I'm FAMOUS!! (not really ...)

LOOK!!! LOOK!!!!

I'm in "Brides Local" magazine --- which is an off-shoot of "Brides Magazine!"

See my purple crown here (click for a close-up shot).

And here I am again!!! (The "twiggy crown")

Here's a close-up where they mention my name!! EEPPp!!!!!

Here's what the cover looks like in Maryland ... not sure if they same articles are in all the Brides Local areas ... maybe it's just the advertising that's different??? Can anyone report back if I'm in their areas "Brides Local" issue??

On your mark ... get set ....

Sooo ... did everyone have a good holiday?!?! My Christmas was very nice and relaxing! Just hanging out with my parents and boy ... what more could a girl want?

I've kind of been slacking off on creating since I have the once-a-year excuse of Christmas ... But now that that's all over, it's time to get cracking!

You might have noticed my announcement about getting custom orders in early --- and this is SO TRUE!! It's so less stressful to get things planned and taken care of ahead of time, especially when you want to make sure it's perfect!! (Perfection can't be rushed, you know!)

Anyway, for all you lucky newly engaged girlies out there ... here is some wedding inspiration and tips!!!

ENJOY ....

-- Save, save, save: If that means skipping your morning lattes, do it.

-- Skip the planner: Select a family member or friend to help organize your wedding.

-- Get married on Friday or Sunday: It will cost less than a Saturday wedding.

-- Avoid May through October: This is the priciest time of year.

-- Outdoor reception: Many parks can handle outdoor events. You may have to purchase a permit. Also, if a friend has a beautiful home or garden, consider having your wedding there. It’s free, but you’ll have to pay for rentals of tables and chairs and perhaps a tent.

-- Keep guest list small: It’s a newer trend to have only those closest to you at the wedding.

WEDDING CAKE

-- Cupcakes: Display in round tiers or stacked on homemade boxes. They’re a popular trend, inexpensive and practical.

-- Skip the baker: Bake your own or buy a supermarket cake to embellish.

-- Showpiece: Make a small showpiece cake and have sheet cakes made in the same flavor to serve your guests. Or prepare small centerpiece cakes and place them at each table for guests to serve themselves.

INVITATIONS, PROGRAMS

-- Save on postage: Use a postcard instead of an envelope for your return RSVP.

-- Skip printing: Have a family member or friend with beautiful handwriting prepare the programs.

-- Use color paper: Have your programs printed on color paper (to match your wedding colors). For example, color copies at Kinko’s start at 20 cents a sheet. To prepare 125 programs (5-by-7 size) with black and white print on color card stock, prices start as low as $22.

FOOD

-- Timing: Plan your reception for a time during the day when you don’t need to serve a full-course meal.

-- Tea reception: Serve cucumber sandwiches, fruit and nut breads. Or try miniature cream puffs filled with chicken, ham or tuna salad.

-- Cocktail reception: Served hors d’oeuvres. Guests tend to eat less when they are served.

-- Food stations: Have family members do the serving or hire area high schoolers. These stations are trendy because they make simple foods seem more extravagant.

-- Skip the open bar: Serve champagne instead of having an open bar, often one of the biggest expenses. Also, if your reception is a brunch or lunch, guests will be less likely to drink.

DO-IT-YOURSELF FAVORS

-- Potpourri or mints: Make drawstring bags from lace, tulle or silk and fill with potpourri or mints. Tie with ribbon. The bags (20 to 35 cents each) are available at www.papermart.com.

-- Seed packets: Tie with ribbon or raffia.

-- Wine glass markers: Make from wire and beads, place in a small box and tie with ribbon.

-- Lavender sachets: Make a small bag from lace. Sew up three sides, put the lavender in and sew up the fourth side. Attach a small silk flower.

-- Cupcake liner: Fill with candy (silver and gold are classy options). Try M&Ms in your wedding colors.

