I don’t feel like writing an article

06/29/2011 in Diary by Amber Renée

Lately I’ve been feeling like I’ve let myself go. I haven’t been exercising, laying out or taking care of my skin. So I’ve decided to put my foot down. I’ve decided that I will now do all of those things and more. And I will write. I will make progress.

I haven’t been making progress here for awhile now. I could run away from work all day, spend it basking in the beautiful vitality of my always cheerful child. Spend it baking in the sun alongside my best friend. Spend it separating my toes and painting each one of my toenails a different color.

I’ve also been considering shutting down my blog or at least seriously changing things. I’m not inspired to write here because every single post has to be an article with some sort of purpose other than just writing and communicating about whimsical nonsense I encounter which is what I originally intended this blog to be anyway. Things always change. I usually resist it but lately I find it exciting. I need some change.

What do you think?

Wear the World, Giveaways and Siren Love

04/27/2011 in Diary, Wear the World by Amber Renée

Hello! How are you doing today? I’ve been busy preparing items for an upcoming gallery and doodling psychedelic cats for Tokyolux’s new line.

It’s been quite awhile since I’ve uploaded any photos of myself so I thought I’d update with an outfit finally, as I’ve really been meaning to do for quite a long time. Today’s outfit is brought to you by Tokyolux — the sweater was a gift from Audrey. I love it, it’s large and comfortable.

After these photos were taken I proceeded to burn my tights (accident) so I’ll be uploading a DIY distressed tights tutorial soon~

As you can see I’ve also added a sneak peek photo of our upcoming giveaway! A couple more items are on the way but I just couldn’t wait to show you what cute items we’ve received already. The giveaway will be taking place this spring so stay tuned for more information on that in the future!

Lastly, Siren London sent me a package stuffed full of their amazing clothing samples which I’ll also be featuring later. If you’ve never checked Siren out do so now, you’ll drool! They are the cardigan queens.

Rainbowlicious Starbright Gumdrop Surprise Cake

04/26/2011 in Diary by Amber Renée

Today I had the pleasure of having lunch with my my mom.
We usually discuss all sorts of off the wall things but today she told me about my first birthday..
I don’t have a lot of memories from my childhood (and I surely could have never remembered my first birthday).
You see I’ve been planning Colette’s first birthday, I’m not sure where I want it to be but I know I want it to be as colorful and magical for her as my mom always tried to make life for me.
My mom loved rainbows and unicorns when I was a little girl so they flood my memories of my youth and I learned that on my first birthday I had a star-shaped orange cake with rainbow gumdrops baked inside.
Doesn’t that sound splendid?

So now I’m on a mission to find a recipe to such an amazing, kitschy sounding cake that must have made my day once long ago.
It wasn’t a fruit cake which most gumdrop recipes tend to be (yuck).. so I’m thinking a tasty lemon or orange cake recipe with a cup of gumdrops (cut them in half and *discard* the black licorice ones!) added would do the trick!
Use a star pan and viola you have your very own rainbowlicious surprise cake!

I can’t seem to gather my thoughts long enough to write a sensible entry~ I apologize for all the wonkiness.

Do you have memories from your childhood (either heard or remembered) that you believe shaped who you are today?

Girls Night Out and Live Webcams

04/18/2011 in Diary by Amber Renée

I just cannot seem to get inspired so I’m forcing myself to get back into the habit of writing anyway.

I finally had a much-needed girl night this weekend.
My best friend and I decided to dress up and go to the roller derby (I was planning to feature it).
It didn’t exactly work out as planned, however. When we arrived we had to park so far away that we gave up halfway there.
We had trekked through the cold rain stinging our faces and smearing our makeup so long that we quickly grew weary of the journey left and ran back to the warm car.
We promised that we’d warm our bones with a glass of wine upon arriving home and we’d try out webcam chatting.

I tend to be too shy to try out webcam chatting, as my friends know after much begging to Skype with them, but with a couple of glasses of wine and my partner in crime by my side I feel like I can do anything. This includes sharing silly details about out night, playing and commenting on music and taking questions from viewers~ it was totally fun and a great way to wind down after a chilly night out. We used Stickam and although we did get some pervy messages the majority of the people were chill. I definitely recommend trying it out for fun and nonsense.. however watch out! One minute we had no watchers, the next we had hundreds.. and we’re total dorks!

Let’s Take a Break

03/31/2011 in Diary by Amber Renée

~ Touchwriter for iPad

Keeping Up is Hard to Do

03/24/2011 in Diary by Amber Renée

Found this tiny cactus at the supermarket, repotted it, put it under a sunlamp and it bloomed, best dollar ever spent!

