Mini Pip

Project 365: Week Five

What my Monday night should have been: Coming home from work, having a snack and blogging my week.

What Monday night actually was: Came home late from work, ate some leftover chinese, and passed out on the couch before I could get to my bed.

Most things don't work out like you plan. But (a day late) here's week five!

July 29th:

These are flowers at work that I've wanted to take a picture of since opening. I have some close-up shots but the colors are magnificent and that little vase is so cool!

July 30th:

"Outfit of the day" (ootd). I don't usually take pictures of my outfits just because I don't have nice backgrounds and it takes so long to set up my tripod, but I think my phone did a pretty good job. I downloaded an app called pic collage, which has fantastic backgrounds and layouts.

I received this dress and necklace from Drew's family for my birthday and I am in love with it. It was the perfect dress for work and for the heat we've been having.

July 31st:

I blogged about this day last week, so for those who read the post know it was not a productive day. I've finally finished editing photos, which is not my favorite task as a business owner.

August 1st:

Another OOTD. I've talked about this company quite a bit, I just love them so much! The skirt is from Mata Traders. FAIR TRADE, at a GREAT price. (It is currently $37.99-on sale!). I actually wore this outfit to my interview and it worked so well, a little creative with a touch of professional. I bought the bracelet in Guatemala and can't believe how well the colors match this skirt.

August 2nd:

OOTD-this dress was from Drew's family for my birthday last year. This one, and the other, are both from American Rag by Macys. It is a great line and on a petite figure, it is a perfect fit (NO ALTERATIONS!). Watch and Bracelet from Fossil, Shoes from Payless by Zac & Zoe, Necklace from my trip to Paris in college.

August 3rd:

I bought a book called "Fall in Love for Life: Inspiration from a 73 year marriage". It was recommended to me for an engagement gift and I opened the book just to read a little and opened to this page. I don't think embarrassed is the correct word, but I've been apprehensive about going back to work in retail, thinking it might be a step back in my career, but this text reminds me that this opportunity will open so many doors.

August 4th:

Sunday I went home to work and saw I had a package. I didn't order anything so this was a total surprise. I opened it to literally a package of mustaches. A ring, necklace and earrings! For the past few years, I've loved mustaches but never bought anything with them on it, so as soon as I opened this, I knew it came from my college roommate. It was such a nice surprise and I am so happy that my fingers have a mustache now!

Also, homemade pickles. They can't get much better than this.

I can't believe the month of July is over. Just over a month and I've taken about 46 pictures for this challenge. I can't wait to see where I am this time next year and see how life has changed. If you want to join me on this challenge, just start taking pictures! You don't need a smart phone with all the apps I have, and simple camera will do. Just take a snapshot of something in your day and start keeping a record. Blog about it and share your link!

New York, New York

Last week the company I work for, MayaMam Weavers, made its New York debut at the New York International Gift Fair. It was an amazing experience and I really did learn a lot. The second day there I was able to walk around a couple sections. I had never been in the Javits center before and therefore never realized how big it is until I walked around...and got lost...a lot. I was able to walk through the section we were in (Global Handmade), Designer Handmade and New York's Newest.

There is nothing I enjoy more, other than sewing, than discovering great companies with a story. Handmade products almost always come with a story, especially if they are international. As I walked through, I wrote down the names of all the booths I wanted to learn more about. The first was Mata Traders.

I'm obsessed with clothing. I love looking at the creativity that a designer can bring to a garment. Mata Traders is a lovely fair trade company from India who makes beautiful clothing and accessories. I intentionally walked by the booth many times just to keep looking at the clothing, but was always too nervous to stop and talk. So I purchased some products online! I bought a dress, a top and a skirt. (Also, their prices are amazing!)

Zephyr Top $28.00

Santa Clara Dress $88.00

Show and Tell Skirt $46.00

Another company that stopped me in my walking tracks was Poppy Treffry from the U.K. Their bags are adorable and I'm in love with their website.

Makeup Bag £24.00

 Teapot £45.00

There were a few other companies that I wrote down, but can't find them online. I'll get more info when we go back in August.

 

(all images taken from companies' sites)

Adventures in Guatemala

A few weeks ago I got the opportunity to travel to Guatemala for work. I'll blog more about my job eventually, but for now I just want to share some pictures of where I went. First stop was Cajola, then Shala (Quezeltenango) and ended in Antigua. It was such an incredible experience and I do hope to go back one day. I tried to get a few photos while traveling to each location but they drive so fast it was difficult to get a clear shot!

Here's some pictures from the week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every place we went had such beauty and it was really nice to completely surround myself in the culture. We weren't in typical tourist locations, besides Antigua, and even then you could feel the authenticity in all the architecture. I'm not very fluent with my Spanish so while I couldn't communicate very well, everyone was understanding and so welcoming.

 And just to share, I work for an ethical company, MayaMam Weavers. Our artisans are from Cajola, Guatemala and they make home and fashion accessories. It's a truly wonderful company to be a part of and shopping ethically has been a passion of mine for a few years. Here's the last picture I took in Guatemala...in the airport with a pair of TOMS and my travel companion, a stone and cloth backpack.

 

 

 

 If you are looking for great gifts for the holidays this year, all three company's have fabulous AND ethical ideas. It's nice to give more than just a gift.