FLOWERS AND DECORATIONS

-- Use fresh flowers sparingly: Consider fresh for the head table and silk for the guest tables.

-- Divide and conquer: Use three different types of centerpieces, spreading the same color throughout the room. One centerpiece could be fresh flowers, the second could be inexpensive pillar candles and the third a bowl of floating candles.

-- Pedestal bowl: The bloom from a gardenia floating in a pedestal bowl is inexpensive and elegant. Tie a satin ribbon around the pedestal. Use a color that coordinates with your wedding. Camellias are gorgeous used this way.

-- Consider your garden: Blooms and cuttings from hydrangeas, azaleas, dogwoods and magnolias from your garden or a friend’s work well arranged in any style you choose. Zinnia is a colorful annual that can be grown from seed and should bloom for a late summer or fall wedding.

-- Branches: Try a centerpiece made with branches (with leaves) from your yard. Spray paint them with silver or gold and arrange them on tabletops.

-- Potted plants: Caladiums, azaleas, redbuds and other plants with a colorful leaf or bloom.

RECEPTION MUSIC

-- Piped-in: Some halls have background music that’s programmed in and ready to use, so it’s free. But preview the music first.

-- Amateur DJ: You may have a talented friend or family member who can pull this off.

-- Two for one: Hire the same person to be the organist at the wedding and pianist at your reception.

-- Small band: Consider a small group of student musicians or pros.

PHOTOS AND VIDEO

-- Novice photographers: Scour sites such as craigslist.com for professional photographers looking to break into the wedding business. Often they’ll do a full day of photos for thousands less that a “name” photographer.

-- Do your own printing: Hire a photographer to shoot the wedding and give you a CD with the high-resolution images. You can save on printing costs by going to discount stores, such as Wal-Mart, or online sites, such as www.snapfish.com.

-- Packages: Hire the same company to do video and photos. You often can save on a package deal.

la la laaaa

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!

Here's what I bought myself this year for my Christmas present. It's called a Foks :) hehe It's like a cross between a vintage mink stole and a comfy cowl!!

BONUS.

Hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday! I can't wait for this coming year. SO MUCH will be happening!!! :D :D :D

Can't say what yet though ;)

Love you! --Emily

(It looks cooler on her... )

http://www.etsy.com/shop/celapiu

I got some ...

S-N-O-W

the end.

Happy Christmas everyone!!

Style icon: Meg Ryan

I happened upon "Sleepless in Seattle" on TV this afternoon before I had to trudge through the snow into work. (16" around here today!!!)

Why did I never notice before!! Meg Ryan's hair in that movie is to-die-for!!

This is what I'm going for with my hair grow-out attempt: Loose, long layers with messy updos. She has this great effortless look in the movie ... like she's never touched a bottle of hairspray :)

I tried to find a clean shot of the back of her hair on the Interwebs ... but no luck.

I recommend you Netflix it if you haven't seen it in a while... definitely worth another look! She also has this super-cute shabby chic kitchen in it, too!!!

Oh -- and another, more recent one ....

Hmmm.... I'm feeling the pull of the scissors!!!! AHHH!!!

tutus and feathers

I guess every little girl wants to be a ballerina at some point in their childhood. The idea of transforming into this magical, ethereal creature that gracefully bends to pick up flowers at the end of a performance can't be beat.

I still hang on to this obsession just a tiny bit. I think I quit ballet too soon ... and I really wish now that I had stuck with it! Especially since I turned out to be naturally skinny and non-stacked!  Ah well. Such is life.  

BUT --- on the upside --- ballet is chock full of whimsical inspiration! I'm especially enthralled with "Swan Lake." The white feather look is just too perfect. 

I know I said I was going to do an "Alice in Wonderland" line ... (and I've made some pieces if you look carefully!) But I think it's going to be Swan Lake all the way for the winter months :)

bbuuuuuuhhhh ......

I've been sick.

UGHH!!!