Every time I start to write a post lately I psych myself out of it. Like one single post is a huge, uncompletable task. My medication seems to make me feel calm and completely, utterly uninspired. I’m very close to konking myself on the head just to knock something loose from my pre-medicated, crazy and endlessly inspired days. I couldn’t be sure I was going to make it through the day but I sure did produce content like no one’s business.

However content can be anything really.. it can be a diary post, a tutorial, a recipe, images, a collection of links, an article, etc. What is your favorite type of content?

Everything is Changing

03/02/2011 in Diary by Amber Renée

I’ve been working like crazy lately and unable to respond to many of your messages but I am getting them and I will catch up eventually. Everything’s changing from winter to spring now and it’s caused quite an overload of work. I understand wanting to start anew and get new collections out, whew so much to do and so little time to blog!

Speaking of collections I’m collaborating with one of my dearest friends, Chelsea of Paper*Cakes on a new project that will be out soon~

I miss the days when I could sit and produce several visual blog posts in no time. I feel like all of that drive has to be focused on Colette and work right now and I just cannot find that same inspiration for blogging. That explains all the rambling diary posts.

Did I tell you my schedule totally changed? We all have to get up before dawn now due to my husbands new job. I’m still trying to get motivated in the early morning but so far I’ve just been sketching, working and chugging lots of tea and vanilla coffee. I’ll get the hang of this!

Miseducated is also going through some changes.. I’ve been reorganizing and there’s much more to go so stay tuned.

We Each Have Our Flaws

02/22/2011 in Diary by Amber Renée

She got so banged up in the move..

I’m currently in the process of obsessing about my window garden. I’m going to make window boxes to line my balcony and I’ve got the strawberries already growing in my AeroGarden.

I’m also working like crazy on the next Tokyolux line which I already want in my closet.

Colette is squealing in the background, this actually inspires me more than anything else.

Outside I can hear the geese squawking.. we live on the water now. This is a completely new thing for me and I like it. I’ve settled down quite well in this place with the huge, arched windows and sidewalk right to my best friend’s house. How could I not?

Yet still I cannot seem to shake that horrible feeling that permeates my entire body.

… and it’s tough. It’s tough getting help. Tough relinquishing this hold you have on your past. Tough getting through all of the small talk so you can get to the good stuff. I’m getting there and I can feel it.. but because of everything I have blocked out is holding me back. Someday I will have to accept the past and move on.

I just love being embarrassingly honest with you because I know in some ways it pays off. I would rather help you by sharing my own story; together we can conquer anything.

Don’t Live in the Past

02/18/2011 in Diary by Amber Renée

My birthday cake.

Package from Audrey.

Birthday gift from Ben.

This chocolate covered cherry Peep is the best thing I've ever eaten.. today!

Valentine tastiness.

Today I spent a little time roaming around my parent’s home. Isn’t it strange when you’re reminded so vividly of a past that was both horrifying and magical?

I remember laying in my comfortable cloud bed knowing that it would be my last night staying at my parent’s home.. I would be getting married the very next day and then we would be off to Japan to celebrate.

We discussed in group therapy yesterday that really rings true.. it was about being present; forgetting about yesterday and tomorrow. There is only today. Don’t waste it.

A sign at the cemetery where I used to roam and have chats with my deceased grandmother reads, “LOVE.” It’s the best advice I’ve had all day.

Why Can’t Everyday Be Like My Birthday?

02/14/2011 in Diary by Amber Renée

We’re often told to do what we want to do on our birthday. We’re able to enjoy sweets without guilt and to celebrate with friends and family. It’s a relaxing day and I want to take time out though today to enjoy every single thing with my family. I want to remember this day.

Why can’t I do that everyday? Why can’t I just take time out to do what I want and enjoy every moment? That’s my new goal this week, for everyday to feel like a special day. To take time out during the day to do things that I want and to make sure to enjoy them.

1. Eat and really enjoy sweets and coffee.
2. Sit outside on the balcony all snuggled in a fluffy blanket and have cocoa toped in marshmallows.
3. Paint colorful deericorns on tiny canvases.
4. Have tea and dessert at a local coffee shop.
5. Read in the bathtub.
6. Have champagne with friends.
7. Dip strawberries in chocolate.
8. Make and decorate cupcakes.
9. Have a tea party.
10. Have a movie marathon.

Write down a list of things you enjoy doing. Write down things that cheer you up even when you’re feeling blue. This is a great list to refer to when you’re feeling bored, unmotivated or a little overworked. You’ll be surprised how much better just doing a few things on your list will make you feel.

Soon I’m going to create little printable journal pages for you to use when reading these posts — I’m hoping it will encourage you to take part in the lessons that have helped me when in need. What sorts of journal pages would you prefer?