definitely with lanterns and blankets on every chair (it is starting to get cold in Montana at night)!  I think it would be fun to have champagne served in mason jars and s'mores on campfire plates. The menu would be very simple, marshmallows, fancy chocolate, and gram crackers. To drink we would have champagne with lemonade as mixer! Jordyn if I do this you have to come over from Washington and hang out with us Montana girls! 

Ok. How amazing does that party sound!?