It started with these weird bumps on my neck ... and I thought "that can't be good." And it wasn't. Had a KILLER sinus infection and couldn't even do Etsy!!!

It was a good thing I had some time off work anyway, but it sucked that all I could do with my time off was sit on the couch and watch movies. Normally, this is my ideal activity ... but when you're sick ... nothing is fun.

My bird, Caesar, was my only entertainment when there was nothing to watch on TV and I was out of good movies. Here he is giving some love to his mirror. Such a narcissistic bird.

I'm just about at 100% now ... got some sweet antibiotics (just in time to go back to work.) SIGH. Ah well. I am thankful that I can taste food and breath through my nose again :)

OOOHHH. I want to make a new video but and out of ideas.....Any suggestions for some sort of tutorial video???

The road less traveled

I know I sometimes randomly blog about movies --usually romantic ones, or dramas --- but this one has NO relation whatsoever to Etsy or crowns, or anything whimsical and pretty. In any way. AT ALL. haha. But, whatever, I liked it!

"The Road" by Cormac McCarthy (the same guy who wrote "No Country for Old Men" ) is a chilling and enthralling read. To be sure. 

If was the first subject that me and my now-boyfriend talked about when we were in that "awkward talking stage." We had both just finished it and had heared they were making a movie with Viggo Mortensen (sp?)---(that dude from "Lord of the Rings.")

Anyway, over a year later --- it finally came out! But only in limited release.

We saw it last weekend at this indie movie theater in Baltimore. 

It was SO GOOD. I am usually not a fan of book-to-movie translations ... but this one was superb. 

If you live somewhere where it's playing -- definitely go for it. I think it *may* be coming out it wide release soon, but, who knows.

It's not a particularly happy or up-lifting flick ... but even amidst the end of society, you find bits of humanity that remain. 

I can't really talk about much without giving away crucial plot points .. but basically, there's been some kind of catastrophic nuclear event, and a young boy is born just as all this is going down.

After about a decade of enduring this harsh life, the father and son decide to head South (where it would be warmer.)

They follow the road.

Where does it lead? Read (or watch) to find out!!!

I have no shame.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Beginning to look a lot like you know what.

(I just thought this was cute. It has no relation to the rest of this post ... except that maybe I want a kitten for Christmas!)

====

Well, It's officially the Christmas buying season. Again. I know I say this every year now, but (SERIOUSLY) didn't Christmas JUST happen? 

I've gotten organized, bought some stuff ... but I still have a lot more to find. 

And by find, I mean THINK OF! Why is this always such a problem for me?

You get the entire year to think of a great present for someone, and then you leave it up to the last 15 days to find it. RIDICULOUS. 

Whatever. Gift cards all around.

But really, I've been trying to buy exclusively on Etsy and local shops in the downtown area here. I'm pretty lucky since there are a lot of super cute boutiques and specialty stores. I know a lot of places only have a Wal-Mart and a mall. 

It just seems so much more special to get something that isn't mass-produced. Or, then again, maybe it is mass-produced, but it's just really marked up in the boutique store. Oh well. Buying local and supporting local business owners is almost like donating to charity. It makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside like you're doing something nice for your fellow human being. :)

Here is something that always gets me in a Christmasy mood. It's an old Disney cartoon about the night before Xmas and the toys come alive and all that. Classic!

BLACK FRIDAY!!! AAAAHHHH!!!!

(Sorry, you have to read through to the end to find out about the deal.)

Unlike most people, I was at work on Thanksgiving.

I know, I know ... sad. But hey, the news never sleeps, and neither do I! I guess I'm kind of used to it because I've done it for the last three Thanksgivings. The plus side is that I have always had Christmas day off. I don't think I could handle that.

And besides, the peeps at work put together a pretty decent turkey dinner! (I made an apple pie.) I still miss my mom's sweet potato casserole though....mmmm.....

So, today is BLACK FRIDAY. And everyone on Etsy (and the world) is talking about SPENDING!!! DEALS!!! DISCOUNTS!!! HURRY!!!!

It makes me a bit stressed out.

I like to think of Etsy as an oasis where people can pay a fair price for a HANDMADE product that someone put a lot of time and effort into (i.e. not "made in china!")

Sorry. That was my rant for now.

Anyway, I feel like the holidays are a time of love and giving ... so I want to give my customers some sort of deal --- but I want to call it a "customer appreciation sale."

SO---- the deal.

I will offer free shipping to the U.S. midnight EST Monday (the 30th)

I will offer $5 shipping to anywhere else in the world (flat rate) until midnight EST Monday (the 30th)

Thank you--

Love, Emily

just because

I think it's important to know where you came from (and how far you've come) to be able to move forward in life.

And for this reason (and because I think it's kind of funny and entertaining....)

I give you "EMILY: THE AWKWARD YEARS."

PRESCHOOL. I am squinting at the camera because the sun was bright. I remember that. I wanted him to hurry up and take the stupid picture. I look a bit evil here...

7TH GRADE (really awkward years): I have braces. I have bad bangs. I don't know what I was thinking .... 

GRADUATION: Here is where the hair up-do thing started!! I still have such a baby face here ... oh, to be young!

Whatever you want to call them ... heroes, idols, inspirations .... everyone has people they look up to. I was thinking about originality the other day (mostly, the current issue I'm dealing with of copycat/haters) and I was realizing that someone emulating me or my style really is a high honor.

(If only they weren't stealing my dreams and my income.)

Anyway, trying to keep things on the sunny side.

Here are the people I've looked up to and how they have changed over my life.

FAMILY: My mom and dad and big sister (obviously!) They are the people who taught me how to be myself, how to care for people and what It means to love. I remember putting on my mom's make-up when I was little...making a mess. And always wanting to do ANYTHING my sister was doing. And thinking my dad was the smartest person in the world when he made up bedtime stories to tell me.

PUNKY BREWSTER: I think every little girl my age wanted to by Punky at one time. She was just SO COOL and so far beyond her time. And my goodness...that vest and those bandanas around her knees!!

ANI DIFRANCO: Ani represents the first "breakaway" for me from only wanting to listen to the same type of music as my sister through my middle/highschool years. I thought she was so beyond amazing ... and her lyrics first made me want to be a writer. Sidenote: I used to have a nosering because of her!

WALT WHITMAN: Oh, my idealistic and poetic college years. I was an English/Poetry major and thought life was nothing but a collection of stanzas. I read "Leaves of Grass" cover to cover ... mumbling the words out loud like I was in some kind of trance.

MARTHA STEWART: Snapped back to reality after school...working retail ... but starting to get more in tune with my creative/artistic self. Martha represents the full spectrum of togetherness/ success (minus the whole prison thing) and sophistication. I remember thinking 'why can't I do something like that?'

EMILY MARTIN: (the Etsy seller "TheBlackApple.") I chose her to represent "THE ETSY SELLER" ideal for me. I remember when Lauren first sent me a link to etsy and wrote, "Possibly the coolest thing ever."

Whoah. was she right or what. I remember looking at TheBlackApple and just being blown away that people were buying these things this girl, just like me, had made.

I remember staying up late that night and sketching out drawings, ideas for shops, possible names and just feeling this tremendous sense of possibility and destiny.

I like to think that there is much more ahead. Where I am now is just the adolescence of my business and artistic journey. Maybe I will be someone's "Martha Stewart" someday.

But if I'm only ever Emily, that will be just fine with me.

NEW YOUTUBE VIDEO!!

:)

SCIENCE PROJECT!!!!

I've been meaning to try this "Rit" fabric dye stuff ever since I saw it in a shabby chic book. (I went though a serious SC phase when I was younger and am still hanging on just a bit.)

Anyway, the beauty of this stuff is that you can take a pile of boring, white garments, and turn them PINK!!! (or just about any other color.)

It's the perfect way to brighten up a dull winter by giving your old wardrobe a new look!

You can do it on a stovetop in a really big saucepan---or in the washing machine! (which is what I did.)

It reminded me a lot of dying Easter eggs....

Just make sure you read ALL the directions as it can become quite a colorful mess if you're not diligent :)

I love how the straps on this vintage slip stayed sort of white, but the rest is a dreamy rose!!

Plain-ole t-shirt given a new life!! I think I might embroider/stitch something on it.... Lace perhaps??

The perfect fall wedding!

Oh. My. Goodness!!!

Love love LOVE this wedding!!!!

Monica was kind enough to share her beautiful fall wedding

that my crowns played a small role in :)

Check out her slide show!! (Complete with a song my Meiko that I happen to LOVE!!)

CLICK HERE!!!!

The crown takes a lickin' and keeps on ticking!! :) :)

All about Alice.

I search for inspiration everywhere and in everything. I find a great deal of inspiration outside of reality. (In dreams, fairy tales and costuming, etc.)

But the absolute best is when fantasy and reality come together.

I love the thought that one can be at once in a normal life and suddenly slip into another space through a rabbit hole......or was it all a dream? And in the same token, one can put on a hair accessory or item of clothing and feel transformed.

The idea of logic is never certain...and it is in this idea that true creativity is found.

Anyway, the point of all this seemingly pointless rambling is that I'm planning to start on an Alice in Wonderland line!!

Alice in Wonderland (or Alice's Adventures in Wonderland) has always been a favorite of mine. I started with the Disney cartoon version and eventually read the original Lewis Carroll. '

The new Tim Burton movie is coming out soon (which looks so amazing, by the way) and I LOVE the idea of creating a whole line of goodies based on one central idea!

Whattayathink??

Black and white and read all over.

I realized this afternoon that I've never really blogged about what I do (in my real life.)

I know you would imagine that I live in a happy little fairy cave where I whip up cute hair clips at my leisure. But, sadly, no.

I've got a day job (that's really a night job) where I work as a graphic designer at a newspaper! Sounds glamourous, but it's rough. Deadlines and breaking news.... you know.

Anyway, here's what I normally do (LINK) My usual daily duty is designing/laying out the front page. It's tough! Sometimes things don't happen until late and I have to start the dang thing all over again! craaa-zee.

But this I'm really proud of:

It's a special 12-page section I've been working on for about 2 weeks.It's about MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving.) This is the front of it.

The crash that started the whole organization (with the little girl) was in the town where I work. So they've got interviews with the mom and the driver. Compelling stuff! So... if you live in the area, pick one up tomorrow and support the dying newspaper industry!!

Write it down. Cross it out.

It's one of those times in my life where I start feeling overwhelmed, and therefore, I make lists. Actually, Etsy tends to slow down this time of year (people seem to not want hair crowns in the winter ??? crazy! I know!)  But my life seems to jump into turbo speed around the holidays. 

There is a mindset that the more I can cram into one day, the easier the rest of the days following will be. This never seems to pan out though because more stuff just piles up!

I was in the shower last night going over what I needed to do...trying to make up a song so that I would remember it all for once I'd dried off and found a pen.

It helps to see it all on paper I think .... and the best part of all .... getting to scratch each line off as I do it! :)

I will at least be able to scratch off "BLOG" from this list now. YES!

P.S. My sale's still going on!! Buy one, get one half off in the shop! Plus, I've added more goodies!! whichgoose

SALE SALE SALE SAAAAAAALLLLEEEE!!

I don't know, I'm just in a generous mood this month :) :)

SPREAD THE WORD!!

:::SALE DETAILS::::

End date: NOVEMBER 15th

Buy any item in the shop, get the second item half-off. This must be done in one transaction, and the discounted item will be of equal or lesser value. Funds will be credited back to a PayPal address. Not applicable on custom orders. NO RESERVATIONS!

CHECK OUT THE GOODS!!!